I looked at her and nodded. The addition of another Den enticed me, and I had some ideas on how to get our numbers back up even further, but I was still in no position to tell her how to run the Den. She motioned for me to follow her deeper. On another wall, rest a large Templar cross. Judging by the large hinges that held it to the stone wall; I could tell it was heavy. It also had traces of dried blood all over it. She looked at it and smiled. "This cross once belonged to Allias Malduni. He was a Templar Grand Master. When I was a recruit, many moons ago, my master and I went after him. Malduni was a crafty man, and very well informed."

I nodded. "I vaguely recall a report about him when I started. Wasn't he known as The Dark One?"

She smiled. "A poor name for him, but yes. His shtick, as it were, was to meet his victims or underlings in shadow. It was his way of getting under people's skin. This cross was the weapon he tried to fend us off with."

I could only smile; a fitting weapon for a Templar. "So, which of you reversed the attack on him?"

She chuckled. "Neither. While my master kept him occupied I was able to smack the cross out of his hands. I picked it up hurled it at him. As you can see here," she said, pointing. "It stuck out some and he fell forward, which pushed it in even more."

I smiled, for I could guess why she kept it. "You kept it as a reminder of your success?"

She nodded. "Yes. Also, because it's a reminder of how teamwork saved the mission. Had my master not been there, I wouldn't have had my opening. Do you understand where I'm driving at, Drago?"

I nodded. "Yes, Master…"

She put her hand on my shoulder. "You've done great to take out these three in succession, but it's time you took a partner. Trust the vision, and take Sarah with you when you take out the others. Having a former master with you will help bolster your claim to the other Dens."

I nodded. "I understand."

She patted my shoulder. "You've always been a loner, Drago. I know that. We must trust in our brothers and sisters, now more than ever. Once they know you're a master they will follow suit."

I bowed, "Thank you, Master."

She nodded. "Now, I want you to get some rest." I nodded and started up.

"Master," I began. She nodded. "If I may be so bold…"

She shot me a look. "You may."

"How many other pieces do we have?"

She frowned and sighed. "You've always been bright," she said, "Sometimes, too bright." Her frown quickly turned to a smile. "Come." I followed her deeper and found a large chest with our Symbol on it. She looked at it and then to me. "We have this piece, but I'm not entirely convinced that it's a piece of Eden. It has the look of one…but it has no power that I can tell. My master maintained that it was…but I'm not able to feel anything from it. Perhaps you can."

She opened the chest and I saw what appeared to be a gold set of chainmail armor. It had the intricate design that the Bar of Eden had, but she was right, it didn't have the same feel or glow to it. I shook my head. "I'm not sure…" I said, "I'd like to try it…but I don't feel power from it either."

She nodded. "Go ahead, try it on. It didn't do anything for me, but it might for you." I picked up the chainmail and put it over my robes. It felt heavy, but it was also comfortable. I waited for a moment; nothing. I looked to her.

"I don't feel anything," I said, "It's a comfortable armor, but, it doesn't…" I suddenly felt light headed, and I fell backwards. I caught myself on a stone pedestal some feet back. My vision blurred, and I felt…ethereal. I was able to see past my master and into the next room. It was like an out of body experience. I looked around and saw the other rooms. Looking up, I could see Sarah and Thomas, I could see the other Assassins in their rooms. I was able to be with my master and with the others at the same time. I closed my eyes and felt myself drift even further. I felt myself at top of the Den, looking over the city; the people and cars seemed like ants. I felt powerful, not physically, but mentally, and even spiritually. I opened my eyes and saw my master. An eerie aura surrounded her. It was like a wisp of smoke starting from her shoulders and working its way down. I shook my head and yanked the chainmail off of me. I was back in my body, as it were, and my senses started to return to normal. She stared at me, half in concern, and half in confusion. "It's…"

"Yes?" she pressed. "Drago, what is it? What did you see?"

I shook my head. "This is a Piece of Eden alright…it's…remarkable…" I picked up the chainmail, folded it carefully, and placed it back into the chest. I looked at her. "It felt like I was here, but also all over the compound. I was with Sarah and Thomas. I was with the others as well. I closed my eyes and went to the top of the Den…I could see…everything…Master…the Templars must not get a hold of these…they could see everything…I think these pieces are connected…" I felt sick to my stomach, and I started to get dizzy. I shook it off. "We need to increase the security of this room, we can't let the Templars get anywhere near these pieces."

She nodded. "I've heard that the pieces don't work with everyone. I'm obviously not compatible with this piece…I wonder if my Master really was…"

I felt my stomach gurgle. "Master…I don't feel well…"

She nodded and closed the chest. "I'll take you up."

I nodded and she helped me out. We closed all the chests and locked all the secret doors. We were back on the staircase and the door was closed. It must have closed behind us. She hit the one of the large stone slabs and the door opened. We ascended the stairs quickly, and as we reached the top the gurgling in my stomach went away. I blew out a sigh. "I…I think I'm alright now…" I began.

She looked me over. "Are you sure? You look awfully pale…"

I nodded. "I'm fine…I think it was just a side effect."

She nodded. "Get some rest anyway. Using the Pieces of Eden can be taxing on the mind and body. You've gone through two pieces…I've never done that, one got me tired. Get some rest."

I nodded and bowed. "Thank you, Master Molvarro."

She returned the bow. "Thank you, Master Malcom." It made me feel so good inside to hear her call me that. I didn't ask for the title or responsibility, but I would do my best to uphold our ideals. She returned to her office and closed the door.

I returned to my room. Thomas and Sarah looked up at me. "I'm…"

Sarah looked me over and saw my new blades. She rose from her chair and extended a hand. I shook her hand. "Congratulations, Drago."

Thomas stared at us. "What for?" I showed him the blades and he stared at me. "Gold blades? What does that mean?"

Sarah gave him an excited smile. "It means that he's now a Master. He can have his own Den at any time." She showed him hers. "See?"

Thomas stared at me. "Master Drago Malcom…"

I shrugged. "Believe me, I didn't ask for it."

Sarah waved Thomas off. "A true Master never asks for their post. They earn it through hard work and sacrifice. I'm damn proud of you, Drago."

Thomas rose form his chair and extended his hand. "Congratulations, Master." I knew my face was flushed red but I didn't care. I was a Master, and I would implement some ideas while out in the field. And, per my Master's suggestion, I would try to recruit some members while I was out.

I sat down, finally taking a deep breath. "I'm glad you two got to chat while I was gone." They stared at me blankly. "Never mind how I know. So, Sarah after we've punished Francois, what do you think our next plan should be?"

She shrugged. "Who's next on your list? I'm only a follower on this one. You're the master now."

I nodded. I wanted to tell them about the pieces, but Master Malvarro passed the secret to me, and a secret, it would remain. I nodded and pulled the notebook out of my robes. I flipped through the targets, but a thought occurred. The vision showed us going to America. The logical step was to follow that path, and warn our brothers and sisters there. I could also knock out two birds with one stone. I could get Ishara's sister, protect her, and show the evidence of the Purge to the others. We would finally get to make progress abroad.

I pointed to the name. Clarence Mulburry. He wasn't a major player in the Templar Order by any means, but he had connections to major players, and that was the important part. He was a small time warehouse operator. He primarily worked tech items; cell phones, laptops, that sort of thing. He supplied the Templars in America with their tech devices. Another target on my list, whom he was associated with, is Andrea Meyers. She was a major player, Abstergo executive, large mansion, oh, and she was also a key player in the Sigma Team that hunted down our brothers and sisters some five years ago. She had her people with the laptops provided by Mulburry, send the intel of our locations to Sigma Team. She was also heavily guarded at all times. She would be a difficult kill.

I looked at Sarah and smiled. "Sarah, I want you to come with me. Our next target is in your home country. Your knowledge will be invaluable."

She nodded. "I'm honored to accompany you." I looked to Thomas.

"Thomas, I want you to stay here, continue giving Master the support she needs. I'll send word once we've eliminated the targets."

Thomas nodded and flipped through his phone. "I'll let the others know to keep their mouths shut. He won't suspect a thing. I'll also tell them to expect more work. I intend on cleaning up the mess he's made, believe that."

I could only nod. "Good. Now, I want you both to get a good night sleep. We have a long day ahead and we'll need our wits about us." Thomas nodded and bowed, I returned it. He left and Sarah looked at me, a broad smile ruling her face.

"I'm so proud of you," she said, "I really am." She put her hand on my shoulder. "I can't wait to make him pay for what he's done."

I smiled. "Neither can I," I began. "His treachery stops tomorrow." She smiled and I led her out. "I know of a spare room. Do you have anything else to get?"

She shook her head. "No. Just my robes, blades, and cards. I can craft anything else I need. I am tired though." I nodded and led her down the hall to the next room. I opened it up and she smiled.

"Mmm, it reminds me of home." She took off her robe and hung it on the coat rack. She wore a plain T shirt and sweat pants under them. It was unorthodox, but if she could keep up with me in sweat pants, she could also keep up with me in uniform pants. She cracked her neck and looked at Drago. "Thank you for bringing me here."

I nodded. "My pleasure," I said, "We need all the help we can get. Another Master will be a great help to us."

She beamed. "I'm a former Master," she said, "My Den is gone…"

I smiled. "You're still a Master to me, Sarah."

She beamed once more. "Thank you," she said, "I needed that."

I nodded and she looked to the bed. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. "Get some rest," I said.

She nodded. "Good night, Master Malcom."

I suppressed a grin. "Good night, Master Donovan." She smiled and closed the door. I went to my room and took the weapons out of my robes. I set them on the racks and slid my robes off. I too was exhausted, and I switched off the lights and went to sleep.