Chapter 8

Jacob sat bolt upright letting out a yell of fright. His breath came in pants and he could feel sweat pouring down his forehead. As he tried to calm his breathing he looked round. The carriage was quiet, no one but him currently inhabited it. He was sat on the sofa across from the wall of Assassinations where the various pictures of Templars in London had a red cross across them. To the left of that was Angus's desk where there were various pieces of paper scattered across it as well as an abandoned tea cup, its contents half drunk. The carriage was dark, it was the middle of the night. The only sounds he could currently hear were the voices of the Rooks in the next carriage. It was fine, everything was as it was supposed to be. It was a dream, it had all been a dream. But what if it hadn't been what if it was all true and he simply forgotten. Evie. Where was Evie? He staggered to his feet, unbeknownst to him he was trembling. He took a few steps towards to the door leading to the next carriage, which his sister inhabited, when it opened revealing his twin sister. It appeared that she'd only just returned to the train, judging by her appearance. It also seemed to be raining outside as she had her hood raised and was soaking wet. She stepped quietly into the carriage but seemed to almost jump in surprise at seeing her brother awake.

"Oh Jacob, you startled me. I'm sorry I didn't mean to –"

"Evie?" Jacob said, he was still panting slightly, "You're ok."

Evie looked at him, a confused expression on her face, "Yes I'm fine. What… Are you ok?"

She gazed at her brother taking in his appearance. He was dripping in sweat and seemed to be panting. The way his clothes were twisted and creased suggested he'd been woken by a dream.

"Jacob, are you ok?" She repeated, moving closer to him.

Jacob took a deep steading breath, "Yes. I'm fine."

Evie frowned, she was not buying it. She took his hand and led him into her carriage where she steered him into the armchair by the fireplace. The two did not exchange words as Evie lit the fire and Jacob regained control of his breath. It was only when Evie handed her brother a hot cup of tea and settled herself on the edge of the bed that the silence was broken.

"I'm fine Evie. It was just a dream." Jacob said, taking a sip of tea.

"Dream? More like nightmare judging by your appearance. What happened?"

"Evie…"

"What happened?" Evie insisted.

For a moment Jacob just looked at her, she was looking at him with such concern. It was just like his twin to be more concerned about him then about herself. She was still in her wet clothes, which was dripping rainwater onto the sheets and the floor. She did not seem remotely bothered by that, she was more concerned abut him. Of course Jacob was more concerned about her then he was about his nightmare. She'd catch a cold if she did not get out of those wet clothes. Looking at her, Jacob toyed over what to do. He really did not want to relive that nightmare, it was like a raw wound at the moment and he refused to show that something had scared him.

"You should sort yourself out Evie, you'll catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes."

"We're not talking about me, we're taking about you."

Jacob sighed, she was not going to back down until he told her. So he explained to her about the dream, told her everything that had happened. As he did her expression changed, it became one that Jacob could not name. He had no idea what she was thinking. The question now was how was what was she thinking and how was she going to respond.

"Why would you dream of Robert now? After all this time… it's been five years." Evie said, eventually.

Jacob shook his head, "I don't know, I've not thought of him and what happened for a while."

Evie placed her tea cup down and crossed her arms, thinking. There was no logical reason as to why Jacob would be thinking about all that now. Silence fell again, as Evie tried to figure out an answer and Jacob was distracted by the flickering of the fire.

"Oh let's not even think about it anymore." Jacob said suddenly, "Let the past be the past. Now what happened about that Templar you're tracking."

Evie sighed, "I'm close to finding him. I have a possible lead on where to find him, its only a matter of time before I find him."

After the death of Crawford Starrick the Templars had made various attempts to re-establish themselves in London. These attempts were also very small, they'd try to take over a warehouse or even a fight club to try and gain supporters but these attempts had failed. The Templars could not be faulted on their stubbornness, their refusal to give in. There could be no driving the Templars from London completely but they could stop them from getting any power. Letting out a short breath Jacob got to his feet.

"You'll find him, you always do. But that's enough of Templars and dear old friends for one day. I'm going back to bed."

He headed for a door, as he reached for the door handle he heard his sister call to him. He stopped and looked at her. Evie approached him and pulled him into an embrace. Jacob shared a small smile as he returned the hug. Although when he pulled away he decided to mess with her slightly.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"Just seemed like you needed it."

Jacob smirked at her, "Next time, bring me beer rather than sentimental displays of affection."

Rather then looking affronted, which he had expected, Evie just gave him an unimpressed look.

"What?" Jacob said, "Not going to tell me that that's insulting."

Evie laughed, "No. If you'd choose a different insult rather then using the same one over and over again then perhaps I would be,"

Jacob snorted in amusement and gave his sister a playful shove before leaving the room. Evie watched him go, with a fond expression on her face. She still could not understand why he would be dreaming of Robert after all this time. Maybe it was nothing, or perhaps it meant something. But now was not the time to reflect on that. Now it was time to sleep and prepare for the coming day.

The train emitted a deafening whistle as it pulled into the station. The train was full of people coming to London, some for the first time and others for perhaps the hundredth time. A young man perhaps no more then twenty years old sat alone in one of many compartments of the train. For the moment he had his nose in a book, but having just heard the conductor calling that they were coming into London Victoria he put the book down. Turning his attention to the window he watched as the London skyline came into view. He'd not ventured into London before in his life and therefore had no idea what to expect. He'd heard that London was always on the go and there was never a dull day but until he had experienced it himself he would not draw any conclusions. A matter of minutes later the train slid into the station and people began filing off the train. The man got to his feet and stepped off the train. The station was full of various people all trying to get to their intended destination. Upon exiting the station the man stopped, taking in the sight. The mid morning sun was casting its rays down on the streets, warming the people on the street. Hooves clattered as carriages trundled up and down the street. There were so many, more then he had expected. For a while he just stood there taking in the scene. But soon his attention was drawn to someone walking along the street opposite him. The man had not since this person for a few years but he instantly recognised her, although part of his plan had been to track her down he had not expected to see her so soon. The man watched the women walked further down the street before he starting to follow her. But he was sure to keep a fairly large distance as he knew that she might pick up on his presence if he got to close. Although he had not expected his mission to begin so soon, Robert could not and would not delay. The opportunity had arrived and there was no way he was not going to take it. The time had come.