Chapter 10

Night had fallen and with it came a rather cold breeze which swept through London. Many of the inhabitants pulled at their coats in an attempt to keep themselves warm as they hurried to their destination. Others were not as fortunate to be able to process a coat, they huddled together in a desperate attempt to stay warm. Some huddled round small fires they'd built as they to tried to survive the night. Although night had fallen London had not gone to bed, trains whistled loudly as they trundled up and down the rails. The clattering of hooves rang out along the streets as horses pulled various carriages, and amidst the sound of hooves where the shouts of rich men upon the discovery that their wallets had somehow vanished. A tall man with dark hair and a long dark overcoat strolled up the street towards Whitechapel Station. With his hands shoved deep into his pockets, Robert was lost in thought. It had been hours since he'd seen the Frye Twins, he had no idea where they currently where but he'd found that out soon enough. Descending the steps into the station he looked around, trying to find the person he'd agreed to meet. Jacob had not said a time for this meeting but Robert was sure that he'd be waiting for him. The question now was where was he? The station was not bustling with people but there was a fair amount of people standing on the platforms. A train stood at each platform seemingly waiting for passengers, one of which was rather long and the other was half the size of the previous. Strolling up and down the platform, Robert was unable to find Jacob, he did not seem to be here. But what did this mean? Was he not coming? Had he been deceived by Jacob? The only way he'd find that out was to wait. Settling himself on a nearby bench he waited, only time would tell if Jacob would keep his word.

He could see him. He shown up as Jacob knew he would, Robert always kept his word. He was looking out of window of the train and watched as Robert took a seat on one of the benches. For a moment Jacob just stood there, he could not figure out why Robert was here. Robert had vowed to kill both himself and Evie so why all of sudden would he have changed his view on them. Well, there was only one way to find out. Moving away from the window he poked his head round the curtain. Evie was sleeping soundly in her bed, the covers were wrapped around her. It was almost like they were shielding her from the outside world. She been quite lucky to escape that blast with just a concussion, others had died and more were severely injured. As he watched Evie let out a deep breath and moved ever so slightly in her sleep. Jacob smiled slightly before exiting the carriage and jumping from the train onto the platform. Nodding at the train driver, he watched as the train slowly pulled out of the station. The last thing he wanted was for his twin to be anywhere near Robert, he didn't trust him. As the last carriage pulled out of the station Jacob and Robert's gazes met. For a moment the pair just stared at each other from opposite sides of the station.

After a minute or so Jacob made his way across the railway tracks and approached Robert, who was still sat on the bench.

"You're late." Robert stated, "But then again you are very good at turning up late."

"I arrive when I need to, no sooner no later." Jacob replied, folding his arms.

Robert smiled, "You haven't changed."

Jacob didn't answer, he wasn't really sure how to respond. He eyed his once friend, he had to figure out what he was really doing here.

"So how's Evie? I bet she's probably-"

"What are you doing here Robert?" Jacob interrupted.

"I told you earlier, times have changed."

"And I said earlier that that is somehow hard to believe after you threatened us."

Robert stared at Jacob for a moment, this was going to be much harder then he had anticipated. Jacob was not the gullible moron he used to be. There had to be some way to win Jacob round but he just had to find it.

"Jacob, let the past be the past. I was not in the right frame of mind when I said that, how could I be after being tortured by that arsehole."

Jacob seemed to be considering him, pondering on whether or not he was being sincere.

"Look, I don't want to fight Jacob. Before all that we were friends, can we not get back to that? Knowing you, you will have found the best pubs in London, lets find a pub and drink the night away just like we used to."

It was clear from the look on Jacob's face that he was considering the idea. But to his surprise Jacob shook his head.

"Too much has changed Robert, how do I know that you're not going to stab in the back the moment I have a drink inside me?"

Robert stood up and threw his hands up into the air, "For goodness sake Jacob why will you not just believe me? All I want is to have a drink with my old friend and leave the past in the past. What is dangerous about that?"

Jacob glanced in the direction the train had taken, it was out of sight. Evie was safe. So, perhaps he could agree and cautiously see if Robert was sincere about wanting to leave the past in the past.

"One drink." Jacob said.

Robert nodded, "One."

Jacob hesitated ever so slightly before leading the way out of the station. Together they walked back down the main road and towards The Cauldron. The Cauldron was perhaps not the most hygienic or the most aesthetically pleasing of London pubs, but it was the closest one to the station and Jacob was not prepared to go any further then necessary to have a drink. There was also the fact that the Rooks had taken a liking to this particular pub which meant should things go wrong help would be at hand. While Robert took a table near to the window, Jacob made his way to the bar siding stepping a drunk as he went. Whilst the bartender drew up the two pints he'd ordered, Jacob took a glance back at his old friend. He had a suspicion that if his twin knew what he was up to right now she would not be impressed. But Jacob wasn't fifteen years old anymore, he knew how to defend himself. There was a clunk behind him as the bartender placed the two pints on the bar. Fishing money from his inside jacket pocket and passing it to the bartender, Jacob made his way to the table where Robert was waiting. Nodding in thanks to Jacob, Robert took one of the two pints and raised it.

"What should we toast to?"

Jacob ignored him and took a swig of his beer. He subtly gazed at Robert as the latter took a sip of the beer. He could not help but question was in the world he was here. But something had intrigued him to come. Perhaps it was the mere fact that Robert had been his best friend for years and part of him could not deny that it was nice to be in his company again. Also, Robert had had a point. Even if he was not sincere about making peace, it was only one drink.

A few minutes past in a tense silence between the once friends, whilst one was unsure what, if anything to say, to say the other was silently rejoicing. Everything was going to plan. Robert knew that now he had Jacob. Now it was take to take the plan to the next level. His plan involved killing Jacob but their was someone else in London that needed to be dealt with. Not Evie. No, she was taken care of. She would get what was coming to her. The person who also needed to be dealt with was the same person was responsible for his permanent injuries. The person that Jacob had failed to save him from.

"Jacob," Robert started, "I came to London for two reasons. One reason you know, that was to make peace between us. There other was to find someone."

Jacob frowned, "Who?"

"You know who he is, he is the one we were running from that night. The person who caused my injuries."

Jacob's eyes widened, "Will Curtis? He's in London?"

"He has been for some weeks." Robert nodded. "After that night I left Crawley and went down south but I knew I wanted revenge on Curtis. But when I finally came back to Crawley I couldn't find him, from what I found out from the locals back home he'd come to London on some business."

A look crossed Jacob's face, one which Robert could not quite place.

"I need your help Jacob. I have to find him, he needs to pay for what he did."

Jacob gazed at Robert, was any of what he was saying true. If it were then Jacob would certainly pay him a visit, not only was Will Curtis responsible for what happened to Robert he was also a Templar, and who knew what he was planning for London. By helping Robert it would give him the chance to assess whether he was being sincere about not wanting to kill both him and his sister. He'd be able to assess this without Robert's suspecting so he could see no reason why he should not help him.

"You're right." Jacob said, "He does need to pay. He needs to be dealt with."

Robert sneered, "Then shall we?"

For a moment Jacob was taken aback, that phrase was something he and his sister said. He could not name the emotion but there was something about Robert saying it which made him uneasy. But he composed himself and nodded.

"Let's do it."