July 1761, New York City
Master templar Shay Cormac was inside Fort Arsenal in New York City. He stroked his dark hair lightly with the palm of his hand as he studied some maps. Shay had promised to the grand master find the mysterious artifact known as the precursor box after the assassins sent it away. So far he knew only that it was located somewhere in Europe. Shay was eager to leave the colonies and see more of the world. He was feeling rather adventurous. But he couldn't leave yet. Not before the templars were certain that the assassin threat was truly over. Shay sighed. Then he heard a knock behind the main entrance. He opened the door and saw the grand master. Haytham Kenway. Always looking so iconic with his hat and cape. "Master Kenway. Quite interesting to see you here. I thought you were busy with your grand master duties." Haytham responded with a tired voice: " As a matter of fact, I am busy. I only need help. From you. Some remaining allies of the assassin brotherhood are planning something big. I heard they're gathering near Trinity Church. Come. We will find out what they're planning. With some luck, we can intercept their plans before they even start." "I make my own luck, Master Kenway. And I'm glad to help."
Shay and Haytham arrived at their destination. Indeed, there were three suspicious men gathering near the church. Haytham hid in a haystack while Shay climbed on the roof of the church. They had to eavesdrop these men to find out their plans. "So Harold, how have you been?" Said the first man. "Not good. The mistress is demanding us to work more with smaller wages. That woman is a damn tyrant. "Be careful Harold. She might cut off your tongue if you say something bad about her. Anyway, I have that letter. Deliver it to the mistress before she skins us all alive." "Yes Jack, I will. See you later." The man known as Harold took a letter from the others and started to run. Shay quickly climbed down to talk with Haytham. "Go Shay, get that letter! I will interrogate these other men and see what they know." "Very well, master Kenway." Shay sprinted after Harold. Using the rooftops, he was able to take a shortcut and he landed on the ground right in front of Harold. "I think you should give me that letter sir." "Go to hell!" Harold shouted and attacked Shay with a dagger. Shay swiftly dodged the incoming strike and disarmed him. Harold realized he was now unable to defend himself. He dropped the letter and fled. Shay picked it up, opened it and read the letter. The letter mentioned a plan to kidnap New York's governor, who was an ally of the templars. And the letter was signed with the initials W.M. "The grand master was right! They're definitely up to something..." Shay started running. He eventually found Haytham in a side alley. Haytham was covered in blood and the bodies of the two other men were lying at his feet. "Ah shay! I hope you found something. I'm afraid my conversation with these men was a bit too intense. They couldn't withstand my slightly aggressive persuasion methods." "Indeed I have." Shay handed him the letter. "They're going to kidnap the governor. I don't know when and where but I'm sure the writer of this letter knows." "I see. Well, we must track him down. But first help me hide these bodies."
Harold escaped to the harbor of New York. He had just been robbed by a templar. And now he was afraid the mistress was going to punish him for his failure. And he was right. As he walked near a warehouse, he stepped on a small rope with a noose in it. Suddenly the noose tightened around his leg and the rope pulled him up. He was hanging upside down like an animal caught in a hunter's trap. A woman stepped out of the shadows. A woman with a very familiar light blue robe. Harold started to shiver. "Please mistress Delaney! Don't do this!" The woman replied with her French accent: " You have failed me monsieur (sir). And this is not the first time. You always bring me only failures and misfortune. But no more. As a punishment for your péchés (sins), I will take something from you. Delaney put a knife to his ear. Then there was a scream of pain. And blood splattered on the wall behind them. When Delaney left, the blood was flowing down from the floor like red raindrops, forming a small pool below. Harold was still hanging upside down. He sobbed. And below him was the knife Delaney had used. Its blade was red and stuck in the ground.