A/N: Time to answer questions. A few comments suggested that because I've mentioned Shay a few times, I should have him join forces with Ingrid in Storybrooke. This doesn't work for two reasons. For one thing, Ingrid wanted to kill innocents, something that Shay hated (For those who didn't play Rogue, it was the deaths of innocents that made Shay leave the Assassins behind.) Shay would never intentionally kill innocent people because he wasn't like that. And also, no one in their right mind would team up with someone as off their rocker as Ingrid.

The other reason is that Shay has been dead for a very long time before the start of Faith; He lived during the Seven Years War. However, he will appear later in a few flashbacks. Keep an eye out for those.

The other question was asking if Ingrid was a Templar because of her controlling behaviour towards Emma and Elsa. She never has been a Templar, but she and her sisters had a history with both sides of the Assassin-Templar war that will be addressed later. I hope that you enjoy this update, and I trust I'll have the next chapter up within the week. There are spoilers for the ending to Rogue, but if you played Unity, that spoiler is really obvious.

Chapter 8: Past-Rogue Part 2

We never forget the tenets of the Creed. Every day we make it a part of who we are as well as make an effort to truly understand what it means. The tenets have a certain way of being upfront, and yet have their own deeper meaning, like an allegory

To stay my blade from the flesh of the innocent doesn't always mean kill only those who have wronged society. To me, it also means that leaving an innocent to fend for themselves, or to forget about them is no different than cutting their throat open. Hans never had Anna at the end of a sword, but he still tried to kill her all the same by leaving her to freeze to death.

To hide in plain sight. This was the one I never could follow easily. We hide in plain sight to avoid compromising the Order, which was the third tenet. The two seemed to go hand in hand. But when Elsa accepted me as her brother, and her Spymaster, that tenet seemed to become less important. We hid in plain sight all the same as Assassins in Arendelle, but some of us were known by the citizens as others. Matthew became known as an elite in the kingdom's military, and many other Assassins received jobs as scouts or others.

Never compromise the Brotherhood. I find it follows a similar rule that the Templars follow: Never share their secrets nor divulge the true nature of their work. Each of us must always stay on guard, and ensure that those who know what it is that we do are those that we can trust. Despite her obliviousness to the some of the true nature of our war with the Templars, I trusted Anna with what it was that we faced. She would never betray my confidence, knowingly or unknowingly.

Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted. If one didn't understand this, then they weren't ready to be an Assassin. Ezio had his way of saying it, but I had mine, too. To say that Nothing is True is to mean that many others will tell you what to think, and that you must look to yourself to find the true path. No one else should have control over what you do. And to say that Everything is Permitted is to say that whatever you do, it will have consequences. Wether you choose to accept those consequences or not will show what fate has in store for you. I often compare what Goldman said in The Land Without Magic to the Creed. Nothing is True reflects on one of Goldman's philosophies on anarchism: it stands for a social order based on the free grouping of individuals. As I said to Elsa, anarchism can mean working together, so long as everyone accepts that whatever higher power claims is the truth is a lie. Everyone can work together and find their common ground as long as they accept every truth. And to accept every truth is to accept none. Nothing is True.

Shay never understood the Creed. His brothers tried so hard to teach him what the Creed meant, but he didn't listen, and nearly wiped us all out in the colonies. My father pushed Shay's journals on me, and I read them in every waking free moment I had. He told me that it was important that I read his journals, so that I could see one thing: you were either in, or you were out. There was no middle ground on our war. If one were to enter our war on the middle ground, they would only turn to the Templars.

The easiest way to understand the difference of our war between us and the Templars is to change the words of the Creed. If it said "Everything is True, Nothing is Permitted", it simply meant shut up and do what we tell you to. That is what the Templars sought, and it's what we had to stop.

Ever since Shay, we went to extreme lengths to ensure that no one else would turn on us like he did. If you didn't understand the Creed, just as he did, you wouldn't be ready to join us.

It's strange, the irony of my own actions. I never could truly understand "hide in plain sight", and yet I was doing it every day I spent in Arendelle. Every day I walked the halls of the castle with no hood, replaced by a borrowed coat that Anna had found for me. Until the time was right, I couldn't just reveal to the castle's people that I was an Assassin. I needed to get help from Matthew to reestablish our position here, and restore our former glory. And that meant dealing with Elsa.

She was thankful for saving Anna's life once again, but she was unsure that meeting with more Assassins was the best course of action.

"You need to understand the seriousness of this, Asgeir." She said. "You point blank killed one of the princes of the Southern Isles. Things haven't been the best with them since my coronation, and I can't say that this helped."

"All the more reason to talk to my Mentor. I've trusted Matthew with my life many times before, and he always pulls through. He would ensure that Arendelle is protected free of charge for decades to come. Would you rather have a force of about fifty guarding the palace itself, or that plus another hundred and twenty protecting the entire kingdom?"

"Yes, and I'm sure that my people would clearly see the goodness in dealing with sellswords." Elsa said, without a single hint of sarcasm.

I threw my hands up. "I told you already that we're not sellswords. We fight for those whose causes are noble, not the one who pays us the most." I turned, and stormed out.

Anna and I had been working excessively for the last days. She seemed to be picking up the talent of swordplay naturally, and it seemed to me that it was my "in" to getting Elsa to warm up to me. All I was wishing is that she open up to me better than this. She thanked me for what I had done in the last few weeks, but she only accepted me as her brother in name only.

Anna was waiting outside. "I heard the whole thing. She's not budging?"

I nodded at her. "Arendelle's not a place for sellswords. It's where my people belong, Anna. Our own grandfather King Harald supported the Assassins in every waking moment in his life until he died. Then the Templars pulled Sonja at gunpoint and forced her to marry off our mother to Agdar."

"So my father forced the Assassins out of Arendelle?"

I nodded. "He took my father's life as a way of warning us never to return. I hoped that after Elsa saw that I want to protect this kingdom as much as she does, that she would consider negotiating with my Mentor."

"Well, what about me?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"

"Why don't I negotiate with your Mentor? I'm the Princess of Arendelle, so naturally I can do it."

The way how Anna said it sounded almost like how a noble person claimed that they can do as they liked.

"That could work." I said. "But wouldn't that be going over Elsa's head?"

"She's not seeing what I'm seeing, Asgeir. If the Assassins were to return to Arendelle, it would show the Templars that wish me and Elsa harm that you have our backs. Write to Matthew, and see that he comes here. He has my permission to begin negotiations with me."

So that day, after practice with Anna, (she was proving to get much better at using that sword. She was a fighter at heart.) I sat down in my room and wrote to Matthew. Our current hideout was a few days away from Arendelle, but no doubt Matthew would be there soon enough.

The daily routine became something of a structured system. I would get up, have breakfast, practice with Anna for an hour or two, wander Arendelle's fine town for most of the day, and then return at dusk to practice with Anna again for another hour. Everything else from then on didn't really have a structure.

A few days after I sent the raven for Matthew, the courtyard was filled with the familiar clacking sounds as Anna and I went away at each other. Elsa was down to her last hour of court for her citizens. She always tried to spend some time to listen to any concerns of the citizens like any good queen should. I could think of a few kings and queens that could learn a thing or two from her.

Anna swiped hard across, and landed a good hit on me. I grinned as the sharp pain hit me. I was just about to return the hit to Anna, when I heard whispering. I raised my blade against Anna, and the knife came out from above.

Anna yelped and I turned around, looking up for the attacker.

"Always start your attacks with a throwing knife, eh?" I knew exactly who it was. "Knowing you I'd assume you'd follow that with a-"

I turned around as he jumped down. The other man in the white hood laughed and lowered his hood after sheathing his hatchet.

"Admit it! I nearly had you!" He cried.

I grinned as I grabbed Ryan's hand in a shake. "Nowhere close, brother. Maybe you got Anna, though."

Anna nodded, her breath caught in her throat.

"Princess Anna!" Ryan smirked. "I am Veteran Assassin Ryan."

Anna tried hard to speak as she curtseyed while Ryan bowed.

"What are you doing so far from Corona, Ryan?" I asked. "Something happen with Felix? Or are you here for negotiations?"

"Yes. Matthew sent me to deal with the negotiations. He knows just how well I can handle them."

I nodded. "Anna can discuss negotiations with you."

Ryan held up a hand. "That's great and all, but Matthew said it was a priority that I spoke to Queen Elsa first, and see how things turn out. Worst case scenario, we can discuss things with Her Highness." He gestured to Anna.

Ryan was always the demanding sort, but I never thought that Matthew would insist that Elsa would have to be negotiated with. I told him that she was being very difficult to talk to. But maybe that was why he sent Ryan over. He had a way with words that even I could not match.

I nodded, and beckoned Ryan. "Anna, we can continue this later. I'll be back by your leave."

Anna smiled. "Sure thing." She said. "I can just spar with the dummies. Nice to meet you, Ryan"

Ryan and I walked back into the castle as she started. Going up the long spiral staircase, I asked Ryan about his journey.

"It's been long. I received the letter a week ago and took the fastest ship here. Too long we've been exiled from Arendelle. Now it's time we take our home back from the Templars."

Ryan was always an Assassin that went to disorganized extremes, abandoning one plan just as soon as he thought of it. He liked to improvise as well, too much for my comfort. I did my share of thinking on the spot, but at least I could look ahead much further than he seemed to be able. His favored weapon was his hatchet, although it was much unlike the treasured tomahawk that Connor wielded. That one lay inside our Vault that only the inner circle of Assassins knew the location of.

Ryan's hatchet resembled the Assassin logo with no center carved out, and a polished mahogany handle. It didn't have the similar native designs on it like Connor's did.

As well as his hatchet, Ryan prided himself with firearms. He had five flintlocks on his person alone, as well as a specially made rifle that he claimed he could "shoot a Templar's ears off at five miles away" with.

We found Elsa in her study, working. She knew exactly what Ryan was doing here as she saw him.

"No." She said.

"Elsa, please-"

"Asgeir, no. Listen to me now. I am thankful for what you did for Anna, but that does not mean for you to barge in and demand that I reward you by reinstalling the Assassins here. It doesn't work like that. Now I would be grateful if you could please just show your friend the door."

Elsa glanced at Ryan, who was in a position I was confused by. He was down on one knee, his hatchet in his hand with the head on the ground. "Your Majesty. I am Veteran Assassin Ryan of Corona. It's been a long journey for me, and I am glad to say that I am not disappointed. The rumors are very much true of the beauty of you and your kingdom. I apologize if I have offended you in any way and hope that you can understand."

Elsa was a bit surprised, but gently gestured with her hand for Ryan to stand. I was stunned. No Assassin would voluntarily kneel before any monarch to show allegiance. My allegiance to my half-sisters came through blood just as much as loyalty.

"Like I said Elsa, I trust Ryan. He's one of the best that I know in the Order, and I can promise you that there will be no regrets coming out of this."

Elsa wasn't so easily swayed by courtesies, unlike Anna a few months ago with Hans. But she was encouraged a bit by hearing that I trusted the Assassin who bent the knee to her. We all make sacrifices for the Brotherhood.

Elsa turned to Ryan. "You said you came from Corona?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." He replied. "It's truly much colder here than home. We made a similar pact to Rapunzel and her husband a year ago, and we are now seeing the kingdom prosper under our hidden protection. As Assassins, there is no charge. Only a simple talk of negotiations before both sides win."

Elsa pointed to the seat across from her. "I'll listen so long as Asgeir trusts you. I'll listen, but I can't promise I'll agree to your terms." She glanced at me. "Can you excuse us?"

I nodded, and closed the door as I walked out.

Anna and I were back at it later. When we took a break, Anna asked about Ryan.

"So what is it about him that makes him suited for negotiating?" She asked.

"He has a real way with words." I explained. "He's rumored to have once tricked several Templars into giving themselves up for us. He's also never missed a shot before when it came to shooting."

"Yikes."

I laughed. "Yeah, that's one way to put it."

"He called himself a Veteran Assassin. How's that different from a Master?"

"I've been an Assassin for most of my life, training since I was 9. Ryan started when he was 15."

"So did Elsa finally look past the whole 'sell sword' charade?" Asked Anna.

I smirked. "Truth be told we are sell swords, Anna. But our loyalty isn't bought with gold. It's bought with honor."

"Princess Anna!"

We both looked up as Kai walked into the training ring.

"Yes, Kai?" Anna called over.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but I want you to know that there was a mix up in the kitchens earlier. Supper will be a bit late tonight."

Anna shook her head. "Not a problem, Kai. I'll let Elsa know."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Just as he turned, I heard a voice. "Hey, Kai?"

Anna glanced at me, and I winced. I had said it.

Kai came over, puzzled. "Yes, Master Connor?"

I glanced at Anna, and she nodded to me.

I gestured to the seat between me and Anna, and Kai sat down.

If the Templars ever came back, none of the household would be safe without the truth. Some people hide the truth to protect others, like Elsa did to Anna, but I believe that the hidden truth is what destroys us. It's one of the Assassins' firm beliefs.

"How can I be of service?" Kai looked at Anna, confused. "Is there anything wrong, Your Highness?"

"No, Kai. Nothing is wrong. But there is something we need to tell you. Me and Connor."

Kai nodded. "Alright."

I breathed out slowly. "My name isn't Connor, Kai. It's-"

"Asgeir..." He whispered.

I stared in bewilderment. "You knew?!"

Kai smiled. "You brought King Agdar a lot of pain. As hard as it is for me to admit, he wished you dead when you were born. Many parents feel a connection with their children when they are born, but you were not his son."

I nodded, while silently damning myself. It was one of those moments when I hated my heritage as a bastard.

"But I held you, Asgeir." Said Kai. "King Agdar said 'he's a monster. He will grow up to be feared by many.' I just stared at you in my arms and said 'that's not a monster. He's just a newborn.' I knew ever since I saw you that you were the child Agdar took from my arms. Your real father was said to have survived forty-five near death experiences as far as the legends go, so I doubted that you would die. The Assassins found you, didn't they?"

I nodded. "I have found the Order the most noble of causes, no matter what we do."

Kai nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder. "And I applaud you for that. So do I refer to you as Your Highness, or are you not here as their brother?"

I shook my head. "I prefer 'master' if any titles are on me."

Kai smiled. "Of course, Master Asgeir."

Snow started to fall. I smiled as I watch the white slivers come down from above.

"Aha!" Said Kai. "We were expecting the first snow to come any day now. Nice to see that we still pride ourselves for early autumn snows."

"It is nice."

Anna nearly jumped out of her skin again along with Kai at that other voice. But I was also surprised to see Matthew sitting right beside me. Matthew grinned as he bowed to Anna.

"At long last I meet the famous Princess Anna. It is an honor."

Anna grinned, realizing that this was my Mentor. Matthew wore a hood that was a little more tricked out and armoured than my own. "You must be Matthew." She said. "The honor is mine to share."

I laughed as Matthew grabbed my hand to shake. "Matthew, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"What do you mean 'what am I doing here'? You sent for me!" Matthew chuckled a little, thinking I was yanking his chain.

My smile started to melt away. "But I thought you sent Ryan. He said you thought he was the best qualified for negotiations."

"Ryan? What's he doing here so far from Corona?"

Anna raised an eyebrow. "I might ask you the same thing. He was just here. He's talking to my sister right now."

"Yes." Said Kai. "I last saw Queen Elsa talking with another Assassin."

"Asgeir, why would I send Ryan, who's not even one of the Assassins from our branch? I sent a raven letting you know that I would be here on my own."

I saw Kristoff suddenly run in. "Anna, where's Elsa?"

"She's not in her study?" I asked, my worry starting to skyrocket. I could feel my heart beat quicker with every passing second jump by.

"No. I went to her study to discuss the ice shipments for the other kingdoms and I couldn't find her there. The window was open, though."

And then it hit me. I glanced up at the falling snow, then looked out at the bay. The entire fjord was freezing over once more. I glanced at Matthew.

"Rogue." We both whispered.

Anna and Kristoff were soon rushing through the woods on his sled as Matthew and I jumped through the trees. Everything was coming to a head. Ryan had come to Corona on his own accord, hijacking the letter Matthew sent and covering up his true intentions of why he was here just so he could go here. And the reason was so simple: he was afraid of her. My own sister, who would never hurt a fly on purpose, had made one of Corona's best shots so afraid that he would go out of his way to kill her. An innocent person.

I kept feeling the snowflakes hit my face as I slid under a fallen tree. They were the sign that Elsa was still alive. It would stop snowing the second that Ryan found her. That I was certain.

He said something to her. He had such a way with words, and he used a certain few to make her back down and run away like she did before. She ran, and he followed, though not fast enough.

Just as Anna and Kristoff rounded the bend, Matthew and I dropped down from above and landed in front. Sven grunted in surprise.

"Have you found her yet?" Asked Anna.

"Not even close, Your Highness." Said Matthew. "Ryan's good. Very good. What he said to Queen Elsa must have been serious if she ran off. Can you think of anything that would set her off?"

Anna nodded. "She's always blamed herself for what happened, even though she promised she'd let it go. It's hard to forget our demons."

I kicked a nearby snowbank in frustration. "The arsehole tricked me!" I snapped.

"He'll get his, Asgeir." Promised Matthew.

"He's just another Shay!" I said. "He's trying to break the Creed: Stay my blade from the flesh of the innocent!"

"And standing here, bitching about it won't get us anywhere. Focus, son. Find where he went."

I kept angrily breathing fast until Anna got out of the sled and put her hand on my shoulder. "Calm down."

I started breathing slower, and then felt my Sight click on. The whispers were speaking gibberish right now, so that was useless.

"Where is that mother-"

"The ice castle!" Said Anna. "Of course!"

Anna had said it took almost two days for her to track down Elsa after she ran away, but since she knew where the castle was now, it took a few hours. Anna and I jumped out into the snow along with Matthew who was in the back of the sled. We were very close to the peak where the ice castle was.

"Hang back, Kristoff." She said.

Kristoff was aghast. "No! I want to help."

"Help us by staying back, iceman." I said. "Ryan will shoot anyone who doesn't wear a white hood on sight. But we're going to need Anna to reach out to Elsa."

Kristoff didn't like it, but he nodded. "Just get her back."

Matthew and I quickly trudged through the snow. I then glanced at Anna.

"Hold back until we tell you." I said. "Ryan might not shoot us."

"Might?!"

Matthew nodded. "Just trust us, Your Highness."

We rounded the corner to the true sight of the mountain.

I had never seen the ice castle before, but looking at it proved just how powerful Elsa was. I resented most magic, but I knew right then I could learn to love Elsa just the same. Ryan stood about twenty feet away from the staircase across the canyon to the castle.

"Ryan!"

He held up a hand. "I got this!" He called out, still thinking we were on his side. He pulled out his rifle and aimed at a massive snow drift beside the stairs. I heard the whispers. A deeper voice shouting "Go away".

Just before he pulled the trigger, a giant hand extended from the snow drift, and punched him. He flew backwards and landed in the snow in front of us. The snow bank literally stood up and looked down at us.

"Help me with this giant snow prick!" He shouted as he lay in front of us in the snow.

Instead, Matthew kneeled down, and stabbed him in the foot. Ryan shrieked as his blood gushed out and soaked the snow below him.

"Rogue!" Matthew growled. "You're a Rogue, you arse. Nothing but another Shay!"

"What?! No!" Screamed Ryan. "I'm nothing like Shay! He betrayed us! I'm trying to save us!"

I whistled, and Anna came around the corner, cautiously stepping around Ryan. Matthew held him down as he used a Rope Dart to tie him down.

"I got this, Asgeir. Go check on her!" He nodded to the castle.

Anna held up her hands as she approached the giant snow monster. "It's okay, Marshmallow!" She cried. "Just let us in!"

"Marshmallow" growled at me, but he took a few booming steps back and let us pass through.

Anna and I carefully walked up the steps.

"Marshmallow?" I asked.

"Olaf's name for him. He's guarded the castle every waking hour as far as I know."

"When was the last time Elsa was here?" I asked.

"When she built this place."

She pushed open the heavy door, and we walked in.

The entire room around us glowed a dark blue. Elsa sat on the ground in front of us, her knees up to her chest. Her train was spread out around the floor so evenly, it almost made it look like a big snowflake in the ice. She looked up at us as we walked in.

"Anna..." She said.

"What did Ryan say, Elsa?" I asked.

Elsa's cheeks were streaked with frost from her tears. I knelt down to the floor along with Anna. Anna hugged her sister, and I asked again.

"What did the traitor say?"

Elsa shook her head. "You were right to say he has a way with words. All he said reminded me that I'm a monster. He's right."

I placed my hand on her cheek. "Where does it say that? Who believes that now? I don't. Anna doesn't-"

*BANG* "I do!"

I stood up, pulling my flintlock. Ryan also had one of his flintlocks out. He stood in the doorway, fresh powdered snow covering him. He limped slowly forward.

"How the hell did you-?" I was wondering how he got past Marshmallow, but I may never know.

"You know, I gotta say that I am amazed, Asgeir. You called me the traitor, but you're siding with the wrong people! Isn't that saying 'blood is thicker than water'?! These two bitches aren't your family! We are!"

I drew one of my swords with the other hand, and started circling towards Ryan. "If you ever call either of them that word again-"

"And what? You'll kill me? I'm your brother, Asgeir! We're bound by a Creed! I'm here to purge the evil from this world just as the Assassins before us did!"

I was alarmed. "Are you even listening to yourself, Ryan?! They aren't even Templars! They're innocents that share my blood! We are bound by a Creed! Hide in plain sight! Never compromise the Brotherhood! And the most important: Stay my blade from the flesh of the innocent!"

"Yes!" Said Ryan, scowling. "I know the Creed. And I am following it." He pointed his gun to Elsa. "I did stay my blade from the flesh of an innocent."

Elsa sharply gasped as I muttered. "You son of a-"

*BANG!*

Ryan fell to the ground, clutching his neck in agony, crimson life streaming down through his fingers. He took the Creed a literal way to make an excuse to kill Elsa, the scumbag.

"Why, Asgeir?! I followed the Creed!"

"The Creed is not for us to toy with and twist for our own gain. Elsa would never hurt us, not support the Templars, but you let your fears get the better of you and you tried to hurt my family."

"She's dangerous, Asgeir! And I was the only Assassin to see it!"

"What irony." I replied. "You claim to have seen the truth, but you're blinder than ever before. You're more a Rogue than anyone for the past few years."

"If this is the path that Shay followed, then I'm glad I found it, as well! I'm not the first to defy her out of fear, and I won't be the last!" Ryan rolled over onto his back, looking up at me. He smirked. "I only wish that I would have died making that last shot, brother! I missed!"

"You are no blood of mine, Shay." I spat on Ryan's face. "May the Father of Understanding make you bleed."

Matthew walked up the stairs and opened the door. When he saw Ryan's bloody cadaver, he only bowed his head solemnly. "Hvil I Fred."

I scowled. "He was a traitor, and still you wish him peace?"

"He was one of us, Asgeir. Although not one in death, he still lived as a brother."

Matthew slowly approached Elsa and Anna. Elsa still sat on the floor with her knees towards her chest. Matthew lowered his hood.

"Your Majesty, I hoped that our circumstances for introductions were better, but sadly, that could not happen. I am Matthew, Mentor of the Arendelle Assassin Order."

Elsa glared up at Matthew as he continued.

"Ryan was not here on our orders. I will speak to his brothers in Corona, but no doubt he was one of those individuals who failed to understand who it really was that reigned here. I'm hoping that we could speak in private soon?"

Elsa slowly stood up. "What do you want? Gold? Forgiveness?"

"Not precisely. I am hoping that you can look past all this and realize that not every Assassin is like that."

Elsa didn't reply. She turned to me, and slowly went towards me.

"You came to us three weeks ago, claiming that you were our half-brother and that all you wanted was to be a part of the family and show your loyalty."

Elsa jumped and embraced me. "I'm sorry..." She sobbed. "You saved my life. Both of our lives."

I returned the hug as Anna joined in, making it a group hug. "All I wanted was redemption past my heritage as a bastard." I said. "What I got were two loving sisters."

Elsa pulled away. "I'm not entirely in on this war. Assassins and Templars alike. But you are right, Asgeir. If there are more Assassins like you than Ryan, then I agree that negotiations will begin soon. Arendelle cannot fall while I still live."

I glanced at Ryan. "I trusted him to talk to you, and he nearly put a bullet through my own kin."

"I know. Most would damn the Assassins for that, and banish them from their kingdom forever." Said Elsa. "But I now see what Anna sees. People who used to be part of this kingdom only wishing to return to the home that mine and Anna's father took away from them."

As we started for the door, I looked over, then picked up Ryan's body, and slung him over my shoulder. We had a special place where traitors would go.

The months passed. Elsa and Matthew reached perfectly agreeable terms to negotiations, and before long, our status as Assassins of Arendelle returned.

I was condemned by Corona's Assassins. I wished that there was another way, but I had no choice when Ryan threatened Elsa. It was him or her, and I swore to follow the Creed. Corona's Assassins took Ryan's body off our hands. We never had quarrels between two branches of the Order, but there was a first for everything. It would be high noon of my life before we finally saw a return to peace between Corona and Arendelle's Assassin Orders.

Arendelle returned to prospering just like it did under King Harald's rule. Assassins hiding in plain sight throughout the kingdom, doing what most soldiers could not: protecting the innocent from the Templars that sought to control them.

Anna closed the book before her. The black leather cover held the Assassin insignia with a unique design: cracked, much like Shay's faith in us.

"Wow..." She said to me.

I nodded. She wanted to know who Shay was, so I showed her. "Now you understand what Shay was. He could not see that what we did was seeking a better world, and killed so many of us. We almost would have never climbed out of that hole if not for Connor."

"So what happened to him afterwards? All it says at the end was he killed an Assassin named Dorian."

I nodded. "I studied every book on Shay that we have, and every one has the same fate: the last pages were torn out. My father said it was the work of the Templars, and that the pages are still out there. One day I'll find those last pages and finally see the truth laid bare on Shay's final years and his richly deserved death."

Anna nodded. "Come on. Enough reading about old enemies. We need to talk to Kristoff about current problem, this Ingrid person."

I stood up from the table, shelving the book. Shay Patrick Cormac. The one who singlehandedly purged the Colonial rite of the Assassins with no mercy or regret. I would find his truth and know that we got justice for all those Assassins he slaughtered.