The day had grown foggy. Arno believed he was returning just in time to avoid the rain. He entered the salon. Denis was polishing his pistol. He looked up.

"Arno, you're back. What can you tell me, garçon?"

"Guy-Marcel Rodet introduced himself on the island. There were about twenty other recruits. We were ferried over on a small rowboat. We practiced with bayonets, musket rifles, and swords. We -"

"But what did he look like, Arno?"

"Pardon?"

"Guy. What did he look like?"

"Slightly shorter than me. Eccentric, light brown facial hair. Striped pants. I would guess about thirty years of age."

"Hmh. Doesn't sound familiar. Maybe the Illuminati brought him over from another part of France."

"There was another there. A Spaniard with a large scar on his face, whom one of the others -"

"Mon Dieu. Alejandro! Has to be."

"My friend said his name was Dieg-."

"He changed it. Must have. Some of the traitors do that. Makes it more difficult for us to track them. Alejandro Vives. He didn't have permanent residence in Marseille, but he stopped by often back when I lived here. He had something to do with- bien, that's not important. Where did you say they met?"

"...right. The man said he met him at the local almshouse, Le Vieille Charité. I think he works there."

"Sounds like you'll need to find him a visit."

Denis gave his gun one last rub and then held it up for inspection. Seemingly satisfied, he put it back down, and looked back at Dorian.

"In the meantime, Arno, Élise found out what happened at the harbor." He gestured. "Sit down."

Arno went to the chair opposite Denis, pulled it out, and sat. The Templar continued. "Old Rolly was murdered by some outsider talking in tongues. No one recognized the killer. He just showed in the city a few days ago and seemed completely mad when he was apprehended. I suspect the Apple's influence. That swine Robespierre probably hijacked the mind of an innocent man and sent him down here to be his disposable killer."

"Ghastly," Arno said dryly. He knew the Templars did worse when they had the artifact in their possession.

"Oui. But his apprentice took over the role as harbor master, a young man named Andre: someone Rolly took under his wing just before I left for Paris a few years back."

"That's good, right? For us?" Us meaning the Templars.

"That's bad, Arno. If the Illuminati murdered Rolou, it might be precisely because they wanted him as his successor. I suspect Andre is one of them, gave his allegiance over to the Illuminati jackals some time ago."

"You want me to kill him too?"

"No. Not yet. I want proof, first. I want to know for sure where his allegiance lies, or you might end up helping killing a loyal Templar." Imagine that, Arno thought. "His office will probably have some incriminating documents, letters and what not, if he's really turned to the Illuminati. You'll have to go there when he's not there. If you find proof he's turned, then you kill him. And then bring the proof back here."

That last inclusion was smart. Denis was no fool. He knew an Assassin would be tempted to make things simpler.

"And when is that? When is he not about his office, I mean?"

"Élise will help us figure that out."

"Who do you want me to attend to first? Him or the Spaniard?"

"It's your choice, garçon. Do what you think is best. Just be sure to tell me everything you learn."

That was a refreshing change. His old master Pierre never offered him that kind of latitude. Maybe its the fact Denis was not experienced in his art that made him put more faith in Arno.

"Oh, and Arno, beware of the name 'Brother Spartacus.' We're beginning to piece together that's a code name for Weishaupt."