Sorry for the long wait! I hope everything is in order, I use Scribens to help with my grammar check. Sometimes it removes some words and it causes it to not make sense. I would love if I can have someone who can help me.

Review! I would love to hear what you think!

-Master Assassin

Catherine laid her chin on the table in exhaustion after cleaning the tavern floor with a scrub brush. She had taken a break from morning cleaning to check up on her new friend, Aries. He was ecstatic to be out of his cage and away from the cruel merchant. The hawk was gobbling down fresh meat from the mice traps that his owner had gathered up for him. Catherine didn't mind the sight or the smell of her new companion's meal. She was going over her Uncle's letters that she had found a few weeks ago.

She kept reading over the last bit of the letter.

It's with our father.

Did uncle Liam mean it was buried with Grandfather O'Brian? Was it the ominous artifact that the Colonial Assassins and Templars fighting over for the last two decades was buried with her grandfather? Her skin crawled with the idea that Liam had unburied his own father and reburied the artifact with him.

The door opens with a loud squeak giving Catherine a chance to look up from Liam's handwriting. She quickly stuck the letters back into its envelopes before stuffing it under the counter.

"Is this the Snowdrop Tavern? I'm here about your wanted ad."

A lean woman with dark hair walked into the middle of the tavern.

Catherine glanced up quickly as she pets her bird, Aries. "Aye, it is."

A smile spread her lips as she held the newspaper in her hand. "Thank goodness, I have been looking for a job on the side to assist my elderly parents who can hardly work for themselves. The taxes are beating them hard."

Catherine emitted a sigh, "We all need extra funds these days... my mother almost lost this place due to taxes, but we survived." Leaving out the bit that the Templars paid off the tax collectors

"This that who I need to speak too?" She asked glancing around in looking for the older woman who used to be in charge.

"No, just me...my mother died a while back, so I am in charge of this establishment now." She straightened herself up, trying to make herself appear older than what she was.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Miss," she said looking at the floor. "I-i didn't mean to bring up such wretched things. If you want, I can come back tomorrow."

"Absolutely not, it's alright." Catherine spoke holding up her hand to stop her." I am in need of help and fast..."
A smile broke out over the woman's face as she gave a curtsy. "My name is Azura Edgar."

Catherine held out her hand, "Catherine Cormac...I've never heard such a name before."

"Yes, it is a name my mother thought pretty. Hold no meaning other than it is close to being Azura, which is Persian," she stated. "Many have come to call me Zuzu. Don't ask me why or when that started."

"Well, your name is charming... it's so unique. I wish my parents named me something more imaginative. I was named after a saint."

"Saint Catherine of Alexandria," The Persian woman smiled.

Catherine felt surprised that she guessed that, "Not many people recognize the saints especially here in the colonies."

"Because people are blind by their differences that they cannot seem to agree on how to celebrate god in one way. It is obvious for why your mother would name you for her. Saint Catherine was an intelligent woman that had a beauty that graced the lands. She turned thousands over to Christianity, but was a marked martyr and beheaded for not kneeling to a tyrant."

"I am impressed."

Azura smiled, "Shall we discuss things over a drink?"

"Aye. I can start tea upstairs in the apartment."

Catherine's boots made a soft clicking noise. the girl didn't disturb her beloved bird. The Irish lass held her arm out for Aries to hop on to her arm with his talons piercing her delicate skin. It was apparent she had no idea how to carry the bird without harming herself.

It was almost amusing to see her expression shift from a blank expression to one with pain."Miss Cormac? Are you alright?"
"Aye, I am." She winced when the hawk dug his talons deeper into her sleeve. "I just have not gotten a chance to figure out to carry Aries around…he is a rescue."

Azura eyes cast with a hint of amusement. "May I suggest investing in a leather gauntlet or a glove. If you carry him like that, your pretty arm will be covered in scars."
Catherine became sheepish that she originally didn't think of that. "Right, probably a better idea."
The two of them made their way up to the apartment.

Catherine had let Aries perch himself on a chair in the corner to nestle his feather. Allowing Catherine to make tea for the both of them. Azura stared down at the light brown liquid. This was rather easy to get on Catherine's good side, but it almost made her feel guilty to see the young girl alone in the inn. Her mother is gone, her father away, never in her life. It was almost heartbreaking to know her story, but Catherine possessed inner strength. The girl brown eyes were lite with determination.

Azura had met Captain Cormac in passing once and could see that Shay had the same eyes as the girl. Some say with her red hair could look like her mother, but she looked more like her father with a more famine jawline and thin lips. Her skin sprinkle with light freckles was an obvious gift from her mother.
Azura knew her task was to watch and guide this girl.

Catherine folded her nimble fingers in her lap after pouring Azura a cup of tea. "Tell me about yourself...you will probably be hired, but I just would like to know who id be working with."

Catherine took a seat at the narrow table that made up the dining room. Her special pet, Aries, was perched on a chair as he nestled his feathers.

Azura smiled. "I was born and raised in Lexington with my brothers. Ma was a cook for a family and Pa help to farm during the seasons. We moved here, oh, five years ago when Pa got work to help with the lumber mill near here. I have experience with drunken lads when I worked at the tavern before moving. It was easy to work until a couple of men could have me."A grin appeared."Bastards don't know what hit 'em when I slugged them in the jaw."

Catherine had made up her mind when the woman had walked in that she was going to be hired. For an unknown reason, no one came for hire. "Very nice, when can you work? Friday and Saturday are my busy nights, sometimes Sundays. I can pay you well."

"Ill work any day you require me too, ."

"Excellent, can you start tonight?"

"I can and will."

"Perfect."

Azura held her hand out to shake a deal with the young lass before taking her leave. Catherine felt as things were falling back into place until she remembered the letters sitting under the bar along with Haytham and his small inner circle. It was a like a foul taste that slipped into her mouth after biting into a cupcake.

The happy cheers of the tavern was overheard from the music and singing of the crowd. This empty dust covered tavern once again felt like home to young Catherine once again. It did pain the teenager to not see her mother amongst the lively tavern. Catherine did take some pride that she had the place shinning and lively like Rose always had.

She was pleased to see James had shown, bearing a gift of a homemade meal from his mother. Master Mack had failed to show due to having to work on the last minute request that was due in the morning.

The successfulness wasn't entirely placed on Catherine, but Azura had step up and seemed to know what she was doing. She knew when to cut off the drunks with water down ale. She even stirred down a bar fight with a single order. Azura was gracious enough to let Catherine step aside to great her old friend with drink and food.

"You have outdone yourself," James smiled like nothing had happened.

"Not really, I just copy my mum. She taught me everything. I just think I am getting this praise due to her passing."

James gave his friend a look, considering for a quiet moment before standing up. "Lads! Lasses!" He shouted the whole room became quiet at the sound of his cheerful voice. The music even stopped at the sound of his voice. "I know it has been awhile since any of us had stopped by a drink, it was a blow to our community to lose Rose Cormac."

A couple of men in the audience raised their pints in praise in memory of Rose.

"But not all was lost, our little Catherine had stepped up on her own even though the loss she had to suffer. She managed to reopen the tavern and push her mother's legacy. So I like to raise a glass to Catherine Cormac, may she keep this establishment running for many more years."

The crowd broke out into a cheer as the music broke again. Catherine couldn't help sniffle for James kind words. It looked like he had gotten over the small engagement fiasco. Catherine poured herself another drink before taking another bite of the meat pie James had brought.

"I am sorry for the way I overreacted earlier."

Catherine held up her hand to him, "It's okay, let's just not mention this again."

"Agreed," James quietly agreed to this subject but knowing it didn't change the way he felt about her. He glanced around to Aries, the hawk. James thought it was a beautiful creature as Catherine fed it parts of meat from her pie. It hobbled around the countertop, not leaving Catherine's side. The bird was like a loyal guard dog with his sharp talons and beak ready to strike at whoever would bring harm to his mistress.

"You have been surrounding yourself with an interesting company of late, Cathy."

Catherine didn't bat an eye at his comment, but instead, she fed another piece of meat to the hawk. "I have had an interesting last few months."

Catherine took one last bite of her pie before heading back to work when she noticed that one of the casks were empty. She would have to head down in the cellar for a new one, she had just received a new shipment this morning after she had greeted Azura.

She went to call Azura when she notices a dark figure in the corner with his hat hiding his eyes. Her blood boiled as soon as her eyes laid on the drunken Irish man as he called for a drink from Azura.

Thomas Hickey was in her tavern, sitting in the back corner.

She recognized him from the times she had seen his portrait in Achilles' basement. The few times she had seen him linger around her mother's tavern, but she would of never guess who was until the templar and assassins came to light. Catherine slammed her bar rag down in a fit of rage, her knuckles had turn white. James must have seen her expression but did nothing to stop her as she crosses the room. He had merely scooted his seat away from the bar counter as she stormed past him. No hell has fury like a woman's scorn.

Azura must of notice Catherine expression and quickly placed her tray down. She rushed in between the tables of the patrons before getting in front of her. "Catherine, what's wrong?" She asked with a concern expression.

"I see someone who I don't want in here." The Persian woman followed the line of sight onto the Templar. "I will handle it, go downstairs and fetch a casket of ale. Take a break."

Azura felt irritated that Thomas had shown up here when she had requested him not to come here. He could have blown her whole plan if he had said something to her. The newly hired barmaid went to confront him.

Thomas glanced up from his drink twirling with the handle. " 'Ello sweetheart," he showed his trademark toothy grin. "Can I have another one?" He lifted his pint, but Azura knocked from his hand.

"What are you doing here, clown?" She hissed, "You're going to blow this…Catherine knows who you are."

"Wot? How could she possibly know." He glanced up in surprise. "She isn't supposed to know about us."

"Well she does," Azura stood back up. "I promise you, I will find answers, but don't just go tell Haytham just yet." She placed her hands on her hips like she was scolding him. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Catherine old friend, James was watching the two of them but didn't pay any mind when a man in a rouge coat came up to talk to him.

"Fine, fine, I will leave." Hickey stood up, but not before giving her a squeeze on the behind causing Azura to react with a slap across Hickey's face. He rubbed his rough cheek walking away as he gave a chuckle.

Leaving the snowdrop tavern.

Catherine was unaware of the small event that had taken place above her as she was walking to the fresh stock of ale. Tiny barrels were pressed against the wall that was filled ale under the stairwell. The girl frown at the sight of it, this was the part she usually hated, lugging it up the stairs. Lifting the small barrel with her knees, careful not to throw out her back at such a young age.

Catherine never complained, but she was unafraid of showing her discomfort.

"Catherine?" A voice out of the dark spoke causing Catherine to shriek and drop the ale. The barrel cracked open causing the contents inside to spill all over the floor. A flash of irritation overcame Catherine until she saw who it was….

Connor was sitting in the corner that looked like he had fallen asleep.