Sorry for such a short Chapter! I have been busy with work and dealing with a hand injury. I have also been playing Far Cry 5 this month. I LOVE THIS GAME! I might do a small one-shot for my character. :) Anyways. Please review and follow! Much love!

James Quinn sat quietly by himself in the Green Dragon Tavern. With Catherine gone, he was avoiding the Snowdrop tavern like the plague. The Persian woman, Azure, was doing a fine job running the place, but it wasn't the same without his lifelong friend. Stepping inside the tavern with Catherine's father staring right at him, it left James with a feeling of dread. Was Catherine in some kind of trouble?

The lad was reading a letter that had only arrived a fortnight ago. James was only able to look at it now. From the delicate loops and slanted letters, he could tell that it was Catherine's handwriting. She never left a signature in fear of interception, but she would never say by who. Through the dried ink and tan parchment, he could hear her Irish brogue that he always found charming. The cheeriness as she described her life outside the city on a homestead, she had a tone of cheeriness. This caused him to miss her just as much, he'd hope she returned home soon. Folding the letter neatly, he shoved it into his pocket as he took another sip from the tin tankard with warm ale.

The blacksmith apprentice sat alone at the bar while the tables were filled. Everyone was preoccupied with music and spirits to notice a young man with a vacant expression. Summer was coming to a close, which meant, the fall harvest was beginning soon. The tavern was pack with hard-working men who would make a rich profit for the season.

The doorbell rang causing James to glance over to see who else entered the tavern, no doubt another patron he thought. To his much surprise, standing in the door was Azure with Thomas Hickey. James quickly whipped back around before the couple could see James. Hickey had his right arm slung over Azure's shoulder as he whispered something in the woman's ear, she replied with a hard slap on his chest the drunken Irish to push the man away. James could only guess it was something sensual.

Another man with a messy mustache and cold blue eyes stood at the base of the stairs called for them. James knew exactly who that man was from a brief introduction from months ago while he sat in a cell. Charles Lee.

Azure dragged Hickey by his arm to meet Charles Lee. After a short greeting, they gathered upstairs near the back bedrooms. James paid for his tab before grabbing his cap. There had been enough secrets and he was going to find out what they are. James watched his step as he walked upstairs, knowing there was nowhere else to hide. He quickly took to a table who was playing a game of checkers.

The man did not seem to mind as James made the first move, he was sloppy drunk. James placed all his focus on listening in on them. Another man appeared from the backroom, Haytham Kenway. His blood boiled at the sight of the man with his smug face. The last time James bare witnessed to the man was back in the graveyard where he ambushed Catherine and threaten her.

"ere's the big man," Hickey hiccuped.

Haytham patted Hickey shoulder before giving a glance to Azure. "I tried to cut the man off, but he was already half sloshed when he came to the tavern." She turned her head before giving Haytham a smile. "It's good to see you, Master. Kenway." He took her hand to give it a kiss showing his British charm to the woman.

"Azure, wonderful to see you too." He took a seat next to Thomas, ignoring his stench of pig filth. How could Azure stand him, he sometimes wondered about it. "Tell me, have you heard news of Catherine?"

Azure shook her head, "No, the poor girl ran off after your cocked up plan scared her." She spat. The woman was obviously salty about the whole incident. She had too kept in contact with Catherine, but she hid it from Haytham and the others since she worried for the girl as well. "Though, her little childhood sweetheart has been informing me on how she is doing. He claims she is with his extended family in Upstate New York. In a few years, I reckon there will be wedding bells between our two lovers."

James blushed at Azure comment on his feelings for his lifelong friend.

Haytham scratched his chin, "I doubt that especially after what happened to that boy's father."

James moved a piece across the board acting like he was actually playing but tried not act surprised to hear the mention of his father. He racked his brain, they all knew each other and were discussing Catherine and himself. They had planned her kidnapping, but she had told him that it was a random thugging that got her rustled up. It seemed that Catherine too had secrets.

"The boy's surname is Quinn," Lee asked as he folded his fingers under his chin. "Wasn't there an Assassin by the name of Richard Quinn? Didn't the Order taken care of him back in the Seven Year War."

Assassin? His father wasn't a killer, just an honest soldier. His mother wouldn't lie about the demise of his father. He was sick of hearing these lies, and secrets. When the young man stood, across the tavern, he had made eye contact with the possing man at the table. Haytahm Kenway.

Kenway's cool eyes were holding James to the spot. The two were standing in absolute silence for a short minute before Azure had called for James. Azure seemed to be surprised to see the young man. All eyes were on the young lad before he abruptly left leaving his drunk campaign. The drunkard slush some words about winning before falling flat on his face.

Azure became panic as she quickly fastened her cloak. "I have to stop the lad, he could blow my cover."

Haytham held his arm out to stop her, but she blatantly ignored him. The woman raced down the stairs to catch up with James, but by the time she reached the street. He was already gone. Thomas Hickey had trailed behind his companion to see as well the young man was gone. Azure cruse and raged in her native tongue which only gave Thomas a drunken laugh before she pivoted to face him.

"You find this funny Thomas? That boy could ruin the months of hard work, I have that girls trust and now it could be washed away!"

"Calm yourself, love. I am sure he doesn't know what the lad has seen."

"He knows what he saw! He knows all of us and Catherine's stance on all of us."

Haytham had brassily walked past Azure. "I'll take care of this,"

"Don't kill the poor boy, Kenway, or I'll have your hide."

James' legs were burning as he ran through the streets. The young man wasn't sure if he was being followed, but he had to get his small apartment. The Green Dragon Tavern was a 20-minute walk from his home, but he managed to cut this time in half by sprinting.

He decided to get to his small stash of the coin that he earned for his own shop. The blacksmith apprentice was going to buy a horse to inform Catherine what he had seen. Trouble was brewing, a letter would be too slow. He placed the key inside his door before being shoved inside the apartment. The boy crashed into a chair before looking up. The shadowy figure stood in the dark, James could make the outline of the figure's hat. Knowing who it was. James reached to his belt where a dull knife sat at his hip.

Haytham stepped into the moonlight that cast through the windows. His sword drawn and pointed at the boy's neck. "Watch yourself,"

"What is it that you want?" James glared as he spat on Haytham's boots. "Leave Catherine alone."

Haytham's voice was steely as he spoke to the boy. "We are trying to protect that girl."

"How?! I would bloody love to know how a kidnapping Catherine is trying to help?" James tried to stand, but the callous man kept him in his place.

"She is consorting with the wrong people."

"Who? I like to know."

"It is none of your concern boy, I ask you to have Catherine come home in haste."

"It's her wish to stay with my family since her father keeps abandoning her."

The Grand Master knew James word was true, but Shay wanted to take care of Catherine. The whole situation with this child was exhausting. Charles Lee even pointed out that it was wasting the Templar Orders resources. If Catherine could just stay put and stay there, all would be right. The growing concern was of war within the colonies as well as rumors of Assassins springing up. There was no true evidence that she was consorting with the Assassins.

Haytham put away his sword. "Tell the girl to write to her father. He is sick with worry and has no right to ignore the man. He has done his best to give the life his family desvered while performing his duties."

James gave him a frim look before nodding. "I will advise her, but I will tell her everything that I saw."

Haytham picked the young man up by his collar quickly before shoving him against the wall. The wall shook causing a vase that had a single flower in was knocked over and shattered. A blade sprang up from under his sleeve to threaten the boy again. "If you say a word to her about Azure, I will assure you, your father will not be the only one that your mother will be mourning."

Haytham is a sensible man, he would never threaten the innocent, but sometimes he had to do the necessary evil.

"My father was murder by a savage,"

Haytham pushed the blade closer to his throat. "All lies,"

James was in disbelief, "Your lying, my father was an honest soldier, not a murderer. He fought to protect his home."

"He was blinded with naivete from his belief system, so he was put down for it." Haytham let the boy go before stepping back, "I am sorry for the rough life with the death of your father."

James slumped against the wall trying not to laugh at the apology. He just threatened him with death mere minutes ago. He was shaken by Haytahm's threats, even more with the threat to his family. They were innocent in all of this, but Haytham was a menacing man with powerful ties.

"I suggest you and Catherine keep your nose out of people's business." With his last words, he left without a second glance at the boy. James only took a moment to recover, he had to know what was going on with Catherine, but he swore that wouldn't talk about what he saw. For the sake of James' sisters and mother. Samuel Adams would be the person to know where Catherine was.

There was no time to waste.