Catherine walked into the private library of the Master Assassins, where Sophie Trenet awaited for her, flipping through the pages of a heavy volume.

"Mentor Trenet," Catherine greeted as she approached.

The older woman snapped the book shut. "Cormac, you are late." Her voice carried an irritated tone.

"Sorry for the tardiness."

She scrunched her eye at Catherine, but dismissed it. "It's fine, girl, you're here now." The irtattbile was on the tip of the older woman's tongue.

Sophie Trenet was in her mid-twenties when she rose to the rank of Master Assassin and joined the council. Now in her age of early forties, she was an icon of the creed to look up too.

The older woman was well known for her writings advocating for equality and women's rights. Catherine had been deeply influenced by Trenet's work since her arrival. Her essays spoke of the oppressed classes and the rights they deserved. For an unmarried woman of her age, it was an impressive achievement. Catherine had rarely encountered a woman who was a published author.

The admiration was unfounded that the younger Assassin carried for this woman.

"How fares your personal mission for the native land? Have you secured any more patrons willing to donate to your cause?"

Catherine felt a twinge of self-doubt about fulfilling it. She had taken on private contracts for wealthy nobles in the city, but she had no way of knowing how much the Templars had regrouped in their resources.. Everything was quiet on the Colonial Rite front, though Catherine didn't fully trust the reports. Haytham would always have a contingency plan.

Catherine wouldn't dream of asking Dorian for help or for resources from the Brotherhood's treasury. This was her task to ensure the Colonial Brotherhood could rebuild on her own with Connor help. Dorian could only offer her guidance. When the Templars were no longer a threat in the Colonies, perhaps the other European branches would be of assistance.

"It's not much, but I feel if we could gather more we can supply the Natives with weapons to protect themselves and secure the majority of them as allies." Catherine sighed, running her fingers across the leather-bound books.

"The American Brotherhood made a mistake during the Seven Years' War. They enslaved Native tribes instead of seeking to make them allies. If we can correct that, we'll have natural allies." Catherine'sr personal lessons that Dorian educated her on the fall and rise of the Templar Colonial Rite and the Fall of the Brotherhood. It gave her insight of why it had turned into the mess that it became.

The pride of the Colonial Brotherhood was a mark of shame,but it could be turned around. It could be better. She understood why her father turned his back on the beliefs of Achilles Brotherhood.

"I wouldn't let Bellec hear you say that." Trent mused," I'm not a fan of Achilles either. The way he led the Brotherhood during the war between the French and English was a mess. If he had only listened to your father, I'm sure you or Connor wouldn't be dealing with his mess."

Catherine had mixed feelings about the mentor, given what she had learned. "Well, it does offer some real-world experience, doesn't it?" She could taste the bitterness in her own tone. "I know Achilles has his regrets."

"Very true." Trenet placed her book back on the shelf. "Now, the reason I summoned you here today. Its personal and I think you'd be the only one that would be able to help."

"Yes? Master Dorian said you wanted to speak to me about something important."

Catherine crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought we didn't mix personal affairs with Brotherhood business."

Sophie gave a smug laugh. "We normally don't, but I believe this will be beneficial to you." Trenet handed Catherine a letter. "A dear friend of mine has had her fortune stolen by a dreadful man, he had her married in a coursion."

In the letter was a begging for help in regards and talked of being prisoner in her own home with the fate of not having access to her accounts. It was heart wrenching for the pleases.

Catherine unfolded the letter and skimmed it. "Everything she owns was signed over to him after she married him." The words nearly rotted her teeth with rage.

Trenet took the letter back from Catherine. "Oui, blackmail was used to chorhse her into marrying this man with her own secrets. The law was on his side of unfairness for her after her first husband."

Catherine felt something suspicious. "May I ask what happened to her first husband?"

"He was a good man who was murdered by men who bore the cross."

"Templars..." Catherine's voice darkened.

"Yes. I suspect it was arranged by her second husband." Trenet sighed as she tucked the letter away from Catherine's sight.

Catherine nodded. "How shall I arrange to meet her?"

"No need, Catherine. It's too risky to meet her in public or in private. Her name is Genevieve Pronovost. If you help her, I'm sure she can help you in return."

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "How can she help me?"

"She is one of Marie Antoinette's ladies-in-waiting."

"Dauphine of France? The future Queen of France?" Catherine's mouth gaped in shock.

Trenet walked over to the younger woman and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you now understand how crucial this will be for you?"

Catherine nodded. "Yes, I do. But I have to ask, why choose me for this? I know my goal hasn't shown much favoritism toward the Brotherhood council."

"I already explained it to you." A flash of irritation crossed the older woman's face.

Catherine expressed curiosity. "I know, but why help me?"

"Take a look around. How many women do you see working within the confines of our order?"

Catherine took a moment to think about how few women she had seen in the halls. Sophie Trenet was the only woman of power within the French Brotherhood.

"Not many."

"I think you have a real chance at bringing change to the Brotherhood and lead it to the right direction. Even with its mistakes. I know you can do it, if you can succeed in this, you will certainly your funds to help the Natives in a surplus of funds and weapons."

Catherine bit the inside of her lip and nodded. "I understand that." Sophie Trent glanced at the young woman who was stepping up to take the chance at taking care of business. Catherine nodded. "Where will I find him?"

"He is located in the city of Versailles. He owns a private villa that his wife isn't even aware of."

Catherine thought for a moment. "I will need to investigate. It shouldn't be hard to find his property. I'll accompany Dorian back to Versailles until I locate it."

"Very good."

Within the next few days after being assigned this task, Catherine embarked on the half-day journey to Versailles.

Catherine ignored the rocking of the carriage as it swung her side to side, focusing instead on making notes in her journal. Dorian sat across from her, studying her face.

"Do you ever put that journal down?"

Catherine chuckled. "I'm just drawing what I see." Everything was cleary pictured in her head as she drew the Snowdrop tavern, and the street it was on. On the page across was different facial shapes, hands, and eyes. The eyes struck her the most, the secret she kept for herself was that it was Connor warmeyes, but she would never let anyone know that outloud.

"A special talent. You can capture anything in the blink of an eye and remember it down to the finest detail."

"I ca still remember boston like I just left yesterday. I can remember every inch of the davenport manor down the last tear in the wallpaper. It just sets in my head like I am ready to pull it from a book from a library." Catherine snapped the book shut. "My mother said that it was from her side of the family, something that her parents had it, or their parents. I can't exactly remember."

"Its not uncommon for the assassians to have special abilities outside of the Egale Vision, but yours is even more unique."

A pause of the line of questioning, before Catherine looked at Dorian. "Do you think we'll ever locate her?" Catherine bit back of saying "Mother" she knew it would sound as if she was calling for Mama as a small child would.

Dorian reassured sensing the younger Assassin's shifting emotions of the topic of her mother."Your mother was a smart woman. We will find her eventually, though it's becoming more challenging."

"Why?"

"Reports indicate your father has been spotted throughout Europe, searching for the Precursor have been trying to keep tabs on him as well as try to track your mother down which is difficult since it is important to keep you and your mother under wraps."

Catherine felt a chill thinking about her father. She had done so much wrong by him, starting with faking her death. "The Templars cannot know I am alive yet. We need the element of surprise,."

Dorian settled in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. "We need to make sure the box is secured."

Catherine was silent, her voice tinged with doubt. "Is the box safe?"

Charles dismissed her concerns with a wave. "Of course. The council and I are the only ones aware of its location, but we have a contingency plan to move it if your father gets too close."

Catherine nodded. She still couldn't shake the idea of seeing her father again. What would he say? What would she say? The assassin pushed those thoughts aside.

"Now, enough worrying," Dorian said, waking her from her thoughts. "If I'm not mistaken, your birthday is coming up in a few weeks, correct?"

"Yes, I'll be 19." Catherine smiled. "Why?"

"I have an early birthday gift for you."

A smile spread across Catherine's rosy lips. "You shouldn't have. What is it?"

Dorian smiled down at his foster daughter. "I thought it was something you would appreciate. Just wait until we arrive home."

The rest of the trip was quiet until they reached the city. Versailles was much less busy than Paris and significantly smaller. The carriage pulled up in front of Charles Dorian's home. As the carriage door opened, Catherine adjusted her skirt before stepping out. Dorian offered his hand to help her down. Her dress had a high enough lift in the front to allow her to run and climb if necessary.

The front door swung wide open, and a seven-year-old boy stood in its threshold. "Father! Catherine!" he cried out happily as he ran down the steps.

The maid staff stood at the door, smiling as they watched the reunion of the small family.

"Oof," Catherine chuckled when Arno barreled into her torso with a hug. "Arno, it's good to see you too."

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course I did." The assassin gave the little boy a tight hug. "But it's only been three weeks. You couldn't have missed me that much, could you?"

"I always miss you."

Catherine chuckled and gave the boy a kiss on the head. "Why don't you give your papa a hug?"

Arno pulled away and ran over to his father, who greeted him in the same manner. "Why don't we head inside, and you can give Catherine part of her birthday present?"

"You don't need too! Charles this is too much." Catherine felt a bit bashful at the sudden protjection of attention.

Arno grabbed her hand and led her inside the house. "Come out back to the gardens. I'll show you."

He looked at one of the maids. "Will one of you go into my study and grab the wrapped parcel on my desk?"

"Yes, Monsieur Dorian," the older maid curtseyed.

Arno pulled her towards the gardens. The moment she arrived, she was buzzing with excitement about the surprise. Catherine could only smile at the effort the Dorian family had put into her birthday celebration.

Catherine stepped into the floral garden, which had yet to fully bloom. Arno handed her a package, which she accepted with a smile.

"Go ahead and open it," Dorian instructed.

Catherine glanced down at the package. She shook it to guess what might be inside. It was a long parcel, about the length of her arm, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. It didn't feel too heavy, and she had no idea what the gift could be.

With a single pull of the string, the ribbon came undone. She unfolded the paper and slid it down, revealing a box that held her gift. Lifting the top of the box, she caught a glimpse of the thoughtful present. She took out a glove, which was larger than her usual size.

The glove reached her elbow, similar to her old falconry glove. She had removed the extra leather that served as Aries' perch on her arm. It still saddened her to think of her close animal companion that was lost.

"Go ahead and put it on, Catherine."

Catherine slipped the glove on over the hidden blade. It was a perfect fit, with a slip under the wrist that allowed the secret blade to spring from its sheath. The assassin's insignia was engraved on the knuckles. The leather was heavy, much thicker than a normal glove.

"What is this?" Catherine asked, turning to look at Dorian. She then noticed that Dorian had opened what looked like a small cage. A bird hopped onto her arm.

"That's a girl," he whispered to the bird, giving it a gentle scratch next to its head. The bird closed its eyes, enjoying the soft touch.

Catherine walked towards her mentor. "What is that?"

Dorian looked up at the younger woman. "I know you were upset about Aries, but I figured that after some time had passed, you'd want to try your hand at falconry again. So I acquired you an eaglet. She is yours."

Catherine gasped at the sight of the fledgling perched on Dorian's arm. "Charles, this is too much. Way too much." Tears stung her eyes. She approached him to hold out her arm for the bird. "How old is she?" Arno handed Catherine a treat for the eagle, which hopped onto her arm, pecking at the meat.

"She's four months old, just turned into a fledgling. "

Catherine took a moment to admire the bird. She was still a juvenile, with some white feathers remaining from her eaglet stage. The sun shone on her feathers, giving them a golden shimmer. Her yellow beak had a black tip. This beautiful animal was the size of Aries when he died. If this was a fledgling, she wondered how large the eagle would eventually become.

"Thank you, Charles." She smiled at the thoughtful gift. "She is beautiful."

"You're welcome, girl." Charles smiled. "What are you going to name her?"

"I don't know…" Catherine stared into the bird's golden eyes as if looking into her soul. The bird cawed, and she tightened her grip in the leather gauntlet. "She is lovely… Orla. I'm going to name her Orla." Catherine smiled at her new friend. "Do you like that?"

The bird chirped in response. "It seems so," Dorian smiled.

The regal eagle stared back at her as if trying to connect with her. "She can be my eyes in the sky," Catherine said with a smile.

Memories of flight flashed through Catherine's mind, as if she and Orla were one. Since her induction into the Brotherhood, her senses had become sharper, her connection to the world stronger and brighter than ever before. Orla unlocked something in her that felt familiar.

"Why don't you spend some time with your new friend? Then we can go over plans for your mission." Dorian placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze before heading inside.

Arno glanced at the fledging giving it a soft scratch. "Do you think we can fly like them?"

Orla made a soft noise of approval before allowing taking off. Catherine held her arm up for the proud animal to take flight. With one large flap of its wings, Orla soared into the air.

"Why do you ask that?"

"I don't know. It seems possible, though." He smiled. "Maybe in the future?"