It was a beautiful July afternoon, a week since the big day at the Bastille. Élise and the burly, mustached guard captain were practicing with wooden swords under the summer sun.
"Come on, Didier, you're holding back!"
"I am not, Madam!"
"I can see it in your eyes."
She had seen it in the eyes of many men when she had trained in the Assassin Order. Fortunately, not all men showed the same hesitation. Some were eager to prove her wrong, or perhaps right, and she had them to thank for her talents.
Élise heard Timothee open the double doors and enter the courtyard.
"Élise, my dear! We've got a new lead on Foullon!"
She ceased her practice and looked over.
"Joseph? Ame damnée? I'd heard he was dead."
"So had I, and many others. But it was a false report he circulated for his own protection. He's been hiding out. In Viry-Châtillon, in the house of his friend, Antoine de Sartine."
"Antonie...the one we have to blame for all those arbitrary arrests. You want me to kill him too?"
Timothee chuckled. "A commendable spirit, but no. Antonie seems to be away on business, or perhaps permanently, running like so many of King Louis' people. Eliminate Foullon. Wait for nightfall. Then strike."
"Joseph's made so many enemies. Are you sure it's even necessary? Perhaps we should simply share what we know and let the people do the rest."
Timothee laughed. "In fact, our source only agreed to provide information that Joseph might have a swift death."
"Sounds more like Joseph's friend than an enemy."
"Perhaps, but we keep our word! Go to Viry-Châtillon tonight and give Joseph that quick death."