Élise approached the opened door to Timothee's study.

"Please!" pleaded Jean-Marie Roland with clasped hand. "My beloved is the world to me! And she was a loyal servant to our order, you can't -"

"I feel immense pity for you, mon ami. You must understand it is not callous disregard I'm operating by. Étienne Clavière, a man I loved dearly, is in custody too. We look after our own but breaking them out of prison is not so simple."

Élise had seen this sad routine several times already since Jean-Marie had come to hide out with them in the chateau. Knowing it would not go anywhere good, she spoke up:

"Monsieur, you wanted to see me?"

Timothee's eyebrows perked up.

"Oui, Élise. Please, sit down. Monsieur Roland, I'm sorry but we'll have to discuss this later."

Roland turned to leave. She could see the pain in his old eyes. Those horrible few days had shaken them all. Maybe Roland also felt like a failure as a husband, having not protected his wife.

She looked back at the Chobat patriarch, who pointed to a chair. There was a sore on his upper lip, his body's signature expression of stress. Élise entered, closed the door, and sat down.

Timothee adjusted his kravat, then spoke. "Bonne grace, that man and his mendicité! His love for his spouse is commendable, but he must understand how much is at stake here! He needs to broaden his perspective. She's not only Templar or Gindorin who was imprisoned during that horrible ordeal."

Élise was silent. During the two days following the rescue of Jean-Marie Roland, tens of thousands of soldiers had surrounded the National Palace, and they had arrested enough Girondins to cripple the party. It had been over a month ago, but felt like yesterday. The Illuminati now had a stranglehold on French politics.

Timothee moved some papers, then put his hands down and looking her directly in the eyes. "It seems your Assassin friends made an attempt on François Hanriot and Robespierre. Simultaneously. Obviously they failed, or I would be in a much better mood, and now both Hanriot and Maximilien have become paranoid. The security around them is tighter than ever."

Again, Élise was silent.

"We need to hit them at a softer spot. Marat is almost as much of a threat to l'France as old Maxy. He was neck deep in the events of June 1st and 2nd. And I'm sure you noticed his horrid skin condition. Bien, it's worsened. He's forced to do his wickedness from home now, spending much of the day soaking in a medicinal bath. His wife largely looks after him. He's an easy target, you see! Breaking into his home might not even be necessary. Simone Marat doesn't know your face. She might let you walk right in, if you tell her you have information he desires."

"And what information might that be?"

"Perhaps say you know something about the Girondins who managed to escape. With his blood lust he won't be able to resist such enticing secrets!"

"Then plunge a knife into his neck while he's bathing?" She had been given tougher missions, certainly.

"Oui...but Élise, your deeds have caught the ear of many in the Illuminati. His wife may not know your face, but she may know your name. You'll need to come up with a new one."

A new name? Élise thought for a second.

"Charlotte...Charlotte Corday."