7

Lilly decided to go and help Ella close up before she came barging upstairs to make events more uncomfortable than they already were. Ella was a very timid and easily frightened girl. Rather than having to explain why a strange, half dead man was lying in her bed Lilly decided to see if she could usher Ella off as quickly as possible and close up for the night.

Lilly and Ella wished their customers a goodnight but as they were leaving Lilly spotted black uniformed men approaching the tavern with serious looks upon their faces. They began asking people leaving the tavern questions but couldn't make any sense out of most of them, thanks to the cheap drinks. One Templar looked visibly upset after speaking with some of his pals. Lilly recognized him as one of her regulars, Peter.

"Cheap drinking! And I missed out looking for a half dead assassin!" he shouted making Lilly puzzle at the term.

The other Templars approached Lilly and Ella

"You there, have you seen or heard anything out of the ordinary tonight? A dangerous killer has escaped justice just upriver and our current information tells us he may have headed in this direction"

Ella let out a gasp. Lilly stood looking unreadable but mentally panicking.

"We'll certainly let you know if we hear anything of the sort, we hear all kinds of things working here sir" Ella replied.

The man looked at her "very good! We are establishing a base just across the square. If you hear anything at all please let us know with all haste miss"

Peter then approached the small group

"Don't worry miss, ole Peter here will defend such pretty ladies" he added as he made his way closer to the women "You have nothing to fear, the Templars will protect your honour" he said whilst running a finger down Ella's face which made her recoil slightly. At this Lilly stepped between the two. Peter looked Lilly up and down with cold eyes lingering on her chest longer than appropriate.

"You know where we are if you need us" Peter continued as he turned to leave "I'll be in for a drink to say hello at some point, I do enjoy the company of such lovely ladies"

Ella wished Lilly a goodnight and went to walk away when Lilly took her arm and brought her back inside. Ella gave Lilly a puzzling look.

"I do not wish for you to walk home alone tonight Ella"

Ella looked about "oh yes, that frightening individual they mentioned could be lurking around anywhere" she said slightly panicked

Lilly was more concerned about Ella having to pass this "Templar" base with the possibility of Peter spotting her. She did not like the leer in Peter's eyes tonight but chose not to voice her concerns.

"Yes, that's it Ella, just wait here a moment and I'll go ask Walter to give you a ride home in the cart"

"He's here?" Ella questioned

"Yes, he injured himself earlier trying to sort that pig out. But he's alright, just a little sprain. Wait here and I'll go and fetch him" with that, Lilly left the young girl and headed upstairs sorry for having to lie to the girl but knowing it was for the best.

"Walter?" Lilly questioned as she entered the small living space. He was sitting on the couch across the room watching the stranger carefully "any changes with him?" she questioned

Walter looked up "nothing, he seems somewhat stable"

Lilly breathed a sigh of relief, she really didn't want the task of having to dispose of a body, especially with the shady individuals currently looking high and low for him

"Walter, it's about time you headed back. Martha will be worried"

"Are you going to be safe alone here Lilly? What if he wakes up and robs you or something? He's certainly in a difficult position and desperation makes people dangerous…"

"Walter, I'll be fine I promise. Trust me…please?"

He got up off the couch and nodded to Lilly "alright, just keep your wits about you"

Lilly smiled "I will Walter. Could you please run Ella home? And please, don't mention anything of tonight. She spotted my sodden clothes earlier and I had to make up a lie. She's already been spooked by the men looking for our guest so be subtle. You know how she gets…"

"I'll be in to see you tomorrow Lilly. If he harms a hair on your head I'll break his neck" Walter said glaring at the unconscious man and he headed downstairs to call Ella. They left through the back entrance with Lilly wishing them a goodnight and locking the back door.

Lilly returned upstairs to check the Assassin over, his breathing now seemingly steadier. She turned away and heard a faint voice

"Thank you…."

She returned and shushed him "you've lost a fair bit of blood but you'll recover if you rest now"

"Why….did you?" He managed

"I'll explain after you are rested" she replied "but for now let's just say I owe you a debt Mr. Frye. Now rest….you're safe here".

Dawn was breaking when Jacob awoke. He tried to sit up but the pain was great and it made him hiss. He was surprised at the fact that he didn't wake the bundle curled up on the couch across the room. He looked around taking in his surroundings as he tried to adjust his position, but it was painful. He rested against the headboard, running a hand over the shilling around his neck thinking lady luck was definitely on his side and suddenly got a chill thinking about the day that luck might run out.

He sighed. His father constantly snapped that his recklessness would earn him an early trip to the grave.

Jacob hadn't always agreed with his father but last night he would have been right if not for being in the right place at the right time. Evie would be left alone in the hands of the Templars with no way to break whatever hold they had on her.

When their father had fallen ill he had made Jacob swear to protect his sister, not that he needed too. Jacob had always protected her and always would. But last night his foolish decision to go alone into a nest of hornets nearly cost him everything.

Lilly stirred hearing a groan and then sat up immediately as she noticed her guest was now more conscious than last night and visibly in pain

"Take it easy sir, you've had quite a night"

"Not one of my best performances I'll grant you that" he managed with a smirk

Lilly walked over with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

"My name is Miss Lilliana Rose. But feel free to call me Lilly, Mr. Frye"

"Jacob" he nodded

Lilly smiled "now we're properly introduced I'm afraid the bad news is I don't have anything in the way of painkillers but I've got plenty of alcohol if that helps?"

"That would do fantastically" he stated

She brought the brandy bottle over and he took a shot.

"Whoever these people are trying to kill you are congregating in this area. They came around here last night and have set up base across the square asking many of the local's questions. I'm certain they have many convinced you're the villain here"

"And how do you know I'm not?" Jacob questioned looking at her

"Well, I didn't get a chance to introduce myself last time we met as our meeting was brief, but this is how I remember you" Lilly replied.