Chapter 14. The Weight of Decision
The following day, sunlight flooded the meeting room through its towering windows, painting long shadows on the gleaming oak floor. George summoned Jacob into the room; his voice carried an air of importance that was hard to miss. Taking their seats on plush burgundy leather chairs encircling the grand oak desk, George leaned in purposefully, his eyes alight with determination. "Today, I'll accompany Lilly home to retrieve her belongings," he announced; his tone steady yet contemplative. His words lingered in the air with purpose. "Should she choose to return with us, I might propose she assist our search in the library. With Evie's situation looming over us, every keen mind matters. The more eyes we have scouring those texts, the greater our chances."
Jacob furrowed his brow, a blend of worry and doubt clouding his features. Leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest, the leather chair groaned softly under his weight. "Surely, it isn't safe for her to stay behind?" he questioned sceptically, uncertainty tainting the atmosphere. George met Jacob's gaze unwaveringly, exuding a quiet confidence that seemed to settle the room. "I doubt any Templars have lingered after your escape," he asserted firmly, conviction lacing each word.
Jacob's frown deepened as he shook his head, anxiety evident in his tense voice. "It's not just about their presence," he countered uneasily. "Templars frequented that tavern long before my arrival. The moment she steps back home, they'll know, and she'll be at risk. Safety will never find its way to that place until Annie is dealt with decisively. And as for this 'Hunter'... no." His voice held a sombre tone before he spoke with unwavering determination: "He could manipulate her for information or worse—you're familiar with their tactics, George. I refuse to abandon her to that fate."
Witnessing the turmoil etched on Jacob's face, George's stern demeanour visibly softened. A weighty exhale permeated the room, enveloping it momentarily in silence. "Very well," he acquiesced softly after a brief pause of reflection. "I shall accompany her swiftly to retrieve her belongings—it's a modest token considering all she has done for you." Jacob interjected with unwavering resolve that cut through the air like a honed blade, "You won't be embarking on this alone." His voice carried the steely determination of tempered metal breaking through the quietude. "Should Hunter loom nearby, facing both of us will prove to be quite the challenge." George averted his gaze momentarily, as if seeking answers in the intricate woodwork on the wall before responding thoughtfully: "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he murmured softly under the weight of their shared concerns.
Jacob and George shed their usual garb, opting for unassuming attire: a pair of sturdy, dark jackets and well-worn flat caps to seamlessly blend in with the bustling, working-class crowd of Woolwich. As Jacob and Lilly settled into the carriage, its wooden wheels emitting a soft creak, George expertly took the reins at the front. With a practiced flick of his wrist, the carriage set off on its leisurely journey; the rhythmic clop of hooves marking their departure from the estate grounds towards their destination.
During the ride, Lilly eagerly offered to read from a few books about ancient artefacts to see if she could assist in tracking down a solution to Evie's predicament. Glancing up from her own tome, she caught Jacob engrossed in his reading opposite her.
"I can't wait to have my own clothes again," Lilly expressed with anticipation, her eyes gleaming as she smiled. "Seeing Walter will be such a relief... I hope he's doing well."
Meeting Lilly's gaze as she spoke, Jacob looked up from his book and replied reassuringly, "I'm sure he's been just as concerned. He made it quite clear how protective he is of you."
A knowing smile danced on Lilly's lips as she turned to Jacob playfully. "Did he threaten you?" she teased lightly, her voice tinged with amusement.
Returning her teasing grin with a smirk, Jacob chuckled softly. "I may have received a subtle hint," he admitted with a twinkle in his eye.
Lilly's soft chuckle filled the carriage, a melodic sound that danced in the air. "I first crossed paths with Walter and his wife just over a year ago when I made the decision to escape the frenzied heart of London and immerse myself in running my own establishment. They had been aiding the previous owner with the sale, and somehow persuaded them to entrust the place to a humble widow like me. It wasn't that I was in dire financial straits; unbeknownst to me, my late husband had wisely set aside a substantial sum for any unexpected eventualities. He used to frequently express his fear of leaving me alone in this unforgiving city... he truly cared for others," she confided, her voice tinged with a mix of sweetness and sorrow.
Intrigued, Jacob gently inquired, "What happened to him?"
Lilly's gaze drifted to the swaying branches of trees outside as she began recounting. "His patrol often took him through Devil's Acre," she mentioned, causing Jacob to grimace inwardly at the notorious place he knew too well. She continued narrating, "One evening, he disclosed his suspicions about an underground organization supplying the gang terrorizing the impoverished residents." "The Blighters..." Jacob's voice carried a heavy weight of resignation as he muttered softly.
Meeting his gaze, Lilly affirmed with a solemn nod. "Yes, and it seems likely that the clandestine group behind all this chaos were indeed the Templars." Lilly's eyes wandered back to the window, the view outside momentarily capturing her attention. "Nevertheless," she began anew, "My late husband embarked on a valiant mission to rectify the injustices suffered by those in need, offering them a beacon of hope through his unwavering resolve that ultimately sealed his fate."
Jacob's voice softened with understanding, his eyes reflecting empathy as he spoke. "The burden he carried alone must have been immense. I'm truly sorry for your loss," his words resonated with genuine sincerity. "Thank you," Lilly replied softly, her gratitude laced with a quiet strength. She continued, "After his passing, I found solace in pursuing my dream of owning a tavern—a dream that blossomed into reality with the unwavering support of Walter and his wife." Fondly reminiscing about their bond, she added with a smile, "We became inseparable; they often joked that I was the daughter they never had." Jacob quipped mischievously, a playful glint in his eye, "Seems like a clever strategy to get free ale." Amused by his jest, Lilly's laughter rang out like musical notes dancing in the air. "Absolutely! Walter did drop hints along those lines," she playfully agreed.
Their laughter wove through the clatter of the carriage, a brief respite from the tension that lingered around them. As their amusement faded into comfortable silence, Jacob noticed Lilly's expression growing distant, her eyes clouding as if with an approaching storm. "I just hope," she began, uncertainty edging her voice like a whisper of the wind, "that it still feels like home." Her hands tightened on the book in her lap, knuckles white against its worn cover.
Jacob leaned forward, his voice low and steady as he sought to reassure her. "We'll be there soon," he promised. "And you'll have us both by your side."
The carriage continued its journey through London's outskirts, past sprawling factories belching smoke into the sky. The air thickened with the scent of industry—the dense lifeblood of this burgeoning empire. As they neared Woolwich, familiar landmarks emerged: gabled rooftops and narrow streets that wound with purpose towards the river.
The cab's arrival in the town square brought with it an electric undercurrent, akin to the charged hush before a storm. Jacob's books were set aside as he heightened his senses and tuned into the subtle shifts in the surroundings while traversing towards the square. Uncharacteristic quiet blanketed the streets; an eerie calm for midday, as if even the breeze dared not disturb the peace. Eventually halting at a shadow-draped corner, George expertly guided the horses to a stop; their breath forming wispy clouds in the autumn air. "Notice anything, Jacob?" George whispered, his words barely audible yet carrying unwavering confidence in Jacob's acute senses.
Exiting the carriage, Jacob adjusted his flat cap firmly over his brow with resolve. "Nothing, but there's enough tension in the air to raise hairs," he responded, eyes scanning the area with sharp focus. George acknowledged with a nod, piercing through the unsettling silence of the square and the forebodingly closed tavern, shadows lurking ominously.
"Remain watchful," George swiftly advised before striding decisively towards the tavern, his movements resonating like a rhythmic drum in the heavy silence. Jacob reached out, extending a reassuring hand to Lilly as she gracefully descended from the carriage. The gentle swish of her gown trailed her steps, and as their eyes met, unspoken understanding passed between them, acknowledging the dangers they had narrowly escaped. "It appears calm at the moment," Jacob comforted her with a soothing voice that alleviated her unease.
The group approached the tavern, their gazes fixated on the imposing wooden board barricading the entrance. The word "CLOSED" was crudely etched in thick, menacing strokes, casting a foreboding shadow over the already eerie setting. Jacob took the lead, guiding them to the rear of the tavern where George hesitated before cautiously testing the door. With a chilling creak, it swung open under his touch. Locking eyes with Jacob who stood vigilant, George received a silent nod of approval. Stepping into the darkness ahead, George braced himself while Jacob remained watchful at their back, exuding strain with each guarded movement.
Upon entering, a musty odour assaulted them: a blend of decay and metallic tang that hung oppressively in the air. Lilly lingered near the threshold of the bar area when George's troubled expression halted her progress. "Don't," he warned urgently, his voice strained with concern. Perplexed yet driven by a mix of dread and curiosity, Lilly pushed past him into the room beyond. The scent of blood grew more potent as she advanced until she was met with a harrowing sight that etched itself indelibly into her mind.
Ella's lifeless form hung on the wall, her throat slashed with a viciousness that left a dark, crusted stain across her bare chest. Nearby, Walter was bound to a chair so tightly that his skin strained against the ropes; his face contorted in agony, unrecognizable beneath the bruises and swelling. A menacing note was driven into his chest by a dagger, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light. The message on it, etched in jagged letters, conveyed a chilling warning: "I warned you."
Lilly stood rooted in shock, her form stiff and unyielding as she gazed at the harrowing scene before her. The stench of blood and decay hung heavy in the air, a sickening odour that seemed to taint each breath she drew, engulfing her senses completely. It was as though the entire world had condensed into this nightmarish moment until Jacob's gentle touch found her trembling arm. "Lilly," he murmured with a softness that cut through the air like a tender plea. Startled, she turned to him, seeking refuge as she pressed her tear-streaked face against his shoulder; her sobs reverberated through the desolate bar. Wrestling with his own inner turmoil, Jacob hesitated, torn between offering words of solace or holding onto comforting silence, uncertain of how best to ease her anguish. George approached silently, placing a reassuring hand on Jacob's shoulder and emanating a sense of steadfastness amidst the chaos. "Let's move her from here," George suggested calmly yet resolutely. "I'll take care of things here."