Sea Harbour

The university was situated not too far from the sea; there sat a large busy harbour with boats coming and going at any given hour. Edward noted the segregation between classes… The posh toffs kept to themselves in prime position, whilst those, more like himself, were tucked away.. Which suited him, really.. It was a piece of piss navigating his way in an out; especially with his new beauty.
It was with a bit of luck and bargaining, of the violent kind, that he found himself with this Hardy Fishing 24.. Sure, to most people it looked battered and old, but he saw potential. It had somewhere for him to sleep, eat and take a piss, the rest could be worked on.
All he needed to do was get it renamed ‘Jackdaw’, it just seemed fitting for some reason.

Yawning and stretching, the unshaven man looked out to sea, wishing he could always be out there. It was where he felt most freedom... He found himself longing for freedom all the time, almost as much as he longed for good fortune.

Sitting on the edge of his newly adopted boat, he picked at a bit of flaking paint work.. “Don’t worry little lady, we’ll get you fixed up in no time..” He patted her reassuringly. Today he would try to find some cash in hand work to do.. Looking up at the sky, he had no idea of the exact time, but he guessed it was past lunchtime, judging by the sun.,, Still, he was in no rush.

Living by the harbour brought a sense of freedom, being so close to the sea, breathing that fresh air every morning and night before the start of a new day. It was one of the few things in life that James Kidd found joy in. Being raised in enclosed spaces had shaped his personality, perhaps not always in a good way. What else could he say, he'd always enjoyed the freedom of being out in the open, exploring the world for himself for once.

Kidd yawned loudly as he finished gathering his bag, ready to start another adventure. He shoved his boots on quickly, shuffling to his small fridge to grab a quick snack to start the day. An apple would do. Making his way up through the cockpit and off his beauty. She was a Finnmaster Pilot 8, a fine sailor in her own right and incredibly easy on the eyes if you asked him, she was a little worn, but very well kept.

He hopped along the docks, grinning as he went, looking out for that one recognisable boat. He spotted her a few boats down, fondly named the 'Jackdaw' if he remembered correctly. "Oi! Kenway! Get your arse moving, it's time to start the day!” he laughed as he shouted out towards the Hardy boat.

Turning to look over his shoulder, Edward could recognise that voice anywhere..."Kidd..." He nodded with a small smile.. "What would I do without my personal alarm call... Don't suppose you know anyone who needs some jobs done? I'm a bit strapped for cash and need money in hand."

Jumping out onto the dock, he stood next to the shorter man.. "I think I owe her a little spoiling.." He nodded his head back to the Jackdaw.

He smiled knowingly at the older man."Well, I guess we can always take a look, see if any offices need maintenance or repairs. I'm heading down to the studio after a couple classes too, so if you find any jobs you're welcome to sone tools and a station if need."

He started walking at a leisured pace, stretching his shoulders out and pushing his long wiry hair back into the bandana he wore.

"She's a beauty. If you ever need a spare pair of hands I can always take a look at her, help you fix her up.", he smirked.

"Cheers Kidd.." Edward walked along side the other man, it seemed like a waste not to accept company over to the university. He was always socialising, but rarely with the same people and Kidd was one of the faces he was most familiar with.

"Still tying yourself down with responsibility, I see then.." He playfully poked fun as they walked along.

The morning had gotten off to an awful start, but things had begun to pick up since breakfast with the Grandmaster. Before now, Shay had wondered if he would be able to fit within The Order; it was the opposing force against everything he had lived for up until that point.

Once he was well enough and back on his feet again after leaving the Brotherhood, Monro had urged him countless times to consider joining their cause, but it hadn't seemed right. Eventually Shay gave in and promised he would at least see what it was like; he owed the man that much. Today was the first day that he could understand where the other was coming from.

Smiling to himself as he looked out over the sea, the Irishman made a mental note to talk to Monro, he'd promised to give him an update on how things were going as soon as he could.

When he'd left the Guest House this morning, Shay had no plans on where to go, instead he chose to familiarise himself with the area some more, however, by no coincidence he found himself at the docks. He hadn't spoken to Holden about the yacht yet, but it just seemed enough to look out at the open sea; it was reassuring.

These last few weeks have been terrible. The brotherhood seems to be in chaos, I’m no longer sure of who I can trust. Hope and I have been trying our best to mend what we can, and Achilles, he’s furious. Since losing Shay, I’m not sure what I feel. Anger? Confusion? Sorrow? It’s...unclear.

Not only has the brotherhood been scrambling to reclaim what he took, but also it seems that everything has become a lot tenser. I know our mentors wouldn’t rest until something was done, which is why I had to take action.

After Shay had left, Liam hadn’t been able to think straight. Shay had always been like a brother, and then over the last few years…more of a lover. He’d lost so much, they both had….but so had everyone else. Their mentor had lost plenty also. Achilles, Liam’s mentor, the man he respected above all. To Liam it had been an honour, becoming Achilles first student, the older assassin had took Liam under his wing over a decade ago, promising help. Not only had he helped but he had been the one thing that had got the younger assassin through some dark times. Then meeting Shay again, being able to get to know the younger man again, show him the Brotherhood, and teach him. Liam had been truly happy for the first time in years, he had family again. He’d had Shay by his side.

Then Lisbon happened.

Shay had been assigned a mission, something that was very important to their cause, and the older man had been proud...but Shay had returned broken far past repair it would seem. He had claimed that this was all down to Achilles, then he had fled, he had been injured. Meanwhile Liam had been left in the dark unsure what to believe and trying to figure out some sort of answer.

This past couple of weeks Liam had been working on intel he had gained as to where Shay might have gone, he’d come so close, only to run into nothing. Though it hadn’t been a total loss, he had retrieved the information Shay had taken, and a possible location on the younger man. No matter the cost he would find the other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It had been days since Liam had walked on land, his fellow assassins would surely have laughed to see the day they saw Liam O’Brien relieved to be out of the ocean. One of the few things the assassin found relaxing had been sailing, he wasn’t sure why though. After finally following up his lead to…a University of all things, Liam had took it upon himself to travel over.

Most of the hours he’d been on land had been spent checking all areas for any signs of templars or other assassins. He had a strange feeling about this place but so far he hadn’t come up with much, other than it being any other normal University. So far he’d walked across the entire campus at least twice, sticking to the shadows as always. He’d taken it upon himself to find a small motel nearby and come out with only the necessities, this included his hidden blade of course, and a dagger, just in case.

Liam now found himself strolling along the Harbour. Though it was quiet, he still stuck to hiding behind trees and slinking under the docks whenever he heard a suspicious sound. He’d been sitting up close to the water when he heard footsteps approaching. Moving with speed, he crept back along the docks, standing far from the water in a shadowy patch of trees. He saw a figure approach the docks, evidently male.

For a moment, he contemplated leaving the area. That is, until he managed to get a decent look at the man. It was then that he realised. He’d found Shay.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Shay was suddenly very alert and aware of his surrounding. Someone was nearby, but clearly hiding. This was just like when he was back in America, but how could the assassin's possibly know he was here so soon? Had he been followed?


Instinct suddenly taking over, Shay moved away from any roof tops or obvious hiding spots; the Irishman tried to remain casual as he scanned the area, discreetly arming himself with a throwing knife.

Nothing immediately alarming stood out to him, not in the way the assassin's back in America did. Achilles was a fool to keep sending them to their deaths. Shay took no joy in ending their lives, if he could accomplish his goals by only taking the lives of those necessary to end Achilles madness... Then that would still be too many. If only he could make them see.

Spotting someone lurking amongst some trees, he hesitated briefly, toying with the idea of just leaving the area. They didn't seem like a threat, but this wasn't a civilian and he couldn't risk being followed.


Tensing his arms, it took the ex-assassin a second to realise he no longer had his hidden blades, it had become so natural to have them with him at all times. Instead, he palmed the throwing knife as a cautionary measure, before edging slightly towards the trees; if it came to it, he could have his knife or gun out in an instant.

"... Ya don't need to turn this into anythin' messy.. Just show ya face." He warned, holding his ground and ready to react.

Watching as the younger man started moving, avoiding any buildings or trees entirely, the assassin moved slightly further into the patch of wood, remaining as quiet as possible.

Liam had heard of the lives Shay had taken, though he was hardly surprised, the younger man had practically been hunted all the way out of the camp until he had fallen to what at first had been his assumed death. Though the older Irishman knew the other wouldn't die so easily, he had known that the fall wouldn't kill Shay. This is why the older man needed to find him, he couldn't leave the other alone, no matter what he had done. Perhaps he could convince Shay to at least come back and see some sense...even if he couldn't stay, he'd be by Liam's side once more.

The older man was startled from his thoughts as he heard the younger, calling out in his direction. Figures. Liam never could remain undetected from Shay, not anymore at least.

Ensuring his weapons were safely tucked away, Liam slowly walked out from the shadows, glancing down at the younger as he moved forward, yet remaining a suitable amount of feet away, he didn't want to make the younger Irishman uncomfortable.

"I don't think that's what either of us wants.", he replied, eyes meeting the younger's.

Watching intently, Shay eyed up the other man as he left his hiding spot; a breath catching in his throat as he saw the hooded figure. That was a uniform he'd recognise anywhere, he'd had one similar just a year ago; and this specific one belonged to...

Hearing the others voice made Shay's blood run cold.. Liam.. A sudden bout of nausea hit him hard, like a punch to the stomach.

"Jesus... Liam.." He took a step back, completely thrown by the situation; this was not good, he had to stay alert. Liam may have been the one person he once trusted most, the one he'd loved dearly and looked up to, but he'd proven he was now just an assassin looking at a traitor.... and Templar.

"You don't? That's not how I remember it." Standing his ground, Shay held a firm gaze at the hooded man, not letting his guard down. "Somehow, I don't think it's a coincidence that you're here, did Achilles send you to finish me off?"

Liam watched the younger for his reaction, pulling his hood down to reveal his face to the other. He could sense the other's discomfort, as much as it hurt to know it was directed towards the older, he didn't blame or begrudge Shay of it.

Watching the smaller man step back, Liam went to move closer but hesitated, knowing that he should give the other man space. Smiling sadly, Liam raised his hands in a non threatening gesture. He was confused by the younger's next words.

"W-What?"", he paused, taking in Shay's words. "No, of course not...I came of my own accord. Why...How could you think I'd even....consider that?"

When the older man pulled his hood down, Shay's chest tightened as all the pain of leaving the Homestead came flooding back. The hardest part of his decision that night was leaving Liam and Hope behind, knowing that in all probability he'd be making enemies of them.

Hope had always been strict, but Shay knew that was because she saw potential in him, she was like an older sister and someone he'd have done anything for, but Liam... Liam was everything to him. They'd known each other since childhood and that was hard to let go of. This man had gotten him through hard times, especially after his fathers death; Liam had single handedly dragged him back onto his feet and gave him a future. Without him, he'd probably would have ended up a homeless good for nothing excuse of a drunkard.

All this didn't even touch on how their relationship had grown in previous years, they went from brothers to something so much more. Shay had had plenty of flings with men and women alike, but Liam was the first person he loved and he honestly could see them sticking together forever... But now here they were. Looking at each other from opposite sides of the battlefield.

"Don't play dumb with me." Shay growled out, trying to disguise his growing pain. "You SHOT me Liam... You proved your loyalty that night." Breathing seemed harder than usual; all the younger man truly wanted was to go back and be with Liam like how they use to be. Poking fun at each other, play fighting, joking around and... Laying together, holding each other and comforting one another.

"Achilles has sent enough people to kill me, so why not you? You clearly had the most success already."

The older Irishman could see the distress in the other's eyes, and as much as he was loyal the the Brotherhood, he couldn't help his feelings for the younger man. Shay may have betrayed them, but there had to be a reason for it.

In all Liam's years of being an assassin he had seen a lot; fear, death, battle, betrayal. At lot of times, the only thing that had got him through it had been his fellow assassins, like Hope. She's been one of his oldest friends, tough as nails and definitely one of the most talented assassins he knew. He'd introduced Shay to the others and Hope, and they had became a family of sorts, comrades for the cause.

Liam didn't know what had happened, this is why he went in search of Shay, he'd known the younger man since they were children, Shay wouldn't do something without good purpose. That's why he'd needed to find the other assassin...if he could still call the other as such. There had to be an explanation.

Though, now he had the younger man in front of him, all he could see was the other's fear, and it was a heartbreaking sight. He hoped he could convince the other to at least hear him out, even if it was a lost cause, he'd take it upon himself to ensure the other's safety, keep the Brotherhood off his trail if he had to. It's not as if it mattered now, they'd retrieved the stolen information, there was no reason to go after Shay.

Startled at the other man's words, the oldest of the two took a step back, chest twisting slightly, the other was genuinely fearful...of Liam?

"You...you really think that it was me? You believe that I would do that to you?", he sighed, voice breaking as he glanced down at the other sadly.

"Achilles. He has nothing to do with why I am here right now. I was on a mission before hand, once that ended, I went off the radar. I was searching for you Shay. I needed to understand, I needed to see you."

The others words all but shattered Shay's resolve; he'd been determined to push Liam away, there was no way they could work things out. They were now by default enemies.

But.... Liam had no reason to lie. He wasn't the type to.

That raised so many questions all at once. That night was an erratic blur, but Shay could remember seeing Liam's gun, they were all hunting him, ready to kill him for the sake of a book. For the sake of Achilles. That said, if the older man swore it wasn't him, he was compelled to believe him.

... But would that mean if he had only spoken to Liam, perhaps things would have been different between them. Maybe he would have understood? At the time, he could barely put two thoughts together, he felt like he had no one.

"... You held a gun to me..." A breath involuntarily hitched in his throat, trying to composed himself, he knew he needed to end this. The situation was dangerous and he was vulnerable. "What was I suppose to think?.. If not you, then who?" Hoping to keep it together, the younger man tried to control his breathing.

The older man was heartbroken, to think that the younger had believed he had shot him stung, leaving a dull pain in his chest. Surely the other would believe him now he'd told him it wasn't true.

Looking down for a moment, Liam sighed. He admitted, when Shay had ran off, he had his gun out and ready, most of it was worry, fear, the sting of possible betrayal. He had feared that the other might harm other assassins or even kill if he stopped running. He had feared that the assassins might actually kill Shay, if that were to happen Liam didn't know what he might end up doing. In the end it all came down to his fear. He had followed everyone else on their trail, watching as the younger assassin had stumbled as he ran, watched him fall. He was just as guilty as the rest of them, and now Shay feared that Liam was here to finish the job.

Looking back into Shay's eyes, the older sighed sadly. "I know, Shay I...I can't begin to tell you how much I regretted that, but I was worried, I was only doing what I have so many other times automatically. I shouldn't have gone on the offensive...I should have tried more to..to stop this.", he knew he had messed up, if only he had tried harder, this could have been prevented.

Finding it difficult to make eyes contact with the smaller man, Liam's usually hardened figure slumped slightly. "Chevalier. He...he was out of my sights...had I known..I..", he trailed off, breath catching in his throat.

"Tried harder to stop me doing this?" By now, Shay had dropped his guard, looking toward the taller man with sorrow in his eyes. "You make it sound so easy." He wanted to tell Liam something, he wanted him to know how much it hurt, but if he brought it up, he wasn't sure he could stay composed.


'When I left Lisbon, I was in pieces.. The only thing that kept me going was seeing you, I imagined you understanding. Standing beside me when I spoke to Achilles.. When you raised your gun to me, it destroyed me. I lost the last little thread of hope I had.' Saying this now, seemed pointless, it would fix nothing and make no one feel better.

"Chevalier..." Shay's eyebrows knitted together at the mention of the Frenchman's name. He was one of the few people he hated before any of this ".. I should've known.. I bet he enjoyed every second of that night." Sighing. Shay looked away.

"Now what, Liam? What happens now? You were lookin' for me. For what cause?"

"I...didn't mean it like that. Maybe I could have tried reasoning with our-the mentor." Seeing the other's tense form drop enabled Liam to relax a little more. Perhaps the other would listen to him after all.

"He should not have acted so quickly..none of us should have.", hesitantly Liam took a few steps closer.

Listening to the younger, Liam sighed, knowing the other would want to know straight off what was happening and what the older man wanted. "I guess...I came to talk. I wanted to see you, just...seeing you again it's...it means a lot...seeing you safe." Clearing his throat he continued, "I wanted to come and discuss a few things, we could go back to America...not straight away but...we could try and sort this out, surely. I'll be right by your side. Please Shay."

"It was Achilles that gave the order.. Everyone else blindly did as commanded, damn the consequences." Shay automatically snapped at the thought, all of this was Achilles fault and he would stop him, not matter the cost.

Slowly calming as he listened to Liam, the idea that he just wanted to see him was somehow soothing. Perhaps he had seen sense?... That was until he finished...

".. And what is it you would have me do, Liam? Go crawlin' back to Achilles? Beg for forgiveness and just pretend everythin' is okay?" Shay looked at Liam in sheer disbelief, anger rising as he analysed what the other said.

".. He... He made me slaughter innocents! And he'll do it again!.. Don't you see that?!" Now his voice raised, he looked at the older man, the man he once thought he knew so well. Lowering his voice, he continued.. ".. And you intend on just standing by and watching that happen?" His eyes bore into his ex-lover, accusingly.

Suddenly his resolve returned, he loved this man, more than he had anyone else, but he knew what was right and what was wrong. "I'm being inducted into The Order. I won't just be working with them, I will be a Templar." Even after everything, this still pained Shay to say. "..I have a cause, Liam. I have commitments and I won't see Achilles get away with this."

The only other option they could have to work this out would be for Liam to joins Shay's cause, but the younger man didn't for a second believe it was likely. They were both stubborn.

"I will not be stopped. You must see how wrong this is; what Achilles did is nothing short of insanity. You can help stop him... Liam.." He had to try.

"No...I...what I mean is...maybe we could make him understand. I know you're devastated from this but...if we both go, maybe we can fix this. We might be able to change his mind, stop this before it gets worse..", he was grasping at threads now. The thought of losing Shay to the templars was too much for Liam, couldn't the other man see that this was wrong? The Templars would make this worse, and then how would they stop this pointless war?

Liam's instincts flared at the younger's threatening gaze, though he would not back down. He wouldn't give up on Shay. "Shay please, surely you know that it won't solve anything working for them! They are worse, we can try and prevent more people from dying on our end, but the Templars will never change!", he tried to hold back his own anger, but the younger man wasn't making any sense to him. Surely the mentor hadn't meant for all of this, they could do better, they would.

The other man's next words struck a chord deep within. "Shay I...you know I can't, he's like a father. We can make them see sense. I'm begging you Shay...don't do this. I...I can't join the Templars, I won't."

"Make him understand? What more does he need to make him understand? I have thousands of innocent lives on my hands, Liam... All because of him. Even after Haiti and Lisbon, he still plans to continue." Shay's face contorted into a pained expression as he tried to make the other see sense.

"If that many lives on his conscience won't make him see sense, then what good do you think we could do?" Shifting awkwardly, the younger man knew he was wasting his time, but he couldn't give up without trying. "That night, he wouldn't even entertain what I told him.. He'd made out that it was in my head."

Realising he'd gone off into a tangent, Shay went quiet for a few moments.. "A Templar saved me, Liam... He saved me after I got shot in the back by an assassin... They're really not as bad as Achilles would have you believe." He spoke more quietly now, resigned to the fact that this wasn't going to go anywhere.

".. And you were like a brother to me once." Exhaling, Shay stood completely dejected and broken; there was no point to this anymore. Starting to turn away, he stopped short, glancing over his shoulder.. "I hope you never have to find out what it feels like to be responsible for that many deaths then. It would kill me to know you'd have to bare the consequences as I have."

Liam's resolve was starting to crumble. No matter what he said, the younger wouldn't see reason. As much as he wanted to understand the other and knew he should respect his wishes on this, the hurt was overwhelming. He felt personally betrayed, he tried his best to remain calm.

"I wish...that we could agree on this or find some kind of correspondence, but...if that's really how you feel...I won't stop you. I'm glad at least that you were taken care of well.", he hesitated, taking a breath.

"But....I still can't trust Templars. I'm sorry brother, I just can't...", looking away, the older man contemplated his next words carefully.

"Wait...just know that you'll always have a place with me...", he stepped forward, touching the other's shoulder gently, before moving back.

'I may well run into you again some day brother, I just hope it isn't with orders of assassination.'

"Good bye, Liam.." Turning away completely now, Shay didn't look back as he walked away; if he did, he wasn't sure if he would be able to leave Liam behind again.

Feeling utterly heart broken, he headed straight back to his car, sitting in silence for what felt like an eternity, before he started the engine and pulled away. Even though he still trusted Liam, even if only for this moment, he still couldn't trust the other assassins he once called family, so he made sure to drive around for a while before heading back to the guest house. He needed some time to think anyway.

How he'd managed to make it here, Shay wasn't quite sure, but it was exactly where he wanted to be. If Liam could, he would always travel by boat and the ex-assassin knew this because he was exactly the same. They'd spent an eternity at sea together.

As much as Shay needed to be careful, he didn't have time to sneak around. Finding Liam came as a high priority.

Slowing his pace slightly, the Templar began to scan the area, soon stopping in an open area that led two different directions. Doubt set in. How could both artifacts be so damn close but slip away.

Perhaps he was in that area last time because he had a boat docked near by. Realising this was his only lead, he had to take it. Heading in that direction, he kept alert.

Heading across the harbour to where his boat was docked, Liam moved stealthily through the trees, keeping out of plain sight. He knew the Templars would be searching everywhere.

It had came to his attention not long ago that the Chevalier had been captured, knowing it wouldn't take them long to figure out where he was, he was doing his best to get to the rendezvous point as quick and swiftly as he could whilst remaining undetected.

He slowed down as he passed a few Templars, moving through bushes as he came closer and closer to his destination.

It wasn't long till he came to the familiar clearing, no Templars in sight, Liam came out of the shadows, nearing the docks.

Stopping, Shay looked around again. Maybe he had been wrong. There didn't seem to be any sign of assassins in this area, unsurprisingly it was dead at this time.

Just listening out now, all he could hear was the sea. It was strangely eerie and soothing even at this time. Who would have thought he'd end up hunting Liam of all people. The one person he had thought he would grow old with, the only person he had ever truly loved. Looking up at the stars, he sighed. Perhaps this was for the best, killing Kesogowase, taking down Chevalier and facing off with Liam all in one night.... That didn't sound like a night he'd want lodged in his memory. They could track down the box again.

Going back to Haytham empty handed wasn't going to be the best feeling in the world. Shay hoped he wouldn't get angry.... but...Dealing with an angry Haytham didn't seem nearly as painful as squaring off with Liam as enemies.

Resigned, the Templar started to head back, only to suddenly catch sight of someone moving about not too far off.

Approaching quietly, he used his vision to make the idividual out. Shite. Liam.

As much as he knew why he was here, he simply wasn't prepared for this moment. Nothing in this world could prepare him for what he had to do.

Unable to move, frozen in place, Shay just watched.

'No, I have to do something. Come on. Achilles can't get that box'. The ex-assassin willed himself to move. There was no way he was going to leapt out at the other man, if they were going to do this it would be fair. Stepping out, he made his presence clear to his ex-lover.

"Liam..." Trying to keep his voice steady and emotionless, Shay continued. "I can't let you leave with the box."