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June 17, 1876; Black Hills, Dakota Territory

They had been out in the West for a good four years now.

The American deserts were proving quite the gold mine for fossils, and dozens of paleontologists like Evelyn were rushing to the area in hopes of discovering something new to fill the museums. Her old friend, now rival, Edward Cope had made several expeditions under his new Templar funding. Grant it, rumor has it he's been causing a bit of a fuss with his new boss, Leidy. Cope, in his haste, had been digging in spots that Leidy had not assigned him to, which proved to cause a schism between them. Cope’s financial backer, Ferdinand Hayden, was working to keep the tension in check, however. Evelyn was openly disappointed by this, hoping this little push would be enough to being her old friend out of the Templar folds. But it was not to be.

Evelyn herself had found herself in the Black Hills in partnership with her other old friend, Othniel Marsh, who had also been out fossil hunting with his team in this rich area. The two had formed a mutual respect for one another. They worked well together and they were on the same side of things, albeit for different reasons. Marsh and Cope had lost all sense of amnesty after the whole Elasmosaurus incident. They had gone from good friends who named new species after one another, to bitter rivals who refused to correspond on any level. They hated each other, and Marsh was happy to accept any help from anyone who was working against his foe, including Evelyn. But Evelyn didn't hate Cope. He was an ass, sure, but that didn't mean they couldn't be friends. She still held on to this hope that she could bring him back somehow, even if she knew it was not going to avail to anything. Cope was a Templar now, helping his superiors search for an ancient relic capable of wiping out the population of earth. It was heartbreaking for Evelyn, but she knew she had a duty as an Assassin to protect the people by keeping the Scythe of Eden out of Templar hands at all costs. She had to find it first. And so she joined Marsh on his digs, hoping to find some tiny lead in this vast desert while also making discoveries of her own.

But here in the Black Hills… there was a bit of a snag.

Ever since gold was discovered in these lands, the United States has been pushing their expansion harder and harder against the native Lakota peoples, and as such has led to some brutal wars. Many men on both sides have fed the soils with their blood, and the chaos itself has made these lands near inaccessible to any aspiring paleontologists hoping to gain access to the treasure trove of fossils that lay beneath their feet. It slowed the Templars down in their search for the Scythe, sure, but it also slowed Evelyn down in her work. And that was something she couldn't stand for.

And so over the past few months, she’d been trying to convince Marsh of the importance of negotiating with the Native tribes. A part of her grandmother was resting in her heart as well. She couldn't allow this abuse of the Natives to continue. Aveza had fought through multiple battles hoping to defend the rightful owners of these lands, and now that she was gone it was Evelyn’s responsibility to carry that torch here.

She made her way over the desert soil until she spotted a Lakota village that wasn't far off from where Marsh’s team had made camp. She strolled into the village, smiling and waving to the people who were tending to their daily lives and families. She looked around until she spotted the tallest tipi in the town, the chief's. She made sure to keep her posture straight and her smile kind as she stepped inside. The people inside cast an eye at her, but they were clearly more focused on the negotiations going on between the two men at the other end of the structure. One was Marsh, large and professional as always, specks of dirt caught in his beard from digging earlier. The other was a tall Lakota man, clad in skins and feathers that made him look even larger. Beads hung from his neck and hair, and his hawk nose added to his noble figure. Evelyn knew the man. He was one of Marsh’s top contacts among the local Natives, a Lakota chief known to his people as Maȟpíya Lúta, and to most people on the American side of things as Chief Red Cloud.

He was one of the most successful opponents the Americans had faced so far, destroying them in many great battles over the past decade. He tried to find peaceful solutions when he could, but the Grant administration (more likely than not due to it falling to Templar corruption) would never give him a satisfactory one. Though it seemed Red Cloud believed he had a chance via Marsh, as inferred from the conversation Evelyn walked in on.

“You know we do not like white men interfering with these lands, Dr. Marsh,” Red Cloud was saying, not unkindly. “These Black Hills are sacred to our people.”

“I understand, my friend, and I am willing to offer you compensation. We will pay for any fossils we find on your lands and we will do our best not to disturb the geography too severely in our searches.”

“Hmm…”

“And I shall continue to lobby to President Grant on behalf of your people.”

“You seem rather willing to betray your leader, Dr. Marsh?”

Marsh gave a passive wave. “Grant lost his prestige the second the war against the rebels ended. He's allowed his office to be corrupted by men who only care about money and power.”

“Things which you do not seek?”

“I feel we all do in some capacity, but I prefer to earn mine fairly.”

Red Cloud seemed to think it over. “Very well,” he said eventually. “You have proven yourself a supporter over these past few weeks and I have little reason to doubt thus far. I shall allow you access to dig, so long as your promises are upheld.”

Marsh gave a thankful nod, then finally turned to see Evelyn standing there. “Ah,” he said. “Ms. Arlie. Nice of you to drop by.”

“Just figured I'd come see how the negotiations are going,” she said.

“So far, so good, as you can see.”

Evelyn nodded, then turned to Red Cloud and did a quick bow. The chief smiled at that. “I am rather glad to have bumped into you, Evelyn,” he told her. “Stories of your grandmother have stretched across the continent. She'd be very proud of the work you've been doing to help our people.”

That made Evelyn smile like the sun. “Thank you, great one,” she said. “It's my duty as an Assassin to ensure freedom is preserved in all peoples.”

“Have you gotten the chance to speak with Tȟašúŋke Witkó and Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake? I'm sure they would greatly appreciate the assistance in their current war against the Americans.”

“I'm afraid I've been a bit too focused on our current work, unfortunately.”

“You should seek them out when you get the chance. I have a few warriors assisting them in their fight even though on paper my people are neutral in this particular conflict.”

“I'll see what I can arra-”

“Chief! Chief!” a new voice suddenly yelled. Without warning, a man came rushing in, a hooded man with flowing robes not dissimilar to Evelyn’s. He was tall and lean, his features sleek and his body strong. He had a huge smile on his face, the kind that only came with the best of news. Evelyn stared at him as he came rushing in. She felt her heart skip a beat. But she quickly swallowed that feeling and corrected her expression. She remembered what happened the last time she ogled at a man she fancied and got her hopes up too soon…

The man, a warrior based on the weapons at his belt, approached the chief.

“Ah,” said Red Cloud, “Chaytan! It is good to see you, my friend. You have an aura of good tidings to you?”

Chaytan nodded. “I have just returned from a skirmish, my chief,” he said. “We confronted the Americans along the Rosebud this morning and we sent them fleeing in retreat!”

“That is excellent news!”

“Their leaders plan to regroup toward the Bighorn and Little Bighorn Rivers, and are likely to be making preparations as we speak.”

“I take it that means you will want to organize your men as well?”

“Yes, my chief, as quickly as we can. If we plan this right, we could easily score two victories back to back.”

Red Cloud nodded. He looked over at Evelyn. “If I may suggest, you might want to bring Ms. Arlie here with you. She is a fine warrior, and as I understand it, a member of the same Brotherhood that you are in.”

Chaytan looked at her and smiled. Evelyn blushed and felt a catch in her throat as she waved. Chaytan bowed in greetings. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arlie. I've heard stories of you.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” she said, pushing down her flustered feelings.

“Would you care to join me? I plan to return to my encampment and come up with a plan of attack against our enemies.”

“Well… I mean… I'd love to but I'm not much of a soldier,” she laughed.

“You deal in death, though.”

“Well yes, but…”

“It would be quite helpful to our cause, Ms. Arlie,” Marsh told her. “Our friendship with these kind people is quite valuable indeed.”

Evelyn looked at him, then at Chaytan, who still wore his welcoming smile. “Well…” she said. “Alright. I suppose it couldn't hurt to up my usual game.”

“Excellent!” Chaytan said. “Follow me, my sister. There is much to be done.”

Evelyn nodded, waving a quick goodbye to Marsh and Red Cloud before catching up with her new friend.

“It's nice to meet another Assassin way out here in the middle of nowhere,” she laughed.

He chuckled back. “As the Templars moved west, so did we,” he said. “Your grandmother Aveza made sure that was possible.”

Evelyn smiled. She liked Chaytan already. He seemed a kind-hearted fellow.

“Unfortunately, things have been very difficult out here since the Americans discovered gold in our lands. Eight years ago, their government promised our people they would stay away from this place, that our sacred lands would remain ours. But their greed has apparently trumped their honor.”

“I get the feeling that's not the only reason the Templars want to claim this land…” Evelyn said, thinking back to Leidy’s plans.

“Oh?” Chaytan inquired.

“There is a foe of mine who seeks to excavate these lands in hopes of claiming a Piece of Eden, a deadly and powerful weapon known as the Scythe. Whereas me and my friends would negotiate and compensate, they would take it from your people by force.”

“That certainly sounds like the typical evil the Templars would conspire…”

“All the more reason to repel them back. Based on your enthusiasm earlier, I'd say that goal has been rather successful thus far?”

Chaytan smiled and nodded. “We fought the American troops at Rosebud and showed them our might. They fled like cowardly dogs with their tails between their legs. But I worry what will happen if they are allowed to regroup at Little Bighorn as I have heard.”

“No doubt they expect a skirmish…”

“Yes. And that is why I intend to give them a massacre.” He paused. “There is a man revered among their forces. They call him Custer.”

“Custer?”

“Yes. General George Armstrong Custer. The way I hear it, the Templars contacted him when the war against our peoples broke out and hired him as their agent to eliminate us. He is the man whom the army is turning to in their plans for Bighorn.”

“Sounds like we need to put a stop to him, then.”

Chaytan nodded. “There is a large Native village along the river where the Americans intend to march. No doubt they will use the size of the threat and their cornered stance as an excuse to attack full force.”

“So that'll be where we prepare our counter attack.”

Chaytan nodded. “It would be wise to use the chaos to slip in and assassinate Custer.” He waved to a nearby warrior, pointing at something Evelyn wasn't able to see until the warrior tossed it to Chaytan. The taller Assassin passed it into her hands. “You will need this. It will serve you well.”

Evelyn looked down at the new weapon she had been given. It was a Winchester rifle, beautifully crafted and well-polished. “This is a fine beauty,” she said. “Thank you, Chaytan.”

He smiled. “It's no trouble, Evelyn. Now, I think we should ride for Little Bighorn and make our arrangements. I estimate we have little over a week before Custer and his men can mount an attack.”

Evelyn nodded, and waved in front of her new friend. “After you.”

Description
June 17, 1876; Black Hills, Dakota Territory

They had been out in the West for a good four years now.

The American deserts were proving quite the gold mine for fossils, and dozens of paleontologists like Evelyn were rushing to the area in hopes of discovering something new to fill the museums. Her old friend, now rival, Edward Cope had made several expeditions under his new Templar funding. Grant it, rumor has it he's been causing a bit of a fuss with his new boss, Leidy. Cope, in his haste, had been digging in spots that Leidy had not assigned him to, which proved to cause a schism between them. Cope’s financial backer, Ferdinand Hayden, was working to keep the tension in check, however. Evelyn was openly disappointed by this, hoping this little push would be enough to being her old friend out of the Templar folds. But it was not to be.

Evelyn herself had found herself in the Black Hills in partnership with her other old friend, Othniel Marsh, who had also been out fossil hunting with his team in this rich area. The two had formed a mutual respect for one another. They worked well together and they were on the same side of things, albeit for different reasons. Marsh and Cope had lost all sense of amnesty after the whole Elasmosaurus incident. They had gone from good friends who named new species after one another, to bitter rivals who refused to correspond on any level. They hated each other, and Marsh was happy to accept any help from anyone who was working against his foe, including Evelyn. But Evelyn didn't hate Cope. He was an ass, sure, but that didn't mean they couldn't be friends. She still held on to this hope that she could bring him back somehow, even if she knew it was not going to avail to anything. Cope was a Templar now, helping his superiors search for an ancient relic capable of wiping out the population of earth. It was heartbreaking for Evelyn, but she knew she had a duty as an Assassin to protect the people by keeping the Scythe of Eden out of Templar hands at all costs. She had to find it first. And so she joined Marsh on his digs, hoping to find some tiny lead in this vast desert while also making discoveries of her own.

But here in the Black Hills… there was a bit of a snag.

Ever since gold was discovered in these lands, the United States has been pushing their expansion harder and harder against the native Lakota peoples, and as such has led to some brutal wars. Many men on both sides have fed the soils with their blood, and the chaos itself has made these lands near inaccessible to any aspiring paleontologists hoping to gain access to the treasure trove of fossils that lay beneath their feet. It slowed the Templars down in their search for the Scythe, sure, but it also slowed Evelyn down in her work. And that was something she couldn't stand for.

And so over the past few months, she’d been trying to convince Marsh of the importance of negotiating with the Native tribes. A part of her grandmother was resting in her heart as well. She couldn't allow this abuse of the Natives to continue. Aveza had fought through multiple battles hoping to defend the rightful owners of these lands, and now that she was gone it was Evelyn’s responsibility to carry that torch here.

She made her way over the desert soil until she spotted a Lakota village that wasn't far off from where Marsh’s team had made camp. She strolled into the village, smiling and waving to the people who were tending to their daily lives and families. She looked around until she spotted the tallest tipi in the town, the chief's. She made sure to keep her posture straight and her smile kind as she stepped inside. The people inside cast an eye at her, but they were clearly more focused on the negotiations going on between the two men at the other end of the structure. One was Marsh, large and professional as always, specks of dirt caught in his beard from digging earlier. The other was a tall Lakota man, clad in skins and feathers that made him look even larger. Beads hung from his neck and hair, and his hawk nose added to his noble figure. Evelyn knew the man. He was one of Marsh’s top contacts among the local Natives, a Lakota chief known to his people as Maȟpíya Lúta, and to most people on the American side of things as Chief Red Cloud.

He was one of the most successful opponents the Americans had faced so far, destroying them in many great battles over the past decade. He tried to find peaceful solutions when he could, but the Grant administration (more likely than not due to it falling to Templar corruption) would never give him a satisfactory one. Though it seemed Red Cloud believed he had a chance via Marsh, as inferred from the conversation Evelyn walked in on.

“You know we do not like white men interfering with these lands, Dr. Marsh,” Red Cloud was saying, not unkindly. “These Black Hills are sacred to our people.”

“I understand, my friend, and I am willing to offer you compensation. We will pay for any fossils we find on your lands and we will do our best not to disturb the geography too severely in our searches.”

“Hmm…”

“And I shall continue to lobby to President Grant on behalf of your people.”

“You seem rather willing to betray your leader, Dr. Marsh?”

Marsh gave a passive wave. “Grant lost his prestige the second the war against the rebels ended. He's allowed his office to be corrupted by men who only care about money and power.”

“Things which you do not seek?”

“I feel we all do in some capacity, but I prefer to earn mine fairly.”

Red Cloud seemed to think it over. “Very well,” he said eventually. “You have proven yourself a supporter over these past few weeks and I have little reason to doubt thus far. I shall allow you access to dig, so long as your promises are upheld.”

Marsh gave a thankful nod, then finally turned to see Evelyn standing there. “Ah,” he said. “Ms. Arlie. Nice of you to drop by.”

“Just figured I'd come see how the negotiations are going,” she said.

“So far, so good, as you can see.”

Evelyn nodded, then turned to Red Cloud and did a quick bow. The chief smiled at that. “I am rather glad to have bumped into you, Evelyn,” he told her. “Stories of your grandmother have stretched across the continent. She'd be very proud of the work you've been doing to help our people.”

That made Evelyn smile like the sun. “Thank you, great one,” she said. “It's my duty as an Assassin to ensure freedom is preserved in all peoples.”

“Have you gotten the chance to speak with Tȟašúŋke Witkó and Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake? I'm sure they would greatly appreciate the assistance in their current war against the Americans.”

“I'm afraid I've been a bit too focused on our current work, unfortunately.”

“You should seek them out when you get the chance. I have a few warriors assisting them in their fight even though on paper my people are neutral in this particular conflict.”

“I'll see what I can arra-”

“Chief! Chief!” a new voice suddenly yelled. Without warning, a man came rushing in, a hooded man with flowing robes not dissimilar to Evelyn’s. He was tall and lean, his features sleek and his body strong. He had a huge smile on his face, the kind that only came with the best of news. Evelyn stared at him as he came rushing in. She felt her heart skip a beat. But she quickly swallowed that feeling and corrected her expression. She remembered what happened the last time she ogled at a man she fancied and got her hopes up too soon…

The man, a warrior based on the weapons at his belt, approached the chief.

“Ah,” said Red Cloud, “Chaytan! It is good to see you, my friend. You have an aura of good tidings to you?”

Chaytan nodded. “I have just returned from a skirmish, my chief,” he said. “We confronted the Americans along the Rosebud this morning and we sent them fleeing in retreat!”

“That is excellent news!”

“Their leaders plan to regroup toward the Bighorn and Little Bighorn Rivers, and are likely to be making preparations as we speak.”

“I take it that means you will want to organize your men as well?”

“Yes, my chief, as quickly as we can. If we plan this right, we could easily score two victories back to back.”

Red Cloud nodded. He looked over at Evelyn. “If I may suggest, you might want to bring Ms. Arlie here with you. She is a fine warrior, and as I understand it, a member of the same Brotherhood that you are in.”

Chaytan looked at her and smiled. Evelyn blushed and felt a catch in her throat as she waved. Chaytan bowed in greetings. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arlie. I've heard stories of you.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” she said, pushing down her flustered feelings.

“Would you care to join me? I plan to return to my encampment and come up with a plan of attack against our enemies.”

“Well… I mean… I'd love to but I'm not much of a soldier,” she laughed.

“You deal in death, though.”

“Well yes, but…”

“It would be quite helpful to our cause, Ms. Arlie,” Marsh told her. “Our friendship with these kind people is quite valuable indeed.”

Evelyn looked at him, then at Chaytan, who still wore his welcoming smile. “Well…” she said. “Alright. I suppose it couldn't hurt to up my usual game.”

“Excellent!” Chaytan said. “Follow me, my sister. There is much to be done.”

Evelyn nodded, waving a quick goodbye to Marsh and Red Cloud before catching up with her new friend.

“It's nice to meet another Assassin way out here in the middle of nowhere,” she laughed.

He chuckled back. “As the Templars moved west, so did we,” he said. “Your grandmother Aveza made sure that was possible.”

Evelyn smiled. She liked Chaytan already. He seemed a kind-hearted fellow.

“Unfortunately, things have been very difficult out here since the Americans discovered gold in our lands. Eight years ago, their government promised our people they would stay away from this place, that our sacred lands would remain ours. But their greed has apparently trumped their honor.”

“I get the feeling that's not the only reason the Templars want to claim this land…” Evelyn said, thinking back to Leidy’s plans.

“Oh?” Chaytan inquired.

“There is a foe of mine who seeks to excavate these lands in hopes of claiming a Piece of Eden, a deadly and powerful weapon known as the Scythe. Whereas me and my friends would negotiate and compensate, they would take it from your people by force.”

“That certainly sounds like the typical evil the Templars would conspire…”

“All the more reason to repel them back. Based on your enthusiasm earlier, I'd say that goal has been rather successful thus far?”

Chaytan smiled and nodded. “We fought the American troops at Rosebud and showed them our might. They fled like cowardly dogs with their tails between their legs. But I worry what will happen if they are allowed to regroup at Little Bighorn as I have heard.”

“No doubt they expect a skirmish…”

“Yes. And that is why I intend to give them a massacre.” He paused. “There is a man revered among their forces. They call him Custer.”

“Custer?”

“Yes. General George Armstrong Custer. The way I hear it, the Templars contacted him when the war against our peoples broke out and hired him as their agent to eliminate us. He is the man whom the army is turning to in their plans for Bighorn.”

“Sounds like we need to put a stop to him, then.”

Chaytan nodded. “There is a large Native village along the river where the Americans intend to march. No doubt they will use the size of the threat and their cornered stance as an excuse to attack full force.”

“So that'll be where we prepare our counter attack.”

Chaytan nodded. “It would be wise to use the chaos to slip in and assassinate Custer.” He waved to a nearby warrior, pointing at something Evelyn wasn't able to see until the warrior tossed it to Chaytan. The taller Assassin passed it into her hands. “You will need this. It will serve you well.”

Evelyn looked down at the new weapon she had been given. It was a Winchester rifle, beautifully crafted and well-polished. “This is a fine beauty,” she said. “Thank you, Chaytan.”

He smiled. “It's no trouble, Evelyn. Now, I think we should ride for Little Bighorn and make our arrangements. I estimate we have little over a week before Custer and his men can mount an attack.”

Evelyn nodded, and waved in front of her new friend. “After you.”