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Description
March 7, 1849; Worthington, Indiana

It was quiet as normal in Worthington. The small little town rarely made much noise. Not surprisingly, given how the only people here were like Priscilla and her family, small little groups living in small but decent homes near the yet untouched forest. But given Priscilla’s occupation, she found herself enjoying the occasional return to the peace and quiet after a long few days of action. Especially given all that had happened in the past few months alone.

It had been quite a hectic year for the Assassins thus far. On the positive end of things, the Women's Rights Movement had been progressing well, albeit slowly. In Boston, the first women's medical school in the country had opened back in November. On top of that, just this past January, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to earn her M.D. and officially become a doctor. Another milestone in the history of liberty.

On the not so positive end of things, the Assassins failed to get their ally, Gerrit Smith, into the White House. His entire campaign had the potential to guarantee the rights of women and the abolition of slavery. But tragically, it was not to be. Instead, the election went to the Whig Party candidate, Zachary Taylor, a hero to the American forces during the Mexican-American War and a man with very deep Templar connections. A slave-owner with a staunch ambivalence towards abolition, Taylor was Calhoun’s puppet, and thus the Templars continue to pull the strings.

And on top of that, there was still no progress on retrieving the Key from Edward Brodess. The man has been too elusive, somehow keeping mostly out of the sight of Assassin spies.

So until something new came up, Priscilla decided it would be best to stay at home and relax with her family while she waited.

Well… rather, Aveza decided it would be best for her to stay at home and relax, the main reason for which Priscilla was constantly reminded of whenever she put a hand to her extended belly. The baby only had a few more months before it arrived.

She and her husband were excited of course, but Priscilla couldn't help but take her mind off of the Key. It was her fault it fell into Templar hands, and it was her responsibility to get it back.

She tried to ignore the urge to go out and try to do usual Assassin business while she was on maternity leave. She promised Aveza she'd enjoy the peace at home.

Thankfully, a distraction came to her in the form of her son, James. The little boy came rushing into the room saying, “Mama! Mama!”

Priscilla smiled and put down her book. She put her hands in her lap and looked down at her child. “Yes? What is it, honey?” she asked.

“Nana Bellamy is here!”

“She is?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, I shouldn't make her wait then, should I?”

“Nope!”

Priscilla laughed and ruffled her son's hair. “Alright then. Help your old mom out of her chair so I can go say hello.”

James giggled and took her hand. Priscilla got up with ease, but jokingly pretended to struggle to entertain the child. She thanked him sweetly and sent him off to go play with his little brother or whatever it is he does. James ran off giggling, and Priscilla walked into the hall and towards the door.

“So how are things going in the spy ring?” she heard Aveza asking someone around the corner.

“Things are a bit dull at the moment, admittedly,” she heard her husband, Abraham, say. “I've heard some rumors being whispered from my friends in the Masons, but not much besides that.”

“So nothing on Edward Brodess then?”

“Fraid not, Mentor.”

“Damn. Oh well, we'll get him eventually. Ain't that right, Priscilla?”

Priscilla stopped. She hadn't even turned the corner yet. Was Aveza just that good at detecting people or was Priscilla just losing her touch? Either way, she stepped into view and smiled brightly at her mentor.

“That's right,” she agreed.

She looked over at her husband and smiled. He smiled back. “I assume you two want some time alone to chat?” he said. The two women nodded, and thus so did Abraham.

“Right then,” he said. “I'll leave you girls to it.” He gave his wife a quick kiss before heading towards the door. “I love you,” he said.

“Love you too,” she sweetly called back to him before he left the two alone.

“So,” Aveza said, sitting down in a comfortable chair, “How's that kid coming along?”

Priscilla sat down too, her extended gut forcing her to put more effort into such an action than usual. “It’s coming along fine,” she said. “Shouldn't be long before I get to see the beautiful little face that God has gifted us with.”

Aveza laughed. “Oh splendid!” she said. “It is quite a little miracle, isn't it? I remember when my girls were born. It was… well the process itself was bloody terrible… but everything afterwards was certainly a grand feeling. A whole new person, a whole new life that you brought into this world. It's a wonderful feeling.”

Priscilla smiled and nodded in agreement. She sat silence for a moment, thinking of what to say.

“The Women's Rights Movement is going well,” Aveza said, seeing her apprentice’s struggle to find a subject. “I'm sure you heard of young Ms. Blackwell?”

“I have. It's quite an accomplishment.”

“Aye. Just think, Priscilla: we're yet another step closer to a free world, one where everyone is treated as equals! Ol’ Connor would be proud to see the progress we've made.”

“I bet he would be, Mentor.” The two smiled at each other, and then Priscilla paused.

“Aveza…” she said.

“Yes dear?”

“I… I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.”

“For what, dear?”

“For everything. For acting rashly, for letting bloodlust interfere with my mission, for letting the Key fall into Templar hands… I know I've taken a bit of a downward slope since you took me on as an apprentice, and… I'm truly sorry… And I understand if you're upset and disappointed in me… Honestly, I deserve it...”

Aveza paused for a moment. She chose her words carefully. “Priscilla…” she started, her voice calm, almost motherly. “It's true I have been a tad disappointed in your recent behavior. I mean, letting the Key fall into our enemy's hands was a hard loss. But, I'm not as embittered towards you as your tone suggests you think I am. You're my best apprentice, dear, always have been. You're a grand Assassin, a lovely mother, and an amazing friend. I've watched you grow so tall since you were a little girl, so believe me when I tell you that you haven't fallen irreparably far. I mean hey, you're helping me get the Key back, aren't you?”

“Well… yes, but-”

“And you clearly realize your mistakes and are clearly willing to fix them. And I know if anyone can do it, it's you dear. I mean that. So no more of this apologizing nonsense, you hear?”

Aveza tossed Priscilla a kind smile, which prompted the same expression from Priscilla as well.

“If you say so, Mentor…” she said, chuckling a bit.

Aveza grinned. “That's the spirit, dear!” she said. “See? You're doing a bang up job already.”

Priscilla smiled brightly, happy to be hearing all this from her idol. Aveza returned the smile.

“Oh!” Priscilla suddenly said, a thought coming to mind. “I just realized I never offered you any drinks! How rude of me!”

Aveza chuckled. “It's quite alright, Priscilla.”

“You know what, stay right there. I'll go to the kitchen and fetch us something.”

“If you insist, dear.”

Priscilla nodded and stood to go get the drinks. But as she reached the hallway, a knocking suddenly fell upon the front door of the house. She spun on her heels and looked at the door, which was knocked upon again. She strode across the hall and opened it up, dropping her caution immediately upon laying eyes on the friendly face of a familiar man who was standing outside.

“Oh! Mr. Douglass! What a surprise!”

Frederick Douglass tipped his hat and smiled. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Spainhour,” he said. “Is Aveza here by chance?”

“She is.”

“Good. I was hoping I could have a moment to speak with you both. It's urgent.”

“Of course! Come right in. What's going on?”

“We believe we finally have a lead on Edward Brodess.”

------------

“Her name is Harriet Tubman,” Frederick explained as the three Assassins sat down with their drinks. “She's one of Brodess’s slaves in Maryland. She likely knows the Templar’s every planned move, as she's around him quite often. The poor girl has suffered for a long time because of that despicable man, and we believe she'd be more than happy to help if you could reach her.”

“Splendid!” Aveza said. “I'll make my way over to Maryland at once!”

“I'm coming too,” Priscilla suddenly said.

“Um, no. No, you're not, dearie.”

“I am.”

“Hmm nope. Wrong.”

“Aveza…”

“Nope.”

“I won't get into action, I promise. I'll do all the stealth work.”

“It's too risky. Both for you and the little person inside you.”

“But Aveza…”

“No, Priscilla.”

Priscilla gave her mentor a pleading look, and when she saw she was unfazed she dropped her head in defeat. Frederick looked at her, saw her look of despair. He stepped towards Aveza.

“Mentor,” he said, “Give the girl a chance. She's trying to make amends for her past mistakes. Are you really going to take that away from her?”

Aveza looked at him, then at Priscilla, then back at him, then gave a sigh of defeat when she considered his words.

“Fine,” she said, not unkindly. “You can tag along, dear. But leave any extreme actions to me. Okay?”

Priscilla’s face lit up. “Of course! Thank you, Aveza!”

Aveza laughed at her apprentice’s enthusiasm. “You're welcome, dear. Now go on and get packed before I change my mind.”

Priscilla nodded and rushed to grab a few bags she kept pre-packed just in case she needed to leave quickly. She ran into Abraham as she did, and he had the same initial reaction that Aveza had, though with noticeably more concern, given how two of his family members were at stake. But Frederick talked him down, and Priscilla finished packing.

“Brodess’s plantation is in Dorchester County,” Frederick explained before Aveza and Priscilla walked out the door. Priscilla looked at him with wide eyes.

“Dorchester County?” she said.

“Yes. I take it you're familiar with the place?”

“I am. My grandfather, John, used to live there.”

“Then you know your way around?” Aveza asked.

“Eh… a little bit. I only visited a few times when I was a girl. If it hasn't changed much, I should be able to navigate pretty easily.”

“Excellent! That'll surely help. Now come along.”

The women walked outside and gathered up a horse and carriage. Frederick helped them load their bags and then hopped into his own carriage.

“And a bit of warning, my friends,” he called over to them. “There have been reports that Cudgel Cormac has been spotted in the area. I would advice utmost caution. Lord knows that man is crafty.”

Aveza chuckled. “He gets it from his grandfather, no doubt,” she said. “Thank you, Freddie. We'll keep our eyes peeled.”

Frederick nodded and then said his goodbyes before kicking his horses into gear and riding off.

Aveza and Priscilla hopped onto their own ride and Aveza took the reigns. And the two girls sped off towards the nearest train station.

Description
March 7, 1849; Worthington, Indiana

It was quiet as normal in Worthington. The small little town rarely made much noise. Not surprisingly, given how the only people here were like Priscilla and her family, small little groups living in small but decent homes near the yet untouched forest. But given Priscilla’s occupation, she found herself enjoying the occasional return to the peace and quiet after a long few days of action. Especially given all that had happened in the past few months alone.

It had been quite a hectic year for the Assassins thus far. On the positive end of things, the Women's Rights Movement had been progressing well, albeit slowly. In Boston, the first women's medical school in the country had opened back in November. On top of that, just this past January, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to earn her M.D. and officially become a doctor. Another milestone in the history of liberty.

On the not so positive end of things, the Assassins failed to get their ally, Gerrit Smith, into the White House. His entire campaign had the potential to guarantee the rights of women and the abolition of slavery. But tragically, it was not to be. Instead, the election went to the Whig Party candidate, Zachary Taylor, a hero to the American forces during the Mexican-American War and a man with very deep Templar connections. A slave-owner with a staunch ambivalence towards abolition, Taylor was Calhoun’s puppet, and thus the Templars continue to pull the strings.

And on top of that, there was still no progress on retrieving the Key from Edward Brodess. The man has been too elusive, somehow keeping mostly out of the sight of Assassin spies.

So until something new came up, Priscilla decided it would be best to stay at home and relax with her family while she waited.

Well… rather, Aveza decided it would be best for her to stay at home and relax, the main reason for which Priscilla was constantly reminded of whenever she put a hand to her extended belly. The baby only had a few more months before it arrived.

She and her husband were excited of course, but Priscilla couldn't help but take her mind off of the Key. It was her fault it fell into Templar hands, and it was her responsibility to get it back.

She tried to ignore the urge to go out and try to do usual Assassin business while she was on maternity leave. She promised Aveza she'd enjoy the peace at home.

Thankfully, a distraction came to her in the form of her son, James. The little boy came rushing into the room saying, “Mama! Mama!”

Priscilla smiled and put down her book. She put her hands in her lap and looked down at her child. “Yes? What is it, honey?” she asked.

“Nana Bellamy is here!”

“She is?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, I shouldn't make her wait then, should I?”

“Nope!”

Priscilla laughed and ruffled her son's hair. “Alright then. Help your old mom out of her chair so I can go say hello.”

James giggled and took her hand. Priscilla got up with ease, but jokingly pretended to struggle to entertain the child. She thanked him sweetly and sent him off to go play with his little brother or whatever it is he does. James ran off giggling, and Priscilla walked into the hall and towards the door.

“So how are things going in the spy ring?” she heard Aveza asking someone around the corner.

“Things are a bit dull at the moment, admittedly,” she heard her husband, Abraham, say. “I've heard some rumors being whispered from my friends in the Masons, but not much besides that.”

“So nothing on Edward Brodess then?”

“Fraid not, Mentor.”

“Damn. Oh well, we'll get him eventually. Ain't that right, Priscilla?”

Priscilla stopped. She hadn't even turned the corner yet. Was Aveza just that good at detecting people or was Priscilla just losing her touch? Either way, she stepped into view and smiled brightly at her mentor.

“That's right,” she agreed.

She looked over at her husband and smiled. He smiled back. “I assume you two want some time alone to chat?” he said. The two women nodded, and thus so did Abraham.

“Right then,” he said. “I'll leave you girls to it.” He gave his wife a quick kiss before heading towards the door. “I love you,” he said.

“Love you too,” she sweetly called back to him before he left the two alone.

“So,” Aveza said, sitting down in a comfortable chair, “How's that kid coming along?”

Priscilla sat down too, her extended gut forcing her to put more effort into such an action than usual. “It’s coming along fine,” she said. “Shouldn't be long before I get to see the beautiful little face that God has gifted us with.”

Aveza laughed. “Oh splendid!” she said. “It is quite a little miracle, isn't it? I remember when my girls were born. It was… well the process itself was bloody terrible… but everything afterwards was certainly a grand feeling. A whole new person, a whole new life that you brought into this world. It's a wonderful feeling.”

Priscilla smiled and nodded in agreement. She sat silence for a moment, thinking of what to say.

“The Women's Rights Movement is going well,” Aveza said, seeing her apprentice’s struggle to find a subject. “I'm sure you heard of young Ms. Blackwell?”

“I have. It's quite an accomplishment.”

“Aye. Just think, Priscilla: we're yet another step closer to a free world, one where everyone is treated as equals! Ol’ Connor would be proud to see the progress we've made.”

“I bet he would be, Mentor.” The two smiled at each other, and then Priscilla paused.

“Aveza…” she said.

“Yes dear?”

“I… I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.”

“For what, dear?”

“For everything. For acting rashly, for letting bloodlust interfere with my mission, for letting the Key fall into Templar hands… I know I've taken a bit of a downward slope since you took me on as an apprentice, and… I'm truly sorry… And I understand if you're upset and disappointed in me… Honestly, I deserve it...”

Aveza paused for a moment. She chose her words carefully. “Priscilla…” she started, her voice calm, almost motherly. “It's true I have been a tad disappointed in your recent behavior. I mean, letting the Key fall into our enemy's hands was a hard loss. But, I'm not as embittered towards you as your tone suggests you think I am. You're my best apprentice, dear, always have been. You're a grand Assassin, a lovely mother, and an amazing friend. I've watched you grow so tall since you were a little girl, so believe me when I tell you that you haven't fallen irreparably far. I mean hey, you're helping me get the Key back, aren't you?”

“Well… yes, but-”

“And you clearly realize your mistakes and are clearly willing to fix them. And I know if anyone can do it, it's you dear. I mean that. So no more of this apologizing nonsense, you hear?”

Aveza tossed Priscilla a kind smile, which prompted the same expression from Priscilla as well.

“If you say so, Mentor…” she said, chuckling a bit.

Aveza grinned. “That's the spirit, dear!” she said. “See? You're doing a bang up job already.”

Priscilla smiled brightly, happy to be hearing all this from her idol. Aveza returned the smile.

“Oh!” Priscilla suddenly said, a thought coming to mind. “I just realized I never offered you any drinks! How rude of me!”

Aveza chuckled. “It's quite alright, Priscilla.”

“You know what, stay right there. I'll go to the kitchen and fetch us something.”

“If you insist, dear.”

Priscilla nodded and stood to go get the drinks. But as she reached the hallway, a knocking suddenly fell upon the front door of the house. She spun on her heels and looked at the door, which was knocked upon again. She strode across the hall and opened it up, dropping her caution immediately upon laying eyes on the friendly face of a familiar man who was standing outside.

“Oh! Mr. Douglass! What a surprise!”

Frederick Douglass tipped his hat and smiled. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Spainhour,” he said. “Is Aveza here by chance?”

“She is.”

“Good. I was hoping I could have a moment to speak with you both. It's urgent.”

“Of course! Come right in. What's going on?”

“We believe we finally have a lead on Edward Brodess.”

------------

“Her name is Harriet Tubman,” Frederick explained as the three Assassins sat down with their drinks. “She's one of Brodess’s slaves in Maryland. She likely knows the Templar’s every planned move, as she's around him quite often. The poor girl has suffered for a long time because of that despicable man, and we believe she'd be more than happy to help if you could reach her.”

“Splendid!” Aveza said. “I'll make my way over to Maryland at once!”

“I'm coming too,” Priscilla suddenly said.

“Um, no. No, you're not, dearie.”

“I am.”

“Hmm nope. Wrong.”

“Aveza…”

“Nope.”

“I won't get into action, I promise. I'll do all the stealth work.”

“It's too risky. Both for you and the little person inside you.”

“But Aveza…”

“No, Priscilla.”

Priscilla gave her mentor a pleading look, and when she saw she was unfazed she dropped her head in defeat. Frederick looked at her, saw her look of despair. He stepped towards Aveza.

“Mentor,” he said, “Give the girl a chance. She's trying to make amends for her past mistakes. Are you really going to take that away from her?”

Aveza looked at him, then at Priscilla, then back at him, then gave a sigh of defeat when she considered his words.

“Fine,” she said, not unkindly. “You can tag along, dear. But leave any extreme actions to me. Okay?”

Priscilla’s face lit up. “Of course! Thank you, Aveza!”

Aveza laughed at her apprentice’s enthusiasm. “You're welcome, dear. Now go on and get packed before I change my mind.”

Priscilla nodded and rushed to grab a few bags she kept pre-packed just in case she needed to leave quickly. She ran into Abraham as she did, and he had the same initial reaction that Aveza had, though with noticeably more concern, given how two of his family members were at stake. But Frederick talked him down, and Priscilla finished packing.

“Brodess’s plantation is in Dorchester County,” Frederick explained before Aveza and Priscilla walked out the door. Priscilla looked at him with wide eyes.

“Dorchester County?” she said.

“Yes. I take it you're familiar with the place?”

“I am. My grandfather, John, used to live there.”

“Then you know your way around?” Aveza asked.

“Eh… a little bit. I only visited a few times when I was a girl. If it hasn't changed much, I should be able to navigate pretty easily.”

“Excellent! That'll surely help. Now come along.”

The women walked outside and gathered up a horse and carriage. Frederick helped them load their bags and then hopped into his own carriage.

“And a bit of warning, my friends,” he called over to them. “There have been reports that Cudgel Cormac has been spotted in the area. I would advice utmost caution. Lord knows that man is crafty.”

Aveza chuckled. “He gets it from his grandfather, no doubt,” she said. “Thank you, Freddie. We'll keep our eyes peeled.”

Frederick nodded and then said his goodbyes before kicking his horses into gear and riding off.

Aveza and Priscilla hopped onto their own ride and Aveza took the reigns. And the two girls sped off towards the nearest train station.