A few hours later, the Assassins departed from the Inn, their hunger and thirst sated. Through the conversations of the patrons, they had gained the location of a large, uninhabited estate in the city that once belonged to a disgraced noble. The house itself was considered unlivable, but the Assassins would make do with it for now as their new Sanctuary.

Once they reached the house, it didn't take long to break the locks open on the iron gate that kept them out. As they opened the rusted gate and entered the foyer, which was covered with dust and webs, Altair and his companions began to look around.

"Anything to report?" Ezio asked.

"Not much. Place has definitely seen better days." Edward shrugged. "I mean, how are we going to covertly set up a Sanctuary here?"

"First, we obtain this house through the proper procedures." Ezio said. "Then, we invest in raising it to our standards. Once we have a suitable background and a stable flow of currency, we may start recruiting those who are willing to listen."

"A good plan." Arno nodded. "Let us begin with some rest, my friends."

As the Assassins found places to sleep and drifted off, the moon began to fall, signalling the coming of the day.

====

As the sun rose, the Assassins set to work immediately on establishing their Sanctuary. Edward took their combined currency and set out to find a bank where they could acquire much-needed bits. Connor found the address of a law office written down in the manor's office, and went to investigate. Ezio headed to the streets to gather information and the latest news of the realm, while Arno and Altair volunteered to stay behind and set the house in order.

"So, Altair…" Arno asked as he stacked some chairs around a dining table. "You seem quite able in terms of keeping house."

"It was one of my duties during my time at the Assassin Stronghold in the Holy Land." Altair replied. "We were expected to keep our quarters clean and in order."

"I see. I remember doing the same when I was in service to my surrogate father." Arno said.

"What was his name?" Altair asked.

"Monsieur De La Serre." Arno said. "He adopted me after my birth father, an Assassin, was slain by a Templar Agent. Little did I know that De La Serre was the Grandmaster of the Templar Order."

Altair raised an eyebrow as he turned to Arno.

"Then how did you join the Brotherhood?"

"De La Serre was murdered by Templar conspirators." Arno said, cleaning off a dresser. "I was framed and imprisoned for the crime, and there I met my Assassin Mentor, Pierre Bellec. He inducted me into the Brotherhood. I was eventually forced to kill him in self-defense of a friend. I will admit my time in the Brotherhood was tumultuous, but I am a loyal Assassin, Altair."

"Then I find no guilt in you." Altair said. "However, you must continue to be cautious, and follow the Creed. Always."

"And I will." Arno replied, as he dusted off a mirror. "I intend to."

====

Edward Kenway hated waiting, especially when he stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the bank's patrons. As he waited, he could see several ponies watching him with raised eyebrows, especially given his state of attire and his various armaments.

"Who is next?" a Teller asked. Edward Kenway came forward and approached the stand.

"Are you new here, sir?" the teller asked.

"Indeed. Name's Edward Kenway, I'm here to exchange currency." he replied, taking out a combined pouch of Italian Florins, Spanish Reales, French Marques, American Gold Dollars, and coins from the Holy Land. As the Teller sorted them, his eyebrows kept raising.

"Something wrong?" Edward asked.

"I must ask if these are all real and completely made from gold." the teller asked. "Equestrian Bits are only partially made from pure gold as to keep the economy stable."

"They're all pure gold, down to the last coin." Edward replied. "I would know for a fact."

"I see. Then I shall return with your Bits shortly."

As Edward waited, a pony wearing light clothing with a leather jerkin approached, carrying a sword on his waist.

"You seem quite wealthy all of a sudden." the pony asked. "Where are you from, Mr. Kenway?"

"Very, very far from here. I'm from Wales, but you probably haven't heard of it. My friends and I came to Equestria for a good many reasons." Edward said. "I take it you're a swordspony?"

"Indeed. I tutor aspiring nobles in the art of the blade." the pony said. "My name is Broad Edge, Mr. Kenway."

"Well met." Edward said. Then, the teller reappeared with two large bags, filled to the brim with Equestrian Bits.

"Mother of Christ. I get all this?" Edward asked, surprised their meager amount of currency fetched this much.

"Yes, pure gold coins, no matter their origin, are worth quite a lot." the Teller said. "Shall I set up an account for you here?"

"Alright." Edward said. "How much is this in total?"

"Approximately 12,345 bits total, adjusted for inflation and exchange dues." the Teller said. "I will move them to a vault immediately, but under whose name shall I mark it?"

"Let's just go with Kenway for now." Edward said. "Anything else?"

"That should conclude our business. Thank you for your patronage." the Teller said. "And do come back if you wish at any time."

As Edward left the bank, he was surprised to see Broad Edge walk alongside him.

"Where are you off to?" Edward asked.

"The Sentry Family estate. Their heir, Flash Sentry, is a student of mine." Broad Edge replied. "It is not far from here, shall we converse?"

"Why not?" Edward smiled.

====

As Edge and Edward walked together, Edward smiled to himself as he saw his new friend become more and more like a potential Assassin recruit. Edge also found out his new companion was once a naval captain and a "Privateer", as he put it.

"Isn't that term used for pirates who serve a government?" Edge asked.

"Yep." Edward smiled. "I sailed for quite a few years aboard my vessel, the Jackdaw. I can still smell the ocean sometimes."

Edge chuckled, and as they approached the Sentry family estate, he bade Edward farewell.

"I do hope we meet again." Edward said, waving goodbye. "And if we do, I might have a proposition you could be interested in."

Edge wanted to ask what it was, but Edward was gone as quickly as they had met.

====

Canterlot Castle
Twilight Chambers

====

Flash Sentry was feeling quite at ease. Not only was Princess Twilight Sparkle curled up next to him as they read together, but his day had gone quite well. His tutor Broad Edge had postponed their swordplay lessons for about another two more hours, so his time with Twilight was extended.

"Flash?"

He turned to see Twilight smile at him with a blush in her cheeks.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Did you space out again?" she chuckled. "You've been reading the same pages fives times now."

Flash chuckled and turned the page before smirking at her.

"Not anymore." he shot back, making Twilight laugh.

"You really are a rogue." she giggled. "Though I hate to mention it, I have business to attend to soon…"

"It's alright." Flash said. "I look forward to our next meeting, Princess."

As he kissed her hoof and said farewell, Flash exited Canterlot Castle and began the trek home, not noticing he had passed a strange being in red, gray and white robes. Ezio watched the pony enter the crowd with a raised eyebrow.

Because in that pony, Ezio saw potential. He quickly used his Eagle Vision and began to follow him, staying blended in amongst the crowd.

Author's Note

Update!

Next time - Flash meets Ezio for the first time, and the Assassins begin recruiting. However, a circle of nobles also begins making plans of their own...