"I have stories to tell but only for the right coin.”
Shay looked up from his drink towards the Barkeep who continued on with his business as if he had never spoken a word to the Irishman in front of him. The Templar felt his surroundings for a while before gesturing to the other that he was interested but payment came with the quality of his information.
The barkeep continued on speaking as he polished the table. “See those men over there? Virginians. Not just any Virginians but I heard them speaking about a certain Washington who they apparently deserted.”
“Washington?” Shay replied, the barkeep had greatly captured his interest. “...George Washington?”
“Oh so you know about the man!” There was a smug look on the other’s face. “Yes, George Washington. I heard he’s beginning to make a name for himself but it’s too bad that his working days might be cut short at Fort Necessity. I heard those men talk about his battle against the French being a lost cause especially with the Canadians and Natives on their side.”
A dying Lawrence Washington came to mind.
“Do you-- Would you happen to know where it is?” Shay asked, not wanting to sound anxious at that moment, the glimpse of Lawrence deeply bothered him.
The barkeep stopped cleaning the bar. “I don’t.” He whispered, and turned his head to the direction of the drunken Virginians. “But they do.”
Shay stood up from his seat and tossed a bag of coin on to the table.
It only took breaking a Virginian’s rib or two to get the information he wanted.
[Â 1754, Fort Necessity ]
It was a long way there but Shay traveled there as fast as he could. He hoped to arrive to find Washington’s situation in good condition but what greeted him appeared dire. As he scoped the area from atop a tree, he found that the French had gained the advantage if not the victory over the situation. And what the barkeep said was right, the natives were on their side.
“George, please be alright...”
He carefully traveled through the hostile territory not wanting to alert any enemy and sneaked into the fort through a small crack in the defenses. He was not here for a fight or for Templar business. He was here for George and maybe, just maybe, he could finally put Lawrence’s soul to rest in his mind.