Editing Hawk's Nest

{{Era|Locations|HiddenOnes}}
The '''Hawk's Nest''' was a tavern near the [[River Thames]], but unknown to most, it was also a [[Hidden Ones]] base of operations located in [[London|Lunden]], [[Mercia]], [[England]].

==History==
In the late 9th century, the Hawk's Nest became a new Hidden Ones [[Assassin bureau|bureau]], replacing the [[Londinium bureau]], and it was under the control of the Hidden One [[Marcella]] of [[Rome]]. In 878, the Hidden Ones [[Hytham]] and [[Marcella]] met with their invitee, [[Niamh of Argyll]], who was intercepted the group from the letter sent to [[Nimue]]. After a brief discussion, Niamh rested before she began to prove herself to Hytham and Marcella, who doubted her abilities and loyalty.<ref name="Chapter 03">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]'' — Chapter 3</ref> The next day, she met with the Hidden Ones again as Marcella dictated to test her abilities. However, Hytham took the initiative and tested Niamh immediately. Jumping from the bureau's window, Hytham performed a [[Leap of Faith|leap]] towards a haystack as Niamh followed suit. After Niamh showed her ability to [[Blending|blend]] and to hide, Hytham and Niamh arrived back to Hawk's Nest, only to meet Marcella waiting for them. Within the bureau, Niamh divulges of her information about the disappearances of nuns and the possible connection with the [[Order of the Ancients]].<ref name="Chapter 04">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 4</ref>

After a tense moment, Marcella and Hytham divulged the history between the Order and the Hidden Ones as they assigned a task to Niamh to find and assassinate one of the Order members, Father [[Deoric]]. Given full autonomy, Niamh hesitantly agrees as Marcella shared more information about the [[Scholar|priest]]<ref name="Chapter 04"/> Before leaving, she met Hytham, who asked her about any information about the [[Women of the Mist]] and a possible alliance with them. However, Niamh lied by promising to find any intel about the group and then left for [[Cote]].<ref name="Chapter 05">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 5</ref> After her mission, Niamh arrived back at Hawk's Nest, only to find the Hidden Ones and their ally, the seeress [[Valka]] of the [[Raven Clan]]. After [[Eavesdropping|eavesdropping]] on their conversation, Niamh made her presence known as she met with the Hidden Ones and Valka. Despite some tension due to her own prejudice, Niamh disclosed the mission's success and the consequences of her actions. However, Marcella reluctantly stated that Niamh is ready, as her honesty and accountability proved her ability to learn.<ref name="Chapter 08">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 8</ref>

Hytham inducted Niamh into the Order as Niamh later rested from her mission.<ref name="Chapter 08"/> The next day, Valka talked with Niamh about their cultures and how she wanted to learn about all cultures living in England. However, Niamh remained secretive. Luckily, Hytham came in and pushed the conversation to a joint task for Niamh and him to find another Order member, [[Cyrus (Ancient)|Cyrus]]. Marcella admitted that Cyrus was tracking her, thus she cannot go, while others worried for Hytham's physical health. The task was to rescue a [[Ebba|pagan woman]], and despite concerns from Valka and Marcella, Niamh agreed to help Hytham on his journey.<ref name="Chapter 09">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 9</ref>

After rescuing [[Ebba]] from Cyrus, an injured Hytham and a tired Niamh carried their victim back into Hawk's Nest as Niamh tended to both Hytham and Ebba. After escorting Ebba out of Lunden, Niamh came back to meet with Hytham and an angered Marcella. However, she stated that she interrogated Ebba and gave notes from Cyrus' room from the keep to them. Hytham agreed with Niamh's actions, much to Marcella's dismay. The Hidden Ones told Niamh that the hunt for [[Excalibur]] increased due to the Order's partnership with the [[Descendants of the Round Table]] and how the sword is a symbol to ruling England. Along with the hunt, Niamh disclosed of the Order's sinister nunnery to her allies, who noted of the growing issue.<ref name="Chapter 11">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 11</ref> The next day, Niamh found Hytham alone and asked if she can meet and have Valka help her uncover the nunnery, to which Hytham agreed. Hytham also asked Niamh to help him on their task to safeguard Excalibur, despite Niamh's true intentions and mission.<ref name="Chapter 12">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 12</ref>

After the nunnery mission went askew, Niamh arrived back to the bureau, only to be stopped by Marcella. Angry, Marcella launched a tirade against Niamh and accused of being a thief and a member of the Order. Done with her prejudice, Niamh challenged the Hidden One to a trial by combat to determine the truth as Marcella immediately attacked her, with the intent to kill. Attention grew as the battle outside the bureau drew a crowd. With Niamh's words and Hytham's multiple interventions, Marcella ceased her attack and left the area abruptly. Afterwards, Hytham and Niamh left the area to discuss further matters of Excalibur and its user, [[Eivor Varinsdottir]].<ref name="Chapter 15">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 15</ref> After a series of events, Niamh was on the run with Excalibur as she heard from Order soldiers of their intent to burn down Hawk's Nest.<ref name="Chapter 18">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 18</ref> Further notice came from a young soldier of the Descendants as he tried to gain an upper hand on Niamh. The boy stated that Niamh's allies are gone as Hawk's Nest was burned down to ground.<ref name="Chapter 19">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 19</ref>

Luckily, Hytham and his Hidden Ones received notice beforehand and saved themselves from the arson attack on the bureau.<ref name="Chapter 20">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse'' — Chapter 20</ref>

==Behind the scenes==
It is currently unknown whether Hawk's Nest was destroyed but they survived or the Hidden Ones intervened on the attack before it happened.

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Hidden Ones headquarters]]
[[Category:Locations in London]]
[[Category:Taverns]]