Simeon Price

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Simeon Price (born c. 1825) was a member of the British Brotherhood of Assassins who operated in the 19th century.

A childhood friend of the mathematician Ada Lovelace, Simeon was a former soldier in the British Army's 74th Regiment of Foot dispatched to Africa aboard the HMS Birkenhead to participate in the British Empire's eighth war against the Xhosa Kingdom. After being convinced by the French Assassin Henri Escoffier to desert the army and flee the sinking ship, Simeon adopted the alias of Jack Straw to hide his identity, travelling to Vienna to seek out the local Brotherhood mentioned by Henri.

Biography

Early life

Simeon was born in 1825 in Ealing, West London as the son of a publican and was educated at a school owned by Lady Byron in the district. At the age of six, he was noted for being a bright student, such that even the schoolmaster could not teach him. Noticing his intelligence and quick wits, Lady Byron brought him home to keep an eye on her sixteen year-old daughter Ada, instructing that he report her every actions to her. Simeon watched Ada as he was told, but refused to disclose any of the young girl's activities to her mother, which led the baroness to send him away and deny him education.

Growing up, Simeon would spend much of his time working at his father's public bathhouse, where he poured pints, hauled cargo, and clean things. However, he did not have a good relationship with his family, including his older brother and especially his father. After a period of enduring his father's bullies, Simeon left Ealing and ran away to London, where he did whatever jobs he could to earn a living, while self-educating himself in the evenings. Some years later, Simeon met Ada by chance during a scientific demonstration in the city, during which they became close friends and often rode out to Hyde Park together. However, they stopped hanging out when Ada's health worsened which often forced her to remain home.

Military service and desertion

After working for various years as a labourer, Simeon enlisted in the British Army in 1847 and was eventually assigned to the 74th Highland Regiment of Foot, gaining the rank of lance corporal. During his service, Simeon befriended a private by the name of Sawyer Halford.

In 1851, Simeon, as part of the regiment, was assigned to South Africa aboard the HMS Birkenhead to participate in the war against the Xhosa Kingdom. While bonding with Halford, the ship hit a large rock while passing by Cape Town. When it became imminent that the ship was slowly starting to sink, Simeon was summoned by Lieutenant Grimes to get the horses set free and thrown overboard. Shortly after, Grimes was knocked down by a hooded individual who then, with Simeon's help, helped to rescue the sailors trapped in the flooded quarters. After pulling a number of men to safety and a drowned aboard, the hooded individual encouraged Simeon to abandon the ship save his own life. However, Simeon insisted on staying with him to make sure that they get to a boat safely together.

Working under Kane

Working in Alexandria after a year of HMS Birkenhead sinking, Simeon, under the alias of "Jack Straw," realized about the opportunity in Vienna and ventured to the city. Investigating the city, he caught wind of familiar words stated by a man named Oscar Kane at a hotel near the Graben. There, he soon meets the Irishman, who reveals that he and the hooded individual on the ship were Assassins. Within their conversation, he was offered housing and education under Kane about the Brotherhood, to which he accepted.

After being fitted by the tailor and Kane's acquaintance, János Libényi, Price learned about the life and history of the Assassins while being tasked to secretly spy on a number of citizens. After successfully completing the task, Price and Kane climbed the stairs atop St. Stephen's Cathedral, where Kane tasked Price to climb down from the outside. After a few hazards and lost footings, he climbed down safely as he met Kane below. After completing the descent, he and Kane went to have breakfast. However, while reading the news, Price learned of Ada's death.

Meeting the Templars

At a winter party hosted by the Baron Julius Jacob von Haynau, Price and Kane arrived and soon met with the baron. After meeting with von Haynau, Price and Kane were soon introduced to Countess Konstanze von Visler. Soon, the conversation between the four became shocking to Price as he heard of the baron's conquest and his cruel torture against the rebels of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Soon, the group was met by Karl Mayr, the baron's lawyer, who concurred with Haynau's opinion. Price soon heard how they were revitalizing Vienna and how they were personally uprooting the tailor and his sister's home for their construction.

Price was invited to dance with the countess as he thought of the atmosphere to be suffocating. However, he noticed Mayr and Kane head to a private room and followed once his dance ended. Within the room, he caught sight of Mayr strangling Kane and then stabbed him to release Kane. Before Mayr could attack, Price grabbed his razor and slit Mayr's throat. After retrieving Mayr's blood, Price and Kane left the party secretly. Riding home, Price was told that the men were Templars and that it was a test to see if Price could kill in the shadows. While leaving, Price was assured that the Templars' time would come.

Afterwards, Price headed to Nachzehrer Cellar and soon met with János Libényi and his friend and butcher Joseph Ettenreich. The tailor admitted that he was going to give up to Mayr's demands but Simeon revealed that Mayr died at his end and his extortion has ended. Although Libényi was shocked, Price joined a grateful Libényi and spent the night drinking inside the tavern.

The next day, Price was invited to a presentation and met with Kane and Konstanze on her new innovative drill. Powered by Kane's power cell, Price and the audience watched as he later asked Kane of their business with her house. Being told they're hiding in plain sight, he realized von Visler is also a Templar. Afterwards, he spoke with the countess once more, but cut it short due to his discomfort. Leaving the party, he found himself on the streets on Vienna atop a city bastion. Below, he saw Ettenreich running towards a waiting Libényi with a knife. Trying to stop him, it was too late as Libényi stabbed the Austria Emperor Franz Joseph I in the neck.

Doubt

Simeon and Joseph restrained a numb Libényi as soldiers take the wounded emperor away. Soon, as János was taken captive, Price met with Margit about the reasons but she told him that he felt rebellious even more within Vienna. Meeting and talking with Kane about the Brotherhood's possible involvement, he asked to free his friend as Oscar agreed and even offered to financially support Margit. At night, both planned to save Libényi as Price was to distract the guards as Kane was going to set the tailor free. However, the distraction did not work as Simeon was arrested for being a "drunk" nuisance. The next day, Price was bailed out by Kane, who informed him that Libényi was hanged.

Saddened, Simeon ventured Vienna alone until he heard of a troupe's finale act, the Flying Flame, using his real name in the performance from Joseph. Going inside the troupe's area after hours, he was soon stopped by Major Wallin as Pierrette Arnaud saw the altercation. Price wanted to know who has been asking as Arnaud asked for his release. Within a tearoom, both he and Pierrette talked about Ada, her notes, and stopping the "Magus." Helping her, Price took the notes in order to have Kane decipher them as Arnaud introduced herself to him.

Originally, Simeon went to discuss and analyze whether he can trust Kane. Within their talks, he learned of the Precursors, the artifacts they left behind and how both Templars and Assassins try to find or revitalize these items. However, with Libényi's death weighing on him, he could not share Ada's notes with Kane as he left to think by himself. He soon met Pierrette at the Elizabeth Bridge, only to tell her he cannot decipher the notes and that he wants no more contact. Although Arnaud understood, Price lost the notes to her as she escapes and vows to find the Magus herself. Afterwards, Price met with Kane again and states his leave to figure things out. As Kane bid "Simeon" farewell, Price soon realizes that Kane knew his name all along.

Lake Como

By 1854, Simeon traveled to a villa near Lake Como and found himself hosted by the villa caretaker, Laura. After three weeks of upkeeping, he and Laura became involved romantically. By the summer of 1855, both welcomed another visitor, Oliver Fraser, who recognized "Straw" as he revealed that he deserted the army after the Battle of Balaclava. When a storm came, they all met another visitor, Felice Orsini, who tells of his recent escape and his life as an Italian revolutionary. However, all became wary of the possible Italian soldiers after Orsini.

The next day, Simeon, Laura, and Oliver were met by visiting soldiers, who were looking for Orsini. While Price tried to eliminate stealthily, Orsini caught their attention by trying to escape. Luckily, with help from Fraser and Laura, all the soldiers were subdued permanently. He and Oliver dragged the bodies away from the villa and staged a scene while Laura cleaned up the mess. Afterwards, after Orsini left, the rest of them drank to their survival. However, he heard from Fraser that Orsini had help from the "Magus" and was heading to Paris to meet other revolutionaries. Knowing this, Price looked to Laura as he knew he had to leave.

Joining the Assassins

Arriving in Paris, Price climbed atop the Gare de l'Est and viewed the city, only to be met by Assassin Amira Benyamina. Realizing both had Assassin ties, he was brought below the train station and met fellow Assassin Michel Moulin and Henri Escoffier, who was the hooded individual he met on the HMS Birkenhead. Talking with them, Price realized that Kane already knew who he was as he sent Henri to recruit. Nevertheless, he informed them of a recent escapee named Orsini and his ties with a possible Templar called the Magus. While they heard his concerns, Price was offered a chance to continue his training with Amira, to which he agreed.

In the summer, Simeon traveled with Amira to Versailles as he was brought for his final task: a leap of faith into the city's waters. Looking for anything, he reached the bottom and retrieved mud for Amira. Believing he failed, Price was told he saw what he needed to see as he was now inducted into the Brotherhood.

Orsini affair

Within three years, he found himself atop the theater opera of Rue le Peletier as he watched for any sign of Orsini. He soon saw both French Emperor Napoleon III and his wife arrive at the theater. However, he soon witnessed a bomb go off by the royal carriage. Although the emperor and his wife were unscathed, Price lost balance while numerous bystanders were injured. After gaining stability, he soon spotted Pierrette riding towards a bomber. While Arnaud disarmed the bomber, Price jumped to catch the loose bomb. Yet, he injured himself while seeing Arnaud knocked out by the bomber.

Teaching Pierrette

Simeon soon saved Pierrette and took her to the underground base under Gare de l'Est. Once Pierrette woke up, he asked her about her presence as they discussed their investigations together. He tells her to leave but Arnaud remained adamant to stay and find the Magus. Reluctant, Price offered her to train her to which she accepted. However, he struggled on Arnaud's training and learning the Magus' real identity. After some time, Price, Arnaud, Moulin, and Benyamina soon came to the conclusion that Kane was the Magus, due to Arnaud's information of his early arrival before looking for the Eye.

Searching for Kane

Soon, Simeon and his apprentice looked over Vienna for Kane, but found nothing. After Arnaud attained information of his location in London, he told her to stay put as Kane was his problem. However, Arnaud's promise to Ada made him reconsider as he allowed her to join him on their mission to stop Kane. By 1861, once they arrived in London, they stayed with Elizabeth Siddal and her husband Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Luckily, Simeon soon found evidence of an Eye being kept in the British Museum and knew Kane would be there. Leaving Arnaud behind, he went alone to the museum.

Within the museum, Price ventured within the Assyrian section, where Kane spotted and talked to him. Price was told the truth of how Kane influenced Orsini and Libényi, only to be experiments for his inventions. He was soon offered to join his former mentor for a new future. Initially, Simeon declined. However, he was given an ultimatum by Kane of either joining or being arrested for desertion. Seeing a slight opportunity, Price fought Kane as he slashed his shoulder. However, as Kane escaped, he tried to find Kane while being taunted by his former mentor. After dodging the police, Simeon soon tailed Kane to the Reading Room. Before he could stop Kane, he was soon found and arrested by Price. Trying to escape, Price jumped badly from a walkway and broke his leg as he was ultimately arrested.

Imprisoned

Taken to Millbank Prison, Simeon had his leg reset as he analyzed his possible escape to find Kane and stop Arnaud from doing something reckless. However, after a week, he met and was shocked to see an alive Halford, who survived the shipwreck and had been discharged after horrible military jobs. He was told by Halford that he was going to aided in his trial. Realizing there cannot be any other visitors, Simeon asked Halford to take a letter from him for Pierrette. Nearing Christmas, he learned that Pierrette left for Dublin but was skeptical due to her rushed response.

By 1862, Price was taken to the Horse Guards for his trial as he saw Halford accompany him while noticing Countess Konstanze there. While listening to the defense's witness, Lieutenant Grimes, state he was a coward, Price and Halford accuse him of not taking responsibility for the calamities of the shipwreck himself. Once he was sworn in, Simeon began his tirade of how recruits are swayed by money to join while not knowing the truth of deployment. He admitted that he saved himself and his fellow men and if that made him a coward, so be it. After his testimony, a conflicted Price sat with Halford as the court decided his fate.

However, Price was soon declared innocent and set free. Shocked, he soon met with Byron Ockham, who admitted to sway the judge to free him, for the sakes of his late mom Ada and Pierrette. After being released, he was congratulated by other fellow soldiers in the courtroom.

Hunting Kane

At the Red Lion, Simeon met with Dante as they discussed Pierrette's location and current state, which was malnourished and bloodied. Within their conversation, he met model Fanny Eaton, who mentioned her husband drove a man named Kane earlier to Bath. Realizing Kane's location, Price left the pub as he was quickly met by Arnaud. Reconvening together, they discussed recent events as they prepared to attack Kane. As Arnaud offered her troupe as backup, Price realized that he has allies within his old soldier days.

Within days, atop Bath Abbey, Simeon spotted Kane and his henchman enter an alley as he descended to meet Arnaud and his allies. Going into the alley, he and Hugh Robinson found a bunker and opened the closed entrance. Price asked to go inside alone as the rest stayed behind. Inside, he found Kane, who found no Eye underneath Bath and admitted to being aligned with the Templars only for their innovations. Offered to join Kane again, Price refused once more. Immediately, Kane and his men started to shoot at Price, which instigated a shootout above them in the alley.

Caught off guard, Price was pushed back by Kane as he fell into a trap hole. Feeling trapped, he watched as one of Kane's men aimed his gun at him. Luckily, the man fell dead from Pierrette's gun as she saved her mentor. Soon, both gunfights combined and Price and his allies were overpowering them. Unfortunately, Price soon found Kane, who had just severely assaulted Byron. Watching Kane fire his unloaded gun at Tillie Wallin, Price and his allies cornered Kane. Yet, they backed once Pierrette's surprise attack turned Kane to take her hostage. Although Hugh and Ariel Fine tried to lasso Kane, the lasso became loose due to a living henchman coming in at the last minute.

Within moments, Price saw Pierrette restrain Kane herself as they both fell over the bunker's walkway. The walkway collapsed as the bunker's constitution started to crumble. As he checked on Pierrette, he saw Kane bleeding and motionless. While everyone else escaped, Price moved towards a weak Kane, who stated to him, "Don't be weak." Instantly, he stabbed Kane in the neck and took his blood as evidence. Leaving the bunker, Price saw the room fall apart and bury Kane.

The Magus aftermath

Back at the Rossetti's home, both Simeon and Pierrette met with Dante and offered their condolences for Lizzie's death. During Siddal's wake, he was soon approached by the Countess von Visler, who demanded Arnaud and Ada's notes. As Pierrette entered in with a gun to Konstanze's back, Price and his apprentice stayed silent on Pierrette's claim of destroying Ada's notes. Watching the countess pay her respects and leave, Simeon told Arnaud that he must inform both the British and Parisian Brotherhoods of Kane and the Templars' plan. However, he also told her about his plan to leave London and start anew elsewhere, due to wanting to be incognito. As Arnaud understood, he still accompanied her with one last night together in London.

Behind the scenes

Simeon Price is a character introduced in the first novel of the Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History series, The Magus Conspiracy, written by Kate Heartfield and released in August 2022.

Etymology

The given name Simeon comes from the Hebrew שמעון (Biblical Šimʿon, Tiberian Šimʿôn), derived from Simeon, son of Jacob and Leah, patriarch of the Tribe of Simeon. Possible derivations include; the Hebrew term shama on, meaning "he has heard," or sham 'in, meaning "there is sin."

The surname Price is of Welsh origin, it is a patronymic name that comes from 'ap Rhys' given to those who are the son or descendant of Rhys. Another less likely origin is that of the Cornish pras meaning "meadow", referring to those who lived at or near a meadow.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Engine of History – The Magus Conspiracy