Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Assassin's Creed III
I couldn't help but feel relieved as I slowly made my way out of the frontier and into Davenport. The past week had been particularly trying, bringing even more chaos than normal if at all possible. Having my father in my life was never something that I imagined for myself; it was never something that I needed. Between my mother, my friends, and the tribe's elders, I had all of the love, companionship, and guidance that I could ask for. There may have been a passing "what if" here and there, but never something that I longed for. I even had plans to kill the man; surely that says something. Yet, here I am now, an ally or something of that sort. What else do you call the man that you run through burning buildings with, killing men as you go? No, maybe ally wasn't the right word. Whatever one may call the situation, it was enough to plant the smallest frustrating seed of doubt in my brain. Did I want to kill the only bit of family I had left? Could something be arranged? I knew what Achilles would say to that at least...
I stopped in the middle of the path as the sharp pain in my side seemed to intensify once more, biting down on the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from crying out and alerting any nearby temperamental animals. I cursed myself for allowing one of Church's men to get so close with his sword. Running through the burning building afterwards didn't help much either. If I could just make it a half mile longer, I would reach the homestead.
Just as I willed myself to take another step forward, a rustling came from the bushes, bringing my attention away from my current predicament. My hand automatically grasped the tomahawk fastened to my hip as I tried to decide whether or not I wanted to take a step forward and run or back and hide. I acted on neither and stayed as firmly as I could in place, hoping for the best.
"Show yourself," I yelled, trying to display any amount of strength that I could. The rustling got closer, and I scolded myself once more for receiving this wound that would severely lessen my chances of winning any fight against a formidable opponent. I should have just hidden.
"Conner, is that you?" I relaxed my grip on my weapon when I heard Myriam's voice.
"Yes, it's me," I replied hesitantly. I wasn't in the mood to see anybody at the moment no matter how much I usually enjoyed the young huntress' company.
Seconds later she appeared, walking through the bushes in her hunting gear with Norris in tow. I attempted to stand up a little straighter to try and mask my condition. I didn't need any of the townspeople worrying over how I got such an injury. They didn't need to know what I did when I left town.
"Hey, just the man we were looking for," Myriam exclaimed happily. It was hard not to grimace as she playfully slapped my shoulder.
"What's the matter? Did Ellen's husband come back? Is it Prudence and Hunter?"
Myriam laughed, "Everything's just fine; we were just wondering if you could come help Corrine with something at the inn."
"Well…" I quickly scanned my thoughts for an excuse so I could just go back to the homestead and tend to my throbbing wound, but Myriam beat me to the punch.
"Please Connor; it won't take long at all, I promise." She looked up at me with pleading eyes.
"I'll even come and help you my friend," Norris added in to help his wife's case.
I sighed, knowing that I wasn't going to win this without offending anybody, "Alright"
I struggled to keep up with the two of them on the short walk there, and though they looked suspicious, I was grateful that neither of them had said anything. I begged the spirits that this task would not be anything strenuous. Norris stopped me when they reached the door.
"Let me just make sure that Oliver and Corrine are inside before we all go in there," he stated nervously. I tilted my head confused.
"If you say so Norris," I replied tentatively. He opened the door just enough for him to fit, and slid inside. I shook my head and leaned against the side of the inn, glad to get off of my feet. Each breath was more painful than the last. I wished for once that I could just go home and not have to do every little thing for this town. As much as I loved my friends, it was mentally and physically taxing at times. Rest was hard to come by. I was brought from my meanderings when Norris reappeared.
"Good news; Oliver and Corrine are both home and ready for us," he announced gleefully. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, feeling anything but happy that the elderly couple was ready for me to work. I struggled to pick myself up off of the wall, the pain coursing through my entire body now. I blinked the black away from the edges of my vision. The newlyweds had already hurried inside, leaving me outside by myself. I thought about just leaving, but my manners got the better of me and I trudged inside to join them.
The only light in the inn came from the open door behind me, making it impossible to see a thing.
"Corrine, are you here," I called out. I cringed at how weak my voice now sounded.
"Surprise!"
I jumped back startled, tripping and falling on the hard wood floor. Somebody lit the lanterns, filling the room with light. I was surrounded by people, but I couldn't make out any of their faces. The room wouldn't stop spinning. My hands instinctually went down to my side, feeling that it had started to bleed again. I took a shaky breath in, only bringing more pain.
"Connor, are you alright?" I looked up at the person next to me and was able to make out Warren.
"I…yeah," I replied, taking his outstretched hand and pulling myself up. The dizziness that followed made me wish that I hadn't. I swallowed down bile that was precariously creeping up my throat.
"So, what's the occasion?" I attempted to smile, but I couldn't seem to complete the expression. They all looked at me horrified.
"Connor, you're bleeding," Prudence exclaimed wide-eyed.
I looked down at my shirt to discover that it was stained red. Doctor Lyle rushed up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Maybe you should sit down and…"
I couldn't hear the rest of his sentence. I was falling, and suddenly all there was was black.