Chapter 2

Let Me Help

Esperanza's POV

He was tall. His voice was not too deep but it wasn't soft either. It was also very soothing and comforting. From what I could see, his eyes were bright and beautiful. He was well built, he seemed very fit. He was a very handsome man. I sighed and shook my head.

"Puedo soñar, pero eso es todo." (I can dream, but that's all.) I said.

"What did you say?"

"It doesn't matter. The sun is setting, we should probably stop for the night."

He looked at me in confusion.

"It's dangerous to be out in the open."

"Not here. You are safe, I promise you that."

"Like I said, I don't trust you."

"I'll prove you wrong."

I just nodded and we continued on. We came to a pathway and I followed him through. When he stopped my eyes went wide.

"This is beautiful." I said.

I smiled when I saw people talking and laughing down below. They seemed very happy.

"Your people are happy. They are free." I looked at him. "Be grateful for that."

He nodded and then jumped off the cliff. My eyes went wide and he landed in a pile of leaves. I was worried he had been hurt but he simply brushed himself off. I jumped through the trees and then landed beside him.

"Impressive."

I followed him through the village. People smiled and said hello to him as we passed.

"Are you the lord and master here?"

"No. These are my friends. We have no lord. We live freely."

"Hm."

"Are the Templars and redcoats on your land too?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. But the bastards are sneaky and they have access to powerful guns and explosives."

He stopped and looked at me.

"Are you sick?"

"No."

He just stared at me. I wondered…

"What do you think I am?" I asked.

Ratonhnhake:ton's POV

This woman was very strange to me. She spoke a language I'd never hear of before. It was beautiful but still strange. She said she was a warrior, but there was not a single scratch or scar on her skin. Her hands were very delicate and her cloths were made of strange material.

"You say you're a warrior, but there are no marks to show it. At least none that I can see. You have the same skills I have, but you're so young."

She smiled in amusement. Her bright green eyes sparkled. She had a beautiful smile.

"You did not answer my question."

"Yes I did."

She chuckled.

"Then we should keep going."

I took her to the manor and let her inside.

"Old man?"

He didn't answer and I went out the back door. He was sitting on a large rock, watching the sun set. Esperanza ran forward and looked out at the water.

"I have never seen anything like this before!"

I smiled a little. She seemed so very innocent and adventurous. I walked to Achilles.

"It is done."

He continued to stare into the distance.

"Johnson is dead?" he asked.

I looked away.

"No, he retreated when we destroyed the tea."

I walked so that I was standing in front of him.

"Only to hatch some new scheme. I'm sure….You should have killed him." he told me.

Can he never just tell me that I have done well?

"There was no need."

He sighed.

"Time will tell if you speak the truth. And what about the young woman walking around behind you?"

My eyes widened and I whipped around. Esperanza stood there looking at me. I cleared my throat and waved her over.

"Achilles this is Esperanza. She…appeared here from nowhere."

He looked at her and she bowed.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Achilles."

"Achilles is fine my dear. Do you remember anything before you woke up?"

"I was following a lead on a Templar. I suddenly felt lightheaded and my vision blurred. That's all I remember." she said.

Achilles looked to be thinking hard.

"I'm sorry. I don't anything about this sort of thing. You are more than welcome to stay in the spare room until you can set things straight."

She bowed again with a smile.

"Gracias. Thank you."

"Of course, Connor, why don't you show her to the spare room."

I nodded and took her inside. We went upstairs and showed her the room. She ran to the window and smiled. It was facing the docks and the sunset.

"I hope you'll be comfortable."

She looked at me with a smile.

"Yeah, thanks for your help."

I smiled a bit and nodded.

"Connor?"

She walked over to me.

"The man, Johnson, is one of the Templars?"

I nodded.

"Are there more of them?"

"Yes. They threaten peace and freedom."

Her eyes searched mine.

"Let me help you."

"Why?"

"You helped me. I live by a code of honor and I will never break it. I'm from a different time and a different place. I can do things you can't."

"What do you mean?"

"What year is it?"

"Seventeen ninety six."

She nodded.

"I come from the year two thousand and seventeen. It's much different there. Wars and disease and so much more. I think I was sent back so I could help. I want to help. Templars killed my whole family. I want them all dead."

I could see fear and sadness in those beautiful green eyes. I sighed and shook my head.

"I'm not afraid of you. It takes a lot to scare me anymore. I've seen terrible things in my life, horrible things. The only thing that I'm afraid of is failing to protect my people."

She nodded.

"I understand that. Please, let me help Connor."

I wasn't sure I should let her help me. But something in my heart told me to accept.

"Very well."

She smiled and bowed her head.