Chapter 4
Sage walked quietly from the manor to Ellen's house. It was the day her robes were to be finished and she decided to head over there after her history lesson with Achilles. The orange wind blew her hair from her face as she walked. The birds sang in the trees. She waved to passerbys and to her fellow friends on the homestead.
Sage knew Connor was back from his mission and she wondered about how he was feeling about everything. If he was ready to talk to her or if he needed more time to himself.
That morning he left early and she assumed he went off to think or do whatever a man like him does in the forest by himself.
As she neared, Ellen was putting the finishing touches on the hood with golden embroidery thread. She cut the thread and put both hands on her hips.
"Ellen!" Sage exclaimed as she slapped her hand on her friend's shoulder, "It looks amazing!"
"Ha!" Ellen crossed her arms proudly and they admired the newly finished robes, "Didn't I tell you? I am the best tailor you'll find in these colonies!"
"Can I put them on?" Sage asked with a look of excitement.
"But of course!" Ellen began shooing Sage to her house, "Go, go, I will bring them in, you begin undressing." Sage skipped to her house and opened the door. She went to the nearest bedroom and lifted her dress over her head as Ellen came in with the robes. Ellen helped her put the robes on over her shift. Sage buttoned the buttons that stopped right at her cleavage and she began stretching to break them in.
"They fit so well," Sage was pleased that the robes fit snug on her body. They were exactly the way she wanted them to be in her sketch: Dark shades of grey and green with gold accents. The gold was Ellen's idea and she was glad she took her advice. The robes were more of a dress that looked like an oversized men's coat. They were long enough that she was modest but short enough that she won't trip when running. The robes flowed with her movement as she swayed and exposed her Assassin symbol tattoo.
Ellen walked to her kitchen and poured two cups of tea and Sage followed her from the room. She sat down at the dinner table and Ellen brought the tea over.
"So," Ellen blew her tea, "How are things? And by things, I mean things with you and Connor." She leaned back in her chair.
"Oh Connor," Sage shook her head then brought her cup up to her mouth to sip and sighed, "Well, I'm sure you were there when we had our argument at the tavern. We haven't really talked since he's been back. I know we definitely are going to talk at some point about what my role in this whole war is. It's just that, I knew that argument was bound to happen. The way we handle things is very different."
"How so?" Ellen took a sip from her tea.
"Well," Sage scooted in her set and straightened up a bit, thinking about how to answer her question, "For starters, he is very impulsive and I like to plan ahead and think things through."
"Hmm," Sage watched Ellen as she responded, "Well, that would make you two perfectly compatible and incompatible."
"He can be so intense sometimes with all this freedom talk," Sage was careful not reveal she was from the future, "I believe in freedom and all but, I feel that sometimes that his fight consumes him and he never takes a break from anything. He acts so impulsively I'm afraid that one day he might seriously hurt himself."
"And that's why he needs someone like you Sage," Ellen put her hand on Sage's, "He needs someone who cares for him and knows what he needs and is able to slow him down. Connor needs someone to take care of him because sometimes he forgets about himself."
Sage nodded. She stood up and decided she rather deal with whatever is going on between her and Connor sooner than later. Ellen stood too.
"Oh Ellen," She hugged her friend, "Thank you so much for the robes and your advice."
"Oh Sage, come over anytime you need to talk sweetie." Sage pulled away and showed herself out of Ellen's house. She skipped down the path and put her hood up, excited that she had real assassin robes. In 2018, they just had sweatshirts and it felt more official to have actual robes.
Sage decided to run back to the manor. Her legs aren't too long and because of the slit in the robes she could run at full speed easily without being constrained. She sprinted all the way back catching glances by others on the path. The wind felt good on her legs and she was thankful for having a friend like Ellen, who not only was a master at her craft, but also a very good friend.
Sage, catching her breath, entered the manor to go find Achilles to show him her new attire. She went to his room and found him asleep in his chair.
"Achilles," She shook him awake, "Do you like them?" He stirred and opened his eyes. His eye adjusted slowly and Sage spun around to show him the fullness of her robes.
"Hmm," Achilles looked her up and down, "They suit you very well Sage. Have you shown Connor yet?"
Sage shook her head, "Not yet. We haven't talked since he's been back." Her eyes went to the floor.
"You'll find him in his room." Achilles leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, primarily uninterested in how they will work things out, as if he knew they would already find themselves gravitating back to one another.
Sage left Achilles and walked up the stairs to Connor's room. The door was cracked and she swiped her hood back before knocking. There was no answer so she pushed it slightly open and peered in. His hair was damp and he was asleep on his bed fully dressed, taking a nap on top of the covers. He must be really tired. She opened the door quietly and he stirred as he heard her boots on the wood floor.
Connor being the light sleeper he is, sat up on his bed. "Maluhia," he rubbed his eyes and put his feet on the floor as he scooted to the edge of the bed, "What are you doing?" Maluhia slowly walked over.
"Can I sit?" She pointed to the spot next to him on the bed and he nodded, "I came to talk to you and apologize." She sighed and He was startled by her sudden closeness as she sat next to him. He turned his head and looked at her, noticing her new outfit.
"I see Ellen has finished your robes." He was thinking out loud.
Maluhia nodded, "Yes, I just picked them up. We also talked over some tea." She paused and the silence between them was charged with what needed to be said, so Maluhia, partly out of discomfort, spoke first, "I need to apologize Connor. I had no right to speak to you the way I did," She shifted awkwardly to face him and avoided his gaze by looking down at her hands, " I hope that you can forgive me and that we could use what makes us different from each other as an advantage rather than letting it be what tears us apart." Her eyes looked up at him and he faced forward, looking down at his feet, listening to her speak.
"Your words did hurt Maluhia," He sighed as he kept his gaze away from her, "But what you speak of is true. We should be working together as a team, not against one another," He turned to look at her, "I forgive you."
She smiled and fought the urge she had to lean against his shoulder. A wave of relief washed over her as she heard his words of forgiveness, "Thank you Connor." Maluhia was about to say something else but then he started to talk before she had the chance to say anything.
"I too must ask for forgiveness," He turned to her and their eyes met, "My words were harsh Maluhia, and no woman should be spoken to in that way," His eyes flicked down in shame.
"I forgive you Connor," She decided to not fight her urge anymore and leaned into his arm as a wave of heat rushed up his neck and cheeks. They sat there for a moment, just being comfortably in each others presence.
Connor cleared his throat, "Thank you Maluhia." His look went back to his feet on the floor.
"I can never stay mad at you Connor," The words escaped Maluhia's mouth before she could catch them, but there was no regret. And it was true, how could she stay mad a man like Connor for long?
Connor and Maluhia walked back to the house from the stables. Since they have settled their argument, he found the time a couple days later to finally teach Maluhia how to ride a horse,"You are doing better than I thought you would." he added.
"It isn't as hard as I thought it would be," She flicked her hood back as they entered the manor, "When will we get to go to Boston Connor? I'm ready to meet everyone," she pouted as she followed him to the records book and leaned on the table as he wrote some things down, "Like George Washington, and Samuel Adams, and James Madison, oh and especially Alexander Hamilton." She rambled on as she thought about meeting the famous founding fathers.
"Soon," He didn't look up from the accounting book, "We should be expecting news from New York and from there begin our mission. Until then, you train." Connor put the quill back into the inkwell and looked down on Maluhia while she pouted.
"But Connor," She headbut him and rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him with those big brown eyes. Before he had time to blush, his stomach growled fiercely. Her eyes widened as she heard the angry rumble, "I could definitely eat something and it sounds like you can too." She added with a chuckle.
"Yes," Connor agreed, "We should eat, I have not eaten all day." They nodded and Connor followed Maluhia back outside. Maluhia twirled as she walked out on the path, her heart was swollen with joy.
"You seem.. happy," Connor said with a smile.
"Yes," She skipped up to his side, "It feels good to be an Assassin again."
"I am glad you feel that way," Connor didn't really know how to respond to her upbeatness. He was happy that they could share a meal that evening. Since they apologized to each other they have been closer than they were before the argument. Though it wasn't how they had preferred to get to know each other, through it they realized their differences and appreciated how they complemented each other. From that, a greater respect for one another grew between them.
They entered the tavern to find all the fellow homesteaders dancing to the upbeat music of the band. Connor and Maluhia laughed at the drunk sailors dancing as they sat down at a table, different from their old table. They ordered two rabbit soups and two tankards of ale. Corrine brought them their food quickly with their drinks.
Through the excitement Maluhia studied Connor as he watched all the others enjoying their time. Maluhia noticed the scar on his cheek and how he ate his soup by drinking it from the lip of the bowl, leaving his spoon untouched. He's such a man She thought watching him.
Connor enjoyed the energy of the tavern as there was a celebration going on for some reason unknown to him. As he finished his soup and set the bowl down on the table he took several big gulps from his tankard. He set it down and let out a deep breath, leaning back in his chair from the warmth and comfort of the soup settling in his stomach. Norris and Myriam walked pass their table and Connor greeted them, "Norris! Myriam! You two look well!" He spoke loudly over the noise. Sage stood and embraced Myriam.
"Yes we are well Connor," Norris leaned down to answer, "It seems you and Sage are doing well too." Norris nudged him with his elbow knowingly before he was lead off by Myriam to dance. Connor shook his head with a shy smile and turned to watch Maluhia as she smiled and waved to the others in the tavern. She ate her soup with her spoon.
Maluhia was so beautiful to him. Her hair was not like any he has seen before. The way it fell over her shoulders in voluminous curls and framed her face. The way she moved was swift and graceful, as if her whole being was composed of some foreign liquid he would gladly drown himself in. Her presence, like a lightning strike, made everything electric but still there was a sense of peace she carried unlike anyone he's met.
There was something behind her eyes that intrigued him. Behind her eyes was.. something fierce, yet soft and strong. He thought of her like an adventure; whatever lied behind her bright brown eyes, was a treasure he has been searching for unknowingly. A treasure he had no clues about, no idea what it could be, all he knew was that he needed it. As he watched her, he decided that he couldn't wait any longer to keep himself from exploring the depths of her.
His eyes softened and he let himself fall a little deeper when he heard her laugh at something happening around them. Connor's pulse quickened and he watched his hand slowly move closer to hers on the table. He didn't know what he was doing, but he knew he wanted her. He slid his hand under hers slowly and intertwined their fingers. Maluhia turned her head slowly and her gaze flicked from between their hands and his face. A look of curiosity forming on her face partnered with a smile. Connor gave her a shy smile and gulped, his heart was racing. She smiled back and a chill shot through her body.
Maluhia didn't move her hand away but held him tighter. She leaned forward, "Would you like to walk back?" Connor nodded, they took their hands apart slowly, and rose from the table. He left some coins to pay for their meal and they left the tavern.
Once out on the path, they didn't say a word. They walked side by side as the sun began to set behind the mountains surrounding them. Maluhia walked close to him and let her hand brush his until she caught it in hers. Connor stopped and turned to face her.
"Maluhia," He cleared his throat, not letting her hand go, "I-I hope that you should know..that I truly enjoy your company." Maluhia giggled at his nervousness.
"I enjoy your company too Connor," She stood up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek slowly, letting herself linger by his face. Connor could've swore that the lightning he thought of earlier could be felt through every touch they shared.
Maluhia blushed as they continued toward the manor down the path. She looked over at him and swung their intertwined hands as they prolonged their walk. A giggle of enthrallment escaped her mouth. It has been some time since she's felt this way about anyone. The excitement of romance enchanted her, and she thanked the universe for Connor.
"What is it?" Connor asked nervously while glancing down their hands.
"Nothing," She smiled up at him, "I just.. Really like you." She spoke slowly as the sky bathed them in sunset shades.
"I.. feel the same as well." He added as they continued down the path in a silence filled by their own thoughts. Sometimes silence was what they needed most when they were together.
Maluhia was happy that he didn't pressure her to fill the quietness between them.
They walked up the steps of the manor and Connor stopped at the door, taking both her hands in his. She looked up at him with starry eyes and he held her gaze. He could hear his heart thudding in his ears as his face was washed in a wave of heat again.
Maluhia took a step closer with her hands still in his. She smiled up at him and her eyes flicked between his lips and eyes, hoping that he would get her hint that she would very much so accept a kiss. Connor leaned down slowly, his eyes locked in with hers. Maluhia stood up on her tippy toes. She let one of his hands go and cupped his cheek with her soft, small, teddy bear hand. They lingered there, with their faces inches away, electric seconds ticking by as they fought off their fears of each other in their minds.
"Maluhia," He whispered her name and her stomach was tickled. She closed the gap between them before he could ask to kiss her. Their lips met and Connor felt a cold shock shoot through his body, causing his knees to weaken. Their kiss was soft, and they closed their eyes as they fell into each other.
Out of all the things Maluhia could've expected from being sent back to the past, Connor was by far the most unexpected, but her favorite part yet.
Sage leaned on the doorframe of Achilles' room as Connor and the old man conversed. There was clearly something going on due to the look of distress on Connor's face. He hasn't told her about his last mission yet, and she planned to ask him about it before they started anything new concerning the brotherhood. Thoughts of what could possibly be troubling him floated through her mind as she waited for him to finish.
Connor stood up from his chair and approached Sage at the door. She snaked her arm around his waist and he rested his arm over her shoulder as they walked out of Achilles' room. They were about to make their way to the secret room but were stopped when Catherine blocked a visitor from them in the hallway. Connor and Sage separated as he motioned for the visitor.
"And who is this Connor?" Marquis Lafayette approached Sage and grabbed her hand then brought it up to his lips.
"M-my name is Maluhia Dubois, but most people call me Sage." She stuttered and blushed as he kissed her hand. Connor huffed and crossed his arms, clearly annoyed.
"How rude of me not to introduce myself," Lafayette stood up and let her hand go, "Je suis Marquis Lafayette madame. Dubois is a french name, is it not?" He wiggled an eyebrow.
"Mon père était Français." Sage crossed her arms proudly as Lafayette stepped back, astonished at her perfect French. Connor looked at her with a slight look of shock.
Lafayette studied her and they conversed for a few moments in French until Connor decided to intervene, clearly annoyed at their instant connection.
"Follow me," He changed the subject and stomped between Sage and Lafayette and led them to the secret room, "It's better that I show you my plan to kill Charles Lee." He pulled the candlestick and the door opened.
As they walked down the stairs, Connor whispered to Maluhia, "What did you say to him?"
"I just told him my father was French." She shrugged as they walked over to the model of Fort George that sat near their target wall.
Connor explained his plan to Lafayette and Sage lingered between them. Lafayette told Connor that he would first need to aid the French in the Chesapeake bay before getting his ships and Connor agreed to his conditions. After, Connor led him back up the stairs to the front door of the manor.
"Ce fut un plaisir pour moi, madame. Je vous souhaite une bonne nuit." Lafayette kissed Sage's hand and Connor opened the door for him.
"Cela a été un plaisir pour moi aussi, Lafayette. J'espère te revoir." He walked out the front door and Connor shut the door as soon as he was outside. Sage giggled at Connor's jealousy.
"Don't worry I just told him that it was a pleasure to have him over." Sage put both her hands on Connor's chest and gripped his shirt to reassure him. He didn't say anything. Connor brought his hand up to her face and kissed her, gingerly.
"Connor," She pulled away, "We should talk," She changed the subject not because she wanted to stop, but because she sensed something was wrong, "What is wrong Connor?" She asked him simply. He dropped his hand and she cupped his cheek, her eyes piercing into his.
He let out a tired sigh and took her hand from her face then held it in his, "Washington chose to spare Lee's life." Before he could continue, she led him to the library. Sage took him to the couch close to the fire and they sat down. She held his hand in her lap.
"I want you to tell me everything Connor." She spoke softly to him. Her hand went to feel his strong neck and he grasped her hand and held it to his chest, watching her with his tired eyes.
Connor let out another tired sigh and told her about Washington, Lee, Kanen'tó:kon, and Haytham. She had no answers for him. She had no remedy for the pain he was feeling. All she could do was listen. And it was enough for him.
The next morning Connor woke up on the couch in the library. He felt Sage stir on top of him and his hand went to rub her back as she woke up on his chest, "How long did we stay here?" He asked as his eyes adjusted.
"All night it looks like," She rubbed her eyes and her stomach was tickled at how close they were in that moment. Sage scooted up and began kissing her way up his neck to his mouth. She stopped and hovered over his lips and Connor could feel the blood surge through his body and he blushed.
"I am sorry for keeping you-," He started apologizing but she stopped him with a kiss. Her fingers twirled his braid and she smiled against his mouth.
"Connor," she smiled as she sat up, "I want you to know that I care for you. I care that you are doing well and if that means we talk all night, I am willing to talk all night. Don't apologize for that." She climbed off the couch and started stretching her body, cracking her neck and back.
Connor stood up and rubbed his eyes. He yawned and Sage came over and headbut his chest. He smiled and embraced her. He was so happy that she felt the same way as he did. That night at the tavern seemed like a dream to him, a dream that felt so far away and so impossible that there was no way he could've made it happen. But it did happen. He held her and they breathed in sinc. Her head was just under his chin and she hugged his torso. Now instead of being wary of her touchyness, he found that he want her to touch him more. He wanted her so much more closer now. His hand went to feel her hair. It was soft yet course, something he has never felt before, something different, something he liked about her. They sat there in silence for a moment, enjoying the closeness of each other.
Maluhia looked up at him as her chin rested on his chest, "Let's go downstairs." She whispered and Connor nodded. They walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Maluhia walked over to a crate of apples and started inspecting each one.
There was a letter on the main table and Connor walked over to see who it's for. It was addressed to Sage. Confused, Connor turned to Sage, "This message," He inspected the cross on the wax seal, "It is for you."
"Impossible," Maluhia walked over with an apple in one hand, "Let me see." She took the letter and broke the seal. She opened the letter. There was only one sentence: We know who you are.
A/N: Yo this was fun to write but tbh it was alittle rushed. I hope you guys like it. They're so cute in this omg. Thank you for reading! Please leave a review!
