A/N: I finally came up with a ship name for Connor and Magaska. How do you guys feel about Congaska? Or can someone come up with something better?

So I should probably clear up where they are right now. They're just off of the road, right when you enter the Homestead in the game. I actually mapped it out in my head, using the game to get the timing right. I spent about an hour walking from Boston to the Homestead instead of fast traveling like I usually do, which was a pain in the butt, but I just had to know.

By the way, it's February of 1776. (For perspective, Connor kills Thomas Hickey in March).

Also, go to my profile and vote on my poll before Friday so I know how chapter 5 should/will go.


As I regained consciousness, I noticed Connor was already up. My eyes slowly slid open as I said, "Well, you're up early, Connor." "Hardly," he replied, "I could barely sleep." He took a deep breath. "Another pack of wolves came around while you were sleeping. And a bear too." He chuckled. "Guess nature just didn't want me to sleep."

The sun shone brightly, nearly burning my eyes. I squinted, turning my head towards Connor. It took a second for his eyes to meet mine, but when they did, he blinked and said, "We should get going. We're less likely to get attacked during the day, and the manor's not too far from here."

He stood and stomped out the remaining fire, which he must have rebuilt while I was sleeping. I sat up on the blanket, which was much warmer now than it was last night.

"No more wolves, right?" I asked, my voice slow and timid. He looked over at me, concern in his eyes, and answered, "No. The ones I didn't kill ran off somewhere. It's safe now."

I nodded and looked away. I looked up at the sky; it had to be noon by now, according to the position of the sun in the sky. "How long will it take to get there from here?" I asked, looking back at him. "Depends on the route we take. The trees are much faster. Can you climb?" I said, "Not very well." "It'll work. And wild animals can't get us, as long as we're up high enough."

Connor reached for the blanket covering me and looked at me, silently asking me if he could pack it back up. I nodded once, and he took it, rolling it and shoving it back into his pack untidily. He pulled his hood over his head as I stood, folding up the blanket I was laying on and neatly putting it in my pack. I shivered, wishing I wore something thicker.

"Okay, got everything?" He did a final scan of the area, making sure he didn't forget a single item. "I think so," I answered, walking to his side. He started down the road, I followed closely behind. I feared that more wolves would suddenly appear from the bushes along the path, maybe even a bear or two. I didn't venture too far from Connor, knowing that he was my only protection from the things that I feared most. He would keep me safe.

All of a sudden, I tripped over a tree root that seemed to pop out of nowhere. Connor caught me by the arm and asked if I was okay, pulling me back to my feet. "Yeah, it's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going," I said, still a bit shocked. He smiled and said, "You should be more careful, or you'll be falling out of a tree or something next time."

Connor looked off of the side of the cliff to our left at the thick layer of trees. He scratched his head once before he added, "We should take the trees from here. This area is crawling with mountain lions." He showed me a long scar on his left forearm that he most likely got fighting one off before it killed him. I looked at him wide-eyed in disbelief. I stroked it gently with a finger, thinking about how much blood he must have lost when it happened.

He slapped my hand away, looking back over the cliff. "These branches aren't strong enough to hold both of us at the same time. You stay back until I give you the signal," he said, walking to the edge and testing a limb. He jumped onto it as I stood at the edge of the cliff, rocks cracking and shifting under my feet. "I don't know how long I'll be able stand here," I called to him.

Connor climbed to a higher branch, where the tree splits off into a V. He turned to face me and whistled. It was similar to a bird. That must be the signal. I leaped to the branch. After regaining my balance, I walked slowly to his side, staying on my branch.


We ran through the trees until the sun was low in the sky. Connor jumped from a lower branch to the road, and I looked down at him questioningly. "Come on down, Mag," he said, gazing up at me. I shook my head. "Don't worry, I'll catch you," he added, holding out his arms.

I hesitated, our eyes not looking away from each other. He whistled the signal, and I gained the courage and trust in him to jump. I looked down as the ground rushed to nearly meet me, but Connor caught me. I held his face in my hands and kissed his lips lightly.

I looked over his shoulder and saw a house at the top of a hill. That must be it, I thought. Connor set me back on the ground and started towards the manor, saying, "We should probably go before it starts to get dark again." I followed close behind him.

As we approached the stairs, he turned to me and said, "Okay, so my mentor isn't the most…welcoming person. He's really harsh sometimes. Hell, it took two days for him to even let me in." I nodded as he started up the stairs to the door, with me close behind.

Connor knocked on the door once, then opened it. He held it, gesturing me to enter before him. I did, and then muttered a muffled "thanks." He closed the door behind him.

"I'm home," he said loudly as he walked into a room to the left of the entryway. I heard a voice from the room say, "Ah, Connor, good to see you! It's been a while. Come, sit." The owner of the voice came into view; he was an older man with a walking cane.

The man looked at me and smiled. "Who have we got here? She with you, Connor?"

"Yeah," Connor said, looking at me. "I saved her back in New York, and she wanted to come back here with me." I gulped. He saw my nervousness and said, "She wanted to know if you could train her." I nodded, my eyes locked on Connor.

The man turned to Connor and said, "How about you train her? You'd do a much better job than I would at my age." Connor looked at him for a while, and then walked over to me, looking at my face. He smiled and answered, "I think I will. She's seen me in action already, so I guess she will kind of know what to expect from me in that regard."

"Great," the man replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to finish up."

Connor glanced through the window; it was dark out now. He gaze moved back to me as he said, "We will begin your training at dawn. Best get some rest before that. Come on, I'll show you where you can sleep for the night." He walked up the stairs, and I followed.


A/N: Look, I got it up in time. :D. Now, next chapter I'm not sure about. If I finish it, which I don't think I will, it'll be up on Friday. Let's hope I finish. :3.

(12-06-2012): There won't be a new chapter tomorrow. I've gotten so much schoolwork thrown on me, and I can't finish it in time. I'm so sorry.