Chapter 4: Training Begins
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The sun rose that morning, basking Davenport and the surrounding area in a golden glow. Summer was officially here and the warm weather was something that everyone seemed to enjoy, despite the work that still had to be done in the heat.
"Archery?" Desmond asked for confirmation.
"Precisely" Connor said. Now that the assassin's from the future had recovered, Connor, Altair and Achilles agreed that it was time to see what they could do and how they can improve. "Archery is a valuable skill out in the field. It'll provide you with protection as well as food through hunting. That and we need more hunters to gather supplies" the Native-American explained.
"It's also better than shooting what you call pistols. Less likely to ruin your catch" the Syrian said from beside him.
"There is a clearing in the forest where we have set up a small range. Feel free to use it any time so you can practice" he said and gestured for them to follow him. The clearing was relatively large and close by a small stream, two targets set up a fair distance away and opposite to the targets was the firing line, where two bows lay as well as quivers for the arrows.
"These will be yours. Make sure you retrieve your arrows. It takes time to make them and it's a lot easier to take them back. Each quiver holds ten arrows" Altair said.
"It's been a while since I've done this" the Brit said, picking up the bow and analysing it. He lightly pulled on the string, knowing it would require a fair bit of strength to ready an arrow, but the arrow would fly far.
"Well let us hope you remember" Altair said with a smirk. "Declan, you first" he said. The Brit drew up his hood to shield his eyes from the sun, providing a clear view down range. He strapped the quiver on and pulled an arrow out, before bringing it to the string. With a strong pull and stance, it went far back and he took aim, allowing his trained sight to focus either on the centre or close by. He released the arrow, which flew through the air, and the thud confirmed that it had hit and both of the trained Assassin's focused on Declans target. Just outside the red circle in the centre, his arrow protruded.
"It seems that you have a good shot. Not far off the centre" Connor said. "Desmond, you're up" he said.
"I've never done this before" he said somewhat nervously. Altair stepped up behind him then and spoke reassuringly.
"Heighten your senses. Use your sight and block out everything but yourself, my voice and the target. Even your breathing" he said. Desmond prepared an arrow and taking a sensible stance he gave a mighty pull on the arrow. "Focus your shot, make sure your comfortable, and when you are ready, release" he said. A small two seconds later he released the arrow and the shot rang true, just missing the centre just as Declans had and Desmond lowered the bow, calm and collected. "Well done" the master said and analysed the target. Had he been a little more to the left it'd be a bullseye.
"Nicely done, Des" the Brit said.
"Same for you. You used to do archery?" the American asked.
"It became a hobby after I left the Brotherhood. I haven't done it for a good couple of years though so I feared I was a little rusty" he said and Connor patted him on the shoulder.
"Well if that was rusty, then I can imagine experienced. We'll work on making sure you hit the centre of the target for an hour or so and then we'll spar. Hand-to-hand only" he said and the Brit gave a nod.
"Retrieve your arrows. Connor will instruct Declan and I will instruct you, Desmond" the Syrian said. The pair retrieved their arrows and returned to the firing line, Connor stepping close to the Brit and Altair stepping close to Desmond.
"Take that stance again and prepare to fire" Connor instructed. Declan did as bidden and Connor took a look at the stance, before stepping close. Using his feet, he guided the Brits feet a bit more apart, before taking both arms and raising them so that they were perfectly straight. The Brit blushed, though it was hidden by his hood thankfully, as he was aware as to how close the two of them were. "Focus on your breathing. That shot was near flawless, but even it out a little more" the Native-American said softly, almost huskily.
"Got it" the Brit said, and soon evened out his breathing, in through the nose and out through the mouth, though he remembered to keep silent, for silence is paramount in been an Assassin. A second later, he loosed the arrow, which hit with a soft thud, and Connor looked over his shoulder. It was closer, but still literally on the border between the red and just outside.
"Nearly there. Retake that stance" he instructed. Stepping closer again, he brought his feet further apart, enough so that he was stable. "Slight crouch" he instructed, and the Brit lowered himself a little. Connor gently took both of his arms and set them straight before placing his head next to Declans so he could see from his point of view. His head was just hovering above the shoulder, and he spoke softly again. "Do exactly as you did before and focus your breathing" he said, pressing his chest to Declans back and putting his breathing in sync with the Brit. He retracted his hands from the Brits shoulders and rested them on his hips, ready to correct him if needed. "Fire" was the simple instruction, and he loosed the arrow, which made impact with the red area much to the shock of the Brit. "Brilliant" he whispered, and Declan could barely conceal the blush that threatened to tint his cheeks not only from the broad chest that was pressed against his back, but from the way the Native-American spoke, it was soft, like a lovers caress, and very husky.
"Indeed" was the calm response.
"I'll help you with the next two to get you used to holding that stance. The final arrow will be fired on your own" Connor said, and the Brit gave a nod. He drew the arrow, and crouched, Connor then set about putting his stance right and pressing his chest against Declan once more and matching his breathing pace. The arrow was loosed, and it hit the centre, right next to the other arrow. The process was repeated and the result was the same, forming a perfect triangle. Connor moved away from the Brit, who mourned the loss of the contact.
"Now try" he said with a small reassuring smile. He took the exact stance, imagining Connors chest pressed against his back, and he straightened his arms. He pulled the arrow back with strength and aimed quickly, loosing the arrow once more, which made impact with the red, dead on in the centre of the triangle. "A fast learner. And a flawless shot no less" he said and Declan gave a dazzling small smile. He retrieved his arrows and watched as Desmond was on his final one. Altair had used a similar technique, only he had him stand straighter rather than crouched. The rest he had followed, including pressing his chest to the Americans back. Desmond loosed it, and it rang true, striking the centre of the practice target and despite the fact that he looked somewhat calm, he knew that inside he was overjoyed and shocked that he had gotten it right.
"Well done, mate" Declan said, and Desmond grinned widely.
"We'll have to have a competition at some point" the American offered.
"You're damn right" the Brit said with a matching grin.
"Now that we've covered archery. We need to see how handle hand-to-hand combat. Weapons are valuable, but if in some way you lose your weapon and fighting with the hidden blade proves a little difficult, then hand-to-hand is your next bet. That and thugs often prefer to use their fists rather than weapons" Connor said.
"Knocking an opponent that poses no real threat to you is better than drawing unwanted attention" Altair chipped in then. "Same as before. Desmond, you're with me, Declan, you're with Connor" he said and Desmond visibly gulped.
Connor and Declan faced one another and both took up an aggressive stance, both waiting to see who would move first.
"Have you fought before, Declan?" Connor asked.
"Once or twice" he said and Connor chuckled before pouncing. He threw a punch towards Declans abdomen which was easily blocked and then countered with a sweeping kick to take him off of his feet. Connor jumped up to dodge it before coming back down, grabbing the Brits arm as he went to throw a punch of his own, bending it at the elbow and holding him close.
"Predictable" Connor admonished with a whisper.
"Am I?" was the innocent question. Using his free arm he elbowed the other in the stomach, causing Connor to relinquish his grip on the Brits arm.
"So you know how to escape" the Native-American said. He came close and threw three punches at his abdomen, his side and face, each easily blocked but then he used a sweep kick similar to the one that the Brit used, except this one hit. He had the Brit pinned beneath him then. "I win" he said with a whisper.
"Do you?" the Brit asked with a smirk. Declan drew his knees up for under Connor who was only hovering over him and kicked him with both feet, sending him to the ground. He got up quickly and pinned the other beneath him, leaving no room for any escape, even trapping his arms against the ground beneath. "I believe I win" he whispered close to the Native-Americans face, a triumphant smirk gracing his face.
"No you don't" Connor said and the smirk fell, a brow raised from Declan. He brought his knee up into the Brits back, and he relinquished his grip on Connors wrists. Now free, Connor reached up and grabbed hold of his shoulders, before using his weight to toss the Brit to the floor where he put and end to any struggle, and offered no chance of escape. "I definitely win" he said, straddling the man's waist.
"Fine. You win, for now at least" the Brit replied.
"You fight well. Good at blocking attacks and you know how to change the tide of battle. Thugs are not at good as I am, so if you were to fight them you'd win" Connor said standing up and offering a hand to the Brit.
"Well you have one thing right" the Brit said, reaching for it.
"What's that?" he asked. The Brit grabbed his hand and pulled him back down, retaking his place on top of the Native-American.
"I know how to change the tide of battle. I win" he said with a dazzling smile. Connor merely gave a grin in response.
"I think that will do for today" he said, this time both of them standing up and watching as Desmond was pinned beneath the master Assassin.
"You still have much to learn Desmond" Altair said with a smirk.
Bladed combat could wait. For now they were content to bathe and see what they had to do around the Homestead, for they had plenty of free time. The Templars seemed to be on a bit of a break, but they couldn't rest on their laurels for too long.