Chapter VI

"What makes you say that?" I asked, attempting to stay calm.

"The Templars do not care for the people's interests. Everything they do is for themselves. It is hard to explain and you have no need to know the details." Connor answered.

I fought a very strong will to sight with anger. I merely made a confused face.

"Have you ever met one of those «Templars»?" I asked.

"Yes, I have. Templars burned my village and killed my mother."

"What?" I was genuinely shocked. "How?"

"When I was a child, I saw them looking for my village and my mother died that day because of the fire they started!"

"I'm so sorry, Connor…" I said to his sadden face. "I didn't know your mother…"

Of course I did know, Haytham had told me.

"It has nothing to do with you. It is just so you can see what the enemy is capable of and why I have my reasons for being an Assassin."

"You know, merely because you met one or two bad Templars, does not mean all of them are as such."

"You would not say that if you knew them."

"You know, people think all pirates are bad, but not all of them are. You cannot judge all the Templars because of something a small group of them did."

"Why are you defending them?" He asked.

"I am not. Why would I? All I am saying is you should think twice before assuming all Templars or Pirates are bad people. I mean, if I did not know you and only saw your face in the «Wanted» posters, I would immediately assume you are a bad person. And yet, you're not."

He looked at me in a way his eyes admitted I had a point. The matter was dropped, however. For the rest of the day, I and Connor did not mentioned Assassins or Templars again. I was very surprised he had told me all of that, barely knowing me. Is that what the Assassins do? Complain to random people of us and recruit more on the streets? And he clearly was surprised I recognized him as a wanted criminal and had not said anything about it yet. It was a perfect way to let the matter drop. I realised I had probably stepped out of line just so I defended my own. It shouldn't happen again. I could not by any means compromise this.

4rd of May 1775

I had decided to wear a dress. Connor mentioned there were no more tasks to be filled and this would be the last day spent in the city of Boston – we would leave the next day first thing in the morning. My dress was a common grey gown that lowered to my feet, sleeves up to my elbows, a thin white line below the chest area and some beautiful also white lacework in the sleeves and neck line. Connor had bought the dress for me the previous day, although I insisted him not to. I suppose he felt guilty of my clothes being lost on that inn. Once more, I was not able to wear feminine shoes, so some long boots (hidden under the dress) had to be my choice. And of course, since I could not carry my sword, I had two knifes hidden one in each boot.

I tied my hair in a braid that fell down the left side of my chest and informed Connor I would go for a walk as the sun set. He seemed surprised to see me wearing that sort of clothes again, as I did in the Homestead, but made no comments. After taking a long walk throughout the city by my own – I always liked to remain active – I headed for Elizabeth's house and after greeting half of her brothers and sisters, her and I were at last free to spend some time by ourselves. She was also wearing a dress, but hers was light blue and she wore some much prettier shoes.

We walked in the city, the oil lamps igniting the little action that occurred: the children being yelled at to get home and clean themselves, the playtimes ending, the adults preparing themselves for another fun night.

"You are leaving too soon. Again." Elizabeth complained. "We barely had time to discuss the news."

"Do not concern yourself, Liza." I said. "I will return when I have the chance."

"You never stay for too long…"

"You should pay me a visit sometime… I will pay for your stay at an inn if your father does not wish to."

"No, Eve. You know I am not allowed to do that… At least for now."

"Well if you ever get the chance… You know I write when I go away, so you know when I am able to receive you."

"Thank you. I shall try. But we have other things to discuss!" She said, holding one of my arms with hers, as she did when excited – which meant a lot of times.

"Such as…?"

"That man you are traveling with! Nathan's son!"

"Haytham. Listen, it is complicated. Connor must not know I am acquainted with his father."

"Why not? Does Na… Haytham know you are familiar with his son?"

"Yes. He was the one asking me to meet him."

"Hold on…" Liza stopped walking and let go of my arm. "Your Master or whatever you call him asked you to spy on his son? Without him knowing?"

"I suppose you may put it as such."

"That is strange… What are you supposed to do with him?"

"My mission is merely to study him, to get to know him. He is an enemy to Haytham and his friends. I suppose Haytham wishes me to tell him details about Connor so he may keep him out of his way."

"That is terrible!" Liza shouted.

"How so?"

"What if Connor finds out your friendship is nothing but a lie to defeat him? You are basically leading Connor into a trap as you smile and call him «mate»."

"Well if you put it like that…"

"That is horrible, Eve!" Liza seemed mad and disappointed at the same time. "How can you do that? I know Haytham kills people!"

"What, do you believe Connor to be an angel?" I shouted. "Why do you think he carries so many weapons around? Why do you suppose he is a danger that requires all this study?"

"Perhaps he isn't a saint, but he did nothing to you! You are destroying the life of a person you know nothing of!"

"Liza, you are putting it all wrong!" I calmed. "I am supposed to know him, not kill him. Haytham merely wants to know something about his long lost son."

"You said they were enemies! And I heard around what Haytham does to his «enemies»."

There was no answer from my side. I just remained with my own opinion on the matter. Perhaps he was an Assassin, but did Haytham truly intend to kill him? Who knows, maybe they would unite and have some father/son moments… I fooled myself with such thoughts since I wanted to convince myself that what I was doing wasn't entirely wrong. But usually Haytham simply got rid of whatever stood in his path. And this man was being studied before such actions… Because he could be his son. There had to be a soft side there, right?

"That is the same as killing me at this very moment and say «I was spying on you all along. I never cared for you.»" Elizabeth said, making a quick chill run up my spine.

"Liza, do not turn this to you and I! You know I could never hurt you! We are friends." I explained.

"Perhaps that is what Connor thinks as well…" She crossed her arms.

"I have known you for quite some time now. Connor is a stranger."

"Does that make it right?"

I thought about it for one small second.

"Where is all this sudden morality coming from?" I said.

"What is that supposed to mean?!" She thundered.

"It means you never complained about my work before. Not when it helped getting you out of every crap pile I always seem to find you in."

"Go to hell, Eve. Sorry we can't all have trips on a pirate ship and know how to take a man's life and need to find excitement in small conversations and friendships. At least I have an actual reputation to maintain."

"Wow…" I scoffed. "You keep up the way you're going and it'll be a whore's reputation."

"Better a whore than a pirate." She said and my anger returned. "When you sail in a ship full of men as you do, you are both either way."

My heart began racing suddenly as it had been doing too many times recently. I got that will to pull out my sword, to beat up whoever stood in my path. I could be many things, but I was no whore! My hand began shaking against my will and I clenched my fist, trying to fight the rush I was suddenly in.

"Have a safe trip, Eve. It is time I head home…" Liza said, turning around.

I'd never gotten in a fight like that with Liza. Sure, I did not agree with the way she acted around men and rumours had it she talked about every girl she knew behind their backs. Yet I also knew she did not agree with my way of life. I knew she thought I was a rebel for being a pirate and men being so comfortable around me. She knew a girl who'd done and seen what I had, would never have a decent place in society. But that was the reason she chose to be my friend, she loved my stories and all the people I could introduce her to. And she loved my protection of course. But as far as friendship goes I did not have complains on her. I tried to breathe slowly.

"Liza, please…" I sighted deeply. "I told you I wanted my work to be apart from our friendship!"

"That is not just work anymore!" She said, turning back in my direction. "What kind of person are you becoming?"

I frowned and she went off in her way. I let her.

Was she right? I was doing a mission without questioning it. I had taken lives before and this was nothing as such! I took lives of people I knew were bad, people who seem good on the outside and do terrible things to others when no one is watching. Connor did not seem like a bad person at all and yet, he also killed and he turned into a devil whenever that blade came out of his wrist.

But did that make it right?

I was also wearing a dress and a corset and walking through a city smiling at the people. I seemed nice to others. But if they knew what I had done… what I was doing… Would they still think of me as «a good person»? Is it right to kill someone because that person is a killer?

.

When I got to the ship, in the evening, a sailor immediately headed for me. I recognized him as the man who'd called me a «wench».

"I assume you're Evelyn Carter…?" He said, more as a statement than as a question.

"Aye. What do you want?" I asked and he frowned.

"A letter arrived for an «Evelyn travelling in the Aquila». It's from the Homestead." He explained.

"Oh… It is I, give it here." I said.

The man held the letter higher and since I wasn't as tall as him, I could not reach it. He smirked.

"Apologize…" He teased.

He was actually teasing me, as a play, with no one else watching. I didn't think much of it and smirked back at him. His smirk turned into an amused smile and so did mine. I didn't know what was happening but it sort of felt nice. All the men I offered my presence to saw me as another of them and never the girly side of me. This man had disrespected me earlier on and now he seemed… Impressed by me, I suppose. Then he looked behind my back and sighted, his smile disappearing. I turned around and saw Connor standing there, behind me. After a quick look at him, the man gave me the letter with a defeated look.

"Thank you…" I murmured with a smile.

To be honest, I would prefer that Connor hadn't been there that moment, just so I could see what the man would do to perhaps start a fight with me. I greeted Connor and told him I would go to my cabin to read the letter. For some reason, I did not want to stand by him at all that moment. I went into my cabin and closed the door behind me. I lied on the bed with my stomach up and began to read the letter.

Davenport Homestead, 2nd of April 1775

Dear Evelyn,

I was so happy to read your letter! What a shame it only arrived two days after you wrote it! That is the problem with letters, I do not know when mine is to arrive! I hope you are having a good journey and having fun with Master Connor. I sincerely hope the two of you are good in terms of health and spirit.

According to your information, you should arrive on the 6th or 7th of this month, I am so anxious for your arrival! I and mother miss you deeply. She is making you some dresses for you as I write this. I hope you do not mind that I took one of the ones you left here so she could take measures. Life has been so boring since you are away! How I miss you…

Please let me know if there are any delays on your arrival for some reason! Do not forget to send Master Connor my regards and let him know that we all miss him as well. Please return…

Your friend,

Maria

I felt like crying. Why did I feel like crying?

Was it because of the countless times Maria called me «friend» and stated that she missed me? Was it because she was such a good friend and innocent person who I did not deserve? Was it because it was all a lie? Was it because Liza's words were floating in my mind? Was it because I was not allowed to miss Maria as she missed me?

Or perhaps all at once?

Of course in my face no one would ever see my internal sadness. Luckily for me, I did not have a difficult time disguising my state of spirit – except laughter, I could never fake laughter. Whenever I felt like crying or was mad, my face never let it show. No, it was not taught by the Templars or the pirates. It was just me, over the years.

A knock on the door made my thoughts disappear.

"Yes?" I called.

Connor came in with his Assassin clothes on. I wanted to tell him to leave for I did not have the patience at the moment but I merely smiled and got up, fixing the dress with my hands.

"Hello Connor." I greeted.

"Good afternoon, Evelyn." He said.

"Eve."

"All of the men are going out to have a drink tonight."

"I see." I said, not knowing what he wanted me to.

"Would you like to accompany me for one last view of the city?"

He had his hands in front of his body and was now twirling his fingers in each other. I had seen him do that before. I wondered in which occasions he did it. I smiled. Honestly, I was not in the mood to do as he'd asked, but I had nothing else to occupy my time with. I was surprised with that question coming from Mr. No-Smile-For-You.

"Yes, of course." I said.