"Wake up, Miss Yajaira!" A voice called. Yajaira jolted awake and sat up quickly. A wave of dizziness overtook her and she collapsed back into the pillow. Black dots filled her vision making it impossible for her to focus on the scientist. She said something about returning to the Animus and then turned away. Yajaira tried to find some bit of strength to call her back, but it was no use. She slowly sat up and waited for her mind to clear. The last day was a bit stressful. Two days in the Animus must have done something to her. It has happened before… To other unlucky test subjects. Yajaira flinched as her ears stung. She hissed and held them, rocking back and forth trying to soothe them. She looked at her pillow and gasped.

Spots of blood…

Yajaira quickly flipped her pillow over to the clean side. She immediately felt regret in doing so. She should tell the woman about her ears that were bleeding. There couldn't have been a time where she sustained a head injury. Maybe the woman she was living through, but certainly not her. Surely the Animus should have updated long beyond this. It should not be happening now.

Yajaira covered her ears and heard the ringing in her ears. She got off her bed and headed into the bathroom. She showered and changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. The looser clothing may help in her "training." Yajaira gently cleaned her ears with the towel and set it on the bed to dry. The doors slid open as she approached them and she walked to the Animus Room. The scientist was typing away on her computer as Yajaira strolled up to her. She motioned the woman to get in the Animus as she kept going at her laptop. Yajaira sat back into the Animus. A sharp pain crawled up her arm making her wince. She was soon unconscious.

I met that man again. Well, not really meet him… I mostly snuck around him and followed him through the woods. The man would almost spot me, but I would disappear. He would demand that I come out, but I never did. I was too nervous. I nearly got myself a good thrashing when I ambushed him the other day. Imagine if he were to recognize me as the one who had almost gutted him. That man would probably cut me to ribbons and be done with it.

I would see the man sometimes around here. He would be hunting or climbing the trees. I would watch as he did so and mimic him when he was not around. He was a fascinating man. I've never seen a man walk so tall and proud before. Or rather, I've never truly noticed until now. Perhaps it is my short stature… I must sound like I am idolizing him. I can not help it. I'd idolize a woman if I could.

I want to learn how to fight like him someday.

Creak… Crenepo pulled back on her arrow string. She had spotted a rabbit in the snow. It bounced about, searching for twig or buried grass to feast on. It was completely oblivious to the Taino's presence. Crenepo balanced herself on the log she stood on and breathed steadily. Aim…

The arrow shot through the rabbit's neck. It convulsed as bright red blood trickled out of the wound. Crenepo walked up to her kill. She inspected the rabbit before sheathing her bow and picking up her kill. She removed the arrow from the rabbit's neck.

"It won't last for very long." She murmured to herself. "It will do for now."

Crenepo tied the creature to her leather belt and headed back to her camp. She got a fire going and roasted the meat over a stand of small sticks.

While she was waiting for the meat to cook, Crenepo took to cleaning some of her things. She began to sing a soft tune to herself. She cleaned her clothes and sharpened her knife and arrow points. A few minutes later, the meat was thoroughly cooked. Crenepo picked up the rabbit from the stand and blew on it to cool it down. She buried her teeth into the rabbit meat and tore it. The meat was sweet like she had hoped. The rabbit did not suffer. Crenepo finished her meal and sat in her hammock. She lazily laid in the bed and played with stick she had found alongside the trail.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a orange hue on the snow. Crenepo wrapped an arm around her face and listened to the animals stirring out of their dens and nests. She also heard a couple of people walking alongside the path. They were talking quite loudly to each other and laughing. Crenepo snorted and sat up in her hammock. She smothered the flames and crept towards the trail. She spotted the loud people. Two men and two women… carrying their packs on their backs. They were laughing and speaking of their travels. Intrigued, Crenepo listened to the conversation.

"In Amsterdam, I reme'ber meetin' this beautiful dame."

"Right fool. You got drunk and landed yourself in a pretty cage."

"Nonsense! I reme'ber all 'bout it!"

"Right son. Right."

Something moved in the corner of Crenepo's eyes, but she ignored it. It was probably a squirrel that forgot about the time of day. Crenepo stalked closer to the traveling group. They had stopped by a tree stump and setting down their things.

"We make camp here."

"Good enough."

It was a much be'er place than that hay stack barn you sent us to!"

"You hush up, Geoff!"

Crenepo giggled and sat down behind a tree. She was perfectly still, watching the wanderers set up their camp. She saw how lamely they put up their tents. A few of them rolled out their beds while one headed into the woods to fetch firewood. Crenepo saw another dark figure flicker by in the corner of her eye and she jumped. Then Crenepo spotted the dark figures… bandits. It was not dark enough for her to blend into the dark easy. Crenepo crawled to some shrubs and hid within them. The bandits were whispering to each other, constantly motioning at the group. Crenepo's eyes widen at the glint of metal…

"Muskets…" She whispered. Crenepo had to warn the group. Too late! Those men attacked. They fired their muskets, hitting one of the men in the chest, killing him instantly. While the woman keeled over her fallen friend, the man returned with the fire wood, unexpectedly landing himself into a trap. Crenepo grabbed her tomahawk and let out a battle cry. Just as the bandits were about to fire their muskets again, Crenepo buried her ax in one of the bandit's arm. He yelled in pain and Crenepo ended his suffering by slitting his throat. The man gargled up some blood before collapsing to the ground, dead. The last three bandits pointed their muskets at Crenepo. She dived behind a tree trunk as they fired. The bullets scraped the bark, sending splinters into Crenepo's face and eyes. She hissed and covered the left side of her face with her hand. She tried hard not to rub out the dust. Now she was blind in one eye!

"Come out, savage!" The bandit yelled. "You can't 'ide from us!"

Why do they keep calling me savage? Crenepo growled and got up, her left eye still closed and watering. Crenepo ran out to the right of the tree and charged at the bandits. She hooked her tomahawk on the bayonet of the musket. She pulled it towards her, pushing herself to the bandit. She kicked the man in the stomach and elbowed him in the neck. Crenepo heard a soft snap and the bandit collapsed to the ground. He was not dead, but more sleeping.

The last two bandits aimed their guns at Crenepo. She leapt behind another tree. She would have jumped out again while they were reloading, but her arm gave away. Crenepo hissed in pain and looked at her arm. Blood, lots of it… Was she shot? Crenepo checked the injury, only to find that it was deep graze. The Taino clicked her tongue and crouched behind the tree. She peeked out a little and saw the campers cowering in fear. Their eyes were glazed over and teary. Crenepo had to take out the last two bandits. She took a deep breath and charged.

A white and blue blur flew past her. Crenepo took down bandit with her knife and aimed to get the last one. He was dead. Crenepo looked around and spotted the man standing by the travelers. They whimpered something to him and ran off. The Taino huffed and leaned against a tree, holding her arm. The man turned towards her. Crenepo felt her heart skip. It was the same man from before! Would her recognize her? Would he kill her? Crenepo readied her weapon, though the effort was futile. A searing pain prickled her arm causing the Taino to wince. The man ambled towards Crenepo. He stopped a moment before remembering who she was. Crenepo glared at him, panting heavily.

"Are you alright?" The man asked. Crenepo did not answer. She kept her gaze on him as he circled around her as if checking for something or sizing her up. Crenepo sneered at the man as he approached her. She really got a sense of how small she was compared to the man. She only came up to his shoulders and had to look up to meet his eyes.

"I asked if you are alright?" The man asked once again. There was a tinge of frustration in his voice, but he remained calm. Crenepo looked down at her bleeding arm with her good eye.

"No. I have a bullet wound and splinters in my eyes." The Taino replied. The man looked down at Crenepo's arm and back at her face.

"I'll be fine." Crenepo whispered. Right… She turned and headed back to her camp, still gripping her injured limb.

"Wait…" The man called. Crenepo turned to him. He had his hand outstretched towards her. He walked closer to Crenepo, though she backed away within a few steps.

"What?" Crenepo uttered.

"That wound does not look too good." The man replied. "It is best if checked out by a doctor."

"I've been through worse." Crenepo headed to her camp, limping heavily. Her leg wound, despite being healed, began to act up. The man followed Crenepo.

"You may have been through worse," The man began. "But it is best if that would is checked. There is a village not to far from here that will have what you need."

Crenepo tied a cloth around the wound of her arm. She had considered being alone for a good long time. No one to bother her over the littlest things. No one to manipulate her into doing things that she did not want to do… No one to physically abuse her because of a small mishap. However, being alone has had its disadvantages. Crenepo suffered through a bear attack alone and had to recover from the injuries. She had to deal with losing her food to rabid raccoons or even vultures. She has had a chance to fight

"Where is this place you speak of?" Crenepo asked. She faced the man in front of her.

"North of here." The man replied.

Crenepo rubbed her nose and nodded her head.

"I'll head there soon."

A few days later, Crenepo had settled into her new home. It was a small shack, large enough to fit a few people by the river. She had a small patch of land for crops or for a garden and a tree next to the shack for her to tie her hammock. The doctor, Lyle White, had stitched the wound on her arm together. Crenepo expected the pain, but she did not expect it to hurt as much. Her arm was sore for a few days. A few of the people had come by to greet her upon the land. Crenepo has never felt this welcomed before in her life. It felt a bit overwhelming. These people were so kind to her and so thoughtful, helpful even. It was strange to Crenepo.

It was a cold afternoon at the "homestead." She has heard people call the patch of land by this name. Crenepo laid in her hammock, twirling a twig. She tosses it yonder and stares at the sky. It would have gone well, hadn't she seen the man who invited her to stay at the Homestead looming over her. Crenepo jolted up and faced the man. Oh right… I haven't gotten his name. The man chuckled softly. He moved to lean against the tree. Crenepo finally got a full view of his face unobstructed by the hood. His face was rugged, but handsome. His dark hair was tied

"Have you settled into your home well?" The man asked.

"Yes. Yes I have. Er… Thank you." Crenepo smiled softly. "I didn't get a chance to thank you back at the bandit fight, um…"

"Ratohnhake;ton."

"Huh?"

"My name is Ratohnhake;ton." The man repeated. He shifted his weight against the tree.

"Ra…doon…" stumbled Crenepo. "Ray-dohn… Rat-ohn…" Ratohnhake;ton chuckled.

"If you wish to call me Connor, then that is also fine."

"No! I want to get your name right." Crenepo swung in her hammock slightly.

"I admire your conviction." Connor said as Crenepo kept swinging on her bed. "However, if we keep going with this, I do not think I will ever know your name."

"It does not matter to me." Crenepo shrugged her shoulders. "I have never been given a name, so that is fine."

Crenepo noticed Connor's surprise. She felt her stomach suddenly drop. She should have just made up a name and been done with it. She probably would have gotten Connor's real name right, had she not blurted out the fact that she had no real name. Crenepo could sense the question coming?

"Really? What did your mother and father call you then?"

"I… I don't wish to speak of that much." Crenepo said as she looked down at her twiddling fingers. "I… I am called 'Crenepo' by the Virginia Algonquins and my mother. It means 'woman' in their language. My mother takes shelter with them. I will leave it at that."

There was a long silence between Connor and Crenepo. The Taino felt his gaze boring onto her. Her palms began to sweat slightly from anxiety. After several moments, Connor broke the silence.

"Of what tribe are you truly from then?" He asked.

"I… what?" Crenepo stared back up at Connor.

"Tribe." Connor repeated. "I am from the Kanien'Kehá:ka. You had a headband that had symbols different from my people. Where are you from?"

"I am not from around here. I was born amongst the Powhatan people, however, my true culture is Taino."

"Taino?"

"Yes. My mother has told me about them as much as she could." Mother… Crenepo stood from her hammock and turned to Connor. She explained to him about the Taino people who occupied an island known as Quisqueya. "Long conquered by the Spanish, it is known as Hispaniola."

Crenepo frowned slightly and turned away from Connor. She took a few steps forward, playing with her totem. The cold wind picked up slightly. The woman gazed at the river, watching the current flow slowly though the snow.

"The Spanish came and destroyed the kind people. According to my mother, there was barely anything left of the culture. You either were sold into slavery, assimilated into the Spanish way or killed. There is nothing left of us."

Crenepo snarled. It was bad enough that she was revealing somethings about herself to a man she barely knew. Why am I too trusting? The Taino woman twirled the string of her necklace on her finger. She decided to change the subject.

"Say… I'm sorry for ambushing you in the forest." Crenepo turned to face Connor. He was still looking at her, but now with a small smirk on his face. "I thought you were one of those soldiers. They have abused me in the past so… I did not want to take a chance with you. Only, you were a better fighter."

Connor nodded to accept her apology. He straightened himself off the tree and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Crenepo called. Connor paused mid-step and faced her. Crenepo fiddled with her fingers and glanced away. She took a deep breath before looking back at Connor. "Teach me how to fight like you."

"Why?" Connor asked. He gaze bore onto Crenepo.

"Well, I would much rather learn how to fend for myself better." The Taino clicked her tongue and puffed up her chest. "I won't get in the way. I just want to learn how to fight like you."

"I do not teach outsiders how to fight." Connor stated. "If your reason to fight is strong enough, then I may teach you a few things, but I would rather you join the cause."

"What cause?" Crenepo sneered. She noticed Connor hesitate a little.

"The Assassins." He replied softly as if he did not want anyone else to hear.

"The Assassins?!" Crenepo clicked inside of her. They were real?! The Assassins were real! She was standing in front of one of them right now. Excitement built up inside of her stomach, but Crenepo restrained herself.

"You know of the Assassins?"

"Yes! From people who were of less than desirable source." Crenepo almost whispered the last part to herself. "I have been searching for them because I needed help with… A small problem. But please, if you will have me. I promise I will not be a burden to you or the Assassins!"

Connor observed Crenepo for a moment. A small smile spread to his lips before he turned and walked up the path.

"Wait! May I join you?" Crenepo called after him.

"I will ask the old man if you can train with me." Connor answered. "If you wish to follow me, do so. Better if he sees who you are."

I am an Assassin. Finally. If my mother were to see me… I wonder what she would say. What would she think? I can not bear to think about it now. I have to train hard alongside Ratohnhake;ton. I hope to get stronger…

I'm coming for you…

Father.