Sometimes Connor could be such a stubborn bastard. He wanted to take action, no matter what Achilles thought. I understood where he was coming from, I do, but sometimes jumping into a fight is a good way to get killed. I should know, I've seen it happen to quite a few people.
I've been with Connor and Achilles for over two years now, and at this point, we were genuine family, so I knew I had to keep Connor from doing anything stupid. As he stormed out of the manor, wanting to take action against the Templars right now, I stood beside Achilles, ready to go with Connor but, trying to persuade him to stay.
"Don't do this, Connor!" Achilles called, trying to get him to calm down, think about what he was doing.
"Then what would you propose we do? Sit and watch as Templars take control? We are sworn to stop them. Or have you forgotten?"
Ouch. A low blow to the mentor of the Colonial brotherhood. I shook my head at Connor as he turned and walked away, packing his things.
"Assassins are meant to be quiet. Precise. We do not go announcing conspiracies from the rooftops to all who pass by."
"Who are you to lecture anyone? You locked yourself away in this crumbling heap and gave up on the brotherhood entirely. Since the day I arrived, you've done nothing but discourage me. And on the rare occasion you've chosen to help, you've done so little, you may as well have done nothing at all."
"Connor, okay calm down-" I tried, but Achilles cut me off, angry with Connor.
"How dare you!"
"Then tell me: On whose watch did the brotherhood falter? Whose inaction allowed the Templar order to grow so large that is now controls an entire nation!"
"If I sought to dissuade you, it was because you knew nothing! If I was reluctant to contribute, it was because you were naive. A thousand times you would have died and taken God knows how many with you. Let me tell you something, Connor: Life is not a fairytale and there are no happy endings."
Connor continued to pack his things, even taking my own and packing them before adjusting the saddle and reins of our horses.
"No. Not when men like you are left in charge."
I sighed, shaking my head at Connor. I loved him, but he knew so little how life really worked. It never ended pleasantly or peacefully. It was suffering, blood, and sorrow. No fairytale endings, just like Achilles said. He mounted his horse, ready to go when Achilles grabbed the reins.
"In your haste to save the world, boy- take care you don't destroy it!"
Connor looked at Achilles, face stone cold, before flicking the reins, riding off. Mounting my own horse, I said goodbye to Achilles.
"I'll keep him out of trouble. I promise." I told him. He nodded his head.
"I know you will. Be safe, both of you." Grinning, I rode off after Connor. He was riding far ahead, his horse at a trot. He was looking ahead, not turning to me as I soon approached, riding beside him. Frowning, I reached over and smacked the back of his head.
"Ow!" Connor leaned away from me, staring like I lost my mind. "What was that for?"
"Um, for being a dick?" I scoffed like it was obvious, shaking my head at him.
"I was not being a dick." He argued, incredulously.
"Oh so yelling at an old man who was crippled, lost his friends and family, and everything he has ever worked for, was not dick behavior. I gotcha."
Connor growled, shaking his head at me.
"I am not starting this with you!" He huffed, pulling his hood up so he couldn't see my smug grin.
Seeing George Washington up close, in person, was a strange experience. I remember as a kid, my mom had found a library teeming with history books. She took them back to base and began to teach the kids the history of the world, of America. He looked so different than his painting. It was surreal, despite what I've already experienced here.
Apparently, there was a traitor who had stolen supplies meant for Washington's troops. Benjamin Church, and it just so happened that he was a Templar. Two birds, one stone. We kill him, we kill a Templar and thief, returning the supplies to the troops. He may be held up in an abandoned church near here, so Connor and I rode to find it.
It was a creepy little thing, possibly abandoned as it was being built. No doors, no windows, and I guarantee it was haunted or cursed. I walked in first, moving farther inside than Connor before he decided this was a dead end. And, it really was. Nothing was here. Or, that we saw. I turned around when I heard Connor fall to the ground and I saw Haytham on top of him, hidden blade out.
"Father." Connor hissed.
"Connor. Any last words?"
"Wait."
"A poor choice." Connor pushed Haytham off of him, then using his legs to kick him away. I moved beside Connor, aiming a pistol at Haytham. Something I learned from back home, always have your gun on the enemy.
"Come to check up on Church? Make sure he'd stolen enough for your British brothers?"
"Benjamin Church is no brother of mine. No more than the redcoats or their idiot king. I expected nieveté. But this… the Templars do not fight for the crown. We seek the same as you, boy! Freedom. Justice. Independence."
What? That wasn't what I was seeing. Connor told me about everything. Johnson threatened the natives when they refused to see their land, as was their right. Pitcairn had an actual fucking army destroying people's homes, their livelihood. Hickey, he was going to murder Washington, and he was a prick.
"But…" Connor started.
"Hmmm! But what?"
"Johnson. Pitcairn. Hickey. They sought to steal land. To sack towns. To murder George Washington."
"Johnson sought to own land that we might keep it safe. Pitcairn aimed to encourage diplomacy - which you cocked up thoroughly enough to start a Goddamn war! And Hickey? George Washington is a wretched leader. He's lost nearly every battle he's taken part in. The man's wracked with uncertainty and insecurity. Just look at Valley Forge to know my words are true. We're all better of without him."
"Whoa, wait!" I put my hand up in a shushing manner. "How the fuck does threatening people encourage diplomacy? Those people were scared for their lives because of Pitcairn, and fear always leads to danger. You can't expect an animal not to lash out when they're afraid. Same with people." I explain to him. Fear always leads to danger. I was always afraid. Afraid of infected, hunters, starving, and that made me fight even harder to survive. It's nature.
"We are not animals, dear girl. And you can put the gun down."
"No."
"Fine, suit yourself." Haytham shrugged, then turning to Connor. "Look, as much as I'd love to spar with you, Benjamin Church's mouth is as big as his ego. You clearly want the supplies he's stolen, I want him punished. Our interests are aligned."
"What do you propose?"
"A truce. Perhaps… perhaps some time together might do us some good. You are my children, after all, and might be saved from your ignorance."
"Oh hooray." I rolled my eyes. Haytham simply ignored my display of sarcasm.
"I can kill you now, if you prefer?" He revealed his blade, and I knew it was just for show. Neither Connor or I spoke, making our decision known to him. "Excellent! Shall we be off?" Haytham made for the door, but I called out to him, holstering my gun.
"Hold on a moment. Connor leads. He'll be able to find them much faster than you." I said, nudging Connor in front. I eyed Haytham as we passed by, letting Connor do his thing. If this truce thing was going to work, I was going to have to keep my eye on both Kenway boys.
