1770, Boston

Determination had clouded her judgement in the last few months to the point where she had stopped caring about the consequences. Mrs Leighton's atrocities on the slaves, the Redcoats constant abuse had shaken her stance to remain disengaged and she had begun a secret underground system of transporting them out to New Orleans.

Her friend, Samuel Adams had responded to her letter when she had heard that he was secretly opposed to the treatment of slaves, but could not voice his beliefs in fear of diverting the attention from the main cause he was rooting for. He had sent her spies dressed as Redcoats and would transport the slaves to New York from where another connection would be made to New Orleans. Samuel Adams had reassured her that a woman by the name of Madeleine de L'Isle was a true abolitionist and had an arrangement for them on an excavation site in Chichen Itza. She had known Samuel Adams enough to trust his words and follow true to it.

But now arriving home to be met with her father and his acquaintances, she felt frightened. They were men of great calibre, more so than her father and she worried that her actions would decrease her father's social standing. Even if she did not regret her actions, she did not want to drag down a man who had raised her with nothing, but love and affection. Her mother's passing had taken a toll on him, but he had never mistreated her even when she was the direct cause of her mother's demise. Still - she prayed that no husband should have to lose his wife in childbirth, nor a child should grow up with no mother.

"Daisy!" Her father greeted her, his tone harsh and blue eyes tinted with concern. "Do you not know better than to gallivant around the town alone without an escort?"

Behind her, a man with a scornful, yet lustful expression snickered. Thomas Hickey - the man she absolutely despised eyed her messy hair disarrayed from running in the wind with a raise of an eyebrow. "Well, give the lass a break, ol' Charlie. She 'as come of age - it's only natural she 'as a lover boy."

Daisy glared. "Father, no. I wanted to visit the library."

"What for? Yer a lass - you don't need no books scrambling yer brain." Hickey interjected, earning himself a hateful look from the thirteen year old.

"Simple minded as always, Hickey. Miss Lee can engage in the fine arts if she wishes or she can choose to marry. I doubt your opinion will hold little value here since you are so . . . unenlightened in such matters." Haytham Kenway - a man she greatly respected saved her from spewing some stern words of her own. He had visited her after she had returned to England and longed for her father. He had taken a temporary role as a father figure. She had learned much from him about the world, but she especially loved the story he had told her of a native woman - Ziio. The woman who had stolen his heart, bewitched him with her beauty and simplicity and despite many years of their separation - he still loved her. Daisy had felt a connection with this man - he was fascinated with the natives and had someone dear to him from that community. And just like her, circumstances had ripped his loved one away from him. Yet he never forgot her, just the way she had never forgotten Raton.

She wanted to be like Haytham Kenway - strong and noble with a heart full of love for the weakest.

"Thank you, Uncle Haytham." Daisy curtsied, her hem at the ankle dirty with the Boston mud, but she knew the man cared little for physical appearances anyway. "Father, I went out to fetch a book from the library. But the library was shut - there seems to be some sort of unrest. A rally, perhaps?"

At least she was telling the truth here, Daisy thought with a guilty heart. While she and Philippe were supposed to meet Samuel Adam's spy in the graveyard behind the library, they had found the place locked down. In fact, many places were shutting early as people prepared to riot against the British. They had been forced to seek another place and she prayed that no one had spotted them.

The three men shared a knowing look before they began to proceed to take their leave. Lee touched her shoulder fondly. "Stay inside, little one. We'll have a look and sort it out, okay? I'll be back soon."

She nodded, curtsying a final time before he disappeared with the other two men into the darkness of the night. She only prayed that Philippe had made it.


1770, Boston

The turn of events had happened much too quickly for Connor to wrap his head around. For some reason, he had been accused of firing the first shot which had led to the massacre of several townspeople. Seeing innocents fall had made his heart fill with dread especially since he was being blamed for something so horrific. Running through the streets avoiding Redcoats and the town criers who were labelling him a savage murderer made him feel truly alone for the first time in months. And Achilles and the stagecoach were also gone.

Then he had met a peculiar man - Samuel Adams. This man had dishonest solutions to his problems even though he had thought simply telling and explaining his side of the story would clear him of all charges. The man had disagreed strongly and since then he had torn drawings of himself and bribed enough heralds that his townsmen would be ashamed. Kanen'tó:kon had been right - there was so much wrong here, but it was so easy to tempt men with a few gold coins. He shuddered as he returned the still heavy coin pouch back to his new helper.

"Excellently done, Connor. Do you see now - it is easy to bring down your notoriety if you have money. As for a few people who have seen your face, they will forget by tomorrow or in a few days time. Till then, let me escort you to the port so that you can return home."

Connor looked grim. "Your practices are dishonest. We counter one lie with another."

Samuel sighed, nodding respectfully to the man who had made a fake announcement. "You can't be serious? THEY loosed this beast - or have you forgotten?" He stepped towards the ticket counter, removing a few coins and placing them on the counter. "A ticket to the homestead down up north."

"Still - there must be a honest way." Connor mused loudly.

"And when you find one - do let me know."

A glance behind at the hustle bustle reminded him of the previous evening when he had found a glimpse of his past. Even if the people in this town were angry and somewhat corrupted, he was elated that his old friend had not changed. She remained firm in her beliefs that everyone was equal and was actively involved in helping those who were the weakest. He longed to meet her and ask her about the years that had gone, but an unrelenting thought kept plaguing his mind. Did she still remember him?

And just as the ship began pulling away, Connor watched a Redcoat rushing towards Samuel Adams while looking frantic. "Sir! The lady has sent more slaves to be transported. It is a pandemonium, really! You must tell her to space out each delivery, sire, because I cannot be seen with a dozen of black men and women twice a day! It is much too suspicious!"

For the second time, Connor felt eager. He had a feeling that this lady in question was his old friend and acting on this knowledge, he had dived from the ship into the freezing, harsh river. The splash startled the harbormaster and Samuel Adams who was just about to take his leave. "Connor! What on earth are you doing?"

But the native shook excess water from his clothes as he pushed away from Samuel to fix the man with a cold glare. "Who is this lady you speak of?"

The man gnarled his teeth in response, not agreeing to take orders from someone who had questionable origins. "And just why would I tell you, savage? Go back to the forests in which you-!"

"Noah, restrain yourself and be respectful! Do not become one of them." His friend rebuked, patting Connor's shoulder and directing him to face him. "Now Connor, what is the matter?"

Connor looked slightly shook from the abuse that had been hurled his way. The word savage had been thrown around him all this time he was here in Boston, but never had he suspected it was a reference to himself. He was the savage, even though his people had done nothing savagery. They stayed in their land, they ate their own food and did not interfere in the politics of the white man. Yet he was the savage one here.

"I . . . I just. I have a feeling I know this lady you speak of."

Samuel laughed at the impossible notion. "I highly doubt it, friend. Miss Daisy is a very sheltered lady - she would not-!"

"I know her! D . . . Daisy, you say? I do know this name!" The excitement and the truth of his words were prevalent in his deep brown eyes and Adams found himself conflicted. He had promised the young miss in a letter that he would not disclose her identity to anyone and therefore he had not hesitated in voicing her name in front of his native friend. Yet, he was surprised that Connor was aware of this lady and there was a good chance that he knew this girl, for she was the same age as him.

"You wish to meet her, Connor?" Samuel asked, earning a surprised look from his spy. "Only if you promise you will not speak of our affairs to anyone. Well, except Achilles - he is a trusted friend of mine."

"I would never." Connor vowed. That was not even an option for him - he would never endanger the man who had helped him or the innocent slaves who sought freedom from the oppressors. And especially not his friend from the good past - he could not imagine ever causing her pain.

"Then, Noah - will you please inform Miss Daisy to meet me in the graveyard behind the library? With the rioters calm for a few days and the whole ordeal over, I am sure her stewardess will have no problem with allowing her to come alone."

The man passed a suspicious look towards Connor before nodding his head in parting. "Right away, sire."

Samuel smiled, an arm wrapping around the young boy's broad shoulders and allowing it to stay there even when he visibly stiffened. "Well, come now. I'll give you a good tour of Boston and we can enjoy breakfast together. You can also tell me how you know the young lady. I was longing for some company anyway!"

But Connor longed for the evening - wishing it was already here.


Thank you for reading! They finally meet in the next chapter!