Hello people!
Sorry that I was gone forever. School started, and I had an ass load of homework. So here is the new chapter-I was so freaking excited to write this-you have noe fucking idea. This idea was planned when I finished the eighth chapter. I hope you enjoy it and please fave, review and all that other good-ass studd.
Thanks loves!
Chapter Nine: The Return
*5 Months Later*
"He's back Master Haytham!" the courier whispered to Haytham through the door. "He's back."
Haytham froze momentarily. Charles Lee is back? He said to himself, his heart skipping a beat in fright. Leaning close to the door, he whispered to the courier a short, "Thank you," and with a curt nod, Haytham shut the door in the couriers face.
He leaned against the door heavily and his stomach churned. "Ziio!" he called up the great wooden stairs, his voice breaking ever-so slightly. "Ziio, I have some news." A call was heard back, and Ziio walked down the stairs, an ecstatic Connor in her arms. Connor was currently chewing on her long black braid, drool running down his chin.
Ziio smiled slightly in greeting. "Yes Haytham?" she asked, pulling her now soaking hair away from Connor. "What is it?" Connor giggled loudly at the sound of his mother's voice, and snuggled it her chest.
Haytham face was impassive, but inside he was bursting. "I would prefer to talk to you in private," He eyed Connor. "Without Connor." The baby squealed in Ziio's arms and Ziio reluctantly set him down with a leather toy. "Stay here Ratonhnhaké:ton," she said to Connor. Connor obviously ignored her; his main interests were in the leather contraption set before him.
The former Templar lay a single hand on Ziio's back, leading her into the living room. Guiding her towards the couch, Haytham sat down beside her, his face stern.
He cleared his throat. "Well," he looked down at his hands. Haytham was never more nervous in his whole life. He had infiltrated military camps, killed thousands, but he was more nervous now-than ever before. "I-um-well-I," He sighed and proceeded to try again, but Ziio interrupted him with a raised eyebrow.
"Haytham-you're nervous. This is unlike you." She cocked her head to one side. "What is the matter?"
Rats- I was hoping to hold it off for-
"Haytham!" Ziio snapped, interrupting Haytham's thoughts. "What is it?" She leaned closer, demanding to know. "What is it?"
Haytham sighed. "Charles Lee is back." Ziio's demanding expression faded and was replaced with a smug look. "I knew it." She smirked, but then frowned. "Why are you so nervous?" she asked. "Charles Lee is only a small threat."
It irked Haytham to see Ziio so care-free. "He is a big threat! I have a family now," The engagement ring he bought five months ago hung heavy in his pocket. "And he knows that! He will ruin my whole life; destroy my family!" Haytham stood up and paced the room rapidly. "How can you be so care free?!" He asked Ziio, enraged. "How can you?!"
Ziio was obviously taken aback, but soon regained her composure. "It's because I know that you and I can beat him any day." She stood up and stroked his cheek. "You have no need to worry."
The stone in Haytham's stomach shrunk, but not entirely. He nodded. "Okay." Haytham said. Ziio smiled and backed away, but Haytham quickly grabbed her wrist. "But be careful!" He said, his expression wary. "The streets of Boston are now watched by Charles Lee. And he knows who you are. So be careful."
The black eyebrows of Ziio furrowed. "Haytham-" Haytham ignored her plea and tugged at Ziio's wrist, gazing into her eyes, his expression serious. "Just be careful. Promise me that."
Ziio sighed but nodded. "Alright…but Charles is no threat."
. . . .
It was now late in the evening, and Haytham had prepared to go out for dinner. Ziio was not amused at Haytham's sudden change of heart.
"Haytham;" She said as she slipped on a dress Haytham had bought her. "Five minutes ago you said to not go wandering the streets, and now we are breaking that rule by going out to dinner at night."
Haytham smiled. "Ah yes, but this is a special occasion." He adjusted his own outfit and checked himself out in the large mirror. "It's the anniversary of the day we first met."
Ziio smiled, but it quickly dropped. "We met on a slave cart." She eyed him. "I was your prisoner." Haytham held up a gloved finger, smiling. "That's incorrect, Ziio. You were not my prisoner- you were Silas'. I was helping you escape." A sudden idea came to his head, and Haytham perked up. "You can also count this as the day I saved you from your prison bonds."
The native scowled at Haytham. "I saved myself, thank you very much." Ziio folded her arms. "I also saved my people."
Haytham frowned. "Ah, no, I did save you, if I remember correctly. I released you of your bonds too." Ziio was silent, and Haytham was pleased with himself.
A loud knock sounded, interrupting the tense silence between the two. "Well, that must be the nanny." Haytham galloped down the stairs and opened the door to find a short young lady standing there. She had blonde hair that was braiding into two long braids, and her body was encased in a cloak. She held a basket filled with children's books and toys.
The nanny smiled. "Hello Master Haytham," she greeted politely, bowing. "I'm here to take care of Connor while you are out to dinner." Haytham nodded and moved aside to let her in. "Thank you-we shall be back by 10. Connor is currently napping. He will most-likely sleep through the night, so you shouldn't worry about him that much."
Ziio moved down the stairs and stopped where the nanny stood, eyeing her suspiciously. "Ratonhnhaké:ton is sleeping. You don't need all those books." She said bluntly. The nanny was taken aback by Ziio's straightforwardness, but she quickly shook it off. "Okay, well, you two be off. Connor and I will be fine here."
Ziio frowned. "I said Connor is napping-" Haytham rolled his eyes and drug Ziio out the door. "Ziio-let's go." And whispering a quiet 'sorry' to the nanny, Haytham went off with Ziio to dinner.
. . . .
The carriage arrived at the King's Royale restaurant and Haytham helped Ziio exit. She adjusted her unfamiliar dress and hair, before taking Haytham's arm and moving down towards the restaurant. "So what do you think?" Haytham asked Ziio, pleased with himself.
She shrugged and Haytham deflated. "It's nice." Haytham nodded half-heartedly. "Alright I-" Something familiar caught Haytham's eye and he turned. No, Haytham said. It can't be.
Ziio had gripped Haytham's arm. "Haytham, what is it?" Haytham did not hear her; he was scanning the scene for the familiar, his short sword raised. Realizing that it was gone, Haytham relaxed-although only slightly. "It's nothing Ziio. Let's go."
Several people had jumped at Haytham. "Good lord," One said, eyeing him warily. "What has gotten into him? Another moved quickly out of the way when Haytham came strolled past. "God's what a freak."
Haytham ignored their accusations and came to the front of the restaurant, greeting the reservation man good evening. "Good evening sir." The man replied. He had a thin mustache, coupled with greasy hair, and was looking down his equally greasy nose at Haytham. "Reservation?" He raised his quill inquiringly.
Ignoring the man's snob attitude, Haytham continued. "Yes-Kenway." The man looked down at the reservations book and curled his lips slightly before looking up at Haytham with a forced smile. "Yes, yes-right this way."
He guided them down towards a secluded table, away from everyone else. He bowed low, and bared his teeth in a smile. "Enjoy."
Haytham sat Ziio down and proceeded to move towards his own seat, but quickly removed the engagement ring from his pocket. "Ziio-before we start-" He whipped the ring out from behind him. "I have a question to ask you."
Ziio wasn't normally an emotional person, but tears sprung to her eyes. "Haytham I don't know what to say I-" The former Templar shushed her and continued. "Ziio I have loved you ever since I laid eyes on you."
The native frowned. "Now don't get mushy." She said sternly, but she was smiling.
The remark was ignored because Haytham again spotted something out of the corner of his eye. "No," he muttered. "It can't be." He stood up. "It can't be." Ziio looked to where Haytham was muttering. "What is it?" she asked. "What, Haytham?"
Haytham shook himself out of his daze. "It's nothing. Let's continue." He held out the ring. "Will you marry me?" he asked.
Ziio smiled. "Haytham! Of cour-" Her reply was cut off, because I sword was stabbed through her gut and retracted. She looked down and placed her hand over the bloody hole. "Haytham…" she fell forward and landed on the table, dead.
A solemn Hickey revealed himself from the shadows, as Haytham scrabbled for napkins to block the blood. "Sorry, 'Aytham. I had to do it-just had to." Before Haytham could react, Hickey turned and ran up the banister of the restaurant, being careful not to be seen by the waiters.
A waiter was rushing towards Haytham. "Hello sir may I take your-" His smiling face dropped. "Oh my goodness-is she alright?"
Clearly this waiter wasn't the sharpest, and Haytham looked up shakily. "No," he croaked. "She's dead." Haytham threw the ring at the waiter. "She's dead, goddamit!"
And for the first time in forever, Haytham cried. He cried loud, body-shaking sobs, and everyone just stared at him. The waiter laid a hand on Haytham's back, but the man didn't protest. He just cried.
Another waiter picked up the ring, and eyed Ziio, Haytham and the lone sword.
"Gods," he said, setting the ring on the table. "Poor soul."
There you go. Poor soul indeed. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it-even though it was so fucking sad-well, to me. I love you guys so much, and thanks Squidsyd for posting a review. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again loves! xx
