Chapter 2:4

1769, October 5th

The Davenport Homestead was a lot larger than I had originally thought. I could see the mansion's silhouette on a high hill, standing majestically towards the sea. It had taken my aunt at least five months before she let me out of her sight and I had been forced to earn every penny for the trip myself.

The forest at this area was especially famous for its nice surroundings and the rich wildlife. I had paid some hunters to let me join the party and escort me to the place, and thus far the journey had been without any hindrance. They were a pack of loud men but held their word to the very end.

"Here is it, the Davenport Homestead."

I jumped down from the wagon and brushed my pants.

"Thank you very much for taking me here," I said and took my bag. "So, shall we rendezvous in an hour or so?"

The leader of the group threw his head backwards and laughed maliciously. I stiffened and got ready for my dagger in the backpack.

"I only promised you that you'd get here," he answered and shrugged. "If you don't want to either wait here for a week or pay, you'll have to walk home!"

His eyes glimmered wickedly and I took a step backwards, towards the house.

"No, sir, but I have no money." I swallowed and reached into my bag, my fingers slithering around the handle of my weapon. "Please, you must take me back to Boston as well. I can't stay here."

The man shook his head and scoffed.

"Do you think everything comes for free in this world?" He eyed me once then sat up on his horse. The rest of his crew barked out in laughter. "Nope. Pay or stay."

I opened my mouth to say something highly inappropriate – which I'm not going to repeat – but stopped myself. These men are pigs. There's no point in wasting your breath on them; they still won't listen.

"I'd rather stay," I replied and turned my back against them. They urged their horses into gallop and the sound of their loud voices disappeared in the thick forest. I tried to think brightly about my situation but it was hard. The evening was near and I could already see the sun setting.

As I walked up towards the house my eyes caught upon a stable and a carriage. It made me feel at ease as I decided that I would ask Achilles if he could give me a ride to Boston as thanks for me saving his life. I had been worried if he was at home presently but the lights in the house were lit and emanated a soft glow. My feet hurriedly ventured up the small steps to the door and I knocked on it.

"Hello? Is anybody at home?"

I got no answer and pounded the door again.

"Anyone? Mr. Achilles?"

A chilly wind brushed my hair into my face, blinding me for a moment and I almost had a heart attack when somebody replied:

"He's not in at the moment. What's your business?"

I grimaced and tried to tame my hair.

"I would like to speak to him, it that isn't too much to ask for," I said and finally got my hair under control.

The boy in front of me couldn't be much older – perhaps five at maximum – but his face was serious and almost stern. His eyes were brown and watched me cautiously. I immediately recognized him as a Native American, with his dark skin and raven-colored hair. He also wore strange clothes made of animal skin. The boy's face reminded me slightly of someone else… but I couldn't put my finger on it. All I knew was that it felt like I had seen him somewhere before.

I didn't know what to think. Alex had told me that Achilles had no family but yet here I saw a boy. Though, when I scrutinized him closer, I realized that he and Achilles were not bonded by blood. But still, what did he do there?

"Would you like to wait inside for him? He's supposed to come back today. I'm sure he's here any minute now."

The boy's English was perfect and I couldn't notice the slightest of an accent but I knew that my guess was right; he was a Native and not Achilles's son.

"Sure, why not?"

I took off my backpack and reached for my dagger once again. If he would try something, I would not hesitate to kill him.

He gestured for me to enter and I walked into the house. It was a grand construction, no doubt about it, but I could see how badly in shape it was. Most of the furniture was covered with white blankets and there was dust everywhere.

"You want something to eat? Water? Anything?"

The boy examined me and I clutched my weapon harder.

"What is your name?" I asked and crossed my arms. Who are you?

"I'm Ratonhnhaké:ton," he answered and carefully sat down on a chair, almost like he was afraid that it would break.

"Raght-také-non?"

He was just about to reply when we were disrupted. The door suddenly opened and a gust of rain came through, together with the man I had saved three years earlier.

"You, close the door!"

He threw his soaked hat on a coat-hanger, together with his long jacket and black gloves. I could hear a soft thudding and tried to search for the source. Then I saw his cane and understood that the very unlucky night long time ago, had made him a cripple.

"And who's this? Your friend?"

I cleared my throat.

"I'm someone who saved your life," I answered. "Someone you now are in debt to."

Achilles squinted with his eyes like he was focusing on my face and then they widened almost ridiculously.

"You… you're that girl who got shot!" he exclaimed and his voice was angry. "Why did you even do that? You ruined everything!"

I couldn't believe what I was listening to. Of anything he could've told me, he chose to say the most infuriating. I wanted to scream at him but restrained myself. Discipline, I remembered Haytham Kenway say, discipline and control.

"I saved your life," I said with gritted teeth. "And this is your thank? Oh my, I only took a bullet for you."

The man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It was all in control. You didn't have to do anything." He sighed again. "But of course, you did nothing know."

Suddenly it was the Indian boy who spoke.

"What is she talking about, Achilles? You almost got her killed?"

Achilles shook his head and tapped his way into what I guessed was the dining room. He sat down on a chair, as carefully as the boy had done earlier and I understood that it was intentional. This whole place was about to fall apart.

"Never mind, it's a fully different story. And in the past," he quickly added and rested his cane against the table. "Now, I wonder; what are you doing in my home?"

"He invited me" I said at the exact same moment as the boy said "I invited her". We looked at each other in surprise and an awkward silence filled the room.

"Well, what have I told you about strangers and not to invite them?"

"Nothing."

I bit my lower lip in an attempt to not laugh but I couldn't hide the smile. The boy smiled back at me but didn't say anything more.

Achilles sighed once again and closed his eyes.

"What do you want?" He asked me and frowned.

"I want the names of the men who almost killed you and me," I replied with lightning speed. "That and a ride back to Boston. You owe me that at least."

The tired old man in front of me shrugged.

"Is that all? Will you get out of here then?"

I nodded then realized that he didn't see me so I answered with a simple "yes".

"Good. Boy, take her to Boston as soon as it's morning."

"I won't stay the night here," I said angrily. "I need to get home now. And give me the names!"

A thunder shook the house with its mighty roar and I almost dropped my bag in fright. Another lightning bolt colored the sky and the thunder was deafening.

"You won't get anywhere in this weather, no matter how strong your horse is. Stay the night, it'll be alright. Boy, give her a bed that can still stand." Achilles rose then limped his way upstairs. "I won't tell you the names of those men. Revenge is never the key for solution."

And with that, the conversation was over.