The month of July brought relentless heat. Connor and I escaped to the basement for our workouts instead of training in the heat of the day. Our workouts always ended up as competitions and roughhousing, but as long as Achilles thought we were honing our skills he never bothered us. I laid on the cool stone floor after a push-up contest with my counterpart left me panting and laughing all at the same time. The stones felt wonderful against my bared arms and legs, as I had given up on proper attire of the colonies as the heat started to become maddening, and I intended to lay there until I was shivering.
"God, it is so fucking hot," I groaned.
Connor huffed an airy laugh, looking down at me with amusement as he sipped on water from my canteen.
"Throw some my way, would ya?" I said, a hand lazily stretched out. He had a playful look in his eye, and I realized he was up to no good. "No, no, no, don't you dare-!"
It was too late, Connor flicked the canteen towards me, splashing water in my face.
"Connor!" I laughed as he laughed at me. "That is not what I meant."
"You should have been more specific," He raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smirk.
From upstairs came the sound of Achilles moving from his room, probably wondering what the yelling was all about. I jumped to my feet and started to pull on my robes that I had removed before the workout session even started. Achilles would definitely give me a serious scowling if he had seen my wet white cami top and the black spandex shorts I was wearing. Achilles had just reached the basement as I slipped on my boots. He gave both of us curious glances before shaking his head. The moment he opened his mouth to say something, the sound of the upstairs door slamming open caught our attention.
"Ratonhnhake:ton! Rantonhnhake:ton!" Yelled a man's voice.
Connor rushed upstairs, Achilles in tow. I grabbed my canteen from the table, taking a huge swig before proceeding to find out about all the ruckus. I reached the top of the stairs, finding Connor's friend Kanento:kon delivering more bad news.
"How is this possible? We destroyed the tea!" Connor growled, frustrated.
"The Templar's are nothing if not resourceful," Achilles said. "You should have heeded my warning."
Connor then turned to me, "Get your things. We are leaving."
Kanen'to:kon lead the way to the outside perimeter to William Johnson's home, where Johnson himself had called a meeting with several leaders of the local tribes. The two spoke mostly in their native tongue along the way, forgetting completely that I was trailing behind them. We reached a hillside opposite of Johnson's home, where Connor finally turned and acknowledged me.
"Dakota, follow this trail down and take out the guards. I will take another approach. We will meet on that embankment," Connor pointed to a particular spot. He turned and said something to Kanen'to:kon in Mohawk, to which his friend nodded and sat himself down.
I started down the rocky hillside trail as Connor made his own way down through the trees. Coming upon the water's edge, I could see two guards along the docks. I moved against the rocks as one guard began to walk in my direction. As soon as the guard was beside me, I jumped from my hiding spot and placed him in a choke hold until he was rendered unconscious. After pulling his limp body out of view, I started to make my way to the second guard. I could just barely see Connor as he slowly made his way across the water, concealed by tall weeds. I needed to get to the second guard before he too saw Connor. I sprinted forward, try to keep my footsteps quiet with the lessons I had learned from La Volpe in Italy. Just as I came upon the guard, his suspicion was raised, but not quick enough- I had him in a choke hold before he had fully turned to see his attacker. I propped his body against one of the dock's posts and made my way to the embankment Connor had pointed to earlier.
He nodded for me to follow him. We ran up the hillside until coming to the main trail to Johnson's manor. I hid in the thick brush while Connor ran ahead; he would move from his own cover, waiting for an opportunity where both of us could break into a run and avoid the unwanted attention of the guards milling about the area. When Connor moved, I would retake his position, until we came to the last lip of the hillside, which granted us the coverage to spy on the meeting.
Johnson had enough guards to outnumber the native leaders two to one. We sat only for a second to hatch a plan.
"I will circle behind the house, where I can make my move undetected. When I kill Johnson, his men will attack," Connor whispered. "I need you to make ready there," he pointed to the area close to the native leaders, "and be able to get everyone to safety."
"Understood. While you get behind the house, I'll figure out an escape route. Good luck," I said before sprinting off towards my destination.
I scanned the area, finding the ideal escape route, and found my hiding spot just as the meeting was starting to truly boil over. I spotted Connor on the roof of Johnson's home, completely undetected by those below him. Things were about to get interesting. Johnson waved to his guards, who all aimed their rifles at the leaders. In that same moment, Connor jumped from the roof, plunging his blade into William Johnson's neck. His first assassination.
There were only a few seconds to take in the glory of Connor's first Templar kill, as the guards sprung into action. I moved from my position, coming behind two guards with their backs to me. I plunged my hidden blades into their spinal cords, rendering them useless. I rushed forward, pulling out my Sai blades just in time to deflect a rifle aimed for one of the native leaders with one hand, and slicing the guard's throat with the other. By this time, Connor had joined the fight around him, and the native leaders fled the scene.
"Let's go!" I shouted to Connor, knowing that we could not take all of the guards alone.
He fought off the guard that was on him and rushed to meet me.
The moment Connor turned and started to run, I took off at my fastest pace. At the rock's edge, I lept onto a large branch of a tree. I had to follow the path that the trees granted us, unable to second guess my moves for I would surely fall. Finally, I was able to get down onto the ground, just at the edge of the rocky hillside. At full speed, I launched myself from the ledge and brought myself to a leap of faith, aiming for the water below. Once hitting the water, I swam to the dock where I had rendered a guard unconscious, knowing Connor would be on his way as well. Before I reached the docks, I heard the splash of Connor's own leap. I pulled myself up onto the dock and waited for my counterpart. We returned to Kanen'to:kon on the opposite hill with the news that William Johnson had been put to rest.
Connor was rather quiet when we returned to the manor, even for him. Once changing clothes, he stowed himself away in the basement. I had given him some space as I changed clothes and brushed out my hair of the nasty pond water we had dove into earlier. After close to an hour, my curiosity got the best of me, and I walked myself downstairs to see if I could get Connor to talk.
He was standing in front of our Templar portraits, where I noticed a freshly drawn X over William Johnson's face. I walked over to him, only gaining a slight turn of his head as he heard my approaching footsteps. I brought myself to sit upon the table to face him, in which he handed me a folded letter. It was addressed to John Pitcairn, written in William Johnson's hand. I read the letter over quickly before refolding it and handing it back to Connor.
"So they plan to destroy the supplies of the Patriots," I raised an eyebrow.
"It seems so," Connor placed the letter on the table. "Pitcairn must die next."
At this, Achilles made his way into the basement and over to the two of us. Without saying a word, it somehow prompted Connor to speak his mind.
"I thought it might bring clarity, or instill a sense of accomplishment. But all I feel is...regret."
"Hold fast to that," Achilles said. "Such sacrifices must never come lightly."
"I had to do it," Connor said with haste. "Not only for my people, but for all the other people Johnson would have harmed."
"It's a start," Achilles nodded, "but to truly be free of Templar influence, all of them must be dealt with in turn. Even your father."
"I know," Connor said shortly, giving Achilles a harsh look to drop the subject.
I looked between the mentor and the apprentice standing in front of me, well isn't this awkward.
"You speak the words, but do you believe them?" Achilles paused for a few moments, "Maybe you should consult with your friend here- la bella Assassina, The Ghost of the Assassins. I am sure Dakota may have some advice as well."
I felt my face grow hot at the mentioning of the Ghost's legend.
Achilles made his way back upstairs; I had yet to speak a word. Connor's eyes drifted from the wall of conspiracies before his gaze landed on me. I wasn't sure what to say, but I knew what questions were burning in Connor's mind.
"The Ghost?" He finally asked.
"It's a stupid nickname. Paola called me la bella Assassina, and I'm certain Ezio started the whole 'ghost' thing. I thought you had already come to the conclusion of my 'legend,'" I air quoted.
Connor nodded his head, "Achilles told me of the Ghost's legend before. I had my suspicions, but I doubted it was true. Until you arrived."
I snorted, "And just like that I'm sent to haunt you."
"Mysterious," Connor smirked for a moment, but I dropped my eyes from his.
"I don't like my nickname."
"Why is that?"
I gritted my teeth, "my first assassination was appalling. You're weighing yours so heavily with concern and reason. My first assassination had no reason, only that he was affiliated with the Templars, but they only wanted him for his money. He barely knew anything about them. And the reason I know so much about him is that they made me pose to be a woman I was not so he would fall in love with me and spill the secrets of the Templars. I will never forget the look of betrayal when I killed him."
Connor made no comment, but judging the way he looked at me, I could tell he wanted to hear more.
"They tell me that I saved that man from torture. If he had lived, the Templars would eventually believe that he was keeping money and secrets from them. They tortured him so he would confess his wrongdoings, and would have been executed. It is the only way they could level my insecurities from that night."
After a few long moments, Connor asked, "What was his name?"
"Federico Catteno," I took a long pause, remembering the night of my first assassination."I'll never forget that name for the rest of my life."
By this point, I realized my hands were shaking. I took a few deep breaths and tried to push the thoughts from my mind. I repressed the memories of my first assassination for a very good reason. The thought of it made me sick, made me hate myself and the things I have done. Though I could understand Connor's reserves with his first assassination, I was holding my tongue to keep from saying something I would regret. He had his reasons to reflect back, I just had to let him come to terms with things his own way.
I grabbed his hand, "Remember, at least your mission had a purpose."
I gave Connor the slightest kiss on his cheek before returning upstairs, allowing him time to be with his thoughts.