Author's Note: Guess what! I got a new computer! *cheers* Now I'll leave and let you enjoy! Once again dialogue in italics is in Mohawk.
Ava
"Oh God..." I moaned, using the crook of my arm to cover my eyes. My head was splitting in two and my joints ached as if I was seventeen going on seventy.
"You're going to need God after the mess you've put yourself in." Someone cackled beside me. I froze, suddenly remembering that I was no longer in the hands of friendly people. The image of Kanen'to:kon leaning over me with a hunting knife and a malicious glint in his eyes exploded behind my eyelids. I was in the hand of Templars. Shit. I just had to remain calm and try to keep my mouth shut so I wouldn't say anything that provoked them to point a pistol at my temple. Connor could take the sarcasm, these guys couldn't take a joke. Not that I would necessarily be playing cards and passing around a bottle of vodka with these people.
"I know you heard me little girl. Wakey, wakey!" Someone grabbed my arm and yanked it from my face but I still kept my eyes tightly shut. He tsked, something grazing my cheek. "Ah, come on, lemme see those pretty blue eyes. Let me see them before I have to force them open." He said, his voice darkening. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves before I did as he asked. I slowly opened my eyes and immediately wanted to close them, the light in the room was unbearable. My pounding head screamed in protest but I couldn't do a thing to ease the pain. The man grabbed my shirt collar and yanked me up into a sitting position, the sudden movement making me feel as if I could pass out. I slumped against the back of the chair, the room slowly focusing and the light not seeming as bright.
"Oi, there we go! There's a good little girl!" The man said again, leaning closer to me. I recognized him as one of the Templars who had surrounded me. He'd been the one who almost pissed in his pants when I cursed. I thought his name was Thomas but I wasn't sure.
"Mr. Hickey are you torturing our guest?" Another man swept into the room. This guy, I knew who he was. I couldn't forget him, not in a million years. Haytham Kenway.
"You!" I spat. "What the hell do you want with me!?"
Haytham only smiled and settled himself into a chair. Thomas straightened out and took a seat beside him, the two looking like they'd come out of two completely different worlds. Thomas looked as if he'd come straight from the London slums while Haytham seemed like he belonged in a king's court. I hadn't even noticed where I really was I'd been so distracted by the two men. This place reminded me of Achilles home in New York but ten times grander. It was decked out in blood red furniture and cherry flooring. A fire roared in the stone hearth on the opposite side of the room. Two enormous windows looked out to the streets of a city. The sun was high in the sky, signaling that it was midday.
"We're in Boston." Haytham said suddenly, following my gaze to the window. "You my dear were out for almost two days."
"Two days?" I whispered, looking down at my hands. I'd been in the grasps of these madmen for that long? Where the hell was Connor?
"I was getting worried about you, honestly. It would have been such a shame if you died on us before the fun began."
"Yeah, that would be a real pity." I growled. Haytham only smiled pleasantly as if we were discussing the weather.
"I have so much planned for us, my dear! You're going to be a real service to the Templars. You'll be a hero! Your name will be in every mouth of every Templar and Assassin from the peaks of New England to the swamps of New Orleans. You're going to change everything." Haytham's smile grew into a grin showing off and uncommon set of white teeth. I wondered if they were fake. Probably were.
"I still don't understand. You haven't told me anything of how I can help you. All you do is brag about how I can change everything. Skirting around the subject like that really pisses me off you know." I snarled.
Haytham's grin fell, his mouth turning into a hard line and his dark eyes glittering dangerously. "We're really going to have to do something about that mouth. A lady doesn't use such language."
"I don't know, I rather like it." Thomas grinned, speaking up for the first time.
"Mr. Hickey, it isn't your place to say such things." Haytham hissed. Thomas shut his mouth, pursing his lips and leaning back in his chair. It was obvious who pulled the strings around here.
"You still haven't answered my question. What do you want with me? How could I possibly help you?" I eyed him curiously.
"Have you ever heard of the Pieces of Eden?" He asked, raising a black eyebrow.
"Yes. I've played all the games dozens of time." I answered slowly.
Haytham grunted as if my response pleased him. "I'm very aware of your claim to come from the real world. If I understand correctly, we are nothing but a figment of someone's imagination. But, I believe you've talked yourself, and Connor, into believing that just maybe both of our worlds exist."
"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. What does that have to do with the Pieces of Eden?"
"Do you realize Miss. Torry that there is a war going on?" Haytham asked, totally ignoring my question and replacing it with one of his own.
"Yes, I do. I've also studied American history." I growled. "Now will you answer my damn question?"
"Ah, don't be upset with me," Haytham frowned. "I have given you all the information, now you just need to fit the pieces together."
"You haven't given me shit." I snarled, leaning forward. My head still ached but the blood pounding in my ears blocked out the pain.
"Really? Are you sure?" Haytham cocked his head to the side. "Come on, I know you are more intelligent than this. Think very hard. Think about the questions I've asked you. Think on your knowledge of history and the Pieces of Eden." He smiled, lacing his fingers together. He wore gaudy rings made of gold and silver and precious jewels. One of them even matched the Templar cross he'd given to me. I touched my neck, finding that the necklace was there. He must have found it while I'd been out and taken the opportunity to tie it around my neck. I fought the urge to rip it off and throw it in his face.
"I really don't understand. You seem to think that I have superpowers but I don't. I'm not even sure how I got into this world."
"Oh no, you alone are not gifted," He said. "But your touch combined with the technology of the First Civilization is...powerful. Or will be. We haven't tried yet."
"What are you getting at, Kenway? Spit it out!" Looking back, I should have connected the dots. I was furious though and absolutely terrified. My head was so scrambled I couldn't put together what he was trying to tell me.
"Ava, I have told you before that you are the key, and a key must have a lock to be of any use, am I right? A Piece of Eden in this case is our lock. Think if the two came together, what doors would open. Doors to the past and the present. With you holds the knowledge of times to come and times that have already past. We Templars could use your knowledge to shape the future in our favor. We could win this war and wipe out any remaining Assassin who dare to defy us!" Haytham stood, his cloak whooshing out behind him dramatically. He stalked to the window, his eyes glittering with the possibilities that I could provide him.
"Woah! Wait a second, do you think that I know every single bit of history leading up to my time?" I said.
Haytham scowled. "Of course not. Do I know everything? No. With the Piece of Eden helping, the information that runs in your blood will be revealed. Even if you haven't witnessed a scenario yourself, there is understanding tucked away inside you that will be revealed."
Slowly, his words started making sense. I was reminded to the conversation between Desmond and Vidic in the first game. He'd explained how the Animus would be able to look into the past through Desmond's DNA. His ancestors would be the bridge to the past. Haytham wanted to do the same thing, except he wanted to look into the future using a Piece of Eden and...me. My ancestors would be the link this time and the Templars would have over two hundred years of the future in their hands. They could change fate.
"You Templars haven't changed at all." I muttered. "You still think that what you don't have will give you the answers you seek."
Haytham smiled, showing off his perfect teeth again. "We know the future holds the answers. We can only look ahead and know that we will prevail."
"Connor will stop you! This little plan of yours isn't going to work!" I said, mainly in desperation. Both Thomas and Haytham only laughed.
"Come along Mr. Hickey, we have much to discuss." He said, nodding towards the door.
"Do you even have a Piece of Eden or are you just bluffing?" I called after them. They gave no response, instead slamming the door. I leapt out of my seat and bounded across the room, tripping over furniture as I did. My hand closed around the cold doorknob and I yanked against it, but it held fast. I cursed, leaning against the door and sliding to the floor.
"Connor, please hurry." I whispered. Would he even come though? Or was I doomed to be an instrument to aid the Templars? I knew that when it came down to the very last second, there was no way in hell I could fight against them.
Connor
I followed the tracks deep into the forest. The snowstorm eventually died and the clouds overhead parted revealing the night sky and a million twinkling stars. On any other night I would have stopped to observe the heavens, to bask in the moonlight that provided light on an otherwise darkened world. But tonight, I traveled onward, following the scattered hoof prints left in the snow. They were clues left behind, possibly clues to the men who wished to see Ava harmed. I'd followed them at a breakneck pace, itching to find my father and end things once and for all. But were they really his or was the story I'd been told true? I found myself unable to turn back.
At first the path they took was straightforward. They headed towards the main road in the direction of New York. They were easy to follow, until abruptly they circled back the way they came. I reined my horse in, my eyes following the prints until I could no longer see in the darkness. Yes, indeed they did circle back on themselves. I urged the gelding onward again, following a bit more slowly this time. After another half a mile they swerved to the right heading in a direction that I knew would lead them to the base of a cliff. I'd been fooled.
It was a tactic used to confuse followers. Whoever these men were, they were sloppy, their turns to sharp and confusing. Still, they had fooled me. I turned my horse back in the direction of Kanatahseton. I dug my heels into his sides and he leapt forward, startled. The snow was deep here filled with dangers lying underneath the layers of white. I strayed from the path I'd previously taken, instead choosing what I knew would be a more direct route back to my village. I had to tread carefully though, otherwise the horse would end up lame. He trudged through the snow at a slow lope, his breath coming out in jagged gasps. In the distance I could see spirals of smoke coming from the cooking fires.
Progress grew slower and the snow deepened. I pushed the gelding harder than before, a stupid mistake. The path we took suddenly dropped and the horse slipped. He screamed, tumbling over, his neck snapping as his massive body rolled down the hill. I managed to leap out of the way, falling into the snow and my head slamming into a nearby tree. My vision blurred and I let out a gasp of pain. I struggled to stand up, the world spinning around me in an array of colors. I couldn't stop though. I stumbled onward keeping my eyes trained on the white smoke that contrasted against the black sky. I was getting nowhere, the snow proved to be too thick. I tilted my head back, my vision spinning, looking for a branch I could grab ahold of and hoist myself up into the canopy. Spying one, I leapt atop an exposed tree trunk, grabbing a branch and gaining momentum until I could snag a higher branch. My aching body screamed in protest, tired from sleepless nights and abuse from the fall. I ignored the pain, instead finding a steady rhythm and letting instincts take over.
My mind wandered to Ava as my body propelled itself from tree to tree. Had Kanen'to:kon been able to hide her in the village? Or had it been too late? The hoof prints in the snow obviously did not belong to travelers. Whoever they were, they meant harm. Did the trail belong to Templars or white men coming to end my village for good? Ava wouldn't be safe if their motives were to kill everyone. My people could not fight against them. I wanted to believe that she was fine, tucked away in a warm longhouse, but a dark feeling had settled upon me. Something was wrong, and I could only hope that I would reach the village in time to stop whatever was coming.
I reached a sturdier branch and propelled my body up until I was standing. The trees were laden with snow, I had to be careful to not slip. I found my footing and pushed off, leaping from branch to branch with practiced ease. I could see the rooftops of the longhouses now, I was close. There were no sounds of distress which eased my worries slightly. I slowed, teetering on the edge of a branch before stepping off. I broke the fall with a roll and jumped to my feet, surveying the area. I had reached the entrance to my village. Only hours before I had stood here with Ava and Kanen'to:kon. Now it was eerily silent.
Sensing something was off I crept forward with one hand on my tomahawk. There were no birds singing their night songs or the shuffle of squirrels as they crept along the treetops. They had been scared away by something. I moved forward even more slowly than before, the air around me felt thick and hard to breathe. I turned around and scanned the trees, I could have sworn I heard something. But there was nothing, just darkness.
"Ratonhnhake:ton," The voice was familiar, coming from the shadows. I straightened, relieved. It was Kanen'to:kon.
"Brother," I began breathlessly. Something still felt wrong. "Come out so I can see you. Is the girl safe? The tracks I followed were meant to fool me."
Kanen'to:kon laughed and I watched as he emerged from behind a tree. He had his knife in his hand. He twirled it around lazily, gazing down at it with a crooked smile on his lips. He came closer and I realized there was blood on the hilt as well as his hands.
"You have always been naive Connor," He spat out my English name like it was poison. "But this is a whole new level of wrong. Bringing some girl to our home and expecting me to accept her with open arms...you have been put under the spell of the white man."
I narrowed my eyes, watching as he continued to twirl the knife around and around in his fingers. "Where is she, brother?" I asked, my voice low.
"Do not call me brother!" He screamed. The knife stopped moving and he held it tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white. His eyes met mine now and I could see a fury in them that I hadn't seen before. "We are no longer brothers! While you have been off running the white man's errands, I have been trying to save my home!"
"Our home." I corrected
He shook his head. "These people do not call you family anymore."
We began to circle each other like wolves. I drew my own weapon, praying that it wouldn't come down to a fight. I didn't want to hurt him, but there was a madness in his eyes that told me one of us wasn't leaving this clearing alive.
"What have you done, Kanen'to:kon? Where is the girl?" I asked again.
"Gone. Taken. I traded her in for the lives of my people. The same lives that you swore to protect."
"Where did they take her!?" I yelled. Rage burned in my chest like the hottest fire. Suddenly I wanted to fight him, I wanted to tear him limb from limb until he told me where my Ava was.
"Do you think I would tell you?" He scoffed. "I made a deal. For the safety of this village, I handed her over. I let one girl go so that our people could live. One life for many. A fair trade." He cocked his head to the side, daring me to say his decision was wrong.
"She has no dog in this fight." I snarled. "What you have done is dishonorable. The clan mother doesn't even know does she?"
"She doesn't have to know. And besides, in the end it will not matter. The Kanien'keha:ka will be safe and you dead. None will have heard of Ava. She will disappear like an unwanted memory."
I shook my head. "Why would you do this?"
"Have I not made myself clear Ratonhnhake:ton? By giving her over into the hands of those who wanted her, I have secured safety for the people! These men promised the village would be saved from the white man if only I helped them secure the girl." Kanen'to:kon scowled.
"Who promised you that? That sounds like a fools deal." I said skeptically.
"Some man by the name of Kenway. He told me he helped your own mother escape from the hands of British soldiers and saved the family of the Iroquois man he traveled with."
I froze, my feet digging into the snow. Kanen'to:kon continued to circle me but I could no longer move. "You made a deal with Haytham Kenway?" I shouted. "Anything he promised you was a lie!"
He laughed, moving closer towards me with his knife raised. "No, you are the liar. You abandoned us, brother. You left us to die while you played with the white men. You forgot us and we were left defenseless. Someone had to step up and do something, so I did." Kanen'to:kon lashed out, waving his weapon madly. I deflected it easily but he recovered quickly and moved in to attack again. I was ready for him though and over and over again I deflected his blows with practiced ease.
"You've become the warrior we all hoped you would, Ratonhnhake:ton. It's just a shame you're fighting for the wrong side." He stepped away from me, throwing the knife to the side and yanking a hatchet from his belt. He lunged forward with a war cry and the scream of steel on steel echoed through the clearing. This time he had the upper hand and he began to beat me back. I parried his wild attacks, hesitant to make my own. I did not want to hurt him but he was making it impossible for me to see any way out.
"Please, brother! Stop! I do not wish to fight you!" I snarled, ducking as he hacked through the air. It whistled past my ear. If I had been a moment too slow it would have buried itself in my skull.
"I told you, we are no longer brothers!" He hissed. His foot came up, clipping me in the chin and sending me staggering back. He brought his hatchet against my own, catching it by the head and flinging it from my hand. I stood there, defenseless as he continued to attack. It was all I could do now to avoid his blows. I rolled out of the way, sticking out my leg as I did. Just as I intended he stepped forward and tripped, toppling into the snow. I leaped onto Kanen'to:kon's back, reaching for the hatchet still in his hand. He struggled against me, rearing up and slamming me into a nearby tree. I yelled out in pain, the world spinning and my grip breaking. I rolled out of the way, struggling to my feet. It seemed though that I was not the only one injured. Kanen'to:kon's face was bloody and bruised, his nose set in an awkward angle from his fall.
"Just stop struggling and we can end this with no one harmed!" I pleaded, holding out my hands.
"No. You deserve to die for your betrayal. I cannot let you live. It is time that I am acknowledged for my actions! It is time that I am praised! Not you!"
I stared at him, unsure if I was hearing him right. "Is this about jealousy, Kanen'to:kon?" I asked. "Are you jealous of me?"
He scoffed, his lips curling back in a sneer. "Why would I envy you? You're the bastard child of a white man and a whore mother! And just like her, you betrayed your people. " Kanen'to:kon lashed out again and I ducked out of the way, spinning around. The heat of anger boiled through my veins, fueling my strength and I kicked him in the back. The force was so strong his loosened grip gave way and the hatchet fell from his hand. I tackled him, turning him around and slamming his head into the ground. He didn't make a sound, only hissed in pain. My hands closed around his neck, my whole body shaking with fury.
"My mother was not a whore and she did not betray her people! Neither have I! You have no understanding of the world outside these woods, Kanen'to:kon. You are foolish and naive, you always have been!" I spat in his face. He didn't even flinch.
"Are you sure you are not talking about yourself, brother?" He choked out, a smile on his blue lips. Suddenly, pain exploded in my side and I yelled out. He let his arm fall, the knife he had thrown aside earlier now covered in my own blood. It fell from his fingers and into the snow, the bloody hilt upwards. I raised my hand, flicking my wrist. The hidden blade hissed out of its sheathe and I brought it down, digging it into his neck. Kanen'to:kon's body convulsed for a moment, blood pouring out of the wound like a crimson river. He stared up at me, a cruel smile still dancing on his lips as he coughed up even more blood. And then, with a shudder, he stopped moving. His eyes glazed over and he stared up at the sky unseeing. He was dead.
I rolled away from his body, gasping and holding my side. The spot where he had stabbed me was bleeding profusely, mixing in with the already darkened snow. The sun peaked from behind the trees, blinding me. My head swam and I struggled to stand up. If I could make it to the village I would be able to get help. But would they save me when they realized I had killed my dearest friend? They had to, I had to get to Ava, and surely they would understand.
I stumbled forward, shielding my eyes against the sunlight and staggering forward. I was only yards away from the entrance when my legs gave out under me. I toppled to the ground, rolling on my back with my hand still clasped over the wound. My assassin robes were no longer white and I wondered how a small wound could bleed as it did. It didn't really matter though because soon everything would be over. I felt exhausted, like I hadn't slept in years. My eyelids drooped and for a moment I forgot why I wanted to stay awake.
Why not dream? Why not drift off? I thought, my eyes fluttering. It would be so much easier just let sleep. No more pain...no more grief...just...nothing. The last rays of light were suddenly shrouded by darkness and I thought I could hear voices. One was musical, like the whisper of wind through the trees or the call of a songbird in the summertime.
"Ratonhnhake:ton," It breathed.
"Yes?" I responded, hoping maybe it would speak more.
"It is not your time to leave this world. Open your eyes my son and see the world."
Why would I want to do that? I thought angrily. Why would I want to open my eyes to the pain? The voice laughed in my ear, its breath tickling my skin.
"Open your eyes my son. You cannot leave yet."
I gasped, my eyes flying open. The sun peaked out around the shape of a person, turning their face to shadows. Slowly they bent lower until I was able to see. The wrinkled face of the clan mother peered down at me, her lips pursed. In her hand she held Kanen'to:kon's knife, still dripping blood. Slowly she righted herself, her bones creaking and the beads on her skirt clapping together softly. She grunted and suddenly I was being lifted. The clan mother hobbled alongside me, peering into my face. I felt tired again and my limbs were heavy. A numbness began to settle over me and I found that I could not fight it. I let my eyes close until the sweet solitude of darkness settled over me. I would awake this time. I no longer could feel death's cold grasp.