Heya, sorry for the delay ~.~ I just got started with my internship at the museum and class started, so imma be beeeeeeeeusy this semester ~.~ I'll try my damndest to update regularly, I'll try to keep it 2 chapters a month but if life gets too much it will be reduced to once a month. I'm so sorry about that :(
Thank you again for the ongoing support and thank you for sticking with me, your support is always appreciated. XD
Happy reading and hope you enjoy!
Have a lovely weekend and happy most overrated day, at least in the U.S, of the year... Valentine's day x.x
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
~ Finally, somebody takes me seriously ~
It was Connor's first time in memory (maybe he was told about it but never understood it) getting educated about the woman's body. Ingrid was the one who explained him everything. He tried to keep a straight face but the more he was told the queasier and uncomfortable he became. Eventually, when Ingrid finished her explanation he breathed out.
"This means that she is all right?" he asked, to break the awkward atmosphere between them.
Ingrid grinned and nodded.
"Needn't worry, Mäuschen. The strong woman that she is, she should be back on her feet in no time."
"Is it common for women… to collapse like that?" he inquired now, looking up to her window as they had "the talk" outside in front of the manor.
"Sometimes. If I may, I believe some good rest and lots of hearty stew should do the trick." Said Ingrid and then she chuckled. "Miss Briar has made the oddest request."
"She has?"
"She requested cooked chicken livers."
Connor raised a quizzical brow at her, surprised but also mildly intrigued.
"Why?"
"Her family swears by it." Ingrid chuckled.
Connor shrugged and then looked back up to the window of her room. Ingrid smiled and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I shall get cooking." She supplied and walked back towards the manor.
Connor watched her disappear into the manor then he again rested his eyes to the window. Then as if caught doing something wrong, he shook his head and turned away. He bit down on his jaw, taking a deep breath of the fresh spring air trying to distract himself. When he was prepared to run off into the wild, Hanna's hesitant voice called for him.
"C-Connor?"
Connor turned his head towards her. Hanna fidgeted with her folded hands, biting her lip.
"Yes?"
"Master wants to speak to you?"
"What for?"
"H-he did not say."
Connor looked away, released a breath through his nostrils, mildly annoyed. Without a word he walked towards the manor, Hanna almost fell off the porch when he stormed his way to the door.
"Ah, Connor, a word with you, please." Achilles stood in the hallway and gestured to his study.
Connor simply walked into Achilles study and stood in front of the crackling fire place. Achilles limped over to his favorite seat and sat down with a sigh.
"I have news pertaining our dear friends."
Connor snapped his attention at Achilles.
"I have to meet one of my contacts in New York, I will depart shortly and shall return in two weeks."
"Two weeks? What for - is it about his whereabouts?"
"Possibly and more."
Connor turned his body around with his hand resting on his hatchet, facing Achilles.
"We should strike, Achilles. Now is the chance."
Achilles groaned.
"My boy that would be very tactless of us."
"How long do we have to idle? I am prepared!"
"Connor, this requires tactic and patience, we will strike them when they are at their most vulnerable, which is not now."
"How do you know? They won't expect us!"
Achilles groaned again, shaking his head.
"Need I remind you that your father not only is an assassin but also leading the Templars? He is very meticulous, ruthless and calculative, I would even say better than you – he is ready for a direct offense, actually, he is expecting that of the impulsive and hot head that you are."
Connor growled, locking his arms over his chest and glaring at Achilles.
"Connor," Achilles addressed him again in a crisp voice, "While I am away, I need you to meet another one of my contacts, remember John? The tall and lanky fellow with the freckles? April 20th, 10 days from today by midnight he will be at the Red Baron inn, south-west from this manor."
"Red Baron Inn?" Connor repeated with a mix of disbelief and skepticism "Don't the English have a foothold in that territory?"
"Precisely."
Connor raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"While you two are seated in the far back of the Inn, John will hand you a precious document and exchange information, I will have Miss Briar do some reconnaissance and be a distraction."
Connor almost choked from the sudden air in-take.
"What?!"
"You heard me, she will take part in it, I want to test her usefulness."
Connor stared at Achilles, speechless and unable to trust his ears.
"Have you lost your senses completely?! She is not trained in the ways!" Conner countered filled with exasperation that he could barely finish his sentence, "She is…"
"Perfect."
Connor tightened his fists and took a deep growling breath.
"I do not see her purpose in any of this." He uttered through clenched teeth.
Achilles sighed contentedly despite Connor's obvious disapproval.
"I think we should take advantage of her, Connor, do you not agree?" Achilles responded back with his hands folded over his stomach as he leaned back into his comfy seat. "You have seen her abilities, why not test them?"
"She does not have much tact!"
"Neither do you, Connor." Achilles supplied with the corner of his mouth curled in amusement. "You together can plan this, as long as you retrieve the information and the document without much fuss or chaos, the rest is up to you. And… it is rumored he might make an appearance."
"What?!" Connor's body stiffened, his eyes glared a hole through Achilles' face and he reflexively held his hatchet.
"Hush, Connor, it is not certain, they are merely rumors and if it becomes a reality then you absolutely must not engage him!"
Connor gripped his hatchet sunken in dark thoughts that spread like a flame on his facial expression, forming a tunnel-like vision to his eyes.
"Argh!" Conner growled and grabbed his right shin, "What is wrong with you, old man!"
Achilles had given a deliberate and hard whack with his cane against Conner's shin. Achilles held an icy, menacing glare that even made Connor freeze and stare at him. He raised his index finger at Connor.
"If I hear from the Inn, the informant or even from Miss Briar that you foiled our plan – either by intervening or resorting to a brawl" Achilles said with a firm voice, sitting up with his finger still pointing at Connor while maintaining his icy unwavering glare "I will not hesitate to break your legs and have Miss Briar replace you, are we clear?"
Connor was stunned into silence. The air had thinned around them, as if the tension had squeezed out all oxygen. He never saw Achilles that way, was that his old assassin-self talking to him directly? Even if it was, his body made him understand that he did not want to be at the receiving end of that torture as his legs quivered slightly under his weight. Thankfully, he was kneeling on the floor, so Achilles couldn't see it.
Achilles released a breath, releasing the tension and returning the oxygen back into the air.
"Am I understood, Connor?" he reinforced now in a calm tone.
Connor quietly nodded and got up back to his feet, hissing softly at his sore shin.
"Now, if the rumor is true." Achilles continued after clearing his throat. "I need you to remain with the informant, dress in civilian clothes and remain low-key, sit in the back and ignore your surroundings. Miss Briar will be at the bar, engaging with the regulars and patrons, drawing all the attention to herself. I must emphasize this: under no circumstances can you intervene – she will be on her own."
Connor was about to open his mouth, but Achilles read his mind instantly.
"You both have to plan this together, what she is to wear, how she is to behave, find a secret gesture or secret word to signal the completion of your transaction, etc. Be creative."
Connor sighed.
"Does this mean that she should know about the Templars and our mission?"
Achilles shook his head immediately.
"No need, the more oblivious she is the better she will perform."
Connor raised his brow, baffled by what he just heard from Achilles' mouth.
"I question that logic, Achilles."
"For now ignorance is bliss, especially for this mission. We have no choice, if she knows who or what she is dealing with, she will likely expose the ruse."
Connor sighed one more time.
"Why are you placing a lot of trust in this woman that we barely know?"
"And why are you resisting her that much Connor?" Achilles sat up again, staring Connor straight in the eye, trying to decipher his hesitation. "What has she done to you to make you skeptical of her? Not once since her stay has she turned her back on us, in fact, she has proven herself worthy of our trust in your absence. It was very refreshing for someone of her caliber to take orders without questioning. I am convinced that she is an ally, a valuable one. Even though my word should ease you, I still see you hesitate and distrust her - why?"
Connor moved his lower jaw sideways and lowered his gaze momentarily.
"Do you still not trust her? Does she intimidate you?" asked Achilles in earnest now.
Connor didn't look at Achilles, his gaze remained fixed on a red blotch of a stain on the carpet, possibly from an accidental spill of wine.
"I am not certain what it is…" he replied in a pensive air. "I…admit that I am intimidated; it is not only by her strength but what she is capable of. With little effort, maybe even little convincing, she could switch camps."
Achilles hummed, acknowledging his worry, but then he huffed with a little smile and his eyes held a knowing glint.
"I am certain she is also provoking rather unfamiliar feelings in you."
Connor snapped his full attention at Achilles, he was a deer caught in the light and was too stunned to quickly dismiss that outrageous statement. He quickly turned his back on Achilles, staring in the small lazy flames licking the charcoaled logs, while his insides twisted.
"What are you talking about?" muttered Connor in an aloof tone.
Achilles gave a chuckle.
"I may be old, but my senses are sharp and I… was once in love."
"In love?!" Connor repeated with a snort of incredulity whipping his entire body around to face Achilles, "You are mistaken, old man."
"I might be, but realize this," Achilles gets up to his feet and picks up his cane and pokes him at the center of his chest cavity "Make sure you have this sorted for the future and for this upcoming mission."
"Ingrid!" called Achilles suddenly, lowering his cane and limping towards the entrance of the manor.
"Yes, master?"
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, master. Hanna has just loaded your luggage in the back of the carriage and the carriage is waiting for you."
"Good."
Ingrid came over and helped him slide his traveling cloak on. Connor lumbered towards the entrance way, his aloof expression on display but on the inside he just wanted to spend a few days alone with nature to recollect his thoughts.
As Achilles stood ready in the entrance way with his hat on, cane in hand, he surveyed Connor and Ingrid.
"I shall be away for two weeks, 10 days at least, in New York. I should return on the last week of April. However, depending on the circumstances, I might extend my stay there until May 1st , if I do I shall inform you know by mail."
Ingrid replied with a "Yes, master" while Connor merely nodded. Ingrid went to help Achilles down the stairs and into carriage, while Connor silently followed them. The carriage left and Ingrid headed back into the manor.
Connor stood on the path, watching the carriage disappear behind the trees and around the bend. Achilles could have taken the ship to New York, but he appeared to feel safer on land, maybe it was an age thing. In his prime he never appeared to mind it. Connor never knew what to feel when he saw Achilles in this state, it was maybe a youth thing but he dreaded the time where he would be reduced to similar state like Achilles.
He shook his head quickly and looked at the Meryl's window. It was lifeless. He looked away, sighing deeply with his hands resting on his waist. His thoughts were still in a mess, especially since he would have to face her and plan this mission out with her. He suddenly realized that Achilles had given him full reign of his own mission, meaning Achilles had laid out the ground rules and he had the liberty to execute it as he sees fit. His stomach fluttered with excitement and he felt empowered.
Then he heard the loud snap and scraping sound of wood against wood. He raised his eyes and saw Meryl struggling to raise the window frame and with a clack the window snapped in place and she poked her head out.
"Oiiiii Connor! Do you have a minute?" Meryl called, her face still looked pale and anemic.
Connor walked up the stairs and responded with a reprimand.
"What are you doing out of bed?"
"Jeez, chill! I am gonna go back to bed, just give me a minute! Now answer my question: are you preoccupied?"
"No."
"Will you be preoccupied for the next several days?"
"I am not certain-
-Good! I need somebody to tend to Kazuma, he's been driving me crazy! He's been chewing on the carpet, the curtains and now my precious boots! Please, for the love of God take him before I decide to skin him and use his skin and fur to make myself a new pair of boots!"
Meryl looked desperate, she was hormonal, not feeling well and positively distraught by the loss of her expensive leather boots. She should have brought the heavier winter footwear that all New Yorkers wore during blizzards which were almost like hiking boots.
Connor held back from chuckling, clearing his throat.
"You find this funny?" Meryl exclaimed, her eyes had gotten teary from anger. "I paid a fortune for these with the first job I had! It was made of the best leather too."
She rubbed her eyes with her fingers.
"Where is he?"
"In the kitchen with Hanna. Thank you." She mumbled closing the window without looking at Connor and she disappeared from view.
Connor made his way back into the manor and entered the kitchen.
"Ah, poor thing." Marie mumbled as she was stirring something at the stove.
"Where is Kazuma?" Connor asked, as he stood in the kitchen, peering over in the corners and around the kitchen for the wolf.
"Hanna just took him out." Marie stated but was interrupted by an angry quip from Ingrid.
"I think we should have him stay outside from now on. He is destroying everything!"
"He is an animal of the forest, not a domesticated animal." Connor supplied.
"Tell that to her." Ingrid growled, "I knew this would lead to trouble! I have never seen her so worked over a pair of boots!"
'Hush, Ingrid, you are being unreasonable." Marie countered in a firm tone. "Her boots had clearly some sentimental value to her, if somebody destroyed my prized brush I would be as miserable as she is, right Connor?"
Connor blinked a few times, thrown off guard that he was dragged into a women's quarrel. He felt Ingrid and Marie's gaze on him.
"I will get her a new pair."
Marie and Ingrid looked at each other, surprised by his statement.
"Connor, you would be willing to undertake this?" Marie asked.
He nodded like it was not a problem. Ingrid and Marie looked at each other.
"Honey, shopping for boots, for a woman especially, is no easy feat." Marie warned him.
"Either she will have to come with you, or you must get her measurement down, Mäuschen."
"It shall be done."
The women looked at each other, baffled by how calm Connor was about this, but they relented.
"I need Hanna for some chores, can you tend to Kazuma?" Ingrid asked which Connor responded with a nod.
"She asked me to watch him for the next several days. I might undertake a journey to my people and let her rest." Connor said, but then remembered something. "Before I leave, Achilles wanted me to talk to her."
"I hope it will not add oil to the already raging flame, honey."
Connor shook his head.
"It shouldn't."
Marie eyed him.
"Make it quick, women during their time of the month are very temperamental and impatient."
He nodded slowly, the wheels slowly turning in his head as he was on the verge of changing his mind.
"Oh, Marie, stop painting all women like that!" Ingrid argued with a huff. "Miss Briar is anything but temperamental; she might be sullen but not irrational or unreasonable. Connor, if it is important business, discuss it with her immediately and let her think about it."
Connor regained his confidence.
"Try not to anger her, honey." Marie supplied, eyeing Connor almost pleadingly.
Then in-sync both Ingrid and Marie called "Thank you, Connor."
Connor gave them a small smile and went up the stairs.
"Fuck life, fuck this shit, fuck that wolf!" grumbled Meryl as she lounged in her bed, feeling like shit. "I would give anything to have some fucking chocolate right now! And some chips, some beer, some coke and a hamburger with bacon and cheese all over it!"
She whined and she kicked the covers when she saw her gnawed boots. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She got up from the bed, wrapped the blanket around her frame and walked over to the fire place. They had dressed her in her long night gown with some serious diaper-rag thing to stop the bloody Niagara Falls. She was advised not to get out of bed, but fuck the rules! She wanted to see what books could keep her company for the next few days of bed rest.
"Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels… Mhhh, sounds familiar."
She grabbed the dusty tome and walked over to the seat and sat down. As she snuggled herself in, she heard the familiar lumbering steps against the floorboard in the hallway. Her heart hammered and she cleared her throat to slow the beating.
A pronounced knock echoed and she responded quickly.
"Come in."
The door opened and he stepped in and closed the door behind him. He remained in front of the door, motionless.
"Hi Connor, what's up?"
He was staring at the back of the seat since it faced him. He shuffled his feet.
"How are you feeling?"
Meryl smiled to herself and thanked the seat for covering her expression.
"I could be doing better. How about you?"
"Good. Do you have a moment?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Achilles had to tend a business matter in New York. He wanted me to discuss with you about a job."
"A job?" Meryl repeated, dropped the book and turned around to look at Connor with surprise.
He slowly moved into the room so that he stood across from her seat. He took the chair that was next to the table and brought it close, twirling it around so that he sat with the back support in front of him. Meryl was completely captivated by what he was going to say.
"As you may have gathered the nature of our work, Achilles has decided to entrust you with a mission."
"REALLY?!" she squealed, covering her mouth her face lit up like seeing fireworks going off.
Connor raised a quizzical eyebrow in her direction and cleared his throat.
"We both have to dress in civilian clothes and go to an Inn occupied by the English. I am responsible to interact with one of our contacts and you have to distract/entertain the patrons and English militia there."
"Ohhhh, dangerous, lllllove it." She responded with a confident smile, but then her eyes sharpened. "Do you want me to gather intel? You know, information on the British military movement?"
"Achilles primarily wants you to keep the attention away from me and the contact. You are at liberty to gather information and keep all patrons preoccupied, however we must avoid any conflict and keep your liquor intake low." He explained, then his face hardened to reveal the essential part of the mission. "You will be on your own. I cannot intervene."
"Is it because you are quite popular among the Brits?"
Connor didn't have to respond in any way, but that clearly was the case.
"No worries, I am sure I can manage but we'll need some secret signal or word to let me know when you are finished."
"We will discuss and plan it later as at present you need to focus on your recovery. What do you say, are you in?"
"Fuck yes, Connor! Do you have any idea how long I was waiting for THIS?" she blurted with her fists raised in determination and excitement. "I will knock you guys off your feet with my awesome performance!"
For a split second the corner of Connor's mouth curled with satisfaction and he gave a nod. He got up from the chair and returned it back in its proper place.
"The mission begins in 10 days on the 20th, it will give you ample time to recover. We will discuss the mission in more detail in the next few days. For now, I will visit my people with Kazuma for the next 3 days, I will be back Thursday morning."
He moved to the door, but Meryl called him back before he could leave.
"Connor?"
"Yes?"
"As Kazuma destroyed my only pair of footwear, do you know where I can get some?"
Connor stood in front of her again.
"Ingrid, Hanna or Marie might have a spare pair at present, but we can also procure you some." He suggested and then remembered something as he walked back into the room "I would need your foot measurements, I believe you should possess a special pair more suitable for movement."
"Hand-made?" Meryl gaped.
He nodded. He kneeled down and gestured his hand towards her foot. She pulled her foot from under the blanket and placed it flat on the cool wooden floor. He pulled a leather strand from his sleeve and began to wrap it around her ankle and cut the measurement. Then he repeated the same action measuring, cutting that long leather band that kept his sleeve in place. During that time he was so gentle with her foot, gingerly moving it as if her foot was made of glass. She smiled again.
"I guess, being there in person would be easier."
"Yes, it would. I am sure I can find someone with the same measurement." He said without looking at her, focused on the task in front of him.
"I would like to see them." The words escaped her mouth unconsciously which made Connor halt in his movements and look up at her.
Meryl gasped when she realized what she said.
"Oh, I-I mean, y-you know." She stammered.
After staring at her for a few uncomfortable minutes, he returned his attention to the task and finished it. He got up with the leather bands in hand and placed them in his pouch behind his back.
"I am certain it can be arranged." He responded very calmly, not understanding the implication of her words which made her gesticulated nervously with her hands.
"Oh, don't feel rushed by it – I- I am simply curious." She stuttered and chuckled nervously.
He rolled his neck and rolled his arms back, to release some tensions in his neck, chest and shoulders. Meryl couldn't help herself but watch his muscular torso expand and move, his pecks making the fabric of his shirt tighten and almost tear. When her eyes trailed up to his face, she was met with his steady gaze. She froze unable to take her eyes off of him and he reciprocated, not breaking eye contact with her. She saw his jaw move sideways only subtlety, he appeared to be hesitating about something. The tension rose between them the longer they stared at each other and thank God he was the first one to make a retreat.
"I shall take my leave, Kazuma will be with me, so you do not need to worry about him." He announced after clearing his throat, which did clear the air as well.
Meryl too snapped out of it and responded back with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Connor, it means a lot to me."
He made his way to the door and left the room quietly, while Meryl smiled widely to herself.