"Go on, Nathan," Ratonhnaké:ton encouraged the young boy, "hit me!"
The boy screwed up his face into a determined expression, balled his hand into a first, and sent it flying towards the older boy's face. Ratonhnhaké:ton stopped it with his own hand, clamping it around the fist and twisting Nathan's arm behind his back.
"Ow! Ow! Okay! Let go!" He yelled in protest and Ratonhnhaké:ton released his grip.
"I'm expecting it," he sighed, "remember, when I say "hit me" you have to do something unexpected, kick out or something."
"I thought hitting you would be unexpected," Nathan shrugged.
Above them, the two heard the front door of the Davenport Homestead knock, followed by the slow, tottering footsteps of Achilles. Curious, the boys left their training and climbed the stairs, pushing the hidden door open to see the visitor. They heard the yapping of Astra as she greeted the stranger.
"Who is it?" Nathan asked, struggling to see past Ratonhnhaké:ton.
"It's a woman," he shrugged.
Nathan nudged Ratonhnhaké:ton out of the way to see the woman.
"Is he here, Achilles?" She said, her face distressed and she panted slightly, like she had been running. She wore a shirt and trousers instead of a ladylike skirt, with a long black jacket over her shoulders to shield her from the growing Autumn cold.
Nathan recognised her instantly.
"Aunt Mary!" He cried, bursting from behind the door and running to her.
"Nathan!" She dropped to her knees and pulled him into a hug. "Oh, my dear, I'm so glad you're safe!"
"Did the men return? Are they still looking for me?" He asked, glancing over her shoulder, fearing men on horses chasing her down to drag him to that dreaded school.
"We won't be running from them anymore," she said firmly. "They've left us alone."
"Really? What happened?"
"Men did come back, after you left. They were looking for you and the man-" Mary glanced up to Achilles and Ratonhnhaké:ton who had stepped slightly forward from the door. "And the man who was chasing you. I told them he had taken you away but as they never found him, or you, they assumed he had kidnapped you."
"So they are still looking for me?"
"But not here. Not at home."
Nathan turned to Achilles as Mary stood.
"Can I continue my training if I go home?" He asked. "I'll come back every day."
"You certainly can, Nathan," Achilles smiled.
"Thank you for taking him in," Mary said to the old man.
"Took him long enough," Nathan muttered under his breath, making Ratonhnhaké:ton chuckle but caused his aunt to gently hit the back of his head.
"It's quiet alright. It's good to see you're doing alright, Mary." Achilles invited Mary inside which she accepted and as the two boys returned to their mock battle, the adults caught up on each other's lives.
"Hit me, Nathan!" Ratonhnaké:ton ordered again.
The boy grunted and punched out. Ratonhnhaké:ton anticipated this move so as Nathan's arm extended, so did the other boy's but as the last moment, Nathan pulled back, ducked and dove for Ratonhnaké:ton's legs. The boy was caught by surprise and flew backwards from the tackle, landing heavily on his back. Nathan scrambled to his feet and peered anxiously at his friend's face.
"Are you alright?" He asked, reaching out a hand to help him up.
Ratonhnhaké:ton took it and grinned.
"Hey, you've got it!" He congratulated, wincing as he touched his back.
"One day," Nathan returned the grin, "I'm going to be a great Assassin."
"Just what I said when I was about your age," came a voice from the top of the stairs.
They turned to see Mary, Achilles beside her, watching them.
"You wanted to be an Assassin?" Nathan asked as the two adults descended the stairs.
"I did- I do," she replied. "I had been training before you were born. I was Achilles' apprentice. But after your grandmother died and your grandfather left, I didn't have the time for it."
"Maybe you can train with me, we could teach each other!" Nathan's eyes lit up at the thought.
"I'd like that," she smiled and ruffled his thick black hair.
"Do you remember much of your training?" Achilles asked her.
"I'm not fit enough to do half the moves I've learnt and I've forgotten all the others," she shrugged, "but I'm a good shot."
"Let's see then."
Achilles signalled for them to ascend the stairs again after he told Ratonhnhaké:ton to pick up a box in the corner and bring it with them. He led them outside where Astra met them, bounding along by Nathan's side.
"And who is this?" Mary grinned as the young pup eagerly sniffed his aunt's ankles.
"This is Astra, she's an orphaned wolf pup," Nathan said.
"You've made a good friend there, Astra," Mary said to the pup as she scratched the back of her head.
Achilles waved to three rotting targets that had been left in the back yard for the two boys. Ratonhnhaké:ton placed the box down and pulled out three pistols, loading each with gunpowder and setting them out on a log beside Mary.
"Take your shots," Achilles said.
Mary took the first pistol, aimed and fired, casting Astra to yip and hide behind Nathan. The shot ripped through the centre of the first target. She took the second pistol and did the same, followed by the third. In each target, there was hole in the centre where the shot had torn through.
"You weren't kidding," Achilles chuckled. "It seems you've got something to teach after all. I trust you haven't been practising."
"Not exactly, no..." She averted his gaze and exchanged an expression with Nathan as they recalled the man she shot to protect her nephew.
"All the same, it would be good to have you around, teach the two ruffians a few things and give me some peace and quiet." He scoffed.
"Of course, sir." She said, setting he pistols back in their case.
"Sir..." Achilles paused. "No one's called me that in a while."
"Perhaps it's time they started," Mary smiled.