Bad Blood

The fog rolled in during the early hours of the morning. Those who were walking along the docks had an uneasy chill run down their spines. Calm water's showed a large ship making port in the cover of the shadows. Walking along the main deck were echoes of order's being shouted as the sails were lowered and the ship was roped. Sounds of boots against the wood caused those who were nearest to the ship back away. No one knew who these men were but the way they dressed was threatening.

Templar guards of the lowest rank patrolled this area of the docks. Dressed as red coats to not further any suspicion- Gray eye found no threat with such grunts. It was always easy to fool even the sharpest of eyes. Documents forged, money for a petty bribe, murder if it came to such a thing, but these Templar scum were only small burdens to the pirates. They held no power over men who chose the sea rather than listen to supposed laws by men of land. Out here in the seas is where the laws of mother nature brings both men and beast to listen to Her will.

Supplies were running low from the long journey from the island to the mainland of New York harbor; its captain was following another ship holding value of a person. While the crew went to gather the supplies of food, ammo, and repair for the ship for She had a chip in her side from a battle in Red territory (among other things- the pirates were going to the nearest whore to release their desire) the captain walked the streets lost in thought of the past weeks events. Time was wasting away and the book that has been in Salty's pack was of no use. It may have had the bloodline of Salty's family but the language was in riddles. Dates, events, war's, marriage, the names of the people held no association to the location of the Ark. The only beings to know of it's whereabouts were either long dead or in prison- in Salty's case.

A sudden gust blew through the alleyways. The streets of New York have changed, but not by much. A fire has broke sometime ago causing major damage to buildings and lives. Disease has also spread through because of the living conditions of the poor who lost all in the great fire. There was nothing but misery and chaos. His boots crunched against the rocks when he found a tavern that was open to which the man he followed would be in. This was where he was at in this early morning before the unwanted began to stroll in the streets.

When he walked inside to find it to be empty except for maybe two or three people cleaning or moving about. They looked to the stranger than went back to their business. The stranger was someone the people did not want to speak too. His one eye scanned the area of low light to find a dark shadow of a man.

"Following me was not such a wise choice. A pirate with much experience should not venture near or risk exposure. He should not risk being lead to the gallows." There was a grin forming on the older man's lips as he took a seat in-front of none other than Charles Lee. Low light of the morning sun was shinning through an empty tavern. The citizens yet ready to wake or get out of bed. Those who work in the early sun are up, but taverns are always open as the saying goes.

"Such talk for a man who uses others to get their hands dirty." Gray eye gestured raising his hands to prove a valid point.

Lee grunted with annoyance.

"It is not so. Because of your actions my comrades are being tracked and killed by an... assassin." There was a distaste in the way Lee spoke of the assassin- like poison to his lips.

Gray eye lightly chuckled at the information given,"an assassin and Salty Bones' child if I hear right. My actions have nothing to do with your downfall and that of Haytham's. He is the Grand Master the last I have checked rather than someone who holds little power over pirates." Gray eye chimed lightly with mockery.

"Maybe so, but Haytham is not here. The war in the seas have not yet reached far enough, but as pirates you should keep the Patriots from getting what they need." It was clear that Lee was annoyed with the presence of the pirate. What little peace that could be formed will only dissipate.

"I would rather see how it plays out for these people. There is a reason why I have followed you. Release Salty Bones from his Hell-"

"-No! Focus on our mission rather than your own! We are close to the key but that damned assassin is killing us off." Lee spat making Gray eye sneer in distaste for having been interrupted by such a lowly man.

"That damned assassin is not of my concern rather than the child of Salty Bones. If you Templar's are well trained than those before you, I would suggest you keep an eye on your own than us pirates. Look before you when liberation begins to take its place. How long will it take before the assassin's own lands?" The pirate captain warned.

"We Templar's have our own troubles. Is it not why we have hired the likes of pirates? I took Salty Bones because I thought he has turned back to the old ways, but I was wrong. Now that he is behind bars you and those like you become focused on Templar matters."

"Do not make it about your pathetic wants." The pirate captain sneered.

"Our wants is what keeps the pirate name alive! However, I have a mission for you and the likes of you." The morning light shined through dusty windows giving the pirate captain a disinterested look as Charles Lee leaned forwards. Whisper's and negotiations were all that kept little peace. Gray eye was not all to happy with the arrangement sent upon him, but in order to get what he wanted the ol' pirate captain had to keep the Templar's happy.

...and the promise of bloodshed was never too far.

She stared at the wall in the cold damp underground. The smell of dust and mold lingered in the air. Little light through the cracks did not adjust her eyes with just a flick of wind did the candles dance. With observant eyes keeping low in the shadows he watched as the older woman looked away quickly to focus on what was within the next room. Portraits of men she did not know with two crossed out in red X's. Dead men who were struck down by the assassin but not her daughter.

He could hear her walk steadily with just the candle in her hand. Rummaging about in a chest to pull out what seemed to look like items for clothing making. Since the weeks he has returned from the battle, the war has not been much in Patriot favor. Little wins here and there also came defeat. News from the front-line have spread rapidly. Men to arms against another.

The pirates and Templar's have been quiet for the time being. They were quickly catching on to Connor and Seliah. Stephane had made a surprising presence when he came knocking on the manor door. He and the man talked for hours of what he has heard from not only Boston but New York. There were people who wanted to be part of the alliance. Furrowing his brows Connor walked from the shadows wondering in curiosity what it was that Adolfa was doing.

"I come from a lineage of people who have war stitched into their memory." She said hearing the light padding of Connor's boots against the ground. She was not frightened by the assassin's presence. After living in Homestead she has grown used to seeing the native. The way he interacts around her daughter would sometimes be conflicted or a moment of peace. She often chuckled when she would see both staring at one another; though she will not admit that her daughter had some sort of attraction to the assassin. He was... interesting.

She continued once Connor moved inside the small area, "We were once feared. Our warriors were strong and the jungles of our home was where the animals have thrived on basic instinct. They have giving us strength like the God's have giving us knowledge to make tools and language."

The assassin did not speak as he observed Adolfa. Seliah took after her mother in the color of her eyes and hair. Her skin color was also the same, but Seliah was unique yet the same as her parents. Moving on from Adolfa his eyes lingered to what looked like a cowl that was not yet stitched to the long coat that was being prepared. For the past few months Adolfa has been working on a long coat and a hood that would not fit Connor's strong build. In fact, it looked slimmer with dark blues and a red lining. There was a design fixed on the right shoulder. Spots in a light blue but enough to camouflage if one were to look closely at how delicate the sewing was. The cowl or the hood was white mixed with gray in the form like that of assassins.

Hazel eyes looked to the native assassin. Their was a spark of curiosity and wonder to what she was doing to this clothing. Adolfa could see the twitches of his facial muscles moving from confusion to thought. She lightly chuckled to herself knowing he had questions.

"My daughter has proven herself to be such a warrior, though long ago if she were a boy,she would have to have had captured four captives. My people are dwindling in number's making use of tradition time consuming. No longer will the Aztec bloodline be pure, but our traditions will still hold strong. Times will see to it." She stated placing the needle through the fabric.

"You want her to join the ranks of assassin's?" Connor finally spoke looking to the long coat and hood that Adolfa was now sewing on with careful hands. It did look like an assassin's robes. What was missing from it was the blades used by the ancient order.

"No-no. My people have ranks within our own: the eagle and jaguar warrior. These warriors were called cuāuhocēlōtl. Seliah may have pirate blood running through her veins but she also has Aztec. You-Connor- have mixed blood as well from what Achilles told me. Templar, Mowhawk, and assassin. You and my daughter must see your strengths as well as your weakness when it comes to your bloodline." Adolfa kept her eyes steady on the dark thread. Where was this woman getting at?

"What do you plan on doing with your daughter if she is not to be an assassin? From what I have been told her father does not want her to be apart of the brotherhood." Connor stated, unsure of where this conversation was headed.

"True, but even though I have had a hard enough time adjusting to the ways her father trained her; my people could use her skills. They could use her knowlegde from what she has learned from you, Achillies, and her father to keep the bloodline strong. My father was once a high ranking warrior within my community before..." She paused rememebering the fire and the attack. Quickly she let it fade in the back of her mind.

"What I am trying to say is that now is the time for my daughter to join the ranks of her blood. Not many women could fight in a war and live to tell about it. I love my daughter and I trust you more than I should with her health; her wellbeing. Those men that you have killed because they threaten your people will always breed like the sickness." In the low light the outfit looked identical to the assassins.

"Which is why your daughter and I will recruit in order to keep those number's down. When my people are safe and out of Templar hands I will return to make sure their health and wellbeing is cared for. I have no intention on staying an assassin."

"You have your path you think you see. The God's favor those with strong wills and hearts. There is more to what you seek. The pirates and Templar's work together to bring this nation and those around it to their knees." With quick hands Adolfa cut the string holding the long coat and hood together. Backing away she looked at her own handy work.

"When Seliah returns, I want to see her. It is time for her to conquar fears and become a jaguar warrior."

No longer speaking only focusing on the matter before her, Connor saw it best to move on. In the back of his mind Adolfa had spoken words he did not understand. A culture that he did not know but each time the assassin talked to Seliah's mother she would bring it up in little conversation. Since the month's she has been living and working here, Adolfa was secretive until today.

Children of Adam and Eve...

HE will find it!

Time is running out...

Wake up...

WAKE UP!

I opened my eyes to the blinding sun. The powerful light blinded me. Placing my hand in-front of me to shade myself; something was different. When my vision no longer blinded by the powerful God in the sky all around me shapes began to form. Out of the blackness and shadows I could see green, brown, blue, much color. I was surrounded by forest rather than in an open field in which I last found myself. What through me off more was that there were no sounds of musket fire. There was no army fighting among each other.

Sitting straight up the pressure in my head became worse. Their voices grew louder and louder. I could almost feel my skull cracking into two. What did they want?! I do not know of the location! Leave me alone! It throbbed in pain causing me to clench my teeth. My eyes closed trying to remember to calm myself but with the pain I failed to do so. Breathing in deeply with hurt lungs my hand traveled to my chest feeling bare. Quickly opening my eyes I looked down to see that I was only covered in my wraps. Little specks of blood and dirt contrasted against the white.

Looking to my arm I found that it was also covered in bandages. My heart began to race when I finally became alert to all around me. The voices have ceased for now. Echoing away in the whispers of shaking leaves. The sound of animals wearily making their way past my scent to feed on grass or shrubs made it peaceful for my own chaotic mind. Calming my beating heart with a few deep breathes to focus clearly on the sound of the wild around me. It has been a few weeks since I have been out in the open forest by myself without any assistance on a hunt.

Sighing I looked for my long coat and undershirt which I had used for my head to lay on. The days have been long as I was tracking a deer. Each time I came close with my musket in place, I could not pull that trigger. My finger would shake and once I did pull I missed. I had failed at what I knew best. It was time for me to return back to Homestead empty handed with only a few caught hares in traps.

Since the weeks after the battle much seemed to have changed. I had lost (not only my long hair) but I had lost two finger's. My pinky and my ring finger had been cut off during the fight. How? I was not yet sure for all I could remember was hitting the ground roughly. Managing to survive, the sight of the battlefield was burned into memory. The voices seemed to have returned the moment I gained steady feet. Bodies lied in their own pools of blood as they shouted at me. Many soldier's recovering from their own wounds or dragging away the dead. The Ark, the screamed. The Ark to which I do not know where. The stench of gun powder, sweat, blood, and even death.

Shaking my head to get the images from my mind there was one more trap that needed to be checked on before I was to head home. Making sure my horses was were it was supposed to be (grabbing my musket) I made a quick run through the forest. Breathing in the fresh crisp air I made it to where I hid the trap. Nothing but the sight of fur and blood littered the ground.

There was also paw prints near what little remains of a hare carcass. Kneeling to get a clear view of what animal it was, this animal was not a pack of wolves. There would have been evidence with more than one set. Wolf paws had a defined feature. This paw print-however- was large!

'Cougar?' I thought as I have not seen such a large animal that dwells in the mountains come down into forest. Unless it was sick, old, or injured and could not hunt anything larger.

Snap!

Alert to the sound I stood straight. Placing my musket in-front of me, I placed it in position ready to fire. Moving in stealth through the forest was the color of light brown. The muscles underneath it's skin moving with it's eyes dead set on me; the animal let out a low threatening growl. Usually cougar's are one's of stealth not letting their prey know they are near, but this animal has blown it's cover.

Slowly kneeling into a prone position I was shaking. It was not the fear of the cougar that was waiting to attack, but it was the fear of shooting once again. My finger on the trigger was unsteady. My vision became blurry as the animal rushed through the bushes with speed.

Running at me with a limp in it's back paw the animal jumped. Using it's weight to knock me off my feet I yelped as the musket was the only thing between me and sharp fangs. The weapon was digging deep into my throat. Coughing with my hands sore. The roar of this beast rumbled through my ears as I tried to fight it off but with it's large paws weighing down on me I tried to use my legs for leverage. To no use the cougar's large paw aimed straight for my head. Moving slightly as the blow did not catch me in its path.

Burning muscles pulled through when I found my legs underneath the animal. Using all of my strength and with a steady breath threw the animal off me. Though it did not go far the cougar slashed at me when I rolled to the side. My musket still in hand swung wildly at it as it roared once more. Luckily the animal had an injury which I quickly stood up.

The cougar made one last attempt to slash at me, but with the butt of my musket aimed straight for its head. With a loud thud and crack I had hit it straight in the jaw. The force behind my blow had somehow dislocated the animal's jaw causing it to back away in defeat. Breathing heavily as I kept my eyes on the cougar the animal's jaw was hanging just mere inches from where it had been.

Blood came from its mouth. It's tongue moving trying to access the problem. Standing straight I moved my musket up. Closing one eye to aim properly I took another deep breath in. Through shaking hands I had to get this animal out of misery. It could not hunt with a broken jaw let alone a leg that was injured. In nature the weak die. I had to once more accept that fact. In war I had to believe I was surviving. I was surviving. For those around me I thought of them all.

Finger on the trigger I pulled screaming with hot tears running down my cheeks. The musket ball hit its mark in the cougars head. Blood and brain matter scattered as the animal dropped dead and I cried knowing that I will never conquer that fear of killing another human. In the end I had to no matter what.