Early December, 1827
The stagecoach, subtly branded with the Assassin insignia, rolled into the snow-tipped township of Davenport just as the sun began to dawn – before most of its sleeping residents had begun to stir. But there is one man that has gotten up early, before the first cock of the rooster. Today is to be a special day, he thinks, as he rubs his hand over the box that his son has brought. The day he reaches the end of a long road that he has helped his next of kin travel for seven years. His heart is weary, doubtful at first. She is his beloved child – is he certain that she is ready to be cast into the world that was once his? The road that she has begun to travel is laced with danger… and no longer shall he be always present to protect her from them.
But he feels his son put his hand upon his shoulder as he sits as the base of the staircase, waiting for the sound of a knock. The old man looks up, seeing the eyes of the man who will keep the fire that he lit running well into the future. His doubts dissipate. He knows how well… how diligently and eagerly his daughter has trained these years. Exceeding his expectations. He knows that this is the beginning of a new era… he leaves the future in hands that he trusts to be good.
He knows that she is ready.
"Father…"
"Yes, Matthew?"
"I think that we still have a while to wait before your student returns from her errand. There is a matter that I would like to… discuss with you."
Helena disembarked from the stagecoach. Daniel carried the bulk of her belongings for her. He had insisted on doing so, and she reluctantly let the well-intended fool carry on with his aims. She quickly made her way up the path towards the manor's front door. There was a frigid wind that had plagued them ever since they had departed Boston, and she was certain without a doubt that inside would be much more comfortable.
"Helena…" She heard Daniel moan.
"I warned you…" She winked. "But hey, you're stronger than you look or think. You can handle the weight."
Helena knocked on the front door. There was no immediate answer.
"Do you think that he's still fast asleep? I mean, the sun just rose…"
"I knocked the door hard enough to wake the souls at the bottom of Davy Jones' locker." Helena stated. "I suppose that with his cane and all, he is one to slowly make his way out in the mornings." They waited a bit more. Still, no answer came.
"Well? Helena… I think my arms are about to fall off. Just fall off…" More of Daniel's groaning.
"Oh, quit crying. You know you can carry the weight. But for your supposed sake…" Helena reached for a small pin she kept on her blouse and bent over.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" She sighed. For an Assassin trainee that had been at this for approximately two years now, he sometimes just happened to forget some of the skills that his father had taught to them.
"Oh…" After a few minutes of careful tuning, she unlocked the front door. She waltzed in, while Daniel stumbled and with grateful ease dropped all of her bags with a clunk. Helena did not object to it. She supposed that she could easily attend to it later.
"What the hell was that?" A familiar voice said. A head ducked out of Connor's office. Helena instantly recognized Matthew Kenway. She ran up to him, embracing her brother. She admired both him and her father… she hoped that when she became an Assassin for real, she'd be able to contribute to the Order as greatly as they had.
"Ah, Helena. I wasn't sure when you'd be returning."
"Why are you here, Matthew?"
"I came to speak with your father about something important coming up. I suppose that my prestige within the Order has grown great enough to the point where I can stand a shot… and I also came to drop off a few things your father requested."
"What are those things?"
"Oh, nothing you'd be interested in." Matthew told her. "Paperwork and such. You ought to be focused on more relevant things to a girl like you… Regardless, how went your little mission in Boston?" She noticed that he was holding such paperwork in his hand right now. She glimpsed a bit of her father's handwriting, and the word election. But she decided not to pry. Matthew was not one to easily give up to secrets, even to her.
"Flawlessly, Father. The Templar probably hasn't even realized that his letters have been picked off of him yet…"
"Good to hear… you're going to make a real fine Assassin, my sister." Matthew smiled at her. Then he noticed Daniel. "Wait… who is this?"
"Oh, this is Daniel Faraday."
"Who is he? Delivery boy? Pack mule? Or both?" Matthew said to the boy in a degrading tone, towering over him.
"Now, Matthew, drop that tone." Helena told him. "He's also being trained by my father… and I doubt Connor would appreciate it if you heard him insulting him like that."
"Mere jesting, that's all." Matthew attempted to justify as he quickly ducked out before Helena could find something to throw at him. She was no good with anything heavy like a gun, but he still knew what a dead-eye shot she could be if she wished to hit someone badly enough… he'd seen the black eyes on some of the other youths in Davenport, and he supposed they had to come from the same source.
"Who was that?" Daniel asked as he joined Helena in the empty office. "Rude arsehole…"
"Oh, that was my brother, Daniel. He's not really an asshole… just not too good with strangers. But he is really friendly if you get to know him."
"You have a brother? He's so much older than you… plus, there's hardly a family resemblance between the two of you!" He said with surprise.
"Well, to be precise, a half-brother." Helena said. She looked at Daniel. She was seventeen, no, she'd be eighteen in just a month. He was fifteen, with still much to learn. But fortunately for him, he was learning faster now. He had almost caught up to Helena in his stature, now they were even in height, and she supposed with a few more years of growing he'd finally be taller than her. His formerly frail body had developed the beginnings of muscles, and he finally was able to hold his own in a fight against her.
"Um, Helena…."
"Yes, Daniel?"
"Do you want to um… talk about what happened back in Boston…"
"Daniel…"
"Helena… please. I've haven't been exactly certain of I should feel about you, and that night only made things…"
"Look, Daniel. We're both training to be part of the Assassin Brotherhood. We're in a sense family… and a true family looks out for each other. They never abandon each other… not without saying good-bye. And we're friends as well. What you did back there for me… I would've done the same had our predicaments been swapped. That's just how familial bonds and friendship work. That's all there is, to be honest."
"Yes, Helena, but I think we've flirted away from discussing what's happened since that sunset far too long."
"If we've waited this long, I suppose we can still wait a bit more. Honestly, Daniel, as much as I'd love to sort that out with you, we have greater priorities to focus on. Now… is there anything else you need to talk to me about?"
"No…"
"Then I'll be off to speak with my father. Any problems with that?"
"No, Helena. Go off. I'll be fine on my own…"
"Hello, Father…" She said as she entered the fireplace. Here he was, sitting at the fireside as usual, staring up at that painting of the colored family. Upon hearing her voice, he turned his head. On his face was a warm expression to let her know that she was welcomed back.
"Ah, Helena. How long has it been since I let the Assassins take you and Daniel to Boston?"
"Two weeks, I reckon."
"Ah, but the time felt like an eternity. An old, crippled man like me does not get many visitors aside from his equally aged friends these days."
"Likewise, Father. Had it not been for Daniel's company, I suppose that I might've gone mad with all the strangers around me."
"Hmph… Daniel. Tell me, Helena, what do you think of the boy?"
"Oh, he's a sweet, well-meaning boy. It is only a pity that he doesn't always seem to know what he wants – whether it's for the present or future."
"I know what you mean. But I can see the potential in him grow each day. He will make a fine Assassin, I have faith in him. Perhaps even other things, but I would rather not discuss them now." He rose from his chair, casting one final look at the painting. "Come, Helena. I have something to talk to you about."
"What is it?"
"Just follow me, my daughter." He led her to the hallway where the secret entrance was. He reached for the candelabra with his hand and yanked it downwards. They waited for the hidden door to open up, revealing the steps to the basement where she and Daniel had trained for so long. Ah, another lesson. She should've expected as much.
But today things were a bit different. No, not just a bit different. Hung on the training dummy were a new pair of clothes that she had never seen before. Those weren't her father's clothes. A two-piece set of fashionable clothes with a subtly red belt. And hanging over them was a night-blue coat with a hood. A beaked hood. Could it really be? Was this the day? Had it come at last?
"Father… is that for me?"
"Helena…" He smiled. "You have studied under my tutelage for long now. Is it necessary to answer the questions you know the answers to? Go now, put them on."
A hefty wave of triumph washed over her as she took the clothes off of the training dummy. It had been a long road, filled with much toils and unexpected turns, but here she was at last. The clothes felt heavy in her hands. She knew the significance of them… what great responsibility would be required of her. But she welcomed it… she was ready to embrace the accountability that was now hers as she put the clothes onto her slender body and slid the alluring hood over her head. It was the beginning of a grand adventure for her… a whole world of wonders and possibilities just waiting to be discovered by her.
"How do I look, Father?"
"Wonderful, my daughter." Her father walked over to the table and took in his hands a small box. "You know, Helena, there were once ceremonies on occasions such as these. Some Assassins in these lands still hold them as well. But I had none, your brother had none, and I am certain that you need no bombastic rite to signify that you are one of the Brotherhood now either."
He handed her the box. She opened it eagerly. Resting inside were a pair of hidden blades. Her hidden blades. She slid the bracers onto her arms. She enthusiastically popped both blades out the way her father had shown her, relishing the moment. This, this was the greatest day of her life. She was one of them now… just like her great-grandfather. Her father. Her brother. She hoped that she would be able to accomplish as much good as they had done with their blades.
Briefly, her thoughts flashed to Mother. Feelings of anxiety and sadness clouded her… but just fleetingly. Despite her mother's true allegiance, which was no stranger to this bloodline, she cast it aside. Surely her mother loved her enough to appreciate her happiness in this moment. That thought comforted her, and her joy quickly returned.
"Helena… welcome to the Assassins."
She hugged him.
"Thank you, Father. For everything you've done… I love you."
"I know. Now go before my love for you makes me regret everything I have just done, my daughter."
And after that, she walked out as her father lingered back and watched her go. His hands gripped his cane tighter than normal and in his eyes it could be seen that he yearned to call for her to come back and reach for her, just for one more minute. But he did not lift a hand. She was her own woman now. It was the dawn of a new day, and she was feeling good. With a smile, and confident eyes, she walked the first step of a journey into a brave new world. As she reached the door, and gripped its doorknob before turning, Helena walked into her future without looking back.
