Chapter XVII

Another day passed as I was held in the ship. I considered what sort of deal my father had conjured with that captain and how his relationship with Edwin had evolved for them to work together in this assignment. I felt flattered, special. Throughout these years they had continued to include me in their thoughts and, furthermore, in their plans.

As I had some time for myself in the cabin, I opened the letter I had received from William and concealed in my clothes through the days. What could be so shocking, so preposterous, that he had such a reaction?

London, 24th December 1774

Grandmaster Haytham Kenway,

(…)

I am not sure if you recall the girl I sold to you back in 1772. She was the girl who disguised as a boy and infiltrated our ship. It is not of my business what you did with her, but I hope you remember that I was who provided her after your payment. Well something which none of us expected happened: one of our own sailors, Carter, has shown great concern since that day and only last month the reason came to our knowledge. He is the father of the girl (whose name appears to be Evelyn Carter), the one keeping her there all along. A few weeks ago, the matter came up in front of him. And that was when he admitted he was the father, demanding to know where I had sent her. I was forced to say where she was. Otherwise, he would have killed me. I believe he intends to sail to the New World to attempt to find her.

I have decided to warn you… I beg for your forgiveness.

(…)

I could barely believe what I had just read. The only reason Haytham was there the day I came out of that ship; the only reason he took me in, was because he had paid for me to be there. He did not recruit me to his Order, he bought a Templar. He bought me, robbed me from my family as if I was some sort of slave. Suddenly, everything I knew was a lie. This was my «way out»… This was my final plan. I had made all the incorrect choices: continued to practise acts that were considered piracy and criminal, I had not married, and I had made no place for myself in high society. This was my only remaining hope, to become a Templar and grow, hopefully one day reaching the rank of Grandmaster and be respected. This was my path in order to actually be someone of importance and respect, to actually make it as a woman. And now.. It seems that also was a lie.

The numerous times I had requested and even begged Haytham to take me or at least contact England in order to find my father, he'd always had wonderful excuses. Now I understood why. I wondered about the other recruits I knew in the Order, whether they were also purchased the same way they buy blades and guns. And thus, I no longer wished to stay away from Haytham. On the contrary, I wanted to find him and face him.

.

13th of August 1775

-The worst was not knowing… - My father sighted, holding my hand – Not knowing if ye were alive, where ye were, if ye were alright…

-I am here now, father. – I answered, carefully memorizing all the lines that his face now drew. – How did you find me?

-The men who sent you here finally spoke and I forced them to tell me where ye were, so I could find you. – He answered.

-And then?

-Then?

-After they told you?

My father looked to his left side, sighting.

-Did you kill them? – I insisted.

-Aye, when I was sure they'd told what they knew. Dead men tell no tales. I could not risk him warning whoever had taken ye, I needed to find him me'self.

-Well he told anyway. – I said, crossing my arms - You are lucky William managed to catch the letter; otherwise it would be already in my Master… former Master's hands.

My father leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a suspicious look.

-Your Master?

-As I said, it is complicated. I joined this group, this order… I needed purpose and I needed to repay the man who took me in. He gave continuity to the training you had provided me. My skills grew so much.

-So they tell me. – My father said. – They say you put up a fight bigger than any man.

-The crew has good fighters. They were just pissed. – I laughed. – And as I mentioned, my training is much more extended in comparison to their brawls. But they're much stronger.

-Still, I… - Father sighted. – I was not expecting this. When I learned you were taken, I thought… Sex slave, forced labour, used. You were a little girl. A little girl is taken by all these men, to this enormous and cruel new world… I honestly do not understand how you did it.

-How I did what?

-You not only survived… You became a great pirate, gained men's confidence, you trained, and others bow to you instead of the other way around. Sounds like a story from a book, not real life.

Holy cow… Now that almost made me emotional. Perhaps I wasn't entirely the failure I believed to be.

-Thank you… - I said. – I needed that.

-This William ye speak of… - He said – He is the Captain of the ship ye sail with, aye?

-Aye… - I murmured.

-Does he ask for anything in return for allowing a lass to sail with his crew?

-Only my loyalty… - I answered confused.

-Is he merely your Captain or… something else?

I raised my eyebrows, uncrossing my arms and leaning forward in my chair.

-You cannot be serious, father… - I said. – After everything you said, you believe I'd trade my body to sail a ship? To have a crappy job as a pirate?

-Not, it is not that. I was told he made a great deal of fuss when ye were taken from him.

-He is very protective of me and all of us are a team. That is all. I'd never…

-Pardon me for asking, sweet. – He laughed. – It just seems… rare. Well is there someone?

I blushed at how a specific face appeared immediately in my thoughts.

-No, father.

-Eve… - He insisted – Ye can tell me. Who's the lucky scallywag?

-Don't expect a woman of no wealth, criminal and who spends her days with men to marry good, father. That ship has sailed. – I said a bit more coldly than I expected.

Before I could continue, however, someone frenetically began ringing the bell outside and the men started to shout. "Enemy Ship". I got up, but my father held my hand, saying the men would take care of it. He was clearly in no condition to fight, since his leg was hurt. I wondered why for a second before I sat back down. We sat there merely for a few seconds before a cannon ball hit the deck and our table practically flew through the air, throwing my father and I in opposite directions. "To quarters!" was the only shouts we could hear.

I got up, tumbling from the sound that had stayed ringing in my ears and headed for my father. I helped him up and put my arm around him, with the intention of carrying him to a safer location. We climbed to the main deck and the Captain yelled for us to barricade in his quarters. I attempted to look at the ship, but between the yells and my father's weight, the only thing I managed to find out was that there were two of them, one on each side and quite close. Father and I took shelter in the main quarters, covering our ears whenever a cannon ball hit us or left our cannons, praying the enemy wouldn't shoot one directly at us. He hugged me and told me it would be alright, as if I needed protection or support. I did not. But it felt good to have my father by my side with his arms around me for once. We sat there for various minutes until we reached the conclusion we were being boarded. My father grabbed a sword laying on the captain's desk and hid by the door, forcing me to stay where I was, not allowing me to go fight. We held our positions, silent. I was able to grab a pistol and check if it was loaded. It was.

With no warning, someone kicked the left side of the door from the outside, forcing it open and groaning. My father held his sword up immediately, with the intruder having the same exact reaction. My eyes widened to the sight of him. I got up and pointed my piston. They stood there, each with his sword by the other's neck.

-Connor? – I murmured, not believing my own eyes.

He took a look at me from the corner of his eyes and then turned them back to my father, who had the same angry look on his face. If either of them moved, both would die.

–You both put the swords down! – I yelled.

None of them moved and the three of us stood there. There were still screams coming from the main deck.

-So ye the Captain of the boarding ship? – My father dared to ask.

-Yes. – Connor answered, firmly.

-Big mistake, mate. – My father said – We carry no treasure with us.

Connor turned his eyes to me for a couple of seconds.

-You're a Native… - My father said – What are ye doing at sea?

-Put the swords down! – I yelled.

-We came for her. – Connor answered, using his head to point at me – And we will not leave until she is on my ship.

-Listen, both of you… - I attempted, without success.

-The hell you are taking her away from me! – Father shouted.

-What is it you intend with her? – Connor asked, angry.

-I could ask you the same question. – My father snapped.

-She is coming with me! – Connor yelled.

-Please, you… - I attempted.

And, of course, once more I was interrupted. This time, by the right side of the door being kicked from the outside and another familiar figure coming in. William. He looked around, frowning to the situation, and immediately ran towards me after his analysis.

-Eve! – He shouted.

He hugged me and I hugged him back, confused yet happy to see him. Of course, my father did not appreciate how close Will was and diverted his sword from Connor's neck.

-Hoy, bastard! – He yelled.

Connor twirled the sword in his hand and arranged a more proper position to stab my father, who was now turning to Will. My instinct was to hold my pistol up and point it at Connor.

-Don't you dare! – I yelled, with one arm being held by Will and the other holding the pistol.

Connor stopped his movement, holding the sword in the air, as did my father. The three of them were staring at me, who had the most threatening expression I could arrange. William seemed nothing but confused, still also with an arm around me; my father had a frown on his face, angry and likely demanding answers from this behaviour; and Connor seemed hurt, clearly surprised at me holding a gun at his head.

-If my safety is what you seek, put the weapons down, all of you! – I yelled.

-Eve… - My father murmured.

-You as well, father!

Both Connor and Will forged the most shocked expression and looked at me. They lowered their weapons at last.

-«Father»? – Will asked, taking his arm from mine.

-What are you two doing here? – I asked.

-We came for you. – Will said, as if it was clear.

-Why is Connor here? – I asked, also lowering my pistol.

-I asked him for help. – Will answered.

-You what? – I asked.

-William said you had been kidnapped. – Connor said.

-And he asked you for help? – I asked, confused.

-We thought she was captive in your ship. – My father said – I heard she had been sold and I wanted her back. I only now learned she sails with this William lad by free will.

-Sold? – Connor frowned.

-It is a long story… - I sighted.

-This asshole was paid to take her… - My father said.

-Mr. Fancy… - William groaned.

-That is not important! – I snapped, afraid the name Haytham would come up in front of Connor.

-When were you sold? – Connor asked and turned to William – I assume you have some responsibility.

-Watch your tongue, lad. – William groaned, turning himself to Connor as well.

-Or what? – Connor teased.

-I suppose the attitude runs in the family… - William said.

-Will! – I shouted.

Connor made a confused and angry face and William kept the threatening expression. He knew Haytham was Connor's father and had already said more than he should.

-And what is that supposed to mean, pirate? – Connor asked threateningly.

-You watch your mouth, halfbreed.

-Listen, all of you! – I attempted.

-Ye know what? – My father shouted at Connor – Eve spoke to me of this William lad and how he protected her, but what are ye to me' daughter?

-I am someone that stood by her side whilst you are someone who left her! – Connor yelled.

-Left her? – Father asked, indignant.

-If you're all here for me, why does no one listen to my words?! – I yelled.

-And if you had done your part well… - Connor yelled, this time at Will – We would not be rescuing her and she would be traveling safely to meet her friends!

-Meet her friends? – My father asked, confused with the whole situation.

-Oh, really? – William snapped - If ye cared for her as much as your threatening tone seems to imply, wouldn't she be in your precious village instead of me' ship?

Connor stepped forward, obviously wishing to punch Will in the face. I stood between both.

-I have no time for this. – Connor sighted. – Why did you run? Without even a goodbye! It does not matter anymore. You seem to be here on free will. In fact, you seem very familiar with all of these people. I'm sorry for frightening you away with my demonstration of affection. – Connor was clearly angry. – Do not concern yourself with that however, you'll see no more of those from me.

He placed his sword in the holster by his waist and turned around. I was very hurt.

-Not so fast, mate. – My father said, still sword in hand. – Please do develop on that demonstration of affection, what did you do to my daughter?

-Are you serious? – I shouted – Can none of you listen to me?

I might as well not even be there. William had almost revealed that I had worked for Connor's father; Connor had almost told everyone of our kiss; my father seemed to be trying to make up for years of not being around in one day… I was tired of listening to them and gave up. It was time to be honest and deal with the consequences.

-Father… - I said – I did not know I had been sold until yesterday! I was never hurt by anyone, I thought I had been taken by simple kindness and I told most people you left me since it was easier to explain than to have been kidnapped. Will… I left the homestead because… my feelings for Connor made me fail my mission and forced me to step away from the order. And Connor… I'm a pirate. Have been since a little girl. I was never to go meet my friends; I have been traveling with my crew. And I was running. Now for the love of all that is holy, make your men stop destroying this ship and its crew and let us converse as proper adults.