Even though Connor didn't celebrate Christmas, I felt bad about not getting him a present. But I had no clue what to give him. I couldn't think of a single thing he would like. I really knew nothing about him. I tried asking Achilles for advise. He was no help at all. He wasn't sure why I felt obliged to give the native boy anything at all. I told him I just thought it would be nice. I didn't want to tell him I was afraid Connor would feel left out without a present under the tree.

Later, while Connor was busy doing something elsewhere, I sneaked into his room and looked around for some sort of gift idea. There was nothing in there that I hadn't seen before. And I was still clueless. The worst part was I only had one day left. I walked around the room, trying to understand the teenager I shared a house with. He was simple, but so complex. I doubted he would like anything frivolous. He wasn't that type of person. I knew he liked to hunt and that he used a bow. But I didn't know how to come by arrows for it. He had a blade, but he already had a whetstone.

I paused in my pacing at the shelf that displayed his mom's necklace and looked at it. It was so pretty. I wondered what she had been like. And what had happened to her. Would she approve of the path her son had chosen? Would she have raised him this way? Or had she urged him to this life? I had so many questions. About Connor and his mother. And also his father. He'd never mentioned his father before. I wondered if he had been an Assassin.

"What are you doing?"

I jumped and swung around to face Connor. He was standing in the doorway watching me. The cool stare he favored me with was enough to make me blush horribly. I fidgeted and thought for something to say. I realized I had no explanation for my presence in his bedroom. Nor could I think of a good one right off hand. His expectant gaze made me even more nervous.

"I asked you-"

"I wasn't touching it!" I stated defiantly.

"-what you were doing," Connor finished, ignoring my outburst.

"I-I was...I was just..." I took a second to compose myself before continuing as Connor walked into the room and stood in front of me.

"I was only looking," I stated meekly.

"For what?" Connor asked. His eyes moved passed me to the necklace on the table. I hadn't touched it. I'm not sure if he could tell, but when his eyes met mine once more, they were softer.

"Nothing," I said.

Connor nodded slightly and backed up. I guessed that was my cue to leave. I had invaded his privacy enough for one day, but I felt a desire to remain.

"What happened to your mom?" I asked.

He was quiet for so long that I thought he wouldn't answer. Then he sighed and began to speak. "She died when I was a child," he said. "Our village was attacked by the Templars and nearly destroyed. My mother..." He paused for a second. "She could not be saved."

I wasn't sure what to say to that. I muttered the commonly, but not really adequate, word used in such situations. "Sorry."

Connor only looked at me. This was the most meaningful conversation we'd ever had, but it taught me nothing about him. There was still so much I didn't know. I wondered if I'd ever learn it all or if our relationship would always be one of mutual circumstances.

"You said your parents left you?" he asked hesitantly.

I nodded. "I never knew my dad, but my mom just didn't want me. I don't really remember anything about her. I think I was two when I was placed in the first group home. They didn't keep me long either. No one ever has."

"I am sure you will find your place in time," Connor said. It might have only been my wishful thinking, but I could have sworn there was a hopeful note in his tone. Hopeful that my place was here. Even though it had only been a few days, that was my hope.

"You should go and see Lance," Connor stated.

I pulled myself together and remembered that I had other errands. "Yeah," I agreed.

"Would you like me to take you?"

I wanted to tell him no. I felt uncomfortable enough at present. But I wasn't sure where Lance lived, so I told him that would be nice. I got my jacket and followed him to the front door. Achilles was sitting in the study. He looked up as we came down the steps.

"Where are you two going?" he asked.

"I am going to show Faith around the property," Connor stated. "But do not worry, old man. She will return in time to make supper."

The answer appeased the other man and he went back to his reading. I followed Connor outside marveling at how well he had done with the story.

"You're pretty good at lying," I stated as I followed him to the stables.

"It was not a lie," he said. "I am going to show you the land. I only failed to give him our destination."

"Smooth."

He didn't get the statement. He only glanced at me then unlocked the stall where a beautiful two tone horse was munching hay contently. Connor spoke to the horse as he led it out, but I had no clue what he was saying. He was speaking another language.

"Is that your horse?" I asked him.

"She is the one I use most often," he stated.

"What's her name?"

"I call her Akosha:tens."

"That's pretty," I stated.

"It means horse," Connor told me. "Have you ever ridden before?"

"A horse?" I asked. "No. This is the closest I've ever been to one."

Connor gave me a look one would associate with an outcast. I supposed that's what I was. I felt everything here was strange. But to him, it was me who was unusual.

"Then we will ride together," he said.

As he saddled the mare, I petted her head. She seemed to enjoy the attention. She neighed and shook her main, nudging her muzzle against my hand. I giggled and stroked her some more. I had never spent much time around any kind of animal, but I liked them. I always dreamed of having wild and exotic pets. I'd always thought horses were graceful and elegant. I had wanted one since I'd first read Black Stallion as a child.

"Hey there, beautiful," I cooed. "You like having your ears scratched, don't you?"

The animal's response was a whinny. I took it as a positive reply and laughed.

"Are you ready?" Connor asked.

I stopped petting the horse and looked at him. He was watching me with something like embarrassment at my behavior. I gave Akosha:tens one more scratch between the ears and nodded. Connor mounted the horse and instructed me to get on behind him. He took my hand and helped me up. I tried to get as comfortable as I could. I guessed actually being in the saddle would help. But sitting behind it as I was, felt a little hazardous. I felt like I could fall off at any time. And we hadn't even started moving yet.

"Hold on," Connor told me.

"To what?" I asked dumbly.

"To me," he stated, as though the answer were obvious.

I put my arms loosely around his waist. He urged the horse forward and it made me hold on tighter. Connor led the horse along the path. I assumed it was a path. There were no trees growing where we rode, but the snow covered the ground. I looked around as we progressed. The country was beautiful covered in snow. I was raised in the city. I had never seen so much untamed land. It was breath taking. I noticed a fuzzy critter hop away as we rode by.

"A bunny!" I exclaimed.

Connor looked at me over his shoulder. I guess he found my excitement uncalled for. He'd been raised here. He was used to seeing all the wildlife. It was new for me.

"I've never seen a rabbit before," I told him with shame.

"There are many here," he said. "Along with deer, beaver and wolves."

"No lions or tigers or bears?"

I hadn't expected him to get the reference. He didn't. "There are bears south," he said.

"Seriously?"

"Yes," he said.

"Have you ever seen one up close?"

"I have killed a few," he stated.

I stared at the back of his head. It wasn't like him to joke. At least, I didn't think so. So I could only guess he was being honest. If not, he was doing a fine job of attempting to scare me.

"What else have you killed?" I asked.

Connor was thoughtful for a moment. "Many types of animals," he said. "Skins are very valuable. The meat, as well. Though I do not care for feline meat, it fetches a good price from those who enjoy it."

"You mean cat meat?" I asked with a grimace.

"Large cats," he said. "Cougars and bobcats are plentiful in the frontier."

"Do you use a gun to hunt those or only your bow?"

"Either my bow or my blades," he stated. "Roundshot lessens the value of the pelt."

We stopped talking as we reached a bridge. There were a few buildings on the other side of it. On the hill on either side of the road, stood two groups of boys, throwing snowballs at each other. They paused to let us pass and waved. Connor waved back.

"Who's kids?" I asked.

"They belong to the brothers who run the lumberyard and their wives."

"Oh," I said. "I didn't know we had that many neighbors."

Connor went a little farther and turned toward the next house. I guessed it was Lance's. There were tables outside covered by a canopy.

"Dismount," Connor told me. He offered me his hand for support as I ambled off the horse's back. He hopped off nimbly as I stretched. He knocked on the door and Lance answered and invited us inside. He showed me the cane he had made and asked what I thought. I looked at it. I hadn't expected something so ornate. It was beautiful. The handle was whittled into and eagle's head.

"It's perfect," I said. I held it back out to him. "But I don't have the money to buy it."

"Nonsense," Lance said. "You don't owe me anything."

I shook my head. "No, that wouldn't be fair. I can't take something I can't pay for."

"Take it," Lance said, pushing it toward me. "You can pay me later."

"I couldn't do that."

Lance chuckled. "Of course you can, Faith. We do it here all the time."

I was ready to refuse again, but I felt Connor's hand on my shoulder. "Accept it, Faith. Or you will insult Lance."

I resigned myself to taking the cane, but promised Lance I'd pay him as soon as I got the money. Double what he had charged. He waved it off, but I was serious. I always paid my debts.

As we left, Connor looked at me. "I could loan you the money."

I gave him a steady gaze. "No. I don't like owing people."

Connor nodded at me. "Very well. And how do you plan to hide it from Achilles until tomorrow?"

I shrugged, unwilling to say anything. "I have my ways."

Connor grinned at me then got on his horse. He helped me up behind him. As we rode home, I felt even worse about not being able to get a present for him. I had no time to make anything and no idea what to give him. My options were limited. In any other situation, I'd resort to cash. But I didn't even have that to give.

After I hid Achilles' cane and made supper, I moped around the house for a while. The only thing I had in my pockets was an elastic hair band. I doubted Connor would like that. He did wear his hair back, but it was a lame gift at best. I sat on the upstairs couch across from my room and twirled the item around my fingers in despair. I began to wish I had skipped Christmas this year.

Achilles entered, looked at me and sat down beside me. "Are you pouting because you don't have a gift for Connor?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I hope you're not under the illusion that he has one for you."

I shook my head. "I don't care if I get anything."

"Nor do I," he said. "But that didn't keep you and Connor from your schemes, did it?"

I stared at him. "You're not suppose to know," I said. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

"It will be," he assured me. "I don't know what you got me, but I know you've been planning something."

"Connor was right. We should have talked outside."

Achilles laughed. "Your behavior was enough to give you away. Connor may think he's clever, but I know when he's not being truthful with me."

"How'd you get so smart, old man?"

There was a huff of resignation from him and he grinned. "I've always heard that with age comes wisdom. But I'm not sure that's true. It's all in how you read people. And I've learned much about that in my years. Come with me."

He stood up and I followed him. He went downstairs to his bedroom and opened the drawer to the bedside table. He got something out and handed it to me. It was a rope, wound neatly, with a dagger attached to one end.

"It's a Sheng Biao," Achilles said. "A gift from the Chinese Order. I think Connor will find a use for it."

I smiled at him. "It can be from both of us."

He shook his head. "I have given him enough. My time, my wisdom, more of my patience than I have left. The rope dart can be from you. So long as you promise to stop sulking."

"I promise," I said. I gave him a quick hug. He let me.

"Go to bed, Faith. I'm sure tomorrow will be a busy day for you."

I lay down on my couch and tried to sleep. I hadn't been this excited for Christmas morning since I was a child. Even then my anticipation was often accompanied by disappointment. I had a feeling this year would be different. It had already been better than any of the other holidays I'd experienced.

It took me forever to finally get to sleep.