Achilles' knowledge of our relationship did nothing to make spending time together easier. Connor and I were still forced to refrain from showing affection around the house. If Achilles thought we were getting too friendly, he would give us chores to do that separated us. We still had our training time, but we had to spend most of it actually training as Achilles had requested weekly demonstrations of my progress.

Connor thought that since I was doing well at hitting stationary targets, I should try for moving ones. He suggested that I begin going hunting with him. I didn't really like the idea of shooting animals, but I went along with it. It gave us a little more time together and I benefited from the practice. It was difficult, but after a couple weeks, I became a decent archer. Not nearly as good as my teacher, but I could hold my own.

Connor also taught me how to track animals. He showed me how to spot the signs of recent activity for much of the wildlife in the forest. He recommended ways to mask my steps and remain hidden. He even devised games for us to play to help me with my stealth and reflexes. The reward for successfully evading him was enough to make me do my best. But I didn't mind it when he caught me either. Which he did often because of his fantastic skills.

I thought I had hidden myself well this time. I'd concealed the tracks leading to my current position and crouched in the underbrush, taking short, quiet breaths as I listed to my surroundings. I focused my senses and was able to make out the chittering of squirrels and the soft song of the brook nearby. I remained still, denying any urge I felt to shift my weight.

Among the other sounds of the woods, I was barely able to make out the giving of bark above me. I glanced up without moving. The dense shrubs made it difficult to see. But I thought I saw movement. I waited, hoping Connor wouldn't find me. After a few more minutes of nothing, I began to think I'd been successful. I smiled to myself. That's when I felt a pair of strong arms go around my waist and a familiar voice whisper in my ear.

"Found you."

Though I wanted to be angry that my attempt had been unsuccessful, his embrace brought a smile to my face. I let out a soft chuckle and glanced over my shoulder.

"You always find me."

Connor release me and stood up. He offered me his hand. I took it and got to my feet, not relinquishing my grip on his fingers. He grinned at me, tightening his own hold.

"I am sorry that you never win," he said.

I shrugged. "I guess I'm just not very good at hiding."

Connor frowned at me. "That is not true. You are very good at hiding."

I arched my brow at him. Connor didn't usually sugarcoat his opinions to placate me. He was never harsh, but he was honest. He always told me if he felt I was doing poorly in our exercises. He knew when I wasn't really trying and when I was doing my best. He was fair in his critiques, using polite words for his disappointment and suggesting ways to improve that never came off as offensive. I really never thought he would patronize me. But I couldn't help but feel he was doing that now.

Connor must have seen the doubt on my face at his words. He began to explain. "It is not because you are bad that I am able to find you, Faith." He paused, searching for what to say. "I have...a unique ability when it comes to tracking. It...it is difficult to explain."

I looked at him. He appeared to be telling the truth. What was more, he looked skeptical about relating his ability to me. It was not an expression I saw on him often.

I tugged his hand, inviting him to follow me. I led him to a large, flat boulder and sat down. He sat next to me, watching me with uncertainty.

"Try to explain," I told him. I said it in a kind way, reassuring and interested. I wanted him to know that I believed him.

Connor sighed. "It is vision," he said. "But does not come from my eyes. I can...sense things; people, animals. That is why I have always been a good hunter. This...ability also helps me to detect danger. I do not know how. But I know when someone poses a threat to me, even if I have never spoken to them."

It took me moment to understand all he was saying. "So," I said. "It's like, um, a Spidy sense?"

Connor frowned at me. I decided to use a different analogy.

"I mean, extrasensory perception? A sixth sense?"

After a moment consideration, Connor nodded. "A sixth sense, yes. I suppose that is what it is. I have heard it called many things. My people refer to the ability as Eagle Vision. Because the eagle sees all from it's height."

I nodded. "Eagle Vision. I like that. It sounds noble."

Connor let out a short laugh. "The eagle is a symbol of courage and wisdom among the Kanien'keha:ha. It is an honor to carry the feather of one. It means you have faced a great trial."

I glanced at the feather in his hair. "Is that an eagle's feather?"

"Yes," he told me.

I waited to see if he would tell me the story of how he had earned it. When he didn't, I asked. Connor smiled at me.

"I became an Assassin."

"Oh," I murmured. I hadn't really thought of that as a trial. But I suppose it was. It had been hard for him. It still was. I guessed it always would be.

With the mood so solemn, I decided it was time to change the subject. I tried not to be serious most of the time. I preferred to keep my life upbeat. Tense situations made me uncomfortable. I took Connor's hand, stood up and urged him to his feet.

"Come on, cutie," I said, making grin. "We're going to pick blackberries."

I had failed to grab a bucket on our way to the woods, so I made Connor carry all the berries I foraged from the large bush in his hands. He didn't really want to. He even offered to go back and get a pale, but I promised I'd make it up to him later.

"How?" he asked, not even thinking about it.

I gave him a grin and a wink and his cheeks became pink.

When we got back home, Connor began to put all the blackberries in a bucket and run water over them while I attempted to remove all the thorns from my palms. I loved blackberry cobbler, but I was beginning to wonder if it was worth all the pain just to get to make one. I got almost all of them out, but one had buried itself all the way into my skin. The more I tried to remove it, the deeper it went.

"Dammit," I hissed.

"Let me see," Connor said. He took my hand and studied the injury. "I can remove it."

With that he flicked his wrist and produced his blade. I instinctively jerked away as I realized he was going to dig the thorn from my hand with a dagger. My wide eyes regarded him as he frowned at me.

"I will not hurt you," he said. "Any more than I have to."

"You're not using that," I stated. "Get a needle instead."

Connor huffed and rolled his eyes at me. "Do you trust me?"

"Yeah," I said, rather meekly. "But..."

Connor took my hand again, drawing it close to him. "Close your eyes," he said.

I hesitated, receiving a reprimanding glance from him. Then sighed and shut my eyes. I tensed, waiting for the pain I knew was coming. After only a slight pinch, Connor told me to open my eyes again. I did. He put his knife away, holding up my thornless hand for me to view.

"I told you I would not hurt you," he said.

I grinned at him. I found it sweet that he had been so incredibly gentle with me. I also felt like I owed him something for doubting him. I held my hand up.

"Will you kiss it now?"

Connor frowned. "Really?"

"It hurts," I told him in a whiny voice. "Make it feel better."

Connor avoided smiling at me and pressed his lips to my wound for a second. "Better?"

"Not really," I told him.

Before he could respond, I tiptoed and put my mouth to his. He leaned in, letting me relax my stance. I put my arms around his neck as I felt his go around my waist. I didn't want to pull away. It felt too nice.

It was Connor who broke the connection. "Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"I'm getting there," I said.

He smiled at me. I was about to kiss him again when the back door shut loudly. Connor released me quickly and backed away as Achilles came outside. I glanced at the old man, knowing he had caught us kissing. He gave us a stony look.

"Connor," he said. "Don't you have training-"

"Yes," the youth answered before Achilles even finish the sentence.

Connor began to go to the house, throwing me a small glance over his shoulder as he walked. I smiled and waved at him before he went in. When it was just me and the old man outside, I gave him a dissatisfied frown.

"Don't pout," he said. "I'm sure you'll find other opportunities. What's in the bucket?"

"Blackberries," I told him. "I'm gonna make a cobbler tonight."

I saw the approving look on his face and smiled at Achilles.

"Well," he said, his tone slightly happier, "you best get those washed and in sugar soon, then."

I nodded and began to do as he said. Achilles watched me with the shadow of a grin on his face. I wasn't sure if he was glad he had interrupted Connor and me, or because he liked the idea of dessert. I didn't bother to ask.