Chapter 6
11 January 1784 – Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts State
Connor trudged through the deep snow that had blanketed the floor of the forest on his way back from his usual scouting route.
He had completed his rounds sooner than expected, and had decided to return to the Manor in the hope that he would return before his wife had gone to bed. Connor was hoping for the opportunity to talk to Oni:dä, as he had not had much free time after the day he had taken her to see the other residents.
Within the few days they had been married they had spent little time together. Whether it was with the Creed or at the Homestead, Connor was constantly busy. At the Homestead he had business to deal with and trade routes to create, agreeing to deliver and supply the items and food that Homestead residents produced, to a variety of places around the Frontier. On top of that he often got waylaid by some small task that the Homestead residents had asked him to do.
Or having to stop Terry and Godfrey fighting.
Again.
On top of that Mister Faulkner had come into dock three days earlier with designs of a new trade route and deal with the Quebec harbour for shipping goods, which could be beneficial for both the trade in supplies and gain valuable metals for Assassin weaponry that they couldn't get from Norris' mine. He also had come up with some new modifications for the Aquila that he wanted approving so he could fit them immediately.
Because of this Connor had seen Oni:dä only a few times in the past four days. He saw her on a night after he returned but she was always asleep by then, but true to her word she still left a lit candle for him every night for which he was grateful.
It stopped him from walking into the chair in his bedroom, which he would faithfully walk into every night no matter how much he thought he knew where it was.
By the time Connor woke up in the morning she was always already gone. The only time he saw her was in brief moments whilst he went about his daily tasks, he would occasionally catch a glimpse of her in the distance busy doing some task or another. Sometimes she was doing washing in the river, and other times he saw her walking down the lane towards Prudence and Warren's farm with a woven basket with food in.
The business with Mister Faulkner had been finalised just that evening, giving Connor the time to scout earlier than usual. His only unfinished task was the trade route papers that he needed to sign, however he could do those tomorrow and then deliver them to Norris first thing.
Walking through the snow he nodded his head at his new plan. After this he would be able to spend some more time with Oni:dä and see if she was adjusting well to her new life, and if there was anything he could do to make her more comfortable.
The dry crunch of fallen leaves broke him from his thoughts and he was immediately on his guard. He showed no outward signs that he knew he was being followed but walked normally until he knew he was out of sight. He made his way silently up into the trees blending in with the snow-covered branches, surveying the area for any signs of movement. After a few moments he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye as the figure ran quickly from behind a tree into some bushes.
After activating his hidden blade, Connor slowly made his way across the branches until he was above the cluster of bushes that the person was hiding in and waited. The person following him finally noticed that their quarry was missing and slowly came out from behind the bushes, looking around warily.
It was a man, older than Connor, wearing a black outer coat with a wide brimmed black hat hanging loosely on his back and a rosary swing from his wrist. As he soon as he realised that he had lost Connor, he ran his hand through his greying hair and began to curse profusely, his Irish accent reaching up to Connor in the trees above.
Connor smiled and retracted his hidden blade as he realised who it was. Positioning himself on the branch he waited for a moment and then silently launched himself from the tree. He landed on the man below, breaking his own fall but forcefully pushing the cursing man to the floor. The string of curses stopped as the air was pushed out of his lungs, and the man now gasped for air as he hit the snowy floor.
"You are getting slow Duncan," Connor said as he let go of the man reached out his hand to help pull him up, the man on the floor took it with a grin.
"I am not, I just know you won't hurt me." He brushed the snow off the back of his coat as Connor looked at him with faint look of amusement on his face. "I knew you were there all along."
Connor raised one eyebrow and looked at the man sceptically.
"I did!" The Irish man protested trying to unsquash his hat.
"You did not know I was there." Connor said with a hint of amusement.
"I most certainly did!"
"Then why the cursing Duncan?"
Duncan laughed and threw his hands up in the air at this last question.
"Fine! I didn't see you coming, are you happy now oh great Assassin?" Connor's lips twitched into a faint smirk at Duncan's confession and he turned, and once again began walking through the forest back towards the Manor, this time leaving enough room for the Irish man to walk beside him. Duncan jogged to keep up with him.
"One day I'll beat you." Connor's faint smirk had become a full-fledged one at this point and he turned his head to glance at Duncan.
"You are free to try." Duncan scoffed at the challenge and Connor continued. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought I sent you with instructions for Dobby not a week ago"
"I did go to Dobby, she's in Boston at the moment. She told me to come and get you"
Connor was immediately on his guard. Why was Dobby in Boston? She was usually overseeing the Assassin faction in New York.
"Why is she in Boston?" He asked carefully. The Manor was in sight now and they moved towards it, out of the forest and onto the road.
"She was following a lead from New York to Boston, we told her we could handle it, if she'd just tell us what it was, but she insisted on staying, saying that she 'didn't trust someone else to-'"
"Pardon me Duncan" Connor interrupted becoming more worried by the second, "what was the lead about?" Duncan shrugged his shoulders.
"She wouldn't tell us. She did say that you should probably hurry though"
Connor held back a groan. "Maybe you should have mentioned that early instead of wasting your time trying to sneak up on me?"
"It was too good of an opportunity to miss." Was Duncan's only excuse with a grin that showed his unrepentant state. Connor sighed and walked towards the Manor door.
"We will leave immediately, get the horses ready." He instructed, Duncan nodded, the grin falling from his face, and they spilt Duncan going towards the stable as Connor entered the Manor.
Making his way into the study, he quickly signed the papers for the trade route that he hoped Norris would find later. He then made quickly went up the stairs and down the corridor to where the bedroom door was still ajar, it's dim light shining into the corridor.
He quietly entered the dimly lit room and made his way across the creaking floorboards, being careful not to disturb his wife who was already asleep on the bed.
After gathering a few more things for his journey he walked towards the bed. Stopping for a moment beside it he pulled the woven blanket more around his wife shoulders, smiling as she sunk deeper into it with a soft breath, he then turned to the candle she left lit for him in the night-time and gently blew it out.
The room fell into a comforting darkness and Connor left quietly. Duncan was in the stables holding two horses that he had already saddled up.
"Are you ready?" he asked as Connor approached. Connor nodded and mounted the horse that Duncan held out to him.
He took one last look at the Manor and then rode off to Boston.
12 January 1784 – Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts State
Going to bed without her husband had become a normal occurrence at this point for Oni:dä, as he had informed her that he needed to scout the area in the night-time.
However, it was uncommon for him to be absent when she woke up.
Waking up she knew instinctively that she was alone in the room, looking over to the other side of the bed confirmed it. The place where Ratonhnhaké:ton usually slept, tucked on the opposite edge of the bed, was empty. Turning to the candle she saw that there was still half of it there, meaning he must have returned during the night at least once.
Oni:dä stretched and got out of the bed and walking over to wear her daytime clothes were and got dressed noticing that his clothes were already gone. Furrowing her brow Oni:dä looked out the window to see the slow gentle snowfall coming from the dull grey clouds, it was still early in the morning. She thought she might have overslept since he was gone already, but as it was still the usual time she woke up, so she supposed that wasn't the case.
He was probably busy with more business today with the man who came on the ship a few days ago. Satisfied with her logical conclusion Oni:dä went about her day thinking nothing more of it.
13 January 1784 – Boston, Massachusetts State
It was late by the time that Connor and Duncan rode into Boston. The sun had already gone down and the only light came from the candles that lit people's homes throughout the city. Both themselves and their horses were splattered with mud from the hard ride through the muddy frontier.
On their journey Connor had tried to ask Duncan more questions about the situation but to no avail. Dobby had really kept the information to herself this time much to Connor's chagrin. He would definitely have to speak to her about the importance of sharing information when he saw her.
The Inn where they were supposed to rendezvous came into sight and they directed their horses towards it, avoiding the staggering drunkards that were coming from the building. Connor jumped down from his horse and led it to the post by the front where he tied it carefully. The raucous laughter could be heard from the streets and as Connor opened the door he winced as it got even louder.
Squinting in the bright light he looked around the room for Dobby's familiar hood over the sea of rowdy patrons. He spotted her in the back of the room past the fireplace with her hood over her face and her feet on the table in front of her, looking for all the world like she was just another patron who had had a little too much to drink.
But Connor could see the glint of her eyes from under the hood as she carefully watched the crowd and her eyes met his and she nodded slightly in greeting. He made his way though the people towards her with Duncan in tow avoiding the sloshing beer as yet another bawdy drinking song began.
Connor wrinkled his nose as the smell of split beer and smoke filled his lungs. He didn't like inn's and avoided them when he could, the stench of alcohol was sickening to him and reminded him of times he would rather forget. Dobby moved her feet back onto the floor as Connor approached the table and she pulled out a seat for him
"Nice to see you again Connor. How have you been?" Dobby greeted as he reached her and sat down.
"I would have been better if I knew what the situation was about." He said with some mild irritation as the drinking song got louder. "Why all the secrecy?"
"I didn't want it to be overheard by mistake." Dobby said pushing a tankard in his direction which he ignored. "It's something to do with the Order."
Connor's irritation subsided away as fresh wave of wariness took its place. Keeping his posture relaxed he flicked his eyes around the room to make sure no one was listening too closely. He saw no one as all the other patrons were all looking towards the bar as yet another barrel was brought out of the cellar. They all cheered as it was opened and some of them turned to raise their tankards at Dobby in thanks, Connor raised an eyebrow in her direction.
"I guess you are the reason why everyone is so…jolly tonight then." He questioned, Dobby shrugged and inclined her tankard to a grateful patron before taking another swig.
"I thought having a distracting atmosphere would be better so we can't be overheard."
Connor nodded. As much as he didn't like it, he could see the point in having such a rowdy place as a cover for important conversations. It was one of the reasons why they still met at inns.
"Besides," she continued with a grin, "You're the one paying."
"And why would I be paying?"
"Assassin business, and since you are the leader and the richest one out of all of us it's only right that you pay." Connor shook his head with sigh but didn't argue as he turned to Duncan.
"Duncan," The man in question turned away from looking longingly at the bar back to Connor who inclined his head towards the at the front of the Inn. "Make sure the crowd keeps up this energy."
"Are you still going to pay for it?" Duncan asked looking excited, Connor sighed in exasperation but nodded. Why did all his recruits only ever think about money and drinking?
Duncan grinned and took the bag of money Connor offered him before making his way to the front, he yelled something to the crowd that Connor figured could only be a promise of a new round of alcohol based on the cheer it received. Connor again turned back to Dobby and leaned slightly on the table.
"The Order died with Lee over a year ago, he was the last Grandmaster." Dobby shook her head and spoke in a lowered tone.
"Charles Lee was the last of the leading group founded by the Grandmaster Haytham Kenway. But he was not the last of people who believe in Templar ideals."
"Who is it this time?"
"We don't know yet, I've just heard rumours about some mass slave selling going on in both New York and Boston, my informants tell me that both incidents have links to the Templars."
"Do they know where the people who have been sold have gone to?" He asked scowling at the mention of slaves. It was one of the many things he didn't agree with in this new 'free' land. He remembered that day in New York after the remaining English soldiers had left when he had seen people being sold in the marketplace like they were no more than items to be owned, and he could clearly remember his disgust at the sight.
Dobby shook her head and took his untouched tankard. "Once they are sold their purchase records are being removed, we have no idea where they've gone or who bought them."
"Have you heard of anyone asking about an amulet?"
"No, I would've already sent word if they had." Connor sat back in his chair a scowl gracing his face in his concentration. Ignoring the din that was coming from the bar Connor thought about this new information for a few minutes.
The last Grandmaster had been killed over a year ago now, if there had been another one chosen, he would have heard about it already. The Templars had big plans and didn't usually keep them quiet. However, he had heard nothing that was out of the ordinary until today.
The Templars in his Father's time had been looking for the amulet and the hidden temple that his people had protected. After Connor had taken the necklace from Lee and buried it by Achilles' grave, he had warned his recruits to inform him if anyone was found asking or speaking about either.
Which again, nobody had. He'd have to go back and see if Achilles' old books and reports mentioned any Templars who still might be around.
Connor looked in the direction of Duncan who had stood on a table and was singing loudly with the others and caught his eye. Nodding at him Duncan slowly finished his song and staggered off of the table towards Connor and Dobby, raising his tankard and shaking his head to those who called him for another song. Duncan threw himself into the chair beside Connor and sagged down into it, looking as if he was as drunk as the some of the patrons. But his eyes held a cunning look that showed that most of this was an act, and he wasn't as completely drunk as he appeared.
"What do you need Connor?" He asked. Connor relayed the conversation he had just had with Dobby and the information she had provided. He gave them both instructions, Dobby was to go back to New York and try and find out where the sold slaves were disappearing to, and Duncan was in charge of mobilising the Boston Assassins and getting them trained quicker in preparation for any possible attacks. The two agreed without question to his instruction and Connor stood up to leave and bid them farewell.
"Surely you aren't heading home now?" Duncan said in disbelief, "You need to rest, we rode through the night twice to get here!"
"I can take short rests on the road if I must." Connor replied. Duncan shook his head.
"You can stay at my house for tonight, I'm sure my family won't mind." Duncan offered in a tone that showed he wouldn't take no for an answer. Connor gave in and accepted his offer, they both stood up and he had begun to follow Duncan towards the door when Dobby voice once again called out to him.
"One more thing Connor" He turned to face her and noticed the serious look in her eyes, "Johnson's wife, we found her, she's gone back to live in his house."
Connor's face stiffened and he gave a curt nod and swiftly left the building back into the frosty streets towards Duncan's house. The mood was quiet and sombre as they made their way down the streets. Connor fingers subconsciously reached down to the pouch at his waist, lightly touching the item that he had been carry there for almost a year.
"I know what I need to do about the situation, but what are you going to do now?" Duncan broke the silence, talking quietly so they weren't overheard by any possible prying ears.
"I will return to the Homestead to find out more information about this Templar business." Was Connor's reply. "But I need to go somewhere first."
And so the plot thickens, or starts at least. Hope you are all enjoying the story so far and remember to leave comments (I love reading them!)
Just in case anybody was wondering, the way to pronounce Oni:dä's name is:
O-ū-nee-da
(O as in 'oh no')
(ū as in 'zoom')
(nee is pretty self-explanatory)
(da is how it sounds, just you extend the 'ah' sound at the end)
(P.S I've been back and edited the previous chapters because I realised I'd got the dates completely wrong)
