On the next day, Altair met Connor after practicing.
"Connor, call everyone you trust…" Altair said. "We need a plan to rescue George Washington…"
"Where are we going to meet?" Connor asked. "At Achilles office?"
"No, I need a bigger room…" Altair said.
Connor nodded and went to call the people as Altair waited for his beloved.
"Where Connor went?" Maria asked, hugging him from behind.
"We'll do a meeting to discuss how to rescue George Washington shortly…"
Altair said, turning to her. "I already read all the books… now, I need to think our next steps…"
Maria nodded, knowing very well he was using the apple…
They kissed then.
"I love your intelligence…" Maria said.
"I'm not that smart…" Altair said. "The apple helps…"
"Modest you…" Maria said.
Altair smiled.
"Come on, let's go inside…" He said.
Maria nodded.
X ~ X ~ X
When Connor and the others arrived, Altair, Maria and Achilles were already waiting. The people who were there: Connor, Zio, Stephane Chapheau, Duncan Little, Clipper Wilkinson, Dobby Carter, Jacob Zenger, Jamie Colley, Robert Faulkner and some of his native friends. Connor introduced the latter to Altair and Maria…
With everyone settling down in the living room, Altair cleared his throat:
"Let me start this… we need a plan to rescue George Washington…" He said. "Maria, Connor, Zio and Robert come here…"
Altair and Maria walked behind the table as the others stood in front of it.
"I already read all the books and I have an idea of what we are facing…" Altair said. "But we need a rescue plan…"
They agreed.
"Do we know where he is?" Altair asked.
"Samuel thinks he is in New York…" Achilles said. "Arrested in one of the forts…"
Altair nodded.
"He must be on a place well-guarded…" Connor said.
"Ok…" Altair said. "We'll do this: Connor; you'll verify New York and divide our colleagues two by two between Boston and the region to look into the forts… they will pass the night there to see the best hour to attack if our target is in one of these places…"
Connor nodded. Altair turned to Robert Faulkner then.
"How is the reconstruction of the boat?" He asked.
Connor had explained that Altair and Maria weren't from there.
"The Ship…" Robert corrected. "How do you know about the ship?"
"We saw it a couple of days back…" Altair said. "And Connor explained to us… so?"
Robert nodded and said:
"It's kind of slow…"
"Do you think it can be finished by next week?" Altair asked again.
"Maybe…" Robert said. "If I have manpower…"
"Zio, do you think the men of your people can help?" He asked Connor's mother.
"Yes…" Zio said. "If Robert explains to them what they have to do…"
Robert nodded.
"Why, Altair?" Maria asked.
"Because we need a distraction… we can't keep George Washington here for long…" Altair answered, looking at her and then to the others. "I don't think the enemy will be quiet after his rescue… I need to think about the afterward…"
Maria and the others nodded.
"For now, we wait for your reports to decide the next step, then…" Altair said. "and the ship finished…"
They nodded and dispersed.
"Connor…" called Achilles.
Connor, Altair and Maria looked at him.
"I received news from Aveline… she's coming here…" Achilles said.
"Who?" Maria asked.
Dobbie, who was leaving the room, said:
"Connor's girlfriend…"
Connor looked ugly at her, then turned to Altair, Maria and Achilles.
"Aveline is an Assassin, but she's not from here…." Connor explained. "She can help us…"
Altair nodded as Maria smiled.
"The more help we have, the better…" Altair said.
Connor nodded.
"I didn't know you had a girlfriend, Connor…" Maria said.
"Aveline isn't my girlfriend…" Connor said.
"Only you don't see the way she looks at you, Connor…" Dobby said.
Connor rolled his eyes and said:
"If you say…"
"I only told the truth…" Dobby said and left the house.
Connor denied and looked back at Altair and Maria.
"You see what I have to endure?" Connor asked then.
Altair and Maria smiled and resolved to leave the room.
"Do you want a tip?" Altair asked, hitting him playfully a few times on the shoulder with his good hand. "The women assassins are the best… you won't regret…"
With this, the left, letting Achilles and Connor alone in the living room.
X ~ X ~ X
In the evening, the pairs were leaving for the places designated by Connor.
"I hope we can find the exact location where they're keeping George Washington arrested …" Connor said, crossing his arms.
Altair, Maria, Zio and Achilles were by his side.
"Me too…" Altair said. "The sooner we can rescue him, the faster we can organize…"
Connor nodded.
"Now is my turn…" Connor said, walking to his horse and riding him. "Wish me luck…"
"I'm sure you will find…." Altair said.
Connor nodded and left with his horse.
"Now, we wait…" Achilles said.
Altair nodded.
"Altair, I want you and Maria to come with me to our village…" Zio said. "I have things to discuss with you…"
Altair nodded.
X ~ X ~ X
When Altair and Maria arrived at the village with Zio and Achilles, the bonfire was already lit. The clan mother was waiting for them, standing with some natives, clearly preparing dinner.
"You may sit." Zio said, pointing to a bench, especially for them.
Maria nodded and helped Altair sit next to her as Zio walked to her mother.
"Let's start…" Zio said. "First, I need to tell you a little about Connor's father since he is one of the Templars we are going to face…"
Altair and Maria were surprised, but not much because of her past.
"We were together only for a few days before he went away to the city…" Zio continued. "I never saw him again…"
"Does Connor know him?" Maria asked.
"Yes…" Zio asked. "But they have never had a relationship…"
"Do you think we'll have a problem when we face him?" Altair asked.
"No…" Zio denied. "Connor knows exactly who he is… and that he must die…"
Altair nodded and asked:
"What was the second thing you wanted to talk about?"
"Do you know the temples Achilles talked about before?" Zio asked.
Altair nodded.
"We know the location of one nearby…" Zio said. "I didn't say something before because it is located inside a sacred land for our people…"
At this time, the clan mother spoke in her native language.
"We'll take you there when you get better because it is inside a cave…" Zio translated.
Altair nodded.
"We'll wait…" He said.
"Deal…" Zio said. "Now, shall we eat?"
They nodded.
X ~ X ~ X
Later, on the house:
Maria fell on the bed next to Altair, just after making love. They were still breathing quickly.
"I should… thought… this… yesterday…" He said.
Maria laid on her side and supported her head on her hand. She looked at him.
"My birthday was perfect, habib…"
Altair nodded and pulled her to a kiss. After, Maria smiled.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing, just happy to have you…" She said, passing a finger on his beefy chest.
"It tickles…" He said, picking her hand.
"Sorry.." Maria said, kissing his chest stead.
Seconds later, Altair breathed deeply.
"What are you thinking?" She asked.
"If Connor and the others will make it…" He said.
"I guess so…" Maria said. "But if they don't, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know…" He said. "I hate not going on missions… I had to hurt…"
"Look for the bright side…" She said. "I have you as my patient…"
Altair looked at her and smiled a little.
"It's the only good thing of being like that…" He said.
They kissed.