Chapter 7

The Jester

Another year had passed and Ratonhnhake:ton was growing restless. I heard him arguing with Achilles one day and walked downstairs. There was a man there I did not recognize. Achilles came into the room and Ratonhnhake:ton followed close behind. He stopped shouting when he saw the man. Apparently the man's father was an Assassin.

"Achilles tells me that you and your woman here have uncovered a plot to kill the Commander in Chief."

"Yes, but I have only false lead and dead ends to show for it."

"Not anymore my friend."

He walked over and put a hand on his back.

"Thomas Hickey's your man. And I intend to help you catch him."

"How?" I asked.

He walked forward with Ratonhnhake:ton.

"I'll explain on the way. The three of us are going to New York."

My eyes widened. I stopped walking and looked down. I went out the back door and sat on the ledge near the water. There was a log that was hanging off the cliff and I sat there. The last time I was in New York, was when I was running away.

"Sisika?"

I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton.

"What is wrong?"

I stood up and looked over the water.

"I was still a child when your father killed my parents. I ran away and ended up in New York. It was a frightening place for me. I'd never been away from the village and I'd never been away from my family. People there were not too kind and I do not think they liked my people very much."

"Then wait here for me."

I looked at him.

"No. I go with you."

He held out his hand and I put my hand in his. He pulled me off the log and looked into my eyes.

"You don't have to do this."

"Yes I do. I will not let you go alone."

He was about to say something else but I put my finger to his lips. I smiled.

"I'm going with you."

He took my hand and kissed my palm.

"As you wish."

I nodded.

"Why do you come out here so much?" he asked.

I smiled and looked at the water.

"I have always loved the water and the smell of the sea. Until I met you, I had never been near the sea."

I looked back to him and found him smiling.

"I want to take you somewhere, before we got to New York."

"But what about Hickey?"

"I don't think he'll be going anywhere."

I nodded and followed him back to the Frontier. He pulled me onto the horse and then rode off.

"Where are we going?"

"Home." was all he said.

I smiled a little and held onto him tightly.

Connor's POV

I wanted my people to meet her. To meet the woman I'd fallen in love with. It was not too far from the Homestead and it was very early in the morning when we arrived.

"Sisika wake up."

She moved and I looked over my shoulder.

"Where are we? It's foggy."

I smiled and got off the horse. She slid down into my arms and I smiled at her.

"Come with me."

I took her hand and led her into the village. Many were already awake and preparing for the day.

"Ratonhnhake:ton!"

I looked over and smiled.

"Kanen'to:kon."

He embraced me and then looked at Sisika.

"Who is this?"

"Her name is Sisika. She's Iroquois, the only survivor of her village."

Sisika nodded to him, she was still untrusting of anyone apart from me.

"I am truly sorry to hear this. You are welcome here with us."

This made me smiled and look at Sisika. She had a grateful smile on her face.

"Thank you." she said softly.

He nodded with a smile.

"Come, sit and eat with us." he said.

We followed him and I was welcomed back. They greeted Sisika kindly and treated her like one of their own. She was happy and smiling, all I ever wanted for her.

"~She is beautiful Ratonhnhake:ton.~"

I looked at our elder.

"~Yes.~"

"~She is strong and her path is the same as yours.~"

"~My father destroyed her village, killed her parents. Yet she still stays at my side.~"

"~It does not matter who your father is, Ratonhnhake:ton. You are you.~"

I nodded and then looked back at Sisika. A child stood before her, playing with her necklace. I smiled a little at the sight. We could not stay long, but I was glad we were able to come at all. We said our goodbyes and then left.

"Your people are happy. They are free."

"Yes, but everyday that freedom is threatened."

"You will not let their freedom be taken. Neither shall I."

I put my hand over hers and she held onto it.

I love you.

Sisika's POV

His people had welcomed me and treated me with kindness. I was happy they accepted me. For I was in love with Ratonhnhake:ton. It was a two days ride to New York from his village. We stopped at an abandoned mine tunnel and took shelter. He caught a few rabbits and I cooked them. I noticed he continued to look at me.

"Do you need to tell me something, Ratonhnhake:ton?" I asked.

He looked at me and took my hand in both of his.

"I do, but now is not the right time. Now it is time to rest."

I sighed but smiled a bit and nodded. He laid back and pulled me into his arms. I rested my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Ratonhnhake:ton?"

"Hm?"

"When you kill Charles Lee, what will you do?"

He was silent for a moment.

"I have never given it a thought. Killing him has always been what my life was about. Well, until I saw you. Then everything change. I do not know what will come next, but I need you with me."

I smiled and kissed him. I pulled back so I could look into his eyes.

"I will always be with you." I whispered.

He pulled my lips back down to his and put his hand on the back of my head. This kiss was different from all the others. I pushed my tongue past his lips and he sat up. His hand tunneled into my hair as he kissed me. When the kiss slowed down we separated. He kissed me softly one more time before laying back down. I fell asleep to the sound of his heart beat.

The next morning we reached New York. We mounted a horse and met with the man from the manor.

"What is your stake in all of this?" Ratonhnhake:ton asked him.

"The same as yours. Peace, stability, a place for all to be free."

"Why not join the brotherhood then?" I asked.

"My father was an Assassin, quite good at his job too as I hear it. But…I hope to have children someday. It's hard living in two worlds. I chose to live in one."

"I understand." I said.

"Still, I contribute if I can."

I nodded. He'd made his choice, but had I truly made mine?

Connor's POV

"What can you tell me of Thomas Hickey?" I asked.

"He runs a counterfeiting ring in the city. Locate source of his operation, we can have him arrested. He cannot harm the commander if he is in prison."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Not exactly. But I have an idea where we can begin the search."

We rode deeper into the city towards the market. It had changed since I was there last. No one looked at me the way they had before. When we stopped I slid off the horse and looked around.

"There are rumors of bad bills circulating here. No doubt they come from Thomas."

We kept walking until we saw an angry vendor.

"This isn't money! It's colored paper! You've cheated me for the last time. Guards!"

The man ran off and Ratonhnhake:ton looked at me. I nodded and we followed the man. Soon he was joined by another and they led us right to Hickey. The door was locked.

"Listen carefully. If he comes out first you need to restrain him. Wait here."

He turned but I grabbed him. I kissed him quickly before climbing up the tree. Ratonhnhake:ton broke down the door and I took a deep breath.

"Thomas Hickey?"

"Might be. What's it to ya?"

I heard a knife drawn.

"Ain't supposed to be none of your kind left. Suppose I best be rectifying that then. Get 'em!"

I was ready but didn't come out the back door. I growled and jumped to the roof. A few guards had him and Ratonhnhake:ton jumped out the window.

"There's another one!"

He chased after Hickey and I followed. I pushed people away as I ran.

"You're both under arrest."

I stopped and hid behind a tree.

"Just having a spat is all. Nothing wrong with two men settling their differences the old fashioned way. Can't we come to-"

"Quiet! What are the charges?"

"Counterfeiting."

"I had nothing to do with that!"

I started to come out but he shook his head. To the guards it would seem he was doing it to them, but I knew he was telling me to stay put.

"Of course you didn't."

"We have bigger problems! This man is trying to-"

They hit him over the head I covered my mouth with my hand. They took him away and I followed. They took him to the prison and tears filled my eyes. I didn't know what I could do. The were guards everywhere. I decided to wait until dark. There had to be a way for me to speak with him.