Chapter 9

Father

Achilles came with us. Ratonhnhake:ton wanted to tell Washington about the Templars. Achilles would not hear.

"Hunt the Templars as is your duty. Do not drag these men into it."

He looked at me but I didn't know what to say. We walked into the room and I recognized Sam Adams. They were signing a large piece of paper. I couldn't read it though.

"You once more are our savior. The both of you." Adams said.

Ratonhnhake:ton nodded.

"We must speak with the Commander."

"He's gone to try and hold New York. The British intend to take it. I fear we'll need to recall our men from Quebec as well. It's one thing to declare Independence. Now my friends, we must make it so."

I nodded in agreement.

"So what do we do?" I asked.

"We go home for now."

I smiled and we left. We went to the ship and I looked at his face.

"What did they do to you in there?" I asked.

"I'd rather you didn't know. But that night, I heard a gunshot."

I sighed and showed him my arm.

"Who did this?"

I looked at him sadly.

"Your father."

His hands balled into fists and he gently touched the wound.

"I'm-"

"This was not your fault. You do not need to be sorry for what your father does."

He nodded but I knew he still felt like he was the one to blame.

Connor's POV

Almost another year had passed. Achilles and I argued back and forth about Washington. Finally I'd had enough. I walked out the door with Sisika.

"Don't do this Connor!"

I turned and scowled at him.

"What would you have me do? Sit and watch while the Templars take control? We are sworn to stop them or have you forgotten?"

Sisika sighed and shook her head.

"Assassins are meant to be quiet, precise. We do not go announcing conspiracies from the rooftops to all who pass by."

"Who are you to lecture anyone? You locked yourself away in this crumbling heap and gave up on the Brotherhood entirely. Since the day I arrived you've done nothing but discourage me, and on the rare occasions you've chosen to help you've done so little you may as well have done nothing at all."

Sisika got in front of me and tried to push me back.

"How dare you!"

"Then tell me: on whose watch did the Brotherhood fall? Who inaction allowed the Templars to grow so strong that they now control an entire nation."

I turned and went to the horse.

"If I sought to dissuade you it was because you knew nothing. If I was reluctant to contribute, it was because you were naïve. A thousand times you would have died and taken god know how many with you. Let me tell you something Connor: life is not a fairytale and there are no happy endings."

I looked at Sisika.

"No. Not when men like you are in charge."

I got on the horse and pulled her up behind me.

"In your haste to save the world boy- take care you don't destroy it."

I nodded but then rode away.

"Your words were cruel, Ratonhnhake:ton."

"As were his."

"I did not say they were not. Two wrongs do not make a right. You should both apologize to each other." she said.

I sighed but I didn't say anything. We passed people as we went down the road. More had come to the Homestead from New York and the Frontier. The people were happy and they were free from the Redcoats here. We made our way out into the Frontier. A snow storm came and we had no choice but to stop. She didn't look at me and she stayed silent.

"You have not been this quiet since the day we met."

She sighed and finally looked at me.

"I am still shaky from seeing you in that cell." she said quietly.

I moved closer and she put her arms around me.

"Your own father didn't even try to help you. Why?"

"Either he does not know who I am, or he does not know. It doesn't matter. But I'm here now, and I have made no plans to go back. I promise."

She nodded and closed her eyes, though I knew she did not sleep.

Sisika's POV

I had him back and I was not letting him go. My hatred of his father had only grown. A father was meant to love and protect his child.

"How could a father leave his own child in such a place?"

"Sisika…"

"I don't remember much about my father, but I know he would never do that to me."

"Shh-hhh."

He had me look up at him.

"What my father does is not important. I had my mother and she was everything a mother should be. Kind, loving and strong. She raised me on her own and taught me to be kind and honest. I do not need a father."

I nodded but I didn't agree with him.

We reached Washington by the next day. There was a fuss about stolen goods, and about a man called Benjamin Church.

"We will find Church for you."

I nodded.

"Why do you want to help?"

"Does it matter?" Ratonhnhake:ton said.

"I suppose not. We've received reports of trouble on the southern roads. You should start your search there."

He walked away and I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton.

"Do you really think he'll be there?" I asked.

"I do not know, but we must try."

I nodded and we ran off towards the trees. He stopped once we got there and he turned to me.

"Stay high."

I nodded and he kissed me. He pulled back and twirled one of my braids with his fingers.

"I don't need to tell you to be careful."

I smiled.

"No, but I must tell you. Be careful, Ratonhnhake:ton." I whispered.

He kissed me one more time before walking off. I jumped into the tree and followed him. We came to an abandoned church and I jumped onto the roof. As soon as I got inside I saw Kenway jump at Ratonhnhake:ton.

"Father."

"Connor. Any last words?"

"Wait."

"An poor choice."

I threw myself at him and knocked him to the ground.

"You again."

I stood up with a knife.

"Sisika! No!"

I stared at Kenway. I wanted to kill him more than anything at that moment. Slowly, I lowered my arm. Ratonhnhake:ton pulled me away from him.

"Come to check in on Church? Make sure he'd stolen enough for your British brothers?" He snapped.

"Benjamin Church is no brother of mine. No more than the Recoats and their idiot king. Oh I expected naiveté but this…" he took a deep breath. "The Tmeplars do not fight for the crown. We seek the same as you boy. Freedom. Justice. Independence."

I narrowed my eyes.

"But?"

"Hm? But what girl?"

"Johnson, Pitcairn, Hickey. They sought to steal land, to sack towns. To murder George Washington." I snarled.

Ratonhnhake:ton held out his arm to hold me back.

"Johnson sought to own land that he might keep it safe. Picairn aimed to encourage diplomacy- which your girl cocked up thoroughly enough to start a god-damned war! And Hickey? George Washington is a wretched leader. He's lost every battle in which he's taken part. The man's wracked with uncertainty and insecurity. Only look at Valley Forge to know my words are true. We're all better off without him."

He looked from his son to me. There was something in his eyes that I did not understand.

"Look, much as I'd love to spar with you, Benjamin Church's mouth is as big as his ego. You clearly want the supplies he's stolen. I want him punished. Our interests are aligned."

He looked at me.

"It might be the only way."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Ratonhnhake:ton…"

He put his hands on my face.

"Trust me?"

I looked over his shoulder. I hated that man but I knew Ratonhnhake:ton needed his help. I nodded and he kissed my forehead.

"What do you propose?"

"A truce. Perhaps…perhaps some time together will do is good. You are my son after, and still might be saved from your ignorance."

He suddenly let lose a knife. I got in between them.

"I can kill you now if you'd prefer."

"You would have to go through me."

Ratonhnhake:ton didn't say anything and he put the knife away.

"Excellent. Shall we be off?"

"Wait."

He looked at us.

"You will answer for what you did to Sisika. I known you shot her."

"And she threw a knife into my arm. I believe that makes us even."

I glared at him but he just nodded.

"Do you even know where Benjamin Church has gone?"

"I'm afraid not. I'd hoped to ambush he or one of his men returned here. It seems I'm too late. They've come and cleared the place out."

We walked towards the door.

"Sisika and I may be able to track him."

I nodded and we walked outside. I knelt down and looked carefully. The cart tracks were fresh. I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton and nodded.

"Go ahead."

"No. I'm not leaving you alone with him."

"Sisika-"

"No. That is my final answer."

He sighed but nodded.