Chapter 12

Compromising

After everyone had gone to sleep, Ratonhnhake:ton and I went out into the forest. I took his hand and he smiled at me. We stopped and he pulled me to him.

"I love you Sisika."

"And I love you, Ratonhnhake:ton. I always will."

He smiled and leaned down to kiss me. I closed my eyes and moved my hands to the strap of his quiver. I took it off along with his bow and then looked into his eyes. I moved my fingers through his hair and then kissed him again. I moved my hands inside his coat and he shrugged it off. He moved his hands down my arms and to my belt. He quickly did away with it and untied the front of my shirt. He pulled it over my head and it fell to the forest floor. I removed his gloves and blades so I could feel his skin on mine. He ran his hands gently down my sides and I started to undo the buttons of his shirt. Slowly I revealed his muscular chest and abdomen. Our cloths continued to fall to the ground and soon we were on the ground as well. He hovered over me, kissing my body as though I were his greatest treasure. His hands were gentle as they touched my skin.

"Ratonhnhake:ton…"

His lips returned to mine as we became one. He was gentle but passionate. He started moving faster and I knew he was nearing his release. I leaned forward and softly kissed his neck before falling back with a cry.

"Sisika!"

He came inside me and I took a deep breath as I followed him. He kissed my lips again as though it was what kept him alive. He then rolled to the side and we looked at the stars.

"I wish this night would never end." he whispered.

"So do I. But tomorrow we must go to New York and meet with your father."

He held himself up on his elbow and looked at me.

"I know it is hard for you."

"No, not when you are with me. Your strength gives me strength, and I trust you know what you're doing."

He smiled gratefully and I kissed him one more time.

Connor's POV

I woke the next morning with her at my side. She was so beautiful when she slept, so peaceful. I smiled and moved her long hair over her shoulder. I leaned over and kissed her softly. She started to stir and I smiled.

"Sisika. We must go." I said softly.

She opened her dark eyes and smiled. I smiled back and stroked her cheek.

"We need to leave." I said.

She nodded and we dressed ourselves. It took us a week to reach New York. Sisika wanted to stay out of his sight for the time being. I kissed her before leaving her. I went to our meeting place but he was not there. I sighed in frustration but when I turned there he was.

"Evening Connor. I see you made it here in one piece. Where has your little Indian girl gone off to?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"My wife, is here. She prefers to be out of sight for the time being. Recovered from your beating then?"

"Wife? It would seem congratulations are in order. Now, Benjamin Church is holed up in an abandoned brewery on the waterfront. We should be done with this by sunrise."

"Good. I would like to have those supplies returned as soon as possible."

"Of course. I wouldn't want to keep you from your lost cause. Come along then, follow me."

I followed him. Sisika seemed to have endless patience. I would have expected her to kill him by now. We jumped across the rooftops until we came to a church. Sisika was on top waiting for me. Father looked up at her and she jumped down. She slowly stood up and then walked to me.

"And of course the bride." father said.

She just stared at him. I stepped in front of her and he looked over the waterfront.

"Tell me something…."

"Hm?"

"You could have killed me when we first met. What stayed your hand?"

"Curiosity. Any other questions?"

I had plenty more questions.

"Why did you burn Sisika's village and kill her father?"

Sisika put her hand on my arm and squeezed. My father would not answer.

"What is it the Templars truly seek?"

He turned around then.

"Order. Purpose. Direction. No more than that. It's your lot that means to confound with this nonsense talk of freedom. Time was, the Assassins possessed a far more sensible goal, that of peace."

"Freedom is peace!" Sisika said.

I looked at her and my father came closer.

"Oh no. It's an invitation to chaos. Only look at this little revolution your friends have started. I have stood before Continental Congress and listened to them stamp and shout. All in the name of liberty, but it's just noise."

"And this is why you favor Lee?"

Sisika's grip became tighter, as though she were trying to hold back my anger.

"He understands the needs of this would-be nation far better than the jobbernowls who profess to represent it."

I looked at Sisika again and she nodded.

"It seems your tongue has tasted sour grapes. The people have made their choice- and it is Washington."

He sighed.

"The people chose nothing. It was done by a group of privileged cowards seeking only to enrich themselves." He walked forward and Sisika got in front of me. "They convened in private and made a decision that would benefit THEM. Oh, they might have dressed it up with pretty words, but that does not make it true. The only difference Connor- the ONLY difference between myself and those you aid- is that I do not feign affection." he snapped.

I knew Sisika was more than likely glaring at him. He turned away and she looked at me.

Sisika's POV

I did not like him yelling at Ratonhnhake:ton. He had no right to do so. He might be his father by blood, but he did not raise him. His mother, Kaniehti:io, and Achilles had done that. We continued to follow Kenway until he told us to stop.

"Hold a moment."

He walked forward and looked around the corner.

"Church, you clever bastard!"

"What is it?"

"I was hoping I could wave the two of you past the guards but he's replaced both of them with men I don't know. Hmmm. Well I should be able to pass without rousing suspicion. But you and her…"

He started to walk away but Ratonhnhake:ton stopped him.

"No. We do this together or not at all."

"Then what do you propose? There is no possible way for me to get her inside."

"She can get in on her own." I nodded. "I will find a guard who is off duty and take his uniform."

"Very well. I will wait here then."

"Of course you will." Ratonhnhake:ton growled.

"Oh! I'm sorry would you like me to come along and hold your hand, perhaps? Provide kind words of encouragement?"

He growled and looked at me.

"Stay here and watch him."

I nodded and he kissed my forehead. I smiled and then he left. Kenway sat down and I leaned against the wall.

"Your father did not need to die. He should have listened."

My eyes widened and I pinned his arms to the wall and held a knife to his throat.

"I gave my word to Ratonhnhake:ton that I would not kill you. He said nothing about severely hurting you." I snarled.

I backed away and he looked at me.

"Is that the name Ziio gave him?"

I did not answer him. Ratonhnhake:ton came back and I smiled at him. He wore a guard's uniform and Kenway stood up. He straightened the coat and nodded.

"That should suffice. Follow me."

Ratonhnhake:ton squeezed my hand and then left. I watched them approach the gate.

"Hold strangers. You tread on private property. What business have you here?"

"The father of understanding guides us." was all Kenway said.

"You I recognize. Not the savage."

That made my blood boil.

"He is my son."

Ratonhnhake:ton seemed surprised that he would say such.

"Tasted of the forest fruits, did you?"

The guard knocked on the door and it opened.

"Off you go then."

They went inside and I went to find another way in.

Connor's POV

I followed my father into the brewery. Sisika was in there waiting for us. We stopped at a locked door.

"It's locked, give me a moment." he said.

I leaned against the wall while Sisika played with her knives.

"Must be strange for you. Discovering my existence as you have." I said.

Sisika looked up.

"I'm actually curious as to what your mother might have said about me. I always wondered what life might have been like, had she and I stayed together. How is she, by the way?"

Sisika held her breath and I looked at him.

"Dead. Murdered."

She sighed sadly and shook her head. She came to me and put her hand on my arm.

"What?! I am sorry to hear that."

I turned around.

"Oh you're sorry? I found my mother burning alive. I'll never forget her face as she sent me away. Charles Lee is responsible for her death by your order. And you're sorry?"

Sisika pulled me back a bit.

Sisika's POV

As Kenway spoke, I was surprised to hear a bit of sorrow in his voice.

"That's impossible. I spoke the opposite in fact, I told him to give up the search for the Precursor Site. We were to focus on more practical pursuits…"

Ratonhnhake:ton pushed him aside.

"It is done! And I am all out of forgiveness."

He opened the door and I followed him through. Benjamin Church stood with his back to us. Kenway walked ahead.

"Benjamin Church, you stand accused of betraying the Templar Order and abandoning our principals in pursuit of personal gain. In consideration of your crime, I hereby sentence you to DEATH." Kenway said.

The man turned away, but it was not Church.

"NOW!"

Armed guards came and surrounded us. I backed up against Ratonhnhake:ton.

"You're too late. Church and the cargo are long gone. And I'm afraid you won't be in any condition to follow."

I looked around and thought about what I would do before I did it. As they came forward I dropped down and knifed one in the leg. He fell to his knees and I killed him. I saw one going for Kenway and I threw the knife into his forehead. I was the only one allowed to kill him. He gave me a strange look and I saw the false Church try to run. I threw my knife into his leg like I had done to Hickey. He fell to the ground and Ratonhnhake:ton went up to him.

"Where is Church?"

"I'll tell you. Anything you want. Only promise that you'll let me live." he said desperately.

He looked at Kenway who nodded. Ratonhnhake:ton pulled the man to his feet.

"You have my word." he said.

I pulled the knife from his leg and then wrapped it.

"See a doctor." I said.

He nodded.

"He left yesterday for Martinique. Took passage on a trading sloop called the Welcome. Loaded half it's hold with the supplies he stole from the Patriots. That's all I know…I swear."

I saw Kenway walk behind him and my eyes widened.

"NO!"

He stabbed him in the back and killed him.

"You promised!"

The man fell to the ground and I knelt down.

"And HE kept his word."

There was nothing I could do for the man. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I turned the man over and folded his arms across his chest before closing his eyes.

"Let's go." Kenway said.

I glared at him.

"You're a monster and a murderer." I hissed.

More guards came and I looked up. They aimed to shoot and I jumped behind some crates. Ratonhnhake:ton pulled his father away as well. Instead, they shot explosives and started a fire.

"We need to get out of here!"

"You don't say…"

I growled but we ran. He went ahead, not bothering to help us.

"Now is not the time for sightseeing."

Ratonhnhake:ton lifted me up so I could grab the ledge.

"Hurry! Go!"

We ran but the floor beneath us collapsed.

"You'll need to find a way around the flames."

We did so and I heard Kenway taunting the guards. As we pulled ourselves up, a beam fell on Kenway and the guards. I went forward and found Kenway hanging onto the ledge. I looked at him, I wanted to let him fall. I growled in frustration and grabbed him. I pulled with all my strength until he was safe. He looked at me but said nothing. He walked over to the door but it was locked tight. I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton and he smiled. I smirked and nodded.

"Stuck. See if you can find something to pry it open with. Connor?"

He turned.

"What are you up to?"

He stood ready to run.

"Oh no. Don't do that, there's no way of knowing what's on the other siii…!"

I laughed before running and jumping down. I landed in the water and I smiled.

"We do now." he said.

Kenway scowled at him and I laughed again. I pulled myself up onto the dock and then held out my hand for Ratonhnhake:ton.

"Church has at least a day on us…we must move quickly if we are to catch him."

I looked at Ratonhnhake:ton.

"We have a ship we can use. Meet us on the pier when you're ready."

Kenway seemed slightly impressed. As we walked away, I sensed a small amount of pride in Kenway. I hoped for Ratonhnhake:ton's sake, that deep down, his father did care about him.