Chapter 15

Comfort

Connor's POV

"~You have returned! But why? I thought you would be with that other man.~"

I frowned.

"~What other man?~"

"~Boiling Water. The one called Charles Lee. He took Kanen'to:kon and a few others with him.~"

"~What? Where have they gone?~"

"~To push back those who would take our land.~"

I shook my head and turned away.

"~No. This is wrong…~"

Sisika looked angry and worried. I went and took her hands.

"~Why are you troubled? Is this not what you wanted? For us to take a stand?~"

I looked at her.

"~I…I have to go. I need to stop them.~"

I backed away and then looked at Sisika.

"I need you here to protect them."

She nodded.

"Go."

I kissed her and then ran off, her hand sliding from mine as I did. I took out the warriors without killing them…but then I met Kanen'to:kon. He pulled a knife on me, and he looked like he would kill me.

"~Peace Kanen'to:kon.~"

"~Ratonhnhake:ton. Come to kill me yourself?~"

"~What?~"

"~Charles Lee told me everything. The Patriots seek to destroy us. And you would aid them.~"

"~That man is a liar!~" I said desperately.

"~He said that you been corrupted, that you would try to deceive. But here they are on our doorstep. What say you to that?~"

"~It is a mistake.~"

"~The only mistake was trusting you would help to keep us safe. They have seduced you. And you are turned against your own kind.~"

His words tore at my heart. He swung he knife and hit my side.

"~Stop!~"

"~I will, when you are dead.~"

He ran at me and threw me to the ground. His knife was at my throat. I had no choice but to kill him. I released my blade and stabbed him in the neck. I pushed him off me and then looked at him.

"~My passing wins you nothing, Ratonhnhake:ton. Charles Lee rides for Monmouth to reveal the Patriots' plans. The Loyalists will destroy them. The revolution will be ended. The Crown victorious, our people safe.~"

His eyes closed and he took his last breath. Tears filled my eyes.

"~It seems our people will never be safe. You are resting now, my friend.~"

I poked his belly like I used to when we were children. I closed my eyes and put my face in my hand. I wanted Charles Lee dead now more than ever. Kanen'to:kon was my oldest friend. He's turned him against me. I brought his body back to the village and Sisika gasped. I laid him down and my Clan Mother came forward. She shook her head sadly. I stood up and walked back into the forest.

Sisika's POV

I slowly stood up as he walked away. Because of Charles Lee, he'd killed his closest friend. I looked at his Clan Mother and she nodded sadly. She looked in his direction and then back to me. I nodded and went after him.

"Ratonhnhake:ton?" I called softly.

I found him sitting on a tree stump in the forest. His hood was down, his arm and aside bleeding. I bit my lip before going forward. I knelt down in front of him, putting my hand on his arm. He would not look at me.

"Ratonhnhake:ton, please, look at me." I said gently.

He looked at me and I that he had been crying. He fell to his knees in front of me and then pulled me into his arms. I closed my eyes and held back my tears.

"I am so sorry." I whispered.

He did not speak, he just held onto me. A few stray tears rolled down my cheeks. I slowly pulled back and looked at his arm. I removed the clothing on his upper body and looked at his wounds.

"I should have seen to this back in New York." I said quietly.

He still said nothing. I took him to a nearby stream and sat him down. I slowly and gently washed and cleaned the wounds before binding them. I took his hands and held them in mine.

"Ratonhnhake:ton, please say something."

"I will kill him."

At least it is something.

"I know. But first we must return to the homestead. Come."

He stood up and I turned to hand him cloths but he turned me back. He looked as though he were going to say something, but he just kissed me. I closed my eyes and my hands rested against his chest. His tongue licked over my lips and I opened my mouth to him. His tongue stroked mine and I moved on hand up his chest to his hair. I moaned a bit and he moved his hands down my back and to my hips. He slowly pulled away, give me one more kiss before looking into my eyes.

"Thank you."

I smiled curiously.

"For what?"

"For your love, understanding and comfort. For your support and courage. Thank you Sisika."

I smiled and brought his forehead to mine.

"I love you Ratonhnhake:ton. And I will always be here for you. I made that promise when we were married." I whispered.

"I love you. I love you so much."

I smiled and kissed him once more.