Chapter 21

The Blanket

They would not risk moving him. He had to stay on the ship until Dr. White said he could be moved. I would not leave his side. Mr. Faulkner covered me with a blanket and pat my shoulder.

"He'll be alright. White said it wasn't that deep. Said no arteries were punctured. He's a lucky one the captain."

"Thank you Mr. Faulkner."

"Aye. You need good news. Your child will have a father."

I smiled softly and took Ratonhnhake:ton's hand and kept a tight hold on it.

"I am here with you. I will not leave." I whispered.

I looked at Faulkner.

"Do you know if he succeeded?"

He shook his head.

"All he said was your name. And we didn't have time to ask, had to stop the bleeding."

I nodded. I knew he'd killed Lee. I just knew.

Nearly two days past before he opened his eyes. I slowly smiled and tears of joy rolled down my cheeks.

"Sisika?"

"Yes, I am here." I said.

He looked at me.

"I did it."

"I know, I know."

I put my hand on the side of his face and then kissed him gently.

"You scared me."

He raised his hand to my shoulder.

"Forgive me. But I did make you a promise, and I kept it. I'm here now, I won't leave again." he said.

I smiled happily and nodded.

"Ah, finally awake I see."

We looked at Dr. White.

"How has Sisika been doing? I have been gone almost two months."

"She is in perfect health. And now that you have returned her fear and stress should lessen without a doubt."

Connor's POV

I looked at Sisika.

"There is no need to be afraid anymore."

She nodded and I slowly sat up.

"Easy Connor! That was a nasty wound you had."

I nodded and there was quite a bit of pain, but not enough to keep me from moving. When I tried to stand up, it proved to be too much. I started to fall but Sisika caught me.

"Ratonhnhake:ton!"

She slowly sat me down and then knelt down next to me.

"It is too soon for you to be walking my friend. It is better for you to stay put for now."

I nodded. Sisika put one hand on my shoulder and the other on my left arm.

"I will stay with you."

I covered her hand with mine and leaned into her.

"I love you."

I felt her lips on my hair.

"I love you too."

"Good to see you awake captain."

"Mr. Faulkner."

He walked over with a smile.

"You're back safe and sound."

"Thank you."

He nodded and raised his flask. Sisika laughed a bit. I looked at her and kissed her gently. At last we would have some peace.

Over the next few days I could move without too much pain. There was still discomfort but I could move. Dr. White still told me to move as little as possible. Sisika and I returned to the manor and Lance was waiting there. He smiled when he saw us.

"You had us all worried there Connor. Good to see you on your feet."

"Thank you Lance."

"As it happens, I have managed to find out about your pregnancy, Sisika. And I have a gift for both of you, after everything you've done for me. Ah here it is!"

Big Dave and Norris came carrying a cradle. I had to smile and so did Sisika. Ellen came behind them and smiled at Sisika. She walked forward and held out blanket. On it were designs from the Iroquois tribe. Sisika looked at it before slowly taking it. She ran her thumbs over the material and smiled. She hugged Ellen, which was unusual for her.

"Thank you."

Ellen smiled and pat her on the back.

"I have crossed paths with your people once or twice. One was a man who came to request a blanket for his little girl. I believe the name was…Dyami I believe. This is the same design. I watched my mother make it for him."

Sisika's smile grew.

"Yes. I remember that blanket well. Dyami was my father. It meant eagle. And mine is bird. You don't know how much this means to me." she said.

Ellen smiled.

"Your father loved you more than anything. I could see that in his eyes. You were everything to him, Sisika."

Tears of joy filled her eyes and she held the blanket close to her.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." she said.

She nodded and Big Dave and Norris brought the cradle inside. Sisika went inside with them and I looked at Ellen.

"Thank you."

She shook her head.

"No Connor, thank you."

She turned and left and I went inside. I went upstairs and looked at Lance.

"This means a lot to us."

He just smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. You'll have to be sure to keep the other lads away if you have a daughter."

I was a bit confused by this but I just nodded. This made him and Big Dave laugh. After everyone had gone, Sisika sat down on the bed and looked at the blanket. I went and sat beside her. There was a large eagle in the center, with a small swallow by its side. I smiled and I saw the border was decorated the prints of a bear. It was an orange gold color, almost like the rising sun.

"I remember when my father gave this to me. It was soon after my mother and brother died. I was scared that I would lose him as well. He wrapped it around my shoulders. He told me that he would never really leave me. That the eagle would always protect his little bird. And I can hear him on the wind. And any time I have seen an eagle, I know he sent it to watch over me.

That day when Kenway came, I was hiding under my blanket. When of his men found me and dragged me away. I screamed for my father and he came running. He threw himself at the man and killed him. He picked me up but I dropped my blanket. He could not stop and go back, the fire had already started. He hid me outside the village and instructed me not to come out for anything. That I must stay there until the men left. I did not listen, and I went back into the village. That was when I saw my father die."

I put my arms around her.

"That's over now. We both lost our parents when we were children. That won't happen to our child. They will have both their mother and father with them. They will have a family." I said.

She looked at me and smiled.

"You're right. And we will give them the best of life."

I nodded and kissed the side of her head.

"Ellen's mother made this for my father to give me. And now she has made this for me to give our child. And one day it will be their child's." she said softly.

I nodded and she looked at me again. I stroked her hair and she held the blanket to her as she leaned into me. Everything would be different now. We would have a peaceful life.