Author's Note: I'm so sorry for not updating for so long. Some of you know why I stopped writing and anyone else is free to message me for enquiries. I will be trying to get back into updating as often as possible because life must go on. Thank you all for your support.
Enjoy!
"The older man is a Templar," Connor informed Faulkner as he stood at the helm, "Who was he with?" he asked the man.
Violette looked up to the sky, shaking her head. He just wouldn't let it go. Furthermore, he should have been able to recognize the man from the portrait back in the manor. She made her way next to Connor's side.
"A Templar?" Faulkner repeated, unsure if Connor was saying that the man may also be an enemy, "The young buck was Nicholas Biddle. Nobody. Sails before the mast—midshipman for the Crown."
"You would know that if you paid closer attention to our enemies and their positions, Connor." Violette jeered her partner.
"Be quiet." he hissed at his counterpart, turning to Faulkner once more, "Are the guns ready?" he asked.
"Aye," the man confirmed, "But we won't jump in over our heads. We'll find a suitable target and show you and the lass how they work."
"She will not be controlling the ship and will have no need to learn of gun use, either." Connor spoke sternly.
"That is not your decision, Connor," she told the teen, "We're to work together and must learn everything together as well."
"She's right. You two are a pair and 'ought to work as such." Faulkner agreed with the young woman.
"Grazie, Signore." she thanked him.
"We've fitted her with a modest amount of guns to start, but rest assured, there's ample room to add more, should you feel the need."
"He will feel the need to, I guarantee it." Violette commented.
Connor looked at her, "Shut up." he spat.
She waved him off with her hand, not caring what he had to say at this moment. She was extremely disappointed in his actions. He should have known better than to demand the location of a Templar. Had he learnt nothing in all the time they'd spent training to become Assassins?
Violette's expression turned to one of horror as the Aquila came to a stop between two separate ships that had crashed into rocks. They looked so void of life and she could only wonder what suffering the people on board went through. The thought was haunting and the appearance of the ship haunted her mind as she could imagine the agonizing screams of those aboard.
"Looks like a British Frigate with half seas over. Should do nicely for a spot of target practice."
"But, Signore," Violette began, "The ship has already been destroyed. This was the place of some people's last moments of life. Do you believe it would be right to disturb it?"
"Don't worry, lass," Faulkner spoke, "I understand you feel for those lost, but they've been long gone now." he explained. She nodded, accepting his words, "Bring her around broad side and when all guns are on target, call 'fire'." he told Connor.
Once the guns were prepped, one of the gunmen announced such and Violette passed the message on to Connor, but it didn't seem like he heard her, "Connor, the guns are ready." she tried again, but his eyes were locked on to the dead ship. Was he caught up in the same thoughts she was several moments ago? She smacked him lightly on his cheek, getting his attention immediately.
"What?!" he yelled, holding his hand to his cheek.
"The guns are ready, idiota (idiot)." she informed him a third time.
He pointed out to the wrecked ship, giving the gunmen time to aim the cannons in the requested direction and yelled 'fire!'.
The violent but short jolts and deafening booms of the cannons firing startled Violette, but it was something that she could quickly get used to.
"Well done, boy!" Faulkner commended Connor, "Now, aim all guns at her bow and do as much damage as possible." he ordered him, pointing toward the area he was speaking of, "Afterward, Violette will get a chance to do the same as you."
"Perhaps I will do even better than you, Connor." Violette teased her counterpart.
He scoffed, "You're a silly girl. You can never be better than me at anything." he said confidently.
"Tell that to our arching scores." she came back smoothly and he stayed silent.
It was true that her aim with a bow and arrow was much more calculated than his. Still, he would hone that skill to be better than her eventually. Achilles had spoken of him being the brute force while she carried a more soft, precise touch, but still a deadly one at that. He wanted to be able to perfect each and every skill he could. Even she had her weaknesses, yet she'd managed to take out an entire group of mercenaries and saved Lance's life on her own with her hidden blades and sword.
Connor ordered the crew to fire and the cannon balls ripped through the ship that was already falling apart. Faulkner seemed pleased with the results as well.
"Good!" he commended Connor, "Now, how about we give the swivel guns a turn? They're more precise."
"I will handle this, Connor." Violette informed her partner, "Precision isn't your specialty, after all." she teased as she made her way over.
Connor sneered at her remark, "For now. Wait until I ban you from the ship."
"If you do so, I will have Achilles put you in your place. You need a talking to, anyway, since you've clearly forgotten."
"I will throw you off of this ship right now!" he yelled.
"Nobody is throwing anyone overboard, you two!" Faulkner intervened, "Go on Violette. Hit those powder barrels and light up the sky."
"Va bene, nessun problema! (Alright, no problem!)" she beamed, aiming the gun and firing. She hit the target, the barrels exploding up in the air with parts of the ship bursting out in different directions followed by smoke left in its wake. The crew cheered and Faulkner enthused that such a sight never gets old.
"Not bad for a spud, Cap'n!" Faulkner complimented the teen, "With enough practice, you and Violette would make the perfect pair for the Aquila!"
Connor liked the sound of that, turning to Violette, "From now on, you will address me as 'Captain'." he ordered her.
She laughed aloud before giving him a stern look, "In your dreams, bambino (child)."
"The Old Man is like to have my hide for keeping you two out so long...we should be heading back now."
Connor called for full sail and began to head toward the Homestead.
Violette enjoyed the breeze coming from the open waters. Perhaps she would be able to get used to being on a ship soon enough. Suddenly, a ship began shooting at the Aquila. "Merda! (Shit!)" Violette swore, startled by the sudden engagement and made her way to Connor's side.
"Why is he shooting at us?!" Connor asked, panic and confusion clear in his voice.
"Destroying property of the Crown, disturbing the King's peace; take your pick." Faulkner explained.
"What do we do, signore?" Violette asked the man.
"Naught else but to fight back! Sink the bastard!" Faulkner exclaimed.
"Fatto! (Done!)" the teenager agreed, taking hold of a swivel gun.
With fair coordination, Connor maneuvered the Aquila as needed for Violette to take clear shots at the ships, sinking them one by one. He was surprised by her precision, but did not give her any recognition for it, keen on not giving her a chance to think that he would want her on the Aquila after this.
"English frigate!" a crewman called out. Connor and Violette looked over to see another vessel sail next to them, the ship being close enough that they could see the crew aboard the enemy ship preparing the cannons to fire.
"Brace!" Connor called out, causing everyone to duck immediately, feeling the momentum of the cannon balls flying past them and the slight impact of others.
They proceeded to go through the routine of bracing and firing at the frigate until it finally sank. Violette watched as men aboard jumped into the water, frantically paddling to any piece of floating debris to cling on to. She knew that was their fate, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Their souls would remain with the ship that slowly sank deeper into the water.
"Let's go home, Connor." she spoke, hearing him call for full sail as she continued to look at the sinking ship.
Upon returning to the harbour of the Homestead, Violette and Connor watched as a man babbled on about getting him what he needs and he'd give 'all of 'em' to their crew members.
"Mia Dio, è pazzo. (My God, he's crazy.)" Violette mumbled to herself.
"Who is that man?" Connor asked Faulkner.
"Him?" he asked in return, receiving a nod from the teen, "Some ol' salt, always on about some letters he's got from Captain Kidd. Nonsense, really, but he doesn't hurt no one, so I leave him be." he explained, "Talk to him if you fancy, but be warned, he'll chew your ear off. Anyway, the Aquila's here for you. If you should get a pang for the open sea, we'll be waiting. Now, I implore you to head up the hill 'fore the Old Man comes out of retirement just for me."
Violette giggled at Faulkner's concern for his own safety, considering that Achilles couldn't even stand without a cane. They made their way back to the manor, taking a deep breath before entering as quietly as possible.
"Three weeks," they heard immediately, stopping their movements and standing in place with the door wide open, "and not even a goodbye before you left. You children are ungrateful. Do you think I enjoy being an old father? My time for parenting is long gone, but you two need to be looked after. Would it kill you to consider that I still exist before running off without a 'thank you' or 'goodbye'?" he lectured them.
"Sorry." "Mi dispiace, Mentore. (I'm sorry, Mentor)" Connor and Violette spoke.
Achilles turned around and began to walk, looking back to see the two of them still standing in place like statues on a church, "Well, what are you waiting for?" he asked the two, who immediately began to follow him down to the training room.
Connor went directly to the robes, as he did every time he entered the room. These robes were different from the usual ones, however.
"Put them on." Achilles spoke to the young man, who looked at him in surprise before quickly doing as told.
Violette and Achilles waited while Connor put the robes on and the moment she saw him walk out in the new clothing, she felt as if her heart fluttered in her chest. What was this new feeling?
"Violette," Achilles called to her, "There is something in there for you." he told the young girl, pointing at a package with his cane. She was elated when she unwrapped the package to see purple robes, fitted with leather straps and everything else Assassin robes entailed.
"This is for me, Mentore?" she asked, unable to stop herself from smiling in her excitement.
"You have earned them just as much as Connor has earned these ones. Go on, put them on and join his side." the old man encouraged her.
She wasted little time in putting the robes on and when she walked out, she seemed to have become different and she felt the same way. She felt like a woman, empowered with knowledge, strength, stealth, precision and everything else she could still learn. She felt like she could take on the world and conquer it.
"How do I look?" she asked Connor.
Connor stared at her, "Y-you look..." he stuttered, looking away quickly without finishing his sentence.
Violette couldn't help herself and embraced Achilles in her gratitude, "Grazie (Thank you), for everything you have given us, Mentore." she spoke before joining Connor's side.
"Once upon a time, we had a ceremony on such occasions, but I don't think that any of us are really the type for that. You've your tools and training. Your targets and goals, and now, you have your titles. Welcome to the Brotherhood, Connor and Violette."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will see you in the next one!
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