((I apologize for the long wait but here it is! Sorry if it's a little short, (giggles)I'm playing by-ear this time. I have been so caught up with schoolwork and EOC's it's not funny. Anyways, Here it is! I love the ending of this chapter btw! :DDDPRESS DA PRETTY REVIEW BUTTON!))
Chapter 14
The smell of blood dripped down his nose as he was being held against the stone wall.
"Charles Lee." Connor growled.
"Ah, I remember now." Lee chuckled and curled a grin. He turned to Hickey who was behind him watching along with snickering. "You're the little native from all those years ago."
"I told you I would find you." Connor gritted his teeth as Lee tightened his grip on his neck.
"Indeed you have, what have you succeeded during your little journey?"
"I have achieved more than you could hope for. The hopes you have are out of your league, perhaps a much lower rank will suit you." It was now his turn to return the smirk to Lee and Hickey. Instead, the only response Connor received was a fist to the nose then a knee jolted in his stomach. He grunt and wheezed for a moment. His chin was lifted up by Lee's to meet his eye level, those electrifying blue eyes. His grip was tight on his jaw line to indicate Lee had enough games with Connor.
"Tomorrow, you are to be executed the minute the sun rises. It would be best to get some rest for tomorrow." Charles released his grip allowing Hickey to lunge forward to jab Connor with the rear of his pistol.
The next morning Connor heard ranting and shouts from outside his cellar. He grunted and stirred from his stone bed to the floor.
"Wake up!" The sound of keys rattling and fists banging on his cellar door awoke him for good, sending him up on his feet. As slowly as he possibly could he stretched, purposely aggravating the man who was waiting for Connor. Instead the Redcoat tightly gripped his muscular arms, calling other redcoats to join him. A few other Redcoats nearly dragged him and pushed him out of his cellar. Pushed and dragged around like a ragged doll, Connor managed his anger and remained calm. Rumors about him were spread around about in every cell he passed by. Harsh names he has heard before were thrown at him. They were no different than outsiders who called him and his people savages.
Once they reached outside the doors swung open sending dust and dirt flying in his face. The clouds darkened and rain began to sprinkle down to drop on his face. He looked up at to what seemed a figure on a building. A swift moving figure hid behind a large stone behind some Redcoats that guarded from the rooftops.
"Get a move on!" A redcoat behind him pushed him into a crate, similar to what Achilles had back at the Homestead. Connor did as they asked and sat in the carriage. The driver whipped the horses to move forward. The carriage was now moving and people kept observing him and the line that extended out in back and in front of the carriage. He glanced at the rooftops as he then saw a figure again leaping from building to another. A shadow of a man and two others leaped from building to building escaping the sight of the Redcoats on the rooftops. So heavily guarded it seemed impossible for them to be blind.
Street after street he kept watch of the mysterious figures that seemed to leap from building to building. His eyes furrowed, curious to know who it was.
Moments later the carriage made a sudden stop. At the corner of his eye Charles Lee and his other men were at his side, opening the carriage Connor was held in. He made no attempt to move, like a child not wanting to do as their told. Lee managed a grunt escape his lips and mumbled something to send the Redcoats to grip his muscular toned arms from both sides. Connor didn't struggle and managed to stand up straight.
"I hope you enjoy your death." Charles pats his shoulder. Connor simply smirked and turned his head towards him.
"I will not die today. The same cannot be said for you."
Lee waved him off and made his way towards the stage, waiting for a dramatic entrance. A line was paved for him to enter the stand where two ropes were hanging. An extra one perhaps, but he could be wrong. Again he saw a shadow figure, this time a thinner figure leaped with others. Around five or more started attacking and assassinating from behind. His eyes squint to observe the figure caught sight on George Washington at top of a staircase. His thoughts were only on him now, the assassination, and Hickey. He then glanced at Hickey who was smirking and waving at Connor. A poor choice for a man who would soon met his death, he thought.
"Bastard!" A woman gutted Connor in stomach and kicked him to the ground, constantly beating him with her cane. Connor wheezed and allowed the torture until he heard a familiar voice shout at a woman.
"Connor!" Achillies helped and aided him to stand up.
"Do not worry about me. You must find a way to stop Hickey." Connor waved him off, still wheezing from the injury the woman caused him. Achilles sighed and made him turn around to face him.
"Let us know when to attack at the right moment with the signal." Achilles instructed then faded in with the crowd with a look of worry in his eyes. Connor noticed the 'Us' in his sentence. He was clearly not alone and the figures were his ally's. He recognized neither of them or who they were. He has not met them during his journey. Perhaps-
"Today! The Execution of a man who had caused many murderous scenes numerous times! The man who has you locked up in your homes! Who causes the fear inside each and every one of you! Today we have put an end of his madness!" The crowd roars and raises their fists.
Charles rants about how the people and society would proceed successfully without him. The murdering would stop, but what they didn't know was the real murder was the organization his father had.
Rain started pouring down as droplets cascaded down his cheeks to his clothes. He was soaking wet in his ragged and blooded clothing as his clothing stuck against his body from the weather climate.
Connor then glanced at the rooftops once again a female was crouching down, waiting for a signal. It was Evelence. Her clothing appeared with a black base and a red outlining and her hair pulled back. He exhaled the breath he had been holding and glanced back Washington who look upon him pitifully. The crowds roared with anger and shouted "Savage" or "Murder." They were all the same, trusting a man who took the blame on someone else other than his own ally.
"May you rest in peace with all of your sins." Those were his last words before there was a tight grip on his neck. With as much energy as he could get Connor managed to wave the signal. His neckline began to pop but was released by the signal. Achilles was there with his Tomahawk, allowing Connor to regain his strength. The angered crowd turned into a feared crowd, escaping the massacre Hickey was now creating.
"You must go, quickly! Hickey has taken action you must go quickly!" Achilles handed him the Tomahawk patting Connor's back to let him breathe his fresh air. "Evelence is waiting for you to join!"
"Need….to stop…Hickey." Connor's voice was raspy but managed to escape gaining his strength to join the massacre. He looked around to see any signs of Washington, but he appeared nowhere. Hickey was still in sight which meant Washington was still alive.
Connor gripped his Tomahawk and dodged the first attack he received from a crowd of redcoats. He jolted back up kneeing the Redcoating in the stomach then meeting his head with Connor's knee. He heard his skull crack and threw the body away focusing on his next target. The next set of redcoats charged at him from both sides. He bent down and rolled underneath between one's legs to jab his Tomahawk into the spine of the Redcoat.
A blood curdling yelp could be heard from miles away. Connor spun around, his heart accelerating at whose yelp it was. It was Evelence. Hickey's dagger dug its way deep into her waist, sending her to her knees. With all the energy she had left she managed to slide her hidden blades and place it in Hickey at the same spot. Hickey yelped in pain sending him back, staggering. Connor then swung his Tomahawk to place it in Hickey's torso. Hickey managed to slip out another yelp, this time sending him to meet the ground. Connor quickly glanced at Evelence as she was helped by others who attend to aid her.
Connor looked down on Hickey as he was choking on his words.
"I thought I could live to see another day." Hickey spat out blood that remained flowing down from the corner of his lips. Hickey explained the process of the assassination of Washington and the failure he achieved.
"I did it for the money-"
"You chose the course simply because it was profitable?" Connor's eyes furrowed as he looked at Hickey in disgust by his explanation.
"Yes, that's why I was in Haytham's little tea party." Hickey rests his head on the ground, never keeping eye contact with Connor.
"I will always have a beer in one hand, and titties' in the other." Hickey was bleeding out quickly which caused him to slow down from speaking. "While you,' He paused to catch his breath. "You will leave empty handed." Thomas Hickey stood there lying on the cold hard ground while the raindrops kept pouring down. Connor looked at Hickey for one last time, for he killed another man that had chosen the wrong path.
Connor spun his head around to take a glimpse at Evelence who managed to stand up with men standing by her side to help her.
"Are you alright?" Connor observed the injury and placed a finger on her waist. She winced, gritting her teeth at the shock of pain she received.
"You need not to worry about me." Evelence chuckled, gasping and panting from the pain. "Are you alright? Is Washington alright?"
Then men started to surround him and Evelence, placing and pointing muskets in their faces.
"Stand down! Stand Down!" They both heard Putnam's voice from behind the men in blue.
"This man is a hero!" He approached Evelence and Connor.
"Young lady, what you did today was a fine thing you pulled off." He pat Evelence's back as confused expression lit her face.
"Anyone could simply do the task if given the proper training." Evelence responded, still allowing Johnny to aid her.
Putnam just gave out a chuckle, and nodded his head.
"Indeed, but it is difficult at this time even, to find the 'proper trainning'." He turned to Connor who just glared at him, waiting for instructions. Putnam cleared his throat and continued on with the information.
"The General can be so stubborn sometimes. 'Piffle.' He said when we warned him something like this would happen. Piffle!" He then jabbed Hickey's lifeless body at his rib cage.
Evelence gasped which made her rib cage sting and twist around painfully, her eyes furrowed along with Connor's. There was nothing but disappointment on their faces.
"Stop!" Connor demanded, aggravated by Putnam's actions. Putnam glanced up at Connor then to Evelence.
"This man wanted to kill the Commander, nearly killed both of you as well." He pointed at her injury and the stand Connor managed to escape from. "A scoundrel he was."
"Yes, but was still a man." Evelence shoved off the men, angered by Putnam's choice of words. She was unbalanced at the next step she attempt to make. She was soon caught by the arm by Connor who allowed Evelence to wrap her arm around his to balance.
"Where is Washington? I need to speak with him." Ignoring his words, Connor thought back to Evelence's words as well. A true statement she brought up, as if she read his mind.
"Bundled off as soon as your execution went sideways. He's likely on his way to Philadelphia now."
"Then so am I." Connor kept his eyes locked with Putnam's as he tighten his grip on Evelence's arm.
"Something wrong?" Pitcairn removed the cigar stick from his mouth and twirled it between his fingers.
"Washing-"
"Washington is still in danger and Hickey did not act alone during his part." Evelence interrupted, glancing a look at Putnam. Both eyes were locked on Putnam's , glaring with fierce and worry.
"Very well," Putnam raised his hands in surrendered and returned to his duties, easing down the bluecoats at first. Connor glanced down at Evelence noticing her injury.
"You cannot walk, can you?"
"I'll be fine, I can walk. It's just painful." Evelence uncovered the hand, noticing her whole glove covered in her own blood. A man walks in between them, ripping a piece of his clothing to tie it around her assassin's garb.
"Johnny," Evelence's eyes widened and winced in pain at how tightly he placed it around her. He released her from Connor's grasp.
"I don't want my poor Eveyln to have an infection and bleed out." He lift her chin, this made her cheeks flare red.
Connor interfered in the conversation, "I believe we have not met."
"Oh yes, Connor. My name is Jonathan, but you can call me Johnny." He bowed in a polite manner.
"Evelence here, sacrificed herself to save my family's business from closing since the taxes have been raising." Johnny chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I thank you for aiding us to prevent the assassination of Washington." Connor bowed in a polite manner, spinning Evelence carefully to wrap his arm around her waist to raise her up in his arms. Her hood flew down revealing her tied up hair.
"What in-"
"If you continue to walk the more blood you will shed and the more your wound will become an infection. It is best if you remain this way until we are settled at Homestead once more." He whistled his horse, but instead Evelence's Black Mane arrived.
He nudged his head at Evelence's, licking her hand. Connor placed Evelence on her Mane with Connor on the back of the saddle. He gripped the lasso in front of them and ordered the Horse to move forward in the direction in which he needed to go.
"How could you leave a man who nearly saved my life, alone?" Evelence glared at Connor with a confused look. It was rather rude of him to interrupt their conversation. He ignored her remarks continued to lunge forth to the Frontier. By the time they exit New York and entered The Frontier, It was dark and the road was not as clear as before since the clouds were hovering the sky. Evelence slipped her eyes shut before they exit New York. She leaned back against Connor's chest, trying to make herself comfortable. He couldn't remember the last she slept, in fact he had rarely checked up on her. He was rather cautious of her further actions after the scene they made in the woods a few months ago. No matter, he sighed heavily watching her slip off the horse only then to grasp her shoulder and carefully wrapped an arm above her wound. With his free hand he gripped the lasso urging the Black Mane to make haste. He was very cautious of where he placed his hand, especially when the wound was below her breast area. He had an unsettling and uncomfortable feeling, yet he couldn't let her slip. Instead, he wrapped both of his arms around her lower waist while gripping on to the lasso. It worked successfully.
A few moments later they arrived at Homestead where Achilles had been outside, probably waiting for them. Achilles darted his eyes towards the two.
"What in gods' name happened?" Achilles extended his arms out to reach Evelence's wound.
"Hickey placed a dagger in her waist." Connor explained, quickly hopping off the Black Mane to grasp Evelence in his arms once more.
"How long has she been bleeding?"
"After the massacre happened and up until this point she had bled." Connor nudged the door to open, pacing himself inside.
"Place her in the bedroom. I will treat her wounds properly." Achilles instructed.
Connor replied with a nod and placed and entered the Mansion. The rest of the group in the house observed the body that was held in Connor's arms. Once they knew who it was, they followed him to Achilles room yet stopped at the door. They dare not to enter Achilles room without permission to do so.
Connor placed Evelence, who was still asleep to his surprise, on the blood red blankets.
"Excuse me, pardon me," Connor heard Achilles voice as he pushed through the people who were observing the door.
"My baby doll," Connor heard Prudence through the door, grasping on to her chest.
It was only a wound, yet such a wound has caused her pass out. Achilles entered at last, holding a med-kit in his hands. With his cane, he instructed Connor to step aside, sitting in a chair next to Evelence.
"Connor, bring me some water. Quickly." Connor nodded at his command and brushed past the crowd, making his way towards the kitchen.
"Do not worry Connor. I will retrieve it for you." Prudence smiled and nodded her head, quickly sprinting through the kitchen. No matter, Connor followed Prudence who already had a bucket of water placed in her hands. Connor nodded a thank you and returned to the bedroom with Achilles already attending the wound.
Without him glancing up Achilles instructed, "Place it on the tablecloth."
He did as he was told and sat in a nearby chair next to Achilles and Evelence. Achilles removed part of her clothing, exposing her skin.
"If you would close the door please," Another command was ordered and once more he followed his command, shutting the door, careful not to crush someone's fingers from the other side.
A crowd of sighs could be heard on the other side, along with whispers and talks of comfort.
Connor returned to his seat, waiting for his next instructions.
Achilles was stripping the heavy clothing she wore to the execution, and placed all her weapons on the nearest dresser. He then began to expose more of her skin, allowing him to see the full wound.
The wound reached up near her rib cage and what looked like a line down to the bottom of her waist.
It never occurred to him how badly the wound was. To him, he saw the dagger being placed on her hips, sliding out brutally that caused Evelence to yelp in pain.
Achilles then slipped the assassin suit she wore on the opposite side of the bed.
"If you will, I need you to lift her up slightly so I can wrap the bandage around her."
Connor sat up from his chair, and moved toward the edge of the bed to lift her back while placing her head in his lap. Connor watched and observed as Achilles wrapped the stretchable while cloth around her wound.
"I have placed antibacterial medicine on her wound. For now, she will have to rest until there will be nothing left except her scar." He met eyes with Connor.
Connor escaped his glance and sighed heavily, not understanding the unsettling feeling in his stomach.
Was he furious? Guilty? He had never felt this way before. At times like these he wished he could ask, yet it would probably confuse others.
"How long will she remain like this?" Connor asked, glancing to meet with Achilles.
"It depends. The most I can say is a couple of weeks. With the proper treatment I have given her, I would recon a few days." Achilles observed Connor's expression.
"Yet, that all depends if she can sprint and run like she used to. This will require patience, something you lack in." Achilles explained which made Connor's eyes furrow from the comment.
"I assure you she will be alright if you don't rush things too quickly. For now, you will have to face the remaining tasks yourself."
Connor listened and thought hard, processing plans in his mind. There was a matter of George Washington and the others. At sunrise he would take his leave, immediately, assuring the truth to Commander Washington in Philadelphia .
"I would advise you to leave her to rest." Achilles placed his lips on her forehead, a gesture of "Good Luck." After he bid her well, Achilles exits the room leaving Connor with Evelence.
Connor thought hard and pressed his thumbs on his forehead, then glancing up to see Evelence.
He pushed his chair closer to the edge of the bed where she lay. He observed the bandage that was wrapped around her wound. There was nothing left but a white loose sleeve blouse that was now filled with blood and her brown leathered pants. Her hair was now pulled down, leaving it wild and wavy on the soft feathered pillow. He then squint his eyes at the scar that was on her right cheek. Perhaps she received this during her tasks she attended to while he was absent.
He pressed his thumb against it and traced the line it was shown. A cut perhaps, it appeared to him.
Connor than rose from his chair and was now concentrating on resting and his plans for tomorrow. He kept assuring himself his friend would be alright. His friend he has trusted since she grew up with him in the village. He began thinking back about their village. He sure missed his home as much as Evelence did. It was the only place they felt accepted in considering they were the same race as them.
He turned the knob and closed the door behind him, releasing the knob from his grasp.
Everyone seemed to settle down once Achilles exit. There was nothing but silence that filled the mansion. Connor enjoyed the peaceful sound of silence and walked up the staircase to his bedroom.
When was the last time he had slept here? He usually slept in cold and damp places to blend and camouflage in the cities. Either to ease-drop or to catch up on his further tasks.
Connor stripped his blooded prison clothing and removed it to feel the cool breeze meeting his skin. He then sat down to lie back, placing his arms behind his head, adjusting himself to sleep.
The unsettling feeling returned once he thought of Evelence and her wound. The uncomfortable feeling he had, yet didn't know what it meant. Perhaps he was sick? It could possibly be. He sat there in his train of thoughts, curious to what the unsettling feeling was.