(AND YET ANOTHER ONE APPEARS I CAN SENSE THE END COMING it's like probably till Chpater 25 anywayz, but hey on a role! :D Anywhoz let us gerrrrr. For those who have watched and played AC3 you know what comes up next. Grab a tissue. And Cry. REVIEWS PLEASE :DDDDDDDD PRESS DA FREAKIN REVIEW BUTTON!))
Chapter 19 :DDD
The surroundings around them were mystified and mysterious, not like any other visit they have experienced. They raced toward Valley Forge where Washington would be awaiting for them along with Haytham. Another contact that would meet his annoyance, so Evelence thought. Both Connor and Evelence raced to the top of hill only to see a familiar figure in their eyes.
"Haytham," Connor panted as they both reached.
"Well don't you look dashing, a horse would rather be suitable for you instead of running?"
Evelence looked up while placing her hands on her knees, panting and groaning in annoyance.
"Well, you'll want to look suitable for Washington."
"I am quite sure Washington will not care for looks. He would much rather hear more of the warning I have for him." Connor regained his strength, and controlled his breath takes. He pushed his father aside as Evelence followed. Haytham gritted his teeth in a matter of annoyance for he too was aggravated, but for a different reason. Evelence took a glance once more, noticing his mouth movement's stutter. Nervous perhaps? Connor seemed to pay no attention, for he was driven to inform Washington about the warning of the Loyalists.
"We should be sharing what we know with Lee, not Washington." Haytham managed to speak out against from what Connor planned to do. Evelence raised an eyebrow, making a face to indicate he had forgotten who they were.
"You seem to think I favor him. But my enemy is a notion, not a nation. It is wrong to compel obedience – whether to the British Crown or the Templar Cross. And I hope in time the loyalists will see this too, for they are also victims." Connor made a sudden halt, waving toward Evelence, a motion that warns her to stay out.
"You oppose tyranny. Injustice. These are just symptoms." Haytham explained, placing his hands behind his back. "Their true cause is human weakness." He began walking in circles around Connor, filling him with his opinions once more, opinions that have already began to change Connor's mind.
"Why do you think I keep on trying to show you the error of your way?"
"You have said MUCH yes. But you have SHOWN me nothing." Connor raised his voice, only then to ignore the conversation, avoiding any other distractions. Evelence trailed along the Fort, observing the men sharpening their blades and chatting near a fire. A large tent was toward the end of the trail that blocked a passage way from behind to enter the forest. They were closer to Homestead than they had hoped. Washington was in the tent, bending down to read the slip of paper on the desk. Haytham managed to stroll pass him without him being seen. Evelence crossed her arms raising an eyebrow at his course of actions.
"Sir." Connor collapsed his hands together in respect to meet the general. The commander looked up with stressful eyes. Perhaps the commander was studying a few tactics for their next battle.
"Hello Connor, I see you have brought your friend along as well." Washington moves aside from the desk approaching Evelence.
"This is Evelence, am I correct?" He extends his hand out as a gesture.
"Yes, I am she." Evelence returns the gesture by shaking him warmly by the hand.
"It is good to finally meet you, I have heard you are recovering from your wound. I trust you are better now." Evelence nods in a polite manner, avoiding contact with Connor, for she was embarrassed he had told him about her wound. Washington released his hand by pressing it on Connor's shoulder. "What brings you here?"
"The British have called for their men in Philadelphia. They march for New York. "He explained, as his upper body was straight.
"Very well. I'll move our forces to Monmouth if we can rout them, we'll have finally turned the tide." Washington replied with a warm smile, hopeful from the news.
"And what's this?" Haytham spoke out from their conversation, having the sly smile across his face. Connor and Washington, along with Evelence glanced toward Haytham who managed to have the slip of paper Washington was reading in his hands. Washington fumed with anger as he was surprised to see him there.
"Private correspondence!" Washington approached Haytham angrily and tried to steal the slip of paper from his hands. Haytham tugged the paper back like a child, not wanting his toy taken away from him.
"Oh of course it is. Would you like to know what it says, Connor?" Connor didn't respond only crossing his arms, aggravated by his ignorance.
"It seems your good friend here has just ordered an attack on both you and your friend's village." Connor turned his head toward Washington, his eyes darkened. Evelence sprung up, approaching to Connor's side. Her heart was accelerating, hearing the news from Haytham.
"You're lying." Evelence interrupted.
"Although attack might be putting it mildly," Haytham shook his head in disappointment, having the sly smile remaining on his face. "Tell them, commander." Both Evelence and Connor glance to Washington, awaiting his explanation on the attack. His head was kneeled down, ashamed.
"We've been receiving reports of allied natives working with the British. I've asked my men to put a stop to it." Washington sighed heavily, making heavy eye contact with Haytham.
"By burning their villages and salting their land. By calling for their extermination, according to this letter." Haytham responded in a teasing manner. "Not the first time either. Tell him what you did fourteen years ago," Haytham had no expression, only to approach Washington. Washington made the same movements as they were breaths away.
"That was another time. The Seven Years War." Washington excuses himself, defending himself. Evelence takes hold of her daggers, securely tightening them, ready for a quick throw. Connor clenches his fists tightly, keeping himself from attacking.
"And so now you see what happens to this 'great man' when under duress, he makes excuses, displaces blame." Haytham huffed with ignorance, looking at Washington in disgust. Though clearly Haytham wanted to make a point so he could win his argument over Washington to gain charismatic from Connor. To what extent would Haytham hope to gain? Justice? Forgiveness? No matter what the answer was, he could not guarantee his trustworthiness with Washington, that was certain. Haytham growls and barks his words toward Washington as they continue to rant on with their arguments. Connor throws his arms between the tension of Washington and his father.
"Enough!" He screams to the both of them, furious and tension boiling up between the three men. Haytham shot back along with Washington, fearing his expression. They regained to their senses, glancing at Connor and Evelence.
"Who did what any why must wait. Our people come first." Connor stands back beside Evelence, reminding both men they are a part of the tribe Washington wishes to attack and burn.
"Then let's be off." Haytham sighs heavily, acting purposely to join. Evelence places a dagger at his throat. Haytham shows no expression or action as he takes a glance towards Connor who has not already shoved her aside.
"No. You are finished with the both of us." Connor nods to Evelence to return the blade in her place. Evelence does so, readying their horses, packing their equipment for the damage they were about to receive. Evelence looked behind to see Haytham stutter his words to speak to his own son.
"Son…" he broke out. This did not please Connor, for he turned around and met face to face with him, only inches away.
"You think me so soft that by calling me 'son' I might change my mind? How long do you sit on this information? Or am I to believe you discovered this now." He threw his hands in the air, angered from what Evelence could see, fire burning in his heart. "My mother's blood may stain another's hands, but Charles Lee is no less a monster, and all he is does, he does by your command." He pushes his father with his index finger, approaching Evelence only then to hear footprints from behind. He turned furiously, warning the two.
"A warning to you both – choose to follow me or oppose me and I will kill you." He turned his back against the two men, approaching to Evelence. He whistled angrily to his horse that the loud pitch stopped the men from working, setting eyes on the two natives. His horse appeared next to the Black Mane Evelence owned, obeying every command Connor ordered. Connor watched as Evelence strapped herself with weapons.
"I will clear them out with you in front. I will follow as you will catch the messenger." Evelence climbed on her horse, waiting for Connor to speak. Instead he nods in response, commanding his horse to move on the trail that led to their village. Evelence followed behind as their hooves beat the ground, digging the dirt deeply in frustration.
"There's two up ahead!" Connor shouts from behind. Connor takes his gun and places a bullet on the first solider her passes. Evelence throws the dagger that could be unseen while being thrown into the second's eye. What they did not know what it was filled with poison that could immediately kill them instantly. Evelence places the other two daggers at her finger tips, waiting for orders.
"Three!" He informed, shouting between the heavy winds that were brushing past them. Evelence could see past him which frustrated her. In once quick motion, she leaped from her horse, allowing her scarf to flap behind, and landing on the branches to sprint across. Thorns and branches with sharpened points scratched her exposing skin, sending a trail of blood to run down. She winced and leaped out on time sending the three daggers into the three patriots. She leaped back down on her horse watching the three patriots stumble down on one another. There were no further orders from Connor, only the sound of him cursing under his breath in their native language.
Connor then spotted the patriot racing farther than Connor, soon Evelence commanded her horse to brush beside his horse, racing to kill their target.
"Jump! I will throw you!" Connor commanded. An impossible task that could not be done.
"It will not work! We need more momentum!"
"Jump!"
Evelence shakes her head, and jumps, placing her foot on his two hands that were to catch her. Within a matter of seconds he pushed her, gaining her momentum to grab her daggers. Evelence sprung in the air retrieving her daggers carefully, placing four on the patriots back. The horse went falling as Evelence prepared to land, broken-boned, instead Connor's horse appearing, allowing Connor to reach for her, placing her in front of the saddle. Evelence's heart was racing as well as her breath takes. As they caught their prey the horse they rode on managed to slow down. Evelence caught her breath and leaped from the horse along with Connor. The Black Mane arrived, nudging its head toward her scars.
"I'll be alright." She pushed her horse aside, regaining her strength before hopping back on.
"We should make sure the village is safe." Connor added as he was catching his breath. They both nod in agreement and place themselves on their horses racing toward their village within minutes. Their hearts were racing as well as their blood pressure. The heat swelled in them both as they rode, sweat tickling down their skin the more closer they reached. Evelence took a glance at Connor, his expression blank, yet his brow furrowed by the thoughts that coiled in his head. Once they reached their point, they leaped off their horses, seeing the village safe from harm's way. Their walls still strong and secured, it seems as if it had been untouched. Evelence turned her head to see Connor motioning his head to follow. Evelence trailed along his side, afraid of what might come. The whole village looked upon them as if nothing had happened, as if they had returned from their trip.
Up ahead they see a familiar figure just near Connor's burnt home. It was another member of their tribe with the Clan Mother. They both approached the Clan Mother, waiting until she was done. The woman waved a hand for the man to continue his duties, making sure to not interfere with others in the forest. Evelence makes the same reaction Connor makes by tilting his head like a confused dog. The Clan Mother sighs in relief, looking at Connor and Evelence. She gifts them with a warm smile spread across her face as she approached them with her staff, placing a hand on their cheeks.
"My, have you both grown into such fine warriors," she began, observing them both from head to toe. "Your parents would be proud." The Clan Mother lifts Evelence's chin up with pride. "You are strong and brave for doing such tasks given, but I ask why you have come and not with the other man?" Connor stopped her from caressing his cheek, only to furrow his brows.
"What other man?" Connor questioned, his face studying her expression carefully.
"Boiling Water. The man who calls himself Charles Lee." She responded. Connor's eyes widened, his frown remaining while he paced back and forth as he brushed past Evelence who stood back as well, shaking her head with fear.
"He took Kanen'tó kon and a few others with him."
"What?" his voice was calm along with his emotions. "Where have they gone?" Connor replaced his frown with worrisome eyes.
"To push back those who would take our land." She replied, thankful as if the men were helping her. Yet such words Lee has used against their people blinded them to think Lee would truly help. Perhaps Haytham was involved, so Evelence thought. Connor sighed heavily in frustration, pacing himself back and forth glancing every other second, and thinking in frustration.
"You seem troubled. Is this not what you wanted? For our people to take a stand?"
Connor paused himself, shaking his head from his previous thought. Once he regained himself, he places a hand on the Clan Mother's shoulder, "I will return, but for now I must stop them." Assuring his grandmother, Connor took Evelence by the wrist, entering through the deeper parts of the forest.
"What will we do to stop them?" Evelence made eye contact with Connor.
"We must knock them out so they will not alarm others about us, I fear Lee has told another story to our people who intend to 'push back' those who harm our village." Connor explains as they enter through the tall grass, gently tugging Evelence along. Moments later as they stealthily pave their wave through the tall grass, they see figures of their people through the night. Luckily, the Full Moon was reaching to its highest point, which shown down on their people. Connor makes a motion for Evelence to knock the two while making a distraction to crawl toward the people at the top of the hill.
Evelence nods and continues further, causing a distraction to attract their people. Closer and closer she finally snatches them, reeling them into the tall grass, pressuring their pressure point. Their eyes closed, completely knocked out from her sudden actions. By the Connor had made his way doing the same.
Evelence jogged her way up at the top of the hill, meeting up with Connor once more who continued to crouch down. He gently tugged on her once more, preventing her from separating from him. His eyes dart around, seeking for any other members of their tribe. Seconds later, he made a sudden stop, pointing to a familiar figure.
"Kanen'tó kon," Evelence whispered in his ear. Connor nods with a worrisome expression. While releasing Evelence he manages to crawl his way toward Kanen'tó:kon, who instantly threatened him with his dagger he had made when they were kids. Evelence gasped from a distance, watch them circle around like snarling dogs, yet the only one who remained calm was Connor.
"Peace Kanen'tó kon," Connor guaranteed his safety and peace.
"Ratonhnhaké ton, come to kill me yourself?" Kanen'tó kon hissed at his friend. Evelence sprung out from her hiding place, placing three poisoned daggers at the tip of her fingers while standing aside next to Connor.
"I see you have brought the whore with you. A slave she must be." Evelence hissed back in remark, growling.
"What?" Connor questioned, confused by his words. Evelence raised an eyebrow, confused as much as he was.
"Charles Lee told me everything. The Patriots seek to destroy us. And you aid them by doing so."
"That man is a liar." Connor continued to persuade his friend.
"He speaks true!" Evelence pleads, trying not cause more damage than what Lee has already made.
"He said you both have been corrupted. That you would try to deceive. But here they are at our doorstep. What say you to that?" they, continue to circle around as Kanen'tó kon continues to threaten.
"It is a mistake!"
"The only mistake was trusting you and Evelence to keep us from harm's way. As for Evelence and Lee, they have seduced you! And you both are turned against your own kind!"
"They have not seduced me nor Evelence-"
Kanen'tó kon immediately struck Connor, yet stood back from the dagger.
"Kanen'tó kon please stop this!" Evelence placed a hand on Kanen'tó kon's arm yet was quickly shoved aside.
"You will not seduce me like you have done with Ratonhnhaké ton! I will stop when you both die." Kanen'tó kon flipped his blade in his position, sliding it toward Connor's face but was quickly stopped by Evelence digging a blade into his back. He yelped in pain as he slashed the knife against her cheek, causing a new scar to mark. Evelence yelped as a dog did when hurt watching Connor's grip loosening. Connor glanced back to Evelence then his target until Kanen'tó kon stopped himself. Not knowing what caused him to stop, Kanen'tó kon removed himself stumbling back as three poisoned daggers were deep in his back. He glanced over toward Evelence who was quivering her lip while her hand was placed against the cheek Kanen'tó kon struck on with his dagger.
"My passing wins you nothing," Kanen'tó kon manages to say, gasping for air as the poison bled through his veins. Connor balances himself, placing a hand on Kanen'tó kon's chest in respect.
"Ratonhnhaké ton," he calls for him placing a hand on his chest. "Charles Lee rides for Monmouth to reveal the Patriots plans. The Loyalists will destroy them. The revolution will be ended. The Crown victorious." He tightens his grip as the poison runs through his heart.
"Our people…safe," his last breath slipped past him letting a cold breeze fly past Connor. Connor stood there for a moment, blinking a couple times before making a single movement.
"It seems our people will never be safe. You are rest now, my friend." Ratonhnhaké ton closes his eyelids while standing up to turn towards Evelence who was shedding tears. He sighs heavily with such sadness filled in his eyes. He slips his hand in Evelence's, helping her stand to gain her balance from the scene she experienced. She struggles to release herself until she finally breaks free, trying to control herself.
"What do you propose we do? Our people will never be safe and yet you still hope to gain something out of this? What is it we keep hoping for? Fighting for?" Evelence stops the tears and demands questions in frustration. Connor shakes his head in frustration, while leaning his head down in defeat.
"What we are told to do." He looks up, glancing at the sadness and frustration in her eyes.
"Which is what? Cutting off every Templar we are told to assassinate? What of then?"
There was no response.
"Are we to be murdering and killing off those who we are told and then remember the people like Kanon-"She was interrupted by the gentle tug of Connor embracing her in his chest. Evelence shed tears, frightened. She returned the embrace as Connor tightens his grip wrapping his around her, keeping her from shivering with fear. Evelence began to shed more tears as they kept cascading down her cheeks. There were no words, only the sounds of Evelence's cries. She adjusts herself placing her cheek against his chest, the pain stinging within her scar.
As Connor held her close to his chest, he did ask himself the question she asked him. What is it they kept fighting for? Hope? Freedom? They have gained nothing with eliminating the Templars, only loosing who they love the most. They have each lost someone whom they love deeply within their heart. He was alone, just as much as she was, yet why have they been still apart of the organization? They have lost everyone.