This is the penultimate chapter!
A few hours later and the house looked like the first time Connor saw it. Everything was in its place, pictures hung straight, the bullet and sword wounds on the house were repaired, the basement was free of blood and Walton's body was buried and Margaret was left outside a jail. Anything broken in the scuffle was either repaired or replaced. The bombsite that was the ground floor was put back into order with Jake and Betty arguing about where to put everything but eventually everything found its place. The first floor was restored and put into place. It even looked a little more organised than when Connor first visited, and the house as a whole felt more lively and bright.
Betty suffered a blunt force trauma to the back her head and was partially blind in one eye thanks to it. Jake was shaken up when the shock took over the adrenaline rush but he recovered. His neck would remain bruised for a week or two. Tom's leg was stitched and wrapped in a bandage and he would walk with a limp and cane for a few weeks. His full health should return fairly quickly after that. Emilia and Connor got their weapons back and checked them over for any lasting damage. They would be fine. Emilia suffered some minor rope burns to her wrist and her knees still ached but nothing majorly bad occurred. She'd be fine. Connor received no lasting damage to himself either. If anything he gained experience from watching another apprentice and trainer with their fighting and going about tasks.
Connor looked around at the people at dining table. He considered them all to be lasting friendships. It was a shame he had to leave them but he needed to return to the manor and the Aquila. He watched as they ate their fill. "I am sorry to leave but I must." He finally said after placing his fork on the scratched table.
"I understand." Emilia replied with a smile. "You have to return to Achilles and your ship."
Connor nodded at that. "I do not think he would permit me any more days away."
Tom laughed. "No, I don't think so. I wouldn't." Emilia laughed at that.
"So," Jake said, "if you return to Boston you know where to find us, Connor."
"I will visit when I can."
"But don't think it necessary to." Betty interjected. "Just pop your head in the door and say hello." Connor nodded his head.
Tom, Jake, Betty, Emilia and Connor stood up from the table. Betty handed him some food for the journey back and to thank him for everything. She went for a hug which he stepped back from. Jake thanked him too and decided not to shake the boy's hand. Emilia and Tom walked him to the stables through the snow.
"Thank you for helping us, Connor. It is much appreciated." Tom said with a warm smile.
"You are welcome." Connor replied.
"Have a safe journey." and with that Tom left leaving Emilia and Connor by the stables.
"Well, it looks like we're parting ways for now, Ratonhnhaké:ton." Emilia said as she patted his horse. "Thank you for everything."
Connor nodded his head. "Will you still come and visit Achilles and me?"
Emilia grinned and laughed a little, "Yes. You need to show me around your ship remember." She folded her arms across her chest to keep warm. "When we next meet I shall have my robes." She smiled again
"I look forward to it." Connor replied. He mounted his horse and adjusted his bow. "Oh, this is for you." He handed her a map. "So you do not get lost finding the manor."
"Thank you."
"Until we meet again, Millie."
"Farewell, Ratonhnhaké:ton, and I wish you save travels." Emilia stepped back from the horse. Connor nudged its sides and galloped away. He set his eyes on the manor, leaving Boston behind.