Hi!

Here is another chapter, sorry if the wait was a bit long :3

! AC3 Ending Spoiler Alert ! Disclaimer: All characters (except Annora and Marie) belong to Ubisoft, as do the cover images.

Ann starts her training with Connor, but faces a more difficult challenge.

Enjoy! ^^

XV

"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."

Sunday 30th September 1781

It was early morning when Ann woke up, the sun still refusing to rise as the early autumn nights became longer and days shorter. She wondered if Connor was out hunting already despite the darkness outside so she tiptoed out of the room, the house cold and eerily silent. She noticed the man's door open wide, the bed inside neatly arranged as if never touched, not a soul making a sound. She was alone, like she was in the past. But in the past the loneliness never weighed so much on her heart, and she sighed as she returned to her bed, sitting on its edge with her face in her hands. She truly missed Haytham, knowing there was no point of going back without fulfilling her promise of training so she could defend herself. But what would he do if Charles ambushed him? What if she returned to see him murdered?

"Oh my God," she whispered, "what in the hell am I imagining?"

She knew the only way to get through the week was to focus on her mission, hoping that it would somehow transform her from the useless and cowardly woman she was into a strong and fearless Assassin. As much as she wanted it, the idea of her never crying again over vital issues and standing up to Templars like Lee seemed further away than ever. But maybe still within her grasp. She stood up, clenching her hand into a fist with determination and lifted her head up high. The last thing Haytham would have wanted her to do was sulk and feel sorry for herself. It was always about him, since she arrived there wasn't a moment when she didn't think of him, despite telling herself she needed time away from everything that happened. She had to stop thinking about him, or at least attempt to, and for once focus on herself as a person. She had to change. For everyone's sake. She ran to the wardrobe, switching her nightgown for the outfit from the previous day – her Assassin outfit as she called it – with lightning speed and hastily made her way downstairs and into the kitchen looking for breakfast. After which she borrowed the kitchen knife and disappeared out onto the front porch, looking ready for action. She decided on jogging a few laps around said house for a warm up, only to stop when she noticed the wonderful view of the sea when she passed by the back of the horse stables. There was a beautiful coastline and beach, illuminated by the rising sun in the distance, the water calm, crashing softly against the sand. But what caught her attention even more was the huge brig that anchored in the little port on the beach. It looked magnificent, even more so to her as she had never seen such wonders before. She calmed and stood closely to the edge of the cliff, admiring everything that was before her until she heard footsteps behind her, jumping out of her skin when someone took hold of her arm. She screamed as her eyes saw the bottom of the cliff, close enough to falling if not for Connor who caught her by her waist swiftly, pulling her into himself and away from the edge, where the grass ended and danger began, all in the matter of seconds. He was the one who scared her, so she softly hit him on the shoulder with her fist, urging him to let her go as the contact already had her blushing, but he refused.

"Do you mind not hitting me, that hurts you know," he said before laughing.

"Well do you mind not scaring me like that? I nearly fell to my death you know..."

"I'm sorry, you need to sharpen you're instincts if you want to train with me."

"I don't think that was a good way to sharpen my instincts Connor," she replied before giving him a stern look and pushing herself away. He put his hands up in defeat.

"Okay, okay, I promise I won't do that again."

She pointed her finger at him in a sharp warning and walked towards the stables, hearing how he followed behind her, his steps heavier and more profound.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes, and I warmed up so can we start already?"

"You're very impatient, good things come to those who wait, you must learn that if you are to become an Assassin..."

"I'm not here to become an Assassin," she cut him off, turning on her heel to look at him again. He stopped and looked slightly disappointed. Her eyes softened and she tried to sound less aggressive, she didn't plan on falling for the man but being the nice girl she thought herself to be and being a bit friendlier couldn't hurt. "I mean, I don't know, I want to train first and then have some time to decide alright?"

"I don't want you to end up recruited by the Templars, especially if you prove to be skilful enough."

"Do I have to join an Order? Why can't I just stay who I am?"

"You're an Assassin by birth, and will always be one. Like me, like my Father, and like my Grand-father. Well, he wasn't always an Assassin but-."

"Your Father?"

"Yes, he was born an Assassin, as I have heard, before he became a Templar."

"I see," she looked away and began walking again.

"Don't worry about him, he won't bother any of us ever again."

Those words were bitter, yet a hint of regret hid somewhere in his tone. She was glad he still believed that Haytham was no more, yet something tugged at her heart, was she really the only one left who cared for Haytham? Was he really always so alone? He knew so many things about her and her past, but she knew almost nothing about his own father or his life in London. She herself struggled to imagine a life beside him in a city which differed so much from Boston or New York. It was a scary but at the same time exciting thought, that was of course if they got there alive. She wanted to go with him and start a new life, but she was so afraid of being an outcast, of being someone who would shame him and his reputation. There she was thinking about him again...

"Ann, I see you've bought your own equipment – taken from my kitchen I presume – but where are your blades?"

"My Father's blades you mean?"

"Yes..."

"They... They scar my skin if I wear them for too long.''

Connor was taken aback, his eyes widening in worry.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea such an occurrence was possible. You can borrow some spare ones I have in the basement, don't worry about it."

"Thanks," she replied, unsure if she made the right decision when she told him about the 'side effects' of the blades. Then again, he may have pressured her to use them or bring them and that would've complicated everything even more.

When they arrived in the basement, which Connor quickly lit up using the spare candles, Ann noticed two training dummies and an array of weapons, pistols and outfits. Connor had everything an Assassin needed, which provided her with a sense of trust for the man, and a certain respect. He began to talk her through the certain equipment and gave her two hidden blades, almost the same as his own. When he was sure she became familiar with everything he began to teach her basic stances and attacks, just like Achilles taught him all those years ago. Connor never thought he would pass the same knowledge onto someone else, especially not a birth Assassin like Annora.

They spent the day training, rarely taking breaks, so both were very tired by dinnertime. It was already evening when they decided to go home, however Connor forgot one little thing.

"We haven't prepared dinner and it's late already," he admitted.

"I'm starving, I need to eat something... We really trained for too long."

"There's a local tavern, The Mile's End, if you want to eat there. It's on me for neglecting you in such a way," Connor said but Ann only laughed.

"You haven't neglected me, we've lost track of time with all that hunting and trying to get me to climb a tree."

"You can try again tomorrow..," he proposed, smiling at how forgiving she was, his eyes alight with admiration as he spoke to her.

"I will, don't worry. Let's just get something to eat alright?"

The man only smiled again and nodded, taking hold of the woman's hand, her eyes surprised and her cheeks flushing as he grasped her palm tightly and pulled her with him towards the path that led to their destination. He never once gave her the chance to let go.

At The Mile's End

"Connor!" A barmaid shouted, greeting the two warmly as they entered the busy tavern, while directing them to a small wooden table by the window and the fire, which lit up the once dark corners and crevices of the large room with a glowing orange hue. The woman, who Connor introduced as Corrine, was the wife of the owner of the Tavern and Inn whose name was Oliver. She seemed like a very welcoming older woman, however she already mistook Ann's and Connor's relationship, praising him on his choice of a wife and wanting to know every little detail about his potential fiancée, much to Ann's embarrassment.

"How long you two been together?"

"Corrine, I told you we're just friends," Connor repeated for the third time.

"They always say that but a few weeks later the Church bells are already ringing."

Ann slumped her shoulders and clenched her hands together, looking away in shame, she didn't want anyone to think of her and the Assassin as a couple, she had a man waiting at home for her and hated the blush that crept up on her cheeks when Corrine kept on being convinced that the two were a thing.

"I'll leave you to it then, and bring your food right over, drinks are on the house."

The curvy woman finally left them alone, Ann letting a sigh escape her lips and resting her elbows on the table, leaning in.

"Sorry, I guess no one in this community wants me to end up alone."

Ann smirked and replied, quite sure of herself, "I'm sure you won't." Then she realised what she suggested and noticed Connor quirking an eyebrow up in question, evidently amused and flattered by her comment.

"Are you trying to say you find me handsome?" He asked, but she directed her eyes to the window, leaning her cheek on the back of her hands. She heard the laughter of the travellers and residents alike, everyone seemingly enjoying their evening, drinking to their own health, being merry and singing songs and shanties of the sea. Of missing the ones they loved or hoping to find a fair lady somewhere in the new world. The sky outside was dark but clear, stars decorating its surface like a thousand candles, each one telling a different story. She heard the creaking of Connor's chair, noticing him lean forward in the same manner as her, out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head, suddenly meeting his soft and hazel eyes, bringing back that moment after she retrieved her Father's blades. The moment which left only regrets.

So she leaned back into the chair, avoiding what she knew was going to happen, and deciding to keep the promise she made to Haytham, he was the only man she wanted to kiss, to caress and to see. She longed for his hands, their grasp so warm, softly touching her skin, his voice deep yet enticing, speaking her name and telling her that she needed him and that he needed her. When she thought of Haytham like that, there was no one else that she loved more, and she knew it from the start. It was cowardly of her to keep denying it.

"Here's your meal, enjoy," Corrine broke the silence between Ann and Connor, placing a plate of meat, potatoes and home-grown vegetables before each of them, after which she poured them some rum. Hungry and thirsty after the long day, neither hesitated to dig right in, maintaining the silent battle which the barmaid interrupted.

After Ann finished, she sipped on the liquor, watching Connor as he quietly finished his meal. She spoke up, her voice quieter than usual, guilty and saddened.

"I find you charming..," she said as he looked up to catch her low response, "and I know that you must feel something for me, and I am truly flattered, but I don't want to betray you or lie to you."

"I don't understand Ann," Connor replied, his plate empty, his fork resting on its surface.

"We can't be together, I already have someone I love."

His eyes changed at that moment, deepening in colour, for a minute looking as if he was going to cry. He seemed upset by the news he feared so much the whole time. His heart felt as if it broke into pieces, it physically hurt, while his orbs stared at the woman with a disappointed smile on his lips. She looked equally hurt, mostly because she had to turn down someone who would've returned her feelings if she had fallen for him instead. But once she had a piece of the forbidden fruit, she could no longer return to the garden of the good. Connor was good, while Haytham worked for those who she thought were evil, who she was taught were evil. Haytham was forbidden, yet she chose him, above all else. Instead of Connor who would have led a simple and loving life with her, who she would have been able to stay with in the Frontier. She wouldn't have had to betray her Father's heritage, she could become an Assassin, like he wanted her to. The easy way out. Yet despite all those possibilities, she chose the hard way and fell for the man who was so out of her reach but still close enough to touch and embrace, who may have loved her or hated her, she wouldn't have known, for he was the most secretive man she had met. And the least loved. And she knew that she was the only one who cared so much for the man. She wasn't ready to give up, and certainly wasn't ready to abandon such a lonely and captivating Templar. Even if he was a Templar and stayed one until his death.

"I'm sorry," she said after a while and got up from her seat, planning on leaving the tavern.

"Ann, wait!"

"I will meet you at the Manor," she waved her hand without looking back, but knew he would still follow after her, so she began to run when she left The Mile's End, hoping to lose him. The trees blurred past her, wind hitting her skin as she ran through the cold autumn evening.

Then her steps slowed down, instead moving backwards slowly.

A wolf was blocking her way.

She already felt the fear take its toll on her as beads of cold sweat escaped her forehead, her eyes widening and lips opening, ready to scream at the right moment, even though she had no idea what moment was right when faced with such a dangerous predator.

She heard her heart race against her rib cage, hitting it with unbearable force. The animal neared her slowly, grey and large, with gleaming eyes and glistening fangs, eyeing her like she was some sort of rabbit. She knew looking back would only invite the creature in for the kill, and she felt like she ran into the middle of nowhere, with only trees everywhere she looked. She must have been a considerable distance from both the Tavern and the Manor, and must have essentially lost herself somewhere in the Frontier as she realised she was running away for a while.

Now she was faced with the real consequences of being a coward, especially towards a man she couldn't face because she was too afraid she would see him hurt. Just like Charles was all those years ago. He had the same look in his eyes, before attacking her. But was Connor capable of doing something like that? She thought Charles was a good man at first as well, but then he did such a thing, in the same manner as the wolf, except with different intentions. Did she run because she was afraid of Connor reacting in the same way? Her life flashed in front of her eyes and she screamed, knowing it was too late to think such things, no matter what she felt, there was no more time, death was right before her.

And death didn't wait.

More chapters coming soon! :) Please leave a review/fave/follow if you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you! ^^

Till next time!

AssassinSuzy