Right, before we start, I have a VERY important announcement to make:

THIS IS THE SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER OF YOU HAVE MY WORD.

Huh, what a journey we've been through together, eh? Might as well say it now: thank you to all my lovely viewers! You guys have helped, supported and made me extremely happy, as well helping me find a real passion for writing. So thank you. Times a million.

So, about the final chapter (sniff). This is not going to be happy, so please don't bombard me with disappointed reviews. There's still a sequel to come, remember? You Have My Word may not end happily, but its sequel might! So don't ya worry! ;)

I'll get to more about the sequel at the end. Enjoy the end of your journey through Haytham and Ziio's romance!

HAYTHAM

I had become too used to it all. Waking. Dressing hastily. Looking in the mirror briefly (for Ziio, of course.) Creeping out the door and riding into the icy, early morning.

I was not kept long where we'd agreed to meet. I tied my horse to a tree on the hill stood on the more plane land. I watched the wind pluck crisp leaves off the trees; they hovered to the ground.

And there she was.

She came swaying sadly over the hill, head drooping. Her muscular arms lay loosely around her stomach; her legs seemed to have given up. Her beautiful brown skin looked brindled and dry.

Who is this woman, and what has become of the Ziio I know?

She still hadn't glimpsed me behind her loose black braids. That was odd. Ziio always kept her hair in pristine condition. Why had it lost its shine? But the most shocking thing was her eyes. The blazing fire in them was dwindling; instead her pupils looked sleep-deprived. They stared through me like opaque glass beads. The corners of her mouth twitched upon seeing me.

"You came." She sounded surprised.

"Of course. When have I ever broken a promise to you, Ziio?" I took her in my arms and kissed her cheek. She didn't flinch. "There we are," I said tenderly. "I have been wanting to do that for a long time. Are- are you...alright?"

"Fine," she shrugged.

Oh, dear. This makes for a difficult meeting.

"So, what news?"

Her eyes slid out of focus. They drifted upwards, into the browning leaves on the trees. "I- forgive me, Haytham. You must think me a fool to act so unusually."

"You've nothing to apologize for," I replied, somewhat more cheerily than necessary. "It is to do with the...secret, is it not?"

A thin smile, for a brief moment. "How do you know?"

"I know you better than you think," I smirked.

"Hm, hm. Yes. It has, one could say."

Suddenly I realised what Ziio was about to say. I gasped. "Are you ill?"

"No, no! I am very well, thank you. But..."

"But...?"

Silence. Ziio dropped her head to inspect the wet grass once more. This was itching my patience. Yet I had no intention to be angry. It would only make matters worse.

"Ziio?"

She placed two hands on her belly. She took a deep breath. She looked into my eye. "Haytham, I-"

Ziio froze. She shot up like an alert sheepdog.

"What? What's the mat-"

"Ssh!"

I frowned, taken aback by her venomousness. I opened my mouth inquiringly.

"There is someone coming," she whispered.

Again? Why are we always interrupted at the moment of truth?

I spun swiftly to face the Autumn trees. No-one was there...but I had to be certain. I listened hard. Yes, beyond the rustling of crunchy vegetation...there was the sound of hooves. Only distant, mind. But very distinct.

I bit my lip, exchanging a worried glance with Ziio. She seemed as concerned as I was.

"I'll go," I murmured.

I crept through the clearing to the slight slope below. From where I stood I could see what I'd expected: my own black mare tethered to a low branch, swishing grass and a thick undergrowth of bushes. But the clip-clopping sound came ever-nearer.

Two chestnut ears poked out from the bushes, followed by a nodding horse's head. I squinted to look closer.

Its markings seem familiar.

Even so, I would not have guessed who the rider was until I saw him. But when his tall figure emerged from the shadows. He wore an emerald shirt, making his grey cloak seem even more dull. I gasped. I wanted to run...but I was fixed to the ground.

It was Benjamin Church.

I felt my heart pounding as he scanned his surroundings, from left to right. I tried to escape, but too late. His blue eyes drank me in from the distance. He half-smiled. I hastily did the same, before shooting back to Ziio at breakneck speed.

"Quick!" I panted. "You need to hide!"

She needn't have been told twice. Upon my words Ziio sprinted for the cover of the bushes and began climbing the trees. How naturally she bounded up the bark. Agile and graceful, like a wildcat. Momentarily I was enchanted by her, similar to when we first met. Though nostalgia shortly shadowed this feeling. Nostalgia for when we did not need to hide.

Focus, Haytham, focus!

The chestnut horse snorted, announcing Benjamin's arrival. I swivelled and smiled at my companion.

"Good morning, Benjamin," I chirped.

He grunted in return. "A good morning indeed, Haytham. I did not expect to see you on my travels."

"Nor I you," I confessed (well, it was no lie). "What brings you here?"

"I always ride here at this time of day."

Well, you learn something new each day. I knew this location was a risky meeting point.

"At this hour in the morning?"

"Yes indeed." He patted his horse's chestnut neck, before continuing: "What of you? Why are you here, if you will pardon me asking?"

Do not look guilty.
What should I do?
Invent an excuse!

"A change of route, I suppose," I improvised. "You see, I normally take the river path. Though...well, I have had enough of the place. For now."

Benjamin looked far from wholly convinced, but nonetheless, did not inquire further. "I see. Well, erm, as I am here..."

"As you are here...what?"

"I may well announce that Charles sends you his utmost sincere apologies for his behaviour yesterday."

Huh. And if he is so dreadfully sorry, why tell Benjamin and not me?

"He hopes that you will forgive him," he added.

Forgive, yes. But not forget. I thought of what he had said about Ziio. All those atrocious, vile insults directed at the most remarkable woman I ever met. I felt my blood bubbling, but I simply responded: "Very well. Inform him that his apology is accepted."

A look of relief spread across Benjamin's face. "Excellent. I was most concerned about the past events."

"Oh?"

"The very least I wished for was an awkwardness thrust upon the Templars."

Oh no. He said 'Templars'.
Ziio had better not have heard that.

Benjamin's horse began digging a hole in the earth with its hoof. I stared at it, desperate not to show my sudden concern.

"There will be no such thing. We are allies, Benjamin. Though not all of us have compatible opinions, as demonstrated by Charles and I."

"Such moving words, Master Kenway."

"Not at all," I replied, brushing a leaf off my shoulder.

"Oh, I must add that we await your orders in the Green Dragon Tavern. William would like to propose an expedition."

"An expedition?"

"He plans to lead an expedition on the outskirts of the tribes. He has found ground-breaking precursor evidence there."

I shook my head. "Will that not upset the Natives? Setting foot in their territory and making camp in their space?"

Benjamin frowned at me like I had gone insane. What did it matter to the Templars if we enraged the Mohawks?

"It is the only way in," he replied.

I sighed, wondering what Ziio would say to my response. "Very well. I shall assist him in his plans. Who exactly does this involve?"

"Myself, you, William...all of the Colonial Templars..."

Dammit. He said 'Templars again.'

I nodded. "I shall head on back soon."

"Why not now?" he asked.

Improvise...improvise...

"My mare is rather lame of late. She needs to rest before she can continue."

It seemed believable enough; Benjamin dipped his head. "Well, I ought to be returning. I shall see you soon."

He tugged on the reins. The beast jumped to life, turned and broke into a canter.

"Farewell!" I called as he disappeared.

Phew, that was close.