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Decisions

Chapter 14: A truce?

Connor's POV

Homestead

I stare at my father coldly, unrelentlessly. What makes him think he can come on to my land and demand that we have business to take care of? He is an idiot, a downright idiot, if he thinks that he will be welcomed easily onto Homestead grounds. I think to the last time I saw him. I told him that joining the Assassins was the only he was ever going to regain my trust…did he? No, of course not. It would be stupid of him to leave all he's ever known because of family. He said it himself, "Order over Relationship", and he is not one to change his mind easily.

"Maybe we should go somewhere more private?" He asks, breaking the eerie silence. I look around to see the outskirts of Norris' mine and Big Dave's Smithy. I nod my head in agreement and begin to walk towards the border of Homestead and the Frontier. Ista and Father follow wordlessly. Once we reach a small clearing with only a few rocks and trees, I address my father.

"What do you wish to discuss?" I ask, glaring at him throughout the question.

"What? No 'hello, how are you'?" He says rather nonchalantly. I give him another icy stare before responding.

"I'll ask again, what do you wish to discuss?" He realizes that I am not here with him to play games and frolic. His one mirthful expression is replaced with one of sternness.

"I guess there is no point in beating around the bush. I have seen the error in my ways. I would like to rejoin you and fight alongside you. I want to call you my 'son' again." He speaks with clear diction, enunciating every single word, without a single stutter or hint of uncertainty.

I am taken aback at his display. He was willing to give all he ever knew up for me? Sure I may be his son, but the idea of giving up your whole lifestyle for someone who—in his eyes—betrayed you? It seems insane, mental even. But, it was the right thing. My eyes have been opened and I glad that his have been as well. I stare back at him with more compassionate eyes than before. It occurs to me that he will have to prove himself. Despite the fact that he is my father and that he has told me he is my ally, he will need to show me something that will confirm his statement.

"You realize that you will have to murder the men that you recruited, correct?" I ask skeptically. I see him swallow hard before he responds.

"Yes, I am aware of how the Brotherhood functions."

"You realize that you will have to restart in rankings. I—your son—will outrank you. You will be a novice. The rankings come in—of course—after you prove yourself to the Brotherhood." I say with a voice filled with dignity and little pity. He looks back with an astonished expression.

"'Novice?!' I've taught you almost everything you know! C'mon, Connor, be rational! And, what is this about 'proving myself' to the Brotherhood?"

"Yes, a novice," I smirk at him. "You may have taught me everything, but you are a traitor in my eyes, in every member of the Brotherhood's eyes. You went against everything you were taught as a child and became one of the Templars."

"I am your father! How could this not mean anything to—"

"Yes you are my father, but this means little to me as of right now. We begin training tomorrow, mental not physical. I trust that your abilities haven't weakened in the last few months."

"But, Connor-"

"I am your superior now, Father. You must address by my last name."

"Your last name is my last name! Connor—"

"'Master Kenway', you mean?"

"I beg your pardon. 'Master?' Are you promoting slavery now?"

"You know that I frown upon such things, Father. You also know that I do everything in power to stop that." I glare at Father for accusing me of such horrendous beliefs. The idea that slavery benefits everyone is worse than the beliefs the Templar Order was built on. Father instantaneously backs off, realizing that his words were unnecessary and far from truth. He holds up his hands in caution and submission.

"Look, Con—Master Kenway ," I let a smirk graze my face for a second. "I didn't come here to anger you. I only came to tell you I've recognized the fallacies of the Templar Order. I came, solely, because I want to be forgiven—not only by you, but by the Brotherhood as well. I have betrayed my father and the Creed the moment Reginald seduced me into the Order. But, with your departure and your mother's guidance, I've managed to find a way to restart. If this new leaf requires the title of 'novice', then so be it."

He is…serious. Dead serious. I sense no trickery or lies in his voice. He is still as certain as he was when he first said that he wanted to join the Order. I sigh, if he really recognizes the error of the Templars, then all is well. But, I still don't trust him, not one bit. I must put him to the test.

"Alright then. Training begins tomorrow, novice. Once my mentor and I deem you ready, we will search for Pitcairn. He has been causing problems with the Patriot army. These are all men that you recruited. As much as you may share with them, you will need to kill them. I will murder Pitcairn, but the reason I bring you is to prove your loyalty. If you are truly loyal to the Brotherhood, you will not try to convince me to find another way. I'm sure you were thinking of ways when I first said this. After you have proven yourself, you will be inducted into the Brotherhood."

I see him staring down at me when I realize I haven't removed my hood. I pull it down to show respect to my parents and I see Ista nearly faint. Father nods in approval of my trial.

"So, what now?" Father asks. The question startles me. I was supposed to see Evangeline, maybe I still could. But, it would be rude to leave my family at the manor at the mercy of the Old Man. No doubt he would scrutinize them both as soon as he saw them. I nearly chuckle at the thought.

"I will take you to the manor, there you will meet Achilles. He is my superior, he taught me the ways of the Creed. No training today, just get settled. I'll drive the carriage so you and Ista can rest. It was a long trip." I reply.

"What will you be up to after we reach this manor, Ratonhnhake:ton?" I hear Mother speak for the first time in a few minutes. I blush when I remember that Father and Ista have no idea about Evangeline. Although I still see my father as someone to be aware of, he still deserves the courtesy of meeting the first woman I've chosen to court. Hopefully, she will be the last. But, marriage is something to deal with later.

"I'd actually like you and Father to meet someone before I take you to the manor." I see Father raise his eyebrows before flashing me a knowing smirk. I feel my cheeks brighten. Maybe I should have left my hood on.

"Aw, little Connie. Are you courting? I knew you would start soon. C'mon is she striking. What's her hair color, I've told you that hair color defines a woman's personality—"

I would correct him on using the wrong way to address me, but I am too embarrassed. I see Mother roll her eyes at the "hair color" part.

"Yes, I have begun courting. I think you will both like her. And to answer your questions, Father, she is very beautiful, most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and her hair is black. To also answer some of the questions that are sure to follow, she is English and Italian. Finally, her name is Evangeline Williams. You can see for yourself if we leave now. I'll take you to her shop." Father smirks and piles into the passenger area of the carriage.

"Ratonhnhake:ton, if you don't mind, may I ride with you? It has been a while since I've last seen you." Mother asks.

"Of course," I reply with softened eyes. "You don't have to ask." I walk up to her and wrap her in warm hug. She smiles and rubs my arms.

"One moment, Ratonhnhake:ton." She jogs to the side of the carriage where Father previously sat in, probably to tell him that she would be sitting with me. I walk over to the driver's section of the carriage and hoist myself up to where the reins lay, waiting for me to guide the horses. Soon after I sit, Mother joins me. "How have you been these past few months, child?"

"Well, it has been hard being away from home for so long, but it was all for the best. How have you been faring as of late?"

"Alright, I guess. Your father and I have been having some squabbles. But, I can't complain." Why would Ista and Father fight? In my whole life, I've only seen them argue seriously once. They always seem like the perfect two, inseparable, and always in agreement. It must have been something important, of great value, something like…me.

"Do you mind if I ask what the argument was about, Ista?"

"No, not at all. It was about your leaving and what our next action would be. The real argument was whether your father wanted to preserve his Order or our family. He made the right decision. I can't imagine where we'd stand now if he chose to stay with the Templars." I sigh in relief for their squabbles having to do more with the Order than me myself.

"Well, at least all is resolved now. You won't have any more worries, now that Father has made the right choice." I reply to her response. Mother lays a hand over my shoulder.

"Let's change the subject, Ratonhnhake:ton. Tell me about this woman who you are courting."

"She is indescribable, just all round...amazing. I admire her personality above all. She is unlike any other woman I've met in the colonies or our village combined. She hates anything that is labeled 'feminine', this is one of her traits that interest me so."

"Do you wish to take this maiden as your wife, Ratonhnhake:ton?"

"Maybe, one day. Nothing is certain as of now. We are not in love, that's for sure. Just pure attraction-"

"You wouldn't be speaking of her so fervently if you only felt 'pure attraction'." Ista says, cutting the rest of my sentence off.

"Well, more than attraction. But, not love. For some reason, I feel she is the one. I assume I feel like this because this is my first romantic interaction with a woman."

"Have you tried anything physical with her? I know you wouldn't be one to move into such…actions without a strong commitment." I am taken aback at Mother's question. I've never been asked such a thing. But, I cannot blame her for her curiosity. She is only looking out for me in the end.

"The most we've ever done is kiss, you have nothing to fear, Ista." I say with very red cheeks. Mother smiles at my discomfort before dropping the subject of Evangeline. We don't speak for the rest of the journey to the shop.

I pull the carriage to the front of the small tailoring shop and tug on the reins to command the horses to stop. I hop out of the high driver's seat and walk over to Ista's side and help her out. Father soon joins us.

"Okay, Connor. Let's go meet this woman of yours." He state with finality, I assume he is growing tiresome.

"All right, then. Follow me." I stride to the entrance and find Maria on the stump working on what appears to be a quilt. "Hello, Maria. Is Evangeline here?" I ask politely. She looks up to acknowledge me before smirking.

"Yes, she is here, Connor. Go get your girl!" She winks at me before turning back to her work. The red on my cheeks begins to make an appearance again. I hear Father's cackles behind me, accompanied by a soft smack which I assume to be Ista.

I continue to the path shop and open the door to hear the bell at the top jingle. I hold the door open for Ista and Father and scan my eyes to find Evangeline at the front desk. Her black locks are hanging down loosely. She has attired herself in a navy blue dress today. I look to see Father nod in approval of her.

"Hello and welcome to—oh, hi Connor! Who are your friends?" She greets us. I smile at her.

"Hello, Evangeline," I walk up to the front desk and lean my elbows on the desk so that we see eye to eye. "How do you fare today?"

"Well, and you?"

"I am good. I would like you to meet my parents." I reply. When I mention my parents, I see her face immediately drain of all color. Was she nervous?

"Don't you think that maybe it is a bit early for me to meet your family. We have been romantically involved for a few days…"

"I know it is a bit unexpected, but they are really excited to meet you. You are very important to me and I'd like for them to know that. After you talk to them, I would like to talk to you. There are some things that I'd like to share with you. You need to know what you will get yourself into if we become entangled in even more romantic relationship, which I hope will happen." I give her a smile of encouragement and she returns it.

"What do you want to tell me? Why must it wait?" She asks.

"It's about my…work. I want you to meet my parents first as well." I reply.

"All right," she nods in agreement and then winks at me. "I guess I'll just have to trust you then, won't I?"

"Yes."

A/N: Whoa snap! Sorry this chapter took so long I had a hard time planning Connor and Haytham's reconciliation. Next chap Connor will explain the Brotherhood to his girlfriend, train his Dad, and of course spend time with his MAMA! Rejoice, readers! The family is finally back together! Now make the happy family happier! Review! THEY MAKE ME LOVE YOU!THEY MAKE CONNOR LOVE YOU! So you know what to do…thanks for reading!