Chapter 4:1

1774, June 19th

"This is horrendous."

I looked at Mr. Charles Lee in surprise as I finished the rest of my meal.

"Master Kenway, something must be done!" he exclaimed and slammed his fist into the table. "That assassin is clearly targeting us, one by one. Who's next in line?"

My teacher gestured at Mr. Lee to calm down.

"Charles, there is nothing to worry about," he said reassuringly. "Even if he is an assassin he can't be especially experienced. If he tries anything direct towards me, I will make sure that it's the last thing he'll ever do."

"But sir, what makes you so certain that he's a beginner?" I asked and unbuttoned my shirt, just enough to show him the bandage around my shoulder where the knife had dug in. "He could've killed me but he didn't. Everything happened faster than I could ever imagine and still he was so accurate that I never even realized at the time how close to death I was."

A patrolling troop of Regulars had seen the dead bodies of other soldiers and hurried inside to my aid. It had been difficult for even the largest of the men to pull out the knife from the wall but when he finally succeeded, an agonizing pain had shot through my body and I cried out in pain. The dagger had cut open my flesh and blood poured out in a rich amount. I had lost consciousness in a couple of seconds and when I woke up I was back in Boston, staring right into Auntie's worried expression. After a lot of arguing – I had of course been grounded – my aunt left for her job, leaving me alone, and now I was at the Green Dragon Tavern, reporting everything that had happened to Mr. Haytham Kenway and Mr. Charles Lee.

"Exactly, but he never did kill you right?" Mr. Kenway leaned back towards his seat and gave me an inquired look. "It was a moment of hesitation, doubt; a mistake that he will pay for later on with the life of his own. Never think about, Melissa. If someone stands between you and your goal, get the person out of the way."

I nodded silently and adjusted my shirt. The way of the Templars.

"So… We won't do anything to stop this madman until it's too late?"

Mr. Kenway sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Charles, don't speak of such," he answered his friend. "Instead I want you to continue striving for Washington's role. That man is starting to become a symbol for the rebels. Send a letter to John: George Washington must die."

"I can just ride and meet him myself, sir," he replied and looked confused. "It will be must safer as such and John trusts me."

My teacher shook his head and looked at me.

"I want you to deliver it."

I raised my eyebrows and both Mr. Charles and I started to protest. We were silenced with nothing but another glance from Mr. Kenway.

"No objections. I want you to do this alone as well."

"Sir!" I and Mr. Lee spoke at the same time again. I bit back the rest of what I had to say but he didn't.

"Master Kenway, you can't just send her away," he said and frowned. "She's barely fifteen! What will she do if attacked by brigands? Wild animals? Sir, at least let me accompany her."

Mr. Kenway shook his head again and pulled out a letter from his chest pocket, handing it to me. His eyes were slightly amused at Mr. Charles's sudden outburst, but grave. He really was serious about forcing me to be his messenger.

"No, you will travel to Philadelphia. Stay put until I send for you again," he answered and waited for me to take the envelope away from him before continuing to speak. "Miss Rawling will have another escort. I hope that your friend can ride a horse?"

My chin dropped.

"Alex?" I wondered, not completely sure if I had heard him right. "You mean my friend Alex right?"

"Yes, that boy," he replied and nodded. "You will for sure feel safer with him and it's not often that I see the two of you together. Has something happened?"

Why does he want Alex to come with me? He has never been fond of him before but now… I cleared my throat. "He's been busy in New York, sir. Both of his parents decided to move there and he very much likes the city. We send letters to each other but that's about it."

"Then isn't this a wonderful opportunity to meet up again and see ones best friend?"

I bit my lower lip and looked down. Best friend.

"I…" I paused. "I-I don't know, sir, if we are what we used to be."

"I see," Mr. Kenway said and shrugged. "But I don't think it will be of a problem. Just ask him and let's continue from there."

"Yes, sir."

I hurried home and quickly started to write a note. If I was lucky, I would be able to find a traveler or a sailor who could give it to him this week at least. It was actually his "turn" to send me a letter but it wasn't like this was just an ordinary update about how life in Boston was. I scribbled down what had happened in the Johnson Hall and also about the assassin; maybe had he seen Connor in New York.

"… and I wish of you to accompany me on this journey. It would be a nice opportunity for us to meet as well and spend time together – yours sincerely, Melissa." I clenched my jaws. Alex… What are we? Friends or acquaintances? So much has changed and I barely recognize you in your letters anymore. I know that you are a good person – the best I daresay – but why do you have to do this?

I went outside and headed towards the docks. There was a captain there who traded expensive wine between Boston and New York, and he was my usual mailbox since he knew Alex personally and owed me a favor or two. It took me a while before finding him and when I did he was very drunk.

"Hey," I greeted and gave him the envelope with Alex's letter. "Could you give this to Alex as soon as possible? It's very urgent… and tell him that I miss him."

He gave me a grin and patted me on the head.

"Aye." I grimaced at his breath and recoiled. "Don't worry honey; I'll get this to him."

Don't hit him, don't hit him. He's surely a good man… somewhere deep inside where only a dagger can reach. I smiled thankfully at him and turned around to quickly walk away, when I remembered what Alex had mentioned in his last letter.

"Oh yes, Alex said that it should be addressed to the secret headquarters of the Sons of Liberty." The captain looked astonished at me but I just gave him a polite smile. "He said you would know where it was. Give it to him, please."

Then I ran back all the way to my aunt's apartment, worried if she would maybe come home earlier and find me gone. All the while, I thought if it was right of me to lie about Alex's "job" to Mr. Kenway. My teacher thought he continued his parent's profession but anyone who knew Alex even the slightest would immediately realize how bad it would fit him. It had been a secret between him and me, a secret that I intended to keep.

Alex was a revolutionary.