I try to keep myself busy all morning since I don't think you're supposed to call on a woman as the sun rises. But then again, I have no idea. I can assassinate a Templar from 100 feet with a dart, escaping before anyone's the wiser, but I don't know how to court a woman. If I still lived among the Mohawk I would ask my mother to speak to her mother on my behalf. Of course, my mother's dead and her's isn't in the vicinity, so those customs still wouldn't help me. Is this so hard for everyone? I suppose I did help Norris court Myriam, but theirs was a rather nontraditional courtship.
Flowers! Prudence said to bring flowers. Perhaps Mahayla will appreciate them more than Myriam did. And if she doesn't? I run my hands through my hair, feeling the soft stubble where it's started to grow back in. And if she doesn't... then I'm sure to discover enough about her today to do better the next time. And if that doesn't work either I can always spy on her. It worked for Norris. I climb to the spot Prudence said produces the best flowers, picking at least a dozen before heading back to Dave's smith. He sees me coming up the path from his spot on the anvil and waves.
"Hello, Big Dave," I say a bit awkwardly. "Is, uh, is Mahayla here?" He has a wicked grin.
"Of course Connor, just a moment. Mahayla!" he calls into the smelter he keeps in the workshop behind him. "Someone here to see you!"
"Tell them to go away!" responds a voice. Big Dave nods his head in that direction and I walk cautiously towards it. "I need to get this ore smelted before Connor gets here." I approach the counter to find Mahayla with her back to me, dressed in blacksmith leathers. "It wouldn't do for him to see me like this right away," she mutters to herself. "I'll ease him into it. Maybe he'll like me enough that he won't care about my smithing." I'm pretty sure I got the flowers wrong, but I'm forming some better ideas for next time.
"Um, Mahayla?" I say hesitantly. She spins to face me so fast she's nearly a blur.
"Connor! I, uh, I wan't expecting you until this afternoon." Her face looks slightly panicked.
"Am I too early?" I ask, a bit panicked myself. "I've, well, I've never called on anyone before." I think she forgets to be worried as she gives me a pleased smile.
"You haven't?" I shake my head no.
"You're my first... everything, I guess." She spies the flowers in my hand before I can hide them.
"Are those for me?" she asks, reaching for them.
"Yes, they were," I say, giving them to her. "But it's okay if you don't like them. I'll do better next time," I blurt out. She looks at me like I've gone mad.
"Don't be silly! They're beautiful, why wouldn't I like them?"
"I just thought..." I trail off, gesturing to the workshop behind her.
"A woman can have unusual hobbies and still enjoy a beautiful bouquet. Come on," she says, opening the gate for me, "let's go put these in some water. Uncle Dave!" she calls over my shoulder.
"Yes, Hayla?" he says, coming over with a grin on his face.
"Don't 'Hayla' me, you could have at least warned me it was Connor here to see me."
"Come now girl, where would be the fun in that?" he responds.
"Can you finish this up for me? I need to put these in some water." She heads through the kitchen door without waiting for a response. Big Dave raises an eyebrow at me.
"Flowers, is it?" I can feel myself blush.
"Yes, Prudence recommended them."
"Prudence is a wise woman. Go on with you," says Dave, turning towards the smelter and leaving me to follow Mahayla into the kitchen.
She's already arranging the flowers in a vase.
"I want you to know that if you had come this afternoon you would have found a very different Mahayla Walston waiting for you," she says over her shoulder. I smile.
"Is that so?" I ask.
"Oh yes," she says, moving to wash the soot off her hands. "One who was properly dressed, with her hair styled just so, patiently waiting for your call."
"Then I am glad I came by this morning," I say.
"Are you?" she asks, turning to face me and looking surprised.
"I am, for I find I like the Mahayla in front of me far better than the one you just described," I reply, though I have no idea where my momentary confidence is coming from. Perhaps it's inherited. She rewards my speech with a smile.
"Well, aren't you full of surprises?"
"No more than you, it seems," I say, gesturing to her outfit.
"Yes, well, why don't I get changed and you can take me to see that manor on the hill. We can talk about it on the way." She's gone and back in a moment, in a walking dress and sensible shoes. She slips her arm through mine, even though I forget to offer it to her, and we start off down the road.
"So, Connor," she says, "would you be offended if I asked what tribe you're from?"
"Not at all. I'm from the Kenien'keha:ka."
"The Kana- Kania-" she attempts. I chuckle.
"Also known as the Mohawk."
"Mohawk. That I can pronounce. Are they a local tribe?"
"They were; they moved west nearly a year ago. I've lived here since I was thirteen though, so this homestead is the only place I call home. What of you? How long will you be visiting?"
"It's an extended stay, no end in sight," she says. "As you saw this morning I'm a blacksmith, one who is always trying to increase her knowledge. Unfortunately, there aren't many master smith's willing to teach a woman their secrets. After yet another one turned me away, my father suggested I write to my Uncle David as he's a rather renowned smith himself. He accepted me with open arms, and, between all the mischief he causes, is teaching me quite a bit." She pauses, and I feel as if this is some sort of test.
"That seems like a very useful skill to have," I say. She smiles up at me. It appears I've passed.
"It is, and I'm glad to see another recognize it. So, what of you? From what I hear you aided the Patriots during the war. What are you dedicating yourself to now?" The Brotherhood flashes across my mind, but it's definitely too early to introduce that subject.
"I've decided that my time is best spent on the homestead, helping it to grow and protecting it from any outside threats," is my response instead.
"Sounds like a noble cause," she says. I give a short laugh.
"I don't know how noble it is, but this is my home. I want to see it protected."
"As well as the people on it," she says pointedly. "I've heard the stories of how you've saved each of them in one way or another. Sounds pretty noble to me." I blush faintly from her praise. I hope it isn't noticeable.
"Not noble, simply human. Seeing another suffering when I can help them... it's not something one should ignore," I explain. She turns her bright smile on me once more.
"And modest as well. If only all men were so... civilized." I give a short laugh.
"It won't be any time soon that men will look at me as any more than a savage," I say as we approach the manor. She stops and pulls
gently on my arm, causing me to turn towards her.
"Then those men are wrong," she says, softly but firmly. I'm at a loss for words. She smiles at me, taking pity on my tied tongue. "Well now, are you going to show me the manor, or are we to stay in the courtyard all day?" I take her through the manor, trying to show her how civilized I can be. She exclaims over the oddities I've collected, admires the trophies I've claimed, and beats me soundly at Nine Men Morris. I find I enjoy her company even more today than I did yesterday, and escort her home only reluctantly.
"Well, I suppose this is me," she says as we reach Big Dave's front door. "I had a marvelous time, Connor."
"Mahayla?" I say, stopping her from turning the door knob. "May I call on you again tomorrow?"
"Yes, you may. And if you'll wait until the afternoon I can even introduce you to the other Mahayla I told you about," she responds with a cheeky smile.
"Then I shall be sure to come in the morning, for I like this Mahayla just fine," I say, the smile on my face feeling awkward from its general disuse.
"Goodnight, Connor."
"Goodnight Mahayla." I head towards the mines, whistling a tune. I have an even better idea for tomorrow's gift.