Summary: To keep their village safe, they became Assassins, working in the dark to serve the light, to protect those who could not protect themselves. Yet, the Templar rule threatened their very existence, and they would soon see the power their enemies held as their fight intertwined with the revolution waging between the Colonists and British―but at what cost did this fight come with? [ConnorxOC]
Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed. I only own any OC.
"Italics in quotation marks": Native Language
"The sadness of the past is with me always."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Revolution: 02
Tekahionwake stood in front of the Templar paintings, alone, studying the various portraits of the men. She recognized some from that terrifying night the village burned, while some were fresh faces never saw before. For example, the one with Haytham written atop of it was a man she never met, a complete stranger. Yet, at the same time, she recognized him because of Ratonhnhaké:ton. Studying the Grand Master's face, she never realized until now how much her friend looked like Haytham. Granted, the man was his father, a secret she didn't know about until two months ago – although, she knew it wasn't a secret that he was like her: half European, half Mohawk.
While being mixed race, she never, not even once, sensed ill intent from her kin because of it. They treated her just like she was their own, even though she held the blood of those whom they despised. Both her and Ratonhnhaké:ton had slightly lighter skin tones and while both of their hairs were as dark as the rest of the village, her eyes were not. Unlike Ratonhnhaké:ton, her eyes were a stormy gray, reminiscent of a summer thunderstorm. There were freckles across her nose as strands of hair, beaded and braided with feathers and beads brushed the sides of her face.
"My girl, what's troubling you?"
Tekahionwake whirled towards the old man who had managed to climb down the stairs with his heavy steps while she was distracted. "I am sorry if I disturbed you, Achilles."
He waved his hand before he walked to where she stood, standing next to her. "You didn't wake me."
She silently returned her gaze to the portraits. "...How do I fit into all of this? Ratonhnhaké:ton has ties to the Templars through his father but I have none, Achilles."
Yes, her want to protect her people from those who sought to harm them was great, but when she had no ties, it was hard to put her belief in a creed that she barely understood.
The sudden laugh from the old man threw her off as she turned to her new mentor, surprised. "My dear, I see your mother didn't tell you about her time before having you."
She took in a sharp breath and stared at him for a few seconds. "Y-You knew my mother?" This night took a turn, she knew that for sure.
Achilles nodded his head. "Your mother, along with the boy's mother, conspired with Haytham and his second in command to protect your land. That's all I knew until you two showed up at my door." Achilles shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't know they had children."
"I...wait, if my father is a Templar, then is he up here, on this wall?" She rushed forward, looking at the paintings once more. However, she heard no response from Achilles, giving her enough of an answer. "Is…is he dead?"
"...I don't know." Using his cane, Achilles hit an area under Haytham's portrait. "He just was gone one day. He dropped off the map and that was that. I burned the portrait and didn't bother looking into it because he was just another Templar off the list."
Her eyes remained glued to the empty space as she asked, "My mother disappeared one day. Do you think…?"
The man slowly nodded his head, answering her question. "It can't be a coincidence. In this world, there are none. So, yes, they may be alive." He proceeded to squeeze her shoulder as a method of comfort. "I'm sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear." She could only close her eyes, her emotions beginning to feel overwhelming.
After a few seconds of silence, Tekahionwake shook her head to deny his claim. "No, it is fine. The disappearance of my mother was difficult but it has been years – it no longer bothers me as much as before." What was bothering her, though, was the revelation of not only her father but of the fact that the both of her parents might be alive.
"If you say so." The telltale sounds of his cane hitting the floor indicated his leaving, allowing Tekahionwake to be alone with her own thoughts once more.
02
March, 1770
Boston
"You two are to accompany me to Boston." Achilles looked at the two preteens, leaning heavily on his cane. He thought that it was time for them to leave the homestead – they had been cooped up long enough in the house.
"Boston? The large city port?" Tekahionwake asked as she tilted her head. She stood up from her position sitting on the stairs and walked towards them, stopping next to the boy.
She had grown much in height during the last few months, enough to where she nearly stood toe to toe with Ratonhnhaké:ton at a whopping 5'9, surprising them all. She, along with the boy, was also growing stronger and stronger every day, which could be seen by the developing muscles that were not there before.
"Yes. We are in need of...supplies for this broken house." To emphasize the need to fix their home, Achilles hit the side of the pillar and somewhere above was a large sound – a sound that causes all three of them to wince.
"I see...and we will be okay?" Tekahionwake motioned to her attire, along with Ratonhnhaké:ton's. "Because –"
"I understand child, but you will be fine." Ratonhnhaké:ton looked at them quizzically, unsure of why his friend would ask that, but the look they received ended their conversation as the old man walked past them towards the empty carriage in front of the house. They all filed into the carriage and left, knowing that traveling to and from Boston was a whole day affair.
After traveling for quite some time, Tekahionwake found herself nodding her head drowsily, and at one point nearly fell over onto the floor of the carriage. The only thing that prevented that embarrassing accident was a bump that they had gone over – it quickly woke her up. Almost as if it was perfectly timed, the sounds of people and horses indicated that they had arrived.
The most impatient out of the trio, Ratonhnhaké:ton rushed to open the door, letting in the freezing March air. "Wait for me!" Tekahionwake was quick to follow, jumping out of the carriage.
The moment she stepped out of the carriage, her mouth opened in awe. She was...there were no words for how she felt right now. There were just so many people – never had she seen so many congregated in a single area. While it didn't smell the best, the city with its buildings and markets were new and it all peaked her interest. She wanted to see more, especially if she had time today.
"Wow…" She stared at the passing people, only to feel a sudden pain in the back of her head. "Ow!" Following suit was a sound of pain from her friend next to her, and she quickly glared at Achilles, his cane back on the ground. "Don't stare you two – it's rude." She saw the amusement in the old man's eyes, however, despite having been scolded.
Ratonhnhaké:ton, along with Tekahionwake, quickly looked down before he muttered a quiet, "Sorry."
Achilles simply shook his head before saying, "Come on." They walked together for a few minutes, with Tekahionwake at the back, as she tried to take Boston all in. She overheard Ratonhnhaké:ton ask their mentor why he preferred the countryside and frowned at the old man's answer.
"The opportunities you speak of, my boy, are only for a certain few." But before any of them could retort with something, Achilles pointed to a store in front of them. "I want you two to order these things on the list. Tell them the location of the carriage they'll see it filled with the ordered items. Understood?"
"Yes," they both answered, with Tekahionwake taking the money Achilles handed them. The weight of the bag was quite a lot – surely, the items they needed did not require this much gold?
"Achilles...this is a lot of gold, are you certain that we need this much?" she quickly asked.
There was a dark look in the old man's eyes as he nodded his head. "Yes, my dear, we do. You will soon come to realize why." He straightened his back as much as he could before continuing. "You two...as much as it pains me, will need a new name. Both of you are fair enough to where you can pass with Spanish or Indian blood." Achilles must have seen how Tekahionwake's eyes widened, as he raised his hand, closing his own for a few seconds before continuing. "It is better to be thought them than a Native...and both are better still than I."
Their reaction was immediate – Tekahionwake opened her mouth in protest as Ratonhnhaké:ton did the same. "Achilles!" she couldn't help but exclaim.
This was what she had been worried about – while never experiencing the racism firsthand, she had heard of the way the colonists treated her people and she saw the slaves they brought with them. It hurt her heart so much, and they all knew.
That is not true!"
Looking up, their mentor shook his head. "What you know true and what is are different things, children. You will soon come to learn this."
An awkward tension filled the air and Tekahionwake, not wanting to stay in, quickly broke it. "Then, have you thought of names for Ratonhnhaké:ton and I?"
"Connor and Verity...yes, I think that is good." They both nodded their heads in agreement. While Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't notice it, she saw the sadness in Achilles eyes at the mention of her friend's new name, Connor. "Now, one last thing. While in the cities, do try to refrain from speaking your native language. While you may be able to pass as, say a Spaniard, the moment you speak your native language everyone will know." He gently placed a hand on Tekahionwake's arm before pushing them away. "Now, go. We don't have all day."
Quickly saying their goodbyes, the two began their walk to the store they passed a few minutes ago in the carriage.
"Tek –"
She quickly grabbed Ratonhnhaké:ton's arm and shook her head. "No, Connor, we won't go by those names here," she said with a sad smile.
"A-Ah, sorry. Verity, do you not think that everyone will know we are natives with our clothes?"
Tekahionwake – no, she wasn't Tekahionwake here, she was Verity – looked down at what she wore and knew that the two of them stood out like sore thumbs. However, they passed a group of hunters wearing similar garb to them, giving her an idea. "We can say that we are hunters passing through. Our English will help us blend in, as well."
"...I see." The two continued their walk and stopped a few minutes later in front of a store.
"Let us hurry, I'm cold," Tekahionwake muttered, holding her arms closer. While the cold was no stranger to her, the wind that was carried off the ocean caused the winter air to feel much colder than what it was. Her friend nodded his head before opening the door, letting her in first.
"...Are you lost, little girl?" Tekahionwake whirled around to see a large – not in height, but in width – man glaring at her. "Where's ya pop?"
"Dead." She scoffed at the look on his face at her monotonous joke as Ratonhnhaké:ton appeared behind her. "We are here to purchase items." He handed the storekeeper a list of items and the moment she placed the pouch of money, the man changed. He became much friendlier and the hostility she felt disappeared.
"I see. Some of these items, I got, some I don't. Wood's hard to come by lately." After counting the "appropriate" amount of money – in which it was obvious that he was cheating them out of some cash – he handed back their change. "Where'm I to put it?"
She allowed Ratonhnhaké:ton to answer the man as she walked around, looking at the designs of the rooms. Although she had been living with Achilles in his broken home for about half a year, the designs of the colonist's houses never ceased to amaze her. "Verity," her friend called out, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Saying a quick thank you to the man, she followed after Ratonhnhaké:ton out of the door. However, compared to a few minutes ago, the tension in the Boston air was heavy as they witnessed several Redcoats holding colonists against the wall or fighting with one another. "What the…" she couldn't help but say in her native language at the sudden change.
"We should return to Achilles, see if he knows anything." Tekahionwake nodded her head in agreement as they both began running back towards the location they last saw the old man. However, the moment they reached the marketplace they passed earlier, they saw their mentor standing midst of a large crowd shouting angrily.
"Achilles!" she called out, the first to reach him. "What happened here?"
He quickly began walking towards the general direction of people. "That's what we're going to found out."
They stopped at the large brick building that Redcoats surrounded, with one man shouting to the angry crowd, "Disperse! Congregating in this manner is forbidden!" There were various shouts from the colonists and Tekahionwake couldn't help but feel bad for the man. "Please! Nothing good will come of this anger - if you return home all will be forgiven!"
However, the trio's attention was not on the man's. Their attention was on two men, separate from the colonists. One of the men was someone Achilles had been drilling into their training, as it was the man responsible for the Templar cause in the Thirteen Colonies.
It was Haytham Kenway, Ratonhnhaké:ton's father.
"Is that my...father?"
With a solemn nod, Achilles turned to them. "Yes, and that means that trouble's soon to follow. Make sure you tail after than man he just let go." He turned to the crowd around them. "This is a powder keg waiting to explode, make sure that man doesn't do anything to light it."
"I…"
"Go!"
Tekahionwake remained silent throughout the ordeal l simply watched as Ratonhnhaké:ton left, his body tense with both shock and hesitance. "Achilles, what should I do?" she asked.
"We will stay watch, hoping that the Templars don't have anything behind their backs."
Tekahionwake stood with worry, her body shaking with nervousness and fear – fear for her friend and quite frankly, fear for her life, as the colonists all around them were beginning to get angrier with the lack of progress towards what was happening. For the next few seconds she observed the crowd and as she made a slow circle, she stopped when she saw a familiar face on the roof from in front of her.
"Look, the boy's up there –"
Tekahionwake waved her hand in urgency as she shouted out, "Achilles, Charles Lee is here!" She quickly turned and as if everything was happening in slow motion, she saw Haytham turn to her, seemingly hearing her mutter the other Templar's name. She then saw Ratonhnhaké:ton bring down some man from the roof from the corner of her eyes, but it wasn't that man who he needed to worry about! Then suddenly a gunshot rang out through the marketplace, and she brought her head down, flinching, chaos erupted around them.
"F-Fire!"
Eyes widened as she saw soldiers lifting their weapons. "No, don't!" She brushed off Achilles' hand and shot forward, grabbing the nearest civilian. "Don't fire!" she cried, trying to save those around her.
However, her struggle was futile as the Redcoats turned their muskets towards them. Knowing what was going to happen next, Tekahionwake pushed down the woman in front of her as she fell forward, covering the fallen civilian's body. Half a second later, several gunshots were fired. Using the opportunity of the reload time required for the guns, she shot up and chased after Achilles as he motioned for her to follow him while he fled.
"That damn man!" Achilles growled once they were at a safe distance away. "He's putting the blame on Connor!"
She whirled her head around from where they came from, her hair whipping around her face. "Haytham?"
"Yes, and now we have a big mess to clean up." Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, the old man turned to her. "...You're going to go talk to Samuel Adams. I'll be following as quickly as I can but with my leg, we won't make it in time."
Catching her breath, she tilted her head at the unknown name. "Samuel Adams, who is this man?"
"He's someone on our side. Tell him you know me and what happened – he'll know what to do. He's in the newspaper office on the port side of Boston. It's right next to the store you bought the supplies from."
"Alright."
Not hesitating to help her friend, Tekahionwake quickly ran off in the direction she came in. As she passed the marketplace, the smell of death was heavy in the air as several civilians lay dead on the ground, blood pooling around them.
Seeing this sparked anger in her – this many unnecessary deaths, and for what? If the British were willing to harm their own people like this, then how safe were hers? If this was the Templars doing, then just how deep did their influence go?
These questions rang throughout her mind as she reached the store Achilles said Samuel Adams would be. Without knocking, she slammed the door open, startling the various men within it. "Where is Samuel Adams?" she demanded, looking straight at the man who stood in the middle of the room.
"That would be me. What can I help you with, little girl?"
Tekahionwake felt her eye twitch at the name she had been called for the second time. Temper short, she took a step forward and pointed to Samuel. "I do not know what it is with colonists calling me a little girl when clearly, I am taller than most." Her voice was laced with so much anger it seemed, because the men all took an uneasy step back from the force behind her words.
"W-We meant no harm from it, ah, M-Miss."
"Good." Tekahionwake quietly snorted before continuing her mission. "Now, Samuel Adams, I am in need of your assistance."
The man had an uneasy smile but he carefully took a step forward. "Well, my lady, what can I assist you with?"
"You know Achilles, am I correct?"
He had a look of surprise but nodded his head. "It's a name I haven't heard in quite some time but yes, I do."
She motioned for him to follow her as she began walking out of the room. "Well, we need your help."
"We?" Samuel grabbed his nearby coat and hat before running after her. "You're not the one who needs help?"
"No, I am not." Cracking her knuckles, Tekahionwake smirked and for some reason, his stomach felt heavy with dread. "You are going to help the boy who is being blamed for today's massacre."
02
Tekahionwake sat alone, sharpening her tomahawk, as Achilles and Samuel stood nearby, talking about a plan to help Ratonhnhaké:ton.
"Then, I leave Connor in your hands, Sam."
The man clapped his hands as he said with a smile, "Don't fret my friend, your boy'll be safe with me."
The man left, leaving the two alone. "What are we to do now, Achilles?"
"We? We are leaving."
Tekahionwake stood up and hooked her tomahawk in its usual place by her hip. "What? We are just...leaving Ratonhnhaké:ton here, alone?"
"Yes, we are, in fact, going to leave the boy here." He raised an eyebrow at the face she gave him as he tried explaining himself. "It's training, my girl, you will one day have to experience this alone. While I can try teaching all I can to you, experience is the best teacher."
"S-Still! What if he finds himself caught by the authorities? Or worse – the Templars?" She took an uneasy step backward as her mind came up with the worst case scenario she could imagine.
"...You're welcome to go follow Sam to rescue Connor, if you're worried that much."
She blinked incredulously at what he suggested. They stood there in some sort staring match for a few silent moments, until she suddenly whirled around and began jogging after Samuel Adams. "Go back home to your broken house, Achilles," she said, taking one last look behind her shoulder. Then, switching back to her native language, she muttered, "Asshole."
She heard him sigh but she paid it no mind as she ran towards the man who, in the upcoming years, would become one of her most trusted advisors in the war that seemed to have no end.
02
"Welcome back –"
Ratonhnhaké:ton stormed into the house, stopping when he saw Achilles sitting in a chair by the fair, lone. "You left us in Boston!" he growled, his annoyance and anger clear in his voice. "I know that you told –"
Achilles brushed the boy aside as he stood up, pushing two different boxes towards them. "And I'll say the same again – experience is the best teacher. Let's say you found your father, Connor, what would you have done? Hmm? Kill him? Please, he is a man with decades of training while you are a boy with a few months. If you want to end this war, it'll be through training and experience – both of you."
"What of the supplies you had us buy today? Are we to just...repair the house as if there is no conflict, no...tension, between the colonists and the British?" Tekahionwake stood from her position against the doorframe, her body tense.
"Yes, that is exactly what you two are going to do. Now, open those boxes before I change my mind."
The two protested, but they also knew Achilles long enough to know that the conversation was over. Despite wanting to continue his rant against the man, Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly grabbed the box that was given to him. He was first to open it and a quiet gasp left his mouth at what he saw within it. He pulled out two Hidden Blades and as he tied them onto his wrists, Tekahionwake opened her box. Within it, similar to her friend's, contained two Hidden Blades. However, as she tied them, a frantic knock on the window interrupted them.
"Help! I need help!"
"My boy, go. You, though, stay." Achilles pointed to her. They were soon left alone as Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly ran to see what the trouble was.
"What?" she asked, tightening the weapons on her wrist.
"I sense a change within you." The old man leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. "What happened?"
She opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it, her thoughts at odds with one another. "I...I realized something, I think." Releasing the blades, she turned them over, taking the sharpness of it in. "After seeing what happened in Boston, I think I have decided what to do. I asked you all those nights ago how I fit into this story, and I think I now know how." Smiling at her mentor, she quickly left to go to her room, the realization she came to heavy in her heart and mind.
Hours later, she found herself preparing herself for bed when a loud knock interrupted her. "Tekahionwake, may I come in?"
"Yes." Tying her hair back, Tekahionwake turned to face Ratonhnhaké:ton.
"You wanted to speak to me?"
"Can...can we speak English?" she asked, refusing to meet his eyes.
He sat down in the empty chair but answered with a confused, "Okay."
She stood in front of him, conflict clear as various emotions displayed themselves on her face. "I've come with a decision." She remained silent for a few moments before answering. "Did you see what occurred at the massacre today?" Her friend slowly shook his head, his memories of the day flashing through his mind. "I did and when the British shot into the crowd…there were innocent men, women, children, and...and the British didn't care!" With a shaky breath, she finally looked at her oldest friend. "I cannot...I cannot do this...thing with the Assassins and Templars as I am now."
Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly stood up at this as he grabbed her arms. "What are you saying?"
She continued, not quite answering his question. "As we sailed back to the Homestead, I realized that I cannot do this as Tekahionwake. Until this war is over, my dear friend, I cannot go by that name. I will protect our people, as well as those who cannot protect themselves. They may not like me, they may not agree with me, but at the end of the day, I want to protect the colonists as well." Placing a gentle hand against his cheek, she said, "From this day forth, I am Verity and you are Connor. Until this war is over, I can never go back to who I was."
"Tekahionwake –"
She shook her head. "No, not anymore." Then, with a sad smile, she gently kissed his cheek. "This is something I must do. To end this war, sacrifices must be made, and this is one of many I will make."
02 – End
A/N: It's a boring chapter, but it needed to be done. I hope it wasn't confusing! It was pretty hard to write but I think I managed to incorporate Verity into the story pretty well.
Well, please please please leave a review! It'll help a lot!