ZIIO

As Henry left, I was just about ready to go to sleep.

I'd been awake all night yesterday, trying to write that letter. In every dash of ink on that page, I poured out my heart; soul; strength. It was what Haytham deserved...and it was the truth.

I placed the parchment on the bedside table. I'd slipped a few of my string bracelets around it to keep it sealed. I was ready to give it to him. Quite how, I had not decided...but I'd figure that out in the morning. My eyes flickered like the dying candlelight.

I stood from my bed, and pulled on my white nightgown. There was no danger of making any form of noise if I was asleep. That'd let Haytham proceed with the meeting, which I had no intentions of listening in to.

Just as I pulled back my covers, there was another knock at the door. "Come in," I whispered.

It was Rose, who clutched a pile of smooth white material. She crept in tentatively, shutting the door behind her. "Do you mind if I leave these sheets here? They are for...when you leave."

"Of course," I murmured sleepily.

Rose smiled, but her dark eyes fell to the floor sadly. "Henry told me that he's said his farewell...so...so I thought I'd...say mine."

"I...thank you." I was so tired, I was unsure of what to say. It was then when I registered just how much this woman had done for me. For over four weeks, she'd gone out of her way to heal me, clothe me, feed me, and – most importantly – befriend me, for no extra gain. How many women in Haytham's society were prepared to do that? None that I'd met.

She placed the sheets on the desk, and when she turned, there was moisture on her lashes. "I am glad to have known you, Ziio."

"Likewise."

Silence. My emotions stirred into a sorrow. This was quite possibly the last time I'd ever see Rose. I'd miss her immensely; that was a fact. Shouldn't I be saying something more?

I couldn't help myself. I stepped forward and hugged her tightly, and she did the same. We stayed for a long time locked like this: the last mark of our friendship. There was a plunging feeling in my stomach; I sounded almost tearful when I spoke next.

"I wish you and your beloved all the best."

"We couldn't have made it this far without you." Rose was also struggling to speak.

"Go, get married and have children," I chortled. "And make sure they inherit your kindness!"

This was enough to make her laugh. As she pulled away from the hug, she murmured: "Farewell, Ziio. I will remember you as a friend."

And – after that very brief encounter – she was gone.

I sighed, not willing to be emotional before I slept. I'd witnessed enough of that in the past twenty-four hours. Perhaps that was why my head was aching as it touched the pillow.

Hush, now. Just close your eyes...

INTERMEZZO THREE

The boy was sorry for his actions, that day. There would be many years before he came to regret what he did, but when the day came, it'd be too late. He was young; naïve and hungry with greed. It seemed a wise thing to do.

Robert held the front door open for his master. The air outside had been bitter, but inside the Kenway homestead, the warmth engulfed him like a blanket. It steadied his nervous breaths, too.

"I am sure I saw a man on this land, earlier!" he insisted. "He was tall, and he had a bandage on! He scampered away into the bush –"

"What would anyone want to poison my horse for?" the older man replied. He shook his coat off frustratedly, throwing it onto a hook. "Robert, I know that I pay you to tend Bonnie, but really – if you saw anything suspicious, it would've been wise to warn me earlier!"

Robert cowered below his employer, staring at his earthy boots. "I'm sorry."

Luckily, the man was not the type with a short fuse. "Forgiven," he sighed.

"Will she...will she be alright?" the stable hand asked tentatively.

Haytham Kenway's eyes looked at the ceiling, before they rested on Robert. "She'll be fine. Run along."

Just before the young man could turn, he was stopped. Another gentleman appeared from in the kitchen; he strode across the landing towards them. He wore an emerald-green jacket, buttoned up to conceal his rotund belly. His grey breeches were short, giving the illusion that so was he.

"Haytham." His voice was friendly. "Did you find what was wrong with that mare of yours?"

His colleague shook his head. "Alas not, Benjamin. I am sure she will be fine."

"Oh, very well." Church seemed almost despondent. "You see, if I come to the stable with you now, I might have some knowledge on the matter. I trained as a physician, after all."

Robert groaned inwardly. He'd have to venture outside yet again, just when he was warm.

"No...don't worry," Haytham replied. "I mean, it's awfully kind of you, but we really must proceed with the meeting now. We have already lost nearly half an hour."

Benjamin's eyes darted back and forth, before he leaned in to both men. "Truth be told," he muttered, "it was William who really wanted a meeting. We are simply following orders."

Haytham cocked an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Honestly."

Haytham took several seconds to make a decision. With a curt nod of his head, he said: "Very well...but only briefly."

"Will I have to follow you out?" Robert couldn't help himself.

"No..." his master said thoughtfully, ignoring his rudeness. "You can stay here and...check up on the servants upstairs."

Although he was seventeen, Robert was no fool. He knew exactly what this meant – Haytham just couldn't explicitly say it with Benjamin Church around. He was to see to Ziio; to make sure that nobody discovered her sleeping up there. Robert nodded dutifully, before opening the door for the two Templars.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the boy bounded upstairs. He hadn't seen much of the Mohawk woman, and Robert was possibly the last person she'd expect up there. It didn't matter. It was an order.

He knocked on the door. No reply. Gingerly, he turned the brass handle, letting the light pour into the open creak. Still nothing. The room was dark when he entered; he could just about see the four-poster bed in the corner. It contained the silhouette of a woman lying sideways, her shoulders heaving.

"Ziio? Are you asleep?" he whispered.

The only response he received was her breathing. She moved slowly, the bed sheets swishing as she did so. There was no danger of her disturbing anyone, Robert knew. He should probably have left her alone.

"She's asleep," he confirmed to himself as he left.

He crept out onto the landing. He was so focussed on shutting the door quietly that he didn't notice the tall shadow. It hovered over his furrowed face, like a hawk about to dive. Robert looked behind him...and what came next he didn't expect. One moment, there was a man standing behind him, the next, Robert was wedged against the wall, writhing. He tried to yelp, but a glove covered his nose and mouth. His lungs screamed at him for oxygen; his mind for an escape.

His bulging eyes met with his attacker. They were intensely blue, and narrowed to slits. In his panic, Robert recognised the man as one of Haytham's. He pushed him further against the wall. The boy stopped struggling at once.

"Now, listen, you," the man snarled. His voice was no more than a low hiss. "You let us in that room, and you need not be harmed."

Robert gulped, shuddering with fear. He looked around wildly for help; Rose or Henry would hear, surely? But there was nobody. Only another figure – an older one – standing behind his attacker, arms folded. A single tear escaped from the boy's eye as he struggled for breath. Finally, the black-haired man released his hand. Robert coughed and spluttered, and – when the shock had faded – he stammered:

"I...bu...my m-master..."

The man looked behind him for the support of his colleague. He turned, laughing at Robert's naïveté. "Oh, I never said Haytham has to know," he drooled. "Only hold your tongue and make no mention of this. Then you will be safe."

Robert swallowed hard, his heart still pounding. What did these men want from him? Why – of all people – did it have to be him?

Charles Lee's cold stare remained impassive as his victim flopped like a fish. William stood behind him, clearly reluctant to use violence. Eventually, he stepped forward.

"Charles...is this not a little..."

"A little what?" Lee demanded. "Extreme? Well, have you a better idea, William?"

Johnson regarded the poor lad – sweat streaked down his white face, and his eyes were livid with terror. "Yes..." he murmured. "Yes, I do have a better idea. Let him go, Charles."

Bewildered, Charles did as he was bade. Robert jerked, and keeled over by the wall. William bent down to face him, his eyes kinder than his colleague.

"Listen," he said. "Keep this a secret, and I give you this."

He reached inside his pocket. From his hand protruded an old brown purse; its contents jingled healthily. Robert relaxed a little. Although this one was still his enemy, there was something in this for him...other than escaping without a broken neck.

"Deal?"

No answer. Just a trembling nod.

William Johnson rose to his full height; Robert continued to cower under him. "You see? Violence does not solve everything."

Charles Lee simply grunted. He took one last look at the heap of nerves – and turned towards the door of Ziio's room. William followed with less determination, the purse of coins firmly in his grasp. "It will be yours in a moment," he promised. "I'm sorry about my friend here. The woman's asleep, you say?"

It was then when Robert realised it. This was all a setup. Benjamin had led Haytham astray, that the other two might explore. How did they know about Ziio? Had they seen her before? Perhaps it was his fault from when he called Haytham out earlier. Never mind. She was just a woman. A 'savage', as his family often called them. It was hardly worth saving her neck.

"Yes," he said calmly. "She is sleeping."

With a grateful gesture, William crept after Charles into Ziio's chamber.

Robert forced himself to his feet. Oddly enough, he felt no guilt for giving in. It was that or face more...drastic consequences. He was still shaken; his shoulders were up like a startled cat. But he was curious. What had those men wanted from Ziio? Not that he cared. Why should he?

Despite himself, he pressed his ear to the doorframe...

"It's the very same woman," the violent one murmured. "She looks familiar."

There came no reply from his kinder accomplice. Robert set himself where he could hear them better. After nothing but the floorboards creaking, he heard something.

"Funny," one of them said. "Who'd have thought the savage can write?"

"She's also capable of slicing your throat, so keep quiet!" Charles hissed. "Hang on...what did you say?"

"I said she can write. Look. A note."

"What does it say?"

"'Haytham...'," William recited, before stopping. "It looks like a letter of farewell."

"That would make sense..." Charles muttered darkly. "She leaves tomorrow, so she said."

"How did she get here?" Johnson was quieter this time; Robert tensed with the effort to hear. "Do you think that their affair never ended?"

"Don't you see, William?"

"What? What don't I see?"

"Why," Charles murmured energetically, "this is perfect. Two birds with one stone."

What? thought Robert. What do they mean?

He would never come to find out what they meant. Alas, by the time his blood was cool enough to realise, it was too late. The opportunity to change had long since fledged. But one thing was certain: had Robert had the strength to resist this bribery, everything would be different. Dozens of lives would never, ever have been affected, had he kept his lips sealed. The oblivious young fool just didn't know it yet.

The decision he made that night would turn his life around...but by the time he was home from work, he had a few extra coins in his pocket. That was all he needed to know.

For now.

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUN!

Hey, everybody! Another intermezzo-filled chapter. There's only gonna be one more of these in Part 1 (Everbound's gonna be split into sections) so if you didn't like them, you'll only have to tolerate one more. Sorry :) If you do like the intermezzos, then I guess that ain't a problem!

So, what were you left thinking by the end of that? I'm curious. It (again) felt a little rushed, but hey. What do you think of Robert? So far he's just been a name, but he has a much more significant part later on in the story. You'll see. Oh, you'll see...

Thank you as ever for reading – I've been doing this story for 7 months now, would you believe? I'm always so appreciative of the support that you guys give me. So hugs for everyone, hehe :D

Until next time!