Never-ending stories

The stranger kept leading me through the city. Carefreely past citizens and soldiers, as we were just on a walk. It didn't escape my notice that his eyes were still roaming over our surroundings and that he adapted our steps to whatever they saw. It reminded me strongly of Ratonhnhaké:ton when he didn't want to be spotted. But this man seemed so much more relaxed. As if he felt entirely safe in what he was doing. I, for my part, wished to know what he was doing at all because I was torn between my curiosity and my fear. My curiosity wanted to learn more about this man and his intentions, while my fear believed his intentions would end with his blade in my throat. The way the bracer was resting on my waist, he simply had to activate the mechanism and it would cut into my flesh. Probably without killing me, but killing me at all wouldn't be that difficult. I had seen Ratonhnhaké:ton using this weapon often enough. It was as deadly as it was inconspicuous. So I didn't even try to escape because I wouldn't stand a chance anyway. Except I could try to flee as soon as he stopped and loosened his grip around me. Men of his age – I guessed he was in his fifties - couldn't be that fast. At least I hoped so.

We had eventually left the busy streets behind us and I felt relieved when we approached the burnt district. If I was lucky, Kanen'tó:kon would be still there and was searching for me. At the same time, I feared that we could cross paths with the bluecoats I had just met, but until now, the streets and alleys were empty. They were walked with the same confidence and looked over like all the others before until the stranger finally pulled me into one of the abandoned backyards. Before I could realize my hastily made-up plan to escape, I found my back pressed against a wall and again, the grip around my wrist fixed it beside my body with enormous strength. He stepped so close to me, that I had no chance to evade him. The distance between us was just big enough so that our bodies didn't touch each other. It seemed like he took care of it. As if he wanted me to know that he didn't intend to pester me. I didn't fear he would anyway, despite his closeness and the isolated location of the backyard. It didn't mean that I wasn't afraid, though. On the contrary.

Now that I could look into his face for the first time, I didn't feel like judging him by his age or even underestimate him anymore. One look into his eyes told me, that underestimating him could be a deadly mistake. They were greyish, similar to mine, but entirely cold. There was no emotion, no warmth, just utter calculation. It seemed like they could look right through you and bring everything to daylight, you wanted to hide and they seemed to try themselves, to scrutinize my face and their gaze bore directly into mine. I wanted to look away but couldn't. Something in his eyes seemed to tell me: One mistake and I will kill you.

"Well, Miss", he started and I winced as he tore me out of his thoughts. His tone was, again, entirely neutral and calm, as if he was simply talking about the weather. But it was this tone, together with his appearance that was so threatening. "I think, we should start with the easiest question: How is it possible you are so drenched? It certainly wasn't a surprising shower of rain."

"I was walking by the harbor and slipped", I answered straight away. This was, what I would have told the bluecoats, if they had caught me, after all.

"And you were unlucky enough to fall into the water?"

I nodded and tried to keep my face as straight as possible. His question had sounded anything but convinced.

"You must be freezing. Shouldn't you be on your way home? To dry yourself and get changed."

"I was on my way", I replied and was surprised by my fast answers myself. I felt anything but confident and had to pull myself together, to stop my body from shivering. "But I came across the square and wanted to listen to Wa…King Washington's speech."

His lips curled into an empty and joyless smile. "You did? His word didn't seem to be to your liking. You were the only person on the square, who was not cheering at him."

I almost bit my bottom lip. Would he accuse me of high treason, if he belonged to Washington after all? Maybe he was even ordered to find renegade citizens? Maybe that was why he had led me here. So that no other citizen witnessed my arrest and probably execution. I gulped. Damn it, this thought scared me even more and he seemed to know it. The smile remained on his lips.

"What is it? No cunning reply? No new lie? But I found your story so amusing. I would have loved to hear more like, why a citizen of New York is carrying a knife with her?"

His free hand grabbed at his belt, to pull out a knife and hold it in front of my face. No, it wasn't just some knife, it was my knife. The knife Ratonhnhaké:ton had given me. The knife I hadn't thought about since I had jumped off the Aquila. How did he take it? Why hadn't I noticed it? I gulped.

"But even more I'm wondering, where you got it. It is pretty uncommon, isn't it?" He cocked his head and his smile grew cold as he turned the small weapon and watched it closely. "Quite simply made. Blade made of stone, simply tied to the hilt. Until now, I only knew one kind of person who would make and carry such a weapon and you do not belong to them. Actually, this knife shouldn't be in your possession as this necklace shouldn't either." He tapped the knife's blade against said necklace and I felt my heart beating faster, as I could finally see emotion in his eyes. Anger.

"You lied to me about your little accident at the harbor. I saw you fleeing from the soldiers and followed you. But you can make up for it by telling me, where you got this necklace. It doesn't belong to you. Did you steal it?"

His voice had become more threatening with every word and I was sure, he would kill me if I said anything wrong. It was understandable, that he doubted my story after following me. But why was he so fixed on the necklace? He knew that it hadn't been made by colonial hands, just like the knife. But why was he so interested in it?

"I…I didn't steal it!" I uttered, an almost pleading tone in my voice. "I'm just keeping for someone."

"You do?" He didn't believe me. I could hear it. "Why should the owner of this necklace entrust it to you? She has no reason to do so."

How did he come to believe that? Did he believe to recognize it? Where from? Damn it, what should I answer? I couldn't tell him about Ratonhnhaké:ton since he was wanted and I still didn't know, who this man was at all.

Desperate I struggled for an answer while the man's eyes nearly ran me through. I was almost sure, I was going to feel the hidden blade at any moment, as a familiar voice sounded beside us.

"Let her go. There is no reason to threaten her. She belongs to us."

It was Kanen'tó:kon who stood a few feet away in the entry to the backyard. His hand was resting on his tomahawk but it seemed like it was just a precaution. As if he didn't want to draw the weapon. I was still incredibly relieved to see him and hoped that he…wait. Did he say: "She belongs to us"? My gaze flitted to the man's face who was staring at Kanen'tó:kon. Frowning, but then his lips curled into an unreadable smile.

"Kanen'tó:kon. I am surprised to see you unharmed. I recognized the ship but didn't think anyone had survived the collision."

"We abandoned it. The collision was staged for distraction. Lillian was with us. Why ever you arrested her, there is no reason for it."

So they knew each other? This man belonged to the rebels? I didn't know if I could be relieved about it, because as the grey eyes scrutinized me again, there were thoughtful but still threatening. He didn't step away either. Instead, he stared at the necklace and I believed to see confusion his eyes, quickly disappearing as he took a step back and turned to Kanen'tó:kon.

"For a moment, I thought she would belong to us. But it is new to me that women are serving in our ranks." He looked back and forth between Kanen'tó:kon and me, just to put on an understanding face. "I guess, it's not the case. She is with you, isn't she? You made her a gift already. A pretty necklace, I must say."

I frowned. He spoke of the necklace as if he had found her by chance, although he had asked me about it just moments ago. But it wasn't the only thing confusing me. It was the tone of his voice in combination with his behavior. I was familiar with it. I had often dealt with manipulative people and believed to be able to notice if someone was putting on a mask for a certain aim. This man seemed to be very skilled since nothing about him appeared staged. But it was this subliminal waiting in his words, telling an attentive listener that he was actually after something in particular without wanting the other person to know and Kanen'tó:kon didn't seem to be aware of it since he answered immediately.

"Oh, no. She Is not with me. Lillian is the partner of an old friend from my village. He gave the necklace to her. And it is him, the bluecoats are looking for. That is why they came to us, not long ago. Ratonhnhaké:ton wants to support us, but could not leave Lillian anywhere."

Many, but concise explanations at once, but the man's eyes only lightened up in interest for particular information. Ratonhnhaké:ton's name. He looked at the necklace again and I saw him frowning, before looking at Kanen'tó:kon again.

"So…your friend caused all this trouble in the frontier? We first thought it was you, but well then. We need him. Where is he now?"

"We do not know. He was the last man to leave the ship. Nobody has seen him since." Kanen'tó:kon looked at me for a moment and after all these troubling minutes, he reminded me of my concern for Ratonhnhaké:ton and Faulkner. "I wanted to look for him after I have brought Lillian to the camp. I promised Ratonhnhaké:ton I would ensure her safety and I will."

The man nodded slowly. "Well", he started. "Since he already created quite a name for himself, it would be a tragedy to lose him for our cause. I will help you looking for him. But we should hurry. The longer we stay in the city, the more dangerous it will become."

He stepped to me once again and handed the knife over to me, which I grabbed hesitantly, without turning my eyes away from his. I couldn't read anything in his face but he had given me enough reason for a lot of questions.

"Forgive me, if I was a bit harsh", he said and his voice was honest, although he still appeared emotionless. "I believe, a certain amount of distrust is only wise in times like these. I hope you understand."

I simply nodded. I had a really good understanding of his distrust, but his behavior was still questionable. But if I had known that the explanation for all of this was closer than I had thought, I would have…I didn't know what I would have done. The stranger put a hand on his chest and indicated a polite bow, before saying: "And I apologize for not introducing myself. The name's Haytham Kenway."

That was the moment I could hardly stop my jaw from dropping improperly. Still, I stared at him like a sheep while not being able to grasp even one of my rushing thoughts. Kaniehtí:io. Kanen'tó:kon. Now Haytham. How many of these meetings were still awaiting me? How often did Ratonhnhaké:ton have to be confronted by his painful past? His father, of all people. But his behavior made sense now. He must have recognized Kaniehtí:io's necklace and had wondered how it had come into the possession of someone like me. And once again, it explained why I a stranger had looked familiar to me. Ratonhnhaké:ton maybe looked a lot like his mother and looked more like a Mohawk than a British, but his chiseled features were his father's, who was now giving me a questioning look and forced me to concentrate.

"Are you alright?"

"N…no…", I stammered and shook my head. "No…well yes…I mean, I am fine. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Was it? After everything I had learned about Haytham, I had never known what to think about him. He seemed to be a man of facets. Someone with strong principles. Some making him help and save other people, others making him an ice-cold, calculated man, who would kill without batting an eye if he found it to be useful to his cause. Someone who put his goals over his emotions. A man who had tried to win his son for his cause and had wanted to kill him, as he had been unsuccessful. Ratonhnhaké:ton had never talked much about him and he had never appeared likable to me, nor I had disliked him. Haytham had always been some sort of shadow to me and now he was standing in front of me and was even an ally.

My thoughts wandered to Ratonhnhaké:ton and the question of how he would react to this new confrontation from the past. If he was still alive. As long as we didn't know that, I couldn't care less about Haytham. So I pushed my confusion aside and stepped to the two men, who were already discussing our way to the rebels' camp. The sooner we got away from here and the sooner they could look for Ratonhnhaké:ton and Faulkner, the better and luckily they didn't hesitate any longer. They took me between themselves as we left the backyard and followed the crooked streets of the district in hurried steps. We were heading for the edge of the city and I was looking forward to leaving New York behind for now. This city was eerie to me and not only because of the pyramid. But leaving it now didn't seem to be granted to us.

When we came closer to the end of another street and I could even see the palisade, marking the border, three soldiers appeared out of nowhere. They stopped in a row, trained their muskets at us and cut off our escape route. We quickly changed our direction, ran back the street we had come from, and planned to turn right at the next crossroad to avoid the soldiers, but others were already coming from there. Strictly speaking, they suddenly came from all directions, blocked the crossroad, and encircled us. We couldn't go on. There seemed to be just one opportunity: To fight our way free, which in my case meant that I couldn't be of help. After they had drawn their weapons, they stepped close to me and kept eyes on two directions each. Until now, none of the bluecoats had made attempts to attack us. There were nine of them and they all just stood there and trained their muskets at us. As if they were just waiting for Haytham's and Kanen:tó:kon's first move.

"This is what I call a dreadful state", Haytham growled and he was right. Only one wrong step and we would be riddled with bullets.

"Where did they come from all of a sudden?" Kanen'tó:kon spoke loudly enough to be understood by us.

"I would like to know that, too. But I doubt this information could be of any use to us now."

"And what shall we do?"

Haytham's gaze brushed me and I saw an amused smile sneaking onto his lips. "Well, I guess you are not skilled enough in using this vegetable knife of yours, are you?"

I couldn't decide if he wanted to make fun of me, but for a moment, I forgot the hopelessness of our situation and frowned in irritation. With all my helplessness, I still had my pride and it didn't have to be reminded of my weaknesses.

"If I imagine them being carrots, I should be fine", I replied dryly and only received this smile again, before Haytham turned his attention back to the soldiers.

"Do you have a functioning pistol?", he asked Kanen'tó:kon, who shook his head.

"The powder got wet."

"Then prepare yourself to throw something at them. When I tell you so, you will do it and throw yourself to the ground. You as well, Lillian. Hope that they will not aim lower than they are doing now."

"And what is that supposed to achieve?", I asked unbelievingly because to me, it sounded like a good plan to kill us all.

"We will open the fight", was the short answer. "Ready?"

No, not at all.

"Now!"

Less than a handful of letters and still they meant complete chaos. In retrospect, I couldn't tell exactly what was happening when. On Haytham's signal, I had thrown myself onto the ground while shots were fired from several rifles and echoed through the streets. It almost sounded like a thunderstorm, but I was pretty sure to hear the bullets hissing as they cut through the air. I just waited for one of them to hit me but when nothing like it happened, I dared to raise my head. Haytham's plan had worked so far. Neither Kanen'tó:kon, nor him nor I had been hit, although I couldn't get rid of the feeling that it wasn't simply thanks to his good calculation. Haytham had taken the chance and we had been damn lucky. At least until now, because while I leaped to my feet, the two men were in the middle of a heated fight. Four of nine bluecoats were already dead. One due to Haytham's shot, the other because of the knife Kanen'tó:kon had thrown and the last two died when the Brit and the Native pulled their blades over their throats at almost the same time. I for my part, felt torn between the question of whether it was wise to stand around like rooted to the spot and the urge to watch the fight in fascination. This fascination wasn't based on the fact that there was bloodshed, but on my admiration for the two so different fighting-styles. Both of them so different from the one I had witnessed with Ratonhnhaké:ton all these years.

I could hardly turn my eyes away from Haytham. He fought with such speed and agility I would have never expected for someone of his age and still, he appeared to be so calm and precise. As if he was as a deadly tool as the sword in his hand, which he used as an extension of his arm. He moved seemingly effortlessly and with an elegance Ratonhnhaké:ton would never possess. Which wasn't negative, since Ratonhnhaké:ton was the best fighter I knew. But his style was so different from his father's, who I was willing to see on the same level as Ratonhnhaké:ton, regarding their skill. Haytham's deadly dance brought several bluecoats down before they were even able to hurt him.

The number of soldiers had been reduced to five by now, but they still possessed an incredible fighting spirit. It seemed like every fallen comrade was stirring their will to kill both rebels and they were at least good in limiting Kanen'tó:kon and Haytham in their movements. The two of them hardly managed to force them back, while they drew their circle around us closer and closer. They did their best to avoid me from being forced into the conflict. With moderate success. Of course, it hadn't escaped the bluecoats' notice, that I was standing around more or less defenseless and instead of storming at Kanen'tó:kon and Haytham, one of them changed his tactics and aimed at me. I hadn't noticed him coming from behind until he grabbed my arm. Or, what he believed was my arm. He only got the empty sleeve of Haytham's coat which I was still wearing over my shoulders. Scared I had leaped forward, whirled around and saw, how the soldier stared at the coat in his hands, which had slipped off my shoulders. With an angry growl, he dropped it and took a big step towards me to grab me again, but this time, someone else was faster. I uttered an appalling sound, as I was forcefully pulled backward by my shoulder and I could hardly stay upright, before falling to the ground. But it was no bluecoat who had grabbed me like that. It was Kanen'tó:kon who had certainly not intended to be this rude. He fought the bluecoat back with angry, forceful blows, but he made one mistake. He was so concentrated on this one man, who managed to counter his attacks just so, that he forgot to pay attention to our surroundings. Another bluecoat, who had just cowardly backed away from Haytham's reach, saw his chance and reloaded his musket with a remarkable routine. He took his time because I was the only one who had noticed him and…I was the only one.

"Kanen'tó:kon, watch out!", I cried out but remained unheard. The bluecoat trained his musket at the fighting Mohawk. "Kanen'tó:kon!", I shouted again and stormed towards the bluecoat who was just a few feet away. He didn't expect me either until I used all my strength to thrust the short blade of my knife into his shoulder. Crying out in pain, he whirled around and hit my waist with his musket. Surprised by the force of the impact, I stumbled and found myself kneeling on the ground shortly afterward. An angry bluecoat standing above me, pulling my knife out of his shoulder.

"You didn't do this for nothing, you stupid…"

I should never learn what creative insult he had come up with because a loud bang cut through the air and I felt something wet and warm hitting my face. I crawled away from the bluecoat before his body hit the ground in front of me. Blood trickled from the opening where his eye used to be. Now there was only the deadly arrow that had run through the man's skull. My stomach turned with the sight and I kept crawling backward, before looking into the direction the arrow had come from. Haytham was standing there, a smoking pistol in his hand, and looking behind himself. But since when did pistols fire arrows?

Still scared to the bones, I couldn't think straight until following Haytham's gaze. So we were both looking down the street that was supposed to lead us to the town's border. Two men were running into our direction. One smaller and more ponderous than the other, who carried a bow and reached us sooner than his companion did. It was Ratonhnhaké:ton, who stopped abruptly and looked over the small battlefield, that was just completed with the last bluecoat's body by Kanen'tó:kon. None of them had survived. Slowly Ratonhnhaké:ton moved on and looked at his father, who returned this look as expressionlessly and put his weapons away. It looked as if Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted to say something, but changed his mind and walked passed his father and to me, who had stood up in the meantime. The relief of seeing him again made me forget what had just happened and I did, what I had wanted to do since I had swum ashore: I wrapped my arms around him and ignored the coldness of his wet clothes. Ratonhnhaké:ton returned the embrace only shortly, before pushing me away a bit and looking me over with concern in his eyes.

"Are you hurt? Are you well?"

"I am fine", I answered his question while looking him over myself. "What about you?"

I couldn't see any injuries, but the fact that he was as soaked as all of us still made me question it. The condition of his clothes could cover up the traces of blood, but Ratonhnhaké:ton shook his head. "I am fine."

I nodded, satisfied with this answer, breathed a sigh of relief, and looked past him at the other three men. Only now I realized that it was Benjamin Franklin who had come with Ratonhnhaké:ton. I had forgotten him. Ratonhnhaké:ton must have freed him before leaving the ship. But…

"Where is Faulkner?" I looked at Ratonhnhaké:ton again and immediately feared his answer, when he avoided looking into my eyes. This gesture alone was answer enough and although I didn't want to accept it yet, tears rose into my eyes. "Ratonhnhaké:ton, where is Bobby?"

I had only whispered this question but it was still heard. Ratonhnhaké:ton squinched up his face for a moment and finally looked into my eyes. Grief and regret in them. "He refused to leave the Aquila", he answered quietly, but still loud enough to be heard by the others as well. "I tried everything but he would not listen. He said, if he had to sacrifice the Aquila, he would stay with her until the end."

He didn't say anything more and he didn't have to. We were silent and I tried to understand Ratonhnhaké:ton's words. Faulkner was dead? Just…like that?

Someone uttered a shaky sob and only when I found myself in Ratonhnhaké:ton's embrace again, I realized that I was the one sobbing. But it was the only sound I uttered since I pressed my face into Ratonhnhaké:ton's chest as I felt the tears running over my cheeks. At the same time, I didn't know if it was the pain I felt or confusion since I still didn't understand what Ratonhnhaké:ton had just told us.

"He is alive, do not forget that", he murmured, so close to my ear that only I could hear him. "Whatever happens here, he is fine and he is with Emily. We will see him when we come home."

This thought had just come to my mind and had caused my confusion. Everything that happened here was confusing enough, but to hear about the death of someone I knew was alive was creating a mess in my mind. The certainty that one of our closest friends was well, mixed up with the horror of the pure thought of his death. Persons who should be dead and were suddenly standing right in front of us were not less confusing, but in all three cases, I hadn't known the persons personally. Which reminded me of the fact, that two of these persons were standing beside me and especially Kanen'tó:kon must be wondering about my grief since he thought I knew Faulkner for only a day.

"It's fine", I whispered to Ratonhnhaké:ton, ran my hand over my tearstained cheeks, and slowly pulled away from him. His arms brushed my arms in a fleeting but gentle touch before he turned to the others.

"Are you hurt?", he asked Kanen'tó:kon and Haytham whom he just gave a short look. He didn't show any sign of what this new meeting with the past was causing inside of him. Both men shook their heads though Kanen'tó:kon tightened the broad leather belt around his waist and took a sharp inhale.

"A cut but it will be fine", he explained to Ratonhnhaké:ton's questioning look and pointed at the city's borders. "We should go before more soldiers come here. Wherever these came from."

None of us had any objections. We probably had wasted enough time already and had nothing else but problems to expect. The thought of leaving this city was a light at the end of the tunnel and so I adjusted to the men's hurried steps. Benjamin Franklin had more problems in doing so than I, but he didn't complain. He was probably lucky to be alive. After the decision of leaving the ship, nobody had thought of him anymore. Nobody but Ratonhnhaké:ton. Strictly speaking, he had saved this man's life twice now.

Hopefully, he's aware of that and will pay his debt, I thought, looking at the elderly man who was practically walking beside me. In doing so, I didn't pay much attention to the path in front of me, especially not to Ratonhnhaké:ton and ran straight into his broad back as he stopped all of the sudden. The collision hit me harder than him. I stumbled backward and held my forehead cursing because it had made acquaintance with Ratonhnhaké:ton's bow and/or quiver. Why did these weapons have to be so robust?

"I am sorry", Ratonhnhaké:ton said, although he couldn't be blamed for my clumsiness.

"It's alright", I murmured, still rubbing my forehead and looking for the reason for our sudden halt. We had just left the burnt district behind us and there was nothing but a plain field in front of us, reaching up to the palisade. The others were looking at the street on our right, leading into the city. I must confess, I expected to see more soldiers but luckily, this wasn't the case. It was Logan who was hurrying to and finally stopping in front of us, breathing heavily.

"You made it, very good. I fear that not everyone has been so lucky."

"What do you mean?" Kanen'tó:kon asked and I noticed his upper body was oddly twisted to the side. His arms were hanging down, but it still seemed as if he had a stitch. Was this cut he had spoken about worse than he wanted us to believe?

"These blue bastards seemed to know far too well where and how to look for us. Wherever we went, whole groups of them were coming from nowhere. Joffrey and I tried everything to avoid them and shake them off, but the old lad was too slow." Lester appeared to be quite worn out but it seemed like the answer wasn't enough for Kanen'tó:kon.

"And the others? Did you see them?"

Logan shook his head. "But I guess it has been the same for them. After all, you are also looking like you've been in a fight." He nodded at Kanen'tó:kon and Haytham who were covered in blood.

"If they are acting specifically, we should get away from here", Haytham said and looked back at the city. "But we have to keep an eye on our surroundings. No one should follow us."

"And what about him?" It was Franklin, Logan spoke about. Looking at him full of disgust. But once again, Ratonhnhaké:ton tried to take the wind out of his sails, this time far more resolute than on the Aquila.

"He gave me his word to help us. If it becomes necessary, I will act as his guarantor."

Logan was obviously against it but Haytham gave him no choice to contradict. "Let's postpone this discussion until we are in the camp. We have no time for this now. Go, move", he said and had already moved on. He seemed to be born a leader, regarding the authority he was radiating. No one would try to resist his order. No matter if it was because of obedience or simple agreement. I was swaying between both.

So we continued our way to the palisade, left it behind, and finally reached the forest. But even under cover of the trees, we didn't slow down. Soon I got the feeling that Haytham was willingly leading us the long way round and even in circles. He probably wanted to confuse possible pursuers and mess up our trail, but I was soon confused as well. At first, I had tried to remember the path since you could never know if it was going to be useful one day. I paid attention to special features in our surroundings like two trees growing into one or a rock, which form and grain reminded me of a sleeping animal. But I couldn't put all these markers into order and gave up my efforts soon. Looking down, I just followed Ratonhnhaké:ton and watched my feet swirling up the dry leaves and listened to the rustling sound they caused. One of the few things besides the many colors I liked about the first of the colder seasons. It belonged to the unique impressions of fall and it was inviting to make your steps more playful although I was suppressing this urge now. The current situation made it hard to enjoy anything and I didn't feel like it anyway. To reach the camp was everything I wanted for now and I began to ask myself how far into the forest we needed to go, as someone called after us.

"Wait! I think he needs help!"

It was Benjamin Franklin's voice and as Haytham, Ratonhnhaké:ton, Logan and I turned around, I saw him a few feet away, standing beside Kanen'tó:kon, who had sunk to his knees and waving his arms. No one had noticed them falling behind but Ratonhnhaké:ton ran back immediately, followed by Logan and myself. As we reached Franklin and Kanen'tó:kon, Ratonhnhaké:ton was already kneeling beside the latter and spoke to him in their mother tongue. Kanen'tó:kon appeared absent. He was staring at some spot on the ground, his teeth clenched, and his shoulders were rising and falling with each strained, irregular breath. Sweat was forming on his forehead and his skin had taken on an unhealthy, pale color. But what had happened? Only a few moments ago, he had been fine.

"Let me see", Logan said and when Ratonhnhaké:ton moved aside to make room for him, I saw that Kanen'tó:kon had pressed a bloody hand against his side. The cut! Of course. He must have played it down and the serious expression on Logan's face confirmed it, as he opened the belt around Kanen'tó:kon's waist to look at the wound.

"This doesn't look good", he said. "I can't tell how deep the wound is, but I have to treat it in the camp. I don't have the necessary equipment with me." Logan raised his eyes and looked at Franklin. "Give me your scarf."

The elderly man winced after this bold order but handed Logan his scarf over. The doctor crumpled it and pressed it firmly onto the wound. Kanen'tó:kon groaned in pain but Logan continued wrapping the belt around his waist again.

"This will do it, for now, I hope", he murmured. "We should hurry, though. He's losing a lot of blood."

Ratonhnhaké:ton simply nodded and carefully helped his friend back onto his feet. It was Haytham who had come to us by now and was helping his son supporting Kanen'tó:kon. So we walked on, much slower this time and I hoped that we would finally reach this camp. But it felt like ages until suddenly two men came out of the thicket and trained their weapons at us. Only when they recognized Haytham, who ordered them to get out of our way, they lowered them and did as they were told. I wasted no time paying more attention to them as we passed them and were suddenly in the middle of a camp. It extended over a small clearing, deep into the thicket as if it were intended to blend perfectly into the forest. At first sight, I couldn't tell how big it was but between the tents, trees, and on the paths I detected several smaller groups of men. Some were chatting around a campfire, while others were sharpening and tending their weapons or carving prey. Everyone was busy and still the whole attention was turned at us, as we crossed the narrow paths between the tents until Haytham indicated to Ratonhnhaké:ton that they could bring Kanen'tó:kon into one of these tents. Like all the others, it wasn't very big. Big enough so that two men could sleep inside of it, but not high enough to stand. So Franklin and I stayed outside while Logan had left to get what he needed to tend to Kanen'tó:kon's injury. I just hoped that it wasn't as serious as the doctor had said.