1 Week Ago
Conner arrived to New York, one of the many cities in the colonies liberated thanks to him and his Assassins work. As he wanders down the roads of the city he can't help but think of his past mistakes, particularly with aiding the patriots. Sure it was to fight the Templars and the British, but if he had the time he probably could have found another way that didn't involve replacing one regime for another one. The cycle will only continue and no progress will ever really be made. But that's what makes the life and work of an Assassin never ending. And that's why Conner must make plans to expand and grow the order for their side, while there's still time. Conner soon entered one of the taverns in the city. Once inside he saw his 6 Assassin recruits around one of the tables together talking and drinking, while they were waiting for their leader to arrive. Once Stephan noticed Conner arrive he got the others attention to all stand up and greet their leader. Conner walked over to them as everyone got up off their chairs to greet him. "Good to see you all could make it... please sit" Conner said to them. They all placed their hand on their chest, greeting their mentor before sitting back down while Conner stayed stood up. "First off I want to thank all of you. For all the work you two have done in the last few years... I could only focus on the main Templars leading the Colonies but all of you were able to travel across the colonies and do the work I was unable to do. The citizens of these lands may not ever know it but the Assassins will always remember the work all 6 of you put in for the Revolution" Conner said to them.
"Of course Conner. We know what we signed up for when we agreed to liberate the Colonies" Stephan, his first ever recruit said to him.
"That's good. Because after the year of the Colonies getting used to their new leadership I believe it's time we made plans to rebuild the Brotherhood. We were broken and disbanded after the 7 Years War, and now it's time we finally fixed that when we need it now more than ever" Conner said.
"What do you mean? The Templars are pushed out of America. They won't be coming back anytime soon without the help of the British" Clipper said.
"Yes. The Templars won't be able to insert themselves here for a while and it gives us the necessary time to plan things out overtime... The problem is however that they aren't planning to implant themselves back into the colonies. They're planning to invade" Conner said and sat down to explain. "I've received news from our Assassins overseas. And they warned that the Templars have sent a team to take me out. They don't know who it was that was sent. But whoever it was left England over 2 months ago. If they aren't here by now then they'll arrive in a matter of a few short weeks and we need to be ready... The reason I gathered us all together is because the attempt on my life has made me realize how limited in time we truly are. Because even if the Colonies are safe for now they won't be sooner than we know it. It's time to bring you all to our Assassin headquarters and begin the process of making you all true Assassins. We will rebuild our order from scratch, write the wrongs of our past, and ensure that the colonies will safe forever through us"
"With respect sir, but it sounds as though you're worried of them succeeding with this attack" Duncan said to his leader. "Are you... worried they'll kill you?"
"No... Well yes. But it's not about if they'll win or not. It's about the fact that this won't be the last attempt to come after us. The Templars are nothing if not resourceful, and given enough time they'll return again and again and again. It's better if we get ahead of it now while we have control of the lands" Conner explained to them. "I sent word to the other Assassins in New Orleans. They will be helping us as they have been running into the same situation as us to expand. When we're done here the Colonies will belong to the Assassins officially once there we can discus plans for dens in each colony where needed, and how to reach out and recruit new members"
"Sounds like we should head off now" Jacob said and stood up. "We should get the horses ready"
"Pack light people. We'll be traveling far but plenty of different places to set up camp along the way" Conner said to everyone as they got up and left to get prepared. One person stayed behind however. Deborah. Conner looked down at the beautiful Irish woman Assassin. In a perfect world he would be able to tell her how he really felt about her the way Deborah told him how she felt about him. "Deborah... can I help you with something?" He casually asked, playing it cool with her.
Deborah looked up at him, admittedly a bit nervous about the situation."Well, uh, I was just wondering... did they say anything about what the Templars will send after us?" She asked his mentor and love interest. She's admitted that she liked him and it was meet with a respectful not interested from the native man, but hoped that things might be different in the future. But it won't be much of a future if they're all dead.
Conner shook his head. "No. They didn't say anything" He said then pat her back. "But don't worry so much about it. Knowing the Templars, they're too busy with other countries in Europe to focus on us so I doubt it's nothing we can't handle together..."
Present Day
The horses arrived to the Davenport Homestead community after the ambush they had to face against. And in good time too with the fact that Conner's head was still bleeding, Duncan's gunshot was getting worse as he lead the team, and both Jacob and Clipper having limited time left to get the poison out of their system. The so called threat on their life that they couldn't handle took a much more drastic turn than any of them could have expected. Especially Conner. And as much as some of them would love to say that to Conner now wasn't the time. Now was the time for everyone to get to the doctor that Conner mentioned before it was too late.
Big Dave, the blacksmith who lives just at the foot of the mountain pass, was outside working on some metalworking stuff when he noticed the horses arrive down the hill. Dave walked over to meet them as they stopped to see him, nearly trampling him as they rushed towards him. "Woah now. What's the rush travelers?" He asked the Assassins, then let out a slight gasp seeing Conner leaning on Deborahs back. Blood was running down his face, and he was nearly about to fall unconscious. "Conner? Oh god what happened?" He asked in a horrified tone.
"There's no time! Where's the doctor?!" Deborah asked him
"Dr. White is the third house to the left. Next to the bridge" Dave said and frantically pointed down the road. The Assassins rushed the horses again, heading down the road of the community and getting the attention of the townsfolk in the process until they got to the medical clinic. Deborah, Stephan, and Jamie took the other unconscious Assassins off their horses and dragged them with them around the house.
Duncan ran in the backyard, frantically looking around while holding his shoulder wound. "Dr. White! Where are you?!" He shouted.
Dr Lyle White came out of the back door of his house rubbing his eyes. "No appointments today. It's ma day off so get-Conner!" Dr. White yelped out seeing he boy in his condition. The doctor snapped out of it and ran over to check him. "What happened?"
"We were attacked, and Conner got hit in the head with a club. Full force" Jamie said to him.
"Oh dear..." Dr. White said and lightly rubbed the wound, making Conner groan in pain. "Get in the tent, I'll take care of him there... What about these ones?" Dr. White then asked noticing Duncan Jacob and Clipper, while Conner got lead away.
"I got shot... And these two were poisoned" Duncan said.
"Ok... Ok..." The doctor tapped his chin trying to think everything through of what to do. "I'm going to need help with all this. I gotta get my nurse Diana to assist me" He said.
"I'll get her. Where is she?" Stephan asked.
"At the lumber mill across the street. Hurry!" The doctor said as Stephan ran off. "You wait in the other tent for Diana to arrive, just focus on keeping that wound covered and she'll be in there soon" He said to Duncan.
"I can help too. I've treated people in New York" Jamie said
"Good that'll help. I'll need help with the poison and figure out an antidote" Dr. White said back as they brought the two of them into the last medical tent together. "Do you know what they were poisoned with?" He then asked.
"It was a Hallucinogen drug that made them attack everyone around them like they were seeing ghosts or something" Jamie explained.
"That narrows it down. Are you able to treat them while I deal with Conner? My supplies are stockpiled in that shed over there"
"I'll do my best" Jamie said and went to the shed. Just as Dr. White left the tent he saw Stephan return with his nurse and medical assistant Diana.
"Diana thank god" He said and went over to her. "We have a big emergency. Conner and his friends were attacked while coming here and I need help with all of this. The ginger man in the tent over there needs his gunshot wound patched up. Just clean it up and stitch it like I taught you and I'll be right in the other tent if you need me"
"Alright no problem... Uh is Conner ok?" Diana asked in a worried tone.
"Never mind that Diana focus on your patient for now" Dr. White said sternly
"Y-Yes sir!" She said before leaving for the tent.
Meanwhile with all that going on, and Dr. White took the time to talk briefly with Stephan about what happened while also gathering up supplies he'll need, Deborah was with Conner trying her best to comfort the man laid out on a gurney bed waiting to be seen. "You're going to be ok Conner... we're at the homestead, we're safe now" Deborah whispered as she slowly dabbed a wet cloth against his cheek to wipe the blood off his face. "Oh god... You took a pretty bad blow to the head back there" She said to him.
Conner, who was panting and breathing heavy, slowly looked at the woman cleaning his face. "We... we aren't safe... I was wrong..." He weakly said back to her.
"Shut up Conner. Nobody could have predicted how that could have gone, not even you. But what matters is we're all alive" Deborah said. "We all had each others backs back there Conner. That's why we're all still here"
Conner turned his head back to lay his head down and just look up at the tent. "I... I was supposed to protect us after Achilles died... But I couldn't" He said, tears going down his face as all the emotions were flowing through him at once. "I failed... I failed as a leader... And I'm gonna fail again when he finds us..."
Debora looked at him with a calm look as she watched him let it out. She knew that a man like Conner had to stay strong 24/7, and seeing him like this, she knew that he couldn't just keep it in forever. But she wasn't the only one who needed him to keep going. It was now everyone in the homestead who needed him. "Conner stop... You did everything you could do. We all did" Deborah reached down to grab hold of his hand to comfort him. "And you didn't fail anybody... You saved my life" She said to him. "I would be the one laid on the bed if you didn't push me out of the way" She said.
Conner looked back at her. He slowly wiped his eyes off a bit and then put his hand on top of hers. "I'd do it again to keep you safe..." He said to her.
"Look... nobody can predict the future. But what I know for certain after the last few years of working with you and the others is that we'll handle this Shay guy. Because if we don't stand up to him... then nobody else will. You taught us that" She said.
The two looked at each other, smiling slightly again and definitely felt safe now. The realization hit mainly Conner again of his predicament when Dr. White finally arrived with the supplies. "Alright here we go" Dr. White said. Deborah and Conner quickly let go of each others hands as he got things ready. "Oh you cleaned some of the blood. good. I'm going to need to clean up that gash in your head now, apply some medication to disinfect said wound, put in some stitches and finally bandage it up... that wound seems particularly worse than you're regular injuries you come home with so this will require more than just time for it to heal" He said.
Deborah stood up. "Me and Stephan can help you too" She offered the doctor with her assistance.
"No" Conner said with his hand up to grab her arm. "You, and Stephan... You need to get this place ready, if Shay follows us back here" Conner said. "Where is Stephan?... Stephan!" He weakly called out for him.
Stephan went into the tent when he got called. "What is it Conner?" He asked.
"One of you needs to start setting the 2 entrances to the homestead with traps... The blacksmith over there can help you with that" Conner said. "And the other needs to head down to the docks... Look for Robert Faulkner, and tell him to get the ship ready to fire on any ship that might show up through the entrance from sea... Those are the only ways they'll get into this place" He said.
"We'll get it done Conner don't worry" Stephan said. "Come on Deborah lets let the doctor handle things here" He said and pulled her away from the tent. As the two left, Deborah looked back with a saddened look at her mentor shes about to leave alone. But as the tent curtains closed it made her feel even worse even though she had work to do for him. "I'll go set up the traps up at the entrances if you wanna head for the docks. That work for you Deborah?" Stephan asked, then looked at Deborah when he didn't get an answer. "Deborah did you hear me? Deborah... Deborah!"
Deborah quickly shook his head to snap back into reality when yelled at. She looked back at him. "Yes I hear you?" She said with a nervous smile.
"Really? What did I say then?" Stephan asked. Deborahs response was to blink a few times at him in complete silence. Stephan then just sighed. "Look, I'm just as worried about Conner as you are, and I certainly don't want him to die either, but being anxious about it all day won't do us any good. All we can do now is let them get healed up, and make sure we aren't surprise attacked again like last time. We gotta do this and we gotta have our heads clear to get it done... Can I count on you like I always do?" He asked and pat her back.
Deborah let out a sigh and gave him a nod. "Of course you can Stephan" She said. "I just... I've never seen Conner so banged up like this and so helpless"
"I have" Stephan admitted. "It was before you Jacob and Jamie were recruited but Conner got into some trouble when he first came to New York. He was about to be hung by one of the Templars for everyone to watch and cheer for his death... but we came to rescue him just in time. We saved his life when nobody else would" He said. "He was hung by his neck and nearly died. And you know what he did the moment he could breathe again? He charged head first against the soldiers the 3 of us were fighting, killed 2 soldiers and a Templar that attempted to murder Washington. So you better guarantee that when his head gets properly bandaged up and he's back on his feet, he will be a force to be reckoned with against this madman Templar after us" He said.
"Well... when you put it like that it makes our predicament sound a lot nicer" Deborah said to him.
"That's the spirit" Stephan said. "I'll head up the hill to get the traps set up, you head down to the docks and get the ship ready. That sound good?" Stephan asked. Deborahs response was a nod. "That's more like it... lets meet back here when we're done" Stephan said as well before both of them turned to go different directions in the street. Both of them with their newfound missions in mind to be prepared for the Templars arrival.
Stephan headed straight for the blacksmith shop they saw when they entered the community. He saw the big bald man at his shop, but was also with a woman more than half as small compared to him, both of them frantically talking to one another most likely about Conner. When Dave noticed Stephan walk up to the duo, Dave walked over to speak to him. "You're one of the people Conner was with earlier right?" Dave asked. "Is he doing ok? You guys didn't look so good when you arrived, especially Conner"
"He's alright now. He and the others are being taken care of... I'm Stephan by the way" He said and held his hand out.
"Names Big Dave... Well you can just call me Dave actually" Dave said and shook the mans hand. "This here is Ellen. She lives across the street and I was just telling her what happened" He said.
Ellen the tailor walked over to them. "Dave was telling me about Conner's condition. None of it was good... what happened to you guys on the way here?" She asked him.
"Well... We didn't exactly want you all to start panicking as our first impressions in the homestead, but we were unfortunately attacked by some enemies of ours from the Revolution" Stephan had explained to them. "Conner got injured and so did 3 other of our friends, but they're all fine now in Dr. Whites care... And the reason for my visit here is because Conner wants this place to be secure and defended should those same people follow us here, and Conner wanted me to get your help setting up traps"
"Yeah I can do that" Dave nodded. "We should have a bunch of leftover war supplies we sold during the war. I'll go see what I still have stockpiled and see what will help" He said and walked back to his blacksmith shop.
Ellen had face of rather intense worry and panic hearing the thought of an attack. "Conner is worried those men will come here? Oh dear... Should we be worried? I have a daughter"
"We can't say for certain when exactly they'll show up mam. For all we know it could range from any minute now to days from now... But we're going to do everything we can to make sure this attack is over with swiftly and efficiently, I can assure you that" Stephan said. "For the time being until everyone is back on their feet and we know more about their next move, the best thing to do right now is remain calm and be vigilant of anything that may seem strange. We'll handle the rest"
Ellen took a deep breath then a sigh to chill out. "Ok... Ok I guess I can do that. I'll head back home for the time being... Thank you sir" She said to the french man before leaving for her own home, ready to barricade the doors and windows, something she's not exactly proud to admit she's gotten better at since her ex husband and thugs tried to break in.
Stephan then went over to meet up with Dave at his warehouse that he had stashed with goods as Dave was loading up a wagon with explosive barrels. "Got everything I could find that I could find. Mostly just explosives and various tripwire landmines we can use to set them off" He said. "It's not as much as I was hoping for for trap variety, but this isn't the first time we've had to defend the place from invaders, and you can imagine how effective explosions can be" He said as well.
Stephan took a look at the wagon. "It's definitely a good start... We may need to get the help of other people for some more traps we can have put up but a good amount of these spread around can do a lot of damage before they even make it half way down the path"
"Let's get to work then" Dave said, then the two started pulling said wagon along the pathway of the hill. The two made it up the hill and then started to unload the explosives to where they need to go, in places where it's hidden from mercenaries view when they walk into the entrance. "Thanks by the way, for calming Ellen down back there" Dave said while the two of them put barrels down. "She usually plays it cool with the other people who live here, but her home was nearly broken into by a few thugs and she's been shaken up about it ever since. The news about this attack is probably making her panic"
"It's the least I can do, I don't want anyone worrying all day about what might happen next" Stephan said. "If you don't mind me pointing out the obvious, it sounds as though you care a lot about her"
Dave chuckled a bit. "Yeah... We got to know each other well over the years as neighbors. I never had much luck with women and, well she didn't exactly have much luck either. We got to bond over the years when Conner wasn't around helping us with our problems" He said to him. "So... You mentioned enemies from the Revolution. are you and your friends involved in whatever Conner and the old man were both involved in? Conner never talked about the things he did outside of the homestead, at least anything beyond fighting Redcoats, but we can all kinda figured out that he's doing more than just fighting for the Patriots" He said.
Stephan had placed another barrel down and then looked at him. "Well uh... Without exactly giving anything away, we all work under Conner and for the same organization. But the details of what we do isn't exactly something we can talk about, especially if Conner hasn't shared anything either. It's more of a safety thing so you don't get hurt for knowing our secrets"
"As opposed to now you mean?" Dave asked back.
"Err... Well this is definitely a bad example of keeping you safe"
While the homestead entrances were being rigged with traps, Deborah was with Robert Faulkner as they were undocking the Aquila, and getting it into position where the left side of the ship facing the coves entrance. Deborah watched in slight amazement seeing the sailors of the Aquila working their asses off to get the ship ready to defend its community, and with Robert commanding them from the wheel. "Shift all the cannons to the port bow lads! We're expecting company and they'll be getting a warm welcome from the Aquila!" Robert yelled out to the sailors. He and Deborah walked around the deck of the ship, observing the crew working tirelessly on the ship.
"So this is the ship Conner captains... I've heard about the Aquila and its accomplishments from various harbormasters in the different colonies" Deborah said.
"Aye. The Aquila was a mighty vessel in the war and did a lot of the work in securing sea trade routes... though now adays, the ship hasn't had as much action as she usually gets" Robert said to the woman. He two got back to the wheel to get out of the sailors way. "The boys have things under control here for now. They'll be watching the entrance day and night waiting to see if anyone arrives. In the meantime we should head back to the dock and check on Conner... How's he doing anyway?" Robert asked. When Deborah had arrived to the docks earlier she was brief with the explanation of everything since she was both in a rush and still was hard for her to speak of, so she had just said to the man "Conner was attacked and got injured, and now those same people might follow us here" Robert didn't need no more explanation than that before getting the ship ready to engage. Almost like he was looking for an excuse to get back out in the sea, even if its a few feet out from the docks.
"Conner? W-Well uh... he's been better I guess is a good way to say it" Deborah said to him with a slight smile.
Robert looked back at her. "I've had to deal with any women lying to me lass... How is he really doing?" Robert asked her.
Deborah sighed and leaned on the side of the ship. "He got a club swung into his head... Dr. White is up there putting stitches in his head but he could have brain damage" She said and shook her head crossing her arms. "I'm sorry. People keep telling me not to worry about him but it's not exactly easy to not think of him with the gash in his head... he uh... he took he blow to the head to save me" She admitted to the man.
Robert's response was to laugh. "Ah! That sounds like Conner alright" Robert said. "You think him being an Assassin is crazy work? You should see him captaining the Aquila... We were once in a battle where a Man-O-War had blasted all of our cannons off. So what did Conner do? He rammed the Aquila straight into the side of the enemies ship, boarded her on his own, and blew it up from the inside, all in a matter of a few minutes" Robert said. "If I made a list of how many times Conner and his insanity saved my life and my crews life, it'd probably be longer than the Declaration of Independence"
"Oh wow... I remember hearing about that battle but I didn't think that was actually true" Deborah said.
"Oh it sure was. I was there after all" He said to her. He waved over to one of the sailors back at the dock, to get the dingy out and pick the two up. Robert then looked back at Deborah. "So are you one of Conners Assassins?" Robert asked her. "No need for secrecy on the Aquila. Conner talked a lot about his recruits during out voyages. Spoke very highly about each of you to me" He said.
"That so huh? I guess he had to talk to someone while he sailed the open seas" Deborah said. "I guess it's ok to talk about our situation now... The Templars returned after a year of being gone, and sent a hitman after Conner specifically... Some guy named Shay I think Conner said his name was"
"Shay Cormac?" Robert asked back quickly and in a rather surprised tone. "Oh good god... of course it had to be him" The man let out a frustrated sigh. "I used to be a privateer who sailed for the Assassins and took missions for them in their fleet that they used to have back in the 7 Years War and long before those days too... It was good for a while, we aided the french in their battles with the British and we were making good progress against them and the Templars pulling the strings"
Deborah looked at him, interested in the story. "What happened that changed all of that?"
"Shay happened. He captained a powerful ship named the Morrigan. At one point in time he was an Assassin, then he became a Templar and waged war against every french Ship she came across and every ship flying the Assassin's flag. The Aquila was one of those many ships that were destroyed by that maniac, and with nowhere else to go besides what was left of the Assassins in the homestead, I had what was left of the Aquila towed to this very lake... It would've stayed like this too had it not been for Conner getting the lumber I require" He said.
"Oh wow... And here I am thinking he couldn't get any worse" Deborah said. "When we meet him he sent a few dozen mercenaries to the village we were camping in, poisoned 2 of us, shot another in the shoulder, and then bombarded the village with cannons trying to kill us"
"That sounds like Shay alright... If he failed to kill you all the first time I can guarantee he'll come back much worse"
"Ah, that's reassuring..." Deborah said then looked out and down at the side of the deck. "Oh the boat is here" She said.
"Ah finally. I need to go see the lad and see how he's doing" Robert said, leading Deborah to the side of the ship so the two can get off the ship. With everything going as planned so far at the sea now, the entrance from sea will be defended from whatever Shay tries to throw at them... hopefully.
Deborah and Stephan returned to the medical clinic when everything was all done. Upon their return they saw a crowd of people outside of the doctors house. Most likely people in the community who all heard the news about Conner and were worried to hear form him, not to mention how their only ways out of said community were being blocked off. They wanted to know what was happening.
Deborah and Stephan meet up with each other. "God these people look terrified" Deborah said to him.
"No kidding... They know by now that something big is happening. It's going to take more than us to explain what's going on to everyone. We need Conner to get better" Stephan said back and then groaned. "There's no way to tell when he'll be ready to come out of the tent though"
Almost on cue Dr. White came from around the house. "There you two are. Conner is all ready to come out of the tent" He told them.
"Oh that's convenient" Stephan said before the two of them headed over to Dr. White. "How is he?" He asked him.
"The wound was cleaned up very well and stitched up. He should recover naturally in no time" Dr. White said. "Your friend Jamie is a great doctor. He cured your other friends Jacob and Clipper and they're waking up too. As well as Duncan's gunshot wound is bandaged up properly. All of you come in" Dr. White said to both of the Assassins. The two went in and Robert was about to follow them but Dr. White stopped him. "Conner only wanted to see them for now"
"Oh move it" Robert easily pushed him out the way with one hand so he can get through too and see Conner. They all went around the house to see Duncan moving his bandaged arm around, and thanking Diana for the work she did on him. As well as both Jacob and Clipper waking up, groaning and rubbing their heads after feeling as though the two had wicked hangovers, but at least they're alive. Finally was Conner. He had a bandage wrapped around his forehead and buried under his hair that was a mess and undone like it normally is. "Conner! Oh fuckin hell" Robert sped walked over to the tent to hug him. "They told me what happened and who did this to you... That little bastard Shay. I never thought I'd see a day where I have to face him again... How are you feeling lad?" He asked.
Conner winced a bit as he rubbed his head, but it was more of a stinging feeling and not an intense pain feeling. "A lot better now... But knowing that its Shay that wants me dead puts not only my life at risk but now everyone in the homestead. I mean if he hasn't showed up now he will eventually"
"Well we'll be sure to make it difficult for him this time... all of us" Robert said and pat his shoulder. "All of your Assassins are here and ready to see you. I'll head back to the Aquila and get everything ready with the crew"
"Thank you Mr Faulkner... I'll stop by down there when we're done her" Conner said to him before Robert made his leave for the docks when he did though fireworks lit up in Conners head, causing him to practically jump out of bed and catch up to Robert. "Mr. Faulkner wait!" He said and got over to him before he could leave the back yard. "In my daze it completely slipped my mind to mention... We're going to have guests arriving from by ship, more Assassins all the way down in Louisiana. They'll be sailing here bearing the New Orleans flag, so if you see a ship arriving like that hold your fire... I don't know when they'll get here but I'm hoping before Shay does"
"Ah, that'd be good to know... Thanks for the warning lad" He said then continued his walk back to the docks.
After that Conner turned his body, seeing his 6 Assassins who were all now healed up and ready to fight again, and that's what the homestead will need. "You're all ok... That's great" Conner said to them all.
"Conner, Jamie said that I hit you in the head with my club?" Jacob asked in a panicked and shocked tone. "I'm so sorry Conner. Everything went blank for me in the middle of that campfire, a-and then I woke up here"
"It's ok Jacob... It's not your fault what happened and your cured of it now anyway" Conner said to him. "Listen, everyone, this isn't how I wanted to introduce you to the homestead, with us all afraid for our lives by an enemy none of us know well... I want to explain everything to you but first I need your help to calm the people out there down, get them all back into their homes for the time being" Conner said.
"You can count on us sir. We'll get right on it" Jamie said.
Conner nodded. "Good... When you're all done, we must all meet back at the manor down across the bridge from here. We'll talk there and get everything taken care of again for us" He said. "Lets get going... we're not dead yet and these people are counting on all of us still"
All 7 of the Assassins had to work overtime to get hold of the whole community. Introductions were rather brief with the rest of the Assassins and the rest of the citizens. A good amount of them were ready to fight for their land when they were told about the incoming threat, and as helpful it may be it wasn't the kind of help they needed, and would instead rather everybody stays home to protect their own loved ones for the time being until they know more. As the day continued on and the Assassins spent extra time securing the traps, as well as arm everybody with the necessary weapons that were all leftovers from the various war supplies stockpiled, relief was beginning to fill in the homestead instead of worry, though they were also noticing another problem. The community was stockpiled with a lot of weaponry, but very limited on hands to use them as all of the sailors that could really use them were focused on the Aquila, which was good and important no doubt, but their numbers are incredibly thin should they attack from land or sea. Or god forbid both. A home advantage will not be enough to win this war, especially when the man in charge was once an Assassin that lived in this very homestead a long time ago. It seemed that for all their planning and readiness to fight their enemy again, never once did they notice that they were all boxed in once again just with a bigger box around them but no way to actually leave the homestead this time if shit hits the fan. In the end as much as the Assassins wanted to prepare and anticipate every event and outcome of the upcoming fight, all they could do now was wait and figure out their next plans.
After a few hours passed the Assassins all regrouped back at the manor, everyone was silent with each other as nobody had no clue what to say after today and just waited for Conner to speak to them. Everyone went into the manor, and were lead over to the dining room where the table was so everyone could sit around together. The silence continued as everyone watched as Conner was facing away from the group, his gaze instead focused on the portrait of a family that was in the room. "Do you know who this is?" Conner finally spoke up. "This was my mentor Achilles, and his wife Abigail, and his son Conner. Decades ago before I was even born he created and lead the Colonial Assassin Brotherhood throughout the years, he grew the Assassins to great strengths throughout the colonies and North Atlantic. And for a while, the brotherhood was great against the Templars, much more efficient than most other Assassins organizations..."
The Assassins looked at each other when Conner spoke of the past brotherhood. Clipper spoke up next. "How did it all go wrong?" He asked.
"Shay..." Conner said. "Well... No actually, it was Shay and Achilles" Conner added and turned around. "Do you remember the discussions I had with all of you with artifacts called "Pieces of Eden?"
"Yeah" Stephan nodded. "Powerful artifacts thousands of years old, built by an ancient civilization, and all contain supernatural capabilities?"
"That's right... In the last few years I've come across a few different types of Pieces of Eden. Including one that George Washington gave me that... uh... well its not important to explain what it did" Conner said, not wanting to exactly talk about the Apple he came across, plus it doesn't matter since he dropped the Apple in the Ocean a few months ago. "Anyway, Achilles came across one of these artifacts that acted as a map to various precursor sites throughout the world, all of them had an artifact inside of it. He wanted to find these artifacts to keep them from Templars who would use them against the people as they always have... Only the artifacts he had his Assassins hunting down weren't the type of usual weapons they were used to. These artifacts were much more dangerous in another way when removed from their podiums" Conner let out a sigh. "When they're removed... The site destroys itself, and causes massive earthquakes. The Assassins ended up destroying Haiti and Lisbon before realizing their mistake" Conner explained to them. "Only one Assassin knew of this horrific discovery, and that was Shay Cormac"
A few gasps escaped the lips of a few of the Assassins who didn't know about the Templar Shay. "The man who tried to kill us this morning?" Duncan asked him.
Conner nodded. "Shay desperately wanted Achilles to stop the hunt for these artifacts, and Achilles didn't listen or care. Achilles, at this point in time, wasn't in a good place mentally after his wife and son died from illness. He wanted to desperately win against the Templars and drive them out for good, no matter what it took. So Shays attempt to save the rest of those cities that could be destroyed was to steal the object needed to reveal the map. And Achilles response... was to kill him. You can all imagine how that went" Conner said to them.
"He survived?" Deborah asked.
"He survived" Conner answered. "He survived, and to make a long story short at this point he joined my father and the Templar Colonial Rite, and worked closely with the Templars to take out all the Assassins in the colonies until Achilles finally gave in to disband what was left of the Colonial Assassins" Conner said. "After the 7 Years War, he left the Colonies and never returned to continue to find the lost map he tried to take... But now he's back after over 2 decades of being gone" Conner leaned down to put his hands on the table. "Listen, everyone... When we set out for leaving New York a week ago, I downplayed the threat on our lives thinking the Templars wouldn't have enough resources or manpower to return and attack us head on. I expected retaliation but not from Shay of all people... And I can't lie to any of you, our situation is very grim. Our own manpower is limited, and our only real hope is if the Louisiana Assassins arrive soon and who knows how long that will be. I want us to build our Assassin Order but I understand if any of you are having doubts after today. If any of you want to leave now, you can exit the homestead and live safe for the rest of your lives... Shay is only after me and won't harm any of you should you leave the Order. But if you stay, you're officially an Assassin. And whether we win or lose this fight you will all be remembered throughout time as the new Colonial Assassins" He said.
Once again the Assassins looked at each other, either with uncertainty with the whole situation they've been put in or uncertainty with how to respond. The first to get up out of the chair was Duncan. He walked towards Conner while wincing and rubbing his sore shoulder that was patched up from the bullet that wen't through it, another event that was unintentionally Conners fault as well. Once he made his way to Conner, and put his hand on his shoulder. "We'll be remembered... when we murder Shay Cormac" He said to his mentor with a smile on his face.
Conner looked at him with a smile on his face to hear that, then looked around the table to see all of the Assassins stood up to place their hands on their chest, greeting their mentor at the same time. None of them needed to say anything, not even Conner. But all he said to them was... "Welcome to the Brotherhood everyone" He said to them before sitting down at the table with them. "Now about Shay... Shay's attack strategies against Assassins were always unpredictable and very strong. It's impossible to really say how he'll engage us again but he leveled a small village just to try and get us, so you can imagine what he'll do this ti-" Suddenly just then, the bells from the Aquila started ringing like crazy which meant a ship was on its way. Conner, and all of his Assassins's eyes widened hearing the bells ring. "They're here" Conner shot up out of his chair.
The Assassins followed right behind their leader out of the back door. They all then went to the cliff side to see the new ship get closer into the Cove, about to sail into the line of fire. The ship was the size of a Man-O-War which only furthered the idea that it was Shay and his crew ready for war. "This is strange... This is a pretty bold move even for Shay" Stephan said. "Could this be some sort of trap? They could be coming from both ends?" He said.
As the ship got closer into the cove, confusion grew more and more for Conner as he tried to figure out what Shays plan was. The ship was going to get blasted the moment it gets into the Aquila's line of fire. But the closer the ship got the clearer Conner could see it. It was a french ship, but not just any french ship, a french ship flying the flag of Louisiana. Upon seeing the flag, the Aquila held their fire before anybody blasted the ships hull wide open. "I'ts not Shay... It's Aveline. The Louisiana Assassins made it" Conner said with a new found sense of hope for his future.
"Oh wow... They made it just in time" Duncan said. "I think it's safe to say our chances of survival just went up"
"Come on, lets greet them" Conner motioned the other Assassins to follow him down the hill to get to the docks.
"Conner, this Aveline woman... What is she like? Should we know anything of her?" Stephan asked.
"Well, I only ever worked with her in person once. But she's a freed slave who operates in New Orleans. She had to take control over there after an intense argument and fight with her previous mentor that caused him to give up leadership... Since then she's been freeing slaves and recruiting Maroon warriors as well as other Assassins to help her in her struggles" Conner said. "I'm sure most of Avelines crew that she sailed with are her freed Maroons, so thankfully it wont be just us and the sailors of the Aquila" He said.
"When this is over, we should make plans for her to move her operation further up north to help keep freeing slaves" Deborah said.
"Good observation Deborah... We've been in talk about doing just that and it will definitely be one of the conversations we have about about our expansion mission" Conner said. By the time the 7 of them reached the docks, the Aquila moved out the way to get the french ship in to dock the ship and unload. Conner waited in front of the dock as the ramp came down, once it did the first person to get off the ship was Aveline.
Both Conner and Aveline looked each other with smiles on their faces. Conner's smile slightly more brighter as he got to see the cavalry arrive. Conner went up the ramp to immediately hug her, not even giving her a chance to step onto the dock just yet. "Gosh Conner... You sure are happy to see me" She said to the man."I didn't realize you were so eager to see me again"
"After the morning we had Aveline, I'm more than happy to see you come" Conner said and let go of her. "The Templar threat was true... They sent Shay Cormac to kill us"
Avelines smile went down upon hearing that. The impact of Shays work in the colonies were very bad for the Assassins, but it never effected the few Assassins down south thankfully, but also was a story they knew very well nonetheless. "Ah... So that's why your ship nearly sunk us just now. That must also explain... this" She said and then slightly rubbed the bandages around his head. "I'm so sorry Conner. I wish we had gotten here sooner" She looked around behind him at the 6 of his Assassins. "Is everyone ok?"
"Well... You can see how it went, but other than this nobody was seriously injured" Conner said to him. "Shay is still out there and he could attack the homestead when we least expect it... But with you here we have a much better chance to fight him. Because I guarantee he will send everything he has this time"
"That only means we'll have to fight back with everything WE have" Aveline moved down to the end of the ramp with Conner, and moved out of the way to make way for the Maroons who were coming down the ship and unloading the supplies and weapons they brought along with them. "As you can see I've been rather bust down south. Trying to be as good of a slave rescuer like the late Adewale was"
"Knowing you I'm sure you'll be even better as time goes on" Conner said to her. "Come on. I'll get you familiarized with our community here now that the people don't have to live in panic anymore... Come to think of it I haven't even been able to show my Assassins around either. Like I said it's been a pretty hectic day"
Aveline took a look at the Assassins as they helped the Maroons with their unloading and also were getting to know their new allies. "So these are the Assassins I've heard much about from your letters" Aveline said. "Speaking of which... Have you gotten around to telling that Deborah girl how you feel?" She asked with a smirk as she saw the look Conner gave her after asking that question. "You haven't exactly been subtle with how highly you speak about HER in particular in your letters. It was rather easy to put two and two together that you like her very much"
Conner gave the woman a sigh as he looked back at her. "You know me well I guess... I do like her. A lot. And I know she likes me too, she even told me last night how she never meet a good man like me before, but... but it's not right. It's not fair for her to be with a man she'll have to worry about their health 24/7 and I just can't put her through that"
"The heart wants what it wants Conner... Clearly she thinks highly of you if she still sticks around. Even now with everything going on" Aveline said. "If you want my advice Conner, I'd say you of all people deserve to be happy, particularly with someone who makes you happy... And what bad will it do if you two start to go out anyway?" She asked him. "Just a thought is all... Come on lets get to work" Aveline said and pat his back before going back to the ship to get some boxes. Conner stayed still for a bit, lost in thought as he looked at Deborah. He imagined a future with Deborah, one where the Assassins finally build a better world that they can operate in the colonies, and he had the chance to finally relax and lay back in the sun. With a woman that he can really see spending his time with, and a child that he can raise in the way that he wish he had with his own father. It was indeed a great future... but was it a possible one?
Shay was aboard the Morrigan, observing as his own crew was gearing up with everything they had to use, as well as watched as the frigate next to them was gearing up the ship as well with cannons that they had hidden to make it look like a regular merchant ship. But now there was no need for that facade anymore. "I had dreams of this very moment. Of returning to the colonies after years of being gone from the fight. I dreamed of finally ending the Assassin Brotherhood once and for all, like I should have done a long time ago, but let my ex mentor live. Perhaps it was for the safety of those Precursor Sites, but maybe... just maybe it was because I still saw him as my own mentor. But most importantly above all else I dreamt achieving this victory with not only my First Mate but with my closest friend I could ever have. Christopher Gist" Shay said before turning around to face his First Mate. A rather new Templar and inexperienced with war like Shay was. "Unfortunately he could not be here to witness the end of the Colonial Assassins. And I'm stuck with you instead..."
"Uh... I-Is that a bad thing sir?" The young man, by the name of William asked. "The Templar higher ups tasked me with me with aiding you in this mission. As training for me when I return in the Royal Navy" He said.
"This is NOT training boy. This is one of the fiercest battles with an Assassin that you may ever get to experience first hand" Shay said in a stern and serious tone as he walked up to him. "I cannot guarantee you will survive. You can only do that for yourself because I sure as shit can't be expected to hold your hand"
William got nervous and tugged on his collar as Shay glared down at him. He knew that Shay was a very serious Templar, and it was most new guys's dream to be able to work with the older man. William got to know first hand that it's not as magical as they all claim. "I-I'm sorry sir! I... I promise to do everything I possible can in this fight. I want to win as badly as you do" He said.
Shay's glare turned to a smirk, as he loosened up on the boy a bit and put his hand on his shoulder. "No... You don't" He said back then let go and walked over to the Wheel. "Very few Assassins emerge throughout history as one of the best. One of the legendaries that both Assassins and Templars talk about even after they've been dead for centuries, the ones who went to unimaginable lengths to weaken the Templars in ways that any ordinary Assassin could never achieve... In my time as an Assassin hunter and Precursor collector, I've always wanted to be remembered as a Templar that killed one of those legendary Assassins, and I know Conner is one of them. I always knew that the Templar masters will one day call upon me to deal with him, it was merely a matter of time before they needed him dead... And I was more than grateful for the opportunity to take him out" Shay grabbed hold of the wheel, ready to set sail.
William walked over to the side of Shay. "Where to sir?" He asked him.
"We sail north. Straight to Davenport Homestead" He said. "From where we are, it should be about a few days before we arrive. In that time nothing will save Conner this time. We've forced the man to box himself in a bigger box this time, and it's one I know very well... Not even Conner newfound friends from Louisiana will keep me from killing him. And should they get in the way... They die with him" He said with an evil smirk on his face. As Shay let out the full sail, he and the frigate of extra soldiers sailed the open seas for their target. Shay hasn't been back at the homestead in 30 years, so when he arrives he plans on getting a good final look at his old Assassin headquarters... before he burns the place to the ground.