Music Inspiration: Two Steps From Hell- "Magic of Love" and Adele- "Daydreamer" (Carrie/Connor-esque)
What Is An Idyllic Life?
5 July 1772
Summer had arrived with bright sunlight that provided hours of fun for the children when they went to swim by the river until wrinkled and Ratonhnhaké:ton took advantage of the weather with the Aquila. The young man was completely enthused by sea travel that he often wondered if his ancestors lived near the sea or had traveled on their own handmade boats. His travels around the colonies became frequent enough that Achilles had no choice but to put his foot down and order him to focus solely on his training at home. Needless to say, Ratonhnhaké:ton was stubborn to obey but Achilles compromised one short outing each month and the young man jumped at the deal. Achilles was familiar with raising a son as Ratonhnhaké:ton behaved like any other adolescent when his dear Aquila was removed and was glad the boy hadn't been a girl. Otherwise, Achilles would've had his work cut out for him.
The residents of Davenport could now live decently as their income went into savings and nobody hassled them outside of their community anymore. Caroline and Elizabeth practiced their fishing skills with a net and box-trap so they could bring home a fat fish once in a while. Ratonhnhaké:ton's teachings reflected in Caroline's catches since she only set traps for meager coin from species that reproduced quickly and she didn't take more than she needed. Her parents often reminded her that they didn't need money anymore and told her she could keep all of her earnings for whatever she wished. It gave Caroline the first flicker of independence since she'd never had money of her own and decided to save it for a rainy day. She didn't have to ponder long about her first purchase when her father declared he was traveling to Boston and Caroline's mind lit up with an idea.
In the early morning before sunrise, Godfrey prepared for his trading trip to Boston after double checking his orders one last time and had allowed his oldest to venture with him. Elizabeth had thrown a small fit since she tagged after their father most of the time but a trip from home wasn't for the young. Caroline had promised to be on her best behavior and listen to her father's every word since she was curious to see how the city had changed over the last two years. Also, she wanted to buy a few items with her money since her father would be trading her pelts (he wanted her to have more practice in bartering before letting her do it herself). Catherine had objected about having her oldest in the city among strangers but trusted Godfrey to watch over her since sweet talking men could place a blindfold over her child's common sense.
Amelia sat with Caroline on the log bench outside of their cabin and gingerly handed her a soft package wrapped in a red checkered cloth with shaky hands. She'd never been a working girl but she prized her patchwork quilts as her best skill and hoped they would be decent enough for a trade. Her blue eyes held a worried glint since she'd never had her work judged by storekeepers and admitted to Caroline with optimism, "If they sell well, I can buy one of the books to prepare for the teaching certification next year."
"I'll make sure they do" the sixteen year old assured since teaching wasn't in her foreseeable future but Amelia had a natural knack for it. Caroline might soak up her knowledge by reading but she didn't see herself correcting unruly children since it was enough to bear at home. This was her sister's dream and Caroline wanted her to have it so she would haggle with every shopkeeper until they gave her a decent amount for her sister's work. Patchwork brought less money during trade than fur pelts so Caroline could exercise her skills to the limit since the latter would require expertise to squeeze out the last coin for her goods. She grabbed Amelia's clammy hand to squeeze it in support and assured gently to drive away her nerves, "It will be all right, Amelia."
"I know, I just worry about having to leave the peace here one day for the big cities" she whispered softly since teaching jobs were in church schools or in private residences in the large cities of the colonies rather than small rural areas. Due to the growing population, more schools were being instituted and Amelia doubted there would be one in Davenport anytime soon since there were only a handful of people. There was already competition between men and widowed women so Amelia had to find her foothold. She wanted to be a teacher until she was ready to be married so she could exercise her skills but murmured quietly, "Nobody I know will be there and what about the family?"
Elizabeth and Martha popped up behind them as they had their heavy blankets wrapped around their shoulders. Their eyes were bright and their cheeks rosy from their help in making breakfast alongside their mother but they'd broken away for the moment. The younger girl eyed Caroline with a mischievous glint in her eye as she'd overheard them and she grinned cheekily, "Don't worry, Amelia. Carrie will be with us forever as a spinster at this rate so we'll be taken care of."
"Why, you-" Caroline proceeded to chase Elizabeth around the front yard while the other two muffled their laughter to avoid waking Alice and Samuel. Elizabeth was more than happy to run circles over the grass and the mares blinked with curiosity to their playfulness.
Amelia and Martha returned to the cozy house to avoid the cold morning from seeping into their bones because illnesses could turn deadly within hours. They had to help their mother make sure everything their father needed was packed away securely and that he was well fed for the trip that would last five hours. Alice and Samuel slept on from their shared bed across the separating wall since they were little and not old enough to rise early like their older siblings. Quite frankly, Martha would've rather slept on in her soft warm bed and Elizabeth was eager to take the spot since waking early meant more play time.
Caroline halted her chase when she noticed a pair of eyes watching her and hoped a random stranger hadn't found their community. They were a peaceful place with kind neighbors that didn't look for trouble with the outside world. She smoothed her full freshly ironed skirt before fixing her white bonnet over her crown of braided hair. Honestly, the thing fell off faster than a man taming a wild horse and abhorred adjusting it constantly. She'd never appear ladylike as the women of Boston that carried themselves confidently because the full skirt and tight whalebone stay was driving her insane already. How did women bear this for the rest of their lives? Elizabeth ran back inside the house after catching sight of their unexpected guest and Caroline turned around to greet the person with a delighted smile, "Morning to you, Connor."
"You are awake quite early today" Ratonhnhaké:ton commented with curiosity since the roads were usually empty at that early hour and dismounted James in one graceful move. His attire was fit for a visit to Boston as he wore a handsome white coat with blue lining and she smiled at seeing he'd tied his hair back since it had begun to grow past his shoulders. He was growing into a man with only two years left while she was following the same route with her own lady attire. Still, he looked better than she possibly could in her personal view.
Ratonhnhaké:ton could say the same about Caroline as she resembled the women of Boston in their puffy blue dresses but he preferred her everyday appearance. The way colonists dressed to impress others reminded him of birds during mating season and did not appeal to him in the slightest. It was all for show and although Caroline was pretty, he'd rather they cast aside their current attire for their worn out patched-up clothes. He wasn't ready to fully acknowledge that his friend had grown into a delightful and physically pleasing young woman since meeting in 1770 so he'd keep quiet on that. Otherwise, his mind would venture into an area of maturity he wasn't ready to head into and was more than happy to hold it back. His mouth turned uncomfortably dry when he admitted bashfully in compliment to her attire and bright clean face, "You look. . .very nice."
"I'm accompanying my father into town" she informed with a proud smile to her first trip in over a year and had packed away her trapped goods for selling. She'd left as a girl but within two years, had learned the ropes to be decently efficient at working like any other young man. She smoothed her hands over her blue skirt since she hoped to appear like any civil Bostonian and admitted sheepishly to her friend, "I wonder if anything has changed, given the growing conflicts with taxes."
She turned a quizzical eye to his new attire since she'd never seen him wear a white coat but the sapphire hue of the lining and breeches complimented the white of his waistcoat and heavier coat. He wore brown boots with leather leggings of a similar hue that extended past his knees to meet the blue breeches so she knew he wasn't on an everyday errand. She was certain his old deerskin outfit had seen better days after multiple alterations to match his tall height and she asked curiously, "Are you on your way to another errand?"
"Boston, I have to. . ." he answered truthfully but he trailed off since Caroline wasn't privy to his true profession. Hmm, he would have to become crafty at lying to conceal specific truths but he hated to do so with his friends.
"Run more errands or escort someone somewhere in an ambiguous time frame?" she teased playfully since he never discussed what he did for a living and quietly left the homestead every once in a while. She never poked into his life to maintain respect with her friend and he was allowed to have a private life just as she was. Still, curiosity tended to bite at her mind as she wondered what the young native boy did when he was away from their community.
"Yes, that sounds about right" he agreed cryptically with a faint smile and she shook her head with amusement as he chose her response. He noticed the wagon that was filled with lumber orders, packaged carpentry work from Lance, and a small crate filled with Caroline's own goods for trade. Ratonhnhaké:ton pondered over asking a favor from the Burnetts and decided to risk a decline as he asked courteously, "Would you happen to have space for another passenger? I'd rather leave James at home than have him stolen while I'm inside a building. There's been news about horse thieves in Boston recently."
"Absolutely" she smiled widely since she didn't take much space but glanced at her full skirt with a questionable expression. Her new attire was another thing entirely and although she'd enjoy his company for her first trip back, she chuckled bashfully, "Well, you might have to do with this beehive of a skirt but other than that, yes."
She beckoned him to enter their home since they were still preparing their meals for the road but he kept a safe distance to maintain privacy to the inhabitants. The early morning meant quiet tranquility and Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't want to intrude when most of the family wasn't ready to begin the day. Caroline rubbed her cold hands together as she returned to their small warm house and approached her father as he ate at the table. Ratonhnhaké:ton was ready to spring forward to tell her that it could wait until her father finished but Caroline was already asking softly, "Papa, I found Connor wandering towards town and offered a ride so he could avoid taking James. Is it possible to house him in the stable so he doesn't have to make another trip?"
"The more, the merrier" he smiled with a warm twinkle in his blue eyes as he bit into a slice of bread and beckoned the young man inside. Ratonhnhaké:ton stepped further inside with small steps to avoid appearing intrusive but Caroline ushered him away from the open doorway. The cold air lingering from the night still wandered over the hills and it was best to keep away from it until it was time to leave.
"I'll take him back at noon" Elizabeth offered helpfully and nibbled on a corn cake sweetened by maple syrup to satiate the light growling in her stomach. She pushed Martha out of the way by lightly nudging her hips against hers after devouring her little round cake so she could resume working. Martha was more than ready to chastise her rude behavior until Elizabeth pointed out hastily with waving shoo of her hands, "Go sleep, I have this covered."
Elizabeth began helping her mother fix the other freshly baked corn cakes inside a large blue napkin to wrap them tightly for the road ahead. Her hands could feel the hot steam rolling off the bundle as she placed it over pan fried pieces of hare meat that Caroline had caught yesterday in her traps. Everything was nicely wrapped to prevent any spills inside a picnic basket and the heaviest and sturdiest items were on the bottom. Martha tried to wiggle her way back between her mother, Amelia, and Elizabeth so she could show them that she was strong enough to ward off any sleep lingering in her mind. If Amelia and Caroline learned to do this, she would do so as well . . . especially because she wasn't about to be outdone by her younger sister.
Ratonhnhaké:ton noticed that the younger children, save Elizabeth, were still asleep in bed as two wrapped lumps lay in one bed together. He was rather fond of the two so he would miss saying goodbye to them since they were always eager to hear stories or play games. His leather boots were heavy over the floor and Catherine turned as she noticed the sound change from her husband's boots to the new ones. Her concentrated face smoothed down into a friendly smile as she spotted Ratonhnhaké:ton in the doorway and he greeted politely, "Good morning, Mrs. Burnett."
"Come in, child, it is cold outside!" she invited quickly as she handed Martha a jar of black cherry preserves to go into the basket and turned to fiddle with an iron kettle. Ratonhnhaké:ton stuck to the back of the home to stay out of their way to avoid becoming bothersome and smiled at Caroline as she stuck by his side with a sympathetic smile. Catherine resurfaced from her trio of daughters with a simple tin cup full of tea and handed it to him with a motherly tone, "That should warm your bones for the road. Have you eaten?"
He was barely able to issue an answer when she handed him a sweet corn cake from a bowl that would be for the remaining family. After six children, Catherine carried the essence of motherhood in her bones and he stammered modestly from the kind hospitality, "T-Thank you."
"It's no trouble, you're family" she chuckled sweetly since he'd earned a special spot in her heart and hurried back to finish packing the basket of food. Catherine didn't want anybody else's food but her own touching her husband's fingers since she cooked with love and he'd best treasure it. Also, the food in inns was half-decent (depending on the type of inn) and she wanted her two loved ones to carry a bit of home with them on the road. Who would take care of them if she didn't?
Ratonhnhaké:ton broke the small cake into two clean pieces to offer half to Caroline but she declined with a fond smile, "I've already eaten but thank you for your thoughtfulness."
He nodded quietly and bit into the sweet cake that delighted his taste buds, wondering if he could bake them himself with help to take on another trip. Living with Achilles required him to make for himself and his mentor but his cooking couldn't compare to the women of Davenport. When he had the opportunity, he observed their cooking to take mental notes and applied it to his meals to improve his skills. With his quiet and isolated life, he would be cooking many meals for himself in years to come but he'd be happy if they turned out delicious.
"I will wait outside, it was a pleasure seeing you all again" he excused himself with a small smile to the family and left the household to look over the horses. Elizabeth promised to take care of James and the other young women waved in farewell as Godfrey informed he'd be there soon. With warm tea, sizzling hare meat, and cakes by his side, the man was having a hard time saying goodbye to his home.
Caroline decided to join her friend since everything was packed away for the trip and kissed her sisters on the cheek in goodbye. Elizabeth was somber since she'd have to wait days to venture around Davenport since only she and their father walked with her around the forest. When would she be old enough to go into towns with her father? Caroline hugged her mother from behind as she spoke with her father, surprising Catherine, and bid her farewell, "I'll be on the wagon. Please say goodbye to Alice and Sammy for me, mama."
"Stay safe and obey your father" Catherine reminded firmly since she wanted her oldest to return safely and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to return the embrace. It was rare for families in their time to show emotions in physical gestures but when leaving home on a temporary trip, it was justifiable. Although her hands lingered with dust from her baking, Catherine retied Caroline's bonnet underneath her chin to make sure it wouldn't fall and smiled gently, "You'll be back before you know it."
Caroline nodded confidently to avoid any homesickness from seeping into mind since she hadn't left and walked out of her home with her head held high. Internally, of course, she felt like running back inside and gorging herself on sweet cakes and falling back asleep. Childhood, unfortunately, had bid her goodbye for good and her parents looked to her to act as a mature adult would so she wouldn't be disappointing them. She walked into the cold morning and rubbed her gloved hands together to keep the blood flowing, smiling as she saw Ratonhnhaké:ton speaking to James and the mares. The stallion decided to graze now that he'd been told he would remain at Davenport while Molly kept glancing back towards the stable where her foal was.
"Will you be away long from Davenport?" she asked kindly to make conversation until her father finished and he shook his head as he patted James on the crest. They hadn't spoken very much between the months since he'd been taken with the sea for the summer but he dropped by every few weeks when he was at home. Similar to her youngest siblings, she was eager to hear stories from his travels and could only marvel to what he'd witnessed in his young life. This was her first trip outside of Davenport, not to mention the safe confines of her home, and her stomach already gurgled nervously while he appeared perfectly at ease.
"Achilles requires me to stay close for now but that could always change- I go where I am needed" he stated simply to explain the flexibility of his duties and she nodded quietly. He never wasted minutes with empty speech and put effort into each word, even if it was as small as a hello. She'd met colonists that could chat endlessly with the conversation leading nowhere or branching one idea into so many that the main focus was lost entirely. This was one reason as to why she enjoyed his company, especially in tranquil surroundings, and smiled amicably when he informed, "I will be ready to leave by the time you are finished."
She removed one of her white gloves to run a hand over Dolly's forehead and cooed sweetly to her loyal companion, "Ready for another trip, girl? I promise you'll have a good meal by the end. Boban will buy you some good corn and you'll have a nice roof over your head for the night."
"You really treat your animals like family" he complimented with a warm smile since she cared for their livestock with the same kindness he showed other animals. Caroline had a tendency to become attached to all of their family animals and had often fought hard not to cry when their father traded horses or livestock. Ratonhnhaké:ton had begun collecting stray horses from the streets of towns he visited out of pity for the abandoned steeds and brought them to Davenport. It was wonderful to see such dedicated care for the unlucky animals but she wasn't surprised by his thoughtful actions.
"Father promised they'd grow old with us this time since we found a home and Alice and Elizabeth are quite attached to them" she replied earnestly with a small chuckle since Elizabeth was more than ready to tie herself to the mares to be sold alongside them. Throughout the two years they had known each other, Caroline found a kindred spirit when it came to the respect of nature since most children of the cities paid animals no mind. She smiled into Dolly's big brown eyes as the mare touched her snout against her left shoulder and admitted freely, "I do love them. I wish I could ride one but father barely lets me hold the reins out of fear I'd break an arm or lose the mares."
"Do you know how to ride a horse?" he asked curiously since he had plenty of horses for rehabilitation back in the large stables at the manor. He sold them to caring owners that needed horses on their land for different uses when they were healthy and had made more income to join the profit from the convoys. Being a boy of the outdoors, he loved horses after riding his first in the village (one of the men had bought one for trading purposes) and caring for them had come naturally. Whenever he found a lost horse, he took the time to gain their trust and led them back to Davenport to begin a new life. Achilles had been shocked when one horse turned into six but when Ratonhnhaké:ton assured they would have new honorable owners, his mentor allowed his rehabilitation center to continue.
"No, it isn't fit for ladies . . . but I'd like to" she answered quietly with a sheepish smile since they were beautiful creatures and could only wonder how they'd appear running free without leads. How free would it feel to run endlessly across the green hills with the wind lapping at your face and through your unruly mane? To know there were no earthly cares to worry about and bask on top of a hill overlooking a gorgeous sunset? Ratonhnhaké:ton offered her a sense of freedom when they interacted and saw herself in his respectful demeanor, not to mention his simple lifestyle. Whatever force had united them, whether his deity or hers, she was thankful for it. She looked around her to make sure they were alone and huddled closer to him to ask privately, "Could you teach me? I mean, would it be possible when you're not busy?"
"Your parents would not agree and I don't like going against them" he stated truthfully since he held respect for them and didn't want to disappoint them. Catherine wanted a proper daughter that could live respectfully and Ratonhnhaké:ton was anything but a proper man to show her that path.
"I'll be very careful and it'll be between us" she promised with insistence as she counted off reasons as to why the skill could come in handy one day. She could even marry a farmer and share the load of plowing a field! The possibilities were endless and who could deny the sweet face of a horse? She loved walking with her mares so they could graze and during the spring when wildflowers were in bloom, she took them to the beds so they could run free. Ratonhnhaké:ton had to admit the young woman was determined with learning yet another skill that wasn't permitted for her gender but Caroline's eyes matched the innocent benevolence of the mare beside her. The white bonnet accentuated the azure hue and the small freckles speckled over her nose, drawing his gaze for a moment as she murmured quickly, "I'd really-"
Godfrey exited the cabin as he bid the family a hearty goodbye and Caroline renewed the acceptable distance between them as she moved towards the wagon. She met his gaze one last time as she moved towards the seat of the wagon and added quietly, "Do think about it, please."
She grabbed the seat of the wagon to lift herself up and found her eyes widening when two hands aided her by lifting her by the waist. Well, that was entirely new. The apples of her cheeks darkened since she'd never needed aid from anyone but her parents when she got onto a wagon. Childhood had gone so she couldn't depend on them anymore but to know Ratonhnhaké:ton was the one filling a role that fell to either her father or a suitor unsettled her. Not the fearsome type, of course, but a comforting warmth since he'd often become her safety net during danger. Her movements were shaky as she fixed her skirt with a flustered face to make space for Ratonhnhaké:ton and smiled bashfully, "Thank you."
He gave a small nod and watched her fix stray strands of auburn hair behind her ears. Caroline had yet to interact with others of her age, much less boys, and she'd forgotten Ratonhnhaké:ton was not family. Well, if this was her first taste of her road to adulthood, she'd be more awkward in the coming years. Not to mention, the fact he'd lifted her like feather- what did the young man do for work?
"Last time to change your mind, Caroline" her father asked with a kind smile as he mistook her coy expression for homesickness. Caroline quickly shook her head because she was determined to step into the bustling town of Boston once more. Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled softly to himself to the swift change in expression and Godfrey hopped onto the center of wagon between both adolescents to smile brightly, "All right, off to Boston then."
Caroline had forgotten how trips over dusty roads could be and knew her bonnet would be off her head within the hour with the jostling of the wagon. Instead of frowning or uttering one of Martha's sentences about inconveniences, she enjoyed every bump on the road to remember each experience of her trip.
Caroline pointed to a plump hovering cloud lingering low in the sky and declared brightly, "Beaver!"
"I believe it's a muskrat" Ratonhnhaké:ton disagreed as his sight shifted between the road and sky.
The two adolescents passed the time on the road by distinguishing cloud formations and matching them to figures of the earth for fun. They were on the fourth hour of their trip into Boston and Ratonhnhaké:ton had offered to drive the wagon for Godfrey so the older man could rest his eyes. The lumberjack was skeptical at first due to Ratonhnhaké:ton's unknown profession but when the young man showed him he could handle the wagon just fine, he agreed for a half hour nap. Caroline held the basket of food that her mother had prepared in her arms since they would eat after her father woke. He'd need the energy to barter for their trading goods and had to deliver the load of orders to their clients in the city.
"Those animals are quite similar, sir" she chuckled with amusement since they tended to pick animals from similar families and 'discussed' who was the winner. They picked at every feature of a plump or feathery cloud until one conceded their suggestion. Caroline tilted her head to the side as she glanced at him to await his next move and asked slyly, "We agree to disagree?"
"I will concede to your idea this time" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated to relinquish his choice since he'd won the last debate about whether a cloud looked like pine or white pine. When it came to trees, he'd found a formidable opponent and reminded himself to study the trees he climbed more carefully in the future. The reins tightened in his hands as the mares tried to go faster but Ratonhnhaké:ton offered the same resistance to keep the pace normal to prevent them from becoming tired. They were good horses, sturdy to pull heavy loads but had stamina to run many miles.
The mares adhered to his order just as Caroline shook her head with amusement lighting up her blue eyes. The white bonnet had surprisingly stayed put, due to her mother's expert handiwork, and Ratonhnhaké:ton admitted to himself the hue was enchanting. Unbeknownst to him, his own brought the same to Caroline as the young man impressed her more with each interaction. She grinned mischievously since she wanted a fair victory on their cloud game and teased, "I could never accept a win unfairly. A gentleman would fight to the last reason as to why that cloud resembles a muskrat."
"I thought colonial gentleman admitted defeat to the fairer sex?" he mused with confusion since he'd heard of white men mistreating their women and doubted her parents taught her that. On the other hand, he didn't want to corner her with a stack of reasons for his own argument and inadvertently cause an argument.
"Not my gentleman, he would concede on equal grounds and not because he felt sorry for me" she pointed out with a friendly smile since she'd seen her father relent when her mother needed something important. She was glad to be born into her family since her father never yelled at her mother nor forced her to stay inside their home. There had even been a time when her mother helped him in the logging camps by using a saw herself to meet a quota to make sure all of trees were flowing down the river towards the company mill. They had a perfect partnership that never dominated the other and she'd never met jollier parents than hers. Having a perfect prime example in front of her eyes allowed her to form what she sought one day.
Ratonhnhaké:ton looked away from the road to show her respect as he met her gaze to ask inquisitively, "Do you see me as the kind of man to minimize you?"
"No" she replied easily with a warm smile and that answer revealed to her that Ratonhnhaké:ton was indeed a bachelor. The boy in the deerskin attire had matured into a tall man donned in white clothing that was formidable in strength by size alone. Despite the intimidation his height could bring, he never lost his friendly and kind demeanor towards others- a trait she held dear. He reminded her of a river during the season when the current was calmest and she mused softly, "You're always calm and collected."
"Patience is a virtue but I've had my stubborn streaks" he stated with a modest tone since he'd been instilled with those traits by his people. Unfortunately, he was prone to moments of stubbornness since naivety could cloud one's judgment. It was easy to act impatient and resort to being hardheaded but strong will was earned by denying that temptation.
Caroline had yet to witness any stubborn incidents since their rare disagreements usually ended in goodhearted laughter. Nature was often their peacemaker as they used the river for playing, pinecones to throw at each other, and flowers. . .well, one afternoon revealed that he was allergic to wild anemones. Taking note of that patience, she felt embarrassed for always being the talkative one out of the two and murmured awkwardly, "I do hope my questions to make conversation don't bother you? Oddly enough, it's our way to show attention to another but my talk stems from curiosity."
"There are those that prattle endlessly without stop and add no context" he mused aloud since he pondered that about several white colonists that rambled on in towns. He'd heard sale pitches about items that apparently cured everything that ailed a person but the smells were enough to tell him that they'd be more liable to eliminate life. He didn't have many acquaintances but he grasped the social rules from Davenport's residents and enjoyed conversing with each. His manner of speaking was direct to get his point across without sugarcoating anything and he stated easily, "It shifts focus from other important words another could take the time to utter."
"They want to be heard rather than engage in meaningful conversation" she supplied earnestly because not everyone was eager to engage in effective communication. There were certain individuals that sought attention from speech rather than contributing something useful. They lacked something that significant others in their lives couldn't offer and it leaked into their social interactions. Politicians tended to use that ploy to confuse innocent citizens that knew nothing about laws by talking around main issues. Caroline didn't want to become a bothersome bee poking into his tranquil mind as he drove and informed him, "I will now occupy myself with a book and let you drive."
"I did not mean to imply you were one of those people" he stated carefully to avoid a conflict with his friend since he never minded any of their conversations. Rather, it was the complete opposite. Out of the eldest Burnett girls, he found perfect camaraderie with Caroline and they could talk for hours on one subject alone. There were other times when they didn't need words and merely walked the trails for hours as he kept strict watch for any danger. If anything, she was his dearest friend apart from Kanen'tó:kon as he treaded between two cultures.
"Of course not, you're stuck with me for years to come" she reassured with a friendly smile that brought one to his face for the quip. He would not object to that at all since she brought a perfect balance to his days, whether he was calm or conflicted. The future was uncertain for both of them but he'd cherish every moment of their friendship.
"You could read a passage, I am a better listener than speaker" he suggested kindly since he enjoyed reading stories with valor and justice. It wasn't often that he was free to read leisurely since Achilles' literary studies took away any chance for it. The Burnetts were never lacking when it came to storytelling and the Galloways followed with songs since Terry was quite the fiddler. One of these days, he'd have to join them with a flute after learning the musical skill in his village.
"It's on Scottish tales but yes, if you'd prefer" she agreed with a perky grin to regale him with an old tale and opened her book to find the perfect one. She balanced the thick leather-bound book over the wicker basket but Ratonhnhaké:ton wrapped the reins around his right hand to use the left to pick up the basket by its handle. He placed it on the floor of the seat between their feet where it would be protected by the front barrier of the wagon where the reins pulled through and any bumps that could send the basket flying.
Ratonhnhaké:ton simply smiled to the surprise on her face since she'd been holding it dear for the last hour and he chuckled softly, "That should help."
Caroline had never spent a perfect afternoon outside of her home as she read aloud alongside him while he drove the wagon skillfully . . . all while her dear boban snored away.
Boston was predictably unchangeable from the last time she'd seen it but it had become more crowded and she kept bumping into residents throughout the way. Also, there were more British officials wandering about and not all Bostonians were comfortable with that. Caroline felt inadequate when she'd seen two young women of her age dressed beautifully in calico dresses and ringlets of golden hair peeking out underneath a brown straw covered hat. She'd never seen such a beautiful hat in her life since linen bonnets were all she had to wear and could only wonder how much they cost. Ratonhnhaké:ton lightly joked that he was probably the worst dressed since Caroline blended against the townspeople while he. . .well, it was pretty obvious he didn't match any of their skin tones. Also, he was fond of adding feathers to his attire but he was a lone wolf on that fashion trend. Caroline appreciated his attempt to lift her spirits and felt comforted that they were two of a kind as they traveled together.
Her father had taken her goods to sell while Ratonhnhaké:ton left to take care of his own errands for the day. Caroline learned to haggle a little in pricing as she watched her father barter with the storekeepers he knew well and after their transactions finished, allowed her to practice. They had all warned her that trading with others would be harder due to her gender if she wished to continue trapping. Caroline wasn't easily swayed and wouldn't be trading patchwork anytime soon since she sewed leisurely rather than for income.
Either way, she'd pocketed money for herself and her father balked when she immediately bought candy for the children and books for Amelia. She'd promised to buy her sister a book from her patchwork earnings but Caroline would brighten her day with another to help her succeed. As for the candy, well, what child could say no to peppermint sticks? Samuel and Alice would be delighted for days with a single stick.
When she caught sight of a delicate straw hat made of emerald silk and brown ties of cotton, her heart skipped a beat. She'd never seen a more beautiful hat and for the first time, stepped into the shoes of being a young woman of her time. The storekeeper had gladly showed it to her when he saw her stunned face and she turned to her father for input. Godfrey withheld a somber chuckle as he saw his little Caroline taking a fancy for items that delighted women rather than little girls and knew his little sapling had grown up. Caroline's fingers trembled for a moment as they ran over the fine silk and never felt a softer fabric in her life!
The hat outshined her simple bonnet, just as the brown hats from the young girls she'd seen earlier had, and asked softly, "How . . . how much does it cost?"
Of course, when he told her the price, her hopes plummeted to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Even with everything that'd she'd saved, she couldn't place a third of the money for the total pricing and could only decline buying it. Her poor heart yearned for the little emerald hat as it was tucked away at the top of the store's shelves in its private box. She would have to trap for over a year to buy that beautiful hat and could only lament as her father led her away from the shop with an apologetic tone, "One day, you'll have everything your little heart desires."
"Oh, boban, I just wanted to fit into this culture but I forget I'm happier at home" she sighed softly as the door closed behind them and she grabbed one of the wrapped packages he held in his arms to help. They had bought food supplies to last the season and a few pieces of fabric for the children for new clothes. They weren't the type to splurge on anything, mostly because they never had anything to splurge with, but a simple item could delight them all. Caroline wasn't accustomed to city life as she watched the nicely dressed people walk by and struggled against conforming.
They walked across the cobbled street when it was void of passing wagons and horses and she smiled weakly, "It was easier being a girl when all I had to worry about was putting on a simple dress and fetching a pail of water. Now, I have to wonder whether I have my hair tied correctly or if my shoes can be seen under my dress. Oh, boban, why couldn't I stay small?"
"It's life, Carrie, and we must move with it" he comforted gently since being the oldest child meant she'd be the example for the rest and all she could depend on was he and Catherine. He shared her similar mindset because he'd rather have his girls stay at age ten when they were old enough to know better but not ready to run away out of his hands. Growing was a continuous process of life and he smiled at his daughter as she watched a married couple stroll down the street, "It isn't an easy road but you'll find your way. Besides, you're a Burnett and we're sturdy folk."
Caroline chuckled warmly to his inspirational words since she treasured her father as her role model and took them into mind. There were so many changes that had occurred within her body and outside throughout the last three years to the point that the questions were ready to pull her down a figurative waterfall. She loved her father's advice since he never steered her wrong and the two headed on to return to their rented room for two nights. Her father would head on to deliver the lumber in the wagon for the rest of the day and tomorrow, he would barter again to trade items from Davenport. Caroline would remain by her father's side through each delivery since a lonely inn room would do her no good in comparison to the open air and helping her father.
Ratonhnhaké:ton appreciated the Burnett's hospitality by sharing their room with him but had to use his bedroll for sleeping due to the lack of an extra bed. The beds were terribly small enough that she and her father couldn't share one and proposing the question for Ratonhnhaké:ton with her would've been embarrassing (not to mention scandalous) enough. His business had been conducted for the day since Achilles had sent him on an errand to deliver a letter and although he could've asked why he couldn't send it with a messenger, willingly obeyed. An assassin's job couldn't be filled with danger and suspense all the time.
He had expected Caroline to be eager to mingle with Bostonians since she'd been away for two years. When he returned to his village, he was happy to reunite with his people and hear any news of what had changed. Caroline, however, endured a different change as she felt isolated from the residents and could find no link to them anymore. True, she'd greeted residents but that had been as far as she'd delved. When he returned at fifteen past six, he found her reading the fat book of stories she'd brought for her trip since she'd been waiting for him to return for supper. There had been a meal included for the boarders but Ratonhnhaké:ton agreed that Mrs. Burnett's food was superior in taste because it reminded them of home. Caroline's quietness was cast aside with the first bite of her meal, which she'd reheated with a skillet her mother packed in her belongings because a woman never wandered without one- or so her mother told her.
The meal from the inn was added onto their plates as extra but Ratonhnhaké:ton decided he'd been spoiled for other food. It reminded him of how close he'd grown to Davenport and the people that lived there, especially when Caroline reminded them how Alice pulled her meat apart carefully until only the meatless bone was left. Their supper extended from a half hour to a full hour as they talked about the new happenings in Boston but Caroline mostly listened since she had nothing to add. Godfrey spoke about opening a store for incoming orders to prevent wagons piling up with filled orders but Ratonhnhaké:ton reminded him of the heavy taxation that kept increasing.
Business didn't interest Caroline very much since she enjoyed the work rather than the paperwork and returned to reading a story about sea voyages. There were so many different ancient cultures that traveled around the oceans but it took centuries for the other half of the world to be discovered. The outside noises from residents drowned in her mind as she became engrossed on a tale about sea life in the 1700s and briefly wondered what would await her if she lived to see the turn of the century. She barely noticed when Ratonhnhaké:ton sat down next to her since Godfrey had to shine his boots to keep them in decent shape for every trip. His attire might be average and worn from constant work but he'd make sure to have decent shoes for walking. Since he couldn't smoke a pipe in the open today, he'd settle for the next therapeutic pastime to occupy his mind.
Ratonhnhaké:ton's voice pulled her from the story just as a fictional captain gave warning to attack an enemy vessel full of pirates, "Did you enjoy your return to Boston?"
She peered at him with surprise since he hadn't made any noise sitting there . . . or maybe she'd become too involved in reading. There had been many times she'd fallen into a story and forgotten all about her chores just to read what happened to the main character. The burning candle in its silver candlestick cast a yellow glow over both as Caroline closed her book to bring her attention to her friend. They had never spent a night under the same roof and found herself curious to see if he would snore like her boban. His eyes resembled the rich brown maple syrup used on flapjacks and it was a constant reminder of home, leading her to admit softly, "It's not what I expected but then again. . .I didn't know what to expect."
Her fingertips wrung together over the leather-bound book as he gazed at her with curiosity in his eyes and she deliberated quietly, "I've never fit in very well due to my early childhood since we lived in small towns back in Scotland. I thought that time would serve to help me grasp why people loved the bustling cities but it seems I was wrong."
"It held an illusion of cultural intrigue that beckoned you to join its many residents" he commented sympathetically about her fizzled curiosity as the attractive bubble shrouding the city had burst for the reality. She couldn't fit into the overall picture of Boston that she'd imagine blending into and could relate to that feeling since he experienced it on every trip. It wasn't very hard to draw someone's eye with his skin tone so Caroline had a better chance at relating to the people in cities with more trips to gain experience. He could only encourage her to keep trying so she wouldn't feel like an outsider and his teeth resembled pearls against the candlelight as he smiled warmly, "You can't call it a failure after only one trip."
Caroline didn't feel the drive to continue assimilating into city life since dressing like she currently was didn't interest her and walking over cobbled streets felt alien to her. Who would want to hear their heels clacking on the road instead of silence on dusty roads in the outdoors? She longed to dress simply and walk over dusty trails that led to numerous parts of the open forest, not to mention visiting their kind neighbors in the distance. How could she compare rural life to the city when the former called her heart like a soothing lullaby of old? Ratonhnhaké:ton grabbed the spine of her book to borrow it for light perusing since the quiet night would allow for an hour of reading. He smiled softly to himself when he saw Caroline's full name scribbled at the bottom left of the first page: Caroline Grace Burnett
How fitting, he thought with warm delight since Kanien'kehá:ka parents named each child uniquely and could see the Burnetts had done well with their oldest. He only knew Elizabeth's full name since she was often lectured by her entire name to point out she was in trouble. Samuel was too young to care about his middle name but Alice had told him that everyone held one to show respect to elder relatives. It made him wonder what name he would've been given if his father wasn't a Templar and could've had a family like the Burnetts. Unfortunately, life had chosen a different path for him from birth but he would make a better life for himself.
The flame from the wax candle flickered and reflected off the glass window but it was no match for the darkness of the night creeping outside. Caroline peered out of the glass as the full white moon lay overhead as the watchman over mankind but she could hear faint echoes from residents passing by from the ground below. At this hour, her siblings would be playing with their toys or reading since there was nothing to do but sleep. Her mother would undoubtedly be peering out of a window while mending a piece of clothing, similar to her window watching, and wondering how they were faring in the city. City life was eerily unfamiliar to her despite living there for half a year and she smiled softly at her friend to murmur, "I feel confined here."
"Because of the small room?" he suggested with an amused smile since three people to one small room could make it quite cramped and briefly glanced in her direction. Even now, his knees were wedged against the windowsill to keep the walkway open in case Godfrey needed to walk around the room. The square table was pressed against the single window and Ratonhnhaké:ton's chair creaked with every movement to the point he was breathing slowly to prevent numerous squeaks. Even Godfrey had blocked the tiny space between the beds with his legs alone and Ratonhnhaké:ton would have to sleep at the end of the beds to get a decent sleep.
"Yes, there is that" Caroline chuckled to their luck as she turned in her own chair to glance at the small area of the room but they would only sleep there for one more night. If anyone needed to use a chamber pot, they would have to be incredibly careful not to step on him or goodness forbid, drop it on him. She pointed towards the outlines of buildings illuminated by the silver moonlight and admitted sheepishly, "The city encloses us like little mice and isolates us from the beauty of the earth where we can have boundless freedom. I've never been fond of living in crowded places and I miss Davenport with each passing hour. This trip helped remind me where home will always be and I wouldn't trade it for anything, not even a pretty straw hat."
"You're a child of the earth, not these stone confines" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated simply and she looked to him with a faint smile since colonists would utter the same with disgust. After all, what sophisticated settler would want to run alongside green hills and vibrant beds of wildflowers that resembled lakes of color? Who would want to lie in the grass and paint the colors of the sky during sunset with their fingers instead of gabbing about the newest fashions being imported? Colonists wanted cobbled roads and sturdy wood painted houses that screamed civilized sophistication rather than natural simplicity. Settlers complained about the 'savage natives' that failed to see the potential in making the land bare for colonization but Caroline would rather have endless pastures with trees to run through for the rest of her days.
"I suppose it's in the blood" she chuckled gently since her father loved the outdoors and exploring the world around him, similar to her paternal grandfather and uncles. Her social class didn't have dolls made of porcelain, skirts made of silk, or pearl necklaces, and she would make the most of what she had. She didn't yearn for more and could see the same reflecting in Ratonhnhaké:ton, tapping her fingers on the table as she stated with a small smile, "It won't be changing."
"Good" he approved with a ghost of a smile and she looked to him with appreciation but a little confusion lingered in her eyes. He almost chuckled to the innocent expression on her face as her nose rose slightly when her brow furrowed, reminding her of a small rabbit peeking out of its burrow. Had she forgotten their earlier conversation in the wagon? He flipped through the pages inside the book but the candlelight illuminated the sharp contours of his face as he gave her a sidelong glance to remind amiably, "Because you're stuck with me, remember?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way, my friend" she replied earnestly with warmth in her heart to his kind words since she'd be happy to have a friend like him for many years. The chair creaked against the floorboards as she leaned back to peer into the darkness but focused on the milky moon above them that shed light on the things that needed it most.
7 July 1772
Caroline had never been happier to see her beloved home as the small green hill bearing their log cabin filled her heart with sweet relief. Had she really been gone for only two days? Time had felt so tediously slow in Boston and she longed to be beside her siblings since she never went an hour without speaking to them. She'd been ready to jump out of the wagon before it stopped but Ratonhnhaké:ton had pulled her by the arm at the last second to prevent her dress from tearing when it became caught in a sharp chipped piece of wood. Caroline had burst into delightful laughter to her carelessness since she would've spent hours fixing a serious rip down the skirt, not to mention accidentally showing him the layers underneath her dress.
"Carrie, your mother will lecture you" Godfrey reminded her daughter since her eagerness matched Elizabeth's when excited and wanted to spare her the lecture. He understood her joy since he felt lonely without his bairns running by his side or eating alongside his wife but it was time for his Caroline to act the part of a lady.
He stopped the wagon in front of their house rather than leaving it at the stables since his daughter was eager to fly out to meet her siblings. The mares were happy to end their trip, especially Molly, since her foal longed to be beside her and she wouldn't keep her offspring waiting. Samuel was the first to fly out of the doorway when his mother opened it and she wiped down her hands with her dirty apron since she'd been cooking for the past hour. Alice and Elizabeth followed to see if their father was well and whether he'd brought anything for the family.
Ratonhnhaké:ton had to smile at the growing rabble from the children and helped Caroline step down from the wagon. She failed to become flustered that time as she used his hand to step onto the grassy knoll since her perky siblings took her entire focus. He followed her off the wagon as Godfrey unhitched the horses from the wagon so they could relax and allowed Elizabeth to take them to the stable. The mares were incredibly tame to the entire family after years that even little Samuel could lead them home without a problem.
"Caroline, might I have a moment?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked softly, his voice barely audible as she moved to leave towards her sisters and she stopped to his request. She'd never mind speaking with him so there was never a need to ask. Untying her bonnet to free her hair yearning for fresh air, she watched him with warm eyes and hoped her hair hadn't become horribly undone after the trip. The aura around the two no longer felt confined since being back home meant returning to their peaceful way of life- just how they liked it. In his hands, he held a square package (when had he gotten that?) and she eyed it curiously as he spoke with that calm tone she envied at times, "I noticed these books in one of the stores and thought them fitting for your collection."
He handed her the package and she opened the paper carefully for reuse with future gifts since she wanted him to see the delight to the kind gesture. Her lips parting with joy to finding one on folktales from Ireland and Scotland that she could read to the children, Gotthold Lessing's 'Emilia Galotti', Samuel Foote's 'The Nabob', and Richard Cumberland's 'The Fashionable Lover'. How could he have given her so many books? One was more than enough! Caroline's cheeks darkened bashfully to the handsome gift as she held the brand new books and stammered sheepishly, "B-But I- you didn't-"
"Enjoy your books, Caroline" he cut in with a pleasant smile since he wanted to see the bashful expression as a result for his gift. She held a good heart without ever asking anything in return (horse riding wasn't monetary) and he was more than happy to bright happiness into her life. He grabbed his leather pack of belongings underneath the wagon seat to sling the strap over his left shoulder and stepped away from the wagon. Caroline grasped his shoulder with one hand to halt his leave and he gave her a knowing glance as he stated clearly, "They are a gift, I bought them for you and I know you will like them- so there's no returning them."
Well, he had her there.
"Thank you, you're more than welcome to borrow them" she gushed shyly as her mind ran amuck with delight to what awaited her in imaginary adventures. She tried to stop the blood from rushing to her cheeks but Ratonhnhaké:ton had a growing tendency to do that as of late. She eyed the last novel in her four books and her ears reddened to what her mother might say of it, removing it quickly to hand it to him. Ratonhnhaké:ton stared at the leather cover of 'The Fashionable Lover' with confusion and Caroline whispered privately, "My mother will probably take this one due to the last word so it's best to keep this one in your home. The last thing I'd want is for her to think we're up to something scandalous by reading anything about lovers."
Ratonhnhaké:ton felt the skin under his collar grow warm to that embarrassing insinuation and accepted her request. Why had the shopkeeper given him the book if it held anything indecent?. . .Oh, he might've assumed his shopping was for a significant other. That was a horrible way to end up being chased off the Burnett property because they were merely friends. Wait, did that mean she didn't even ponder about him being anything else but that? He was friendly, kind, albeit a bit stubborn-
"You're turning red, are you all right?" Caroline asked worriedly as she mistook his blushing for a sudden case of heatstroke and grabbed his left forearm to help him stand. He shook himself out of his ponderings about Caroline since he stayed to give her a gift, not ask questions about their future.
"Yes, I . . . I should go" Ratonhnhaké:ton excused himself hastily since the conversation had twisted down a road he hadn't been ready to travel to. He bid farewell to the Burnetts as they helped Godfrey bring his bought goods inside their home and Samuel pouted since Caroline had spent two days with him while he hadn't. Ratonhnhaké:ton promised to visit tomorrow so they could play at the river and Samuel agreed eagerly, with Elizabeth adding in she could try fishing again. He looked to Caroline in farewell as the young woman was eager to begin reading and promised to tell her about the unmentionable book. Somehow, he was sure there was nothing bad about it but if so . . . well, he'd trade it elsewhere. There was no need to have it accidentally discovered by Achilles either and hear a similar lesson about decency and propriety.
Amelia and Martha peeked out from the side of the wagon to their ecstatic sister as she watched their neighbor leave with a big smile. When their oldest sister turned around, they saw the origin of her glee and Amelia smiled to seeing new reading material. She'd yet to see her teaching books but the thought of new novels brought her the same delight as Caroline and couldn't wait to read a few chapters herself. Caroline held out the three books so her sisters could read the black lettering of each title on the spine and smiled to gush abashedly, "He gave me books- nobody's given me books. Not even teachers! Isn't that absolutely kind of him?"
Martha chuckled to her emotional outpour since only her sister could leap off the ground in joy over books. Well, maybe Amelia too. Her oldest sister, however, was less reserved than the two as she shook excitedly from head to toe and Martha grabbed Caroline's arm to state with surprise, "Goodness, Carrie, you look ready to cry."
"I've never had a real friend to give me such a gift" she whispered shakily since all the books she owned were either her mother's or a Christmas present. Her newest book was at least two years old and the clean leather covers were beautiful underneath the sunlight with their pristine white paper. Ratonhnhaké:ton might have given her a tree last year but it would be quite a while before it bore fruits but books, well, they were always ready to bestow knowledge. She wished nothing but the best for her friend and looked to her sisters to point out softly, "We've all experienced so much shuffling from town to town that it's been rare to find a friend that won't leave us anytime soon. I've never had a friend like him to cherish and . . . oh, just look at them. I can write my name in each and," raising the books to her nose, she sighed, "the smell is fresh when opened."
Amelia raised an arched brow to her giddiness since Caroline's eyes had remained glued to the retreating figure over the northern hills until they arrived and asked slyly, "Are you sure it's not the man behind the gesture flustering you?"
Caroline's face resembled a gaping fish's as the question threw her aback completely since the gift was significant enough. She highly doubted he had anything but friendship in mind when he offered the books and refrained from blushing to the mere idea. He had always been a platonic presence in her life and she wasn't going to transform it into anything else, shaking her head to sigh with disbelief, "Oh, really, Amelia. I might be sixteen but I'm not ready to be wed in the slightest- my interests lie in helping boban, not courtship. Thankfully, he isn't eager to set up a marriage."
Both girls chuckled to her grimace since young women were expected to leave home when they were from lower classes to lighten the burden at home since it meant fewer mouths to feed. Due to their father's mill, Caroline could put off marriage for quite a few years but Godfrey wasn't in any hurry to marry off his two oldest girls. Caroline raised a hand to her forehead as her mannerisms hit in full force and she told the two with flustered worry, "I have to repay his kind gesture but he's in and out of the manor all the time. You'd think I know what he'd love as a gift after years of knowing him. He's quiet and incredibly focused- like an eagle or a cougar."
"You're not going to catch an eagle, are you?" Martha asked with dismay on her face since her sister was capable of anything. After all, they had a rambunctious Elizabeth running about with admiration for Caroline just as Samuel held the same for Ratonhnhaké:ton. She could never imagine herself carrying a dangerous weapon but Caroline walked around with a sheathed knife without worry. Her brown eyes narrowed because there was no way she'd help her catch a wild animal for their neighbor and pointed out matter-of-factly, "And you wonder where Eliza gets her outlandish ideas."
Caroline shook her head to the ridiculous notion but all she had at her disposal were fabric, wood, and hare pelts. What could she possibly do with those that could match the sentimentality of his gift? She'd ponder on her compensation later to prevent being lectured by her little sister of all people and bask on the warm glow of her books. Samuel and Elizabeth were already peering into the crates of goods their father brought as they stood inside the wagon. She didn't want her curious siblings to ruin her surprise for Amelia and grabbed her hand to smile eagerly, "I'm not the only one receiving a gift of books today. A little bird tells me you'll be delighted by a package waiting inside my bag."
"Oh, Carrie, you. . ." Amelia stammered with a grateful smile for her sister and Caroline ushered for her other siblings to pull out her bag that lay furthest in the back. It was close to the seat of the wagon in case she needed something but when it came to unloading, it would be a while. Amelia bit her bottom lip with hope that her sister had indeed managed to buy one book for her since she'd worked on her patchwork carefully.
Samuel picked up the linen bag full of Caroline's clothing and other items but the small boy almost toppled over by the weight. His mouth opened in surprise as he balanced himself against a sturdy sack of flour to his left and looked to Caroline as he exclaimed, "What's in here? Logs?"
Alice believed his suggestion as she peered over the back of the open wagon with curious eyes and but Caroline shook her head to deny that answer. The small girl smiled sheepishly for having that assumption corrected and Caroline leaned down to hug her tightly since she'd missed her little Alice. Kissing the top of her head in affection, she smiled widely to seeing the faces she loved the most and told them, "I've never been happier to be home."
"Oh, Sammy, it's not that heavy" Elizabeth chuckled with amusement since he was too small to lift anything heavier than himself and ruffled his untamable red hair. She had no problem carrying the bag off the wagon and left her little brother with a pout since he wanted to puff his chest in success too. He didn't like being the runt of the litter but one day, he hoped to grow as tall as an oak tree and have others ask him for help.
"Remember, I found it!" he called out as the girls huddled together to see Amelia's packet of books and scurried over so he wasn't left out. Godfrey and Catherine chuckled with warmth to their happy reunion since the days would no longer feel agonizingly long and lonely.
A/N: And we have a little more character development between Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline as the two kiss goodbye to their childhood for good in a very long chapter. Growing up is never an easy transition, regardless of the era, and wanted to include Caroline's newborn curiosity about Bostonian fashion and Ratonhnhaké:ton's assassin garb since he's finally started wearing it (all work and no play made Ratonhnhaké:ton a tall boy- lol). The two will definitely be seeing each other in a romantic light as the years pass, along with the awkwardness of adolescence.
BrutusSilentium: Thank you for liking it! I did enjoy the naval missions, although the turning did leave me a little frustrated but it was an awesome frustration. Lol
Guest: I tend to go crazy in details, lol, but I've never been the type to dive immediately into romances since we all need foundations to build upon. I have the same soft spot for teen Connor since he's innocently naïve of the real world around him but he still hopes for the best- how can we deny that face?
Luria: Lol, don't you just hate reaching the end of a good chapter and itching to know more? I'm glad you enjoyed the story and hope this chapter kept you glued as well.
LightningWriter63: Thank you for loving the story!
LurkingLady: I'm lucky to live in the city where the most in wild animals are possums and squirrels. With the American frontier veiled in mystery for many colonists, I imagine animals wouldn't be afraid of these newcomers on their territories. Samuel is definitely 'awww' worthy since he's small but tries to make up for it by keeping up a brave front. It would've been fun for them to take a swim but I imagine with strict propriety of that time would've had the girls in a lecture if they'd been caught. Don't worry, we'll still have some frolicking fun for the two since the nearby cove can be fun for two youngsters in love. ;)
xXSilverSparrowXx: Thank for enjoying the story!
Yman: I'm always glad to hear my characters are believable for the time period and thank you for telling me about that trait in body language. Each person is unique when it comes to that since Caroline tends to do the same with her loved ones by wringing her fingers together over her stomach. Lol. Since Connor was either sitting or with his hands full in this chapter, I'll be happy to use it in later chapters.
Next Time:
"I hope I'm not wasting too many of your bullets" she stated modestly and he almost had a hard time hearing her due to the prior echoing gunshots. Even when he covered his ears to avoid the ringing in his ears, he didn't particularly enjoy the temporary muting of his surroundings. Caroline, however, bore through the pop in her ears as long as she struck her target on the tree.
"I can buy the materials, it's cheaper to make them by hand" Ratonhnhaké:ton explained easily to dismiss her worry since his steady income provided him with the essentials he needed. Also, looting his fallen enemies often refilled any loss in ammunition so he didn't mind sharing. Caroline made a pleasing sight to the eyes as she stood confidently among the tall grass and held the pistol away from herself. He hadn't imagined taking his teaching limits to this point with her since it was more fitting for future assassins but it was nice to dip his feet in the teaching pool. It would be years before he would be considered a formidable assassin in Achilles' eyes so he had plenty of time to prepare. He approached Caroline to reload the weapon himself to prevent accidents and informed her, "Your father has been teaching me but while he uses his for rifles, I use pistols."
"Every man that labors know the skill" she smiled in agreement and remembered sitting beside her father at night to help him mold bullets in front of their fireplace. She liked seeing the orange-red hue of the hot bullets falling out of their mold and thought what a wonder it was to see them change color to their shiny gray. It was almost magical! Her blue eyes held the same intrigue as she watched him place a new bullet in the chamber after cleaning it free of lingering gunpowder and dared a question, "Will you ever tell me what it is you do?"
"If I did, I'd have to make you disappear" he joked since he'd sooner enrage her with a lie than have her injured by spilling the truth to endanger her. He was enigma of mystery to Caroline when it came to work and her mind always itched to know what he did for a living. There was a reason he was agile and stronger than anyone she knew so unless he was a hunter, she couldn't think of anything else.
"Well, you better have the recipe to make me reappear" she quipped back smartly and he chuckled softly to her determination but he wouldn't relent. Confessing the truth would not be worth risking her life and he'd rather have her safe in Davenport where she could keep wondering about him. Caroline held nothing but admiration for him as he carved a life for himself outside of Davenport and wouldn't let the world crush him into the ground. Other men in his shoes would've held bitterness or distrust against colonists but Ratonhnhaké:ton maintained his civil courtesy, not to mention, his optimism intact.
She wrung her fingers over her stomach as she observed his arsenal of weapons, taking note of his fateful longbow, and asked hesitantly, "Will you at least tell me if you're ever in danger?"
"At times but I can handle myself" he admitted with a bit of truth that time and smiled assuredly to quell her worries. If anything, she should be worried for his enemies since they were usually on the losing end. He finished with the pistol and handed it back to her so she could resume practicing and pointed out with a nonchalant voice, "There's a reason I'm not the lean boy you met years ago so don't worry about me."
"How can I not? We live in dangerous times in this wild frontier" she chuckled to his devil may care expression since she'd never heard him use a cocky tone in her life. Her physical limitation to the world around her is what brought her desire to strengthen herself but her friend carried it in stride. There was nothing suspicious that passed by him and for the first time in her life, she wondered how it would feel traveling alongside him on one of his mysterious trips. Martha and Amelia would be quick to tell her a lady's place was in the safety of her home but Caroline had an itchy foot for exploration. For now, her secret lessons with him would suffice and she admitted sincerely, "But I'm glad you always come back to us."
"I'll always come back to you. . .and Davenport!" he assured softly with a warm smile that brought a delightful flutter to her heart and she focused on the pistol instead of his chocolate eyes. Ratonhnhaké:ton noticed his accidental slip and quickly added in their community to prevent twisting their conversation down an awkward path. He might be growing fonder with the young woman beside him but that didn't mean he could blurt his blooming affections without her consent. She probably saw him as a friend, nothing more, and he couldn't blame her since colonists never treaded past friendship with the natives.
Caroline found it easier to stare at the tree as she aimed her pistol since every glance towards him brought a blush to her cheeks. It also removed any awkwardness that he brought to surface with those sparkling brown eyes since eye contact turned her speech into hesitant drawls. The life of an adolescent was full of gawkiness with each month that passed but looking at the innocent tree allowed her to admit without restraint, "Make sure you do, our lives wouldn't be the same without you."