A/N: I made a new cover for the story but if you guys preferred the old one, I'll bring it back.
Music Inspiration: Lorne Balfe- "Connor's Life"
Captain of the Aquila
15 June 1773
Summertime brought endless adventuring for Caroline and her siblings as they knew every inch of the forest enveloping Davenport and enjoyed exploring new trails that Ratonhnhaké:ton cleared. It would only be a matter of time when he found another person in need for a safe place to live and he'd offer Davenport as a refuge. On that breezy morning, Caroline sat on the cliff overlooking the cove as the majestic ship of Davenport was docked for the time being. She admired the craftsmanship after her father helped rebuild it and when the pristine white sails were fully up, it was a beautiful sight as the wind fluttered against them. Whoever captained it was a skillful man since the ship never attained critical injuries and Caroline had caught its graceful moves twice when it was exiting the cove for the boundless sea.
"What are you doing up here?"
Caroline turned around from her spot on the boulder and smiled in welcome to Ratonhnhaké:ton as his familiar white-blue garb greeted her sight. He had shed his old deerskin outfit for the white suit and Caroline privately admitted to herself that he could look handsome in just about anything. His raven hair had been recently cut to graze his shoulders but she'd had the opportunity to see its long length during their walks around Davenport. Now, it was neatly pulled up in half a ponytail to keep the hair away from his face and she beamed happily to his presence.
"Enjoying the view" she answered easily as she waved her right hand over the large peaceful cove as birds could be seen flying over the water. It was a safe area for a scenic overlook since the manor was a short distance away to the right and patted the flat boulder to invite him to sit down. Would he accept her invitation or was he too busy that day? Caroline hoped earnestly for the former just to spend time with him. Ratonhnhaké:ton gladly obliged her request since he hadn't seen her in a week after training with a sword since apparently, they would be less conspicuous (and foreign) than a tomahawk in English settlements.
She offered him freshly plucked black raspberries from a wooden bowl in her hands and he grabbed one to bite into the sweet round raspberry. With spring bidding them farewell in May, the berries would soon begin to sour if they weren't plucked and the children had scoured the land eagerly to harvest them. Elizabeth had declared she'd grown tired of the endless piles of berries but once their mother made a berry cobbler, she hopped back onto the wagon to eat her fill. Caroline smiled with closed lips as she was caught with a hint of self-consciousness to her appearance and asked kindly, "If my teeth do resemble raspberries, will you tell me?"
"As long as you return the favor" he answered with his own cheerful smile since the berries stained teeth horribly if one didn't wash it off and they laughed together. He didn't have to worry about maintaining a proper appearance with Caroline due to her laidback nature but he hoped that he looked somewhat decent with stained teeth. It couldn't be worse than the yellow teeth he'd seen on other colonists, right? The summer brought him the most joy of all since he spent the early summer alongside her in Davenport while the latter was among the sea in the Aquila. There were times he wondered if he could sneak her away for one short trip just so she could share the blissful joy he felt upon the water. Unfortunately, she was still under her family's watchful guidance and he asked amicably, "How is your family, Caroline?"
"Splendid" she smiled thankfully since they had no illnesses to worry about despite the scorching heat. The trees provided plenty of shade and breeze to keep them cool while the bountiful river provided a swimming getaway from the hot land. Winter brought a white shroud over the land, spring blanketed the fields in color, and fall left heaps of crunchy fallen leaves to play with. Summer, however, brought freedom as the sun set later than in spring and food was being harvested to fill their attic. Her eyes inspected his face for any new changes to make sure he was in good health, taking note of the contours of his face, and asked softly, "How are you faring? Is that a cut I see on the bottom of your chin?"
Her index finger hovered over his square chin without touching him to maintain propriety and he chuckled softly, "Training accident."
Her left eyebrow rose in curiosity to what kind of training he spoke of but he quickly changed the subject back to the cove, "So, what are you watching?"
"The Aquila" she answered with a knowing smile that he was evading her yet again to his true work but said nothing of it. From her vantage point, she could see the ship's inhabitants moving about around the docks as they hauled new cargo inside or removed unusable weapons and ammunition. It occupied her free time until she was needed back at home to help iron the drying laundry in a few hours so she was taking advantage of seeing the ship.
She pointed towards the large ship that had her great sails tied down and smiled broadly, "I like to imagine a story for each little worker that passes by. Like that one," she pointed to a deckhand in uniform, "He's holding a crate full of gunpowder to take inside because if he doesn't, the first mate will yell his head off. If you irritate the first mate, then the captain will be angry and the poor man will spend the rest of the trip looking over his shoulder. Nobody wants to be at the bottom of the pecking order, especially when the captain will have his eye on you."
Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled to himself to her creativity since the crates actually had ropes inside and asked with amusement, "Will he accomplish his task?"
Caroline's blue eyes resembled sapphires as she put the last spin in her fictional tale and beamed, "Oh yes, but he'll pack away a bit for himself so when the captain needs more in a hurry- there he'll be to save the day! What captain wouldn't like a handy crew member? After that, he'll be the favorite of the deckhands and he'll be asked to share an ale with the higher members of the team. He could even become a navigator!"
He blinked with surprise since he hadn't expected her to know about the positions on a sea vessel and asked curiously, "How do you about all of that?"
"I came to this land on a ship, let's just say I heard deckhands talking a lot about it over the months" she chuckled softly since the Voyager had been her passage ship to a new land full of opportunities and new danger if one wasn't careful. There had been fright attached most of the way since months without stable ground worried her young seven year-old mind and Amelia had spent her time hiding in their sleeping spot. She could still remember the sea of crowds from Glasgow as they boarded with their meager belongings and met new people as they stopped at Ireland as well. What she did remember best was the distinct smell of the sea air and could only imagine standing on the deck of the Aquila to peer into the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The lack of passengers crowding the deck made it even better to walk from bow to stern and she remarked with admiration, "She is a big one. It took a lot of lumber to repair the old decrepit planks but Mr. Faulkner told my father it was unsinkable and resistant. The two really like talking about ships when sharing an ale."
"And what is your opinion?" he asked with intrigue to her thoughts on seafaring vessels since he did take pride on the Aquila. It was a magnificent ship and understood why Faulkner stayed loyal to her side since she was a marvel over the sea (and in battle). Dedication was mandatory when it came to handling the Aquila and he would never hear ill of his beloved ship.
"Beautiful inventions as they glide over water like birds themselves" she chuckled sheepishly since ships weren't supposed to be a woman's fancy when there was plenty of work to be done around the home. The only worrisome question about the ships was whether she could get ill to the stomach from the rocking waves since it happened in her youth. Would he think less of her if she vomited over the hardwood deck despite her earnest desire to stay? She shook her head modestly as his sparkling brown eyes made her sheepish for thinking about it and murmured, "I like wagons- more stable."
"Both can crash" he pointed out simply since all forms of travel had the potential to have an accident.
"Very perceptive" she agreed with a cheerful laugh since she heard enough about runaway wagons when horses were frightened by thieves or predators. Even horses were dangerous to travel on but she wouldn't be taking Sophia anywhere outside of Davenport to keep them both safe. She held out the half-full bowl to mix the raspberries and he could see brown nuts in between as she piped up, "Almonds? Berries?"
He took a plump ripe berry from the bowl with polite thanks and she asked the question that had long burned in her mind, "Who captains the Aquila?"
It was amusing to wonder what she would think of the truth since she'd never pried into the Aquila and what he truly did there. As the years passed, however, the innocent question had tickled her mind to find an answer to why neither she nor any of the other residents had seen this illusive captain since Faulkner was always around. Caroline was none the wiser to who truly captained the ship and he was about to divulge her curiosity with the truth to set her mind at ease. Would she accept the danger he faced on the unpredictable sea? He watched her as she nibbled on a berry herself, the reddish-black tint coloring her front teeth, and he admitted quietly, "I do."
Caroline chuckled softly to his answer as she assumed he was joking and smiled to gently chastise, "Oh, Connor, you've never been one to jest. Who really commandeers it?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't bat an eyelash as he met her gaze and repeated, "I do."
She faltered in her laughter as she heard the seriousness in his voice and her lower jaw popped open to the truth. Really? How could he be a captain? He was just a young man- no older than her! That ship was enormous as the mast could clearly be seen from their current standpoint at the cliff and her friend commanded its entire being? Her eyes shifted between the anchored ship and the young man next to her to see the puzzle click into place. Well, he was taller than most men and strong like one too but still!
She was struck speechless for a few moments since she'd never imagine anyone but a man like Mr. Faulkner driving it. That's who she assumed steered the ship every time it left the cove but only now did she notice that every time it left shore, Ratonhnhaké:ton was onboard. Had she really failed to make that critical connection? She'd seen him leave every time with the ship but she'd assumed he worked as a deck boy or helping the captain and the man depended on him. Who could say no to having a dependable man like him at their side? Eventually, she managed to quell all of the questions rolling through her mind because he would never steer her wrong and stated with warm amusement, "You are full of surprises."
"So people say" he replied with mirth in his voice as they watched the ship and continued eating from her bundle of berries.
"And you let me blather on about the captain being the most savvy with the way that ship rarely returned with critical strikes?" she questioned embarrassingly with a light blush on her cheeks since she'd practically been basting him in compliments. The sneaky smile on his lips hitched wider since he'd enjoyed hearing her wonder who the mysterious captain was. Whenever he told her stories of his travels, he kept the captain as an unknown enigma and had seen the awe as she admired the adventure. She eyed him suspiciously as she caught the faint lingering of that captivating smile on his face and chided playfully, "You just liked hearing me boast on about this ghostly captain, didn't you?"
"You nagged about him as well" he reminded to take the focus off himself since being admired for his skills was a nice confidence booster. Her cheeks flushed darker as she gaped like a fish because whenever she noticed a laceration or bruise from a recent excursion, she was quick to blame the captain for not taking care of his men. Mostly, she was just concerned for him but spanned it into an overall category to keep her true feelings hidden.
"How have you braved the storms?" she asked with concern since he'd gone out on trips during storm seasons and always wondered how he bore the downpour. The fact that rogue waves could sink a ship by tipping it over or pirate ships could attack and kill the crew only added to that worry. Had he fought dangerous men? Had storms caused damage to the Aquila? So many questions popped into mind for his wellbeing.
"Agile maneuvering and a lot of luck" he answered truthfully since the natural elements kept him on his toes. He wouldn't be delving further into attacking enemy vessels or avoiding a rogue wave from narrowly clashing against half of the ship. That would be enough for Caroline to demand that he leave the ship to another just to keep him safe. It amused him to see the worry lining her brow since he'd learned to care for himself just fine but appreciated her sentiments for him.
"How long have you captained the ship?" she asked tentatively to avoid pressing further into his life than he was comfortable with. Their friendship was a solid one based upon honesty but Caroline had been taught to respect everyone just as she would wish them to behave with her. Ratonhnhaké:ton, however, never felt the need to be defensive or hide truths that would not place her in harm's way.
"Since I was fourteen, right after your father helped rebuild the ship" he admitted easily and she faltered to the young age. Her friend had captained a ship for three years and she'd been none the wiser to the man behind the steering wheel of the Aquila. She had always admired him after their friendship began since he gave off a resilient aura against anything thrown his way. It seemed to be paying off in his secret line of work and captaining a ship but her friend was definitely full of surprises. He caught the shocked look on her face as the news was slowly absorbed and smiled warmly, "You never asked."
She gave him a knowing look since he knew she'd never pry into his life to stomp over his privacy. He liked that trait of hers since being pushy was the easiest way to lose his attention and concern. Caroline peered at the Aquila with a look of contemplation as she tried to imagine him at the wheel and he smiled warmly to tease, "I will take you into the ship to make you believe me."
"No, my parents forbid me going there" she declined with reluctance since she was a lady and her parents forbade all of them to never going to the docks without their father. There had been times when she had the itch to venture close to see the ship but the unknown trails had kept her from wandering too far from home. Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded quietly since he wouldn't risk her parents ire and she added in with a small smile, "It's not becoming of a young lady but I believe you. The day you lie is the day the heavens crash down upon us."
He chuckled softly to her faith in him to be truthful and she smiled slyly to ask with amusement, "So, can I call you Captain Ratonhnhaké:ton? Or is it simply Connor?"
His closed lip smile was modest but his eyes were full of warmth to hearing his true name from her mouth for the first time. After years of familiarity, he'd become used to being known as Connor by everyone but hearing it from her felt different. As he grew, his emotions were solidifying into something real for the young woman beside him and it warmed his heart that she knew 'who' he was. Caroline smiled with satisfaction at seeing she'd pronounced it correctly to show him that respect and he asked with a mischievous smile, "Did it really take you this long to learn it?"
"No, I was just looking for the right time to say it" she smiled slyly with a bright smile and the playful mood led her to gently bump her right shoulder against his. He chuckled to her reasoning since she was a girl that placed meaning into each word and action, especially gifts. He grabbed another raspberry to avoid her warm gaze as it began to color his cheeks with the familiar peach hue of shyness.
"It's Connor . . . but you can call me Ratonhnhaké:ton anytime" he allowed with a fond smile as he basked in her pronunciation since it helped to bridge the culture gap between them. Caroline smiled with the same fondness since he had gone by Connor throughout the colonies to blend into them but felt honored in being close enough to use his true name. He'd explained that his people used unique names for their children and found it solemnly fitting that his, meaning life that was scratched, was matching to his experiences through the years. She could only hope to dull and smooth the painful dents that he would gain with her friendship and constant care for him.
She never tried to steer him away from his roots to delve into her culture nor would he ask the same of her to maintain that respect. Over the years, they had filled that gap to a full close with their friendship but there was still one more hairline opening to seal. He had hoped to ask her one day but there was still hesitance in his voice when he pushed forward to gingerly ask, "Would you- I mean, if you can- like to learn my language, Caroline?"
"Without a single doubt in my mind" she agreed wholeheartedly with a pleased smile since she'd hoped they could delve further into the languages they shared. English had been enough for him that she hadn't delved into teaching him the Scottish Gaelic of her homeland but it was time for her to learn this time. It was only fair, right? Besides, she never backed down from a challenge to improve himself and Ratonhnhaké:ton offered many that had rewarded her with happy memories.
As they sat overlooking the cove and eating berries, he felt a sense of completion alongside her that he hoped would never end.
25 June 1773
As another excursion through the Atlantic lurked on the horizon, Ratonhnhaké:ton had informed his men that shore leave would end soon and they would return to life at sea. Dry goods and ammunition were to be stored first to ensure their survival against Templar agents or pirates and the lack of accessible resources on the open sea. He didn't know which group he hated more, the former for trying to rule over mankind with an iron fist or the latter for twisting down the immoral road of freedom. Either way, he would try his best to annihilate both and keep trading routes safe.
He was descending the ramp of the Aquila and caught sight of his first mate as he read over a ledger with the latest inventory. Ratonhnhaké:ton was never particularly fond of arithmetic but thanked Mrs. Burnett for teaching it since importing and exporting required much of it to keep everything balanced. Faulkner noticed the familiar white coat tail of his robes flutter against the breeze as the young captain walked onto the wooden deck and smiled in welcome, "There you are! I've been looking for you."
"What can I help you with, Mr. Faulkner?" he asked inquisitively as he stopped and watched his first mate frown to the courteous name. Faulkner had told him repeatedly to never use the word mister since they were brothers in arms but Ratonhnhaké:ton always maintained respect for his elders. The younger man smiled in amusement since it had become his trademark to use his name that way since Faulkner couldn't turn the tables on his name. He simply went by the name Connor and would never attach the name Kenway at seeing where his father's loyalties lied.
"There is something I want to give you before we depart next week" he replied with a twinkle in his blue eyes that caused Ratonhnhaké:ton's eyebrows to lift. Faulkner was usually amused in the midst of battle or drinking a pint and the young captain wondered if he was about to receive a crate of alcohol. His first mate, however, picked up a blue cloth package wrapped with brown twine from the table beside them and handed it to him.
"You've made these routes safer through the years and gained experience from each of our outings" Faulkner commented as he stepped back to allow the young man to open it and motioned for him to do so. Ratonhnhaké:ton was curious to what lay within the cloth and carefully untied the twine, taking notice that there were flecks of old dust gathered on them. How long had the package been wrapped in that manner?
As he removed the twine, he set it down on the table in order to open the cloth and blinked with surprise to what awaited him inside. A suit. It was dark blue in color with white trimmings as the topcoat lay on top but a bicorn hat lay horizontally over the suit. Gold trimmings decorated the hat and he ran his fingers over the handspun twine with curiosity before looking to Faulkner in question. His first mate merely clasped his arms behind his back to explain calmly with pride in his voice, "I have taught you all that I can and I've never seen a more dedicated captain for this fine girl. I find it fitting that I grant these to you."
Ratonhnhaké:ton grasped the hat to weigh it between his hands and ran his fingers over the smooth cloth as Faulkner smiled with amusement, "A captain should fit the part."
"Are you sure? Achilles waited until I stopped growing to give me my attire" Ratonhnhaké:ton commented modestly since he was quite tall in comparison to other men. Would the top coat fit without appearing too small on his frame? He set the hat down on a free area on the wrapping cloth and picked up the fine blue coat to eye the porcelain white trimmings on the front with their round handcrafted buttons.
"I'm sure you can sew and if not, it's not hard to find a seamstress" Faulkner pointed out quickly since every assassin had picked up the art after numerous tears on their attire. Having torn clothing or blood splatter was practically a trademark for their order. Ratonhnhaké:ton's fingers traced over the collar of the coat as he admired everything from its color to clean condition. It wasn't every day that he could add clothes to his collection and wondered if he truly had learned everything from his seafaring mentor. What if a situation arose that he couldn't handle? Faulkner was more than ready to stomp on any lingering declines for the suit and pointed out matter-of-factly, "Besides, a captain of a fine vessel like the Aquila should look the part."
Ratonhnhaké:ton looked to his white assassin garb with a stab of self-consciousness since the material was well-crafted and asked for input about it, "Are my clothes not suitable?"
"It's the title, boy, you have to dress the part" Faulkner stated firmly with a fatherly wag of his fingers since the young captain was simply happy enough to steer the ship. That was fine and well when he'd begun to learn but time had passed to mold him into a capable captain that resolved any problem on the high seas. He looked at the familiar suit that had been locked away in his old cabin for years and insisted, "This suit was worn by your predecessor, Benjamin Blackburne, and I've never met a finer captain until you walked through my doorstep."
"This was his?" he asked with intrigue as the garb carried history behind it despite its fine condition and wondered if it had been dyed over the years. The man must have commanded loyalty through experience and heart if the handsome attire was any clue. How far had he journeyed on the Aquila? What battles had he survived? How had his crew been like (with the exception of Faulkner)?
"Yes, hailed from Scotland and moved to France when construction began on the girl" Faulkner answered with a nod to the long history he had shared with both the ship and assassins. They were memories that were still fresh in his mind as he remembered Blackburne's hearty 'Robby, my lad' whenever the man stepped onboard but time had faded past to carry the previous captain into history. Now, he was a man that wasn't getting any younger with a captain that carried that same fire in his eyes to see a mission through to success. Faulkner smiled with nostalgia as Ratonhnhaké:ton opened the top coat to reveal the dark blue waistcoat underneath and chuckled, "I remember my first thought was what fiery red hair the man had and always joked that it would be a clear target to the enemy when they were readying a shot."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was curious to know if the claimed bright hue was a chagrin to his blending but his first mate answered, "Blackburne died in battle like any assassin in 1768 when the Templars ambushed the Aquila. The only close call with that hair was a bullet grazing his temple but the man was a tough fighter to the end."
"Then I will honor his memory" the young assassin promised with a solemn nod since their job took them down uncertain roads but only the courageous continued to venture down the path. He couldn't believe relics remained of dead assassins to pass on to younger generations but he had to admit that although the Templars could wipe them out, their spirit lived on to rise again. What began with Ezio Auditore of Italy had transcended time to reach him in the 18th century so Ratonhnhaké:ton could only hope he would reach another by the 21st century to pass on his knowledge.
He looked to his first mate with gratitude for the gift since he carried his title as captain proudly and stated, "Thank you. . .Faulkner."
His first mate merely chuckled at finally drawing out his name without the mister.
Caroline and Elizabeth were walking their milk cow in front of the house where the best grass grew so she could eat her fill. Dawn was a pretty tawny cow with a large white spot on her left hindquarters but she was a gentle girl that allowed even the youngsters to milk her. The summer brought the best pasture for her to feed on and Elizabeth chuckled when her tail kept batting her back in joy to the sweet grass.
"Martha wanted to make simple corncakes but I told her you were making the ones with mashed beans- they're yummy" Elizabeth piped up as she spoke about their upcoming meal since she was now fully partaking in preparation. Just like all colonial girls, Elizabeth and Alice were now part of the small team helping their mother make meals but the burden was mostly on the oldest girls. As she grew, Elizabeth nabbed tips into mind to use them in her preparation as she watched her eldest sisters help their mother. Catherine was accustomed to making meals alone since childhood, being the only girl, and had been pleasantly blessed with polite daughters to help her as they grew. There would be a time when she would allow Caroline and Amelia to do all of the cooking (they were already trying) but Catherine loved cooking out of all her chores.
"Connor taught me that a few weeks back when he was baking" Caroline replied earnestly since she felt a growing bond of complete trust with Elizabeth as she grew older. Although she was twelve, Elizabeth was quite a sharp girl and Caroline often joked that she'd be harboring town gossip if they lived in Boston. With Amelia cooped up inside their home, Caroline didn't dare to break her concentration since her certification test would be in less than a year.
Elizabeth giggled to the mere idea of him baking like one of them and asked with glee, "He. . .was baking?"
Caroline joined her laughter since it had been amusing to see him covered in flour as he made his corncake in the manor's kitchen. Achilles had allowed him to bake, rather than buy, loaves of bread from bakeries and had regretted it when he saw how dusty his kitchen had become by the end. He'd invited Caroline to help him and she'd been humorously delighted to see numerous bowls with kneaded dough that would yield far too many cakes. Caroline grinned with amusement to the memory of watching him bake batch after batch and told her sister, "Yes, he made too much dough though which is why he brought the rest to us that day. They lasted almost two weeks, remember? He showed me how his people mix mashed beans into the dough for extra flavoring, just like mother adds fat drippings to ours."
"I want a corncake now" Elizabeth pouted since all the talk about food made her stomach growl. The thought of a salty or sweet corncake was enough for her to make a run for their small kitchen to make one for herself.
They halted their conversation when they noticed a tall well-dressed man in dark blue that matched none of their residents. There weren't many to speak of as it was so it was easily determined who wasn't one of their own. A blue bicorn hat shadowed his face as he walked so his identity was a mystery to her. Caroline had to admit the fabric was a bit loose on his tall frame as he walked the trail but the mysterious man was built to wear the handsome suit. Elizabeth blinked when the stranger turned towards at their fence to enter the property and she whispered worriedly, "What do we do? Wh- Are you blushing?"
"No!" Caroline objected quickly since the unknown man appeared handsome to her without seeing his face already and blamed the attire. That, and the awkwardness adolescence brought her when faced with the opposite gender. The coat was beautiful enough in hue and she imagined the stitching at the seams was perfect, along with the white trimmings. Even from the distance, she could see wooden buttons that were intricately carved. Regardless of the attire, she would be protecting her home foremost and hushed her sister, "Stay behind me."
Dawn mooed to the man with a wag of her long tail and a brown hand tipped the bicorn hat back to reveal Ratonhnhaké:ton's face. The young man smiled at his two friends as the hat's new angle showed his face clearly, along with the nice white scarf around his neck. Caroline felt her cheeks grow warm to his appearance because just when she thought he couldn't be handsomer, he managed to take it to a new level. Was it possible for one to lose their breath when gazing at the one that made their heart flutter? Elizabeth smiled to the pretty color of the top coat and the shiny black boots to tell her older sister, "He looks spiffy."
Caroline still kept Elizabeth behind her to save face for the blush tinting her cheeks and greeted her friend with a bashful chuckle, "I didn't recognize you in that attire. Planning another outing on the Aquila?"
"Yes, that's why I came" he smiled modestly as he placed his hat on Elizabeth's head and she smiled with glee to the oversized hat. Her fingers flew to touch the soft fabric of the hat, trailing over the braided yellow thick thread over the edges that resembled rope. Caroline smiled to her glee as she balanced the hat on her head and he informed the two with a proud smile, "I am officially the captain of the Aquila. Unfortunately, the attire is rather loose and I need help before I head out on my next excursion. I can pay a week's worth-"
"What's this about payment?" Catherine called out from inside the house as she'd watched the interaction. Like Caroline, she'd spotted the well-dressed man while peeling potatoes and had been on alert until they all saw it was Ratonhnhaké:ton. As she heard the two talking, there was no way she'd let her Caroline charge their dear neighbor when he needed help. She waved a potato occupied hand as she stood near the open door and reminded her daughter firmly, "We don't charge friends for help. Elizabeth, give him back his hat."
"Aw, but it's so pretty" she pouted with disillusion and as soon as she said it, Samuel and Alice popped out to see. They were delighted to know their friend had come to visit and had immediately dropped their toys in their respective trunks to run with happy greetings. Ratonhnhaké:ton chuckled warmly to their enthusiasm as their little hands waved in welcome and watched them head to Elizabeth with bright eyes. Their fingers were eager to touch the soft fabric but Elizabeth lectured gently about touching another's possessions, "We can only look but not touch."
She held it out so her younger siblings could see each detail but Ratonhnhaké:ton grabbed it to place it on Alice's head. He didn't mind if they ran around with it at all since they were sweet children and could do no harm. They maintained respect with the belongings of others and he wanted the children to have turns with it, smiling kindly, "Have fun with it to your heart's content. I'm sure one small tear won't be the end of everything."
"You spoil them too much" Caroline chuckled with delight as she watched the three children run in circles around them and play with the hat. Dawn merely mooed at the children as they ran around, wondering what her humans found so interesting. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't mind bringing a little joy into their lives and she lectured gently with a wagging finger, "They should be calling you Master Connor like Ann and Martha."
He didn't like titles being attached to his name since Achilles had been the first on the land and preferred his chosen name. Somehow, his name had begun to have 'Master' attached but he merely saw himself as another inhabitant of Davenport. A playful smile on his part left her with blushing cheeks when he uttered with a sly grin, "Do I sense jealousy for the hat?"
"You're mistaken, captain" she replied with a warm chuckle and watched him fiddle with the large coat. The white trimmings contrasted well against the dark blue, not to mention his skin tone complemented both as he tried to adjust the wooden buttons. The waistcoat ruffled around his waist since he was broader at the shoulders with a smaller waistline so he definitely needed to alter both. She didn't dare touch the large overcoat but looked at the carved wooden buttons to smile innocently, "Although, I would not mind the coat."
"You're four sizes too small" he teased with a pleasant chuckle since his broader build dwarfed hers and the coat would swim over her figure. Caroline had grown to reach his nose but her constant work around her family's homestead and the mill kept her figure slim. That wasn't to say his eye never wandered to her accentuated waist and wondered how colonial women always had an hourglass figure. It was probably a mystery he was never meant to solve until he was married.
"I might be slim but I'm a stout little horse" she chuckled with promise to her work attitude since she never admitted defeat. After seeing her handle an axe numerous times, he would not question her remark. As he kept teaching her to handle a pistol and maneuver a horse, he realized Caroline had an ambition for learning survival skills that matched his own as he learned from Achilles.
"Connor, you look like a soldier but better" Samuel said with awe since Ratonhnhaké:ton was the best in his eye and brushed back his unruly strands. His unofficial brother always kept his hair neatly in place but his own was untamable so he was constantly working to improve it. Ratonhnhaké:ton merely chuckled to the pride in his voice since he never expected to have little admirers among the colonists.
"I'm the captain of the ship in the north and I needed new attire" he explained as he ruffled his hair to show Samuel he was fine just the way he was. He didn't need to impress anyone nor change who he was to appear acceptable. Being an only child, Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't help but take little Samuel under his wing since the young boy lacked a brother to seek advice from as well.
"Really? I thought Carrie was joking when she told us" he gasped with wide eyes since he'd never imagined it and hadn't believed his sister either. After all, how could anyone but a grown man steer such a massive ship? He had often pretended to be the mighty captain of a fine vessel and had made grass people to call his crew as he played by the river. Now, he actually knew a real captain and could ask all of the questions that ran through his mind about the sea.
Ratonhnhaké:ton laughed to his enthusiasm and smiled to confirm, "Yes, but it seems this captain is a bit small for his uniform. Do you think Caroline can help me?"
"She's the best at sewing, just as good as mama" Alice piped up confidently as the hat fell down her nose and giggled to her new look. It was incredibly pretty to her but she couldn't have the hat all to herself when her siblings wanted to play with it too. She removed it to place it over Samuel's head so he could have his own try and his chest puffed proudly to trying his first real captain's hat. Elizabeth and Caroline muffled laughter behind their hands to his pride over such a small thing but allowed him his fun.
"I do believe you're right" he smiled in agreement since Caroline was the one he needed when it came to making clothes. Well, not only that, but for satisfying company. After every journey, he sought her to unwind and she never failed to provide him with peace as they either walked or went horseback riding across the trails. What man didn't enjoy a moment of solitude in the peaceful fields of a forest?
Caroline smiled bashfully and reached up to feel the fabric at his shoulder to see the overlap in length. It wasn't much but she imagined a captain would need a perfect fit to fight with a weapon and maneuver his ship. Her cheeks darkened to the close proximity as it brought to surface their private walks and the bashful looks they sent each other when walking too closely. She released the smooth fabric as he kept fiddling with shifting the loose attire and he pointed out, "I'd like your help on the coat but I can sew the rest on my own."
"Are you sure it won't feel heavy when you're steering?" she asked with an inquisitive eye to the weight of the heavier coat. It was thinner than the white one he usually wore around Davenport but its ensemble was more intricate than the other coat. The thickness would come in handy during the colder seasons to prevent seeping the freezing temperatures of the north Atlantic into his bones. Unfortunately, heavy downpours would only serve to absorb moisture and add weight to the coat so he wouldn't be able to be in a tropical downpour for too long.
"Which is why I'll wear it for a while to adjust" he answered with reassurance that he wouldn't crash the ship and removed the coat to hand it to her. He raised his arms to show the bagginess in the waistcoat and breeches but they'd have to be taken in until he could wear it as a grown man. Either that, or substitute the pieces with his current wardrobe and use them in later years. He was the kind of man that altered his clothes repeatedly due to constant tears and wear from his missions so it would be nice to have extra clothes lying around. He grasped the dangling fabric from his right sleeve to show the overlap and smiled modestly to his friend, "I do hope I'll grow more to fit into this."
"We'll be little ants" Alice murmured sheepishly as she covered her mouth and Elizabeth laughed to the thought. Ratonhnhaké:ton reminded her that she would grow in due time as well since time never stopped and reminded her that she'd once been an extremely shy seven year-old. The small brunette girl smiled to his words because she had been smaller upon arrival and piped up cheerfully, "Then I hope to get much bigger."
Caroline ran her fingers over the fine blue fabric and smiled with delight at seeing gold trimmings where the buttons closed to pin the sleeves into cuffs. It was such a handsome coat in her eyes since he had clothes that were of fine quality to outmatch hers. She counted herself lucky for seeing such good fabrics since she couldn't afford anything past simple one color fabrics and whispered with a fond smile, "You always wear handsome things."
Her eyes widened when she realized she'd uttered it in a public setting with her siblings nearby and Elizabeth laughed when Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled bashfully. As the months passed, she could see something was shifting under the surface between the two and her eldest sister just added fuel to the fire. Caroline shooed her away to tend to the cow before she inadvertently blurted more confessions of the heart. It was so much easier to be a child without worrying about the flutters in her chest and wondered if they would ever leave. Ratonhnhaké:ton said nothing to spare her cheeks a deeper hue and explained the origins of his suit, "It actually belonged to the original captain, Blackburne. Mr. Faulkner simply gave it to me to carry on tradition but it seems I will have to make a lot of alterations."
"Blackburne, you say?" Caroline smiled with delight as she listened to his every word and he nodded. The surname was so incredibly familiar to her due to her years in Glasgow as she spent time chasing her little cousins and hearing tales from older family members. She chuckled bashfully to the humorous idea floating in her mind and voiced aloud, "My, if he's of Scottish descent. . . I can only wonder."
Ratonhnhaké:ton gazed at her inquisitively to hear her thoughts and she waved a hand in dismissal to chuckle, "My mother is a Blackburne by birth. It's a rather large family but gossip spreads fast in hers so if a family member did something scandalous, it would be remembered long ways down the road. Grandmother told me stories about her youngest brother- Benny, she called him- that left home against the family's wishes to 'sail for adventure' since farming wasn't exciting. It caused such uproar since sons are valued dearly but she never knew what became of him- only that he visited twice to apologize for leaving them. Unfortunately, my great-grandfather was so slighted that he never accepted it and went to the grave with it."
He was surprised to have never heard more about the older generations of her family since roots branched so extensively into the past that even he wondered who his ancestors were. Did he have ancestors across the sea due to his father's bloodline? The fact that Blackburne's name in the story sounded similar gave him an idea to the captain's origins and he'd only learned about him today! He wanted to know more about the man that had commanded the Aquila but he couldn't allow neither his nor Blackburne's true allegiance endanger Caroline or her family. Since the deceased captain had wild red hair that most likely matched Samuel's, Ratonhnhaké:ton wouldn't allow his descendants to come to harm. In order to protect her, he merely smiled apologetically for what he had to do and lied, "It probably isn't. His name was Charles and hailed from Ireland rather than Scotland."
Her lips formed an 'o' of acknowledgment to scrub away her thought bubble since she loved hearing about her family history. Being away from Scotland reminded her that her roots had been severed to her homeland and that her own would be sown in the colonies. She shook her head to forget the whole thing as she watched her siblings play around with his hat and told him, "Whatever it is you do on the sea, though, I hope you stay safe."
"I protect trade routes from dangerous vessels" he answered truthfully but tweaked it to admit the most innocent and legal work. If he admitted his entire profession, including destroying ships manned by Templars, she'd more than likely be repulsed he'd killed people.
"Do you face pirates?" Samuel gasped in awe since his imaginary play often included defending his ship from dangerous pirates. Well, he also imagined he saw mermaids but the most fun was being a hero. If he was older, he'd be pleading with his friend to let him board the Aquila so he could a deckhand just to experience the overseas adventure. He jumped in place with the blue bicorn hat bobbing over his head as he smiled with excitement at Ratonhnhaké:ton and asked giddily, "Have you used cannons against a ship? Have you rammed and boarded another? Have you seen a captain with a peg leg?"
"Yes, yes, I won't answer that with Caroline around, and no" he answered with humored smile and saw the surprise in her face to his admittance. This was why he refused to answer the third question since she'd undoubtedly fuss over his safety if he was jumping onto an enemy's deck. Being fussed over wasn't a common occurrence for him and since it wouldn't have an effect on his missions, basked in the fond sentiment. She never chastised him, merely offered advice that didn't need to be heeded, and he said softly, "I don't have wealth or power, Caroline, to sway masses. I am simple man that is trying to make this world a better place with my own hands. Nobody will remember me centuries from now but I will rest easy knowing I protected lives from harm or worse."
She smiled to his eloquent words since he tried his best to shine a ray of hope in the darkest places that needed it most and stated gently, "And you wonder why we admire you. Davenport will undoubtedly have stories of you years from now and we Scots enjoy crafting songs of valor to match."
"Both our lives are equal in quality but sometimes, secrets must be kept to stay safe" he smiled faintly to subtly admit why he couldn't tell her everything about his life. Caroline didn't pry further out of respect and trusted her friend to know best.
"I will grab my things so I can take your measurements" she suggested with a helpful smile since she needed to mark the alterations on the coat. She wouldn't remove any fabric but tuck it within the seams so they could be undone in the future when he would need extra room. It was what her mother had done with all of her dresses when they passed down to her sisters so none of the fabric would go to waste. She smiled warmly at her friend but looked to Samuel and Alice to order quickly, "Go on inside and children-"
She was ready to tell them to return his hat but he interjected by telling their awaiting faces, "Keep playing."
Caroline eyed him for intervening with their manners but he ushered her towards the house with a hand on her lower back to steer her away. It was a good thing her parents were inside or he would've drawn a questionable eye immediately. If he knew what he was doing with that move, he showed nothing on his kindhearted face. Hmm, maybe he didn't. Caroline's cheeks warmed to the contact fit for courting couples on an outing and he smiled with intrigue when he caught the rosy hue. She merely waved a hand to simmer any questions since her cheeks were enough to tell him she was flustered and he enjoyed that coy look. Caroline, however, had grown rather annoyed with her betraying cheeks for giving away her heart on a platter.
The next half hour would be agonizingly slow since being in close quarters with the man she fancied did not bode well for her poor cheeks. Regardless, she would make sure the coat had each exact measurement to prevent a mistake since her concentration remained unbreakable. As for Ratonhnhaké:ton, being new to tailored clothing, he'd never been measured in his life and felt like a fat hog ready for auction. She had stuck metal pins to where the alterations would take place and had scribbled down numbers in Elizabeth's slate for accuracy. There were a few times when her fingers brushed by his sides as she measured his torso and he'd accidentally laughed each time, amusing Caroline.
"Ticklish, are you?" she chuckled softly as she removed her measuring twine from his left side and placed pins on the seam where she would alter it. It would be wonderful if one with numerical values could be made for purchase in stores. His soft laughter revealed that there was a weak point in her friend's strength and she found humor with the common reaction. She was inclined to make him laugh again by prodding his side but maintained respect, choosing to tease playfully with a charming wink of the eye, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
"Good, I would be overwhelmed quite easily by your siblings and enemies if they knew" he chuckled good-naturedly to her innocent jest since being naturally ticklish had been annoying in childhood when friends prodded him. Nowadays, nobody knew that particular secret and he wasn't divulging it anytime soon to prevent death by uncontrollable laughter.
"Oh, I don't know, something tells me you're the type to win against all odds" she chuckled with a warm twinkle in her eyes that drew a fond smile from him. She never doubted him for a second and he loved having that loyalty, especially from her. There were people that he met on his travels that rejected his help simply for being a native and it hurt to know they'd rather fend for themselves than receive help. It was why he always returned to Davenport because the people truly showed care and camaraderie for him, a rarity as he traveled to large cities.
His heart swelled to her words and he gazed at her dexterous fingers as they worked to measure everything. He could see her neatly combed auburn hair tucked neatly in its round bun and wondered how long it would be if he gently pulled the metal pins away to comb his fingers through it. Would she recoil or accept such an action from him? Would she listen to every word and thought that filled his head whenever he was near her? He could see the little brown freckles speckled across her straight nose, tempting him to count them, and dared to ask tentatively, "Caroline?"
Her warm gaze met his as she lifted her head and he lost the gumption to even approach the subject of affection. He didn't want to risk causing a rift in their friendship and would treasure having her in his life platonically than never at all. Why should he ask for more when everything was fine the way it was? There was much he wished to tell her but risking what they had wasn't worth it, leaving him to swallow his feelings and say, "Nothing. Thank you for helping me."
"It's never a problem, my friend" she replied earnestly to continue measuring the alterations so he would be presentable by the time he left.
30 June 1773
Ratonhnhaké:ton stepped confidently onto the Aquila with his new uniform donned after spending a few days accustomed to the new suit. Caroline's alterations were far better than what he could've done and no longer had the excess cloth hanging about when he walked. When everything had been sewn correctly, he had to admire the quality of the attire and could see why Caroline had thought it appeared handsome on him. Part of him had wondered if she'd seen him the same way as well but he was simply happy having his altered clothes. It was strangely humbling that one of Blackburne's descendants altered his attire to see it worn on the newest captain of the Aquila.
The only thing that didn't need adjusting was the bicorn hat but it had fallen off his head every time he entered the manor due to the height capacity. The hardwood flooring creaked under his black leather boots as he approached the mast to see if the recent tears from enemy fire had been sewn on the sails. He was pleased to find no visible holes and rested assured in knowing the ship would be in perfect condition in a few days to head out to the south. He would miss the familiar forest scent of home as it soothed him every time he docked but an assassin's life was meant to be on the road to ensure the safety of innocents and eliminate any Templar threats.
He heard Faulkner's familiar voice from behind as his first mate complimented heartily, "Now that is what I call a captain. Did the handiwork yourself?"
"No, my . . . Caroline Burnett helped" he answered modestly as he turned around to face his first mate and ascended the stairs with pride to his beloved ship. Years ago, he'd been nervous beyond anything out of fear of crashing the Aquila on sharp rocks but she had now become another limb with continuous practice. She was a majestic vessel and could understand why Caroline held it in awe whenever she saw it from afar. He found himself asking what Caroline meant to him since their friendship seemed to be blossoming into more with each month that passed. He could be in her company for hours without uttering a word or hearing the same from her and be blissfully content for an entire week.
"Your Caroline, eh? What will Godfrey think?" Faulkner chuckled with mirth and Connor's eyes widened as the falter made his entire sentence sound different. He didn't mean to change the context at all since he was still trying to find a foothold where he could mean more to Caroline. The last thing he wanted was to inadvertently blurb his real feelings and have them spreading like wildfire throughout Davenport. Godfrey would undoubtedly look at him with a different eye rather than kind warmth for trying to sway his daughter's heart.
"No, I merely meant she helped" he corrected hastily to prevent any horrible gossip or misconceptions from leaving the Aquila. He didn't want to ruin what he hoped to build slowly since the fact that they were from two different cultures could have serious repercussions. A relationship between a colonist and native weren't common and whenever one occurred, slurs and unkind words would follow. His heart could bear the brunt of that pain but he didn't want any of it reaching Caroline's ears.
"It's all right to be keen on girls, Connor, you're at that age" his first mate advised since the truth would never leave his lips and Ratonhnhaké:ton felt his ears grow hot like embers. Achilles never asked about any of his curiosities in life and it often left him bashful when he had questions, especially now that he was entering adulthood. He didn't want Caroline to think he was disrespectful if he approached her too closely and often followed her lead to mimic what was courteous. He never imagined having Faulkner offer advice about his troubles in love and Ratonhnhaké:ton had a knocking urge to throw himself overboard. Whenever he heard his crew talk with Faulkner about women, it was always in a colorful sense that answered questions he hadn't wanted to ask- or know about.
The older man raised his chin to gaze at the sky lovingly and sighed with longing for days of old, "Why, I remember the day I saw my first bosom-"
Ratonhnhaké:ton sighed miserably to the talk he'd inadvertently entered and did not want to hear about or see bosoms. This is why he closed off his hearing to the crew! He didn't even want to acknowledge them because keeping Caroline as a pure entity without womanly attributes suited him well. He'd always focused on her round smiling face, especially her twinkling blue eyes, and never dared to stain that image by delving further. They had met years ago when they were both trying to find a new place to call home and he'd watched her grow from a young girl to young woman capable of handling herself.
"You're not a child anymore" his first mate reminded with a wagging finger that befitted any parenting figure and Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't believe this was coming from his first mate. Wasn't it usually the other way around when his partner had a little too much to drink? Faulkner didn't mind giving the young man advice since he was out in the world by himself and just as maturity arrived in the cognitive sense, it also blossomed in the physical figure. It was only natural to be curious about the opposite gender, right? The young captain was the kind of man he would gladly follow to the ends of the Earth and in Caroline's case, one that Faulkner would entrust with the care of his leader.
"But I'm not an adult yet" he pointed out since he was still caught in that neutral border and would rather spend his time focusing on bringing down the Templars. He wouldn't be running into adulthood merely because it allowed him more freedom to be reckless since he had a habit of being naïve (although he was working on it). Being an adult meant taking charge of your new responsibility and he wasn't ready to have his heart torn asunder if Caroline rejected him.
"Boy, I worked by the time I was ten" Faulkner chuckled since children often behaved like adults before they were of age in their times due to the daily toils of life. If you were born into a low social standing, you would be working since the day you could stand on your own two feet until death. Many of the early colonial assassins had been from lower castes to work secretly as they blended seamlessly in disreputable areas and Faulkner had never met finer folk. The extermination of their order had killed the previous captain of the Aquila but Faulkner saw the same fiery determination in Ratonhnhaké:ton. He clasped his captain by the left shoulder and reassured his wavering resolve to point out confidently, "By the time I was twelve, I was in charge of a whole section at a shipyard back in England. You're a sharp and kindhearted lad so never sell yourself short."
He nodded quietly with a smile of gratitude for his kind words since he doubted he could ever find a decent way of living among the colonists if he didn't trade goods. The same thought always brought back the question of providing for Caroline if she ever chose to be with him and sighed mentally since he had enough questions doing a runaround in his mind. Thankfully, those ponderings halted with an embarrassing balk on his behalf when Faulkner laughed boisterously, "Come on then, tell your first mate all about this girl that's twisted your head upside down. Is it the flaming red hair? I knew a redhead once, a bosomy woman with hips that could undo any man."
Ratonhnhaké:ton sighed in embarrassment because he did not want to discuss the tiny seeds that were flourishing with his love life. Was it possible for the earth to swallow him so he could avoid all of this? Faulkner chuckled to his bashful expression since the boy was a coy one in the highest degree and advised kindly, "You stay with that girl, you hear? She's the kind of woman to raise a family with- comes from good folks and all. You might be young now but the years will pass since the Templar threat is not easily destroyed, especially when we're outnumbered already."
"With my childhood and background, I wouldn't be the best person for fatherhood" Ratonhnhaké:ton murmured dejectedly since he hadn't had a particularly stable childhood in comparison to the other village children. The loss of his mother at an early age and the lack of a father figure in his life had left him forlorn for the future when it would be time for him to raise a child. He couldn't imagine simply walking away from his child, a part of himself, and ordering an attack where the mother of that child lived without having a second thought. How could one live with themselves after that? He was unlucky to have a father like Haytham Kenway but adoptive families had risen to take him in in Kanatahséton and Davenport- people that loved him far better than that man ever would.
"You'd be surprised how the least prepared can be the best" Faulkner smiled in support since the young man cared for his crew like a true leader and in that, there were traits to branch off into fatherhood itself. There was plenty of time to grow and Faulkner was certain that lonely nights overseas would bring questions of settling down one day if his captain sought it. As assassins, spouses were required to be independent apart from their partners and self-sustaining when they were away. He had no doubt the captain would find his equal partner eventually and encouraged by patting him on the back, "You have examples in Achilles, Burnett, and Galloway- you can't get any better than that. Now that we've established the possibility of a love life, let's prepare to depart."
Ratonhnhaké:ton kept the embarrassed sigh in his lungs since he hadn't arrived on deck to talk about Caroline but Faulkner was shrewdly perceptive. He could only imagine what Achilles' reaction would be if he caught him faltering in the same way. After all, an assassin that wasn't insightful of the world around them would not last very long. The floorboards creaked under his feet as he approached the stern to peer into the glittering sea below him and inhaled the smell of freedom to smile, "Mr. Faulkner, assemble the men."
Faulkner frowned as he returned to being an old mister once more.
A/N: Thanks to grayfox1991 for the idea on Connor receiving his captain's outfit and the reactions of it, including his own. The Aquila is an awesome ship so I can only imagine a captain with the same personality would have steered her before Connor came along to repair her. Also, who can deny the awesomeness of that captain's outfit? Lol. Caroline will definitely have that same love of the sea as Blackburne as the year 1774 approaches to strike her with wanderlust.
Thank you for all of the alerts and fave's for the story, I seriously love you guys!
Silverwing2012: I'm always glad to brighten one's day with my stories since it does the same to me as well. Lol. Their relationship will be slow to appear natural, especially since they're in a time period where affection didn't have to exist to make a marriage.
SweetCaroline87: Thank you for loving the story, I definitely enjoy putting details to help a reader visualize everything for a smooth read. Connor and Caroline are definitely in that awkward teenage stage but it will end soon in 1774.
East Coast Captain: Connor will definitely experience many things in his life as well as his children since the Civil War will fall onto them, along with the pioneering days of the west (the first trains would be quite a sight for them). Caroline will definitely keep him levelheaded when he's acting impulsively or not thinking logically- especially when Haytham pops in later on.
clarinetgirl628: They are rather cute but since the 18th century was pretty much an era that focused more on propriety, religion, and marrying decently, feelings weren't often a main point between couples. Connor's trying to find a way to organize his poor feelings before they make him burst while Caroline is trying to hide them. Nowadays, love is such a powerful factor in marriages and I will definitely be incorporating that in their relationship since it's already blossomed.
Madmessy: I love lurkers, I welcome them all with a happy hug to my story. Lol. Thank you for loving the characterizations of each canon and OC, I try my best. We will have new inhabitants in the next chapter and Connor and Caroline will soon be acknowledging their affection to each other. As for your suggestion, I like it and I will be trying it this time to see how it works out. Since I'm writing everything on my own, I enjoy getting feedback on the next preview peek since the outtake was the best I could think of.
MMAssassin: Homestead and its people gave that homely natural vibe that presents the other non-hectic lives of assassins so I had to make a story of it. :)
Vampireadtic: Thanks for loving the story and the excitement for the next installment.
ElKookoi: Connor strikes me as the kind of man that will bide his time until his equal is ready to reciprocate since he has such a polite air about him when he speaks. Since Caroline is similar, albeit a little more open, they will definitely take their time but it will be a treasured moment for both when they bring out everything into the open (which will be soon).
Legionary Prime: I will be heading into the ACIII storyline years in the next chapter when Kanen'tó:kon comes to Davenport to tell him about Johnson trying to buy their land.
NinjaxSketcheartx: Thank you for the words about my sweet bunny but in her place, I adopted two bunnies from a nearby shelter to give them a better life (although I wish I could've taken all). Connor and Caroline are definitely heading somewhere romantic and their gift giving will never end since he's always bringing her a bouquet of flowers. Lol. As for the chase with Lee, Caroline will definitely have a say since she'll be in Boston when the fire happens. I love the Achilles comparison since the aftermath, in my story anyway, will have him using a cane to bear the weight to prevent further pain (leading residents to humorously dub him 'the new old man on the hill' due to inheriting the manor.
Yman: Even after a month, I do miss my girl but I have new bunnies to love and offer a home to (plus, I made a new friend who knows rabbits more than I do so yay). For Myriam, I will be pushing back her entry to Davenport until early summer of 1774 since it's integral to an upcoming event that will have Connor and Caroline with their first hard bump in adulthood. As for the homestead missions you asked about, her parents will know she'll be having adventures alongside her partner and will be capable of defending herself. As for the eagle vision, I hadn't thought of him telling her that but I will once it's time for him to tell her all about his assassin business. I never mind lengthy reviews or question so always feel free to ask away.
I'll be trying a new version of the sneak peek for the next chapter in case some of you find it confusing or don't want spoilers. The next title will be called Newcomers as we introduce new characters, permanent and visiting to the story. Kanen'tó:kon will be paying his first visit to our favorite assassin. What will be his reaction when he meets the inhabitants, particularly the Burnett children? Will Caroline succeed with a bridge of coexistence or fail by burning it to ashes? With winter approaching, what kind of Christmas awaits the residents when Connor lingers in Boston after the Boston Tea Party?
Thank you for reading and tell me what you think of the new change and the chapter. I'm all ears for you guys!