Music Inspiration: Howard Shore- "Dreaming of Bag End"
Newcomers
9 September 1773
The residents of Davenport were hard at work during the late morning as the prospect of lunch in the next few hours hastened their pace. Lance worked on a set of chairs for a family in Rockwell that would be due in two weeks while the lumberjacks worked in their mill to fulfill their orders. Inside their homes, Diana and Catherine ironed their family's freshly dried clothes with a hot coal filled iron to keep their chores on time. The Burnett children were hard at work as well as Elizabeth and Samuel tended to the garden while the other girls helped their mother to either fold laundry or sweep the floor.
The sound of wagon wheels over the little bumps in the dusty road was a natural occurrence nowadays as the trading convoys for Davenport came and went twice a week. This time, however, it wasn't one of the people hired as drivers that drove the wagon but Ratonhnhaké:ton sat in the front with the reins in his hand. Beside him, there were two new faces to the small community as Warren and Prudence gazed at the land that had given way between the shrouds of the trees.
Ratonhnhaké:ton had found them in tears after their entire land was ravaged by the English to never yield a single blade of grass ever again. After witnessing his village in flames and smoke, he sympathized with their loss since life was hard enough when one wasn't of pale skin. He had reached out to them in their time of need to offer them refuge in his community and they had welcomed him into their ransacked home with hope in their eyes. After speaking to the young Ratonhnhaké:ton, Warren and Prudence decided to leave everything behind and start anew for a better life.
"All of this is uninhabited?" Warren asked with disbelief since he expected the community to be close to a town but they were isolated for miles from another. He was rather pleased with this since they could work the land to their desires and travel for goods only when they needed to. It was time that he and his wife found a place to call home after their numerous obstacles in life that tested them.
"Yes, we only have four homes in total so the area is plentiful for farming" he agreed with a kind smile as he pointed to the small puffs of dark smoke that billowed from the chimneys. Undoubtedly, the lumberjacks' wives would be tending to their chores at that hour and he wondered where a certain redhead wandered that day. Had she missed him while he'd been gone? His returns to Davenport were always a delight when he knew she was there waiting for him so they could take their private strolls.
As they passed by Lance's home, Ratonhnhaké:ton greeted the carpenter with a friendly wave of the hand as the other man sharpened his tools. Lance blinked with curiosity to the new visitors that sat next to the young man and Ratonhnhaké:ton informed, "We will be having new residents with us. Mr. O'Donnell, this is Warren and Prudence, farmers from south of Lexington."
"Welcome, you'll find this land a great refuge to make a living from" Lance greeted amicably since his young friend knew the right kind of people to bring to Davenport. Although he was covered in wooden debris from head to toe from his work, the farming couple could see nothing but friendliness from the man. They had always been careful setting up a life in the northern colonies since tolerance was the norm but there was no formal law protecting them. If they could live in a peaceful town with kind folk who looked past their skin tone, they would be eternally grateful to the young native man. He motioned to the tools that were currently being sharpened to display his trade and smiled, "I'm the town's carpenter so don't hesitate to ask for my hand in woodworks."
"Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell" Warren answered courteously as Prudence nodded quietly to their first neighbor. The peaceful ambience of the land, coupled with the modest home and friendly carpenter told them that everything could go well for them. Yes, this town would do.
"I will be showing them the areas of land available for farming, could you inform the others of the news?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked his neighbor so everyone could know the newest update for their small community. He hoped everyone would get along but after years of knowing them, didn't have too much of a worry. The children were always curious to befriend others and the adults matched the same kindness that allowed him to trust them after his initial distrust of colonists.
Lance nodded to him and Ratonhnhaké:ton moved the reins to direct the horses (one was Warren's and the other his) north of the main road. He had a perfect piece of land in mind for them since the land sloped smoothly past the Galloway's and Burnett's. The two families hadn't wanted the excess land since the rolling hills next to the river were beautiful in their view and their hands were experienced in lumber rather than farming. There were three spots in total that would offer the best farming opportunities since he'd watched the farmers of his village every planting season and had grown up with a few tidbits of knowledge.
"Besides Lance, we have two families that own a lumber mill and my teacher lives uphill in that white home" Ratonhnhaké:ton explained to the two as he led the wagon near the two homes with the air puffing out of their chimneys. He didn't catch sight of the children since they were usually at the front but assumed they had many chores to do that day. Warren and Prudence smiled at the small cozy homes but their eyes widened to the large size of the manor on top of the largest hill.
They'd never seen such a beautiful home!
"Is that where you live?" Warren asked with surprise in his voice since he'd never expected anyone of color to live in a very large home like that. The young man was definitely a mystery since he didn't say much about his lifestyle but spoke greatly about the land he inhabited. Ratonhnhaké:ton replied earnestly that he did but Achilles was the owner of the home and didn't venture out much unless the community was having a social.
When they took a left turn at the next bridge to cross into the eastern lands of Davenport, he pointed to the smooth land that no longer sloped. He had often brought Caroline and the children to that area for a small picnic (which Caroline made with extra food lying about) so they could run around to their heart's content. It was a perfect place to begin a home that emphasized on farming and slowly pulled the reins on the horses to bring them to a stop. The stallions were perfectly tame that they obeyed immediately without hesitation and he told the couple, "All of this land is free for cultivation and is the best for farming."
Prudence didn't wait for her husband to hop out and help her out of the wagon as excitement filled her. The land was the greenest of green that she'd ever seen and the air was so fresh that it felt too good for her lungs. She hopped off the wagon as she held her blue skirt in her hands and beamed with happiness as she walked over the soft vibrant grass. Oh, she could already imagine planting corn and other small vegetables once late spring arrived!
Warren chuckled softly as he watched his wife observe the flat land with a keen eye. She had been a tearful shamble after having their land salted, not to mention their animals slaughtered, but to see the pure untainted land before her . . . Warren was happy just to see her smile. Prudence walked a few paces before stopping hastily to turn around and declare with finality, "This will be our new home, right here."
Ratonhnhaké:ton looked to Warren for his input and the farmer smiled broadly, "Well, we've found our home."
And that was the end of it.
By noon, news had spread of the newcomers that would join their small community and everyone was eager to meet them. Lance had tried to pacify their curiosities from his brief introduction with them but Ratonhnhaké:ton decided to play host for the afternoon. He'd called on Caroline and Amelia to help him load crates of food back to the wagon that he'd brought to restock the cellar for winter. He'd packed away soft cheese, crackers, buttery spreads, and had Amelia season a few pieces of beef while Caroline cooked them at the manor.
He wanted everyone to mingle wonderfully and asked the rest of the children to help him set up a single table and position log benches in a circle. Warren and Prudence had been removing the white cover from their wagon to pitch it into a tent for the night to bear through the elements. When they inquired about what the small group was doing, Ratonhnhaké:ton cheerfully replied that he was hosting a welcome party to bring everyone together. The youngest children were excited for the snacks since they could smell them from the wagon but hadn't expected a little party. Prudence had been bashful about his generosity since they'd been ready to have a small lunch from the provisions they'd brought. Ratonhnhaké:ton, however, would rather have them save it for the upcoming weeks.
The children had been delighted to meet the new neighbors and Samuel had asked numerous questions about their future livestock after seeing many in Boston. Ann had been the shyest due to her young age but when Prudence showed her the chicken box on the back end of the wagon that held their poultry, she'd been giddy. Martha and Alice had gone off to invite everyone and had managed to pry Achilles from his library to help the man walk the distance. Ratonhnhaké:ton had been surprised they brought him and quickly introduced his mentor to the young couple. Achilles understood their plight for a home free of persecution rather well since skin color always played a factor and had allowed them refuge. Their small community was far away from jurisdictions and if they needed to create their own de facto laws one day to keep order, they would do so (though Achilles highly doubted it with their gentle tempered neighbors).
One by one, everyone arrived in their everyday clothes but Diana and Catherine had donned on a yellow straw hat to appear presentable. Caroline had smiled to her mother's bashful fretting since she'd slapped on the quickest hat at hand and thrown her apron aside as she'd walked out of the house with her father. Her oldest daughter had kindly adjusted the hat's needles into place in her frizzy hair since Diana's was naturally straight and more manageable. With everyone gathered with curious looks towards their newest neighbors and the small table, Ratonhnhaké:ton began the small luncheon.
"I'd like to introduce you all to Warren and Prudence" he spoke gently to make the new transition for their neighbors so they could know who was in their community. It would be easier to forge a good relationship with the small luncheon so everyone could mingle and familiarize to each other. Warren and Prudence stood next to the young man as he explained their situation and hoped everything would work for the best, "Their land was destroyed by British soldiers to the point they salted their fields so nothing could ever grow on their home. Nothing could be saved and whatever grains that had been ready for sale were stolen to use as military provisions. Since our own land lacks farmers to provide fresh produce but has good fertile land, I decided to offer them sanctuary here."
"Oh, I can only imagine bearing through that" Diana sighed with dismay to the image of having her home ransacked for goods and having the lumber her husband cut set on fire. It was a horrible thought to imagine but as conflicts grew between rebellious colonists and England, civilians would be caught in the crossfire to prove a point.
"He's a sweet boy for bringing you here, he really is" Catherine gushed sweetly to his generous action and welcomed the new couple with a kind smile. She held no ill will for anyone looking for a new life by good means since their family had been down the same road. They had scraped every coin and strained on buying only the bare necessities to save their money to find a permanent home where they could open a mill. She looked to her husband on the right as Alice showed him all the little snacks they'd collected on their own with pride. Her life had become far better than she'd ever imagined, especially for her children, and smiled amicably to say, "You'll fit right in. I'm Catherine Burnett, wife of Godfrey, and these are our six bairns."
"Yes, we met them while they were setting up the table and benches" Prudence chuckled warmly to the infectious smiles of the children as they wanted to know more about them. It wasn't nosy at all but mere curiosity about having new friends to welcome to their home and she'd been happy to answer their questions. Alice smiled sheepishly as she grabbed her father's hand since being in the spotlight turned her bashful but Godfrey merely chuckled to her shyness.
"I hope I didn't take them away from anything important since I did need a few hands to make lunch" Ratonhnhaké:ton inquired tentatively since he'd asked to make sure he wasn't depriving Catherine of help around the house. The redhead waved a hand in dismissal as she chuckled that he could always ask for help from any of them without worry. Turning to the farmers, he informed them about the Scottish family that had taken him in like one of their own, "The Burnetts live in one of the two houses down the road so they will never be far if you have questions."
"Connor told us you own a lumber mill" Warren brought up since they would need to buy panels of wood or cut down trees to make a small home. His first priority was building shelter for his wife and the rest would fall into place later. If Davenport did have lumberjacks, it would be easier to pay for the lumber there than having to travel in the wagon to the bordering towns.
"We did after failing with stable work in the towns" Terry explained as he shook his head in remembrance to finding jobs after lumbering camps packed up to move elsewhere. Godfrey had become tired of uprooting his family from town to town and their wives wanted stable ground for their children to grow up as respectable people. It had been hard securing a job after projects were finished and those that they had earned meager pay that wouldn't support a family for long. They decided to go into business to finally call the shots and have their families live without the anxiety of constantly moving, leading him to admit, "We were hardworking folk tired of losing jobs when companies left the area to head elsewhere and it's no way to raise a family. Davenport provided us with a new chance and I've no doubt you'll love it here."
"Thank you for your kindness" Prudence smiled warmly as she felt safer with a smaller community to depend on than a large bustling city. The community was small enough that she could memorize everyone's name within the hour and the sight of well-mannered children delighted her. She wasn't regretting moving from their salted farmland, despite the work they had put into it, and would build a new one with the same dedication. They weren't quitters and if they could flourish financially by tending to the land, why not? She looked to her new neighbors with a warm smile and told them, "We could hardly believe Connor's offer but these times have been most trying for us."
"We can help build a home fine enough for you to last through the winter" Godfrey offered since living out of the tent of the wagon cover wouldn't be good with the oncoming winter. It was why he'd left his family back in Boston while he built a sturdy cabin to weather the elements and had brought them to settle in before the winter arrived. Lance had been the worst off when they all arrived to live in Davenport and the lumberjacks didn't hesitate to lend the humble man a hand.
"I can help dig and plant seeds" Samuel offered with a toothy smile since he'd often resembled a rabbit when he didn't feel the need to use a hoe to dig. Planting seeds had been the easiest job he'd helped his mother with when she tended the garden and it was definitely more fun than simply watering, which Martha took care of.
"And I can feed chickens" Alice piped up helpfully since she loved taking care of their small cow at home and chickens delighted her with their clucks. She and Ann helped Diana with feeding the hens at her home so it wouldn't be anything new.
Warren chuckled to their kind help, especially the children, and smiled with relief and happiness, "My, I've never felt more welcomed."
"We have a good community and look out for one another" Lance agreed pleasantly since it had only been the two families and himself for the past four years. The prospect of farmers would help when it came to trading for fresh goods and the young couple could build their own business slowly from that. Farming was hard work but they had people they could depend on and he spoke for everyone, "We're not just neighbors and friends- we're family."
Ann clapped her hands to the happy mood and asked her father eagerly, "Boban, play the fiddle. Please?"
He patted her head since the children were always keen to hear songs from their homeland but the colonies had given rise to a few. His smile was as bright as his red hair as Terry agreed to play a few tunes for his friends and family, "Well then, it's a good thing I brought it then."
All of the children cheered in excitement as they scampered to find a seat and he fetched the violin box from the wagon. Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled to their cheerful demeanors as his luncheon was going well and pointed to the table to remind them, "There's food so nobody has to leave early to make lunch. I brought butter spreads, cheeses, roasted beef slices, crackers, and grapes for everyone."
That alone sent numerous thank-you's to the young man for his generosity and Achilles chuckled to tell him, "If traveling on the Aquila ever gets boring, I think you could do well opening up your own eatery."
Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't help but laugh to his joke since he did try his best to keep people together. He was a caretaker by nature as he kept the peace and his friends could see that as he shepherded those in need towards Davenport. Seeing the residents of the community he'd built so far, a festive mood with merry songs from the fiddle and tasty snacks kept his heart warm.
26 October 1773
Caroline and Alice noticed a new face walking down the dusty trail into the heart of their community as they led a horse by its lead. The girls had been collecting dry leaves strewn over the property into a bucket to keep their land clean but Catherine crushed them to use as mulch for their garden. With the new farmers in their community, she had been receiving tips on growing a fruitful garden as the lumberjacks helped to build their property. With the colder weather ready to fall upon them, Warren had built his home with the lumberjacks to avoid living out of their wagon to prevent illness. Everyone had brought them a small homemade housewarming gift since their story had touched a familiar chord and Prudence took care of each little gift every time she cleaned- from the fireplace shelf to the half-finished jar of apple preserves. The farmers had fit into the community seamlessly as their humble nature matched everyone's in Davenport and they'd been joyful to hear the offers of help when it came to planting season.
Caroline watched the person approach and already determined they weren't from the trade convoys or one of the workers from her father's mill. No, there was something strange but familiar from their clothing as she caught a hint of beige. For a moment, she believed Ratonhnhaké:ton had returned to wearing his old clothing but this newcomer was broader in build and shorter. After years of knowing Ratonhnhaké:ton, she could pinpoint his silhouette from afar and knew this was a new stranger on their land. The question was: were they friend or foe?
She cared for Ratonhnhaké:ton and just as her people held their bad seeds, the same could be said for his. Hopefully, though, it would be a visitor for her friend but she stood in front of Alice to shield her from any danger. Her little sister was sweetly naïve of the dangers of the world due to their peaceful land and Caroline would protect to maintain that peace of mind for her. Alice's left foot almost went into the bucket with Caroline's move and she looked up when her older sister whispered, "Be careful. There's someone approaching."
The younger girl stuck close to her sister's full skirt to obey and peeked over her right arm to see what made all the fuss. Like Caroline, she could see the distinct garb that the natives of their area wore and blinked curiously to state softly, "He's a native. Do you think he's from Connor's tribe?"
"Possibly, we haven't seen natives here at all" Caroline agreed on the possibility since their community was quite isolated from the world. They didn't border near any villages that were associated to Ratonhnhaké:ton's people nor their allies but the growing animosities between their peoples still worried her. There were times she'd even suggested to her friend that they write a letter to the colony's delegate to plead for peace and show that cooperation could be achieved. Why else would her own affection be possible if Ratonhnhaké:ton was the kind of man they stereotyped?
Caroline slowly inched back towards their home so Alice could have better access to their home and ordered, "Still, I want you to stay behind me at all times and if I tell you to run, you head inside that door immediately."
Her blue eyes were glued to the newcomer as the familiar deerskin garb reminded her of the young Ratonhnhaké:ton she'd met three years ago. His hair was much longer than her friend's and swept into two intricate braids that rested on either shoulder. Although she carried a knife at her waist, Caroline doubted she'd make much of a dent in a broader build like his- not that she'd attack without just cause, of course. The new man merely spared her a glance as he studied every marking of the land and Caroline realized that he was entirely new to the land. She assumed he might be strolling through to find another village or had visited prior when she wasn't at home.
The horse traveling behind him was perfectly groomed as any of Ratonhnhaké:ton's horses and she wondered how long they had been on the road. How far had he traveled? Since the stranger was looking directly at her, she attempted to see whether he was from Ratonhnhaké:ton's people and greeted in his tongue, "Khwe."
Ratonhnhaké:ton hadn't taught her everything due to his travels but she'd begun to learn simple words to build small sentences. She was determined to understand his tongue so they could communicate and bridge their cultures to cast aside any unfamiliarity. Since he used no written language, she had trouble differentiating the different sounds and accents to make sure she didn't accidentally embarrass or insult him. Thankfully, the only mistake she'd done was call him butter with a fly during one of their strolls so there was no harm done.
Kanen'tó:kon had been trying to reach the new settlement his friend called home to inform him of trouble in their village and had been surprised to find it quite small. He knew his friend didn't want to delve into the outsiders' culture but he always wondered if it would be imminent with extended exposure. He had expected a booming town in the interior of the forest since the colonists tended to strip the land to make it theirs and leave when it was no longer habitable. Instead, small homes dotted a certain area only and not many people wandered about. Just as he wondered how he would find his friend, he spotted a colonist with a child in tow and almost frowned at seeing the protective behavior. Did she really think he'd just attack them out of nowhere for no reason?
He was ready to move on to find someone else to ask directions but stopped at hearing the white woman utter a greeting in his language. When had colonists taken the time to learn the tongue of his people? Delegates and missionaries, Kanen'tó:kon understood, but not civilians. He tested her luck by speaking full sentences to ask the whereabouts of his friend but she merely blinked with perplexity.
Caroline sighed somberly at grasping only a few of his words and told him the first sentence she learned, "Iah tewake'nikonhraién:ta's."
In English terms, she didn't catch any of it.
Ratonhnhaké:ton had been smart in teaching her the basic 'I don't know' or 'I can't understand you' for protection to his friend and she utilized it. Deciding to use hand signals to illustrate her question and bridge the gap between their languages, she placed one hand over her brow to signify looking for something. Alice merely blinked with curiosity to what her sister was planning and smiled at the stranger to show they meant no harm. Pointing to him, she repeated her signal so he could grasp the meaning and slowly drawled in English, "Are you looking for something?"
"I am looking for Ratonhnhaké:ton" the man replied easily in English since his grasp on her language was greater due to the exposure. He would've spoken sooner but it was funny to see a settler look foolish in believing he knew less. It was urgent that he find his friend and if the woman could lead him there, Kanen'tó:kon would take the chance. He stayed in his spot to avoid frightening or turning the woman hostile and added in helpfully, "You might know him by another name but he is one of ours."
"I know who he is" she stated slowly with suspicion since her friend traveled all over the countryside and wouldn't allow just anyone to find him. For all she knew, the man was under a pretense of his people when he could really be from another hostile tribe. She wouldn't dare allow anyone to harm her- uh, Ratonhnhaké:ton.
"He's on the house on top of the hill" Alice piped up meekly as she pointed to the tallest hill on the land to the left and Caroline avoided from sighing aloud. Oh, her little Alice was too trusting towards others. Kanen'tó:kon glanced with light amusement to the young girl's answer since he'd honestly expected her to run off screaming for her mother. Her brown eyes peeked over the blue skirt of her sibling, who still eyed him with apprehension, and she assured confidently, "He'll help with whatever you need- he's our bestest friend."
He had often heard about the children of his friend's adopted settlement when Ratonhnhaké:ton visited their village but doubted they could be much different than other colonial children. How could they when every child had been taught to feel naturally entitled to whatever land or item they touched? Nonetheless, he was certain this was one of the ones he called family and wondered if they'd really taken Ratonhnhaké:ton in as he claimed.
Caroline shifted her weight onto her left leg to show she meant business and asked directly, "You are here to visit, right? Because we protect our own here and we don't take kindly to ill-wishers."
"Ratonhnhaké:ton is a friend and his people need him" the man stated firmly with an emphasis on where her friend truly belonged since it was the whole reason as to why he left. He understood they felt a need to protect his friend but each second he wasted was one that could be pivotal in succeeding against the colonists that threatened to buy their land. He wasn't about to lose his home and the land that had been his people's for countless generations so time was critical.
"If I came off as hostile, it was only to protect him" Caroline stated as she tried to take the diplomatic route to prevent straining the relationship between settlers and natives even more. As she grew older, she knew there would always be conflicts but Ratonhnhaké:ton was the light flickering within that darkness. She pointed towards the hill that Alice motioned to before to lead him to the white manor since Ratonhnhaké:ton would undoubtedly want to know what was wrong. She wouldn't be the type to stand in his way from helping those in need and informed, "He's at the manor down the road so I suggest you ride your horse to make the trip faster. Mr. Davenport will be there to fetch him in case he's out in the forest or the cove."
"I hope nothing bad happens" Alice added in shyly since her friend was a good person and knew he loved his people just like she loved her family. Oh, how she hoped nothing bad happened. Why did evil things happen in the world when many sought to be good? Didn't they worry about the pain they caused others?
Kanen'tó:kon was surprised to her humble honesty and replied awkwardly, "T-Thank you."
The two sisters watched the young man mount his horse and ride off down the path to seek aid for his plight. Alice grabbed the bucket full of leaves to resume their task once more and nudged Caroline so they could continue. After all, plants needed their mulch too.
It wasn't even an hour when two horses galloped down the dusty trail as the girls collected leaves from the edges of the property. The shared land between their family and the Galloway's meant maintenance would take longer than it would for a small piece of property. The decent garden in the back and the bountiful front meant the children were constantly keeping it free of debris and their father cut it every two weeks to prevent overgrowth. The girls had been taught that the immaculate appearance of a home represented one filled with good kind people and Alice was quick to listen to her mother. Caroline, however, didn't see it as a chore since the land deserved to be taken care of after it provided them with everything from shelter to food.
Caroline ushered Alice past the picket fence as she scrambled with the leaves in her hands to avoid an accident on the road. Caroline handed her the recently emptied bucket so Alice could empty her hands into it while the older girl leaned against the fence to keep her safe. Curiosity stirred her mind to what plagued Ratonhnhaké:ton's people and if her friend was on a horse heading out of Davenport, it didn't take a genius to know it was serious. Had something happened to his village? He spoke so dearly of his people that she couldn't help but feel fond of them as well despite never meeting them.
She waved her hand as she stood by the wooden fence to call his attention before he rode off valiantly into the horizon. They had planned to venture out later that day to forage for ripe cranberries since November was fast approaching for picking season. She'd already prepared a small meal for their trip as they'd begun picnicking whenever the terrain was smooth enough to hold a blanket and offer a scenic view. Ratonhnhaké:ton caught sight of the redhead beckoning him to a stop and gently pulled on Roger's reins to bring the brown horse to a gentle stop. Kanen'tó:kon withheld a sigh since he'd distinctly stated the importance of leaving with the utmost haste and watched his friend approach the young colonist.
Alice took her eyes away from the handsome horses to peer up at her friend and waved her right hand to greet chirpily, "Morning, Connor!"
"Alice" he smiled kindly to seeing her perky smile behind the fence and she waved her hand once more to Kanen'tó:kon to acknowledge him as well. Her mother wasn't raising an ill-mannered girl and she loved making friends with all different types of people. His friend mimicked her gesture awkwardly since he'd never had the pleasure of interacting with colonial children but Alice loved everyone- regardless of race and color. Ratonhnhaké:ton held the reins in his right hand while the left motioned to the other man and introduced his group of friends, "Alice, Caroline, this is my friend, Kanen'tó:kon. Thank you for directing him to the manor."
"You're leaving Davenport then?" Caroline asked with concern since she hoped the matter wouldn't be dire enough that he needed to leave immediately. It seemed the conflict between their people simply kept growing as colonists pressed west of their borders to spread further inland. Why couldn't peace be reached with diplomatic cooperation? The natives lived on the land first, it wasn't fair that the colonies were pushing them out for more land and hoarding all of the resources.
"Yes, there is an important matter I must attend to" he replied to the severity of his new mission since he wouldn't stand idly by and lose his village. It was bad enough knowing Templars attacked his people during his childhood and now they wanted to purchase the land for profit? Not on his watch. His expression carried a silent apology to their previous plans as they were unexpectedly cancelled but she nodded with understanding. She'd never stand in his way for the greater good but there was always concern lingered in her eyes and he assured softly, "I will be all right, Caroline."
She wrung the white apron over her skirt with concern because seeing him return with bullet wounds wouldn't help anyone. There were times she really wished to know what he did out in his travels so she could lend a hand with her growing skills. His friend appeared more capable than she ever could and took solace in that, sighing faintly with hesitation, "I know, it's just . . . wait a minute, would you?"
He wasn't able to answer as she ran towards her small house and wondered what she had in mind. She wasn't on planning to follow him out of Davenport, was she? Part of him was embarrassed for wanting such a thing while the other truly did want to experience a traveling journey with her. Alice peered between the pickets of the fence since being left alone without her oldest sister brought back her natural shyness. How could she not feel small when they were sitting on two fully grown horses? Kanen'tó:kon glanced at the small girl since she had been quite an amicable child and asked his friend, "So these are the Burnetts I've been hearing about?"
"I'm the smallest" Alice confirmed with an innocent smile that led the newcomer to almost rethink his assumption of colonial children. By all accounts, she should've been running away without her older sister to protect her but Kanen'tó:kon attributed that to his friend. From the way he spoke about them, the colonial family had accepted him with open arms and he'd reluctantly begun to believe it. Alice bit her lower lip as she caught a mistake in her words and corrected sheepishly, "No, I'm not the youngest- that's Sammy. But I'm still the smallest but Connor says I'll grow big one day."
"And you will" Ratonhnhaké:ton promised with a warm chuckle and caught Caroline exiting the cabin, shooing her curious siblings back inside. He was certain it was either Samuel or Elizabeth since Amelia was far too busy in her studies while Martha hadn't formed the close friendship her siblings had.
When Caroline returned to the side of the road, her arms carried a small knapsack and she bounded up to him with haste in her steps. Her cheeks were rosy from her cozy home and the short run, contrasting against her freckles, but she handed him the bundle with a smile. Alice was curious to know what she'd packed away as she leaned on the tips of her toes and Caroline informed him, "I packed a few corn cakes with soft cheese and smoked hare meat for you to eat on the road, it should be enough for two. I was planning to take it with us . . . either way, it should be eaten. The weather's getting cold so I sneaked in a bottle of apple cider to warm up the bones. Do be careful out there, Ratonhnhaké:ton."
"I will be back before you know it" he smiled gratefully for her token since he hadn't expected a packed lunch for their outing. Wasn't she a wonderfully kind woman to do so for him? The fact that she'd used his name to convey the hopes for his safety spoke volumes for him and he sought for her hand by reaching out his right. Her slender but calloused fingers slid over his palm as she returned the same heartwarming smile and he squeezed her hand once to bid her goodbye, "Until we meet again, Caroline. Tell Samuel that I will have new story for him upon returning."
"He'll be happy just having you back safe and sound" she murmured softly since his leave ushered a gloomy dent in her days when he wasn't in their community. All she could do was remain confident in his abilities to fend off danger. Releasing his strong hand, she backed away to let them carry on to prevent hindering them further and reminded him, "Don't let them take what is yours but always maintain diplomacy to avoid stooping to dirty tactics."
He was growing to appreciate her more and more as time passed, hoping that she would never leave his life. Maybe one day, he would be brave enough to admit his feelings and hope she felt the same since he was the only non-relative she spent time with. He placed the strap of the knapsack over his shoulder as he ushered the horse down the path once more and Roger broke into a gallop, picking up dust as he headed south. Caroline and Alice watched the two leave, brushing away stray dust that billowed their way until their friend was no more than a small dot amongst the trees.
"He'll be all right, Carrie" Alice reassured kindly to settler her worry as her face was clearly pinched with concern. Being the good little sister that she was, Alice picked up the bucket to remind her they had a task to finish. Caroline smiled with gratitude to her attempt to focus her energy elsewhere and the two colonial girls returned to their task.
Meanwhile, the two Kanien'kehá:ka men rode away towards Boston to seek aid from one of Achilles' allies. Kanen'tó:kon had informed him of William Johnson's whereabouts since the purchase of the land had brought worry to all of the people so they were heading there. Ratonhnhaké:ton had yet to think of a plan to thwart the sale but with a few hours to waste on the road, he'd find a way. He wasn't the type of man to concede after one roadblock and his people were depending on them to stay in their ancestors' lands.
As they rode on in silence, Kanen'tó:kon approached the topic that had stirred his curiosity as he watched the interaction between his friend and the redheaded young woman. It was one thing to talk to a colonist but touching one broke a few of society's norms and he had to ask, "That colonist. . ."
"Her name is Caroline" Ratonhnhaké:ton corrected simply as he kept his sight straight down the road since his associations would draw curiosity from his friend. Kanen'tó:kon had always been curious about the world but maintained cautiousness as he grew older and his new friendships certainly warranted a few questions. How could they not? He was possibly the first in his village that was living amongst the foreigners in a permanent setting and entering their homes as an unofficial family member. As the clacks of Roger's hooves filled his ears, he gave a brief glance towards his friend and stated with light humor, "Don't worry, Kanen'tó:kon, you're not being replaced as my friend."
"That's not what I meant . . . but thank you" he replied with an indignant tone but it mellowed into a warm chuckle as Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled. Out of all of his friendships, Ratonhnhaké:ton felt most at ease to joke with him after years of knowing each other. Their shared culture helped to bond them further while he always kept a close eye on never overstepping his bounds with the Burnett children. Elizabeth always reassured him that it was fine and he needed to loosen up a bit but he wouldn't dare say something and have it take in the wrong context.
Kanen'tó:kon's next words, however, sucked the cheer out of his mood, "There is something dwelling between you and this Caroline, isn't there?"
"I think you've misinterpreted-" the young assassin tried to mislead him away from having his feelings discovered since it would bring quite the discussion. Since his mother had a relationship with an outsider, the village expected him to marry one of their own to shed away the remnants of the culture threatening to cast them out. Caroline wasn't like them or his father but without spending time with her, his friend couldn't see his viewpoint. He didn't exactly intend to fall for a colonist but she won his affection without even trying to!
"No, I'm quite certain you haven't grabbed women's hands before" Kanen'tó:kon intervened matter-of-factly since he'd caught the exchange with a meticulous eye. He'd learned a few tricks from his friend as they grew up and observing others had been one of them. The humble smiles of warmth that matched the similar caring glint in their eyes told Kanen'tó:kon there was something else below the surface. Otherwise, he would've grabbed the smaller girl's hands and done the same. His friend could be tougher than a nut to crack when it came to secrets and he asked curiously, "Is that why you haven't shown an interest in the women at our village?"
"We are only friends" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated firmly with the honest truth since he wouldn't press past that. Caroline was safest at Davenport and he wouldn't be tinkering with that by blurting out his innermost desires. He was content allowing everyone to believe their relationship was platonic since it spelled safety if he ever acquired deadly enemies that knew where he lived. The tip of his hood obscured his face as he dipped his head to glance at his gloved hands and pointed out frankly, "Besides, my lifestyle barely allows me to care for myself when my focus is the wellbeing of others."
"Yet your movements say otherwise" his friend replied to point out the giveaway in Ratonhnhaké:ton's behavior since he was particular with his personal space. He had heard about his experiences with the colonial children as they grew older but he'd included Caroline with all of the six. The fact that he didn't delve deeper about the outings she'd accidentally slipped told him there was another page to that story. Normally, he would joke with his friend about such matters of the heart but the fact that the young woman was a colonist did not bode well. This was a matter that one had to tread lightly with and advised Ratonhnhaké:ton cautiously, "It is dangerous to see one like that, not to mention disregarding our culture for theirs. You saw what became of your mother and father-"
"I am here to save our land, not discuss the happenings of my personal life" he pointed put sharply since that cultural gap always bit at his mind, not to mention society's view of him. He didn't want to be an outsider of both cultures, especially not his, but it appeared he was walking in the opposite direction when Caroline was concerned. She didn't want him to change anything and greatly valued that he respected his origins dearly just as she did hers but the worry lingered. What could he truly offer that wouldn't bring Caroline regrets if she accepted him? Yes, they were equals in Davenport but outside of it . . . he'd be lucky to trade goods without earning a suspicious look. He could build her a house and love her to no end but what good would that do if they were scrutinized everywhere they went? These were questions that wouldn't fade with time and the growing conflicts didn't ease them in the slightest.
4 December 1773
In Davenport, winter had arrived early to push back the last tendrils of fall and the children were eager to wear their winter outfits. The cold front had started a bit earlier than last year's, worrying the adults since a long winter would make it harder to send for supplies. Being isolated from other towns, the residents made up their minds to send convoys for supplies to last the winter since the Aquila was docked until Ratonhnhaké:ton's return. Being new to the small community, everyone helped Warren and Prudence figure out what they would need for the entire winter. They were glad to have the Burnett's and Galloway's close by as they promised to keep an eye of them if the snow season became too harsh.
Godfrey and Lance had headed into town to collect goods to stock up on their provisions while Terry kept an eye on the families. Warren would've joined the two but being a farmer meant that he had to keep a good eye on the land every day but he'd put in an order for a few things. When the two men returned, that order was fulfilled by oinking livestock that crowded the road.
Alice, Samuel, and Elizabeth had been helping the new farming couple care for the land since they couldn't afford to pay for helpers. With winter walking amongst them, they couldn't do much with planting and could only wait until the next season to plant their crops when the land would be rich enough. For now, the young couple could only set up a fence with Terry's help to outline the perimeter of their small farm. Warren wanted to start off small and branch outwards when he could be financially stable and Terry had agreed with his choice after doing the same for his business.
Terry had been joking about buying all of his fresh goods from them one day to encourage their efforts when loud oinking echoed over the land. The Burnett children, who had been helping Prudence feed the three hens they had managed to save from their old home, stopped to see what the noise belonged to. Warren had an inkling to what it was when he noticed a pink blob with a redheaded man behind the small mass. Prudence and Terry, however, were completely surprised to see the blob turn into squealing and oinking pigs that were being corralled by Godfrey towards the farm.
"Boban's back!" Samuel piped up happily to his siblings as he saw his father but Elizabeth held him back from meeting him. He was a small boy and a small herd of pigs could overwhelm him in seconds to leave him with injuries so she'd never allow it. Now that Amelia was studying endlessly and Caroline helped their father, it fell to Elizabeth to watch over her younger siblings as Martha helped their mother.
Prudence held her apron as she'd placed the chicken food in the cloth for easier spreading and marched up to her husband to ask, "Warren, what did you do?"
"An investment" he replied easily with a warm smile for his bewildered wife and she looked to him for further clarification. When had he decided to buy pigs and how much had they been? Prudence had been collecting their meager savings to save up for the last payment of the lumber they'd bought from the mill. Terry and Godfrey had called it even when she'd begun delivering eggs from the hens but Prudence paid every last coin for what she bought.
"Look at the little piggies!" Alice laughed with joy when the fat hogs oinked as Warren helped Godfrey corral them into their new pen with the use of their hats. Terry joined them by making noise to lead them to the sectioned off area Warren had built next to the farm. Elizabeth kept her siblings near Prudence as they watched three adult pigs and one juvenile waddle into the wooden pen for refuge against the noise.
The children ran to their father to greet him with joy for his safe return and asked numerous questions about the pigs. How much had they been? How many had there been at the sales? Were they all so pink? There were so many that the adults had to laugh at their enthusiasm over livestock. It was rare for them to see livestock, other than cows and chickens, since they were usually brought freshly butchered from towns.
"Instead of killing them for butchering season, I bought them to begin building the farm" Warren informed his wife about his investment since they could reproduce to make piglets that would grow for further sale. The winter months would allow the pigs to fatten up and he could sell them off for profit later on to buy more. There were many ways to earn a profit and he assured her skepticism by adding in, "It's cheaper than to kill them and they'll bring an income by the next season when they're fatter. By then, we can use the money to buy seeds for planting season."
Prudence hoped he hadn't gone over his head with the purchase but said nothing to appear ungrateful or impolite among company. A wife couldn't voice displeasure and women's norms dictated her to keep quiet on her feelings to maintain courtesy in public. Instead, Prudence returned to feeding their chickens inside the coop and hoped the pigs would survive the winter inside the small barn. It wasn't very well insulted but she'd tell her husband to fill any holes with caked mud and straw to seal it against any drafts.
"By springtime, I might just have to buy one if you do plump them further" Godfrey chuckled good-naturedly since the children loved to eat pork when they had the chance. The fat drippings added wonderful flavor to their foods and his youngest fought for the crispy crunchy tail while the oldest wanted pork cracklings. He lifted Samuel onto the top of the pen so he could peer over the edge to see the oinking pigs as they explored their new home. Alice sufficed her curiosity by peeking between the wooden planks to stay safe, picking up her skirt to kneel down so she could have a look at the pink animals.
"Did they lure any predators along the way?" Warren asked since the lack of bears around the area didn't mean wildcats and wolves wouldn't be roaming about. With many animals either migrating or in hibernation, lurking predators would always seek an easy meal. Pigs made enough noise to draw a curious ear and owners had to be ready to protect their merchandise against thieves- animal or human.
Godfrey merely grinned with confidence and replied earnestly, "A few wolves but a shot of my rifle scared them off good."
"Did they chase you, boban?" Elizabeth asked excitedly since adventure tales filled with suspense were the best in her view while Alice shook her head. She didn't want to imagine her father running from hungry wolves in the middle of nowhere, especially the dark. Who would protect him if a rifle couldn't?
He wasn't going to accidentally incense his wife if the children blurted another of his risky tales and shook his hands to say, "Why don't you finish helping Prudence with the chickens and then we'll see."
The children groaned at having a story denied but obeyed their father to return to the feed bag to spread the corn meal. Prudence smiled at the youngsters since they had quickly warmed her heart with their good manners and polite conversation, not to mention their humbleness to help. Davenport was indeed becoming their new home over the months and she smiled to bring one back onto their faces, "All of you have been splendid helpers so let's finish so I can give you some tasty cranberry juice."
That doubled their pace instantly.
17 December 1773
"It was an honor working with you, Connor" Stephane thanked earnestly as the young man headed for his horse after a talk inside his tavern. With the afternoon almost nearing its end, the tavern was nearly empty inside but the evening rush after businesses closed would bring the next influx of drinkers. Their covert operation had gone on to be a success as colonists cheered the opposition of being taxed over simple tea (among other factors) and Stephane had been in high spirits since that night.
It had also led him to meeting the young native boy, Connor, as he tried to protect his people's land just as he'd done with his own property. His desire to live as he wished and see the same for others who worked hard to survive in the colonies was his reason for joining the Assassin's order. He'd never expected his new friend to be involved in such a profession due to his soft-spoken demeanor but looks could be deceiving. He knew the basics of street fighting from his travels abroad but he would need to learn more to survive in his new secret life.
"What will you do now?" Stephane asked his newest acquaintance as he leaned against the horse post and watched Ratonhnhaké:ton unhitch his faithful Roger. The young man's goal was to prevent the Templars from seizing his people's land for ominous intentions had been accomplished with the help of the Sons of Liberty.
"Return to my home in Davenport, you would be more than welcome to visit" he replied earnestly since his assassins-in-training would need access to their teacher. While on his trip to Boston, he'd managed to find another potential candidate with Duncan Little after helping him remove the presence of a gang in the northern district. With Davenport being a safe haven, it would be the perfect place to teach the basics to his newest students before exposing them to real life situations.
Grabbing the reins tightly into his right hand, he gazed down the street thinning from the bustling crowds of the early afternoon and stated, "But first, I do need to buy a few things to bring home."
"I imagine food is hard to buy out there in your community" Stephane agreed with a nod after being told of the community for future visits, which he'd undertake. From what his friend (and brother in arms) had told him about the place, it sounded idyllic for anyone tired of the city life but Stephane enjoyed every bit of Boston. He'd given his new friend a few ales for the road but Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't much of drinker so he'd give them to the men in Davenport as gifts.
"Not with my modes of transportation" he stated cryptically to the vehicles attached to his name since the Aquila made shopping ridiculously easy. Today, however, he only had Roger at hand since using a ship for one mission seemed a bit of overkill when he was returning alone. He smiled at his newest friend from the colonies since the excitement of the night had bonded the two and he added in, "I need to buy a few gifts for friends and a young lady since their 'Christmas' holiday is coming up."
"Ah, pour atteindre le cœur d'une femme" he mused with a chuckle but the assassin merely blinked with confusion. It was hard enough understanding the English language but he couldn't contend with more since Caroline had already begun to drop Gaelic words here and there in conversation. It brought him frustration at times but wisdom told him that he'd need these in later years to grasp a better understanding of the world. Knowing four languages could come incredibly handy since he would be traveling extensively as he grew older. Stephane spared him the guessing game as he tried to figure out the words and translated simply with a sly grin, "You're vying for the lady's heart."
Ratonhnhaké:ton's shoulders slumped slightly to reflect his disappointment at being caught easily and asked flatly, "Are my intentions that obvious?"
"Most men eager to buy a woman a gift are always courting" he replied with a hearty laugh to the slight frown on Ratonhnhaké:ton's face and clapped him on the back with farewell. It was best to get on the road before night fell but Stephane wasn't too worried about his friend's safety after witnessing his fighting skills but offered well wishes, "Travel well, Connor."
"Thank you and I will be in touch" the young assassin replied amicably as he headed for the general store he completed all of his trading at and tugged along Roger. The brown horse was happy for the return of his master and his hooves clacked against the pebbled road as they walked. Soon, they would return home to see a new year.
A/N: All righty, the chapter became too long for both the newcomers and Christmas so I've bumped the latter for the next chapter. In 1774, there will be no Christmas to share between Connor and Caroline since they will be in two different parts of the colonies- none in Davenport- so I wanted to include it one last time. We now have new members in Davenport as time flows by steadily and quite calmly as the budding romance will soon flourish into the open.
East Coast Captain: I will be giving their child a Mohawk (middle name) and English (first) name to bond their diverse culture. I've definitely sketched out Daddy Connor (lol) to be rather caring and protective of his first child, especially when illness strikes since a cold could be a death sentence in their time. As for the Black Hills, I see that heading in the direction of younger generations since the children will definitely have their wanderlust for the west and I will have Clip Wilkerson heading out there when the pioneer times arrive. I like Connor's character, as well as the other assassins, since they all have their different personalities but I agree with the sole basis of Connor not being Ezio as ridiculous reasoning to hate him. If all the main characters were exactly the same, it would be a very boring franchise. I loved Altaïr's determination to find wisdom in the world, even when he wouldn't like the truth he was faced with while Ezio brought humorous charm as he explored a new life that he'd never realized ran through his bloodline. Connor brought us the everyday guy that wasn't well off financially like Ezio or bred to be an assassin like Altaïr but he tries his best for a better tomorrow and darn it, I love him for it.
SweetCaroline87: I'm glad the chapters delight you and I hope this one did as well. :)
BloodlustAssassin: I like the idea of a story like that but since I've already rough drafted most of the chapters past Haytham's death, I won't be changing much of it. Since Ubisoft has tried that parallel timeline with George Washington, I do wonder how life would be if it skewed Haytham's fate down that path since he was pretty dedicated to the Templar cause.
Chiharu-angel: Thank you for loving the story, it took a while to update due to life (work, acceptance into nursing program, volunteer work, family emergencies) but I'll be back to schedule soon.
NinjaxSketcheartx: I love it when reviewers start their own discussions from reviews and I loved Ezio too but Connor is unique on his own so he deserves his slice of pie too. I've never been much of a single point of view person since it restricts what others think and I love individualizing each character so thanks! He'll definitely bring her to the Aquila one day and Catherine will learn that her headstrong daughter is quite capable on her own in the approaching year. I really wanted to know more about the Aquila's previous captain but since it was made far after Edward's death so I decided to make up my own captain to link to Catherine's family. Connor basically lied in order to protect her, similar to how Ezio hid his work from Sophia until heading to Masyaf, but he will admit the truth once he lays out everything in front of her. I'll definitely make mention of Edward in later chapters and I find it funny that his first wife is named Caroline but I'm sure our Caroline won't be leaving Connor anytime soon.
Next time: Will Connor arrive back home in time for Christmas? What changes will await him after being gone? What goodies will he bring his friends and Caroline? Will there be another battle for Snowball Hill? Now that I think about it, was mistletoe even used back then?
Thank you for reading my story and please, drop a review if you can. Have a wonderful day or peaceful night (of which I'll have the latter).