Music Inspiration: Bryan Tyler- "The Ends of the Earth"
Escaping an Assassin
4 January 1775
"Bartlett!"
Caroline perked up to hearing her name as she finished securing the lowest sail of the foremast. The heavy white canvas was warm against her hands due to the unrelenting sun bearing down on the sails for hours from sunrise to sunset. Using a thick rope, she secured the end of the sail as she pulled the rope through the metal studs protruding from the mast. A quick release knot was all she needed to tie and ensure an easy release of the sails when the captain called for it.
Months ago, she'd been apprehensive to even climb a mast without hyperventilating until Duncan pushed her to do so. That new break from routine allowed her to practice and she could now ascend every mast without breaking a sweat (at least, in open waters without combat). Due to that, she'd been promoted by the first mate from a regular deckhand cleaning the ship and stacking crates to also securing the sails. The quartermaster decided that an extra kerchief was enough for her new role and she accepted it gladly. It required a lot of muscle to control the weight of the sails and secure them tightly but she managed it. Her days of helping her father at the lumber mill came in handy for hard physical labor onboard a ship. The varying patterns of the winds had also become familiar to her in the passing weeks and she'd asked the navigations officer for books or old maps to study. He'd initially declined until the redhead clambered up to the crow's nest on top of the foremast to show her commitment. While Amelia had been the bookworm to learn her art of teaching, Caroline desired to make the adventure she read into reality. The thought of piling books of the sea and land to plot courses for ships, not to mention leading an excursion was exhilarating to her. There was danger, yes, but the thought of discovering and seeing new lands excited her.
The redhead pulled her head out of the clouds of fantasy when she heard her fake surname again and descended the mast. Duncan's teachings had unknowingly taught her how to free run around the ship and climb a mast in every way possible. Her hands and feet practically flew down the rope ladder and netting underlying it, jumping off the mast to land on her feet on the deck.
She smiled widely with success when Aveline glanced back at her with amusement. The young woman had been undertaking any and every task she could get her hands on to know her way in and out of a ship. Aveline couldn't help but wonder if her ancestors were seafaring folk by how peppy Caroline was at sailing the sea. While she was ready to call it quits from the state of their bread, Caroline simply improvised by chucking it in soup.
The sailors that had finished their duties were now walking off the plank that had docked to the port. They had reached their next location to restock and for Aveline, this was her stop before boarding another ship. Neither woman spoke of their pasts but they bonded in a mutual understanding for what they hoped the future would bring. Or to be precise, how they could take part in creating it. Aveline hoped to achieve freedom for the slave communities in the southern colonies while Caroline sought to build a society in the north free of prejudice.
"This is my stop, young Grace, and I wanted to say goodbye" Aveline sighed softly with lament to their separation after months at sea. She had her leather knapsack packed, weapons polished, and her attire had been washed thoroughly for the next leg of the journey. Their nightly chats would come to an end and the camaraderie they'd built was cut short. Nodding to her with respect, the assassin smiled openly, "It was a pleasure meeting your acquaintance, even for this short time."
"Merci for letting me use your room for lady things and teaching me a little French" Caroline grinned to their bonding experiences since it wouldn't have been the same with a man. Duncan was great, no doubt about it, but Aveline had brought a camaraderie as they were two sides of the same coin. They had the short end of the stick by being women but strived to prove themselves better than what society viewed them. It was unnatural to think otherwise and it bonded the two for having the same mindset.
Aveline shrugged lightly because it was no issue for her to help another in need. Her friend would keep traveling north and she needed to maintain that disguise until reaching Boston. Tapping Caroline's red kerchief cap with her index finger, Aveline advised cheekily, "Keep them blind to your identity. If you've survived this long in this setting, I can't imagine the roles you could play as a woman back on the mainland."
Caroline tilted her head to Aveline's words and the assassin smiled with sneakiness, "If you're ever chased as Bartlett, become the damsel in distress that just saw him fly past you. As Bartlett, you could leave this ship and wander as a trader or become yourself as a citizen of a city or a country girl. The point is to become who you imagine and own it."
Aveline clearly saw potential in Caroline just as Duncan saw it but to train her in New Orleans, the girl would stick out like a sore thumb among the French. Not only would the accent betray her but the bright red hair and pale skin would raise a red flag for all, not just Templars. She would fare far better in the north with Duncan's people and hoped the other assassin would lead her down that path. That is, if her young friend decided to walk that road.
"If you ever need help or a chum at sea, go north to Boston" Caroline offered with a kind smile and shook her hand with gratitude. It wasn't often that she made friends outside of Davenport and she'd like to keep them. As a child, she'd run away when kids made fun of her patch ridden clothes or her low social standing but as a young woman, she aimed to win some that held honor and loyalty. Aveline smiled to knowing her location in the British colonies and Caroline advised, "Leave a note for me in the storefront called Burnett and Galloway Lumber. I remember my friends."
Both women wished to have more time to journey together but Aveline knew she needed to leave soon to board the ship and stay undetected. Nodding to her once more, she laughed softly as she turned around to say, "I'd best head out before that ship leaves me stranded."
She headed down the plank quickly to bypass the young sailors and Caroline leaned against the edge of the ship to peer down. Among the sea of people, she could see Aveline's blue hat in the crowd and called out in farewell, "If not, we'll be here."
Caroline hoped she'd see her new friend again one day and with a small sigh, she returned to climb the foremast again to ensure everything was tied down.
11 February 1775
The Invincible had now turned its course north to return to Boston and once they left the southernmost colonies, the humid air would shift for the dry air of the north. With winter in full blast alongside the east coast, the winter air was chilly during night as the ship traveled north of the Atlantic. The waters of the sea had also become cold with the artic chill flowing down from the ice wandering south. Caroline counted herself lucky that they weren't venturing farther north out of fear that they could strike an iceberg. Nonetheless, the navigator would be keeping a strict eye on the sea once they reached the colonies of Maryland.
They were currently docked in North Carolina to resupply the ship and Duncan had left Caroline to take care of a few errands. She had to admit her confidence to stay and wander alone had grown from her first days of leaving Davenport. If her boban saw her now, he'd think he'd raised a son instead of a daughter. With the ship venturing north now, the thought of her family passed into her mind often. She could only hope they were well and were receiving her letters.
Her joy had arrived when Duncan handed her a bag of money for her work on the Invincible. With the trip completed halfway, the crew had been paid their half of the contract and the rest would be given to them in Boston. Caroline had tucked the little bag of coins and paper into her brassiere to keep it safe since nobody was wandering there. She didn't dare risk sending the money to her family by post and would have to wait to carry it home or to her father's store.
As Caroline stacked crates in the early morning for their new inventory, she caught sight of a familiar navy bicorn hat with gold trimmings that stood above the rest. With most workers hunched over as they counted and stacked crates, it was easy to distinguish the grunts from the captains. This one in particular was finely dressed, in her opinion. Her eyes blinked a few times to make sure it wasn't a mirage or fogginess from leftover dreams that morning. It couldn't be, could it? Her heartbeat skipped a beat to the mere idea and she shoved her nerves aside. She raised her head to gain a better view over the crates and her lips parted in surprise when she spotted Ratonhnhaké:ton walking by the docks.
He was here.
He was here!
She could only squeeze closer to the rows of crates and peeked over the side to ensure she wasn't hallucinating. It was simply unfathomable to her that it would happen here of all places and her face broke into a fond smile. No, she couldn't blissfully imagine the contours of the handsome uniform hugging his frame and his face was undeniably the same. He couldn't look more handsome among the others with his tall confident gait and she wondered why he was there. Was he looking for her or was it a mere chance of coincidence?
I really hope it's the latter, she thought worriedly because she wasn't ready for her adventure to end.
She could only watch him leave to avoid being seen but she longed to hold him. She'd missed hearing his low soothing voice most of all. How had her leave affected him? Without letters to read his viewpoint, she was in the dark about the aftermath. It had torn her heart to leave her family and the one she loved but she'd made her choice. There could be no apologies for leaving that kind of wound, only burning guilt. Her travels had instilled enough camaraderie, adventure, and danger to last a decade so she was ready now to call it a last trip. If she managed to live to their docking trip to Boston, she would consider her return to Davenport.
"What caught your interest?"
Jumping nearly a foot in the air, she turned to find Duncan staring in the same direction. How long had he been there?! Quickly, she stammered incoherently as she turned around to find that Ratonhnhaké:ton was gone. That particular trait hadn't left him. He'd been a beautiful and unreachable mirage for her, leading Caroline to sigh softly before suggesting, "I . . . just the fish."
"Didn't realize fish could make women speechless" he replied with amusement since he'd seen her peeking over the crates at someone. He hadn't caught the person her eyes trailed after but her gaze had been one of lament and fondness rather than hunger for the fish market. She either knew someone there or someone reminded her of a loved one.
"Oh, I don't know, those bulgy eyes and silver skin can charm a lady into making fish stew" Caroline joked warmly because the thought of fresh food was indeed alluring. Now that she'd received half her pay, she could buy a few groceries to gnaw on for the rest of the trip. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten a piece of candy and missed the sweet confections. Davenport had provided plenty of food throughout all seasons, another thing she missed.
Duncan laughed to her humor, especially when she imitated a winking fish, and he pointed to the interior of the port to suggest, "When businesses open, we can have some lunch. I'm thinking something that isn't dry crackers and salted dry meat."
"You got yourself a deal, Mr. Little" she agreed with a happy grin to the idea of warm sizzling food and couldn't wait. It had been a while since her last hot meal was ordered from scratch instead of preheated over a fire or skillet.
"I'm heading into town to take care of some business so I'll let you finish your tasks" her friend informed to let her know he wouldn't be around and she nodded. Caroline never asked about his job since she reasoned it had to do with the religious church, even if he did wear a reversal of a priest's collar. Missionaries headed to numerous places all the time so that could've been his work.
Either way, her friend looked out for her safety since hopping onboard so she nodded with a smile, "Stay safe, my friend."
After she finished stacking the inventory of cargo for the captain of the Invincible, she stayed to watch it be loaded onboard. If anyone from another ship treaded closely, Caroline was ready to block their path and a glance at her unsheathed knife kept them away. She'd left her sword onboard the ship since she wasn't perfectly comfortable wielding it yet but one day, she would be. Once the cargo was loaded, Caroline was free to spend a day at port until the ship would leave later in the afternoon to stay on schedule.
With free hours at hand, Caroline knew her one goal was to see where Ratonhnhaké:ton was. She needed to know if he was there on business or searching for her. There was the risk that he could catch her and drag her back home but honestly, it would've been worth it just to be in his vicinity. To see his freckled face, his warm brown eyes, and hear the low tone of his voice.
Finding one person at a port where hundreds docked from numerous colonies, not to mention other countries, would be a needle in a haystack. Caroline tackled that problem in a different way by finding the beautiful Aquila first because wherever she was, her captain would be nearby. Ships of all sizes were lined up against the dock as schooners, brigs, and even one Man O' War were docked. The sails were drawn on all ships while docked but she could only imagine the beauty of sailing a three-mast ship on the open sea. Knowing the Aquila was a brig frigate class ship, she headed in the direction where those specific ships were docked.
Caroline was on the lookout for the familiar navy and brown uniforms of the Aquila as well. Although sailors could be foul-mouthed and rough around the edges, Faulkner and Ratonhnhaké:ton hired loyal and reliable men. She kept a close eye on the people walking by as well to avoid pickpockets or bumping into someone that would decide that stabbing you was justification.
While Caroline wandered around in search of the Aquila for half an hour, Duncan and Ratonhnhaké:ton were in a meeting of their own. The Irishman didn't want to draw attention by boarding the Aquila nor have his mentor do the same. Instead, he had paid a random street child to deliver a message for a meeting point to his first mate, Faulkner. The two had met in a solitary alley behind the main stores on the port where crowds were thin. It was a simple exchange of information for Duncan's next assignment and thoughts on his progress. It wasn't often that he asked his master what his current mission was but he assumed it was part of finding the Templar, Charles Lee.
"I'll be returning to Boston by March, unless there are detours, so I will expect you back by July" Ratonhnhaké:ton explained the length of his leave because if one of his assassins didn't return, he would investigate. So far, he had three that had completed their training and he aimed to keep it that way. He leaned against the stone wall in his captain's attire and crossed his arms to deliberate, "Wilkerson will join you. The Invincible will dock in the colony of Annapolis in Maryland and that will be your stop. I will have another ship waiting for you, the Surveyor, in a month when the mission ends. Any questions?"
"No, the old sweep and clean" Duncan replied to confirm with a nod since he'd done those missions before. He tipped his hat over his face to conceal it when a pair of women strolled by. He was already out of place by being in a back alley with a native so he'd rather keep his face hidden. With a cheerful tone in his voice, he revealed to his master, "I've got a travel companion this time, I believe she has potential. She's been working as a deckhand and secretly, I've been testing her skills."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was interested to hear this since they needed new recruits to branch out into other colonies. One familiar to the sea could help tremendously but he didn't know anything about Duncan's friend to assess adequately. He was already heading north to Davenport on the Aquila so he'd have to wait until then. Duncan was now on assignment as well and Ratonhnhaké:ton wouldn't risk an innocent person's life in that without meeting them first.
"She'd be the first female apprentice of the thirteen colonies" Ratonhnhaké:ton mused with intrigue to the opportunity and thought of the independent women of Davenport. Caroline's image flickered into his mind and he hoped she was safe, wherever she was. Davenport had accepted those deemed as outsiders by other 'true' colonials and he hoped to save more along his travels. Shaking his head, he declined to idea of meeting his companion for now and explained, "Unfortunately, it's too risky for us here and you've just received a mission. When you return to Boston, send a letter to Davenport and we'll continue from there."
Another group of civilians passed by on their way to the port market and Duncan raised his rosary to hold it over Ratonhnhaké:ton's head. The raven-haired man glared slightly to the idea of being considered either a malevolent being or in dire need of salvation and couldn't help but lecture, "I'm not an evil spirit or a heathen."
The mere word of evil sent the civilians scattering in their walk and they practically cleared the area. The Irishman compared them to hens flying the coop as the full bell skirts imitated the plump body of the birds. Duncan grinned smugly to his tactics while Ratonhnhaké:ton huffed internally with thinned lips and the redhead assured, "Nothing gets civilians out of our hair than something sinful. Religion plays a horridly enmeshed factor in their lives so I take advantage."
Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't accustomed to being a public scapegoat but allowed it since it kept their conversation private. Shaking his head as Duncan put away his innocent rosary, he spoke softly, "I should go. Faulkner promised me an inventory check at two in afternoon before its time for the sailors to be drunk on shore leave."
"You should join them, captain" Duncan suggested with a friendly laugh since the younger man was stoic and calm in his demeanor. While others smoked and drank, he simply read a book or sharpened a weapon. Ratonhnhaké:ton shook his head with distaste to the idea of losing control of his inhibitions and Duncan shook his hand in farewell, "I'll see you in Boston then. Take care, Connor."
Duncan headed back towards the port to rejoin the throngs of people, diverting to the left to take a different route back to the Invincible. He would check in on Grace to see her progress with inventory before heading out to peruse the market for leisure. They only had a few hours left before the ship headed out so he felt inclined to navigate with his travel companion.
Unfortunately for Duncan, as he headed out the side street to return to the docks, Caroline bumbled in behind him. She'd found the Aquila docked further south than she anticipated but the sight of the large frigate, its double mast and sails so very familiar to her, was a welcome friend. Even the shiny cannons lining two floors of the ship didn't deter her from wandering close. Her father had cut down the lumber to assist in repairing the derelict ship and it was the closest thing to home at that moment.
She'd left before being spotted and perceived as a thief or potential spy. Her goal had been satisfied with finding the Aquila but she sought its captain as the top catch of the day. Caroline had set out a perimeter to investigate, peering into shops and stopping by stalls, to see if she could catch the elusive man. Her luck happened in the strangest of ways when she saw Duncan hurry by from another side street and she'd attempted to reach him to have a buddy in her search. A group of young kids, chased by their worried parents, passed by between them and blocked her way.
Caroline sighed softly at losing sight of him in the crowd within seconds and turned her head to the right, where they had come from. She almost jumped for joy when she noticed him standing off to the side of the road, reading a small piece of paper. Quickly, she huddled against the closest wall of the building to peer over the side. Her heartbeat sped up to finally catching up to him and being only a street away from him. Her fingers grasped the brick building with joy as she smiled widely, earning a few strange looks from shoppers. Right, she was wearing a sailor's outfit and wasn't supposed to be acting like a schoolgirl in love.
Easier said than done, she thought in regards to the one that caused her heart to flutter. It had been half a year since she'd held him in Davenport's forest but he was unchanged; his poise and gait silent but determined.
Ratonhnhaké:ton moved further down the empty alleyway, tucking away the paper into his pocket. Caroline almost sighed dreamily to the movement of his muscular form in that handsome captain's uniform. He really was built to wear that attire, even with her alterations years ago. Tearing her gaze away from his form (she wasn't there to ogle), she spotted a few nooks between buildings and stacked crates. Slowly, she crept away from the building and the ruckus to quietly sneak behind the man. She made sure to keep her breath steady and quiet, exhaling with every footstep on the cobblestone ground and holding her breath as she moved. The sounds of the city covered the tiniest noise in comparison to the silent forests of Davenport and she wedged herself into a corner between buildings. It was a tight fit but it would do.
She'd become focused on hiding rather than keeping an eye on him and quickly snuck another peek down the street. Oh no, he'd moved farther down! Spotting a partial wooden fence, she dashed for it to make up the distance and thinned her lips to ensure no noise escaped. Wearing men's sailor's shoes were easier than women's heeled shoes and thanked her lucky stars for it. Being close to him brought a hammering heart threatening to jump into her throat.
Kneeling behind the fencing, she caught her breath as quietly as possible to avoid detection. Her heart was at war in wanting to see him but avoiding him. At the same time, she couldn't wander far and risk becoming lost in that unknown city. She could already imagine the jokes from her siblings on being lost in the colony with a Latin translation of her name. Caroline took a gamble and looked over the side of the small fence to see he was still walking without rousing suspicion and breathed in relief.
That calmness shattered a second later when she touched the fence as she stood up and it emitted a creak. It figured the wooden fencing would be in dire need of repair and was taking revenge against her hand by alerting people of its imminent demise. Ducking again, she practically held part of the fencing and prayed the annoying squeak hadn't echoed down to Ratonhnhaké:ton. Her heart leapt into her throat as she sat on the cold floor, failing her first time in trailing after a person instead of an animal.
If he does find me, maybe he'll think I'm a man, she thought hopefully since she wanted to see her journey through. The money from her contract would also help in giving her money of her own to return home with. If she was caught, she also needed a story and thought, How would I even rationalize a sailor in an alley holding up a fence?
He'd taught her everything she knew about sneaking around and tracking animals, so it would only be a matter of time before he caught on. Even with the crowds of people behind her on the port, she didn't underestimate him. When a minute passed by and nothing happened, Caroline decided to risk it all by scooting her butt closer to the edge of the fence again to peek over.
Nothing.
He was gone.
With a dejected sigh, it was a bittersweet victory for her and she stood up to come out of hiding. She wasn't going to allow anyone to hear the fence squeak so she released it slowly. It stayed silent and in place, allowing her dust her backside with her hands to keep her uniform clean. At least, clean of dust, anyway. The quiet and lonely alley seeped into her defeat at being unable to gaze at him or hear his voice. She missed tapping the freckles on his cheeks and combing her fingers through his shoulder-length hair. From the distance, she could see that it had grown more which he tended to do during harsh winters in the north.
Her adventurous side would regret this but the part longing for homestead prompted her to chase him down the street. She tried to keep her footsteps quiet as she scanned the street for any sign of him, stopping to peer into the connecting streets or open doorways of buildings. Everyone she saw in the distance bore little or no resemblance to the navy clad captain. Caroline walked further down the darkened street but she paused when she noticed a trio of buildings led to a dead end of the street. Her footsteps were all that echoed lightly but there was no sign of him. Surely, he couldn't have climbed a building or simply vanished into thin air!
How. . .?
Throwing up her hands in defeat, she had another mystery on her hands but her stomach gurgled to say it was time for lunch. Abandoning the search again, she gave the desolate area one more sweep before turning back to head to the Invincible. As she passed the first intersected streets, she paid them no mind since nothing had been there. What was the point in rechecking?
Unfortunately for Caroline, she didn't understand the kind of man she was dealing with. All she realized before her back struck the side of the building was that someone had grasped the back of her sailor's tunic to swing her backwards. The force was enough to knock the wind out of her lungs as she struck the side of the brick building. Caroline had only been a few inches shorter than Ratonhnhaké:ton but his stature made her feel like a mouse as she stood less than a foot away from him. Her eyes widened in fear that he'd discover her identity but he wasn't releasing his grip on the neck of her shirt, not with that cold look in his eyes. When had those warm brown eyes turned icy?
Oh, shit. Oh, shit, she thought frantically as her mind scrambled on what to do next.
She feared uttering a single word against him but he took the first step by demanding coldly, "Why are you following me? Who are you?"
Caroline did the only thing she could when cornered: attempt to flee. She grasped his wrist in both hands to dodge under it, twisting her body in his grip in an effort to release his hold. Ratonhnhaké:ton was stronger than her and easily began to pull her back against the wall, pushing Caroline to rethink. How do you escape a man that has killed bears with his bare hands?!
I only wanted to see him, not be crushed into paste against a wall, she thought miserably as the two fought for control in the darkened side street. The shadows were her saving grace as they concealed her features from him.
"Talk" he ordered grimly as he slammed her against the building and pinned her there by the neck this time. The back of her head struck the wall from the force and she couldn't help but glare at him for it. Fine, he wanted to play rough, then so would she.
Caroline had never expected to use this except for playful affection or diffusing a tense moment. This was a good time as any and while he held the scruff of her neck, her hands dove for his upper sides to dig in and activate the ticklish reflex he hid from everyone else. Ratonhnhaké:ton's eyes widened to the unexpected attack as the sensation sent a ticklish shockwave through his body, loosening his hold. That was all Caroline needed to jerk herself free and she took off to the left where the road opened into the bustling marketplace.
He was a powerful runner but she was leaner and could weave herself through crowds easily. During their hunting training days, she had always been surprised how he walked through snow like nothing while she struggled to find her footing. Even among trees, he climbed them like a natural bobcat while she stared in awe. Yet, here they were, thousands of miles away from home with him unaware to her existence. She snuck between any open pocket she could find between people and dove under a few stationary wagons to find her next route. She needed to escape the situation and fast because direct sunlight would not be her friend. The shadows and small spaces would shield her in this scenario.
The crowds were hefty enough to lose him in but he knew her attire and could pick her out. She had to cover her tracks completely before heading back to the Invincible or she'd have a lot of explaining to do. Caroline caught her breath as she snuck under a large stationary wagon to hide, buying herself time to scope out the area. There was no way she was throwing herself off the docks and swimming back to the Invincible. Boats were coming in and out of the dock which raised a high level of injury, not to mention the distance back wasn't short. She found it risky to remain in the crowds but she remembered the buildings surrounding them held open doors. If she could-
Her thoughts were rudely interrupted when a hand shot down into her hiding spot and she bolted out the other side of the wagon. Sticking with the last idea, she headed south to divert him further away from her own ship and quickly found the closest building with an open door. Ratonhnhaké:ton gave chase as his hand struck nothing but air, frowning to the elusive sailor.
Caroline resembled a rabbit hurrying to escape a hungry predator as she dashed towards the nearest building with an open door. It was a three-story wooden building for tenement housing which boarded impoverished families that couldn't afford their own property in the city. Caroline had lived in similar establishments when she'd first arrived in the colonies and had contemplated finding such a place while she'd wandered in the north. Clothing hung over open windows and clothesline wire bridged adjacent buildings as the noon sun dried freshly washed clothes. For Caroline, this meant there were open windows that lacked glass for her to escape from.
Ratonhnhaké:ton did not expect he'd be running at full force in a building housing innocent civilians. The tall sailor didn't care as they ran in full force through the first floor, jumping over small children playing on the floor with wooden toys, and ignoring angry yells from tenants. With him chasing behind her, he wasn't surprised to hear the yelling get louder as people tried to press against the walls to make space. He expected the sailor to seek the staircase and attempt to flee up the second story. His worry was for the innocent lives in the building in case they decided to grab someone, especially a little child, and use them as a hostage. Being jerked away from your home and physically attacked left scars on a young mind- something he would try his earnest to prevent in any child. He didn't know who this stranger was or why he had decided to follow him but Ratonhnhaké:ton was determined to catch him for an interrogation.
Caroline surprised both herself and Ratonhnhaké:ton with her last minute bravery as she spotted an open door on the far left. She didn't know what madness she was diving into but she hoped to surface in one piece from the chaos that was about to occur. Without a second thought, she entered the private home in a mad run and the smell of chicken stew hit her nose. Her swift footsteps caused the floorboards to creak as she targeted the closest filtering light for a sign of an open window. Two little girls swept the floor with brooms as she ran by and they screamed for their mother for the intruders. Caroline didn't want to frighten them at all and passed them by, narrowly avoiding a crawling infant in a cloth diaper as they intersected her.
"Shit!" she hissed with surprise and quickly jumped over them since scaring kids wasn't on her goal for today. Goal number one was to escape alive in one piece as an unknown sailor.
She hadn't expected a cluttered home but tenement apartments were tiny and this household held a large family by the looks of it. She grabbed a conveniently placed bucket of toys from a table full of freshly dried clothes and threw it behind her. The crash resounding from it let her know they'd fallen to scatter everywhere and knowing her friend, he'd hesitate to step on them which would buy her time. The noises and intrusion into the private apartment lured the mother of the children, a newborn baby nursing on her chest in one hand and a wooden ladle from cooking in the other. Caroline dashed by as she saw an open window, glad for the lack of glass in that type of housing and knocked down a few brooms and mops onto the floor to clutter his way. She hated to cause a mess in a private home and have him deal with that but escape was mandatory.
When the poor brunette mother, wearing a simple linen dress, saw Ratonhnhaké:ton- she screamed in outrage and yelled at her children to hide from the native. Her first instinct was to protect her children and force the tall intimidating man out of their home. He wasn't surprised in the slightest to the reaction but raised his hands peacefully as he circled around her. As Caroline assumed, he stopped for the civilians just as she reached the open window and hopped up to grasp the edges to push herself out. As soon as she clambered out of the open window, she landed on her feet on the cobblestoned road to continue fleeing the scene.
Her partner moved with the grace of a cat as he escaped the window a few seconds after, apologizing quickly to the dwelling's tenants. Out of guilt for leading their chase into the family's home, he dropped a few coins on the floor to make up for the trouble. The wooden ladle struck his back as he exited the building and Ratonhnhaké:ton refocused on the blue striped sailor. He was no longer playing games after breaking into someone's home and was determined to discover who they were. The lean spy was competent in his movements as he weaved through the crowds and improvised his escape. Catching sight of their kerchief cap, he ran after the sailor as he dodged civilians that blocked the view of his target. He could've used a rope dart to bind his feet to incapacitate him but civilians were too close together in range for that weapon.
Caroline was faster in planning her strategy when she circled back towards the north side of the docks. The markets resurfaced again as the wooden stalls lured her in for diversion tactics. She knew he was close as the building failed to trap him and she needed him gone fast. As much as she loved him and longed to hold him in her arms, she couldn't get caught or risk being injured. Affording medical care in the city wasn't in her finances and if he saw her without the disguise, he wouldn't forgive himself.
When she noticed a lady selling hens for food, egg laying, and their eggs, an idea sprung. Before the poor woman could stop her, Caroline swept in to grab the fat white hen she displayed in her hands to prospective customers. Being raised in the country for the last four years and her childhood in log camps, she was used to handling animals. Without second guessing herself, she twisted her upper body to the right in a half-turn to throw it towards the Aquila's captain.
Ratonhnhaké:ton balked in both shock and embarrassment when a squawking white hen came flying at him. The sailor had grabbed the roosting hen from her owner and flung it at him carelessly to buy time. Being a man that respected animals, he had to grab the poor fowl and handed it back to the frazzled woman before the animal decided to peck him. The protesting hen flapped her wings angrily while the worried merchant thanked him for returning her property.
Who throws hens at people?!, he thought with dismay to what had just happened. Templars hadn't decided to use farm animals as weapons during chases, did they? What kind of person was he dealing with? They were using tactics that he knew he'd react towards but he couldn't decipher the reason why they knew this. Were his enemies following him without him catching them?
The hesitation in his part to prevent the fowl from escaping allowed Caroline to gain more than half the distance in seconds. Heading north would lead her closer to the Invincible but towards other sailors, who wore similar attire to her. The stripes on the sailor's clothing was common and she could blend far better into that moving crowd to disappear. Along that same path, she had passed buildings with enough space between them that she could slide through carefully and pop out the opposite side to change her route.
Caroline kept her eyes open for a blue storefront home with a neighboring two-story tenement building next to it. With buyers heading through the store to purchase items and tenants hurrying in and out the building, they would provide cover for her to slink in between the space of the two buildings. She angled her run towards the left to trick him into thinking that was her route before turning a sharp right. Ratonhnhaké:ton had to quickly correct his footing and avoid plowing into a group of young women, who quickly scattered in disbelief to his lack of coordination. Thinning his lips, he was reaching his limit on patience with the sailor and tried to make up for the distance between them to pin him down for interrogation.
He assumed the sailor was going to try the same trick twice by darting into the tenement building. Instead, he watched them run straight into the tight space between the buildings- spots usually used by children- and the sailor entered it sideways rather than face first. Caroline sucked in as much of her breath as she could, thanking the heavens that she'd bound her chest tightly to hide her gender. Her slim frame fit easily as she imitated a crab's walk between the wooden buildings and glanced back at Ratonhnhaké:ton. Annoyance was the understatement of the day as the bicorne hat failed to hide his face, unlike his trademark hood, and she couldn't help but flash a little impish smile.
His frame was much too large to fit in through that tiny space and he watched the unknown sailor squeeze their way to who knows where. His fists clenched in anger as he lost a direct path to the troublesome man and thought with aggravation, Why is he eluding me? I was so close!
He locked gazes with the retreating sailor and the sharp blue hue of their eyes was frighteningly familiar. Who was this stranger? Why did he feel an odd sense of familiarity to those eyes? He disappeared into the shadows as their white teeth glinted against the dark in a grin and Ratonhnhaké:ton was forced to abandon the chase. The only option now would be to find their footprints trail with his gifted vision and locate them once they resurfaced. If not, he was back to square one in trying to learn his identity. He was disappointed in himself for losing a potential enemy and hoped he wouldn't regret letting them go.
Caroline counted her lucky stars for losing him before he discovered her identity. After escaping the narrow slit of the buildings, she'd shed her blue kerchief and tied on a red one she had tucked away as a spare. Normally, she used it to wipe her face but she needed to fool Ratonhnhaké:ton. The alley had been empty and it allowed her to pull her sailor shirt inside out to mute the coloring, disguising herself temporarily. After that, she'd hightailed it back to the southern docks to regroup and buy herself a noontime snack.
Instead of retreating completely to the Invincible to hide out for the rest of her shore leave, Caroline decided to undertake another risk-taking venture. Common sense kept chastising her for even thinking of another trip south of the docks but the thrill of tangling against her partner and escaping egged her on. She didn't know how long the Aquila would be docked but she'd be gone by sundown so why not? She wanted to leave a token for Ratonhnhaké:ton to let him know not to worry about being stalked by an unknown sailor and to focus on his work rather than her when he returned home. On the docks, it was easy work to find a shop and buy paper for her plan.
In a quiet alleyway away from the docks, Caroline had found a crate to sit on and began writing a note for Ratonhnhaké:ton. She didn't have much time to spare for a long letter without the risk of being found by him and didn't want Duncan to wonder where she'd gone. Ratonhnhaké:ton was a man of few meaningful words and he'd understand the haste in her writing.
The trip to the Aquila had left her heart hammering against her ribcage as she left herself open to detection. She hoped the red kerchief and shirt change would deceive her partner, if he was onboard. Her hands turned clammy as she stood before the Aquila and faced the plank that led into the mighty frigate. Two sailors in their blue and brown attire stood guard to protect the ship and its cargo, both eyeing her suspiciously.
She held up the sealed envelope to show them she didn't carry any ill intent and spoke in her low masculine voice, "I've come to deliver this to the first mate, if possible. If not, could you hand this to your captain?"
"And who are you?" the one on the right questioned because nobody walked onboard unless the captain or first mate cleared it. Delivering mail directly to a ship was even more suspicious so they were on guard to the request.
"Uh, just a sailor . . . worked back in Davenport for the lumber mill then headed to Boston for the high seas" Caroline stated awkwardly as she bent the truth but no random sailor would know about their home town. The men were surprised to hear it and glanced at each other to determine how to proceed. Their home town was small as it grew steadily so no sailor from North Carolina would know about it. Caroline offered a friendly smile as her posture relaxed to convey a sense of rapport and explained, "Just wanted to have this letter given to the cap'n. I saw the Aquila docked and decided to drop by before heading out."
The same man snatched the envelope out of her hand, inspecting it carefully. Caroline couldn't imagine what a person could do to paper to weaponize it but she was still young and inexperienced with the world. The sailor nodded to his colleague and he called towards the deck, "Faulkner! To the dock! Faulkner!"
She tried her best to appear calm as she waited on the docks and the sailors refused to acknowledge her until Faulkner joined them. A flurry of expletives were heard from the top deck, which wasn't uncommon on any vessel, but she remembered his distinct voice. Heavy footsteps were heard a minute later as the first mate approached the plank bridging the ship to the dock with a heavy frown, "What's all this about?"
"Some sailor brought a letter for the cap'n" the one on the left answered the first mate, who scrutinized Caroline as Faulkner descended. She squared her shoulders to appear bigger than she was and thinned her lips to mask her features even more.
Faulkner's interest was raised to hearing that because nobody had ever done so. His captain was quiet and elusive in his work which caused Faulkner's blue eyes to narrow at the sailor before him. It was too daring for a Templar or their accomplice to face an entire crew unless they were stupid or ruthlessly competent. His form was tall like his but lean, telling Faulkner they weren't a brawler type fighter but built to be fast. The set of full teeth behind their lips also gave it away since brutal fistfights caused a loose or lost tooth. The scar on their left cheek, however, told him they weren't fresh to fighting with blades.
"Oh? Whatever for?" Faulkner questioned casually as he continued to mentally jot details in his mind. The longer he spoke to the sailor and captured a detailed description for Ratonhnhaké:ton, the easier it would be for his captain to find him.
Caroline licked her lips absentmindedly as she shrugged to point out simply, "I worked back in Davenport a winter ago in '73 at the mill and the cap'n- I mean, Connor- helped me land a contract at sea. Just wanted to say my thanks before I head off with my captain."
Faulkner's brow furrowed to the stranger, not comfortable to how accurate his facts were, and asked bluntly, "Whatcha say your name was again?"
"Blackburne's my name" Caroline quickly piped up since her mother's maiden name wasn't necessarily lying. It wasn't known anywhere except to her family, the Galloways, and their old city of Glasgow. She waved dismissively to make light of her little trip, backing away slowly, and said, "It's a simple letter for the captain-"
Faulkner's shoulders tensed to hearing that old name, remembering the Assassin that had walked the deck of the Aquila in her early days. Ratonhnhaké:ton was too young to know about it but he and Achilles remembered. The sailor standing in front of him had the same bright blue eyes and freckled cheeks of the first captain who sailed the Aquila before handing her to Achilles, noting strands of red hair peeking out from his red kerchief. He wanted to gauge a reaction from the sailor and mused aloud nonchalantly, "Blackburne. . . I've heard that name. . ."
Caroline bolted out of there like lightning, dodging any of the Aquila sailors with ease. Her footsteps thudded loudly against the wooden dock from the speed she was running. Faulkner could only stare in bewilderment at the mysterious messenger that practically left a dust trail in their wake. Who exactly was he? A Templar spy wouldn't face them publicly like that so he wasn't sure what to make of it. Did they or the sailor know what the name Blackburne meant to the Assassin's Order? Shaking his shoulders, he figured he might as well give the letter to his captain for examination in case of anything suspicious.
When the captain did return, he had a mystified look on his face and kept glancing over his shoulder. Faulkner sat on top of a crate overlooking the dock just in case the odd man returned and asked, "Anything the matter, captain?"
"I was followed earlier by someone but they're gone" he replied uncertainly to the stubborn sailor in blue stripes that had eluded him. It wasn't often that it occurred but it left him with a feeling of unfinished business that he couldn't shake. He'd circled the area that he'd lost the trail for an hour but found nothing.
"We'll keep an eye out, sir" Faulkner replied firmly and whistled to the deckhands on guard below to stay vigilant. He wasn't allowing anyone to harm his ship, men, and captain. He hadn't seen this much excitement on a dock in a while and wondered who the mystery people were. Once the cargo finished being loaded, he would ask his captain about reconsidering shore leave in that colony. Remembering the letter the random sailor handed to him, he fished out the enveloped and waved it in front of his captain, "Oh, this was rather strange though. This messenger popped up earlier today and delivered a letter."
Ratonhnhaké:ton found that strange, given his previous altercation, and nodded, "Go on."
"They wore the standard blue and red sailing attire, he was Scottish by his accent and wanted me to give you this" Faulkner answered with confusion and handed over the envelope to put an end to the mystery. He hadn't pegged the man as an instant enemy but he wouldn't have called him a friendly either for their uncanny knowledge of their town.
Ratonhnhaké:ton grabbed the sealed enveloped and opened it with a small knife, shaking the envelope downwards in case of suspicious contents. All that fell out was a simple folded paper and he leaned down to pick it up, unfolding it with mild curiosity. His brown eyes widened a second later as he recognized the familiar cursive penmanship.
My love,
I'm not sure whether my letters have reached you and my family but I wanted to ensure you would receive this one. I confused you for a handsome mirage the moment I saw you here on the docks but you were a welcome sight for my sore eyes. Don't worry about the sailor that stroked your ire earlier today. I'm sorry if I drew your suspicion or annoyed you earlier by trailing behind you in the markets . . . but I've missed you terribly. I wanted to make sure you were well but I was afraid that a chance meeting might have you hauling me back to Davenport. I'm not ready to return but soon, I will. I miss you every day I'm at sea and I hope you reach our home safe and sound before I do.
Always yours,
Caroline
P.S. I'm sorry I had to tickle you into releasing me and hurled a hen at you. I wouldn't have done it but better it be that than poking your eyes out or punching you.
"That was her" Ratonhnhaké:ton whispered in disbelief to the horrible realization that she'd been mere feet from him. He'd been searching endlessly for her for half a year and she'd surfaced when he least expected it. Disappointment flooded him for losing the opportunity to speak with her, to hold her, and to simply touch her. He ran a hand over his forehead as he absorbed the news and blurted with frustration, "Faulkner, that was her!"
Her eyes! That's why they were familiar!, he thought with regret to how close he'd been. She'd been a hand's reach away from him and he'd lost her in that blasted crevice. He assumed she was a man and now realized her tactics to lose him were because she'd known him. It had been Caroline all along and he'd simply let her escape into the shadows.
Faulkner had no idea who the hell he was talking about and asked hesitantly, "Who was her?"
"The messenger" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied grimly as he read over the note again for any clues to her whereabouts or the next step in her journey. She wouldn't have trailed him without reason since doing so placed her at risk of being discovered. Still, her note revealed she missed him dearly and it could've been that longing that allowed him to catch her spying.
"Her who?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton refrained from burying his face in his hands to his first mate's cluelessness. Was there any other woman other than the redheaded Scot that he spoke of? The young man glanced at his first mate with a deadpan expression but stated firmly, "Caroline, Faulkner! It was Caroline."
Well, the face was a tad too rounded at the chin to be a man and the high cheekbones also gave a delicate appearance. The center of her figure did hold a feminine curve now that Faulkner thought about it as well. Hmm. . .
"That boy? You sure? I'm pretty good judge on feminine assets and . . . by George, that was her!" Faulkner balked to his captain's conclusion and mentally ran over the appearance of the sailor. The blue eyes matched the young girl and the red hair was a clear giveaway once the cap was removed. The clothes had been baggy for her frame which would be perfect in concealing a figure. Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't help but glare slightly to having his partner assessed in that way and Faulkner cleared his throat in embarrassed apology, "Sorry."
Faulkner didn't get another word out before his captain took off running down the plank, almost plowing into the bystanders. If the man wasn't dexterous with his finesse, he wouldn't have weaved between most and bumped some. The first mate said nothing, merely keeping an eye on the young captain in case trouble arose. He could understand the pain of accidentally bypassing someone he'd missed but the disguised Burnett girl was long gone.
While Ratonhnhaké:ton stood on the dock in the hopes of finding Caroline, the redhead was already onboard the Invincible. The bell at the rear of the ship rung to signal their departure as they headed into the open sea to head back north towards Boston. She stood on the main deck to peer out into the port, rather than the sea, and couldn't help but watch the Aquila become smaller and smaller by the minutes.
I'll see you soon, I promise, she thought with melancholy to leaving him behind. It stirred questions of self-reflection whether she was selfish for doing such things rather than heading home. Was independence and the risk of venturing into the unknown more valuable than the safety net of home?
Caroline tapped her fingers over the wooden railing of the ship, hoping that her homecoming would be well received one day. She wouldn't be surprised if harbored resentment and anger erupted over her leave but she would acknowledge her actions. Duncan pulled her out of her rumination by clapping her on the back as he stood on the deck as well, eating an apple, and Caroline managed a halfhearted smile.
"By summer, you'll be back in Boston" Duncan smiled at his travel companion and for the first time, she was overjoyed to hear that. Seeing Ratonhnhaké:ton had instilled her heart that she was ready to return home to visit her loved ones.
3 March 1775
Caroline's hands tugged nervously at the end of her work tunic as another change in her journey occurred. If she tugged at the fabric for another hour, she was sure she'd stretch and rip the fabric. There was only so much damage and patching up her sailing uniform could withstand and she gave up, brushing a hand against a dusty cheek in apprehension.
"You'll do fine, there's a reason I left you alone when we docked for the latter part of our journey" Duncan assured his young companion as he leaned against the side of the Invincible. Beside him, a large knapsack and a bedroll laid neatly on the floor of the deck.
Their ship had docked in Maryland and this would be the location of his departure. Ratonhnhaké:ton had assigned him a mission to clear a town of Templar influence west of Annapolis and he had to wait for Clip Wilkerson to join him. Of course, he couldn't tell any of this to his young friend and disguised it as missionary work for a new town in the outskirts of the port.
"This is where our journey ends, Miss Blackburne" he finalized what Caroline had been dreading since she enjoyed having company onboard the ship. The tobacco smoke, smell of ale and sweat, and the endless chatter was bearable with friends around. Duncan had been with her from the start of the voyage and even though she was three months away from reaching Boston, the travel would feel lonelier.
He had also kept her secret and she worried what might happen if somebody discovered her gender. Could she handle herself if a problem arose in the middle of the open sea? She frowned deeply to her new conundrum as she sat on a crate with crossed arms, disliking having to say goodbye. Duncan placed a hand on top of her head, patting the top instead of ruffling it to prevent having the kerchief come off, and reminded, "All good things come to an end."
"How will you return home?" she questioned skeptically because she didn't want him to become stranded. Duncan laughed to her worry since he was capable of booking passage anywhere or finding a stray horse.
"I'll hop on another vessel, something you can't do because of your contract" he reasoned easily with a simple shrug of his shoulders and she crossed her arms. She couldn't lie and say the thought hadn't crossed her mind. Would they really miss her onboard if she decided to jump ship? Duncan locked eyes with her to dissuade sudden impulsive actions and advised, "Good sailors finish their contract. Otherwise, trade companies will hunt you down for their owed services."
"I don't want you to go, you're the last friend I have" she spoke sullenly to the change since she liked having someone to joke or play a game with. Not to mention, he'd given her numerous lessons in fighting and knowing her way around a ship.
Duncan gazed towards the docks below as crowds began to gather to snag closing time deals from traders. When sunrise didn't strike deals for the early birds, last minute traders would barter to sell their goods. The growing crowd would be the best way for him to blend into the shadows and he pointed out, "There's many people throughout the colonies and I will be just one of many friends in your life, Grace."
"It was a pleasure working with you, Mr. Little" she smiled sincerely for his help and wished they didn't have to part ways. There wasn't any way around a farewell and she uncrossed her arms to hold out her right hand for a handshake. Duncan returned it heartily since he'd been glad for the company as well and her voice wavered into her own, rather than her alter ego, as she whispered with gratitude, "Thank you for taking a chance with me and believing in my wayward dreams. May your travels keep you safe."
"And the Lord guide you, Blackburne" he comforted with a friendly smile and he tipped his hat in her direction respectfully. Like any assassin, one had to be capable of survival in the harsh environment of the New World and he wanted to see her thrive. She certainly had the drive for it and he would have her seek him out, offering freely, "If you're ever in Boston, I'll be bound to some tavern somewhere shepherding souls. Don't be afraid in finding me."
With that said, he grabbed his belongings to begin making the trip to the outskirts of the city to await Wilkerson. Caroline hated the sound of footsteps over the plank now because it meant someone was leaving her road of adventure. All she could do was sit and handle it like a strong cliff by the ocean that bore the brunt of the crashing waves. Otherwise, vulnerability and fear would lead her astray into danger.
Caroline retrieved her small but trusty leather-bound journal, which was always tucked in the back of her trouser belt. She tore a piece of paper from it and scribbled her true name on it. After eight months of sword fights, questionable meals, and avoiding scurvy, he had earned the right to know who she was. Grabbing nearby pebbles off the floor that had been brought in by sailors, she flung them into a little leather baggie from her belt and added her message inside. Peering over the side of the ship, she yelled his last name for attention before chucking it overboard in the direction of her friend.
Duncan shook his head to her sudden creativity and wondered what she'd sent his way. Thankfully, it didn't plummet into the open water between the ship and the dock and he caught it in both hands. He quickly blended back into the crowd before people wondered why sailors were hurling objects at civilians. Opening the bag by its string, he found the little folded note inside and read it.
Burnett, my name is Caroline Burnett.
She waved in farewell as he read her message, hoping he'd understand her initial need for secrecy.
Little waved quickly from his spot behind the trading and sailing crowds but there was something odd about that name. Something that he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was there in the back of his mind but be couldn't recollect it. Had he heard it before? Had he seen the name or her image before? He really hoped he hadn't harbored a fugitive but Grace- uh, Caroline- had been nothing but kind. The boat had begun to leave dock when he finally remembered Connor's request to find his childhood friend. He had been searching endlessly for a young woman from his hometown with red hair and blue eyes named Caroline Burnett. Was it . . . could it be . . .? Had she been in his company this whole time? Oh no! He'd had an opportunity in his hands and had lost it!
By the time he reached the dock's edge in a last-ditch effort to draw more information, the boat was already sailing north with his mystery friend onboard. He'd have to send a letter to his master but the last time he'd seen him, it was down south. It would take a while to reach him if he was still there but compared to the Invincible, the Aquila covered more ground in half the time due to its larger sails and being a third-class ship. Connor would more than likely find her before he did but he could send him a tip that she was heading to Boston. He would embellish his letter by omitting that she'd been at his side the whole time to avoid having his superior furious. A quiet Connor was a happy Connor because if you pissed him off, you'd best swim across the Atlantic.
A/N: It wasn't the reunion both were anticipating but they're now well aware the other is fine (although bruised on Caroline's end). Caroline is very much a civilian at the moment so I had her act how I'd expect someone to when they're being chased since Connor is pretty darn strong in his physical attacks. As the story progresses, she will grow just as he will from those two innocent pre-teens in Davenport. When I think of those two at sea, I keep getting the AC: Black Flag and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes so I can't wait to unite the two on the Aquila. Now that she's alone without travel companions, Caroline will be ready to head home to continue her journey. In the next chapter, we'll return to Davenport to catch up with the residents.
Thank you fateful readers for returning to continue reading this story after its long hiatus, I truly appreciated it! An extra thanks for my last chapter reviewers: East Coast Captain, Awareness, Caver Floyd, GuildMaster, and FriendlyNeighborhoodHufflepuff! In regards to the ages of the Davenport kids for Awareness' question, Amelia will be 18, Martha 16, Elizabeth 14, Alice 12, Samuel 10, and Ann 7 (for the year of 1775). I hope that helps!
Next Time (chapter excerpt):
The peaceful quiet of the forest was disrupted when Norris pondered aloud, "Myriam is interesting."
The assassin wasn't entirely surprised to hear the comment since Norris had begun spending time with Myriam when either wasn't working. The huntress often kept to herself but Norris' infectious friendliness had begun to rub off on her after long days of tracking wildlife. He related to the two as they reminded him of himself and Caroline when he was just beginning to figure out how to tell her of his sentiments.
He remained quiet with his private life but agreed to Norris' opinion of the huntress, "Certainly not your typical colonial woman. A deadly shot."
Norris slowed his steps to glance back at his friend with a wide smile and boasted proudly, "She brought down that cougar! She is strong. Capable."
His eyes darted around the empty forest, as if it concealed hidden spies of Myriam, and he asked with a whisper, "She has no husband?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't help but be amused by the smitten man's behavior and wondered if he'd been like that. Hmm, no, he'd been more flustered internally and stuttered awkwardly. As awkward as it had been to ask Achilles on courting a colonist, he'd had support. With that in mind, he would help Norris in return if he would ask him. He shook his head to reply to Norri's inquiry since Myriam would've mentioned it upon arrival and stated, "Not that I am aware of."
Norris smiled at the cloudy sky, balancing the small keg of explosive, and admitted with admiration, "I never met a woman like her before. I would like to know her better."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was familiar with the sentiment and gently encouraged his friend, "You should speak to her then."
Thank you again for reading! :)