Color The Sky

by Mystic Blade

Connor's life at Davenport homestead brings a sense of family after leaving Kanathséton as he makes new friendships with the residents and finds himself slowly assimilating into one large family. He partakes in a part of life that isn't tied to the assassins while one young resident tackles the new wild frontier to carve a dream for herself as they cultivate their new community.

35. The Desolate North

Music: Hans Zimmer- "Up is Down"

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The Desolate North

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5 January 1776

"Wait!"

Caroline was the fastest woman alive for that single minute as she shot down the snowy incline that led to the Aquila's boarding platform. If her voice wasn't loud enough to warrant attention, her bright red hair was a sharp contrast against the winter landscape. As she ran, her fat leather pack slapped against her back and her flailing arms were hard to ignore.

The captain of the Aquila wondered what had gotten into her as she practically ran him down. He'd never seen her run that fast, especially with her belongings, and she didn't stop until she almost ran past him. He grabbed her by the shoulders to jerk her to a complete stop before the pack toppled her over.

Ratonhnhaké:ton, who was dressed in his navy captain attire, blinked uncertainly to her urgency and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"I thought . . . oh boy, my lungs" she breathed heavily with a wheeze as she gasped to inhale a lungful of air. Faulkner, who had been standing next to the platform, shared a silent look of amusement with Ratonhnhaké:ton as she raised one hand in request for a moment to gather her words. Taking one last deep breath, she stood straight once more to peer at both men and pleaded softly, "Don't leave me behind."

It sounded a little childish to say but Caroline didn't want her new adventure to be seized from her hands. Convincing her parents had been a feat of its own but they trusted Ratonhnhaké:ton and knew he'd stop her from hopping overboard to start a new life. Caroline had promised them that she'd return and the money she'd make on the trip would be put towards building her homestead. She was the oldest child and with the skills she'd attained, she was going to make a life in Davenport. Whether it was by helping in the mill or finding a spot on the Aquila, this would be her career.

This time, she had friends to share her time with and glanced at the two men whom she would be learning from. They would have her back if she fell into a dire situation and there was no better captain in her eyes than Ratonhnhaké:ton. She couldn't miss that opportunity after knowing the initial rejection to board had been one step to their undoing. Ratonhnhaké:ton fell easily to her worry while Faulkner snorted to hide his own laughter. The young captain grasped her shoulder to lessen her concern to promise calmly, "We're not leaving yet and I don't leave my crew behind."

Caroline surprised him by pulling him into a bear hug as the fat pack alone added substantial weight to her. Ratonhnhaké:ton's eyes opened wide to the public display of affection as she clung to him, a sailor to her captain, and Faulkner couldn't hold his laughter any longer. He'd forgotten how young ones sprung the most hilariously awkward situations. The crew wandering the dock for loading last minute cargo stopped to stare once they heard their first mate laughing.

"Thank you!" she cheered gratefully as she squeezed him tightly, adding more to his embarrassment. For Faulkner, this was decent entertainment.

Hearing the laughs and quiet snickers around her, Caroline released him with embarrassment tinting her freckled cheeks. This was not how she wanted to start a professional relationship with her captain, much less one with a romantic history. She raised her hands to cover her burning face, hoping to hide her face from her new crew, and blurted, "I'm sorry! I mean, that's not. . . I swear this is not how I begin my adventures."

"You're gonna fit right in, kid" Robert laughed to her slip in propriety because he was certain it wouldn't be the last. He already shared laughs with the captain for his modest nature and with the Burnett girl added to that equation, it would be an explosion waiting to happen. They were good people and although his captain's innocent curiosities sometimes placed them in a bind, he'd yet to say one ill thing about him. Giving the nervous woman a hearty pat on the back of her pack, he remarked sarcastically, "Although your pack is rather large."

"Oh, I just brought a few extra things from my parents to the captain and crew- cheese, bread, extra socks" she chuckled sheepishly to explain the abnormally large bag because she'd barely carried anything when she boarded her last ship. Back then, she was forced to hide her gender and entire identity for her safety amongst strangers. Now, she was truly able to be herself without fear of repercussions and serve the Aquila with her name.

"C'mon then, let's get you onboard and show you around" Robert invited warmly to their newest member, not surprised in the slightest to her acceptance. Although his captain was initially reluctant, he managed to wear down his hesitation due to her skills. Onboard, they were the only literate officers which meant a lot of the hard work running their covert trading business fell on their shoulders. That meant keeping the Aquila running, paying their officers, buying enough food and ammunition, and balancing their import/exports. He didn't even add in all the other tasks related to the Assassin's Order so yes, they needed a bit of help.

Caroline smiled giddily to her newest job, which she figured was learning to navigate, and smoothed her hands down her new uniform. Ratonhnhaké:ton informed her the Aquila sailors tended to wear white, blue, or red, and he left the creativity in attire up to them. Otherwise, he'd be no better than a controlling Templar. Caroline managed to purchase a new navy vest to lay over her blue tunic, placing a red kerchief over her shoulders in a knot at the front like the other men. Her gray breeches were still in great condition so she only needed to add a new pair boots to finish her new uniform. She didn't need to hide her gender so binding her chest and chopping off her hair to cover it was a blessing. Her boyish cut was long gone as her hair touched her shoulders and Robert was amused to see she'd tied it similarly to his captain.

She turned to her new boss as he watched his crew load up the last of the cargo and smiled gratefully, "Thank you, again. I will do my best not to disappoint you, captain."

Robert and Caroline headed towards the boarding ramp but Ratonhnhaké:ton followed them at a leisurely pace. They would leave in an hour once the cargo and full crew was accounted for and he would meet with Robert in his cabin to verify their course for the day. He hoped their travel north would be relatively problem free due to the winter months because ships rarely traveled north unless they were exploring. For him, it was seeking another piece to Kidd's treasure which had originally started as curiosity but had now become a mission to determine whether it was related to the spirits he'd spoken to years ago.

Time will tell, he determined thoughtfully and wondered how long he'd be able to conceal his second life from Caroline. To her, it might appear that he was opposing the British but they were also victims of the Templars as the group manipulated them as puppets to fuel the fire. All he could do was reason that he would engage fights that were started by that side and hope for the best outcome. If anybody blurted out the word Assassin or Templar, he might as well grab a row boat to the nearest dock and bid her farewell.

Boarding the ship with her right foot first for luck, Caroline ascended the mighty ship that she'd witnessed be reborn six years ago. The fourteen-year-old had dreamt of adventure on the high seas based on Ratonhnhaké:ton's letters and now that she was approaching twenty years, she'd attained that goal and was on the road for more. Samuel and Elizabeth had been disappointed that she was leaving without them but she promised to bring them trinkets when she returned. If she found a good whittler onboard, she'd pay to have a miniature Aquila for Samuel to join his collection. One day, when they were old enough and trained, she would ask Ratonhnhaké:ton to take them on a short trip.

"She's as beautiful as I remember" she whispered with awe to furled canvas sails, remembering her days of jumping onto a yard of the foremast to unroll them. Unlike her old cargo ship, the Aquila was modernized to perfection and she smiled to the intricate carvings decorating each mast. Even the bannisters and hardwood floor held an elegant appearance that she couldn't help but grin with anticipation. Turning to Robert, she opened her arms widely to compliment with joy, "Those pristine sails. The hardwood floor. Even the paint makes her look sleek! She's a dream!"

"She's had a few upgrades since you last saw her in '74" the first mate explained as he showed her the left side of the frigate that overlooked the blue cove. The cannons were freshly cleaned and gleamed under the warm sunlight with crates of ammunition stacked towards the rear of the deck. Robert patted one of the large cannons with a proud smile and informed her of the changes, "Improved armaments and a reinforced hull- even a naval ram."

Caroline whistled with approval and used her hand as a fan to cool herself down. She'd never imagined a ship would make her swoon. After sitting on cliffs overlooking the cove for years, it was a dream come true for her. Robert recognized a kindred spirit when he saw it and glanced over his shoulder to his captain to proclaim, "See? She understands the meaning of a ship."

Whispering to Caroline as her hands smoothed over the waxed bannister, he chided gently, "Six years and he's finally getting it."

Ratonhnhaké:ton crossed his arms to ignore the joke because he'd accustomed his mind to call his ship, an inanimate object, a female. However, seeing his crew, fighting naval battles, and fixing the damage to her- he had become invested in seeing the best of his ship. Watching Caroline's awe, he felt a twinge of jealousy that the Aquila was receiving so much attention from her.

Don't be foolish, he chastised himself to the ridiculousness of feeling that towards his own vessel. Caroline had always admired the Aquila from afar and he'd made her dream a reality. In essence, if he believed the Aquila was its own entity, she was now an extension of himself so he should pride himself on that. He sighed mentally and thought to himself, Don't make your life complicated.

"Cap'n, where do you want the de-icing equipment?" Richard Clutterbuck's voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to the gunnery officer. With their travel heading far north for the first time, he'd purchased equipment to ensure they weren't trapped by ice.

"It should be fine on the second deck, I expect more danger from the water than man" Ratonhnhaké:ton informed carefully since oil, food, and other supplies were stored in the cargo. He allowed medical supplies and ammunition to stay on the second deck due to the proximity of the cannons and need for emergency aid. This time, he expected to use less ammunition.

"Clutterbuck!" Robert called out to grab the dark-haired man's attention but at the same time, it nabbed his brother's as well. David was finishing his inspection of their artillery and ensuring that they had enough handheld weapons to escape any jams at sea. The brothers nodded to their first mate in attention and Robert practically dragged a modest Caroline to introduce, "I want you to meet our newest crew member. You remember ol' Caroline Burnett, she's here to learn navigation so you boys can focus on what you do best."

For several years, the brothers traded navigating at sea along with being gunnery officers but their strength was weaponry. Due to that, they stuck to the shrouds beside the cannons on the main deck to play that dual role whenever they set out. It wasn't easy to manage their men because it meant keeping an eye for enemies at a lower level, compared to the crow's nest, and making sure everyone had ammunition and getting the injured out of harm's way to replace them with an able-bodied sailor. They had been asking Robert for someone experienced or willing to take the job but so far, there had been no takers.

"Pleasure to meet you" she piped up with a cheerful smile to meeting her new crew members. Well, not entirely new. When she'd first approached the Aquila in 1774 to learn to shoot a rifle, Richard had been the one to assign a few sailors to teach her. She wondered if they remembered her from two years ago because last year, she'd barely recognized herself.

David and Richard shared a look before the older of the two asked with amusement, "I hope those weapons on your belt aren't for decoration anymore?"

"I was bad with a rifle, David, not a pistol" she reminded matter-of-factly and scuffed the floor with her shoe absentmindedly. She was not the best shot with a rifle because she knew little about it and even now, wasn't as comfortable with it as she was a pistol.

"You don't look bad for wear, kid, Faulkner said you resembled a boy last time he saw you" Richard chided with a loud laugh and pointed to their first mate, who shrugged. Wasn't that the look she was going for in North Carolina? She couldn't disagree with that comment because she'd conjured an extensive life for the fictional Ishmael Bartlett.

"The pitfalls of being a woman at sea" she muttered flatly to the gender switching she'd been forced to do to fit in. This time, the Aquila was familiar to who she was and she would take advantage. Lowering her pack onto the floor, she rested it against the main mast, and flicked her thumb to the sails overhead to state confidently, "I want to know all I can about navigating this mighty vessel. I've worked more with sails than I have with artillery, so I'll work to earn my keep. If you need an extra hand in a bar fight to break bottles over a few heads, I'm your gal."

Both brothers smirked to that prospect because that was common with their crew. If they weren't the ones involved, it was their captain who either incensed someone or his curiosity got the better of him. Surprisingly, the peacemaker in such events was Faulkner.

"Welcome aboard, Burnett" David said with a hearty pat to her back to welcome her and Caroline nodded. The two had work to finish before it was time to sail out and he informed, "Once you're done with 'ol Faulkner here, come find us. The sooner you start, the sooner you're on your own."

Caroline thanked them with a broad smile and the brothers carried the new equipment below deck. Ratonhnhaké:ton hadn't seen her this happy since he brought her back home and she placed her hands on her hips to breathe deeply. Robert couldn't help comparing the two to their old selves five years ago as they stood side by side. They complemented each other's strengths, even more so as a couple, and he smiled to joke gently, "I figured it was only a matter of time you joined us. Your father helped restore her and your boyfriend captain's her."

I'm also pretty sure your great-uncle captained her but that's another story, he thought with pride at knowing the Templar Order hadn't eradicated the remnants of families who hadn't been aware of their Assassin relatives.

Both Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton blushed heavily to the insinuation to their nonexistent relationship. The pause was made worse when they both burst into a flurry of denying any floating rumors with the truth. They didn't want to make their situation awkward, especially when they would be stuck on a ship for a month.

"I don't-" she blurted with mortification as her face resembled a cherry and her hands flew between herself and the captain. Oh boy, how was she going to explain this with a straight face.

"We're not-" Ratonhnhaké:ton mumbled sheepishly, not expecting this turn of events. As a captain, he didn't want rumors spreading about his private life.

"We're friends, Mr. Faulkner" she finished to avoid further embarrassment and watched the first mate's face fall. She wasn't surprised to the reaction because her siblings had mirrored the same flabbergasted expression. To emphasize her words, she sidestepped away from the captain and murmured, "That's all."

"Really? After all that?" he sighed with disappointment to the two youngsters, hoping the two would be on their way to tying the knot. His captain had searched for her endlessly so he'd expected it to end that way. To hear that they called it quits was disheartening and he looked to his captain to lecture, "You disappoint me, boy. If it were me, I'd haul my lady over my shoulder back to my cabin and-"

"Mister Faulkner!" both exclaimed with mortification to what he implied but they were too proper to even consider that. They weren't new to sailor talk but both tried their best to keep deaf ears to that adulterated talk.

Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted to excuse himself to retire to his cabin until he realized he needed to head to the lower decks. Caroline wanted to disappear into thin air but neither was getting their wish. Robert decided to spare them more humiliation and threw up his hands to sigh with exasperation, "All right, I know when a battle is lost."

Caroline fanned her face to gain control of her emotions and Ratonhnhaké:ton cleared his throat awkwardly. Neither dared to make eye contact as they crossed their arms to look elsewhere around the ship. Robert shook his head lightly to the modest duo and sighed softly, "This will be an interesting trip."

Robert motioned to the entire deck with his hands and suggested, "Take a look around the deck then we'll head below to show you your sleeping spot."

Caroline didn't hesitate in studying the masts and the furled sails to etch their details into memory. Ratonhnhaké:ton took this moment to pinch the bridge of his nose to live down today's embarrassment and repress it. Faulkner clasped his shoulder to turn him around, away from the curious Caroline, and apologized, "Didn't mean to embarrass you, lad. I assumed you two would be back to being two happy bees again."

"We're simply friends, Mister Faulkner" his captain replied softly to the decision he'd made and wouldn't change his mind on that. There were times when he wanted to but his life was hectic enough as it was and now, he was involving her in that madness. He hoped his decision to bring her onboard permanently wouldn't blow up in his face and he admitted with hesitation, "I don't think I'm ready for what relationships entail."

"You have a lot to learn" Robert sympathized because the poor boy had left the safe confines of his native village to travel into a world he knew nothing about. It would've been easier for him to find a girl within his own village but he'd attempted to involve himself with an outsider. He tried to offer guidance in that aspect of life but Ratonhnhaké:ton was modest and simple in his views. Squeezing his shoulder, he tried to enlighten the young man about love, "You have to let things happen naturally. There's ten stages of a relationship that you go through to find your true lady. The first is hand holding, the fourth is kissing, which I'm hoping by now a young man like yourself has. The sixth is where she finally lets you touch her ankle- quite an experience."

Ratonhnhaké:ton glared at his first mate for believing he wouldn't even attempt a single act of affection with Caroline. Otherwise, she would've left him long ago . . . probably. Where there really ten stages? Why hadn't he heard of this before? Was there a book about this?

Robert quickly raised his hands to show he meant no harm and the captain's face shifted into curiosity to ask, "What's stage ten?"

"You're not ready to even hear about stage ten so stay away from there!" his first mate responded swiftly to end the subject and shook a finger to emphasize that. Ratonhnhaké:ton stared with absolute confusion to what kind of conversation he'd fallen into. Why was stage ten unobtainable for him? Before he could demand it, Robert shook his head and informed him, "We'll talk about that when you stop making goo goo eyes at her and court her again."

Caroline noticed teardrop shaped pulleys hanging from the masts and pointed to them to ask the two, "Where does this lead?"

"To the lookout post" Ratonhnhaké:ton informed carefully since the lack of a true navigator often led him to scoping out the sea. He'd installed the pulley system to make it fast in an emergency to save time and plan counter attacks. So far, it worked wonderfully and he deterred Caroline's interest by warning, "It's rather fast and-"

She activated the pulley on the main mast by tugging the teardrop and striking her foot down on the lever mechanism. Both men jerked back in surprise when it lifted her upwards at rapid speed but she found this to be absolutely efficient! Who needed to climb over wood and rope when there was this? She could see the top of the first lookout post approaching and once it stopped right under the platform, she placed her feet on the rope net. Grasping the wood to lift herself on top, she lifted one leg over to easily slide onto the platform. Standing up, she inhaled the fresh air as the sun struck her face and she raised her arms in the air with victory.

"By the heavens, I love this ship!" she proclaimed for all to hear before turning to hug the mast gleefully.

Robert snickered under his breath at noticing his captain's shocked face and he restated, "Yep, she'll do just fine."

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17 January 1776

The Clutterbuck brothers had explained the different types of ammunition the Aquila carried which varied greatly to the simple defense cannon of her old ship. Ratonhnhaké:ton let her borrow books to read that would help with navigation cues, wind patterns, and the layout of a frigate. She would study chapters well into the night until her cabin mates complained about her little candle in a glass keeping them awake. It didn't last too long, however, since they were aware that she read incessantly to help their captain and in turn, them.

Her days alongside her new crew had gone ten times better than her first trip, even after reassuring that her being female wouldn't sink the Aquila into the depths of the Atlantic. For the most part, she stuck to the shrouds to learn from the Clutterbuck brothers during the first week. At night, she learned alongside Robert since the man was uncanny with predicting weather and reading the stars. Unlike the three men, she enjoyed using the lever system to make her way to the lookout posts. Ratonhnhaké:ton was the only one who dared to stay up there since the winds shook the ends of the masts in comparison to their base.

Her greatest concern, aside from failure, was her interactions with the captain. She expected awkwardness after ending their relationship but she was surprised how easily they fell into their old friendship. He treated her respectfully as always and if she had any questions or was itching for a task, he supplied the answer. It had been a fresh change to see him wear his captain's attire versus his white-blue clothing and she was enjoying her new sailing attire as well. Out at sea, they were equal partners in adventuring but she followed his every order.

The trip north had been surprisingly smooth due to most trade routes being located south of the coast. With winter in full swing, migrant ships were scarce but trade ships never ceased in importing/exporting cargo. The Aquila had been stocked with supplies and ammunition for the month so they could run with a full-sail straight to the Arctic. Ratonhnhaké:ton, however, made a few stops so the crew could mail letters home or buy souvenirs. His kindness and respect, not to mention the good pay, kept the crew loyal to him and Caroline admired that.

What she hadn't expected, however, was hearing the soft-spoken man bellowing orders on the high seas. When she'd first heard him yell out to unfurl the sails of the fore and main mast, she almost jumped out of her skin. When had he begun to raise his voice above calm level? She'd been stunned for a few seconds until she realized that as a navigator, she needed to oversee that the mentioned sails were fully open. It had been an eye opener for her until she experienced it again weeks later, bringing into question whether this was the same man she'd known on land.

They had sailed past Maine and were heading into deep Arctic waters to reach their destination within days. There was nothing but dark blue ocean and a white snowy landscape to greet the Aquila as it sailed north. Her concern, however, was the floating ice caps that would begin crossing their path. Her sailing experience had been southward where the only danger was pirating while the north carried icebergs. She took note of several triangular peaks floating around but the small misshapen tops were deceptive to the eye. They might appear small over the water but underneath, an ice behemoth could lurk that was capable of sinking a frigate.

"Captain, a field of ice caps ahead!" she hollered down as she remained on watch at the midline of the main mast. She wasn't comfortable in guiding a ship through something like this and gripped her spyglass tightly in her hand. Waving a hand below towards Ratonhnhaké:ton, she beckoned to have his opinion, "Better have a look!"

He heeded her suggestion and handed the wheel over to Robert, ordering quickly to the crew, "Keep her steady, furl the sails!"

Until he saw what lay ahead, he wasn't pushing forward with full sails. Descending the stairs, he jumped onto the crate that led to the pulley dangling by the main mast. Kicking the lever to activate, he ascended quickly and climbed onto the lookout post with the gracefulness of a cat.

Caroline handed him the spyglass so he could gauge the situation better and make a plan. She hung back by the mast, grasping the rope handles attached there for extra security. The further north they traveled, the higher the winds, and she wasn't keen on falling. Her captain, however, was an obelisk against the elements as he watched the floating ice field. Most were innocent sheets of ice or small chunks that would melt once reaching the Atlantic. The ones that worried him were the protruding kind that belonged to insidious icebergs. He wasn't aiming to take damage to the Aquila on his quest for fabled treasure and handed the monocular back to Caroline.

"What's the plan?" she asked quietly as she tucked away the tool for safekeeping into her vest pocket.

"Head over to the topmost post on the foremast and be careful" he instructed carefully because he would be placing her at risk with his plan. He didn't want any of his crew injured but if the ice continued to converge into sheets of floating ice and small mountain ranges, his path would be blocked. Caroline nodded silently and he informed her by pointing to the cannons below, "I plan on making my own path by clearing this ice."

Caroline got to work by descending the lookout post and used the pulley dangling below her to drop down to the deck. She wasted no time in running to the foremast and jumped onto the next pulley system to take her next position. Unlike her captain, she wasn't a graceful acrobat capable of jumping onto ropes stretched across the masts. While she climbed to the topmost lookout post at the stern of the ship, Ratonhnhaké:ton reclaimed his spot at the wheel and ordered, "Furl all sails except the foremast, keep it half-sail!"

His voice has changed my belief that there was only a soft volume, she thought with amused surprise to how loud he could be. Back home, he was quiet and modest but the sea transformed the man into a formidable captain. It was a voice that was commanding as well as frightening, along with a tad of allure that had Caroline slapping her mind for the thought.

Robert peered over the bridge to the men below and repeated his orders with a booming voice, "You heard 'im, men, half-sail!"

"Richard, load the swivel cannons on deck with regular ammunition" Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered to begin executing his plan and hoped it worked. He wanted a smooth path to the north before having to utilize deicing equipment on the thicker ice sheets. Pointing to his other gunnery officer, he continued, "David, head below deck and load the second deck cannons with grapeshot ammunition."

The brothers listened to the orders without questions since they relied on their captain to get them out of tight spots. Caroline watched the crew from above as they scuttled to position and tied a secure rope around her waist that was attached to the mast, just in case the sea became choppy or the winds picked up. For the moment, the ship was motionless in the water but she had a hunch that would soon change.

"What's our approach?" Robert asked with curiosity since this was the captain's first experience with ice like this. With the winds blowing east and sea currents south, they were bound to encounter floating ice.

"Shoot any in our way" the young captain replied because breaking them apart seemed a better idea than striking a large piece that could damage the hull. It was a risk to shatter a large piece into smaller ones but it would help him determine which ones to steer clear off if the ammunition barely dented one of those jagged pieces.

The Aquila moved forward at a slow rate and both Caroline and Richard kept their eyes peeled, one from the top and the latter from the shrouds. Robert would guide Ratonhnhaké:ton through the ice field carefully to make sure they all arrived in one piece. Most pieces were small and the sleek ship shoved them aside with ease but a few minutes in, Caroline spotted a hefty chunk of ice that required intervention.

Richard spotted the blue-green obstacle as well off to the left but Caroline's voice beat him to it, "Captain, ice at 11 o'clock!"

She resorted to using the positions of a pocket watch for easier understand, particularly their crew. At first, she'd tried using degrees and directions but only a few had understood her meaning. Among Robert and Ratonhnhaké:ton, official naval jargon was acceptable but she needed to modify it for the crew to ensure efficiency. She found using the hands of time kept them as a cohesive unit and smiled from her spot when they all turned in its direction.

Richard ensured the men who were able to aim the swivel guns on top could target it and called out, "Fire on your command, sir!"

Ratonhnhaké:ton could maneuver the ship around the ice but it would be a careful squeeze as others that were stationary also presented threats. A straight path would place them in danger if he couldn't decimate the ice chunk and decided to play this carefully. If it was his life alone, it could go either way but he wouldn't risk his crew and have that on his conscience. Moving the wheel to the right, he guided the ship into clearer water but moved it into a position were they could strike the ice directly with the short-range ammo. He'd never seen such creations of ice as they resembled towers and small mountain peaks, respecting the power of the earth.

Still, he needed to get to the Octavius somehow.

"Fire!"

Caroline flinched to his loud volume that echoed against the cold winds and shivered to both man and the element. As a child that had grown to live alongside the land as an extension and to respect its power, she trusted his judgment. The roaring sound of cannon fire broke the natural whistling of the wind and she gripped the mast quickly to prepare herself for the recoil. Being at the top of the mast, it was prone to swaying but she was adamant on staying up there.

She heard cracking ice and despite the rocking mast, she used the rope handles to keep a solid grip. Peeking over the lookout, she saw a piece of the ice slide into the water to sink and the sheer weight sent rippling waves of rushing water against the ship. She relayed that sight to the captain but she was certain nobody could've missed that rare view of ice exploding into a wave. Ratonhnhaké:ton was quick to turn the ship to the right to avoid having any of the decks receive that cold barrage of water and called out, "Turn the sails to 2 o' clock!"

With the wind blowing anywhere but north at the moment, they needed to utilize what currents they had available. He didn't want to fully open all the sails to prevent striking ice and thinned his lips to traversing this kind of environment. Thankfully, his men were quick and hearing that order, Caroline shouted it down to the men controlling the sails. Battling against two elements was risky for any ship and they were on their own if anything happened this far north.

Ratonhnhaké:ton was able to assess that the floating ice was indeed an iceberg as he dented only a portion of it. However, it was enough to have him alter his course and the new information would allow him to weave between the floating ice more carefully. The Aquila turned right to head deeper into the water past the iceberg and he breathed with relief once they passed it without issue. If they hadn't shattered a portion of it, the next step would've made it more dangerous.

"Half-sail at 12 o'clock!"

The sharp right he'd taken turned into a straight route as he moved the ship around the next two statues of ice. Caroline treaded close to the edge of the platform to see if she could determine the width and depth of the ice but the dark water submerged those secrets. The north was not to be taken lightly and her exhales blew out in white smoke as the situation began to bite at her nerves. There was fear, nervousness, and dread but the rare sight of the Arctic circle also brought exhilaration and admiration from her. She didn't know if women had been this far north and for Ratonhnhaké:ton to trust her, she appreciated that once in a lifetime opportunity.

Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't realize he'd held his breath until she yelled, "You're clear!"

Hearing that and seeing a thumbs up from Richard as well as he kept an eye from the shrouds, Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded with accomplishment. It was a relief to know he'd managed to squeeze the Aquila past the three small behemoths and hoped they would be further south by the time they were on their return course. Robert clapped him on the back to commend his resolve and his first mate called up towards Caroline, "Looks clear for the next kilometer but I'll keep an eye for small obstacles!"

"So will I" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated firmly because moving obstacles that could sink his ship were a problem waiting to happen.

"Not too shabby, kid!" Robert complimented their newest member and managed to see a perky smile from the top. They were teaching her well and the new experiences would only serve to improve her navigation. She'd taken to the role wholeheartedly and it relieved them of the extra burden, allowing them to focus on their strengths. Looking to the young captain who was eyeing the sea carefully, he remarked enthusiastically, "If we continue this way, the Aquila will be invincible."

Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't mind that at all and would put his trust in Caroline. She desired to push past society's expectations of her and being an outsider of the colonies, he would agree to nurture that dream. They would work together this time rather than exploring the world alone and he looked to Robert before ordering, "Unfurl the main sails!"

Robert repeated the order loudly once more to set their course and added in with a broad smile, "You heard the man, let's make our mark!"

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20 January 1776

Ratonhnhaké:ton shifted silently through the deep snow, the heavy winds pushing against him with a fury he had never felt. It stabbed painfully at his exposed skin and chilled his body to the very bones under his assassin robes. Unfortunately, he needed to be fast on his feet for this mission and he hoped finding his target would be quick. The Arctic winds were unrelenting, biting him wildly unlike the currents of Davenport during winter.

He heard shuffling behind him and he stopped momentarily to catch his breath, calling out sternly, "I told you to stay onboard where it's safe."

A defiant scoff was his reply as Caroline quickly joined his side, drawing a red kerchief over her lower face. She'd been adamant in accompanying him as a lookout to the derelict ship he sought. With this being everyone's first trip to the arctic, she wasn't letting him wander out alone in the harsh climate. He wasn't overly happy to the supervision since he'd gone alone to dangerous places before and she reminded sharply, "I promised Mr. Faulkner to keep you safe, even he doesn't want you alone out here."

She wasn't turning around at all because her concern was his safety in this isolated landscape. Snowfall whirled around them as the thick snow pulled on their legs, threatening to trap them. She rubbed her hands together for warmth as she proceeded past him, pushing him to surpass her to maintain the lead. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't want to be responsible if anyone was injured on his watch but Caroline wasn't taking no for an answer. With that in mind, he admitted with reluctance as they headed toward an incline, "Faulkner's guess better be right. Why anyone would believe the Northwest Passage exists is beyond me."

Caroline followed his gaze to the dark blue waters of the Arctic off to their right, shivering to seeing broken pieces of ice floating, and suggested, "Maybe it does and man isn't equipped to handle it just yet?"

He couldn't imagine this being worthy of a venture, not even for business, and shook his head to reply, "With this wild climate, it'll be centuries."

"Or maybe it doesn't exist" she piped up with the only other possible choice and watched him slide down a snowy embankment. Following him loyally, the cold numbed her right side momentarily until she landed on her feet on secure snow. Ratonhnhaké:ton dusted off his robes to keep warm and shot her a deadpan stare, causing her to grin, "C'mon, laughter will keep us warm."

He was skeptical of her suggestion and she waved a hand in dismissal, realizing he was in mission mode. When that occurred, she could rarely crack a smile from him and she was almost inclined to say he became a different person altogether. The honor and determination was still there but there was a stern edge to him. She wouldn't push it and continued following him down a narrow path formed between the empty land. Canyons of ice surrounded them as they traversed through heavy snow once again.

Eventually, the snowy path opened to the ocean once more as the layout shifted into a cliff overlooking the dark waters. Caroline's eyes widened to seeing the floating pieces of broken ice wandering over the silent ocean in slow motion. Was this the fabled Northwest Passage? How could anything traverse the thick polar ice without becoming stuck or having it shatter the hull of a ship? Ratonhnhaké:ton spotted the abandoned ship instantly as its derelict form jutted towards the sky and pointed to it to let her know they'd found it. He hoped it was sturdy for an explorer and spoke softly, "The Octavius. Hendrick van der Heul's first and last captaincy."

As a captain, he hoped that wasn't a foreboding omen as he glanced at the wreckage and told her, "That feels a little odd for me."

Caroline shook her head to dissuade ominous thoughts and informed matter-of-factly, "The Aquila's been around for a long time. You're also smart enough to detect danger and avoid it. . .or shoot it."

He glanced at her with mirth in his eyes for the wisecrack and she reminded with an innocent smile, "Ah, what did I say about laughter in this winterland?"

"It's certainly the coldest place I've been" he agreed to the steep temperature drop of the north compared to their own land. Even the sun appeared like a shrouded specter as it appeared a faint white in the stark land. He wore numerous layers to combat all climates but the cold pierced any uncovered skin, burning his flesh until he warmed it. Glancing at Caroline, he pointed to the thin fabric of her sailor's kerchief and advised, "You should've worn a hat, not a cap."

"And watch the Arctic winds claim it into its icy depths? Never!" she scoffed indignantly to her hard-earned belongings and tucked the ends of the cap behind her ears even more tightly. Wiping away snowflakes from her face, she peered at the dark sea between them and the ship. More land encased in ice lay to the right but as ice thinned at the edge, pieces broke off to enter the circulation of small icebergs. Caroline didn't want them to fall through cracked ice again but looked at him with determination, "Let's get you on that ship."

With that said, she allowed him to take the lead as her captain and he simply slid down the angled ice slope to the right. She followed him loyally without a care to the steep height they'd jumped from but hoped that the ice coming up to meet them was sturdy. Despite the white blur of their surroundings from the speed, she kept a close eye on Ratonhnhaké:ton. Her side grew numb as her eyes were bombarded with snowflakes that threatened to block her vision.

He landed on the frozen shore as the silent water failed to have the lively sound of their own back home. It was the most isolated place in the world, almost resembling a realm of its own- especially when light stretched for endless hours. He heard faint cracking under his feet from the landing as a spray of water was sent into the air from the force. He stayed still for a second to ensure the large piece of ice wouldn't start moving (or worse, shatter) and quickly darted to the next one in front.

Looking over his shoulder, Caroline's form still slid down the steep drop and he called out, "Be careful on landing, the ice is shifting there!"

She saw the white of the land rushing up to meet her and used her elbows and hands to push herself off the ice. Landing in a crouch, the ice under her feet shifted downwards and that was enough for her to run towards the next ice cap ahead of her. Once was enough for her to experience the frigid waters of winter and she found the next layer of ice sturdier. She didn't realize how nervous she was about that prospect until she noticed the white smoke of exhales trailing past her lips.

Ratonhnhaké:ton grasped her right shoulder in a reassuring grip and she nodded quickly, gazing towards the smaller ice particles floating in the sea. The only path to the abandoned ship would be to climb the protruding ice and he informed her, "I'm heading into the ship but I won't ask you to follow."

"Go on ahead, I'll make my way around" Caroline smiled faintly because sturdy wood was far different than handling slippery ice. She wasn't ready to tackle that and would circle around using the land to meet back up with him. At the same time, it would allow her to look for another route back to the ship because that slope appeared unclimbable for them to retrace their steps. Gazing at him with concern, she nodded to part ways with him, "Be careful, Connor."

Ratonhnhaké:ton ascended the half-formed ice arch that lingered over the ocean to begin the trek towards the Octavius. Caroline could only watch his graceful climbing but he disappeared to walk the thin beam of ice, praying he'd make it to the other side safely. Hugging herself for warmth, she broke her gaze away from the sea and headed down the icy shore to make her way east.

Finding his way to the inside of the ship was easier said than done for Ratonhnhaké:ton as he faced ice structures rather than earth. He was accustomed to climbing buildings, trees, ships, but ice was completely new to him. Unlike land or manmade objects that offered a sturdy grip, he had to take time in calculating precise jumps and grips to ensure he didn't slip into the dark waters below him.

I am never returning to a place like this, he thought with finality in his mind as he jumped over a small ice cap to land on a large smooth iceberg that had wood embedded from the ship. For a brief moment, he missed the hot humidity of the south and its tepid waters.

It took the young assassin a longer time to find his way to the ship than finding Hendrick's corpse. For once, he didn't have to chase anyone down or traverse a maze and was relieved to find the next clue in a small chest clutched by the dead captain. With the parchment read and safely in his pocket, he could begin making his trek back and leave the barren land for home.

His relief, however, was short-lived when he jumped down from the captain's cabin and the vibration unsettled the derelict ship. He heard the walls creak horribly before the entire ship's frame rumbled and shifted downwards at a sharp angle. An old cannon flew past him to crash against the opposite wall, narrowly avoiding a collision that would've pinned him with undoubtedly severe injuries.

The ship is sinking, he thought with annoyance to what was happening as the Octavius kept lurching at a straight vertical angle into the cold sea. A second later, he rolled out of the way when a wooden barrel came flying at him from above, crushing the floorboards below it.

He managed to get to his feet as the ground trembled menacingly and he snapped to himself, "I need to get out of this thing!"

Running forward, he ducked under a broken wall to sneak to the other side. He jumped over a chasm between the floor but instead of grasping a decent grip or footing on the next wall to ascend, he slid down another plank of wood to roll deeper into the ship. The darkness shrouding the decks weren't helping and his eyes focused on finding any shred of light that would lead him to the surface.

I must get out, he thought desperately as he dodged random crates and debris that fell his way after landing. He ran to grasp the edge of a shattered wall, climbing quickly to reach the top. The horrible groaning from the capsizing ship grew louder and his eyes widened when a barrel rolled towards him.

It struck his left shoulder and the force was enough to knock him back down to the previous floor. Pain radiated from his right shoulder as he landed on his side, wooden debris landing over him, but he pushed it out of his mind to stand up again. He had barely gotten his bearing in balance as the ship tilted to its left when another barrel flew at him, missing him by a few hairs. His shoulders were already throbbing so he didn't need to add more injuries.

That was close!, he thought as he ran towards the left to escape the lower deck and saw another open gap between the floor. Sliding down, his irritation turned to worry when water began to leak inside as the rotting hull gave way. The dark water quickly filled the small space, chilling his skin all the way to his calves, but he managed to find a grip with the opposite wall in front of him that finally led him to an upper level.

He ran quickly through the small passageway as the darkness threatened to engulf his sight. Thankfully, he spotted a ladder at the dead end and quickly ran to the reach it . . . only for the floorboard to collapse underneath him. He slid down dark passages on his back once more as snow and wooden debris struck his face, worried to where this would lead him. He was trying to reach the top deck, not stay in the dark cargo hold of the ship.

He managed to land half-decently onto a small ledge as light filtered down to show a possible route upwards. The ship shook around him but he hesitated on jumping forward as barrels, clothes, and other wooden debris fell down the open gap. If he had to climb up, he didn't want any sudden surprises knocking him down again. When water began pouring into cracks from the walls, he decided to take the heavy risk and jumped over the ledge to grab hold of the broken remnants of cargo jutting out from the other side. Cold showers brushed by his legs as the small trickles soon became pouring geysers of arctic water below him.

Ratonhnhaké:ton managed to grab hold of stable ground as he lifted himself onto a solid deck. Looking behind him, the deck was clear but darkness filled the corridors. From up above, light continued to filter in and it told him that was his path to safety. Jumping off the edge of the deck, he grabbed solid beams and ropes that dangled from the deck above. He needed to continue moving upwards as he realized his choice was right, hearing rushing water in his ears from below. If he'd taken the opposite route, he would've drowned within minutes.

The Octavius was capsizing quickly and he grasped the wall above him as he entered another large space filled with frozen cargo and wooden panels. He climbed over barrels and jutting wood until he reached another dead end from above, jumping backwards with enough force to grip the ledge on the other side. At this point, he had no idea what was up and what was down- he simply needed to escape by any means necessary.

Darting forward from the new ledge, the way was clear enough that he was climbing upwards in seconds as he used wooden beams and the exposed foundation frames of the ship. The shrouded sunlight filtered over his shoulders, letting him know that he was close to the surface. With each grasp of wood, metal, and rope, more water rushed in towards and he spit out salty water when it burst in off to his left. If the force had been stronger, it might have loosened his grip and it was enough to quicken his already hasty pace.

I must not get caught in here, he ordered swiftly to keep moving because he had a ship and crew to return to. He wasn't about to give up his life for a shred of paper and plunge his mission of ending the Templar threat into the ice.

He climbed past a metal grate as he caught sight of the cloudy gray sky above him and thinned his lips with determination to being so close to freedom. His hands gripped the wooden panels of the shattered upper deck while being bombarded by splashes of icy water. The ship continued to sink from the stern first and he gripped the top of the broken deck to greet the white sun that held no warmth against his skin.

The frigid water rose quickly to meet him as he jumped off the upper deck, unwilling to let the rushing sea claim him as well. It could have the Octavius because he had a home to return to in the colonies and Caroline would be looking for him as well. He hissed aloud to the bone-chilling temperature as he struck the water to be doused from head to toe. He'd expected temperatures similar to theirs at home but this was another entity entirely.

Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly swam back to find a solid surface as the ship sank, kicking his legs swiftly to ensure the vacuum from the ship didn't pull him along for the ride. He fought mentally with his body within a minute as every muscle screamed for him to get out and find warmth. He could hear Caroline calling his name ahead of him but with each swing of his arm, the frigid water penetrated his skin like knives. No human could survive in that water and he struggled with all his energy to make it back to land. He could hear the Octavius sinking behind him and was determined not to follow it into a watery abyss.

"This way!"

Caroline had slid down the incline of ice to where her captain was swimming towards. It was dangerous to walk on the glaciers but she couldn't stay behind completely. She'd never seen waters so dark and felt even colder thinking of how the temperature must be. She wasn't sure if he could see with the snow swirling around them and placed her hands over her mouth to beckon him to land with her voice.

"Here!"

"Don't stop, keep swimming!"

After what seemed like eternity, his fingers grasped the slippery ice of solid land. He had to use his hidden knife to stab the ice to create a grip and raised himself out of the water. His limbs were already becoming numb and if he lost control of them, his life would be at risk. He could see the edge of the snow-capped glacier a hand's width away as he used the last of his energy to gain half-decent footing in the holes left by his blade. His wet fingers slipped against the ice to grasp a decent hold and he fought against his numb limbs to not let go. Falling back into the water would be a grave mistake because he didn't have the energy to keep fighting.

"Ratonhnhaké:ton!"

Caroline's hands grasped his frigid one to assist him in finishing his arctic swim and pulled back with all her strength. His weapons (minus the bow and sword), body weight, and the water-soaked clothes made him heavier than normal and he appreciated the help after losing sensation in his legs. Arctic water was not to be taken lightly and he shivered uncontrollably in spasms once he hit the ice on his stomach. It wasn't like the cold winters back home that gradually numbed you but it also took your breath away as ice picks stabbed every nerve.

She quickly grabbed him by the collar of his coat and pulled him away from the edge. Looking over her shoulder, she tried to find a lower incline to return to the Aquila since free running might be out temporarily. She struggled to move him since the slippery terrain didn't help either as droplets of water rained everywhere and quickly shook him to grab his attention. He waved her away sloppily as the numbing effects of the water took hold, lulling him to sleep, and she sighed, "Oh, boy, please forgive me."

Biting her lower lip, she used her right hand to slap him across the face to jerk him back to consciousness. Although his nose was partially numb, his cheek wasn't and he sat up instantly to the first sensation that wasn't frigid cold. His brown eyes were wide open as he focused on her and she justified, "I'm sorry but I'm not taking you back as an icicle."

"I refuse to be an icicle" he grumbled but managed to make it to his feet with her help. His body felt heavier than normal as he tried to balance himself but Caroline grabbed his right arm for support. She saw the effects of the water taking its toll and tried to lead him away from the ice as quickly as she could. The sooner she could find an area that wasn't bombarded by snowy wind, the better.

She furrowed her brow when she heard him mumble under his breath, "And abreast the rock that doesn't fit."

What did that mean? Although he was following her footsteps, his head slightly bobbed as his eyes closed momentarily. She didn't want him to collapse anytime soon and worried for his health, wondering if he was struggling to stay awake. Shaking him lightly during their walk, she sighed aloud, "Oh no, he's delirious."

His head quickly snapped towards her as he jerked awake to that claim to refute, "What? No! It was a quote."

Oh.

Caroline led him along the flattest areas of land while she searched for a spot where they wouldn't be severely exposed to the elements. Being wet from the water, Ratonhnhaké:ton was losing body heat fast and she wouldn't risk him falling to hypothermia. The wet layers of clothes would do nothing with transferring her body heat either.

Spotting an alcove along the icy arches, she released him and forced the protesting captain to sit. She didn't reply, tearing off the pack from her back to open it and bared its contents. Warm dry clothes were neatly tucked inside and she didn't hesitate before peeling off his white and blue overcoat. He snapped awake at realizing that she was undressing him and before he shoved her away, she snapped, "You'll lose too much heat if you keep walking in these wet clothes. You need to retain any warmth possible so put this on."

With that said, she motioned to the clothes inside the backpack and he attempted to finish removing the top layer of clothes. The cold, however, had already numbed his fingers and he glared at how clumsily his normally adept hands were acting. Caroline shook her head since they didn't have time to waste and sighed, "Sorry about this."

She slapped his hands away to unbutton the white vest to free the second layer and peeled off the last layer of his tunic over his head. Over a year ago, this would've been her girlish dream if they weren't at risk in the perishable north. She pulled out a fresh tunic to quickly place it over his head and he managed to put his arms in the sleeves. A heavier coat fell on his shoulders and the dreadful cold was kept at bay by the dry plush fabric. He realized Caroline had brought his captain's attire in her bag and wrapped a blue kerchief around his head to prevent heat loss from his scalp. When she moved to his shoes, he reared back and quickly objected, "I'm not taking off my pants, Caroline."

She dropped his right foot since her concern was his stability rather than what lurked under his clothes. Crossing her arms to warm herself, she exhaled cold air and joked, "Well, you're kicking so that's a good sign."

Grabbing his soaked clothes, she placed them in a separate compartment of her pack to keep the remaining new clothes dry. She helped Ratonhnhaké:ton back to his feet and without the wind and snow striking his face, his upper body finally began to regain its full function. He'd never been happier to wear his captain's coat and glanced at his shivering companion, "Thank you."

Together, they left the safety of the alcove to resume their trek back to the Aquila. He was glad that Caroline insisted on accompanying him, especially in unknown terrain. Although he wanted to be competent in handling any task alone, he didn't mind her company. He lived a lonely life as it was but the north held a desolate edge that beckoned him to find another soul.

"There!"

Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed to the right where he saw the familiar mast and flag of the Aquila. Faulkner must have moved her further into the passage but he didn't want their ship to become stuck in the ice either for trying to save him. Being in an unforgiving place, he figured Faulkner didn't want him lingering there too long. It was enough to quicken his step as the warm clothes helped to ward off the cold and soon enough, he was pulling Caroline along. She didn't want to slip over the ice and released him so they could return hastily to the safety of the Aquila.

The two were bombarded by heavy winds as they walked against the current, determined to return to safety. The cold was deceptively alluring in beckoning one to huddle down and sleep but they knew better. All around them was white snow and the dark sea, the only shining beacon being the wooden masts of the Aquila. As the ship grew closer, they left behind the cold sun and its desolate land.

"Ever think of traveling to Antarctic waters?" she joked as she shivered against the wind, hugging herself for warmth. When she heard no reply in return, she assumed her jib was lost to the wind.

Caroline spotted Faulkner on the ice as he maintained vigilant for them, a small rowboat resting against the icy shore. The Aquila wouldn't come close to the masses of ice to prevent the risk of entrapment or damaging her hull from floating icebergs. She waved one arm swiftly and called his name to grab his attention, her voice captured by the roaring wind instead. Her movement was enough for him to catch the two hobbling along the snow but noticed his captain was wearing different apparel. He didn't blend into the snow anymore with the mismatched attire, drenched in water from the waist down, and he called out, "What happened?"

Caroline didn't waste time and ushered their captain to enter the rowboat first, sighing under her breath, "He decided to be the first captain to swim the Northwest Passage."

Ratonhnhaké:ton huddled in the rear of the rowboat, hugging himself tightly to ward off the cold and his teeth chattered as he said, "Mr. Faulkner. . . cross off any more trips to the north until winter ends."

---

"He'll be fine, Burnett."

Caroline ignored Robert's reassurance about Ratonhnhaké:ton as the two lingered in the captain's cabin. She hadn't left his side since returning and had taken it upon herself to keep an eye on him as he slept soundly.

"There's a reason only whales survive up there" she pointed out grimly about his unexpected swim in the arctic water. People died in winter from the cold in their area and he'd gone straight into the coldest waters known to mankind.

"And bears" the first mate added in nonchalantly and her eyes widened to that fact. There were bears up there?! How cold they survive that harsh climate?

Caroline had tried to force the captain to bed once they were onboard but it failed, as expected. Ratonhnhaké:ton was tenacious and never one to be idle when it came to work. Robert had assured them he could man the Aquila back to the Atlantic but Ratonhnhaké:ton refused, quickly changing into warm clothes to maneuver the ship himself. She was left with finding the ship's cook and to her surprise, the men had chiseled ice from the untouched glaciers while their captain explored. With ice that could be thawed into fresh water, she'd requested for any possible broth to be sent to the captain's quarter and she hauled a bucket of hot water for a bath. Not for herself but to place some heat back into her captain's half-frozen body.

After everything was said and done, Robert took command of the ship for the rest of trip and Caroline played a prison warden by keeping their captain inside his room. She admired his commitment but he also needed to protect his health. He'd reluctantly agreed to bathing and eating, but he'd protested greatly against a nap. She was almost inclined to say this was his fussy side as the renewed energy gave him that boost. When his entire crew practically shouted for him to be selfish for once, he reluctantly listened to avoid a mutiny. He was a captain to admire and she thanked the sailors for the tough love.

Now, he was finally asleep after what seemed an eternity.

"You worry too much" he lectured her dedication as she fixed the covers above his shoulders. There would be no cold drafts on her watch. Despite the two calling it quits, he could see Caroline's sentiments for the young captain shine through in her care. His captain tried to help as many people as he could but needed that care reciprocated, telling her, "Though I will say it's good to have someone watching over him."

"I haven't been the best at doing that" she admitted with regret as her gaze swept over his freckled cheeks. If she knew his adventures were like this, she would've hopped onboard illegally just to protect him. She connected the dots at remembering his happiness whenever they reunited after a voyage and realized how lonely the nights could be at sea. She'd felt that loneliness herself but she had family to return to at home while she'd simply vanished completely for him. Her mistakes would be corrected day by day and she murmured softly, "He's been alone on his own since childhood, wandering in dangerous places with only luck at his side."

Robert couldn't help but chuckle to her concern and reminded, "He's not a child anymore, not with his size."

"You know what I mean" she fussed with a faint smile to his joke, knowing he was trying to lighten the mood. Ratonhnhaké:ton was no longer the fourteen-year-old boy she'd met years ago and had to accept the man that jumped into danger. From now on, if she could join him in those moments, she would.

"All right, I'll let you little lovebirds be" he chided gently which turned her entire face red to the insinuation, quickly looking at the captain to make sure he was asleep. Robert was still rooting for the two to patch up their breakup so they could be truly happy instead of divided. Walking away, he closed the door to the cabin to leave the two alone.

Caroline tried to ignore her bothersome feelings by readjusting his blankets. . . but snuck a quick brush of her fingers across his dry hair.

She let him sleep on his own after that and retired to keeping watch by the shrouds. She didn't want any sudden icebergs rearing up and she also wanted to make sure Ratonhnhaké:ton stayed inside. Leaving the icy north was a relief and Caroline couldn't wait to return home. Sure, it was probably also freezing cold but it was tolerable. They were stationed there for the night until Robert woke up in the early morning since he was the only one experienced, besides the captain, to steer the ship through the icy water.

Caroline heard the door to the captain's cabin creak open and she turned to find Ratonhnhaké:ton peeking outside. Was he trying to escape? He spotted her outside the door as she leaned against the bannister and she teased, "Going somewhere, cap'n?"

Are they watching me?, he thought warily to the dedication of his crew to keep him locked inside. He'd slept so deeply that he'd almost forgotten where he was until he glanced around his cabin. Eventually, his recent memories all came back and he'd untangled himself from his warm bed. Grabbing a warm wool jacket and a scarf to match, he grabbed a dry pair of boots to put them on hastily. The floor had been a mess of wet and half-damp clothes but he managed to reach the door to peer outside. . .where Caroline was playing watchdog.

She smiled at seeing his perfectly tied hair was loose, reminding her of his younger self. Some of the tips were angled back from what she guessed was his sleeping position, which she noticed was often on his back. She was more guarded and preferred sleeping against the wall to peer outward. One never knew when danger would rear. For the moment, however, they were peacefully in place at sea and she smiled, "Sleep well?"

"I feel trapped inside" he muttered flatly as dissatisfaction was clear on his face. He was accustomed caring for others rather than the other way around because he tended to brush off every injury like nothing. He was an active person so being stuck in bed and inside his cabin became maddening after a few hours.

Caroline tried not to laugh at his fussing because they wanted the captain to be safe and sound after every trip. Crossing her arms, she pointed out why they were playing timeout with him, "You fell in arctic waters, the cold winds out here won't do any good."

"May I at least stand outside my own cabin?" he asked softly for permission to walk his own ship and wondered how the roles had been reversed. Caroline was the newest crew member and she didn't hesitate to stare him down for rebelling. He blamed their friendship because he was certain she'd never done this with her first captain.

Thankfully, she allowed him that request with a nod but burst his joy when she ordered, "You have ten minutes."

"I'm the captain" he pointed out incredulously to being on a schedule and shut the door to his cabin rather loudly to emphasize his protest. This only stirred an amused smile on her lips but she didn't relent. Great, he'd lost his power as a captain.

"First mate's orders" she smirked to inform him who was the one commanding the Aquila, but more importantly, his safety. She had assured Robert that she'd keep an eye on him through the night. Caroline had a vigorous spirit to keep up with Ratonhnhaké:ton while Robert acknowledged he was getting older. Or maybe that was his excuse to pin them together, which had now become his humorous focus.

He approached the wooden bannister in the corner to lean against the wall of his cabin and she explained, "I want you to make it back to Davenport alive to regale our friends with your tales."

"What about your tales?" he asked since their port stops for supplies or mailing letters left them to wander on their own. Wherever she traveled, she had a journal at hand to scribble her new finds. She was studying her own skills alongside his crew so that had to bring a few tales for her folks back home. Well, once she removed any profanity like he did.

"I'll be more of the narrator and behind the scenes personality" she declined easily with a light shrug since she was the sidekick to his daring adventures. Beforehand, she would hear his tales of travel but now, she could live them firsthand. She pretended to write into her left hand and piped up with a dramatic voice, "The Making of Connor's Arctic Adventure."

"You'll only encourage your siblings" he stated dryly since the youngest Burnetts were easily excited about naval voyages. Her backpack had been incredibly large when she'd stepped onto the Aquila that first day that he'd almost wondered if Samuel had snuck in.

Gazing out into the ocean, she exhaled a trail of white smoke from her lips and told him, "I doubt they'd want to head this route. This is what a true winter is."

"Thank you for helping me" he whispered softly with her knack for preparing against the cold. He'd saved her from the ice a month ago and she returned the favor to save him from icy water. She smiled bashfully because her mission was to protect him in dangerous places, especially unknown lands. Tapping his fingers against the bannister, he glanced at the dark water below him to admit quietly, "I expect to tackle everything alone but this was one time when danger treaded too close."

"I'll go wherever my captain needs me to" she offered with a sympathetic smile because she felt the same about herself. However, life could hit hard in certain instances and she understood that sometimes, you needed help. She loved him like no other and whispered sincerely, "I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you."

"I appreciate the loyalty, Caroline" he thanked her because despite their setbacks, she was never far from his side. Any order that he called out, she heeded. She was proving herself capable as member of his crew and he took note of it. Breaking his gaze from the water, he looked at her and confessed another hidden truth, "There's not many people I'd trust at my side but you're one of them."

He does? After everything?, she thought with hope that she was proving herself trustworthy again.

She felt herself blushing despite the bitter cold bit her cheeks and wanted to stop that immediately. Pretending to wipe sweat from her brow, she used humor to hide her embarrassment, "Great, I was hoping disrobing you in the wild Arctic wouldn't leave me stranded on a dock in Maine somewhere."

"That never leaves this ship" he remarked dryly to her odd quick-thinking but a faint smile touched his lips. The humiliation of being undressed in the middle of the arctic circle by his navigator would not die down if it leaked. In a private setting and happier circumstances, the feeling would be far from that.

"C'mon, I didn't even get to the pants" she teased slyly with a muffled laugh behind her hands. She couldn't help herself in teasing him, knowing his modest nature.

He glared at her for the jab, tucking the warm gray scarf over his cheeks to hide his own blushing. To her, he resembled an offended turtle withdrawing into its shell which caused her to laugh even harder. She had been the only one to ever see him that way which added flustered embarrassment on his end. If it had been the other way around . . . no, that would be worse for both parties.

Ratonhnhaké:ton crossed his arms to gain an inch of leverage against her and questioned, "What kind of navigator laughs at her captain?"

"The fun kind?" she quipped back and leaned against an empty cannon, patting the barrel with a witty grin. The shy colonial girl was lost to the wind as the Caroline before him carried a silver tongue to command and charm her way out of a debate.

"Here I thought Faulkner was bad enough" he muttered with defeat at realizing he'd added another humorous sailor to his crew. No wonder Faulkner and the others were always laughing with her. While he usually listened to their witty banter and stayed out of it, she joined it.

She waved a hand through the air, wincing lightly to how sharp the cold felt against her skin, and scoffed with defiance, "Please, you're with a Burnett as your handy dandy navigator now."

"That doesn't fill me with confidence" he joked to poke her back with the same sarcasm and she feigned a dramatic gasp. Her humorous reciprocation was enough to bring a smile to his face but covered it quickly with his scarf. The night was indeed growing chillier and he shivered from the thought of how much colder the area they left could be at this hour.

"I'm full of surprises, captain" she smiled sneakily to her perseverance against any obstacle thrown her way. While he was accustomed to tackling the problem head-on, she took the subtle route of calculation. She didn't carry his physical strength but made up for it in mind and dexterity. It was why she was determined to memorize every single geographical, trade route, and star map she could get her hands on.

I believe that, he thought with admiration to her successes in one year and briefly wondered how they would be in five years. Would they continue to change as the world around them continued its turbulent trail? Would they share moments like this or would they grow apart with time?

Her voice interrupted his rumination about their future as she reminded, "Your time's almost up."

His brow furrowed to how she came to that conclusion in the dead of night and blurted, "You don't own a pocket watch."

"I swiped yours while you weren't looking a minute ago" she informed with extreme calm and held up the golden chain while he balked in outrage. What?! She'd pickpocketed him? How had he not felt that? He blamed his trust on her and his silly mind ponderings for allowing his awareness to slip. Caroline pointed to the delicate minute hand that ticked slowly and held the fine accessory in her hands. It was a beautiful piece and she wasn't looking to break anyone's belongings, especially his. Handing it back to him with care, her cold fingers brushed against his and she whispered softly with subtlety, "He's handsome."

"Don't start naming items again" he sighed to her strange fascination with inanimate names but he liked her odd quirks, minus the silent pickpocketing. Caroline scoffed incredulously because that would never leave her but wiggled in place when the cold licked her backside in a sudden gust. Boy, she couldn't wait for her shift to be over. If she wasn't afraid that the wind would tear her blanket off her shoulders into the dark unknown, she would've brought it along.

Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't want her becoming ill after her own exposure to the arctic water. Seeing as he would return to his cabin soon, whether he liked it or not, he removed his scarf to drape it over her shoulders. Her cold cheeks felt his radiating warmth exude from the fabric as it shielded her skin from the wind's bite. Before she could protest, he tucked the collar of his coat close to his neck and smiled faintly, "I'm glad you're here."

Damn it, how am I not supposed to love this man?, she thought frantically to his sweet gesture and grasped the ends of the scarf. Wrapping them around her neck, she could detect his familiar scent in the fabric and inhaled it with a hidden smile.

She needed to shake her girlish dreaming away but projected her feelings with a teasing quip, "Charming me won't get you extra minutes, sir."

He had a feeling this was going to be the start of numerous adventures with her . . . and he welcomed the prospect.

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A/N: It took me a while to post this due to the hectic overtime at work but I love what I do. We've now arrived into the next stage of Caroline's and Connor's development as they begin journeying on the Aquila together. Eventually, her road will truly merge into his with the Assassin's Order. She's no longer the teenager that would see him head off into adventure at sea or read about it so she'll see everything firsthand.

Thank you again for reading and my last chapter reviewers:

East Coast Captain: I've mapped out the generational tree somewhat for Connor and Caroline and their grandchildren definitely head out to different places. I plan for one of their daughters to head west to the Black Hills and Yellowstone area (it's such beautiful country of endless green in summer when I visited both areas this year) with Elizabeth to branch out their lineage. Their son will inherit the Aquila to sail until the seafaring era ends (about 1840?) and the rest of the children will grow up in the Eastern cities to run the Order. Once I wrap up the Connor and Caroline saga, I'm thinking of continuing the lineage stories into the present descendants because I have chiseled out their great-granddaughter, Victoria, meeting Evie, along with working alongside people like Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla.

GuildMaster: Their separation will be fixed with time, especially with the Revolution taking place, and once they are, that's it for them. Connor will definitely find out about Duncan and Caroline meeting when the Bridewell Prison incident takes place since the two will work together to find him. It will be a humorous touch to a rather grim point in Connor's life.

Next Chapter Excerpt:

Supper had finished at the Burnett homestead and Caroline sat at the table with her sisters. It was a rare occurrence that they all gathered together at the table, leading Catherine to raise an eyebrow in question. Amelia reassured her they were bonding for quality time and their mother let them be. Samuel was enthused with one of his father's tales from Scotland so the boy didn't feel left out. Amelia and Martha had books on their side of the table while Caroline cleaned her knife at the head of the table. Elizabeth had decided to feign napping while Alice poked her left arm with a giggle to see if her sister opened one eye.

"Why are we gathered here in secret?" Elizabeth mumbled tiredly because she'd rather frolic around the house than stay in one spot. She groaned when she felt Caroline nudge her foot in reprimand and it stirred another protesting groan from the redhead.

Amelia chuckled softly to her defiance to join their first sisterly congregation and pointed out gently, "We're at home. This would be the least secretive meeting in history."

"I'm sure meetings of evil and discontent have happened in homes" she shot back with an impish smirk that caused both Amelia and Martha to sigh. Nobody could argue against her and expect to win.

"Let them speak, Eliza" Caroline ordered calmly to settle her spirited sister and Elizabeth frowned. As the oldest, she had to broker peace between all of them to keep conversations respectful. Placing her knife on the table, she glanced at the two across from her and said with curiosity, "Although, I do wonder why we're here too."

"Apparently, we're getting temporary neighbors" Martha told her sisters with a hushed voice as she spread the newest gossip to her sisters. Amelia expected something different concerning the town and sighed since it wasn't good manners. Unlike herself, the brunette had become quite the fly on the wall when it came to finding out secrets.

All the sisters, minus Amelia, perked up to the tidbit of news since they hadn't had new neighbors since the innkeepers arrived. Martha smiled confidently to nabbing their attention and she continued with a low tone, "Corrine told me that her grandchildren are dropping by for the spring. Their parents are looking for a homestead-"

"Do they sound nice?" Alice asked sheepishly as she listened in to her first gossip, hoping their mother wouldn't chastise them. Although she was going on thirteen years, she still felt small compared to her older sisters. Amelia and Martha were elegant in her eyes while Caroline was fearless and Elizabeth could be intimidating.

Martha shrugged uncertainly because she'd only grabbed little information and informed with awe, "They're from New York-"

"You know, Connor's going to offer like always" Elizabeth told her sisters with a small laugh to his helpfulness with others. If they were the adventuring type, she would love that! If they were city folk, like the ones Martha admired, she'd stay on her property.

"Would you let me finish?" Martha insisted with a huff and smoothed down the kerchief on her shoulders to pent out frustration. A lady had to appear composed always but Elizabeth threatened it all the time. She had to wonder sometimes how they were related but their mother assured nobody had been switched at birth. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and returned to playing a sleeping rabbit on the table.

"When did you become the newest gossip?" Caroline asked with curiosity to her sister's interest in town rumors. Martha had always been the proper one of the family to a point that it annoyed her to the brunette's expectations of perfection. She didn't expect this hobby to be hers but rather Elizabeth's which drew her curiosity.

Martha blushed faintly since spreading rumors wasn't seen in the best light but it was all she had in a small town. Crossing her arms defensively, she raised her nose and stated calmly, "While you were off stabbing pirates."

"There's nothing wrong with that" Elizabeth defended hastily because that was part of the adventure. She loved hearing about pirates on the high seas and stuck out her tongue at Martha.

Caroline and Amelia shared a glance at seeing the two were back to old antics despite their grown age. The second eldest waved a hand between their staring contest to break the spell and she asked, "When do they arrive?"

"I believe at the end of this month" Martha replied with a smile to their temporary neighbors and piped up, "I bet they're elegant like city folk."

"Or pompous" Caroline muttered under her breath since she hadn't had the best experience in cities. The sister glanced at her for the offhand comment but she dismissed it quickly, "I'm likely wrong. They're Ollie's and Corrine's, who are quite jolly, so I'm sure we'll be just fine."

Caroline had no idea how badly she would hate being right with her first assumption.

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Thank you for reading!