Music: Brian Tyler- "The High Seas"
The Rescue
26 March 1776
The Aquila glided effortlessly through the open sea as her full sails puffed outwards from the western winds. She was on yet another mission and her crew was more than happy to hop onboard her elegant decks. Ratonhnhaké:ton was at the wheel as he guided the ship through an old trade route to ensure civilian ships heading for the colonies were safe. His mission, however, was one handed to him by Robert after his first mate had received intel about suspicious naval activity.
One of Robert's old friends had sent a letter regarding strange surveillance from a supposed Patriot ship. With the Templars infiltrating both sides of the growing conflict, Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted to determine whether this was Templar or British espionage. They had set for the community of Nantucket to meet their secret contact and he'd expected to arrive before sundown. However, the growing strong winds flowing from the south and the purple-gray clouds above him were beginning to concern him.
Caroline sat on the topmost lookout post, unbothered by the whistling winds striking the heavy white sails. She admired the power of the wind to push a sleek frigate through the sea and smiled to the cool gusts striking her face. Regardless of the elemental beauty, she kept a rope tied around her waist for any sudden turbulence over the water. The sun had set for the evening and she'd expected to see the sky turn its calming lilac-pink hue while the water close to the domed horizon usually carried a stunning silver halo. Instead, the sky had turned an ominous gray-blue that grew darker with the passing minutes. She hadn't seen the sky morph into that sickly shade before at sea but during her spring days at home, the showers that covered Davenport often had that precursor weather.
I don't like the look of this weather, she thought worriedly because they had set sail on clear skies and expected it to remain the same.
"Captain, I suggest we make haste" she called down to the two men on the bridge but the wind carried some of her voice away. The gentle breeze they had set sail with had left to become a powerful whirlwind growing stronger by the hour.
Ratonhnhaké:ton heard the warning over the current and Robert agreed with her opinion, "This weather can turn either way. We'd best hurry."
With all the sails fully open, their route was clear and the Aquila would arrive at the meeting point on time. Caroline kept an eye on the cloudy weather as the stars above tried to peek through the heavy cloud cover. Whenever it grew too dark to read a book, she entertained herself with sea chanties she learned or pieced together in her mind. With the weather becoming murky, she tried to keep their crew peppy as they headed to their destination.
"On the twenty-sixth of March
We sailed from the land,
In the bold n' swift Aquila
Bound for Nantucket,
We had forty brave seamen
For our ship's company,
And boldly from the north
To the eastward sailed we."
Robert had grown accustomed to the music as it helped occupy the men's time while they worked. The crew often joined the songs while Ratonhnhaké:ton simply kept his concentration at the wheel, allowing them to enjoy themselves. The Clutterbuck brothers echoed the same verse as they sat on crates, overlooking the deck and the sea around them.
The Aquila was filled with merry singing until she reached their destination: a meeting point off the island of Nantucket. Once they arrived, Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered for all the sails to be furled to stay immobile for the meetup. He didn't like sitting in open water and instructed his crew on the top deck to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Robert trusted his source completely so he wasn't overly worried about an ambush.
"Light at 9 o'clock!" Caroline called out since she'd been peering through her spyglass for anything suspicious. A flicker of yellow could be seen in the water and she assumed that was their contact.
When Robert spotted a glowing lantern contrasting against the dark sea, he patted his captain on the back to signal the arrival. Robert headed to the left side of the ship where they stored their rope ladder and peered over the bannister into the ocean. Soon enough, a rowboat was spotted bobbing over the gentle waves as the lantern was blown out by the rower.
A hand waved at the Aquila in welcome and Amanda Bailey called out, "Ahoy, Bobby!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton saw the raven-haired woman grab onto the ladder to board their ship. He was selective on who he allowed onboard and cautiously asked his first mate, "Do you trust her?"
Robert didn't hesitate to reply with confidence, "With my life, captain."
Similar to Ratonhnhaké:ton, there was a short list of people that Robert Faulkner trusted and she was on it. He held out his hand to help his old friend get onto the ship safely and smiled warmly in welcome. They had known each other for decades and meeting up again on a ship reminded him of old times. Her bright eyes cut through the darkness, betraying spunk against her humble appearance. She was dressed as a simple innkeeper but he didn't doubt that she carried a concealed knife in her skirt somewhere.
Amanda remembered the young native boy that Robert had yanked away before Biddle and Church decided to use him as a punching bag. He'd grown rather quickly in the past years, losing most of his boyish innocence, and she nodded with a broad smile, "Hello! Name's Amanda. You must be the captain."
Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded to confirm his role but before he could inquire about her problem, Robert beat him to it, "Now, what's all this about then?"
Amanda pinned him with a shrewd look for leaving her behind without a word and shot back, "You stride into my bar off the piss and looking for officers. Days later, I start hearing whispers the Ghost of the North Seas stalks the Atlantic again."
She needed reliable aid to keep her establishment safe and Robert was the only man capable of making that come true. Knowing his affinity for the sea and years of expertise, she knew he'd be walking the decks of the Aquila. If there was anything that man loved more than booze, it was a ship. Placing her hands on her hips, she divulged the problem, "The Aquila has returned and I need her help. Nicholas Biddle now sails for the Patriots, captaining the Randolph. But the man is raiding up and down the coast 'round Nantucket claiming it's a Loyalist post."
Ratonhnhaké:ton had an uncanny memory, remembering the man from 1773 and speculated he was aligned with the Templars. He didn't think it as a coincidence and pegged the man as a threat if he was intimidating civilians. If what she said was true, he needed to be stopped. Calmly, he inquired, "Where is he now?"
The response was gunfire echoing in the short distance and Amanda muttered grimly, "Speak of the Devil."
Caroline's voice wasn't far behind as she caught a sinister sight in her spyglass, beckoning quickly, "Captain, you'd best see this."
Robert ushered the innkeeper towards the stairway to keep her out of harm's way. By the look of things, it might get a tad violent and he wanted her safely away from the fighting. He didn't have many people in his life that he held dear but Amanda was one of them. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he ordered quietly, "Head below deck, Mandy. It's safer there."
She wasn't new to gunfire but the tone in his voice told her to listen and with a reluctant nod, headed downstairs. Of course, she'd stay on the first level in case the men needed assistance. She wasn't one to hide and cower nor would she expect the crew of the Aquila to do the same.
Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted to assess the situation more closely to formulate a plan and informed his first mate, "I want to see this myself. Take the wheel, Mister Faulkner."
Being close to the main mast, he used the pulley system to launch himself onto the first lookout post. From there, a calculated jump onto the yard of the foremast allowed him to climb up the rest of the mast to where Caroline was stationed. She gave her captain a hand by grasping his left arm as he climbed onto the platform but he could see her haste when she handed him the spyglass. Extending it, he peered through the eyepiece to catch a glimpse of a merchant ship being attacked by a much larger ship, a frigate, as well as others.
"The fog that's come in is making it hard to see but that's an unfair team up if I ever saw one" Caroline informed him bitterly because one ship couldn't hold against so many, especially those of a larger class. She could see the smoke from the cannons rising into the air but the darkened sky and the shifting weather wasn't playing to their advantage. They would have to go into this battle with calculation against both the ships and the weather, leading her to say, "I'll keep an eye on the weather here topside but you'll need Faulkner to guide you through- just like the Arctic."
"I'm starting to think you incite the elements" he remarked with a joke to lighten the situation and she smiled with amusement. If he was going to maneuver the ship against waves, winds, and ships, he needed her to be careful. She hadn't taken part in a fight during a heavy storm so ensuring the safety of his crew was important to him. Handing back the spyglass, he met her gaze and ordered firmly, "If it gets too heavy up here, you get to the gun deck immediately."
With that said, he jumped off the platform neatly with the grace of a cat and Caroline shook her head. How he managed to move like the wind and never fail was beyond her. Using the pulley system, he was brought down to the deck in seconds and he returned to the wheel where Faulkner kept an eye on things. Quickly, he informed his first mate of the problem, "The Randolph is attacking a merchant vessel not far from here."
"Your orders?" Robert asked since he knew the young man wouldn't leave a ship undefended. The years had taught him that his captain would never abandon anyone in need on land or sea.
Ratonhnhaké:ton gripped the wheel to turn the ship north and pointed out, "We need to find out what Biddle intends but we must hurry. What else do you know of Biddle?"
Robert shrugged lightly as he gripped the bannister of the bridge and answered, "All of a sudden Congress has a brand new ship for him to captain. From British coxswain to captain of a Colonial flagship. Something doesn't add up."
"Set course for the merchant ship" he ordered to make reaching the ship his priority before tackling Biddle for answers. Saving as many as he could was his mission while piecing answers to what Biddle's intentions were would come later. Looking to the men across the deck, he yelled out his next set of orders, "Battle stations, everyone! Full sails ahead!"
Even from her perch at the top of the foremast, Caroline could hear the authority in that powerful voice and it sent shivers down her spine. She'd grown so accustomed to the soft-spoken man that hearing the commanding voice holler orders was a new entity entirely. This would be her first battle alongside him and even though she was tucked away at the top, she'd do her best to bring honor to the Aquila and her captain.
The Aquila soared into action once the heavy sails were unfurled to keep sailing north to the fight. Between meeting Amanda and sailing, the winds picked up heavily and cold showers soon began to drizzle through the air. The clear skies they'd seen in the morning were now shrouded with heavy cloud cover as the moon hovered in between the puffy clouds. Caroline could see a lone lighthouse on the far right side beaming its light against the growing fog. It outlined the rocky protrusions surrounding the islands as they headed north so they had land masses to contend with too.
A gust of wind trickled in strongly from the left side, shaking the top of the mast, and she called out, "Heavy winds westbound!"
Robert heard her warning above the whistling wind and felt the current strike their left side. He yelled for the men to keep the sails steady against the pressure to maintain course and advised the captain, "Hard counter!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton pushed hard against the wheel to keep it steady and maintain a straight course north. The powerful winds began to bombard his ship on the left and he grit his teeth as the Aquila entered a narrow channel surrounded by rocks on both sides. If he was careless and allowed the wind to veer them off course, they could crash against either side and sustain casualties. He used all his strength to keep the wheel steady while the sea and wind threatened to seize his control.
He could hear his first mate yelling against the wind with admiration, "That wind will push you hard-up those rocks! Veer off!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton shifted the wheel to the left to avoid a collision against the right side of those jagged rocks. The sails needed to change to accommodate the new direction and he yelled, "Half-sail! Close the foremast! 7 o'clock!"
The crew moved quickly to change the sails to use the wind to their advantage and he led the ship through the tumultuous water. He could hear Caroline yelling down when he was clear or too close to the rocks as her vantage point gave her a 360-degree view. Having her at the top and Faulkner at his side, not to mention his reliable crew, livened his courage to guide the Aquila through that small maze of rocks.
Unfortunately, Ratonhnhaké:ton had never been the sort to strike it lucky and Robert shook his head at seeing lightning break over the sky. That wasn't a good omen for them and he informed the captain hastily, "There's a storm comin', captain. Feels like a big one."
The lighthouse no longer provided them with lighting and Caroline relied on the moonlit water for navigation. Lightning broke over the heavens once more and the illumination was enough to give her a full view of the surrounding rocks. At this point, she had to use everything to her advantage to fight against the darkness. Although it was pitch black, she used her handy spyglass to gauge the distance between the ship and the end of the rock channel.
"You'll be clear in 100 meters, stay the course!" she yelled down to the men as she wiped droplets of rain from her eyes. The light showers had quickly become pouring rain as they bombarded her clothing, leaving her a damp mess. It mattered little to her as long as she could see and had the use of her hands. Wiping her eyes free from water was pivotal to prevent hindering her vision as the Aquila narrowed the distance to their target.
"Keep her steady" Robert advised with a nod as the young captain maneuvered the ship through a tight spot. It was already difficult on a clear sunny day but now, they were in the dark and in the middle of a brewing storm. Robert didn't see this weather often but when it struck, it was hard and fast.
Ratonhnhaké:ton blinked away droplets from his lashes as his hat helped to ward off most of the rain. His muscles were tense as every movement was calculated seconds prior to make sure nothing struck the ship from below. All he could focus was on the path ahead as heavy winds and rain bombarded the ship on all sides. He was finally able to sigh in relief when he heard Caroline call out with triumph, "You're free! Open sea!"
David and Richard nodded in agreement from their spots at the shroud, allowing Ratonhnhaké:ton to bellow, "Give me everything!"
"Bring us at full sail!" Robert ordered to make sure every ear heard the order and soon enough, all the sails fell to carry the Aquila onwards. She was a mighty vessel as the white sails glistened against the dark skies and the top deck shined against the downpour, shedding an intimidating light on the frigate.
The ship cut through the heavy waves like a hot knife and Ratonhnhaké:ton hoped they would get there in time to help. He wasn't going to let a little rain deter him but his concentration broke abruptly when Caroline shouted with alarm, "Rogue wave! Left! Left!"
David heard the warning and dove away from the shroud to sound the bell for the incoming wave. If the men didn't brace themselves, they could be swept into the sea and that was a death sentence. Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered the reduction of the sails to half to brave the wave head-on. He shifted the Aquila to a diagonal position to break through the wave to prevent being toppled to its side, shouting for his men to get down and brace for impact. Caroline clung to the mast since that was all she had available but the shock reverberated as she shook with the wood. The Aquila was a formidable ship and she felt it in her vibrations as Caroline clung to her for life.
Once the mighty wave passed by, Ratonhnhaké:ton stood up quickly to assess the damage and hoped his plan had limited the damage of the wave to none. Richard assured him from the right that their men were accounted for and Ratonhnhaké:ton was happy to hear it. Every time he sailed, he was determined to return with the same number of crew he departed with. It filled him with shame and failure when he lost a man and had to break the news to any loved ones.
Robert wiped away water from dripping into his eyes and commended his leader, "Well done, sir. That could have been ugly."
The Aquila rode over a high wave that followed the previous before plunging down and Caroline hung on tightly to the mast. She'd never seen such wild water and the stormy skies littered with lightning weren't helping. They hadn't even arrived at the battle scene and were already fighting the elements. The force was enough to send her feet off the platform and when gravity returned as the ship balanced itself, she hit the platform with a hard thud. Shaking her head quickly, she got to her feet to survey the sea because one second could cost them everything.
Through the misty rain, she saw another wave rolling in from the east but this one was much larger. It was high enough that Robert saw it before she could point it out and Ratonhnhaké:ton used the same maneuver to absorb the shock. Caroline's eyes widened to the gargantuan wave as the white lightning accentuated the rippling force of the water rushing at them and she hugged the mast to stay put.
"Down, everybody down!" Ratonhnhaké:ton yelled to the crew to have them brace again as the wave struck the right side.
Water splashed everywhere on the main deck, drenching him completely as the wave threatened to engulf his ship. He could hear the floorboards creak as the Aquila's weight fought back against the rogue wave but the bow of the ship cut through the water as the sails aided with their own strength. He refused to have his ship sink before entering a battle and stayed glued to the wheel until the wave passed. Robert surveyed the damage but the men were more than happy to cheer that they'd survived while Caroline spit out sea water with a frown.
Better a mouthful than sinking to the bottom of the ocean, she thought in rumination because she'd felt that wave in its entirety. The gentle waves of the cove back home and the rushing river current were nothing against a mighty wave of the sea that could pummel you out of existence.
Lightning shot down from the sky and she could see figures in the horizon as faint lights erupted. Withdrawing her spyglass, her shaky wet fingers held it up to her right eye to assess the distance. The merchant ship had held its own so far but it wasn't going to win the fight if the Aquila didn't join. She could see one of the sails was on fire when lightning struck again and she was about to say they were about a kilometer away-
"Rogue wave!"
Her eyes widened with horror at missing that anomaly of the sea and realized she'd been blind to catching another wave heading to the left side. It was smaller than the others they'd faced earlier but a rogue wave was still considered dangerous. Robert took command in ordering the men to bunker down while Ratonhnhaké:ton kept the ship half-sail to move the ship diagonally over the water. Caroline was petrified for missing that completely and clung to the mast in a mixture of embarrassment and self-loathing. How could she miss seeing it? Her focus should've been the sea, not their destination. The weather was harsh from all sides but her senses should've been sharp to either see or hear it approach.
"Burnett!"
She snapped herself out of those negative thoughts but feared a reprimand for missing that wave. Despite her setback, the crew still relied on her and playing possum on the crow's nest wouldn't look respectable either. She would take responsibility for her error once the battle ended and quickly called out, "Sorry! Ships are less than a kilometer northeast!"
Within minutes, the Aquila cut the distance between the ships and herself in half. Just as they arrived, she noticed the large frigate broke formation and headed northwest- away from the battle. Caroline was quick to point it out to Robert from her perch and he informed the captain, "The Randolph has turned sail. Do we chase him?"
As much as he wanted answers from the Templar, he couldn't abandon a civilian ship. It was heavily outnumbered and the English ships would not cease fire until it was destroyed. Shaking his head, he made the final decision to help the ship and ordered, "We cannot leave this merchant vessel to the mercy of the English."
Robert didn't understand Biddle's behavior at leaving a merchant ship like that and asked aloud, "Why is Biddle doing this? Nantucket is for the Patriots!"
Unlike his first mate, Ratonhnhaké:ton had already pieced together the truth about the man and stated grimly, "The company he keeps tells me his true allegiance lies elsewhere."
The Aquila dove into the fray, bypassing the crippled merchant ship, to circle around the four English ships. Ratonhnhaké:ton could see from his vantage point which one was damaged the most out of the four and targeted it. Angling the ship to the left side, he exposed the cannons of the Aquila towards the weak ship and ordered the gunnery officers to fire once they locked onto the damaged decks. Lightning illuminated the cannonballs as they soared through the air and struck the damaged enemy ship with a force that was strong enough to tear through its foremast. The ship began to break under the heavy weight of the sustained damage, the sails toppling over like leaves onto the top deck.
The men cheered at scoring a number against their enemy and Ratonhnhaké:ton headed for the next target that he could see. He wasn't at a close distance that he could attack the sails with a chain shot or a heated shot to burn through the hull and decks. For now, he would use regular ammunition and once he spotted the next ship over the waves, sent another round of fire its way.
"It's a small ship, take it out with a direct approach" Robert advised as he kept an eye out for any more lurking ships. Ratonhnhaké:ton heeded the suggestion and ordered all sails to cut the distance in half. If he exposed himself to the enemy for too long, they could gain a strike to his ship.
Once David called out that they had a direct strike lined up on the left side, Ratonhnhaké:ton gave the go ahead. The orange glow of the flying cannonballs lit the air as they sailed forth to strike the enemy. With it being a small ship, it didn't have enough mass to survive the attack as the cannonballs filled it with numerous holes to sink it.
"Last one on the right side!" Caroline called out to make sure it didn't sneak up on the captain. Although they were smaller ships, they could be a formidable force together in numbers. Unfortunately for them, they didn't know the talent of the Aquila's captain.
Ratonhnhaké:ton turned the wheel to the right as much as it would go to make a sharp turn. The winds were the key players in this naval battle and Robert quickly informed the captain that they were flying into the wind. This would play against them and Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly ordered the adjustment of the sails to a different degree that would fall in line with the wind current. The smaller ship used this lapse in judgment to its advantage and fired off its own barrage of cannonballs at the Aquila.
Caroline had already assessed that the wind would play against the enemy and Ratonhnhaké:ton's sharp turns were sleek enough that they could dodge the incoming attack. Most cannonballs struck the water as the wind currents shielded them and only two dented the second deck, leaving little damage. She didn't want him to lose this chance to strike and called down quickly, "They're reloading! Hit them! You've got the wind on your side!"
That was all he needed to hear and ordered his men to fire once more since the lower decks reloaded faster than topside. Caroline grinned with triumph at seeing the cannonballs destroy the last ship but stilled from dancing out of fear that she'd slip. She wasn't about to survive a naval battle, only to break an ankle from a slippery fall. The smoldering remnants of the destroyed ships sent the crew into a cheer as they saved the merchant ship against four enemy ships.
Robert joined the cheering men since it was battle they'd been fighting before even arriving. He was proud of the young captain and his maneuvers against all their obstacles, congratulating him, "A salute to us, sir. They're safe. What now?"
"Pursue the Randolph" he replied firmly because removing Biddle would keep the sea routes safe. Not to mention, killing a Templar would also deal a blow to their cause. Now that the civilians were safe, he could return his attention to his main target of all this chaos.
The Aquila bypassed the merchant ship since it had been saved and it could return to Nantucket for repairs. He would focus solely on the Randolph which was a job easier said than done as rogue waves soon began to bombard their ship. This time, Caroline was sharper at catching them because she wouldn't dare make that mistake again. It didn't matter how much sea water stung her eyes or how hard it was to gain a grip on the slippery mast after being knocked down- she had to see it through.
As the third rogue wave struck them straight at 12 o'clock, she spotted English ships on the horizon. The Aquila angled upwards at a frightening gravity defying slope but Caroline gripped the rope around her waist to check its security. With the platform being slippery, she clung to the mast as her lower body dangled to follow gravity. She was certain her mother would be screaming for her safety but Caroline's concern was to inform her captain of what she'd seen.
"Connor, enemies ahead!" she yelled frantically to ensure he heard her as he navigated the ship over the rolling wave. Ratonhnhaké:ton kept his hands locked on the wheel but looked up at hearing his name. His eyes widened at seeing her practically dangle from the top of the mast like a flag in the wind but she snapped him out of the stupor by emphasizing, "Over the wave- two!"
As the ship leveled, she managed to wrap her legs around the mast to secure her upright position. Once she felt gravity had returned, she dropped down carefully onto the platform and took a deep breath to what had just happened. Well, it wasn't every day you could dangle from a mast like a rag doll in a storm.
Ratonhnhaké:ton watched her return to her post, relieved she was safe, and pondered over the new development. He didn't have time to deal with more reinforcements and turned to his partner, "Where is the Randolph?"
Robert couldn't see any sign of the ship anymore and the fog that formed from the rain shrouded everything in the horizon. He hated to disappoint the captain after all that travel and informed him with a defeated sigh, "He's gone, captain. Cut and run. Left us to deal with this rabble."
Looking to the dark skies that sent rain and lightning, Robert shook his head to remark, "But this storm concerns me a great deal more!"
"We have little choice!" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied bitterly because they were already in deep waters. Turning tail would leave them vulnerable and if they didn't destroy the ships, they could injure others as well. He couldn't do anything about the raging elements but he could certainly fight the ships.
His first mate wasn't surprised to the reply since brave was his captain's trademark. Gripping the bannister, he nodded to him with loyalty and advised, "Aye. Time your shots between the waves, sir! Then we must find shelter or it won't be cannon fire that ends us!"
The Aquila moved towards the closest ship as Ratonhnhaké:ton devised his next strategy. The waves were tumultuous in catapulting the ships up and down but if he could time his shots, he could strike the decks rather than the masts. Dealing a critical hit to a mast left them immobile but a direct strike to the hull was a death sentence.
"Load grapeshots on the top deck and heated shots on the lower decks" he ordered quickly to move his plan into action. If he timed this right and struck his targets, he could end this fight faster than drag it out.
He circled the Aquila around the enemy ship and risked exposure to his lower decks by pulling up alongside it. As the waves dipped the Aquila downwards, only a few shots struck their upper deck. He wasn't happy for the damage to the bannisters but they needed to get out alive. Once the wave subsided and leveled both ships, he ordered his crew to fire directly and heated shots struck the ship. Fires erupted from the lower decks as a chunk was demolished from the bow's hull and the crew was hurled into the ocean from the impact.
Ratonhnhaké:ton turned his attention to the last ship in his way as the waves dipped the frigate upwards before sliding down into the water. As he approached the ship, he heard the whistling of cannonballs and ordered his crew to take cover. The incoming barrage left sparks of smoldering embers on the right side as a few of the bannisters were taken out. Repairing them was far better than losing the life of one of his crew and he heard an all-clear from Robert as he turned left to surround the enemy. It was a circling game that had both ships firing back and forth for contact as the waves controlled their height at sea. He kept moving his ship closer to the enemy but just as he had targeted an attack, the waves rose to prevent it. It prevented the enemy from firing another direct shot as it struck the water instead and this showed Ratonhnhaké:ton that they needed to reload.
Ordering his men to get ready, he waited for the wave to descend and expose the enemy ship. Once that happened, he ordered the next barrage to strike and the right side fired off against the bow of the ship. This time, he landed a direct strike. The foremast was severed in half from the force as the bow was demolished, crippling the ship completely.
"You're clear!" Caroline shouted as she failed to see any more ships looming in the horizon. As dark as it was in the open sea, nothing treacherous was lurking about. Only lightning and the rolling waves crashing against their hull echoed in the night and she hollered down to the crew with joy, "Victory for the Aquila!"
The Aquila had won.
Robert was surprised they survived against mother nature and six ships at sea. The Aquila was a strong girl but her captain matched her strength in heart and skill. Shaking his head, he was ready to call it a night after that adventure and suggested hastily, "I'd say it's high time we find some cover from this storm, captain!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't agree more, smiling faintly over the cheering crew, and nodded, "I agree, Mister Faulkner! We make for the Vineyard."
Once the Aquila was at a safe distance within Martha's Vineyard, Ratonhnhaké:ton allowed the tide to draw them in towards the dock. He'd used most of his energy maneuvering the ship in that storm and couldn't wait to return home to sleep. He wasn't looking forward to sailing back home through the storm, expecting delay from the heavy waves, but it had to be done. As he guided the ship back to the island to dock and drop off their guest, he remembered counting every member but Caroline. She had informed him she'd keep a lookout until they docked but he wanted to make sure she was safe.
"Caroline, are you all right?" Ratonhnhaké:ton called out to check on her well-being, raising his head to peek at the lookout platform.
There was silence for a few seconds until a hesitant voice replied, "Yep . . . as slippery as an eel can be."
He didn't want her exposed to the elements more than she needed to and a break was well-deserved. This was the first time in battle that she'd been alone without their guidance and she'd done well. She hadn't bailed in the middle of the storm or when plunging into the waves so he instructed, "Head down to the deck! We're docking in a few minutes!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton removed his hat to run a hand through his damp hair to wrench droplets from it. He thought the arctic waters were difficult to traverse but this was another league of its own. This had required lightning fast dexterity at the wheel and quick planning rather than careful calculation. Glancing at his first mate, he commented on the surprising weather as he glanced at the dark sky, "I have never seen weather like that."
Robert opened his hand to catch a few droplets as the fierce storm stuck to the deeper sea and explained the weather anomaly, "It's rare, but it happens. You did well. What's bothering me is Biddle's a Patriot now. Why's he helping the British Navy like that? Old friends maybe?"
"How would you convince the Continental Congress that the Navy needs more ships?" he proposed as he figured the man desired power and by that, needed to manipulate government to get his way. Creating a false illusion that the trade routes were in danger from the British and Biddle playing the valiant hero in the scuffle could convince congress to grant him his wishes.
That would be one way to climb the military ladder but it was a dishonest method, causing Robert to grumble, "The rash of British raiding along the coast is reason enough to address the gripe. Gunboats at the Vineyard, now this..."
Putting the clues together, Ratonhnhaké:ton justified simply, "Hmm... Biddle aims to be the first Admiral of the Colonial Navy and is making a case for the need."
That wouldn't bode well for civilians caught in the crossfire or their Order, a problem he needed to rectify. He would be keeping an eye out, as well as informing his contacts and assassins, for the Randolph and Biddle. It had been almost a year since he'd assassinated Pitcairn and he'd yet to exterminate another high-ranking Templar. At this rate, they would grow in number or strength as he failed to chip away at their head players.
Caroline rejoined the two men as she wrung excess water from her sleeves, resembling a wet cat. Her red hair was completely soaked and stuck to her face in slippery tendrils but she ignored her ragged appearance entirely. Her concern was failing to navigate the ship efficiently and she looked to the two with earnest apology, "I'm sorry I slipped on the waves, I tried to keep an eye on the ships, the waves, the winds-"
"This was rare weather, kid, you weren't shabby" Robert interjected to reassure her that everything was fine because he expected the captain to have issues as well. She was just starting off her new role so tumbles and mistakes were expected. He was surprised she managed to stay the entire course on that platform so that was enough for him to check her off as a satisfactory sailor. He patted the top of her head since everything else was wet and squishy to encourage, "You're barely on your second trip navigating. You did a good job."
"Mistakes can be rectified and you're still learning" Ratonhnhaké:ton agreed because he expected to intervene for her safety through one of those rough waves. Instead, she managed to hold on in an uncanny way which impressed him. Her worried face smoothed into relief that she hadn't failed and he sympathized, "It isn't easy being up there on your own."
"Oh, it's nothing I-" she began but a second later, nausea struck and she threw up over the bannister. In all the hectic excitement, the effects of all the turbulence came roaring back to strike her. Caroline gagged with disgust to the horrible feeling but the nausea was subdued as her stomach purged itself.
"Yep, I was wondering when that would hit ya" Robert chuckled warmly and patted the gagging woman on the back. Caroline groaned miserably while wondering why the two hadn't given her that head's up. Was this part of a navigator's initiation? Ratonhnhaké:ton winced slightly since he'd only endured motion sickness during his first trips. Nobody could make throwing up cute in the slightest and the first mate reassured once more, "You're doing just fine, Burnett. Just got your sea legs!"
While Caroline emptied her poor stomach, Amanda emerged from the crew walking about with a wide smile, "That was some deft sailing, captain! I was watching from the gun deck."
Ratonhnhaké:ton had to hide his amusement when Robert's face twisted into sheer shock. The man only wore that face when their liquor stores ran low or they were in a tough bind. He threw his hands in the air with exasperation and demanded worriedly, "What were you doing on the gun deck?! I told you to stay out of harm's way!"
Amanda waved him off since she wasn't easy to kill off and scoffed, "I'm fine, Bobby. Not to worry."
Robert sputtered under his breath about stubborn women as she turned to the captain with a grateful smile, "The people of Nantucket are surely grateful. And so am I."
She shot a look of amusement to the grumbling first mate and his incomprehensible mumbles fell into silence. They had failed to change each other in the past decade so it wasn't happening now. At the end of the day, they were happy knowing each was safe and they would lend a helping hand.
"Glad you're back!" she exclaimed cheerfully but not before smacking Robert's bottom without a hint of shame. She timed it perfectly as the loading platform was attached to the side of the Aquila and flashed the first mate a sly smile. Robert had practically frozen in place with surprise while Caroline, David, and Richard gazed at each other before bursting into delighted snickering.
"Don't be a stranger" Amanda called out with a subtle invite as she walked down the platform to leave the Aquila. Her inn was left in the hands of her staff and she had work to return to. Still, the excitement of the sea had been invigorating!
Ratonhnhaké:ton finally managed to make eye contact with Robert but his first mate looked elsewhere. A faint smile touched the captain's lips before he gazed at the dock on their left side. Robert cleared his throat awkwardly, especially at seeing the light smirk on his captain's face. When had they switched roles?
They had finally arrived on stable ground but Ratonhnhaké:ton had to plot a new course for Davenport through the heavy storm brewing in the sea. With the downpour, he would have to plan everything in his cabin and he could allow his crew to grab a meal in the meantime.
Caroline had been watching the interesting dynamics and looking to the gunnery crew, she smiled at their captain to pipe up, "This is just a suggestion but seeing as we're here soaking wet, the weather's figuring itself out, and my stomach catapulted outta me . . . may we have a shore leave?"
Faulkner and the Clutterbuck brothers smiled at the prospect since they hadn't had a shore leave outside Massachusetts that year. Nantucket was a cozy and peaceful place to relax away from home and the crew looked to him with hope as they resembled wet puppies. Ratonhnhaké:ton sighed mentally as he was put on the spot but he didn't want to head out into that madness either. When he thought about it, the idea was a far better alternative for their safety than heading out again.
For the safety of his crew, he nodded slowly and agreed quietly with his stipulation, "All right- one night only."
Clapping and laughter erupted from the top deck for earning that well-deserved respite and Caroline yelled out happily, "Let's hear it for the captain!"
Despite the cold rain drenching his body, Ratonhnhaké:ton's cheeks warmed to her voice and the crew's cheers for him.
Caroline had changed into a dry set of sailor's clothes to explore Nantucket at night. The evening had brought a light shower that was easily avoidable by visiting establishments. The crew had been more than happy to escape once the Aquila was docked and Robert had been amused to see Ratonhnhaké:ton trying to booby trap the captain's cabin and the wheel in case someone tried to steal the girl.
Robert had been the first to escape and everyone assumed he'd gone off to reunite with Amanda. With her being a friend of Robert's, the men didn't hesitate to visit her inn to hit the bar. Amanda's property overlooked the sea on a small ridge, sporting an outdoor venue for visitors if they wished to enjoy the view and share a few drinks. Caroline had fallen in love with the inn, mainly the nice outdoor furniture that let her relax and watch the stormy horizon. There was a roof over the outdoor area so she enjoyed the cool breeze without the bombardment of rain.
Her nervousness of failing had outweighed the risk of death but in the end, she survived unscathed. She had never imagined being in such a naval battle like that, facing off against six ships, but her captain had handled it beautifully. As she relaxed in a wooden chair overlooking the sea, the rolling waves hid the drama that had unfolded just a few hours prior. The sea was a dangerous foe and an admirable partner all in one-
Laughter erupted behind her, breaking her thoughts and she shook her head to the shenanigans of her crew. Ratonhnhaké:ton had bought the men who knows how many pitchers of ale for their hard work and the sailors had gladly accepted. She could hear the Clutterbuck brothers, mainly David, daring any and all to an arm-wrestling contest. By the end of the night, they would all be knocked out from inebriation somewhere in the Aquila, or the inn, or the beach.
Caroline stabbed her meat pie to finish her meal since it had taken some time to work up an appetite after hurling her lunch. Robert had warned her to eat before attempting to drink with the men and she'd gladly taken the advice. Amanda's inn, The Black Swan, served a fresh menu due to the proximity to the sea and the trade routes and she'd taken advantage of their best dishes. She'd finished off baked fish and added a meat pie to ensure she'd sleep like a happy baby tonight.
Another cheerful whoop erupted behind her as an arm wrestling match finished and both competitors took a drink. Unlike some games where only one participant drank, the Aquila's crew made everyone winners so everybody could get silly and drunk. It kept them happy in their line of work and Caroline picked up her own mug to drink the sweet liquor.
"Feeling better?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton's serene voice interrupted her random thoughts of the night as he caught her sitting off to the side. While the men talked and played their games, she'd opted for relaxing by the edge of the property. Her feet were elevated on an opposite chair as she used a small table to fit her empty plate and a very large mug. Bright blue eyes darted to his as she sat up with attention, the alcohol tinting her cheeks too much for her liking . . . but she was still keen on drinking.
She noticed his gaze lingering on the empty plate as he grabbed a chair to sit beside her. Setting her cup down, she answered with a peppy smile, "Ten times better. I'm pretty sure I ate more than three things on the menu but the food is great! It's peaceful here and the sea air . . . hmm . . ."
He swore she slumped further down in her seat as she sighed contently and tucked her hands behind her head. She tapped her opposite chair to invite him to rest his feet in the extra space but he was sure their combined limbs would have one pushing out the other.
"It's peaceful tonight, you'd never guess there was a battle out there" she chuckled softly to the tense moments they had recently endured and tipped her mug towards the sea. It was a beautiful but deadly element that she respected. Ratonhnhaké:ton was about to ask how much she'd had to drink when she sang affectionately, "The sea is my lady and my queen!"
She laughed with amusement when clapping was heard behind her as the crew agreed. When the pay was good, you were treated well, and saw the world- what more could you ask for? Ratonhnhaké:ton raised one eyebrow with curiosity and she covered her mouth to muffle laughter, "This is my first drink, I promise!"
My first rum drink anyway, I'm not mentioning the rest, she thought impishly.
Standing up to stretch her back, he sighed mentally to his complicated romance life when his gaze landed on her hourglass-shaped waist. He would not be running his hands anywhere near her curves anytime soon and crossed his arms, debating to take a drink for the first time in his life. Caroline leaned against the makeshift fence closing off the property from the ridge and inhaled the rainy smell. Using her fingers to form a rectangle over the glittering ocean, she smiled with glee, "This is perfect beachside property."
Aiming it towards the east where the sun had set hours ago, she piped up, "I would make my main room window right here."
"Would you move this far away?" Ratonhnhaké:ton proposed because Caroline treaded the thin line between dreams and reality. If she truly desired something, she would achieve it. He hadn't considered that throughout their travels, she might find a place worth living in. She'd claimed Davenport was her home but he couldn't help but wonder sometimes. He hadn't met a free spirit like hers and it enticed him like no other. Yet, he knew she could make a life of her own away from his now that they were simply friends.
"A girl can dream" she mused with a sigh to what her future entailed and hoped it would be a good outcome. Years ago, she hoped to have a job hunting, have a home with Ratonhnhaké:ton, and maybe a few children but that had been tossed into a fire. Now, her dream was to continue sailing, work at the mill, and build her homestead. She had grown from the starry-eyed child full of dreams to an adult that was aware of her limitations and the work it took to make those dreams happen.
Robert was ready to call it quits and rejoin Amanda to catch up since she was retiring for the night. Raising his mug to the men from his spot indoors at the bar, he called out, "To the best crew of the Atlantic! One more round for the night!"
Their cheers were cut short when Amanda shot back with mirth, "You already cleared out my inventory!"
Everyone remained silent as Robert pondered over this with a half-inebriated mind before declaring, "We'll make it work with what we have!"
"To cutting loose on shore leave!" Richard boasted happily as booze and a good night's sleep was a sailor's short vacation. The bar erupted with clapping and mugs clinking as they drank the last of the pitchers and bottles for the night. Amanda shook her head with amusement to their excitement while Robert shrugged innocently. They had won a worthy fight while the other side suffered heavy casualties so they were going to celebrate survival.
Caroline sipped the sweet rum to warm her throat and danced a jig in place as she sang aloud, "Loose! Cut loose! Let's drink some more booze!"
Oh no, what did I create?, Ratonhnhaké:ton thought as he realized his crew had more to drink than expected.
She tried to tempt their captain by swishing the drink under his nose and smirked to keep singing, "Drink booze to chase away them blues!"
David stood up from the center table that held their entire hoard of liquor and opened his arms to call out, "Whiskey! Rum! Wine! Everything's game, cap'n!"
Caroline slid past Ratonhnhaké:ton with a sneaky smile to approach the enticing table of forgetful ambrosia, "Rum, more rum! I don't want to be glum!"
He grabbed the back of her belt to thwart her drinking attempt and pulled her back to her original spot. Caroline grumbled to being parented on her drinking and took a swig of her mug just to defy him. Ratonhnhaké:ton shot her a flat stare for the nonverbal protest and she groaned miserably, "You can't deny me rum. Compared to your child apple cider, it's gold."
. . . "I'm not drinking anything."
Her blue eyes blinked rapidly as she realized he hadn't been drinking at all and tried to find one mug that could belong to him. Crap, were all of those on her little table hers? When that failed, she sighed with disappointment in herself and muttered, "Oh . . . I might be ready to call it a night then."
He wasn't fast enough to stop her from chugging down the rest of the contents in that mug and she burped loudly to match the men. They laughed to the silent protest of their navigator but Ratonhnhaké:ton was determined to bring her home safely. Placing the mug down on the table, she wiped her hands with a proud smirk but it faltered a second later when she squinted at him, "Do you have a twin I never knew about?"
"Time for bed" he ordered with a small sigh to her inebriated state but she whined to having to bring an end to her night.
"But I didn't even get to visit the souvenir shops" she groaned pitifully as her father's liver failed her after. . .wait, how many drinks after the two wines and ale did she have? Adding in the rum and the shot of whiskey. . .fine, maybe she'd had a little too much. She blamed the meat pie, she couldn't say no to drinks paired with a delicious meat pie!
Ratonhnhaké:ton stared at her awkwardly when she paused to gaze somewhere in the distance for ten seconds straight. He nudged her backside to walk towards the exit because he wouldn't let her walk to bed by herself. Caroline wouldn't disobey her captain since he had her best interest at heart and sluggishly walked towards the exit on the porch. Passing by the table holding the crew's liquor booty, she purred slyly, "Oh, hello there."
She grabbed a half-full red wine bottle and began to nurse it with a peppy smile. Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly wrenched it from her hands and realized she was a lot more like Godfrey than Catherine when it came to alcohol. Robert laughed to their battle for the bottle and he waved a hand to call over, "Let her be! Enjoy it back at the ship!"
Caroline laughed impishly to her spoils of war- well, dinner- and quickly scuttled away past the wooden gate. Ratonhnhaké:ton took chase after her but it only took a few steps to keep pace with a half-drunk sailor. Grasping her by the shoulders, he led her back to the Aquila while ensuring she didn't drink the wine. From behind, he could hear his crew whistling in emphasis to their departure and hoped to live that down by tomorrow.
"I'm simply dropping her off" he called back firmly to his crew to silence any rumors because he wasn't going into any kind of relationship anytime soon. His life was complicated enough as a captain, assassin, unofficial town leader, and a horse rehab owner.
Is every twenty-year old like me?, he thought to his conflicting roles as they left little time for a social life.
"I love you" Caroline declared with a hushed whisper that sounded like a clap of thunder in his ears. He hadn't heard words like that since last summer and his grip tightened instinctively over her shoulders. Had the alcohol lowered her shields long enough to divulge her inner feelings? Of course, that hopeful bubble burst horribly a second later when she hugged her bottle and preened, "My sweet rich merlot."
Ratonhnhaké:ton thinned his lips to his luck and guided her towards the dock back to the Aquila. He would let her sleep in his cabin for tonight while he would sleep on the floor to make sure she didn't decide to walk off or accidentally fall overboard. Her admission about having a large viewing window one day would be a nice wakeup call in the morning since his cabin had one in the back.
Robert shook his head as he watched the two youngsters leave the inn and heard Amanda chuckle behind them, "They're rather adorable."
"Known each other since youngsters- a lot like us" he replied with a warm smile as he turned around to his oldest friend, tipping his mug in her direction. She batted a washrag in his direction for the toast but her smile touched her eyes to brighten them.
"Did he also write letters and run off to sail the high seas?" she joked with a small wink to their younger years when he'd been off sailing while she cared for her siblings.
He couldn't help but laugh at that one, nodding with confirmation since he remembered the captain mailing letters to the redhead. During his first years learning the English language, he'd often written to her to practice and also detail his adventures. Robert had done similar to entice Amanda with the action and travel of naval voyages. However, while he and Amanda clicked right away and formed that bond- the other two kept being knocked around all over the place.
"I would've offered them a nice room if I'd known" she remarked with a small sigh because young love stayed with you for decades. It was a whirlwind of adventure away from home and she could only imagine the freedom the two felt being on their own.
He waved a hand to dismiss that idea entirely and informed her glumly, "They're not together. Lord knows I've tried."
Amanda scoffed skeptically to his frown at throwing in the towel and reminded sharply, "Time, Bobby. It's all about timing."
He couldn't disagree there because he'd faced a road of sailing privately with the assassins or staying as a captain of his own ship and starting a family with Amanda. He couldn't have both and lived with his decision, regretting it after the extermination of the Order and pondering what could have been. Nowadays, he'd made his peace and his resolve didn't falter- especially at reuniting with her in recent years. Tapping the countertop, he leaned forward to ask with a charming smile, "Speaking of time, when is Mandy off the clock? I've been meaning to take her out on a stroll down the beach."
"In twenty and you better make it worth my while" she shot back wittily since he'd promised her that three years ago and turned away to finish cleaning the bar.
It was safe to say that the next morning everyone woke up with a headache, except Ratonhnhaké:ton. For him, it was back pain from rolling all over the floor and scaring Caroline in the dead of night when she'd tried to use the chamberpot. It was awkward enough sharing the room so once daylight began to break in the horizon, she'd sneaked out to avoid being seen by anyone. Over the morning hours, his crew trickled back to the Aquila and Ratonhnhaké:ton swore he'd seen Faulkner jumping out of a window from the Black Swan.
While he allowed his crew to eat and regroup, he was able to resupply their ammunition for the return home. He wouldn't be able to complete the repairs on the Aquila until they returned to Davenport but it was minimal damage for the most part. The new resupply would keep his crew safe until he could return home and order the lumber from the mill and have Mr. O'Donnell oversee the carpentry.
By noontime, Caroline returned to the ship with a mild headache that lingered and could now bear looking at the sun. The Aquila was set to depart ten minutes to make sure they would get home by the afternoon. Robert was checking off every crew member to ensure all were onboard and raised a curious eyebrow when he spotted their navigator carrying a wicker basket.
They expected the clear skies that day so Caroline decided to grocery shop from Amanda and make sandwiches. She'd piled enough for every crew member and had managed to lug in the heavy basket to place it in a shadowy corner. She'd take it below deck once she caught her breath and opened the lid to grin proudly, "Behold! My culinary masterpieces!"
Robert missed the meaning of her dramatic presentation and peering down from his post, asked, "What?"
"I mean, I packed lunch?" she tried again and held up one of the neatly paper packaged sandwiches.
"Oh."
Ratonhnhaké:ton, who was at the helm overseeing the crew, was amused by her thoughtfulness. He figured she'd be curled up nursing a headache or eating herself to sleep after the numerous drinks she practically inhaled. She appeared every bit as professional as she'd been during the storm and poked her sandwich to declare confidently, "Feast your eyes on its pure majestic-"
David passed by and grabbed it out of her hand as he headed to the left shroud and Caroline blinked to the sudden emptiness of her hand. Well, at least he'd taken it. Closing the lid on her basket, she muttered, "Never mind."
"Leave it there and get to your post, Burnett" Robert instructed with a laugh to her peppy sandwich pitch and she nodded quickly. He didn't need to tell her twice and she hopped up onto the pulley to ascend to the foremast. Within seconds, she was back to her cozy platform overlooking the sea and set to tying her handmade security rope around her waist.
The sea was a glittering blue blanket underneath the azure dome of the sky as wispy blue clouds passed by. The sun was a bright yellow orb that warmed her skin without adding humidity from the marine air and she inhaled the salty air to begin her day. There would be no rogue waves to knock her around today and she called out, "All clear ahead, captain!"
Robert rang the bell to signal they were departing Nantucket and Ratonhnhaké:ton shouted his first order, "Half-sail, 2 o'clock!"
"Lunch in thirty?" his first mate teased since the smell from the hot fresh food permeated through the basket. Being above the basket, they caught a direct whiff of the enticing food and Robert frowned at hearing his stomach rumble. Hmm, maybe he should've let her tuck that away downstairs.
"Another trade route needs our help" Ratonhnhaké:ton answered simply because Amanda had given him more intel on the trouble surrounding the island. He didn't want to stop their lunch but he wanted to complete his missions first to make the sea a safer place. He could go hours without eating when he was out in the wilderness or commanding the ship, stating calmly, "Justice must be served."
Robert hadn't expected to head into another fight that quickly and proposed optimistically, "Well. . .can it wait after lunch? I want that served first."
Ratonhnhaké:ton gripped the wheel even tighter and stated with conviction, "No, justice never sleeps."
A/N: I love the adventuring crew of the Aquila. Even as the author of this story, I can't wait to hit the timeline when Haytham is onboard because that mixture of personalities will clash for hilarious and frustrating moments.
Thank you to my last chapter reviewers and new readers!
Ladyefriyeet: Haha, yes, Clara is the newest bee bothering Caroline's bonnet. We'll be seeing more of her in the next chapter as the awkward love triangle begins to form. Thank you for the well wishes but surprisingly, a lot of my coworkers and family have gotten badly ill again so I'm trying to avoid that.
EastCoastCaptain: As the west began to be explored and populated, via pioneer routes and later trains, the assassin's will need to venture in that direction as well. In towns where the law barely existed in the Old West, the Templars and Assassins could definitely make their mark in territories.
Next chapter excerpt:
"What are we doing here?" Martha asked uncertainly and narrowed her gaze to patrons going into the tavern. This wasn't a place for a respectable lady. Her nose wrinkled to the smell of alcohol filtering out whenever someone opened the door and fought her instinct to pinch her nose. She glared at her sister for the audacity to bring her to such a place and fiddled with the strings of her bonnet, chastising sharply, "This is a place of ill repute and debauchery. . . at least, that's what mother says."
"I'm searching for a friend" her sister explained easily and opened the door to enter the tavern. Martha's hands flew to grasp her free arm for security and she bit her bottom lip to subdue her fear. She wasn't meant to be in places like this! Caroline didn't bat an eye to her skittish behavior and reassured with humor, "Come now, I'll protect your virtue and reputation against strangers we'll never see again."
"That's not what I was thinking" Martha retorted defensively because she'd rather have a man instead of her sister defending her honor. Women of their time were meant to be meek, polite, and like children, to be seen and not heard. Caroline simply shot her an amused glance as they stepped into the tavern, the mix of tobacco smoke and alcohol strong in the air. She fought the urge to dry heave into the nearest corner and warned sarcastically, "Stop trying to read my mind before I declare you a witch."
"Let's not backtrack into repeating history" Caroline muttered dryly because the Salem witch trials were a dark piece of history that was still fresh. People didn't believe in that gibberish as much but they stuck close to their bibles tightly enough that the hysteria could always reignite. Religion was strictly entwined with colonials but she didn't follow it devoutly, smirking at Martha to joke, "Otherwise, I might question how your whites are so clean."
"Carrie!" her sister shushed swiftly but the corner of her lips fought down a smile. Meek and polite was not what she'd describe her witty sibling, even when she wore a pretty dress.
"Don't be shy, I'll even buy you a drink" she offered lightheartedly with a wink and grabbed an empty beer bottle from a table. Anything within reach could be used as a weapon and she hadn't been kidding about protecting Martha. Alcohol was a powerful drink and if one couldn't handle their liquor, it could ruin more than one life in the process.
Martha's gaze darted between the bottle and her cheerful face to question suspiciously, "Are you sure you've always been a girl?"
"Pretty sure" Caroline replied flatly to the insult and didn't shy in emphasizing it by pointing to her chest. Martha quickly batted her hands down to keep her sister proper in public but the redhead simply laughed. Was this how she'd been years ago when she first ventured into Boston? If so, time had changed her drastically.
A lumbering man treaded too closely for Martha's comfort and the brunette huddled behind her sister to avoid the lecherous gaze. Caroline didn't flinch in returning an intimidating glare to the quite inebriated man and shattered the end of the bottle across the table's edge. Martha released a frightened yelp to the noise and watched her sister take a defensive position. She pointed the sharp jagged edges at the man and narrowed her eyes to snap, "Keep walking, sir."
Martha blinked with stunned surprise when the man stumbled away as he decided a fight with a woman wasn't worth his time. Caroline tossed the broken bottle into the nearest trash can before it invited more trouble and grinned, "Took me a few tries to get it to actually break in half like that."
Thank you for reading!