Missing
6 June 1776
Caroline was enjoying the full swing of summer after another trip on the Aquila to secure trade routes heading east. She adored being out at sea and had finished reading every book at her disposal about navigating. Lucky to have that education, she combined that with her ongoing experience to ensure the safety of the crew. While everyone scuttled on below, the masts were her home until it was time to end her shift.
Her small blowout with Ratonhnhaké:ton from the spring had been brushed under a figurative rug for the sake of professionalism. She had already pushed aside the thought of romance as she focused solely on her new career. Earning the respect of her rough and tumble crew had gained her confidence and she wouldn't let them down. Faulkner had grown on her as a mentor due to his decades of seafaring and she always sought him when she had a confounding question.
Back at home, she was relaxing at Myriam's home once more as the two bonded over the sport of hunting. If Caroline wasn't learning onboard the Aquila, she shifted her mind to the next best thing. They were greasing traps to hide in their hunting spots later that day so they were finding humor in their grease covered hands. Brushing away stray hair had left smears of dark grease on their fair faces but the women didn't care about appearances, they merely laughed.
"What the heck are you doing?" Myriam asked out of the blue and Caroline stopped her work, worried that she'd made a mistake. Was she doing her work wrong?
"Um, oiling my traps?" Caroline replied hesitantly as her blue eyes darted between the half-greased metal trap and Myriam. She jiggled the trap in emphasis to show her work but the huntress shook her head. Caroline could only stare with confusion to her friend's concern.
"No, I mean about Connor" she corrected quickly because she expected the two to be happy bees again. They had been sailing around the Atlantic together so she hoped that would be enough to knock him out of Clara's grip. Caroline averted her gaze silently to dodge the topic which led Myriam to assuming things had not gone well. She didn't want either of her friends to be robbed of their happiness and blurted, "You're going to let him run off with her, just like that?"
Caroline's shoulders fell at having that topic surface and shook her head to answer simply, "We're all adults-"
Myriam dropped her trap to lean forward, hoping to stir some initiative in her lovelorn friend, and questioned with skepticism, "You went sailing with him for a week, what happened? I expected you to woo him with an alluring sea dance."
"A sea dance?" she repeated with bewilderment to undertaking such an odd action. Her captain would've sooner had her mental health checked by a physician than be lured by attraction. Caroline had never been the flirtatious type and it wasn't going to start anytime soon. Even imagining herself with swaying hips and a come-hither look appalled her.
"I've never been on a ship so I'm being creative here" Myriam muttered dryly with an amused smile to her baffled expression. They weren't high-class ladies by a long shot but they knew enough to be respectable ladies in public. The wild forests were all Myriam had known from childhood so the sea, especially ships, were an unknown entity for her.
"I did my job and returned home" Caroline stated flatly because her focus had been surviving her voyages, not seducing her captain. She was pretty sure that moment had passed months ago and had to look forward to her future as a sea wandering sailor. Her friend wasn't convinced as her lips pursed and Caroline shook her head to reinforce, "Myriam, it's over."
"I refuse to believe that" the brunette scoffed because her friend was determined when she set her mind on something. Otherwise, she wouldn't be helping her with rifle training. Watching her and Ratonhnhaké:ton interact, Myriam knew the two were meant to be more than mere friends. Unfortunately, her redheaded friend placed more meaning in sailing the open sea than fetching her man back. Myriam couldn't blame her for it since she didn't believe her life's work was about finding a husband but achieving her own self-sufficiency. Caroline pretended to focus on greasing her trap once more and Myriam quipped jokingly, "Mostly because you two are more of a handsome couple than they are."
"Thank you, but I tried, and she happens to have a stronger pull" Caroline sighed softly because she wasn't one to beg for affection. She had her dignity and wouldn't stoop low for such pity, especially from a man she respected. If he cared for her, she wanted it to be pure and honest- never faked.
"We're aware she's an octopus by now so we need to be subtle" Myriam advised to continue winning his heart but Caroline's eyes dulled to playing a fair damsel. She wasn't the type that wanted rescuing or having her hand held but one that a man could stand behind so they could both shoot down their enemies. Hmm, maybe she'd been reading too many heroic tales. Myriam pointed a greasy finger at her and suggested, "Write him a letter and make sure he reads it at sea-"
"Ahem" Caroline interjected by clearing her throat and reminded sarcastically, "I'm the Aquila's Navigator."
"Somewhere private then" she corrected swiftly because one way or another, she was going to pin them together. Caroline wasn't as optimistic as her friend and frowned, feeling as she had in childhood when she didn't want to wear a dress for chores. Her face had gone from giddy to 'dear me' in less than ten minutes but Myriam encouraged with a perky smile, "That way, he can't get confused about your signals."
His quiet nature was as hard as a puzzle to crack since she'd no idea what lay behind those brown eyes. Caroline accepted he wasn't a self-disclosing man which meant it was up to her to find her own answers by placing herself on the disclosing table. It had been enough for her to know that he cared about her years ago but now, his mind wasn't as readable to her.
"I mean, what's the worst that could happen? He either runs to you permanently or you can bid him farewell" Myriam pointed out to end her friend's conundrum because despite her insistent no's about Ratonhnhaké:ton, her eyes said otherwise. Her blue eyes brightened in his presence but if his name arose nowadays, they sparked lightly for a split second before dulling. She would rather have her friend know the truth instead of moping over unknowns so she could find true happiness. One that didn't come from ogling an inanimate ship.
That afternoon, she took Myriam's advice and sat in the grass beside her home to write her letter,
Connor,
I'm certain you're wondering why I simply can't speak to you instead of writing a letter. This past month I've bitten my tongue both out of fear and nerves for what my heart plagues me with. I know you are busy with. . .well, I assume your work is very important outside the Aquila. You have been a dear friend since arriving on this land years ago and always bring a smile to my face when we meet. Being accepted onto the Aquila has also brought a sense of accomplishment that I never imagined happening, so I thank you for that. I have tried mustering the courage to speak from my heart but it seems I'm better at cocking a pistol at pirates than uttering simple words. You are the most extraordinary man I've met in my young life and your resolve to aid others is admirable, even when some might not like it. You make my heart beat faster than a run through a cold winter day and despite the passage of time, I still love you like no other. Frankly, this past year has only served to affirm how very dear you are to me. If my feelings are wrongly misplaced and unrequited, I would rest better knowing so I could find the right one to give my affections to. The past months have been most trying as I've tried to decipher your thoughts but I leave this last step to you. Take great care as you travel perilous roads and know that all of Davenport is waiting for you to come home safely.
With greatest affection,
Caroline Burnett
A few days later, she managed to catch her elusive neighbor heading south of the main road on horseback. Her heart hammered nervously to his reaction once she handed it over but part of her was elated. The folded letter was out of her trunk and out of her home so her siblings wouldn't accidentally find it and tease her. She held her breath as he approached her on the road but she realized that he wasn't alone. Thankfully, this time he wasn't accompanied by Clara but an unknown Englishman man riding a brown horse. Was he heading to the city for business again?
She waved in welcome to her old friend as she stuck to the side of the road for safety. Ratonhnhaké:ton noticed the redhead in a powder blue dress, making him wonder if Catherine convinced her to wear it, and signaled for his companion to pause. Benjamin Tallmadge didn't mind since he wasn't going to be the enforcer in catching Thomas Hickey. Caroline surprised him once again by curtsying politely to his new traveling companion and spoke warmly, "I was heading to your place to invite you to another stew night but I can see you're busy."
Ratonhnhaké:ton offered an apologetic expression to missing an evening out with her, after sharing little of them nowadays, and declined, "I am sorry but I must depart for New York before dawn."
"No, I understand" she accepted because it had been part of his life for a long time. If it was a matter for the Aquila, he would've informed her so this was something else. She would never pry into his work and nodded with a fond smile, "Have a safe trip and. . ."
She removed her folded letter from her skirt pocket and handed it to him with a nervous hand. She must've read it over five times before delivering it to the man himself and hoped for the best. Life on the open roads could be dangerous and she wanted him to return home safely. Her fingers brushed against his gloved ones as she relinquished her letter and she met his gaze to beckon, "Read it when you have time. . .please."
Ratonhnhaké:ton could only blink in perplexity to the urgency in her tone but promised to do so. She was never one to randomly hand him letters so curiosity bit him about the contents. Was it related to the Aquila or something private?
"Be careful" she whispered softly to his trip since she couldn't follow to watch his back. Unfortunately, her position was on the Aquila only and not on the road as his sidekick.
"I always do" he reassured with a faint smile to comfort any worries because he had a life to return to. As the years passed, he realized that juggling two separate lives wasn't easy but he tried his best. It would never be perfect but if he kept his loved ones safe, it was enough. Fusing his roles into one would endanger his friends so he had to tread both roads carefully.
Caroline waved to him in farewell as the clacking of hooves echoed down the road. She had become accustomed to the sight of his departing form for many years but she took solace in knowing he always came back.
Unfortunately, this time, correspondence and any presence of him would cease in returning.
Caroline grew worried when Ratonhnhaké:ton failed to return home after three weeks. Yes, he had traveled for a few weeks on and off but he always sent word that he was safe. This time, none of her family or the residents of Davenport received a single letter. Norris expressed his concern when his friend failed to show up for a fishing trip they had planned in the cove. Big Dave had also mentioned that their unofficial town boss had failed to pick up his usual order of bullets. Each little mounting comment unsettled Caroline's stomach and she needed to find answers about his whereabouts.
Her first thought had been to head to the Aquila but the ol' girl was stationed at the dock. Speaking to the crew wandering about town, Caroline received no further clues to what set him back. Her investigations around town led to no results at all and she began scribbling theories into her old writing slate to find clues. Her nights after supper were spent like this beside the fireplace, hunched over in concentration, while her siblings carried on with their lives.
"Carrie, you've hit a dead end here" Elizabeth's voice interrupted her thoughts as the fifteen-year-old plopped down on the wooden floor, across from her. Caroline's blue eyes darted away from her slate for a second to gaze at her before returning to her quite scribbling. Elizabeth shook her head to her sister's diligence to finding her lost ex-boyfriend and pointed out, "He headed to New York which means you have to explore that path."
"Father will disown me if I head out alone again without warning" she reminded flatly because she'd promised her parents she would never abandon them. A lady of her time had to be accompanied by a man or a group of ladies out in the cities. Her hands were tied with the little options available to her, especially for a city in another colony, and she sighed softly, "I can head to Boston with boban this week to search-"
"Why do you sound like you're quitting?" Elizabeth scoffed to protest her dwindling hope and leaned over to smack her sister's right leg. Caroline tucked her legs closer and shook a fist to her scamp of a sibling but Elizabeth had only done it to wake her up. Her sister wasn't a quitter, not by a long shot, and she encouraged firmly, "Come now, you're the one who headed out alone and sailed as a cross-dressing woman. This should be a piece of pie!"
A small smile touched her lips as Caroline turned to gaze at the fire and murmured, "Thank you for the vote of confidence."
Seeing her resolve strengthen, Elizabeth wagged her brows comically and suggested innocently, "If you need any help-"
"Not yet" her sister declined because she wanted Elizabeth to be of age before letting her wander the wilderness. That summer, they were working on surviving off the land with Myriam in case her little redhead wanted to be one with nature. She was walking in her shoes far too closely and Caroline wanted to ensure she wouldn't make the same mistakes she did.
"Aw" Elizabeth sighed despondently and snapped her fingers to being stonewalled. Caroline promised her chance would come soon and to take her time getting there. It was best to be safe than sorry in their troubled times. The younger sister simply blew a raspberry and leaned against the fireplace for warmth. Her time was still to come, it seemed, but it sure was taking too long.
Taking Elizabeth's advice, Caroline turned her search to Boston since it was the crossroads for many travelers. In his letters from years past, he mentioned the paths he'd taken when traveling north and south so she was able to narrow her search. Unfortunately, she couldn't travel those roads alone, not without inciting disapproval from her parents, and utilized her skills once more. If her captain was in trouble, she would stop at nothing to get him back.
Sipping a light ale at the Green Dragon, Caroline's blue eyes met a similar shade before speaking, "You're the eyes and ears of this city. If I needed help in locating someone, could you help me?"
Duncan Little shook his head to her enthusiasm to tracking down whoever she sought. He heard the endless gossip around Boston and his contacts around the city kept him updated on the latest news. He was surprised that she was seeking his help since he expected her to return to a law-abiding lady after their last meeting. It seemed she was full of surprises and like last time, she was dressed in her lady ensemble. The feminine bonnet and thin shawl were deceiving in a bar full of people but she wouldn't hesitate to beat down anyone who hassled her. Duncan tipped his brimmed hat back and answered cryptically, "Depends on who it is."
Caroline had no reason to hide anything from him and admitted, "A friend from home. He headed to New York last month and never returned."
"Numerous people head up north" he reasoned because roads were growing dangerous, especially with the two warring factions. Thieves didn't think twice before pouncing on the poor or injured so that fate could've occurred for her friend. Being from a small and rural town, her people would be more vulnerable.
She shook her head adamantly because Ratonhnhaké:ton was not someone to take lightly and described him as best she could, "I'm looking for a Mohawk man dressed in a mixture of colonial wear who's built like a bear and could take on ten men singlehandedly. He also happens to frequent ports and be in the company of the Patriots."
Now, that struck him with intrigue. A few natives traveled through for trade in Boston but only one struck out at him. His boss belonged to the tribe she mentioned and sure enough, his correspondence and presence had dwindled to nothing that month. It wasn't rare for assassins to stop communication but they usually sent a message beforehand to warn the order about going silent. Their leader had done no such thing and without giving anything away, he spoke vaguely, "Maybe. He's got a name?"
"Connor. His birth name is Ratonhnhaké:ton."
Well, he only knew of one man by that former name who also happened to be a native. How coincidental could this be? Duncan had a hunch that the two were familiar to each other, but they failed to understand their separate lives. Her sailing adventure and his mentor's quest to find a lost friend with the same name couldn't be a random coincidence. Deciding to go out on a limb with the redhead, he questioned, "Is he about your age? Won't drink alcohol but somehow happens to get into bar fights? Takes in random horses?"
Yes, that was her Ratonhnhaké:ton.
"Only if he's the one winning those fights" she grinned with delight to the hope that Duncan knew him. She was aware colonials kept a distance from natives as the uneasy peace could always be broken but Ratonhnhaké:ton had a kind heart. He wasn't rude or prone to anger, or the acclaimed 'savage' stereotype, so she didn't see him as the type that went looking for trouble. Well, trouble that didn't end with helping the innocent.
"I will help you" Duncan informed her because he wanted to find his own answers. Ratonhnhaké:ton usually passed through Boston on his travels but he hadn't seen him recently. This was strange for the leader of their organization since communication was crucial. The last intentional outing had been on the Aquila with his crew since he placed the three assassins in charge until he returned. Seeing as Caroline was sitting across from him, he had returned long ago and was currently missing. Tapping a finger against the table, he admitted, "I have a strong feeling we have the same acquaintance and if it is him, I want to make sure he's safe as well."
Caroline's brow furrowed to that revelation but again, Ratonhnhaké:ton was one to help anyone in need. Years ago, he was hesitant to wander in certain areas of the city since they were both new to exploring it but nowadays, he had a confident air about him. It could've been the added height he gained or having allies in the city. Unfortunately, she couldn't stay in the city because her uncle Terry was returning home in the morning and her parents expected her back. She would've thought having Patrick around the house and mill would make them lenient with rules but she was still their daughter.
"I leave tomorrow morning but I can return this upcoming weekend" she informed her friend because her time was limited in Boston. She would help as much as she could and pay Duncan whatever she needed to find him. Tapping the underside of her bonnet, she sighed to her constrictions, "An unmarried lady can't wander alone too far from her family."
"I will leave letters in your father's store about my findings" he assured because women had stricter rules to follow from society and Caroline nodded with relief. It would be easier to disguise herself as a wandering trapper but if she got into a scuffle, she didn't want word reaching her father. Being at home now, she had to abide by her parents rule and her mother told her to play nice and not beat up anyone. For the sake of her father's business, she promised but it was pulling at her sense of freedom.
Standing up to take her leave, she nodded politely and thanked him from the bottom of her heart, "I will await your news. Thank you, Mr. Little."
Gripping the back of her empty chair, her voice calmed into an even tone of determination to promise, "If he's in danger, I will help you in person."
"I admire your dedication to friends" he complimented to strengthen her resolve and not have her accidentally jump into the fire too early. She was fast when it came to solving problems but this required a little finesse if their friend was captured by redcoats or worse, Templars. Tipping his hat to her, he promised, "I will be in touch."
Caroline left the inn with a lighter heart that she had another hand in helping to find him. Duncan had more resources available to him and was able to travel without restriction. If she had to abandon her home to help Ratonhnhaké:ton, she would do so. Her family would more than likely frown at her brash nature but she couldn't deny coming to his aid. He would drop everything in a flash to help their townsfolk and he deserved to be treated the same.
She returned to Davenport that same weekend to play the torturous waiting game at home. Part of her was inclined to meet Clara to determine whether she knew anything of value. She tried her best to avoid her but she was seeking Ratonhnhaké:ton's wellbeing, not her ego. However, speaking to Corrine at the inn gave her enough information that the family had no inkling of his whereabouts.
From Duncan's end, he gathered his brothers in arms to begin an investigation on their leader. They were aware of the location of his home but Caroline had already informed Duncan that she'd scoured every nook and cranny without answers. With that in mind, he'd turned to his network of insiders for any news in bar or port gossip. Stephane worked on the merchant network and the Patriot connections while Clip was deployed to the outskirts for further clues with the frontiersmen.
In a matter of days, the three assassins managed to piece together the whereabouts of their mentor. The Patriots had informed them that Benjamin Tallmadge had passed through Boston on his way to Davenport to meet Ratonhnhaké:ton. That had occurred weeks ago, however. Duncan sent a message to the old ex-assassin, Achilles, to ask since he would be privier to their business than Caroline. Her dedication was admirable but she was hindered by not knowing about them. Achilles returned a reply that his friend had gone to New York city, to the heart itself, to track down Thomas Hickey but he'd yet to read or hear an update about it.
With that in mind, Duncan headed north to the city and if he found anything, he'd send a letter to both parties right away. He expected to undertake his journey alone but Stephane had smacked him over the head with his bar towel to protest that idea. In the end, he, Stephane, and Clipper headed north together on horseback since Boston was temporarily clear of Templar meddling. Being a constant traveler compared to his colleagues, Duncan took the lead on their investigation. Unfortunately, the lack of Assassins in that city hindered their speed as they kept their interviews of residents very subtle.
Stephane, however, decided to use his ties to his Patriot friends to gather intel from the clusters living in New York city. Eventually, the trio heard about Thomas Hickey's arrest and a broody silent native that had also been seized for conspiracy. The Patriots led the trio to Benjamin Tallmadge, who was still in town and using his government rank to gather evidence against Hickey to help Ratonhnhaké:ton. It was clear that this move irritated the Templars and they aimed to make an example out of Ratonhnhaké:ton to thwart their efforts.
"He's being held in Bridewell Prison and will be tried for conspiracy to murder George Washington" Benjamin summarized for the trio as they met in a Patriot friendly bar. Duncan sighed with regret to where their leader had landed as Stephane shook his head and Clipper stopped eating his potato soup. They slept and ate when needed but most of their time was spent searching. It had taken almost a week of investigation but it was better than being left in the dark. Lowering his voice, he informed the men, "I've already sent Achilles my information so he should no doubt be receiving my letter in a few days."
"I don't trust them to hold him long" Stephane muttered as he tapped his fingers on the wooden table. For the first time, they were being pinned as guilty conspirators against the rebellion they believed in as the Templars managed to manipulate them. Turning to Duncan, he pointed out, "Murder conspiracy charges aren't light sentences and adding Connor's native heritage, they will cheer to see him swing on those gallows."
Being the youngest of the assassins, including their leader, Clipper shook his head to the uneven odds they faced and asked worriedly, "How are we going to stop that? We can't exactly barge into a prison to break him out, it's suicide."
Stephane was always one for dramatic action against his foes and suggested, "Attack the stagecoach during the transfer to the execution and free him?"
"No, he would be no less than a criminal after that" Duncan disagreed because they needed to be discreet with this delicate matter. If they didn't time everything right, Ratonhnhaké:ton could die and that was not a weight he wanted to carry. He had become the unofficial leader of their trio despite Stephane becoming the first assassin to be trained since he was more level-headed than the two, not that his friend minded. Clipper and Stephane nodded with reluctance as they began to weigh their options and Duncan explained, "He needs his name cleared and for the guilty party to be exposed. With nothing to shield them, we have the advantage."
Benjamin nodded to that proposition because it would leave Templar agents vulnerable and his own government spies could swoop in to gather more evidence. He might not be an assassin but he learned enough from his father to rise through government ranks to aid the Order. He felt more comfortable with the assassins in town and informed them of his own plan, "With you here, I can ride to fetch General Putnam to speak on Connor's behalf before they decide to slap more charges or worse, execute him quickly."
Duncan agreed that was the best course of action for now as their hands were tied with Ratonhnhaké:ton sitting in a jail cell and nodded, "Leave as soon as you can and we will figure out a plan to save him."
"How do we save a man without breaking him out?" Stephane sighed with annoyance because he was partial to blowing up the wall to his leader's cell to spring him loose. Unfortunately, Ratonhnhaké:ton was not the type to run into the shadows with a bounty on his head and have his sketched face on wanted papers.
"We need to start surveillance in the prison" Duncan stated simply because they needed all their ducks lined in a row to execute a failproof plan. Accidents could always happen so they needed to create backup plans and knowing the layout of the building and adjoining streets would help. They also needed to know where Ratonhnhaké:ton was held and his current condition. Three Assassins against numerous Templar agents would be quite a fight but Duncan had an idea to increase their fighting force. Fetching into his travel satchel, he retrieved paper and a charcoal pencil to begin scribbling a message. Without glancing up from his note, the other three men glanced at him until he finally revealed, "We're going to need help so if you plan to ride through Boston, Benjamin, I need a letter to be sent to Davenport with utmost haste."
Benjamin was confused and reminded, "I've sent Achilles-"
"No, this is for someone else" he supplied evenly because she was capable of fighting Templars and she had access to another Assassin asset that could prove valuable. The more he thought about the Scottish redhead, the more he realized he should reveal the inner workings of their order. To work alongside Assassins and not know a single fact about them was unfathomable to him and she deserved that respect.
Caroline's last correspondence with Duncan had informed her that his investigation led to New York city. She was unaware of anything else but she had a lead that Ratonhnhaké:ton had arrived to his destination. The question was: what had happened after? From Duncan's side, he was curious as to how she knew his mentor since he expected the two to simply be neighbors by default of their town. The silence from both men was worrisome to her but she trusted Duncan to keep prodding deeper to Ratonhnhaké:ton's whereabouts.
At his meeting with Benjamin, Duncan couldn't lie to Caroline for what he'd found and implored her to meet him in New York. He didn't deliberate the entire truth but he'd implied that he was detained from coming back to Davenport anytime soon. Benjamin was true to his word and delivered Caroline's letter at the lumber mill in Boston before heading out to find the general. Seeing the finely dressed man in a humble small business, one of the workers had taken a horse to drop it off at Davenport homestead.
The redhead had been cleaning her pistols by the log bench when the messenger arrived. A recent hunt with Elizabeth led her to ditching her rifle and opting for her favorite weapon in order to stop a buck from charging her little sister. Worried that an order had been completed incorrectly or an accident had happened, she was relieved to hear it was a letter addressed to her.
"Was it an Irish man by chance?" she asked curiously since the envelope only had her name written in the center. There was no return address nor hers which left her boggled. Duncan always sent her mail directly through the post office and narrowed her eyes at the envelope.
"Nay, he was a sophisticated chap- English" the mill worker replied to leave it as a mystery and she nodded quietly. Fishing out a few coins from her pocket, she paid the man for his time since he'd made the trip out here for her. She suggested that he head down to the mill since it was lunch time and her father ordered food from the inn to supply his men with sustenance.
After thanking her, the young man left and Caroline was left staring at the envelope. As if bitten by the gossip bug, Martha poked her head out from the doorway of their home and was followed by Elizabeth's below her. Caroline could hear the shifting fabric of their dresses as they hid behind the doorway. Pretending to ignore them, she began to open the envelope as she called back, "I know you're there."
Elizabeth whined with defeat for not sneaking well enough but pinned Martha with a suspicious glare. The brunette wasn't looking to be the next spy or tracker so she could care less about making noise. Elizabeth skittered towards Caroline as she stood in the cleared path that led to their home. Unlike Caroline who remained dressed in her hunting attire, Elizabeth had switched into a clean green dress to help with chores. Martha, curious herself, followed her after grabbing a bonnet to slap over her head to protect her complexion.
Caroline unfolded the paper and recognized Duncan's writing as he sent a shorter note this time. Expecting final closure on Ratonhnhaké:ton's disappearance, she found more ominous news:
Dear Ms. Burnett,
I was able to piece together Connor's next steps once he arrived here but I am afraid the news isn't good. Before you worry, he is alive but he has been detained for a crime he tried to stop. I have several friends working to prove his innocence but other political powers are at play right now. As a lady, I wouldn't ask it of you to travel to New York but as his friend and shipmate, I request your aid if you can supply it. You can find me in the tavern called the Golden Goose on most days since that is where I collaborate with friends that aim to see him free.
Your friend,
Duncan Little
She was crestfallen to read that he wasn't going to be coming home soon and worse, he'd been arrested. What kind of crime had he tried to stop? She knew he was kind in helping but she hoped it wasn't a murder that he intervened and was pinned with it. Her hands shook with dread and anger to how he was faring in the hands of authorities. She was aware of the shaky relations with native tribes as colonials saw them as nothing more than savages so she worried he'd be given a worse treatment than a common criminal.
Elizabeth peeked at the letter as she stood on her left side and murmured softly, "I'm guessing it's about Connor?"
She didn't hide secrets from her family anymore and handed the letter to them. She didn't have the heart to read it aloud and her sisters read it silently. Curiosity turned to worry as they processed the serious predicament their friend had fallen into. Caroline wanted him home safe but to do so, she'd have to leave again and it had been a disaster last time.
"Carrie, we have to go!" Elizabeth exclaimed with concern and she grabbed Caroline's arm to shake her lightly. They couldn't abandon him to the authorities and never see him again. He was their friend- no, their brother- and he deserved what help they could provide.
"We?" Martha and Caroline echoed in unison to object to her sudden idea.
Martha shook her head to chase away her dreams of bravado for a dose of reality and pointed out, "First of all, none of us have been to New York and what can we possibly do? Not to mention, our parents would disown us."
"Pshh, it didn't happen with Carrie the first time" she scoffed offhandedly because a serious lecture was all she earned and Caroline blushed with embarrassment. She didn't like knowing she'd caused her beloved parents grief and wanted to avoid repeating that. It wasn't a proud moment for her and she aimed to atone for it by never lying to them. Pointing to herself, Elizabeth grinned widely and piped up proudly, "I can watch your back and shoot-"
"Animals are far different than humans" Caroline interjected sharply because she wouldn't dare involve her siblings in a firefight. It was one thing for her parents to worry about her but she couldn't let that spread to her other siblings. She didn't want her lifestyle to symbolize that they could do anything without concern for repercussions and reminded firmly, "We are good law-abiding folk."
"So you're just going to let him rot in a grimy jail?" Elizabeth argued heatedly because he always helped their family and she wouldn't dishonor him like that. If she had to smack a few guards at night and jimmy open a lock, she would do so! Well, once she learned how to do both.
"I never said that" the elder redhead snapped tightly because he was her captain. He was the one she loved and to know he was somewhere she couldn't hear or see him, it was crushing. Her roles were struggling to balance out as the problem threatened to break her identity as a daughter. She faced a difficult choice again and disclosed her feelings for their understanding, "What can I do? The moment I walk out that door, I will disappoint our parents again and break my promise. If I stay, I will break my promises to him."
"Assemble the War Council!" Elizabeth declared defiantly and raised her right arm to use it as a figurative flag. They would tackle the Connor problem as sisters so she would gather the rest of their troop. Caroline sighed to her insistence to meddle in her decision while Martha was curious to see how this would play out.
When Elizabeth showed no signs of stopping her mini stampede into their home, Caroline groaned, "Oh, for God's sake-"
. . .
Caroline's eyes were half-closed as Elizabeth, Martha, and Amelia talked amongst themselves. They didn't invite Alice this time due to her meek nature and they didn't want her to worry either. The four women had gathered in the stables to continue the chores of the day by covering the stable floor with hay for their three mares, the gelding, the foal, and their cow. They had come to Davenport with only Molly and Dolly but added more friends to their animal family over the years. In the rear of the stable, their cousin Patrick was at work pitching hay into the newly cleaned stalls while trying to ignore the conversation. Otherwise, he'd be in trouble with his uncle and aunt.
"It's dangerous to travel alone" Amelia pointed out with a shake of her head to risking one's life in the outdoors. It was fine with a partner watching your back but you were a vulnerable target if traveling by yourself, especially as a woman. When her parents did buy a newspaper from the city, there was always an article about someone missing or dead. She didn't want anything to happen to her best friend and stated gingerly, "Please think of the dangers with wild animals or thieves."
"I won't be on foot this time, I can take Sophia" Caroline replied as she weighed her options to travel north by herself. Her beautiful golden mare neighed at hearing her name as she trotted in the field reserved for the horses next to the stable. She was a loyal horse on all of their trips around Davenport and trusted her as her number one. The mare tried to enter the stable but Patrick shooed her away with a gentle hand before she ruined his work. Caroline's shoulders sunk with embarrassment and she shot him an apologetic smile, "Sorry!"
"But Brave soared through the wind like a war horse!" Elizabeth reminded to put in a good word for her own horse. Ever since arriving at his new home, he was incredibly loyal and tagged alongside her. Caroline swatted her sister's butt with an empty wooden bucket as she set them against the wall to fill them with feed.
"I was there" she said dryly to the first and only battle she'd witnessed in her young life. it was something she never wanted to relive. Amelia rubbed her arms as goosebumps erupted to the awful memories she'd been left with. Martha glared at the redhead for bringing up the past, especially for Amelia, and Elizabeth quickly apologized.
Elizabeth's words, however, reminded Amelia that if Caroline hadn't headed into Charlestown and left for Davenport, she wouldn't be alive. She owed her life to her sister's efforts and guilt struck her for trying to protect her when Connor needed their help just like she had. Furrowing her brow with sorrow, she gazed at Caroline to voice softly, "I can't tell you not to go because you saved me. If I took away that opportunity from Connor, I can't be responsible for that heavy guilt. All I can say is to keep yourself obscure and always have a gun at your side."
Martha crossed her arms as she paced in circles to give her verdict. Amelia was the one she looked up to and she wasn't objecting to Caroline at all. The situation was delicate and she sympathized with Caroline's dilemma. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she advised, "I'm not one for running into danger. . .but we're not blind to how you feel about him. Our parents will be worried sick, yes, but I think they'd understand why. When you left, he searched endlessly for you and you're doing the same for him. On the upside, you can protect yourself almost as well as boban."
Elizabeth plopped down on a hay bale and glanced at the group with a witty smile, "I think you all know my opinion on this."
"We're all fine with me running off to New York to play hero?" Caroline questioned skeptically because back in 1774, her dreams for adventure were shot down. This time, it wasn't to enjoy new sights but to rescue her friend and mentor. She didn't know what to expect in an unknown place up north.
"Just don't get arrested" Martha sighed with reluctance to giving her approval, surprised with herself. Years ago, she chastised Caroline's unconventional behavior but they had both matured into accepting each other for who they were. Besides, it was nice to have a sister who could physically protect her and she helped her in Boston to get her feet wet in job interviews. For a girl of her background, she was thankful.
Elizabeth snorted to that thought because she believed her sister could tackle a dozen men, if needed. Waving a hand, she encouraged by supporting, "Fear not, I will save you-"
"If I get arrested, boban's the first person I'm writing to" Caroline shot down her bold plan because a fifteen-year-old was not going to frighten any armed officer. Well, not unless it was a teenage Ratonhnhaké:ton because he had been tall as a man at that age. Elizabeth pouted to being brushed aside as a jailbreak rescue and her sister smiled, "But I appreciate your sentiment."
"We'll defuse everything when you leave" Amelia promised to ensure a level-headed mind for her sister, squeezing her hand. She had enough to worry about with Ratonhnhaké:ton's detainment and didn't need more added onto it. This time, they would work together and she smiled with sincerity, "Just tell us the signal and we'll be on the lookout."
"Look at us, planning secret missions" Caroline chuckled softly to where life had led them from simple country folk to executing escape plans. The upside was that she and her sisters had finally managed to come together in comparison to their turbulent younger years. She was happy with her life at this point and knew that leaving home would disrupt that idyllic balance. The smell of hay tickled her nose and she smiled amusingly, "In a barn of all places but still."
Martha glanced around the stable because the smell of manure and horse feed wasn't the most awe inspiring. Flicking her thumb towards their home, she suggested, "I vote we move the next meeting to one of our bedrooms."
The others agreed unanimously since they had no choice due to their mother being indoors and Caroline informed, "I'll leave shortly before sunrise so I'll excuse myself to sleep early. Innocent enough, right?"
Her sisters nodded as they agreed on a plan and Elizabeth knocked on the beam of one of the stalls to declare, "War Council meeting adjourned!"
"Can't we call it a family meeting?" Amelia suggested because the name was rather aggressive for a simple meeting between sisters. They weren't planning on fighting redcoats or stealing anything to warrant the name. However, her little sister had always been one for dramatics and watched her frown.
"Too boring" she disagreed to the name change because she was rather fond of it already.
Patrick's voice broke from the end of the stables as he pitched hay into the stalls, "Can I vote for family meeting? Or at least get a hand here from one of you ladies?"
"Ladies won't help you but I will" Elizabeth scoffed as she flicked her thumb towards Martha, who shooed her away.
When Achilles left the manor in haste the next day, Caroline realized she had to decide on what to do. Everyone was left in the dark to his sudden departure but she had a nagging hunch and if he'd left, it had to be serious. Achilles couldn't be injured or ill since Dr. White lived close to the mansion. Ratonhnhaké:ton was the closest to Achilles and it was concerning because the old man never left the manor without him in tow.
She had already packed most of her belongings the previous night to prevent being caught by her parents or youngest siblings. Her departure would now be the following morning but before that happened, she needed to pay a trip to the second man Ratonhnhaké:ton trusted. She'd headed to the cove that afternoon to figure out if Faulkner had left in succession to search for his captain. Expecting to see an empty platform, she found the first mate relaxing by the dock with a beer in hand as he played checkers with another sailor.
"Finally decided to visit the old gal, did you?" Robert grinned proudly towards the Aquila as its navigator paid them a visit. Whenever they docked at home, she returned to being a dutiful daughter and working at the mill for her family. Still, she never hesitated to help days before a trip to ensure the Aquila was in tip top shape.
"Yes, I have found myself missing the sea recently" she admitted with longing as she remembered white sails fluttering against the wind when they went full speed ahead to a destination. Their last outing challenged her new position but Robert encouraged her that it would get better with experience.
"Feel free to take a walk on her" he suggested with a warm laugh since she found the ship a complete dream. Her first week on the Aquila was spent exploring every nook and cranny when she had free time. Any questions that she had about the frigate, she would direct it to him. She had a natural curiosity to sailing and was lucky not to have the tendency to vomit every time they hit a rough current. It was rather easy for him to take her under his wing to teach.
As much as she wanted to wander around the Aquila, her captain took priority. Robert noticed her wringing hands and the wary look in her eye when her gaze landed on the captain's cabin. He knew the young woman was resilient in tense situations and he asked, "Something on your mind, Burnett?"
"Mr. Faulkner, I have a serious question" she began hesitantly without hiding the concern in her tone. Ratonhnhaké:ton had a strong relationship with his crew and Robert looked over him like a father whenever they traveled. She wondered if he knew the predicament their captain had fallen into and asked, "Have you heard from the captain recently? I know that I've asked weeks ago but there's no harm in doing so again."
"No, can't say I have" he replied truthfully since he was used to the assassin running just about anywhere in secret. With summer in full swing, travel was heavy and safest during this time. He was aware Caroline was always concerned with the young man and reassured her, "He's prone to lengthy trips sometimes. Why?"
"I haven't seen him in weeks and Mr. Davenport suddenly left the manor" she explained carefully to share her worries and Robert straightened in his seat to the latter portion. The old man didn't leave the manor very often since goods were delivered to the manor and they had a doctor in town now. Crossing her arms, she looked out into the glittering cove and admitted softly, "My gut is telling me something's very wrong-"
"Follow that instinct, girl" Robert agreed because one's instinct never steered you wrong. The Burnett girl wasn't an idiot; otherwise, they never would've hired her. He wanted to hear more of her suspicions and stopped the chess game, turning to her as he admitted, "The captain hasn't visited which I find odd and no word for further orders."
"I just got word, actually, and it concerns me" Caroline informed with a small sigh as she grabbed an empty wooden crate to sit down. Tapping her fingers nervously as she rested her elbows on her knees, she continued, "One of my friends from Boston has informed me he's being detained in New York and requests my presence there."
Shit, that didn't sound good. If assassins managed to get caught by the law, they ran the risk that the operation could be Templar infiltrated. He didn't want that boy at the hands of their enemies and looking to the anguished redhead, he asked, "What's your plan, Burnett?"
"I'm going to New York city" she revealed quickly and he expected no less from one of his crew. Onboard, she never hesitated to tag alongside the captain on a mission and wasn't the type to abandon anyone. Caroline glanced at the chess pieces as her mind moved around her ideas to form a half-decent plan and stated, "He's been detained in jail, Mr. Faulkner. The trip should take me a few days-"
"Do you not see the mighty vessel at your disposal?" Robert interrupted to the huge blind spot in her plan and waved a hand towards the docked Aquila. She wasn't simply a pretty face at the dock when her captain needed her. Caroline's gaze averted to the floor because she'd never have the nerve to request its help. She expected to tackle this problem without demanding aid from any more people since she felt indebted to Duncan already. Robert sighed to her polite nature but this wasn't one of those times to follow etiquette as he pointed out firmly, "If this concerns the captain, we're heading to New York. We're not letting him rot in a nasty jail."
"But he's the captain, I couldn't ask-" she stammered nervously because it wasn't respectful to demand such a thing. Being the newest crew member, she had to work herself to the top like all senior officers.
"And I taught the boy myself" he boasted proudly with a raise of his beer and she chuckled softly. Years ago, Ratonhnhaké:ton had told her those seafaring stories (minus the captaining part) and hoped that he'd embellished the one about destroying a fortress. Now, she realized that he really hadn't after fighting pirates and Loyalist ships. Robert had taught most of the officers on board, including herself, and he promised confidently, "I might not look it but I captained plenty of ships back in my day. She'll get you there within hours, saving you days. Not to mention, it'll keep you safer off those roads at night."
"I'm a navigator" she reminded because a captain needed someone by his side to oversee the crew. Leaving Robert on the deck alone while she was up in the crow's nest would leave them vulnerable.
"We survived before getting you on so you'll get your first lesson as first mate" he said cheerfully to fix that itty bitty problem for her and her eyes widened. Robert shook his head because David and Richard always told him no since they held the most seniority and preferred gunnery. He'd taught Ratonhnhaké:ton in close waters to home and the trip to New York wouldn't take long either so it was a perfect opportunity. Caroline's mind was still stuck on processing 'steal the Aquila and not crash it', staring at him with trepidation, and Robert assured, "I know this girl like the back of my hand and together, we can get to New York city and find that boy."
Robert wasn't taking no for an answer and Caroline chuckled at seeing they ran on a similar mindset. Nodding with agreement, she decided to throw in her luck with Robert to find Ratonhnhaké:ton. Sailing to New York would be faster and seeing that they would have space to spare, an idea sprung to mind. Standing up from her makeshift seat, she informed, "I'm going to fetch a few more hands for the rescue party. I'll be back in an hour, Mister Faulkner."
"Aye, aye, Burnett" he nodded with approval that she hadn't run off to tackle the problem alone. Together, they'd have better chance of bailing out their captain and he stood up to holler to his wandering crew, "Ready the ship for departure!"
Caroline headed northwest in haste to continue with her new plan and her heart hammered to setting everything in motion. Mainly, it was her worry that her parents would finally have enough of her wayward travels. Or it could've been running across the forest at top speed but she was a determined woman with a goal.
She caught her breath when she finally arrived at her friend's isolated cabin and noticed a large pot stewing in Myriam's outdoor campfire. It wasn't rare that she was cooking or boiling something related to her hunting. Passing by the stewing pot, she closed the distance to the door and knocked rapidly as she called out her name.
The wooden door opened a few seconds later as a confused Myriam wondered what was going on. Was her friend being chased by a predator? Was someone else in trouble?
"Carrie! What's going on?" she asked with surprise to the sudden visit and opened her door widely to invite her inside. She didn't mind the company but her friend was out of breath and the hasty knocking sounded urgent.
Caroline leaned against the doorway to finish catching her breath and managed to stand upright to offer with an impish smile, "Miri, how'd you like to go on an adventure?"
A/N: I had to break this chapter into three parts because Bridewell was an interesting mission for me. Poor Connor was stuck alone in a jail, unaware of what was happening outside so I figured I'd take a gamble in writing it. The only difference is I'm including the Davenport residents in helping the Assassins to save their friend. So, this is the first part and I need to get it out instead of letting it sit on my laptop while I write the rest out. Thank you for reading!
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Wrapping Amelia into a hug, she squeezed her little sister tightly and promised, "I'll write to you but I'll try to be back within the week. I'm not coming back without him."
Slinging the strap of her bag over her left shoulder, Caroline opened the door quietly to peer down the hallway of their home. The other rooms were open and she slipped outside to turn left to head to the front door. The coziness and bright sunshine filtering through the main room struck her with homesickness instantly for daring to leave her home. It had been the same sinking feeling when she'd left in 1774 and it ate at her for the whole year. She was leaving for a different reason this time but she leaving nonetheless.
I can't do this again, she thought with guilt to simply leaving out of the blue without a say. Her parents deserved the right to know out of respect instead of having her slink away like a coward.
She would likely be late but she needed to do this for her own peace of mind. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and called out, "Mother! Mother! Can we talk?"
"I'm in the lean-to polishing the pots" she called back cheerfully as she took care of the chores for the day. As much as she enjoyed cooking alongside her children, polishing cutlery in silence was second in line for her. The rising weather no longer made the attached shanty frigid during that time of year so Catherine liked her time there.
Caroline made a dash for her and the floorboards creaked with her rapid footsteps. She passed by a bewildered Amelia as her little sister peeked out of their room as she ran by to the rear of the house. Catherine blinked with surprise as she set down her pot and dishrag, watching her daughter bound up to her. Caroline lunged to hug her mother around the shoulders before she could even take a step back and Catherine sputtered, "W-What's all this about, Carrie?"
"Mother, I have to tell you something and you can't hit me if I'm hugging you" she answered nervously as she managed to restrain her dear mother. She never imagined herself in this position but her knack for adventuring made it only a matter of time.
Catherine released an unimpressed sigh, knowing her eldest was capable of a lot of things. She didn't protest her hug and fell into her motherly role as she patted her on the back to ask reluctantly, "Oh no, did you hit that Clara girl?"
"What? No!" her daughter exclaimed in rebuttal to that embarrassing idea and shook her head. Catherine was relieved that she wouldn't have to apologize to poor Corrine for her stubbornness but smiled to her restraint. She knew the young woman was a thorn in Caroline's side but it appeared her problem lay elsewhere.
"Secretly betrothed?" she offered as her second guess because she ran off with Ratonhnhaké:ton on the Aquila often. That one wasn't as bad for her as the first because she was rooting for the two.
"No!" Caroline complained to hiding more secrets from her parents and she sighed with embarrassment to her mother's disappointed 'oh'. Were her parents expecting her to be married off soon? Was it someone specific that they had their eye on?
Catherine broke into her rampant thoughts of marriage to question skeptically, "Are you running from a lawman somewhere?"
All right, now that one sounded far more plausible. Still, she hadn't broken any laws on land- or at least, been discovered doing so- so she was safe. Quickly, she objected to that idea and blurted, "No! Mother, your guesses are becoming outrageous!"
"I never know when it comes to you!" Catherine shot back since she was her wildest child and expected her to run into crazy shenanigans one day. Caroline's shoulders slumped at hearing that since she wasn't portraying the perfect child, like Amelia and Martha. She used to run to her mother with all her worries as a child but nowadays, her secrets were relayed to her sisters. Catherine sighed softly to her conundrum and encouraged her on by asking gently, "What is it, child?"
"I have to leave again" Caroline murmured dejectedly to undertaking this trip into unknown territory.