Music: Ramin Djawadi- "The Children"
Bridewell Prison
"I'm leaving. Now."
Amelia's mouth dropped open with shock to what Caroline declared. Her sister had come home in a rush and ushered her straight into their room. Caroline headed to her wooden trunk to open it, quickly removing her travel pack that she'd hidden inside. She really hoped this was the last time she was running away from home and heard Amelia ask worriedly, "What happened to the plan?"
"There's been a change, I'm taking the Aquila straight to New York's harbor" she informed carefully so her sister knew every detail of where she'd be in case of anything. She wasn't secretive with her life anymore and trusted Amelia as her confidante. If their parents asked questions, Amelia could answer them for her. As she double-checked her belongings, she added in with relief, "I'm also bringing along Myriam and Norris."
Amelia paused to dwell over that, seeing the sea route as a better alternative, and nodded with agreement, "That . . . actually sounds safer."
Caroline decided to head out with her current riding attire since it was comfortable and her sailing clothes were in her bag. Her mare would stay home safely but she'd write a note for Elizabeth to take her out on a ride and assume her care. Caroline had eaten very little that morning but her concern was getting to New York, buying a snack there would be easy. She had to pack enough money to rent a room in case the Aquila was too far from Ratonhnhaké:ton.
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, empty as could be, 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 was leaving nonetheless.
I can't do this again, she thought with guilt for 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 child's 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. Plus, if her oldest was on the marriage route, one of her little birds would be building a nest of her own.
"No!" Caroline complained to hiding more secrets from her parents and sighed with embarrassment to her mother's disappointed 'oh'. Were her parents expecting her to be married off soon? She wasn't hitting the spinster age, was she? 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 outlandish 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. The advantage was having friends at her side to help her but there was always that lingering guilt for leaving out of the blue at home. Most often, it was Ratonhnhaké:ton that spoke to her parents when they headed out to sea but not this time.
Her mother didn't bat an eye to that, accustomed to her seafaring, and shrugged softly to ask casually, "On the Aquila? I've already learned telling you no makes you run faster."
She laughed to her little joke, releasing her from the tight hug, and shook her head to confide, "Mother, Connor has been detained at a jail in New York. It's why we haven't seen him in so long-"
"Heaven's sake, what happened?" her mother gasped to hearing the horrible news and her face paled to the idea of him sitting alone in a dank jail cell. What could he have possibly done? It had to be an accidental mistake! Despite his intimidating stature, he wouldn't hurt a fly!
"I don't know, that's why Mr. Faulkner and I want to head there on the Aquila" she admitted weakly to the little pieces of information she had but it was enough to concern her. She didn't want anything to happen to him and the longer she lingered, it increased the chances of her trail running cold. Crossing her arms, she shook her head to her previous plan and confessed, "Honestly, I was going to leave with Sophia on foot but he made a better plan. I need to know what's going on."
Catherine didn't know which was worse, releasing her daughter to travel the sea or bustling cities. If they had detained him, what would stop authorities from nabbing her? She would be drawing eyes with her current attire and asked worriedly, "What if they detain you?"
"I haven't done anything! I've never been there" she assured quickly because they couldn't arrest her for looking at people or dressing differently. Could they? If so, cities had really gone downhill with power. She understood her mother's worry for her, squeezing her shoulders, and she promised, "I can keep myself safe and I certainly won't be looking for trouble, just answers. It must be a mistake and if I can help him, I must. He's never abandoned me and I won't do that to him."
Catherine sighed softly to her determination and hugged her brave child. Once she had a goal in mind, nobody could deter her. All she could do was prepare her as best she could and pray she'd return safe. She was a natural survivor like her father and Catherine grasped her shoulder to advise, "I can't order you around, you're a grown woman now. Even if I threatened to disown you, I'm sure you'd pitch a tent outside our homestead and live off the land. You're too much like your father to listen but you're a force to be reckoned with."
"There's a lot of you in my heart too" she insisted with a modest smile but she rejoiced on the inside. Her mother had quite the temper, similar to her father, so she was glad that it wasn't directed at her. Catherine scoffed to that opinion but she couldn't deny her daughter had a handle on guns similar to herself. It was a little quirk to be proud of and Caroline promised softly, "I didn't want to leave like I did the first time, it wasn't right, and I have to learn from my mistakes. I will try to return quickly but I will write just in case I am held back."
"Do you have protection, clothes, and food?" she asked carefully to ensure her child would fare well on her trip. She didn't want her leaving on an empty stomach and starving by the time she returned home. It was one thing to let her run off but as a mother, she'd be leaving with food in hand.
"Not the food part" she muttered flatly since she carried the essentials and improvised the food portion. It was embarrassing the first time because she'd been an inexperienced hunter and only trapped small game. Eating rabbits and river fish daily hadn't been the best diet. This time, she'd be onboard a ship so hot fresh food would be accessible once she docked in New York.
"Carrie, I've taught you better than that" Catherine chided with a motherly tone and Caroline grumbled under her breath in protest. So, she had a few pitfalls- who didn't? Catherine ushered her out of the lean-to as she set to work, "Come on."
She had expected a lecture from her mother but instead, she began preparing a care package. Catherine leaned down to lift a brown carpet that covered the entrance of their makeshift cellar. Godfrey had carved it out when he created the addition to the home so they could have more storage for goods during winter and in case Loyalists ever found their home, they'd have a secret space for food. Opening the wooden entrance by a metal ring, she grabbed a nearby cloth large enough to hold her items. Caroline expected bread and a slice or two of cheese but when her mother began adding jams, dry meats, and fruits- she protested.
"I can't have you starving. . .and you also have to thank Mr. Faulkner for that plan" Catherine reminded matter-of-factly as she folded everything neatly into a perfect cube. Caroline had to wonder why her mother didn't think she had an ounce of her personality. Closing the trapdoor, Catherine handed the package to her with a warm smile, "It's the best I can do."
Caroline hugged her tightly with appreciation for that little labor of love and vowed, "Thank you, mama. I'll repay you somehow."
"You take care and come home" Catherine spoke in farewell and hugged her daughter one last time, something she hadn't been able to do years ago. Caroline nodded quietly with resolve and forced herself to let go because she couldn't have the Aquila wait. She could leave home with a lighter heart than she had years ago and walked away from the lean-to, smiling as she watched her mother occupy herself with her chores once more.
Amelia joined her on her way out as she picked up her sister's backpack off the floor to hand it over. They didn't have to worry over her anymore as the reckless rebellion had left her years prior. Smiling in farewell, she spoke softly, "Come back soon. Both of you."
Taking a deep breath, Caroline slung one strap of her back over one shoulder and tucked her mother's care package under the other. Nodding to her best friend, she hoped to make true on her word to come back in one piece and left her to the daily chores. Heading out the open doorway, sunshine struck her face as she left her home behind-
"Hold on, what's all this?!" Caroline demanded with disbelief as she spotted Elizabeth and Martha waiting in their front yard. It wasn't their presence that surprised her but the leather bags waiting at their feet. Her brunette sister was dressed in a pretty yellow dress suited for travel while Elizabeth resorted to her brown riding attire. This was completely unexpected and she was taken aback to the sudden turn of events, blinking rapidly to make sure she hadn't slipped into a dream.
Elizabeth batted her eyelashes innocently as she approached Caroline with her bag to explain, "We figured since you have a frigate and you need help. . .what do you know, we're free to help!"
WHAT?!
"No, mother and father will surely disown me!" Caroline objected furiously to that idea because she wouldn't be responsible if something happened. It was one thing for her to run off but for three of them to do so was not acceptable. Didn't they remember the chaos she left behind the first time? She wouldn't subject her parents to that anguish and shook her head to refuse, "I can't guarantee your safety-"
"We won't be involved, we'll explore the city life" Martha intervened casually to assure they wouldn't get in her way. Their goal was to hop offboard and explore for a day or two, depending on Caroline's schedule. She didn't have the heart to put herself in danger and would happily lock herself in a cabin to watch the ocean.
Caroline was shocked to hear such words from her prim and proper sister, blurting aloud, "You're part of this too?!"
Martha shrugged nonchalantly to the tempting thought of a breezy vacation by the coast and replied, "I think of it as an opportunity . . . and with you two scaring off any offender, I'll be safe."
"Mother won't disown me, she'll kill me!" Caroline snapped to what would await her back home, especially after that heart-to-heart with their mother. If she took off with both girls, she'd never see daylight or the Aquila until she was thirty! What was the point of making peace with her traveling ways if her sisters decided to pull the same runaway stunt?
"We'll plan your getaway if it happens" Martha assured confidently to protect her in case their parents were furious. She knew they and Caroline were protective of her and their siblings but they were all growing independent. They had gone out with their father into the city plenty of times so why would this be different? She'd even snuck a knife into her belongings that she bought from Mr. O'Donnell.
Caroline saw the nonnegotiable look on their faces and finally felt like a mother, sighing exasperatedly, "Oh, for the love of-"
Martha and Elizabeth grabbed her by the arms before she could finish her sentence and pulled her down the path. Caroline called out to her mother to alert her to their shenanigans but Elizabeth placed a hand over her mouth. The older redhead was smarter from experience and bit her fingers, causing the smaller redhead to flinch away, "Ow! You bit me! Carrie! I can't believe you bit me, you rabid raccoon!"
Shifting her weight against the two, she struggled in their grip to budge them off and snapped, "Are you two seriously trying to kidnap me?"
Elizabeth threw one end of a thin rope to Martha so the two had a front restraint to prevent their sister from running off. Before she could escape with her belongings, the two wrapped the rope around her body to pin her arms down completely. Caroline figured the two must've planned this in advance because they'd never improve this quickly. Either that or she really underestimated her siblings. Her little redhead imp simply grinned as she pointed out smartly, "It's easier to reason with that when explaining all this to mother. So pretend we took you down and dragged you off."
Caroline was back within the hour to set up Ratonhnhaké:ton's cabin as hers and had brought along friends for the trip. Myriam and Norris stared with awe to the mighty ship docked in the cove, never imagining they'd board it one day. When their redheaded friend arrived in their respective homes with her concerns, they hadn't hesitated to help. Ratonhnhaké:ton protected them in Davenport plenty of times and they would lend their own hand to him.
"I've never been on a ship before" Myriam whispered with awe since she'd been born in the colonies while her ancestors came from England. The sea was a foe to fear for a huntress and although she could swim, there was wariness for what lurked under those depths. Placing her hands on the polished bannister, she peered down at the shimmering blue water of the cove.
Norris whistled to the pristine condition of the deck, glancing up at the white sails, and complimented, "She's a beauty."
Robert, who was watching the new travelers board at the wheel, smiled at hearing that and called back, "Why, thank you."
"Greetings, Mr. Faulkner" Myriam called out as she turned around to wave at the old sailor. Norris echoed her greeting as he set down his backpack, eager to start the short trip to the city. Robert agreed with Caroline's idea for more numbers on the lookout for Ratonhnhaké:ton and it helped that the two were accustomed to weapons.
What he didn't expect was for Caroline to arrive in the company of her two sisters, with the redhead looking none too happy about that. Her sisters, however, were nothing but large grins and rushed whispers. Myriam and Norris tried to hide their amusement to her frowning face as she approached the two. Meeting their gazes, her expression changed to relief and she smiled at her closest friends, "Thank you again for joining me."
"Connor would do the same for us" Norris replied easily since they'd fallen into quite a few adventures over the years. His friend didn't hesitate to help others and he would return that kindness, wondering who had dared to detain him. Either way, he'd packed away weapons and explosives just in case they needed to make a rapid jailbreak.
Caroline took a deep breath as she approached the center of the deck to call out, "Set course for New York city-"
"Did you tell your parents you were leaving?" Myriam cut in since her friend tended to leave dust trails on her way out without a word. Caroline stopped in mid-sentence as Myriam played older sister and turned to around to shrug noncommittally. She shot a knowing glance to her two sisters, who were completely enthralled with the unfurling sails, and asked sharply, "All of you?"
"I, uh, I'll cross that bridge when I return" Caroline muttered because her sisters had now made her return tricky. Her mother had allowed her to go off alone but their deal had been for herself only. Now, she was responsible for bringing back her tenacious sisters safely. Is this how Ratonhnhaké:ton felt when she was onboard? Flicking her thumb towards her troublesome duo, she stated flatly, "My plan went up in flames, mainly because of these two."
"We drove a hard bargain" Martha piped in since she was rather proud that they managed to convince Caroline to let them board. She was certain that if she hadn't been carrying the care package, she would've detained them. Unfortunately for Catherine, her love for Caroline allowed them to run free. Martha chuckled nervously to Caroline's deadpan stare that practically bore holes into them. It seemed she and Elizabeth would have to do some pampering to tone down the sudden uptightness.
Myriam sighed to the sisterly dilemma, knowing it was only a matter of time before someone boarded, and offered, "Well, if you're kicked out, you're welcome to room with me."
That didn't relieve Caroline's worries at all but the joke brought a smile to her face. She knew how to lighten a tense situation and waved her away with a dismissive hand, "Hush, Myriam."
Robert peered down at her little gang of travelers and fought from laughing to the odd ensemble. Caroline had told him enough about her sisters and although they could be a nagging thorn on her side, he didn't underestimate a Burnett. They were willing to come along and help however they could so he wouldn't turn away aid. Caroline caught his amused eye from down below and her shoulders slumped when he asked brightly, "Is this your little brigade of helpers, Miss Burnett?"
"Originally, it was simply Norris and Myriam" she admitted sullenly as her ragtag team of greatness suddenly became half-great with her as a babysitter. Her sisters pretended to pick off invisible lint off their blouses when she glanced over at them and emphasized firmly, "These stubborn barnacles refused to stay home."
Elizabeth merely scoffed to the insult and dove forward to link her right arm through Caroline's left to exclaim confidently, "We're lovable barnacles, you'll see!"
Caroline shooed them away and pointed to the captain's cabin where the women would be staying. She wanted the two out of her hair while the ship headed out of the cove. Otherwise, she'd be liable to drop the two off in one of the rowboats and send them back home. She wasn't overjoyed in having them tag along but she was confident that they'd stay out of trouble. Otherwise, they really would face her wrath.
"The winds are flowing south so luck is with us" Caroline grinned as she inhaled to smell the fresh air and felt invigorated once more. Putting her little siblings out of mind for the time being, she focused her energy into helping Robert guide the Aquila straight to New York without stop.
Ascending the steps designed for the captain and the first mate, her heart summersaulted to the rare honor of being there. She'd gone from a simple deckhand mopping floors to navigating a ship in two years. A girl could only be so lucky. Ringing the bell to signal the crew that they were heading out and assemble to their positions, she gave the all-clear to their temporary captain.
"Half-sail, Burnett" Robert called over his shoulder as he took control of the wheel to guide her towards the open sea. It was a beautiful day to set sail and he hoped the wind would be on their side to get to the bustling cities in no time. The ringing of the bell ceased as Caroline bounded back to his side to peer over the bannister overlooking the deck and he nodded to her with a smile, "Let's get her out to sea and rescue the cap'n."
Caroline didn't hesitate to step into new shoes, accustomed to hearing Robert's hollers on deck, and called out, "You heard the man, I want full sails at 12 o'clock!"
The journey to the state of New York was uneventful for the crew of the Aquila. All except for Myriam vomiting three times from motion sickness. It appeared sea travel was not agreeing with her regular iron stomach and she'd opted for a nap in the cabin while Norris enjoyed the view. The miner was used to boat trips around the colonies and northward so he simply sat back to enjoy the ride. Martha and Elizabeth surprisingly stayed put, mainly because the authoritative tone in their sister's voice when she echoed commands and issued orders shed a different light. She was their eldest sister at home but onboard the Aquila, she was their navigator and her firm tone reminded them of their mother. Still, Caroline allowed them to enjoy their first ship ride alongside Norris because it was a smooth sail to New York. Otherwise, she would've ordered them back inside with Myriam.
Caroline expected to stumble and hiccup with the new role, just as she'd hesitated during her first days navigating the sea. She had grown accustomed to the shift in the winds, the direction of the rolling currents, and being on top of the world on her platform. Her entire focus had been the sails and keeping vigilance on upcoming dangers. The role of a first mate, however, was to oversee every officer on the top deck and play the supporting role to the captain. Their ride to New York was smoother than water so Robert had enough time to detail how to keep watch on their gunnery crew, ensure no damage has occurred to the ship, be a second set of eyes to the navigator, relay orders, and offer advice when the captain had need of it.
It was a heavy responsibility in her eyes as she stood on the captain's platform, her fingers curling over the bannister that was designed for the Aquila's leaders, and peered out at the entirety of the top deck. The view was different and miniscule from the crow's nest as she only saw officers at work while she kept her vision on the sea. Here, she heard every voice as the Clutterbuck brothers handed out orders and she rose her head with each move of the sails to ensure their degrees were accurate. She was dead center in the heart of the Aquila and she couldn't help but beam on the inside and hope she made her proud.
She had begun her sailoring background at a young age (not as early as the captain but still) and Robert expected her to rise in experience and rank. The only setback for her in society was her gender, similar to Ratonhnhaké:ton's native heritage, but the two conquered their limitations and pushed forward. The captain was already formidable in his own right and if anything ever happened to him as time went on, Robert wanted someone reliable who could carry on in his stead. His gunnery officers had declined positions outside of weaponry since they loved that specialty and they were damn good at it. Caroline, however, was more than happy to learn all that that she could relating to seafaring and was capable in handling the new knowledge.
When the Aquila arrived at the city's port, Myriam was the first in line to disembark at top speed. She had not enjoyed the sea voyage at all and spent the hours sleeping everything away. Even now, she felt groggy so she'd hold off on eating anything or risk throwing up again. Norris assured her the feeling would go away and offered to buy her lunch when she was ready to eat. The huntress appreciated the effort and while Caroline watched the two mingle happily, she rallied her two sisters to her with a firm order. Back home, she was their easygoing sister but away from it, she was their protector and she'd break anyone's arm that threatened to touch a hair on them.
Duncan's meeting stop was further inland so the Aquila was left docked with Robert, who had reassured them he would stay for a week at most before heading north. He couldn't leave the Aquila docked in a busy port with Templars lurking about but Caroline knew nothing of it, simply deferring to the order of her superior. If they needed to return home without the ship, they would hire a stagecoach to make the journey. For now, however, they were free to go and return to the frigate as they began their search.
The small group headed to the designated inn, the Golden Goose, and as they walked the cobbled streets, Caroline ordered Elizabeth and Martha to shop somewhere nearby. She wanted her siblings far away if the meeting went awry and reluctantly accepted that bringing young women to a pub wasn't ideal, even if it was her norm. Martha was quick to agree to that delightful prospect, eager to explore a bigger city, but the smaller redhead refused. Elizabeth shook her head vehemently because she wanted to find her friend too and pointed out, "No! This is the first time I'm going to meet your random city friends. Don't push us out of your private adventurous world."
"I've already met him, it's not that exciting" Martha muttered offhandedly to their Boston trip back in spring. She'd been mortified on exiting the bar and swore she wouldn't get the seeping smell of liquor out of her clothes. As daring as her eldest sister was, Martha did not find that little quirk of hers appealing. A bar was not a decent place for a lady of worth.
Elizabeth gasped in outrage to that fact, resembling a fish out of water, and glared at her oldest sister to question, "How dare you let her meet your friends before me? You two hated each other about a year ago! What happened?!"
Caroline and Martha shared a look of mild amusement because they had butted heads repeatedly in their youth. They had grown out of their rebellious phases into adulthood and buried that old antagonism. There would be times when they disagreed, like all siblings, but they respected each other and built upon that trust. Caroline wouldn't let anyone hurt her and Martha would defend her against anyone that badmouthed her.
"Fine, but you stick close to Myriam and Norris!" Caroline hushed with aggravation as she realized wrangling these two gave her relief she had no children of her own. If this is how it was to deal with growing adolescents, she was not signing up. Martha groaned miserably to the lost shopping trip while Elizabeth cheered but both obeyed her, settling into hushed whispers between the amused miner and huntress. Grasping the sticky doorknob of the inn door to open it, she muttered under her breath, "I might just need an ale after this."
Tobacco smoke and the stench of ale struck her nose and she heard Martha hold back a gag. Norris and Myriam were far too familiar to this smell but preferred the scents emanating from the Mile's End. Elizabeth shook her head with pity to Martha's reaction because their father enjoyed his smoke and ales at home. Not to mention, the Mile's End often had that lingering scent and jabbed her brunette sister in the rib.
The group of five entered the inn, hoping not to draw attention to themselves but they were an unlikely group. A sailor, huntress, miner, another amateur huntress, and a lady entering the bar were not the everyday clientele. Caroline led their troop as she quickly scanned every face in the bar for recognition and potential danger. The Burnett sisters stuck close between her and their two friends as Caroline trusted them to guard the rear.
She smiled with success at catching the familiar black hat of her redheaded friend in the farthest table in the inn. Leading her group quietly, she grabbed Elizabeth's hand to keep a physical link to her siblings and felt a return squeeze from her. As proud as her little mare was, this was her first trip without their parents and she would keep watch at all times. Thankfully, the inn was emptying out from the noontime crowds as people returned to work so it brought less chance of conflict.
Duncan was hunched over the table facing the front door as he scribbled on a piece of paper. He was deep in concentration over his writing but Caroline took notice of two other men sitting beside him. To his left, a young man with short dark brown hair and blue eyes tapped the table with his fingers in thought. He wore colonial attire in cream, blue, and red but carried heavier cloth on the shoulders, like the explorers heading west. Behind him, a large musket stood upright in protection. To his right, the other man appeared at least a decade older than her and wore blue trousers and a cream tunic, with a white kerchief on his head. He carried a meat cleaver on his right side, whether for protection or work- she didn't know. Stephane's hazel eyes detected her first before his two colleagues and he was suspicious to see a sailor, much less a woman, approach them.
Their redheaded colleague raised a hand to motion that he had this handled and smiled with greeting, "Miss Burnett, welcome to New York. I hope the journey here was safe?"
"Mr. Little, we meet again" she smiled amicably to meeting under those circumstances and replied, "I left Davenport soon after receiving your letter and I don't plan on returning until I find him."
The two assassins were surprised to see that this was who Duncan wrote to, especially when he admitted very little on the recipient. All Stephane and Clipper knew was that they weren't affiliated with the Assassins but worked closely with Ratonhnhaké:ton. Their leader was private about his home life but he had slowly grown a collection of loyal friends. Spotting an empty table across from theirs, Caroline motioned for her group to sit down. She didn't know how long they would be there so it was best to get comfortable after the walk from the port. Martha cringed to sitting in an unknown bar but Elizabeth pulled her down by the elbow, forcing her to sit. Myriam sat by the wall to rest Bull's Eye and give anyone looking for trouble a second thought. Norris sat across from her so there would be a buffer of safety for the girls but he was certain they could kick someone's butt if they wanted to.
Duncan nodded to the group with a friendly smile touching his clear blue eyes and introduced himself, "My name is Duncan and I've known Caroline since her ship hopping days. Connor, on the other hand, I've known for about three years which is why I sent for her help."
Motioning to his mildly curious friends, he bridged their groups by introducing, "These are my friends, Stephane and Clipper. We've been here trying to figure out how to help Connor in his current situation."
Caroline sat down with her team as she ran a hand through her hair in a quick way to appear presentable. She hadn't expected to meet others in their quest and smiled amicably to reply, "A pleasure to meet you. These are my friends, Norris and Myriam, and my sisters, Eliza and Martha."
A round of greetings echoed as everyone met for the first time, being linked by the stoic Ratonhnhaké:ton, but they were united to save him. Before Caroline could ask the burning question, Norris beat her to it by requesting urgently, "Please tell us what you've found."
The trio of assassins glanced at each other with hesitance but Duncan took the lead by suggesting grimly, "I'd order drinks if I were you."
Clipper, being the ever helpful young lad, handed over their pitcher of ale to Norris to share the alcoholic comfort. Duncan wasn't much for alcohol but the other two assassins didn't mind a drink or two to clear the mind. The miner thanked him for the drinks before informing Myriam that he was fetching three glasses, causing Elizabeth to pout. Being the youngest in the group wasn't going well for her but at least she managed to tag along.
Caroline pinched the bridge of her nose since she'd been running nonstop since morning and asked tiredly, "How bad?"
"We're at a deadlock" Duncan explained truthfully because they couldn't break him out without risking more charges or death. They had spent nights scouting out Bridewell prison but there was no weakness that they could crack and the guards weren't allowing visitors. Even asking information about a prisoner would raise red flags and they had pulled Stephane away before he started threatening guards about ass kickings.
"I will do all that I can to rescue him" she stated firmly because he was her captain, the one she held dear, and she wasn't returning home without him. He had too many people that cared for him and she wouldn't let him rot in a cell any longer. Despite her exhausted body, her heart and mind fought with energy to see her goal through and she met Duncan's gaze to explain, "Our friends will do what they can and I have a frigate at my disposal as well."
This revelation surprised the assassins because their communications had been with Achilles alone. They were familiar with the vessel since Ratonhnhaké:ton often used it to drop them off for missions but they had forgotten it in their plan to rescue him. Duncan remembered her brief mention of it back in Boston and he asked carefully, "The Aquila?"
She nodded resolutely to the small force she'd brought and vowed, "We're not leaving without our captain."
Norris returned with his glasses in hand and a haste in his step to not miss anything. Sitting down, he handed a cup to Caroline and Myriam but the huntress wasn't ready to drink yet. Everything had finally stopped moving in double vision for her and she wanted to keep it that way. Elizabeth wiggled her fingers with enthusiasm and quickly swiped the extra cup to squeak mischievously, "Don't mind if I-"
Caroline seized the cup in one sharp swipe and aimed a motherly glare at her. Adventure or not, she wasn't allowing the girls to drink alcohol in public places. Elizabeth clenched her hands in annoyed defeat, especially when Martha smirked from her seat to the exchange. Stamping out that problem, Caroline leaned forward in her seat to wring her hands nervously and pleaded, "Please tell us what you know."
"From what I've gathered, he was trying to expose a money counterfeiting ring" Duncan revealed quietly to maintain privacy in their far-off corner. Templars were lurking within the city in a higher concentration than Boston and rumors had risen that their grand master had arrived. If he was there, they had to tread carefully with who they traded information with. He had picked this inn for its convenience in the outskirts, away from the inner city, and continued, "Unfortunately, militia soldiers caught him in the middle of apprehending the real ringleader. They tossed him in Bridewell Prison on those charges and that's where he's been all this time."
Caroline's eyes widened to hearing that grim truth and her heart sank to knowing he was alone without help in those four walls. He was a kindhearted man and not deserving of such a crude place, not when true murderers walked the same halls. Norris decided this was a good time to take a drink and Myriam agreed, filling her cup to down the brew with the bitter news. Elizabeth and Martha had quieted their side conversation to nothing as they realized the seriousness of the situation. Caroline's clenched her fists in anger to the injustice and demanded quietly, "He's not in jail but in prison? Alone with criminals and god knows what?"
"He wouldn't commit a crime, it's a lie" Myriam scoffed to the audacity of the militia but with tensions growing on so many sides with the rebellion, anybody could be tossed in jail. A lingering stare on an officer could earn you a fine for 'suspicious activity' on both the Patriots and Loyalist side. She nudged one of Caroline's chair legs to snap the redhead out of her worried rumination and offered a supportive smile.
"We still have to get him out of there" Norris pointed out with a disappointed shake of the head and sipped his drink. His friend would do everything in his power to help them and he would do the same. He wasn't the type to pick fights unless there was a just cause but this warranted it. Knowing he was in prison, he was certain Ratonhnhaké:ton's moral compass was burning to beat compassion into hardened criminals.
Duncan hesitated on how to proceed with the following information and suggested she pour herself a drink. The alcohol might make it easier on her nerves but she didn't sip the cup that Norris was kind enough to serve her. Caroline furrowed her brow to the delay as she could see the apprehension in her friend's eyes and asked, "What aren't you telling me?"
Taking a deep breath, Duncan attempted the gentlest route but Clipper took the responsibility out of his hands by revealing, "We surveyed the prison and overheard they'd pinned him with counter fitting and conspiracy against the Patriots. I don't know how long he will be detained or what crimes they'll conjure next to add to his name."
She closed her eyes to hearing criminal charges, her heart rate skyrocketing to the shock, and shook her head to vehemently deny, "He wouldn't. He-"
"I agree, they're framing him" Duncan assured quickly as Caroline stood up from her seat to pace back and forth to release that tension. She couldn't sit still with Ratonhnhaké:ton locked away, especially in a place he should never set foot in. Her stomach felt heavy as her chest tightened but she forced her mind to clear to stay levelheaded. Becoming emotional would get her nowhere and he needed her to be strong. She grabbed the poured ale for consolation and leaned against the wall to drink the entire cup to settle her bundle of nerves.
Duncan's shoulders lowered as he approached the pitfall of their current status and admitted sullenly, "Still, that doesn't help him get out faster. I have a friend, Benjamin Tallmadge, who is trying to shed light on the false charges. While he works on that, we can focus on a different front with your help-"
"We'll do it- anything!" Caroline agreed quickly as her blue eyes burned with determination to act. She wasn't going to sit down or wait in the corner to resolve this. They had numbers on their side but he was kept under lock and key in fortified prison. How did they even know if he was being well-kept and safe from true criminals or wrongful punishments? Shaking her head, she looked at the three men and asked with curiosity, "Has anyone been able to get into that prison to see him?"
"I tried but was turned away" Duncan admitted with reluctance as he pretended to be a relative for a random prisoner. There were so many John's and James' that it almost worked until the guards had asked for the committed crime. It was easy to get the boot after that and he'd gone back to the drawing board. Being a marksman, Clipper had surveyed the windows at night from adjacent buildings but had yet to catch a glimpse of Ratonhnhaké:ton. The lack of decent lighting from the candle lanterns didn't help either. Muttering under his breath, he explained glumly, "You have to have power or money to get in there."
"Diversion?" Myriam asked quietly because it worked when she hunted to draw attention either away or towards something. She didn't know the intelligence of the people guarding the prison but they could exhaust all options possible.
Pulling guards away from the exterior wouldn't deal with those indoors. If they created a ruckus, they would be stuck between two groups with no escape. Stephane mulled over her idea as he tapped his chin and suggested uncertainly to a half-baked plan, "We could gain access by getting thrown in there by rioting but that wouldn't clear anyone's name."
"As a man but women might be able to slide by with a ruckus" Myriam pointed out since the fairer sex was viewed as delicate and submissive. Society wasn't ready to see headstrong and independent women fighting back against injustices. A vocal woman boggled the mind and she leaned back in her chair to scoff, "We're seen as hysterical for any little outcry. We could get detained and repent, they wouldn't hold a women in a cell for a simple crime when they need the space for a true criminal."
They hadn't thought about impersonating a different gender and Clipper rubbed his shaved chin to ponder aloud, "Dress as a woman, huh?"
"Actually, I was thinking Caroline and I but sure, the more the merrier" Myriam chuckled with amusement to the curiosity in their eyes to the idea of cross-dressing. Her redheaded friend cracked a smile as she lightened the situation, pausing the gnawing ache in her heart. She had only brought one dress to blend into the crowds while Myriam didn't own anything feminine at all. Well, maybe one old simple dress to use as a rag but that was it. She would have to dip into her feminine side for this task and added in, "We can survey and charm if we need to get our answers."
"If that fails?" Duncan asked simply because they had to have backup plans that wouldn't expose their identities. Otherwise, Ratonhnhaké:ton's life would be at risk before his trial was set.
"It's back to the drawing board" Caroline replied easily because she wouldn't stop until she had him walking the streets as a free man. He never stopped looking for her when she'd left and she would fight with everything she had for him. The crew at the Aquila shared that sentiment and she would have to inform Robert for his input since she trusted his judgement. Returning to her empty chair, she could feel the alcohol working in her system to calm her fretting and she pointed out, "We have nothing to do with hours on our hands. Let's make a few plans to try out."
"Will this work?" Caroline asked quietly as she smoothed her hands down her black skirt.
"We've nothing to lose by trying" Duncan replied covertly because time was a factor in their reconnaissance.
She agreed and tried her best to clear her mind, pushing aside who she was and embracing the role she was about to play. Ascending the steps of Bridewell Prison, her stomach clenched nervously as her fingers squeezed a golden cross over her chest. Two officers guarded the metal gate that kept Ratonhnhaké:ton barred from them and more men wandered the perimeter of the brick fortress. If they made an error with the plan, it would cost them and they had no room for mistakes.
Their hands were quick to grip their muskets and Duncan raised his hands peacefully as he thickened his accent to greet, "Morning to ye! Might a priest and nun bless this jail during these tryin' times?"
Duncan hadn't asked questions when Clipper returned last night with a priest and nun outfit to set off their plan. Caroline hoped they wouldn't be struck down with lightning if a church had been ransacked. With his previous experience in the church, Duncan would have no issue with the role to throw off any suspicions. Caroline was the most desperate to see Ratonhnhaké:ton and her parents had raised her with a bible reading every Sunday to know enough about prayers. The two had donned the outfits to pretend to be clergymen under the guise of blessing prisoners, a common occurrence for nearby churches. Every man and woman had the right to repent or say their last words before drawing their last breath.
The guards glanced at each other uncertainly and Caroline flashed a kind smile before coaxing, "Best we offer kindness and simmer any rising tempers with a good word. Life can be hard for both sides as it is, Catholic or Christian."
Their humble and unintimidating attire convinced the guards to open the gate to grant them entrance. Clergy really did have a strong pull in the lives of colonists but for their sake, they simply needed access to their friend. The rusty gate creaked open and stopped with a high squeak against the wall, ushering the two to enter the dimly lit prison. Caroline followed Duncan's lead as she played her sister role but kept her ears open for any suspicious noises. Most people would be running from a prison but her heart rose with hope that she'd find him here. They had gotten access and she wouldn't waste that rare opportunity.
Duncan's origins offered credibility to his role as he passed by the guards on the first level to offer his blessings. Caroline uttered a few words of prayer that she remembered from her bible readings and old church visits when she lived in the cities. Religion and daily colonial were intertwined but Caroline read her bible in her parents' presence only, choosing to keep her faith subtle in life. The guards were none the wiser to the two impostors but while Duncan pretended to play a priest, she was focused on scanning each cell for Ratonhnhaké:ton. The prison's layout was square in shape as cells adorned every corner while the interior held only stairs that led to three different levels. The emanating smell of urine, body odor, and rotting food was rampant through the prison and Caroline couldn't imagine living in such squalor.
There were dark blotches on the floor, some dry and some wet, and she stepped over them carefully. She couldn't determine whether it was bodily fluid or spilt water. She jumped back when hands reached out from one of the cells as they aimed for her skirt but a guard was quick in slamming down the butt of their rifle over their hands. The man yelped in pain and retreated to the darkness of his cell and Caroline returned to Duncan's side, copying his verses aloud.
"Are you afraid?" he asked quietly as they finished rounding on the first floor but failed to see Ratonhnhaké:ton. Despite the shadows infiltrating the cells, he was still able to determine each occupant. The militia was kind enough in granting one cell per inmate but he figured it also decreased the chances of fatalities between roommates.
"No, more wary about the chances of ending in a place like this" she replied frankly because a room in the cheapest inn was a dream fantasy compared to this. The smell was revolting and the sights weren't helping either as men hollered from their cells, relieved themselves, or slept away.
Duncan greeted the guards at the first level staircase before ascending to the next level. Caroline kept her eyes to the floor to play the dutiful sister but winced internally to the creaking under her feet. Dry phlegm and caked dirt decorated the steps which made the trip feel longer than it had to be. She breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the top of the stairs and followed her friend when he turned right.
Clipper's nighttime surveillance led him to believe that Ratonhnhaké:ton was imprisoned on the second level. Duncan had no idea how his colleague could tell the difference at night but the young man reported that there was a window that never illuminated light at night and birds tended to flock the barred window. Ratonhnhaké:ton had a knack for feeding animals during his travels and often stopped to pet domesticated ones. Duncan counted his blessings in getting this far and having access to the prison would lead him to investigate all three levels until-
Caroline shot past him to reach the next cell as her eyes locked onto a familiar necklace glinting in the darkness. She remembered his mother's heirloom and she stopped in front of the cell to peer inside. Her heart fluttered as she finally found him, sitting on the cement block that served as a bed, while he rested his head against the wall. She couldn't determine whether he was sleeping and touched the cold metal bars of the gate to offer, "Are you looking for salvation, sir?"
His eyes snapped open to that familiar voice, believing his mind was finally starting to play tricks on him. He could never imagine the pretty redhead being in awful confinement and rubbed the exhaustion from his eyes to adjust his vision. When they caught onto auburn hair reflecting in the light, he was surprised but when he spotted another redhead- wait, had he unknowingly died and gone to a different redheaded afterlife?
Standing up on achy joints, he rubbed his knees before standing upright and approached the bars of his cell. At noticing Caroline and Duncan in church garb, he realized that he was very much alive and his friends had risked their lives coming there. He couldn't approach Caroline out of fear that their rare moment would end or expose their friendship. He was relieved to see them after weeks of endless isolation and beatings, whispering softly, "Depends."
Was he trying to crack a joke with her? Smiling warmly at her old friend, she stated cryptically, "The Lord is there for all His children. All you need is ask."
"How soon can he offer it?" he asked covertly as he understood the hidden meaning in the phrase. Neither Caroline or the residents had ever tried to pin religion onto him as he kept his spiritual upbringing. There were some quotes, however, that he'd heard in the Burnett household and it was enough for him to decrypt her words. With Duncan at her side, he knew his assassins must be nearby standing watch. It helped him immensely at not feeling alone anymore, even if he was locked up.
"Depends on the evil surrounding His child" Duncan answered as he motioned silently for Caroline to move away from the bars. He didn't want the guards to be alerted to her close distance to the cells and she listened quickly, moving behind him. Still, she peeked over the side to keep an eye on the unfortunate hero to linger their short reunion. Duncan grabbed the cross on his rosary to imitate one reciting prayer and informed his friend, "It could be a day, week, you let Him know. He might find you tonight."
Ratonhnhaké:ton almost smiled at that because he knew Caroline wasn't one to sit still. If it wasn't his assassins coming for him, it was her. Regardless, he hadn't expected her to make such a trip far from home to find him and he appreciated her loyalty. He blinked with surprise the next second when Duncan raised the cross to his forehead and emphasized with a louder voice, "Bless you, my child."
Then quickly in hushed afterthought, "Not really but we've been through this before."
The native understood the apology since they'd acted out similar scenarios in the past to prevent being caught by enemies. He bid farewell to his friends, happy to see them in this dark place and hoped they left safely as well. Caroline was more than ready to leave that horrid place after leaving Ratonhnhaké:ton but Duncan continued onwards. He had promised to bless every floor and he would uphold it, especially to maintain his farce. If he left prematurely, he could signal the attention of the guards and worse, lurking Templars. With that in mind, he did pick up his pace and passed by each cell to say his blessings for the poor souls trapped inside. Whether they were true criminals or not, it was not his place to say.
Caroline played his assistant dutifully because he remembered more about the church than she did. If her mother saw her, she'd send her to the nearest church for impersonating clergy. Her heart rested easier at finding Ratonhnhaké:ton so they could now pin his cell for future surveillance tonight. Her thoughts were entirely focused on him that she lost track of the trip around the last floor until Duncan snapped his fingers to remind her to watch her step on the stairs. He didn't want to chase after her stumbling form two flights down and Caroline fought a laugh. If it left her lips, it would be the only cheerful sound to echo in the brick prison.
She'd never flown down a flight of stairs fast enough and Duncan had smiled awkwardly at the guards. He lied with the reason that his assistant was shy in a men's prison which the guards easily believed. Caroline had quickly uttered a blessing from memory and let Duncan handle the goodbye pleasantries since this was his field. Now, if he needed to barge into a naval shipyard, she would dominate that. Here, she was a fish out of water.
"Good day to you all" Duncan thanked as he bid the guards farewell and felt the heaviness of emotion from the prison leave when the gate closed with a heavy clank. It wasn't a happy place and not all men who were thrown in there were guilty. He checked off their mission as a success because he'd honestly expected to be stopped at the first floor.
The duo descended the steps but Caroline let out a long sigh from seeing such a deplorable place. She never wanted to be near such a place for as long as she lived. Clearing her throat, she commented bitterly, "I hope to never see the inside of a prison again."
"Stay on a virtuous path and you won't" he advised carefully because the will to do good was also an invitation to chaos. By performing one act of kindness, one could accidentally unleash a horror upon someone else. He often thought about that during his missions but there was also the greater good to consider when balancing both sides.
It was easier said than done for Caroline as the two left the prison to return to their meetup location. Off to the side, she noticed two men conversing as one dressed in guard attire wasn't being quiet while the other was more covert. The second man was quite well-dressed for someone who worked in a prison and the tricorn hat and fancy cape were an indicative sign that he wasn't a civilian or guard.
"Charge the native with the crime and throw away the key" the second man in blue garb ordered and Caroline detected the clear English tone in his voice. She had never seen the man in her life and wondered why he was invested in Ratonhnhaké:ton's charges. Was he the one who captured him or possibly a ringleader in the actual crime? Who else could they be talking about?
The nervous officer raised his hands to dissuade the other by justifying, "A counterfeit charge isn't equal to-"
"How simple must I explain this?" the Englishman snapped tightly as he was running out of patience and practically glared holes into the shorter man.
Before Duncan could reach out and yank her back, Caroline broke away from him to approach them and exclaimed matter-of-factly, "You can't pin a crime on someone without a trial!"
The tall man in blue reared back to her unwelcome arrival and narrowed his dark blue eyes against her. Caroline wasn't thwarted by his glower power, which surprised him, given her gender and humble attire. When did church women stop fearing men in power? She wasn't the type to scare easy and when it came to Ratonhnhaké:ton, her bravery increased twofold to protect him. If someone was trying to tighten a noose on him unfairly, she would jump into the fray to stop it.
Haytham Kenway, however, was accustomed to people obeying or running from him. Being the leader of the Templars, he wasn't going to allow a religious colonist to best him. Her vibrant blue eyes clashed against his as she stood her ground and he chastised, "And you can't butt into private conversations you know nothing about."
"I know enough that every man deserves a fair trial for their accused crime" she shot back protectively as felt she was being lectured by the man with his glare alone. He carried a rich voice that reminded her of a fox because his words came out incredibly calculated. Still, he didn't deter her opinion and wondered why he was so concerned with Ratonhnhaké:ton. There was something heavily suspicious with his actions and like an eagle, she'd sink her talons into the fox until she reached an answer.
"Why are you defending a criminal?" he questioned with bewilderment to her lack of logic and wondered how natural selection hadn't taken its toll. It was a shame that colonials were becoming worse than sheep but this one was trying to headbutt itself against a wall.
Her eyes narrowed to the insult of her beloved, refusing to even label him with such a heinous word, and she grit out tightly, "Because he's innocent."
Haytham clapped as he plastered a fake sympathetic smile and declared sarcastically, "Well, why didn't you say so? Let's open his cell on your mere say-so and celebrate his release with rose petals."
"How petty must you be to insult a man who can't defend himself?" Caroline snapped harshly to being mocked and clenched her hands into fists to the arrogant man. How dare he act as if he knew Ratonhnhaké:ton?
I can be quite petty to get what I want, Haytham thought confidently to how easy it was to fluster and make fools of the less intelligent. He was surprised that a woman, much less a colonist, was standing up for the native. Did the two know each other somehow? He highly doubted his brooding son was capable of being chatty with anyone.
"He's already been handed his sentence" he replied coldly because he held the power to twist hands and direct politics where he needed it to. Unlike the redhead, he had a chance in having a say in the final verdict of his enemy. Glancing at her with disdain, he questioned, "What do you hope to change by making a fool of yourself?"
"To correct this injustice" she answered swiftly because she was an eagle ready to fight down to the last feather. Her temper could get the better of her in heated situations and this was one that kept pulling at her heartstrings. To hear someone dismiss Ratonhnhaké:ton's life like nothing was both heartbreaking and infuriating for her.
Haytham expected to spot a shred of an assassin's insignia on her but she appeared a simple civilian. If she was an assassin, she was utterly negligent and foolishly brave to confront him. They also traveled quite often as nomads and with New York being under Templar control, he doubted an assassin lived there under their noses. This only increased his curiosity on how the woman knew about this man, whether she was from the city or not. Who was she? If she was his enemy, she would've attempted to stab him by now.
"That boy is a savage, why is it your concern?" he scoffed derisively as he tried to draw more information from the redhead. Her fair and freckled complexion depicted a northerner, the Scottish accent told him she wasn't born in the colonies, and the bold behavior didn't fit the common woman. Her attire was another puzzle altogether that didn't match her attitude and he pointed out, "Not to mention, a sister? Either that or the Puritans really changed their attire."
"I've known that man for years and he carries more honor than you conniving snakes" she shot back with annoyance, raising her voice at the end without fear. They were armed and could easily arrest her but she allowed her anger to get the best of her. They were treating her friend like nothing without paying attention to following the law. Why? What had he done to anyone that would warrant such harsh treatment? She would free him no matter what it took, hoping to piss off his enemies at the same time, and grit her teeth to nod stiffly, "I will bid you farewell before the Lord strikes me down for thinking ill of another human being."
Haytham resisted pinching the bridge of his nose to her ignorance, resorting to a lecturing glare and advised, "I don't think you're aware of who he is and what he's capable of."
Narrowing her eyes to his condescending tone, she demanded, "Who are you?"
"None of your concern" he evaded swiftly to end the guessing game before it started. If he couldn't extract the information he needed, it was pointless to continue. Thankfully or coincidentally, another clergyman bounded up with alarm on his face to yank her back by the shoulders.
"Come now, sister Grace" Duncan intervened hastily and pulled her away with enough force that she almost fell off-balance. She'd never seen her friend react to anyone like that and wondered why he didn't defend their friend. Was she missing a piece of information? Or did she let her anger push her into figurative quicksand?
Shit, that was Haytham Kenway!, he thought with alarm to whom she'd just tangled with. They needed to leave the area quickly and shed their clothes for civilian attire before her slipup alerted the enemy. Out of all the Templars lurking in the colonies, they had to stumble upon their Grand Master.
A/N: Apologies for the late chapter but we've been having a barrage of newborn deliveries since July and that meant taking up extra shifts. The heat in my area has also been unbearable and there's been fires sprouting at least once a week. Meanwhile, the east coast on the opposite end has an inbound hurricane so nature is a force to be reckoned with. Anyway, we're getting closer to the execution day in the game but I wanted the two groups of Connor's world to meet and join forces to save him. That and have Haytham and Caroline interact for the first time, which will occur again in later chapters. The conclusion will be in the next chapter before shifting gears to the climax of the Carrie-Connor-Clara triangle.
Thank you to all of my reviewers and story readers! I appreciate the love for the story!
Merrick15: Connor's protective nature would likely keep the older residents out of the loop while the younger ones of his age range will likely know his secret as the story develops. Caroline's exposure to the assassins will leave both her and Connor shocked since he's been trying to keep a lid on it.
DarthGrimace: Thank you for enjoying the story!
Ladyefriyeet: Haha, Elizabeth loves her mayhem more than Caroline with that War Council. Caroline is indeed getting closer to finding out about the assassins and I can't wait to write that chapter out!
GreenEyedSam: Caroline will be going through a range of emotions when she finds out about the assassins. Plus, how long Connor's been keeping that secret tucked away.
Jojorichief: Thank you for loving the chapter!
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Duncan kept his gaze trained on the guards until he could no longer see them and heard only echoing laughter instead. Their friends were playing their parts beautifully as they kept them entertained and away from the western side. Seeing this as the go ahead in the plan, he whispered to her quickly, "They're distracted, go!"
Caroline didn't need to be told twice and she jumped upwards to grip the first crack her fingers touched. The tip of her boot dug into a shallow groove and it was enough to boost her for the next grip in the brick building. She hadn't climbed like this in a long time and she was surprised to how easily her mind remembered it. Two years didn't seem like a long time but with everything that had occurred in her life, it felt like ages. Duncan was the one who'd taught her and took her to practice while her adventures with Ratonhnhaké:ton kept her to the Aquila.
She pushed her body to make the journey towards the barred window on the third floor, knowing he was right behind it. At the same time, she had to keep quiet as her lack of practice would make it easy to make sound or worse, fall. She tried to ignore the screaming and muffled cries of the prison as each window she passed offered a somber ambience to the inhabitants inside. If this was how they felt, how was Ratonhnhaké:ton bearing it?
Duncan was already adept to climbing and she swore the man was a phantom gliding up the building while she felt like a drunk raccoon with her coordination. Quickly, she forced herself to climb faster to make up for lost time because their friends could only buy them so much. There was little light coming from the window they pinned as Ratonhnhaké:ton's and Caroline hoped they were approaching the right one and that he was all right. Her stomach was summersaulting on itself as her heart hammered away for his safety rather than hers.
"Connor!"
Her friend reached the iron bars first, digging his feet into the smallest grooves as he used his upper body strength to hang on. Caroline followed seconds later as she managed to grab one bar with her dominant hand, securing her feet into a groove between the bricks. She heard shuffling inside the dark cell but the form of Ratonhnhaké:ton was visible as glowing lanterns from the prison halls illuminated part of it. Her left hand reached through the bars when she caught sight of his unkempt appearance, focusing on it better now than earlier. All he wore was a stained tunic and tattered breeches, old blood splatters surrounding the neckline. The dark bruises on his face and the new gash over his right eye told her his stay here was far from safe.
"Caroline!" he whispered with surprise but he leapt onto the cement bed to grasp her hand into his. The warmth of her fingers comforted his cold hand as he was left to the elements without proper bedding or clothing. What was she doing back here of all places? He caught another face peeking through the bars but this time he hesitated as he squinted to figure out who it was. The only clear giveaway was his icy blue eyes and he asked with confusion, "Uh. . .Duncan?"
The redhead sighed as his costume confounded many, including himself, and muttered, "That's me."
"Why do you have red hair and a brown beard?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked bluntly as the mismatching colors didn't make sense. They weren't naturally occurring colors on the same person and wondered the reason behind that decision.
"We should talk about believable costumes at our next meeting" Duncan sighed glumly because he was vetoed in the vote earlier that day. It was painfully clear that assassins needed better concealing attire but they didn't look for him just to talk about that subject. No, they needed answers and he sighed softly to remind them, "That's also not the most important right now."
Caroline squeezed his hand, desperately wishing the bars weren't there to separate them. The strength she'd often felt in his grip wasn't there and she wondered if he was even eating. How long had he been in this awful place? Her concerned gaze fanned over his face with disbelief to the clotting blood on his new wounds, hissing with question, "What did they do to you? Those brutes!"
"They believe I am their enemy" he answered simply because the Templars had manipulated the situation against him. With every step he took to clearing his name, they pushed back twice as hard and slapped more charges to his name. He hadn't even seen the warden's death and that was being pinned on him!
Caroline released his hand with reluctance to reach into her vest, retrieving a small packet of food and a leather canteen full of water to jam it through the bars. It was all she was able to stuff into her interior pockets but for him, she'd do anything. Ratonhnhaké:ton accepted it with deep gratitude after going many days without eating and even daring to smell the slop they brought for meals made him dry heave. He was glad to simply see his friends and appreciated the care package. His eyes widened slightly when she slipped a pocketknife through the bars to leave it on the windowsill to avoid noise and whispered sneakily, "For protection."
"We're here for you" his assassin replied with a covert nod since Caroline was out of the loop with their business. They had managed to track him down here from Boston and Ratonhnhaké:ton felt pride in teaching capable assassins, especially because he was meticulous on not leaving tracks. In hindsight, it was not the best thing to do because he likely wouldn't have been in this predicament for so long.
Thank you for reading!