Music Inspiration: Jesper Kyd- "Ezio's Family" and Two Steps From Hell- "Everlasting"
My Light in the Darkness
10 September 1776
The travel south to reach their first shore leave hadn't gone as smoothly as planned.
The Aquila had gotten involved in protecting a civilian migrant vessel from three pirating frigates at sea. The sleek frigate had become a more appealing target than the slow-moving ship since the valuables were worth more. Why rob poor immigrants when adept sailors were a better catch? Ratonhnhaké:ton had been able to dispatch two of the ships to the bottom of the sea but the third frigate was giving him a run for his money. Their ammunition was running low from the small skirmishes on the road south and the last remaining ship was taking advantage of that.
He had attempted to use the Aquila as a shield between the ship and the migrant boat, causing damage to the left-side bannisters. The cannons still held firm, thankfully from David's intervention since he checked the bolted artillery every day. The bannister was reinforced over the weaponry portion of the deck so they weren't easily blown off. He just had to make sure none of his sailors fell overboard when maneuvering the ship.
That wasn't his biggest problem, however.
He was currently debating between two courses of action as he pulled the wheel sharply to the left. Caroline hung onto the safety rope as her slippery fingers tried to grasp the rain-drenched platform. Ratonhnhaké:ton was not comfortable with this development as his men were scrambling to fire at the enemy ship. Splinters filled the air from the last shot that struck the Aquila from the remaining ship and he tried to buy his crew time since the blast knocked them down hard. The rough weather wasn't doing them any favors either but Caroline kept an eye out for turbulent waves.
"You either fire or ram, sir" Robert advised quickly because the Aquila was fast approaching the enemy ship. They needed a course of action to seize the advantage but his captain hesitated as neither was ideal. Firing could hurl the men that weren't near anything secure and ramming the other ship would deal blunt trauma to the enemy but risk his people going overboard. Robert understood his concern without needing to have it vocalized and spoke frankly, "You're going to risk casualties either way."
This was not what he wanted! He didn't expect to slip into battle against three ships and sought the least damage. The battle was becoming risky and he could lose control if he didn't decide. The trajectory towards the ship made firing almost impossible and it left him with one choice. Keeping his hands tightly on the wheel, he looked to the crow's nest and hollered tensely, "Caroline, get on the mast!"
"It's a little hard while dangling here!" she yelled back helplessly as the rope clinging to the mast was her lifeline. Her fingers barely managed to grab onto the platform before the ship's sway sent her reeling back. She knew the ship was approaching as the bow plunged into a wave to build momentum. It would be in his best interest to strike hard and she shouted down, "The ship's heading this way! You can damage it by ramming!"
"No, get to safety!" he insisted swiftly to avoid injuring her but the sails propelled the Aquila further towards the enemy. Even if he dared to move the wheel at the last minute, his ship would sustain damage instead of gaining the upper hand. The warning bell behind him rang painfully in his ears as Robert hastened the men to find cover.
Caroline wasn't in the best situation and she was bitterly aware of it, putting forth the wellbeing of her ship rather than herself. She understood her captain's reasoning but he couldn't value one life over the many. Wiping water from her eyes, she grabbed onto her safety rope once more as she dangled below the platform and yelled, "Hit it!"
His heart hammered as the Aquila surged forward and he was left with no option but to ram the enemy ship. It was too late to veer the ship to the side and he would leave himself at a massive disadvantage if he did so. His ship would sustain heavier damage at the stern and leave the enemy practically unharmed which was not an ideal solution. His hands gripped the wheel tightly as he braced himself and silently hoped they would all make it through, yelling over the thundering rain, "Everyone, hold on!"
The full force of the waves and the weight of the Aquila struck the enemy frigate at its stern, the weakest point of a ship. Targeting the rear side, the wooden hull shattered on impact at the Aquila's pointed bow as the enemy ship carried more windows to sustain cabins rather than reinforced walls like the bow. Ratonhnhaké:ton lurched forward against the wheel, clutching it temporarily for support while Robert had kneeled and gripped the bannister. The crash hadn't been a gentle one in the slightest and his sailors were trying to get their bearings as the ship rocked with the momentum of the waves.
While Ratonhnhaké:ton had been focused on the stern of the enemy ship, Caroline's safety rope had snapped on impact and she'd been tossed into the roaring sea. The rope had been stressed repeatedly during the fight as she dangled from it in midair and the final attack severed the rope. Her main concern had been crashing down on either ship and meeting a premature end or worse, a horribly painful disabled fate. Instead, she'd been hurled towards the rear from the force and the Aquila's diagonal position allowed her to fall into the ocean.
With the Aquila lined up against the other ship, Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't hesitate to holler his orders swiftly, "David, chain shot on those sails- now! Richard, heat shot at the waterline! Disable that ship!"
"Chain and heat shots!" Robert echoed his orders to get everyone moving because they were vulnerable now that they were this close to the enemy. The damage to the stern gave them an advantage but if they dawdled, the enemy would align their cannons and shoot them down.
His gunnery officers didn't hesitate and David quickly pointed to the main mast to direct the upper deck's fire. The bald sailor slapped his hands together to hasten his crew as he hollered, "Bring it down or no drinks tonight!"
The heat shots were faster at being loaded into the cannons and Richard had prepped a couple beforehand while the rest were loaded with cannonballs. He could practically see the other crew scrambling on the damaged ship and saluted them before calling out, "Cannon fire first and set them aflame like the cap'n ordered!"
The enemy was good but the Aquila's crew was faster and Ratonhnhaké:ton breathed in relief when the air was filled with cannon fire once more. Wooden debris flew into the air as the masts were struck from his top deck while the lower sector hit the hull close to the waterline to allow seawater to surge into its lower decks. He wasn't prone to taking human lives unless he absolutely had to and disabling ships were far easier to ending a battle.
"You definitely got the lower hull" Robert informed with a triumphant smile as he took a safe glance over the bannister, avoiding any incoming bullets. Looking up at the crow's nest, he noticed it was surprisingly empty and hollered, "Burnett, what's topside?"
When they received no reply, Ratonhnhaké:ton's grip on the wheel tightened and he called out worriedly, "Caroline!"
She had never been one for pranks during a battle and he dreaded that his assumption of falling overboard happened. Otherwise, she would've answered him without hesitation. Robert clapped him on the back to pull him back into the battle at hand because dwelling on the missing wouldn't bode well. The empty spot of the navigator was an ominous one but his first mate encouraged, "We have to keep moving, captain."
His distress at not having Caroline onboard quickly turned to fury because this wasn't meant to be their fight. They weren't even close to the Belladonna! He was meant to show her the true dangers of the Templars, not lose her in a worthless fight like this. The person dearest to him was missing due to their interference and he shouted angrily, "Shatter every layer of that hull! Decimate it all!"
Caroline swam as fast she could to avoid the warring ships, diving underwater to find a current that would lead away. She didn't need to be drawn into the fight and struck with falling materials from the ship or worse, have her enemies join her in the water. The booming cannon sounds faded for the eerie silence of the sea as she opened her eyes to navigate through the blue-green water. Whenever she saw dark shadows looming, she would swim away quickly and it was only until the water was clear that she surfaced.
Her boban had taught her to swim from the moment she could walk so she was adept in her speed. Now, being in the middle of a naval firefight hadn't crossed either of their minds years ago but the skill came in handy. She knew how to hold her breath underwater since logs required tying to secure them during heavy currents but today, she needed to find refuge.
She used all the strength in her legs to swim to her left to divert away from the battle. Ships could move slow but once they gained momentum in their steering, they would cut through water like a hot knife through butter. She had no intention of sinking with the losing ship or sucked under the currents, spitting out sea water as the waves crashed over her.
Among the waves, she caught sight of another sailor in the water and she hesitated drawing near. Yes, they were human but people reacted differently under stress and whether you were enemies. Treading water, she squinted from the irritating seawater and cursed under her breath when she caught a hint of blue and red. It was one of her own!
Swimming quickly, she dove underwater when a current hit her in the opposite direction. She had no intention of returning to the feuding ships and kicked her legs forcefully to propel herself towards the sailor. If she fought the current, her energy would be lost and she'd be dragged back but she needed to swim under it to conquer the deceiving waters.
Surfacing for air, she was indeed closer to her target as she breathed heavily and saw a young blond sailor. He was one of the newest recruits on the decks and obeyed her without question, always eager to help onboard. Adam Smith reminded her of an older Samuel because he wasn't much older than Elizabeth and had left Boston to make money for his family back home. Ratonhnhaké:ton had accepted him despite having reservations about his age but Robert and Caroline reminded him that poor families scrounged and took whatever jobs were available to survive.
"I got you, hold on!" she shouted as she gripped his right arm, seeing that he was tiring out from swimming. Unlike her, he had been fighting the currents as he tried to keep close to the Aquila. Being a cobbler's son, his only experience was fishing from the port in Boston or buying fresh catches at the market so Caroline had to teach him a lot. Pointing to the wooden material littering the sea, she instructed firmly, "Swim towards that debris field, we can float!"
Pieces of broken bannisters, decks, and hull covered the bobbing waves as they sought a sturdy piece for rescue. She corralled her young subordinate to one of the floating planks and as she swam, tried to avoid falling into the currents that led to the warring frigates. She'd managed to save one of her sailors but she couldn't see anybody else that might've fallen overboard. On her flight down to the sea, she'd caught sight of another body hitting the water besides Adam. As the rain poured down on them from above and the waves splashed at them from below, it was hard to see far in the horizon. For now, she would save those within her sight and hoped nobody would be lost in this naval battle.
The air erupted again with cannon fire as the bow of the Aquila received an incoming barrage as the enemy ship gave one last defiant push. Grasping the wet plank with her right hand, Caroline tugged herself closer to it as she grabbed the back of her shipmate's uniform. Adam was the freshest on her crew that kept the decks clean and Caroline wasn't about to lose someone's son that had yet to live a full life. The blond boy protested when she hoisted him onto the plank first but a superior watched out for her flock. She'd been the protective older sister for as long as she could remember and wasn't about to stop now.
"Don't argue with me, Smith" she ordered firmly because she wasn't losing anyone on her watch. It was a heavy burden to carry on one's shoulders and she wasn't seeking it today. Woman or not, he would obey her order as her subordinate. The young sailor listened quietly as he clung to the plank for dear life and she held onto the side of it, treading water with her legs.
The air was filled with booming sound of cannon fire as both ships unleashed another barrage. It appeared the last frigate was a tough ship to bring down but after fighting several by herself, the Aquila was a champion. Both stranded sailors hoped that their captain would emerge victorious. A shattering crack echoed in the wind as the cannonballs struck wood on both ends and she prayed they wouldn't be hit by a stray. Her next concern was the damage that would be flung in their direction as the ships circled each other once more.
"Swim away!" Caroline shouted with concern as the final attacks between ships had hurled more debris into the air. Materials that needed to fall with gravity to the sea and they were within that diameter. Adam didn't catch onto the severity of her haste since the sea had become calm and wondered if she'd spotted a shark. Splinters of wood embers soon began to sprinkle over the water, which was soon followed by larger pieces, urging them to begin pedaling away from the ships. They were practically swimming over an active battlefield and she yelled, "Move faster! We have to-"
Caroline didn't get to finish her sentence as the debris from the battle rained down heavily upon them. Her vision faded to black when she felt a painful strike to the back of her head and slipping back into the water.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was not happy to receive enemy fire onto his decks but it was a risk he'd taken when he'd rammed the ship. Luckily, in their frantic state, the enemy had shot at the gun decks instead of the vulnerable submerged decks. He would not make that error and dealt the final blow when he ordered cannon fire from the top deck and another barrage of heat shots from the lower decks. The enemy ship was already forming fires on the lower decks but whatever floors had escaped the flames, they had now become completely engulfed by them.
"Full-sail! We're done here" Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered because the ship was done for and he would not kill any more people. Swerving the wheel to the left, he watched his undamaged sails unfurl towards the winds while the enemy ship's top deck was decorated with its tattered unusable sails. He hoped to never see the Aquila that way in his life.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was quick to count his men after decimating the right side of the enemy frigate. The naval ram he'd installed years ago came in handy and it had cut into the older ship cleanly, devastating the woodwork. Water filled its cavity as it began to slowly sink underwater, taking whatever goods it stored to a watery grave. The masts were quickly becoming skeletal remains as the fire burned through the wood as it sank. His greatest concern was his crew and he quickly called out for a numbers check. Robert left the platform to grab the count from David and hollered down the main stairs to get Richard's number from below.
"Three down, sir!" Robert echoed back when the tally returned and it remained the same from the last attack. David's people carried all the numbers since they were stationed on the top deck and the gunnery officer was already scanning the waves for his men. Ratonhnhaké:ton automatically looked to the top of the main mast and saw it was still empty. Part of him had naively hoped she'd accidentally fallen and was rendered unconscious on the deck but no. His hands gripped the wheel tighter when his second informed, "We're missing Smith, Doherty, and Burnett."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was quick to turn the wheel back to the remains of battle to find his crew. The rolling waves would be quick to claim lives, especially during a chaotic fight, and the only upside was the fact they were in warmer waters. Sure, it could lure sharks but his men would have a higher chance of surviving the sea now rather than in winter. His greatest concern was Caroline because she'd been at a post higher than most and hoped that she hadn't sustained severe injuries. He didn't want to ram the ship but it had been their best shot at finishing the battle, at the heavy cost of lives.
David was quick to grab the wooden rope ladder that was stored on the floor between the cannons, hooking the metal clasps over the bannister before throwing it over the side. If they saw anyone in the water, they could climb down and fetch them. Richard clambered out from below deck to join his brother on the opposite shroud as they kept a lookout for their missing crew. Ratonhnhaké:ton called out for a half-sail to lower their trajectory to allow a better view. He wanted to be there with his gunnery officers but deferred to his men, trusting them to find the missing.
A graveyard of debris began to fill the water from the previous ships that had sunk, rocking silently against the waves. There were a few bodies floating upside down but none resembled the three missing, relieving the crew. The Aquila's men wore blue more than anything else which made it harder to detect in the water. Everyone searched the water from above, minus the captain, as time passed by incredibly slow.
"9 o'clock!"
David's voice echoed as he spotted part of a shattered hull floating over the water. On top, the young sailor, Smith, waved his arm frantically to call attention to the Aquila with his red kerchief in the air. Beside him, he kept a hold on Caroline as the navigator laid unconscious over the hull. Ratonhnhaké:ton immediately handed the wheel over to Robert as he ordered the sails to be drawn in completely to immobilize the ship.
Running to the bannister, he grasped the wooden rail to peer down where he could clearly see his two crewmen in the water. He climbed down the ladder with haste, risking his own life as he descended to have the waves splashing against him. Falling into the ocean wasn't new for him but he kept a firm grip on the ladder as the young boy managed to guide the broken hull over to him.
Quickly, Adam shouted with concern for his companion, "She was hit with debris and went underwater, I can't wake her-"
"It's all right, take a deep breath" Ratonhnhaké:ton calmed his frantic expression to focus on returning to the ship.
Richard threw down a rope which the captain used to tie around her waist and the crew were able to lift her back onto the deck. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't take his eyes off her as he climbed back up and made sure his second crew member followed him up the ladder. Despite the shaking of his hands, the sailor managed to make it back to safety and bid the debris field farewell. David offered his hand to help the captain back onto the top deck and Ratonhnhaké:ton ran to where Caroline was sprawled on the floor. Robert clapped the pale wide-eyed Adam on the back, surprising the skittish lad, and congratulated, "You survived your first hurl into the ocean, it gets easier every time!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered the men to keep looking for their third member overboard while he dealt with assessing Caroline's condition. She wasn't conscious and Richard was attempting to shake her awake by the shoulders. Pinching her nose had been a fun pastime for them when waking to begin their chores onboard and he did so in hope that she'd sit up to smack him. When she didn't respond, Ratonhnhaké:ton grew worried and pressed his ear against her chest. He could hear her heart faintly but her chest wasn't rising. Had she swallowed water when she'd been hit? Without thinking, he kneeled to press his mouth to hers and breathed in with the hope that it would supply her with air.
You must breathe, he ordered worriedly as she failed to wake and dried her damp face with his hands. I'm so sorry.
He kept breathing into her mouth as he tried to wake her by shaking her shoulders, patting her face, and reluctantly pinching her arm. He was at a loss on what to do and looked to Robert, who had taught him everything about seafaring. In their day and age, there was only so much they could do with medicine out there and Robert hated to say that most that came out of the sea in that shape stayed that way. Still, he sent one of the sailors to fetch their medic.
Robert hesitated on how to begin the conversation when his efforts weren't rewarded with a conscious sailor and began, "Connor. . ."
"I'm not giving up!" his captain refused as he listened to the faint heartbeat before pressing his mouth to hers again.
Cradling her upper body in his arms, he held her tightly as he shook his head to the reality unfolding. He'd told her to seek safety and, in his haste, to defeat the enemy, left her with no protection on the top mast. She had done her best for their crew which meant getting caught in the crossfire. How was he meant to cope with this? No, he'd already lost too many loved ones and he was tired of-
Caroline coughed loudly with a ragged gasp as she spit out the water trapped in her lungs all over his shoulder. His hugging force had been enough to contact her diaphragm and push out the lodged fluid and she heaved excess water to breathe air into her lungs. Tears stung her eyes from the force and burning sensation in her lungs, clutching her savior with thanks. Her throat ached horribly from the coughing fit but she was breathing, returning to the world of the living.
He sighed with relief to her frantic movements and released his hold to allow her to regain her breathing. He didn't care that she'd gagged sea water all over him and continued to spit up any remainder. She was alive in his arms and that's all that mattered to him.
I have you, you're safe, he thought with gratitude that strength had returned to her form. He didn't know what he would do if she perished suddenly but that dreadful pain left his chest at the sight of her.
Robert decided to shoo away the crew and let the two wind down from that dramatic event. Seafaring was not all about treasure and brave rescues because accidents and death went hand in hand with that daring lifestyle. He reminded the men they still had one overboard and sent Adam below deck to check-in with the medic. Seeing that his navigator was safe and clearly alive now, he headed downstairs.
"Connor" she whispered as her throat began to hurt from coughing, gripping his shoulders for support. Embarrassment flooded her for being in his arms in such a shoddy condition but he didn't budge. Her heart hammered against her chest, whether from the escaping death's clutches or being in his arms, she didn't know.
"I'm here" he assured to comfort her because he wouldn't leave her after that.
Caroline heard nothing but the crashing waves on the Aquila and assumed the battle had finished. There were splinters spilled over the deck and she wondered if it was theirs or the enemy. Remembering her crewmen that fell overboard, she was quick to ask with concern, "Are the others okay?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton was amused by her question because only she would be worried about their crew instead of herself. This was how they landed in this situation in the first place. She was like himself, putting herself in the forefront to protect others but he couldn't allow that on his watch. He had to protect her from all harm or he would be a dishonorable man for failing the one he loved. Brushing her damp hair back, he peered into her watering blue eyes and answered, "For now, worry about yourself."
She shook her head to defy that order because she wanted to know whether they all survived. Drowning in the middle of the sea left little chance for recovering one's body and every family deserved to bury their loved ones, particularly the young sailors. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't want her to fret after her own close call and heartened, "You rescued Smith but we haven't found Doherty. We'll keep looking."
Closing her eyes, she leaned against him as another cough escaped her lips. Her ribs hurt from the muscle contractions but she needed to remove all the lingering fluid to prevent an illness. Hugging her tightly to keep her safe in his arms, he whispered against her right temple, "Don't ever do that again."
Caroline shook the fear off to seize control of her emotions before she regretted her behavior. Being held in his arms didn't help when their crew wandered the deck in broad daylight and she backed away quickly. She didn't want to have any preferential treatment and cleared her throat to end that moment between them, "This is unprofessional, I'm fine now."
"You almost drowned" he disagreed to her flighty deflection as she stood up on wobbly legs to return to the mast. He was quicker on his feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to stop her movements. If she was thinking of returning to her post, he would ban her until further notice. He didn't come close to losing her to simply repeat the same steps. Caroline's frame tensed against him and he ordered firmly as her superior, "See the medic and then take a nap in my cabin. Don't argue with me."
Despite her reservations and strict work ethic, she deferred to him out of respect. He was her captain and his tone was non-negotiable, not to mention his strong grip. She wouldn't disobey and nodded quietly to agree to his terms, "I won't, thank you."
Caroline had seen their unofficial medic to be cleared of any medical danger but then again, what could she do out at sea to fix it? If she was breathing and could talk, she'd be fine. Ratonhnhaké:ton had fetched her from the small room on the second floor used for treatment to transfer her to his cabin to keep her warm. The sea hadn't claimed her but it could still grant ailments. She had been embarrassed to say the least because he'd done this in open daylight with the crew on deck and didn't want to appear unprofessional. She worked hard to get to her position and didn't want rumors spreading among her peers.
"Connor, you can't keep me locked in here" she pointed out flatly to his behavior and figured she'd shaken him a little. It had scared her as well when the water entered her lungs but that was a risk she took when she boarded the Aquila.
Before he could argue with her, she grabbed his right hand into hers to squeeze his fingers. All she could do was offer reassurances to lighten his heart and promised, "I'll be fine. It was a little scary and we haven't faced anything like this but we made it."
His shoulders relaxed and dropped slightly as he sat at the edge of his bed, gazing silently at their hands. Caroline threw off the blanket that he'd flung at her to keep her warm and sat up straight to regather her bearings. She couldn't lay in bed without a cause when there was work to be done and released his hand. Cautious to her frantic movements, he asked worriedly, "Is it your breathing? Can you hear me?"
"I didn't get sand in my ears, Connor" she chuckled softly with a fond smile to his protective concern. She missed his sweet soft-spoken way but he wasn't hers anymore. He was simply her captain now and her smile faded to answer quietly, "I'm fine."
He wasn't certain to believe that after witnessing her limp in his arms just mere hours ago but she cut in to request softly, "If something does happen to me, just make sure my family keeps my earnings. That, and if my body can be taken back home, return me to my parents?"
"Don't say things like that" he sighed dismally to that horrible thought and shook his head. If he lost her, he wouldn't bear it. How would he save others if he couldn't protect his loved ones?
"Life isn't a fairy tale and I've learned that along the way" she pointed out to the harsh truths in life and smiled forlornly because he believed the best in everyone. It was an admirable trait to have but Caroline hoped it wouldn't burn his spirit or cause fatal harm. His optimism always made her feel invincible, especially in their youth, and she confessed weakly, "I have to survive with what I have. I might not get to have that homestead and family I wanted-"
"Caroline" he interjected with regret to the promises he failed to make true. He wanted to make the world a better and safer place for his people, for her, and to build a home. His adolescent dreams were naively conceived before he faced the harsh truth of his secret profession.
She raised her hands peacefully and smiled with resignation to say, "I've accepted that you'll run off with Clara-"
"What?" he asked incredulously to why that woman's name kept popping up in every conversation. Hadn't his last conversation on the dock and leaving her behind meant anything to contradict the assumptions?
"I'm not blind, Connor, you're always off with her" she muttered dryly to what she was forced to witness by living in Davenport. It was a bitter pill to swallow but she'd done it and wouldn't look back. Her life would slowly divert from his as she kept to the Aquila only and she shrugged to admit freely, "I've made my peace with it. You're my captain, that's it."
It hurt to finalize it that way but they kept clashing about the company they kept. It was easier to rip everything relating to their old selves away and cast it aside. They had grown into separate people as adults and were bound to prefer different lifestyles and people. She didn't blame him one bit for choosing someone else but she wouldn't keep involving herself in his life as time passed.
"I . . . Is that what you think?" he asked flabbergasted to how everyone still believed he was courting Clara. He'd never even mentioned the word to the woman!
"Not me, the entire town" she answered simply since their last blowout had practically aired their figurative laundry. Despite the night had prevented many ears from being witnesses, residents had seen him leaving her home. Catherine had been quick to stomp out fires that the two had knocked boots, especially when Caroline confessed to their fight. She would not have her image tarnished, nor his, and waved a hand to smile amicably, "It's fine, I wish you the best. By next year, I'll build my homestead up north and branch out my father's business. I'm thinking Vermont, I do love maple syrup."
Ratonhnhaké:ton froze in his seat to hearing her plans and the fact that she didn't hesitate to leave home. He'd shaped Davenport into a self-sustaining town and one secure enough to live and raise a family in. Didn't she see herself living there for decades? His stomach sank to the thought of never seeing her again and he managed to ask, "You plan to leave Davenport?"
"I . . . forget I said anything" she hesitated to dismiss the matter because it would only fill her with guilt. The decision hadn't been easy to make but living in the same town as him for the rest of her life wasn't ideal. She had saved her money and it was enough to build a homestead with the help of her parents. Offering a reassuring smile, she soothed any rising concerns, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
"No, why would you want to leave? Your family's there, your friends, the Aquila-" he demanded as his fear concerning her resurfaced again. Did she mean to travel alone next year? They only had three months left in the current year! Losing her filled him with dread and that fear was starting to become a reality.
"You" she justified without hesitation, avoiding his gaze as she tossed the blankets aside. This was the closest she'd gotten to him in recent months but their ties were severing completely. Her fingers smoothed over his bedding as she disclosed her heart's heaviness, "You're my captain here but on land, in Davenport, I can't live on the same land you will. To watch you build a life with another and grow old . . . it's best for me to leave it. My plan is to head out with Amelia, if she wishes, since Eliza is still young."
"I'm not with Clara-" he snapped tightly to that confounding rumor but Caroline stood up, placing a hand on his shoulder. Great, he was receiving another pity squeeze for something false!
"Live your life, don't worry about me" she whispered with a solemn smile to leave the room before new rumors started flying. Her work didn't end until nighttime because she refused to jeopardize the safety of the Aquila. They had just escaped an attack and she wouldn't let her guard down, heading for the closed door. Stretching her sore arms over her head, she encouraged him to return to their mission, "Thanks for saving me but let's get back to work."
Opening the door, she exited his cabin to return to her post but Ratonhnhaké:ton leaned back in seat to sigh aloud. Alone with his thoughts, he couldn't help but blurt without censure throughout his room, "Is everyone deaf? Why does nobody listen to me? This is madness!"
13 September 1776
Caroline was heading in for the night as she finished her night watch, using the handy pulley system to make her way down. She had managed to regain her confidence to climb back up to the platforms and retake her post. For the first few nights, drinking liquor with the Clutterbuck brothers helped tremendously and they encouraged her not to let the sea shake her confidence. It happened to everyone during a storm or naval battle but they survived it. She would retire for the night and let the deckhands keep watch on the upper deck before returning at sunrise. It wasn't her scheduled watch but she found sunrises beautifully relaxing.
She heard soft footsteps behind her, causing her to turn on instinct, and the low voice of her captain entered her ears, "Caroline, do you have a moment?"
"Yep, done being a night owl" she replied with a tired yawn and wiped her eyes to free them from sleepiness. Ratonhnhaké:ton appeared like he'd spent no energy captaining the ship all day and wondered what he ate to have that energy. He motioned for her to meet him in his cabin and she paused slightly in her step, frowning to ask uncertainly, "Uh-oh, am I in trouble?"
"No" he replied softly with a faint smile to her suspicious face, amused by her pout.
Seeing as the deck was practically empty, save for their skeleton night crew, she accepted the request and headed for the open cabin. Their conversations onboard the Aquila had related more to their personal relationship rather than work so she hoped this one would leave them without conflicting feelings. She entered the cozy cabin as lanterns hanging from the ceiling illuminated the small room, running her fingers over the open maps laying there. He motioned for her to have a seat in one of his chairs but she declined with a feverish wave of the hand, "No thanks, I've been sitting for hours."
"We need to clarify a few things" he spoke firmly as he sat across from her, surprising her by simply sitting in it rather than turning it around in his unique manner. Something had to clearly be wrong for him to act out of character.
Tilting her head to the right, her skeptic gaze swept over him from head to toe to ask, "You sure I'm not in trouble?"
He headed straight to the point this time and didn't shift his serious gaze from hers as he pleaded, "Don't leave Davenport."
"It's not happening today" she chuckled softly to make light of that idea because she had to save up a bit. Materials for her homestead and money for survival was essential, especially if she aimed to live off the land. Her time on the Aquila would also sharpen her seafaring experience into three years once she hit the following summer. Waving her hands in the air, she reassured with a warm chuckle, "Don't worry, I'll be on the Aquila for a while."
"I don't want you to leave home" he insisted to prevent losing her and to bring an end to the silent conflict between them. The runarounds between them only caused more harm and living onboard the ship, he had the time to conclude the problem. She had run from him in August more than once and he wouldn't let her dismiss him again. He deserved the courtesy to speak his mind and he began with a steadier tone, "I'm aware our friendship has strained and I'm sorry for hurting you. We've argued in ways I never imagined-"
"I found it cathartic, it pushed me to say what I needed to" she interjected frankly because she wouldn't shy away from her feelings any longer and crossed her arms. Years ago, she would keep her emotions bottled until the pressure mounted to an explosion. Instead of putting herself through that grief, she'd opted to be direct like her male counterparts. It left less stress on her mind and she released a short sigh before stating evenly, "Our end is approaching, sooner or later, and I'm not afraid to face it. We had good years together, Connor-"
He stood up to silence the hurtful words, knocking back the chair from the force. Caroline stepped back with surprise and her startled gaze met his as he cut in, "I refuse to lose you. I've loved you for years, nobody else, and that will not change."
Did I just hear this?, she asked herself with baffled shock to words she'd waited on for the past year. This was a dream, right? She'd had to hit her head or maybe she never woke from falling overboard?
She opened her mouth to speak but he wasn't stopping until he cleared everything. He would leave no room for error to avoid miscommunication and kept his eyes trained on her to claim, "There is no shred of affection for Clara and I do not intend to veer from that. My heart has always been yours, even when you left and returned home, but my life became complicated and everything spiraled out of my hands."
"Do you think I follow you into crazy situations simply because you're my captain?" she interrupted shrewdly to the dangerous adventures she'd fallen into at his side. His sudden revelations knocked back her mind with surprise because she'd suspected him of keeping a secret relationship with Clara. The woman was far too friendly for her liking and she had admitted defeat to ever regaining his heart. She had waited with unyielding loyalty since last year and her eyes burned as he surfaced all those locked emotions. Her brow furrowed as she tried to control that floodgate but her voice cracked as she confessed painfully, "I've been trying to give you a sign that my feelings never changed but you were always off with her. What was I supposed to think when half the town thought the same?"
"I wish people would ask instead of assuming" he replied grimly to where misassumptions had led them but he had played part in it months ago. He'd been blind to what his actions had conveyed, inadvertently hurting the woman he loved. Wiping the slate clean, he pressed a hand to his chest and stated firmly, "I never said we were together-"
"You didn't have to voice it, she pulled you into destroying every memory I had of you in Davenport and making sure she's the one at your side" she shot back swiftly because she'd given him chances to spend time with her. Their short trips on the Aquila was all she had to hold onto and even then, she received no inclination that he cared for her instead of Clara. Instead, she was forced to watch them spend time together and fade into the background. She shook her head to blink back tears and her voice trembled with sadness, "I waited for you with the hope that we would reunite but you two were joined at the hip. I sailed with Robert and the Aquila to find you in New York, almost watched you get executed, and you left me behind to head who knows where."
His life as an assassin hadn't helped matters either and Clara's eagerness to spend time with him was rather tiresome in hindsight. Too many factors had pulled them away into tattered seams instead of the tight stitching of years prior. She hadn't shed a tear with his revelation as an assassin but streams rolled down her cheeks this time.
"I gave you a letter pouring my heart out but you never mentioned it" Caroline sniffled as she wiped away the stinging tears with humiliation to her appearance. She promised herself she wouldn't cry over him again, especially in person, and here she was. His focused gaze left hers as he remembered losing all his belongings when he'd been arrested. He hadn't stopped to read that letter, struck with guilt for forgetting her, and she took a deep breath to control her breathing to whimper, "All I've done is wait for some shred of affection but it's been in vain."
She'd waited like a loyal pup when he came home to hear reciprocation or rejection. With his straightforward manner of speaking, the burning strike would've been easier to handle. Instead, she had waited until her waiting flame extinguished to nothing. The whole Clara triangle only served to drive a wedge between them as well, even when traveling together.
"You have every right to be disappointed in me for that but I didn't have a chance to read it before my incarceration" he apologized with remorse to inflicting pain in her heart and wished to undo all of it. How long had he walked oblivious to her words while she'd waited to hear anything about it? It was of no surprise that she relinquished her affections because of it and had a right to seek them elsewhere. His missions with the Assassins had clouded over his personal life, shoving aside any semblance of peace. Closing the distance between them, he grasped her shoulders to convey his self-disappointment, "I was foolishly inconsiderate of your feelings and I regret not reading those words from your heart."
Caroline's shoulders tensed in his grip as she tore her gaze away and whispered sullenly, "Why would I want to stay in the shadows watching as a spectator and torture myself? I love you dearly but I won't sacrifice my heart anymore."
Her claims of unyielding love were clouded by his witnessed interactions with the newest redhead in Davenport. He had been envious of that budding friendship and couldn't help but ask suspiciously, "What about Patrick?"
"You mean my cousin?" she blurted with shock and wrinkled her nose to hearing his name of all people. Wait, did he think she was involved with him?! Ratonhnhaké:ton blinked awkwardly when she grimaced outwardly and shuddered in his grasp. Shaking her head vehemently, she thinned her lips and repeated with a disgusted tone, "Patrick Burnett, my oldest cousin? I don't know what you've heard about colonists but Burnetts are not the kind of folk that marry their cousins."
He was her relative? By the clearly disgusted look on her face, he took it as a confirmed negative on his theory. He felt immense relief at knowing his assumptions had been wrong and silly. She didn't care for another man! His moment of absolute delight faded quickly at realizing he'd doubted her and believed his own suspicious mind.
"Oh. . . I feel a bit foolish" he admitted quietly with a wince of embarrassment to his farfetched thoughts. He had a hard time accepting Caroline could leave his life and didn't want her running off with another. The thought ripped out his heart after years of familiarity with her and he would do anything to redeem himself.
Her shoulders slumped as the fire fueling their conversation fizzled and she muttered faintly, "So do I."
A heavy silence fell between them now that everything was out in the open and Caroline sighed with modesty, "Where's a privateer when you need to break tension?"
"Caroline" he cautioned since waking up his crew at this hour to fight would not make them happy. Their recent scuffle made nobody eager to fight another one so soon. She shrugged sheepishly to her desire whenever she needed to avoid a tough subject before wringing her hands nervously. Ratonhnhaké:ton rested easier at hearing she held no paramours and neither did he, squeezing her shoulders to confess softly, "I miss you immensely and I was afraid my decision had led to your death. I'm tired of losing everyone who's close to me-"
Taking a deep breath, she risked a premature hug and wrapped her arms around his waist. He embraced her by the shoulders to clutch her to his chest, kissing her temple as she rested her head against his broad shoulder. Her hands grasped the back of his coat but she smiled widely to the gesture, whispering against his neck, "I love you. That hasn't changed since 1773."
His fingers combed through her hair and she raised her head to meet his gaze, blushing lightly to those warm eyes. He didn't second guess or falter this time and he kissed her, cupping the nape of her neck. Her hands gripped the back of his shoulders to return it wholeheartedly, smiling to his soft lips. He returned the fond smile as his arms dropped to her waist and he spoke sincerely, "And I love you."
"Please stop dangling my heart" she pleaded gingerly in a whisper to stop their runaround. This was the best time they would have to vocalize their unspoken feelings and finalize an end or new beginning. She wasn't going to stand around waiting any longer and locked their gazes to state, "I can't continue this pendulum of emotions for you."
"Be with me again" he proposed softly, hoping she'd agree after two years apart, and she nodded. There was no hesitation on her part because she longed to hear those words since last year. She had given him the space he needed to heal from her leave and waited loyally for him. He had disrupted that trust by revealing his secret life but she followed him on this mission. Kissing the center of her forehead, he whispered against her right temple, "I don't want to be alone without you."
"No more Clara" she ordered without hesitation to her first rule if he wanted to reignite their relationship. The woman had ruined their close friendship back home and would not tolerate her butting into their new relationship. She would guard it more closely than their first try and asserted firmly, "I refuse to withstand anyone that threatens my love life."
He was accustomed to seeing her fierce in a battle but she held her own flame of fury against the other woman. She wasn't budging on her requirement to court and he wasn't willing to test that stubborn gleam in her eyes. Her heart had taken a beating without him being aware and he wouldn't disrespect her again. Cupping her freckled cheek in his right hand, he assured calmly, "I would never involve myself with a colonist that isn't you."
Caroline's cheeks flushed to the calloused texture of his fingers on her skin but she pointed out, "I'm not hearing a no."
"Wouldn't ignoring her be rude by your standards?" he asked uncertainly because he wanted to be on friendly terms with everyone. He had to live beside the residents of Davenport for many years and if he and Caroline did manage to build a life, it could be permanent. His people were already seen warily by outsiders so he wanted to set an admirable example.
"It's either strict politeness or this navigator is bidding you goodbye-" she handed him the ultimatum with a strict tone because all parties would not be satisfied. She was trying to be professional but the situation was pressing that tolerance.
He grasped her waist before leaning in to kiss her, muffling the rest of her words. His hands guided her against the wall of the cabin, pinning her to it with his strength. Despite the allure of his masculinity and cozy embrace, she refused to bend on the matter. His lips grazed her left cheek as he enveloped her form and he spoke against her ear in a ticklish whisper, "I'm not losing you, not after that last battle."
"Best tell her no from now" she repeated with resolve to win this battle and narrowed her blue eyes. She dodged a strategic kiss to her lips and shot him a knowing look for trying to sneak her attention away. He wouldn't be charming her that easily and she fought her own fluttering heart that screamed to submit to him. She grasped the front of his coat in her hands to show she meant business and stated swiftly, "I'm not here to play a tug-of-war and frankly, I'm finding it insulting that I have to ask you to stop seeing another woman."
"I'm not seeing her!" he interjected helplessly to his innocent friendship and his grip slackened against her. He had underestimated her determination and decided that he'd agree to her terms without another peep. Otherwise, he'd accidentally land himself in the doghouse without meaning to.
"Then I have your word you won't be seeing her again?" she reiterated again with raised eyebrows to emphasize her point. Her fingers left his chest to smooth over his broad shoulders to grip them firmly. Her blue eyes met his without blinking as she leaned closer to stress, "I want to hear it."
"I promise" he vowed to avoid anything or anyone coming between them again. He'd already lost her once and feared he'd done so again. There was nobody else he wanted at his side and if she accepted him with all his faults, he would be grateful. Peering into her bright eyes, he saw the sharpness in those orbs fade and swore to protect her, "I will not dishonor you in any way."
He tried to kiss her again but she turned her head to play keep away. Her mauve lips crinkled in a sneaky smile that he caught and realized she was teasing him. He took the mischievous action as a positive sign that she wouldn't smack him anytime soon and chided playfully, "Caroline."
Her nose brushed against his to convey her affection but she kept her ardent gaze locked on his. The illuminating light turned his eyes into light honey and her thumbs traced over his freckled cheeks. His heart hitched in rate when her lips brushed against his and she finalized, "No more Clara. It's you and me, no triangles."
"It's always been you and me" he guaranteed to their old ties from the very beginning and nipped at her top lip. Her lips pressed against his as she smiled happily to hear those words. He had been her childhood sweetheart and the only man that she ever desired to be with. Despite what she'd learned about him, she believed in his good heart and would decide for herself by immersing into his world. Cupping her chin, he was satisfied to see a softer expression on her face and apologized profusely, "I'm sorry for making you think otherwise. I have been blind and failed to act when I should have, especially after retrieving you from Boston. I should have said something, Caroline, but factors always impeded me and I allowed them."
"We're here now, it's the best opportunity we'll have" she soothed with a warm smile to the small moment of peace they achieved at sea. It had been a tense fight prior to this and they were both recovering from nightmares, fueling their emotions. He didn't want to lose her and she didn't want to leave their world with unfinished business. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she leaned back against the cabin wall, tugging him close to whisper invitingly, "Vocalize what you feel."
"I love you, only you" he smiled fondly to the only thought filtering through his mind at that moment. She was his closest friend, held his heart, and his fighting partner- there was only her. Her lips swept over his as she leaned up to lock her hands behind his neck and he pulled her by the curve of her waist to close the distance. The chaste kisses were becoming more feverish by the minute and he took a breath to ask with wonder, "Does Clara bother you more than my secret life?"
"I'll pick the battle that's easiest to overcome" she answered quickly because she could tackle the Clara problem far better than the other. That one would take time and scrupulous study before she threw in her coins with his lot. She was more of a temporary problem that threatened to become more while his secret life was an ongoing issue. Shrugging nonchalantly, she added in, "She's a simpler obstacle when compared to your secret life."
"I am sorry for lying to you and endangering your life" he apologized with a dejected tone because he struggled with revealing it years ago. It had been hardest during their courtship and undoubtedly, it would've damaged them faster if he told her then while still together. He never wanted her in the middle of that turbulent life but she had grown to be a capable fighter like himself. Running his fingers through her auburn hair, his eyes roamed over her face to sigh softly, "Losing you-"
"I'd rather you lose me with the truth in the open and not under secrets that blind me" she cut in solemnly because she'd rather leave their world with all the facts in her hands. Even if his image was marred by a few dents, she would rest easy knowing he hadn't lied to her. She didn't want to love what he represented but who he was in all his roles. She rested her head against his chest to hear his calming heartbeat and admitted quietly, "I've watched you work this entire month and your heart has never been cruel. You've never even raised your voice at me while I've done more than my fair share. I would rather be on your side with the truth rather than fall into your enemy's territory by misguided views."
He would not hide anything about the assassins from her to prevent another fight. Worse, to avoid creating a potential enemy. He would educate her similarly to how he'd trained his assassins and she could learn from Achilles as well. The old man had a rather bleak and cautious view but it would open up warnings and advice to heed if she was looking at all sides of the picture.
"Everything I know is at your disposal" he offered without hesitation and motioned to his desk behind them. The room's corner beside it was littered with books that didn't fit on the table as paperweights so they had ample reading material. Caroline smiled warmly to his cozy study and it widened when he kissed her cheek to profess, "I would never hurt innocent lives in this fight, I'm still the same man you've always known. I'm nothing like my enemies who seek control and I will never be a danger to you. We deserve to be free and safe from all tyranny."
"I believe you" she agreed gently to his resolve and squeezed him close by the shoulders. She had been by his side for years and even if she'd been unknowingly fighting for a secret cause, he had never disappointed her on their trips. He was a strong and dedicated leader that believed in a peaceful and just world- an admirable dream. There was no other person she would follow and she hoped for their sakes, the Assassins were the right group, and promised, "Let me learn about your Order, little by little. I will not keep you from it but I will decide my position once I have all the facts."
"I will abide" he allowed to let her have free reign due to her extensive reach in his life. He would label her as a recruit for now and hoped that the truth wouldn't cause her to reject them or worse, him. There was doubt that it would happen after having her mixed in that life for two years but one never knew. With that matter settled, he pressed his forehead to hers to lock their gazes and whispered sweetly, "Will you be mine, Caroline Burnett?"
Her cheeks flushed to his low voice and she smiled widely to his respectful request, expecting no less. Pecking his lips with a chaste kiss, she replied earnestly, "You have me. . . as long as you remain true to me."
"Always, no more secrets" he vowed with a trail of kisses down her down cheek to seal his promise. He would protect her until his dying day and even then, he would have a plan to keep her safe.
She whimpered with delight when he nipped the side of her neck, clutching him close by the shoulder blades. Her left leg hitched over his hip as she arched her back to whisper, "Connor-"
He paused the enticing actions on her flesh, almost forcing a disappointed groan on her lips, and met her gaze to say, "Don't call me that."
She hesitated from surprise because this was the first she'd heard a complaint and he explained, "You used my real name when we were together and you stopped when we ended it. I'm Connor to everyone else but not you."
He was not fond of hearing his alias from her lips but had swallowed that bitter fact back in 1775. It was a bleak reminder that their relationship had been severed and he was simply a friend and her superior, nothing more. He wanted to hear his name from her lips to remember the pride he felt at teaching her years ago and knowing that she accepted him wholeheartedly. He would never call her Carrie to keep her birth name respectable and she had never called him anything else out of the same affectionate respect.
"Ratonhnhaké:ton" she breathed with a fond smile before kissing him with delight.
Caroline adjusted her tunic to appear neat and smooth as it had been, readjusting the waistband of her breeches. If she exited the cabin with disheveled clothes, even if it was nighttime, rumors were bound to begin circulating. She always wanted to maintain a professional appearance and smiled proudly when her attire was as spotless as when she'd entered. Her romantic tussle with her captain had led them from more than one wall to his bed as they shifted between talking and kissing each other madly. She would not utter a single complaint about it, enjoying every single moment of their reunion. Still, they had to end it at some point before they pushed past anything that required wedding chimes.
Her eyes widened slightly at realizing her red kerchief was gone and as she turned around to fetch it, the fabric slipped over her head. Ratonhnhaké:ton fixed the kerchief around her neck from behind and smiled bashfully when her fingers reached up to intertwine with his. They had missed out on two years of affection and if she was willing to catch up on lost time, he was game. The warmth of her fingers comforted his heart far better than any candle or bedsheet, planning to hold her hand whenever a chance could be seized.
Her fingers squeezed his when he brushed her hair aside to trail kisses down her neck. Blush formed on her freckled cheeks when his right arm wrapped around her waist and the other holding her hand pulled her back. Her body molded against his as she angled her neck to allow him better access and whispered, "You're making it incredibly hard to say good night."
"You're more than welcome to visit anytime" he invited her to continue reforming their old bonds and wrapped his arms around her waist. She chuckled to the tempting offer to extend her stay and would take him up on it as the days passed. They still had distance to cover until reaching their final destination in Georgia. Her hands squeezed his to convey her sentiment and she turned her head to kiss his cheek, brushing her nose against his soft skin. He released her to end their reunion, happy to its outcome, and he smiled when she turned around to kiss his lips.
"Have a good night" she smiled widely and cupped his face to kiss him one last time. If she was blissfully dreaming this, she'd seize every moment until she woke.
She patted his chest with a fond smile to bid him farewell and headed to the door with a skip in her step. Opening it slowly to avoid creaks, she slipped outside quietly to sneak away but he was in close distance to make sure she was safe. She appreciated his concern because he'd never fail in watching her back and trusted him immensely.
As she headed toward the stairs to go to bed, she whispered out to him, "This better be real come morning."
"It will" he assured with a warm smile and watched her head downstairs below deck.
Once he saw that she was safely below deck, he closed and locked his door for the night. A wide smile broke over his lips to the sudden turn of events and his heart hammered happily. She was back with him and he'd never hurt her again, intending to keep her by his side until it was time to return to the earth.
I haven't been this happy in a long while, he thought with delight to how the night turned out after feeling dreadful for the past month. Their moods in conversation towards each other had taken a nosedive after New York but they'd reached a turning point for the better. She was placing her trust in him as his partner, not a friend or colleague, and he wouldn't fail. He couldn't afford to after everything that happened that year.
Still, she chose me, he thought fondly to her unwavering affection and counted himself lucky for it.
The next time the Aquila docked at a port to replenish their supplies, Ratonhnhaké:ton approached Robert as the man checked off their cargo. The naval battle had left the Aquila with scuffs that needed a quick fix and a pickup of their ammunition to finish the journey in one piece. They had stopped temporarily in North Carolina in a safe city to restock but he stayed onboard to oversee the crew. He figured this was a good time as any to pacify the growing curiosity in his mind.
"Mr. Faulkner?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked quietly but authority filtered into his tone. He had finally summoned enough courage to ask a question that had been burning in his mind. Reuniting with Caroline brought him a renewed sense of happiness and he wanted to keep that for the rest of his days. Crossing his arms, he watched as his second in command turned around with curiosity and asked, "What is stage ten?"
"Congratulations, my boy!" Robert laughed jovially as he slapped a hand on a nearby crate to their reunion. He'd always cheered for the two to reignite their old spark and it seemed the day finally arrived by the sheepish look in his captain's eyes. Welcoming the young man into the world of uncensored adulthood, he grinned wildly with excitement, "Gather round and I'll tell you a tale as old as time."
Unfortunately, Ratonhnhaké:ton returned to his cabin at top speed with blushing cheeks in less than ten minutes. Robert's laughter echoed through the air to his skittish retreat while the captain wished he'd never asked about stage ten.
A/N: And the reunion is officially here for the two! They won't be breaking apart anytime soon after all the drama between them for the past 2 years. The Belladonna is next before they change course and return home to finish off the year of 1776.
Thank you for reading my ongoing story and to my last chapter reviewers:
Chriswill02: She definitely knows and will keep becoming involved in his work. Their road to reuniting was long but it's cemented for the two. Connor is a quiet one so the crazy gossip floated everywhere so he needed to put his foot down. Clara's still awaiting him back in Davenport which will be interesting.
Jynxhasadragon: Haha, she definitely knows while poor Connor keeps a close eye so she won't turn into a Templar from misinformation. Can't wait till Haytham joins the party.
East Coast Captain: I loved the Homestead and Naval missions. There's a large pocket of time in 1777 and the huge one from the battle of Monmoth to Chesapeake, which I'm dedicating to Homestead (mainly because Connor and Caroline will be a family by then).
Merrick15: She'll interact more with the assassins and be the fuel to lure them back to Davenport to train with Connor. We'll have Aveline in the next chapter and a few more in the future for her missions.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
She'd been ready to yell down a compliment to Ratonhnhaké:ton but her eyes widened at the behemoth of a ship that burst through the thick fog and she hollered, "MAN O' WAR!"
Before either the Aquila or Belladonna could fend off the large ship, it shot off its cannons and landed a direct strike to the main mast of the Belladonna. The echoing snaps of the tattered sails and cannonballs splintering wood didn't bode well for the ship. She was disabled instantly from the attack as fire erupted across the sails, leading the sailors on top to focus more on putting out the fire than fighting off the naval ship.
Her captain was horrified to the situation at hand and gasped with disbelief, "Grand Dieu! La Belladona's mainmast is down, capitaine! We must stay close to her!"
Robert whistled in astonishment to the battle before them and ordered his crew, "Bloody hell! Pummel that leviathan!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton had a better idea on what to do with the battle ship and commanded, "No! We board her. I must know how the English knew about the Belladonna. We take her a prize, men!"
The crew hollered with approval to his order because his confidence had yet to fail at sea. Caroline shook her head with amusement to what he'd decided to tackle and hoped he had a strategy in place. The only one that was flabbergasted was the Belladonna's captain as he echoed, "Board her? Are you crazy?!"
David burst into laughter as he loaded a cannon with a chain shot and called back, "Sure, we are! What's your point?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton ignored the other captain's sputtering as he moved the Aquila towards the larger ship. It would be a rough battle given that his ship was smaller but she was much faster in the water. That would be his advantage and all he needed was to incapacitate the ship, bellowing another order, "Target the masts! Lower levels, cannon fire at the decks!"
Unlike the frigates that held speed, the Man O' War was slower and built for power. The Aquila couldn't last in a fight forever against that kind of firepower but she'd last long enough to cripple the ship. David's men were fast with their swivel cannons and fired the first shot at the main mast when she was in the clear. The gunnery officer took control of a cannon himself to aim it and fired, raising a triumphant fist when it struck. It didn't topple the massive mast but it struck and that was enough to begin weakening it.
Caroline swore the Clutterbuck brothers were born with cannons in their hands because they were gifted in battle. David preferred long-range while Richard took short-range, blending the two into a formidable duo. From below deck, Richard echoed his brother's attack but with cannonballs aimed at the enemy's weapon decks. Caroline used her spyglass as best she could while the Aquila bobbed against the waves and analyzed the masts. Taking out the smaller two masts wouldn't do much damage but toppling the main mast would have enough force to bring the other two down.
"David, aim at the half-point!" she called down to let him know the weak spot he'd created. If he targeted the injured area, it would bring their ship a faster victory.
"You heard the lady, gents! Let's bring 'er down!" David whistled to his team to have them focus on the mast while their captain brought the Aquila around.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was rather proud to see her proactive in the fight instead of sticking to navigation. She was in a vulnerable spot but she had an eagle's view of the entire fight while he worked at the ground level to stay within firing range. He couldn't ram the other ship because the Aquila was smaller and the damage would be too great. Instead, he brought the Aquila parallel to the ship once more and hollered, "Fire!"
Richard's men fired first with this round to stop the incoming barrage of the enemy and borrow time for David to calculate his own shots. From Robert's spot, the first mate shot at any enemies that happened to enter their sight to protect his captain. Ratonhnhaké:ton had brought them extremely close to destroy the main mast and they had to seize it. Caroline reached for her belt to remove Lady, quickly emptying the small bullets into her other hand. Pocketing them, she opened a small leather bag on her belt to remove three smoke bombs. Using the empty flintlock pistol, she used its ignition mechanism to light the smoke bombs wicks from her height to hurl them at the top of deck of the Man O' War.
She smiled with success at seeing the thin trail of smoke erupt when it struck the upper deck, engulfing half of the stern. It would do no good to strike the bow since the main mast and captain were in the rear. David's team had managed to shoot at the main mast after Richard's attack and Caroline's bought them more time to reload. With the rear of the enemy ship shrouded in smoke, the Aquila gained the upper hand in firing off a few rifle rounds until cannon fire rang once more.
Both ships were struck but while the Aquila endured damage to her right side, David scored a critical shot on the heavy mast of the war ship. Debris filled the air from both ships but the Aquila's crew held their breath at the mast. Ratonhnhaké:ton quickly moved the Aquila to the left to avoid lingering too close to their enemy and decided to await the damage from his strikes. When the heavy mast didn't budge, David slapped his hand on the cannon to growl, "How the hell-"
And that's when they heard a crack snap in the air.
The loud snapping of the sails echoed through the silence as the mast came crashing down onto the top deck seconds later. It was a thunderous sound as the heavy wooden mast dragged down the ropes of the opposite sails and in turn, toppled the weaker masts in a domino effect. Thankfully, the Aquila hadn't been close enough to be struck with debris after disabling the Man O' War's mainmast. Part of the sails floated helplessly in the water while Ratonhnhaké:ton took this chance to bring the Aquila alongside to begin boarding.
Robert was quick to assess the distance between ships before hollering, "Hook us in! Bring her close! To arms! To arms!"
Richard took this cue to quickly open the weapons crate and handed the crew a rifle to defend themselves in the coming fight. Grabbing one for himself, he nodded off to his brother as he headed to the left side of the ship while David remained at the top deck. Shooting at any enemies within his range, he shouted to his team, "Man the swivels! Cover from the quarter deck!"
Robert directed the sailors that were hoisting the Aquila to the larger ship, "Secure the aft lines! Tie off the bow!"
Once the Aquila was parallel to the other ship, Ratonhnhaké:ton waited until the distance closed enough to board her. Grabbing his weapons of choice in close combat, he secured them to his belt and ran to the left side of the ship. Using the bannister of the Aquila, he used the strength in his legs to propel himself overboard and landed on the bannister of the opposite ship. Quickly, he pulled himself up onto the ship as his crew began following him onboard. Robert and David stayed behind to man the ship from danger while Caroline and Richard followed their captain.
Thank you for reading!