Music Inspiration: Brian Tyler- "Order of the Assassin"
Caroline Burnett, Colonial Assassin
5 August 1777
Ratonhnhaké:ton had traveled to New York in the search for new recruits to battle the infestation of Templars in the city. It had become a Templar stronghold in recent years but he wanted to clear them all out to purge the city of its infestation. His original assassins were capable of handling missions alone and taking on proteges, so it was their time to teach. His unofficial student had yet to give him a decision and his current tasks back home, whether helping the residents or preparing his new homestead, kept him busy. His search within New York City had yielded two prospective members and he was on his way to a third contender. Jacob Zenger had requested his presence in a nearby Patriot friendly tavern to combine efforts to end the martial law in the city. For this problem, however, he had the Bostonian Assassins assist with the plan since the Templars were stronger in numbers.
The couple had been waiting by the side exterior of the tavern for their friends when two figures dropped down from the rooftop. Caroline grinned instantly to Clipper's peppy demeanor when he waved to them in greeting. She shook his hand with a warm welcome to his safe travel and he piped up, "It's been a while."
Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded to the men in welcome, glad for the familiar faces, and spoke, "Thank you for coming."
Noticing only Duncan and Clipper amongst them, Caroline's brow furrowed and she asked about their missing companion, "What about Stephane?"
Clipper shook his head before revealing the whereabouts of the third musketeer, "He stayed behind to keep an eye on Boston. Connor mentioned just two of us should be fine."
Caroline looked to her partner in crime for removing her jokester assassin from the roster. She and Stephane kept it lively since her fiancé and Duncan were more on the quiet side. Only Clipper joined their banter when safely off the field but it was up to her and Stephane to crack jokes. What was she going to do to share comedic relief?
Duncan eyed his native friend with an inquisitive gaze and crossed his arms to ask, "How much trouble are you in this time?"
"It is a liberation of the city from the Templars" he answered calmly to bypass the ruckus he had caused amongst the Templar Order. Posters with his hand-drawn image were plastered all over the city to the point that Caroline had haggled with a tailor to buy a casual overcoat in black to conceal his identity. Walking through the roughest and Templar infested parts of New York wouldn't help him succeed in his trademark outfit.
"Not answering my question" Duncan replied flatly to his evasion of how much chaos he had caused. Despite his quiet introverted nature, his attacks were brutal and he could take down a small militia alone. With Caroline in tow, that only increased the number of enemy casualties and notoriety.
She threw her arms in the air to declare with a jovial grin and laugh to match, "Welcome to Connor's Superhero Hour where his notoriety is ignored for freedom."
Batting his left arm with a cheeky smile, she chided gently, "Calling attention is not our way. We must be sleek and mysterious, like the moon."
Clipper muffled a laugh behind his hand to her artistic attempt and remarked, "You should write some poetry."
She shook her head vehemently to such a thing because her days with books were now spent towards maritime knowledge. All her remaining books from her youth had been saved and were now stored in the schoolhouse's library. Her parents managed to buy her books with their savings during her teen years and she would pass on the same help to other curious readers. There was only one bookwork in their family now and she chuckled, "Oh no, Amelia is a much better one."
Duncan called their attention back to the task at hand and pointed out, "If your face is being detected around the city, then we must be careful. We're not about to free you from Bridewell Prison again."
He was not going to repeat that nightmare and quietly opened the front door of the tavern. The trio followed their leader into the empty establishment since it had been cleared until the lunchtime rush. Jacob sat in the far corner of the place to maintain privacy while three of his men sat beside him. Deborah Carter waved to the newcomers in welcome after joining the Assassin's guild as a recruit a week ago. She had been the second prospective member after meeting Jamie Colley and assisting him with his clinic work. Caroline had a hard time euthanizing poor dogs and preferred to burn malodorous blankets while Ratonhnhaké:ton took the former task for her.
Deborah, or Dobby as everyone dubbed her, smiled at her new boss and explained her presence, "Jamie's tending to the wounded so I came to help Jacob."
"Dobby?" Duncan blurted with surprise to seeing the woman in the tavern of all places. His team glanced at him immediately to the recognition and he shrugged nonchalantly. They had worked together in the past after meeting in a joint venture where he gathered information to let her infiltrate a local office that had been hoarding provisions.
"Duncan?" she shot back with the same puzzled tone, not expecting to see the redhead. Boy, when did the colonies become a small place?
The last time she had seen him was hopping on a departing frigate headed to New York after helping him in Delaware with an opium drug ring that was wreaking havoc in their communities. Whenever he was in New York, she was his guide and informant for his selfless missions. Now that she met the other two and realized they worked for a secret order fighting for freedom, his personality and actions suddenly made sense.
She aimed a finger at her old acquaintance before blurting with a playful accusation, "Well, I'll be! I knew there was something mysterious about you every time you strolled through town."
The group of assassins, plus Caroline, stifled smiles when the petite woman flashed a thumbs-up sign to her redheaded friend. Jacob decided to begin the meeting to learn more about the man that the Loyalists were scrambling after. They were almost obsessed with him and he wanted to know why. A collaboration of teamwork between his friends and Ratonhnhaké:ton's would prove to give their enemies a run for their money.
The bald man offered the empty seats at the table to the others and began with mild amusement, "We were just discussing the result of your work. It seems these military men are after you."
"I have caught their attention" Ratonhnhaké:ton remarked simply because he had shed his covert stance when civilians were abused. He wasn't the type of person to stand back and watch disrespectful actions without intervening. Some colonists were thankful while others would run off rather than be helped by someone like him but one thing was always certain: it pissed off the enemy. With the militia of New York being heavily infiltrated with the Templar Order, he assumed all were enemies until proven otherwise. The other colonies in the North were not infested like this city was and part of him wondered if his father happened to dwell there. He had yet to pinpoint where their order housed the Grand Master but they had also failed in breaching Davenport to find him as well.
Jacob shrugged halfheartedly since he was not new to hard work and flushing out roaches. He wouldn't be surprised if the enemy were mobilizing their own plan against them and pointed out, "It does make our goals harder to achieve. The man we're after has gone into hiding, protected by his soldiers."
"We fight our way in, then" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated easily to forcefully remove their enemy by picking away at his support. Strategically removing confused and disoriented soldiers would be easy to make a beeline for their target rather than tackling all at once. Using their companions, their numbers would provide a fighting chance to win the fight. This would not be the first fight he had dived into headfirst and he doubted it would be the last.
Jacob, however, favored quieter tactics to stay undetected and chuckled, "Not possible, even for a man of your abilities."
Caroline patted him on the back to stop any crazy ideas from surfacing to challenge that. Ratonhnhaké:ton was a cannon ready to knock down enemies in one strike but she agreed with Jacob on subtlety. Yes, it relied on more work and patience but it prevented innocent casualties and injuries to themselves. Bumping her shoulder against his, she warned gently to his courageous heart, "Do not think of catapulting yourself onto the ship."
His eyebrows rose slightly to that insane but interesting concept. Was a human being capable of being launched onto a ship? Was he willing to test that idea? Turning to meet her gaze, he spoke dryly for sprouting the image in his head, "Not until you mentioned it."
"Where would we even find a catapult?" Clipper asked uncertainly to not only finding but using such an old battle construct against Templars. Their enemy would be both baffled and terrified to their offense tactics. He tried not to laugh to Caroline's crazy idea and cleared his throat when Duncan shook his head to not encourage the two. Ratonhnhaké:ton could be daring to reach a goal and they didn't want to encourage him to needlessly place himself in danger. Otherwise, they would have no leader and he mumbled sheepishly, "I don't think Ezio tucked one away for us across the Atlantic."
Jacob interrupted the quartet by proposing his idea to leave less chaos, "I have another– less conventional– idea. You will be our prisoner and we shall present you for the bounty."
Caroline grinned instantly to the deceptive trap and snapped her fingers to say, "A Trojan horse- I like it."
"Way better than the catapult idea" Dobby snickered with amusement to the extent the team would go to for success. She had no idea what her new role would entail but throwing in her luck with their lot was beginning to be fun. Her Irish friend was more on the quiet side and wondered if he had partaken in hair raising ploys.
"That wasn't much of an idea" Duncan told her offhandedly to their silly plots but they did have a knack for eliminating their enemies. Still, they could not alert every single Templar and expose their whole order because it would leave them at a disadvantage. His leader would not hide his liberation of New York to draw out their enemies but subtlety was key in preventing civilians from blasting them with a negative light.
Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't ready to scrap the catapult idea just yet and told his team, "We can set it aside for a later mission."
"Don't be fresh" Caroline lectured with a frown because she would pin him down by throwing knives before that happened.
"That him? Doesn't look like much."
"Doesn't matter now, does it? The commander'll have his way with him."
"I wish I could be there to see."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was currently being escorted through the dock to the Templar leader's ship by Clipper and Jacob, none too happy about his bound hands. Both men were disguised as British Regulars after finding two soldiers to knock out in an alleyway by the port. Dobby, Duncan, and Caroline provided backup from the rooftops to assist the trio if their plan went kaput or they required backup after infiltrating the ship. They were hoping that Jacob's plan would get them in to eliminate the highest Templar in rank to cause a domino effect within the city. It would be easier to begin their acquisition of the city into Assassin hands while simultaneously assisting the Patriots.
The trio could hear the ends of his false speech but it meant they were getting closer. Any enemies they encountered were easily swayed at being informed they were bringing in the city's top troublemaker. Clipper did most of the talking to imitate the English but Jacob would take over when explaining their mission to any nosy soldiers.
"I love these role-playing missions" Clipper commented, wondering if they should store their stolen attire to use in future missions. If they were going to be masters of infiltration, they should suit the part with a decent stock of clothing and accessories. Otherwise, they would have to resort to knocking people out and hoping their clothing fit. Having an arsenal of camouflaging attire would also prevent alerting the enemy to their presence.
"Let's trade places" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated dryly to being the victim on a Templar's silver platter in broad daylight. He wasn't exactly a fan of having his hands tied behind his back but Jacob had made a slipknot that he could remove himself. Hopefully, their gambit would pay off and they could slip in unnoticed until the very end.
Clipper stifled a laugh to his humor and whispered back, "Nobody can mimic you."
The group quieted when sliding past another regimen standing guard beside the boat. They were at the entrance after bypassing the other soldiers so this was the moment of truth. The jeering from the previous men gave the heads up on who they were bringing in and Clipper used his best impression at an English accent to say, "Bringin' in the city's troublemaker to the boss."
Ratonhnhaké:ton played his part by appearing annoyed, which he partly was by being paraded around like a holiday ham. The men guarding the plank that led to the ship scrutinized him from head to toe and Jacob held out one of the small posters of his description that were plastered around the city. This satisfied the guards and they moved aside to let the two pass, whistling towards the deck to give the rest of the regimen a heads up.
It would be too easy if it were empty, he thought dismally to having an easy mission for one day. One that would not have him leaping out of burning or exploding buildings or hitting the water. He was nudged forward by his teammates and they ascended the wooden plank to board the ship. His expectation that he would not be seen like a spectacle was short-lived.
"Look at that! They got the lout! Well done, mate!"
"You're gonna get what's coming to you, half-breed!"
The ruckus from the soldiers on board was loud enough to echo over to the other team, infuriating his fiancée. Caroline refrained from hurling a knife at the jeering men, reminding herself that it would do more harm than good. That, and the knife would lose trajectory over the distance compared to bullets and she would undoubtedly lose it to the sea. Duncan pulled the redhead below their vantage point on the building to avoid blowing their cover and reminded, "Don't lose your cover. Just give them a kick or two when dead."
She controlled her breathing with a pout to hearing the harsh words carry through the wind. His suggestion was tempting and she pulled her focus back to the mission, setting aside her personal emotions. Having her fiancé in a ship full of enemies wasn't easy though. Duncan and Dobby were watching the trio onboard as they weaved quietly through the deck. He was not a fan of letting his friends walk into an enemy ship but what could he do?
"Keep an eye on the men below" he advised the two women on their objective because they would distract the enemy. Intercepting them from interfering with a fight on the ship would buy their team some time. The question was whether three men would be enough against a ship.
The trio, however, were cool as clams after boarding to maintain their deception. Everyone was entirely focused on Ratonhnhaké:ton that they ignored the other two men, which was their mistake. The soldiers onboard were dispersed throughout the deck with one small group that descended below deck. Their Templar target stood in front of the captain's platform overseeing the regimen, eyeing the trio with calculation. His eyes, however, lit with curiosity once they landed on Ratonhnhaké:ton's face. Everyone on both sides of the secret war was becoming familiar with the new Assassin roaming the frontier.
Unfortunately for the Templar, this was a good opening as any to attack.
Clipper pushed Ratonhnhaké:ton forward with one hand while the other released the tie on his leader's hands. Within seconds, he released one of his hidden blades and leaned forward to drive its end through the man's chest. The Templar was caught off-guard completely by his cunning attack, barely managing to push the other man back, but the damage was dealt. Jacob and Clipper turned around to give their friend cover fire as hell broke loose immediately to the lightning-fast attack. They dropped the pretense of being allied to the Loyalists and a hail of bullets rang out from both sides.
Ratonhnhaké:ton grabbed the injured Templar to use him as a shield to avoid injury, bringing a quick end to his enemy. Whenever he attacked, he tried his best to be swift and lethal in his strikes rather than deal an agonizing injury. Enemy or not, he would grant a merciful death to avoid losing his humanity and honor. Jacob shot one of the nearby powder kegs to blow up part of the banister, throwing several soldiers into the sea, and diverted attention in the chaos. Clipper found a safe spot behind the mast to shoot down targets behind his leader while Ratonhnhaké:ton threw several men overboard with a tackle alone. Jacob muttered under his breath when he caught sight of a small group running down the pier. Before he could run through the fighting men on the deck and remove the boarding plank, a stack of large crates fell forward on the pier.
The clutter of wooden crates was enough to effectively block the reinforcements from pushing forward and bought them time to eliminate the rest onboard. Some made it easier on them by jumping overboard to live and fight another day. After all, their superior had been killed and they had nobody to give orders or take orders from. Narrowing his eyes at an oncoming soldier, he shot back in challenge, "Come on then, while we're young!"
On the pier, Duncan was leading his team on dispersing and confusing the remaining enemies. Dobby's smaller frame allowed her to sneak through the dock to knock over the crates and slip out of sight to keep her out of danger. Despite her experience in subterfuge and infiltration, he took responsibility for her safety. Meanwhile, Caroline had found a discarded fishing net to toss over a nearby group from the rooftop. The annoyed confusion that erupted from the flying rope trap was enough to satisfy her annoyance to their intolerance.
With one group being denied entrance to the ship and another thwarted by a trap, Duncan targeted a few soldiers by throwing knives to add more fire to the flames. Their attacks were quiet and subtle to avoid drawing more attention than they needed to. When men began falling over the dock with knives in their back, the rest of the stragglers decided to abort their reinforcement. The ship had fallen silent from the clashing of swords and ringing of gunshots with only the flowing sea filling the air.
Duncan motioned for his team to follow him away from the rooftop and the women obliged. Caroline let Dobby keep close to Duncan with her being the newest recruit and fondly remembered her first week in training. Had she really come that far? Quietly, the group darted forward to weave between the crates and open pockets of the docks to bypass the running men. Their hasty fleeing allowed them to slip by unnoticed and their lack of heavy gear made it quick to leap over the crates. With nobody trailing after them, the three marched up the plank to board the ship with brandished close-range weapons.
Instead of finding a boat full of enemies, they blinked awkwardly at realizing their other three companions had eliminated everyone. Clipper waved to his friends in welcome before returning to reloading his rifle. He would not be caught unaware with an empty weapon in an enemy city. The arriving backup team lowered their weapons at seeing them all safe and Ratonhnhaké:ton informed them, "Jacob's plan worked without issue."
Caroline stepped over the dead bodies on the ship to reach him, her gaze sweeping over his form to check for any injuries. A faint smile reassured her but before she could speak, Jacob broke the silence in the air, "That man. He thought what he was doing was right."
He nodded silently before stating calmly, "He did. As do his brothers."
Jacob stared at the dead corpse with a mix of intrigue and confusion, asking in a whisper, "Who was he, really?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton had a simple answer to his query to best describe his enemy, "There are powerful organizations who seek control, nothing more. This man belonged to one called the Templar Order."
He shook his head before meeting the other man's gaze to declare, "It does not surprise me. I don't know who you really are but if you should need my help, I am happy to give it."
"We belong to a group known as the Assassins Order" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated calmly to open the man to their secret world. Each recruit that joined them made the speech easier to recite and he was glad to add more numbers to their cause. He expected one recruit at least but Duncan's intel had led him to more. The trip to the large city had not been in vain with many of its citizens needing aid from oppression and he continued carefully, "We fight for freedom while they fight for control by any means. If you are willing, we can train you."
Jacob waved a hand to cut off the rest of his explanation about their secret group and he spoke bluntly, "You don't have to buy me with a spiel, I'm in!"
"Welcome, I'm Clip" Clipper piped up amicably to the new recruits to break the ice between them. Nothing spelled trust like a mission and a little bloodshed shared between them. He did not want anyone to feel like an outsider after experiencing it during his childhood. When he really thought about it, the Assassins were his family after years of familiarity. Flicking his thumb to his teammates, he informed, "Carrie, Duncan, and I are from the Boston branch."
"I just joined about a week ago, Doc Colley too" Dobby smiled cheerfully to her friendly ally in the city, glad to begin building a guild focused on safety and stability. The Loyalists and Patriots kept clashing fiercely but the civilians were the ones being caught in the crossfire. If they could do something to help, they would do it to keep their city afloat. Jacob decided to trust the lot in the hope of a safer city for his family and she flashed the Irishman a cocky grin, "Can't say they're all strangers."
"Dobby and I have met on occasions where civilians needed help" Duncan explained their previous work to his friends since they were no doubt curious about their background. He would have no problems training her if he needed to. It was starting to amuse him that he was familiar with the newest recruits, bringing their team to questions on his silent popularity. He was quiet in his travels to achieve his goals and shrugged lightly to add in, "I helped her board a ship to make some coin for food and the rest was history."
Caroline's face lit up with a happy grin for another seafarer but Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed out, "We're recruiting for the Order, not the Aquila."
With the mission completed, the Assassins dispersed throughout the city to leave independently to avoid drawing attention. Duncan returned to Boston immediately to update Stephane while Clipper headed north to trap a few game before returning home. Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline lingered in town to ensure the two were out of harm's way before beginning their own trek home. Caroline was pleased that he was able to accomplish his goal and hopefully, this would move their order into claiming New York as a stronghold. Communication would need to be constant with the new recruits to guarantee their safety while they continued to live in the city.
They passed the time by watching the ships leave out of the harbor by the docks in a secluded area. The two had enough weapons on them that dock workers ignored them and their eating a meal meant they were of no harm. Plenty of residents or travelers would eat in the most random place to fill their stomachs. They weren't any different and more than eager to return home to safety.
"How did I gain three new recruits in less than a month and you were the first after almost a year of convincing?" Ratonhnhaké:ton questioned with bewilderment to the accomplishment of their trip. He had hoped to begin making a dent against the Templars with one recruit to be his new ears but earned three pairs instead. Jamie wasn't a fighter by nature but he would protect civilians from danger, unlike his pistol-wielding redhead. She chuckled softly as she stripped off the last piece of meat from a chicken leg and he sighed, "Caroline, your laughing isn't helping."
"I didn't expect you to get three in under a month!" she exclaimed innocently with a pout that he didn't buy. He crushed the paper carton into a ball now their meal was finished and threw it in the nearest crate that collected trash from the dock workers. His partner was close on his heels to cover his back and she insisted, "You're a natural charmer."
"Don't dodge my question with compliments" he chided gently to her tendency to draw his attention away with romantic gestures. He didn't mind them but her hesitance to join his Order was a curiosity, especially now that he had new recruits. Quite frankly, she was leagues ahead of them in skill now but didn't utter a peep about joining.
"All right . . . if you can catch me, I will accept" she proposed casually with a confident smile that threw him aback. Did he hear right? Was she agreeing willingly to join them?
With that said, she bolted from his side to run to the nearest tree to hoist herself onto the lowest branch. He expected more of a bluff from her after waiting half a year for acceptance or denial into the Order. When he watched her run over crisscrossing branches in the trees to head to the closest rooftop, he took off after her. With New York being a Templar controlled city, he didn't want anyone spotting them.
Caroline took the route that would lead back to their ride home- the Aquila. Following the line of shops down the docks, the rooftops were easier to clear as they laid side by side. Each month under his tutelage had brought a new sense of confidence and with eight months under her belt, she had overcome her quirky fear of heights. He had never failed her, even tying a rope to each of their waists for extra support, to keep his promises to her. Although he and Achilles diverged on their ideals with the Order, Caroline took her own interpretation of the creed.
She loved her partner endlessly but he still held brief flickers of impulsiveness as an adult. The world of Assassins and Templars wasn't black and white but it was played with the patience of a long chess game to claim wins. She didn't want him to suffer in his journey to achieve freedom and safety so she would join the Order to be his eyes and ears. He had carried the entire order on his shoulders at fourteen years old, trying to understand its meanings and goals, and she would lend a hand to support him. Together, they would make sense of that secret world and survive the chaos that enveloped them in the Revolutionary War for the colonies.
Caroline stopped at the edge of the last roof when the harbor met her on the other side. They had reached a portion of the docks that split into two sides with an artificial inlet in the center to allow small schooners to unload cargo or travelers. Uh-oh. Trying to find the quickest means to descend, she heard the light footsteps of her partner behind her. Turning quickly, she called out to stop his momentum, "No, wait!"
The force from his arrival sent her tumbling forward and he made the error of wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Whenever they traversed buildings or the outdoors, he always managed to sneak in an affectionate hug to his partner. Unfortunately, it backfired this time. With her footing slipping over the edge, she jerked him forward in the same direction and the two tumbled into the open harbor. Striking the water with a splash, the two swam to the surface quickly to avoid any incoming boats or empty crates being hurled.
Treading water, she spit out a stream of seawater while he readjusted his soaked hood higher on his head to see. The inlet was empty for the time being and they swam closer to the pier, enjoying the cold water. Summer and the humid marine layer stuck their clothes closer to their skin so a quick dip in water suited them fine after the recent mission.
"I did catch you before we fell" he pointed out calmly while swimming elegantly back to shore. She swore he was one with nature and the sea sometimes which was amusing. Nobody had yet to match his ferocity among the elements and against mankind.
"We're going to take forever to dry" she laughed with embarrassment to her snafu but he simply brushed it off with a small smile. He had endured enough odd looks and words from colonists to not care anymore. The only reason he tried to blend in was for the Order, to slip by his enemies, and to avoid Caroline from beating someone down for looking at him funny.
He grabbed onto one of the wooden posts of the pier, reaching out his right hand for her to take. Her fingers grasped his tightly and he pulled her in swiftly in one move to his side, surprising her to his strength. Shooing her amorous thoughts to his upper body strength, she splashed water on her face to cool herself. Maybe she should linger in the cool water for a few minutes. Ratonhnhaké:ton had no idea to her sudden quirk and chuckled softly, "Good thing its summer."
"Always the optimist" she smiled widely at his hopeful outlook for the best outcome in any situation. He was not pessimistic by nature, always looking to the sunny side of a horrible situation. After everything he had endured in his young life, it was a feat that he held onto those honorable qualities instead of turning to the same tactics of his enemies. She admired that unyielding heart, pushing her to be a better person, and she whispered, "Let's go home."
"Do we walk or swim to the Aquila?" he asked quietly, flicking his thumb to the pier and in the opposite direction to the open sea. No, she wasn't that bold to swim across the bay to find the Aquila and get struck by a ship.
She laughed to his innocent joke, spitting out seawater when it lapped at her chin, and grabbed the edge of the dock to laugh merrily, "Walking like seals out of water."
20 August 1777
Caroline stretched her arms happily over her head, peering out at the calming blue water of the cove. She had walked with Ratonhnhaké:ton to their secret getaway area, the future area of their homestead, at his request. What he had planned . . . she had absolutely no idea. The only thought that surfaced was that it was related to their home. Either way, she had brought along a wicker basket full of snacks so they could enjoy a few hours to themselves.
"You're likely wondering why you're here?" he asked softly, setting down the piece of bread he was nibbling on. Folding up his cloth napkin, he set his snack back inside the wicker basket and stood up to approach his partner. He had been preparing for this moment after she agreed to be in the Order and it was time to make it come true.
She smiled contently, shrugging nonchalantly to the peaceful ambiance of the cove. They had chosen the new fishing dock to enjoy their time together and gazing up towards the left, she could see the foundation of her home peeking over the hill. Her father had helped them with the dimensions of their home to begin shoveling into the ground to start with the cellar. The excess dirt would be used to section off a small garden to the left of their home and a small mound remained on the hill.
This was her refuge from the world, her future home, and she spoke earnestly, "Not really, this tends to be our sanctuary from town. Plus, I get to spend time with my handsome betrothed."
He chuckled softly to the flirty wink sent his way and a wag of the eyebrows from her. The current year had given him nothing but peace, extremely thankful for it, and he doted, "I'm happy to spend time with my bride."
She could not help herself from hugging him around the waist, kissing his cheek to ask curiously, "I'll bite, why are we here?"
Another secretive smile crossed his lips, prompting her to laugh, and he unveiled his motive for their meeting, "You finally agreed to be part of the Order, it's only right to formally induct you."
"Here?" she asked puzzled to having such normal scenery for a secret induction. Hmm, maybe their Order preferred the outdoors for their initiations? It was a solitary place and if any of their townsfolk dropped by, they could pretend by taking a walk.
"Apparently, there were traditional ceremonies for inductions in older times but I doubt we can return to that with our lifestyles" he explained sheepishly after rebuilding the Order from written texts, journals, and Achilles' past experience. In the past, there were more formal affairs to keep their work secretive but his assassins were constantly on the move. Even now, he was the only one within kilometers to conduct the service for her. It wasn't what it should be to follow the old tradition and he supplied modestly, "From the information I gathered, it's pretty simple."
"What did you do with the Boston gang?" she asked with a faint smile, understanding that he was trying his best with what he had. He was ushering forth a resurgence of an almost extinct organization which was not an easy feat. They were spread thinly in ranks but they were gradually growing and hopefully, time would be on their side. She would accept whatever he deemed appropriate because her focus was always his safety.
He wrung his hands together, clearing his throat to keep an even voice, and supplied sheepishly, "I gave them a hidden blade and welcomed them."
"Ratonhnhaké:ton" she chuckled with amusement to his casual way of handling tasks. He was not a stickler for procedure or perfectionism, preferring to get the job done however he could. The focus was always the end goal without frills or pomp to maintain humility and respect.
"It was the best I could do, given the circumstances" he assured hastily with a hint of embarrassment to his methods back then. Every day had been a learning experience for him and it still was while he maneuvered through the world. He tried his best, but it would not be perfect. Hopefully, he had become better at the induction because she would be the first after the Boston trio. If it went smoothly, he could continue his way with the New York group when they were ready. Caroline brushed her fingers through his hair with a caring smile, tickled by his modesty, and he muttered flatly, "I'm still piecing everything together as I go."
"You'll do well, it's all about confidence" she advised kindly to settle the butterflies in his stomach. He wasn't a talker by nature with others, opting to listen more than anything else, so she would coax him out of that shell. If only others could hear his happy chatter when they were in the cove, people would cherish him even more. He was more solemn during the night when only the forest made a sound but in the daytime, the outdoors welcomed him with life and brought a smile to his face.
He chuckled softly, remembering similar words of wisdom when he encouraged her to jump between high buildings. She had grown under his guidance to handle her fears and calculate her jumps and free running efficiently. He was her strength when she needed him and she was his, always returning to her in their youth to fall into her embrace. He was extremely lucky to have her onboard the Aquila now and he asked carefully on having her join the other portion of his life, "Are you certain about joining us?"
"Who else will cheer you on when explosions occur?" she joked gently with a fond smile to push aside the nerves settling in her stomach. She knew he wouldn't place her in danger intentionally, but the Templars were not privy to that rule. Her life would not be safer but then again, her time in the Aquila was a coin toss with every naval battle. Nodding with assurance, she replied confidently, "I'm by your side."
Well, what else could he say? He would not pressure her into any decision, leaving it solely up to her. With that in mind, he began the induction and placed his hands on her shoulders for support. He wanted to give her a way out if she chose it at the last minute but instructed carefully, "Now, recite with me. . ."
She nodded silently and he began the old words that had been recited for centuries across nations, "Where other men blindly follow the truth, remember..."
"Nothing is true" she finished quietly, spending hours studying the creed by her fireplace at home. She had quickly stuffed her books under her bed to avoid the sticky fingers of her curious siblings. This tenet pushed her to question everything instead of splitting both factions down the middle with no gray areas. One could not be ignorant to the world around them simply because the majority believed in one thing. If people claimed the sky was blue but it turned different shades at dusk and sunset, it nullified that truth.
His voice knocked her out of her thoughts as he continued with the next tenet, "Where other men are limited by morality or law, remember..."
"Everything is permitted" she repeated softly to the vagueness in this rule, interested in the choice of words. Her partner was the most moral person she could think of but he wouldn't hesitate to end an enemy's life if it jeopardized another's. This rule made it sound that all tactics were fair game in warfare to which the Templars had begun using biological warfare with smallpox. If the Assassins stooped to their level, would it be fair? Would they be sacrificing their morality for the sake of their end goals?
He squeezed her shoulders to finish the old ceremony to recite the last sentences, "We work in the dark to serve the light. We are Assassins."
She released a tense breath to the surreal experience and reached up to grasp his hands on her shoulders. Dipping her foot in their organization had become a full-body submersion with him as her life raft. Her work alongside him would essentially remain the same but danger would shroud her for being part of them. Ratonhnhaké:ton offered a sympathetic smile, sympathetic to her concerns, before stating firmly, "You are officially one of the Order. I grant you the rank of Assassin, Caroline Grace Burnett."
"So formal" she laughed nervously to comfort herself and fanned her face, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
Ratonhnhaké:ton tried to keep a straight face to her playfulness, aware that she was trying to make it an easy transition. Her blue eyes lit up when he revealed a small wooden box, opening it to unveil a leather gauntlet inside. Removing the gauntlet, he placed the box on the dock before reaching for her right hand. Her heart began to beat against her chest when he slipped the gauntlet over her forearm, noting the hidden blade that glinted under the sunlight. He had designed and crafted the blade himself with the help of Achilles, assuring the old man that he wouldn't have her blurting their cause to the town or Patriots. His actions after their engagement was still a sore spot for the two but he refused to lie to her family.
He tightened the leather ties to secure it snug against her skin with a satisfied nod. Unlike his that carried the Assassin's insignia, he left hers blank to protect her as much as possible. Instead, he had inscribed the Gaelic symbol for strength into hers to incorporate her culture. He would not have her flashing any signs of their Order to keep her safe and follow her own ideal to linger in the shadows.
Her eyes trailed over the new weapon, running her fingertips over the inscription, and he spoke with a softer tone, "You are one of us now, I don't expect you to jump from every building or stab every Templar-"
"Isn't that half the fun?" she interjected to their penchant for adventure on the high seas. Even on land, they could not escape it entirely. One of their neighbors would request his help, a log would need clearing on the roads after high winds or a storm, or a random wolf would try to bite him. His brow furrowed into a lecturing gaze and she chuckled to drop her jesting, reassuring him, "I'm kidding, you lead and I'll follow."
"You will be my partner, my shadow, and I will be yours" he vowed with the hope that together, they could bring a quicker end to the Templars. He would protect her to his dying day and would teach her everything he knew if his day arrived before hers. She had always been his confidante before revealing his allegiance to the Assassins and that would continue. There was relief in having another to trust immensely but there was a risk that enemies could target her. Her skill set would be utilized to keep her safe and he admitted carefully, "You're good at strategy and drawing allies where you need them. Not to mention, your penchant for disguise."
She tilted her head to the side, pleased to the compliment but also curious, prompting her to ask, "Meaning?"
"When you're not at the Aquila, you will handle communications with me and organize training here in Davenport for our brethren" he instructed her to begin her assignments based in Davenport, aiming to keep her there or at his side. Massachusetts and New York were covered in the meantime but he wanted her at home base to handle their affairs. Apart from the Order, their homestead needed their attention for its construction.
"You got it, cap'n" she agreed without hesitation, eager to read through his mail to determine whether they had a secret writing system in place. If not, she was about to begin encrypting letters to avoid detection in case letters or messages fell into the wrong hands. Ledgers would also be able to assist in differentiating their secret work from their regular business ventures.
He smiled with amusement to her perky naval salute, opting not to say that they were discussing their new work, and continued, "As for our married life, you have a penchant for business-"
"As do you, mister" she reminded quickly and flicked her thumb in the direction of the town. He had invested in half of those buildings to give rise to the booming businesses, taking that risk out of the goodness of his heart. The same went for the trading business by the cove and turned her thumb behind her to motion to the schooners that could be seen docked beside the Aquila. She was proud of his successes and hoped she could offer him the same.
Ratonhnhaké:ton accepted her compliment and grasped her left hand to inform her of the other changes, "You will be my partner in our trading company and our upgrades here in Davenport. Your rainy-day fund donations in 1774 is what helped to give rise to the buildings when I could not provide all the money. This town is mine as much as it is yours and we must always protect it. This will become more important once we have our children."
"Really?" she asked sheepishly to that heavy responsibility because her work lay in the mill. A town and trading business was far riskier than a mill overseen by her father and uncle. Did he really believe she could do it? She was ready to be his wife, continue as the Aquila's navigator, and step into the Assassin Brotherhood. Business had not been in the books for her. Squeezing his hand, she chuckled awkwardly to remind him of women's roles in society, "Don't think people will take kindly to a lady walking into a wholesale store to purchase goods. I mean, outside of town."
"You could always disguise yourself as Ishmael, be the new Connor, or whip out your pistol" he suggested playfully to lighten the mood and watched her scoff with a witty grin. She was good when it came to camouflage against strangers but he could detect her now by her bright eyes alone. He believed the best in her and she had better chances of succeeding more than himself. If anything ever happened to him, he wanted her to be prepared financially to support their future children.
"All those options are tempting" she pondered with intrigue, especially to the thought of pretending to be him and wielding a bow. Could she manage to pull that one off? No, she did not have the masculine jawline to hide under his hood or the body for it. Meeting his gaze, her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke with gratitude to his faith in her, "Thank you for seeing and treating me as an equal, you've no idea how dignified it makes me feel."
She moved to kiss him but he grasped her shoulders to stop her, keeping her locked in place. Puzzled by his action, he answered simply with a faint smile, "I haven't shown you how to use the hidden blade yet."
Jumping back as if bitten, Caroline blushed furiously to making her first snafu within the hour of initiation. She had a lot more to learn from her new leader and chuckled with embarrassment, raising her right arm horizontally to keep it away from them. Ratonhnhaké:ton joined her infectious laughter and she poked fun at herself by joking, "Yikes, I'd be booted out of Davenport for accidentally stabbing its guv'nor."
He groaned with his own embarrassment to the numerous nicknames that residents gave him. Rubbing his palm over his forehead, he protested any sort of leadership and muttered, "I'm not . . . but maybe."
"I love your dry quips" she grinned impishly to his subdued humor and blew a kiss at him with her left hand. One way or another, he always earned her affection. This only caused his cheeks to turn darker and she returned to business by glancing down at the hidden blade to remark, "Now, let's learn about this gadget before I chop off my fingers."
23 August 1777
Caroline met up with Ratonhnhaké:ton by the cove as the two took refuge over a fallen tree on the water. Serving as a perfect sitting spot, the wide trunk allowed for her to sit with her slate while he held their journal of housing ideas. They were situated by the shore that their homestead would overlook and she smiled to the gentle roll of the water lapping at her bare feet. Yes, she could enjoy this view for the rest of her life.
"The foundation is complete, we need to figure out how our rooms will look" she wondered softly, tapping her piece of chalk against her old slate. Ratonhnhaké:ton had saved it all these years for them to reuse for mapping out ideas at sea or for their homestead. She was fond of the old but trusty slate since learning together had assisted in bonding them as close friends at her home. Now, the slate would help them in designing their own home. Their log cabin would be more rectangular than square to have ample land on the sides for a garden while the rear would serve to stockpile wood and a smoking oven. She divided the house into fourths to point to the farthest end and asked for suggestions, "One for us, one for the children- or should it be two?"
"How many children are we having?" he questioned with a soft laugh to their future family. One child would be gift enough but his wife came from a large family. He did not have any siblings but being in the company of Caroline's, it was a blessing.
Her blue eyes scanned him from head to toe before her lips cracked into a cheeky smirk, "With your looks, I'll give you ten."
"Caroline" he sighed sheepishly but shook his head to that sheer number of children. They could easily become lost among them. He loved her dearly but ten would be quite a handful for them, especially once they learned to walk. Could she really see herself raising then children? Peeking down at her scribbles, he motioned to the rear area to suggest, "Two will be fine. We should have a study."
She jotted down a small area for a shared study, liking that idea to handle their private business. Drawing another square within the larger rectangle, she informed, "Our cellar is done so no worries for winter storage. We should have a private room for bathing though."
"Six rooms?" he asked with surprise that they would be able to fit numerous rooms in their home. He expected a few additions in the future and he tapped each one to avoid overcounting. Caroline smiled fondly to his quiet pondering, leaning against him to lay her head on his shoulder, while he murmured thoughtfully, "Two bedrooms, the main room, a study, and a bathing room."
"We still have plenty of land if we wish to make additions" he pointed out because nobody had occupied the river bend across the bridge. He could easily ask Godfrey later to build a lean-to behind their home or a shed for storage. The shrouded area of the cove was beautiful to spend time by simply laying on the grass or dipping one's feet in the cove. He was already playing with the idea of asking Lance to craft an extra chair or two while he could roll fallen logs to chisel them into log benches. They could host campfire dinners with their friends and family during the warm seasons.
"Let's draw them up and see the proportions" Caroline smiled excitedly to see their home come to life via sketch. Her father needed an outline to avoid ruining their interior but she also trusted him. Their own family home had been perfect, even with six children wandering about, and she could ask him questions before the framework began. Tapping her fingers over the edge of the slate, she joked gently, "I'd like for our children to grow and not resent tiny spaces."
"Don't be fresh" he chided with a soft laugh to the image of two frowning children stomping off. In his dreams, they always had dark hair, bright eyes, and freckled faces. Those farfetched ideas were no longer out of his reach with their upcoming marriage. Wanting to provide the best for his children, just like Godfrey had, he suggested, "Four bedrooms then?"
"Should we have a secret room to your study?" she asked curiously to avoid visitors or their family accidentally finding out about their secret work. Living on a hill similar to her parents, they could use a portion of the cellar for a secret basement or create a secret partition in the office disguised as a closet or behind a movable bookcase. Winking at her partner, she piped up confidently, "Boban can be discreet."
"That should be fine" he agreed, not wanting to involve others in their work unless absolutely necessary. He still had the secret basement at the manor but a small room to store important files would work as well. Having their child discover their secrets would not be ideal for their safety or trust. They could always build upon their house for convenience and gazed back towards the sloping hill behind them to say, "We have quite a bit of land."
Their land was unclaimed by anybody else and they were free to roam without a problem. He would be close to the cove, the manor, the town, and the mountains were within walking distance for a hike. He would have endless freedom in the outdoors and a loving wife to return home to, not to mention his friends and new family. It was an idyllic home for his heart and he ruminated aloud to his curious nature, "When I was a child, I would run through the forest with no restraint. This place reminds me of my village."
"You still do that" she teased gently, leaning forward to wrap an arm around his shoulders. She wanted to provide a stable and suitable future for her husband, content with seeing him happy. He chuckled softly in remembrance of the fourteen-year-old girl that tried to climb trees with him until her skirt was caught in a branch. Back then, he was curious about her as well and humbled when she offered her hand in friendship. By the year's end, she would be his wife and she drew an amused smile from him when she added in with a wink, "Not that I'm complaining."
Pressing a kiss against his cheek, widening his smile, she asked about his other passion at home, "What about the horse stables? You know them best."
Although they each owned their own horses, they did not want to intrude on Achilles' land for Ratonhnhaké:ton's rehabilitation business. If he allowed them to lease the land, that would work but he was creative when it came to housing animals. For now, they could keep a few chickens for eggs and their horses for transport before deciding to explore further. Their time was constrained with their jobs and he would be ashamed if he could not care for his animals. Raising his journal of sketches, he showed her the best design to house them and explained, "I designed one draft but I need your input on the exterior."
"I will approve your design, my free-roaming outdoorsman" she purred sweetly, leaning against him to peer down at his journal. The layout was similar to her family's as the horse stalls were wide enough to serve as a temporary home, wooden bar windows to see other horses for socializing at night, with water and feeding buckets that dangled from the main stall gate. She smiled with delight to seeing metal nameplates on each stall for Sophia, Roger, and James. Brave belonged to Elizabeth in their family barn and while her Sophia enjoyed his company, along with Molly and Dolly, she would move away with her. The Dutch roof architecture would be used to maximize second-floor space for their storage and supplies. The exterior was bare, save for the land, and their home that would lie adjacent on the left to the barn. She had already seen his work at the manor and suggested the easiest path, "I like the layout of your pens at the manor. They have plenty of room to run and the land will be flatter for them here and we can extend the pens down the slope for more exercise. The shade will be gentler on them as well and we have the river much closer for them to drink water."
He smiled with appreciation to his wife, enjoying the joint venture in the layout of their home. They never chided the other about their ideas, using jokes and kisses of apology when something did not plan out. He would have the most fun constructing the barn and horse pens, nodding with confidence, "Let's finish constructing our homestead."
A/N: And we've introduced the final group of the colonial Assassins! At least the canon ones, haha. Dobby's my favorite from the New York branch so I had fun writing out her character. Caroline has officially joined their team (finally) to help Connor on his journey to eradicate the Templars. She's more on the cautious side of the Order, falling in between Achilles and Connor in mindset so she won't hesitate to chastise her partner when he gets in over his head. Their homestead will now begin its construction and soon, their wedding will be upon them. It will be an interesting transition since the couple has always met at her home from the very beginning but now, they will wake and live in their own home. The next chapter will focus on Connor's trip with Caroline to his village and Martha's wedding. I can't wait for Myriam's and Norris'!
Thank you to my past reviewers and readers!
East Coast Captain: I would definitely like a few family tokens to pass through the generations, including Haytham's journal. Connor could give each of his kids an heirloom since they'll eventually become adults and build their own lives. I really like the interlude idea and I know Arno traveled so he might drop off Haytham's letters (just an idea I'm playing with) before the colonies erupt into war again. Thank you for the handle on historical feminine hygiene, curiosity always gets the best of me when I'm researching. The lack of pain management during childbirth was a doozy so poor Caroline and all the women won't have the luxury of the earliest anesthetics like ether and chloroform. I can see her pulling off an Edward-approved demand for booze once the baby's out, haha.
Chriswill02: I completely agree they grew up fast despite the lengthy story. It took 50 chapters for them to grow up from the awkward teens they were and the story will end with the two being parents. I'm trying to imagine Connor raising a child that was his age when he ventured off into the wilderness and I can see him tagging along behind them in the trees, haha. Caroline will definitely get her new attire but it will not be drastically different from what she has on. The colonial assassins sport their own style in what they wear so she'll use a lot of navy to match the Aquila.
Faron Oakenshield: The two picking out a homestead exploded my heart into confetti at them finally realizing their dream for a family. All that's left is building and furnishing it before the wedding which is not too far away. It's a year of weddings in Davenport.
The Antic Repartee: I love reading multiple chapters at once but put me in front of a streaming service where I can binge a series and my patience goes out the window. Thank you for the compliments, I try to put Caroline on the sidelines of the major events rather than front and center- unless the situation calls for it. I love your troubleshooting for their license debacle but Father Timothy has a trick up his sleeve that will be unveiled in the next chapter to get it. I will update this story until its end, the characters have grown on me. Writing has been my way to cope with stress because my emotions have been on high and lows working on a hospital floor. Instead of overthinking whether I sanitized all of my belongings twice, whether I charted everything I needed to on patients to cover my butt, whether I completed all of my tasks (that stuff gets me in my dreams), I like to dive into my stories and live in those rather than real life until I'm forced to wake up again to repeat the cycle. I totally feel you on this pandemic!
Taylor115: You are funny, the lumberjacks, Norris, and Myriam were my favorites but they've all been chiseled further in this story. Aw, thank you for the OTP comment! It makes my heart happy for Caroline, who will get her little family before the story's end. Heck, she'll be an aunt as well! 1777 is my summer of love year in Davenport while 1778 will be the year of Haytham on the Aquila, lol.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Together, the two had left Davenport with enough supplies for the trek north and promised to return in time for Martha's dress fittings. Caroline had reluctantly agreed to wear a new dress for the wedding and had chosen canary yellow to greet the coming fall. Her little sister would marry in October and she wanted everything to go smoothly for her. Ratonhnhaké:ton had rummaged through his drawers to find a suitable outfit for his future sister-in-law's wedding to avoid looking shabby. He was not going to risk embarrassing his family right before his own wedding.
The gentle breeze of the lingering summer and the changes of the foliage provided great weather with a view for travel. The spring would have been too cold in the night and the summer would have been unbearable with the bugs. Winter would have frozen them stiff so it was fitting that they ventured to the village before their vows. He was still trying to determine how he would approach the Clan Mother on his future wedding, especially since she was his maternal grandmother. The expectation had been for him to find a native woman of his own tribe but his heart decided on another path. It appeared that everything he had expected from a young age had veered in a completely opposite path but he would venture down the road nonetheless.
Caroline jerked him out of his thoughts with a gentle hand to his shoulder while he tended to their campfire. They would stay there for the night before finishing the last leg of their journey to reach Kanatahséton by mid-morning tomorrow. He had not visited the village in almost a year after the tense blowout between him and Caroline led him to leaving Davenport to ruminate on his future. Back then, he felt his different roles clashing against one another wildly as balance was lost and feared one would shatter the other. Thankfully, he and Caroline picked up the pieces to create a new mosaic to define his turbulent life.
His redheaded confidante had not left his side and he was proud that she put up a fight in not giving up their broken relationship. She had been bound to him from their first meeting and he was glad that she sought him for friendship while he had been initially wary. His past with colonists had not been great or peaceful but she was a breath of fresh air in the wild unknown world. He smiled fondly when her head rested on his right shoulder to muse softly, "My wolf is pensive tonight."
He poked at the embers of their campfire to keep it burning for the rest of the night. They had been able to catch fish along the river that fed into the lake that surrounded Kanatahséton, which served as a fresh meal for the couple. Caroline never failed to bring along a small bag of salt while Ratonhnhaké:ton knew what fresh herbs to pick in the wild. Their short trips during that year allowed the two to become familiar to camping out together and he tended to take longer watch shifts to keep her safe.
"I'm thinking on how far we have progressed" he remarked truthfully to his rumination over his life and the past seven years. They would soon bring an end to the current year in three months and would begin a new one as a married couple. Dropping the stick to leave the campfire alone, he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her close. Caroline returned the embrace by curling up against his side for warmth and affection, a happy smile on her lips. His voice was soft but it reverberated against her skin as he spoke sincerely, "I left my village as a young boy with nothing but my weapons, provisions, and a bed roll. It was a very lonely time for me. I did not know anything about the world past my village. I am grateful to have crossed your father's path because meeting you swept that away."
She had been intrigued by the native boy from their first meeting and that innocent curiosity settled into respect. Her affection burned brightly like a star despite the passing years and doubted it would ever wane. Their shrouded privacy away from the world, tucked away in the dark forest, left them as the only two human souls around for miles. A smile touched her lips before she pressed them against his cheek to preen, "Figures I'd eventually tag along for this trip."
He appreciated her lighthearted jokes during the night, hoping they would share evenings like this in their future home. Brushing his fingers over her braided hair, he returned the fond kiss to her soft lips and reminded knowingly, "Because you will be my wife."
Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink to hearing that wonderful word but that could have also been from the kiss. He sent her heart spiraling into a cascade of warmth and she wanted to bask in that emotion forever! Her role as his wife also brought nerves but she focused on the positive side of things. For the moment, her newest position took the most time to fill into those new shoes. Despite her year of training alongside him, being an assassin meant she had to be more vigilant, cautious, and responsible.
Her left hand adjusted the navy collar around her neck to keep warm as a cool gentle breeze settled through the forest. Just like she had been gifted her new handy dandy but lethal hidden blade, Ratonhnhaké:ton had commissioned a new overcoat for her from Ellen. She had almost been tempted to mimic his colors for humor's sake but decided to choose navy with charcoal for the fabric over the inner torso to avoid being detected easily. It would also mean it could take a punch in dust and blood in case she couldn't find a river quickly enough to clean it. Unlike her partner, she chose silver buttons for the darker colors of her coat and Ellen tapered it at the waistline for a feminine silhouette. The edge of her hood and the hemline of her coat were covered in dyed lace to add another feminine touch to avoid the look of the masculine coats.
She was in love with her beautiful coat because it protected her better in the elements compared to her lightweight jacket that she wore onboard the Aquila. Her role as navigator had gained another layer of assassin and she would balance her new life one day at a time. Raising her hood over her head, she chuckled sheepishly to admit, "I'm still adjusting to the Assassin role."
He did not want to overburden her and stretch her time thinly, offering without question, "If you're not ready to marry-"
"Oh, I'm ready" she intervened giddily with a cheeky smile and leaned forward to kiss him again. He smiled fondly to the bright hue of her eyes against the illuminating fire, especially as they lay under the dark hood. The young Caroline he knew, the one that had cried from confusion to her true identity in the world, had finally been unleashed. She cracked his calm exterior by puckering her lips to kiss the air between them, stirring laughter from him. He was not bold enough to ask what dwelled in her amorous mind.
"I'm always by your side, Caroline" he promised earnestly to give her support if she ever felt overwhelmed. She lowered her hood to shed that new part of her identity to return to being his fiancée. Hugging him once more around the chest, her nose nudged against his neck to sigh with content.
Thank you for reading as always and stay safe!