May 4, 2022
The internet was a wonderful thing. You could learn anything. Anything at all. That's where Edward got most of his information. About politics, sports, music, movies, even video games. He also liked the pornography, but that was a topic he kept to himself.
He killed time on the computer Pete had given him whenever he could. Most of Edward's time was spent with the other men. Watching television, playing cards, doing whatever to pass time. Faith hardly ever joined them. Not anymore, anyhow. Not since she and Connor had separated. She was no longer sleeping on the couch, though. Jack had talked her into taking his room. Now he was stationed in the common area. Not that he slept much. He spent much of his nights talking to Assassins overseas. He knew a lot of languages. So did Connor. Edward only spoke Spanish. But he never had a problem getting his point across even if there was a language barrier.
Deciding it was time to give the laptop a rest, Edward shut it and made his way outside. Pete had already left, but he had given Edward a pack of cigarettes before doing so. Edward lit one, enjoying the faint scent of the ocean mixed with tobacco. Those smells brought back memories. Some good, others not so good.
Trying to avoid thinking, Edward noticed Connor seated nearby, fastening a new string on his bow. Jack didn't normally allow weapons outside of training, but he made an exception for Connor. He let the Native keep his bow so long as he didn't have any arrows. Connor was fine with that.
Edward walked over and squatted in front of the other man. "How's it going, Connor?"
The Indian glanced up, his dark eyes watching Edward with a calculating calmness. It always surprised Edward how composed the boy was in all situations. He wasn't one to show his emotions. Edward wondered if that was a trait he had learned over the years or if it was the way of his people.
"Fine," Connor answered. He went back to what he was doing.
He was a man of few words. It reminded Edward of an adage he had heard growing up. Those who speak do not know; those who know do not speak. That saying summed Connor up well. He was very quiet and exceptionally intelligent.
"This is all so fucked up," Edward spoke, trying to make conversation. "You adjusting alright?"
Connor nodded. "Fitting in here is not a problem. The difficulty will come when we go out there."
Jack had suggested field trips to get them used to the way of the world. Edward couldn't wait. He had been cooped up in this godforsaken place long enough. He needed to see other faces. Meet other people. "It won't be so bad. You should use the computer, just so it won't be such a shock."
Connor shook his head. He had no interest in technology. Not computers, not phones, not television. Although he did occasionally watch hockey with the rest of them. He said it reminded him of a game his people would play. Edward couldn't remember what he had called it. Some Indian word.
"Game two with the Hurricanes and the Bruins is tonight," Edward reminded him. "You in?"
Connor nodded. "Maybe Carolina will win again."
"That would make Jack happy. No idea why he loves that team so much."
"Jack spent his childhood in Connecticut," Connor spoke. "His father would take him to Whalers games there. Later, the Whalers were sold and relocated to North Carolina. They changed the team's name to the Hurricanes. Jack still supports them."
Edward stared at Connor. The Native shrugged. "Jack and I spoke much before…"
Before Faith had been released. Edward didn't finish the sentence either.
Connor finished with his bow and laid it across his lap. He looked at Edward for a moment. "How are you faring?"
"Other than being bored out of my fucking skull, I'm great."
Edward finished his cigarette and flicked the butt aside. He got out another, offered it to Connor. The man took it. Edward lit his, then gave the lighter to the other man. Connor used it then handed it back. Edward watched him closely. He had considered bringing up Connor's parents on several occasions, but kept quiet for one reason or another. No one seemed keen on him having much information on the Indian. Edward could only guess the reason was his acquaintance with the man who had sired Connor. Deciding he had put it off long enough, Edward ask the question he had been wanting answered.
"Your father was British, correct?"
Connor nodded, almost reluctantly.
"Tell me about him."
"There is nothing to tell. He left before I was born. I was raised by my mother until she died when I was four. I remained in my village until I was thirteen. After that, I went to Achilles for training."
"And you met Faith," Edward promoted. It wasn't that he really cared about their relationship, but Connor needed to accept that it was over. All he had done was sulk for the last week. Hardly eating, barely sleeping.
"I was sixteen when I...met her."
"She was your first, wasn't she?"
Connor's brow narrowed. That was a topic he did not want to discuss. "I do not know what that has to do with anything." He started to get up, paused a second, and favored Edward with a hard look that was much too at home on his defined features. "It's also none of your business."
Connor tossed away his cigarette and turned toward the building. Edward stood up as well. He knew he should probably remain quiet; he was just not good at doing what was sensible.
"It's not," he agreed. "If you want to pine over a woman just cause you've never had another, that's your business."
Connor stopped walking. He turned toward Edward. His posture rigid, his face stony. "I wasted many years admiring you," he said. "I see now what a mistake that was. Any man who would run out on his wife to seek fortune is not worthy of my respect."
The mention of Caroline pissed Edward off. He had never had an even temper to begin with, but had spent a lot of time learning control. There were few things that could set him off. His wife and his unfair treatment of her was foremost. He approached Connor.
"You should take that back now."
Connor looked amused at the threat. "I will speak the truth whether you like it or not."
This boy was feeding Edward's anger with every word. It didn't matter that he was being honest, it only mattered that his words hurt. And Edward did not like feeling any type of pain.
"You really don't want to push me, son."
Connor made a noise at that. He glared at Edward, moving closer until their faces were only an inch apart. "I am not your son. For that, I am very grateful. Only a man as arrogant and selfish as you could raise a Templar."
Edward listened, wondering about the meaning behind Connor's words. He might have cared more if he weren't so damned angry. As it was, he just knew he had been insulted. He did not take well to insults. Especially if they equated him to a Templar.
"I'll give you one chance to apologize," he spoke in a firm tone.
Connor only looked at him. "Or what?"
Edward was going to show him what would happen if he chose not to heed the warning. But, before he could, Jack and Desmond were between them, pushing the pirate and the focus of his rage apart.
Jack, who had his hands firmly on Edward's chest, looked him in the face. "You will not fight in my home."
Edward looked around him at Connor. The Native was struggling against Desmond's grasp. His eyes burning as he stared at Edward. "Shall we take a walk?"
Connor sneered at him. The man was bigger than Edward, and his ire gave him a natural brutality that spoke to the validity of the rumors he had heard about Indians being savages. He had no doubt Connor was dangerous. Still, he thought he could take him.
Jack shoved Edward back, holding onto him with a strong grip. "That is enough, Mr. Kenway!"
Desmond was having better luck with Connor. The Native was standing apart of his own accord, shrugging away the hand Desmond had on his shoulder.
"Let's all just settle down. It's not worth fighting over."
Edward scoffed. "Mind your business, Desmond. I'll not be insulted by a man who can't keep his own wife happy."
Connor took a step forward. That was all he managed before Faith was in front of him. His temper waned at the appearance of his wife. It might have had something to do with the disappointed look she was giving him.
"Is this really how you want to spend your birthday?" she demanded in ire. "Fighting with Edward?"
Connor's mouth opened, but he didn't speak. His eyes moved from her to Edward and back again as if he was unsure what to do.
Edward began to relax at the mention of that. He realized Connor's anger had less to do with him than with his current predicament. "I didn't know it was your birthday," he muttered.
Connor didn't react. He only looked at Faith, who was frowning at him. "I made you a cake," she said. "Enjoy it."
Connor watched her as she left. Before she could reach the door, he called to her.
"Forget it, Ratonhnhake:ton!" she yelled in return. "I don't want to talk now."
When it was just the men again, Jack looked around at each of them. His grip on Edward began to release. "Are we good?"
Edward nodded at him. Jack looked at Connor. The other man inclined his head. The situation was still tense, but most of the anger had dissipated. Edward understood why Connor was so upset, so on edge. His relationship was falling apart and there was nothing he could do about it. Edward knew how that felt. But, instead of sympathizing, he had antagonized. Connor was a good man. One of the few Edward thought of as a friend. No sense throwing all that away.
"I'm sorry, mate."
"So am I," Connor murmured.
With that out of the way, Edward went back inside. He noticed a plain chocolate cake on the table as he made his way upstairs. Back to his bedroom. The door was closed to the room at the end of the hall, but he could hear Faith crying through it. He started to try to talk to her, but thought it best to keep his distance.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, the words Connor had spoken replaying in his mind. It wasn't that confusing when he thought about it. Edward obviously had a child that grew up to be a Templar. That he figured out quickly. It was Connor's acquaintance of that child that bewildered Edward. Edward had the feeling it wasn't by chance that the Native had crossed paths with his kid. He felt there was much more to the relationship than chance. He just needed a bit more information.
Edward picked up the laptop and began browsing the internet. Thanks to Pete's tutelage on hacking, it didn't take him long to learn what he wanted to know. Abstergo had all the information he needed.