The rebellion

When we returned to the camp, the peace we had enjoyed on the clearing was over in an instant. The men had returned to their daily business, although I couldn't tell what that was. I saw them attending to different tasks and I wondered how most of them were supposed to take Washington down. Except for keeping the weapons cleaned and ready for battle. But apart from that, it didn't appear to me as if they were actively working on a military future.

"I fear they have no certain goal. No plan", Ratonhnhaké:ton said after I had told him about my observation and having another look at the men around us made me realize, his assessment appeared to be alarmingly plausible. They were doing anything to keep themselves busy because they didn't know it better. I kept noticing: Most of the men had no military experience.

And our fate is depending on them?, I asked myself as I looked at two men, ordinary folk regarding their clothes, sitting at a campfire and seriously discussing if they could kill a bluecoat with a thrown spoon. I could only hope that they would at least chose a knife, if necessary.

Ratonhnhaké:ton and I wound our way over the narrow paths between the tents until we reached the space where they contributed the meals. We hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and had forgotten our hunger over our concerns for Kanen'tó:kon and his funeral. Now I felt nauseous and we had decided to have something to eat, before exploring the structure of the camp. This area included. Here they had built a simple shed for their supplies, a long table, and four cooking fires. Two heavily built men with bloodstained aprons were standing behind the table and gutted a deer. More game was lying in a pile behind them. No matter if deer, rabbit, fox, or even raccoon. Everything the could catch had been thrown together. The animals that were already prepared for cooking, were hanging on wooden racks beside the fires. I felt sick with the sight. I didn't mind processing meat if it was already gutted. Doing it myself was too disgusting to think of, I had to admit that. But this pile of dead animals was something entirely different and I had to force myself to tear my eyes away from the blood-soaked table and look into the face of the man, who was raising his head as we approached.

"You're too late", he growled and hardly parted his teeth while talking. "Dinner's next."

I winced as he thrust his hatchet into the hind leg of the deer and the bone crunched as it was parted from the joint. My stomach turned and I began to breathe through my nose, hoping to keep nausea at bay like that, while Ratonhnhaké:ton remained unimpressed by the unfriendly tone of the man.

"Do you have leftovers? It does not need to be much."

"You're too late", the man repeated and thrust hatchet into the meat again. I would never be able to eat deer again. "Who's not here in time, doesn't get anything."

"I understand." Ratonhnhaké:ton's voice was still calm and he gave me a short look before saying: "But can you at least give something to her? It does not have to be much, just enough so that she does not have to go hungry until dinner."

The man with the hatchet raised his watery eyes to look at me. I winced unintentionally because he looked at me as if I was something disgusting he had just found stuck under his shoe. As thankful as I was for Ratonhnhaké:ton's care, as much I hoped he would leave it at the man's "You're too late". Although my stomach was protesting about this thought alone. The man was still staring at me while his head gave a short nod towards his friend, who had continued working on the meat as if nothing was happening.

"What you think, Berry? Are we making exceptions? For women?" He spat the last word in front of our feet as if he was talking about some kind of malicious plague. It made me shrink away, which didn't remain unnoticed by Ratonhnhaké:ton. His arm twitched shortly into my direction as if he had wanted to pull me close, although the man hadn't even threatened me. He just had pointed out that he disliked women. The same seemed to go for his friend, who had stoically continued his work and raised his head only now, to show us a toothless grin and shake his head.

"No exceptions", the other one translated and finally lowered his eyes back to the bloody meat in front of him. "There will be food when it's time for food. No one is favored. And now leave. Come back tonight. In time."

The muscles in Ratonhnhaké:ton's jaw twitched as his face showed clearly that he was anything but pleased about the denial. But before he could say anything, I had carefully grabbed his arm and tried to smile at the men as friendly as possible as I said: "We will. Apologies for interrupting you."

Without waiting for another reaction, I turned around and pulled Ratonhnhaké:ton with me, who moved rather unwillingly at first.

"Are you not hungry?", he asked me, as we were in a few steps distance and as if my stomach was seeing it as an offering of food, it growled which luckily was only noticeable for me.

"I am", I translated anyway. "But I think it would have made no sense to argue with these gentlemen. They are right, somehow. No one should be favored in a community like this. Especially when it comes to food."

"That is true", Ratonhnhaké:ton mumbled. "I still do not like this man. Do you promise me, not to go alone, if you want to get food?" He looked down at me and I could see that he was concerned about the butcher's derogatory behavior towards women. I doubted he could become a danger to me, but I nodded anyway. After all, I hadn't felt good either and was glad I hadn't been standing in front of them alone.

"But I thank you for trying", I said with a warm smile and meant his effort to ask them for food for me at least. I didn't take it for granted that he was always putting my wellbeing over his own, even if it was just about the little things like a sparse meal in a camp like this.

"I cannot let you starve", he replied and looked at the thicket nearby. "I could go into the forest and find something to eat there if you want. You do not have to wait until tonight." He looked at me again and I couldn't stop myself from smiling about his offer. He looked at me as if he was ready to bring me every fruit of the forest I could ask for and the way I knew him, he would try. But I still shook my head and slipped my hand into his, while we kept walking along the edge of the camp, side by side and without a destination.

"I will be fine", I said softly although I would be really happy about a handful of blackberries. But even after all this time I knew and loved him, I struggled to accept the full extent of his care. His devoted nature kept giving me a bad conscience although I didn't have to feel this way. Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted it. He wanted to care for me and I enjoyed it. But right now, I told myself that he had lost his best friend this morning. He had hardly slept, hadn't eaten and like myself, he was worried about what was ahead of us. I didn't want him to be concerned about me, too. Especially not about my basic needs. I was no young bird begging its parents until they finally filled its crop. If it was the rule that you only got food if you came in time like everyone else, it was the rule and I would have to get used to it. As hard as it was.

Ratonhnhaké:ton's questioning gaze, assuring himself about the truth in my words, made me nod silently before I pulled him back onto the path between the tents and proposed: "Let's have a look around."

But there was not much to see. There were these spartan, dirty looking tents everywhere, built everywhere where there had been enough space. The paths were like a labyrinth, too. Furthermore, I realized that we could never manage to explore the camp to its full extent. You got lost quickly and the only markers were the campfires on every single free space. They were the community spots and were always surrounded by small groups of men. They chatted, laughed, and worked together. Ratonhnhaké:ton and I were looked over from time to time, whenever we passed by and the gazes varied between friendly openness and distrustful contempt. I still wasn't sure if I felt comfortable in this community but I didn't want to think about it either. After all, I had no choice and we needed these men. So I tried to meet every look with a friendly one of my own and greeted everyone with a nod of my head if we came close to someone. Still, I was glad to sense Ratonhnhaké:ton's presence behind me, since the path had become too narrow to walk beside each other. I didn't know his reactions to our surroundings until he suddenly grabbed my arm and made me stop. We were on a small clearing between the trees where they had built some sheds. One of them was where I had received the blankets from Wilden. This was where all the rebellion's goods and weapons were stored and I saw the old man leaning against a tree, obviously asleep. But it wasn't him who had drawn Ratonhnhaké:ton's and finally my attention. Yesterday I hadn't noticed that there was another tent at the edge of the clearing. Thrice as big as the others and probably high enough to stand upright. It had been built with traps and posts between the trees and was almost invisible because of its dark color. Three men had gathered in front of it. Haytham, Benjamin Franklin, and a stranger. He was probably a few years older than Ratonhnhaké:ton and I, had reddish-brown, tidily groomed hair and was wearing an elegant, dark coat with golden decorations over a sand-colored vest and black breeches. A white scarf shone from his collar and only underlined what I was thinking about him: He didn't look as if he belonged here.

"Who do you think he is?", I asked Ratonhnhaké:ton quietly but right at this moment, we were detected and Haytham indicated to us, that we should come closer.

"Just in time", he said, as we reached the three men and pointed at the stranger who was especially scrutinizing Ratonhnhaké:ton.

"This is Thomas Jefferson. Another leader of our community. Thomas, this is Ratonhnhaké:ton and his partner Lillian. I think you already heard about him."

"Of course." Thomas Jefferson laid a hand on his chest and nodded at me, then at Ratonhnhaké:ton. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. It's good to know that we are having such promising support. Especially after such a tragic loss. Kanen'tó:kon was a valuable and valued companion."

Ratonhnhaké:ton's only reaction was a nod of his head while looking Jefferson over. Since I felt like Jefferson's greetings should be returned somehow, I bowed my head and said politely: "It's a pleasure to us as well to make your acquaintance, Sir."

Jefferson gave me a friendly smile before pointing at the tent and saying: "We just wanted to discuss how to continue. I am sure, Mr. Franklin will have some useful information for us and I am also sure, you want to know who you are going to join." His eyes were turned at Ratonhnhaké:ton again, who nodded again.

"Go ahead", he said and I felt his lower hand on my back where it rested, while we followed Jefferson to the big tent. As if he wanted to make sure that no one intended to exclude me. But none of the other men lost a word about my presence as we entered the tent whose tarp was tidily closed behind us by Jefferson. If they had uttered any displeasure, I probably wouldn't have noticed it since I was too busy looking around in the tent. It was not only bigger than the other tents but also much more comfortable. It was surprisingly furnished. Wooden planks were creating a flat surface that must have made it easier to place the furniture. A shelf full of parchments, writing and navigation utensils on one side, a big, likewise loaded table in the middle and two chairs at its sides. Furthermore a camp bed and a small, iron oven, whose emissions were conducted outside through a pipe in each corner. The oven wasn't used at the moment, but it alone made the tent more than comfortable amidst this rather spartan and simple camp.

"Excuse the mess", Jefferson started and stacked some papers on the table. "This is our commando tent and this is exactly what it looks like. Unfortunately, we don't have enough seats either." He gave a forced smile and pointed at both chairs, before stepping to one and pulling it away from the table. "Milady?" He smiled at me and made an inviting gesture towards the chair. So it seemed like my presence wasn't unwanted. I stepped to him with a grateful smile and sat down on the chair. Ratonhnhaké:ton had followed me and stopped beside my seat, crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking around with his head cocked. Attentive and waiting. If I wasn't mistaken, the biggest of our questions were about to be answered soon and so I looked at the men as well. Benjamin Franklin had been offered the chair opposite to mine while Haytham and Jefferson took position on each end of the table. The latter put his hands flat on the tabletop and turned his eyes at Franklin.

"Mr. Franklin", he started without further ado. "I was told you came in the company of our Mohawk friends but I still don't know what you have to say about your change of mind. I heard stories, but I wish to hear them from you. Tell us why we should keep you with us and don't kill you instead."

My right eyebrow rose. Somehow I hadn't expected Jefferson to be so direct. But it had an effect since Franklin started to rearrange his glasses, as he always did when getting nervous before he told the same he had told us on the Aquila. That Washington had manipulated him and he wanted to end the danger of his tyranny. Haytham and Jefferson listened to him attentively and without the rejection, the other rebels had shown to him. But when Franklin had ended, Haytham crossed his arms and his lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Well, your story may be true, but I still don't see a reason why we should let you live. You say, you want to help us and can provide information if we should need them. But these are vague promises. Why not share a part of your knowledge and we decide if this information is useful to us."

"Well, I…" Franklin cleared his throat and grabbed his glasses which hadn't moved an inch. "I worked on the pyramid's plans. Should you intend an attack, I could tell you about possible obstacles."

"Obstacles as…" Haytham made a gesture that seemed to be supposed to make Franklin finish his sentence. He took note of it with an indignant snort. "I will be thrifty with my knowledge. How can I be sure you won't kill me, as soon as I have told you everything."

"An. Example." Haytham's posture, nor his expression hadn't changed. But there had been such coldness in these two words that it made me shiver although they hadn't been meant for me. But Franklin had winced as well and stuttered senselessly while searching for an answer that could please Haytham.

"There…there is no secret entrance", he uttered hurriedly. "I know that many believe it and there are many stories about it, but it doesn't exist. You can only enter the pyramid through the main gate. So if you plan to attack, you shouldn't look for another entrance. You have to concentrate on the pyramid's front."

I turned my eyes at Haytham, who didn't show if this answer was enough. He looked at franklin unmoved and the man got smaller under his gaze and even started to tremble. I almost felt sorry for him.

"Well then", Haytham finally said slowly and I was sure, Franklin took a sigh of relief. "I think this is something we can build on." He nodded at Jefferson, who agreed with a nod of his own, whereupon Haytham turned to Ratonhnhaké:ton, who had stood beside me motionlessly and had followed the conversation.

"Now that Franklin's loyalties are settled, it may be time to initiate you in everything and to explain, why we require your help."

Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded. "I am listening." And so Haytham and Jefferson started explaining.

We learned that Samuel Adams had revived the "Sons of Liberty" to demonstrate against Washington's reign. The same group that had formed before the start of the War of Independence to protest against the British Stamp Act and had carried this protest into the war. More and more men had joined them, including Jefferson, Haytham and his brothers of the order. They never mentioned the term "Templars" but they didn't have to. After all, Ratonhnhaké: ton and I knew about Haytham's actual affiliation and I could already guess what made the templars support the rebellion. A maniac with a hunger for power certainly didn't fit into their world order. Furthermore, they probably knew about the Piece of Eden and they would want to have it. Could this become a problem for us?

I raised my head to glance at Ratonhnhaké:ton, but while my thoughts had slipped away with the mention of the order, he had been still concentrated on what the other men were telling us and I decided to do the same for now. During my mental absence, Jefferson had talked about the rebellion's recent attempts to bring Washington down and of course, none of them had been successful. The initial onslaught of followers had subsided because the fear of the tyrant had ended their thrive for freedom. The rebellion had lost its good reputation, at least among the citizens of the cities who were still living in prosperity and peace while the frontier had always been exploited. Only a few supporters in New York and Boston remained, trying to provide the rebellion with everything they could. Information, goods, weapons. This camp also existed just because of their help but it wasn't sure how long it could stay like this. According to Jefferson, there were about four hundred men in these woods. A number that left me in surprised awe because I had never believed this camp could be that big. But by the look of the men's faces, when the number was mentioned, I quickly realized that it was too small to call it an army that could be a match for Washington and his bluecoats.

"Does Washington know that the camp is here?", Ratonhnhaké:ton asked and I saw Haytham and Jefferson sharing a quick look before the latter nodded. "He does indeed."

"And he did not do anything about it by now?" Ratonhnhaké:ton had frowned disbelievingly and I was surprised by this information, too. Wouldn't it be easy for Washington, to send a part of his troops here and attack the camp directly? Their chance to eliminate it was quite high. But also to my surprise, Jefferson shook his head.

"He did not. On the contrary. He uses our presence to strengthen his propaganda. The enemy is in front of our gates but we keep them there. This is, what he's telling the people."

"Furthermore it seems like he is waiting", Haytham added.

"Waiting for what?"

"For winter." It was Benjamin Franklin, who had answered Ratonhnhaké:ton's question and drew the whole attention to himself, making him rearranging his glasses again. "I heard him talking about it. He said he doesn't want to make the effort of an attack and wait until the winter buries the rebellion…us."

"Clever indeed", Haytham hummed and was right. It was genius even. Washington could stay in his pyramid and wait. Either the rebels attacked and lost against the superiority of his army or they fell victim to winter, which shouldn't be underestimated in this area. The temperature at night was already icy and I didn't want to imagine how it would become when the snow came. If the rebels couldn't resist the cold, they probably had to give up and this would mean Washington's victory. It was a desperate situation and I asked myself if it made any sense to stay here. But did we have a choice? Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't face Washington alone and giving up our hope for a way home, back to Emily? Never.

"Lillian? Are you not well?"

I winced and raised my eyes from my hands, which I had started to knead. It was Jefferson who had spoken to me and as I looked at him and only saw him in a blur, I realized I had begun to cry. The thought of my daughter who I just wanted to hold in my arms, broke my heart, and left me desperate over our hopeless situation. Still, I blinked the tears away and put on a weak smile as I nodded. "I'm incredibly hungry. My apologies, don't pay attention to me."

At least, it was no real lie since I felt nauseous with hunger. Although this was no reason to cry. Luckily the men seemed to believe me anyway, although I was looked over by four pairs of eyes. I didn't want to know what Haytham, Jefferson, and Franklin were thinking. I couldn't trick Ratonhnhaké:ton though, but of course he didn't say anything. I simply felt him putting his hand on my shoulder for a moment, squeezing it gently. Whether he knew what I was thinking or not: I was grateful for his comforting touch.

"So you have a plan on how to continue? Or do you want to wait for winter, too?", Ratonhnhaké:ton asked and luckily turned the attention back to the important matters. The thing we were most interested in. But Jefferson's answer was rather disappointing.

"It's not easy", he explained plainly. "At the moment, we hardly have the means and men for a direct attack. But since this is not going to change soon, we need to choose another strategy."

"Which is?"

"We will weaken Washington and his men", Haytham answered who had moved into the background by now, slowly walking through the tent, his hands folded behind his back. "If we don't have the necessary strength, we need to lessen his as well." He said it as if it was the easiest thing in the world. I dared to doubt that it was. But he seemed to be rather confident about this plan because he immediately started to explain it. "We will concentrate on his military and weaken it with well-aimed but discreet attacks. His arsenal, powder depots, military quarters. No open attacks but precise planning and action."

"You mean assassinations and manipulations?" I could hear in Ratonhnhaké:ton's voice that he was ready to develop a serious interest in this plan. Probably because it matched his abilities and preferences. If someone could act precisely and quietly, it was him.

"Yes. We have the targets but neither we have a concrete plan, nor the men to carry it out. This is where you come into play." Haytham stopped and looked at his son who calmly returned his gaze. "You intervened in this village without being detected at first and you sneaked into a fully occupied fort and killed Benedict Arnold. Believe me, I know only a few men with such abilities who are excellent fighters as well. Until now, there is only one in this camp. Your skills are what we need to bring the rebellion to success. Provided that you are willing to help."