Lost In Assassin's Creed 3

Chapter 13: "Your hands will always be empty."

There was a knock at my door and I jumped up from my bed and answered it, Achilles and Benjamin stood in the doorway.  I invited them in closing the door behind them, we sat in the seats that were around a small table.  "The situation has gotten worse they plan to execute Connor today, and we don't have much time."  

"We know, Achilles and I heard it as we rode up here, that is all the criers are yelling about." Benjamin said 

"We need to act fast and quietly, If anything happens that sets anyone off our situation will become much harder.  Heather your part is vital in this situation, You will be on one of the nearby buildings looking onto the execution.  When Connor gives the signal you will fire an arrow at the rope causing it to break."  Achilles explained "Ah, but you are probably wondering how he will know to give the signal.  Believe it or not I still have a trick or two up my sleeve." Achilles handed me a bag I looked inside to see Connor's Clothes and most of his weapons.  He also gave me Connor's bow and arrows.  "How did you get his things?" I asked 

"Like I said I still have a few tricks left." He gave a small smile 

"Remember that There might be guards on the roofs, Which means you will have to kill them silently and to stay out of sight." Benjamin told me 

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We arrived just as the prison cart pulled up to the square, which was overflowing with people.   I started climbing up the house to the roof, I ducked behind a chimney seeing soldiers patrolling the roofs.  I aimed the bow right at his throat and shot an arrow it hit right where his windpipe was.  He fell dead immediately, I ran past his body and went to the next there was only two more, I climbed up the small railing and launched myself off, I engaged my hidden blades and stabbed them both in the neck.  I ran to my spot to see Achilles briefly telling Connor something, I took the bow off my back and took out an arrow, Connor was being pushed up onto the gallows.  Lee started to speak.  "Brothers.  Sisters.  Fellow Patriots.  Several days ago we learned of a scheme so vile, so dastardly - That even repeating it now, disturbs my being.  The man before you plotted to murder our much beloved General.  Indeed.  What darkness or madness moved him, none can say.  And he himself offers no defence. Shows no remorse.  And though we have begged and pleaded with him to share what he knows, he maintains a deadly silence.  

Charles placed a sack and the noose around his neck and I pulled back, steadying my aim at the rope.  

"If the man will not explain himself - if he will not confess and atone - what other option do we have, but this?  He sought to send us into the arms of the enemy.  And thus we are compelled by justice to send him from this world.  May God have mercy on your soul." 

In the next moment the lever was pulled the floor dropped open beneath him.  I heard the signal and I fired, I almost didn't want to look in case I failed.  I saw the rope had been cut and I was relieved.  I looked down seeing him unsteady, running through the crowd of confused people.  Soldiers were running up to him trying to stop him, I had to step in.  I ran across the rooftop jumping down pushing people out of the way, I stabbed two guards and kept running I broke through the group of guards starting to form around Connor.  I pulled one sword out readying myself for a fight, Connor got up slowly from Hickey's dead body.  The guards had formed around us guns raised at us ready to shoot us given the command.  "At ease men!  At ease."  Putnam stepped forward the Bluecoats didn't respond at first  "I said lower your god-damned guns! These two are hero's!" He yelled They all obeyed and I saw Benjamin behind him.  I sheathed my sword and watched as he walked up to Hickey's body.  

"The General can be so stubborn sometimes.  Piffle, he said, when we warned him something like this would happen! Piffle!" He kicked the body 

"Stop." Connor said 

I noticed Connor had a black eye and a few cuts one under his eye and another one on his lip, his knuckles were bruised and a little bloody.  

"He wanted to the Commander. Nearly killed you as well.  He was a scoundrel. " 

"But still a man." 

"Hmph. Your nothing, if not consistent. " 

"Where is Washington? I need to speak with him." 

"Bundled off as soon as your execution went sideways.  He's likely on his way back to Philadelphia by now." 

"Then so am I." Connor turned

"Something wrong?"  

"He is still in danger.  Hickey did not act alone..." Connor turned and began to walk away

The rain had lightened a little and I caught up to him and stopped in front of him.  "Hold on, don't I get a 'thank you" first?" I smiled  

I could see he wasen't amused so I took the bag off my shoulder and his bow and quiver. "Your going to need these at least." He took his gear "I have a room at an inn close to here you can change and rest up there before we go." 

"Thank you."

"Its what I'm here for." I smiled "Now I would like to get out of this rain, let's go.

                                                                                    ****

We had made it back to my room and I lit a fire since we were both soaked.  I slipped off my robes and my boots and hung them by the fire to dry a little before we left. My clothes underneath were still wet so I sat close to the fire.  Connor was laying out his gear on the bed, I could see he had a red mark that was on his neck from the noose. I looked back at the fire knowing he was going to want to leave as soon as possible. "We should leave soon as we can, to get to Philadelphia early enough."

"You should at least take some time to rest, I mean you almost got hanged.  You look exhausted as well." I stood to face him  "At least an hour, maybe the rain will let up a little in that time."  he looked impatient, but then sighed and nodded.  

"Thank you." I said "But I have to ask how did you get all banged up?" 

"I got into a fight." 

"Really." 

"It was all part of Mason's plan to get me out, by getting in a fight with other prisoners to get to the warden." 

"I see."  I was standing in front of him I ran my thumb over the cut just under his eye.  In the next instant I had my lips to his. His hand moved to my face, his thumb tracing my jaw line.  When we pulled away I turned back to the fire and he had stood there for a moment before going to busy himself with whatever.  I couldn't help but give a small smile as I looked back to the fire.