AC3 - The Unexpected reunion

Sold to an old friend

"Oi, get up,"

Gerhard was rudely awoken by a sharp kick to his abdomen. He groaned in pain and frustration as he got to his feet.

"Got'cha self a new m'ster eh? Well ere's yer lucky day!"

Gerhard could barely make out the words the warden said as his wrists was tied together and was pushed by American towards the exit.

The bright light partially blinded his eyes as he squinted in the sudden exposure. With a nudge, he was walked further towards the broad-hat stranger, except, he was no stranger.

Nein, it couldn't be Garett, he couldn't be sold to him. He could be sold to anyone else, but him, that Assassin?

"Scheiße!" Gerhard inwardly cursed as he was shoved towards the gruff man.

"Eh Thanks for the 'elp Dawson, 'ere's the money,"

Gerhard watched silently as the currency was exchanged between the two men. While the Americans were busy in the bussiness, he made a run for the nearby trees to make a desperate attempt to escape.

"Eyy! The German's runnin'!"

Two prison guards sprinted towards him, hot in pursuit. He was unfortunately tackled and dragged back towards his new owner.

"Nein! Let me go! I'm not going with him!" He resisted their grasp and kicked the dust as he tried to break free, which was in vain.

He was held by his arm as he was led through the streets to his supposed home. Garett didn't look as different as he thought he would, his face still bore that sprinkle of facial hair and unkempt, messy hair. His signature hat was still adorned on his head, accompanied with that worn-down, dirty scarf he wore.

Gerhard snapped his head away from Garett's face as soon he felt the later's turned towards his own. He couldn't afford to let Garett know he was observing him, after all these years

6 years, to be precise.

He was the army's best sniper, best sharpshooter. He always almost never missed his shots, making him a deadly foe and opponent. His reputation spread over into the New World, where he was from, while still serving in the King's army, as a American mercenary. They met in a bar, both seated at the same counter. Within a few minutes of small talk exchanged between them, they started opening themselves up to each other, having learnt each other's background. Minutes turned to hours, and they were laughing heartily over the simplest jokes so badly made up. They met up a few times after that night, for they knew a drunken friendship cannot be established just like that. Friendship and admiration for each other made them the best of friends, they had even fought alongside each other in the first year of the revolution, yet it wasn't known between them that they were of different ideals that could ruin their relationship.

When Gerhard heard the news of an Patriot spy hidden within the army, he only realised it was Garett himself who was caught between the redcoats' arms. Gerhard watched with disbelief and hurt as they interrogated the said spy.

"Why?" Was all Gerhard could mouth out as Garett was dragged past him.

On the day of Garett's execution, he and his close partners were brought out to be hung, or so they said. There was a brief moment of silence before the ropes that held his allies were suddenly lit on fire. The screams of his comrades filled the air with a sickening feel as their bodies began to burn. It was just then before Garett's piece of plank opened up, his own rope was sliced by an unknown throwing knife and his body slumped to the ground.

Among the confusion and the devastation of the horrors seen, Garett escaped into the woods, away from the chaotic scene. Gerhard gave chase, as he ascended his horse and it sprinted towards said forest. Garett was quick, but he was quicker, he was almost up to his side now.

"Garett! Stop!"

A sudden knife was thrown in his direction, injuring his shoulder and losing control of his horse. He fell off and landed abruptly onto the grass, losing sight of his old friend as he fled into the thick greenery, without a thought of looking back at his soon to be enemy. The last thing he saw was a hooded man giving him a brief look upon the trees, before slinking away among the thick branches towards the direction where he was running.

Gerhard was brought back to reality as Garett stopped walking.

"Well, 'ere it is, 'ome sweet 'ome,"