Revolution (Book 2 in the Rise Trilogy)

A Speech from a Trailer, a Betrayal, and a Remembrance

A Speech from a Trailer, a Betrayal, and a Remembrance

I wake up to a firm warms chest against my body, soft breathing, and a slow steady heartbeat. I can't remember how I got here but I do remember getting really cold when the fire went out. Then that cold suddenly went away. And I fell asleep again to that slow steady heartbeat.

When I open my eyes, I see the blue and white of Assassin robes and the brass shiny buttons fastened to them. I snuggle closer to Connor as I feel him breathe in deeply and his strong arms encircle me holding me tighter. In this moment here, I feel safe and warm. Like nothing can hurt me when I'm here.  I look up and see Connor slowly opening his eyes and he looks down at me. His big golden brown eyes seem to glow in the morning light as he gives me a sleepy smile which a gladly return. Even this simple look gives my butterflies.

"Good morning," I mumble.

"Good morning," Connor mumbles back and I feel his chest rumble as he speaks. "Did you sleep well?"

I smile and nod. "I guess we should go find Haytham then?' I say slowly not wanting to leave.

"No, not yet," Connor says as he rolls on top of me and leans down to kiss me. I smile and gladly cooperate.

-@-

"What took you two so long?" Haytham asks in an annoyed and impatient tone as we approach him outside of Valley Forge a little while after dusk.

"We got... busy," I say slowly. Connor fights back a laugh. I bite my lip to keep from smiling.

Haytham shakes his head. "I don't want to know."

I laugh. "If you're wondering, Haytham... I'm still a virgin."

Connor bursts out laughing and Haytham gives me a funny and look then rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Let's just get this over with."

I take the moment to piss off Haytham even more. "Aww does somebody not want to see the man that almost killed him?"

Haytham narrows his eyes at me while Connor looks at the both of us like we're crazy. Then the two of us are laughing till our sides hurt.

But behind my smiles and laugher, I hide pain and tears. Because I can never bear to watch this next part...

-@-

We haven't seen Valley Forge since last December when the men and the life of the camp was dead and cold. Now, six months later, the camp is full of chatter, laughter, soldier's swords and muskets clanking together, and the men marching with a lively upbeat vibe flowing through the air for once. And this time, I can agree with Haytham when he will write in his journal, "Here, I realized, was where independence could be born: with spirit, cooperation, and fortitude." But I would never tell him that I actually agree with him.

I glance over at Connor while we walk and see that he's much calmer than when we are in the city. His eyes are softer and have a sort of glow to them and he seems a little more off his guard when we enter the green woods. He shows so much more of his native side out here. I kind of like it.

"We should be sharing what we know with Lee, not Washington..." Haytham complains until Connor stops him and we all stand where we are.

"You seem to think we favor him," he says using his pissed off voice. "But our enemy is a notion, not a nation. It is wrong to compel obedience - whether to the British Crown or the Templar Cross. And I hope in time the Loyalists will see this too, for they are also victims." Haytham is still trying to find the right words to say to his son in return.

"You oppose tyranny," Haytham says also using his pissed off tone as he looks at the both of us. "These are just symptoms. Their true cause is human weakness. Why do you think I keep on trying to show you two the error of your ways?"