Revenge (Book 3 in the Rise Trilogy)

A Sickness, A Painting, and A Letter

A Sickness, a Painting, and a Letter

It started with the couching, then the vomiting, then the coughing up of blood, then the high fevers, then the cold sweats, and now it’s the can’t get out of bed because he’s too weak.

Achilles is dying. And I’m not ready.

A week after the wedding took place, it started. But I can’t bear to tell Connor he’s going to die soon.

We sit in the basement one evening waiting on Lafayette to give us our answer while Achilles only gets worse and worse upstairs under the care of Diana and Doctor White. I sit on the ground my back resting against the wall near the table that lies under the Templar pictures. I play with the small coin hung around my neck by a chord instead of a chain to keep it safe that Connor gave to me.

Connor stands in the middle of the training floor in front of the practice dummy as he too is struggling with Achilles’ sickness. I hurt for him as he looks like he’s ready to cry.

“Connor,” I say slowly.

“Hmm.”

“This will be hard, I know,” I mumble. “But know that Achilles will still be here for you and me.”

Connor looks up to face me. “But I cannot bear lose him,” he says sadly.

“You have to,” I whisper with tears pooling in my eyes. “It’s then only thing that stands between you and finishing everything. If you have Achilles sick and weak in the back of your mind, it will weigh you down. You know this.”

We suddenly hear the creaking of the old steps as Diana makes her way down into the basement towards us.

“Connor? Riley?” She asks looking at us. We turn to see her. “He’s asking for you two.”

I nod as I slowly get to my feet and Connor follows Diana and me up the stairs. This is going to be harder that I thought.

Connor lightly knocks on the door frame of Achilles’ bedroom before entering.

Achilles looks up and sees us, and then he says, “Hello, Connor. Hello, Riley.” He motions for us to come in. I feel the hot tears pooling in my eyes as I walk in. Connor is fighting them too as he pulls up a chair for himself and I sit in the one already there on the right side of Achilles’ bed.  “Come now, you two,” Achilles chuckles lightly. “Your sadness won't sustain me any more than that fool woman's soups and potions... Tell me of your latest exploits.”

I sniffle as Connor sighs, swallowing his tears before speaking. “Charles Lee has been exposed and the Patriots finally rid of him. They march now to secure the remaining cities that this country might finally be free.”

“Then you two have won,” Achilles says calmly. “The land and your people are safe. Yet you two seem troubled...” He glanced at me for Connor’s anguish.

“Washington spared Lee's life,” I mumble before I glance at Connor who is looking pissed at the mention of Lee’s name.

“So long as he lives, all are in danger. The same is true for your father.” He looks to Connor for a moment before continuing. “When you first came to me, you understood what had to be done. You as well, Riley.” Achilles glances at me as he speaks. “Swore you two would see it through. If not for the Brotherhood, for your people - and all those threatened by the Templars.”

“But with Lee gone, my father might...” Connor begins, as he looks up to face Achilles, the tears slipping from his eyes.

“Listen to me,” Achilles says firmly as he places a hand on Connor’s. “You two have not come this far to throw it all away over misplaced sentiment. Both men must die.” It’s my turn to let the tears fall.