The Right Side

A Letter

Three years have passed since the day Clarke was taken from the Templars. And since that time, much has changed.

The woman is now 25, putting Haytham nearly reaching 50. Charles wasn't as old as the Grand Master, though the blonde noticed that the years were wearing down on the two. She often stepped in to help them, though was shooes off. It never worked, of course, since all she wanted to do was help.

Clarke never saw Connor back in Boston, figuring that the 28 year old native left the land with Achilles. She didn't even know if Achilles was alive, for that matter. Of cours she thought about them occasionally, though never had any time to dwell on it.

With all her time spent with the men and forming relations with them, Haytham has grown to trust Clarke quite a bit. And though it was an honor, it was also a heavy burden.

"Clarke," comes the Grand Master's low voice as he exits his estate. The blonde stands outside, bow in hand with her hair down her back. Countless times Haytham has suggested she cut it short for convenience, but she keeps it at her belly button. "What on earth are you doing now?"

She doesn't respond automatically, and it seems as though she's holding her breath. With a slight movement of her fingers, the arrow shoots from her grasp and strikes a tree twenty yards away. She had painted a target, which sits far above where she hit.

"I'm trying to learn how to use more weapons," she says, looking over at him. "I've seen people use arrows, and I thought it'd be good to... practice."

"Perhaps we should take you for lessons some time, unless you'd prefer to stay on your own."

"I do best with you around, I'd rather not be with someone I don't know."

"I'll keep that in mind," he nodded, giving her a small smile.

"Is there something you needed, sir?"

"Yes, I was wondering if you could run into town for me. I must go and meet with Charles at the tavern, but I need you to deliver this to William Johnson," he hands Clarke a letter, sealed with wax. "Make sure no one sees you with it, and that only he gets it. You know where he lives, yes?"

"Of course," she nods. "I can go right now. Where would you like me to be after?"

"Why don't you meet me at the tavern? I'll pay for a few drinks. Knowing Johnson has the letter will take a bit of pressure off my shoulders. And I'd have you to thank for it."

Clarke nods happily, putting the letter safely in her pouch. "I won't let you down sir, I promise." She turns to leave, but Haytham grabs her arm. "Something wrong?"

"We've known eachother for a few years, call me Haytham. I know I've insisted before."

"You have," she nods. "Just making sure you like me enough. Even Charles calls you Kenway most of the time. But you better hurry, I want drinks before it gets dark."

Luckily for Clarke, the trip into town was rather quick. It was spring, the roads clean of any damage the snow has done. She's normally with Haytham, so her walks aren't boring. But with her being alone, she decided to get the job done quickly. Just to save her from boredom.

As she walks through the market, she hears yelling coming from and alleyway. Slowing down, she glances around her before turning and jogging to see what the noise is.

When the girl arrived, she saw a man with a hood attacking three red coats. And winning. Without thinking, she grabbed her sword and ran at him to help. Getting the red coats on their side was alway good. Though before she was able to do any damage, all three had been cut down which left the man to turn on her.

He turned, drawing an old Flintlock Pistol from his side and firing. Luckily for her, it didn't hit it's mark. Though when she ducked out of the way, his hidden blade shot out and gave her a deep scar in the cheek. Letting out a cry of pain, the man stops.

"It's you."

Having realized she closed her eyes, Clarke looked up at the man to see Connor. He changed a great deal since they first saw eachother. He was at least a foot taller, large muscles covering his body. She was an ant compared to him, but he looked more like Haytham than before.

"C-Connor?" She exclaimed, backing away from him. "What are you doing here?"

"I can ask you the same thing. Why did you try and attack me?"

"I didn't know it was you!"

"I could've seriously hurt you. I could've killed you, Clarke. You shouldn't be coming to people's rescue if you don't know them."

"I told you, I don't know anyone! I'm just doing my job," she reached in her pouch, pulling apart a cloth and presses it to her cheek. "Haytham is going to kill me, I need to go." She attempts to walk past him, though his grabs her wrist.

"Wait."

"Connor, I really need to go. I have a job." She pulled out of his grip, but he grabbed her and pushed her to the back of the building. Automatically, Clarke tensed up. She didn't move, just stared.

"You're still working for him?" Connor asks, hands on her shoulders.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because of the things he's done! That's why! He and the other men."

"Because I care about them. You wouldn't understand, I need to go."

"Then make me understand," he pleaded. "I need to know what's going on. I need to save my people."

"Your people?" She rose an eyebrow.

"Yes, they live in the valley. William Johnson intends to buy the land that they live on withiut their permission. They'll either make us leave or kill us."

Clarke is silent for a while, processing everything so she could figure out what to do.

"Okay," she says finally. "Haytham gave me this," she took out the letter, causing Connor to raise an eyebrow. "A letter to William Johnson." Without further hesitation, she opened it and took the piece of paper out. "This talked about buying the land," she points out as she skims over it. "I can... give it to you. You can do what you want with it."

"What about you? The Templars can be violent and-"

"Haytham isn't one to yell at me for something like this. I'll say I got robbed. I have the wound to show for it, after all."

"Are you sure you want to do this? You're going against the Order-"

"All I know is the Order," she says before he can continue. "The Templars, whatever they are. It's all I know. But who knows, maybe I'm doing the right thing," she hands the letter to him. "Now go, I need to get going as well."

Connor nods, hesitating before moving in and giving her a quick hug. "Thank you. After all I've done, thank you." Then, he was gone.