Revenge (Book 3 in the Rise Trilogy)

Lots and Lots and Lots of Time, Another Departure, a Trip to Where it All Began

Lots and Lots and Lots of Time, Another Departure, a Trip back to Where it All Began, and a Happily Ever After (For Once)

"Riley... Riley."

I suddenly feel a firm hand rest on my shoulder. I shudder and snap awake.

"The answer's King Henry VIII!" I say quickly as I raise my hand.

"Shh!"

I turn to see Haytham beside me and Connor still asleep on the wooden table with dried blood caked around the bandages at his side. I sigh heavily and begin to find that sleeping on my side with my back arched slightly is a painful way to stay with the person you love. I groan as I rub my sore back and neck.

"How is he?" Haytham asks me while composing himself to talk with me after my sudden outburst. I've strangely been having dreams about the future or really, the years I lived in before I was dumped here. They're mostly about my school life and what I did and missed because I was always drawing pictures of Connor or Haytham or Achilles or Edward or the Aquila or basically anything I've seen from the Kenway line of family or that has to do with this time period.

"He's been better," I mutter as I slouch in the old wooden chair beside Connor.

"Well," Haytham says awkwardly as he clasps his hands behind his back once again. "We have arrived."

"Home?" I ask as I slowly get to my feet and push past Haytham to walk out onto the upper deck of the Aquila.

We are docked on the port of the Davenport Homestead while the beautiful summer sunlight glistens across the blue sea water and the crew happily greets the two of us and goes about their merry business.

"Home," Haytham responds.

...

It took us all about six months to fully recover. Connor and I will always have our scars, but we are both well and can stand and walk and run without serious pain. But there is always that limit I feel we will have on our bodies. We both had to spend a lot of time trying to collect our strength and stamina back along with our own peace of mind since this last year has been a tough one for all of us. We both still visit Achilles' grave everyday together or alone. It seems to help.

Haytham and his minor wound that Connor gave him is completely fine and is only an annoying line across the top of his arm. He has adapted well to the life of the homestead and for now, will be staying in the manor with us until we can find other arrangements. Most likely he will have a place of his own. The people who live here are thrilled that Connor and I are up and walking and no longer in pain or unconscious for weeks at a time. And Connor even cut his hair so he only has that small ponytail on top. I still make fun of him for it.

Little Connor couldn't be happier that I'm back. I love this place.

"Hurry, Papa! We're going to miss it!"

"Dont' worry, Ellie, we won't miss the departure."

I smile at the little girl with dark pigtails and pretty bows in her hair while wearing her best dress as she tugs on her father's arm to take them towards the docks just like where everybody in New York or in the Colonies is.

Today is November 25, 1783, Evacuation day. We won the Revolutionary War several months ago right around the time I was shot. But the last of the British troops are leaving today. It's a good day to be a Patriot.

Connor, Haytham, and I stand behind and away from the large crowd of people standing at the docks watching the last British ship sail away. The colonists hurl insults and shake their fists at the ships as it leaves the harbor.