The Right Side

Love Brings War

// Hey guys, so I realized I didn't update the last chapter correctly, so I finished it and republished it! Make sure you read it all before continuing to the chapter //

"Clarke! Don't just leave! Can you just- stop!" Haytham grabbed Clarke's arm, turning her around to face him. She had stormed out of the house, heading for the horses.

"What?!" She demanded.

"I need you to talk to me, dear. You can't just make rash decisions like this on your own."

"George Washington should be dead, not William!" She yelled, the Grand Master seeing tears beginning to form in her eyes. Through the years of knowing her, Haytham realized that when she gets upset it can only go two ways. One, she cries and wants to just be with someone who can comfort her. Or two, she's angry with herself for crying and wants to be with no one. "I trust Connor! Again and again! I was going to let him catch Thomas! I thought- I thought that-"

"I know," he says gently. "We all know you're struggling with the Order and the Creed. We don't know what to do, most men pick and stay with their side. You can see both sides, which makes things difficult on you."

"I'm not a man, Haytham. I let feelings get involved when they shouldn't! I didn't look at both sides, I only listened to Achilles and assumed he was telling the truth! And what I did to Thomas, I did that to my family!"

"I thought your family-"

"My brother was killed by Washington, but now you all are my family. Years ago I asked that to Charles and now I see why he didn't answer me right away."

"And why is that?"

"Because people are hurting my family. And it makes me want to kill people."

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Haytham has since been able to calm Clarke down, her apologizing a million times to Charles. Of course, he did the same if not more. The Grand Master thanked Shay, telling him that he can stay as long as he'd like. Of course, he decided to stay for a bit so he could catch up with Clarke whom he previously knew as Rose.

Haytham had taken Clarke on a horse, traveling down to the prison where all the criminals stayed if they weren't sentenced to death. Clarke was lucky to not be arrested, since the men and few women there are extremely violent.

When the Grand Master and the blonde stepped into where the cells were held, the smell hit her like a brick wall. It smelled like pigs who haven't had their pen cleaned, like men who have been wrestling all day before sitting down in a hot room for dinner. It was disgusting.

The Templars walked side by side, Clarke keeping her head down as the prisoners called for her to look at them. They tried to get any reaction out of her, and they only got louder when they saw her flinch.

"Try your best to ignore them," Haytham whispered in her ear, his hand holding hers gently. "All they want is to scare you. They're behind bars and we all have weapons. They can't touch you."

"I just want to get Thomas and leave," is all she says in response. It was clear that while she can yell at any Templar or Assassin she's met, the prison brings back bad memories.

Haytham attempted to walk faster, heading up a few stairs before turning to the right. A guard takes out a large ring of keys, before unlocking the barred cage. Glancing inside, Clarke sees Connor before Thomas. The native remains silent, knowing that this was no time to speak up. Instead, they simply look at each other before the girl turns away with an upset look.

"I knew you'd come for me," Thomas smiled, standing in front of Haytham and Clarke. "You aren't still upset with me, are ya girl?"

"No," she shakes her head, giving a weak smile. "You were right. There are a few things that I need you to promise me, though."

"Ya sure about that? Wantin' me to tag along after tryin' to kill me?"

"Thomas, I'm being serious."

"So am I."

Letting out a small breath, Clarke pulled the man down to whisper to him. "I want Washington dead."

A smile breaks across the mans face, an arm going around her shoulders. "I knew you wasn't a bad girl! Guess I can promise ya that."

"Thomas," Haytham then speaks up. "You are not to get in any more trouble, am I understood? We need all the money we can get, and pardoning you is taking away from what we could use it for."

"Understood. But uh... what're we gonna do about the Assassin? He's 'ere, they put him in the cell right next to mine."

The Grand Master and Clarke look at each other, the girl seeking permission with her eyes. It was hard for the man to let her do things on her own, but he had to trust her. She knows what she's doing, doesn't she?

"Charles and I can deal with it," she says. "I'll make sure nothing bad happens, alright?"

"Promise me you'll come home this time, I'm getting grey hairs every day you aren't with me."

"I promise," she giggled a little, her hand coming out to hold his but she quickly stopped. She wasn't sure if they were to have their relationship be public. Haytham noticed, moving forward to give her a tight hug. If that didn't answer her question, he wouldn't know what to do. Clarke hugs him back, taking in his scent and closing her eyes. He gave her hope.

"I will see you for dinner, yes?"

"Either tonight or tomorrow. If this takes longer than anticipated, I'll send word."

"Alright ya love birds," Thomas rolled his eyes. "We get it!"

The two part from each other, the man taking her image in before turning and leaving her with Charles, Thomas and a guard. When Clarke looks over at Charles, her cheeks go red.

"Why're you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that! You're smiling!"

"Am I not allowed to smile? You make him happy, and I thank you for that."

"Well... he makes me happy, so I guess it works out." Face still red, she motions to the cell where Connor stays. "Let's get this over with, shall well?"

"Yes," he nods, turning to the cage. It's clear that he has a distaste for the native, since his smile turns into a scowl. "And you're here. Achilles' little lap dog." He goes quiet for a moment, before turning to the two Templars with him. "I think I have an idea. Yes. Two birds with one stone."

"Do tell," Hickey smiles.

"All in good time. It's not like he's going anywhere. For now, we should see about getting you new accommodations here."

"What you on about? I thought I was gettin' out!"

"I'm afraid you won't be getting out for quite a while, thanks to Benjamin Tallmadge. He's been running his mouth, saying all sorts of things. You're being investigated for plotting to assassinate George Washington."

Both Thomas and Clarke look at each other, the girl deciding it was time for her to step in and say something. Though the older man had other ideas.

"What a bunch of bollocks!" He exclaims. "I thought you was gonna handle that."

"We'll discuss this elsewhere," is all Charles responds. The two seem to tare each other down, before Clarke dismisses the guard and they follow him to Thomas's new room.

The blonde quickly catches up to the Templar, keeping her voice quiet. "Are you not planning to kill him?"

The question seems to shock him, though he quickly hides it. "There are some things that we cannot get rid of, even with the money and accomplices that we have. It will take time for this to quiet down, but that is our plan in the end. I thought you were against killing him. He's the leader of the people, yes?"

"The leader of the people shouldn't kill my family," she retorts. "He attacked the Homestead and killed my brother." Not to mention he killed Connor's tribe. "You give me a plan, I'll kill him."

"And what about the Assassin?"

"I trusted Connor," she admits. "But if he hurts my family again, after what he's done to William and Pitcairn, I'll fight him too."

A small smile creeps across Charles's face. "Good girl."