The Right Side

Family Reunion

When Clarke's lover told her remain quiet and hide behind a half broken box in a run down church, she was beyond confused. He had led her down a snow trail on foot, saying that if they were to go by horse it'd give away their position. To whom, she had no idea.

Haytham had hidden up top, in a small bunker close to the ceiling. He had his hidden blade drawn, clearly planning to kill whatever he was stalking. Still confused, the blonde held her breath when she heard footsteps coming. Peeking out from behind the crate, her blue eyes landed on Connor. What was he doing here?

Before he had time to leave, the Grand Master dropped down and pinned the native to the floor, knife at his throat.

"Father," Connor says in an angry voice.

"Connor. Any last words?"

"Wait."

"A poor choice."

Connor then pushed the man off of him, kicking him back far enough to scramble to his feet. "Come to check up on Church? Make sure he'd stolen enough for your British brothers?"

"Benjamin Church is no brother of mine." That was true, he was a mere accomplice. "No more than the Redcoats or their idiot king. I expected naïveté but this... the Templars do not fight for the crown. We seek the same as you boy! Freedom. Justice. Independence."

"But-"

"Hmm? But what?"

"Johnson. Pitcairn. Hickey. They sought to steal land. To sack towns, to murder George Washington. You even brainwashed Clarke to think the same!"

"Oh, you'd like to speak of her then? Why don't you ask her yourself? My dear, if you would," Haytham motioned for the girl to come out of hiding, which she did. "You heard everything, yes? Why don't you explain exactly what we're trying to do. You knew those men better than I, and are angry are you not? Explain to this boy why you have the right to be angry."

"Johnson sought to own the land we might keep safe," the blonde looks Connor in the eyes, finally able to tell him why she's been so upset. Why he had no reason to kill her men - her family. "Pitcairn aimed to encourage diplomacy - which you cocked up thoroughly enough to start a god damned war! And Hickey? George Washington is a wretched leader. He's lost nearly every battle in which he's taken part. The man's wracked with uncertainty and insecurely. Only look at Valley Forge to know my words are true. We're all better off without him."

"You defend these men when they have done nothing but lie to you!" Connor takes a step forward, attempting to reason with her without becoming upset. He could tell that she was angry with him, but he didn't believe he deserved it.

"They've done nothing but tell me the truth!" She snapped. "Your mentor lied to me. He said Charles and Thomas were to blame for killing my brother, but they weren't! George Washington attacked the Homestead, but Achilles won't admit it! He also won't tell you that it wasn't Charles who attacked your village! It was Washington!"

"That's absurd!"

"That's the truth! And if you can't accept it, Ratonhnhaké:ton, then I'm not on your side."

"Look," Haytham steps between them, sensing the tension. "As much as I'd love to spar with you, Benjamin Church's mouth is as big as his ego. You clearly want the supplies he's stolen. I want him punished. Our interests are aligned."

"We're killing him?" Clarke raised an eyebrow.

"It's the best and quickest solution."

It takes a moment for Connor to answer, clearly still thinking about what the blonde had told him. "What do you propose?"

"A truce. Perhaps some time together might do us good. You are my son, after all and might still be saved from your ignorance. I can kill you now, if you'd prefer." When the native doesn't say anything, but doesn't draw a weapon, Haytham nods. "Excellent. I do have one rule, though. To accompany our truce."

"And what is that?"

"You may be my son, but if you dare lay a hand on her," he then motions to Clarke. "Whether it be through anger or... whatever else is going on in your head, I will not hesitate to kill you. Do you understand?"

"Why is it that you place friends over family? You seem to place her even over my mother."

The mention of Connor's mother makes Clarke's stomach knot, a feeling rise that she is not used to.

"She is my family," Haytham stands with his hands linked behind his back, though one extends to put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Your mother and I did not have as great of a connection as you think we did. I am hoping that with time, Clarke will have a proper last name."

The native merely nods, his jaw clenched as he looks at the two. When Clarke looks over at his father, he can see the thankful look in her eyes. She looks at him with hope and love, as if he's everything that's right in this world. Despite all the war going on and the killing, he somehow makes her happy.

"Lets go then, shall we?" Haytham attempts to exit, but Connor speaks.

"Do you even know where Benjamin Church has gone?"

"I'm afraid not. He sent a letter saying he will be delayed and on his way, though didn't specifically say to where. I'd hope to ambush him when he or one of his men returned here. It seems I'm too late. They've come and cleared the place out."

"I may be able to track him."

As he heads off in front of the Templars to search for any sign of Benjamin, Haytham hears an audible sigh from the small girl next to him. Glancing down at her, her face shows she isn't too happy.

"Something wrong, love?" He asks, rubbing her back gently. "Would you like to head home? I can handle this on my own."

"I'm just stressed," she shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. "I have to work with the man who killed three of my guys. I mean, I've been calling them my family but I don't know if you-"

"They were your family, Clarke. I can see why you're upset. And I'm sorry that I've decided to team up with him for a bit. I should have asked you, and I didn't."

"You loved her, right?" This made Haytham pause, turning to stand in front of her. She refused to look at him. "Enough to have a kid with her. You loved his mother."

"Ziio was the first woman I met in America that didn't work for a Brothel. Naturally, we connected quite well."

"Did you ever think of... marrying her?"

"I did not, no. And in all honesty I had no intention of having a child with her, either. It was one night, nothing more. Perhaps at the time, there were feelings. Now, I don't ever think of her. Clarke," his hand places itself on her shoulder, the other lifting her chin to look at him. "I am an old man. Nearly all of my hair has turned grey, and I tire easily from a night with you or a spar with my son. In thirty years, you will be my age and I will most likely be gone. I can't give you many years, for which I am terribly sorry. But I want to be with you for the rest of my existence, no matter how short that may be. I just wish I could give you more."

"Being with me is enough," her voice is quiet. "No ones stayed with me, Haytham. My mother died, my birth father left, Adéwale left and then died, Shay didn't stay, Achilles didn't either and then Jack..." A hand came up to cover her mouth, her other arm hugging herself. "You're my first family. I don't want to lose you."

"Oh, my love," he quickly draws her in for a hug, pressing his warm lips to her forehead, it being rather cold. "You'll never lose me. Ever. I'm glad I've got the opportunity to be your family, though I can't promise I can give you more. With my old age, I'm not likely to make children."

She shook her head, wiping her eyes from the few tears that had escaped. "It's alright. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure? Don't you want-"

"Over here!" Connor called, stopping their conversation.

"I'm sure, Haytham. Let's get to Church, yeah?"