A Chance of love

Chapter 6: The end of Braddock

Haytham Point of view
A little while later as we knelt upon the ledge overlooking the pass, we saw two figures approached on horseback followed by men dressed in red coats Edward men! I thought.
Ziio: they come
She touched the back of my arm anxiously, as she spotted the legion marching through the pass and I narrowed my eyes. As I focused on Braddock whilst ignoring how my heart jumped at the contact, Washington rode beside Braddock.
Washington: everything alright sir?
Braddock: just savouring the moment, no doubt many wonder why we've pushed so far west. These are wild lands as yet untamed and unsettled, but it shall not always be so. I'm time our holdings will no longer suffice, and that day is much closer than you think.
We sure ensure that our people have ample room to grow and prosper, which means we need more land! The french understand and endeavour to prevent such growth, they skirt around our territory erecting forts and forging alliances awaiting the day they might strangle us with the noose they're created.
This must not come to pass! We must sever the cord and send them back where they belong! This is why we ride, to offer them one last chance, the french will leave or they will die!

I smiled unapologetic the same could be said to you old friend, Ziio moved impatiently. As her nails were digging int my wool coat in frustration and I suppressed a tiny grasp of surprise.
Ziio: now is the time to strike!
Haytham: wait patience Ziio, to scatter the expedition is it enough. We must ensure that Braddock falls else he's guaranteed to try again.
I examined the procession once again, and an idea came into my mind.
Haytham: I'll disguise myself as one of his own and make my way to his side, your ambush will provide the perfect cover for me to deliver the killing blow
As we both said nothing else and we both moved towards the scout camp.

Native: we await your signal
I crept closer towards the encampment, careful with my footing as I slowly advanced upon the guards.
Native: there in front of us
The native warned as he pressed his back on the tree trunk, as I crouched low into the bushes as I the two guards were engaged into conversation. I signed in exasperation they were taking in circles, as I waited patiently for an opening, when one of the guard had his back turned to me, this was now my opportunity. I snuck up behind him and my hidden blade retracting silently, and it buried the steel of the blade into his neck. Quickly muffling his shocked cry with my palm on his mouth as I carried his dead body back into the forest, now I had my disguise as the other natives cleared out the remaining soldiers in the camp for me, as I changed into the uniform and I now made my way to Braddock position on horseback.

I rode through multiple of British soldiers a couple passing glances tossed in my direction, as a few soldiers worked on freeing the cart currently caught in the mud. I turned a corner as I neared the head of the battalion, that were following the sound of Braddock voice as he was speaking to one of his troops.
Braddock: have served you mean
I watched the scene unfold before me, knowing the man was going to die.
Soldier: sir?
Braddock: you are grateful to have served
Without a warning he withdrew his pistol and he shot the man, before I could blink my eye and I approached him with a little surprise of my own.
Haytham: Edward how nice to see you
I raised the musket to a certain level, to his chest and smirked cruelly at him.
Haytham: not so fun on the other end of the barrel, is it?

Suddenly one of the soldiers cried out in warning, we both looked straight ahead as I saw a Frenchman rode at a full speed towards me and Edward. I shifted my horse as best as I could to avoid the mans bullet, but before he could come close to me to fire. His horse collapsed to the ground and I glanced upward to see Charles holding a musket firmly in his hands, never in my life was I so overjoyed to a see a man.
Charles: sir
I nodded my head in appreciation to thank him for the support he gave me, during that chaos Edward Braddock had fled. Taking the opportunity to lose I rode through the path of many soldiers and natives who were attacking Edward men, as I was shooting the crates that were filled with gunpowder resting in carts and I was still chasing my target at the same time. I trailed after him out of the forest and into a clearing, as I saw him dusting himself off when his horse fell from the fright of a tree falling down.

I took my aim with my pistol again at him, as he stared at me with pure rage and frustration.
Haytham: I never took you for a coward Edward
Braddock: come on then
All of a sudden I felt my horse crumple to the ground with me, as my legs were pinned due to it's great weight the gunshot from behind me caused me to be like this. I twisted and turned myself in an attempt to free myself, earning Edward Braddock laughing with pure joy on his face.
Braddock: look at how he wriggles and worms! Such arrogance I always knew it would be the end of you. Pardon me... is the end of you.
As I saw Washington lines up the sight of his rifle with my skull, and I tensed slightly bracing for the bullet to impact on my head. But it never came when I opened my eyes, I saw a native bounce from a tree and pounce  onto Washington horse.Which knocked him off the horse and knocking him to the ground with a knife placed to his neck, I soon realised that my saviour was recognisable it was Ziio.
Ziio: don't
The command was spoke softly but the threat was still present, as Edward ran off like a coward again and I managed to free myself off the horse.
Ziio: hurry before he gets away!
First I hesitated as Washington began to fight, and he manage to strike Ziio at the side of her face before she returned the blade to his neck.
Ziio: I said go!
She shouted at me that soon had me running to Edward, as I watched as she blocked a punch from Washington and she clocked Washington in the temple at the end of her knife.

I sprinted after Edward ignoring how the large pools of water, I splashed through soaked my boots and sullied my borrowed trousers with dirt and debris. He did have an advantage over me, but I knew that he would tire and eventually he would have to face me like a man.
Braddock: I don't deserve this!
Haytham: tell that to the men, woman and children who perished by your hand!
Braddock: you're a hypocrite Haytham!
I laughed to myself, perhaps I had no solids grounds on which to judge. Recalling the number of lives I'd taken but it would not stay my blade, in my eyes the deed was already done.
Haytham: I'm sorry Edward.. but you forced my hand!
He continued to run leading me further into the wetlands,until Edward spun around to meet me head on swearing under his breath. He lunged at me with a dagger, aiming directly for my heart and I sidestepped the attack easily. As I grabbed his arm and twisting his wrist to disarm him.

Braddock: dammit! Damm you Haytham!
Not today my old friend, no mercy I thought
As my hidden blade retracted from my sleeve, and I plunged the steel deep into his side. Edward lifeblood stained on my hidden blade, as he fell to the ground with a grunt as I pulled the blade out. As the sickening sound of internal organs ripping and tearing meeting my ears, and I knew that I showed no remorse.
Braddock: why Haytham?
He said in agony as he laid onto the ground
Haytham: your death opens a door, it's nothing personal. Well maybe it is a little personal, you have been a pain in my arse at all.
Braddock: but we are brothers in... arms
In the past but no longer in the future or present.
Haytham: once perhaps, but no longer.
I stood over his frame one foot placed on each side, as I knelt to look him in the eye. As I placed my glove hand on his chest, so he could look that my gaze.
Haytham: do you think I've forgotten about what you did? All the innocents slaughtered? And for what? It's does not engender peace, to cut your way to resolution!
Braddock: wrong! were that we applied the sword more liberally and more often, the world would be a better place than it is today.
I scowled in disgust
Haytham: in this distance, I concur
With one swift movement the blade pierced his heart, as his body tensing at the intrusion before his eyelids shut and his head fell backwards. His last breath flowing from his bloody lips, and then he was still. I stood up whilst grasping his hand in mine, as I removed the ring that once identified him as one of our fold a Templar. As I let his limp grip drop into his chest and I walked away, pocketing the piece of jewellery as feeling anything but triumphant.
Haytham: farewell Edward