Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Five

It had probably been a month since I had sent out my letter and I checked to see if I had gotten one back every single week. I went with Holden, ordered to by my father. Holden didn't ask questions but I heard him at night speaking with Edith about it. That was usually how it was. Except for Dave. He couldn't care less for gossip and just carried on tending his garden. I had liked Dave since I was a young child.

"Hello, Miss Elisa. Not with your parents?" Dave asked with a wide smile. He was bent over to my height, his hands on his knees.

"No, mother and father are with the new babies."

"Ah, young Caroline and Delia. Do you like them?" I shook my head.

"No. They cry all the time."

"But mistress, you were like that once. All babies are." Dave straightened up as I sat on the bench. "They do it to tell your parents that they are hungry."

"I'm glad I don't do it now." I folded my arms. "It's annoying."

"Well, don't worry." Dave reached into his pocket and held out a wrapped box. "Merry Christmas." I opened the box to see a necklace inside. A small charm was hanging from the chain in the shape of a ship's anchor. I hugged Dave as he clipped it around my neck.

I smiled now as the man at the post office addressed me.

"Miss Dawson. Back again?"

"Yes, do you have anything for me?" He tapped his chin.

"Ah, yes! A letter arrived for you yesterday morning. Here you are. The handwriting does not look like that of someone I would expect you to be speaking with. Would you like me to dispose of it?" I declined quickly and took the letter. On the front was Edward's writing.

"No, no, sir. This is fine - perfect, in fact! Thank you so much. I will be back tomorrow with a letter in need of sending out." I handed over a few coins.

"Miss, this isn't necessary."

"Please, take it. It is the least I can do." He nodded and placed the coins into his pocket. "Come, Holden." I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head and left the small shop. Holden tapped my arm.

"Where to, miss?"

"Home, please. I should like to read this letter."

"May I ask who it is from?"

"You remember the young boy at the farm?" He nodded. "Him. Edward Kenway. A young privateer, now." I let out a sigh. "I am afraid that he may be hurt." I climbed into the carriage and sat with the letter in my hands. Edward had tried especially hard to neatly write my name and that made me smile. However, I couldn't help but feel as if he was injured. My fingers shook as I tried to break the wax seal. I failed easily and slipped the note into my pocket to open once I had calmed down.

Mother had me called for dinner almost as soon as I entered the house. Edith hung up my cloak.

"Elisa, would you come here please?" Called my mother's voice. I pushed open the door to catch my mother sitting at the table. "Sit." I followed her orders. "I have seen the letters in your room. From Edward."

"Mother, I-I can explain."

"You need not to. I understand." She gave a little smile. "I haven't told your father or anyone else. The letters are now in a box under your bed. I have a feeling that is why you have been going out each week. Has he sent another one?" I nodded. "And?"

"I haven't read it yet." She placed out her hand. I laid the letter in it. Mother cleared her throat, broke the wax seal and began reading.

"Dearest Elisa,

I am safe, do not worry. I only hope you are as well. The captain of the Emperor has found a great use for someone who can read and write and so I am busy at work. However, I have made an enemy aboard. The captain's first mate is a right bastard, bullying the entire crew. Or, rather, bullying the young crew members. And the only young member is me...

How are you? I miss you so very much. I wish I had stayed on land but I need the money. It isn't all for money, mind. I would like for my parents to be proud of me, for once. Yet, I am not sure when I will be back. Two years, twenty years. I couldn't tell you. But, Elisa, when I come back, I will do it for you. All the years I stay at sea, I will be thinking of you. Should a moment go by where I so much as think about anyone else, I shall consider myself insane. Of course, however,my wife is also on my mind. Possibly less than she should be... Ah, I should probably fix that.

We are headed for Jamaica. I guess that is where my next letter shall be from.

Edward." Mother leaned back in her chair. I blushed at the fact that she had to read out a swear word, though I didn't think she even noticed what she had read. "He's a charming boy, that's for sure." She rubbed her eyes. "Dinner is served. Let us eat." I followed her into the dining room. She still held the letter and didn't even try to hide it when father looked her way. I grimaced, sitting down.

"Dear, what is that?" He asked. You could have cut my fear with a knife, that's how scared I was.

"It's a letter addressed to Elisa." My sisters looked up. Helena grinned.

"Another love letter?" Father's face reddened. He stood up, slamming his palms to the table.

"Another what?!"

"Elisa has been getting love letters from that poor boy at the farm." He looked to me, rage in his eyes. I glared at the brat, wanting dearly to strangle all of the breath out of her scrawny neck.

"Is this true?" I thought about lying, convinced myself that I should just slip a little white lie in. Instead, I nodded. Why? I wasn't sure. But Edward wasn't going to be a secret anymore. Father walked over to my seat, sighing and wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Oh, Elisa... Why didn't you tell me?" I blinked.

"Father?" He pulled back away.

"There wasn't any need to lie about not speaking to him. I don't mind, you know?" I raised an eyebrow. "In any case, I am delighted."

"Why?"

"Edward is a fine boy. Well, what is he up to nowadays?"

"He is a privateer, father." I saw his expression sink slightly, but he smiled nonetheless. I knew for certain that he now hated him, but I couldn't care less.

"What you do is none of my business, but you have to making good choices. If anything happens between the two of you, then, and only then, will I be angry." I nodded. "Now, we can eat."

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(A/N) I figured I would post from school instead of marking my own Maths test. ;) Follow me on Twitter @RisingDxrkness, I sometimes post updates with how I'm doing on stories and, obviously, video game stuff. Also, my Instagram is @_sassy_assassin_ and I post video game stuff mostly there too. Love you guys, byee! :)