We Fight

A New Dagger

Chapter Twenty Six: A New Dagger

{ Davenport Homestead, 1781 }

"The tides of war are turning. The Loyalists fall back beneath the advancing Patriot army, their hold on this land weakening by the day. But the Templars only seem to grow stronger. Though fewer in number, the threat they pose appears undimished. Making matters worse, Washington chose to spare the life of Charles Lee. I am told he has taken refuge inside Fort George, and so my days are spent searching for a way to breech its walls. Of my father, there is no trace. And I am glad of it. If I can be rid of Lee, there may still be a chance of reconciliation. And through it, peace."

~

My last few months were filled with nothing but training and recovering. It felt repetitive, of all of the times that I've been injured and were forced to push myself to return to my former health. There were a couple times where Connor and I would take a few days in which we did not train, and, rather, watched over Achilles. His health has continued to decline, and with it, Connor's happiness. I can never seem to cheer him up. That rare smile has ceased to appear. 

But do not misunderstand me. All of us are at a very low point. The Templars have been suspiciously quiet, and I seem to never not be on edge because of it. Everything that we have worked for is seemingly withering, in my eyes. So much has been changing in these past months. No, years. Time is leaving and both Connor and I are left alone in the ruin. 

As of now, we can only hope for what is to come.

Connor and I were sparring when Diana stepped quietly into the room. "Grace, Connor? He's asking for you two."

We shared a glance, and I sheathed my dagger, following Connor up the steps and towards Achilles' room. He let me speak with him first, and I cautiously knocked on the doorway before entering.

"Ah, come in, Grace," Achilles smiled, sitting himself up slightly.

I only smiled in return as I pulled up a chair, sitting in it and leaning on my elbows. "How are you doing, Achilles?"

He paused a moment before answering. "Well, I am here and that is all that really matters," he chuckled and continued. "Now, what I wished to speak with you about..." he let out a sigh, his eyes avoiding mine. "It would be easier if I showed you. Go to the fireplace, and pull the outermost candle."

My eyebrows knitted together, but I obeyed. I stood from my seat, wandering over and gently laying my hand on the candle, pulling ever so slightly. It was like the candelabra in the hall, screwed onto the mantle, and acting as a sort of lever. A compartment shot out to my left, a wooden box sitting inside. I glanced over at Achilles, who only gestured to the box, and carefully picked it up, stepping back to Achilles' bedside and sitting.

I looked up at him. "W-What is this?"

He smiled weakly. "Open it."

My eyes trailed over the aged box, before I unlatched it and slowly flipped the lid. Inside was a leather sheath and a worn, leather hilt poking out of the bottom. I picked it up gently, setting the box on the floor. I didn't wait a moment before steadily taking out the knife that was inside.

It gleamed in the soft light, handmade and obviously used. I flipped the sleek knife over in my hands, looking at the flaky handle and sharp edges of the blade. As it lay in my hands, I noticed an engraving just above the hilt. It wasn't anything special, only the letter 'W'.

Achilles could sense my confusion and cleared his throat. "My condition has brought this to my attention. I was saving it for a later time, but... as it seems, I felt the need to do so now." He paused a moment as I ran my fingers down the blade. "It was your mothers." My eyes darted up to meet his. "It was the last blade she crafted by hand, before she..." he didn't finish his sentence, before starting another. "It was her favorite and she used it every chance possible. She loved it almost as much as you love your dagger."

"Achilles, I-... Thank you. So much. This means more than anything to me, I can't express... But- but how did you recieve this?" I asked.

"Ah, yes. I was expecting you to ask sooner, rather than later. You recall your mother being an Assassin, yes?" I nodded. "You were correct. We were brother and sister in Brotherhood, many years ago when this manor was not only my home, but a sort of safe-house for Assassins. I remember her last day here, as if it were yesterday... She stormed off after an argument with another Assassin, Shay Cormac was his name, completely forgetting the things she left. They were unbelieveably hotheaded," he chuckled. "Arguments were a regular occurance between the two, but, this particular disagreement was one that was... inevitable, in a way. She was a dear friend to me, as well as many of the other Assassins that stayed here. She was loved by many."

I felt my eyes tear up at the mere thought of her staying in the same manor as me. "Thank you," was all I managed to say.

He smiled warmly at me, before I began to get up to get Connor. I stepped out of the room, Connor perking up as I smiled at him. I could tell he noticed the tears still wavering on the edge of my eyes, but chose to not say anything before slowly entering.

"Hello Connor," I heard Achilles' voice bellow from the room.

I tried not listening in, though some words slipped. "Come... Sadness won't... Woman's soups..."

As terrible as I felt, the whole conversation was heard. Up until Officer Lafayette arrived.

"Ah, Grace! I just-" I waved off our maid, and silenced Lafayette.

"We will speak when Connor is finished," I said.

He agreed, and we waited in silence until Connor came walking out of Achilles' room.

"Connor! I came as soon as I could," Lafayette began.

"Tell me you bring good news?" Connor inquired.

He nodded, his eyes glancing between us both. "The Comte de Grasse said yes. You need only join his fleet in Chesapeake Bay and they will serve as required. But what exactly do you intend?"

Connor and I shared a glance, before I answered for the both of us. "Let us show you."

~

As we walked to the far corner of the basement, the shocked expression worn on Lafayette's face was lingering as he peered around our training room. I roamed to the wall and leant there, watching our visual map as Connor started from the beginning.

"Charles Lee may have been dismissed, but it does not mean we are safe." He began.

"But the Commander—"

Connor interrupted him. "The Commander underesitmates the threat and no more time can be wasted trying to convince him otherwise. Grace and I must do this."

"Do what, exactly?"

I took this as my turn to speak, pushing off the wall to stand by Connor. "Kill Charles Lee," I paused a moment as Lafayette paced. "He hides within Fort George, which is itself, surrounded by a militarized district," I gestured around on the map, pointing out specific marks while I said them, "we cannot hope to infiltrate it directly—" I took a step back as Connor flipped the surface, revealing a mapped out visual of the tunneling beneath the fort. "—So we will go under it instead."

"Incroyable."

Connor continued. "The tunnels leading to the fort have been filled in. While I secure the Admiral's ships, I need you to clear them for us."

"And the ships?" Lafayette asked.

"When signaled, they will bombarde the fort— " I began.

" —Breaching it's walls and creating a distraction, I see!"

Connor finished for the both of us. "In the chaos, I will slip inside, find Charles Lee—and silence him forever."

AUTHOR NOTE

very, very short chapter for this update, as i wanted more length for the next couple of chapters. i hope you all know what is coming... if not, well, i don't really know what to say if you don't know.

anyways, as usual, hope you enjoyed this chapter.

peace.

~Arrow