Chapter 3: Working Together
Haytham Point of view
I met the mystery woman again, unfortunately I cannot pronounce her name without botching it so she told me to call her Ziio. Such an odd yet beautiful name, some days I recall the bar fight at Wright Tavern. How her expression transformed from concern to mild irritation as I decided to brawl with the British officers. How she rooted when I landed punches and kicks on my opponents and, cried out when one managed to strike me. How she tended to my split cheek though I thought it was unnecessary but I was grateful at the same time.
Other days I remember the kiss we shared, nonetheless I must focus on the task at present with the precursor site if Ziio keeps her word.
Haytham Kenway journal entry, July 8 1755
I soon met up with Ziio on top of a hill just like she asked, I stood beside her as she motioned in front of her. Our view overlooking the settlement of British regulars and civilians from our vantage point.
Ziio: that town hosts soldiers who seek to drive my people from these lands, they're led by a man known as the Bulldog.
Why was it that Edward was the topic of almost every exchange I had recently? He was becoming more of a pain in my arse by the minute, as I locked my gaze at Ziio.
Haytham: Edward Braddock
Her eyes soon expanded with a murderous rage
Ziio: you know him?!
Maybe its best not to tell her, that me and Edward were once friends back at England.
Haytham:he is no friend of mine
Falsehood of the complete truth
Ziio: everyday more of my people are lost to men like him
Haytham: then I suggest we put a stop to it.. together
She arched her eyebrow at me
Ziio: what do you propose?
Haytham: that we kill Edward Braddock
She nodded as agreement
Haytham: but first we need to find him
Ziio: follow me
Before I realised her intentions, she jumped off the cliffside and she landed into the hay cart. She soon hopped out of the cart, with bits and pieces of straw covering her hair and her clothing. Ziio looked up at me why must she be so bloody difficult? I thought. I followed her same moments as I jumped into the hay stack.
Ziio: I don't trust you
Oh really? I thought
Haytham: I know
Ziio: yet you remain
Haytham: that I might prove you wrong
Ziio: it will not happen
Another challenge she presented
Haytham: so you say
Ziio: so I know
Haytham: yet I remain
Our destination was Wright tavern, a number of British regulars were stationed. I would find more than half in the bar drinking themselves, here I would find the information I required from Braddock whereabouts and any movements he planned to make. But there was only one issue how am I able to collect this information, without being spotted by Ziio at my side? The natives weren't exactly welcomed around white settlements.
Haytham: wait here
I blocked her hand as she reached for the door handle, she glared at me in exasperation.
Ziio: is there problem?
She asked curiously
Haytham: a Mohawk woman is likely to raise suspicion, if not muskets so that why it is best for you to wait outside.
She rolled her eyes at my suggestion, I could tell that she was refusing to obey orders with me.
Ziio: this is hardly the first time I've been amongst your people, I can handle myself.
She pushed past me as she entered the tavern without me, and I signed softly
Haytham: I hope so
Eavesdropping on the soldiers conversations revealed complications, as soon as I entered the tavern everyone was wary of me, because of a female native that walked in. It took vast amounts of patience around the soldiers to obtain information, however Ziio did a good job of distracting them the rogues looked at her guzzled in their spirits. Based on what I'd overheard Braddock intended to lead an expedition south. From there I took my leave of the Wright tavern, with my hand on the handle and ready to step outside, I was soon interrupted by a rowdy voice that stopped me.
Officer: Oi! Where you going Cully?
Great it's just keep getting better! I thought as I turned around pretending I didn't notice.
Haytham: me?
Officer: no the other cock robin!
Haytham: well I was leaving
As I chuckled to myself
Officer: and now?
Now I refused to leave the tavern, so I could properly kick his arse for good.
Haytham: and now... I'm going to feed your teeth.
My stance was wide and my fists were tightened, as Ziio was standing behind me with a sarcastic remark.
Ziio: and you were worried that I was going to be the problem
As she walked at the side of the tavern.
A few moments later
I sat on one of the stools after my little brawl in the tavern, the officer had a broken jaw who was now lying unconscious on top of the wooden table. One of the officers had split my cheek open, deep red blood forming on the wound I winced in pain. Ziio approached me with an expression of motherly concern in her hazel eyes, as she took a seat beside me. This was the first time I've had seen an emotion other than fury, she was inspecting on my cheek with a gentle disapproval.
Ziio: you're hurt
Haytham: uhh it's nothing
I briefly skimmed my fingers over the cut on my cheek, I hissed in pain so much for my brave words.
Ziio blindly reached underneath the bar shelf, as she got a bottle of rum and she used a white cloth to dab it with the alcohol.
Ziio: here.. this should stop the bleeding
Her eyes never broke Contact with me, as she pressed the cloth to my cheek holding it firmly. I only focused on her only ignoring the burning sensation of the liquor and she wiped the blood with extreme care.
Haytham: that wasn't necessary... but thank you.
We shared a moment our gazes locked and my skin beneath the layers turned bit red, as we gawked at each other. But Ziio was the first to break contact stopping our connection, as she got off the stool beside me.
Ziio: we should move on.. meet me at Braddock camp when you are ready
And she left the Tavern leaving me to stare at her backside.
We stood a distance away from the Fort Necessity under the cover of the forest, I was scouting for the best route for a entrance.
Ziio: use the snowstorm to mask your approach
Ziio words made it more simple, but I knew there had to be a route of avoiding the guards it was only a matter of time finding it.
Ziio: having second thoughts?
I straightened my back to my full height, my hands were resting behind my back as I looked at Ziio.
Haytham: hardly but I'll have to approach this carefully
Ziio: go on then.. I'll keep watch from here
I nodded at her and I began to make my way to the fort
Haytham: hmm I can hide in that cart
I hide in a supply wagon that bought me easily inside the fort. From there I believed this to be fair compensation for all trouble, I would encounter when trying to leave the fort.
Ziio: what news?
Ziio rose from crouching the snow, unmoving from place where I'd left her earlier. I held in my hands the tactical map, which detailed all of the legions movements of finding Braddock.
Haytham: Braddock has left to rally his troops, they're marching on Fort Duquesne. It will awhile yet till they're ready, which gives us enough time to form a plan.
She studied the map quickly a gleam in her hazel eyes, as she pointed to a certain place in the map.
Ziio: no need we will ambush them here, near the river. Go and gather your allies I will do the same, I will send word when it is time to strike.
A light touch on my elbow was the only gesture, I received before she gave me a small smile and she wandered into the blinding forest, and I returned to Boston to wait for her word of strike.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro