A few days later and George’s leave of absence was at an end. As he rode on his horse toward his troop encampment, he felt conflicted about leaving the Homestead.
Connor was still not quite healed from his experience, but the Wolf was vastly improved. There was little more that George’s presence would have added and the troops needed him.
In truth, he left feeling quite content after the week. His Wolf was less nervous around people and could now stomach a hug from one of his friends without flinching. His nightmares were diminishing in frequency, and he himself appeared less troubled.
Such an unbelievably strong soul his Wolf had.
And that had not been all. George had used the time to understand his Wolf better. He came to know Connor’s friends, Connor’s adoptive father and the tenants upon Achilles’s property. He tried to run as Connor did, swim in the bay and even climb trees, though the last was somewhat of a disaster.
The week had been glorious and trying, and he had wished it would never end.
He had seen Connor dive off cliffs unscathed, wrestle with bears, and leap down on deer. He had seen Connor under the bright glare of the sun, under the cool caress of night and painted in the dusky colors of the evening.
And he fell a little more in love each minute he spent with the remarkable Omega. Strong in the face of injustice and tragedy, hard-working and honest and beloved of almost everyone who knew him...Connor was beautiful.
George was, George was...
George was pretty certain he was hopelessly in love.
He recalled one late evening as they had sat in the grove, reds and pinks and oranges cast upon Connor by the setting sun and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers wafting in the autumn air. He’d almost kissed Connor.
It was only the knowledge that Connor was still healing and might not welcome such advances that kept him in his place.
George frowned suddenly.
He would not let anyone else know what had happened to Connor. It was up to his Wolf to tell that story. That he had accidentally let Achilles know was bad enough.
But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t conduct his own investigation into which of the vile scum had dared lay hands on his Wolf.
He would find that Alpha and make him pay.
George neared the encampment and leapt off his horse, noticing as he did, a few flecks of white in the distance.
Strange. If the enemy was trailing him, why wasn’t he attacked?
He looked once again and, seeing nothing, decided to shrug it off. He must have been seeing things.
Out of the corners of his eyes, he could see Israel Putnam making his way to him.
It had been an amazing week, and he was glad for the opportunity even as he was horrified as to its cause.
But all such things must come to an end, and he had an army to lead as best he could and, hopefully, a war to win.
Turning towards his friend and general, he made out to call a greeting.
He never noticed the white clad figure who dashed away in the treetops.
----
Connor Kenway Davenport Homestead Past the Frontier
My dear Connor,
I hope this finds you well.
The troops are calm for now, and the Redcoats have not attacked again. We are stocking necessities for the upcoming winter, but I fear for their safety. I have heard reports of sickness plaguing some of the nearby towns, and it is likely that some of my people will get sick. Thankfully, there are a few shipments of bandages and medical supplies coming in, along with food and clothes that the fine Omegas of our country have woven.
I fear for your safety too. You are dear to me, and I...
I heard about the Bella Donna.
Connor, I know we have you to thank. I know that without you and the brave crew of the Aquila, that the crown would have captured her, and that was a loss that we would not have been able to endure.
I imagine to myself, how it must have been like, and I can’t help but feel grateful.
And perhaps a bit jealous as well.
I remember when you showed me your captain’s uniform, and I...
Connor, please tell me you are well.
I worry for you. You are so strong, but I cannot help worrying for you.
You are dear to me.
Yours affectionately, George
----
George Washington Frontier
Dear commander,
I am sorry that you worried over me, but please do not worry more. I am well.
I am investigating into the Bella Donna incident, but it is difficult to find information about it. My contacts are puzzled as well, and I suspect the leak to be someone in a rather high position within the navy.
I know I will wound you, and I apologize in advance, but I believe there to be a traitor within the patriots. I would name who I believe, but you have imparted upon me the wisdom of investigating a claim. And so I shall do so.
I must apologize again. I do not mean to offend. The Bella Donna incident frustrates me even as I try to catch the man I believe responsible. I have a suspicion that the event is greater than this singularity, and commander...
George...
I worry for you. I worry for your safety as the plot around you grows.
Please don’t...
Please stay safe.
George. You are dear to me too.
Yours affectionately, Connor
----
Connor Kenway Davenport Homestead Past the Frontier
My dear Connor,
I am glad to have found you well. When I did not hear from you, I wondered. But then I heard about the Bella Donna, and I...
Well, it is good that you are well, my dear, dear friend.
We are still awaiting our supplies here at the encampment, but it is only a slight delay, and the roads are difficult this time of year. If they do not appear soon, I shall worry.
Yours affectionately, George
----
George Washington Frontier
Dear George,
It is troubling to hear of this delay. Shall I look into it? The other businesses on the Homestead are running smoothly, and there is little else for me to focus my mind on, besides the Bella Donna affair.
I should like to see you.
Yours affectionately, Connor
----
Connor Kenway Davenport Homestead Past the Frontier
My dearest Connor,
The first shipments have come in, but we are still waiting for the following shipments. It is odd, but the weather is getting worse, and my generals believe that that is the cause. The driver told us that the first shipment nearly didn’t make it because of the treacherous snow.
But...even without the shipment, I would welcome you any day.
There is something I must tell you, and something I must ask you.
It is forward of me, I know, but..
Connor, I look forward till next we meet.
Yours affectionately, George
----
George Washington Frontier
George,
I have had some rather shocking news, and I...
I am distraught. George, I...
I must ask for your help. I will be at the encampment at three days time.
Strange Fates 6
Chatper 6 - Letters
A few days later and George’s leave of absence was at an end. As he rode on his horse toward his troop encampment, he felt conflicted about leaving the Homestead.
Connor was still not quite healed from his experience, but the Wolf was vastly improved. There was little more that George’s presence would have added and the troops needed him.
In truth, he left feeling quite content after the week. His Wolf was less nervous around people and could now stomach a hug from one of his friends without flinching. His nightmares were diminishing in frequency, and he himself appeared less troubled.
Such an unbelievably strong soul his Wolf had.
And that had not been all. George had used the time to understand his Wolf better. He came to know Connor’s friends, Connor’s adoptive father and the tenants upon Achilles’s property. He tried to run as Connor did, swim in the bay and even climb trees, though the last was somewhat of a disaster.
The week had been glorious and trying, and he had wished it would never end.
He had seen Connor dive off cliffs unscathed, wrestle with bears, and leap down on deer. He had seen Connor under the bright glare of the sun, under the cool caress of night and painted in the dusky colors of the evening.
And he fell a little more in love each minute he spent with the remarkable Omega. Strong in the face of injustice and tragedy, hard-working and honest and beloved of almost everyone who knew him...Connor was beautiful.
George was, George was...
George was pretty certain he was hopelessly in love.
He recalled one late evening as they had sat in the grove, reds and pinks and oranges cast upon Connor by the setting sun and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers wafting in the autumn air. He’d almost kissed Connor.
It was only the knowledge that Connor was still healing and might not welcome such advances that kept him in his place.
George frowned suddenly.
He would not let anyone else know what had happened to Connor. It was up to his Wolf to tell that story. That he had accidentally let Achilles know was bad enough.
But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t conduct his own investigation into which of the vile scum had dared lay hands on his Wolf.
He would find that Alpha and make him pay.
George neared the encampment and leapt off his horse, noticing as he did, a few flecks of white in the distance.
Strange. If the enemy was trailing him, why wasn’t he attacked?
He looked once again and, seeing nothing, decided to shrug it off. He must have been seeing things.
Out of the corners of his eyes, he could see Israel Putnam making his way to him.
It had been an amazing week, and he was glad for the opportunity even as he was horrified as to its cause.
But all such things must come to an end, and he had an army to lead as best he could and, hopefully, a war to win.
Turning towards his friend and general, he made out to call a greeting.
He never noticed the white clad figure who dashed away in the treetops.
----
Connor Kenway
Davenport Homestead
Past the Frontier
My dear Connor,
I hope this finds you well.
The troops are calm for now, and the Redcoats have not attacked again. We are stocking necessities for the upcoming winter, but I fear for their safety. I have heard reports of sickness plaguing some of the nearby towns, and it is likely that some of my people will get sick. Thankfully, there are a few shipments of bandages and medical supplies coming in, along with food and clothes that the fine Omegas of our country have woven.
I fear for your safety too. You are dear to me, and I...
I heard about the Bella Donna.
Connor, I know we have you to thank. I know that without you and the brave crew of the Aquila, that the crown would have captured her, and that was a loss that we would not have been able to endure.
I imagine to myself, how it must have been like, and I can’t help but feel grateful.
And perhaps a bit jealous as well.
I remember when you showed me your captain’s uniform, and I...
Connor, please tell me you are well.
I worry for you. You are so strong, but I cannot help worrying for you.
You are dear to me.
Yours affectionately,
George
----
George Washington
Frontier
Dear commander,
I am sorry that you worried over me, but please do not worry more. I am well.
I am investigating into the Bella Donna incident, but it is difficult to find information about it. My contacts are puzzled as well, and I suspect the leak to be someone in a rather high position within the navy.
I know I will wound you, and I apologize in advance, but I believe there to be a traitor within the patriots. I would name who I believe, but you have imparted upon me the wisdom of investigating a claim. And so I shall do so.
I must apologize again. I do not mean to offend. The Bella Donna incident frustrates me even as I try to catch the man I believe responsible. I have a suspicion that the event is greater than this singularity, and commander...
George...
I worry for you. I worry for your safety as the plot around you grows.
Please don’t...
Please stay safe.
George. You are dear to me too.
Yours affectionately,
Connor
----
Connor Kenway
Davenport Homestead
Past the Frontier
My dear Connor,
I am glad to have found you well. When I did not hear from you, I wondered. But then I heard about the Bella Donna, and I...
Well, it is good that you are well, my dear, dear friend.
We are still awaiting our supplies here at the encampment, but it is only a slight delay, and the roads are difficult this time of year. If they do not appear soon, I shall worry.
Yours affectionately,
George
----
George Washington
Frontier
Dear George,
It is troubling to hear of this delay. Shall I look into it? The other businesses on the Homestead are running smoothly, and there is little else for me to focus my mind on, besides the Bella Donna affair.
I should like to see you.
Yours affectionately,
Connor
----
Connor Kenway
Davenport Homestead
Past the Frontier
My dearest Connor,
The first shipments have come in, but we are still waiting for the following shipments. It is odd, but the weather is getting worse, and my generals believe that that is the cause. The driver told us that the first shipment nearly didn’t make it because of the treacherous snow.
But...even without the shipment, I would welcome you any day.
There is something I must tell you, and something I must ask you.
It is forward of me, I know, but..
Connor, I look forward till next we meet.
Yours affectionately,
George
----
George Washington
Frontier
George,
I have had some rather shocking news, and I...
I am distraught. George, I...
I must ask for your help. I will be at the encampment at three days time.
Connor