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Kink Meme - Assassin's Creed pt. 5

Assassin's Creed Kink Meme pt.5
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Strange Fates

Chapter 21 - Considerations

It was no surprise when Master Kenway dropped in for an unexpected visit later in the day. Charles knew that he had his own sources of information and, being only a couple of hours away in his townhouse in Boston proper at the moment, it would not have taken long for him to hear about the incident.

The incident. What an apt way of describing the mess Charles now found himself in.

He’d had so many thoughts as to how to solve his little problem, but they all unraveled before he could follow them.

He was paralyzed from where he stood outside the Assassin’s door, hand held up to knock, unable to think or move.

He was paralyzed when the servants announced that Master Kenway had come for a call.

And he was paralyzed as his mentor swept into the house and made straight for his son’s quarters without a single word or glance.

Absentmindedly, Charles made his way back down to the drawing room.

He imagined what would happen when that door opened again, and Master Kenway would step out, fresh from negotiations with his son.

He thought of how the man he so respect would look, how he’d gaze at him in contempt.

He shuddered at the thought of how he would be punished.

The options were myriad, and he could not influence a single damned thing.

Charles took a shuddering breath as he kept watch on the door to Connor’s quarters.

He wanted to blame Washington, for offering marriage to Connor and beginning this entire thing in the first place. He wanted to blame Edwards, who tried to weasel his way into Connor’s bed. He wanted to blame Biddle, for musing about how toothsome the boy looked in his captain’s uniform. He wanted to blame the young Omega himself, for being so very interesting and exciting and capturing Charles’s interest.

Charles was many things, but a liar, he was not.

It was his own fault, and he knew it.

His temper, his inability to control himself. His excitability and rage and feeling things so strongly.

It was a character defect of many Alphas, though common folklore would paint the Omega as the more emotional.

And Charles was the epitome of that.

Suddenly filled with manic energy, Charles paced relentlessly in his drawing room, casting frequent glances at that closed door.

It was hard, knowing that his mentor was inside with the boy who carried his child. It was hard, knowing that, in all likelihood, the boy would be trying his hardest to persuade his mentor to dissolve the engagement, and that Master Kenway would likely agree given his own anger at Charles’s behavior. It was hard, knowing that one of the items up for discussion would be Charles’s life.

Idly, he wondered if the Assassin would reveal everything.

He hadn’t told Master Kenway about the incident in the woods long ago, or the way he’d brushed the Assassin off in their earlier encounters, certain that he was just an idiot savage.

It would hurt his position in the Order.

It would ruin Master Kenway’s faith in him, shaky as it was these days. It would cause Master Kenway to doubt in his ability to make good and rational decisions for the Order; it would cause Master Kenway to question his competence.

Charles stilled his pacing.

And still, still he worried most about the child in the Assassin’s belly.

Would Master Kenway even allow him access to his own child after this? Would he want his grandson being raised in his care?

Even if, by law, Charles had final say (he was the father after all), Charles was not naïve enough not to realize that, as Grandmaster, he was powerful enough to challenge Charles’s right and deny him his child.

It would be different if Charles were commander (as he ought to have been), but he was not.

Charles stood to lose his child, his position, his fiancé and possibly his life as well.

It was ridiculous a single action on his part not 10 hours ago could cost him so much.

And here he was, meekly waiting for the verdict.

God, he was as ineffectual and pathetic as Washington.

Waiting here? Doing nothing but fret?

It was despicable!

He’d made a mess of the situation, yes, but standing around like an idiot wasn’t fixing anything.

Waiting for Master Kenway to exit that door, for a pronouncement to be handed out...one would think him a coward!

And a fool.

There was no possible way he could push for his own considerations out here. It was not possible to increase his influence and represent his interests when he was out of the actual conversation!

Determinedly, Charles walked up the staircase, and made to knock at that door that had captured his attention for the better part of the day.

He’d made mistakes. Grave, grave mistakes, true, but there was no going back and undoing them now.

All he could do was make sure that he didn’t allow future opportunities slip him by.

And he couldn’t do that locked outside of the negotiations. He couldn’t do that without being his own agent.

He’d made mistakes, and the only thing he could do now is make sure he didn’t make more mistakes later.

He’d make sure that the child was not taken away once it was born. He’d bargain for reconsideration from Master Kenway and his son. He’d push for a second, a third chance and remind his mentor of all he had done on their behalf.

He’d make sure that he had the chance to not make the same mistakes in the future.

He was sometimes rash and most definitely over-emotional and sometimes unstable. But that did not mean he couldn’t learn.

He refused to believe he couldn’t learn.

That would mean that he had no chance, and that was something to horrific for him to consider.

And so, steeling himself, Charles firmly knocked three times on the Assassin’s door.

He felt as if he was about to enter battle.

Omg was not expecting such a wonderful early update, I almost feel bad for Charles, but he did dig his own grave. I also would give anything to be a fly on the wall and listen to Connor and Haytham's conversation... cause I know Connor also blames his father for making him stay with the Alpha who raped him in the first place

Yeah, Haytham wasn't thinking very clearly when he did that, but, to be fair, Charles can be very persuasive. Haytham was originally going to keep Connor at his temporary townhouse, but then Charles was begging for a second chance and made some legitimate points about how Haytham's townhouse was not as secure as Charles's permanent house...

Haytham is totally facepalming now.

:)

Ah yes, Charles does have a way with words. Also, Haytham initially thought that Charles raped Connor the first time because he wanted to break him. But now he knows Charles is more driven by lust than anything (what he doesn't know, is that Charles is in lust with him, and sort of the main reason why he forced himself on Connor in the prison, because he reminded Charles of his beloved mentor).

capatcha: Edward's name is?

I think Capatcha wants me to update GSTQ

Charles lies to himself a lot too. It's definitely a mixture of lust, hate, possessiveness and domination that motivates Charles. His is a personality that really hates it when he gets denied, and that mixes badly with his lust for Connor and his pre-existing hate.

I think both Captcha and I look forward to GSTQ. :D

Whoa, for a moment there you almost made me feel bad for Charles, kudos for that. I agree with the anon above, I'm curious as fuck to know what Connor and Haytham have been talking about. Your speedy updates are like Christmas presents, anon, bless you.

Eh, Charles more than earned what's coming to him. :D He really should've worked on his temper issue long before now. And I always felt it was absolutely ridiculous how he attacked a 5 year old kid for absolutely no reason.

This fic is mostly Charles and George POVs, but I'll see what I can do to include mentions as to earlier conversation. :)

Apologies if this isn't coherent. Anon is sleep-writing...

Strange Fates

Chapter 22 - Triangle

Charles walked into the room on the third knock. At his entrance, both occupants looked up at him, a near identical frown on their faces.

Charles briefly froze, struck by the uncanny resemblance.

For a split second, it was as if Master Kenway had split himself into two for the sole purpose of doubling the force of his displeasure with him.

Despite Master Kenway’s gentlemanly demeanor, he was a very forceful and commanding man. His disapproval was not easily borne, and Charles always hated having it directed at him.

For there now to be two sources of that sentiment, both directed at him...

It was enough to make a grown man tremble.

Thankfully, the moment passed quickly enough, and the little differences that differentiated the two registered in Charles’s mind.

Master Kenway and the Assassin were not the same. Of course they were not.

But Charles still remained somewhat shaken.

“Charles.”

Master Kenway was the first to address him.

“I had believed you to be occupied.”

It was a thinly veiled command to explain himself for intruding so.

“I—“

How to explain his sentiments, his motivations? How to make Master Kenway listen to him and capture the attention of those amber-brown eyes that had turned away in disgust as he approached?

It was a difficult task, approaching his mentor when the son he had wronged sat curled in a chair not three feet away, but he had asked for this.

There was little else to be done now anyways.

“There is something very important at stake here, and I mean to contribute in any way I can.”

Master Kenway’s frown deepened at that, and Charles could see the Assassin tense.

“I thank you for your...enthusiasm...” and it was rather clear that his mentor had had another word in mind, “but your contribution is not needed.”

Such a brusque response.

Brushing Charles off completely.

Had he truly fallen so far in his mentor’s eyes?

To be dismissed so was...

It meant things had fallen more than Charles had thought.

And it meant that it was even more important that he gain back as much ground as possible here and now.

“With all due respect sir,” Charles carefully noted the very brief flinch from the Assassin boy as he took a step closer, “this is a conversation I cannot sit out.”

If the boy had been tense before, he was absolutely rigid now.

“Charles...”

It was a warning.

A warning to back down. A warning to leave and pretend all of this never happened.

Charles had always followed Master Kenway’s instructions in the past. He may have interpreted some of them rather...creatively...but he prided himself on his ability to follow orders and deliver results above and beyond what was asked of him.

Espeically when it was Master Kenway doing the asking.

Charles took a few steps forward, pulled out an extra chair and seated himself in it.

This was one instruction he could not follow.

Already, he could see the Assassin’s lips thin in anger. Already, he could see Master Kenway’s eyes narrow in disappointment.

Charles did his best to ignore it.

This was too important.

“I want to cl—“

“—Did you plan this?”

The Assassin had interrupted him, looking straight at his mentor.

The Grandmaster shook his head.

“No, I did not. I meant what I said earlier. My goals at this point are—“

“Then why is he here?”

Charles decided to step in.

“I am here because the child in you is mine and—“

Both Kenways ignored him.

“Surely you do not think I invited him here now, after all that I’ve said?”

“I have noticed that you say a lot, but your actions rarely correspond to your words.”

“I do not lie, Connor.”

“I do not believe that.”

“Must I apologize once again? I had no way of knowing that Charles was quite so fixated on you and that he would force himself on you a—“

“—I am not so naïve as to think that a worldly Alpha such as yourself would not realize that lodging someone who has already been forced to...entertain...unwanted advances once with the Alpha who initiated those advances would not result in such an outcome!”

Charles tried to defend himself here.

He really hadn’t planned on taking the boy again. It had taken him by surprise almost as much as it had taken the boy by surprise.

“Really, I wasn’t planning on—“

And once again, he was ignored.

“You cannot mean to suggest that I planned on having my own son raped.”

“That is exactly what I am suggesting.”

A silence then.

Charles was shocked at the temerity of the boy to say such a thing.

And to Master Kenway.

“You...” Master Kenway looked shaken then. Pained even. “You think me capable of that.”

It was not a question.

“I think that the man who ordered the death of my mother and knowingly forced me into an engagement with the Alpha who raped me is capable of such a thing.”

Charles started.

The boy thought what?

“I did not order your mother’s death.”

Master Kenway was so stunned at the last accusation that all inflection and emotion left his voice.

“My mother burned to death within hours of Lee and the rest of your Templar ilk ambushing me in the forest and demanding the whereabouts of my village. Lee and the others never do anything without your orders. You cannot possibly expect me to believe that you had nothing to do with it.”

Master Kenway stared at him.

Charles stared at him.

He knew that the boy blamed him, but to shift that blame onto Master Kenway...

“We acted alone that day.”

And finally, finally the boy looked at him, acknowledged his presence.

“Master Kenway had traveled back east for some Order affairs in mother England. We were left with instructions not to pursue your village any longer, but I could not help thinking that Master Kenway was letting his sentiment for that—for your mother to cloud his judgment. And so I gathered the rest of the inner circle and went to make my own investigations.”

Silence again, and Charles could see the anger begin to build in Master Kenway.

“We had nothing to do with your mother’s death.”

Those amber-brown eyes bored into his own.

“It was more difficult than we thought to find your village. By the time that we finally found it, most of it was on fire.”

Charles debated telling the boy that his beloved Washington was responsible for the inferno that took his mother’s life, but decided that it would be counterproductive. The boy would not believe him, and it would throw doubt on his account of the events.

“I do not believe you.” It came out as a whisper. The boy was shaken by the news.

“You may ask that clan mother of yours. I spoke to her to extend my condolences about the tragedy.”

Both Master Kenway and the boy looked skeptical at that.

“I do not like the natives, it is true, but I do not wish for the indiscriminate slaughter of helpless people either.”

“And yet, you would force yourself on someone who was at a severe disadvantage. Twice, no less.”

Charles winced.

It was a valid point.

“You were the enemy the first time, and—“

“—do you usually go around raping enemies?”

...no.

“No. But—“

“Then I must ask what earned me the...distinction.”

Charles swallowed his words, and then looked briefly at Master Kenway.

“I wanted to break your resolve. You are our enemy, and it seemed like the fastest way of stopping you from protecting Washing—“

“Do not lie to me.”

Charles snapped his mouth closed.

“You had already come up with the plan to hang me at that point. There was no need for you to ‘break’ me as it would not have mattered. You could not have known that my friends would save me, nor could you know that I would kill Hickey before he was able to kill the commander. Why did you force yourself on me?”

Charles wetted his lips nervously.

“You are very attractive and—“

“—you have made clear your distaste of all natives. And I have not heard of you attacking other people you find attractive.”

Because those other people did not remind him of Master Kenway.

“...you should have been one of us.”

Both Master Kenway and the Assassin looked startled at this.

“Pardon?”

“You are Master Kenway’s son. You should have been one of us. You should have been mine from the start.”

The boy stared at him, eyes wide.

“Of all people for someone as distinguished as Master Kenway to entangle himself with, it has to be some Native bitch. And then she has his son. A son who, by all accounts, is extraordinarily clever and accomplished and beautiful and talented as Master Kenway himself. An Omega son who seeks to derail the very organization that Master Kenway gave his life to. And then, that is not all, and then that Omega son falls for the most worthless Alpha in existence, giving him victory after victory in a position that he does not deserve. And now, that Omega son is pregnant...with my child. And he still seeks to marry that worthless Alpha who does not deserve him. And you ask me why?”

Charles pauses briefly.

“You should have been our ally! You should have been my fiancé at the beginning! That is my child in you and—“

“That is enough, Charles.”

Charles blinked, then looked at Master Kenway.

“What did you come here for? What did you barge into this conversation for?”

Charles started, then looked back at the Assassin boy staring at him with wide eyes.

“I want to make sure that my child is not given away. That child is mine, and even if the engagement is broken, I want to raise the child once it is born.”

Because...because if he lost the boy to Biddle or Gerhard or anyone else, then he would have something, at least. Something of Master Kenway’s.

It would have to be enough.

Although Connor is clearly the victim, but I actually felt for Haytham and Charles. Haytham being blamed for Charles' actions. Charles already lower than scum, having to bear his feelings out in the open - I'm pretty sure the Kenways have figured out that Charles has an unrequited love for Haytham... and errr unrequited lust for Connor. But, oh the end, where he's begging to keep his child did get me in the feels... it's too bad that he didn't realize that Connor had no intention of marrying his Templar brothers if it meant being separated from the child he wanted to keep to begin with.

Dying to know how this works out. Even though they feel guilty, I doubt Haytham and Charles will let Connor go, but even if they keep him, the recruits are planning on rescuing their leader.

And rrgghhh had another plot bunny attack. Tried shaking it off, but it's already started brainstorming ideas and writing notes and pieces down. It's where Charles dies in the main story line, and is reborn an alternate universe where he didn't strangle Connor as a child. Things work out amazingly well for him, but he's still carrying the guilt of what he did to his previous timeline Connor. Lots of angst and of course more smut. Ehh...so when I finish Honeymoon when I get back from vacation, I might start working on that along with the other neglected fills.

I must suck at writing villains or something if everyone ends up feeling sorry for them. D:

But yeah...the recruits are definitely planning on rescuing Connor (or more like removing Washington and handing Connor his weapons so he can rescue himself).

Lol at the plotbunny! I was actually bitten by the same plotbunny awhile back and had even thought to write a 'second chance' piece. But then the 'prison' plotbunny of yours bit me and the rest is history. :D Looking forward to reading it when you get back!

Strange Fates

Chapter 23 - Stalemate

The Assassin’s response was immediate, automatic.

And absolute.

“No.”

Charles glared at the boy.

“That child is from my seed—“ he began.

“—and grows within my body.”

Charles scoffed.

“What importance is the soil and the pot to that of the seed? If I hadn’t, as you so quaintly put it, forced my attentions upon you, you would not even be with child.”

The Assassin’s lips narrowed into an angry line.

So did Master Kenway’s at his reasoning.

“You are oft an exceptionally persuasive speaker, Charles,” his mentor cut in. “Take care that to actually engage that ability.”

Charles winced.

It was true that the Assassin did not look particularly impressed with his words.

“My apologies.”

And really, he was sorry if it cost him the child.

“Assassin, Connor,” he began again. “You do not even want to be pregnant. I actually want the child and will do what is best for—“

“—I do not want to be pregnant by you. That has no bearing on whether or not I want to keep the child.”

Charles blinked owlishly. Surely the Assassin wasn’t suggesting...

“...you want the child?”

The Assassin looked equally bewildered.

“Why do you suppose I do not?”

Because the child was conceived of rape. Because most children conceived that way ended up unwanted. Because Charles was its father.

“You’re an Assassin.”

The boy looked at him.

Master Kenway looked at him.

“Charles,” Master Kenway began slowly. “Assassins have children.”

The words, that is how I am here, did not need to be said.

Charles flushed.

“I-I did not think that, with your line of work, Assassins enjoyed bearing children.”

In reply, the Assassin rattled off a few names.

“Maria Thorpe, who converted to the Brotherhood after she left your Order. Malik Al-Sayf. Claudia Auditore da Firenze, later in her life.”

“They conceived their child willingly.”

Charles was somewhat gratified to see the Assassin flinch at the reminder, but then the boy glared at him.

“I despise you Lee. I despise what you did to me and the fact that the father of my child is a vile Alpha who sought to gratify his own lustful desires for the Alpha that is my father.”

Charles started, glancing wildly at Master Kenway who simply frowned at the statement.

His mentor looked frustrated, but not altogether surprised.

“But I have no intention of giving this child up. Mark this, the both of you.”

He glared at each of them in turn.

“I will not be parted from that which now grows within me.”

Master Kenway did not look pleased at the announcement.

“You realize, Connor, that now that everyone knows that Charles fathered your child, they will demand that you marry him and stay with him? And that if you should refuse and if he ever challenges you in a court of law, they would decide in his favor?”

It was...heartening, if unexpected, to hear Master Kenway speak in his defense.

It meant he had not lost all of his mentor’s esteem, even after his desires were made known.

It meant more to him than he cared to admit.

“You cannot believe that I would stay amongst people that would force me to...” And the Assassin boy glanced hatefully at him. “...to stay with the man who has done his best to wreak havoc on my life.”

Master Kenway did not look fazed.

“I do not believe you have a choice in that matter.”

The boy looked up at Charles’s mentor then, startled and bitter and disappointed.

Had he really believed that they would just let him go?

Even if he wasn’t quite so valuable a commodity as he was (an Omega who was proven to be of strong and intelligent stock), he was the enemy. They would have to be daft to let him go.

“And that is your answer to what I requested for before,” the Assassin replied dully.

It wasn’t a question.

Master Kenway looked aggrieved then, but determined.

“I gave you your choice earlier, and you know it.”

“You gave me no choice at all—“

“—you can wed a Templar of your choosing, the child stays with Charles, or I can kill you.”

Charles started. Surely, surely he wouldn’t before the child was born.

He wasn’t ready to lose the child.

“You owe me for breaking—“

“—and my allowance is the choice of servitude or death.”

The Assassin looked away in anger, hands helplessly clenching into a fist.

“Do not mistake me, Connor, for some maudlin. The best way to serve my Order is to continue my line...within the confines of this Order. And while I will try to make things as...comfortable...as possible for you, I will not guarantee it. You chose to go against us, and you reap the consequences of that action.”

He paused and then looked disapprovingly at Charles.

“However, given Charles’s recent actions, I am willing to allow you the option of death instead. And I will make sure it is as painless as possible, with no shame for you.”

He sounded regretful as he said it.

Charles suddenly realized that, despite his words, Master Kenway did not want to lose what is likely one of the last members of his family either.

He still cared for the Native whore.

The realization left Charles conflicted, and he was not sure whether to be bitter that the slut left such an impression on Master Kenway or relieved that the child within the boy was not lost to him yet.

If Master Kenway had not cared, then the boy would have already been slain long before Charles had gathered his courage to intrude.

“But do not mistake the man I am, Connor. The Order will always be first. You will either serve the Order in life or escape it in death. I will brook no other alternative.”

Father and son were both silent for a long, long moment.

Before...

“You are truly the monster I have always believed you to be. Father.”

And from a certain point of view, Charles could rather see how the accusation reflected truth.

But he could not allow it.

Charles’s loyalties were far more equally matched.

“Master Kenway,” he whispered, too shocked to put much force behind his words.

Thankfully, his mentor heard him immediately.

“What is it Charles?”

“Please, Master Kenway, not before the child is born.”

He wanted the Assassin boy for his own, yes, but he could not let his first and only child be the first casualty of this never-ending war between their two factions.

He was too in love with the idea of the child to ever give it up.

Master Kenway did not look surprised at this.

“It is regrettable, Charles, but there is no other option available after your...actions.”

Charles flinched at the reminder that it was his doing that led them to this pass.

Had he not forced himself on the Assassin, then Master Kenway would not be offering death to both boy and child.

“...I will be in no position to work effectively if that option comes to pass,” is the only thing he can think of to say.

A silence.

Then, “are you threatening me, Charles?”

The tone was mild, even if the words were not.

“No, sir. I am merely making a statement of fact.”

Another silence.

Master Kenway’s lips thinned in disapproval.

“The boy cannot go free. You know this. I know this. He knows this, even if he chooses to think that he can change my mind.”

The boy tensed at that.

Charles thought about it. No, he didn’t want the boy to go free. He had meant what he said earlier, and the thought of their enemies reuniting with the strongest member in their fold...well, it was frightening.

And yet, and yet...

He turned to the boy then.

“Say you will live. I will...” he gulped, “cease my attentions to your person. And I will stay away from the child except for supervised visits.”

Because he could not promise never to see his child. He was incapable of that.

The boy turned surprised eyes on him, took a breath as if to answer and...hesitated.

Those amber-brown eyes stared at Charles as if they were reading through him.

Searching. Judging.

But those full lips remained closed.

Still, Charles did not have his answer.

Master Kenway rose from his chair at this point.

“Gentlemen, we are no further now than we are earlier, and it is time for me to return to my affairs.”

He turned to Charles.

“Charles, as you have not demonstrated any sense of restraint, I will remove Connor from your care.”

Charles only nodded at this. He had been expecting no less.

Master Kenway then turned to the Assassin boy.

“Connor, you will reside with me for one week, under guard from Gerhard and Frederico who will guard you to make sure that no untoward actions are taken.”

Here, he looked sternly at the Omega, who worried his lip at the news.

“And during that week, you are to make your decision. Live or die. It is your choice.”

And with that, Master Kenway stalked out of the room.

Once again, I love your Haytham. He's perfect, both compassionate and yet cold. He may care for his son, but the Order of course comes first, and that he's even willing to kill his son and grandchild for it ;_; So what exactly happened to the 'truce' they were planning with the Brotherhood? It's a good thing Achilles is still alive, otherwise the Templars would have inherited the Homestead ...although it could already be in Connor's name and he's got quite the fortune (why he didn't just by his village, I have no idea).

Won't be able to update for the next two week, but once I'm not traveling through International waters, I'll definitely check in for updates.

Also... Malik was an Omega? Did Altair have two :p

Oh, you know Altair had two. :D hehe

The truce was gonna happen, but then Charles did something stupid, so it's kinda in limbo at the moment. Haytham hasn't even had time to make contact with the rest of the Assassins...

I think the village is against the concept of one person owning the land they've lived on for generations because even if the person owning it is great and good for them, who knows what the successor will be like? Corruption can affect anyone.

Have fun on your vacation anon! International waters! How exciting! You'll have to tell us all about it. :)

Ah, didn't think about that. Also had he had his name on the deed the Templars might have found out about him sooner. Man wonder what it's going to be for Connor and Haytham living under the same roof... Any chance Charles will be dropping in and giving us insight to how that goes

Sweet Lucifer... this was intense. Never thought a conversation alone could create such an atmosphere of anticipation. I was more surprised by Charles than anyone else here. Can't wait to see Connor's next move/decision!

Thank you anon! :)

Not sure what the next move will be (my fingers are in charge and not really my brain), but we'll see! :D

Strange Fates

Chapter 24 - Troubled Thoughts

When George heard nothing from the Assassin Brotherhood for a few days, he felt trepidation. He had given his top officers his notice as planned and then...nothing.

Neither Clipper nor any of the other Assassins appeared to let him know if the operation was underway, and he was getting worried.

The thought crossed his mind more than once that something had happened to them. That, for some reason, they were unable to retrieve him and rescue his beloved Wolf.

It made him nervous, and he found that he spent what little spare time he had pacing in his tent. What if something happened to the Assassins. What if something happened to Connor?

The young Omega was now trapped in the den of his enemies, of Charles Lee no less, and George worried for him constantly.

He’d seen with his own eyes the extent of Charles’s strange fascination with the Wolf and just the thought of the man ambushing the young Omega when he was unarmed...

But no.

George shook himself.

He had to remind himself that Connor was strong and capable. He wouldn’t let anything untoward happen to him.

He wouldn’t.

It didn’t stop George from worrying and pacing and wishing that there was something he could do.

And so when a familiar head popped into his tent and casually greeted him, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Hand on chest, George tried to calm his quickly beating heart.

Stephane frowned at him.

“We need to go, commander.”

The Alpha was as brusque and curt as usual, and he swiftly turned and left the tent.

George straightened and, grabbing his packed bag, went to follow the man.

“Have you heard from Connor?”

Stephane didn’t stop walking, but his frown deepened at that.

“This is not a topic to be broached here,” he replied, casting wary glances around them.

George felt his heart constrict as he realized the implications of his words.

If one of the spies for the Templars had heard them or had any indication that he was removing himself to allow the Wolf escape...

It was risky enough as it was to inform the officers of George’s absence. The Assassins had secretly vetted them and determined them safe from Templar influence and wise enough to keep the knowledge to themselves.

Should word of their plans reach the Templars, then Connor would be in danger.

George knew this.

But it was hard to hold his questions.

He needed so much to hear from Connor.

The letter he had received was a soothing balm to him, but it wasn’t enough.

He needed the young man.

He needed to hear those words from his Omega directly.

As George walked, he recalled the contents of the letter and how thoroughly those words had seared themselves into his mind.

Dearest George,

I must beg you for forgiveness. I know that you did not want me to do what I had done, but you mean too much for me to let you die so.

I should not care so much. I know this. A man in my line of work cannot afford such luxuries.

But, George, I find that I do not care for the rules around you.

I love you.

I love your humility, your compassion and your empathy for others. I love you for being the opposite of everything I despise, everything that brought me pain.

I want to thank you for the role you have played in my life, for your generosity towards me.

And your proposal.

You do not know how happy you made me then.

And you cannot know how much I hated having to rescind my acceptance.

But I cannot allow anything to happen to you because of me. Nor can I allow you to be tainted by my association.

I do not know if we will succeed, though I hope we will. Without weapons and surrounded by the likes of Charles Lee and his allies, the chance of success is not high.

I would have you know that.

If, by chance, we should succeed, then I look forward to seeing you again with all haste. I would kiss you and love you as I did that first night.

And if, by chance, we should not, then please guide this budding nation of yours into freedom. Let all who live here in this land, your people and mine, enjoy that freedom.

And know that I love you, and I always have.

Yours with love,

Connor

George had read it over and over and over again until the paper was soaked with tears. And then, regretfully, as instructed, he had tossed it into the fire, watching it slowly burn until it became dust.

He’d believed that they would succeed. Any other outcome was unbearable.

They must succeed. He must see his Wolf again.

But now...following Stephane, watching the man’s face grow more and more tense the further they got from the campsite...

George can’t help wondering.

If they lost, if that second option in Connor’s letter came to pass...

...what would happen?

What would it be like to fight the war, match wits against the Templars...without the Wolf at his side?

It was unthinkable. Ludicrous.

The Wolf had had a hand in their most important operations!

He’d been one of the turning points in the war and, even as his men whispered amongst themselves those disgusting rumors that Charles had no doubt spread, they still believed in the spirit that Connor embodied.

He was the Wolf.

But George looked at Stephane’s face and saw how those brows were knit together in worry and...and something else.

And he couldn’t help but feel dread pool in his stomach.

He’d had no news from the Assassins in days, much later than he expected. Much later than they’d said.

Surely it was just an insignificant delay and there was nothing wrong, but...

But.

George hurried after the quickly walking man and tried his damn hardest not to think.

His thoughts were not friends to him right now.

Omg my washcon feels /clutches chest/ I hope George manages to get away safely, but maybe this could be the break the Templars are waiting for to put Charles at the head of the Continental forces somehow. But, do the assassins know that Connor has been moved to Haytham's home?

The Assassins were worried that the Templars would take advantage of this so George was instructed only to tell the high-ranking officers. They made sure that none of the high-ranking officers (besides Charles who hasn't officially made his return) are Templars, and George swore them to secrecy.

The Assassins also know that Connor has been moved (partly why it took them so long to get back to George), but the presence of Gerhard and Frederico makes extracting him very difficult.

Will update tomorrow. Sooooo busy today. ):

Captcha:

If a person is called Goerge, what is their name?

Answer: O.o

Strange Fates

Chapter 25 -

To George’s surprise, they managed to get to a couple of horses and make it out of the camp without incident. When he looked questioningly at Stephane, the Assassin simply nodded towards the periphery of the camp. Upon straining, George could just make out the hint of a hint of boots at the base of a bush.

...boots that were common standard amongst his troops.

George shuddered as he realized that that bush was the resting place of one of his men, likely one of the spies the Templars had planted. The Assassins had likely already dealt with one of the threats against him in his army.

It must have been recent, because any disappearances would’ve been noticed and investigated.

George briefly wondered what his officers would make of it, if they ever discovered the body, but then quickly turned his thoughts away. He left the camp on his mission before anyone discovered the body. It would seem strange if he had knowledge of it when he returned.

Strangely enough, it heartened him. The enemies pitted against him were terrifying, yes, but his allies were also capable of great and terrible things. And that they had already eliminated one threat could only be good.

It meant they actually had a chance.

George felt hope struggling to bloom in his heart. To see his beloved Wolf again and know that he was safe...

It would be such a gift.

He must have smiled or seemed a little too hopeful because Stephane soon halted his horse, turned to him, placed one heavy hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

George felt all the hope that had been building in him suddenly crash.

“We are far enough from the camp to speak safely,” the Assassin murmured.

Indeed, they had traveled for quite a distance and George wagered they’d put more than 5 miles between the camp and them.

“Commander,” the Assassin began. “There’s been a complication since we last saw you.”

George didn’t like the sound of that.

“Complication,” he echoed, eyes narrowing.

His first thought went to Connor, and his heart leapt at the thought that the young man may be dead.

But no, it couldn’t be. There would be no point in removing him from the camp then. And the Templars would not have bothered to keep him alive.

George knew that, in his enemies’ eyes, he was only useful as leverage against his beautiful Wolf.

“Not as bad as it sounds,” Stephane continued, “but Connor has been removed from Lee.”

George was confused.

“Isn’t that a good thing? Lee has done horrible things to Connor, and separating them seems like it would be good for us.”

When Stephane simply pursed his lips, George pressed further. “Right?”

The Assassin frowned.

“Using our...special agent, we were able to track him down after a few days—“

So that was why they had been delayed for so long.

“—and deliver a message to him. Yusuf brought a note back, and the news was...troubling.”

The man didn’t look inclined to continue so George laid a firm hand upon that broad shoulder.

“It will be best if you tell me. I can do nothing but cause trouble when ignorant.”

The Alpha nodded.

“Lee had...angered...the Templar Grandmaster.“ The Assassin’s brief hesitation clued George into the fact that there was something not being said.

“The Grandmaster had Connor moved to his own townhouse and we managed to scout it out fairly well because it is less protected than Lee’s residence.”

Less protected? Wasn’t that good for them?

“However, the Grandmaster foresaw this and stationed two of his most bloodthirsty agents to guard Connor day and night.”

That was not good.

“Most bloodthirsty agents?” Given how much his Connor had killed in their defense, it was truly frightening to think of a pair of men who killed so much more to be spoken of so warily by a trained Assassin.

Connor’s second no less.

“A Hessian and a Spanish priest.”

George started at that. He wasn’t all that surprised by the Hessian, but...a priest?

As if reading his thoughts, Stephane decided to clarify.

“The Spanish priest, Frederico Perez, is utterly ruthless. He sees us as...sinners. Possibly abominations against God. And so he takes cold joy in killing us. He used to—“

And here, Stephane choked up a bit.

“—Back in the days of Connor’s mentor, he used to hunt down our brothers and then hang them so that all could see. We lost a third of the order to his fanatical devotion.”

A third.

George shuddered.

“And...the Hessian?” George was almost afraid to ask.

“The Hessian is Gerhard von Stantten. He is insane.”

George blinked.

“He killed so many, without a trace of emotion on his face...one after another, he slaughtered our brothers and their apprentices. He even took out innocent bystanders who had nothing to do with us.”

Stephane paused.

“Achilles thought that he secretly enjoyed the killing and the blood. He said that he was a sadist who enjoyed the terror he inflicted.”

A monster then.

“Are they part of this Inner Circle Connor spoke about?”

The Assassin shook his head.

“No. Part of what is particularly frightening about the pair is that they were offered advancement and turned it down because they enjoyed killing our brothers so much.”

George felt a chill go down his spine.

To have such men between them and Connor...

“How are we ever to get Connor out then?” he worried.

Stephane sighed.

“A lot of planning and a lot of luck.”

George didn’t like that.

“And what is your plan?”

The Assassin reached into his bag at that and pulled out a letter.

Connor’s letter.

“The mentor’s instructions are in here. He’s commanded us to bring him a couple of hidden blades through Yusuf. We are to create a commotion, preferably using the stray cats and dogs and pigs rather than people given von Stantten’s...tendencies.”

“The Hessian kills people gleefully but not animals?” George was a bit incredulous.

“Yes. He has never killed a single animal.”

Somehow that made the man even more terrifying.

“And me, what about me?”

Stephane’s gaze sharpened.

“You are to go to the Homestead and stay there. Safe.”

George opened his mouth to argue.

The Assassin held up a hand.

“It is more than you think.”

George waited for the Alpha’s explanation.

“Connor believes that, due to the recent falling out between Lee and the Grandmaster, that Lee may soon be making his move against you. Lee is seeking to redeem himself in the Grandmaster’s eyes and may move to seize power in the continental army to do so.”

There was a story not being told there, but George was too worried about the prospect of Charles Lee seizing power to think much of it.

“What can I do to stop him?

Stephane handed him Connor’s letter.

“Connor’s instructions for you lie in here. He briefly described it in my own correspondence and said that you should use the proclaimed reason for your absence to accuse him.”

Ah right. He’d claimed to be working to track down a traitor in their organization.

...how fitting. And it even turned out true.

A thought came to him then.

“I can court marshal him, but I have no evidence. And he is still very popular, despite his unexpected leave.”

In fact, his popularity was the only reason they hadn’t tried him for desertion when he’d first disappeared.

Stephane didn’t look too worried.

“Connor has a solution for that, but first you need to get to the Homestead.”

With that, the Assassin suddenly whistled and a familiar figure dropped out of the trees and landed in front of them.

“Commander,” the Assassin Clipper greeted him. “We have no time to spare. I will escort you to the Homestead, but we must hurry.”

George didn’t like the sound that. From the look on Stephane’s face, neither did he.

“Were we followed?” The Alpha Assassin asked worriedly.

Clipper nodded solemnly.

“Duncan, Deborah and I got rid of most of them, but we can’t take any chance that they discover where the commander’s disappeared to. So quickly, while they’re still distracting the last of them.”

He leapt behind George on top of his horse.

“I will see you once Connor is with us again.”

And then Clipper saluted the Alpha, spurred the horse forwards, and they rode off quickly.

George clutched the precious letter and hoped that his beloved Wolf would be safe.

Hnnnngg--- the tension. I'm on tenterhooks, anon, this is all so very exciting. I'm wondering how Connor fares in his new establishment. Gerhard's and Frederico's descriptions made me shiver. Poor Connor, just imagine the safety he wallows in while surrounded by these... men. Must be lovely, eh? My poor baby...

Yeah. Poor Connor surrounded by two super-scary Assassin killers...

Haytham certainly isn't stupid, and he suspects that his son will try something. Hence Gerhard and Frederico's presence.

Strange Fates

Chapter 27 - A Second Letter

During their ride, George thought he heard chase after them several times. The rustling of bushes, the sound of hooves striking forest floor...

But when he looked, he only saw foxes dashing through the undergrowth and elk and deer racing away from them.

Twice, he turned to look at the Omega Assassin seated behind him, but the young man simply gestured sharply, face an emotionless mask, and George refocused on guiding his horse toward the Homestead.

Five miles out, George longed to stop and rest. Give the horse some water. Read the letter that had been entrusted to him (and how thankful he was that this one need not be consumed by flames!) and see Connor’s elegant script again.

But a quick look at Clipper’s face told him all that he needed to know.

They were not yet safe.

And so they rode on, not quite a gallop, not quite a trot.

In 20 miles, they finally slowed to a stop.

Clipper wordlessly handed him a skin of water and a large metal pan and he gratefully took a short sip before pouring the rest of the water into the pan and letting the poor horse drink.

“A short rest for the horse,” the Assassin told him, “and then we will need to get moving again. It will be best to get as close to the Homestead as possible.”

It wasn’t what George was hoping for, but he supposed he had time to read a bit of the letter.

And really, that was all he wanted at this point.

After making sure that the horse was properly resting and while the Assassin stood on wary guard, George reached for the letter in his pocket.

He held it in his hand for a moment, admiring its crisp elegant lines, only slightly crumpled by its stay against his body, before removing the seal and opening it up to read.

As he read on, he felt shock, anger and...betrayal.

Dear George,

By now, you have probably heard of the falling out between Lee and my father. I would be glad to say that it is because of me if it had not been for the way it came about.

I am sorry, George.

I was neither strong enough nor prudent enough and...

I do not want to write this, but you deserve the truth.

Lee forced himself upon me again.

George’s hand clenched on the letter at this.

My father had agreed that Lee would stay his distance in his negotiations with me. This trespass against my person angered him almost as much as it angered me, and Lee is no longer in his good graces.

I am sorry to say that I wish that Lee were still in my father’s favor and that he had not seen fit to force his attentions upon me. But I know that I should not. This is a potential boon for us.

George did not see it as a boon. He, too, wished that Lee had not raped Connor again.

My father ordered me removed from Lee’s home and into his own temporary lodgings. I have arranged for my recruits to help free me from my father’s townhouse.

I want to say that I will see you soon, but I do not want your last memory of me to be of a lie.

Two of the men my father assigned to guard my steps are fearsome and notorious. I would not have my recruits fight against them.

Gerhard von Stantten and Frederico Perez.

George could see why Connor did not want his recruits, his brothers, to go up against them.

It is too risky. They would not win against them, and I do not want to lose them to this fight. They have battles elsewhere that are far more critical.

George felt unease crawl up his spine. He wasn’t sure what it was, but...

They must help you with the war. They must protect you from the Templars, and George, you must win this war. And stay alive.

You cannot let Lee gain your position and influence. Destroy that viper and his place in the army before he can poison everyone.

I trust that Stephane will have explained your role.

The Assassin did. And George didn’t like it.

I know you must be confused.

I shall be blunt.

I do not expect to survive this.

George felt his breath catch in his throat.

I have instructed my recruits to sneak in my weapons using Yusuf. And then, they are to create a distraction with the animals and lead as many of my guards as possible on a chase. Thankfully, neither of my two fearsome guards are particularly fast, and they should be safe enough as long as they do not engage.

And they have been ordered not to engage.

I will sneak out during the commotion, take down as many of them as possible and then escape.

But George, my two fearsome guards are not stupid. And they will realize what is going on.

I fear they already do.

If they do not participate in the chase then...

Then these will be my last words to you.

No!

My father gave me a choice after Lee’s attack. He told me I could marry a Templar or choose to die.

Though I do not want to marry a Templar, I wish to die even less.

But I may not have a choice.

Undoubtedly, if my two guards see me fleeing, they will shoot to kill.

My father has told them that any attempt to escape will be the same as my choosing to die.

I will likely only have a couple of hidden blades.

And I have no doubt that those two, together, will kill me.

I do not want to leave you George.

Know that I love you and will try my best to get back to you.

But if I do not, then please know that I will die with your name on my lips, with your voice in my heart and the knowledge of your love in my soul.

Thank you George.

George crumpled the letter.

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