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January 6, 1814; Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts

Aveza groggily tried to sit up in bed, much to the disapproval of her friends, who insisted she rest. “Aveza dear,” said her worried mother, “please. You're not well enough yet.”

“I'm fine, mum,” she said not impolitely. She looked at the three of them: Arnold, Connor, and Shikoba. They were all clearly concerned about her. Arnold seemed the most worried out of all of them.

“What happened?” asked Aveza, rubbing her aching head.

“You took a massive beating,” said Connor. “You wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Arnold here.”

She looked at him. He smiled a bit through his worry. “After Harrison tore you to shreds during the battle, I beat him off and carried you away from the fight,” he said. “Then I brought you here to have Dr. Lyle and Diana heal you up.”

“The battle…” Aveza suddenly remembered. Her eyes widened as the events came back to her. “The battle! Tecumseh! He… he…”

The other three lowered their heads sadly. “He didn't make it,” said Arnold. Aveza stared at him, feeling the tears coming on. “I'm so sorry Aveza,” said Arnold.

“No…” stuttered Aveza. They were all silent. Aveza lowered her head and cried for her friend. Arnold sat down next to her and hugged her, trying to comfort her. It pained him so much to see her like this. Her mother also sat down next to her, and she petted her head gently.

“It's okay, sweetheart,” she said. “He wasn't afraid to leave this world. If I know Tecumseh, then I can be certain of that. He didn't die afraid.”

“He died a hero,” said Connor sadly. “To the Natives, to the British, and to our Brotherhood. We will never forget him.”

Aveza just cried. The other three each tried to comfort her. Eventually, she grew too tired to cry, and settled down a bit.

“Harrison…” she said. She could feel her fists tightening in rage. “That Templar dog! I'll gut him for this!”

Her friends stepped back in shock of her sudden outrage. Aveza tried to lug herself out of bed, ignoring her pain. Her friends tried desperately to stop her.

“Aveza dear, you're not healed enough to do any field work yet!” Arnold pleaded.

“I don't care!” said Aveza. “Harrison and the Templars are still out there!”

She tried again to sit up straight, but she fell back into bed after the pain stung her hard.

“Aveza…” said Connor.

“No… I have to…”

“We have Assassins in every state, every province already hunting down the Templars. We'll get Harrison, I promise. Somehow, someway, we'll get him, Shay, Jackson, all of them. We'll have you join us in that fight when you're better, but until then you have to rest.”

Aveza looked at her mentor, and lowered her head. Connor leaned down next to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Please,” he said. “We don't want to risk losing you too.”

Aveza looked at him, at all of them. She knew they were right. She didn't want to admit it, but she knew they were right. Sadness and defeat overtook her face.

“Alright…” she said, and she layed back down. Her friends breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” they said.

“Can we get you anything?” asked Shikoba.

“No thanks mum. I… I just need to think…”

Her friends looked at each other, and nodded. They said goodbye before heading to the door to leave her be. Shikoba gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving with Connor. Arnold lingered a bit though. He looked sadly at his friend. He was about to say something to her, but decided against it and left with a wave. Aveza sat alone in her room. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought back to the events of the battle. She thought of Harrison, of all the ways she'd make him pay. She thought of Tecumseh, and how much she already missed him.

“Rest in peace, my friend,” she said.

------------

January 20, 1814; Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts

Aveza was sitting up in bed, reading a book, when Arnold knocked on her door and came in.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hello, my dear. How are you doing?”

Aveza shrugged. “Bit better. I'm definitely not hurting as much as I was.”

“That's good to hear.” He reached behind the doorframe and grabbed a tray of food. He smiled at Aveza. “I brought you lunch,” he said. Aveza smiled lightly at him.

“Aw, thank you, Arnold,” she said.

Arnold nodded. He brought the tray over to her and gently set it on her lap. She quickly grabbed the fork that was on the tray and took a bite of egg.

“Wow,” she said. “That's rather good!”

“Hunter’s hens really gave us a good batch this time round,” said Arnold.

“That they have. That man's a great farmer.”

“He certainly is. Connor tells me he learned all his skills from his parents.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Aveza laughed a small bit. “Connor and his tales,” she said. “You know, sometimes I wish I could've been there with him, back during the Revolution. He's gone on so many adventures that we missed out on.”

“I remember feeling the same way about ol’ Arno as well,” laughed Arnold. “He would always go on about his old stories too. Though, he usually had a bit more of a grimmer tone than Connor.”

“Well, to be fair, the Revolution he had lived through was much more bloody than the one Connor lived through.”

“True. I remember how it felt when we were training in France and every ten minutes we'd see some poor bloke getting his head chopped off in the streets. I can't imagine what it must've felt like to experience that scene for years on end.”

“Not too good I'd imagine.”

Arnold laughed. “Indeed,” he said.

Aveza took another bite of her food.

“Hey, Arnold,” she said.

“Yes, my dear?”

“I… I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Oh it's no problem, my dear. I'm happy to bring you whatever you need to recover.”

“No… I mean… for everything…”

Arnold went quiet. “Oh?” he said.

“Yes… I mean, you've been by my side during this whole journey. You've always been there to lend a hand when I need it. And Lord only knows how many times you saved my life. So… I just wanted to say thank you. I know I don't say it much, but I truly appreciate everything you've done.”

Arnold said nothing. “Aveza,” he said, smiling a bit, “I must say… that's rather sweet. You're welcome.”

“And I'm really sorry I don't say it enough…”

“Oh, it's quite alright my dear.”

“But it's not to me.”

Arnold looked at her. He saw the emotional expression on her face. He didn't quite know what to say.

“I mean,” continued Aveza, “you pulled me out of a swarm of American soldiers and lugged me back here all by yourself! You saved my life… and I haven't done anything big enough to earn that kindness…”

She lowered her head. She felt bad, and Arnold could see it. He felt awful. He had to say something. He couldn't bear to see his best friend like this.

“But you have,” he said. “Aveza, you have.”

“I haven't.”

“Aveza…”

She heard his pleading tone and looked up into his eyes.

“You have, Aveza,” he said. “You may not see it, but I do. You've been one of the most amazing people I've had the pleasure of meeting. You're… you’re smart, you're funny, you're amazingly talented… You've made me smile even in times where I just couldn't. And honestly, I believe that amazing friendship we have is more than enough to earn all I've done.”

Now Aveza was at a loss for words. “You… you really mean that?” she asked. Arnold nodded.

“I do. I promise I do. Don't ever forget that I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

And then suddenly, Arnold was taken off guard when Aveza quickly reached over and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you,” she said. It took a moment for Arnold to comprehend what was happening, or how to respond to it, but eventually he just smiled and hugged her back.

“You're welcome, my dear,” he said.

She didn't let go, but he didn't mind. She'd been through so much, and right now she just needed someone to comfort her. And he was just happy to be that someone. They needed each other.

“This isn't uncomfortable for you is it?” Aveza asked.

“No. No. Not at all. It's no bother.”

“Okay…”

Arnold bit his lip. He wanted to tell her how he felt so badly. Unknown to him, she was having the same urge. But both were too afraid. Of what, they weren't quite sure. Even after facing battlefields and ancient death traps without fear, this still terrified them. Perhaps they were scared of tarnishing what they already had? Or perhaps they were scared of what the other would say? They didn't know. And that scared them further.

Nonetheless, they knew that this was the best moment. If neither did something now, there'd probably never be a better chance.

And so Arnold spoke up.

“Aveza…” he said nervously.

“Hmm?”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“Well… I… I just thought I should tell you that… that you look quite nice today…”

Aveza laughed a bit. “Just today?” she joked.

Arnold blushed as he stuttered. He mentally slapped himself for not saying something better.

“Well… No not just today,” he said. “I mean, you're quite a beautiful lady in general.”

“… Really?”

Arnold gulped nervously, realizing what he just said. “Y… yes,” he said. “I mean… um…”

Aveza let go of her grip a small bit and looked into his eyes. He gazed right back at hers.

“Well… um…” said Aveza. “If we're being honest, then I'd say that you're quite a handsome fellow yourself.”

“Yeah…?”

“Yeah.”

Both of them nervously laughed as their faces blushed.

“Well… thank you, my dear,” said Arnold.

There was a moment of silence.

“You always call me that,” Aveza said, “‘My dear’.”

“Is… is that okay?”

“Yes… I just wondered… why?”

Arnold shrugged. “Just kind of stuck I suppose.”

“Is that all?”

Arnold would've tugged his collar if he wasn't holding her in his arms.

“Well… I mean, you have always been very dear to me,” he said.

They were both silent. Eventually, Arnold sighed.

“Okay…” he said. “Aveza, I'm not going to lie, I like you.”

“...Like… how do you mean?”

“I mean, we've known each other for almost three years now. We've been through so much together, all the giant battles and little misadventures. You've been by my side ever since we met, and I've tried my hardest to be by yours. I like to believe we've grown so close, and quite honestly… I wish we could be closer…”

Aveza said nothing. She just looked into his eyes.

“Arnold…” she said. “Are you saying…?”

“I love you, Aveza. I mean it. And I completely understand if you don't feel the sa-”

“I love you too.”

Arnold looked surprised at her. He honestly didn't expect that response.

“Wait… really?” he said.

Aveza gave a weak smile and nodded. “Yes Arnold,” she said. “I do. You've been the most amazing person I've ever met. You've helped me through so much. So yes, I love you. And believe me, you have no idea how good it feels to know you feel the same.”

Arnold said nothing. He just smiled brightly. Aveza gave the same giant smile, and the two hugged again. Both were so relieved to finally get their feelings out. They just spent the next few moments in each other's arms, enjoying the moment. They looked at each other. She gazed into his bright brown eyes, and he gazed into her shining golden eyes. Both of them both thought the same thing: Well, we've made it this far, why not take one more step?”

And so they both closed their eyes. They slowly brought their faces together. They got closer and closer, until their lips finally met, and they kissed a long, gentle kiss.

They were happy. For that short moment, all of their problems disappeared from their minds. Harrison, the Templars, the War, it all vanished from their minds. For that moment, it was just the two of them, together. And nothing could ruin their moment.

“Aveza, sweetheart, I brought you a few cups of te- Oh my!”

Aveza and Arnold tore themselves apart and blushed as they turned to see Shikoba in the doorway, smiling brighter than the sun.

“Mum!” Aveza protested. “Don't you knock?”

Shikoba ignored her. “Oh, I knew it! You too are so lovely together! I'm so proud of you both!”

“Mum… please…”

“Ooh, I wish I had a means of preserving this moment! Ah! I'm so thrilled!”

“Muuuuum…”

“Oh, alright sweetheart. I'll leave you two alone. I'll just be on my way.”

Shikoba moved towards the door, though she purposely went as slow as possible. “Here I go,” she said. She was barely halfway gone. “Continue.”

“Mum!”

“Oh alright. Bye bye, sweetheart.” With that, Shikoba finally left the room. Aveza could hear her as she left, “Connor! You'll never believe it!”

Aveza blushed hard and shook her head. Arnold blushed too, but he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him. The two smiled again, and then went back to the comfort of each other's arms.

Description
January 6, 1814; Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts

Aveza groggily tried to sit up in bed, much to the disapproval of her friends, who insisted she rest. “Aveza dear,” said her worried mother, “please. You're not well enough yet.”

“I'm fine, mum,” she said not impolitely. She looked at the three of them: Arnold, Connor, and Shikoba. They were all clearly concerned about her. Arnold seemed the most worried out of all of them.

“What happened?” asked Aveza, rubbing her aching head.

“You took a massive beating,” said Connor. “You wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Arnold here.”

She looked at him. He smiled a bit through his worry. “After Harrison tore you to shreds during the battle, I beat him off and carried you away from the fight,” he said. “Then I brought you here to have Dr. Lyle and Diana heal you up.”

“The battle…” Aveza suddenly remembered. Her eyes widened as the events came back to her. “The battle! Tecumseh! He… he…”

The other three lowered their heads sadly. “He didn't make it,” said Arnold. Aveza stared at him, feeling the tears coming on. “I'm so sorry Aveza,” said Arnold.

“No…” stuttered Aveza. They were all silent. Aveza lowered her head and cried for her friend. Arnold sat down next to her and hugged her, trying to comfort her. It pained him so much to see her like this. Her mother also sat down next to her, and she petted her head gently.

“It's okay, sweetheart,” she said. “He wasn't afraid to leave this world. If I know Tecumseh, then I can be certain of that. He didn't die afraid.”

“He died a hero,” said Connor sadly. “To the Natives, to the British, and to our Brotherhood. We will never forget him.”

Aveza just cried. The other three each tried to comfort her. Eventually, she grew too tired to cry, and settled down a bit.

“Harrison…” she said. She could feel her fists tightening in rage. “That Templar dog! I'll gut him for this!”

Her friends stepped back in shock of her sudden outrage. Aveza tried to lug herself out of bed, ignoring her pain. Her friends tried desperately to stop her.

“Aveza dear, you're not healed enough to do any field work yet!” Arnold pleaded.

“I don't care!” said Aveza. “Harrison and the Templars are still out there!”

She tried again to sit up straight, but she fell back into bed after the pain stung her hard.

“Aveza…” said Connor.

“No… I have to…”

“We have Assassins in every state, every province already hunting down the Templars. We'll get Harrison, I promise. Somehow, someway, we'll get him, Shay, Jackson, all of them. We'll have you join us in that fight when you're better, but until then you have to rest.”

Aveza looked at her mentor, and lowered her head. Connor leaned down next to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Please,” he said. “We don't want to risk losing you too.”

Aveza looked at him, at all of them. She knew they were right. She didn't want to admit it, but she knew they were right. Sadness and defeat overtook her face.

“Alright…” she said, and she layed back down. Her friends breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” they said.

“Can we get you anything?” asked Shikoba.

“No thanks mum. I… I just need to think…”

Her friends looked at each other, and nodded. They said goodbye before heading to the door to leave her be. Shikoba gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving with Connor. Arnold lingered a bit though. He looked sadly at his friend. He was about to say something to her, but decided against it and left with a wave. Aveza sat alone in her room. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought back to the events of the battle. She thought of Harrison, of all the ways she'd make him pay. She thought of Tecumseh, and how much she already missed him.

“Rest in peace, my friend,” she said.

------------

January 20, 1814; Davenport Homestead, Massachusetts

Aveza was sitting up in bed, reading a book, when Arnold knocked on her door and came in.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hello, my dear. How are you doing?”

Aveza shrugged. “Bit better. I'm definitely not hurting as much as I was.”

“That's good to hear.” He reached behind the doorframe and grabbed a tray of food. He smiled at Aveza. “I brought you lunch,” he said. Aveza smiled lightly at him.

“Aw, thank you, Arnold,” she said.

Arnold nodded. He brought the tray over to her and gently set it on her lap. She quickly grabbed the fork that was on the tray and took a bite of egg.

“Wow,” she said. “That's rather good!”

“Hunter’s hens really gave us a good batch this time round,” said Arnold.

“That they have. That man's a great farmer.”

“He certainly is. Connor tells me he learned all his skills from his parents.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Aveza laughed a small bit. “Connor and his tales,” she said. “You know, sometimes I wish I could've been there with him, back during the Revolution. He's gone on so many adventures that we missed out on.”

“I remember feeling the same way about ol’ Arno as well,” laughed Arnold. “He would always go on about his old stories too. Though, he usually had a bit more of a grimmer tone than Connor.”

“Well, to be fair, the Revolution he had lived through was much more bloody than the one Connor lived through.”

“True. I remember how it felt when we were training in France and every ten minutes we'd see some poor bloke getting his head chopped off in the streets. I can't imagine what it must've felt like to experience that scene for years on end.”

“Not too good I'd imagine.”

Arnold laughed. “Indeed,” he said.

Aveza took another bite of her food.

“Hey, Arnold,” she said.

“Yes, my dear?”

“I… I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Oh it's no problem, my dear. I'm happy to bring you whatever you need to recover.”

“No… I mean… for everything…”

Arnold went quiet. “Oh?” he said.

“Yes… I mean, you've been by my side during this whole journey. You've always been there to lend a hand when I need it. And Lord only knows how many times you saved my life. So… I just wanted to say thank you. I know I don't say it much, but I truly appreciate everything you've done.”

Arnold said nothing. “Aveza,” he said, smiling a bit, “I must say… that's rather sweet. You're welcome.”

“And I'm really sorry I don't say it enough…”

“Oh, it's quite alright my dear.”

“But it's not to me.”

Arnold looked at her. He saw the emotional expression on her face. He didn't quite know what to say.

“I mean,” continued Aveza, “you pulled me out of a swarm of American soldiers and lugged me back here all by yourself! You saved my life… and I haven't done anything big enough to earn that kindness…”

She lowered her head. She felt bad, and Arnold could see it. He felt awful. He had to say something. He couldn't bear to see his best friend like this.

“But you have,” he said. “Aveza, you have.”

“I haven't.”

“Aveza…”

She heard his pleading tone and looked up into his eyes.

“You have, Aveza,” he said. “You may not see it, but I do. You've been one of the most amazing people I've had the pleasure of meeting. You're… you’re smart, you're funny, you're amazingly talented… You've made me smile even in times where I just couldn't. And honestly, I believe that amazing friendship we have is more than enough to earn all I've done.”

Now Aveza was at a loss for words. “You… you really mean that?” she asked. Arnold nodded.

“I do. I promise I do. Don't ever forget that I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

And then suddenly, Arnold was taken off guard when Aveza quickly reached over and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you,” she said. It took a moment for Arnold to comprehend what was happening, or how to respond to it, but eventually he just smiled and hugged her back.

“You're welcome, my dear,” he said.

She didn't let go, but he didn't mind. She'd been through so much, and right now she just needed someone to comfort her. And he was just happy to be that someone. They needed each other.

“This isn't uncomfortable for you is it?” Aveza asked.

“No. No. Not at all. It's no bother.”

“Okay…”

Arnold bit his lip. He wanted to tell her how he felt so badly. Unknown to him, she was having the same urge. But both were too afraid. Of what, they weren't quite sure. Even after facing battlefields and ancient death traps without fear, this still terrified them. Perhaps they were scared of tarnishing what they already had? Or perhaps they were scared of what the other would say? They didn't know. And that scared them further.

Nonetheless, they knew that this was the best moment. If neither did something now, there'd probably never be a better chance.

And so Arnold spoke up.

“Aveza…” he said nervously.

“Hmm?”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“Well… I… I just thought I should tell you that… that you look quite nice today…”

Aveza laughed a bit. “Just today?” she joked.

Arnold blushed as he stuttered. He mentally slapped himself for not saying something better.

“Well… No not just today,” he said. “I mean, you're quite a beautiful lady in general.”

“… Really?”

Arnold gulped nervously, realizing what he just said. “Y… yes,” he said. “I mean… um…”

Aveza let go of her grip a small bit and looked into his eyes. He gazed right back at hers.

“Well… um…” said Aveza. “If we're being honest, then I'd say that you're quite a handsome fellow yourself.”

“Yeah…?”

“Yeah.”

Both of them nervously laughed as their faces blushed.

“Well… thank you, my dear,” said Arnold.

There was a moment of silence.

“You always call me that,” Aveza said, “‘My dear’.”

“Is… is that okay?”

“Yes… I just wondered… why?”

Arnold shrugged. “Just kind of stuck I suppose.”

“Is that all?”

Arnold would've tugged his collar if he wasn't holding her in his arms.

“Well… I mean, you have always been very dear to me,” he said.

They were both silent. Eventually, Arnold sighed.

“Okay…” he said. “Aveza, I'm not going to lie, I like you.”

“...Like… how do you mean?”

“I mean, we've known each other for almost three years now. We've been through so much together, all the giant battles and little misadventures. You've been by my side ever since we met, and I've tried my hardest to be by yours. I like to believe we've grown so close, and quite honestly… I wish we could be closer…”

Aveza said nothing. She just looked into his eyes.

“Arnold…” she said. “Are you saying…?”

“I love you, Aveza. I mean it. And I completely understand if you don't feel the sa-”

“I love you too.”

Arnold looked surprised at her. He honestly didn't expect that response.

“Wait… really?” he said.

Aveza gave a weak smile and nodded. “Yes Arnold,” she said. “I do. You've been the most amazing person I've ever met. You've helped me through so much. So yes, I love you. And believe me, you have no idea how good it feels to know you feel the same.”

Arnold said nothing. He just smiled brightly. Aveza gave the same giant smile, and the two hugged again. Both were so relieved to finally get their feelings out. They just spent the next few moments in each other's arms, enjoying the moment. They looked at each other. She gazed into his bright brown eyes, and he gazed into her shining golden eyes. Both of them both thought the same thing: Well, we've made it this far, why not take one more step?”

And so they both closed their eyes. They slowly brought their faces together. They got closer and closer, until their lips finally met, and they kissed a long, gentle kiss.

They were happy. For that short moment, all of their problems disappeared from their minds. Harrison, the Templars, the War, it all vanished from their minds. For that moment, it was just the two of them, together. And nothing could ruin their moment.

“Aveza, sweetheart, I brought you a few cups of te- Oh my!”

Aveza and Arnold tore themselves apart and blushed as they turned to see Shikoba in the doorway, smiling brighter than the sun.

“Mum!” Aveza protested. “Don't you knock?”

Shikoba ignored her. “Oh, I knew it! You too are so lovely together! I'm so proud of you both!”

“Mum… please…”

“Ooh, I wish I had a means of preserving this moment! Ah! I'm so thrilled!”

“Muuuuum…”

“Oh, alright sweetheart. I'll leave you two alone. I'll just be on my way.”

Shikoba moved towards the door, though she purposely went as slow as possible. “Here I go,” she said. She was barely halfway gone. “Continue.”

“Mum!”

“Oh alright. Bye bye, sweetheart.” With that, Shikoba finally left the room. Aveza could hear her as she left, “Connor! You'll never believe it!”

Aveza blushed hard and shook her head. Arnold blushed too, but he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him. The two smiled again, and then went back to the comfort of each other's arms.