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Description
October 13, 1812; Queenston, Upper Canada

Aveza rode through the early, early morning. The stars were still out to guide her way. She rode along the edge of the Niagara River until she finally came up to her destination: a small military settlement near Queenston village. She slowed her horse down to a trot as she came near the troops of British soldiers. The soldiers standing guard stepped forward as she approached.

“Halt!” said one of them. Aveza tugged on the reins and came to a stop.

“State your business, ma’am,” another guard said.

“I came to meet with Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell, good sir,” Aveza said. “Could one of you gentlemen be so kind as to let him know that Aveza Deryn has arrived?”

“We need to see your papers first, ma’am.”

“Do you?” In her head, she sighed. There's always something.

“Fraid so, Miss. We can't risk any spies infiltratin’ our ranks.”

“Do I look like a spy?”

“Well, to be fair Miss, that hood of yours is a tad suspicious.”

Aveza took off her hood and let the breeze into her hair. Her golden eyes twinkled in the starlight. “How ‘bout now?” she joked.

“I need papers, Miss,” said the guard. Aveza drooped her shoulders and sighed.

“Come on,” she said.

“Sorry ma’am. That's the rules.”

“It's okay, Private,” a new voice suddenly said. “She's with me.”

Aveza and the guard looked towards the entrance and saw a new figure appear amongst the soldiers. Aveza smiled brightly at the familiar sight of Arnold. He smiled and waved at her and she did the same.

“Come on in, Aveza,” he said. “I'll have my men here take care of your horse.”

Ave nodded and hopped off. The other guard seemed satisfied enough with her connection to Arnold, and he let her pass without discussion. As the soldiers dealt with her animal, Aveza followed Arnold into the settlement.

“Thanks for that,” she said to him as they walked.

“Ah, no problem my dear. Happy to help.”

Aveza smiled. She was really glad to have him as a friend.

“So, what's our situation?” she asked.

“We've found Isaac Brock,” explained Arnold. “He's camped out in Fort George not far from here. If there's ever a chance to take him out, it's now.”

“So why are we here and not there?”

“Well, do you want to go charging into a fort full of soldiers allied to you and kill their commanding officer without having someone to back your reasons?”

“Alright fair point. I take it this John Macdonell you told me about is that someone?”

“Indeed, my dear. He and his York Volunteers have the closest links to Brock. If we can get them on our side, we can kill Brock without the British turning on us.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Do you still have that ring you stole from Brock’s tent?”

Aveza nodded. She pulled it out to show him before putting it back in her bag. She did the same with the documents she stole. “I remembered to bring these too,” she said.

“Excellent!” said Arnold. “I've got a few documents myself. Those combined with that ring should be enough to persuade Macdonell.”

Aveza nodded. The two of them continued on. Eventually, they reached a small house on the edge of the village. Arnold knocked on the door, and soon enough a soldier answered.

“Ah, Captain Bellamy,” he said. “What can I help you with?”

“Colonel, this is Aveza Deryn, the woman I told you about.”

Aveza smiled and waved. The Colonel smiled and shook her hand. “Ah, Ms. Deryn. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. The Captain here has told me a lot about you,” he said.

“Has he now?” Aveza smirked at Arnold, who blushed a little.

Aveza giggled.

“Right. Shall we go in and discuss matters?” she said. Arnold and Macdonell nodded. Macdonell motioned for them to enter, which they did. The Colonel led the two into a room with a window looking out at the river. The three sat down at a table and began their meeting.

“So,” said the Colonel. “Captain, you've told me you have evidence of a traitor amongst our ranks?” Arnold nodded. He started pulling his papers out of his coat pocket.

“Indeed, sir,” he said.

“And may I ask the name of this snake?”

“Isaac Brock,” said Aveza. Macdonell’s eyes widened as he went silent.

“I’m sorry. What?” he said in disbelief. Arnold passed him the stack of documents. Aveza handed him Brock’s Templar ring and her own documents. As Macdonell looked over the evidence, Aveza began to explain.

“We've found out that Isaac Brock has been secretly working with an enemy to the British Empire and its allies. Every battle we've lost in this war, we've lost because he planned for us to lose.”

The Colonel studied every inch of the evidence, trying to find something wrong with it to prove that Brock was innocent. He found none. Eventually, he knew it had to be true. Brock was not truly with the British. He hung his head and swore under his breath.

“This is… unfortunate news,” he said. “I'll have to inform my men about this…”

“Hold up,” said Arnold. “Not just yet.”

“Why not?”

Arnold stood and went to the window. He pointed to a point over the river. Macdonell and Aveza went to look. “That's why not,” said Arnold.

Aveza's eyes widened as she looked across the river and saw an advancing army. Hundreds of American soldiers were gathering up boats to come across. Aveza swore under her breath, as did Macdonell.

“I knew they'd start attacking soon,” Macdonell snarled to himself. “It was only a matter of time.”

“You knew they were coming?” asked Aveza.

“They've been on their way here for about a week now,” said Arnold. “We knew they'd start crossing soon, we just never knew when. I guess now’s that time.”

“Bullocks.”

“But we can use this to our advantage.”

“Do tell.”

“Chances are when the Americans attack this village, that'll draw Brock out of the fort. Now Colonel, we need you to alert our men of Brock’s treachery, but tell them not to take action against him. Leave that to Aveza and me. Tell them to be hesitant to follow Brock’s orders. Because if they do follow him fully, we'll surely lose the fight.”

Macdonell thought about it for a moment. “Alright. I'll do that. You two should go get prepared to fight while I do.”

Arnold and Aveza nodded, and the three split up to do their jobs. Arnold grabbed a musket and hid in a cluster of bushes, ready to fire at the enemy. Aveza rushed through the scrambling sea of soldiers to find a rifle of her own. As she searched, she could already hear the disheartened conversations of soldiers who had heard of Isaac Brock’s treachery. News travels fast.

She eventually found a musket and loaded it up. By the time she got into position amongst the soldiers, the Americans had already landed on the shore a few hundred yards away. They were already unleashing a swarm of bullets upon the British. Aveza took aim, and began firing. Colonel Macdonell had begun running around the battlefield among other commanding officers, shouting orders at their men. The British unleashed another folly on the Americans, and the Americans did the same. Men on both sides fell dead or wounded. They all kept firing.

Aveza looked over at Arnold, who was successfully stealthing his way through the bushes and firing shots at the enemy. Satisfied that he was okay, she focused again on her own targets.

Eventually, she reached a point where most of the men around her had fallen. Not wanting to be an open target, she fell back into the village and joined the soldiers there in their firing squad. She leapt through a nearby window of one house and fell with a thud behind her cover. The soldiers already using that house for cover looked in surprise as she fell in. Aveza smiled at them and gave a mock salute.

“Evening gents!” she said before peaking over the window and firing off another shot at the Americans.

Suddenly, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye, out another window. A new face had arrived on scene and had just gotten off his horse. Isaac Brock. He was already barking orders at his men, who, as expected, were hesitant. Nonetheless, they played along and waited for the Assassins to do their thing.

Aveza looked at the soldiers. “Fraid I have to go, gentlemen,” she said. “So long!” Before the soldiers could react, Aveza dropped her empty musket, leapt out the other window and carefully made her way towards Brock.

The Americans kept fighting hard, and Brock was trying to push his men harder. But as the orders came, the soldiers didn't listen. Some of them began to fall back. Brock looked at them, furious.

“This is the first time I have ever seen the 49th turn their backs!” he shouted. “Surely the heroes of Egmont will not tarnish their record!”

The soldiers were hesitant to follow the traitor who wanted to lead them to failure, but they knew that the Assassins would take action soon. Still, Brock was mad that they showed any hesitancy at all. He turned to Macdonell, who was about a half dozen yards away.

“Push on the York Volunteers!” he shouted at him, waving his arm towards his men. That was when Aveza stood up from the bushes and fired her pistol at him. The bullet smacked into the Templar’s wrist, causing him to recoil back before turning to face Aveza. The soldiers gave the two their space as Aveza drew her sword.

“Your treachery ends here you Templar dog,” she said.

Brock, realizing his cover had been blown, scowled and drew his own sword.

“I suppose it was only a matter of time before you found me out,” he said. “Very well then, Assassin. Let's duel!”

Aveza made the first move. She ran at Brock as the hail of bullets from both sides soared around them.

Brock brought up his blade and countered her attack. He swung at her, but she dodged the blow. She tried to swing again, but Brock countered again and punched her, sending her backwards a bit.

“I'm trying to help you!” he shouted at her over the noise of the battle. “How is it you Assassins are too dull to see that?”

“Well, the Templar cross on your ring tends to speak otherwise.” She charged again, this time managing to get a few cuts in. Brock, however, did the same.

“We can help your people! We can help the Natives!” Brock said. Their blades clashed again.

“By letting the Americans steal their lands?’ Aveza rebuked.

“You're so naive, child.”

“Save it.”

They clashed again, and again. Aveza swung hard at the Templar, but he countered her blow and knocked her sword out of her hand. Before she could draw another weapon, Brock hit her hard with the pommel of his sword and sent her falling to the ground.

Aveza winced in pain as she tried to get up. But as she did, Brock stood over her and lifted his sword.

“It's over, Assassin!” he said. He pulled his sword back and Aveza braced herself, praying the blow wouldn't be lethal.

But suddenly, she heard a distant shout of “No!” and she turned just in time to see Arnold leap out of the bushes, take aim with his gun, and fire. The bullet hit Brock right in the chest just as he was about to swing his sword. He went reeling back as he dropped his weapon. Blood started flowing out of the hole in his chest, but he was still standing, albeit barely.

Aveza, realizing her chance, shot up and dashed at Brock. In a flash she flicked out her hidden blade and rammed it into the bullet hole in his chest. Both of them fell with a thud, and time began to slow. Ava watched as the white void of the Animus replaced all of the other scenery. Aveza kneeled over the dying Brock.

“Your schemes are at an end,” she said.

“No…” Brock groaned in pain. “I had so much more to do…”

“More battles to lose for the Americans?” Aveza said. “More lands to let them take control of?”

“Foolish girl. We didn't want to take the lands for the Americans. We wanted to take the lands for us. For the Templars.”

“I don't see how that's any better. Either way, the Natives living on those lands lose their livelihoods.”

“Yes! Under our rule, we could teach them to abandon their savage ways. We could bring them to civilization.”

“They already are civilized.”

“That's not how the Americans see it. Until the Natives are just like them, they will always try to conquer them.”

“Then the solution is to inspire the people to live in harmony with the different cultures, not to snuff them out.”

“It's not possible.”

“It is. I've seen it. The British do so.”

“You can't possibly understand the true nature of people…”

With that, he died. Aveza looked at him and closed his eyes. “I know that if given the chance, people can learn to be great and accept, not fear, those who are different than themselves,” she said. “Rest in peace.”

Ava's consciousness slipped away again as the white void disappeared and the sights and sounds of the battlefield returned. Aveza stood from the body and suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Arnold.

“Come on!” he said. “Quickly! Into one of those houses! This battle’s not yet won!”

Aveza nodded and the two bolted for the nearest house. They took cover under a window and let off more shots at the Americans. The battle raged on.

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

The fighting continued well into the afternoon, but eventually, after both British and Native reinforcements had arrived, the Americans turned tail and ran. The battle was over. Another victory for the British, and the Assassins. The soldiers began cheering in victory as some of the remaining Americans that had surrendered were taken prisoner. Aveza and Arnold raised their weapons and celebrated as well. They ran to the edge of the cliff surrounding the river and taunted their fleeing enemies.

“And don't come back!” Aveza shouted with a smile.

“What she said!” shouted Arnold.

The two looked at each other and laughed and cheered their victory. The two hugged in celebration. It was a short hug, and Aveza tried to ignore her disappointment in its length that irked in the back of her mind. She wouldn't admit it, but she wanted to be closer to him for a bit longer. If only she knew that he felt the same.

“Right then,” said Arnold. “Best we head back to the Homestead and tell Connor about this little victory.”

Aveza smiled and nodded.

The two went and got their horses after making sure the British had everything in order. Side by side, they started their ride back to Massachusetts. Arnold looked at Aveza. She looked at him. The scenery was peaceful. The birds chirped in the trees that swayed in the wind. The clouds drifted gently across the white void that overtook her vision. Ones and zeros and double helixes zipped about as Ruby started walking over to her.

“Alright Ava,” she said. “Time to get out.”

Description
October 13, 1812; Queenston, Upper Canada

Aveza rode through the early, early morning. The stars were still out to guide her way. She rode along the edge of the Niagara River until she finally came up to her destination: a small military settlement near Queenston village. She slowed her horse down to a trot as she came near the troops of British soldiers. The soldiers standing guard stepped forward as she approached.

“Halt!” said one of them. Aveza tugged on the reins and came to a stop.

“State your business, ma’am,” another guard said.

“I came to meet with Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell, good sir,” Aveza said. “Could one of you gentlemen be so kind as to let him know that Aveza Deryn has arrived?”

“We need to see your papers first, ma’am.”

“Do you?” In her head, she sighed. There's always something.

“Fraid so, Miss. We can't risk any spies infiltratin’ our ranks.”

“Do I look like a spy?”

“Well, to be fair Miss, that hood of yours is a tad suspicious.”

Aveza took off her hood and let the breeze into her hair. Her golden eyes twinkled in the starlight. “How ‘bout now?” she joked.

“I need papers, Miss,” said the guard. Aveza drooped her shoulders and sighed.

“Come on,” she said.

“Sorry ma’am. That's the rules.”

“It's okay, Private,” a new voice suddenly said. “She's with me.”

Aveza and the guard looked towards the entrance and saw a new figure appear amongst the soldiers. Aveza smiled brightly at the familiar sight of Arnold. He smiled and waved at her and she did the same.

“Come on in, Aveza,” he said. “I'll have my men here take care of your horse.”

Ave nodded and hopped off. The other guard seemed satisfied enough with her connection to Arnold, and he let her pass without discussion. As the soldiers dealt with her animal, Aveza followed Arnold into the settlement.

“Thanks for that,” she said to him as they walked.

“Ah, no problem my dear. Happy to help.”

Aveza smiled. She was really glad to have him as a friend.

“So, what's our situation?” she asked.

“We've found Isaac Brock,” explained Arnold. “He's camped out in Fort George not far from here. If there's ever a chance to take him out, it's now.”

“So why are we here and not there?”

“Well, do you want to go charging into a fort full of soldiers allied to you and kill their commanding officer without having someone to back your reasons?”

“Alright fair point. I take it this John Macdonell you told me about is that someone?”

“Indeed, my dear. He and his York Volunteers have the closest links to Brock. If we can get them on our side, we can kill Brock without the British turning on us.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Do you still have that ring you stole from Brock’s tent?”

Aveza nodded. She pulled it out to show him before putting it back in her bag. She did the same with the documents she stole. “I remembered to bring these too,” she said.

“Excellent!” said Arnold. “I've got a few documents myself. Those combined with that ring should be enough to persuade Macdonell.”

Aveza nodded. The two of them continued on. Eventually, they reached a small house on the edge of the village. Arnold knocked on the door, and soon enough a soldier answered.

“Ah, Captain Bellamy,” he said. “What can I help you with?”

“Colonel, this is Aveza Deryn, the woman I told you about.”

Aveza smiled and waved. The Colonel smiled and shook her hand. “Ah, Ms. Deryn. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. The Captain here has told me a lot about you,” he said.

“Has he now?” Aveza smirked at Arnold, who blushed a little.

Aveza giggled.

“Right. Shall we go in and discuss matters?” she said. Arnold and Macdonell nodded. Macdonell motioned for them to enter, which they did. The Colonel led the two into a room with a window looking out at the river. The three sat down at a table and began their meeting.

“So,” said the Colonel. “Captain, you've told me you have evidence of a traitor amongst our ranks?” Arnold nodded. He started pulling his papers out of his coat pocket.

“Indeed, sir,” he said.

“And may I ask the name of this snake?”

“Isaac Brock,” said Aveza. Macdonell’s eyes widened as he went silent.

“I’m sorry. What?” he said in disbelief. Arnold passed him the stack of documents. Aveza handed him Brock’s Templar ring and her own documents. As Macdonell looked over the evidence, Aveza began to explain.

“We've found out that Isaac Brock has been secretly working with an enemy to the British Empire and its allies. Every battle we've lost in this war, we've lost because he planned for us to lose.”

The Colonel studied every inch of the evidence, trying to find something wrong with it to prove that Brock was innocent. He found none. Eventually, he knew it had to be true. Brock was not truly with the British. He hung his head and swore under his breath.

“This is… unfortunate news,” he said. “I'll have to inform my men about this…”

“Hold up,” said Arnold. “Not just yet.”

“Why not?”

Arnold stood and went to the window. He pointed to a point over the river. Macdonell and Aveza went to look. “That's why not,” said Arnold.

Aveza's eyes widened as she looked across the river and saw an advancing army. Hundreds of American soldiers were gathering up boats to come across. Aveza swore under her breath, as did Macdonell.

“I knew they'd start attacking soon,” Macdonell snarled to himself. “It was only a matter of time.”

“You knew they were coming?” asked Aveza.

“They've been on their way here for about a week now,” said Arnold. “We knew they'd start crossing soon, we just never knew when. I guess now’s that time.”

“Bullocks.”

“But we can use this to our advantage.”

“Do tell.”

“Chances are when the Americans attack this village, that'll draw Brock out of the fort. Now Colonel, we need you to alert our men of Brock’s treachery, but tell them not to take action against him. Leave that to Aveza and me. Tell them to be hesitant to follow Brock’s orders. Because if they do follow him fully, we'll surely lose the fight.”

Macdonell thought about it for a moment. “Alright. I'll do that. You two should go get prepared to fight while I do.”

Arnold and Aveza nodded, and the three split up to do their jobs. Arnold grabbed a musket and hid in a cluster of bushes, ready to fire at the enemy. Aveza rushed through the scrambling sea of soldiers to find a rifle of her own. As she searched, she could already hear the disheartened conversations of soldiers who had heard of Isaac Brock’s treachery. News travels fast.

She eventually found a musket and loaded it up. By the time she got into position amongst the soldiers, the Americans had already landed on the shore a few hundred yards away. They were already unleashing a swarm of bullets upon the British. Aveza took aim, and began firing. Colonel Macdonell had begun running around the battlefield among other commanding officers, shouting orders at their men. The British unleashed another folly on the Americans, and the Americans did the same. Men on both sides fell dead or wounded. They all kept firing.

Aveza looked over at Arnold, who was successfully stealthing his way through the bushes and firing shots at the enemy. Satisfied that he was okay, she focused again on her own targets.

Eventually, she reached a point where most of the men around her had fallen. Not wanting to be an open target, she fell back into the village and joined the soldiers there in their firing squad. She leapt through a nearby window of one house and fell with a thud behind her cover. The soldiers already using that house for cover looked in surprise as she fell in. Aveza smiled at them and gave a mock salute.

“Evening gents!” she said before peaking over the window and firing off another shot at the Americans.

Suddenly, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye, out another window. A new face had arrived on scene and had just gotten off his horse. Isaac Brock. He was already barking orders at his men, who, as expected, were hesitant. Nonetheless, they played along and waited for the Assassins to do their thing.

Aveza looked at the soldiers. “Fraid I have to go, gentlemen,” she said. “So long!” Before the soldiers could react, Aveza dropped her empty musket, leapt out the other window and carefully made her way towards Brock.

The Americans kept fighting hard, and Brock was trying to push his men harder. But as the orders came, the soldiers didn't listen. Some of them began to fall back. Brock looked at them, furious.

“This is the first time I have ever seen the 49th turn their backs!” he shouted. “Surely the heroes of Egmont will not tarnish their record!”

The soldiers were hesitant to follow the traitor who wanted to lead them to failure, but they knew that the Assassins would take action soon. Still, Brock was mad that they showed any hesitancy at all. He turned to Macdonell, who was about a half dozen yards away.

“Push on the York Volunteers!” he shouted at him, waving his arm towards his men. That was when Aveza stood up from the bushes and fired her pistol at him. The bullet smacked into the Templar’s wrist, causing him to recoil back before turning to face Aveza. The soldiers gave the two their space as Aveza drew her sword.

“Your treachery ends here you Templar dog,” she said.

Brock, realizing his cover had been blown, scowled and drew his own sword.

“I suppose it was only a matter of time before you found me out,” he said. “Very well then, Assassin. Let's duel!”

Aveza made the first move. She ran at Brock as the hail of bullets from both sides soared around them.

Brock brought up his blade and countered her attack. He swung at her, but she dodged the blow. She tried to swing again, but Brock countered again and punched her, sending her backwards a bit.

“I'm trying to help you!” he shouted at her over the noise of the battle. “How is it you Assassins are too dull to see that?”

“Well, the Templar cross on your ring tends to speak otherwise.” She charged again, this time managing to get a few cuts in. Brock, however, did the same.

“We can help your people! We can help the Natives!” Brock said. Their blades clashed again.

“By letting the Americans steal their lands?’ Aveza rebuked.

“You're so naive, child.”

“Save it.”

They clashed again, and again. Aveza swung hard at the Templar, but he countered her blow and knocked her sword out of her hand. Before she could draw another weapon, Brock hit her hard with the pommel of his sword and sent her falling to the ground.

Aveza winced in pain as she tried to get up. But as she did, Brock stood over her and lifted his sword.

“It's over, Assassin!” he said. He pulled his sword back and Aveza braced herself, praying the blow wouldn't be lethal.

But suddenly, she heard a distant shout of “No!” and she turned just in time to see Arnold leap out of the bushes, take aim with his gun, and fire. The bullet hit Brock right in the chest just as he was about to swing his sword. He went reeling back as he dropped his weapon. Blood started flowing out of the hole in his chest, but he was still standing, albeit barely.

Aveza, realizing her chance, shot up and dashed at Brock. In a flash she flicked out her hidden blade and rammed it into the bullet hole in his chest. Both of them fell with a thud, and time began to slow. Ava watched as the white void of the Animus replaced all of the other scenery. Aveza kneeled over the dying Brock.

“Your schemes are at an end,” she said.

“No…” Brock groaned in pain. “I had so much more to do…”

“More battles to lose for the Americans?” Aveza said. “More lands to let them take control of?”

“Foolish girl. We didn't want to take the lands for the Americans. We wanted to take the lands for us. For the Templars.”

“I don't see how that's any better. Either way, the Natives living on those lands lose their livelihoods.”

“Yes! Under our rule, we could teach them to abandon their savage ways. We could bring them to civilization.”

“They already are civilized.”

“That's not how the Americans see it. Until the Natives are just like them, they will always try to conquer them.”

“Then the solution is to inspire the people to live in harmony with the different cultures, not to snuff them out.”

“It's not possible.”

“It is. I've seen it. The British do so.”

“You can't possibly understand the true nature of people…”

With that, he died. Aveza looked at him and closed his eyes. “I know that if given the chance, people can learn to be great and accept, not fear, those who are different than themselves,” she said. “Rest in peace.”

Ava's consciousness slipped away again as the white void disappeared and the sights and sounds of the battlefield returned. Aveza stood from the body and suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Arnold.

“Come on!” he said. “Quickly! Into one of those houses! This battle’s not yet won!”

Aveza nodded and the two bolted for the nearest house. They took cover under a window and let off more shots at the Americans. The battle raged on.

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

The fighting continued well into the afternoon, but eventually, after both British and Native reinforcements had arrived, the Americans turned tail and ran. The battle was over. Another victory for the British, and the Assassins. The soldiers began cheering in victory as some of the remaining Americans that had surrendered were taken prisoner. Aveza and Arnold raised their weapons and celebrated as well. They ran to the edge of the cliff surrounding the river and taunted their fleeing enemies.

“And don't come back!” Aveza shouted with a smile.

“What she said!” shouted Arnold.

The two looked at each other and laughed and cheered their victory. The two hugged in celebration. It was a short hug, and Aveza tried to ignore her disappointment in its length that irked in the back of her mind. She wouldn't admit it, but she wanted to be closer to him for a bit longer. If only she knew that he felt the same.

“Right then,” said Arnold. “Best we head back to the Homestead and tell Connor about this little victory.”

Aveza smiled and nodded.

The two went and got their horses after making sure the British had everything in order. Side by side, they started their ride back to Massachusetts. Arnold looked at Aveza. She looked at him. The scenery was peaceful. The birds chirped in the trees that swayed in the wind. The clouds drifted gently across the white void that overtook her vision. Ones and zeros and double helixes zipped about as Ruby started walking over to her.

“Alright Ava,” she said. “Time to get out.”