A high-pitched cry of an eagle pierced through the air, a faint wind followed, then it was as if the light rustling of feathers could be heard. This avian species would be unusual to find this far out at sea but that didn’t explain away its characteristic call. Yet, if anyone looked toward the sound, they would detect nothing with the eyes.

In an instant, Ratonhnhaké:ton materialized, seemingly out of nothing as he placed himself between the combatants. He threw his weight against Elissa, encouraging her to fall backwards to the floor. Normally, he wouldn’t have hesitated to release his hidden blades and finish the job, but this woman had been one of their allies only a month ago. He still wanted to attempt reason, like it had been discussed before.

That did not mean, that he would let her off so easily. Noticing the chink in her armor, he swung his tomahawk soundly toward her left shoulder. His sudden arrival, and the pain that would derive from that blow should be enough to buy him some time in terms of deciding how best to disarm her.

If there was any chance that the battle between Haytham and Elissa would proceed unhindered, it had been shattered by the explosive nature of that firearm.

He wanted to comment on the compromising position he’d found his father in but he was too focused on this woman to risk splitting his attentions.