Hey everyone. Well, my midterms are done (passed them all!) so in celebration, I'm posting this chapter early. Enjoy!
Oh, and in answer to my reviewer, Isabella, yes, the Aragorn I mentioned was Aragorn was from Lord of the Rings. The battle at Helm's Deep, to me, was kind of like the Revolutionary War in the sense that a small number of farmers went up against this massive army and triumphed when all hope seemed to be lost. So yea, there ya go.
Also a HUGE thank you to all my faithful reviewers! Keep 'em coming!
Chapter 10: The Militia
The moment we were out of sight of the camp, Gabriel slowed down to a walk, which allowed me to catch up to him. We walked in silence for a moment, just trying to absorb the speed in which everything was happening. After a few minutes Gabriel asked, "What's it like?"
I looked at him confused. "What's what like?"
"The future. The 21st century. How much does the world change? Do we even win this war?"
"Oh um . . ." I focused on the beautiful scenery, trying to arrange my thoughts. "Well, in some places, life isn't so different than this," I gestured to the farms. "People are just trying to live their lives in peace and that's what they have. But in the cities, oh, they're almost indescribable." My eyes took on a far away look as I thought about home for the first time in months. "There are buildings, taller than anything you could ever imagine. 50, 80, 100 stories tall. They seem to touch the sky, which is why they're named 'skyscrapers.' There are people everywhere. In 2006, I think the last recorded world population was something like 6 billion." I noticed Gabriel's eye pop out of his head. "Oh yea, there's a lot of people."
"What are the people like?" So all through our trip, I tried to explain the world I was born into for Gabriel; the world that he was fighting for. At one point I took my ipod out of my bag and showed him the different kinds of music that existed and the different technologies we had. I, of course, left out many important facts. Like his life being a movie, of an actor existing that looked, acted, and was him, and some important history. I had read different versions of time travel stories and knew the serious impact information would have if flaunted about. But other than that, I just explained my life to Gabriel. I tried to describe high school, but he wouldn't believe that something could be that torturous. Oh if only.
It took two days to get to all of the towns that Benjamin requested. Our last stop was at Pembroke. (And just so ya'll know, sleeping outside, with no tent or anything like that, really sucks.)
Gabriel was still asking me questions about home again and shortly into my narration of what a camera was, we galloped over a hill and Pembroke came into sight. It was definitely a random little town in the middle of a meadow. Just before we entered the town, we noticed a dead tree supporting three hanging bodies, while crows scattered from its branches. Gabriel and I pulled up short, staring at them in horrid fascination.
I pulled my eyes away from the looks frozen on the dead men's faces to the church situated at the end of the road. I couldn't help it as I gasped staring at it. I didn't see the church though, for the first time in a long time, the image was replaced by a scene in the movie. There was no church, only a great ball of fire, reaching its red like claws to the sky. I could even hear the screams of the people when, in actuality, they were singing for Sunday Service.
"What is it, Steph?" Gabriel asked concerned. I had finally convinced him to just use my nickname. My full name had way too many syllables.
"Nothing, nothing I'm fine," I tried to convince him. I don't think it took, but he let the subject drop. We continued forward to the church, stopping only to tie the horses, then proceeded up the steps and into the building, disrupting the service.
I hung back by the door while Gabriel walked ahead to speak to the Reverend. Many people were sending Gabriel dirty looks as they sat down after their songs. "Reverend, with your permission, I'd like to make an announcement."
"Young man, this is a house of God."
"I understand that, reverend. I apologize." Yea, but you don't sound that sorry, I thought as I leaned against the door frame. Gabriel looked around at the masses gathered. "The South Carolina Militia is being called up. I'm here to enlist every man willing."
The Reverend had made his way down the steps from his pedestal to stand before us. "Son, we are here to pray for the souls of those men hanging outside."
"Yes, pray for them. But honor them by taking up arms with us. "Oh boy, here we go.
The man I recognized as the one to give away the 'lair' as I later called it stood up. "And bring more suffering to this town?"
"If King George can hang those men, our friends, he can hang anyone of us," another man spoke up. And then Anne added her piece. I smiled slightly as she began.
"Dan Scott, barely a week ago I heard you rail for two hours about independence. Mr. Hardwick, how many times have I heard you speak of freedom at my father's table?" You get 'em girl! "Half the men in this church, including you Father, and you, reverend, are as ardent patriots as I." And she stuns them to silence. "Will you now, when you are needed the most, stop only at words? Is that the sort of men you are?" I started chuckling in the back, which led to several dirty looks cast in my direction. "I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken and in which you so strongly believe." I saw Anne catch Gabriel's eyes and knew a silent message was passing between them.
Walking forward at the end of the speech, I turned and stared down at the men. Lowering my voice in pitch slightly I asked, "So. Who's with us?"
First one man stood up. And then another, and then another, until at least twelve men were standing all together, pledging to fight for us. I shifted my eyes up to Gabriel's face and saw that look in his eye as he stared at Anne.
Hours later, the men were all packed up and saying their farewells to their family and friends. They were hugging their children, kissing their wives, and all around being very gushy. Gabriel and I had been standing off to the side when I notice him staring at Anne. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look at me.
"Why don't you go and see if there's a way to talk to her during these coming months, hmm?" He looked shocked, as if how could I possibly know that he had a crush on Anne. But I saw indecision in his eyes. Frowning slightly I asked, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know. The truth of the matter is, I think about her just as much as . . . I think about you." My heart throbbed painfully against my rib cage, but I knew this had to stop. I could not alter fate, no matter how much I cursed it.
"Well then, I guess your gonna have to stop thinkin' about me, and focus more on that beautiful girl over there, "I pointed towards Anne. "Look, you've become like a brother to me. You and she are meant to be together and besides, for all I know, you could be my great-great-great-ect. grandfather or something." He smiled at that.
"That would be strange."
I laughed, "You have no idea. Now go ask her Dad for her number, I-ah, mean how ever it is ya'll talk to each other."
He smiled and nodded his head and made his way over to the Howard family. My heart hurt a little at having to push Gabriel away, but it just wasn't feasible. I was messing with the story enough and getting in the way of their love was not fair. Their love would add light when this war turned really dark. Gabriel came, as I saw it, hopping back to me, a stupid grin plastered to his face.
"I take it that went well?" He just leaped onto his horse, looking around at the men.
I shook my head and followed suit. I was about ready to call for us to get moving when I heard Mr. Howard ask baffled, "Reverend?" And turned to see the Reverend heading toward us with his musket. He paused for a minute, then spun to address his congregation, ripping his wig from his head.
"A Sheppard must tend his flock. And, at times, fight off the wolves." I "heehawed" at his statement, and again I got the weird-not-happy looks, but I loved that line. Spurring our horses forward, Gabriel, me and the rest of our little gang took off in the direction of Black Swamp.
After a while, we found ourselves plodding our way through the murky waters of the Black Swamp. The sun was just beginning to set, turning the bare trees into dark skeletons. The horses were making a soft splish splash noise as we approached an island where a man was holding a lantern up. We quickly rushed up the slope, the horses plodding their way down the makeshift road in the middle of the camp. Many men were already gathered, camped out among fires and vessels of stew. Some of the men were without shirts and were bathing themselves while others were speaking with their neighbors. I could tell that they were not impressed by the men Gabriel and I brought in.
As we dismounted, some of the men came up, mostly to mock me and other boy, who was easily the youngest one there. Even though I was the same age as Gabriel, by men's standards, I didn't look older then 16.
I hurriedly ran to catch up with Gabriel, who was heading over to Ben. We had to pass three not-so-honorable looking goonies, who stared at me like I was . . . I don't even know what I was to them.
Ben was sitting around a campfire behind an old ruined wall. Out of a leather satchel he was extracting the pewter soldiers that Thomas had so painstakingly painted, and was melting them down to musket balls.
Gabriel had stopped and was starring at what Ben was doing, his brows drawn over his eyes. He looked over to me. I just shrugged and went to sit down. Ben looked up at Gabriel and asked, "How many did you get?"
"Twelve."
Ben nodded. "Good."
Looking back behind him Gabriel whispered, "These men, they're not the sort we need." One of the men Benjamin recruited walked in at that moment and sat down.
"They're exactly the sort we need," Ben answered. "They fought his kind of war before."
Gabriel was frustrated, I could see it in the way he clenched his jaw. He turned around and walked back into the main area of the camp before he would say anything he would later regret. The man, John Billings, glanced over at Ben.
"What about me? Am I one of that sort?"
"Hell, no. You're the sort that gives that sort a bad name." I chuckled as John laughed; taking a swig from the bottle he was carrying. He stood up, apparently pleased and walked out, but not before giving me a bewildered look. I lowered my eyes as he passed by, diverting my attention to anything but him. Ben seemed to have noticed the tension from me.
"You shouldn't have to worry about him. He's a good man and a devil of a fighter."
I pulled my eyes from the ground, turning them to the stars. "It's not him I'm worried about."
"Oh? Well then what is?"
I scowled at him as I brought my attention back to earth. "What makes you so sure there's anything I'm worried about?"
"Because I know you, and I can tell you are upset about something. Now, what is it?"
"Look, I don't know, alright?!" I snapped, quickly standing up and walked to the edge of the island. I starred at the water, with my hands in the breeches Gabriel had lent me. I could sense more than see Ben get up and draw near up behind me. "It's just . . ." I again looked to the stars, the only thing that was the same in both centuries. "I miss home. I've never thought about it as strongly as I have these couple days. I miss my mom, my dad, even my brothers. I miss going to the mall or the movies; not having to worry about Redcoats and this war." I sighed. "I guess also having to hide who I am." I turned to face him. "I've never had to do that before. It's just hard." I shrugged.
"You know you didn't have to come."
"Yea, I know, but I want to be here. I want to fight; I can feel it coursing though my veins. I don't know. My mind's all jumbled." I brought my hand to my forehead, pushing my bangs out of my eyes. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't doubt or be this emotional."
"After everything that's happened, I would think you were inhuman if you didn't have all these emotions right now. But when we go on raids, I need to know that you're going to be there; all there. That you won't slow us down, or hinder us in anyway. I am your commanding officer right now, and if you do anything, I'll . . ."
"I get it." I held my hands up in surrender. "Don't worry. This how I operate. Explode emotions now, ready for later. I just needed someone to talk to."
He smiled as he cupped my cheek. "And I'll always be here if you need me. Now go and make some friends with the men."
I looked behind Ben as I heard ruckus laughter and belching and some other not too pleasant sounds. "You're kidding me right?"
He looked confused. "'Kidding?'"
"Never mind."
I stumbled out of the little oasis and into hell. The men were all laughing and drinking, some were dancing around campfires while others were cleaning their muskets. Each and every one of them turned their sordid gaze onto me as I passed by; heading to my horse to retrieve my bag and the camping stuff Ben had given me. I tried to keep my gaze sorely on my horse and my head held high, but some of the men stood up while others stepped in front of me, blocking my way, their arms crossed over their enormous chests.
I flicked my eyes up to the faces of these men. "Excuse me. I need to get to my horse." They just laughed; elbowing each other like this was some big joke. I knew guys like this in high school, and the very memory of the torture I received from them escalated my temper rather quickly. "Are you deaf? I said 'excuse me,' or do you need me to use smaller words for your dimwitted brain?" The music that had been playing stopped abruptly.
The man who I was standing toe-to-toe with didn't lose his smiled has the others had, but his eyes took on a deadly gleam. "Well boys, it seems this young lad may have some fire in 'im, but ya don't belong here, boy. Ya'll probably get yerself killed first raid we do."
"Oh? So I take it you're just looking out of my well being?" I asked him a slickly innocent tone as my vision glazed red.
"Tha's right." He looked between his goony friends, acting very pleased with himself. Smiling, I brought my knee hard up between his legs, and then pushed him aside as he doubled over.
"Thanks, but I can look after myself," I yelled back over my shoulder as I brushed past him.
"Why you little—"
"What's going on here?" Ben's voice carried over the din. Everyone turned to regard him, except for the guy who was holding himself as he kneeled on the dirt. I continued on to my horse, ignoring Ben as he strolled over to the little knot that had formed. "I asked what's going on here, gentlemen." The guy on the ground pointed over to me. "Stephan, care to explain?"
I turned back around and faced him. "No, sir. Just getting to know the men, like you said."
He looked down at the man on the ground, who looked as if he was close to tears. "Come with me, now."
"But, sir, I—"
"Now." His gaze bored angrily into me.
"Yes, sir," I sighed and followed behind his stiffly. I caught sight of Gabriel out of the corner of my eye. He didn't look happy, but he winked at me as I passed. When we entered into the little sanctuary again, Ben rounded on me.
"What was that about?"
"The guy got in my way, I asked him to move, he insulted me, so I kneed him between the legs. Nothing to get your knickers in a twist about." Yea, that was the wrong thing to say.
"Nothing to . . ." Oooh I made Ben mad. "These men are the men that you'll be fighting along side with. These men are the men that will have your back, but if you go making enemies with them, then you will find yourself very much alone and that could cost you your life." His eyes were brick ice. I stepped back from him. "Now I will not tolerate this behavior in my militia. Either you're here treating these men with respect, or your out and I'll send you back to Charlotte's."
"But he's the one who insulted me; he got in my way—"
"It's not always about you, Stepha, ah, Stephan!"
"I never said it was," I retorted slowly.
Ben brushed a hand down his face and sighed. "What did Rollins say to you?"
"He doubted me being here and said I should go home because I'm gonna get myself killed."
"And they're going to doubt you being here, as they will doubt Gabriel and many of the other young men whose fighting is limited." He lowered his voice. "And they will especially doubt you, if they discover who you are. You can't take everything they say to heart. These men are the toughest they come and they won't think any more of you than they do tonight. The only way to win their respect is in this war. These are hardened veterans, and anyone weaker to them is fair game."
"So you're saying I should sit down and shut up?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. I won't hear of anymore of your fights, you understand?" I nodded.
"Good, dismissed."
I spun around on my heel and stormed out, making my way to Lainathiel. None of the men tried to stop me as I passed, only glowered at me. Whatever, I was in no mood to care at that point. My anger was on high, which meant death to anyone near by. As I got to Lainathiel, I quickly removed the bags, then the saddle, making sure to run my hands along her flank, soothing her along with me. I impatiently brushed away the tears that had escaped down my cheeks. I vowed I would no longer cry and I was going to keep that vow.
Once Lainathiel was comfortable with water and food, I tied her along with the other horses and headed over to a secluded area to set up my camp. It wasn't more than a crude tent with a blanket hung up between me and the camp to give me privacy. I rolled out my bed roll and laid down to try to sleep. I heard Gabriel approach, but when I didn't answer his calls, he left me alone. Well, this sucks.
Until next time.
