Warnings: This chapter contains the discussion of murder, revenge, dumb decisions, mom's, and a gross joke.
...
Three long weeks later…
It's a bit disconcerting, to be staring down at your dead body. It's also a bit disconcerting to see the person who killed you in the same room as your dead body. "Are you going to FINALLY get over yourself and allow me to do what I need to do?" Hercules snapped. Lafayette shrugged.
"It took me three weeks to get to the point where I can be in the same room as you. I don't think I'm ready for this yet."
"Trauma," Mr. Destler singsonged. "And I already said that I would do it."
"Well, I don't trust you."
"No one cares what you think, Witch Hunter. And since we're on the subject, I don't trust you either. You don't even have the twine."
"Yes I do."
"Then where is it?"
"I- I'll find it."
"Sure you will." The three of them were standing in Destler's basement lab, Lafayette's body laid out on the metal table in front of them. "And it's up to Frenchman. Frenchman, how badly do you want to come back to life. I've already laid out what resurrection by Necromancer entails. And it's far more painful for me than it is for you." Lafayette scoffed.
"Someone shouldn't have to die for me to come back to life."
"If it makes you feel better, I already said I'd kill the Witch Hunter."
"I never agreed to that!"
"Shut up, Witch Hunter. Are we going this or not?"
"I'm guessing no. Frenchman?" Lafayette remained silent. "That's a no."
"Great…" Just then, the door flew open.
"Have you guys figured out how to resurrect Laf yet?" Eliza asked, bounding down the stairs.
"We already know how to resurrect him, Eliza." Hercules sighed. "The problem is that he doesn't want to do it."
"An innocent person shouldn't have to die so I can come back!"
"You fight in a war! You kill innocent people everyday!" Eliza protested.
"Nice logic, Cat."
"Why do you call me "Cat"?"
"Because you are one."
"Killing in war is different," Lafayette justified. "It's organized." Eliza scoffed.
"Because that makes it alright."
"Also: Witch Hunter is far from innocent."
"Again, I never agreed to being killed."
"All you say that we should kill Hercules say "Aye". Aye."
"Aye."
"Eliza! Aren't you supposed to be the innocent one?" She shrugged.
"Okay, so it's two to two. Majority rules."
"We have no majority!"
"Actually, you don't count."
"Why?"
"You're personally invested-"
"You're talking about my life. Of course I'm personally invested."
"-so you're biased. Therefore, it's two to one. The aye's win."
"I don't think this was a very fair vote."
"Hammurabi's code says: "An eye for an eye'."
"We are not talking about eyes."
"It also says "A life for a life"."
"What even in Haummerabi's code? I think you're making this up."
"Then you get your twine."
"What?" Destler smiled.
"If you don't want us to kill you, go get your twine. We'll tie Lafayette down."
"I don't feel comfortable with this-" Lafayette was ignored.
"Fine." Hercules left.
"Good." Mr. Destler crossed his arms and relaxed. They were all silent. Hercules returned a moment later, empty-handed.
"Uh, I think I lost it."
"Well fu-"
"LANGUAGE!" Lafayette shouted, pointing at Eliza.
"Oh please…" The girl sighed.
"She can handle it. F*CK THIS." Destler turned to Hercules. "I guess you're going to have to die, Witch Hunter. " Lafayette watched all the blood leave Hercules's face. Then, he turned and fled up the stairs. This time it was Eliza's turn to swear.
"F*ck."
…
"It's nice to be back at camp, isn't it." Alex sighed contentedly, turning over in his bunk. "I still can't believe Eliza refused to come with us."
"It's not that nice, Alex." John sighed, less-content. Unlike Alex, he was unable to ignore the shackled binding his wrists together. "We're technically prisoners."
"We'll be fine," Alex assured him. "As soon as we explain our situation to the General."
"I think the General will be suspicious, since we came back without Lafayette, Mulligan, and Tallmadge." Alex shrugged.
"We just tell him the truth. Lafayette's dead, Hercules killed him, and Tallmadge defected." John sighed.
"I still can't believe that Hercules killed Lafayette."
"I know… it seems unreal. It's hard to think that he's actually dead." They both sat in silence for a moment, in honor of their dead friend.
"This is war, John. There will be casualties." John nodded.
"Apparently Tench is still out looking for them. Maybe he'll find the body. Laf deserved a proper burial."
"And Hercules deserves a proper hanging. So does Tallmadge."
"Tallmadge is probably dead already. Eaten by wild animals."
"What leads you to that conclusion?" John shrugged.
"He's blind." A knock sounded at the door. Before either of the men could reply, it opened.
"Hamilton, Laurens," The soldier at the door said. John didn't recognize him. "The General will see you now."
…
Hamilton and Laurens were well kempt, which was a surprise, since from what Washington had gathered, the two men had been on the lam for that last three weeks. They were safe and unharmed, something Washington was eternally grateful for. But Lafayette, Hercules and Tallmadge were still MIA, and Washington needed to get to the bottom of it. Which meant that he'd need to put his personal feelings aside. For now.
"What, the the fresh H*LL, have you been doing for three weeks?" Hamilton and Laurens shared a look. Perhaps the General was angrier than they had thought. "And WHERE are Lafayette, Mulligan, and Tallmadge?" Laurens and Hamilton shared a look again. The General would not be happy if they told him the truth. But they didn't know what else to say.
"Uh, it's a long story, Your Excellency."
"Well shorten it."
"The short story is…" Laurens glanced at Hamilton one more time and squeezed his eyes shut. "Lafayette's dead. Hercules killed him. Tallmadge killed Hercules. Then, Tallmadge defected." Slowly he opened them. The General was unresponsive. Hamilton looked confused.
Why did you tell them that Tallmadge killed Hercules? He mouthed. John didn't know. He supposed it was because it was simpler. The General might go easier on Tallmadge if he thought that he had left after killing the man who killed his friend. The General might not hunt down Hercules and Tench would be able to come back. And Laurens knew that Eliza wouldn't hesitate to kill Hercules herself.
Washington couldn't breathe. Lafayette was dead. He was dead. Dead. Dead dead dead dead dead. Dead. Dead. He couldn't do this right now, he couldn't mourn. He needed to get to the bottom of this. "What." he hissed.
"He's dead. Hercules shot him. Then Tallmadge attacked Hercules and shot him, out of rage. Then he ran away. He defected." Washington inhaled.
"I want Tallmadge. And I want you to bring me to Lafayette's body."
"I'm sorry what?"
"I. Want. Tallmadge. Preferably alive."
"But why?"
"So we can hang him. He's still a murderer."
"But-"
"But what? Murder is murder. You are dismissed." They both opened their mouths to protest. Washington watched as they were ushered out of the room. He didn't allow himself to break until he was alone. His son was dead. And someone needed to pay. If he couldn't hang the man who had done it, he could hang the man that had robbed him of that privilege.
Yes… someone had to pay.
…
"This is all your fault, Angelica." Tallmadge hissed. His shackles rattled as he shifted to stick his head out the prisoner carriage window. He couldn't see much. Everything was blurry except for Nathan and his mother. But still, it was better than nothing.
"My darling boy," his mother sobbed, clutching the bard. "What has happened to you?" Ben clenched his fists and looked away.
"How so?" Angelica asked. Tallamadge rolled his eyes.
"What did I say about coming to Setauket?"
"You told me that it was your hometown and that coming here would be a bad idea because you'd be recognized."
"Yes. And what happened?" She sighed.
"I brought you to Setauket and you were recognized?"
"Ding-ding-ding."
"This is very bad," Nathan stated.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious."
"Are you talking to me?"
"No."
"Ah, the ghost."
"Yes." He paused. "This is very bad Angelica. I've been caught on British soil and plain clothes. And I'm a spymaster."
"I'll be tortured for information and then hung as a spy."
"Well, at least you managed to kill one of them with death magic before they caught us."
"True. I hadn't thought of that." He paused again. "So I'll probably be tortured, hung, and then burned as a witch."
"At least you'll be dead before the burning."
"Silver linings." Nathan piped up. "And another one-," he smirked and licked his lips. "We'll finally be able to actually be intimate without all the "oh but you're dead" moral bullsh*t." Ben gagged.
"Ew Nathan! Don't be gross!"
"I'm just trying to make you feel better."
"Who are you?" Mrs. Tallmadge screeched. "And why are you speaking to my son like that?" Ben ignored her.
"Is that your mother?" Nathan asked, pointing at her with his thumb. Ben nodded. "I think you should talk to her."
"I'll have plenty of time for that after I've been burned at the stake."
"Technically hung first," Angelica muttered. Ben flipped her off. "What do you think will happen to me?"
"You're a woman. They'll probably claim I've "corrupted you" and send you back to your husband."
"Fiance."
"Whatever."
"Well, what will they do when they find out I'm the daughter of General Phillip Schulyer?" Ben thought for a moment.
"Use you as a bargaining tool to lure your father in." Angelica grimaced.
"I'd almost rather be hung."
"No, you wouldn't." Nathan frowned. "Ick! I just thought of something else?"
"What?"
"You'll have to watch them burn your body!" Ben grimaced.
"Well, at least there's something to look forward to."
Thank you to everyone who continues to read this story. I'd appreciate it if you could leave a review, telling me which characters you want to see more off and which one's you could care less about. (I won't take offense, I promise) It will help me structure this is a way that would be enjoyable for all of you to read. I will be wrapping up all the character arcs but it would help me realize which one's you want me to spend more time on. Thanks again.