"What are you children doing here?"

The soldiers had their guns ready. Wally dropped the knife he had been looking at and threw his arms up in surrender.

"Sorry sir," Robin began, rolling his eyes at Wally, "we got lost and were trying to find the nearest shelter when we stumbled upon this cabin." He made his voice sound incent and childlike to calm the soldiers.

Artemis looked over the uniforms carefully. "Are you Confederate soldiers?" she asked timidly.

The lieutenant scoffed "You accuse us of being rebels? You insult us!" He strode into the cabin and stood inches away from the team. "We are the 2cd Wisconsin Infantry, not some low-class reb."

Robin stood up and placed a hand on Artemis' shoulder before she could do anything rash, "Our apologies, we saw the gray uniform and impatiently associated it with the south."

The lieutenant pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Well if you are going to stay here, you might as well make yourself useful." he turned toward Artemis, "Miss, please cook us a meal, there is salted pork and coffee in the kitchen."

Artemis scowled but went to the kitchen as she was told, and it was definitely not because Robin gave her a Bat Glare.

"Boys, you will help the rest of my men clean their guns, you do know how to do that, do you not?" At the lieutenant signal, all the men and boys filed into the cabin.

Robin and Wally glanced at each other in confusion. The lieutenant tugged on his beard, "I didn't think so," he motioned with a hand to a lad sitting in the corner. "Darrien will show you the proper way to do it."

The two boys walked over to the boy, he didn't look much older than they. "Are you Darrien?" Wally asked, kicking at the ground.

Darrien nodded "Yes I am, who are you?"

Robin pointed to Wally and introduced him, "This is Wally," he pointed to himself before continuing, "And I'm Robin, we were sent over to help clean the guns, though we don't really know how to."

Darrien smiled at the boys, "Nice to meet you, I'm Darrien." he wiped his hands on an old cloth and smiled "Lieutenant Peck sent you over here didn't he?" Darrien didn't wait for an answer. "Typical, you know what they say, the Devil makes work for idle hands." he looked Robin over worriedly, "I hope you're not planning on joining, how old are you anyway?"

Robin sat on the floor at Darrien's feet and Wally followed suit, "Don't worry, I'm not. And I'm fifteen, there is no reason to worry about me."

Darrien smiled softly, "Good," he happened to glance at Peck, who was glaring at him, before turning back to Robin and Wally. "Ready to learn how to clean a gun?" The boys nodded as Darrien showed them the simplest way.


Artemis walked into the small, hot kitchen and looked around, there was a young woman scurrying around. She turned around and seemed a little startled by Artemis.

"Oh, you gave me a fright. I'm Bella, are you here to help me?" she wiped her hands on her apron.

"Yes ma'am," Artemis smiled and grabbed and apron off of the wall.

Bella chuckled, "Good, I really could use a helping hand." She showed Artemis around the kitchen and taught her how took cook certain meals. "I hope you can help out again tomorrow, it sure is nice having someone else to keep me company." Bella took the food to the soldiers, leaving Artemis alone. Artemis hung up her apron and sat on a small stool beside the back door, Bella came in the room, slamming the door behind her, startling Artemis.

"Those filthy men," she huffed "getting young boys to their jobs!" she threw herself into a nearby chair and crossed her arms ''Boys do not belong in war, why, the youngest isn't even thirteen yet!"

Artemis walked over to comfort her new friend when a loud 'Crash' was heard from the other room, the two women jumped up and ran in there to investigate.


I know, I know, it's still a little short, but I promise longer updates in the future.