The February night was still. There was a hint of chill in the air as it rolled by the Turner home. Their windows were lit warmly with candlelight and the glow of the fire on either side of the house. One of the soldiers lay with a woolen blanket under his head and an old pillow near the hearth, next to the fire. With his hat covering his eyes and his arms crossed peacefully at his waist, he looked completely content resting on the floor. Thomas also sat near the fire with a book. Elizabeth had suggested he read The Shepard's Week by John Gay, a book of writings she thought me may enjoy. The General was closer to the back of the living room, near the foyer. He had first intended to take a short nap after their early dinner but after the thought he heard and irregular ticking of sorts coming from his pocket watch, he proceeded to take its backing off and inspect it vaguely to ease his mind. Will was in the process of writing to one of his clients in Massachusetts who had made an inclination as to hiring Will on contract to take advantage of his sword making talents. The proposition was that this client who lived in Boston, had once traveled southward to get a ceremoniously decorated sword from the new, highly-acclaimed blacksmith, but now wanted the young Mr. Turner and his family to move to Boston to teach his skills, and this Bostonian socialite would become his patron. The dilemma that halted all of this from becoming reality was the Turner's common sense and sentimental feelings. They liked New Bern, their house of four years had now become a home, and their family was growing – not idea for picking up and moving.

Will was having a hard time finding the words to graciously and professionally turn the man down. He didn't want to close any doors of opportunity for the future without being adequately persuasive enough to decline the offer. This block in his thoughts was becoming all the more obstructive by his wife across the room. She was lying across the sofa, which the men had obligingly given up, for she was obviously tired and needed the rest. Usually, with guests in the house, she would have never dared lay on her sofa but these men were no longer considered guests in her home. The release of pressure from her lower extremities and the muscles in her neck relaxing made it all the more worthwhile as she lay there. Her nose was in a book and her eyes were growing heavier by the minute.

Will's eyes rest on her. He had always thought her ravishingly beautiful. Everyday as he woke up he made the realization that his wife was a marvelous creature, too stunning for mortals like himself to even draw close to. But she loved him – she loved him very much and he was thankful. And now, like the first pregnancy, he was even more amazed by her. She glowed-it was as simple as that. He felt the power she had on him every time she would slip her slender arm around his neck. He would be left astounded each time the child in her womb would stir. Even her simplest discrete habit would leave him smiling. Like just now as he watched her: Her foot will bend ever so slightly, to no particular rhythm at all, and as he also noticed, this was only when she read or in deep thought. She was beautiful and would always be unchanged as long as she lived. Will looked back down, away from her and at his unfinished letter. There were only a few lines on the paper…

Dear Mr. James,

I am pleased to hear my work is appreciated and I am grateful for your interest. The move to Boston would be

That was where he had left off and nothing was coming to him. He tapped the pen on the paper willing the right words to appear. His lower lip was slightly being bit in frustration. Tap, tap, tap, tap…. tap, tap, tap…

Knock!

Will's head looked to the door on his left. His brow furrowed in curiosity at the abrupt sound.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

This time the pounding at the door was unending and the blacksmith jumped to his feet. Also jumping was the General who leapt up and let his watch fall to the ground. The other soldiers came to attention and stood behind the homeowner and their leader. General Graham looked to Will who shook his head in bewilderment. The knock now became a loud pounding, and then they heard a THUD against the door and the noise stopped. Elizabeth pushed through the men who were confused on why she was wanting past them. Once she was free she ran quickly past the door and up the stairs to where Katie lay sleeping. The General dug at his belt and thrust a dagger into Will's hand. He looked back and saw that the soldiers had already drawn swords and pistols. In less than a second the military men went to the door, one behind, the others in front of, and General Graham at the side, ready to open it. Will stood in the foyer, realizing at once that they had taken control of this odd situation.

The door opened and a bloodied shell of a man fell to the threshold. The men, seeing his red jacket and muddy white trousers put their weapons away and knelt at the man's side. The dirt and blood on the young man's face made him almost unrecognizable as a civilized human being. He was sucking in air at uneven gasps, choking on what they assumed was his own blood. The General leaned down closer to hear the man and his mumbles.

"For G-Graham…" He said, as his clamped hand lifted from his chest.

The General took the letter from the messenger and opened it quickly while the others stood by. Thomas had put the soldiers head in his lap and put all his pressure on one of his wounds on his shoulder that was streaming with the hot red liquid.

"Stay with us Soldier! Stay with us…don't speak." Thomas repeated. It was of no help. Within another minute of clinging to life the young man had died. The loss of blood was too much for his tired body. By now, hearing no quarrel Elizabeth had come down the stairs, keeping Katie in her room. She peered down and proceeded to descend the stairs slowly.

"Who is he?" she asked once she was next to Will, never taking her eyes off the deceased.

"A messenger. He had a letter for the General." He replied quietly.

"Poor man…what happened to him?"

Before Will had a chance to answer the General stood up, with the bloody letter in his hand and addressed the group before him. "This is a message from Colonel McLeod. He has requested that I meet him and a his regiment with my men in Cape Fear as soon as possible."

Two of the men celebrated by slapping each other on the back and smiling in relief of being cooped up in this domestic setting for too long. Thomas gently took the dead soldier's head from his lap and lay it down. He stood up slowly and kept his head down, brushing some of the blood off of his hands and on his trousers. Elizabeth and Will stood quiet. They were silently grateful for the letter, even though the way it arrived was grave. Now these men would be out of their lives and out of their home. Will squeezed Elizabeth's hand and she gave him a small smile from the corner of her eye. The two men were had been celebrating now began to gather their things in the sitting room. Thomas continued to stand near the dead soldier.

"Private! Strip him of his supplies." Ordered the General.

Thomas' head shot up. "But sir! Hes only just…"

"Do as I say. He wont be needing them any longer. They will now be in the care of Mr. Turner."

Will looked at the General in bewilderment. "Me sir? But I –"

"You will be coming with us." He said matter-of-factly.

Will's temper rose immediately. This was the last straw for him. He wasn't one of his men that he could order around. This was his home.

"No I won't General. I'm not part of your regiment. I will be staying here with my family and you will be going to Cape Fear. This is where you leave us."

The older man's shoulders went back and his stern look returned to his face. The blue eyes that were usually warmer were now cold and commanding. "May I remind you that you are still a part of British Empire and if I say that you will join us on our journey then you will join us. To Cape Fear is almost a three-day journey and you are obligated to be our guide. I know good and well you've traveled that way many times before. And this –" He said, gesturing towards the dead man below him. "This is undoubtedly the result of a British soldier traveling on the open roads while your revolutionary lunatics attacked him. We will be going through the countryside… and you will show us the way."

Will stood motionless; his voice was low as he tried to restrain himself. "And if I refuse…"

"If you refuse Mr. Turner than I shall be forced to threaten you with treason once more."

Will swallowed hard. He knew his options were few and he didn't see how he could win this fight. Elizabeth who was standing at his side put a hand gently on his back. Will's jaw clenched and unclenched as he thought it over.

"Is my assistance needed only for this journey?"

The General's temper had cooled and he was speaking rather than yelling now. "Only for this journey. When your duty to us has been fulfilled then you are free to go."

Will turned to Elizabeth who had been silent this whole time. When he looked into her eyes he saw tears that had were being to swell but her face was strong and sullen.

"You have to go." She whispered.

He nodded and took her hands into his and brought them to his chest to hold them close.

"You must go…" Her voice was shallow and he could tell she was fighting the temptation to cry.

Will touched her cheek and silently apologized to her with one look. He turned back to the General with his head held high. "I will join you and your men…but I will remember our agreement that we made tonight."

The General nodded and gave a confident smile. "That's a good man." Then took the letter and folded it back up and shoved it in his coat pocket. "Men! Assemble your things, we will ride tonight!"

"Sir!"

The older man turned to see Thomas next to him.

"Sir I don't think leaving tonight is the best plan, sir."

Graham sighed and humored the young soldier. "And why is that?"

"Its dark outside sir, and we know that the rebels are in the forest surrounding the roads." He said, glancing down at the dead young man. "I think it would be in our best interest if we left tomorrow when its light and go through the countryside, like you said…sir."

The General thought this over and rubbed his jaw line as he weighed the risks. "Yes…yes I see what you're saying. All right then. Men! We will leave at day break tomorrow be ready!" Then he turned and disappeared into the sitting room with the rest of them.

Will let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. He turned back to his wife who had slipped up and let a tear fall. When he faced her she quickly whipped the stray tear away and looked him in the eye. Will didn't know what to do; he had never dreamed it would come to this. He never wanted to be involved in his war and now he was right in the middle of it. He wrapped his arms around his wife and held her close in a hug. She clung to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke. "I know you have to go."

Thomas, who had now completely stripped the man of his belt, hat, boots, and jacket stood at an arms length of the body, slightly ashamed of what he had just been ordered to do. He looked over at the couple that was embracing at the foot of the stairs and wanted to not interrupt them but the General would expect him in the kitchen with the others in a minute.

He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Excuse me…I don't mean to interrupt but I thought – I thought I'd wash this for you before tomorrow." He said, holding up the bloody jacket.

Liz parted herself from Will and gathered her emotions quickly. "Oh no Thomas let me do that for you-"

"No, let me…" He said draping the jacket over his arm. He stepped closer to the two of them and spoke in a more hushed tone. "It really is a good plan, to leave in the morning. But it gives you two another night. One more night can make a difference…" Thomas looked down and switched his weight from one foot to another then glanced up again and gave the couple a small smile before leaving the way the others had exited.

Will held his wife again in his arms. He kissed her cheek and ran his finger under her chin. She looked up and gave him a sad smile.

"We have another night." She said before planting a forlorn kiss on his lips.