Chapter 10: pieces falling in order

Woohoo! First chapter written in freedom! I'm so stoked! This chapter was hard, because it contains the most historical information in a single chapter to this date.

Also, we've reached a land mark! Ten chapters in 4 months. I'd like to thank all of you. Without your support, this story would only have about four chapters now.

I don't own liberty's kids, but I own a documentary on each of the presidents.

March 1774

Sarah pov

The accursed sun, streaming through the pressed paper window caused Sarah to open her eyes. Looking around, events from the previous night came flooding back to her. Part of her still wasn't convinced the long ride was anything but a dream, a hellish nightmare. Looking to her right, her speculation was confirmed.

There slept James, his eye scrunched up in the sun, with locks of hair escaping from his ponytail and falling into his face. Sarah reacted over, and after pausing in a second of indecision, smoothed back his hair. He shifted slightly, but didn't wake.

She wondered if he thought about the moment on the road during the ride, as she did. What did it mean? It was hard to believe it was only a few hours ago, it felt like years. She wished she could talk to her mother, she was so confused.

Swinging her legs over the side, Sarah got up and walked over to the side of the room. On a trunk sat their old clothes, carefully washed and pressed. Sarah didn't wait a minute before pulling off the loaned nightdress and putting on her own. Turning, she started down the stars, but paused half way, realization making her blush with shame. In her haste, she had forgotten James was in the room while she changed. She hoped, for his shake, the he was asleep the whole time.

James pov

The first thing James felt after his long midnight ride are soft fingers blushing his hair out of his face. He turned toward them slightly, not quite sure if he wanted to return to the realm of sleep or following the inviting fingers. All too soon, the fingers slip away from him. He missed them double when they were gone.

Cracking open his eyes, events came rushing back. Groaning silently, James turned and saw Sarah, looking off in the distance in thought. He was about to ask her what she was think, when she turned and walked toward the door. James followed her with his eyes until she started dressing. He blushed, and turned towards the window which was spilling sunlight all over the bed. A lesser man would have peeked, but James felt corrupt even being in the same room while she did something so personal.

Finally, the large clamor of steps descending down the stairs let him know that she was far enough away for James to stand. He mutely walked to the chest where Sarah had stood not two minutes before, and examined his clothes. Everything seemed to be in order. Donning the newly washed garments, he waited for a minute or two before easing his way down the stairs.

Once on the ground floor, he took in the sights that he neglected to after his tiring night. The house was a good size one. While the second floor had been somewhat divided, the first was one large room, broken up into sections. The fireplace roared opposite the door, with an assortment of wooden chairs gathered around it. A tin kettle sat perched on a rood hanging a few feet above the flames. Their host, Rosie James remembered, sat next to a spinning wheel, making lazy progress as she chatted with Sarah, who was minding the kettle.

"Well, look who finally decided to wake up! It's close to seven in the morning!" Rosie joked, earning a muffled smirk from Sarah. "I thought you'd be interested to know that the good people of concord received your warning, and are now preparing for a brawl. You can go over there if you want. I was just telling your lady friend here about the local British troops my husband Sam saw. She thinks that one of her kin folks might be with 'em. Would you be willing to go down and see?"

Sarah piped up," I think that's a good idea. If there's a skirmish between the regulars and the colonist, we can get a better idea about it with two people instead of one. Since were heading in the same direction, you and I can ride together for most of the journey." James tried to hide the look of dread on his face at this suggestion. While he was an expert rider, he had spent most of the night before riding, and his, ahem, derrière was sore. He gazed over to Sarah, and the pleading expression in her eyes made all other thoughts vanish. He was prepared to cross a thousand miles on horseback just to make her happy.

Sarah pov

Sarah waved goodbye to Rosie as James urged the horse forward with one hand. Heading towards the nearby forces, Sarah road sidesaddle in front of James, with one of his hand press lightly on her waist to keep her perch. The ride would be long (though not as long as last nights) and Rosie didn't expect them back till very late in the night.

After an hour or so, Sarah spotted the curling smoke of camp fires. "Thank you for doing this." Sarah whispered, as she leaned in to kiss his cheek lightly. Not waiting for him to respond, Sarah slid off the horse and moved into horde of redcoats. A few of the more respectable stood and took off their hats, while others shouted crude jeers at her. A tall young man of about 17 rushed towards her.

"Good day miss. Excuse some other the other men, they often forget their places. I am Lieutenant James fletcher. What's is your name, and why are you here, if I might ask." He inquired, in a gentle but commanding voice.

"Hello yourself. My name is Sarah Phillips, and I'm here to inquire about my cousin, tom who is supposedly serving with your regiment. Do you know him?" Sarah was hoping for a yes

"I can't say that I do, but I know someone who may. Captain Walker. He's a good man; knows the name of every man here, plus most of their families. I've heard talk around camp that he and someone name Thomas are particular friends, but I don't put much stock in campfire rumors. I'll take you to him." Lieutenant Fletcher started walking and Sarah followed. "By any chance, Sarah, are you related to a major Phillips?

Sarah was puzzled by this question, but she replied anyway," Major Phillips is my father, why do you ask?"

"My older brother and I served with Major Phillips in the French and Indian war. My brother died in the battle of Lake George, and talking to people in the same company as we were makes me feel close. How is your father?"

"I honestly don't know. I haven't heard from him for about 5 years. He disappeared exploring the Ohio territory." Sarah felt tears come to her eyes. Even after all these years, the pain was still fresh. "I'm sorry about your brother."

"It's okay. I'm sorry to hear about your father. He was a brilliant commander and an even better man Well here we are. I'd accompany you, but I have cooking duty in ten minutes. Good luck!" Lieutenant Fletcher turned and marched back to his post.

Pausing slightly to make sure her appearance was satisfactory; Sarah pushed aside the two flaps of the tent and took sight in front of her.

"Tom!"

Tom turned his head and smiled at her. He was only a few years older than her, but he acted like he was ten. He was seated across a chess board from a tall, rakish blonde man.

"Sarah! Dear girl! How are you? A haven't seen you in ages! What are you doing here? Luke, this is my cousin Sarah! Sarah, this is my dear friend Luke." Tom introduced Sarah after a tight hug. Luke bowed and took one of her hands in his.

"Delighted to make the acquaintance of a beautiful lady such as yourself." Luke declared, just before lightly kissing her hand.

Sarah blushed. She hadn't been treated in such an elegant way since she was back in England. Sarah saw a flicker of jealousy on tom's face before his smile returned, albeit with les vigor then before.

"Thank you. I've actually come to report on the upcoming action in Lexington and concord." Sarah reassured. Tom's expression changed from the strange semi-smile to one of genuine joy.

"Well then, we'll just have to talk with the colonel and see what we can do, although, I doubt there'll be any 'action' as you so call it. Most likely, these unruly children will turn and run, once they see the power of their masters." Tom reasoned. The trio made their way silently to a lavish tent near the center of the camp.

Taking a breath and pacing Sarah waited outside with tom as Luke explained her situation to the colonel. After a few minutes, Luke emerged from the tent, his normal cheery mood lessened somewhat.

"The colonel says that you may report on the battle, but he wants you to do it from a safe distance. He is far more worried about this battle then we thought. Apparently, someone warned the rebels of our coming last night. We've lost the element of surprise. I guess you'll have a battle to report on after all." Luke smiled, trying to regain some of the lost cheer but falling flat someone.

Sarah's mind boggled at the mention of the warning. Someone? It had to be the midnight ride! She had become a traitor to her country and now lives were going to be lost, all because of her!

The excitement that she had felt about the upcoming battle now quickly melted into dread.

James pov

After Sarah walked off into the distance, James snapped himself out of his stupor and set off towards the militia camp. He was still a few miles away, and he had to make haste if he wanted to meet them in time for the battle. New Englanders were famous for their fast militias. Every town had their own minute men.

The ride was far less interesting with Sarah gone. Trees, fields and houses all seemed to pass unnoticed as James focused on the upcoming battle. The British probably were expecting an easy win, but James knew that the colonists weren't going down without a fight. Things were not going to be easy after this.

Finally James reached Lexington green. A group of about 20 townsmen had already gathered, and more were coming. A sun browned man towered in front of the troops, shouting orders to the half prepared men. Suddenly, his glare fixed on James.

"Son, where is your musket? I've explained it time and time again; you've got to have a gun if you plan on fighting! And aren't you a mite young to be joining us?"

"Sir, my name is James hiller, and I'm a reporter. I'd like to join your company as a journalist, if that's all right with you." He shifted his weight from foot to foot as he explained himself. James never saw the point in talk. He was a man of action (or close to being one). Why spend all your time prattling on when there were things that had to be done.

The leader appeared to assess James for a moment or two, and then begrudging stated, "I suppose so. One good writer printing the truth is worth five of my trained boys. Make sure that you keep safe. I'm not going to trudge home to your mama because you were stupid enough to get shot. My name is captain john parker. Now get in the back and try not to make too much noise. We'll be marching out in twenty minutes."

"Yes sir!" James said as he saluted. The comments captain parker said had stung him though. He was certainly old enough to writer for a paper, bring news of a British attack, and be engaged. Who said he was too young to fight? Checking to make sure that the coast was clear, James grabbed a pistol that one of the militia men had forgotten in his haste.

After all, one can't be too careful, especially when you're going into battle.

End

Dun dun daaaaaaaaa! Could this be the beginning of foreshadowing on James' part?

Also, I wanted to spend some time with Sarah's inner conflict, which is one place I dearly wish the show's creators would have gone into more detail. Sarah is a complex character, being that while she begins as a loyalist, she makes a total 180 and is a patriot by the end of the show. I want to explore just how conflicted Sarah is in making this choice, because in the show, it all happens in the span of one episode. Plus, this conflict makes for every good tension between Sarah and James.

Woohoo! Longest chapter to date! Tune in next week to see why I rated this story pg-13!

Please comment and fav, you gorgeous people you.