I'm sorry this is so late. I had a huge commitment this weekend that required me to stand for 30+ hours straight in a basketball stadium so I haven't been able to update. As recompense, I shall give you two chapters. Thank you for your understanding!
Another five months had passed in the Continental Army and it found Ben a Captain and Caleb his First Lieutenant. They were still doing regular scouting trips but they were rather heavily regarded among the ranks of the other soldiers.
It had been almost a year since either of them had heard any word of Setauket and the events there. It had also been months since Ben had heard any word of his brother. The two had briefly seen each other at a rendezvous in Connecticut the past spring.
Ben had just been promoted to Captain. The frost had finally melted and the fighting would surely resume within days. General Scott found it fitting that they meet up with another dragoon to assess their combined knowledge.
As they rode over the hill, Ben caught site of the Major leading the dragoon. It was his brother, Samuel, riding towards him. Once they were close enough, the both dismounted and embraced each other.
"It's so good to see you," Samuel told his younger brother. "And a Captain!" he exclaimed. "I'm impressed." Caleb came up to the exchange.
"Good to see you're doing well, Sammy!" he said.
"And I, you," Samuel replied. "Come, let us set up camp. There is much we need to discuss." General Scott finally approached and exchanged pleasantries after which both dragoons disbanded to make camp.
Samuel was already seated in the central tent when Ben arrived followed by Caleb. They exchanged embraces once again and took their seats.
"How have you been, brother?" Ben asked.
"Probably about the same as you," he replied. The laughed a moment. "When did you two finally join up?" he inquired.
"The red coats took over Setauket," Caleb answered. "Couldn't stay and pretend to be loyal."
"Setauket?" Sam sounded taken aback. Ben nodded sadly. "What of father? Lukas Brewster? Abraham, Anna and-" Elizabeth, he let that last name hang in the air knowing the uncontrollable fondness his brother had for her.
"We don't know much recently," Ben started avoiding any thought of his lost love. "They tore up Father's church to make a pulpit for their Major and interrogated everyone once we left. It was useless, though because the only person who knew where we'd gone was…" He also found speaking her name to be difficult.
"That was a good idea," Sam concluded. "Get as few people involved as possible."
"That was Elizabeth's idea," Caleb stated. Sam chuckled.
"Sounds like her," he commented.
They spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening exchanging war stories and old anecdotes. Ben hadn't noticed until now just how much he had missed his brother.
Sometime after dinner, Caleb left the tent for his watch, leaving the two brothers to talk. Sam told his brother of a tavern wench he had grown fond of. He was hoping to steer the conversation to find out what had happened in his absence between his brother and the girl he stayed home for. He could see in Ben's eyes that the relationship had evolved but just how much remained a mystery to Sam. Eventually, he could no longer beat around the bush.
"I take it you two made love then," Sam said rather bluntly. Ben's face flushed red and he didn't know what to say. Sam laughed outwardly. "It was only a matter of time."
"It wasn't like that," Ben insisted. "It was the night I left actually. She said she loved me and I have always…"
"That you have," Sam replied. "How was it, if I may ask?" Ben paused a moment. It was an uncomfortable question.
"Magical," he said.
"The first time always is," Sam nodded.
"But it was more than that," Ben said defensively. He didn't want his brother to think what he and Elizabeth had done was casual.
"Well I'd say so since you two had been leading up to it for so long." Ben blushed a deep red once again.
"I miss her," he admitted softly.
"I know brother," Sam tried to offer some comfort. "She always was your other half."
"When did you know," Ben asked, "that Elizabeth and I would end up together?"
"Do you remember the day you two met?" Sam answered his brother with another question.
"Yes," Ben replied smiling. He had been asking his father a question on his sermon and thought they were only eight years old, the Reverend seemed remarkably impressed and stumped by his question. He had wanted to know if suffering was a gift from the Lord or a curse from the Devil. Ben remembered that his father had no immediate answer, so Elizabeth had replied that suffering was both because God made the Devil. They had smiled and introduced each other. After that, they met often before church services to talk and Elizabeth became an integral part of their group of friends.
"Then that is when I knew," Sam answered finally. Ben smiled because he knew then too.
Ben was brought out of his stupor by the General Scott calling for him. He strode over to the tent and entered, taking care to remove his helmet.
"Son," Scott began, "I received a dispatch today that I fear holds a special meaning to you." Ben suddenly became nervous and took the paper from the General's hands. On it was a list of captured officers that were being sent to a prison ship by the enemy, the SS Jersey. The fourth name in the second column immediately caught his eye: "Samuel Tallmadge, Major" it read. Ben inhaled deeply to avoid any tears that may be apt to fall.
"Thank you, General," he said and made haste to leave the tent. Caleb saw him leave as he had been waiting for him.
"Benny Boy, are you okay?" Caleb asked with genuine concern.
"They took Samuel," he said plainly. "Sent him to the Jersey to die."
"Then I guess we'll have ta take him back, aye?" Caleb asked in reply.