One
3 months later
Gathering all the leaders of each Militia group had proven a difficult and dangerous task. Many had never left their territories, considering the risk just too great. Anyone could target them, or attempt a takeover in their absence and they were not about to let either happen. All of that changed however, when Ivys name was mentioned. Many of the leaders instantly agreed to the gathering and had quickly made arrangements for a temporary leader to be put in place. It seemed that this woman had a formidable reputation and no-one was willing to challenge her.
She had instructed them all to meet in Appomattox, just one of the many Neutral points controlled by Ivy and her people. "Good decision", Miles sighed as he and his comrades may their way cautiously through the growing crowd of Militia personnel. "Not even the highest ranking leaders would dare start a conflict here. They would be risking the treaty with the Neutrals and that would mean all out war with them".
Charlie gazed around at those they passed and shook her head, "But she'd be outnumbered. There's a lot of soldiers here Miles and I've seen Ivys troops. They'd be crushed in moments".
"Yeah. What's to stop them from just taking over the Neutral zones in their territories?", Aaron murmured nervously. "And what's to stop Bass from killing us when he arrives?".
"Because she'd kill me on the spot", Bass grumbled from behind, making Aaron jump forwards.
"Even I'm not stupid enough to cross Ivy".
Miles turned to face the man who had once been his friend and offered him a quick nod, "I doubt there are many people stupid enough to do that".
"Why though?", Charlie insisted, casting a firm gaze towards her Uncle. "I may have seen her in battle, but still don't get why people hold her in such high regard?".
The sound of cheering suddenly erupted from the road behind them and Miles moved to its side, pulling Charlie along with him. "You're about to see why Charlie. And once you do, you will never forget General Ivy Jackson. I can guarantee it".
Two
Charlie had never seen anything like it. That dense throng of people on the road quickly parted, exposing the well worn track used by so many. As they cleared she saw what had so excited the soldiers. A group of people on horse-back were approaching slowly, their gazes fixed firmly on the road ahead. They moved in an arrow formation, with one rider at the front, closely followed by two more and so on. This group eased itself passed the soldiers, who continued to offer up cheers of excitement as they passed.
"Is that?", Charlie exclaimed, shooting her Uncle a confused glance.
"Yes it is", he beamed as he watched the slowly approaching riders.
Ivy sat proudly on the back of her black horse, her green eyes set firmly forward as she and the other riders made their way down the road. Ivy wore a dark blue dress, similar in style to those Charlie had seen her in at Gettysburg. It hugged tightly against her upper body, tapering off to a full skirt. Brass buttons adorned the bust and a leather belt cinched in her small waist. Those normally wild curls were pulled back and covered by a small blue riding hat with several feathers on its side.
"Commanding isn't she?", Miles whispered. "You can see why people have so much respect for her". Charlie could only nod, unable to take her gaze from the Neutral regiment approaching them. Yes, she had met Ivy before, but had never really been able to picture her as the leader of one of the most formidable forces in the country. Now, as she watched her riding through all those cheering people, Charlie could see just how powerful this woman really was. Those who rode with her had that same determined expressions.
Just behind Ivy, on either side, a man and woman rode, both keeping a close eye on the crowd around her. The man was in his late 40s, his dark hair streaked with white and grey. Even on his horse you could see he was tall and well built. He was handsome, with fine lines on his face and intense blue eyes. The woman was smaller, with long blonde hair and grey eyes. To Charlie her features seemed hard, as though her life had impacted her in a physical way. While their uniforms were the same dark blue as Ivy's they were simpler in style and both wore trousers with either red or gold stripes down the sides. Behind them rode at least 12 more men and women, all of whom kept a watchful eye on Ivy.
Every now and then one of the riders directly behind her would move up, leaning in to tell Ivy some piece of information, before quickly returning to their position.
"Who are the people with her?", Aaron whispered.
"They are the people placed in charge of the Neutral Zones by Ivy. The man to her right, directly behind her, that's General George Pickett. He's in charge of Fredericksburg ".
Aaron opened his mouth and shook his head, "Right", he said drooly.
"The woman is General Pamela Buford. Last I heard she was looking after Antietam".
Aaron let out a loud huff, "So where's Lee? Oh and Meade. Where's General Meade?".
Miles pointed at the approaching riders, "Lee is 3rd in from the front on the left and Meade". He paused for a moment and turned to face Aaron, "Well General Meade is in charge of Appomattox, so he's already here".
Aaron shook his head, confused by what Miles had told him and wanted to ask what he was talking about.
"Miles", Ivy stopped her horse and smiled at her old friend. "I am so very pleased you could be here". She turned in her saddle and motioned for one of the riders behind her to approach. In seconds a tall man rode forward. He pulled back on the reins, stopping his horse and offering Ivy a quick salute. "General Jackson Mam", he said firmly in a strong Southern accent.
"General Longstreet, these people are my friends", Ivy waved her hand towards Miles and the others. "If you could please ride to General Meade and ask him to prepare a tent for them, I would be incredibly grateful".
Longstreet nodded and flicked his horses reins, moving quickly away from Ivy and his comrades. "They will make sure you have a bed, food and clean clothes", Ivy smiled. "I shall send for you later", she offered Miles a quick tip of her hat, before carrying on down the road.
"You've got to be kidding me", Aaron groaned, watching as Ivy and the others moved away. "I mean, come on Miles. You have to be!".
"Kidding about what?", Miles asked as he gave Aaron an all too knowing grin. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about Aaron".
Three
The tall man tucked himself behind the broad tree trunk, desperate to keep himself concealed from those who rode down the dusty road. Various Militia and Territory troops were lined along the sides and cheered as the riders passed them by. At their helm rode the woman that he had not seen in so very long. The moment he had seen her, all those long forgotten memories came flooding back.
'Just as commanding as she always was', he smiled to himself. 'It's a pity it all had to end as it did'. He moved to the other side of the tree, his gaze not shifting from those riding past. 'But that's all part of the job. Sacrifices had to be made and more are to come'.
