Felicity POV
That night from my window I saw Father and Ben slip into the darkness. I knew where they were going- a Patriot meeting. I took up my comb and started combing my long hair out. I wish I could be going instead of Ben. War wouldn't be that hard to fight in would it? I mean, today was fun to carry the gun. I set the brush down and started separating my hair into three parts.Enough, Felicity! A battlefield isn't the place for a woman! Besides you can get killed out there. I started braiding my hair and let myself get back to being content. But you can get killed out there lingered in my head. Ben almost did! The bullet only breezed past the bone. I shuddered.
Taking a brown ribbon from my vanity counter I tied my thick braid off. Finding my stationary box I took out my quill and the sheet of paper I wrote on last night. I started writing a brief summary of the day. I soon stopped writing and read the summary of yesterday.I already read this this morning, focus Felicity! I finished my summary, glared at my two ink blots, then hurried to my bed. I blew out the flickering stub of a candle before jumping into my bed and pulling the covers over my head.
Ben's POV
A slight pain awakened me with a start. My head was buried into my pillow and I instantly knew what caused my pain. I must be lying on my arm! I carefully turned to my left and freed my arm. Glancing about I realized it was sunrise. I got up and pulled my bed covers straight.
There was a lingering pain in my arm and I quietly searched for the bottle of pain reliever in my bag. I found it was missing after five minutes of quiet searching. Or did I use it all? I replaced each thing carefully and decided to sneak out and visit the doctors before breakfast.
Water sat in the basin and I stuck a finger in to determine the temperature. It was lukewarm from sitting out all night. I splashed my face with it and let the water beads race down my cheeks and off my chin. I wiped my face off with a towel before studying my face in the mirror.
My eyes no longer had bags under them and I could pinch my cheek now. After two months of kind people feeding me things other than hard biscuits or corn mush I got stronger. A pain of guilt flashed through my being. I felt bad returning to this place especially since they had been helping me since I was fourteen. But they were family and I would pay them back somehow.
I left the house through the kitchen. Rose caught me and offered me a biscuit saying, "Most likely you won't be back till after breakfast. This is the only thing ready. Take it."
"Thank you," I said, "I'm just running out to the doctors to get something for my arm. Good bye!"
She nodded and I slipped out of the door and down the street. I broke a corner of the biscuit and nibbled on it as I made my way down two more blocks of cobble stone streets. Approaching the town there was a few men- probably bachelors- heading toward their shops to start the day. The sun hadn't risen all the way yet. I should wait to awaken the doctor that is if he is sleeping. I stood awkwardly before the door for a moment. My arm wasn't paining me horribly so I sat on his steps watching the skyline.
Soon the entire sun was visible and birds chirped as they began their flight for the day. I stood up and knocked on the door. I flushed realizing the doctor's room was upstairs. I pushed the door open and trotted up the steps holding my arm lest it bounce against me. I knocked on the top door and it swung open. The doctor stood cleaning his glasses with his shirt looking at me with a slight smile. "How may I help you, Ben? How's the arm?" He asked.
"Morning sir, my arm is slightly aching today. I was wondering if I could get pain reliever." I asked stepping inside.
"Of course, of course. Ben, have you picked anything up lately with the arm?" The doctor asked as he slipped his glasses on.
I scrunched my brow as though about the question. Did I use it to get the gun off me yesterday? "Um, I did sleep on it- accidentally of course."
He nodded and while grabbing a bottle from his shelf he asked, "Say, how's the pain on a daily basis?"
"Not bad. The flesh is still tender but the bone seems to be fine for the most time."
"When you say, 'Most of the time' does that mean only when you lay on it?" He continued to clarify.
I chuckled and said, "I suppose so."
"Good, see me in a week," the doctor said extending a bottle, "Maybe we can take off the cast and just keep the bandage on. How does that sound?"
I knew I sounded like a boy when I cried, "That sounds wonderful Sir!" but I didn't care.
"Great, take this only when needed and about a tablespoon at a time. 3 caps fill- don't overdo it," instructed the doctor.
I handed over the price of the medicine before I got up and walked to the door. Stopping at the door I wished the doctor a "Good day!" and a "Good bye!" I walked down the steps and out the front door.
Once outside I considered going to Mr. Merriman's shop but I didn't want to go there. He did offer me a job. Perhaps I should take up the offer. But I knew what I wanted. I wanted to go back to the army. The army! Wasn't there a camp somewhere close to where Felicity and I were walking?
My wandering feet lead me down a half dirt half cobblestone road that ended at an edge of a large field. If my directions are correct if I continue to head north I will go back the Merriman house. And so, I headed out into the field with my mind drifting.
So preoccupied in my thoughts I didn't realize I had wandered to the spot where Felicity had taken up the challenge to walk with the gun above her head. My mind had snapped alert when I heard the same clicking sound I heard yesterday.
Curiosity engulfed me and I strode closer to the sound. My eyes were wide alert looking for a sea of red. I peeked my head from around a tree and saw a large white tent and several makeshift smaller tents scattered about in a fenced off area. Men stood at attention and by their garb I could tell that they were Patriots. A glittering object caught my attention in the fenced off area to the right. Maybe a bullet, perhaps this is a target range. I felt like I satisfied my curiosity enough so I took a step back when I felt to hands of my shoulders.
My heart turned to ice and I struggled to keep breathing. Fear gripped me like a viper and I lifted my arm up. I extended my elbow to show one arm was in a cast before I slowly turned around.
Felicity POV
I had just finished breakfast and I wandered into the kitchen. The dishes that were stacked up leaned ever so the right as if to say, "There's quite a few dishes. Come on and do some." I shook my head and started to leave the room only to find Rose in the doorway carrying the glasses. "Um, Hello. Do you need help washing the dishes?" I asked.
"Not today, besides one less plate setting to wash. Your Mother was wondering where you were," she responded while completing the four strides needed to reach the counter.
"Very well. But about the one less table setting..." I faded off.
"Ben, miss. He told me he didn't want to bother any of you so early in the morning. He just had to go and get something for his arm." Rose said setting down the glasses.
"Thank you. I better get to my Mother," I said taking a step back.
"Sure thing. She was in the parlor last," Rose said with a wave.
I headed down the hallway and wound up in the parlor room. Mother was sitting on the couch organizing some preserves and cookies. Polly sat next to her munching on a cookie. "Mother?" I asked softly.
"Oh Felicity, I'm just packing some delicacies for our friends. Not much but, enough to show appreciation," Mother said while tying a twine bow on the basket she was doing, "Will you please help me?"
"Of course," I said lowering myself to the floor.
"Good, now two jams and 4 cookies in each," she instructed taking another basket.
7 baskets later we were done. From the floor, I watched Mother's quill flow over bits of paper. When I rose I could see the last names of our "friends" being printed on them. I recognized the Coles, the Edwards, and a few more names listed but, I didn't know precisely where they were living. I bit my lower lip at this thought. The Cole's I shouldn't have an issue with but...
"Felicity? Will you be a dear and go deliver this to Elisabeth?" Mother asked extending a basket.
"Of course," I quickly replied. With Mother's remainder I donned my cloak and hat before leaving the house. Halfway down the road I deposited my hat in the basket and let the sunshine dance off of my hair.
Ben POV
Two eyes pierced through me scanning for any ill intentions. I let my eyes wander while holding a look that hid my sudden terror. Relief washed through me when I realized that they were dressed as patriots. I hope they are Patriots.
I licked my dry lips and said, "I have no weapons on me." Except for your pocket knife, my conscious whispered. I merely ignored the voice inside me head and continued saying, "Do you belong to that camp?"
The taller man was about a good 3 inches taller than me, but he angled his head in just a way to make him look even taller. "Yes, your name," he barked not letting his calloused hand leave its grip on my shoulder.
"Ben," I said eyeing up the other man standing next to him. The other man wore a strange expression on his face that I could not interpret.
"Ben?" asked the smaller man letting go of me.
"Yes Sir," I said not wanting to anger them.
"What are you doing out here?" the man asked while eyeing my pack.
"Took a walk and heard noises." I replied before whispering, "I am a Patriot." I instantly began an inner conflict within myself as I debated whether or not I should have told them. My few seconds of silent debate was broken by the beating of drums. I recognized the pattern and asked, "You should be heading back to camp."
The smaller man nodded subtly in agreement before asking, "John?"
Recognition clicked. He was a man that attended Mr. Merriman's meeting the other night.
The taller man asked, "What do you mean by John, Simon?"
Simon turned and said, "Jack, this young lad was at the meeting last night. He took the name John- as did we all." The drums let out another round of summons as Jack slipped his hand from my shoulder to my back.
"Come, we will take you to the commander of this camp," he said using his free hand to untie my pack that was around my waist.
Simon caught the pack when Jack tossed him it and he scanned its contents as we started walking. "The bottle?" he asked as he shut it.
"Medicine for the arm," I replied taking the pack back and tying it back around my waist.
Summon and Jack seemed to communicate with their eyes to one another as we strode through camp. Those who were making bullets by the two glowing fires glanced towards our direction. Their eyes followed us as I was lead into the large tent. Simon slipped inside first and within a moment he poked his head back out to say, "Come in."
By now I was almost certain that Jack's hand was permanently stuck to my back. I was actually relived when he let go. He emitted a domineering presence about him and when he was touching you it sunk in more. But now I was face to face with a middle-aged man- the commander of this group. When I shook his hand I felt the proof for all of the hard work he had done for the war.
"Ben, is it?" He asked eyeing me up.
"Yes, Sir. Ben Davidson," I replied.
"What were you doing outside my camp? Behind a tree?" He asked as he sat down.
"I'm sorry. I was walking the other day and heard noises and today as well. My curiosity got the best of me." I replied.
"I see," he started to say.
"I'm a Patriot soldier," I added.
"I see," he repeated, "Now, was that arm was wounded during a battle?"
"Yes, Sir. I joined the army two years ago. The first year was training basically and then instead of moving to join Washington's troops I took the place of recruiting and training men. Just 4 months ago I was going to join Washington's troops. We set camp and then we went to meet some more recruits that would be joining us. Along the way we crossed paths with the redcoats and that's where I got this." I motioned to my arm.
Commander POV
I scrutinized the young man before me as he spoke. His green eyes seemed to light up when he spoke about our cause and I could the feel the frustration when he finished. He seems like a sturdy man. Pity that his arm got injured so soon.
A moment later his eyes resumed its Patriotic spark and his hand moved to the pack that was on his waist. I saw Jack's eyes follow every move and Simon had said they checked his side pack. I trusted my men so, I had nothing to fear.
"Here," Ben said extending a letter to him.
I took it and dismissed Simon. I opened it and read:
Reader,
Ben was discharged for the inability to use his left arm in combat and charges that he had smallpox.
I stopped and checked the date: December 16, 1776. He hasn't died yet so he must be cured. I continued reading:
His arm was shot in combat and the hospital he was tended in had cases of small pox rapidly spreading. He came down with a fever and wasn't released until it was cured. It was thought he still had the small pox so we sent him off till his arm cured.
This letter is to let you know that Ben Davidson is a trustworthy young man and deserves another chance in the military. He trained men for combat before returning to being a footman. It was his own choice to do so- he was not demoted.
Sincerely,
Captain Smithson
I sighed without a trace of fear he was a spy. The letter could be a fraud but, the stamp next to the signature could be unmistakable. A message caught my eye on the bottom of the page. I read:
Ben,
I hate to see you leave in this way. Thank you for being my friend. I'll miss you. Lord willing, we will see each other again. Remember always stand strong.
Riley
I slowly folded the letter and handed it back to Ben. I couldn't read his eyes as he reached for the letter. After a moment I said, "Thank you Ben. How's your arm doing?"
"Fine. Slight pain once in a while but doctor says he might take the cast off next week," Ben said.
"That's fine, mighty fine. You revisit us after that appointment. You show promise." I said.
"Thank you Sir," Ben responded quickly with a genuine smile flooding his face.
"You're welcome, just no more lurking behind trees!" I said with a chuckle. I waved my hand in dismissal and he left followed by Jack.
Simon stepped inside and strode towards me. "So?" Simon asked.
"Yes. Are you sure he was at the Patriot meeting last night?" I said in a whisper.
"Swear on my Father's grave," Simon said.
"Our Father isn't dead," I snapped.
"Just an expression, I swear though," Simon said.
"Good, he is just the man we need," I said, "Keep an eye on him. Let no one hurt him."
"Yes Sir!" Came the response.
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