Chapter 40: Echoes of War - Part II
As Eloise and Penelope listened intently in the quiet of Martin Hayes' sitting room, the weight of the unfolding story pressed heavily upon the air, filling the space with a sense of foreboding and sorrow. Martin, his voice steady despite the grim nature of his tale, resumed his account of the events that had transpired years ago in Kingston, underlining the transformative and tragic experiences that had irrevocably changed Captain Sebastian Foxworth.
"Sebastian and his men spent weeks tracking the guerrillas through dense woodlands," Martin began, his eyes reflecting the intensity of the memories. "When they finally encountered the Americans, the fighting was fierce and brutal."
Eloise felt a chill run down her spine as Martin described the melee. "One of the American officers managed to get close enough to Sebastian to attack him with a knife, slashing his face. That's where he got the scar from," he explained, touching his own face reflexively. "Fortunately, the cut wasn't deep enough to cost him his eye, but it marked him for life, both physically and mentally."
Penelope, who had been quietly taking mental notes, flinched at the description, her heart going out to the young Sebastian who had suffered so grievously.
"Their forces eventually prevailed against the Americans, but at a terrible cost," Martin continued, his voice heavy with regret. "They suffered heavy casualties. And when they returned to Kingston, hoping for some respite, they found the town burnt to the ground."
A somber pause filled the room as Martin gathered himself to deliver the next part of the story, his demeanor indicating the difficulty he had in recounting these events. "Among the ruins, some of the American refugees were found hanged from a post. Emily was among them."
Eloise gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. The tragic fate of Emily, a woman who had dared to love despite the divide of war, struck a deep chord within her.
"Sebastian saw this and remained eerily calm," Martin said, his voice low. "He asked one of the soldiers about the commanding officer responsible for this atrocity and was pointed to Captain Dixon. Sebastian confronted him directly, asking if he had ordered the hangings. Dixon confirmed he did, and insulted Emily posthumously."
Martin's fists clenched as he relayed the next sequence, "Without hesitation, Sebastian shot Dixon with his flintlock pistol. Then, in a grim act of retribution, he asked for an axe, dismembered Dixon's head, and took it with him to confront Colonel Harrington."
The image of Sebastian, driven to such a dark deed, pained Eloise deeply. She could scarcely imagine the grief and rage that must have consumed him.
"Sebastian threw Dixon's head at Harrington's feet and demanded to know if he had ordered the attack on the civilians," Martin continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Horrified, Harrington ordered his men to arrest Sebastian. But I intervened, ordering the men to stand down, and they followed my command, recognizing the justness of Sebastian's cause."
Martin paused, the room thick with the unspoken implications of his words. "Harrington, still in disbelief and trying to justify his actions, claimed he thought the refugees were traitors. Without further words, Sebastian took his officer's sabre and slit Harrington's throat."
The room fell silent, the finality of Martin's story hanging like a heavy cloud over them. Eloise felt overwhelmed, the layers of Sebastian's pain and vengeance laid bare before her, revealing a side of him she had never known but now profoundly understood.