Things at camp were going well. Everyone was busy with chores, so there wasn't any time for games. Pearson was preparing the stew for lunch, although Ethan wasn't sure why, it didn't even taste like food. And the men were preparing to leave for the day.
Ethan sat on his bed re-reading the last thing he wrote, not even sure if he wanted to keep it because it really didn't describe what he was going through. And so, he did what any great writer would do…he crossed it out. He'd try to decipher his emotions later.
He suddenly sensed someone standing at the entrance of his tent and glanced over. There stood Mary-Beth with a cup of hot coffee in her hands.
"Sorry Ethan," She held up the cup. "I have coffee."
"Oh, you're fine–" Ethan blushed. "You're really quiet. Has anyone told you that before?"
"Sometimes," She breathed. "You get good when thieving is your occupation."
Ethan snickered as he took the cup of coffee. "I get it."
They left his tent and took a short stroll around camp; walking near the water for some privacy, which was non-existent anywhere else.
"Yesterday was fun!" Mary-Beth exclaimed. "I did well, didn't I?"
"You did great," Ethan assured. "I told you before, Gray doesn't usually like people - he barely likes my Pa."
She smiled.
"And you're a good student; quick to learn, attentive, easy to get along with."
"Well...I guess I had a good teacher," She nudged him with her elbow. "I mean, I was a little scared when I got Gray into a gallop, but I remembered what you said and stayed calm."
"Thanks–" Ethan replied.
"Any lessons today?" She asked.
"Maybe. I have to run an errand first."
"It's a good pastime, don't you think?"
"Yeah, but–" Ethan inched closer. "I was thinking I could go to town and see about getting you a horse."
"Don't you disrespect me, kid."
"I didn't–" Lenny heaved a sigh. "Damm Bill, you're so emotional."
He approached the younger man. "You know, I don't like your attitude–"
"Well, okay then." Lenny mocked.
Bill, growing irate, shoved Lenny to the ground. Lenny held up his hands, surrendering.
"Damn it's okay Bill, it ain't that serious."
"Damn right, it's okay!" He snarled. "Stupid boy."
"Bill!" Ethan shouted. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"Stay out of my business, kid–" He shook his head. "Just like the other one; always in everyone's business."
"If you're talkin' about my father, I'd tread lightly," He warned. "They all say I'm just like him."
"Shut the fuck up, you're just a walking cum stain!"
"HEY!" Ethan shoved Bill.
The argument quickly turned into a shoving match, which was boiling over into an all out brawl. And it would've been if not for Hosea pressing the barrel of his gun at the base of Bill's skull; the burly man froze and raised his hands.
"What the–"
"Leave the kid alone, Bill! You're drunk–" Hosea warned.
Bill turned around, hands still raised. Hosea repositioned his gun and pressed it to his forehead.
"I'd hate to see your brains splattered everywhere, Bill. It'd be another mess Miss Grimshaw would have to clean up…or the crows."
Bill snorted. "You're such a pantywaist."
Hosea cocked his pistol. "Say one more thing Mr. Williamson and it's all over."
"Okay, alright–" Bill took a step back. "I'll…uh, I'll leave him alone."
"And anyone else in this camp. One more outburst and you'll be squealing right alongside the pigs."
Ethan hurried over to Lenny and lent a hand. "You okay?"
Lenny brushed his pants off. "He's a mean son of a bitch."
Hosea holstered his gun and turned to Ethan and Lenny. "If he behaves like that again, come find me."
"You got it–" Ethan said.
"Thank you," Lenny said. "I owe ya one."
"Anytime," He patted Lenny on the back. "Catch ya later."
"Alright Ethan."
Ethan walked back to Mary-Beth who was still standing near the water under the trees.
"Lovely scene," Mary-Beth mentioned. "Is he drunk?"
"I don't know, and to be honest I don't really care about him," Ethan waved his hand. "So, about the horse–"
"Oh, I don't know," Mary Beth blushed. "I mean, I have some money, but I don't know how much it costs."
He smiled. "Don't worry about the money."
"Well I guess I can't say no to that smile."
"I'll go run this errand, then look around for a stable," He gulped the rest of his coffee. "Can't have your horse here. If things go down, you need a way out."
Ethan pressed a kiss to her temple, then went to the makeshift corral and mounted Gray. His destination was set for Caliga Hall, but he was most excited about being alone with his thoughts. He navigated the dusty trails and carefully traveled through Rhodes, not wanting to cause any unnecessary trouble or attention. He came out on the other side and headed straight for the tobacco plantation. And when he got there, he slowed down and cleared his throat.
"Excuse me sir, I'm on official business for the family."
"Oh alright." The man invited him to enter.
The humidity was on a steady rise, even without the rain, though it was a sure indicator that rain was in the near future. It would be a welcomed sight for all. Ethan rode Gray through the estate garden and to the stables. He slid off Gray's back and led him to the corral, where he mingled with a few horses.
"Beau Gray!" Ethan called.
His head snapped up. "Ah! There you are! Did you give her my letter?"
"Yeah, do you have my money?"
"Yes!" Beau exclaimed as he handed him a small wad of bills. "And did she have anything for me?"
"Yeah, here."
Ethan passed the letter from Penelope to Beau, who was more than grateful; even bordering on annoying.
"Thank you, Ethan, you're...thank you!"
He watched as Beau tore open the letter and began reading with a look of pure fascination on his face.
"My God...what a woman," Beau sighed. "She's...this'll get her killed for sure—women's suffrage. Round here, they don't even like the men voting. They'd bring back the monarchy if given half the chance. Progress is a dirty word in these parts...unlike incest."
Ethan raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
"I don't wanna marry my cousin Mathilda! I wanna marry Penelope, but they'll kill her at one of those rallies for sure. They've done it before. Ethan, you gotta help."
Ethan shook his head, not surprised that it was leading to another errand. He was the errand boy, after all.
"I'll pay if that's what you want. My family; we've still got some money left."
"Fine," Ethan hoisted himself back up in the saddle. "Just no more letters, please. I'm a criminal, not the pony express"
Beau chuckled. "Thank you. I guess we'd better get going now."
Beau trotted his horse down the path in the direction that Ethan came in, and he followed. They rode their horses through the entrance, garnering looks from the guards in the guard shack.
"Follow me to Rhodes!" Beau exclaimed.
"Easy there partner," Ethan warned. "Calm down."
"I can't be calm! If we don't get there in time, my true love may be killed!"
"If she wants to rally then let her rally. Why would they shoot her?" Ethan asked.
"Good as it is, I can't let her become a martyr," Beau admitted. "I want to marry a flesh and blood woman, not a statue in her honor. Do you know what I mean?"
"Well, they're fighting for some kinda freedom; I'm sure they know what they're doing."
As they continued down the dusty trail they were greeted by a wagon and a crowd. The women wore fancy clothes and held signs and banners, singing and shouting.
"There! There they are!" Beau exclaimed, slowing his horse.
Ethan followed a little further, then slid off Gray.
"Ladies, this is just another day–" An older woman announced.
Suddenly in the midst of all the protesters, Penelope Braithwaite appeared.
"Beau, what are you doing here?" She whispered.
"I can't let you go through with this," Beau pleaded. "You'll be killed."
"I'm prepared to die for the cause–" She assured. "You know that - you know me."
Beau chewed on his lip, a nervous habit Ethan quickly recognized.
"Do something, please!"
"Do what?" Ethan breathed. "Fight this mob? This is one fight I'd prefer not to get involved in."
"This is no laughing matter–" Beau huffed. "They need protection from certain elements; mostly my family. Penelope, I beg of you."
Penelope looked to Beau and then to Ethan.
"I'll tell you what...our friend here can drive the wagon for us," She suggested. "It'll allow us to shout even louder!"
Beau turned to Ethan, his blue eyes silently begging him.
"Sure." He conceded.
"Mrs. Calhoon, my friend here, says he'll drive the wagon for us," Penelope said.
Ethan tipped his hat as the woman extended her hand.
"Olive Calhoon," She introduced. "Normally, I like to drive myself...but today, I feel like a man joining us will send the right message."
"Well uh, I ain't never been in a protest before. I guess I'll try to do my best–"
"You're a cowboy, right?" She wondered aloud. "Just treat us like sheep and protect the flock from the wolves and you'll fit right in."
"Alright then." Ethan agreed, as he climbed up in the wagon.
"Alright, ladies. We know our song is a good one, and we know our cause is a pure one."
Ethan maneuvered the wagon through town as the women sang their songs. Penelope and several other women held up signs with acronyms like Votes for Women, We're Worth More, and Respect Your Worker.
Mrs. Calhoon pointed. "Take us down Main Street, right through town to the steps of the Bank of Rhodes, Mr?"
"Ethan Morgan, ma'am."
"Very good, Mr. Morgan. Not too quick and not too slow. We need them to hear our voice."
"They'll hear it alright." He nodded toward the saloon
"Are you an old friend of the Movement?" She asked.
"I'm just the driver, Mrs. Calhoon. And maybe a shotgun messenger if it comes to it...but I hope it won't."
"Our message will be delivered peacefully, Mr. Morgan," She assured. "You can keep your shotgun to yourself. Stay on main street, it's just left up here. Look at these people. It's about to get exciting, I can feel it."
"I believe you might be right."
Ethan looked across the street as the Sheriff looked over the scene; annoyed. And it had more to do with the fact that there was a small uprising in their small town, instead of the women who were causing it.
"Good day, Sheriff! I trust you'll make sure this is a peaceful assembly?"
"Go home! Go home!" A man from the crowd shouted.
"Oh give it a rest, you sorry fool!" Mrs. Calhoon snapped. "Mr. Morgan, I give you the male species."
"Heh, that's a pretty dumb specimen I reckon."
"A little further please, stop just past the bank."
Ethan slowed the wagon near the bank as instructed, then watched as the women climbed down. The residents of Rhodes were protesting their protests, which made Ethan nervous.
"Come on, boys. It looks like the circus is in town!"
"Go home!"
"You shut your mouth, woman. What are you all doing here?"
Ethan slipped into the crowd of angry citizens, hoping to prevent anything else from happening. So far, words seemed to be the only hurtful thing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great day for all of us!" Mrs. Calhoon said, voice rising above the noise. "For today is the day we begin to live as equals."
"Equals? Ha!"
"Yes, equals, sir. Fair and equal."
"This is unnatural - this is nonsense!"
"Fair, equal, and free...just as the Founding Fathers intended."
"Founding Fathers, not Founding Mothers you silly old goat!"
"Hey! What the hell you doing here, boy?"
Ethan turned his attention to a couple of men heading in Beau's direction.
"Hello, darling cousin." Beau said with some contempt.
"Don't you ever speak to me like that! What are you doing here?" The burly man warned.
"Go help Beau!" Penelope pleaded. "His cousin is a moron. And please stop them from ruining the speech!"
Ethan hurried through the crowd towards Beau, hoping that nothing happened before he got there.
"I'm gonna teach you some manners, cousin!"
"Haven't you got anything better to do?" Beau asked.
"You always was a cocky little–"
"Hey, Beau. Weren't we just leaving?" Ethan asked from behind.
Beau turned around and Ethan patted his shoulder. The burly man eyed him up and down, then turned to Beau.
"Who the hell is this?"
"C'mon, let's go." Ethan said.
Ethan led Beau behind the bank, where the horses were left to graze.
"What are you doing?" Beau asked.
"Hey, Yankee!" His cousin yelled.
"I'm sorry, partner," Ethan said, pushing Beau toward the horses. "Come on, let the women speak. Your silly cousin, he meant no harm...look at him."
"And who the hell are you?"
Ethan smirked. "I'm just a guy who gets into funny business."
The young cowboy walked to the bench, where a pile of wood sat untouched, likely for repairs and such. He unsheathed his knife and turned to face the two cousins.
"What the–"
As they reached for their guns, Ethan drove his knife into the nearby tree, severing the rope that held the pile of wood above their heads. It fell from a distance and crushed the two cousins. Ethan retrieved his knife, then hurried to Beau.
"Oh god! Did you kill them?"
"No, don't think so, let's go!" Ethan said, mounting his horse.
"We have to go before they wake up. Oh Lord. Follow me, I know a place. It's an old battlefield that no one goes to."
"You don't want to go back and hear their speech? I ain't voted before but I'm kinda getting hot for voting rights." He teased.
"I don't know whether to take you seriously, Ethan–" Beau shook his head. "My cousins are my primary concern, and if everyone knows about Penelope and me–"
"Partner, everyone knows about Penelope and you," He smirked. "The sooner it's out, the sooner it's resolved."
"The sooner it's dealt with, you mean...we're dealt with. Our families, the Grays and the Braithwaites, we bury our secrets and we bury them deep."
"Heh, your secrets and your treasure–"
Ethan followed Beau out of Rhodes, passing Braithwaite Manor, until they were deep in a meadow.
"Catherine Braithwaite's got a daughter, no one's seen her in years...she weren't right and Penelope said–"
"I ain't heard about daughters, I just heard about gold."
"The yankee gold? I fear that's just a story. Well, I don't know. This is just awful."
Ethan and Beau came to a valley full of destruction; old cannons, rifles, and destroyed buildings dotted the landscape, with a shattered stone chapel on the horizon.
"Nobody died, so it ain't that awful."
"You sure?" Beau asked. "My brothers are vindictive bastards, my cousins are even worse."
"They started it."
"I know, but–"
Ethan moved his horse closer to Beau and his horse.
"You should leave," Ethan suggested. "As far away from here as you can. Take Penelope and run."
"I will, as soon as I have enough money. When my family–" Beau sighed as he rummaged through his saddlebags. "We have money, but I don't."
"You sure?" Ethan asked.
"Yes. Well, I believe so...but uh...they keep me out of the discussions," Beau explained solemnly. "I have more of an artistic temperament, so–"
"Is that what they call it?"
"Yes. Oh, you made a joke," Beau breathed. "I really love her, I do."
"Well, stick around," Ethan said. "I don't know much about love, but you gotta stay and try to make it work."
"I will, Ethan. Thank you for everything–" Beau glanced down at his pocket watch. "Oh no, I'm gonna be late! My uncle is quite as bad as you would imagine. Here, your payment. Thank you, now excuse me."
Beau left in a cloud of dust, leaving Ethan alone in the remnants of a battlefield from days gone by. Love was a funny thing, he mused. It was a beautiful thing too, but it was hard at the end of the day; hard to hold two people together when time and space dictated otherwise, and flimsy enough to be separated by strangers.
