Seconded. Really missing this masterpiece, hope for its speedy return.GhostWriter said:looking forward to the next update ! !
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I'm back from my RL imposed exile and find that so much has happened, good and bad but all damn exciting! Cat, as always you do an outstanding job and I doff my hat to you yet again, sir!
I'm not sure that I'm liking how Tom is working toward accomplishing his goal, and I really don't think he does when he stops to think on it, so there is hope for him yet.
I do have four questions though at this point... one, what is Cassie's boon she will be asking for? Two, will Tom grant it? Three, just how is our ol' friend Mr. Black reacting to this little interaction meddling with his big efforts? And finally, four, when can we get the next update?
I'm not sure that I'm liking how Tom is working toward accomplishing his goal, and I really don't think he does when he stops to think on it, so there is hope for him yet.
I do have four questions though at this point... one, what is Cassie's boon she will be asking for? Two, will Tom grant it? Three, just how is our ol' friend Mr. Black reacting to this little interaction meddling with his big efforts? And finally, four, when can we get the next update?
Nope. Not dead. Though I confess nearly so.
This is just to let everyone know that yes, I'm alive....and after an absence that I can't easily excuse, I'm back.
I've missed you all. Gimme awhile to look over the last several posts and my Resurrection notes, and we'll see if we can't finish this puppy. It's only been four years since it started.
This is just to let everyone know that yes, I'm alive....and after an absence that I can't easily excuse, I'm back.
I've missed you all. Gimme awhile to look over the last several posts and my Resurrection notes, and we'll see if we can't finish this puppy. It's only been four years since it started.
CatKnight: ...Gimme awhile to look over the last several posts and my Resurrection notes...
we'll be here ! !
we'll be here ! !
COMMENTS: Sorry for not personalizing this. After 7 months (wow, that long?) it's hard to know who's still around to read.
Again, sorry for wandering off as well. All I can say is: I'm glad to be back, and it felt good writing this chapter.
Again, sorry for wandering off as well. All I can say is: I'm glad to be back, and it felt good writing this chapter.
-= 224 =-
South Carolina
November 1784
John Preston woke slowly, enjoying the luxury of a bed and the warmth of his wife's body against his side. She still didn't welcome his touch, but for once she hadn't awakened in the middle of the night crying. Even Christiana slept, nestled against her mother's bosom, tiny hands instinctively kneading Cassie's gown.
He regarded them in the orange light filtering through their room's dirty window and smiled, sliding his arm around the pair. It would be so easy to forget his problems: Tom's incredible story, a New York regiment controlling Columbia, Governor Moultrie, Exeter...
Jasen Exeter. Preston's smile faded, his momentary tenderness forgotten. That whore's son would pay dearly. Then die. He entertained several excruciating ideas that would accomplish both.
Cassie awoke at his touch, then stiffened as his arm went rigid. She turned in his embrace, eyes widening at the cold anger on John's face.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“Huh?” He shook his head, dispelling a lurid fantasy involving a vice and skewers. “Nothing.” He sat up and glared around the room. “We should find Tom and plan our next move,” he muttered.
“We'll probably see him at breakfast,” Cassie replied. She sat up and touched his back tentatively. “Are you sure nothing's wrong?”
“I'm fine, Cass.” He stood and gathered his clothes and she lowered her hand, stung. “Let's get moving. I don't know when Tom and Colonel Leyton plan on moving out.” He buttoned his breeches, threw his shirt on and opened the hall door.
A soldier turned to face him. He wore American blue and white, both somewhat worn and stained from weeks on campaign. The musket he held in both hands could have been made yesterday, however. Sunlight gleamed on polished wood as he held the gun slightly away from his body as a barrier. “I'm sorry, sir. Please stay in your room.”
“What's the meaning of this?” Preston demanded. “Step aside.” He tried to brush past the trooper, who shoved back. “Bloody peckerhead!”
“Johnny!” Cass said behind him, shocked both at his words and the guard's presence. She'd donned a plain blue dress and was busy bunching her brown hair under a cap.
For his part, the soldier glowered. “Major Whiteaker's orders, sir. You are to stay in this room. Breakfast will be brought before long.”
*******
“General Heyward? I'm Doctor Sutton.” He removed his hat and bowed as the guard closed the door. “I regret the inconvenience you must be feeling.”
Tom stared at the small, thin civilian and nodded. He didn't rise from his chair, but indicated the bed. “Major Whiteaker's orders are unusual. Is he going through with his desire to return me to Philadelphia?”
“I know nothing of that,” Sutton replied. He regarded his newest patient. “We believe Colonel Leyton suffers from a malaise of the mind, and that he may have acquired it from you.”
Tom's eyes narrowed. “You know this?”
Eyes darting about. Interesting. “No, sir. However, there is word that you are... that you may suffer as well. Is that why you're nervous?”
He snorted and folded his arms. “My 'sufferings' are none of your concern.”
“But they are, sir.” Sutton leaned forward. They are if it's contagious. Do you not want help?” He stretched out one hand.
“You can't catch mental illnesses from another,” Heyward retorted.
The doctor sighed and leaned back. “I believe you can. There was a time when medicine thought such ailments were caused by demonic possession. That, of course, is ridiculous, but...”
“You might be surprised.”
“But,” Sutton repeated firmly, “I think this may well be the result of your extensive travels over the last few years, much of which is documented. Tell me: When was the last time you felt normal?”
Tom sighed. This promised to be a long day.
*******
“You don't have to do this,” John said, bracing Cassie's hips with both hands. “They will come to their senses or Tom will do his 'thing' and we'll be out of here! Get down before someone sees you!”
Cassandra Preston stood on the window ledge, cautiously feeling along the outer wall. Twenty feet below her the streets of Columbia were quiet, partly because of the early hour and partly because no one wanted to stick their head out with an occupying army afoot. “Quiet, husband,” she hissed. She could almost reach the roof. Almost. “I'm going to jump.”
“No, you aren't! Get down here, woman!” He hugged her hips and tried to pull her in.
“Let go of me! Johnny!” Christiana heard her parents yelling and screamed.
A triple thump on the door made him turn. “Breakfast!” the soldier shouted.
“Not now! Cass!” She tore away from his grasp and leapt as the guard opened the door. He spotted her dangling legs, dropped the tray and ran for the window.
John chopped him across the back of the neck with both fists. The soldier fell. Preston ran to the window to recover his wayward wife, but she was gone.
*******
“When you were in Cherokee Country,” Sutton pressed, “do you recall anything biting you? An animal? Perhaps an insect?” He leaned forward as Tom rubbed his temple. “Are you in pain?”
"No." He willed the manic voice in his head to silence. “To both questions.”
Kill him! Twist off his head and use it as a football! Then take his body and...
“Shut up!”
Sutton stiffened. “I didn't ask anything else.”
“Not you!”
The doctor rose and lightly touched Heyward's face: Cool hand on hot skin. “Sir, I think you should lie down.”
Tom gripped Sutton's wrist and snarled, eyes darkening. “I don't care for what you think, sir! I....” They turned as the window burst open and Cassie swung into the room.
“Incredible,” the doctor breathed, his wrist forgotten.
“You know this is the first place they'll look?” Heyward added mildly.
“Then we'd better go,” she said. “We'll pick up Chris and John then leave. Can you surprise your guard? I assume you have one.”
“Yes to both.” He let go of Sutton's wrist. “Cover him.”
“With what?” Cassie asked. The doctor didn't seem inclined to find out, for he sat with stunned amazement.
Heyward paced to the door and opened it. No guard. He looked into the hall: Empty. He strode rapidly to the Prestons' door and knocked.
He heard a single solid impact, wood on flesh, followed by something falling, then John's harried voice: “Come in!”
“It's me.” Tom opened the door: Two unconscious guards, Chris on the bed sucking on the blanket, and Preston with a musket pointed at his chest. John wore a savage expression which relaxed as recognition set in. “Tom! Is Cassie?”
“She's fine. Come. I think we've outstayed our welcome.”
*******
“And that's when she hit me,” Doctor Sutton told Major Whiteaker. He pulled the white cloth from his forehead, frowned at the red spot, and put it back.
Whiteaker scratched at his chin: The beginnings of a beard made it itch. He glared at the civilian. “And so you are no closer to explaining what afflicts the colonel?”
“No, sir. It is my opinion, however, that General Heyward knows more than he is willing to say.”
“Then we will make him talk,” Whiteaker growled. “Thank you, doctor. I am sure you're eager to rest, so I will leave you to it. I have plans to make.”
“Boy!” he called once alone, and looked up as a Negro appeared in the door. Whiteaker took over a plantation for Army use and picked up the slaves as a bonus. “Coffee. Black.”
“Which we ain't have none, sir,” the slave protested. “Master doesn't like coffee.”
This evoked a series of obscenities that made the man cringe and cover his head, though the New Yorker didn't move to strike. “Find some!” Whiteaker finished, punctuating his command by kicking 'Master's' desk.
“Yessir!” The slave fled.
Whiteaker turned to the desk and unrolled his map, his desire for coffee forgotten as quickly as it was born. Two of his men defeated by, from all accounts, a heretofore unarmed colonel and his nursing wife. Somehow they'd gathered up a suckling baby and insane general and avoided all his pickets heading...where?
Where else?
*******
To: Major General Benedict Arnold
Commander-in-Chief, United States Army in the Field
From: Major Roger Whiteaker
Second-in-Command, New York 3rd Cavalry
Sir:
This is to inform you that we have made contact with the fugitive Heyward while conducting operations northwest of Columbia, South Carolina. Heyward was in the company of a Colonel Jonathan Preston, Carolina Guard and family.
General Heyward convinced Colonel Leyton, who I have the honor to serve, to attack and seize Columbia in an attempt to provoke a reaction from local defense forces. As Colonel Leyton took ill, I took it upon myself to detain General Heyward, Colonel Preston and family until such time as I could receive instructions.
Heyward, Preston and family escaped. I believe they are headed in the direction of Charleston with intent to depose Governor Moultrie and provoke a war between the Carolina Federation and United States.
We are in pursuit.
Your humble, obedient servant,
- Maj. Roger Whiteaker
Sweet!!! He's back! Welcome back, CatKnight!
And a nice way to kick off the end of the story.
And a nice way to kick off the end of the story.
I am definitely subscribing to this, I only discovered your AAR when you posted on mine, and I am sure glad I did
Whiteaker decides to place a Geneal and Colonel uinder house arrest and thinks that normal. He seems to think that General Arnold's private strike unto North Carolina will not start a War between the Unted States and the Carolina, but that Heyward's two man, a woman and a baby's will. (I know there's a cat but it's sensible enough to stay out of the way.)
Tom still has a problem with Black's thoughts, doesn't he? There's a poor innocent forest that's going to get burnt to the ground before the end, I'll wager.
Tom still has a problem with Black's thoughts, doesn't he? There's a poor innocent forest that's going to get burnt to the ground before the end, I'll wager.
It's alive! Hooray!
I must say I'm as confused with regard to Tom's mental health as Dr. Sutton even though (or, more likely, because) I know about the background. He's not seeming too good at the moment so Cassie is probably our best hope in settling things with Moultrie/Black. Wouldn't it be a fitting dramatic end to the story if Black was able to defeat the time-travelling hero of the story only to be defeated by a woman who entered the picture by coincidence?
Or is Tom actually going to see Jess again? Somehow I don't find that very likely, probably because it's the most obvious happy end to the story. Perhaps in altering the timeline Tom will cause Jess never to be born
Well, I'll leave these questions to you CatKnight, now that you've revived my hope of actually seeing an end to this story, however sad it may be to know for certain that there will be no more updates
I must say I'm as confused with regard to Tom's mental health as Dr. Sutton even though (or, more likely, because) I know about the background. He's not seeming too good at the moment so Cassie is probably our best hope in settling things with Moultrie/Black. Wouldn't it be a fitting dramatic end to the story if Black was able to defeat the time-travelling hero of the story only to be defeated by a woman who entered the picture by coincidence?
Or is Tom actually going to see Jess again? Somehow I don't find that very likely, probably because it's the most obvious happy end to the story. Perhaps in altering the timeline Tom will cause Jess never to be born
Well, I'll leave these questions to you CatKnight, now that you've revived my hope of actually seeing an end to this story, however sad it may be to know for certain that there will be no more updates
Yay! He has returned!
Thanks for the update...
I especially loved Heywards reaction to demonic possession...nice line!
TheExecuter
Thanks for the update...
I especially loved Heywards reaction to demonic possession...nice line!
TheExecuter
CatKnight: ...Somehow they'd gathered up a suckling baby and insane general and avoided all his pickets heading...where? .. .. Where else?
CatKnight: ...Heyward, Preston and family escaped. I believe they are headed in the direction of Charleston with intent to depose Governor Moultrie and provoke a war between the Carolina Federation and United States.
well, at least the good Major knows where Tom and Company are going ! !
excellent update ! !
CatKnight: ...Heyward, Preston and family escaped. I believe they are headed in the direction of Charleston with intent to depose Governor Moultrie and provoke a war between the Carolina Federation and United States.
well, at least the good Major knows where Tom and Company are going ! !
excellent update ! !
Praise all that is good and holy! Fantastic update CatKnight, great to have you back
-Maximilliano
-Maximilliano