The History Series: Book 1 (Old)

Chapter 11

Colonial America - March 1611

Months have gone by, and the settlement is finally starting to look put together. I was asleep in my bed, when the suns bright light woke me up. I yawned as I lifted myself up. I looked over to the bed next to me. Sleeping comfortably in the bed was Virginia. He had been up pretty late last night playing with some other kids.

I got up and went to wash up then I put on a fresh new set of clothes. I took a deep breath and smiled. Then I walked out the door. I was walking over to the church, sense it was where most things in the colony happen, to meet the English governor, Lord De La Warr. I hadn't talked to him much, only on a few occasions.

I walked into the such only to find the house buzzing with gossip. As I enter I look around for Lord De La Warr. I check around the entire church, but there was no sign of him anywhere. I walked up to someone who was sitting on a nearby bench. He wore an out fit like everyone wore at the time. Breeches, waistcoat, and a green coat on top.

I walked up to him and asked, "Excuse me, but do you know where Lord De La Warr is?"
The man in the green coat hummed in response, "Oh! Lord De La Warr? Yeah, he is getting ready to be shipped off to England!"
"What? Why?!"
"I heard that he's fallen ill, and has to go back to England to get proper treatment."
"Ah, I see..." I sighed, "Well who is going to take his place on running the colony?"
"I believe his name is... Sir Thomas Gates. Apparently he was Lord De La Warr's second in command!" The man in the green coat exclaimed.
I sighed. He had just arrived and was already leaving. Figures.

This was not my first time hearing of this Thomas Gates. De La Warr had mentioned him a few times before. I had never really thought much to ask the Lord about his second in command. As I was about to leave, a man walked through the door. He had a serious and stern look on his face. He marched through the room. All eyes landed on him. I guessed he was Sir Thomas Gates, seeing how he just barged into the church the way he did. I sigh, I could tell this could be awhile.

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Virginia - Meanwhile

I was sound asleep in my bed. I probably wouldn't have woken up if it wasn't for the sound of the door closing. My eyes slowly opened, trying to adjust to the bright warm glow of the sun. I yawn and stretched. Slowly I drag myself out of bed and get ready. By the time I have my clothes on, I'm wide awake.

I enter the small kitchen area and grab an apple. Then I left to go walk around the town. I noticed father wasn't hear, but I didn't really worry about. I knew he'd be fine on his own. As I walk through the town I start thinking.

'Hadn't father told me that I had a grandfather? I he does why doesn't he ever see him.' I thought silently to myself. If my father had a father then how come I've never seen or met him. I mean, he's never even come to visit! This question continued to linger in my mind until my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a near by conversation, I quickly went over to eavesdrop (it sounds bad I know, but it's the only way I can find out what's been going on).

"I heard that Lord De La Warr has fallen ill!" One colonist exclaimed.
"Indeed. In fact I heard he's just left!" The other colonist stated.
"Wow. Really? Already?!"
The other colonist nodded, "So it seems, and I've heard that his second is command, Sir Thomas Gates, is taking over in his place!"
"I've heard of that but I believed it to be just a rumor!" The colonist responded, "I also heard that he was going to make a complete new set of rules!"

As I overhear all of this, many thoughts come rushing to my mind. This might be just what we need! A new set of rules to keep order in the colony! This change might not be too bad. I then stop being the little eavesdropper I am, and head back home to await for my father to arrive. Maybe, hopefully, he'll have more information on the situation to share with me!