Learn your place (book 1)

The tavern

Alexander was sitting in his chair, his face twisted and contorted into burden as his feet and hands twitched. He was reliving his battles. The horrid atrocities that he endured all in the name of a king that didn't even know who he was.

"I've run out of water, David." Alexander whispered to one of his fellow soldiers. "Give me some of yours." He said reaching for the canteen. David smirked keeping it away. "Kill a dozen rebels, and then you get some." He teased holding it away. "Come on now David I dropped at least five. That earns half a gallon," He whispered as David kept the canteen away. David whispered shoving him back. "Handsome Alexander thinks his charming smile will earn him everything he wants." Alexander reached for the canteen whispering. "Give me water, or you don't win my sister's hand in marriage." He chuckled using his baby sister's engagement as leverage.

David paused. "You are a shrewd negotiator, Alexander. Fair enough." He said pulling the soldier closer. He was going to hand it over one way or another. Alexander sucked the water from the canteen handing it back, as the owner took a drink himself. They whispered among each other. "I swear once I get out of here, I'll make your sister the richest women in London." Alexander truly believed that seeing as how David always spent every cent he had on his little sister. A fine addition to the family. He pat him on the back, knowing he was planning on making him the best man.

After half hour, their silent walking was met with gunfire. They ducked for cover. Alexander spotted a rebel in the trees, and shot him to the ground. He reloaded his gun, nervously looking around to see where they were. Thankfully the soldiers were well armed, but there were plenty of rebels, as they plucked off their soldiers. He managed to shoot another. As he reloaded once more, David grunted as a bullet planted itself right into his forehead. Alexander gasped, grabbing him to keep him from collapsing, as his face started to coat itself in blood. He started hyperventilating. The man that was supposed to be his future brother in law now laid dead by his side. He heard one graze by his ear, and looked up seeing a man ducking behind a fallen tree. He grit his teeth seeing red, as he ran over, and used his bayonet stabbing the man in the chest. He grabbed the tomahawk from the rebel's belt, and growled. "Why, David?" The dying man looked at him confused. He slammed the blade against his head. "WHY DAVID?!" he screamed, continuing the attack. "HE WAS ENGAGED! WHY HIM?! WHY DAVID?!" He kept striking so consumed by grief he didn't stop till General Verlice pulled him away.

~~~~~

As Diana was helping the boys recover from a hardy night of partying, she decided that Alexander had slept long enough. It was best to wake him before breakfast. She came in seeing Alexander grunting in his sleep. He looked like he was being electrocuted the awful way he twitched. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, to which he woke with a tormented shout. Diana fell backward startled by it. He grabbed the flintlock off the table next to him, and pointed it around the room. He then realized this was not the battlefield. He was safe in his room. Looking on the ground, he saw Diana holding an arm in front of her face He must've scared the living daylights out of her. "Diana, I'm... I'm so sorry." He said dropping the pistol, helping her off the floor. "I was just having a... bad dream." He said hugging her. Diana held him. She rubbed his back. "There were a lot of veterans on the streets. I know what PTSD looks like." She said holding him still till he was brought back down from the shock.

~~~~~

"So my not so glorious legacy ends here." Diana said to the others. "In a metal jar." She placed it on her dresser feeling a bit nauseous at the thought of it. The boys had no idea that Malak was powerful enough to get somebody's body from the surface. Then again cocaine and fine wine didn't exactly fall from the sky either. The leader made a promise. "Don't worry Diana. We will keep your ashes under lock and key." She shook her head. "No I want to spread them. I feel a bit morbid having myself in my room with me." Thomas had an idea. "Well Wiltshire manor has a pond on their property. Swans, Lilly pads, flowers and trees in bloom, and a splendid little gazebo! Quite romantic. You could spread your ashes there." He said. "I think it would give you and Alexander plenty of make out time." He snickered pushing her toward him. She pulled away sneering at Thomas. They all told her about the embarrassing thing she did. She wanted to not be told about it, let alone reminded of it.

"Nice try Thomas. I was drunk and stupid. Like everybody with vocal chords around here tells me. I must remember my place, and it's not in bed with any of you four." She assured them all. She moved them out of the room to get dressed. Today she was going to a staff exclusive party. She was kind of excited to be around people that actually had eyes, and maybe find some cuties that were looking for love. The one good thing about being dead, there were no worries about finding your next meal, or avoiding the cops, so she could focus on more recreational activities. She wondered what sorts of boys she might meet. It had her excitement bursting. Brown trousers, and a cream shirt with rolled up sleeves felt nice. Peter did say that dress was casual, so why not blend in? She slipped on some comfy shoes to dance in, assuming there would be some dancing. She would just need to keep her arm safe. Maybe she could keep the sling with her to avoid messing it up further, and to let people know she was hurt.

Diana spent her time helping the staff pack their belongings. Since the party was over they could return home, and get their money. James and Benjamin were waving to the last of the temp staff as they took the coaches home thanking the gold watchers for the great time, which meant great pay. They all left except for Clara which they kept for helping Diana get dressed till she healed, and Peter. When Alexander saw Peter in the guest room, taking off his white powdered wig, and place it in his bag he felt confused. "You aren't packed yet?" He asked walking in to help. "I'm all packed, yer lordship. Just changin me clothes before I take me girls out." He said brushing his real hair. Alexander was not clear. "Clara is staying here, until Diana heals." He turned back and shook his head. "Oi guess she didn't tell ya. I'm takin them both out tonoight." he said adjusting his suspenders.

The next thing he knew he was grabbed around the collar by the gold watcher. His back pressed against the wall. "No you bloody will not!" he sneered his eyes red. He tried to wrestle him off. "Get yer fookin hands off me!" He gasped. The three others saw it and broke it up. "Whoa, easy, easy Alexander." Thomas said calmly. "They're just going to a tavern party." Benjamin assured him. Alexander shot his gaze at them. "I didn't authorize any party. Nobody told me." The gasping Peter shot his gaze his way. "Oi can see why?" He said massaging his neck. Alexander sneered. "Stay out of this peasant." He felt James grab his hat turning him back to them. "No the man's right. We didn't tell you because when Diana does anything on her own, you get... kind of..." James didn't want to anger his leader. Thomas backed him up. "You get possessive and lose your mind."Thomas said bluntly. Alexander turned away angrily. Benjamin stood in front of him. "Oh, you know it's true. I mean, God! You don't even trust any of us, to go in her room. Can't you just trust her tonight? Just grin and bare it." He purses his lips and walked out of his room. Before he was out of sight, he turned sharply toward him. "Touch her, and you'll regret it." He said pointing a threatening finger to Peter.

That night Peter got his coach ready, and called the girls out. When they passed the boys, they stared at Diana's clothes. She was dressed like a man! Benjamin watched her bolt down the stairs, her red hair down and swinging around behind her. "Wow! She really is enjoying her own liberties isn't she?" He laughed. Alexander shook his head. "She's dressed like a chimney sweep," he growled. Once Peter picked up the two girls, they were off to the tavern. The boys waved them off each of them shouting awkward advice.

"Use cocaine sparingly."

"Don't bring home any Irish or French, dear."

"Have sex, lots of it!"

They watched their maid ride off into the moonlight. As they watched they congratulated Alexander on not trying to stop her. "Well done, Alexander. You did a great job! You didn't try to force her to stay here, or-where is Alexander." When they looked he was gone. Further down the trail, they saw a rider with a black trench coat wearing a scarf around his face except his eyes, topped with a wide brimmed hat. From a healthy distance his horse slowly ride him along the road. "What an idiot."

When they arrived, Diana could hear the loud, Irish tavern music inside, making her excited. She looked up at a sign, that she of course couldn't read. When she looked to Peter she gestured to the sign. "Oh I forgot. The sign says. "The tavern for our surviving brothers and sisters." She was excited. Peter could see it on her face, and slapped a newsboy cap on her head, as her red hair blossomed from the back of it. He grabbed their hands, and pulled them through the doors. When Diana walked in, it was the largest gathering of normal people she had seen in forever. She never been so excited. When she walked up to the counter, a pale man with a goatee placed an ale in her hand. "A cold one for the lass." She blushed taking a drink.