The Ember In The Storm

Chapter 11: Accost

    A loud shriek deafened Roman's ears as he tried his best to catch up with his General into his cabin.

Ryan and a fellow troop surrounded Sean, both armed with a rifle and handgun, the British captive that was part of the raid the day before. He was still in the state Jackson and Roman had left him in, except now, Jackson had done the honors of getting a bullet through his left shoulder.

"Next time, I won't miss," Jackson warned, towering over Sean.

"What do you want!?" Sean exclaimed with perplexity, wondering how the young man ahead of him was the very same one the day before.

"Who sent you? Who do you work for?" Roman asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What kind of question is that?" Sean's face twisted into more confusion. "I work for the Great British."

"We know that," Jackson frowned impatiently. "But who sent you here? I know for a fact it's no British."

If Jackson's suspicions were right, it was someone that attended the Spring Meeting back in Richmond. Only the members there knew of his scroll, only they knew of his location.

Even with that in mind however, Jackson still found a hard time narrowing it down to a few suspects. Nearly every General and soldier there was trusted by him, trusted by the Colony, so why go against it?

Why espionage?

Sean's shift of demeanor let Jackson know that he knew who their spy was.

"Say it," Roman pressed.

"No way in hell," Sean shook his head. "If I do, he'll have my head!"

"I'll make sure he doesn't lay a hand on you," Jackson said with determination. Roman faced him, stunned at the ultimatum.

The look of contemplation over Sean's face did not sit well with Jackson. He was already losing patience.

The second he lost Elizabeth, finding the culprit behind the raid was his first priority and the only way they could find him was with the help of the man laying on the floor.

"And what's in it for me?"

"Are you serious?" Ryan asked with amazement. "Asking that right after we tied you up and shot you is a very bold step."

"How about this," Jackson lifted his leg before resting it over Sean's bleeding shoulder. A shriek slipped his lips, scrunching his face at the sharp pain. "You tell us who he is and none of my men hurt you."

"That's not what I—" Sean cut himself short with a loud wail, Jackson's foot pressing harder against his gunshot wound.

"Okay, fine!" He cried. "I'll speak!"

Jackson lowered his leg, his handgun still gripped within his hold, the safety off.

"Just keep your promise!" Sean exclaimed up at Jackson, sweat trickling down his temples and forehead.

Jackson put his bare hand over his left chest with a nod. "I'm a man of my word."

"Good," Sean gulped, glancing over at all four men in the room. "I am not too sure about his name, never bothered, but he paid my comrades and I quite the amount to get the scroll from you."

Sean gestured his head to Jackson.

"Why does he need the scroll?" Roman furrowed his eyebrows.

"He works for the British too, he said he could help them know all the military enforcement maps, weapons, where they would attack first and how many."