Castlevania Nocturne: A Guardian's Tale (Part 2)

Vive la Révolution!

Mount Vernon, Virginia

1783

The wine soured at Emma's lips.

She wanted to leave, she would have had if she weren't a guest of honor. She would've flown off  for Boston the moment after she was given the 'Badge of Military Merit' for her bravery during the war. A purple clothed badge given to her by her general.

Her general, the slave owner.

She wanted to kick herself for not suspecting it after all these years. She remembered how her gut twisted and soured seeing Washington's slaves tend to her and the guests at the party. She could no longer enjoy the festivities, knowing the happy guests were being served and tended to by human beings in chains. After everything they had fought for....After everything she had sacrificed for the freedom of these humans.

I let Caleb die to save the life of a slave owner. The thought made her sick with rage.

Apparently, the General caught onto her stoicism an unnatural quiet in the crowd. He called her aside and spoke to her in his private quarters. "Pray tell, what is wrong. Something troubles you."

"I didn't know you owned slaves."

She saw the hurt in Washington's eyes, the brooding concern while he stirred his wine glass. "I understand your displeasure. They are my family's slaves, inherited by me from my father."

"Like my sword." Emma gripped her hilt. "Property meant to be owned and used to its master's benefit."  She sighed  heavily. "I thought we fought for the freedom of all men."

"We did." Washington responded quietly. "Emmaline, this is an issue that cannot be resolved easily as slaying vampires or winning  battles. To many people, they are not men, they are property, and  it is no different  than owning  a horse or dog. To encroach on that is to encroach on their livelihood."

"And what of you?" Emma questioned. "Do you see your slaves the same way?"

"Not anymore." Washington admitted, giving Emma hope. "The war has changed many things, but I cannot change what they are." He looked out on the camps where his slaves lived. "Rest assured Emma, they will be freed on my and my wife's death. And they are taken care of."

Emma saw the confliction in her old  General's eyes. "There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery. But there is only one proper and effectual mode by which that can be accomplished, and that is by legislative authority."

"I see."  Further hope sprung in Emma's eyes. "We have a new country, with new laws and legislation. You could be the one to change things, and many would support you. John Laurens, I know he's vocal in opposition  of slavery, and Lafayette too. I certainly would back you, as I did on the battlefield."

"It is a hopeful prospect." Washington mused. "I shall look into it, but I do not guarantee such a drastic change when our country is still a newborn in the cradle."

"It was a drastic change that resulted in the birth of this newborn country." Emma said. "Let it be nourished by the beliefs we fought for to give it life."

The General cracked a smile. "You are a remarkable soul, Emmaline. Mysterious as you are sanguine." He poured a glass of wine for her.  "I'm going to miss your  steadfastness and company. Lafayette tells me you are bound for Europe."

Emma drank wine with him out of courtesy. " I am. I was contacted by an associate that a family friend needed help. Julia Belmont, the last living member of the Belmont Clan. She requested I escort her young son to her relations in France. I'm the only one she trusts for such a task."