I Promise (Wattys 2016)

Captured

The next morning, James and his troop set out to meet the other troop. It took half a day to journey there. The general was an Indian man called Singh. (KHAN, SWEETIE, IS THAT YOU) Right away, he showed Jamie and James his plans.  

"That is our target, the German eleventh division." He said. "At the moment, bivouacked three miles to the east of the Menin Road. We have been watching them, and they have pitched tents for the night and lit cooking fires. Knock them out and we could slide behind the German lines and come at them from the south at Geluveld." 

"Excellent." Jamie said. James looked at the plans through his magnifying glass. "Numbers?"

"About 600, infantry." Singh said.

"Twice our size." James was instantly alarmed. 

"Regiments of horse and men, the advantage is ours." Jamie said. 

"And we have surprise on our side." Singh said. "But the sooner we move, the better. We have no assurance they'll still be there tomorrow morning." 

"Right, good." Jamie said as Singh left. James couldn't stop the churning in his stomach. His thoughts all focused on Victoria. "So, today it is. Charlie, tell the men."

"Salisbury formation?" Charlie asked.

"Salisbury formation." Jamie nodded. "We'll charge through them and secure the ground from behind."

"The grass the the left is taller than we are, it's perfect cover." Singh said, making a reappearance. 

"Excellent work." Jamie said. "Time spent on reconnaissance is rarely wasted."

"Thank you, Singh." James said quietly as he and Jamie left. "Jamie! They have no idea we're coming?"

"Not having scruples, are you, Jim?" Jamie teased. 

"No, I understand, the surprise is everything." James said. "But, if it must be done, let's do it quickly."

"This is about Victoria, isn't it?" Jamie asked.

"Yes, it is." James said. "I just...what if I die? Who will take care of her?"

"Her parents will surely take her in." Jamie said.

"You know what I mean." James said. Jamie sighed.

"I assure you, James, if you die and I make it out of this, I will take care of Victoria for you." Jamie said. 

"Thank you very much." James said. Some of the weight was lifted from him shoulders. He looked towards Charlie, who was staring at his saddle with a sort of blank expression on his face. "Are you alright, Charlie?"

Charlie jumped and looked at James. He mustered up a smile. "Never been better! Literally. Never better."

James walked up to Joey. "Hey, Joey. My bonny boy!" He patted Joey's neck. "We're alright, aren't we, Joey? Eh?" James thought for a moment. He took out something that Albert had hooked to Joey's bridal when he was first sold.

When he had finished getting Joey tacked up, James mounted him. He looked at Victoria's picture and clenched the locket tightly in his gloved hand. He took one last glance and then turned to listen to Jamie.

"Gentlemen, it is an honor to ride beside you. Make the Kaiser rue the day he dared to cross swords with us. Let every man make himself, his King, his country, and his fallen comrades proud." Jamie said. James didn't care about all the other things. He would only want to make Victoria proud. "Be brave! Fear God! Honor the King!"

"Fear God! Honor the King!" James shouted along with all the other soldiers.

They rode to where they would be hiding to take the Germans by surprise. The grass was even taller than the horses. James mounted Joey. He pulled the locket out of his shirt and looked at Victoria's picture. He smiled down at it before snapping it shut and tucking it back inside his shirt. He pulled out his sword on Jamie's command and looked around at his fellow soldiers.