Calumbra 23 - Book 1: The Maid

20 - Along The Years

Eleven years passed by and thing definitely changed within the Blackwood manor. Lady Olivia had been correct in her depiction of July and later that year they were married. Dominick was pleased that Tavit had found a woman to marry and Trinidad congratulated his brother on his marriage, though he wasn't too happy that it was with July. When he had decided to marry her, Tavit swore to Trinidad that he had no intention of trying to take her away from Samson. It developed and she had kissed him on their way to the market once. Trinidad knew it wasn't his younger brother's fault for the intrusion of love but he was more wary of Samson.
Samson's rage began to blaze to the point of almost being abhorrence. He had tried, damn it, to win back the heart of his betrothed but he could not match against what love had cultivated between Tavit and July and soon began to hold a grudge against the young man. Tavit apologized profusely for having it happen but Samson would not have it. He decided to go away for a while and travel the world, much to his mother's dismay.
In the years that passed, Trinidad had a feeling that Tavit should be the next one in line for the dukedom and so in 1901, he revoked his right as heir and it was passed on to Tavit. Dominick was confused and quite saddened, but accepted it as a personal decision and respected his wishes. Tavit tried to refuse the god given right but Trinidad explained his reasons. He then accepted it and now carried the burden of being the next Duke of Blackwood.
Sully had married and had a child in 1898, his wife becoming pregnant only just months after their marriage. He gave birth to a baby boy that he named after himself, Sullivan II. In 1899, July gave birth to Dominick's first grandchild and was given the name Huntley. He looked just like a mix between his mother and father. The traditional Blackwood black hair and July's green eyes. When Tavit presented his son, Trinidad was the first to hold the little life (after July of course) and it was a sight to see the huge man holding such a tiny child.
Sullivan II and Huntley became almost inseparable as they grew and were also never too far from the big and silent Trinidad, whom Huntley absolutely adored. Tavit told him that it was because he was like a tree to climb onto, though Trinidad only frowned at the statement.

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Samson returned in 1903, having regained his senses and congratulated July and Tavit on their marriage, his newfound inheritance, and the birth of Huntley.
In 1912, Lady Olivia decided that she would like to go and have a look at the New World again before she died and got tickets on a lovely ocean liner by the name of Titanic. It was the largest ship of its time and Olivia was proud to be able to make it on its maiden voyage across the ocean. Unfortunately, the ship hit an iceberg and sunk in the Atlantic, taking Lady Olivia with it. They were lucky enough to had been able to get her body back from the freezing waters of the sea and she was buried in the strangely already loose dirt behind Blackwood Manor, the first casualty of Lord Tavit's reign.
Dominick had become ill and Tavit soon took over the dukedom of Blackwood. The news of his wife's death took an even bigger toll on the aging man and he was soon very ill, bedridden most of the time. At about the same time, the army was looking for recruits and Huntley and Sullivan wanted to go fight for their country. Tavit was strictly against it since Huntley was the only heir to Blackwood but Samson and Trinidad told him they would join as well to look after the boys. After much consideration, and arguing on whether he should enter as well since he was younger than the two of them, he allowed all of them (excluding himself) to join.
Much to Samson's dismay, he was not allowed to join because he was too old. Trinidad, Huntley, and Sullivan joined and started the rigorous training of being in the English Army.

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"Welcome to the British Army. This is not something fun, not something to pass the time, and not a vacation from home. This is the Armed Forces, gentlemen and we are here to serve and train. If any of you feel that this is not where you belong well tough! You recruited yourselves and you are here to stay. I am General Sexton and I will be your providing officer in all things you do. If you have a question, you report to me; if you have poor conduct, it reflects on me; everything you do from here on reflects on this batch of soldiers and me."
The man walked along the line of about thirty young men and then stopped at Trinidad.
"What are you doing in the army? You look a little old to be starting out. What is your name, soldier?"
"It's Trinidad Blackwood, sir." Huntley answered beside his uncle.
General Sexton turned and gave Huntley a piercing look, his brown eyes seeming to stab him in the face. Huntley flinched only a little but saluted his commanding officer and stood straight.
"Sir, he cannot speak and so in order not to disrespect you, I am speaking in his behalf."
The general narrowed his eyes at him. "What do you mean he can't speak?"
"He doesn't talk, sir."
"They allowed a mute into the army?! How did he get past inspection?!"
Huntley looked up at his uncle and he nodded slightly.
"Would you like to see? We can demonstrate his worth to you, sir. I guarantee you won't regret it."
Sexton shook his head, but crossed his arms and motioned for them to show the worth.
"Do you have shooting range, sir?"
"Of course we do. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, Trinidad knows how to use a gun and I think you'll appreciate his level of marksmanship."
The general growled and started walking off. "This can be a first lesson in shooting as well as stupidity."
They made their way to the shooting range and the general told those practicing to move. He handed Trinidad a rifle.
"Alright, if you're so good, I want you to hit all of these targets right in the chest in under sixty seconds."
Trinidad saluted as he grabbed some bullets and the general had fresh targets applied. He held his hand up, looking at his pocket watch and then signaled for Trinidad to shoot all ten of the targets. As the shots went off, General Sexton counted them as he looked at the clock. By the time forty seconds rolled around, the shots ceased and he looked up.
"I counted twenty shots. It takes you twice to get in the heart?"
"But he did it in under sixty seconds sir." A recruit pointed out.
"If he was going to impress me then I would have heard ten."
"I think you'll be happy with the results sir." Someone said, walking back with the sheets of paper that had been stuck to hay stacks.
It was Sullivan, who handed the sheets to their officer and he looked at them. Not only were the targets shot in the heart but also shot dead center in the head. His eyes widened and he looked at Trinidad with new respect.
"Well then... I was wrong about you, son... What was his name again?"
"Trinidad Blackwood, sir."
General Sexton nodded and they began their regimen

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yay, look who dropped by to play? WW1 anyone? hehehe