The Immigrant

Chapter 49| November 3- November 16 1801

I took a long breath as I stood on the steps of City Hall scanning the area before walking down and crossing the street. The cold air nipped at my nose as the sky was orange with the sign of the setting sun. With another busy day, I was exhausted and wanted to crawl into my warm covers and sleep till spring. To ease my mind I thought about the joyful letter Philip had sent to me a few weeks ago addressing about his achievement of graduating Kings Collage with a superior reputation. Busy in my works I didn't have time to congratulate him and wanted to find time to do so. Deep in thought someone caught my eye across the street. Philip gave me a wave as I stopped, he walked briskly towards me in a hurried and nervous manner.
I smiled as was about to speak before Philip cut me off in a raspy voice.
"It's nice to see you again Ezio...listen can I talk to you about something?" He asked, his smile faded from his face as he looked at me with a serious expression.
"Yeah sure, what's wrong?" I asked with a frown, looking around before looking back at the anxious Philip.
Philip sucked in a quick breath before he began to speak.
" I have challenge someone to a duel." Philip breathed.
I froze as I stared blankly into nothingness. My whole heart dropped as I took a shaky breath.
"...a...duel..?" I echoed my voice quivering.
Philip nodded. I sensed a great feeling of dread as I thought about the outcome of a duel. It never ends good..
"Philip be sensible...you wish to possibly face the certainty of death?" I frowned anger growing in my voice.
Philip blinked as he sighed.
"Listen Ezio, anybody would cherish their honor with deepest pride and would do anything to defend it." Philip said calmly, a glint of pride wavering through his voice.
I stared at Philip.
"That's why I've chosen you, my most loyal and trusted friend I've ever had to be the role of my second." Philip said confidence rising in his voice.
I looked at Philip with a depleted sigh.
"Before I commit, I want to know who you are going up against and why you challenged him to a duel." I hissed.
Philip pierced his lips together before speaking.
"This summer a man by the name of George Eacker mocked and scorned my father's legacy in front of a crowd, defending my father's honor, I have challenged Eacker to a duel." Philip bit.
I stared dumbfounded at Philip for a second. No...not George Eacker. Anyone but that prick, who I would assure you would not think twice about striking a bullet through someone if he had that chance. I clenched my jaw hard as I thought about the whole ordeal. My whole brain was telling me not to do this, but something deep inside told me I had to be by Philips side during this life or death situation.
But for me being on the challengers side, I was powerless to end the duel if Philip didn't back down.
"Alright...I'll do it."
Philip took a deep breath as he closed his eyes.
"Thank you Ezio, thank you so much." Philip breathed.
I nodded slowly as I looked at Philip with a heavy heart.
"Where should I find Eacker's second to arrange the time and place for this duel? Negotiating a peace is unlikely." I asked nervously.
"He goes by the name of Jack Stevenson..in his words you'll meet him in the morning of the ninth by the old pub by the docks, you'll negotiate terms then." Philip explained.
"Alright..." I breathed.
Philip gave me an encouraging smile.
"Thank you again, I don't know what I would have done without you." Philip said as he hugged me.
My throat caught in my mouth as I hugged him back weakly.
I watched Philip part as he walked slowly down the street. I stared after him as I tired to calm myself as my heart beat heavily in my chest. The most dreadful scenarios flashed through my mind as I tried to push them away, reassuring myself that everything was going to be ok.
The light of the street lamps guided me back to Burr's quarters. I walked inside and to my luck the study was empty. After years of living in the Burr's residence, I have completely memorized where every book and document was kept in the study. After years of browsing the various books Burr owned, I could have sworn that he had kept a book titled Code Duello, the official set of rules for dueling.
I crept into the study and scanned the room. I picked up a candle harbor as I held it up against the books. I murmured the book titles before stopping at one.
"Aha!" I huffed as I pulled it out of the bookshelf.
I put the candle harbor down as I brushed off the book. It looked like it hasn't been read in years as a cloud of dust filled the area making me cough as I read the cover.
"Code Duello...." I murmured
With that I walked out of the study and up the stairs. Sitting down at my desk, I stared to read. Duels were taken very seriously when it came to defend someone's honor. To think a way to settle a dispute was to point guns at each other and hope you weren't shot in the process. The night strained on as worry pricked at my skin, terrified of what might happen.