Call to War

Chapter Six

Abby had been gone for hours now- she was getting tired of only seeing trees. She wondered if this was some sort of joke that Peggy and her father had played on her, so that they could take the farm for themselves. Hopefully, Josie would deal with them. 

She had slowed Flynn down to a walk, in hopes of conserving his energy, in case they had to keep riding. His hooves plodded across the uneven surfaces, stepping over rocks and roots that threatened to trip him. 

Something echoed through the woods- someone else was arriving on horseback. She halted Flynn, and rested a hand on her pistol that was expertly concealed within the folds of her dress. "You there!" The voice called out- a red coat was approaching her. "What is your business in these woods?" 

Abby sighed, and turned to face him. "I'm just traveling through the woods to visit family, nothing to special." She lied, patting Flynn on the neck. 

"Really? You're going alone?" He questioned, arching an eyebrow. "Where exactly does your family live?" 

Abby reeled back slightly, acting uncomfortable. "That is private information- I can't just tell you where my family resides." She answered cooly, slowly reaching behind her to grab the pistol. He was beginning to ask too many questions. 

The officer grew red in the face. "You will tell me where they live, or I'll have to report you to my captain that you're doing something illegal!" 

Abby rolled her eyes. "Well, you got me." She quickly pulled out her pistol, and shot at him. 

He didn't have time to react. He fell off his horse, which spooked at the sound of gunfire, and was dead before he hit the ground. Quickly, Abby dismounted Flynn, and proceeded to drag the dead redcoat to somewhere where he wouldn't be found. Thankfully, it was winter, and snow banks were everywhere. All she had to do was to bury the body, and (attempt) to cover the bloody trail leading to the body. 

Before she did that, however, she pulled off the coat and hat of the dead man, and placed it on herself. Quickly glancing around to make sure there were no witnesses, she took his leather boots, which were slightly big on her, but she could make due. Besides, the man was around her size- he was rather small. 

Soon, she appeared to be a redcoat, only lacking one of those fancy white wigs that they all wore. She walked over to the riderless horse, and grabbed the reins dangling above the ground. "You're coming with me, friend." She patted his chestnut neck, and proceeded to mount Flynn, and nudged him into a walk, pulling the other horse alongside with her, leaving the dead body to be found when the snow melts.

Mary didn't expect for Caleb to burst into her tent one morning, when she was reading the book Mr. Greene had gotten for her. She shrieked slightly, and placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm herself down. "Caleb!" She shot him a look of confusion and slight frustration. "At least knock before coming in."

"Sorry about that", he panted, grinning. "It's just that we have received information on military movements. And you wouldn't believe the little shite that delivered it." Caleb motioned her to step outside. 

Mary, hesitant, followed him, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun. She followed Caleb's gaze to spot a large dapple grey, who was carrying a red coat. "Am I supposed to know him?" She asked, confused. She doesn't remember meeting any British officers ever in her life. 

Caleb only grinned wider. "Who said it was a man?" He questioned, before grabbing her hand, and pulling her towards the stranger.

Upon getting closer, Mary easily recognized the horse. It was Flynn- which only meant one thing. "Abigail Elizabeth Williams! What in God's name are you doing in camp?" 

Abby, still wearing her disguise, laughed. "Well, Mary Rose Williams, I am here to deliver information to his excellency. Or at least, to give to someone, who will give it to him." Her younger sister dismounted, and walked over to her, pulling her into a tight hug, Mary eagerly returning it. "Happy Christmas Mary. We miss you back home", she muttered in her ear. 

Mary pulled back, scanning her outfit, before frowning slightly. "Where did you get that outfit?"

"Well, I might've had a run in with a British officer", she laughed nervously, taking off the hat that concealed her light blonde hair. "He was getting on to me, and I wasn't planning on killing him, it just kind of-"

Mary shushed her, smiling slightly. "It's alright Abby. You did what you had to do." Mary glanced around, before spotting Caleb. "You remember Caleb Brewster, right?" She asked, Abby waving at him. He returned her wave, and jogged over to them. 

"Nice to see you again, Ms. Abigail. If you don't mind, I'll take that information, and give it to Ben. He'll give it to General Washington." 

Abby looked at them in confusion. "Ben? Who's Ben- your secret lover?" She joked, before growing serious. "No seriously. Did I get a brother-in-law while you were away?"

Mary laughed. "Ben is Major Tallmadge. And no, I haven't gotten married to anyone- you would be the first to know." She assured her, patting her shoulder. She then removed her hand to wipe off the filth that lingered on Abby's face.  "Alright, you need to get cleaned up." 

Abby rolled her eyes, before handing Caleb the letter. "Don't I always?" She asked, before being led back to Mary's tent to get freshened up. 

After Abby was made more presentable, Mary and Abby strolled around camp. It was a rather quiet Sunday, as soldiers were using it as a time of rest and relaxation. "Here we have the command tent- that's where his excellency and the other general's meet to discuss military matters." Mary pointed out, acting as a tour guide. 

Abby nodded, following along. "How can you find your way around? Everything looks the same!" The younger sister told Mary, chuckling slightly. "I would easily get lost."

Mary laughed, before someone cleared their throat from behind her. "Excuse me, Mary?" The sisters turned around, only to see Ben, his cloak tightly wrapped around his body. "May I speak with you for a minute?"

The sisters shared a glance, before Abby shrugged and walked off, whistling a tune that she had heard Josie sing. Mary watched her go, and turned to look up at Ben. "Of course. How may I help you?" 

Ben gulped, and took a deep breath. "Well, I was wondering if you would possibly want to go to a party as my guest?" He said it like a question, rather hesitantly. 

Mary's face began to burn slightly. "Me? Of... of course!" She stuttered, taken aback. "It's just, I've never really been to a party- what day will it be held?" 

"In two days- on Christmas." Ben informed her, smiling slightly. "I'm glad you can accompany me to the party, it'll be nice to have someone to talk too-" 

Before he could finish, a man, presumably one of Washington's messengers, came over to tell Ben that he was being summoned by His Excellency. 

Ben shoot her an apologetic smile. "I'll see you soon." He called out as he walked away, leaving Mary all by herself. 

She watched them go, a slight blush on her cheeks. She hadn't expected that to come from someone like Benjamin. She took a deep breath, and set off to find Abby, to share the news.