Remedy

15

The morning was foggy and cold, the sky was overcast and grey. It seemed like the weather knew what was happening today. There was no laughter or smiles as everyone walked out of the manor and stood in their respected groups.

Dot lifted up the hood of her jacket and sniffed, it was cold and she was half asleep. It was barely six in the morning. She knew that they were travelling out early in the morning, but she didn't think it would be before sun rose. At this thought she looked up, it didn't look like the sun was going to rise at all today anyway.

"Alice and Dorothy," Margaret's voice interrupted her thoughts, Alice rubbed her eyes and looked up at the older nurse. "Go get the carts."

"Yes ma'am," Dot nodded and pulled Alice along with her. Out of the two of them, she was the more asleep. Going to get the carts meant that neither of them had to deal with pretending to be confident in front of everyone.

It also meant that Dot got to see Fletcher and Orion before they travelled over. Alice briefly muttered in her half asleep state that she was going to open up the barn and get the carts ready. That left Dot in peace to sort out the horses.

Walking into the warm barn she rubbed her hands together then pulled the hood down from her jacket. She then walked down the aisle still rubbing her hands together trying to warm them up. Suddenly Dot stopped in mid-step, her boots making an abrupt echoing sound.

James stood holding onto Joey's reins, fidgeting slightly from foot to foot, Dot walked forward. James took a few steps back when she suddenly walked quickly towards him and threw her arms around his neck. He wasn't expecting the impact and Joey actually stopped him from fully falling over by nudging his head against his back.

Dot buried her face in his jacket before slowly letting him go and putting her hands on his cheeks. "Please, please be as careful as you can be. I know that sounds ridiculous...but-" her voice got cut off by him gently pressing his lips against hers.

James leaned away and smiled lightly and her ever so slightly bemused expression. Tapping her lightly on the nose bought her back to reality. Blinking and looking at him she smiled lightly too. "Now that is what one would call one last hurrah." He said simply and brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "I will try. I cannot promise anything, but I will try."

"That is enough for me." Dot said and looked down at her hands, James reached out with his spare hand and held onto one of hers. Tilting her head to the side she rolled up his sleeve slightly. Another light smile appeared on her face. "You still have it?"

"I won't take it off." James said while eyeing up the red ribbon around his wrist.

"Really?" Dot's eyes seemed to tear up slightly, he nodded yes and wiped a stray tear away.

"No crying, Dorothy, can you be strong for me?"

"I will try."

"That is enough for me," James smiled using the same words she had used just moments ago. "Get them two ready then come back out."

"Will do," Dot unwillingly let go of his hand and started attaching the riding gear to Orion and Fletcher. The two horses seemed to pick up on her upset mood, each took a turn to nudge their head gently against hers.

She stopped in mid-motion when the sound of the stable door shut. Looking up at Fletcher she patted him on the cheek. "Come on, boys," leading them both out slowly Dot, looked around and saw Alice near the barn waving in her direction.

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Lines and lines of horses and men trudge through the fog.

Sitting atop the drivers seat of the cart Dot raised an eyebrow when a low drone sounded out. The low drone raised in pitch and it soon became obvious that the soldiers were singing.

Looking over to Alice, who was sitting in the drivers seat of Orion's cart she looked right back at her. Looking over her shoulder Dot watched as the men sitting in the cart started singing too. It was a very strange moment, if she knew the words Dot would have joined in. But instead she rocked slightly and nodded, it was obvious the singing was to boost moral and spirits.

Figures and shapes soon loomed through the fog, which only seemed to be thinning out. Buildings and people, the people rushed out of their homes and out of the buildings to get a good look at them as they trudged past. Some women gave Alice and Dot a pitying look before shaking their heads. They already both knew most women didn't agree to going over there. Some were very set minded thinking it was only the men who could do something.

Once they were out of the little town the singing took up again. It certainly did lighten the mood, but only slightly.

Although the voices all cut off more or less at the same time when they came upon the harbour. It wasn't so much the harbour which had stolen their attention away from the lyrics of the chosen song.

Huge ships stood, iron grey almost black. With the eerie fog and grey weather, it made the ships look even more menacing then they would usually look. There were four or five in total, hearing the harassed noises of some of the horses, Dot's eyes strained to see to the front of the cavalry group. There was a thick wooden plank which the horses needed to go up to get onto the ship. Through all their training, the horses had never been trained for such a thing as boarding a ship.

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(Edited: 29/August/2019)