The Price of Love

Chapter 14

Alex's PoV

The liberation of Albany begins today. Two days ago, I sent my letter to Dad. He hasn't responded yet, but he doesn't need to. Just the fact he knows we're doing okay is enough. I'm currently helping the men pack up. The horses will have to stay here until the battle is either won or lost, so we have to carry everything ourselves. I go through my bag again. Food, extra water, a few rounds of ammo, a pistol. I adjust the heavy bags slung over my shoulders that are full of ammo. We should have enough resources to be able to capture a storehouse, at the very least. I look up and watch the men for a few minutes. Everyone's busy getting everything they need together. I quite like their uniforms. Our troop's blue jackets, white shirt and pants, and brown boots, but with red and gold trim to distinguish them. It's quite attractive I must say, but I greatly prefer the plainness of New York's soldiers' uniforms. I straighten my jacket and smooth out the wrinkles. "We move out in ten minutes!" I bark. "So make sure everything is packed!" I walk around camp, making everything is how it should be. Everything's in order, everyone is ready to go, the mood is light but grim, it's time to start retaking Albany. "Alright men. Time to move out. You can talk, but keep the noise DOWN. We can't afford to lose our element of surprise. Lafayette! Come talk to me." I beckon to the tall French man.

"Yes General?" He falls into step beside me as we march out. "What do 'o need?"

"Je vais avoir besoin que vous preniez votre entreprise et établissiez un périmètre à travers Albany, assurez-vous qu'aucun renfort du centre-ville ne puisse y participer. Si vous en avez besoin, nous devrions être en mesure de vous épargner une sauvegarde." I say.
I'm going to need you to take your company and set up a perimeter through Albany, make sure no reinforcements from downtown can join in. If you need it, we should be able to send you backup.

"Oui." He says, dipping his head. I dismiss him and he falls back. John takes his place a few minutes later.

"¿Hola, cómo estás?" I ask, switching to Spanish for some reason that I'll never know. To my surprise, he answers.
Hey, how are you?

"Bien. Y tu?" He asks in near perfect Spanish.
Good. And you?

"¡Nunca me dijiste que podías hablar español!" I cry, hitting him playfully on the arm.
You never told me you could speak Spanish!

"We don't know everything about each other." He says with a small laugh. I nod in agreement. "But really, how are you?" He asks seriously. "And don't give me that 'I'm fine' bullshit."

"Honestly John? I honestly feel pretty good. Yes, I'm a little nervous, a little anxious, but we all are. I'm just glad that we're finally fighting. You know how much I despise waiting around to attack, or waiting around for the enemy to attack. I feel massively better now that the fighting will start in a few hours." I say truthfully. He nods.

"I'm really nervous." He confesses. I pat his back.

"You'll be fine." I say confidently. "The British aren't that scary, I promise you that. I've had soldiers that have said, directly after their first battle, that I myself am scarier than the British army. Not that I'm bragging or anything." I grin. "But it's true. I can be terrifying." He laughs, and I can tell he wants to kiss me really bad. I want to kiss him too, but I can't and it's kinda pissing me off. "Quiero besarte tan jodidamente mal en este momento, querido." I say, slightly resentful.
I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now, my dear.

"Lo haría, si no se reflejara mal en ti." He replies.
I would, if it wouldn't reflect badly on you.

"It's not fair." I whine. "I want to." I kick the ground viciously in frustration, spraying dirt all over us. I huff in annoyance and beat the dirt from my clothes. We walk in a faintly sad silence for the next forty five minutes, both of us wanting nothing more than to be able to kiss, even if it's only for a second. He's...... addicting. Now that I can't have him, I want him. I walk in silent contemplation for those forty five minutes, until we reach our strike point. "Lafayette." I nod at him. He nods back and turns to speak to his men. "You know what to do. Be careful not to shoot anyone but soldiers. Don't be heroic, save yourself, save your comrade if you can though. But I don't want any more lives lost than necessary, got it? On my mark." Stealthy stealthy stealth operation then we make things go BOOM!!!! A voice in my head cheers excitedly. Stealth our way in then kick some British ass!!! Right on the outskirts of the budding city, a mere dozen yards away, we wait for several tense moments. Then I shatter the tense air with one word. "Maintenant!" I bark. As one, the army, with me at the head, charge into the city. "Everyone get inside!" I scream, waving frantically at the pedestrians and firing at a Redcoat. "We're taking back Albany! Get inside!" I dive behind a building to avoid answering gunfire. I hear screams of fear from the locals and pray to God they get inside safely. Then I throw myself back into the fray, pushing deeper into the city, leaving a bloody trail behind me.