Aiden's POV:

            The moon had risen high into the sky, giving us little light as I ran along the road, still in pursuit of the redcoats. I fired my musket again, causing another of the regulars to fall to the dirt. I should stop for the night. Yes, you will stop for the night because you need to take care of yourself. Only a little longer. I aimed and fired my musket again, this time being pushed to the side by another militia, which caused me to miss.

"Apologies." He called over his shoulder.

I grunted and sat down, leaning my back against the trunk of an oak tree. I closed my eyes, resting my musket across my lap. Exhaustion swept through my body, reminding me I hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours.

After a while, the noises of the militia and the redcoats faded into the distance and the songs of the crickets filled the silent night. Build a fire. I instructed myself out of habit, forcing myself to stand up and find the dry twigs needed to quickly create fire.

I slipped the box of matches, which I always keep with me, out of my shirt pocket and lit the first one I could find by the dim light of the stars. Holding the tiny flame to the dry wood, I watched as it melted the first twig into ash before growing as it latched onto a slightly larger branch.

Now you can go to sleep, but keep an ear open for danger. I settled myself against the oak tree again, watching the flames of my small fire dance as my eyelids gradually closed.

Sophine's POV:

My eyelids fluttered open and my head fell off Braydon's shoulder as the wagon jerked forward. I grasped the wagon seat to keep myself from falling forward. Why was I resting my head on his shoulder?! Where are we? Morren Forest! I glanced over my shoulder to where the tips of the trees disappeared behind the slope.

"Did you sleep well, ma'am?" Braydon inquired softly.

"Aye." I mumbled, turning my back to the home of the vicious beasts we call wolves.

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought of how close death had been that morning. Nay, focus on God. He is in control and He protected you and Aiden. I took a deep breath and folded my arms against the chilly night air.

"Did we go through Morren Forest?" I asked, hoping desperately that my voice didn't shake.

"Nay, ma'am, why do you ask?" He replied, glancing at me.

I hesitated, "I don't know."

Why would he have gone through there? Uggghhh, I just want to go to bed. I let my head fall back as I studied the constellations above me.

"Aiden took you through there, did he not?" Braydon groaned, "my apologies, ma'am."

"Aye." I mumbled in confirmation, closing my eyes for a few seconds.

The pain in my shoulder returned as I relaxed my mind, replaying the events of the day in my head. I grimaced and sat up, turning my gaze to Braydon. Loose strands of his black hair whipped around his face as his eyes remained focused on the road.

"You had a run in with the wolves." He stated.

"Aye." I confirmed again, to tired to make much more of a response.

Anyone who saw my tattered skirt and wounded shoulder would've been able to guess what had happened anyway. What would Mother say? She'd be glad your alive and simply through the dress in the trash. Let it go, Sophine. Worry about getting home and making sure Isaiah and Samuel are taken care of... Lisa's watching them and Isaiah is more than capable of taking care of himself and Samuel. They're alright.

The familiar surroundings of the plain around the forest around Lexington gradually took the place of the unfamiliar countryside. I let myself smile a little as I remembered the race Lisa and I had had only the previous evening.

"Lexington is only a few minutes away." Braydon remarked, glancing at me.

"Aye, I know." I replied, taking a deep breath as I mentally prepared myself to face home again.

Why are you nervous? This is home.... Father. Father's gone. I sucked in a sharp breath as the tears threatened themselves again. God, please give me strength. Amen.

I glanced at Braydon. He went out of his way to take you home, at least invite him to stay the night in the guest room. Nay, you must insist on it.

"Mr. Johnson, I am much obliged to you for escorting me home, won't you consider staying in our guest room for the night?" I inquired, cordially.

"I wouldn't wish to impose-" He began, before I cut him off.

"Nay, nay, I insist, sir, you are staying the night." I shook my head at him, like Mother always did when she insisted on something.

Braydon let out a polite sigh of defeat.

"Aye, but of course. Thank-you kindly." He agreed.

"Thanks tisn't necessary, sir." I smiled.

He nodded silently as we entered the small forest. Thank goodness I freshened that room up last week. It shouldn't be all that uncomfortable. What twill' Isaiah think? He'll be thankful, I'm sure... nay, I'm not.

The exhausted horses pulled into the village green.

"To the blacksmith shop." I instructed Braydon, pointing in the direction on Mr. Kings' shop.

He nodded, guiding the horses with the reins before halting them at the hitching post. I climbed down and assisted him in unhitching the wagon and leading the horses into the stable. As Braydon hung the tack in their appropriate places, I forked a little hay for each of the weary horses, stroking their noses when I had finished.

Braydon came up behind me and reached over my shoulder, scratching behind the horse's ear. I glanced at him. He met my eyes with his deep grey ones. They shone beautifully in the dim moonlight. He's so close. Back away. I obeyed myself and exited the stable, hoping my face wasn't beet red.

"Follow me." I whispered, forcing myself to forget what had just happened as I made my way to the front of the Kings' house and onto the street.

I heard his footsteps behind me as I quickly crossed the village green, noticing the bodies of those who had fallen that morning had been taken away. They probably had Father's funeral with everyone else's. I wiped away a tear as it slid down my cheek, rolling my shoulders back and climbing up the front steps to the house. Before I could reach for the handle, Lisa swung the door open from the inside and pulled my into a tight hug.

"Oh, I'm so glad your alive, Sophine!" She exclaimed, her voice trembling.

I hugged her back, closing my eyes as I rested my head on her shoulder.

"Me too." I whispered before pulling back and meeting her watery eyes.

"Are you alright? Oh, your bleeding, come inside, come inside." Lisa noticed, squeezing my hand as she pulled me through the door.

I glanced back at Braydon, who had stood patiently at the bottom of the steps until now, and nodded for him to follow me inside.

"This is Mr. Johnson, Aiden's brother, he's staying in the guest room for the night." I introduced, closing the door behind him as he stepped through over the threshold.

"Sophine!" Half-awake Isaiah stumbled out of the kitchen and wrapping me in a bear hug, "we were so worried about you!"

I returned the hug tightly. I'm sorry. I winced as he hugged me tighter, pinching the wound where the wolf had dug it's claws into my shoulder.

"Isaiah, she's bleeding." Lisa warned, her voice tense.

Isaiah immediately stepped away from me, searching my eyes earnestly, "what happened?"

Conflicted, I hesitated.

"I'll tell you later. Right now, Mr. Johnson and I need to eat something." I assured him, squeezing his shoulder before slipping past him and into the kitchen.

Where's the bread I baked yesterday? Was it only yesterday? I tucked a strand of frayed hair behind my ear as I bent down to open he cupboard. Lisa crouched down next to me and took the bread out.

"We're talking as soon as we're alone for enough time to talk." She warned.

I pressed my lips together, knowing she'd have questions. But who wouldn't in her place? I stood up and reached for the knife, but Lisa beat me to it.

"You're not doing anything until I can tend to that wound." She commanded, nodding to the table.

I sat down in my regular chair and watched her for a few seconds, ignoring how much my shoulder really did hurt. Isaiah plopped down in the chair across from me, gesturing to another chair for Braydon to sit in. He did so.

"Where's Aiden?" Isaiah demanded, "he was supposed to take care of you."

I met my brother's startlingly angry eyes.

"Isaiah," I began, exasperated that he thought Aiden was supposed to have helped me, "all he was supposed to do was drive the wagon."

"Your defending him?" Braydon questioned curiously.

Confused, I glanced at him. I'm defending myself, not Aiden and why's he entering the conversation anyway? I turned back to Isaiah.

"Aiden took off with the militia." I finished.

Isaiah and Braydon exchanged glances. What could they possibly be thinking that I'm not picking up on?!

"Father will be very disappointed in him." Lisa warned.

She's right. I tried to warn him! It's not your fault, Sophine. Relax. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"You are Mr. Kings' daughter then?" Braydon asked Lisa.

"Aye." She replied, setting a plate of sliced bread on the table along with two bowls of stew, "the stew's slightly cold."

"Thank-you, Lisa." I told her, smiling as I pulled my bowl closer to me.

I filled my spoon with meat and potatoes and lifted to my mouth. Although cool, the broth warmed my mouth and throat as I chewed and swallowed my mouthful.

Lisa's POV:

           I squeezed my folded hands as I stood by, watching Isaiah and Mr. Johnson question Sophine. Perspiration dripped down my brow as I glanced at the stove, wondering if I should stoke it. I know Isaiah's only concerned about her, as he should be, and I am too, but Mr. Liston died this morning. How does he expect her to put that all aside and listen to him? I swallowed back tears, turning back to the conversation.

"When are you going to tell me what happened to you?" Isaiah demanded, his eyes glistening.

Sophine glanced hesitantly at Mr. Johnson.

"Aiden and I had a run in with the wolves of Morren Forest." She finally relented.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Why'd she have to go through there?! Who in their right mind t'would go through Morren Forest?! Sophine met my questioning eyes evenly before glancing at her almost empty soup bowl.

Sophine hastily finished her soup and pushed her chair away from the table, "I'll make sure the guest room is ready."

She met my alert gaze as she brushed past me and out of the kitchen. If I didn't have to clean up the stew, I'd follow her. Can't Isaiah do it? Nay, it'd dishonor him in front of Mr. Johnson. Sophine, you just wait ten minutes... I scooped up her empty bowl and set it in the washing basin. I must wait for the water to boil yet. Can't it wait till' morning?

I sighed, tucking a loose strand of my blonde hair into the tight bun at the nape of my neck as I turned back to the young men. Isaiah appeared to be in deep thought while Mr. Johnson finished the last of his stew. I wonder how Isaiah must be taking this? I studied him for a moment, his green eyes latched onto the tablecloth.

"Thank-you kindly for the stew, ma'am." Mr. Johnson spoke, forcing me to tare my gaze away from Isaiah to take his bowl and spoon.

"You're most welcome, sir." I assured him politely, placing his bowl in the wash basin next to Sophine's, "I'll see what I can do to assist Sophine. Please make yourself comfortable until the room is ready."

I sound like a tavern keeper. This is no time for sarcasm, Lisa, focus. I gave Mr. Johnson a tiny smile, glanced at Isaiah, and left the room as I wiped my hands on my apron. Hopefully Isaiah will be a good enough host to keep him occupied until I can talk to Sophine.

I hastened up the stair case, lifting my black skirt as I did so. As soon as I reached the hall at the top of the stair case, I took two swift strides to the first door on the left and turned the handle, pushing the door into the room.

"Sophine?" I half asked as I saw her dusting the vase on the night table.

Really? That thing must've been dusted a million times. She doesn't know what to do with herself. I let my shoulders shag a bit as I met my best friend's weary eyes.

"Lisa, I'm sorry I just needed a moment to think." She hastened.

I shook my head, "nay, tis' alright, I doubt Mr. Johnson was offended with your lack of hospitality."

I sat down on the guest bed, patting the space next to me for Sophine to sit on. She set the dust broom down on the night stand and plopped down next to me, sighing.

"Are you really alright?" I asked, studying her green eyes; they were so much like her brother's.

"I don't know, Lisa." She moaned, resting her head on my shoulder, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the revolution. I thought that maybe it wouldn't happen or that it would somehow hurt you or, I don't know. And now Father's gone and Aiden ran away and I don't know anymore, Lisa."

Her voice began to shake as tears sprang from her eyes. I wrapped my arm around her and rubbed her good shoulder gently.

"Hey, perhaps we should talk in the morning, after you've had a good night's sleep and your wound's been tended too." I suggested, feeling sorry that I had assumed she was really fine enough to get a scolding.

She whimpered, "It does hurt."

"Alright, let's get you your bed then." I told her, helping her stand up and bringing her out of the guest room, down the hall and into her room.

Aiden's POV: 

              A strand of loose hair tickled my nose as a cold wind whistled past my ears. My eyes snapped open. The sunlight of dawn momentarily blinded me, making a grumble escape from my throat. I stretched my arms to the sides and glanced around, noticing that my small fire had long since gone out.

I pushed myself up and checked my action out of habit, finding the same amount of musket balls as I had put inside of it yesterday. I have to catch up with the militia and the red coats. I narrowed my gaze as I began to run along the road, my heart bent on punishing the king and his army.  

DOUBLE UPDATE TODAY!:)  HOPE YOU ENJOYED:)