Chapter 8

Declan was outside, cutting up a deer for the meat while the young girl and her uncle slept in their tent. Declan and I were always early risers, so it was nothing for us to catch a deer, kill it, and tare it's meat and fur away from its body.

Today was no different.

My hands folded up the fur that had been keeping us warm through the cold night, setting it to the side. The small fire was starting to go out, but with my coat on it didn't bother me.

Suddenly, the sound of a gun shot makes my body jump and my hands stop their movements. The gunshot rang in my ears, revealing it's closeness to the small tents.

Dropping the fur, I grab my ax and rush out of the tent, ready to throw it at the sight of the gun holder. My body relaxes some when I notice a man lying in the snow, dead at Declan's feet. Only to tense up again when my eyes catch sight of another man aiming a gun at Declan's face.

Quietly, I make my way towards the man, his focus still on Declan. My body is quick to move, my legs latching themselves around the man's back as I lower the ax on his neck, releasing it to give it a quick turn with my hands. The man drops, dead, while my knees lay on his dead body. Splurges of blood cover my face and hands as I breath heavily, looking up at Declan who has a worried look.

We both knew that the day would come when this place wasn't safe. We just hoped it wouldn't be this soon.

Once the young girl and her Uncle woke to find the dead men before their tent, they knew like we did that it was time to move. We all grabbed out things, Declan and I wearing our coats inside out to keep the heat in.

Declan held one bag over his shoulder while I did the same. We all looked down at the dead man, Declan finally breaking the silence.

"More will come. They'll kill you to get to us."

The Uncle lets out a sigh, seeming to understand us. My body kneels in the snow, my arms quick to wrap themselves around the young girl. "Be safe," I whispered in her ear before standing up.

"You go north. We go south," Declan said, pointing towards himself and I.

The uncle pointed off towards the North, looking at us as if we were going to be joining them. I shook my head, pointing to him, "You go North." My hands moved to my chest and Declan's, "We South."

Lowering his hand in sadness, the uncle nodded before pulling out a horn, offering it to Declan who shakes his head. He smiles and holds the horn in the man's hand, "You keep it. Next time we meet."

Emily walked up to Declan, giving him a hug which he returns with a smile. She does the same with me, making me suck in a sharp breath as I kiss the top of her head. I hated leaving her, but it was the safest for her.

I pull myself away from her, my hand holding onto the strap of my bag while Declan does the same. We both nod to the young girl and old man before turning and making our way through the snow.

Declan and I were silent as we walked, nothing being said. The mountains held snow and rocks, causing every step to be just as dangerous as the one before.

We hit the Northern outpost, finally leaving the mountains behind us. Declan and I found ourselves walking up to a medium size building, both of us watching every corner like hawks. Even with night sitting in, the place held enough light to reveal that it was similar to the Ale House.

A black man was sitting by a small fire outside, giving us a small glance before returning to the fire. My eyes caught sight of a wanted sign nailed to the bar door. Declan and I's face was sketched perfectly on two pieces of paper, making my heart skip a beat.

We could walk in here and have guns pointed at us in seconds or walk in here and have no one give us a second glance. It was a risk we would have to take.

Declan was the first to step in, seeming to be like the man he was which was to take the bullets first. Once he moved aside, I saw that the bar was mostly packed, my eyes catching sight of the man behind the counter.

Now I know where we're at.

Declan leads the way towards the back table, gaining a few glances. Sometimes, I didn't know if someone was glancing at Declan because they knew who he was, or because of his height and built.

Both Declan and I hold a straight face, setting down our bags and shedding our coats before sitting down. My hand goes to my knife, pulling it out and playing with it. Declan watches me closely as I toss the knife lightly onto the table, the tip of it digging into the wood before my hand grabs the handle and yanks it out to repeat the action.

In the corner of my eye I notice the owner, McTaggart, start to pace. It didn't take him long before he spoke up to the rest of the bar. His long beard moved as he spoke, "Right. You've got three seconds to get the fuck out! If you want to live, you'll hightail your asses out of here."

Everyone quickly got up, making their way out the door confused.

My hand stops it's movements, my eyes moving to McTaggart as he shoves one of the men out before slamming the door shut behind him. His eyes meet Declan and I's as he fast walks over to us. His eyes hold crazy, reminding me that this man was very unpredictable.

"On your feet," He ordered us, causing Declan and I to stand.

I nod to the crazy eyes man before us, "McTaggart."

"Anna," He nods back before looking at Declan. I don't know will happen. I'm expecting him to throw a punch at Declan or push him around, but instead he surprises me when he hugs him.

We met McTaggart awhile back, though he was crazy, he was up our alley.

"What the fuck are you two doing here anyway?" He asks before hugging me.

Declan lets out a sigh, "Ugh, we need you to help us go after Benton."

McTaggart raises an eyebrow, "Aye? And why don't we just castrate the King, while we're at it?" Seeing the look on Declan and I's face, he continues, "Oh! You've not heard. Benton's been taken into custody. He's on a ship bound for London. He's gone."

My mouth drops slightly as McTaggart walks away. My eyes look at Declan who looked beyond angry.

Drinks, we needs drinks.

As if McTaggart read our minds, he sat two drinks on one of the tables, cuing our steps. Declan's steps echoed as he walked, while mine were so light that I sometimes wondered if I was even walking.

Declan sat on the table, grabbing the silver glass and taking a drink. His face staid hard as he looked straight ahead.

I took my own drink sitting in the chair next to him. My eyes watched him as he took another drink, wonder what all would be going through his mind.

"This doesn't change anything," I stated, causing Declan to look over at me. His face relaxed slightly, while still managing to keep his strike and hard expression. Suddenly, Mctaggart walked over to us, carrying a rolled up piece of fur.

"What's that?" Declan asked, standing up from the table. I joined him, making my way to the fur as McTaggart took a step to the side.

"I almost threw these in the river I don't know how many times."

Un-roping the fur, I rolled it out, revealing knives, guns, and a few other weapons. A smile crosses my face as I pick up a knife and examine it. "McTaggart, you son of a bitch."

Declan picks up an ax, looking it over as he stands behind me, his chest barley touching my shoulder.

McTaggart returned to the bar counter, whipping off glasses to return to the shelves. There was a moment of silence, no one saying a peep because no one knew what to say.

I let my mouth open, letting whatever may leave it hit the world. "We almost had him," My smile dropped.

"Well there's less chance of taking him down now he's in London. That's his world."

"Well, if we can't have Benton, we'll take his company," Declan said as he sat down the ax and turned to walk over to McTaggart. I kept the knife, shoving it in an empty hoister before turning to join the conversation.

McTaggart shook his head, "Won't bring him back."

"We'll see about that," Declan said and leaned on the counter, staring straight at McTaggart. "Join us. I need people I can trust."

"You need cutthroats, plain and simple," He said with that crazy look in his eyes. He grabbed three glasses he had already washed, poured some alcohol in them, before sliding two to Declan and I. He holds up his own, "To Vengeance, the fickle bitch."

Declan and I smile, holding up our drinks to clank with his before drinking. The sound of someone yelling out in pain draws our attention away. It's coming from right outside, the night consuming it before releasing it again.

McTaggart, Declan, and I make our way outside, the cold not seeming to bother us for the moment. The black man who was sitting by the fire when we first came was now tied to a post. A whip, held by his owner, was being slashed across his back, release the yells of pain.

"Oh, aye, he's a Virginian. Peddles muskets and powder. Leave him be, come on," McTaggart says, turning back towards his bar.

Declan doesn't listen, instead he walks right up to the black man causing a sigh to leave McTaggart. "Does he ever walk away?" McTaggart asked me as I crossed my arms.

"Nope."

"What'd you do?" Declan asked the slave, causing the Virginian man to stop.

The slave looked up at Declan, breathing heavily, "I corrected old Mister Russell on his knowledge of the range of a heavy naval cannon, sir."

Mister Russell spoke up, pointing to the slave, "You there. That slave is mine. Kindly step away from him, if you don't want trouble."

"I'm happy to make conversation with you, but we should do it once Mister Russell has worked out his issues. You will likely only make matters worse," The slave requested.

"You've put yourself in harm's way. I will say again, that slave is my property. You will step aside," The Virginian man says to Declan. To no surprise, Declan barley gives him a second look as he looks over his shoulder at me. With one nod, it's like my mind reads his and my hand reaches for my knife.

I can feel all eyes on me as I pull out the knife and walk over to the black man and Declan. As I cut the ropes off the slave, Declan watches the Virginian man closely, watching every move like he might do something.

Once the ropes are off the slave's wrist, I lightly grab his arm and nudging him over to McTaggart. "McTaggart, take him inside," I say, but my voice makes it sound like an order. Which, in some cases, it was.

The Virginian's voice comes out loud and angry behind me, "Hey! Bitch! What are you doing with my property?" I give him a slight turn, facing him. "Bitch!" He yells again at me, furiously.

McTaggart grabs the black man, leading him inside as he yells out with a crazy smirk, "Oh, you've gone and done it now."

Boy, is that ever true. If there's anything people know about Declan Harp, it's don't mess with his wife. And calling me a Bitch does just that.

Declan, with a furious expression, makes his way over towards the Virginian man. He quickly struggles to take out his gun, finally grabbing it when it's too late. Declan is in front of him, taking his gun from his hand. "This is property." With another yank, he grabs the whip, "This is property."

In seconds, he has the stuff thrown to the ground, his breath slightly heavier as he points behind himself at me. "And that, that's my wife."

The man stares at Declan, trying his best to hide his fear but failing miserable.

Declan eyes the rich man's big coat, "That's a nice coat." Getting the hint, he takes off the coat and hands it to Declan. With a simple nod behind the Virginian man, Declan says, "Virginia's that way."

I can tell it's taken every ounce of Declan not to beat this man to a pulp, but just like me, he hopes that we can go one day without a fight. Maybe today is that day.

Without another word, Declan turns around, still holding onto the coat, and makes his way over to me. He lightly puts his hand on my lower back pushing me to follow him as we head inside the bar.

"Hey! I was sure that man was done for!" McTaggart says as we walk inside, the door closing behind us. His attention turns to the slave who has a blanket around him, eating some soup. "Fill your boots, Charleston, you're at your Auntie's. And there's some good brandy."

Declan sets the coat down before walking over to grab some Brandy from out friend only for him to pull it back. "Not you, you numpty arsehole, you've cost me enough already. You can stop over tonight, but that's your lot."

Declan smiles at McTaggart as he walks away with the Brandy. He puts his arms on the counter, leaning on it slightly. I can't help but smile as I walk over and around the bar. My eyes stay on him while his follows me.

Once I'm behind the bar, I grab a silver glass and something to drink before setting it in front of Declan. I start pouring him a drink as he watches with a smile. "Now, what's a lovely girl like you doing in a place like this?"

"Waiting," I said, sliding the glass towards him.

"For what?"

"For someone to take me out of this run down place and see the world with," I said with a smile, leaning on the counter so I'm only inches from his face.

Declan's smile grows as he leans in and kisses me. McTaggart's voice is heard from the back as he yells, "I heard that!"

We both laugh before leaning in to kiss each other again. I wonder how long we could stay like this; forever? But, it's stopped when there's the sound of gunshots outside.

"Declan Harp! Surrender yourself!" The sound of the Virginian man's voice yells.

McTaggart, Declan, and I all looked at each other before heading to the door. Declan opens the small window in the door, revealing a line of soldiers. Standing in the middle is none other than the Virginian man.

"Well? How many do you think?" McTaggart asked?

"Six. And the Virginian," Declan said, his eyes never leaving the opened window.

"I knew it. As soon as I saw you two sitting in that corner, I knew trouble would follow, sure as there's shit in a cat," McTaggart said. He moved away from the door and over to Charleston who was watching us.

"There's no escape, Mr. Harp! We have vantage and we have numbers," A soldier yelled!

"Then come on in!" Declan yelled before closing the window. Both he and I moved over to the laid out fur that held weapons, grabbing what we could handle.

The soldier spoke up again, "Come out peaceably and I'll see that you and your wife are not harmed. Come out, Mr. Harp, or we'll burn the place down."

McTaggart moved towards the door, "Aye! That'll be right."

The Virginian man spoke up again, yelling towards Charleston, "Charleston! You come out right this minute! Charleston! Goddamn it, you're a bystander in this! That crazy half-breed took you prisoner. I vouch for that. Now, you come on out!"

Declan looked over at Charleston, who now had removed his blanket and was standing. "You go?" Declan asked the man, giving him the out if he wanted it.

"No," Charleston said, and in that moment he was no longer a slave.

McTaggart, with his crazed smile, said, "Congratulations. You've got about two minutes to enjoy it before we all die in fucking hellfire."

I smiled towards the boys as I grabbed another knife. "Nah. We'll fight."

"Well, I've got buckets of powder, but only one musket. Let's just charge at the bastards, hard and loud," McTaggart said with a bright smile. Clearly, he was lying through his ass, but at the moment it could be half right.

The soldier's voice spoke up again, "This is your last warning! I would prefer to take you alive, Mr. Harp and your wife, but we will end this one way or another."

I grabbed another knife, making my way over to Charleston which grabbed Declan's attention. Holding out the knife, I asked this man one question, "This'll get bloody. You in or are you out?" Charleston studied me for a moment before taking the knife, his determined face enough for me.

McTaggart let out a sigh before grabbing a knife as well, cuing him in.

Declan called Charleston over, slipping on the Virginian man's coat. He told him the plain while the soldier outside began to talk again.

"Very well, Mr. and Mrs. Harp. The record will show you chose trial by fire. Burn it. In through the windows, and get the roof going as well."

Suddenly, Charleston stepped outside, putting his hands up, "Don't shoot! I surrender I don't want trouble."

Declan, McTaggart, and I stay close to the door, only the musket seen. But even that, with the darkness, was unseen by un-noticeable eyes.

"Oh, there you are, you stubborn beast. And what the hell are you doing wearing my goddamn coat, no less? You get over here," The Virginian man said.

The solider held up his hand, "Wait, wait. Search this man."

That's not necessary. I don't mean any harm," Charleston said, only pushing the soldier to lightly push him, "Coat off. Now."

Our plain was falling into play by the small smirk on Declan's face. We watched as they threw the coat towards the ground, the Virginian man grabbing Charleston and leading him away. As if that were the cue, Declan aimed the gun just as the solider spotted the small barrel of powder. His face fell, his voice unheard before Declan fired at the powder.

The powder exploded, cuing our exit and giving us just enough smoke to let us run out. Declan lead the way, throwing knives at soldiers before landing some punches. I threw a knife at one solider, landing it right in his throat which caused him to fall to his knees and grab it.

As I ran past him, I grabbed the knife and ripped it out, landing him on the ground, dead. One more stood before me and I slid on the ground, swiping at his ankles just as he rose his musket. It sent him to the ground as well, causing me to stand and land a hard blow to his head.

The last solider? His corpse was being bounced on by McTaggart who was enjoying every minute of this.

My stomach suddenly felt sick, tossing and turning at the scene. Usually, McTaggart's strange ways never even fazed me, but this one seemed to make my stomach turn.

I was sure I was going to throw up when Declan walked over to the bouncing man. "McTaggart. McTaggart!"

He stopped, stepping off the corps with a smile, "What a buzz! We should get going. Could be more coming."

"So, you're in?" I asked, swallowing anything that was trying to come up which only left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"I'd say I'm downright involved, wouldn't you? I might as well finish what you fucking started. Probably a lot more of this, just worse odds." He looked towards Charleston who had a knife secured in his hand as he stared at us. "You coming?"

Declan and I gave McTaggart a look, reading "what the hell are you doing"? He shrugged at us, gesturing towards Charleston, "What? At least he'll be free."

Though it was true, we left it up to Charleston to decide. We all looked at him, listening to the two words that will change his life forever. "I'm in."