A Revolutionary Time: Tumbling into War by S.A. Ison

Author:S.A. Ison [Ison, S.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-24T22:00:00+00:00

Penn patrolled up and down the road, keeping an eye on his people. Baitman and Rown were untried soldiers and he didn’t know their abilities. Most of the men under his direct command were unknowns, as was Carney. This was their first official mission since arriving at Morristown. The men kept marching, guarding. Yet Carney stopped, peering into the forest. Then she’d march. Her bearing was not in question. Her movements were confident and precise, and she marched with practiced ease.

When she stopped again to stare into the forest, he went to her. He wished to know what she saw. He’d taken a look but the forest was empty. He stumbled when her weapon came off her shoulder and in a smooth arc, Carney aimed and fired into the forest. His head snapped up and he witnessed a British soldier tumble. Then the forest exploded. Farther up, there were more shots. He unshouldered his weapon and searched. He saw another redcoat behind a tree and took aim.

He missed and reloaded. Part of his brain was upset; Carney fired without orders. Had she warned them, they could have properly attacked. Yet he knew she’d behaved correctly. This was an ambush, not a strategic attack. How had the British known his people were coming for the supplies? Within a few minutes, the fighting was over. Penn ordered several men to go check the bodies and collect any live prisoners.

Corporal Dunn was injured and he sent Rown to tend to the soldier. Carney was in the woods, her weapon up and searching. He gave her a moment and called her. Her face was set in a curious, determined mien. She behaved with a precision and accuracy that was impressive. He now recognized the soldier that she’d been and now was.

Her words penetrated his mind and he knew she was correct. He’d often thought simply standing there waiting to be shot was ludicrous, yet that was how he and countless others were trained. Was she correct, had the soldier she shot attempted to kill him? It galled him on some level but he held his tongue. To punish her for saving his life and perhaps that of others would be poor form and gratitude. Had Elodie been a man, it would never occur to Penn to chastise him. His prejudice was hindering his decision making.

He was aware Baitman was beside him and he took a moment to locate his men. None were close enough to overhear their conversation.

“I shall not punish you. I understand you see our methods antiquated and I can agree to some extent. In the future, should our circumstances be not as dire, might you inform me?”

“Of course, Sgt. Penn. I felt that little niggling at the back of my head, like we were being observed. When I spotted the British soldier, I reacted. I’m sorry for stepping out of line.”

Penn waved her off, it was done now and she’d saved his life. “Thank you, Carney, you have my gratitude.”

Baitman grinned. “You demonstrate great skill with your weapon.

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