The Ladder: Part 1 Read online

  The Ladder

  Part 1

  David W. Hodges

  Copyright © 2016 David W. Hodges

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1530154812

  ISBN 13: 9781530154814

  CONTENTS

  PROLOGUE: FARON

  1: CAMERON

  2: HAZEL

  3: ALEXANDRA

  4: CAMERON

  5: HAZEL

  6: ALEXANDRA

  7: CAMERON

  8: HAZEL

  9: ALEXANDRA

  10: CAMERON

  11: HAZEL

  12: ALEXANDRA

  13: CAMERON

  14: HAZEL

  15: CAMERON

  16: HAZEL

  17: CAMERON

  18: HAZEL

  19: CAMERON

  20: HAZEL

  21: CAMERON

  22: HAZEL

  23: CAMERON

  24: HAZEL

  25: CAMERON

  26: HAZEL

  27: CAMERON

  28: HAZEL

  29: HAZEL

  30: CAMERON

  31: HAZEL

  32: CAMERON

  33: HAZEL

  34: CAMERON

  35: HAZEL

  36: CAMERON

  37: HAZEL

  EPILOGUE: JOHN

  PROLOGUE

  FARON

  Faron was frozen in place. How did we let this happen?

  A cry of agony filled the room.

  Faron watched as Einar collapsed to his hands and knees in the center of the room. The man was curled into a ball and shrouded by his dark cloak with its peculiar, leathery sheen.

  Next to Einar, a polished object, a half foot long in the shape of a twisted ladder, rolled to a rest. The silvery finish reflected the wavering orange glow of an interior illuminated by torchlight.

  Two of Faron’s allies were positioned about the room, anxiously watching the distraught man before them. Like Faron, they wore a variety of plate armor, leather, and mail that was not part of a coherent set. One was a large bearded man armed with sword. The other was wiry with sharp features and a bow. He had his fingers on the fletching of an arrow in the quiver at his hip. He was itching to nock it on his bowstring.

  Faron tensed as Einar began breathing heavily on the ground. Einar’s whole body shook as he labored to hold himself up.

  The burly guard lowered his sword, then cautiously stepped toward Einar. “We didn’t know...”

  As Einar’s shaking hands clutched the tiles beneath him, they began to take on an alarmingly gray, mottled color. His fingers lengthened to twice their normal size and terminated with disk-like tips as his feet took on a similar appearance. His hair shed to reveal a scalp and face with the same mottled gray skin, a layer of moisture glistening over it, giving him an amphibious appearance. The whites of his eyes had been replaced by an enlarged gray-green iris and dilated pupils. He was suddenly still.

  The hair on Faron’s nape rose and his heart pounded. He drew his sword and said, “Bjorn... back away...”

  Bjorn stepped closer to Einar and said, “Einar, please... if we knew...”

  Before Bjorn could form his next words, Einar leapt from the floor with impossible force and slammed the much larger man into a wall, knocking him unconscious. Instead of falling to the ground with the guard’s limp body, Einar remained attached to the wall, his feet and hands stuck to the stone.

  The archer in the room fired an arrow at Einar. Einar jumped to another wall, narrowly avoiding his arrow. The archer fired a second arrow a split second later. Einar managed to dodge it as well, and as he hung in the air, he pulled a long dart from his waist and threw it into the archer’s neck. The archer reached up to the dart in his neck, staggered, then collapsed. Einar stood tall and began to walk straight toward Faron.

  Faron clutched his sword and said, “Don’t make me do this...”

  “You already have,” said Einar before he quickly reached into his cloak and threw another one of his darts toward Faron.

  Faron slashed his blade to meet the dart, deflecting it to the side. He glanced at the silvery object that was resting in the center of the room.

  Einar took notice. He leapt toward the object.

  Faron had already dove for the object and rolled out of the way just in time to avoid Einar’s landing. With his sword held up in a defensive stance, he spoke sincerely. “Einar, stop this...”

  He was cut off when a thick door in the corner of the room opened and four more guards poured in. One of them immediately loosed an arrow and it found its mark, penetrating Einar’s shoulder.

  Einar glared at Faron as he broke the arrow without a flinch. He leapt through a large window, and the glass crashed around him as he disappeared into the darkness.

  One of the guards who had just entered ran to Faron. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I’m fine, check on the others.” Einar eased his grip on his sword and let out a deep breath as he sheathed it.

  An older man stomped into the room. “The Ladder! Do you have it?”

  Faron pulled out the ladder and handed it to him. “Ayalon, did you know? If you knew...”

  “Silence!” the older man commanded.

  Faron obeyed.

  Ayalon’s tone lightened. “It’s done.” He looked toward a man who was standing with a pair of wolves, tainted with black. “Track him.”

  The archer, whose arrow had hit Einar, asked, “What happened?”

  Faron looked to a splash of red on the floor in the corner of the room. “She’s dead.”

  1

  CAMERON

  Cameron gazed above at a patchy canopy set ablaze by autumn’s orange hues. The clear morning’s sun shined through and bird songs hung in the air. On his chest, a young woman slumbered, her head rising and falling with his breath. He ran his fingers through her hair. For a moment, a sweet scent trapped him there. He held the back of her neck and massaged her to consciousness.

  Alexandra looked up at him with her bright turquoise eyes. “Time to go?” she asked.

  “Aye,” he sighed before pressing his lips firmly against hers. “Daniel will be here soon.”

  Alexandra hesitated. “Cameron, before we go... have you thought about it? Asking your father?”

  “I have, and I still don’t feel comfortable asking him to spend that kind of money on me. As for the will... I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable with that.”

  “It’s the only way, Cameron. Aren’t you tired of sneaking around, pretending we hardly know each other? Imagine how much better it would be if we were engaged, not having to hide like this...”

  “I have imagined it, and I wish the same as you, you know that. The shop is doing well; I’ll be able to afford a commission on my own by the end of the year. We just have to be patient.”

  “And what happens if we’re discovered before then? It’s not just about us either, Harriett is getting more anxious everyday letting me alone with you. She’s afraid my parents will find out, and so am I.”

  Cameron knew she was right, he felt the same unease. Someone was bound to notice eventually. They could not carry on much longer, not even as long as his ambitious financial projections would require. Cameron sighed. “I’ll ask him.”

  “The will too? I know it’ll be difficult for you, but my parents won’t approve otherwise.” Alexandra looked at him expectantly.

  “Aye... the will too.”

  She grabbed him and kissed him passionately. “Tell me as soon as you can.”

  “Of course.” He came out from under their blanket, tucked in his linen shirt, and put on a brown vest and coat. While Alexandra finished dressing, he rolled their blankets and shouldered his bow and quiver. Cameron pul
led her close and said, “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Cameron rode up to a teenaged boy. He was standing next to a powerfully built draft horse and a lanky deerhound with a shaggy gray coat. “Morning, Daniel, have you been here long?”

  “No, just arrived... figured you’d be running a bit late,” said Daniel.

  “I’m usually punctual,” said Cameron with a smile as he dismounted.

  Daniel smirked. “Yeah, just not when it involves leaving her. I saw some tracks nearby, looked like a small herd moved through. Boman picked up a scent when we arrived, they shouldn’t be too far ahead. Let’s get going.” Daniel let their guide go and he immediately sniffed ahead.

  They rode behind him while he followed the scent, looking back occasionally and waiting for Cameron and Daniel while they caught up. They carried on for a half hour until Boman hastened the pace and they were halted by a long wooden fence at the edge of an open field.

  Cameron approached the fence and said, “Should we keep going?” We’ll have to leave the horses.”

  “Yeah, I think we’re close. Shouldn’t take long,” replied Daniel.

  Cameron dismounted and tied his horse to a tree. He gave him a pat and climbed over the fence. Daniel followed suit, and Boman crawled under the fence board. Cameron continued on after Boman. “Can’t believe Mr. Hill put that fence up on his entire property line, must of cost a fortune. I don’t think he even grazes any animals here.”

  “Yeah... I suppose he’s just doing the same as everyone else. Half the country is enclosed these days.”

  “At least,” said Cameron. “You know this was a proper forest when dad was a boy. He said half of the Hill estate was forest; they cleared most of it as a deer park... thousands of acres.”

  “You bitter ’cause you and Alexandra don’t have more space to hide?” said Daniel with a grin.

  Cameron gave him a shove. “Shut it.”

  Daniel laughed. “You’re right though, it must’ve been nice having more than a sliver of forest here and there.” Then, more seriously, he said, “You really do need to be careful, Cameron.”

  “You think I don’t know that?”

  “I’m just saying, it could be really serious if you’re found out... I’m trying to look out for you. It’s not too early for a proposal. I know she only just debuted, but you’ve known each other a long time. Her father’s always been fond of you, too.”

  “Doesn’t matter... her father is particular about her marrying an officer. She’s sure he won’t make an exception, and her mother knows Alexandra can attract a more profitable suitor than me.”

  “Oh, well...” Daniel searched for words of encouragement. “I suppose her father’s opinion is more relevant. Have you considered purchasing a commission?”

  Cameron sighed. “Of course I have...”

  Daniel looked surprised. “I was only half serious, Cameron. An engagement won’t do you much good if you’re separated by an ocean. Then again, maybe you’d be able to stay. They must have assignments here. Recruiting, training... surely her father holds some sway?”

  “Leicester garrisons an infantry regiment, and her father requires an officer because he is loyal to his country. I don’t think weaseling my way out of a deployment would help my cause.”

  “Well there’s always Gretna Green?”

  “Elopement? She would lose her trust, I’d receive no dowry... we’d be homeless. I’m not doing that to her.”

  “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Dad would let you stay on the farm.”

  “It still wouldn’t be right.”

  “It’s a bit of a dilemma, isn’t it?”

  “No,” Cameron assured. “I know I want to be with her, and we’re doing it the proper way. There’s only one option, I’m going to purchase a commission.”

  “You’re certain about that? You could be killed in a swamp before you’re even married... sorry.”

  “I’ll have to take my chances.”

  Up ahead, Boman was frozen staring off with one paw lifted above the ground. A small group of red deer, a stag and his harem of hinds along with a few calves, were grazing in the distance.

  Cameron and Daniel crouched and caught up to Boman. Cameron petted him. “Good boy.” They continued forward until they were about fifty yards from the herd.

  The stag turned slightly toward them. He did not notice them.

  Cameron stopped. “Here, this will have to do.”

  Daniel replied, “That’s your shot. No way I can hit one from here.”

  Cameron took out his bow, pulled an arrow from his quiver, then took aim. “I’ll take one of the hinds.” Although it was a long shot, the wind was still and the nearest hind was oriented perfectly sideways, her ribcage facing Cameron. With confidence, he held his breath to take the shot. Just before he could loose the arrow, the stag jerked his head up, not at Cameron but in the opposite direction.

  A fox was barreling down a hill. Behind it, a pack of stout, white and brown foxhounds chased. The herd of deer bolted. Cameron cursed and withdrew his arrow. “Fox hunt,” he muttered.

  “That’s bad luck. C’mon, before we’re seen,” said Daniel.

  Before they made it a few steps, a gunshot went off. Cameron stopped and turned toward it. A group of three men approached on horseback; two of them veered off the chase and rode toward Cameron and Daniel.

  An older man exclaimed, “Ah! It’s the Lewin boys.” When he reached them, he said, “Henry, pardon, Captain Marsden mistook you for trespassing commoners... I told him it was you. Were you stalking that herd?”

  The younger man holstered his flintlock officers pistol.

  “Yes, Colonel Hill, sorry we didn’t request permission. We started tracking on our property and Boman seemed to catch a fresh scent. We thought we’d go just a bit farther to see if…”

  “Oh, it’s no matter, Cameron. Your father has always been welcoming with his land. Though we could’ve avoided disrupting your shot if we knew.”

  Captain Marsden said, “I doubt it made a difference. It was too long a shot for a bow. You look straight out of the fourteenth century with those longbows. A gentlemen ought to reserve archery for competition. If you insist on stalking deer, at least bring a proper weapon with you, it’s all so... antiquated.”

  “Oh, they just like a bit of exercise that’s all, and it’s sensible for Cameron to espouse his trade,” said Mr. Hill.

  Cameron replied, “Indeed, and we were hoping to serve venison at dinner tonight, it’s Hazel’s birthday.”

  “Can’t you send someone to the butcher?” said Captain Marsden.

  “I think it a better gift if there’s some labor behind it, don’t you, Henry?” replied Daniel.

  “I think it inefficient. Coin replaces labor.” Captain Marsden looked away.

  Colonel Hill said, “Yes well, they’ll have a story to tell as well. Will you two be at the ceremony today? John will be in it, turns out he’ll be deploying... we were informed just recently,” said Colonel Hill.

  Cameron replied, “Unfortunately, no. I have an order I need to finish for General Marlow, so I’ll have to miss it. I’m sorry to hear that John will be leaving. Is he off to Boston with the other companies?”

  “No actually, his company will be traveling to the Southern colonies.”

  Captain Marsden made no attempt to hide his impatience as he rolled his eyes toward the sky. “We should get back to the chase.”

  “Well, wish Hazel well for me. I hope you can track those deer down,” said Colonel Hill.

  The pair turned their horses and left.

  Cameron and Daniel continued on after Boman in the direction of the deer. “Henry... pardon, Captain Marsden was charming,” said Cameron.

  Daniel smiled. “I can’t imagine how he treats genuine commoners. We’d likely be dead... you know maybe there is something to be said for a contemporary wardrobe.”

  Cameron laughed. “I’d hate to be his legitimate inferior
. Yet another reason to dread a commission.”

  “Just be sure to purchase a Captain’s commission.”

  “That would cost twice a lieutenant’s.”

  Daniel sighed. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? Have you talked to Dad?”

  Cameron stifled his frustration at the question. It was a perfectly reasonable inquiry, but it reminded him of the unfinished task. “No. I thought I’d raise the money myself...”

  Daniel stopped him. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

  “But,” Cameron continued, “Alexandra convinced me otherwise. I’ll ask him today.”

  “Good. And don’t forget to mention that Captain’s commission,” said Daniel with a smile, shaking a finger at Cameron.

  Boman led them back off of the Hill property and into their woods. Not long after, he began barking frantically, disappearing out of sight. Cameron looked to Daniel, who shared his puzzlement. Then a loud bellow rang through the forest.

  “The stag!” shouted Cameron as he ran ahead. He spotted Boman. Near him, a stag was lying on the edge of a stream. Cameron approached the massive animal, careful not to startle it. “Stay here, Boman,” he said as he passed him.

  Daniel stayed with Boman and calmed him down.

  Cameron inspected the stag and saw that it had a broken front leg. Bone protruded from a gaping hole in its flesh. As he drew nearer, the stag noticed his presence and let out a groan, more feeble than the last.

  Cameron could feel the despair in the cry. “His leg is broken,” he shouted back to Daniel. He took a step toward the stag, and it scrambled to get up but fell back to the ground. “Easy, easy...” said Cameron. He took another step toward the stag,

  The stag looked at him but did not attempt to stand again. His mane was well developed as were his antlers. He conveyed his resignation as he laid his head to the ground, taking shallow breaths.

  Cameron approached until he was within reach of the stag. He had never been so close to a live one. He placed a hand on his side, expecting him to retreat. Instead, he stayed still. Cameron could feel a racing heartbeat under his palm. He pulled a knife from his jacket with his other hand. He moved his hand up to the stag’s neck, reached into his warm fur, and found his pulse. He placed the knife in position and looked to the stag’s face. His eyes were open, but his gaze was still, save for a few blinks. He was looking straight ahead, not at Cameron. His breathing slowed as did his pulse. Puffs of condensation steadily exited his nostrils.