Page 113 of After 5
“Those are words to live by,” Caiyan moved to the side of the tent and sat listening to my advice. The brogue he used when speaking to Victory had been replaced with the southern drawl I’d become accustomed to on this trip.
“Women deserve the same respect as men demand, I suppose.” I added the last words to sound speculative in relation to this time when men ruled the roost. I thanked my lucky stars the quote wouldn’t be published until later in Caiyan’s life.
“Why don’t you take this off my hands,” Caiyan said to Sam, handing him the sword. “It belonged to a good friend of mine, and I won’t be needing it anymore.”
Sam’s eyes grew wide. “It’s finely made.”
“Yes, it is.” Caiyan leaned forward on his knees and watched Sam strap on the sword.
Sam stood, drew the blade, and practiced sparring like a Jedi knight using his light saber.
“Any more thoughts on women, doctor?” Caiyan asked me.
“Don’t drag your feet when you find the one.”
He glanced at the tent, and my heart ached.
I needed to get back to Marco and Gertie. Would Caiyan be here when I returned? Most likely not. He’d take Victory to a safe location and stay with her until the baby arrived. How long could that be? Four months maybe. It was hard to tell. Did he leave her here or have them transported back to my time?
I needed to tell Caiyan about the shooting. I had to tell him I know him in the future. If he has a child, he can’t die because of my screwup. What were the chances Victory lived in our time? I thought about all the trips overseas, the business trips when I couldn’t get him on the phone. It all made sense. He was seeing someone else. A woman he chose to hide from the WTF the same way I kept Eli’s key a secret. A woman he hid from me.
Before I could dwell on the matter for so long that it made me crazy, the snort of horse and hooves on ground interrupted me. The scout appeared, riding next to a bearded man astride a dark horse. His deep-set eyes took in our campsite and we stood and saluted. General Longstreet commanded the area. It was much like being in the presence of the rich and famous, and reminded me of the time I met Rocksanna, an eighties diva and vocal music legend. The smell of importance and fame preceded him.
The general saluted. The scout was quick to dismount before his commander and take control of the horses.
“You have information from General Lee?”
“I’m Dr. Seuss.” I offered my hand, and Longstreet shook it, albeit hesitantly. “General Lee has come down with a case of germs.”
“Germs?”
“Very contagious but should only last another day.”
“Soldier, I don’t have another day. I need orders.”
“Yes, sir.” Sam stepped forward. “I have brought you orders to move General Pickett’s division of fresh troops to the front and attack the enemy at its center.”
“The center? Is the General…” his words trailed off, and I knew he stopped himself from committing an act of insubordination. It was a fool’s order, and many men would die, but Sam delivered the words Gertie told him to say.
“It’s General Lee’s command to move the troops forward, sir. You will have support from Hill’s Third Corps. He wishes you to organize an attacking force composed of Pickett’s division, the four of Heth’s divisions, two of Anderson’s and two of Pender’s divisions. Colonel Alexander has been ordered to move his artillery to the high ground and prepare to support the forward attack.”
Sam paused, waited for Longstreet to accept his delivery of the orders.
I prayed Gertie had instructed Sam correctly, and she had done her part and issued the orders to the Corps in support of Longstreet.
His eyes searched mine and I held firm, not breaking eye contact. A trick Jake forced me to practice until I could lie without lowering my gaze. A feat that could save your life. Jake’s words rang true, as I stared forcibly at the general.
Longstreet averted his eyes, frowned, and—finally—saluted. “Give the general my regards.” He snagged the reins from his scout and addressed him directly. “Take the orders to General Pickett. As soon as he makes ready, move his corps into position under the ridge of trees west of the Emmitsburg road.” Longstreet pointed into the direction of the ridge, and my inner voice gave me a high five for keeping history intact.
As the general and his scout departed, Victory, wide eyed and flustered, exited the tent.
“The Rebels are attacking tomorrow in the center?”
“That’s right,” I said.
“I…I must leave, I have mending needs tending.” Her eyes darted between us. Caiyan pulled her aside. “’Tis better if ye stayed here.”
Sam and I stared at them.
