Chaplen nudged Captain Long into consciousness with his foot. The captain sat up and looked around with a confused expression.
“On your feet, Captain.”
Long stood, but had to lean on the wall for support. He blinked at Robyn and rubbed his head. Luckily, he would be in no condition to chase her should she escape.
It’s now or never.
The Shadow Fox slammed her elbow right below Agent Chaplen’s rib cage into his diaphragm. It had the desired effect. Dropping his sword, the agent doubled over and struggled for breath. Without a second thought, Robyn broke free and sprinted towards the exit.
The girl burst through the door, and a happy whinny greeted her. George sat atop Midnight who had apparently disregarded his orders to gallop off and was pacing outside waiting for her rider. Gratefully, Robyn swung up in front. Chaplen charged through the door and came to a halt. The Shadow Fox saluted to the agent then nudged her horse into a canter.
Midnight carried her two riders out of the city gates. They rode for an hour until they came to a farm. Silently, the girl slid off her horse and motioned for George to follow. The boy was very tired; he fell off. Robyn hauled him up. Yawning sleepily, she dragged him to the door. She lifted a weary hand and knocked.
An old farmer came to the door with a rifle in his hand. “What? Who are you? What do you want? If you’re bandits, I’ll shoot.”
Robyn bowed. “I am the Shadow Fox, good sir. My friend is a recently rescued Redcoats deserter in need of a place to stay. As I understand, your son left to join the militia, and you are in need of some help around the farm. George could assist you.”
The old farmer scratched his head. “As a matter of fact, young sir, I do need help. Are you willing, boy?”
George nodded. “Yes, sir. I just need a place to stay until the war is over. Then, I can return to my parents. I’m a hard worker. I just didn’t agree with what the officers were doing, that’s all.”
The farmer nodded. “Good lad. I don’t care much for the officers either.” He turned back into the house. “Martha, we got a lad at the door in need of some food and a place to stay in exchange of work. Think you could get him something?”
A grey-haired lady bustled to the door with a candle in her hand. “Oh goodness gracious! You two, come in here, and I’ll fix you up something to eat.”
The kind old woman shooed Robyn inside despite her protests. Her husband led Midnight to the stable and gave her some hay. Martha, who was slightly on the plump side, moved about fixing the two visitors something to eat. The farmer, Timothy Jones, handed them each a cup of coffee. Robyn downed it swiftly and complemented the couple’s patriotism. George, on the other hand, sipped it experimentally, decided he liked it, and carefully drank the rest. The stew Martha had fixed was finally done.
While they ate, George told the story of how he had been rescued. The kind couple listened intently and muttered exclamations and comments. He finished with, “And then he comes flying out of the jail with that agent fellow on his heal. He leapt on the horse, saluted the agent--who looked flaming mad--and then we rode here.”
“Well, bravo, my dear,” Martha said, patting Robyn’s shoulder.
“Good plan. Very clever,” Timothy Jones agreed.
Something seemed to strike George. “How did you get away from Agent Chaplen?”
“Knocked the wind out of him,” she explained simply.
George didn’t see how this would have any affect. “How’d that help?”
The girl shrugged. “He couldn’t breathe. Had to get his breath back, you see. One hits that muscle just right, and all the air will shoot out of a person’s lungs.”
They all nodded in understanding. Stretching, the Shadow Fox stood. “Well, I should be getting back. Thank you so much for taking him in.”
“Our pleasure, dear. Do you need a place to sleep?” Martha smiled warmly.
As wonderful as that sounded, she knew Ben would be worried, and she had to get back before dawn. “Thank you, Mrs. Jones, but I need to get home.” Before she could stop herself, the words came out. “My brother will be worrying about me.”
Martha and Timothy understood about a worried loved-one. “Alright, dear. You have a safe ride home and Godspeed.”
“If ever you need a safe place to bring some one else, or for anything, do not hesitate to come here.”
She was half way out the door when George suddenly said, “Say, could you use my old uniform and gear for any purpose?”
Robyn thought for a second. With a small shrug, she replied, “Sure. It might come in useful.”
With a wave and a large smile, the Shadow Fox rode home.
----
D'aw, happy endings. I like this chapter.
Sorry, my friends. I know it's late. I've been busy....
I was standing in the middle of the floor and suddenly I went, "Uuuunnnaaaaaah!"
My roommate was like, "What, what?"
Heh. Yeah.
Anywho, that spiffy pack George gave her is gonna come in handy in the near future. *eyebrow wiggle*
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