Chapter 20-- Sovay Makes a Grand Appearance

Agent Chaplen pushed open the door to the River’s house and strode inside. Sighing heavily, he walked into the parlor. His thoughts were on the Shadow Fox, so he did not notice the skirted figure sitting in a chair. Ten days ago, the boy had been in his grasp, but he had let him go, simply because he had not won because of his superior intellect. That seemed foolish, now.
“Oy, lobster-back! Who are you and what are you doing in my Uncle’s house?!”
When the agent turned, he thought at first the girl was Robyn. After studying her for a few seconds, he realized her eyes were the wrong color. They glinted between blue and green so that he was not entirely sure which color they were. She had redish-blonde hair and a slightly pointed nose. However, he could see why he first thought she was Robyn. The girl’s face was the same shape and she had a sturdy build like her cousin. Altogether, he guessed the young officers would find her pretty.
“I am James Chaplen, an agent of his majesty King George.”
“Well, that’s a long name. I’m Sovay Willow. Mrs. Rivers is my aunt on my mother’s side. Therefore, that gives me the right to order you out of my Uncle and Aunt’s home.” She pointed to the doorway and lifted her nose in the air.
He raised his eyebrows. This girl had a tongue on her, unlike her dense cousin.“As an agent of his majesty, I have every right to be here.”
Just as Sovay took a breath to retort, Ben walked in. He looked surprised. “Sovay! What are you doing here?”
“Hello, cousin, nice to see you, too. My mother sent a letter to let you know I was coming to stay a while.”
Ben sighed. “We never received it.”
“Oh. Well, where’s Robyn?”
“Um,” Ben paused. “She’s spending time with a friend. She should be back soon. You can go ahead and put your things in the attic.”
The girl put her hands on her hips. “Well how do you like that!? I’m being moved up to the attic because a bunch of redcoats are sleeping in the spare room.”
“Robyn’s in there, as well, so you’ll have to share a bed.”
Sovay frowned. “Oh, don’t tell me. You’re sleeping in the barn, too.”
Ben smiled slightly.
“By the stars! Honestly, these people just imposing on private homes, pretty as you please! Who do they think they are?!”
Ben grinned at Chaplen as he followed the girl with her bags. “Good to have you back, Sovay.”
~~~~
Someone knocked on the door. The Shadow Fox looked up from the book she was reading. “Yes?”
“Lad, there’s a boy here to see you. His name is Ben.”
“By all means, good sir, do send him in.”
The door opened, and Ben walked in, clad in a redcoat uniform, grinning. He closed the door and pulled up a chair.
Laying down the book, Robyn arched an eyebrow. “What’s the smile for?”
“You’ll never guess.”
“Agent Chaplen left.”
“No. Sovay’s here.”
Robyn brightened. “Really? Since when?”
“Today. I walked in from feeding the animals to find her letting Chaplen have it.”
The girl laughed. “Oh, it will be good to see her again. So doctor, can I go home today?”
Ben smiled. “What, you don’t like it here?”
“No, no. Everyone’s been so kind. General Washington was very kind to let me stay in the Vassel house while I recovered. Mrs. Washington brought me tons of books to read. She is the sweetest lady, but she’s also tough and gritty. I like her a lot. People are practically waiting on me head and foot, but I want to go home. I’m tired of being cooped up in this house.”
Ben nodded. “Alight. Get your cloak and sword. I brought Midnight. Oh!” He reached into the bag at his feet. “I brought your drummer boy wig and outfit and your stage makeup. I figured that would be easier to explain and locate than your skirts.”
She grinned and tugged the yellow wig over her messy brown mop. “Give me a chance to change into my uniform. I’ll meet you outside.”
~~~~~
There was a knock on his door. “Enter.”
A lieutenant strode in and saluted. “General, the Shadow Fox is leaving.”
Washington strode to his feet and walked around the desk. Smiling, he put his hat on his head. “Let’s go bid him farewell.”
He met his wife in the hall, and together they walked out onto the porch. A blonde haired boy dressed as a British drummer boy stood next to the lad named Ben. Ben noticed General and Mrs. Washington and nudged the boy.
The blonde-haired boy turned. Grinning, he bowed dramatically. “General Washington, Lady Washington, thank you so much for allowing me to stay here while I recovered. It is a debt I shall not forget.”
Martha Washington smiled. “There is no debt among friends.”
“Besides, you have done so much for us already.” The general pointed out.
“It is only my duty for my country.”
Mrs. Washington eyed him for a minute. “Your hair is not really blonde.”
The Shadow Fox grinned. “No, ma’am.” He spread his arms. “This is one of my favorite disguises. Though,” he turned to Ben. “Chaplen will probably recognize it.”
The other shrugged. “I think my cousin is keeping him occupied.”
Laughing, the Shadow Fox mounted his black mare. “Well then, we shall be alright.” He saluted to General and Lady Washing ton and rode off.
~~~~~
Agent Chaplen had left the house to escape the River’s cousin, but she had come after him, demanding he escort her around the city. She was as talkative as her cousin, but had far more intelligent things to say. They were often accusing.
“It has been a long time since I was in this city. It has changed. There are so many lobster-backs!”
Chaplen sighed. “Yes, Miss Willows. That is because of the rebels. If we didn’t have so much trouble, we would have to be here.”
“Ha! If your king didn’t tax us so unfairly, we would not have this problem!” She paused to look around. “Oh, look, there’s Ben! My stars, he’s in a redcoat!” She ran over to him, Chaplen following.
“Before you say anything, Sovay, this was only so I could leave the city.”
She pointed to the boy on the black mare, and Chaplen’s lips curled into a smile. “Who is he, then?”
Grinning, the blonde lad slid off the horse. Bowing, he answered her question, “Why, my lovely young lady, I am the Shadow Fox.”
“The what?”
Chaplen chuckled. “So, you’ve recovered.”
The Shadow Fox tilted his hat farther over his face and grinned. “Aye, so I have. I’ll be back to confound you shortly, my dear agent.”
“Oh, good, he’s on our side, then.”
Chaplen laughed. “Miss Willow, the Shadow Fox is the most rebellious of all the rebels.”
The boy tipped his hat. “Why, thank you, Agent Chaplen.” He mounted his horse. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I must return home.”
The horse turned, and they galloped away in the direction towards the River’s house. Agent Chaplen watched him go thoughtfully.
“Tell me, Benjamin, do you have any other cousins?”
“Aye, but they all live in Virginia, so we don’t see them often. Sovay only lives a day’s travel away, so we see her more.”
Well, that dispelled that theory. It didn’t look as if the Shadow Fox was a family member of the Rivers,’ after all.


------
Hehe, Sovay makes me laugh. She's based on a rather good friend, however, she's slightly more obnoxious. (the question is, who am I referring to? The friend or Sovay?) Did you notice the nature theme going on with the good guy's last names?
See ya'll next week!