Your Humble and Obedient

[shotandshell]

When Evil stalks upon the land / I’ll neither hold nor stay me hand / But fight to win a better day

             featuring muses from history and Age of Sail | written by: Tish 

[yhos]

just a note that i will be gone this weekend. going to a reenactment in Massachusetts. i’ll do a livestream of the new episode on Monday evening.

[yhos]

misseleonora:

elle had been cleaning mugs for the past hour while inbetween serving here and there. it had been relatively quiet until it more or less hit late afternoon. inbetween these hours, soliders came in and out, she cleaned up the table of the man that face she hadn’t seen before in rivington’s and cleaned once more, got more ale from the basement. 

if for once she thought she was happy that today was quiet, boy was she wrong. it also was strange that robert wasn’t back yet, where was he and what in god’s name took him so long. eleonora let out a sigh, as part of the huge table in the corner got louder. and usually she resolved small things like that with more ale and she had done that once already today. standing behind the bar she was watching the scene and it did not take a good turn. 

“ more ale? ” she asked with a small smile, as she stood in front of him. however, the trouble only seemed to grow on the other side. 

Time had passed quickly inside Rivington’s. The mug of ale had been emptied, and only a few pages of the worn book remained unread. Eli had to blink a few times to adjust his view to the vibrant colors of the world, and of her.

“Oh, yes just a bit more. Thank-” Glass shattering against the wall interrupted him. Chairs scraped on the wooden floor as the men who had been gathered at a larger table stood. Voices rose in anger. Their words overlapping each other so it was hard for Eli to discern what the commotion was about. One man shoved another so that he lay on his back on the table. Playing cards fell to the ale soaked floor and were crushed by the fighting men’s feet.

Grey warned the young woman with his eyes to remain here before standing to try to stop the brawl. He put a hand on the instigator’s shoulder, and was punched squarely in the jaw. The force of it knocked him backwards. Legs, caught off balanced, tripped over a chair leg and brought the young lieutenant to the floor. 

Pain blossomed in his face. Already Eli could taste the blood in his mouth from the cut in his tongue. He reached for the stability of the nearby chair to help him regain his balance as he stood to try again.

[yhos]

I will be livestreaming the T.urn episode. I’ll post the link in 15 minutes.

[yhos]

Link is here! Hopefully A.MC won’t let me down.

[yhos]

I will be livestreaming the T.urn episode. I’ll post the link in 15 minutes.

[bantarleton]

Members of the 17th Light Dragoons riding down rebel militia. Troops of 17th Light Dragoon cavalrymen were seconded to Tarleton’s British Legion during almost every engagement they fought in the South in 1780 and 1781. Art by Graham Turner. 

[cuirassier]

17th Light dragoon regiment, Great Britain, 1775, R. Knotel

[yhos]

coca-colonialism:

   ✰  ☆ ★ — “And yet it does not stop my father from doubting me. He has accused me of having been on the other side, despite my not owning a stitch of a Continental uniform.” He set his jaw, and lifted a hand to rub at his chin pensively. “My allowances have been cut off, and he has dismissed from service all of my help. Upkeep of Calbrondt Manor is not a job for one man alone, and so my service in militia is all that may offer me enough money to settle any of my debts that I incur in the coming years.”

“The militia will not bring you much in the way of pay or in the chance to perhaps convince your father otherwise. Why not join the regulars? Or, one of the mounted companies?” Grey glanced around, his mind still thinking. It was a challenge to put himself in the other man’s position for he did not have an allowance or a manor to upkeep. However, the questions of loyalty and independency were universal to every man, and those Eli understood well.

“Would your father consent to buying your commission in a regiment? One in which you could advance to gain a higher pay, and also lead men against the colonists to prove your allegiance.”

[yhos]

misseleonora:

“ of course. “ and she fell back into the short answers. elle smiled, genuinely while filling up the mug with ale. with a quiet laugh at his statement the blonde nodded and walked towards the bar, filling up several mugs of soldiers before preceeding to fetch some bread and cheese for the hungry man. rare. usually they’d get the best option of the house. or maybe he just wanted something ‘ light ‘. who knew. it wasn’t her business after all. happy to say today seemed to be a quiet day and it was a blessing. at least no shoe that had been pissed into that she had to empty. it was disgusting. most of these men were disgusting, yet she kept quiet hoping for this war to end soon.

the bread was nearly gone, she had to remind robert of that. putting everything on a plate she one she was done she went over to the british soldier that was sitting by the window. major andre used to sit there, at least something she recalled. not sure why she was thinking about the major anyway. “ enjoy your meal!  “ eleonora placed the plate down in front of him before she started cleaning mugs and dishes behind the bar, quietly observing the men eating, drinking, talking and playing games. not once did she speak up when someone demanded her presence for more ale; almost like a them, like a soldier. 

When the young woman had left, he pulled out a book from the pocket of the red coat. Small and very worn the title was barely readable, Flora of the New World. John White’s watercolors decorated the aged pages. His beautifully rendered images showed the ferns and flowers of the colonies.

Eli looked up from the book when he noticed the young woman approaching. “Thank you.” He smiled again before turning his attention to the food. The bread his broke into pieces large enough to hold a bit of the cheese. When that was in order, he picked the book up again and began to read while contentedly eating the small meal.

For a while the war was forgotten. He imagined exploring the American forests and finding a lady slipper with its soft pink and white color, or enjoying a fiddlehead fern. There was so much beauty in this land now suffused in the sulphur and smoke of cannons, and blood turning golden fields incarnadine.

[yhos]

misseleonora:

elle did not even look up anymore when new people came into the tavern, it were the same one’s day in day out. no one special. and honestly, today was rather quiet there. people usually would laugh and have wild thoughts, today, however, it seemed different. it was pleasant and she wouldn’t only say that for herself, even robert seemed to be quite happy about it, seeing he was taking care of some outside business. grabbing a mug and a of ale, she walked over to the customer. “ welcome to rivington’s. —- would you like some ale or is there anything else i might be able to serve you, sir? ” that’s the most she had spoken today, usually she had  all the orders down ( which consisted of ale and some warm lunch ) but that soldier was a new face, so to say she was quite surprised. refreshing it was too, maybe one that would have manners for once, or at least would say thanks. a woman can hope can’t she? 

“Ale is fine, thank you.” Eli smiled politely at the young woman. A rumble in his stomach made him quickly recount how much money he had on him. “Could I get some bread and cheese, as well? It seems breakfast was a long time ago and my body is rebelling against its apparent mistreatment.”

He assumed they had some items available for lunch. Though, his purse would probably not be able to afford the finer offerings. Bread and cheese would be enough to tide his appetite over until dinner.

[yhos]

cavalrylad:

The canteen was accepted back and Ben turned away long enough to set it with his small pile of other belongings. He offered a flickering smile that was really only a courtesy. 

Eight days march. “You are the forward most point of the army?” Their light cavalry traveled ahead to scout and forage. They screened the army’s movements and directed them towards safer paths. Benjamin raised his brows and canted his head toward his prisoner, daring him to say something otherwise. There was of course the chance this was a rear guard or a detachment and that would be just as valuable information. 

At least it appeared that so far the British didn’t have specifics concerning the French. “And what are you searching for on Long Island?” The major took a second to school his features, telling himself they wouldn’t call men down from Canada just for one possible spy.

“No, just a detachment to support the regulars already stationed on Long Island, since there is not enough supplies in the city to feed the men, and the horses. My company was assigned to Setauket to be under the command of Major Hewlett. From there we were to obey the orders given to us by the officers.”

Grey carefully worded his response though it was meant to sound casual. The pieces of new information were small morsels, intended to satisfy the major and hopefully bring this to a quick end. Major De Lancey’s order to him was in the forefront of the lieutenant’s mind:

Investigate this Brewster name, and any woman that might be associated with him. 

[yhos]

@adauxilium

Soft purple buds littered the desk. Some falling on the piles of books and paper that surrounded the cleared space. The dried lavender filled the room with its scent. Even the soothing aroma of the flower could not ease Eli’s hesitation. 

It had almost been a year since he had last spoken to Charlotte Brewster. Would she remember him? Would she care to hear from him now that America had won her independence and he and his countrymen had left the colonies to return home defeated? It was worth the risk. Her friendship had been a great comfort to him, and she should know he still valued it. Setting pen to paper, he began.

Dear Miss Brewster,

I hope this letter finds you well. I cannot believe it has been so long since we last spoke. The year has been giving to my garden, and I wanted to send a piece of it to you- no doubt it has already fallen out of this letter. This lavender has been dried, but it retains the scent for which it is famous, and I have no doubt you could find a use for it. As my garden grows, I shall send along more, unless you have objections. If you do not wish for me to write, you need not reply to this letter.

If that is the case, I wish you all the best. Your kindness was a solace during my time on Long Island. I appreciated the friendship you extended towards me, though you certainly did not have to given where your loyalties lay.

If that is not the case, I would enjoy any reply you saw fit to send. Until then I remain,

Your humble and obedient servant,

Eli 

[yhos]

@misseleonora

Many pairs of eyes turned to look at the young lieutenant as he entered Rivington’s. Majors, colonels, and a general stared for a moment before returning to their games and conversation. Grey swallowed the nervous lump in his throat. Being on parade was less nerve-wracking! How could anyone relax in an establishment frequented by the top commanders? Yet, it was the only place that did not host fights on a daily basis. For an hour of solitude, Eli could withstand the scrutiny of the other officers.

There was an empty table below the long windows set high into the walls that Eli determined to be suitable. Placing his leather helmet on the thick oak tabletop, he settled into the chair and began to think about what drink he would order.

[yhos]

coca-colonialism:

    ✰  ☆ ★ — “I earned this scar at the Battle of Bunker Hill, not from a Redcoat, no. But from the rebels. I feel the need to remind you, I have no intention of betraying my father, nor my Crown.“

“I remember well that battle, and the men who fought in it.” Lieutenant Grey went quiet. Green eyes studying the scar that was only one of the many given that day. Some were visible, but most were not. Those who had survived carried the experience with them. Pride and arrogance had carried the companies up the hill. The colonists would not be victorious, they didn’t have the resources or the training. Then the muskets sounded. A wall of lead tearing into the British lines. Fear found its way into the hearts of the men in red coats. A grisly harbinger that this rebellion would not be so easily quelled.

“I would not dare question the loyalty of a man who fought for the Crown on that day.”

[yhos]

wxlters:

Marie nodded. “Yes. That’s me.” She listened attentively to his next words and nodded once more. She hadn’t walked the entire way, but she had taken an carriage, not yet being a high enough rank to gain a horse of her own. So she hadn’t eaten for a while, and she was quite hungry since she had walked quite a while regardless. 
“I wouldn’t mind something to eat. The road was rough and we lost some provisions on the way.” So basically, the knapsack on her back was all she had. A spare uniform and more clothing. As well as her weapons, but other than that, she wasn’t too well off. She did take extra care of her uniform due to that fact.

“Lost?” A brow rose in concern. “How? Were you attacked?” He would need to know all the details to send men to investigate the location of the attack, and hopefully find those responsible for assaulting an officer and theft.

“Right. We can talk on our way. Follow me.” A smart turn of his heel started them in the direction of Dejong’s. Already raucous laughter and pieces of songs filtered out from the building.

Eli gave a tired sigh before opening the door.  “I apologize in advance for the quality of the company we are about to join.”

[thccourier]

his patriotism exhibited in the time which tried men’s souls, at the repeated hazard of his life, was never more deep and influential || independent benjamin tallmadge from amc’s turn: washington’s spies

                             art credit

[theridgebeyond]

Whenever I go somewhere of historical significance