Surrender

[icu1978]

taking a breath jenny looked into cassi's eyes. so dark and troubled.

" cassi do you think that the others wouldn't have noticed the looks you two share or the touches when you think no one is looking? it would have been out in no time. then it would have been worse for them thinking he was my man.... it is better this way for the group." here eyes never left cassi's as she lowered her voice. " and maybe he was thinking that if everyone knew and accepted.. that maybe he would not have to hide his love for you or leave you to your own tent at night while he is forced to bed down some where else." smiling brightly and lifting her eye brows." and you can't tell me that dont sit right well with you cassi.. you long for that man the way i long..longed for my husband... the way any woman in love longs for her man. aint no shame in that." she took cassi's work roughed hands in her own. gently sqweezing them." and you know we would not let nuttin happen to you or anyone in our group."

jenny took a deep breath and still holding the older womans hand.

 

[landiek]

Cassi listened and Miz Jenny made several strong points but it still didn't set well with her having it revealed so openly. She was quite used to being a secret after all they were still in slave country and who knew what kind of folks they would run up against.

"I's need some time.. I's gots to make peace with muh heart.. please" Cassi decided as she squeezed Jenny's hand. Still the distruaght sadness was plastered on the weary face. Pride.. but not her pride.. but pride in knowing that her secret love affair was not a welcome piece of knowledge in the south.

 

[icu1978]

jenny smiled and nodded her head. " i understand cassi...." leaning forward she gave cassi a warm hug and then releasing her she stood and looked to ava. who seemed to still have somthing to say. not waiting to see if the other woman would follow her she turned and walked back to camp. her legs where short but there was no doubt that her stride was angry.

walking into camp she strode up to alex and taking her baby her look was glacial. she turned to head to her tent with out a word to the man but stoped half way and turned back. walking back up to alex who was still sitting silently beside luke. standing before him with her feet parted she glared at him.

" i never thought i would say this.... but you mister alex are an ass..after a slite pause she continued... you had no right to spring that not just on us but on cassi. you should have toalked this through with her... did you even concider her feelings before you blurted it all out like that." she once again started to walk away and turned back.

" im shamed of you alex... your sposed to keep her safe and love her ... but you did not even bother to talk this through with her... she deserved that much...." storming back up to him she handed a startled luke the now crying baby. turning on alex her anger at him evident she balled her tiny hand into a fist and let it fly... being such a small woman when her fist landed on his chest it barely stung at all. but she did not notice his lack of responce. her face was red and her eyes where glaring. " you made that wonderful woman cry.. you should be drawn and quatered for hurting her like that." with that said she turned to a speachless luke and took her baby .

giving one last look at alex and turned and entered her tent pulling the flaps closed behind her. soon the sound of the baby's cry's stoped and where replaced by faint suckling noises. it was obvoise that she was now feeding her son and most definately would not appreciate being disturbed.

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava frowned slightly as Jenny stormed back to the camp. She sighed, turning again to Cassi. "Forgive me my boldness. I do hate to see anyone upset like this. Men sometimes don't understand things, do they? They think that anything can be solved by a bold protestation of manliness." She sighed, standing. She started to go back to the camp, but turned back to Cassi. "Your love with Mr. Franks, Cassi, is as pure as any other. Don't let anything or anyone tell you different. You are as deserving of that love as any woman could be." She smiled softly, bowing her head respectfully, and left.

 

[landiek]

Jenny smiled and nodded her head. " i understand cassi...."

Cassi appreciated the hug but still looked down, it was hard feeling equal to folks that were Lords of your soul existance months before. Cassi in truth was having a hard time adjusting to her new found freedom and after that admission in camp she felt unworthy.

Ava sighed, turning again to Cassi. "Forgive me my boldness. I do hate to see anyone upset like this. Men sometimes don't understand things, do they? They think that anything can be solved by a bold protestation of manliness." She sighed, standing. She started to go back to the camp, but turned back to Cassi. "Your love with Mr. Franks, Cassi, is as pure as any other. Don't let anything or anyone tell you different. You are as deserving of that love as any woman could be."

Cassi heard the words that tenderly echoed in her ears but she still had to deal with her own pride. Her wet clothes was clinging to her form and starting to make her feel chilly but there was that stubbornness that made her stay out of camp for a while longer as she looked to the heavens.

"Weell , I's reckon yore plume mystified at whats I's doin now.. huh."

 

[macmillian]

I just stood there as Jenny ranted and raved at me, she then handed little David to Luke and proceeded to pummel me with her small fists. Shouting and berrating me the entire time. I just stood there and didn't do or say anything, Jenny seemed to give up, picked up David and went to her tent.

Alex...."What did I do? Luke, Tell me, What did I do????". Shaking my head, I thought that I was doing the right thing.

Luke...."Well to tell you the truth, you opened your big mouth and........." I didn't finish what I was saying. I sensed something was not right.

Alex...."well.....Well finish....(Luke interupts)"

Luke...."Shhhhhhhhhhh. Alex Be quiet, listen................"

We are both quiet and listen,

Alex....Quiet and listening........I hear only the snap of the coals in the fire and the slight wind moving through the trees..............But no other night sounds. Just the brook off in the distance where it drops off a few feet into a pool. No birds, no insects. The quiteness is like a roaring freight train.

Alex...."Luke, here" and I hand my pistol over to him. "Stay here and get out of the firelight." I walk carelessly over to the horses and check them out. They all seem to be OK, not nervous of like another animal was close.


away from the fire, my vision was clearer as I searched the surrounding areas. Nothing........Luke had my pistol and my other firearms wer in the wagon. All I had was my Hunting knife. I drew It out and waited.

 

[landiek]

Cassi finally came to terms with her feelings and started back towards camp but she stopped, something was wrong, it was too quiet.

A rush of fear flooded her senses as she ducked down near some bushes and listened for what she was hearing around her..

Please keeps Miz Jenny and lil David safe, whiles yore at it, Lawd. Cassi prayed as she closed her eyes remaining as silent as she can.

 

[macmillian]

Alex.... The group was to spread out, I had to do something. Had to get everyone back near the wagon. I untied my two saddle horses and started walking them across the meadowlike I was taking them down to the water. I first met Ava and told her to find Luke near the wagon. He had my pistol and that she would be alright there till I returned with Cassi.

I continued on and as I was nearing the treeline I heard something moving off to my right. When the captain's horse gave a little nicker I knew he smelled Cassi. She was near. Just inside the deep shadows of the treeline I stopped again. I didn't want to call out so I stood there and waited for Cassi to see it was me and to move over in my direction. She was a smart girl and wise of the ways on the trail. I knew she would come to me without causing any undue noise or comotion.

********************************************************

Luke.... I was standing in the shadow of the wagon so I could watch the horses and the wagon and Jenny's tent. I heard Ava before I saw her and waited untill she was closer and as easy as I could , I stepped from the shadows and moved so she could see me.

When I was sure she saw me, I stepped back into the darker shadows and waited for her to reach me.

Luke..."How's Cassi? I saw Alex walking two horses over in that direction. Did you speak with him?" I asked all this as I moved Ava deeper into the shadows.

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava looked around, instantly alert. She spotted Luke and went over to speak to him. "She'll be all right. It's hard, thats all. She's a strong woman, she knows what to do." She looked around, noting the silence. "Are we due for a storm?" She shivered suddenly, she didn't like the quiet, or the danger that it often implied. She huddled a bit closer to Luke, wishing she had her gun.

"What is going on?" She whispered to Luke, feverishly hoping it was nothing...

 

[macmillian]

Luke with Ava:

Luke...."I don't know what is going on, but this quiet has Alex worried. He gave me his pistol and the rest of the weapons are here in the wagon. The shotgun is in the drivers box and the rifles and other pistols are here in the back. I can get them pretty quick if we need to. But I don't want to start anything till Alex returns.""

Luke could feel the pressure of Ava leaning up against him and he could not resist the urge to slip my arm around her waist. Her sent filled all my senses and for a moment, I forgot where we were.

"You sure smell nice, Miss Ava. It's been a long time since I smelled a woman, no less than to hold her. Ssshhhh. Listen..................."

I hear a horse nicker in the direction Alex had went. Everything was still quiet. Even the wind had stopped. The only sound was the running water and the pounding of my heart in my ears.

 

[icu1978]

noticing the lack of movement outside the tent jenny sliped her shirt back on and buttoning it she picks up david and crawls out of her tent.
there was somethign wrong. she couldn't see alex or luke. and she had not heard cassi or ava return to camp. standing she steps into the fire light and looks for the others. finally she notices that the night was as quite as she had ever heard it. no scurrying in teh woods no birds twittering not even an instect to be heard.

the hair on the back of her neck stands on ends and a chill sweeps up her spine. turning to go back into her tent where she felt it would be safer she see's luke and ava standing very closely togehtor next to the wagon deep in the shadows.they seemed to be talking but it was hard to tell from this distance. cocking an eyebrow at the two of them she continues into her tent thinking that it was just lovers meeting in the night.

talking to herself in a whisper "im losing it david. everyone is probably asleep."
steping into her tent she lays down with her son and covers up under her qwuilt. laying on her side with david tucked close to her she lays with her eyes open unable to stop her mind from wondering. it was so quite tonight. so ......unatural.when david begins to whimper she holds him closer and whispers soft words into his ear. and soon he is sleeping again.

 

[landiek]

Cassi spied that noise coming from her left as she turned her head. Then the nicker of the horse but she couldn't make out the color of the horse so she lowered even more picking up a large stick. She snuck very quietly to the south of this stranger.

She raised the stick a little higher as she crept up behind the horse.. Within inches of the swing radius when the horse swished it's tail not moving but the right flank twitched.

Jus whack him hard.. Cassi girl and run like heck She thought to herself

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava barely registered his comment about her scent. She was too busy listening. Suddenly she relaxed, turning to whisper to Luke. "It's just a horse. But I do suggest we cover our things. We are due for another storm tonight it looks like...." She looked down, finally registering his arm around her waist. She tensed for a second, then relaxed, kind of snuggling against him, still nervous.

"I sure hope nobody is with that horse....."

 

[rvplymates]

There it was...that third smile...'Wow! What a beautiful smile.' Clayton thought.
Julia had blushed as she looked away and Clayton thought that he saw the ghost of a different look in her eyes but -intuition not being his strong point- he said wasn't sure what it was and he didn't show that he had seen it.

When Julia asked if she would travel with her, Clayton replied: 'Yes, of course I would" a little too eagerly perhaps, the excitement to be with this lovely brave woman for even just one moment longer showing in his face...
Composing himself and putting on a slightly upper-class accent that he'd heard in high society parties, bowing to her he quickly added: "I'd be honoured to escort you across country ma'am" as he held out his crooked arm, inviting her to take it as if attending what he would call a "ball-gown event".

"I'm afraid that I don't know where to be going, Julia, I thought that maybe you might have a notion. I'd heard about plenty of folks moving to go West for a new life; I ws curious about it, but I'd never had the chance to find out what all the fuss was about until I met you..." then -blushing- he quickly added: "I mean, until I got free..."
"I don't really know what's out there; perhaps we can obtain a map and enjoy seeing many of the sights of our wondrous country?"
The after-word "....together..?" hung unspoken in the air between them, but he hoped she might say yes...

"I have very little money of my own, young lady...I have some skills as a carpenter, but I fear these talents may be in little demand around these parts" he joked.
"But maybe me and Amy could at least get some food for the pot as we travel to help pay our way?" he asked hopefully...he knew it wasn't much of an offer, but he hoped that she would agree.
Amy awoke at the sound of her name and she yawned, got up and walked around a couple of paces and then snuggled back down on the rock between Clayton and Julia's thighs.
Running a couple of fingers through Amy's soft fur, Clayton realised with a start that he had said "we" to term himself, Amy and Julia...
He'd said it without thinking, but he found that -somehow- the phrase seemed okay to use.

Julia collapsed into laughter as Clayton put on an upper-class accent. She had not laughed like this since she was the bell of the ball. Surrounded by suitors that she really did not want but they were so amusing and laughter had become her life style at that particular time.

Although she loved O'Shien with ever fiber of her being, their relationship had been serious as a heart beat. After all they had to stay constantly on guard to protect the Irish ghost.

Clayton was filling her life with happiness and she was gobbling it up as if it was food and it was. It was food for her soul. Julia reached down to pat the little dog. Her hand inadvertedly grazed Clayton's leg.

"Oh, I am sorry Clayton"

There eyes met and Julia began to speak.

"We don't have to worry about money Clayton. I have plenty on me and before we go west we need to make a little side trip back to my home to uncover the rest of it"

She thought for a bit and smiled at him.

"The trip to my home will take about ten days and from there we will go west"

 

[macmillian]

Alex.... In the woods.

The horse had settled down and they could smell the water. The noise off to my right was gone and nothings was moving. I clucked softly and pulled their leads and started down to the brook.

The water was another twenty paces and I headed off down the slope to the bank. I let the horses drop their heads and drink. I heard a noise behind me and I turned, but saw nothing. I saw the tree that Ava said they were sitting and Cassi was not there.

I could not stay any longer, I took the leads and pulled them away from the water and started up the bank and headed back to camp. Now off to my left I caught the movement of a shadow gliding silently among the trees. My heart took a jump. I had to take a chance. In a whisper i called out.

"Cassi, Cassi.............................It's Alex....................."

I quickly tied off the horses to a tree and took two steps forward. I was out standing on a limb, a very lonely place. My heart was beating wildly as my eyes swept the area. I tried again.

"Cassi, Cassi.................."



"

 

[macmillian]

Ava barely registered his comment about her scent. She was too busy listening. Suddenly she relaxed, turning to whisper to Luke. "It's just a horse. But I do suggest we cover our things. We are due for another storm tonight it looks like...." She looked down, finally registering his arm around her waist. She tensed for a second, then relaxed, kind of snuggling against him, still nervous.

"I sure hope nobody is with that horse....."

Luke with Ava....

"I think that was Alex's horse, The one I rode today. Cassi had be riding that one. That's why he took it over to the brrok. To help flush Cassi out with out upsetting everthing. Come on Alex Get Back Here."

I hadn't realized I was speaking out loud. so I stoped and warched the woods and along the road. I heard what could have been thunder and it was rooling this way. I didn't see any lighting, so maybe we had some time.

"Miss Ava, when we get settled for the night, May I come and talk with you or sit by the fire.??"

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava smiled distractedly. "I do have some writing to catch up on, so I will be sitting at the fire tonight. If you do wish to join me then, I would enjoy it very much." She turned to Luke. "I do believe the lovers have something to hash out between them, so we might want to go back to camp and give them some privacy...."

 

[landiek]

"Cassi, Cassi.............................It's Alex....................."

I quickly tied off the horses to a tree and took two steps forward. I was out standing on a limb, a very lonely place. My heart was beating wildly as my eyes swept the area. I tried again.

"Cassi, Cassi.................."

Then came the noise *TWACK*

Cassi followed her common sense and dropped her stick and ran, smack into Alex, knocking them both to the ground.

 

[andygorn]

Julia collapsed into laughter as Clayton put on an upper-class accent. She had not laughed like this since she was the bell of the ball. Surrounded by suitors that she really did not want but they were so amusing and laughter had become her life style at that particular time.

Although she loved O'Shien with ever fiber of her being, their relationship had been serious as a heart beat. After all they had to stay constantly on guard to protect the Irish ghost.

Clayton was filling her life with happiness and she was gobbling it up as if it was food and it was. It was food for her soul. Julia reached down to pat the little dog. Her hand inadvertedly grazed Clayton's leg.

"Oh, I am sorry Clayton"

There eyes met and Julia began to speak.

"We don't have to worry about money Clayton. I have plenty on me and before we go west we need to make a little side trip back to my home to uncover the rest of it"

She thought for a bit and smiled at him.

"The trip to my home will take about ten days and from there we will go west"

His heart skipped a beat as he heard her laughter...to him, it was a nicer and more welcome sound even than heavy rain after a summer drought.

When she had inadvertantly alighted on his leg and apologised, he was almost overcome by the sensation of her touch and he almost blurted out that she could leave it there as long as she wanted, but he only just managed to keep the words in.

As their eyes met, he realised just how gorgeous her eyes were...beautiful pools of light which should never be dimmed...

As Julia explained her plan, it sounded like a good idea and he resolved to help her in any way he could...not for the fact that she would be paying for most things that they needed...but for the fact that it might let her afford some 'creature comforts' in her life...he didn't assume that her flight from her burning family home had given her much chance to collect many of the things which she needed.

"No problem...me and Amy had thought about roaming around for a while, but I'm sure we could fit you into our 'busy' schedules" he joked.

With a look of deep concern for her in his eyes, he added: "We'll be with you as long as you want us to be, but please don't put yourself out for us if it becomes too painful."

Amy stirred awake and gave small, encouraging licks to Julia's hand.
Trying to keep Julia's thoughts away from what had happended to her family, he said, laughing:"I think you've made another friend there, Julia."

 

[macmillian]

"Cassi, Cassi.............................It's Alex....................."

I quickly tied off the horses to a tree and took two steps forward. I was out standing on a limb, a very lonely place. My heart was beating wildly as my eyes swept the area. I tried again.

"Cassi, Cassi.................."

Then came the noise *TWACK*

Cassi followed her common sense and dropped her stick and ran, smack into Alex, knocking them both to the ground.

I heard the noise behind me and when I turned, I was knocked completely off my feet as I was slammed onto the ground. I felt a body on top of me and I easlly rolled the lighter person over and I was on top with my hand rolled into a tight fist to attack my asailant I drew back my arm and just as I was to throw the first punch..........STOP....STOP, DON'T, SOMETHING INSIDE OF ME WAS SCREAMING AT ME TO STOP....

I pulled my swing at the last moment, I don't know why!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[macmillian]

Ava smiled distractedly. "I do have some writing to catch up on, so I will be sitting at the fire tonight. If you do wish to join me then, I would enjoy it very much." She turned to Luke. "I do believe the lovers have something to hash out between them, so we might want to go back to camp and give them some privacy...."

Luke....

"I would like that verry much. But let's wait just a little longer, I still am uneasy with this silence and Alex or Cassi has yet to return." Then we both heard it, the "TWACK", the neying of horses, the curse and the smashing around in the underbrush. Then all was quiet again.

"What was that? as I tighted my arm that was still around her waist and drew Ava in closer to me. I felt her softness through my arm and took in the aroma of a beautiful woman.

Ohhhhhhhhh, Ava, I'm sorry. I, I, I didn't mean .......... I sorry...........", my voiced dropped away and I couldn't say what I wanted to, or didn't want to for fear of rejection. I withdrew my arm and acted as I was thinking about what was going on out in the bushes........

 

[icu1978]

laying in her tent snuggled under her blankets with the sleeping david jenny could hear that the wind had picked up. the canvas making up her tent was blowing in with each gust of wind. as she lay there with her eyes wide open unable to sleep knowing that another storm was soon apon them.

soon the rain started slow and light at first she could hear the fire hissing as rain landed on the hot embers and wood. before long the rain was falling hard and heavy and the wind was blowing wildly. lighting flash and thunder crashed. the wind came howling through the tent as jenny sat up and pulled the blanket around her. lifting david into her arms she sat and listened the the fury of the storm as it proceeded to worsen.

her mind wondered back to cassi. the last time she had seen her she was by the water. she hoped that cassi was in fact in her tent as she had supposed earlier. laying back down jenny watched the play of shadows on the canvas walls of her tent from teh lightening lighting the night sky.

another crack of lightening sent her under the covers. trying to hide from the frightfull storm. it seemed to grow worse by the second making her wonder at one point if the wind was going to cary her tent away.reaching around she made sure that there was no water leaking into her tent, convinced that for the moment they would remain dry she huddled back under the blankets and waited hoping the storm would let up soon. but she would be in for a long wait for it infact showed no signs of letting up in fact just the oppisite was happening, the storm seemed to be growing in intensity and strength.

jenny lay in her tent and hoped with all her heart that the others where safe in their own tents.

 

[landiek]

Cassi froze when she fell on Alex, but she could clearly see who it was as she quickly pressed her lips over his. She was overjoyed to find him and instantly forgot why she was so upset and hurt.

Sensual arms hugged his shoulders as that feminine exhale followed being safe in her Alex's arms.

"I's sorree Masser Alex." Cassi murmurred in his neck.

 

[macmillian]

"Cassi???????? Cassi is it really you?? MY tears ran down my cheeks and fell on her lovely brown face just as the rain started." She had buried her face in my shoulder and still on top of her pulled her close and held her near. I broke the embrace and rose a little stiff. I helped Cassi to her feet.

"I am sorry Cassi, I really am. I meant you no harm or pain. I thought that I was helping you cope.......as well as me." I huged her as the wind came up really blowing in from the east. "Come on, lets get back to camp."

I untied the horses and a good thing that I had or I would be off chasing them still. I took her hand and walked back to camp.

*********************************************************l

Luke with Ava....

The wind had risen and took my mind off my dilemma with Ava. I saw the figures emerge from the treeline and I saw that it was Alex and Cassi returning. Rain was starting to fall and I turned back to Ava.

"We best be getting you inside out of this weather. Looks as though you are not going to get any writing done this evening." I took her hand and led her through the shadows over to her tent. Alex had done a good job and Ava should stay warm and dry tonight.

"Ava, there is things that I have to say and need to say, but not tonight. There is much to do if this storm gets worse. I'll see you in the morning.
Good night.........(a pause) ........Have pleasant dreams Ava, Good Night!"

 

[landiek]

"Cassi???????? Cassi is it really you??"

"Yes Sir, Masser Alex." She replied as she wiped her face. She wasn't sure if he did it or the sprinkling mist of water coming from the heavens.

"I am sorry Cassi, I really am. I meant you no harm or pain. I thought that I was helping you cope.......as well as me." I hugged her as the wind came up really blowing in from the east. "Come on, lets get back to camp."

Cassi came back silently like a chastised daughter. She even quickly gathered the leftovers and placed them in the wagon so there would be something warm come daybreak.

The loud crackle of thunder gave her heart a start as it reminded her of gunshots being fired at runaways. Yet the booming howl of the wind added to her discomfort. Cassi still wasn't sure where she was to lie her head now that everything was changed but she couldn't stop her heart from wanting Masser Alex as much as her loins did.