Adelicia

The crisp wind prickled August's face as his mare galloped quickly around the trail of trees. Veiled under the twinkling night sky, he hastened hoping the resonating moon would not give away hints of his swift-moving shadow. The eyes of catchers where everywhere; sent to spy the underground paths.

Blood stained grass gave off its stench having already been soaked from bodies slain in battle. As strong as ammonia he gagged at one whiff. Not hesitating on his mission, it could not be thwarted or discovered, he whipped to move faster.

"Ya!" He commanded as he snapped the reigns. A shot rang out from amongst the forest. Blasting past August, the boom knocking him down mid stride. A small black leather journal falling to the ground with him.

"Whatcha doin' in these here parts?!" A tall grizzly figure revealed itself from the night path. His silhouette drew closer as August struggled to his feet, clenching his teeth and banging his head to rid the sound still exploding in his ears.

The gun loaded and it's cock loudly clicked. The man stood ready to blow August into eternity.

"Just running the night rounds for General Anderson," August informing as he snatched the journal up from the ground.

"Give it here," the tall man ordered.

Without giving any cause for caution, August moved slowly toward the man handing him the small book.

"Which General Anderson you running for? Cause there's a whole lot of General Anderson's around here!"

"Joseph," August replied quietly hiding the lie of his words.

Holding his gun steady, the giant man began to unbind the leather strap. In the moment of distraction August unsheathed his sword girded on his left hip. The motion continuous and so fast the grizzly man's head was instantly detached from his body. Another patch of brown grass now dripping red. August retrieved the journal still clinched in his hand.

Stabbing his sword in the ground to clean his blade, August glanced one more time at the man, his body lay dismantled. Mounting his horse, August made way to his destination.

After hours on his ride, the night sky began to fade. Fog started rising from the ground and he soon arrived.

Staying guarded, he tied the steed in the woods. Remaining stealth moved rapidly to the back of the rural gothic church. Three raps on the door. A small crack. Familiar eyes meet with a nod. The door opened to let August inside.

"News from Mississippi sir." August presenting the small leather journal to the blue-eyed minister who's youth still radiated on him.

"How was your journey August?" Wolfred observed as he began opening the journal.

"I had a surprise guest, must've been a catcher. I couldn't risk a follow."

"I can smell the blood from here. Let's hope the vultures clean it up."

A beige envelop slipped from between the pages of the journal. Reaching down to pick it up off the wood floor, Wolfred peered the scribed words.

"I have found religion." ~ Adelicia

Grabbing a metal letter opener, Wolfred sliced the envelope. Inside four five thousand dollar bills.

"Adelicia?" Wolfred turned confused to August.

"Adelicia Hayes. Franklin's wife."

Flipping through the journal, the rest of the pages remained blank.

"What is this? Is she seeking restitution? No amount of money can undo the damage they've already done!" Wolfred becoming angry as he's processes the irony of the situation.

"No restitution Wolfred, just choosing now to do what's right."

"We can't accept this August," Wolfred sneered.

"It's for the cause, who cares where it came from. We need to give them the money. It's an answer to prayer. We can help the families."

"An answer to prayer? The buying, the selling, the raping and ripping away of those people from their families, while Issac Franklin prospered, is what you define as God's answering?"

"He's dead, but she's here. Let us use this ram."

"We will not! This blood money must be burned!"

August grabbed his sword.

"Hand me the bills Wolfred or I'll remove your head from your shoulders like I did that man in the woods. He never saw it coming and you won't either."

Wolfred reluctantly handed the envelop to August.

"Nothing is greater than the cause Wolfred, not even your pride," August said while returning his sword to his sheath.

"Go then and exchange the large bills to smaller ones with Simmons at the bank. Then make your way to our station-house in New York and give the money to Lester. He'll distribute to the families, but don't tell anyone where it came from. She doesn't need a legacy and Franklin sure as hell doesn't deserve one." Wolfred instructed.

August fleeted not turning to say goodbye. His purpose insight, stopping at nothing to see it fulfilled.