The ceremony continues and Lucy asks to be excused for a moment to stop crying for Savannah. The Southern general says it is ok let her go and tells William to go on. Savannah says wait I need to go check on Lucy I cant get married without her here. The Southern General a bit agitated at this interruption goes to say no but then says Yes go ahead my love we can wait a few more minutes to be married. Savannah goes into the kitchen after Lucy and The Southern General walks over to the table and reaches for a cup of cold tea he begins to sip it as he does he gets in raged.
He tells William that this is not acceptable and this is angering him William says Sir your bride to be will be right back Lucy is her friend and she would feel better having her here and isn’t what your bride wants important? The Southern General thinks for a moment and says Yes your right preacher I just hope she doesn’t keep me waiting to long.
In the kitchen Savannah is comforting Lucy and tells her it will be ok and that they must go back out there. Lucy says I am sorry Miss but this is all wrong and I do not have a good feeling about any of this. Savannah takes Lucy hand and says to her Lucy If I did not trust and believe in William and his father and john we would not be doing this. It will be ok I promise you. Lucy replies I hope so Miss I really do. Savannah smiles and replies it will be so let’s dry our eyes and go back in there and do this thing and get it all over with. The Northern General says Ok lets try again and he privately informs Savannah that the Southern General is becoming a bit unstable to be careful out there. Savannah kisses the Northern General on the cheek and says I will be I have you three to protect me.
Savannah and Lucy go back into the living room. The Southern General looks over at Savannah and says Is everything ok now my dear. Yes Savannah replies. Can we now get this wedding finished? The Southern General says strongly. Savannah walks over to where he and William are standing and nods at William to continue. William goes on to say Marriage is not a light institute to get involved in but here we have two people who have found one another to share there lives with forever. As William continues to be long winded in the ceremony, out side there is some trouble brewing.
The boy now finally has a hand loose. He is waiting until the two Yankees are not paying attention to make his escape. He watches as they go to check out a noise they heard over near a tree only a few feet from where they are. The boy sees this as his chance to run for it. He gets up slowly and moves at a low height hoping he will not be noticed. He begins to make his way up to the house when he stops dead in his tracks and spies other Yankee soldiers all over the place. He thinks to him self this is an ambush. I must get to the General and Savannah fast. He continues his movement towards the house.
The two Yankee soldiers come back to find the boy gone. They hustle over to where other men are sitting in wait and tell them of what has happen. The one soldier says I shall go inform thee other men and we shall find him. The soldier goes off to spread the word of the boy on the loose and to watch for him and take him down if spotted but to do it quietly.
The boy trying not to get caught again can see the front door of the house but knows the instant he gets anywhere in sight they will capture him or worse yet kill him. The boy then sees a side window and decides to take a chance and sneak over towards it. As approaches, the window a Yankee solider spots him and jumps upon him. The two struggle and the boy punches the Yankee soldier knocking him off him the boy hastily stands up and runs to the window to bang on it when he feels someone pull on his leg which drops him to the ground. The Yankee soldier is now on top of him and holds him down. The soldier says to the boy You are not going anywhere boy so just relax you will be released when its all over. The boy angry not wanting to give up decides there is only one chance left he screams real loud General Sir the Yankees are here! As he finishes his sentence, the Yankee soldier punches the boy and knocks him out cold.
Back in the house the Southern General and the head soldier hear something but not sure what. The Southern General instructs the preacher to stop the ceremony. William stops speaking and looks over at Savannah. The Southern General goes over to his head soldier and says did you here what I just heard coming from out side? Yes Sir replies the head soldier. I think you should go out, check on things, and bring the boy in here for safety says The Southern General. Yes Sir replies the head soldier. The head soldier opens the front door, walks out onto the porch, and looks around for the boy. As he does, he realizes something is not right. He shuts the door behind him and walks over to the horses. He looks around and does not see the boy anywhere. From the corner of his eye, he spots a Yankee soldier who does not notice him looking at him. The head soldier quickly turns around and briskly walks back to the house.
The Yankee soldier goes to find the Northern general in the house to tell him what has happen. The Northern General knows there is trouble to start. He informs his man to go out side and tell all the men to stand there ground and wait for a signal from him if he feels they are needed. The soldier replies Yes Sir and retreats out side to relay the Northern Generals orders. The head soldier comes back into the house and say General there are Yankee soldiers upon the grounds. The Southern General says How many and can we defeat them? The head soldier says I think there is to many of them and no I feel we will loose.
The Southern General more upset by this turns to Savannah and says My dear we are surrounded by Yankee soldiers and we will not go down without a fight. Savannah says but General if you are out number wouldn’t be better to give up and live then die? The Southern General bellows My dear this is no time to be a coward preacher take a stand near the window Lucy take Savannah over to the couch. As the Southern general heads to the door with his head soldier, the Northern General gives the signal for them to move in on the Southern General and his head soldier.
As John gets up from behind the couch, the Southern General spots him and grabs for Savannah. The head soldier pulls his pistol from his side and points it at John. The Northern General then comes rushing through the kitchen door pointing his pistol at the Southern General. The Southern General quickly grabs for his pistol from his side and holds it to Savannah’s head. William then draws his pistol and points it at the head soldier. Lucy yells and begs the Southern General not to hurt her mistress. The Southern General yells at Lucy to shut up and stay put!
Chapter 16
Well, well this is a predicament now isn’t it? says the Southern General. Here we have a stand off and who shall be standing in the end? The Southern General states. The Northern General replies If you let the girl go and surrender this can go smoothly. The Southern General replies You interrupt my wedding and ambush me I will not let you have my wife or me bellows the Southern General. Savannah says but I am not your wife yet.
The Southern General shakes Savannah with his hand, holds the gun closer to her, and says Oh yes my dear you have always been my wife we do not need a fake preacher to tell us that. The head soldier knowing the southern general is loosing it again , says Sir maybe it be best if we do surrender that way you can live out your years with your wife in peace? The Southern General looks over at his head soldier and replies If I hear another coward thing from you I shall shoot you my self.
The Southern General then cocks his pistol and says come any closer and I will kill my beautiful wife right here and her blood will be on your hands. The Northern General signals for them not to move and tells the Southern General it does not have to be this way? John then says you all can leave here alive. William speaks up and says General let her go and we can talk this out. The Southern General says no one will have his wife and he will take her with him if needed.
The head soldier says Sir you love her you do not want to hurt her. The Southern General looks at Savannah and says this is not how it was suppose to be, forgive me my dear. I do not see any other way. Savannah nervously looks up at the Southern general and then glances at William. Outside the Yankee soldiers start to move forward towards the house as they do the boy breaks loose from the one soldier
and begins to run for the front door. One soldier spots him and aim his gun to shoot and stop him a loud bang is heard from out side the house.
Everyone stands still for a moment and then everyone cocks there guns and the Southern General says now this ends. We will not be captives we will die fighting. The head soldier says they shot the boy and this needs to end in peace and puts down his gun. John tells him to stand off to the side and do not move. This infuriates the Southern General and he moves into the center of the room now surrounded by all three men. Do not do this General says The Northern General, Let the woman go! You are out numbered and have nowhere to go. The Southern General says there is always a place to go and I will not loose my wife or my honor by giving up.
The Southern General tells the Northern General to move out of the way or he has not a problem with taking this beauty beside to heaven with him. The Northern General hesitates, then moves off to the side of the door with his pistol still pointed at the Southern General, he watches as John moves closer to William standing near the window. The head soldier says Sir this will not end well, don’t you want to live out your years with your beautiful bride in peace? William chimes in and says Yes Sir listen to the soldier he is right If you let her go and put down your weapon you could walk out of here and live out your life with her in peace. The Southern General even more angry points the pistol at the head soldier and says If you don’t be quiet you traitor I will kill you. Who thought my own trusted man and loyal friend would be a coward and a trader. The head soldier replies Sir I am no traitor and I have always been loyal to you but this is going to far. Savannah speaks softly saying My husband my love you know this is all wrong and that this isn’t how we are to start our new life together? Do you want to see me dead at your own hands or theirs? Would you not want to see us in our own home raising our kids?
Would it not be best to let me go and stand down my love? The men here this and know what Savannah is up to she is trying to play on the Generals state of mind and use it to benefit everyone in the room. The Southern General thinks about what he hears from his loves lips then he replies My love It is all I ever wanted since the day I set eyes on you. I will not give you up, and I will not be captured. Savannah replies My love you will not be captured I can ensure that these men let you and I go and we can live our life as you had planned.
The Southern General says How can you secure that? Savannah says Who is in charge here? The Northern General says I am Miss. Sir if my beloved lets me go and puts down his pistol will you allow him and I to go free without harm? The Northern General says But Miss….then says Yes I can do that but he must disarm. Savannah breathing a bit heavier now says See my love they are willing to comply.
The Southern General says First the preacher must disarm! Do it now or I will kill her!! The Northern General looks at William and shakes his head as yes do as he wishes. William slowly lowers his pistol and drops it onto the floor. Now you General says the Northern General Let the girl go. The Southern General softly kisses Savannah’s forehead and tells her he loves her and that he trusts her. He slowly lowers his arm around her and lets her go. Savannah rushes to William and says I am ok William looks into her eyes to makes sure As he does The Southern General almost weeps and says On this day I have been greatly betrayed. My head soldier and now my wife have betrayed me.
They all look over at the Southern General and are shocked The Northern General says to him What do you mean Sir? You just have done the noblest thing. The Southern General replies I let go of my wife so she could run into the arms of the preacher. William says No Sir you have it wrong I was making sure she is ok. The Southern General replies loudly DO NOT LIE PREACHER!! I seen how you just touched her and looked at her. It does not take a blind man to see how you feel for her or her for you. It is there on both your faces. Savannah says no no my love you are the man I love and want to be with.
The Southern General hurt confused and angry waves his pistol in the air as he rants I was a fool to think my wife could be faithful to me or love me the way I have loved her. I will not be fooled again I shall take you with me my love. No other shall ever touch you again just as the Southern General spoke his last word William throws Savannah to the side on the floor and all you hear is Bang! Bang! Bang! Three shots fired two bodies slowly tumble to the floor.
The Southern General’s body slowly falls to the floor making a thump sound and his hand shakes as he covers the wound to his chest. Everyone looks around to see who else was shot and they look down to see William on the floor out cold. Savannah slides over to him and picks up his head to her lap and yells NO NO!!!! Please William please stay with me. I need you I love you Please don’t die. The Northern General goes over to where William is, leans down to look at him, and says I am so sorry son. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt The Northern General looks over at John and John comes forward to talk to William Come on William john says We were meant to go home and have kids and laugh till we old men . Don’t die now! Fight William!
Lucy is in shock and faints John gets up and rushes over to her He holds her in his arms and says Lucy, Lucy are you ok my dear? Lucy slowly opens her eyes and says Yes John but is it true The Southern General is dead and this is all over? John says yes Lucy he is dead it is all over. Lucy sits up and sees William’s body on the floor and Savannah holding his head in her lap pleading with him not to die. Lucy says Oh no poor Miss she needs me right now and tries to stand but is a bit shaky John catches her and say No she needs to be there where she is right now with William and his father until the end. Lucy hugs John and cries into his chest.
The head soldier goes over to where the Southern General is laying on the floor and holds his hand in his. He says Sir It was a great honor knowing you and being your loyal friend I just wish you had trusted me on this one thing. The Southern General says with his last dyeing breath You were the best soldier and friend a general could ever have hope for live well my friend and then the Southern general closes his eyes and passes away. The head soldier leans down and sobs for the loss of his great general and friend while holding his hand in his he takes his hat and places back upon his head to give him the dignity he has always admired him for. The head soldier upset by this, see the pistol on the floor and picks it up. He then points it at the Northern General and says I should kill you for killing him! The Northern General turns and says Now listen son I can understand your grief and pain right now but there has been enough blood shed here for today. Why don’t you put the pistol down and have it end here, as it was suppose too? The head soldier thinks for a moment and wipes his eyes and says You are right Sir and drops the gun and sits on the floor next to the southern generals body weeping into his hands.
The Northern General takes Savannah by her shoulders, lifts her up to her feet, and tells Lucy to take her to the kitchen. Lucy walks over and holds onto Savannah and says come now miss everything will be ok. Savannah weeping into her hands goes with Lucy into the kitchen. Lucy sits Savannah onto a chair and tells her she make her a cup of tea. Savannah crying says I should of never done this! I should of just stop it! Lucy says Miss how you think you going to stop this. Tis what they wanted to do.
The out come is awful but it was gods will. Savannah sobs and does not speak. Lucy pours the hot water into the white teacup and adds some herbs to it. Lucy mixes the cup and brings it to Savannah. Here Miss drink this, it will help. Savannah not wanting it looks away from the cup and back at the door to the living room. Lucy says Miss whatever is going on in there is there for now you need to have some tea and try to calm down. We will know soon enough what is going on. Savannah then wipes her tears from her eyes and slowly picks up the tea cup to her lips and sips.
In the living room, The Northern General calls for the doctor. William and the Southern General are still breathing. John! Exclaims the northern General go fetch the doctor now. The Head Soldier is holding the Southern General in his arms and telling him he will be ok. The Northern General is telling William to hang in there s
on the doctor is on his way. John rushes outside and yells for the doctor to come. A man says The doctor just went down the lane. John says then go fetch him right away. The man heads off swiftly down the lane and catches up with the doctor. He says to the doctor Sir you are needed back at the plantation. The doctor says nothing and turns and goes with the man back to the plantation quickly.
The doctor meet John at the door and John asks Will you come in and see what you can do for two wounded soldiers Sir? The doctor replies yes show them too me. John opens the door to the house and says they are inside. The doctor walks into the house and to his left sees one man in the head soldiers lap and to his right William on the floor with the northern general holding his hand. The doctors says Which one is more critical?
The Northern General says it is hard to tell with all this blood. The doctor says then we must first clean the wounds a bit so I can assess them. John yells into Lucy, Lucy get some hot water and towels quickly please and bring them in here! Lucy tells Savannah she needs to do this and for her to sip her tea and she will return to her shortly. Savannah pleads with her to let her help and Lucy says Miss this is not for you to do, you sit and I will come right back.
Lucy picks up the stern of water in one hand and the towels in thee other and heads into the living room where the doctor and rest are. Lucy says Here you go what you asked for. The doctor and John say thank you kindly. They begin to slowly pour hot water onto the towels and clean each mans wounds. The Northern General walks over to Lucy and asks How is Savannah doing Lucy? Lucy replies She is having tea and starting to become a bit calmer Sir. The Northern General says You must keep her out of here Lucy for now till we know what is what but no need to give her false hope either understand? Lucy replies Yes Sir I understand. The Northern General says Thank you Lucy.
Forbidden Plantation Passions Ebook, Parts 1, 2, and 3 Page 16
