The Time Knights (Started!!!)

(OOC: Oh my, I've missed a bit XD You guys post so fast! Tell me if I did anything wrong...)

Jane's head turned in my direction, her face streaked with tears. "Who is it?"

"Jane... It's Ian, can't you see me?" I moved quietly forwards, reaching out to her.

She pressed a hand to her mouth and began to shake with sobs. I put my hand on her shoulder and for once, didn't have anything to say.

"Ian, you know I work in a factory." She started. "But you don't know what it's like in there. It's so dark in there, I can never see. You couldn't imagine it, Ian. Sometimes I wake up, and I can't see! My vision is blurred! And I get so scared...because what if one day it doesn't pass, and I stay half-blind?"

After a minute I opened my mouth to say something, having let myself think it through before the words popped out of me. But Jane's head snapped up and I turned towards the door as we heard yelling and a few crashes from downstairs.

Jane reached for me and grasped my hand and said, "Ian, hurry!"

Her vision seemed to be back as she pulled me down the stairs and into the living room, only to have a gun pointed at us by a red coat. I guess that's what happens when you mess with one of them.

It seemed everyone was staring at Lottie and Mr. Wilder until he gave a curt nod and pressed his lips against hers. Her mouth turned down in a sour frown but he pulled back triumphant. As if he had just broken an animal's spirit.

Once the men trailed away we dragged Oliver over to the dockside a few streets away so Aleya could splash seawater on his face, which woke him up.

Then, Aleya slapped Stephen and backed up a few steps, smirking, waiting for him to take his revenge and looking like she wasn't about to back down.

Lottie muttered something about not pointing fingers at each other and Stephen and Aleya glanced at her for a second, before launching themselves at each other, tussling and wrestling.

Jane squeezed my hand and then realized we were still connected by our hands and dropped mine. I looked at her and was about to ask, "What?" when Lottie called me over and I brought Oliver back to the house.

"So what's gonna happen to him?" I spat out as Lottie hurried into the other room to get a needle and thread.

"I think he's hurt.. Badly." Reported Jane.

I almost snorted and said, "Obviously," but I didn't want to hurt Jane's feelings. So I clamped my mouth shut and just rolled my eyes a bit.

Fern remarked that we were being watched and then there was some talk about telling us all what FT's letter had said. Aleya and Stephen seemed to have separated and so he and I carried Oliver up the stairs and into our room. Lottie came in after a few minutes and sat in the chair in the corner, the rest of us sat on the floor or on the beds, making the situation seem like Lottie was going to tell us a story.

"So, are you going to tell them?" Fern prompted.

Lottie gave a little sigh, then started to explain how we were supposed to participate in the revolution.

Lottie
Fern prompted me to begin, so I sighed and settled into the chair to begin my tale. I hesitated a little before I began. "I have not been completely honest with you. Fern knew, because she caught me last night. And Stephen, I do believe that you read the note from F.T. as well?"

When he nodded, I continued. "When I was eight, my father was killed by a redcoat for starting a drunk riot in the streets. I've hated the redcoats ever since. Meeting Wilder hasn't made them look any better in my eyes, either."

My nose wrinkled at the thought of Thomas, especially at the thought of the kiss he had given me. "But I don't feel that just mindlessly helping the Daughters of Liberty is enough." I walked over to a trunk that was at the foot of the bed where Oliver was propped up. At the bottom, I pulled out my musket and my cartrige sack. I showed them to the others. "Since I was ten, I've been disguising myself as a boy so that I might help the Sons of Liberty. I am a part of the Minute Men, a militia that is ready for war at all times."

Jane looked slightly worried as she said, "Isn't that putting you in even more danger than the men of the militia? Women aren't allowed to fight in the army."

"Does it seem like I particularly care? I'd rather die at the hands of the redcoats than stay here and be of no help to my country!" I sat back down, running my hand along the barrel of my musket. "In the note that F.T. sent, he told us to find Thomas Jefferson, and convince him to continue with this thing called the Declaration of Independence. I know not what this document is, but by the looks on some of your faces, it is important. Perhaps one of you can explain it to me later."

I took a deep breath and told them, "I have a Sons of Liberty meeting tonight. I'll be sure to ask Paul Revere, or maybe I can even ask Ben Franklin if he knows where Mister Jefferson is. I might even be able to find an extra musket or two if somebody would like to have one."

Oliver spoke up, his voice still a little weak from the hit he had taken. "How are you to get out? The redcoats are watching the house. And Wilder is going to be watching you like a hawk."

I shrugged. "I've snuck out before. And the soldiers on duty at night are always drunk, or asleep. It shouldn't be too hard to leave."

Fern was stroking her owl and asked, "So when do ya think we'll be able to leave to find this Jefferson fellow?"

Ian snorted. "Well, we obviously can't leave until Oliver feels up to escaping."

I put the musked away, only after making sure that the inside was clean. "And I know not about any of you, but I need to be out of here before my wedding knight with Thomas Wilder." I shivered a little, just at the thought of marrying that no good redcoat. "Now there is one thing that I do not wish to do."

I thought for a minute, then said, "We can't leave on foot, though. We'd be caught before we even got out of Massachusetts. So this is where things get bad. We're going to need to steal some horses."

Fern

"We're going to need to steal some horses." said Lottie. Hearing this, Fern grinned.
"That shouldn't be a problem, Lottie. Leave it to me and Ariel. I finally know why I received an invitation to join this rumpus."
Lottie looked at her, puzzled. "You can help? How, pray?"
"I grew up as a bounty hunter, so am used to animals and all of their ways. They are only too glad to follow me. Having Ariel is only an added advantage. Meself and Ariel, we'll handle this. Where're the stables?"

Next to her, Vanessa spoke. "Well, that takes care of the first part of our problem. Just in case, I'll accompany Fern, is that okay?" Fern and Lottie both nodded.

"I, on the other hand will sneak out tonight to attend the meeting." Lottie said.
"You'll need a lookout then," said Stephen. "There is no way you will be able to leave without one. Even if they are usually drunk, I feel they will be more active tonight."

"I will do it," Aleya volunteered. The others looked around, surprised. Aleya did not seem like someone who would volunteer at her own will. Yet, she had. Lottie nodded, grateful to them.
"What of the rest of us?" asked Jane. "I think we should start packing our bags, don't you?" replied Ian. Lottie nodded her head again, "Yes. And Oliver, you will need to rest. Remain where you are. We will pack for you."
Oliver groaned. "Why do I feel like a sack of potatoes?"
"You're being as useless as one?" suggested Vanessa.
"Thanks Vanessa," he replied, glaring.

Ian C. Haverty

After our talk about Lottie dressing up as a bloke and walking around, ready to see the elephant at any moment, we decided that Aleya would go with her as a lookout to her meeting with Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, and a few other dudes. Fern and Vanessa went to steal some horses, and the rest of us would be packing our bags and readying ourselves to light a shuck.

Jane, Stephen, and I went upstairs and departed at the girls' room, Jane going in and Stephen and I continuing on to our room.

Stephen and I didn't talk, as our relationship was already shoddy. We just threw Oliver's and our clothes into a few satchels, then left the room and met up with Jane downstairs.

"What're we gonna do now?" I asked, looking around.

"Wait." Said Stephen and he walked out of the house, probably to scout out the area.

I shrugged and muttered, "Curly wolf," and plopped myself down on the floor.

After a moment of silence, I started up a conversation with Oliver and Jane.

"So what were you two doing before you got the letter from the, "I emphasized on the two words while grinning, "dreadfully mysterious F.T.?"

Lottie
I packed a sachel with my dress and plenty of sewing supplies. I dressed myself as a boy so that I wouldn't have to try and ride sidesaddle. Oddly, I couldn't find the gold that I had been saving since I had become an apprentice. As I powdered my hair white, I heard Aleya come in, not speaking to me. She had never been nice to me, even when I had proposed to Wilder to save her life. But you can't win everybody's hear, I guess.

Before fern and Vanessa left, I grabbed Vanessa by the arm and told her, "We're going to double up. I refuse to take more horses than we need. I'm going to start a riot to draw the redcoats attention away from you. Aleya and I will catch up." She nodded and followed Fern out the door. I could hear Fern explaining smoothly to a redcoat that they were headed to a tavern.

Once it was dark, I set off with Aleya, toward the newspaper shop where the meeting was. As I had predicted, the redcoats were either passed out in the alleys or singing drunken songs together. Thomas seemed especially jubliant in his celebrating. Aleya glanced at me as I let out an irritated breath, and she asked, "If you hate him so much, why did you propose? He seems like an ass."

I had to laugh at that, just once. "He is. But I'd rather live in misery my entire life than let others be killed for my own foolishness. Besides, I'm not staying here. I think I'll join the army before I come back." We were at the the shop now, so I said, "Fade. I'll run out in a few minutes. Be prepared to run from a mob with torches."

Lottie
It was not hard at all to start a riot, after I had gotten all the information that I needed. Jefferson was at his plantation in Virginia, a big place called Monticello. After Paul Revere had given me two extra muskets and two cartridge sacks, I stood in front of the Sons of Liberty, and showed them who I really was. I told them about how, to save my friends' lives, I was now engaged to Thomas Wilder. This made them so angry that a whole mob of them lit torches and promised to go have justice be served. I ran out right before them, yelling at Aleya, "Run! Go, towards Fern and the others! They have horses!"

She was much faster than me, even though I was sprinting as fast as I could. I was loaded down with the extra weapons, so I was thankful that the mob was distracting the redcoats. When I finally reached them, all were doubled up except for Fern. I tossed cartridge sacks and muskets at Ian and Stephen, who both caught them, eyeing the muskets doubtfully. As I mounted the black steed in front of Fern, I shouted to them, "I'll teach you to shoot when we stop! Just ride south! We're going to Virginia!" I kicked the horse into a run and left Boston, and Thomas Wilder, in the dust.

Fern

Vanessa and Fern ran into trouble the moment they stepped out of the house.
"Where's you goin' wild lady?" asked a drunk guard. He was swaying, leaning heavily on his musket. "Should I knock him out or should I answer?" she whispered to Vanessa. She gave Fern a look that clearly stated that she was not to use anymore violence. 'Till it was required at least.

"Know any decent tavern? I haven't had a good draught in ages. And I've had a long day." The soldier pointed towards the Tavern down the road and looked back at me. "Only decent tavern for miles around. Best draught in Boston. And what about you?" he asked, looking at Vanessa.
"She's with me.". He let them leave after that.
"That was close." Vanessa sighed.
They found the barn a little down the road. The same place they'd all first met. "John Hancock's barn. Hope the feller doesn't mind us borrowing a few horses." Fern grinned and stepped up to the horses.
She spoke to them quietly, in their own tongue, while Ariel sat on her shoulder and cooed softly.
A few minutes later five proud horses stood side-by-side, heads tossing and noses flaring. She could tell they were eager too leave, and not a moment too soon.
Vanessa, who'd been acting as a lookout called out "Here're the boys and Jane."

The four stopped, panting. They had Fern's knapsack and Vanessa's shoulder bag. Ian and Stephen were carrying Oliver between them. He still looked tired.

"No more horses?" Stephen asked, turning to Fern.
"The rest are too tired. They'll never complete the journey. We'll have to share."
"Well, there's no way Oliver's making it on his own," Jane said.
"I'll go with him," Vanessa offered. The rest of us nodded.
"I'll take Jane, then." said Ian. "Why? I can ride on my own." Jane protested.
He whispered quietly to her "What if your 'problem' kicks in? And I'm the only one who knows."
Jane sighed reluctantly and agreed.

Just then, Aleya and Lottie ran in, tossing two sacks and the muskets to Stephen and Ian. They looked at the guns doubtfully, but loaded them onto the saddlebags anyway.
"I'll teach you to shoot when we stop! Just ride south! We're going to Virginia!" Lottie shouted, as she and Aleya both took a horse, and rode out.
Vanessa and Oliver followed, Oliver in front of Vanessa, clutching the horse's mane and looking slightly green. Ian got onto the brown horse next to Fern, and helped Jane up. She climbed on, and they rode out.

That left Fern, Stephen and the white mare. The noises from the revolutionaries' mob were getting closer. Stephen got on the horse and held out his hand,"Well, what are you waiting for? Get on already. Before they catch us."
She asked swatting his hand away, looking irrtated. Stephen sighed in frustration. "Look, just get on. We'll lose the others and the mob's almost here. We'll switch on the way, okay?" She nodded, and got on. They were going to Virginia.

Ian C. Haverty

Before Jane or Oliver could answer, my question, Stephen popped in and told us to get moving.

Stephen and I picked up Oliver and Jane gathered the meager pile of our belongings and we left the house. When we got to the stable, we paired up to ride the horses, as there was more of us as there were horses.

Jane and I got on to a dark bay horse after I convinced her to ride with me since she had her... Condition with her eyes, from the factory.

Once we got on, I sat in front and steered the horse, while Jane held on to my waist and I nudged the horse into a canter, hoping that I had enough skill to be able to keep us both on and control the horse.

After about 15 minutes, Lottie slowed down and we brought our horses into a walk, before she started prepping us on what we'd do once we got to Virginia.

Lottie
I told them about where we were going as we walked the horses. Monticello was near Richmond, Virginia and it was about a week and a half's trip. After riding for half the day, my horse, a pitch black gelding was covered in sweat and Oliver was starting to look green around the gills, so I turned and told them , "We can stop here, if you please."

Ian gave me a relieved look and helped Jane down from the horse before he tied his horse to a tree. I led mine to water as Fern headed out to go find us dinner and most of the others seemed to dissappear. Somebody had stationed Oliver by a tree, so I tied up my horse and set to work on a fire. As I striked a solid piece of iron on a flint to create the first sparks on some kindling, I said to him, "I, uh, wanted to thank you for what you did. It was very brave of you, especially with that Limey pointing a musket at you."

"I never liked that Wilder. he just rubbed me the wrong way. How'd you get roped in with him anyway?"

I grabbed an embroidery circle and sat next to him as I answered, "I made a mistake with my fan. But I'm very sure that he would have forced me, either way. I'm not exactly the strongest person. I would have married him too. It was expected of me."

He shook his head, "That doesn't seem fair. Shouldn't you marry who you wish to?"

I huffed angrily, setting my lips into a tight line as I embroidered rosebuds around the edges. "Half of Boston has a different idea. It was a scandal when I signed to be an apprentice. An even bigger scandal when I wasn't married and expecting children when I turned fifteen. You should hear the gossip. They say I'll die an old maid. Nobody wants to marry a woman who works."

OOC: It's been while! XD

Fern Thornton
Fern sighed and slipped off the horse as Stephen tied it to a tree. Not sitting in the rider's seat made her feel ill at ease. She stretched, and looked up at the sky to try and locate Ariel, who'd been following them from the skies.
Once she'd spotted her, she headed off into the forest behind where they'd stopped.

"Where are you going?" asked Stephen, from somewhere behind her. He and Aleya had helped Oliver up to his feet, and were helping him walk to the edge of the lake at which they had stopped. She looked back, and threw him an irritated look.
"I'm going to look for food. Someone has to, lest all of us starve."

She crossed the lake at a point where it was slightly shallow, and headed off into the forest, with Ariel following overhead.
"Wait! It may be dangerous...alone." Stephen's warning faded off when he realized she was already gone.

Behind him, Jane had been helped down from her horse by a slightly worried Ian. Her eyes had lost focus twice on their way here. He could tell by the way she would suddenly clutch his shirt at some point, the slowly release it as her sight returned.
"Are you alright?" He asked her. She nodded, and sighed, smiling. "It only happened twice in the course of those many hours. Honestly, that's a relief."