The Ember In The Storm (undergoing editing)

Part II

     With his legs straddling his horse, Jackson read through the address once more in his hand on the little piece of paper.

"561a", he muttered to himself, "This seems like it", he looked ahead at the three American soldiers pacing around the exact house he came for. He stood at least thirty feet behind them, watching them from not too far within the forest.

Two solders were still on their horses, guns in hand as the other stood ahead knocking at the door for perhaps the seventh time.

Jackson moved his horse ahead, grabbing their attention quickly right as he got off, standing to his own feet and still holding onto the reins.

"And what brings you lovely men here this afternoon?" Jackson watched the two men on horseback point their guns at him, just waiting for the signal to shoot.

Just like regular troops, they were dressed in red, just as the one on foot did, he too holding the reins of his horse. He had at least two more badges on his left chest. He was bald and held a rough tight face. The other two had their hats on, making it hard to make the characteristics of their faces.

But still, Jackson recognized their superior officer in a minute.

"General Anderson", he said, lifting his arm and lowering it, making the other two lower their own guns.

Jackson was a little surprised how he was able to recognize him too, considering he wasn't in uniform.

The two men gasped in surprise before getting off their horses, making a salute at him. He waved his hand in the air for them to loosen up.

"I am guessing you are here for my brother, lieutenant Magnus", Jackson knotted the reins around a metal poll, leaving his horse there before throwing four apples on the ground next to it.

"The orders of the General of the army, sir", he bowed his head a little.

"Is it, what for?" He lifted an eyebrow.

"I am afraid I can not discuss that with you, sir", he bowed again, eyes looking ahead but past him. None of them looked him in the eyes, as that was an unspoken rule.

"I am sure whatever it is, it is not too big of a deal for me to know of, lieutenant", he walked towards them, Magnus' eyes still darting past his shoulders.

"With all due respect, sir, I was given direct orders", he moved his eyes towards him, only meeting his for a brief second before looking away.

"Alright, then I order you to tell me exactly why you are here. The General only demanded for you to have my brother, not for you to not tell why you are having him", Jackson looked at all three of them, speaking like a politician he was not.

"The information is military classified".

"Last time I checked, I am part of the military", he furrowed his eyebrows. "In fact, I run a quarter of it".

Magnus bit the inside of his cheek, knowing this nuisance of a man they called a General would not let him do his job unless he cracked.

"Lieutenant, listen", Jackson raised his arms in the air as surrender. "I am not prohibiting you from doing your job, I just simply need you to talk".

Finally, with an exasperated sigh, he gave in. Magnus looked to his soldiers, watching them stand still as rocks as if they were not eavesdropping in their conversation. They too had no idea as to why their superior asked for them to travel at such a distance to have only one man.

However, it was not their job to ask, their jobs were to respond and act.

Magnus took two steps ahead, standing on Jackson's left and muttering low enough to be out of earshot from the rest.