Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter B
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights
Special thanks to my Sis, Rose Wade who keeps me in the right tense :D
Before Battle
1864
Ben rinsed his tin plate with the last sip of his coffee. The ragged tent did little to keep out the winter winds. He longed for another hot cup of brew but his ration was low and the troop’s supplies had not yet made it through the fighting. What he had left would better serve him in the morning.
Ben rinsed his tin plate with the last sip of his coffee. The ragged tent did little to keep out the winter winds. He longed for another hot cup of brew but his ration was low and the troop’s supplies had not yet made it through the fighting. What he had left would better serve him in the morning.
His breath fogged the air in front of him as he searched his
pack for his last sheet of precious paper. He carefully set out his ink and pen
before lighting the nub of a candle he had left. In one hand, he held the pen, in the other his
most prize possession a photograph of his wife and young son. He gazed at the
images for a moment before he began to write.
He sighed softly as his thumb caressed the frame of the
photo. That spot worn smooth by the times he’d sat and looked at them, and reminisced
of home. It was where he longed to be, teaching his son to keep his heels down
as he rode his pony. If he survived tomorrow, he will be another day closer to
home.
It was going to be a long hard battle. He glanced back at
the noise of his men playing poker for matchsticks. Money had become more
precious that it was that night years ago. He was young, full of whiskey and
spit when he almost lost all he had to a gambler. He’d been saved by pure luck
that night.
Since joining the war near the middle of 61’ , he’d become more adept at the game.
There wasn’t much energy left the end of the day for more than a few hands of
cards. It was a kind of escape for Ben, a moment of normality amongst hours of
bloodshed or tedious march.
Ben had joined some of his men after supper, earlier that
night. He had been quite fortunate, his stack of matches had doubled from the
night before. Just as he was about to offer a friendly jib about his card sharp
skills, he looked down. Lady luck had seen fit to remind him of that night long
ago.
He felt his gut knot as his eyes gazed upon a king, two aces
and two eights. Dead man’s hand for the second time in a decade, omens were
fickle. They would appear, but then wouldn’t tell you what they meant or who
for.
He sighed deeply and closed the cards to hide the dark ones
behind the smiling king. “I fold, gentlemen. I owe my wife a long overdue
letter.”
Ben tossed the cards into the center of the table and
quickly moved into his tent. Where he now sat at the small table with the photo
in hand as he wrote. His eyes fell to the still discarded omen as it lay next
to his pile of matches.
He admitted those cards unnerved him. With the morning
looming closer, it felt as though a bill was about to be called due. Before
battle, perhaps he should see the good Reverend for one of those blessings he
was so fond of dispensing.
Great job, Elise. And what a nice hubby Ben is to give up cards in favour of a letter to his better half! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z!
I like!!! And WOW to the theme! I wish I were that brave (or creative)!!!
ReplyDeleteT.x
I love the line about omens - nice job!
ReplyDeleteGreat A-Z post!
Great theme and about the omens great....
ReplyDeletedo check my D at GAC a-z