One Big Mistake

With the ushering from four of the most probably influential men of the area, Jodi found herself being led away from the main area of the camp, walking once more through the most rundown and desolate dwellings that the common soldiers looked as their own homes.

At first, Jodi was feeling buoyant that ever. Never minding the wet earth that stuck stubbornly to her feet, or the pungent smell of dung and urine that draped over the areas, she walked happily with a spring on her steps, never looking back.
She was joyful for one reason: She had just escaped the clutches of the murderous horseman, straight into the arms of civilized company!

I couldn’t believe it! She sighed, glancing around her as she studied each of the individual’s faces. She had always been meek when it comes to grueling situations, but somehow she had managed to save herself from persecution, maybe by her apparent strangeness or her innocent play.

But wait a minute… Her steps slowed, the feeling of brightness dimming. What the hell am I doing, strutting around like it’s some big victory?! She thought angrily. She had still yet to even make sense of this whole thing!
She shouldn’t be careless, she realized, not until she understands everything that’s going on, and by then work on getting to normalcy, or at least a safe base to use to live a life—if she had indeed gone back in time.

Turning towards the man with make-up all over his face, she nudged him lightly with an elbow.
“’Scuse me, but where are we going?”
She picked him because he seemed the least intimidating of the men, perhaps because his feminine regalia made him look laughable. The man himself stared at her for a moment, taken aback for some reason. Jodi couldn’t figure out why. However, he did humor her as he cocked his head to her own, standing only a couple of inches taller than her.

“We’re escorting you to a grand house not far from here. It’s been a humble home to us, but truly it was owned by one of our sponsors.”

“Oh.” She said, suddenly curious. “But how come you’re taking me there?”
She hoped he wouldn’t hush her. The memory of the horseman made her face burn in anger. Once she finds a way she’ll knock him off his high horse—no pun intended.
However, she was glad that he didn’t.

“It’s a safer place for the likes of you.” He said a bit stiffly, “No woman would stay in a camp full of men, it’s improper. Besides, you must be famished, correct?"

Jodi still felt a little unsettled from her whiskey and chocolate, but the thought of homemade and organic food made her mouth water. She had been living on deli sandwiches and ready-made miso soup for the longest time, sometimes an occasional trip to a random restaurant with friends with what little cash they had gathered. But now…now she’ll be able to get some real food in her gut.
“Yeah!” She said, unthinking. She quickly stopped it with a coughing fit, and said a little more composedly, “Yes, I am famished.”
The man guffawed, hiding his upturned smile with the back of a long-fingered hand. Jodi decided to put the conversation into her own hands.

“We haven’t properly introduced ourselves.” She declared, passing a meaningful look to the other man next to her, “It’s a bit…strange for a…lady to go with strangers, you know how I mean?”

“Now, now, all in due time!” Interrupted the small man. He was still walking in lead, the others making sure to step behind him as he waddled his way through the encampments. Jodi frowned behind him, she at first wondered how far is this house now, but her questions were finally answered when it loomed into view.

To be honest, she had expected much, much more. Her knowledge of the sheer decadence of 18th century nobles, and their love for the extravagant, had her thinking that surely they’ve holed up in something big and fancy, like a lord’s house. But this…looked clearly rundown, even in the shade of night.
The house, although it had three stories, took on a squatting position. Tents still surrounded the place, all in random sizes and materials, and sometimes, as Jodi passed through, with its sides streaked with stains.
‘Blood’ suddenly branded itself into her mind, and it seemed to be true, as coughs and moans followed in the wake of the soldiers, nursing wounds of their friends and their own as they sat hunched in their tents and fires, next to piles of bodies wrapped in rags to protect them from the flies.
“Jesus.” She whispered, shocked by her surroundings. She was powerless to look away as each staring eye roved over her and the nobles, worn expressions blank with a hidden vehemence.
When they drew closer to the house, she noted of a couple of stables that were connected to the house. It was too dark within them to tell if there were horses inside, but there were clearly horses out in the open, tethered to wooden poles by rope or bridle. Jodi’s attention soon shifted on the home. It was tudor-esque. The exteriors of the first story were made of stone, supported by a wooden frame, while two-thirds of the house consisted more of wood and different materials. The uneven roof looked like they were made by layers of stone, probably slate, Jodi wondered, but she wasn’t too sure if they’ve even used that kind of rock back then. Nevertheless, thick clumps of moss disrupted the order the stones had been laid in, and some looked like they were spilling out.
“This is where--” She said, still staring at the old and uncared-for house.
“Yes. This is the place.” Finished the effeminate man.
She followed their pace as they climbed up the stairs to the porch, and stopped to watch as they paused on the front door. The small, fat man took the liberty to hammer his knuckles twice on its wooden exterior. A minute passed until the door finally opened.
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It was opened by the hand of a woman pushing her elderly years, her iron-gray hair swept back with cloth neatly tied around her head. She was short and stout, although her arms were well muscled for a woman her age, strong and firm from constant use. Jodi couldn’t stop staring at the burn marks that marred her forearms.

She was a slave, Jodi realized, noticing the dark color of her skin. The woman quickly stepped aside when she opened the door, looking down to the floor as the men trudged forth, not even giving her a greeting as they headed towards the stairs.

She in turn lagged behind, staring at the woman in a dress besuited for the time, having never seen a person of her position in her life. She flinched when she felt a hand grip her skinny arm; it was neither gentle nor rough, but still surprisingly forceful.
She now wasn’t very sure if she wanted to follow the men.

“Come.” Came the order. It was the man with the glasses, Jodi realized, and she tried to shrug the hand off. It wouldn’t let go.
Sighing, she nodded her consent and dragged her feet towards him. The rubbery sole of her shoe squeaked shrilly on the wooden floor. She winced as she heard them jump at the noise.
“Sorry,” She said quickly, “It’s the shoes!”
The noble was staring at her incredulously, and she shrugged again, this time guiltily. “Um, sh-sh-shouldn’t we get to the others?” She asked, trying to divert the man from his shock back to the mundane.
With shaking hands, the man helped her up the stairs, letting her take the lead as he followed behind her. She didn’t notice as she climbed up the stairs the expression of the woman, standing rigid by the doorway, watching with wide eyes.
The woman continued to stare until the man and girl were out of sight, until finally, rousing from her astonishment, did she run for the nearest room.

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Wandering Thought:
Finally, an update for the story. I'm much more happier on how this turned out, even though it's much less focused on the Hessian. But never fear, dear readers! He'll return very soon! As soon as I get to writing the next chapter.
By the way, I must say that I was thrilled by your review, Grace Lee. It was something really hadn't expected, and words of thanks are just not enough! It really gave me the confidence I needed to getting forward with the story, so thank you so much for your support.