Beyond the Fire

by Dewayne A Jackson

  “Oh, yes, I do!” Bill gripped Larry’s shoulder more tightly. “I just don’t know how to tell her.”

  “Just be honest,” Larry said.

  Bill pulled Larry with him out of the column of marching men. He remembered Thomas’s invitation: “Remember, Bill, Stonewall is always open to you.” Part of Bill wished he could march straight to Stonewall today and miss this confrontation with Ella.

  Bill knew that Ella did not recognize him as they made their way toward her. She continued to watch as men marched past her on their way home.

  “Ella!” Bill called.

  Ella Walton jumped at the sound of her name. It took her a few moments to place the voice, but once she did, she laughed. “Bill Cotton!”

  Bill’s hair had grown long, and a heavy beard covered his once clean-shaven face. Ella would never have recognized him if not for his voice, and she tried to act sociable while still watching for her husband.

  “Ella, this is Larry Chavez,” Bill said, nodding to the man at his shoulder. Larry flashed a grin and nodded.

  “I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr. Chavez.” Ella curtsied politely, and then she threw herself against Bill’s chest, hugging him tightly. Bill wrapped his stump around her shoulders and held her. Finally she looked into his eyes and asked, “Is Bob …?”

  Bill’s eyes had clouded, and his lower lip was quivering as he shook his head.

  Ella’s eyes grew large, and her face grew pale. Her body slumped against Bill, and she began to sob.

  Bill held the trembling woman and remembered the day he had found Bob broken and dying in the road. His own tears spilled into Ella’s hair. They held each other tight, oblivious to the world for a long while. Larry remained still and watched the last of Stafford’s men march out of town.

  Ella finally looked up and wiped her moist cheeks. “Are you sure, Bill?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  Bill only nodded.

  Ella took a deep breath and drew upon a deep inner strength. Wiping the muddy trails on Bill’s cheek, she asked, “Were you with him?”

  Again Bill nodded.

  “I’m glad,” she sighed. “At least he wasn’t alone.”

  Bill struggled to find his voice. “He … really … loved you,” he faltered.

  Her resolve failed, and she fell heavily against Bill, weeping unrestrained tears. There they stood, broken souls amid the rubble of a war-torn city. Finally Ella pulled her emotions together and withdrew from Bill’s embrace. Wiping her face with her hands, she looked at the men before her. “Well, if you two aren’t a sight!” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “I imagine you are exhausted too. It’s a long walk home, but I have a place you can rest, and we’ll get you something to eat after you clean up.”

  Walking proved to be good therapy. Moving their limbs freed their tongues as well. Taking turns, Bill and Larry shared their versions of the battle of Green Meadow. Though their stories varied somewhat, Ella was able to picture the event quite well. Secretly she longed to see the place and to know exactly where Bob was buried.

  They had passed nearly through Capri before Bill found the courage to ask about Mary. “Ella, have you seen Mary anywhere?” he asked during a lull in the conversation.

  Ella stopped short, and her face turned very pale. “Bill, I’m so sorry! I’m afraid I haven’t even thought of her since I returned from Waterfront. I know your cabin was destroyed. I’m so very sorry.”

  “Was it burned?” Bill asked.

  “Mostly,” Ella responded. “There may be a few things you can salvage.”

  “Do you know about Dolly Trumbell’s place?” Bill inquired.

  Ella’s face brightened. “I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t been by there.”

  “Well, let’s go by there now,” Larry said, growing anxious for his friend.

  They turned north and picked their way across the ruined city. Devia’s forces had entered Capri with no intention of leaving. Wood and stone had been torn from buildings to make barricades and shelters. Trees had been felled, and trenches had been dug everywhere. When Devia had finally been driven from Capri, Jabin’s trademark of torch-and-destroy had prevailed.

  Bill felt growing despair as they reached Orchard Creek Avenue. The paving stones had been ripped up to make walls and barricades, and the ancient trees had been felled to block roads and streets. It was hard work just to blaze a trail down the street.

  Looking up, Bill’s heart leaped for joy. There were buildings on Dolly’s block. The butcher shop was still standing, though its windows were boarded shut. Then Bill stopped. Dolly’s building had taken the abuse for all on that block. The stone front of Tinker Trumbell’s store was all that remained.

  Bill forced himself to look through the gaping front door only to see the alley behind the store and the sky above. Nothing remained.

  CHAPTER 60

  Starting Over

  Bill pushed his plate away. He couldn’t eat. “Thank you, Ella,” he said politely. “If you would excuse me, I think I’ll go back into town to see if anyone knows about Mary.”

  Ella and Larry exchanged glances. They had watched Bill rummage through what was left of his cabin before he would consent to follow them here. He had salvaged a charred headboard, which was strange and grotesque, to be sure. They wondered at his excitement when he found it.

  “Bill, don’t you think you should rest?” Ella asked.

  “I don’t think I can rest without knowing about Mary,” he stated. “She could be hurt or needing help.”

  Ella nodded and laid her hand on his shoulder. “I understand.”

  Bill looked into her gentle eyes. If anyone understood his anxiety, it would be Ella. “Thank you for all you have done,” Bill said, taking her hand in his. “You have been so kind.”

  “You will come back?” Ella asked, watching Bill closely.

  “I’m not sure,” Bill said honestly. “I don’t know where my search for Mary will take me.”

  “Why don’t I go with you?” Larry suggested.

  Bill shook his head. “Not this time, friend,” Bill said. “I need to do this alone.”

  Larry and Ella watched Bill lumber his way to the door. His one hope for months had been to return to Mary and his baby, but now that hope was slipping away.

  The door closed, and Ella turned to Larry. “He won’t hurt himself, will he?” she asked.

  “No,” Larry answered thoughtfully. “At least, I don’t think so. But if you are any good at praying, now would be a good time to start.”

  Several days passed, and Bill had not returned to Ella Walton’s home. When Ella voiced her concern, Larry volunteered to find him. Hobbling on a crutch and a leg, Larry headed for Bill’s old cabin. “He’s right where I thought he would be,” Larry grumbled under his breath, “sitting in the ashes of his burned-out cabin.” Larry carefully crossed the stream at the bottom of the hill and struggled toward the cabin.

  “Hey, Bill!” Larry shouted. “Where have you been?”

  Leaning against what was left of his cabin, Bill barely noticed the additional voice. All around him he could hear the clash and clamor of battle. Fresh mounds of earth testified to the devastation that had prevailed in his little valley.

  “Hey, Bill!” Larry called again. “What are you doing?”

  Not even looking up, Bill replied, “She died here! I can feel it in my bones.”

  “Who died here?” Larry asked.

  “Mary.”

  “How do you know?”

  Bill motioned to the fresh mounds of earth. “She was caught in the battle and was buried with the others,” he reasoned.

  “You sound pretty sure of yourself,” Larry said.

  “No one in town knew anything,” Bill responded.

  “And you asked everyone?”

  “Everyone I could. One ma
n named Armonson even showed me the graves of Dolly and my son.”

  Larry shook his head sadly. He knew just how badly Bill had wanted a son. He had talked about Mary and his baby all the way to Capri. But rather than yield to sympathy, Larry continued to pepper Bill with questions. “How do you know Mary is dead?”

  “Where else could she be?” Bill asked. “She never wanted to leave Capri.”

  Larry grabbed his friend’s shoulder. “Look, where would she go after losing her mother and son? Do you think she would stay here? Amity is a big country. Don’t you think she might try somewhere else, like Stonewall, Waterfront, or Sebring? All right, you know about your mother-in-law and your son, and I’m sorry for your loss, Bill, but you don’t know about Mary. As long as there is doubt, there is hope. Now, come with me, and let’s get some food and rest. Miss Ella is worried sick about you.”

  Larry’s words had given Bill hope, but he still wrestled with self-pity. “Why should Ella care what happens to me?” he asked.

  “I don’t know!” Larry said defensively. “I don’t know why she should care about me either. I’m a total stranger, but she does care about me!”

  His words were met with silence, making him even angrier. “Listen, pal,” Larry began. “Miss Ella was hit with some pretty hard news the other day. She dreamed of seeing Bob again, and now she never will, but she isn’t wallowing in self-pity. She’s working hard to make a life for herself and her kid. Now, I don’t know why, but she’s included both of us in her life, and you’re too caught up in your own grief to even give her a hand. Is this how you’re going to thank her, by staying here and starving? A lot of good you’ll do anyone that way!”

  Bill remained silent, but his eyes had lost their apathy. Larry knew he was treading on dangerous ground, but he continued. “Look at you: a big, strong man sitting here doing nothing while Miss Ella works her fingers to the bone. I’m not much good, but at least I try to help her!”

  Bill stirred. “You’re right, Larry,” he said quietly. Looking at the fresh mounds of earth, he whispered, “If only I knew.” Clambering to his feet, he took Larry’s crutch and wrapped his arm around Larry’s shoulder. Together the two men turned their steps toward Ella’s home.

  CHAPTER 61

  Change

  “Hurry up, Mary,” Katherine called. “They’ll be here any minute!” The girls darted between rows of soldiers marching across the courtyard.

  “Where are we going?” Mary panted as they neared the wall.

  “Up there!” Katherine said, pointing to the guard tower directly above them.

  Mary slowed her pace. “Isn’t that for the guards?” she asked, clutching Katherine’s arm.

  “Usually!” Katherine laughed. “Now, don’t be a goose. Let’s go!”

  Mary planted her feet.

  “Look,” Katherine said impatiently, “Master Rhoop gave his permission. Now hurry up or we’ll miss them!” She grabbed Mary’s hand and began to drag her up the stairs. “Philip and I watched the army assemble and march away from here. I know it will be the best place to watch them return.”

  Mary said no more. It was useless trying to dissuade her headstrong friend. Besides, her own curiosity had been roused. She wanted to see John Stafford, and though she knew Bill was dead, there might be someone else she recognized.

  They raced up several flights of steps to emerge upon a small parapet where a lone sentry stood on duty. Below them swept a vast array of banners stretching from Sebring to Waterfront. Barges and rafts had been lashed together across the river, making it look like one continuous city. Thousands of people lined the Greenway.

  Though Master Rhoop had orchestrated a massive celebration for the return of John Stafford and his victorious men, the soldiers’ mothers, fathers, wives, and children needed no encouragement to turn out today. Pressing close together, they all hoped to catch a glimpse of their loved ones marching home.

  Mary thought about the way she and Bill had parted. She was sorry for the anger and resentment she had displayed. She felt her face grow warm with the memory. Here were thousands of people, all watching, waiting, and hoping to see their loved ones return. If only I could do this over, she thought. I would have sent Bill off so differently. I wish I could see him one more time to let him know how sorry I am and how much I love him.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of singing. A dull white cloud billowed on the horizon, marking the arrival of Stafford’s men.

  Mary’s heart leaped into her throat as the first riders came into view. A roar issued from the crowd, and cheers swelled as long columns of men marched into sight. Rose petals were tossed into the breeze and fluttered to the ground.

  “Is that Lord Stafford and his sons?” she asked, grabbing for Katherine’s arm but finding no one there.

  “It is,” a deep voice rumbled.

  Mary jumped. She glanced at the sentry, and her face grew hot. “I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I thought my friend was here.”

  “No, ma’am. She left as soon as you arrived.” The sentry smiled.

  Mary glanced at the door to the staircase.

  “It’s all right, ma’am,” the guard reassured her. “I’ve received orders to let you stay.”

  Mary smiled and nodded her thanks. Katherine had left no stone unturned. She couldn’t help but think how kind the young man seemed. He reminded her of Bill somehow, and that thought made tears spring to her eyes. No! she told herself firmly. I just have to get through today. There will be time for crying later.

  Grateful, she stepped back to the railing. This was a wonderful location. She could see everything from its lofty height, yet she wondered where Katherine had gone.

  The men had been marching quickly, and to Mary’s surprise, the three leading horsemen were already near the tug.

  Glancing down to the ramp leading to the river, Mary suddenly spied Katherine. Of course, she thought to herself. That is exactly where she should be. I hope I would have done the same if I were in her shoes.

  “Company halt!” someone shouted.

  Mary watched as thousands of men, moving as one, came to a halt and stood rigidly at attention. It was a breathtaking sight. The crowd grew quiet.

  Thomas stood in his saddle’s stirrups and began to address the crowd. “It is good you are here today to join us as we thank the Lord of heaven and earth for His deliverance. Many of your loved ones are finally home. Some still serve Lord Hesketh of the Gray Lands, and others have paid for our freedom with their lives and will never return.”

  Men and women began to peer anxiously into the rows of soldiers, hoping to catch a glimpse of their own loved ones.

  “The Lord has seen us through this peril,” Thomas continued. “All things are in His hands: life, death, joy, sorrow, wholeness, and healing. We once again commit ourselves entirely into His care.”

  Thomas turned to his men. “You have served with honor and have fulfilled your obligations. You need to report to the armories tomorrow morning to check in your weapons, but for now, you are dismissed!”

  A reaction started among the soldiers and spread to the surrounding crowd as hats flew into the air and cheers rocketed toward heaven. The war was finally over! Chaos reigned as men sought reunion with their families.

  Three men turned away from the chaos. Silently and without fanfare, they boarded the tug. Slowly, strong ropes pulled the men toward Stonewall’s side of the river. Mary watched Katherine leap over the last bit of water to be caught in Philip’s strong arms. As happy as Mary was for her friend, she could not help wishing Bill had also been on that ferry. Oh how she longed to feel his arms around her again.

  Philip had only been home a few days, and already Mary was decorating the old house for a wedding. Katherine hurried into the chapel and pulled Mary away from the cedar boughs she was twisting around a stone column. “Mary, you have to meet the
family. I know everyone is just dying to meet you.”

  Mary was reluctant to meet these famous people, though at one time in her life she would have jumped at such an opportunity. What should I say? she thought. How should I act?

  “Don’t be a goose!” Katherine exclaimed. She had been pulling Mary the entire way, and both women were showing signs of fatigue before they reached the library.

  “Are they in the library?” Mary asked.

  “Yes, silly!” Katherine responded. “I think every other room in Stonewall is being prepared for our wedding tomorrow.”

  How well Mary knew. The last few days had been wild with preparations. She still did not understand the urgency, but whatever Katherine and Philip wanted was fine with her. However, she did wonder what she would do after they were married. Until now, she’d been able to avoid thinking about that, as both women had thrown themselves into decorating the old gray stone house.

  Many rooms in Stonewall were still filled with refugees and recovering soldiers, but flowers graced the walls and hallways. The chapel was a sight to behold. Candles and greenery adorned every arched window. Vines were wound around the rough wooden benches lining either side of the center aisle. Mary’s fingers were sore from rose thorns and cedar boughs.

  Katherine gave Mary no chance to break away as she threw the library door open and shouted, “Here she is!”

  “Katherine!” someone cried merrily. Mary instantly recognized Philip. He was not much taller than she was, but he was broad and solid. His face was clean-shaven, and blond hair swirled about his ears and neck.

  Off to one side, an aging likeness of Philip rose from his chair. John Stafford’s smile and youthful bow could not belie his failing health.

  Beside John, Mary spotted Master Rhoop. The old man greeted her with a twinkle in his eye, and Mary smiled. She’d grown to love Rhoop as if he were her own father. Together they had planned much of Philip and Katherine’s coming wedding.

  Mary glanced about the room, searching for the now-famous Thomas. So much had been said of him: “He has changed. Looks right through you, he does. He gives me the creeps!” She wondered how one man could evoke such varied sentiment.