Demons at War

by P A Minyard

  “Father sent me along with Robert…” He stopped himself. He didn’t want to tell Duff about Joshua.

  “Does Robert know you’re here?” Duff had a stern look on his face.

  “No, I snuck away… but that’s not the point!” Jonathan raised his voice to the surprise of both of them.

  Duff smiled. He’d seen this sort of fire in Daniel.

  “Calm down,” Duff said, putting his hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “I’ll come upon a solution to all of this, but first we have to get you back to town and find Robert. He’s probably worried sick about you.”

  14

  A BROTHER’S LOVE

  It was April 1863. Major General Joseph Hooker commanded the Army of the Potomac which converged on Chancellorsville. Further south, Grant moved his army to Vicksburg; a second campaign that would lay siege to the city for months.

  The war was ramping up and Bernard could only watch from a distance as Benedict continued his hunt for Donovan, unleashing his fury upon man and demon alike. He winced every time he felt the gate open and close. He stayed on the outskirts of the Union camp where Benedict was holed up amongst the unsuspecting soldiers.

  Then, one day, Donovan appeared, walking out of the shadows. He had taken the form of a young man of medium build with thick, brown hair and a mustache to match. His clothing was neat and pressed — the marks of an impeccable gentleman.

  “You promised me this would not happen,” Donovan said.

  “I had no business making that agreement,” Bernard replied.

  “You had no business doing the Father’s will?”

  “Do not patronize me, Donovan!” Bernard growled. “It is not for me to decide what the Father wants.”

  “That’s not what you said at the time,” Donovan replied.

  Donovan’s snide comment inflamed Bernard, and he turned to face him.

  “Were it not for that agreement, I’d end you right now,” Bernard said, grabbing Donovan and pulling him in tight.

  “What agreement?” Donovan scoffed. “Benedict still roams the earth, even more powerful now than before. You were supposed to end his existence that night.”

  “Have I not spent every waking moment since then moving against him?” Bernard said, clenching his teeth. “And how many lives have been lost in the process? How many Beloved have I sacrificed for this agreement?”

  “You sound as though you’re blaming me for their misfortune.” Donovan was flippant.

  Bernard closed his eyes tight, let go of Donovan, and exhaled a huge sigh.

  “Why are you here?” Bernard asked.

  “What are you going to do about Benedict?” Donovan replied, and brushed down his coat, as if wiping the angel’s stench from his being.

  “Clearly, it is out of my hands,” Bernard replied, back in control once again.

  “You made me a promise.”

  “Have you not learned that my promises hold no weight?”

  “You are a guardian,” Donovan said.

  “A guardian holds no power against a Beloved,” Bernard answered. “We protect, we guide; that is our place.”

  “You seem to fall short on many levels,” Donovan said, cutting right to the quick.

  “Why are you tormenting me?” Bernard replied, his voice rising. He was beginning to lose his temper once more.

  “That... is my place.” Then the demon faded into the shadows with a wicked look upon his face.

  Bernard stood there shaking his head. Donovan must have been terrified to risk such an encounter so close to Benedict, and rightfully so. Benedict was brutalizing and torturing demons just as he’d done with Donovan’s lover, Noel, and had no intention of stopping until Donovan was in his grasp.

  “Well, it looks like Jonathan is right,” Duff said. “Daniel and his men left out of Harrisburg bound for Virginia.” Duff sat with Robert and Jonathan in their hotel room. It was the morning after Jonathan had slipped away from Robert, and Duff had promised to meet them in an attempt to alleviate Jonathan’s dilemma.

  “So, when are we going?” Jonathan asked. His eyes were filled with excitement.

  “The only place you’ll be going is back to your home,” Duff replied. “I’ll get a message to Daniel about your concerns.”

  “No!” Jonathan said, and slammed his fist on the table. “That’s not good enough. Don’t you see? I have to speak to him.”

  “I often thought you were an orphan the Parker family took in,” Duff said. “Now I can’t decide if you’re more like your brother or your sister.” “We’re wasting time,” Jonathan said, brushing past the levity. “You can either take me there safely under your watchful eye, or I shall go alone. I’ve already proven that I can get past Robert.”

  “Slow down,” Duff said sternly. “What’s the meaning of this?”

  “I think you should tell him the truth, Jonathan,” Robert interjected. He had been watching the volleys, waiting for the right moment to jump in with the white flag.

  Jonathan crossed his arms and looked away from the other two.

  “Well, someone needs to speak up,” Duff said, now aggravated, “or I’ll send you both back to Pennsylvania with an armed escort.”

  “His friend Joshua was killed in a hunting accident four weeks ago,” Robert explained, “and then Joshua’s little brother Benjamin ran away.”

  “Benjamin? Is that the boy you were defending the day I brought Daniel home?”

  Jonathan nodded but still refused to look back at anyone.

  “You’re worried that Daniel is next,” Duff said knowingly, “that you’ll lose him as well.”

  Jonathan finally looked up and locked his eyes on Duff.

  Duff stared back at Jonathan. Something in the boy’s face tugged at his heart. He’d seen such passion in Daniel. The fire that had originally brought them to fisticuffs and then bonded them in friendship now raged within Jonathan.

  “There is a regiment bound for Virginia leaving here in two days. A small group of press corps along with the Governor’s nephew will accompany them. Apparently, he fancies himself as a war correspondent,” Duff said. He couldn’t believe he was telling them this. “The Governor has been most supportive of our needs, and we’re taking his nephew and a photographer along as a favor. I will allow Jonathan to join them, but there will be rules that must be obeyed.”

  Jonathan’s face lit up with gratitude.

  “Now, don’t go getting excited just yet,” Duff warned when he saw the look on the boy’s face. “You will stay with the soldiers at all times; no running off. And you will only be allowed at the base camp under escort. You’ll have two days before they bring you back. I can’t promise that you’ll find Daniel, but I promise you’ll be safe.”

  “Thanks, Duff!” Jonathan exclaimed.

  “Don’t thank me yet,” Duff warned again. “I’ll have to pull a few strings to make this happen, and I’ll be sending a wire to your family letting them know of your delay. If something happens to you, your parents will never forgive me.”

  “He’s sticking his neck out for you,” Robert said, reaching over and patting Jonathan on the back. “You get that, right?”

  Jonathan nodded.

  “Don’t get your hopes up,” Duff said. “As passionate as you are about bringing Daniel back, know that he is equally passionate about doing his duty. And the army is unlikely to allow him to resign his position. Skilled officers are a valuable commodity right now.”

  “He’ll listen to me,” Jonathan broke in, “and he’ll come back. I just know it.” He seemed more and more committed with each passing moment.

  “Are you sure you really want to do this?” Duff asked, still concerned for Jonathan’s well-being. “It is one thing to play soldier in the woods behind your house, but it is another thing to be actually witnessing the horrors this war thrusts upon those boys. I can assure you that you are not prepared for what you might see.”

  “Daniel would do it for me,” Jonathan answered with conviction.

>   “Yes, I suppose he would,” Duff agreed.

  The task of finding Donovan was far more difficult than Benedict had anticipated. The demons were most protective of their kind, and found Benedict’s possession of a Beloved more a betrayal than a triumph. He was too eager to take the power of other demons, causing a rift among those who might have shown loyalty.

  Benedict crossed the gate and came upon a group of Union soldiers fresh from battle. They were removing the wounded and lining up the dead. He paused as he recognized several of them.

  “Daniel, I wish you to see something. It’s time for you to be a part of this. Come forward, dear boy, and I will allow you to watch.” And Benedict waited until he could feel Daniel’s consciousness awaken. Benedict kept him at a safe distance. He wasn’t about to relinquish control.

  “Were those not the boys you saved earlier?” he asked, and stared down at a young man with blond hair. His body was ripped to pieces by mortar fire. “Never have I seen such cruelty,” he continued. “You healed their wounds so they could suffer a more brutal ending.” Benedict could feel Daniel’s remorse as the guilt sank in. It renewed Benedict’s motivation to inflict such hurt upon Donovan. “You see, Daniel, this is the Father’s true brilliance. There is nothing as beautiful as the creation that destruction brings; how blessed to be a part of that.”

  Benedict moved past the dead, walking among the battle-weary soldiers. The heaviness in his chest made him pause at a Union captain overseeing the men.

  “How could you let this happen?” Benedict berated the captain.

  “The men fought bravely, Major,” the demon responded, playing along, unaware of the peril he was in.

  “Yet so few are dead,” Benedict answered. He pulled the captain away from prying eyes.

  Those who saw the interaction assumed he was about to get a firm tongue-lashing from a superior officer.

  “You really don’t want the kind of trouble I can bring you,” the demon rebuffed.

  “And what type of trouble would that be?” Benedict asked.

  The demon’s eyes flashed black as night, yet Benedict stood before him unimpressed.

  “It’s just so predictable,” Benedict sighed. “You threaten me. I take your power. Daniel, how do you stand the tedium?”

  The demon felt the sharp tinge of realization, and his mouth became dry. “I don’t know anything about Donovan, I swear.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” Benedict replied with a yawn. “I am well aware of your ignorance.” He grabbed the demon’s face, and slowly crushed the bones of his skull. “But your power is something that I can never get enough of.”

  The scar opened and Benedict’s fingers closed into a fist as the demon disappeared from his grasp. The rush of power coursed through him. It rivaled the pleasure he felt from inflicting pain.

  Duff followed through and made all the arrangements allowing Jonathan to accompany the soldiers. He was a ‘gift’ to the photographer and would be helping him carry his equipment. It wasn’t completely unusual for civilians to intermingle with the soldiers in the camps, but once on campaigns, the military tightened down. Duff was sure this policy would keep Jonathan away from any of the action.

  Jonathan was grateful to be on this journey. It all seemed like a dream. So many unbelievable things had happened recently that his head was spinning. This was his chance to say the things to Daniel that he hadn’t said the day he left; the things he couldn’t say that day. But he worried that Daniel would already be deployed by the time they arrived. That thought kept him quiet and pensive, and that didn’t go unnoticed by his traveling companion.

  “I hear your brother’s a hero,” the photographer said as he handed Jonathan some bread with a piece of ham.

  They were camped for the night, and Jonathan was sitting next to the fire, trying to stay warm. The air was quite cold.

  “He was wounded while defending one of his soldiers,” Jonathan replied. He took a bite of his dinner and began to understand just how good a cook his mother was.

  “He was at Antietam, wasn’t he?” the photographer continued. “Nasty battle that one.”

  “He didn’t really talk about it,” Jonathan said.

  “Can’t say I blame him,” the photographer continued. He didn’t notice that Jonathan wasn’t interested in sharing his family’s stories. “You must be brave yourself, heading out to find him and all. Have you ever seen a skirmish?”

  “No.”

  “Nor have I. I take mostly portraits of the soldiers for their families. Would you like to see some?”

  Jonathan nodded in the affirmative, his mouth dry from the bread. The photographer pulled out a number of photos from a leather satchel he carried slung around his neck. He showed them one by one to Jonathan. Most of the soldiers posed with their guns in hand. Others stood tall in their neatly-pressed uniforms as if it were the first time they had tried them on. None of them smiled. They were just like the engraving of Daniel in the newspaper and the soldiers he accompanied; not one smile, only a look of determination and destiny.

  “When we find your brother, I’ll take a photograph of the two of you together. How’s that sound? It’ll be my gift to you for helping carry my equipment.”

  “Thank you,” Jonathan said, his eyes lighting up, “I’d really like that.” His mood softened. “I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?”

  “Everyone just calls me Buck.”

  “Buck?”

  “Well, it sounds better than Francis, right?” he laughed. Jonathan wanted to laugh as well but thought it impolite because Buck really did look like his given name. He was gangly, wore glasses and his clothes were too big. It looked as though he was expecting to fill them out one day.

  “I knew I could get a smile out of you,” Buck said as he nudged Jonathan with his elbow. “Your parents don’t know you’re here, do they?”

  Jonathan tried to keep his poise as his heart skipped a beat, but the look on his face gave him away. Like the time he got caught tearing into one of mother’s apple pies before it had cooled, the evidence was hard to hide.

  Buck kept talking as if he didn’t notice. “You must have been persuasive to talk a captain into letting you come along. That’s impressive. Ever think of going into politics when you grow up?”

  Jonathan just let him talk. It seemed like Buck never gave anyone a chance to interrupt, and that was just fine. The rest of the 18-day journey continued on in this fashion. Buck rambled on about a myriad of topics, and Jonathan politely listened, rarely interjecting. Beth had taught him well. She always knew what was in his heart. He thought about her as he watched the countryside go by and wondered what she thought of his adventure. He’d probably never see the likes of it again once he got back home. His parents would definitely lock him away for this sort of stunt. But this wasn’t about acting out, and he hoped Duff had explained that to them. In fact, he wasn’t even sure what Duff had told them in the wire he sent. Maybe they didn’t have a clue.

  “You still with me?” Buck asked, tapping Jonathan on the shoulder.

  “Tell me again about the horse and the goat,” Jonathan said, getting him started again.

  “That’s one of my favorites too.”

  15

  CAUGHT UNAWARE

  When they reached Virginia, the base camp appeared empty. Jonathan’s heart sank, and he feared that Daniel was no longer there and his journey was a bust. Most of the troops had been moved out and were marching into position. Jonathan and Buck accompanied the Governor’s nephew as he interviewed several different soldiers who were tightlipped about the men who had left for battle. On Day 2, Jonathan’s mood became somber, though he dutifully carried Buck’s equipment as they went about their business capturing images of the soldiers’ lives.

  “Where are you from?” Buck asked a young soldier, placing his hands on his shoulders and turning him toward the camera.

  Jonathan peered through the lens, verifying the angle.

  “New York, si
r,” the soldier replied.

  Buck stepped over to the camera and took a look, “Good job, Jonathan; that’s exactly what I wanted.” Jonathan perked up at the compliment.

  “All right, son,” Buck said to the soldier, “just hold still for me.”

  The soldier obliged and Jonathan stared back at him as he held the pose. Jonathan assumed this soldier had seen some of the fighting. He was underweight and his skin was tanned from days in the sun.

  Once the exposure was over, Jonathan spoke up. “How long since you’ve seen your family?”

  “It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen my wife and daughter. They wouldn’t let us leave during the holidays. Guess they were worried we wouldn’t come back.”

  “If you give me their address, I’ll be sure they get this picture,” Buck said.

  “That’s very kind of you, thank you.” The soldier’s face lifted.

  “Say, you wouldn’t happen to know if there’s a Major Parker in this camp?” Buck said slyly.

  Jonathan’s heart skipped a beat.

  “We’re not supposed to talk about the officers or how many men we’ve got here.”

  “Please, sir, he’s my brother,” Jonathan blurted out.

  Buck didn’t protest. The soldier stared down at his shoes momentarily.

  “There is a Major Parker here. He fought at Antietam. Would that be your brother?”

  Jonathan grinned from ear to ear. He couldn’t find the words.

  “Can you take us to him?” Buck asked.

  The soldier nodded, and Jonathan vibrated with excitement, almost knocking the camera stand over. He forgot himself and darted in the soldier’s direction as he started to move.

  “I can’t take a picture of you and your brother if you don’t bring the camera,” Buck called to Jonathan.

  “Sorry,” Jonathan responded. He slunk back and carefully scooped up the equipment.

  They walked to the opposite side of the camp, past rows of tents and a multitude of soldiers. It was all a blur to Jonathan, who found it hard to keep pace behind the soldier. He would have rushed by if he knew where to go. They stopped outside one of the larger tents. The soldier insisted that they wait while he entered and announced them to the major. Jonathan burst into the tent as soon as the soldier exited.