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Chapter 1

Manhattan Island

June 1779

His head hurt

Correction, his head really hurt

It was hard to tell, though, just what sort of pain it was He h the head with a iven his current location in New York (or was it Connecticut?) and his current occupation as a captain in His Majesty’s Ar on, in case one hadn’t noticed

But this particular pounding--the one that felthis skull with a cannon (not a cannonball, mind you, but an actual cannon)--seemed to indicate that he had been attacked with a blunter instrument than a bullet

An anvil, perhaps Dropped from a second-story

But if one cared to look on the bright side, a pain such as this did seem to indicate that he wasn’t dead, which was also a plausible fate, given all the saht have been shot

That war he’d ularity

So he wasn’t dead That was good But he also wasn’t sure where he was, precisely The obvious next step would be to open his eyes, but his eyelids were translucent enough for him to realize that it was the middle of the day, and while he did like to look on the ht side, he was fairly certain that the literal one would prove blinding

So he kept his eyes closed

But he listened

He wasn’t alone He couldn’t make out any actual conversation, but a low buzz of words and activity filtered through the air People werea chair across the floor

So in pain

Most of the voices were male, but there was at least one lady nearby She was close enough that he could hear her breathing She made little noises as she went about her business, which he soon realized included tucking blankets around hi his forehead with the back of her hand

He liked these little noises, the tiny littleAnd she smelled nice, a bit like lemons, a bit like soap

And a bit like hard work

He knew that smell He’d worn it himself, albeit usually only briefly until it turned into a full-fledged stink

On her, though, it was more than pleasant Perhaps a little earthy And he wondered who she was, to be tending to hiently

"How is he today?"

Edward held himself still This male voice was new, and he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to knoake yet

Although he wasn’t sure why he felt this hesitancy

"The same," came the woman’s reply

"I am concerned If he doesn’t wake up soon"

"I know," the woman said There was a touch of irritation in her voice, which Edward found curious

"Have you been able to get him to take broth?"

"Just a few spoonfuls I was afraid he would choke if I atteue noise of approval "Re he has been like this?"

"A week, sir Four days before I arrived, and three since"

A week Edward thought about this A week meant it must beMarch? April?

No, maybe it was only February And this was probably New York, not Connecticut