TEN #2
“Yes, I thought so,” he said, watching her.
“You know, I hated the guy. He was immoral, self-righteous. Had us do all sorts of things to quietly rouse the countryside. Downright evil, some might say. But who would have guessed that he was right about you? He said you were hiding something and had secrets. What bigger one than this? A female spy!” He cursed.
“To think he didn’t live to see the day.
When I saw you being carried out of that medical tent, a woman dressed in a soldier’s uniform, I thought I was crazy.
That I was seeing things. But then, when I saw him, I knew it was you.
” He pushed his hairline back, showing a small scar. “I can thank him for that.”
At the reminder of Henry saving her in the woods, the fear turned to anger.
“Yes, you can thank him! Thank him for not killing you. It would’ve been easy.
But he left you. Didn’t pursue you. And here you are…
” She held out her hands, the shackles dangling.
“Praising a monster for nearly raping an innocent woman he came across in the woods. Because of men like you, I thought the world was evil outside of the scope I knew. It took a good man to show me that it’s not. ”
A hot red flush spread from his neck. Indignation fired in his eyes, and he narrowed his gaze, accentuating the crow’s feet lines beside his eyes. “Innocent as the Trojan horse.” He looked around at the tight quarters. “Where’s this good man now? Surely, he can vouch for you if he’s what you say.”
Maggie wasn’t fooled. “You know he isn’t here, otherwise you wouldn’t be anywhere near me.”
He smirked. “For a dumb one, you’re smart.
Yes, your hero is gone. Vanished. It’s caused a good stir in camp.
Everyone is looking for him, but not told the reason why.
His own general, Warren, was dismissed from the field by Sheridan for his wholly blunder.
Everyone assumes that his absence is somehow connected.
But I know the truth. Details that I was sure to pass along to General Sheridan’s aide… ”
He paused. “I can see that you don’t believe me, but you should.
Come time for your trial, and you’ll find out.
I’m sure Sheridan is picking at it this very minute—he’s a bulldog with a bone, you know.
He’ll question why one of his officers was alone in the Carolina low country, and why he killed a man, nearly a second, over a dispensable woman of rebel birth.
Adding his disappearance to when this same harlot is found to have entered a federal camp dressed as a soldier, well, that doesn’t look so good. ”
The blood drained from Maggie’s head. His words painted a bleak picture, leaving her feeling hollow. He watched her expression change and knew he had hit his target.
Parting the canvas opening, he said flippantly, “I’ll leave you to make your peace. Come next week, I’ll watch you swing from the rope. Maybe your officer will come back so you can meet your fate together, or maybe he will come to his senses and run. I’m betting on the first one.”
Alone once again, Maggie began to shake, the shackles rattling.
She was going to die. It had been much easier to accept the possibility when it was to save Henry.
Now, he was out risking his life for hers, only potentially to be too late.
She had failed him and his family. The blast had gone off before she even had a chance to tell him of Abigail and Levi.
She’d been a fool not to remember to at least relay the message to William.
Surely if he were a good friend, he would also do his best to help.
Willing her mind off her own troubles, she thought of her beloved friends. If they were here, they’d have much more courage than she did presently. Her mind flashed back to Abigail singing to Isham as he prepared to die. Her sweet voice floated in that room.
The words came to her, and she softly sang the hymn to herself, pretending that Abigail was singing alongside her. As she sang, the shaking subsided as her fear melted away. An unexplainable peace filled her, and she knew it would be alright.
“'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come
'Twas grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home.”
The words rang out, and she sang louder, finding truth and empowerment in them.
How had she been blind for so long? She acknowledged God’s existence and reign on the battlefield that day and he literally parted a sea of men for her.
He had been with her always. It wasn’t Henry who had saved her that day, but God working through Henry.
Henry was just a man who allowed God to use him, unquestionably.
Abigail and Levi weren’t supernatural beings, but ordinary people who allowed the light of God’s grace and mercy to shine through their lives.
This war wasn’t of God’s doing, but the result of sin. Sinful nature had taken the lives of her father and brothers, not God. Her mother’s prayers had been answered, just not how she had expected or perhaps the way she desired.
Her mother… oh, her dear mother. Thinking back to her mother’s last day on earth, Maggie wept. She had looked at her daughter, begging with her eyes for her to accept the Lord as her savior. To lay down her pride and hatred. Maggie had turned away, unable to, even if it was her mother’s last wish.
Then, that fateful day in the woods had happened. Awful, terrible things happened, all of which allowed Maggie to draw nearer to God in faith. She had hardened her heart in the months that followed, only beginning to soften when Henry pierced her soul.
All those around her wanted the same thing: for Maggie to fully surrender. Now, here she was alone in a tent, labeled as a traitor, and there was no one to witness it.
“But I’m not alone,” Maggie whispered, finally understanding. God was with her, and He would bear witness. There would be none greater than He.
Tears poured as she shimmied off the cot and down onto her knees. Prostrating herself on the ground as much as her bonds would allow, she opened her heart, praying to the one true Savior.
“Lord God, for so long I have denied You, run from You, and turned away from You. You never forsake me. Your spirit guided those around me to get me here, to this moment. If I should die, I go now with a peace that I will be only coming home to You. Please forgive me for all of my trespasses and shortcomings. I am a sinner, and nothing more. Please wash me clean so that I might come to You pure and unblemished, residing forever in Your Kingdom. Thank You for the unfailing and redeeming love I have found in You. Thank You for sending living angels to guard me when I was so lost. Bless them. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.”
Lifted from an earthly burden, she rose as a new woman. Come what may, she was at peace.