Commander Mike was sitted in the Stone Mansion living room when he relayed the news of him marrying Mary to his mother, who expressed her fear
“What nonsense? it is beyond my understanding how Nicholas Sanders would think I would marry his daughter. He is calling me out because I found her naked in the jungle, so I ought to be held responsible for having seen his daughter’s nakedness, he is using the military reputation to threaten me” Commander Mike smirked “ He wants to report me to the Generals for seeing his daughter’s nakedness. Mary Sanders is not even the sort I would marry, I do not like her at all, she is rarely out of her mother’s pouch, she is a good for nothing sissy that can hardly pick a needle by herself, she is useless. And I will never betray Evangeline, I love her too much for all this, how does he expect a soldier to marry that ninny he called a daughter” He snickered, as he faced his mother
“tis outrageous mother, how can he think of such a thing?” He laughed, discarding the idea.
Mrs. Stone shook her head at her son, clearly disapproving of his behaviour” You should not laugh at a young woman, it might bring down her self-esteem Mike, “
“Did you say Self-esteem mother? Not someone like Mary Sanders mother, she is a spoilt brat so she has a lot of pride to soak up the insult, I wonder what Jared will say when he hears this, he warned me of some drama but I did not expect it this way, I was thinking her father would come challenge me about how I found her, but Marriage Mother? Nicholas Sanders is a big fool,“His mother eyed him warily, her eyes going teary at the name Mike had mentioned absent mindedly turning her back to him she set the ladle back into the delicious soup she was cooking, she scooped a little into a place and tasted it, nodding to herself, she brought the food down from her charcoal cooker, she ignored her son and went back to the living room after putting out the fire
“Mother, I am talking to you” He said huskily as he walked up to her, she sat mindlessly staring at him with concealed anger
“Mother, you are not answering me, I shall go back to the barracks if you continue to ignore me, I am a soldier mother, I seldom have time for your chitchats and do not worry about Nicholas Sanders I will deal with him myself” He said casually, hoping his mother would speak up with what was really trouble her, he knew she had no real interest in his trouble with Nicholas Sanders. Her object of worry was currently in some jungle somewhere chasing criminals and murderers, he had been the apple of her eye, she had never understood what made him turn into what he currently was, an unfeeling soul.He coughed trying to grasp her attention, he watched as she sat pouting. At sixty-four, Catherine Stone was a stunning woman, though her massive hair was almost fully grey, she had hazel eyes unlike their grey ones, which they took from their father. she still had her glow, every inch the wife of a soldier, their father had died when he was sent on some peace keeping missions by the king and she had been left to take care of the children by herself, she had been a good mother, only she had been heartbroken when the two of them had declared they wanted to enter the force, she had been worried about their safety but there was little she could do when their mind was made up.
She had however made the twins sign her a treaty, one she made them learn by heart and made them promise to remember every morning, she had written
“ I, Michael Stone and Jared Stone promise my mother this day that I shall never, ever die on the battle field, I shall not fall by the enemy’s bullet or sword, and if I do, my mother has the solemn right to not give me a lasting rest, she shall cut me up in pieces and send me to all the warring nations of the earth to add to the blood there(Not a befitting death)I however, do not have that right either, I am to come back to my mother, for her love is unfailing”SignedMichael and Jared Stone.
She had made them sign it and had placed it on her bedstand, for her to see everymorning, she had never gotten over how her husband had left her, she had not even seen his body, she had been told he was blown off by a bomb, a bitter experience that made her go crazy and highly insecure, which was what made the brothers heed her call anytime she sent for them. Commander Mike had even married Evangeline early so she could have her grandchildren early enough but Jared was an exception, he was so relaxed Mike was available with her and would not show up at home at all.
Him, depositing Mary Sanders was the first time, he had done such a good deed, and it was the first time Mike had seen him in years, he rarely ever left footprints for one to track him not even his brother could get him, he disappeared at will and showed up at will. He knew the fact that she did not know his state bothered her.
Though he kept his thoughts himself, he wished he could tell his mother to save herself the stress of worrying about Jared, the man was so obstinate and too unfeeling to care If his mother cared for him or not. He pitied the woman that would marry his brother.
“How is he?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper
“He is okay, Mother fret not, I shall take my leave soon mother”She nodded, asking no more questions about Jared, he noticed she had a younger snapshot of them in her handsSmiling, he asked ”Mother, where is Evangeline? I have been here for hours now but she is yet to be home, she is usually the eager one to see me, tis strange she is yet to be here at this hour” he asked. The memory of his wife bringing a smile to his lips, it had been long he had been with her.
“She went to visit the midwife along with the servants, I would have gone with but one of us has to stay to receive you, I was making the dinner for her, she is carrying your bairn, I want her to be as healthy as possible”
“Okay then, I shall go meet her at the midwife”
He bent to kiss his mother, but she pulled back, looking at him muddled” what are you going to do about Mary Sanders, I do not want someone such as her as my daughter in law, she is spoilt and an utterly useless person, she wouldn’t know how to boil water not to talk of lighting a stove. It would be unfortunate of any man that ends up with her. “She said in a determined voice
Mike smirked, his handsome dimple showing” Do not bother yourself mother, “ he said dismissively, he grabbed his horse whip on the table and proceeded to leave the room
Mrs Stone muttered to herself as she saw her son out the door” It would be so unfortunate if she married a soldier, she would never be able to cope with the life and and she is too princess like, whoever is setting this marriage is setting her for a life of torture. A marriage into the Stone family is not for the likes of the Sanders” She shook her head sadly as she watched her son climb his horseHe was about leaving when they sighted another horse rider riding madly towards them from the other side of town, the man brought the horse to a great stop forcefully, he himself panting heavily, had been riding as if his life was being threatened, The Commander looked around, there was so signs of any chasers, he turned his gaze back to the rider
The Commander sat back, “Have you gone mad, Alan? “He barked at the man who turned out to be one of his young recruits and he knew the boy it was unlikely of him to ride thus. The boy was his special breed as his dying mother had made him promise to take care of him. A dashing young man of twenty, with crystal clear eyes and a blonde hair, and surprisingly obedient for a boy his age.
“No sir, “ Alan shook his head gravely, still sitting atop his horse
“Then why do you ride so? What is the emergency? If there is none, prepare to get caned a hundred times, upon my word you will” He threatenedHe ignored, his mother’s gasp
“yes, Commander” Alan answered swiftly, still eager to deliver his message
“Then what ails you so?” Mike asked lazily, getting ready to leave, he had better places to be, he would like to hear instructions about his wife from the midwife herself, Evangeline deserved the perfect delivery, she was a good wife and she had stood by him all of those years.
“Your presence has been required at the wedding hall of Mary Sanders, Commander” The man said moving his horse few steps back as he expected the hell on fury of the Commander, The stone soldiers was not to be trifled with, he knew the higher ups Generals were only playing with fire when they had started this conspiracy with Nicholas Sanders, it was going to end in tragedy.
“What?” Mrs Stone asked flabbergasted, she looked at her son in trepidation
“They must have all gone mad” He said as he raced in the direction of the midwife’s house
Mrs Stone groaned out in pain, Alan jumped down from his horse, he ran to her and helped her into the house quickly
He hurried to get her water, she collected the water from his hands, fingers trembling she drank it down in quick grasps
Holding Alan’s uniform tightly” Isn’t it bad if he neglects their command? Will he be punished? Will they demote him? will they kill him?” she asked wildly
“Do not mother yourself Ma, He is Commander Mike, he will surely find a way to get himself out of it” He said hopefully, but he was not so sure, his Commander could get himself out of this asides marrying Mary, it was an order, it had to be obeyed, it was the soldier’s way.
Mrs Stone burst into tears, gripping the arm of the young man next to her, “ Why must it be so? Since when has saving somone’s life being a crime, why must they bring sadness into his life. This is Mike he is not Jared, Mike is passionate and kind, he is a very nice soldier and full of mercy, he does not deserve to be troubled, he would not marry that Mary and I know it,” She said amidst tears
“Mrs. Stone you fret for nothing, the Commander would handle it” Alan tried weakly to pacify her, the young man cast his eyes on her teary face, he hated to see tears on Mrs stone, she was a kind woman, though the mother of a Commander she is ever so meek, whenever she came to camp she always makes sure she bakes more than enough cake and muffins for the soldiers, she would listen to their troubles, and lend a bandage and help clean wounds and bandage them, she was like a mother to them all. She was like his dead mother, robust and loving.
“I should go there, I will have a good talk with them, upon my dead husband’s honour, I would” she stood strongly and shoved Alan out of her way, he held her back
“You cannot mean to go, you would only make matters worse Ma, those officers are greedy, they did not hesistate to take Sir Nicholas Sander’s money, they did not even think of Commander Stone honour in the military, and you think they will take cognizance of what you say?” He asked hoping she would see reason with him. There was no way she could go there, there was every possibility, they could use her as a leverage against Commander Mike
She shook her white hair gravely, tears falling across her eyes” What then am I to do? That cold and unfeeling creature Jared won’t come home and Mike is being forced to marry another woman,” Her eyes lit up as she remembered something
“Borrow me your horse ALan, you trek back to the camp, I need to go to Evangeline, she must not hear of this, it might affect her baby” she said anxiouslyAlan had no other choise, he led her out and saddled the horse for her, he smiled that was the Mrs stone he knew, compassionate about others.
He wondered who Jared was? That name was so familiar to him, it was as if he heard it a lot in the military, a wicked Commander whose record could not be found at all in the records office, only stories of his evil nature flowing around, some of the young recruits had even thought him a myth or a legend of some sort, no one remembered what he looked like either.He laughed it off, no he could not be, there are several Jared’s in the world and besides, Commander Mike was not a twin and there was no record of a younger brother as well. He shook his head, he was only imagining things.
He walked back into the house lamely, pulling out the plates of carrots on the table, Mrs stone must have served her son the carrot and he had refused to eat.
He placed several sticks of carrots in his mouth and munched happily Commander Mike could take care of his issue, he was a Commander after all, he would sit back and watch the spectacle, the other Commanders had chewed on a stone and their teeth would break
“I picked that carrot for myself” A still, cold and chilling voice said behind him which made Alan jump up in fright but a hand pushed him back down, Alan brought out his gun and attempted to fight him off, but the large man crushed him easily, and took the knife to his throat,
“Do you think you can kill me?” the man asked, the voice so hard, a chill ran down Alan’s back,
“You will not kill me, I am in Mrs stone’s house, she will not rest till she seeks out my murderer, she is like my mother, she loves me a lot, Commander mike will also have your head if…” he had not fisnished his sentence when he was thrown across the room in anger, he hit the book shelf hard, breaking a rib or two, Alan groaned in pain as he sat up painfully to see the most monstrous eyes he had ever seen, it was blue, like the dead sea, cold and evil looking, and they were glaring at him, the man was so muscular and had wide shoulders, the mask he had one hid most of his face, only his eyes were visible,
though he could not determine the identity of the man, he knew he was not to be trifled with, he could feel the wickedness emanating off him, he could snap his head into two in splint seconds if he wanted to“What are you doing here? Aren’t you a recruit? shouldn’t you be at the shooting range by now?” The man asked, his gaze settling on Alan’s uniform.
Alan was amazed, how could he change his personality in seconds” I had a message for Commander Mike” He answered timidly, preparing to grab his broken body and flew the house, he had not sensed another presence in the house at all, he had been so relaxed, if he continued this way as a soldier he would surely be dead before he knew it, he muttered to himself
An eyebrow corked, Alan grew suspicious the mention of Commander Mike must have gained the man’s interest, he wondered if he was the assassin that was sent after Commander Mike by Nicholas and the Generals.
“What is the message?” Jared asked impatiently, he had stayed out of town for months now, he was only back home, he must have missed them both, his mother was also not around, he always came back to her whenever he finished a project though he mostly stayed in an old room and no one would be the wiser that he was in the house not even Mike knew he came home occassionaly.
“Are you an assassin sent after Commander Mike, By Nicholas Sanders, then I will fight you to death before I tell you, cause I will tell you nothing” Alan promised bringing out his pocket gun, he winced at the sharp pain as he discovered that his hand was broken
“Shut up, what is the message? ” Jared bellowed, he was not one to tolerate dilly dallying,
“I will not tell you even if you kill me, “ Alan shouted his courage failing, his eyes wide with fear
“I will really kill you now, if you don’t tell me,” Jared barked at the young recruit, who fled at the sound of his voice. Jared watched in amazement as he tried to flee, he would have sat back and enjoyed the amusement but Nicholas Sanders name was mentioned in the message, he could not afford such luxury, it was as he had imagined, Mike was been punished for his foolish act of chivalry
Jared dragged the recruit by his broken arm in delirious anger, he ignored his cry of pain, he dumped him on the floor in front of him, he removed his mask and stared at him
He extended a hand to him in mock greeting,his mouth set in hard lines “ Commander Jared Stone to you”
Alan often boast to his friends that he would never faint but he watched himself in disgust as he wet his trousers and slipped into blissfull dreamland.
The alluring lacy material flowed tenderly across the marbled floor, the dress had been specially sewn for her from another country, though it had only been a short time, it seems her mother knew how to use their wealth to pull strings. The dress was a wonder, it was a low-cut dress, which accentuated Mary’s full breasts and made them threaten to spill out, she had pouted at this, but her mother had said it would be perfect to make Commander Mike fall for her, no man ever resisted a well-endowed woman like Mary, especially if it was laid out in front of themThe dress hugged her slim waist tightly, Her mother had often said her hips are a man’s undoing, the dress was made to seduce. She smiled as she thought of Commander Mike’s hands removing the gown from her body, she blushed at sexual thoughts. She was currently draped with a dull overhaul with which, the maids were powdering her face, so as not to stain the material, her mother stood nearby commanding them on what to do, Mary sa
Smiling and waving at guests as he walked by, Nicholas Sanders kept up his fake modesty to the very hilt. He was raging within, his hope of making the Sanders family be intimate with the Stone family was his lifelong aim and he was not about to see it dashed away, he would achieve it by crook or nook.“Why isn’t he here yet?” Nicholas Sanders thundered at his fellow conspirator in the hall, he turned to face them“ You promised me, he would come, I paid you handsomely for this” he banged the wooden table in anger, the pain he got in return made him shout with rageCommander Cole barked back at him equally” Calm down, Nicholas, this is a soldier’s superior order we are talking about, he has to come or else he shall be stripped of his title and punished and it will involve his family, he knows that very well”“I do not care about that at all, all I know is that he ought to be here by now marryi
Jared rode madly in pursuit of his brother, judging by the unconscious words of Alan, he knew his brother’s next line of action. He wondered what had gone wrong with the Commanders after he left, for a measly man such as Nicholas Sanders to think he can control them, Jared sneered, he would make it his last attempt Following his mother’s horse footprints she had gone the midwife way but a dark thought made him stop the horse suddenly, breaking its run Following the way of the Corrupt Commanders, they knew Mike all too well, then it clicked Evangeline would not be at the midwife, if she had been gone since morning, the Commanders would have her, and it would be the worst mistake of their life. Jared began riding hard this time, in the direction of Nicholas's grand hall, he hoped he would be in time to get Mike before his brother burnt down the place in order to rescue his wife. Evangeline was not one who could endure such harsh conditions for long, the girl had grown up with them aft
“Do you Mary Sanders, take Michael Stone, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to honour, to cherish and to hold, for the rest of your life?” the vicar pronounced“Yes, I do” came the blushing reply, from a love-filled eyed Mary, as she stood at the Alter holding Jared’s hands it was surreal, she glared at Commander Mike under her veil, it was those same blue eyes, they were staring at her again, they held her captive, she had been so happy when she had been informed he had arrived. This was the happiest day of her life, she blushed at the thought of them spending a night together as man and wife.The Vicar turned to Jared “Do you Michael Stone, take Mary Sanders, as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to protect, to cherish and to hold, for the rest of your life?”Jared stared with glistening annoyance at Mary in front of him; he really hoped for her sake that Evangeline was unharmed.Jared could feel
Twirling about in her wedding dress, Mary was beyond happy, she blushed harder at the thought of Jared’s hands on her, she had been brought home from the hall by her mother. She was currently in her room which had been extensively decorated for her wedding night.The door to her room opened “Mother, mother” she jumped at the sight of her mother, she flew into her arms in joy“Thank you mother, it's a dream come through, I am a happy bride” she beamed, the light shining in her eyes,“Yes, my dear, My princess deserves the best, “ Her mother said looking into her Mary’s happy eyes“Mother, his touch felt like a caress, it was so feeling, I shivered all over my body, it was delicious. I could go on touching him forever” she gushed out in a rushHer mother smiled” I am glad you like it my dear. A wedding should be filled with happiness. Your wedding shall be the talk of the town for years
Jared watched as the party guests all left the house one after the other, he had a grand plan up his sleeve, he would play himself as MiKe for a while, so he could get these guys in a bind. If such souls existed in the military, it was only a matter of time before their cankerworm spread to the recruits, then it was only a matter of time before trouble started brewing, the king would demand his head if he does not stop it in time.From what he had gathered, Commander Cole and Ortom had control of half of the town’s terrorists and miscreants combined. He wondered what Mike had been doing as they grew in power. A soldier should not be that soft, being soft could endanger the lives of the people that were put into his care to protect.If a man like Nicholas Sanders could control military biddings then nothing was safe anymore, not even Evangeline and that was one life he would never risk, she had been handed over to him to protect and to love.
Jared watched wordlessly as Mary bid her family goodbye, she was all teary and hugging everyone, the blue dress she was wearing flowing majestically about her, she was smiling radiantly, the epitome of a woman thoroughly loved, he smirked, and he would soon freeze up her joy soon.He would make her pay for subjecting Evangeline to such torture at the hands of her father just to get her married, they were all a dangerous bunch.The whole family came to meet him where he stood patiently waiting for the part by the carriage Nicholas had sumptuously provided“It was nice having you Mike, I have my eyes on you” Nicholas warned subtly“not in front of the servants, Nicholas, “ Mrs. Sanders hissed at her husband, narrowing her eyes at himshe turned to face Jared, keeping on her fake modesty“Thank you so much Commander, please take care of Mary, she is our only daughter and child and we are putting so much faith in
The thud, thud sound of an object hitting a hard flesh made Mary began to gain consciousness, the sound was so horrifying, she squinted her eyes open in pain only to discover it was her own head, hitting the hard body of the horse in a most undignifying manner.Mary screeched in horror, she sat upright in fear and tried to grab the reins of the horse but a strong hand shied the reins from her hands, she gasped in shock as she began to take stock of her surroundingsShe could see it now, the dense forest, hilly grounds, the fallen trees, she tensed up at the bark of a bush dug into her sides, she looked around nervouslyThe airs at the back of her neck were beginning to stand on edge, She could feel the heat of Jared’s body at her back, he was not saying a word but she could feel him, the sheer force of his presence, his thighs gripped hers vehemently with each gallop of the horse, she could feel the friction to her very core only he was not gentle about it