***********

***********

Chapter Seven: Arrested For Sedition

It had been late morning when Alice awoke to hearing the news. Nathaniel had been arrested... for helping some of the militia escape the fort. He acted alone, for not even Uncas or his father had been aware of his late night meeting with the colonials.

Alice couldn't blame his actions, really... her father had not allowed them to take leave, hadn't allowed them to defend their homes and families out in the frontier. She was glad those men had managed to escape. She was also, however, very disappointed in her father.

Now sitting impatiently upon the bed, Alice frowned, her fingers gently pulling at her damp and tangled mane of hair. She had spent the last hour bathing while Cora had left to speak with their father. She was anxious to find out what had happened... was Nathaniel to be released... or was he still in jail, waiting to be hanged?

She most certainly hoped that the last was not the answer. Cora would be devastated... as would Uncas. It was his brother, after all, that they were withholding. And Alice knew that if it were Cora in that cell, waiting to be executed, she would likely be going mad.

The door to the bedroom was slowly pulled open, interrupting her quiet train of thought, to reveal the ghastly pale form of her sister.

"Cora?"

The older woman looked up, gazing at her with what appeared to be a vacant expression... and Cora's lack of reaction spoke volumes to Alice. Nathaniel hadn't been released.

Alice had no doubt that Cora had tried her damnedest to convince them to release the man. Wasn't the fact that he and his family had saved them from uncertain death enough to pardon him for what he had done?

He didn't deserve to die... and Cora most certainly didn't deserve this kind of heartbreak. Standing on her feet, Alice gently embraced her in silence. "I'm so sorry, Cora."

Cora nodded, sniffling as she clutched her. Alice now began to realize the depths of her feelings for this man. She rarely showed weakness... the only person she did show it to was Alice herself. And knowing this only made Alice's anger toward her father rise even more.

"It'll be alright, Cora... we'll make this right somehow. Perhaps I can try to speak to him-"

Smiling gently through her tears as she broke away, Cora replied, "Its no use, Alice. He will not release him... I don't think either one of us can convince him otherwise."

"What about Duncan?"

"I'm afraid he's in agreement with papa."

Out of jealousy, perhaps? It wouldn't surprise Alice in the least... she had said he was often pigheaded, hadn't she?

Looking at her with a grim expression, Alice asked quietly, "When?"

"Not for a day or two... he's far too busy with the fort to decide a day of execution."

"We still have time, Cora."

"Not enough time... and I don't think he'll be pardoned, Alice. Father and Duncan are both adamant on having him hung for sedition. There's nothing we can do."

"I'm sorry."

Cora nodded, gazing sadly at her younger sister. "I know... I, um, I'll be helping Mr. Phelps for most of the evening-"

"I'll come with you. I'm sure he'll need the help."

"Yes... will you stop by the prison later today for me, Alice?... to make sure he's alright?"

"Of course."

"I cannot see him until tonight."

Alice understood her request. Her father and Duncan would both not be present this night, which was when she planned to visit. Cora wouldn't be permitted to see him at this time of day... Alice, however, volunteering to care for prisoners, would be. "I know."

***********

He stood immediately at her approach, watching silently as she reached through the prison bars to hand him bread and water.

"How is she?"

Alice, under the intense scrutiny of the guards, quietly answered, "Deeply upset. Our father refuses to release you."

"I can't really say that I'm surprised," Nathaniel muttered, accepting what she gave him.

"You should have escaped while you had the chance, Mr. Poe."

"I stayed for a reason."

"Hmmm... my sister, am I right?... she doesn't want you to die and quite honestly, I don't believe I want you to either."

"Why, Miss Alice, I'm touched you care."

Alice frowned. "I'm surprised, to say the least, Sir, that you find your predicament to be amusing."

"I don't Miss Munro," Nathaniel admitted, all traces of humor suddenly gone. "... there's something that I want you and your sister to do for me. Be sure to tell Cora this, its important."

"Oh?" Curious, Alice turned. There was no doubt, from the way he was looking at her, that he was not serious.

"If the fort falls to the French, no matter what happens, stay close to your father."

Nodding gently, as if taking it under consideration, Alice replied, "I'll keep that in mind... but I can't promise you anything. Tell her yourself, she'll come to see you tonight... Good day, Mr. Poe."

"Miss Munro."

***********

Lifting her skirts gently to her ankles, Alice walked out of the prison quarters, her thoughts heavy. Nathaniel seemed to have been serious about his request... what had they to fear from if the fort is fallen to the French? The French themselves... Or the Hurons? She didn't know which... and Alice knew that it would take more than her to convince Cora to stay out of danger, if they were in any. It would probably take Nathaniel himself for it to happen.

On her way out, Alice caught sight of Uncas. He appeared to be watching his brother's cell from outside, quietly guarding it. She hoped he didn't plan on doing anything foolish... like getting arrested himself. The thought of that happening deeply distressed her.

Gazing at him now, Alice realized that she feared for him, for his life. She had never felt as worried for anyone before as she did him... and Alice didn't know how she would react were he to be placed in that very same cell...

One question she couldn't help but ask herself was... were he to be arrested and executed as Nathaniel, would she ever be able to forgive her father for his decision?

... Would Cora?

She hoped to never know the answer.