HONOR

by Donald Scott

CHARACTERS: G T/Q M

SYNOPSIS: Set in the future (no, not space ships or modern day, future to them), Captain Grisham makes a confession in this short and sweet vignette.

COMMENTS: Warning ** Character Death **

Beta'd and co-written by MnD yuanne@aol.com

As the Captain entered his new quarters, he placed his gear under the bunk and looked around. He saw an old desk graced with an oil lamp as well as paper and a pen. He tossed his hat carelessly onto the bed and went over to the lamp. He struck a match and watched it burn brightly then subside to a low flame before lighting the lamp and sitting down in the creaking old chair. Taking the pen in hand, he started to write his letter. After a long moment filled only with the busy scratching of the pen, he finished and lay down the writing utensil, stretching his fingers. He heard something at the door and turned quickly to see Her. Father Time had treated her well, and dressed in black, she looked the same as she had so many years before.

"So the Queen seeks vengeance still?" The man asked, raising an eyebrow. The Queen of Swords looked at him steadily and answered with a hint of sorrow and respect.

"No,Captain, I came here to salute you for what you are about to do." She drew her sword and raised it in a time honored military salute. She was on her way out when Grisham stopped her.

"Wait, can you make sure Senorita Teresa Alvarado receives this?"

The Queen nodded, not giving in to the temptation to retort that she was not a messenger of petty officers, and replied, "I will be honored." She took the letter and stuck it in her sash.

She went out the door, leaving Grisham whispering "Good bye, my Queen" into the night before retiring.

`*_______________________________*`

When The Queen finally made it back to Santa Helena, Marta greeted her at the door.

"Tessa!" She exclaimed, her voice harsh with relief. "You had me worried, where the Devil were you?

Tessa looked at her Gitano friend and told her calmly, "I said that I was going to say good-bye to a friend, did I not?"

Marta frowned, "You told me that two weeks ago, I did not expect you to be gone this long."

Tessa embraced her, guiltily recalling that she had not told Marta that she would be going so far away, "I am sorry, Marta, I did not mean to worry you."

Marta straightened, "Well, then tell me, who was this old friend of yours anyway?"

"If you must know," She said with mock severity, "It was Marcus Grisham." Upon hearing the Captain's name, Marta immediately crossed herself. Tessa noticed the movement of Marta's hand and stilled.

"What is wrong?"

Marta looked in Tessa's eyes and said slowly and deliberately, "Captain Grisham and the other men at the Alamo," she paused. "They died three days ago. Killed in the battle."

Tessa fell to her knees and after a moment of shock, she sobbed in denial. "It can't be true for I just saw him just seven days ago, Marta! It can't be true!"

Marta helped her charge to her feet. "Madre Dios, it is the truth. Santa Ana and his men stormed the Alamo and slaughtered them all. We have only just received the news."

Tessa carefully took out the letter that Captain Grisham had given her seven days ago and opened it with trembling hands.

My Darling Tessa,

I have just arrived at my new post, and I am now taking the time to write a quick note to you. The journey was long and hard, and the new post is nothing like the pueblo. I'm at a small mission here in Texas. I remember the time Colonel Montoya suggested that I should try to win you over, I still remember that picnic and how beautiful you looked. It was as if Heaven had let an Angel come down and dine with me. I must have been like an awkward schoolboy that day. I will miss you terribly, and I already regret that I will not be able to see your lovely face. I must go now, but I must ask one thing of you in this letter -- forgive me. For it was my hand that pulled the trigger on the gun the day your father died. I know that death is inevitable in his coming, for we are hopelessly outnumbered by Santa Ana and his army. I pray that we will not die in vain, but that we die winning our freedom from Spain. These are my last words to you, so I say;

Goodbye My Darling Tessa,

Marcus

END