A Return Surprise

Chapter 18

Derek stared into the fields absent mindedly as the horses approached the gates of the Lincoln estate. His men wished to cheer and make merry to announce their arrival as they crossed into the Lincoln territory but Derek stopped them. Though the midnight breeze blew over the leaves on the horizon, it was still the middle of the night, and nearly everyone would be sleeping soundly. Derek knew there would be plenty of time to celebrate tomorrow, for their victory and the greetings of old friends and family. But for now Derek only wanted to be home, to sleep through the remainder of the night in his own bed.

The men would stay the night at the Lincoln's estate house. In the morning they would return to their homes, collect their families and return to the estate for a gala welcome celebration. They were all as exhausted as he was because they had fought a storm that ended only hours earlier.

Two men were elected to stay with the horses since the stable boy had gone to bed alrea