Becoming A Founding "Father"- Historical Hamilton

Chapter Fifteen: An Aide-de-Camp

Vaughan smiled. "Then why did you leave?"

"Well, I didn't really get a choice. Time does weird things to you, you know." I hoped that he didn't hear how literal that actually was.

"Mm," He agreed. "How were you introduced to Hamilton, by the way? You seem to be as close as family, sir."

I broke into his house and masqueraded as his brother for five years. I avoid the question. "Well, he is like family to me. My blood relatives..."

"Died?" Vaughan adds, and I shrug carelessly. They're not alive yet, if that counts. "Something like that. So Alexander's all I've got right now. Speaking of the brat..." We both turn our heads to see another horse approaching us.

"Vaughan," He nodded at the Welshman, then turned to me. "Are you starting to understand the mechanics, Layden?"

I grip the reins tightly. "Barely."

"That shall be enough, I suppose. I should also inform you that we shall be leaving at dawn, so get as much sleep as you can."

"Speak for yourself," I say, and Alexander glares at me with his 'we've got company' look. I quickly respond with what I hope is appropriate.

"Thank you, Hamilton."

I say when he helps me off of the horse after a few hours of riding to camp. He gives me a tight-lipped smile, and I sigh shakily. The uniform I'm wearing feels way too clean and formal, not at all riddled with dirt- I feel like an actual human being. 

"Sirs!" Someone shouts out to us. "Hamilton and Layden, Washington's new aides?"

"That we are, sir," Alexander says, and I get a good look at the man. The first thing I noticed was how much older he was compared to us two, though with a wide smile. "'Tis a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

I later found out that his name's Tench Tilghman, a man who was also part of Washington's staff. He worked, from what I understood, as a confidential secretary to Washington- something that was different from the FBI. That was slightly disappointing, as I wanted to see some super spy work. Sadly, it seems, they don't have spies here.

Or they do, I realise, they're just hidden, you dumbass.

We're shown around the camp- or we're shown the important bits, at least: where we'll sleep, where the medical tent is, where our workplace is seated. The piles of documents that are quickly passed around to everyone when we enter the place seems to be endless. Well, I thought, it's not as much as it was in Lytton's. And looking at Alexander, who looked like he thought the same thing, I was sure that we'd be more than fine.

"Gentlemen, may I introduce you to Richard Kidder Meade." A man with mischievous eyes and grin approached us. I have a feeling that it's going to be great to work with him. "A pleasure, sirs. I've heard quite a bit about you two."

"Hopefully nothing embarrassing," I say with a sly smile, mimicking someone from the past. Meade lets out a quick 'hah!' and all is well. "We'll work well, Layden."

Next, we are introduced to Joseph Reed, who smiled tightly, nodded and continued with whatever he was doing. I instantly noticed his painfully straight posture and stern face. Tilghman shook his head with another small smile. "And that was Reed. Do not be put off by his behavior- that is, unfortunately, his typical mood."

"Huh," I said, and Alexander nudged me on the side, his way of saying to continue my sentence, so I tried to think of what Alexander would say. "We'll keep that in mind, sir." Tilghman smiled, and our tour continued.