James's P.O.V.
I open my bleary eyes to an unfamiliar environment, and no Thomas. Man, I dunno if I'm ever going to get used to Newtide. The demeanour of this place is so much...louder than Wolfpine. And at night, gosh, people who live here never seem to sleep. Luckily I managed to catch a few winks in the inn Alexander and I are staying in. I get up and yawn. We're supposed to meet again with Charlotte today, and I'm quite looking forward to it. Yesterday's meeting was quite short and uneventful, but still pretty interesting.
I notice that a piece of paper has been slipped under the door of our room. From my bed, I can just make out my name scrawled across it. A letter! I jump up and snatch it off the carpet, eagerly tearing it open. I swear if Thomas has already sent a letter...Yup. I grin and start reading.
Hey James! How's Newtide? Is it still as beautiful as ever? I used to live there y'know. Okay, so technically as I'm writing this you haven't left for Newtide yet, but by the time you're reading this, you definitely have. I'd recommend some restaurants, but to be honest I don't really remember any. It's been a long time. So, what did the Queen want you for? Tell me all about when you write back! Yours forever, Thomas.
It's written with no structure, no formal language, and it's short. But it's the thought that counts, right? So sweet of him to send this ahead of time. I'll write him a reply tonight, so I can include today's meeting in it. With that plan in mind, I go wake Alexander up to meet with Charlotte, round two now.
*****
As we come up to the royal house, I begin to worry. Wait a second, yesterday we only got in because Washington just happened to exit as we entered, and we had that waiter with us. I glance at Alexander, who is coming up behind me, staring at the ground.
"You're knocking!" I grab his shoulder and push in front of me. Alexander glares at me before taking a breath and patting down his hair. He knocks on the door, three sharp taps that seem to echo.
"Come in," I hear Charlotte's reassuring voice from inside. Alexander slides a quick triumphant grin at me before opening the door. Whatever. At least now he has to greet Charlotte first.
"Oh! Um, hi, Charlotte," Alexander says, suddenly nervous. I glance over his shoulder to see someone else sitting next to Charlotte. My eyes widen. Oh my god...I think that's the King. He has a short, scruffy beard, and dark green wings that curl over Charlotte's purple ones. Unlike Charlotte, his wings don't have any gold highlights. "And um, greetings, Your Majesty," Alexander adds quickly.
"Yes, um, hi!" I say after him. The King and Charlotte share a look.
"Please, call me Isaac, and as you know, my wife is Charlotte," He says kindly, eyes glinting in a friendly way. I smile a little. Does everyone around just get a first name basis with these two?
"And please, let's not waste time on introductions," Charlotte interjects. "I've already explained who you are to Isaac. Now, down to business," She looks at Isaac expectantly. Isaac blinks before clearing his throat.
"Right, right," He pauses. "What did we want them here for again?" He whispers to Charlotte, just loud enough for us to hear.
"We had a proposal for them," Someone else said, and for the first time after arriving, I realise that Major General Washington is standing in the corner. My head starts to spin when I realise that I am in the room with the three most important people of all of Dosmiana. Wait till I tell Thomas about it! I bet his jaw will drop from the sheer insanity of it all.
"Oh right!" Isaac seemingly remembers and slaps his knee. "James, Alexander, we have a proposal for you. Since you two are Humans, ahem, how to put this, some Winged just don't trust you. It would make them feel much better if you helped us in the war effort," Isaac explains. Huh. I guess that makes sense. As long as I don't have to work as a-
"As spies," Charlotte adds on. Welp. Alexander shoots a quick look at me nervously. I keep my expression poker-faced. Now, how am I going to explain to the KING and QUEEN of the Winged that I don't want to do what they want?
"Oh, no," I reply, trying to keep it cool. "We're surely not qualified for this!" Charlotte lets out a laugh, and I notice that Isaac's expression softens. Aw, they really are in love.
"James, you're very sweet but I can see the intelligence in your eyes. You're holding back!" She urges. I frown. Am I holding back? I suppose I'm kind of smart...I did beat Thomas a few times at Maces and Talons. But does that even matter? This is about spy work for goodness sake.
"I don't know..." I shake my head. I really can't go back...
"James," Isaac says, "All we need is for you to help us win one battle, then we can relieve you of spy duties. Easy!" He smiles in an encouraging way. Okay, that's what they all say. Definitely not then. I keep quiet though. I'm afraid that I won't be able to speak for myself soon. They really believe in me. I'm not sure I can do this.
"Oh, um, Isaac and Charlotte, we both have some bad experiences with the other Humans," Alexander picks up. Thank god. "Especially James. So, is there any other way we can gain trust from these Winged?" He asks, raising an eyebrow. Charlotte thankfully seems to understand, and so does Isaac.
"Well, let me think," Isaac muses. Charlotte rolls her eyes.
"Every male Winged, sometime between 15 and 25, has to serve in the army for two years," Charlotte interjects. "Perhaps you two could enroll in the Base 1732 army. It's not too far from Newtide, and Alexander already works for Washington so that will be quite easy," Isaac claps, clearly proud of his wife. Hey, that sounds way better! This way Alexander and I will still be able to gain people's trust without having to go back to the But...Thomas. He's still in Base 1776. Perhaps it would be better for me to serve in Base 1776 instead. Yeah, that would be much better.
I voice my idea to them but Isaac frowns. "James, I get that you won't be used to Base 1732, but it's the best place for you. The timetable is much tighter than that of Base 1776's, so there will be less suspicion that you're a Human spy," Isaac explains. Wait, Human spy? Charlotte gasps, nudges Isaac hard and glares at him.
"You weren't supposed to mention that!" She hisses. Alexander and I share a look. So that's why some Winged in Newtide are wary of us. They think we're spies working for the Humans.
"It's fine, Charlotte," Alexander answers. "We were bound to find out."
"Yeah," I add on. "It's actually better now that we know. Anyway, I still don't mind serving in Base 1776, so, I guess we'll just be on our way..."
"Hold on."
Suddenly, Washington steps out of the corner he was standing in, and peers at me with his sharp, wise eyes. I gulp. I never really thought about how scary Washington is.
"James, I feel like something is stopping you from doing this. Whatever it is, I'm sure we can adapt. This is a crucial request to make sure any more Humans who come to us in need of a home are safe and trusted, so please, whatever it is, you can tell us," He tells me pleadingly. Even with his tone, it still sounds demanding. Well, I guess it would seem weird if I had no reason, so...
"I uh," I hesitate. Charlotte leans in, and so does Isaac. "I have a boyfriend, and he lives in Base 1776," It was so quiet you could've heard a pin drop. Suddenly, Charlotte bursts out laughing. Isaac joins in very quickly. "What?" I say, intrigued. "What is it?"
"With the amount of suspense you put into that, I was thinking it would be more serious," Charlotte snorts. I start to smile a bit.
"Yes! I was thinking that you murdered someone or something," Isaac laughs. I start to chuckle too. Alexander cracks a grin while Washington is trying not to laugh, probably for the sake of formality. Charlotte finally sighs contentedly and redirects her gaze at me.
"But anyway, that's totally fine James! I understand that you wouldn't want to be away from your boyfriend, so he can totally come here! Ah, but what base does he work in? Base 1776? And who is he again? I've forgotten," Charlotte explains. Whew!
"Ahm, Thomas Jefferson, I'm not sure whether he works in Base 1776, per se," I abruptly stop when Isaac lets out a cough.
"Your boyfriend is a Jefferson?" He says incredulously. I frown.
"Yeah? Is that a problem?" I ask, somewhat nervously.
"No, no, I've just never heard of a Jefferson to live outside of Newtide or Base 1732," Isaac reassures me.
We then discuss how Thomas is to join Base 1732. Washington tells us that he isn't actually a part of Base 1776, so the process was much easier. Alexander tried to get permission to have John here, but since he is in the middle of serving in Base 1776, he can't transfer. I left the house with a spring in my step. How flipping amazing! One, Alexander and I are going to be the first Humans to be properly integrated into Winged society, and two, THOMAS IS GOING TO BE THERE WITH ME! Well, not completely. We're going to be in different units in Base 1732, but hey, that's better than him staying all the way in Base 1776.
*****
After a fun afternoon (Alex and I explored around Newtide) and a scrumptious dinner, I retreat back to our room. I glance at Thomas's letter to me, which is sitting on my bedside table. Time to write a reply. I grab a piece of paper and start writing, using the inn's supplies. Woah, this ink is so nice. Perhaps I should keep it...
I write to Thomas about the meetings with Charlotte and today's one with Isaac and Washington. Alright, now for his instructions.
Thomas, I really don't want to be away from you for two whole years. Please, enlist in the Base 1732 army so at least then we can hang out on weekends! It'll be fun! Come to Newtide as soon as you can. I can't wait to see you.
Sounds good! I sign it off and fold it. I'll send it off tomorrow. I yawn and out of the corner of my eye, I notice a piece of paper on Alexander's bedside table. Maybe it's a letter to John. I kind of want to read it...No, no, that's private stuff.
I walk over to read it. No no, not read. I'll just skim over it. Aw, how cute, he's promising John that he'll send a letter a day. Welp, better get to sleep now. I yawn again before blowing out all the candles and lying down.
I can't wait for Thomas to come here. It'll be the beginning of a whole new chapter of our lives together.
(1921 words)