Allison; Taking Control

Chapter 6

Allison was depleted when the edges of Trenton showed up through his window, embracing the Allisons of the wide Delaware Stream. He felt as though he wouldn't be able to do anything for at least another half day due to the difficulties he had endured over the past two days. He was nevertheless reminded that he still had an important engagement that evening that he had to keep regardless of the circumstances by the sight of the red and orange swaths covering the western sky as the sun began to set. Thankfully, it had stopped raining since then.

Fortunately, Trenton was a large enough town to provide him with better, more frequent lodging options, and Allison was pleased to see his carriage pull up to an inn that appeared to be of high quality. He was even more pleased to learn that the innkeeper had apparently prepared for his arrival and had provided him with lodging for the night. Allison apologized for his dirty appearance and asked to have his belongings moved to his room. He also asked for hot water so he could wash and change for a meeting he had in a short amount of time. Again, the innkeeper was very helpful and sent a porter to help the coach driver with his sea chest right away. After less than twenty minutes, Allison changed into his other uniform and appeared to be clean enough to be respectable before making contact.Even the proprietor had offered to clean and press his soiled uniform items! He thought that things were finally improving, and now I might get some answers.

He put on his cloak, returned downstairs, and asked the ostracized innkeeper where the Black Horse Tavern was after admiring his much improved appearance in the mirror in his quarters.He then, at that point, ventured out onto the cobbled road similarly as the last shades of profound purple were going to disappear in the West. Just in time, he would arrive. As the streets of Trenton finally went dark, he turned around in accordance with the directions he had been given, and he came to a brick building with a signboard depicting a rearing black stallion above the door. The inside could be heard resonating with a clamorous gaiety that was somewhat muffled. As soon as Allison got inside, he took off his hat.

The roar of conversing and laughing patrons in good numbers was immediately apparent to him. A half-dozen wrought iron candle chandeliers provided the majority of the room's dimmer but warm golden illumination. Two men seated over a backgammon board were partially obscured by a fire that was blazing in a hearth off to the right. A good number of square wooden tables with benches and high-backed booth seats bracketing additional tables along the left wall were occupied. Around the tavern bar, which was a square with four long counters in the middle of the large room, some of the customers that night talked over numerous cans of beer. The bar was manned by two men, and there were multiple bartenders who hopped around the place, serving food and drinks and flirting with random customers. Nearly every table was illuminated by candles. It was a welcoming location after his experiences of the previous forty-eight hours.

Allison made his way to the bar and placed an order for himself for a tankard of beer. After that, he made his way to a booth seat in the front corner, next to one of the windows that overlooked the street from which he had come. He decided to wait here until Major Jake arrived because he could easily see the front door and the street lit by lamps from that position. Although he still felt the effects of the carriage ride across New Jersey in his backside as he sat down, he was able to ignore the pain because he knew that some much-needed answers would be forthcoming.Soon, it will be.

Yet, that wasn't completely the situation. At first, Allison was content to just sit in that amusing establishment and drink ale, occasionally looking out the window or toward the front door. However, when no one showed up to meet him for at least an hour, the unsettling thoughts that had previously troubled him throughout his trip returned.

The fact that others present either failed to do so or had no real intention of doing so, despite Allison's efforts to consume alcohol in moderation (he had just purchased a second tankard of ale), only served to exacerbate those unpleasant feelings.After taking note of the passing of time, Allison heard what sounded very much like a female shriek. He then turned to look on the other side of the tavern room, where it appeared that one of the barmaids had been abused by an inebriated customer. The perpetrator, still seated and holding both hands straight up in the air, began to argue his innocence as four or five additional men rushed to her aid.While some loud and threatening words were exchanged, others turned to look at the scene, but the situation eventually settled down without further incident.

Later on, one of the backgammon players began yelling accusations at his opponent while clearly deep in his cups and having lost a fair amount of money.The man got up, grinning at the other person and pointing a finger in his direction. After a few seconds, the board shook, and the two men who had wrestled each other to the ground after exchanging blows were also rolling around on the wooden floor. One of the bartenders, who had brought out two pistols and was now pointing them toward the front door, was one of the others who moved to break up the fight once more. Allison could see the two offenders, both a little sore from being physically ejected from the premises, stumbling into the darkness through the window. Allison's patience was beginning to wane as a result of the irreversible deterioration in the place's upbeat, uplifting atmosphere.

Allison finally saw a person walking down the street from where he had come earlier. It was even later. Before the front door opened and a very elegant redcoat officer entered the tavern, he observed a scarlet flash in the lantern light outside. The one who had cajoled the backgammon reprobates out into the road with the guns some time previously, reasonable the owner, ventured out from behind the bar to shake his hand.

"Evening Major! "Your typical?

Before responding, the visitor appeared to pause and consider the offer. Mr. Rutherford, I suppose I could use one right now, but I'm afraid I won't be here long tonight.

After giving the Major his "usual," the tavernkeeper left with a grin on his face and a nod.His visitor, whom Allison could assume was the person for whom he had been standing by so agonizingly lengthy, had a few articles in his grasp and was currently checking the room as though searching for somebody. Allison made it a point to be there and not let the difficult time he had spent since New York affect how he felt at this crucial moment.

"Please excuse me, Major Jake , sir?" After getting up from his seat and standing just a few paces away, Allison asked.

The courteous army officer replied, "The exact same, and you would be Lieutenant Allison?"

"In fact, sir. It gives me pleasure to meet you.

In an act of gentlemanly respect, the two officers bowed respectfully. After that, Jake swung his head in the direction of the booth and looked at Allison as if to see if that was where he had been sitting.

Allison understood the meaning right away.Yes, please, sir." Allison stood aside with an upturned palm pointing toward the booth.

With the obvious intention of expecting Allison to sit opposite where he had been, Jake made his way to the booth and moved Allison's half-full ale tankard to the opposite side of the table. Even though the Major had already taken Allison's seat, he still told him, "I do hope you don't mind, Lieutenant, but there is something I am waiting for." Jake indicated that he needed to see the street for some reason by looking out the window.

Allison couldn't have cared less.As a matter of fact he was very much glad to finally continue ahead with this gathering which would ideally respond to the vast majority of his inquiries.He moved to the opposite seat when Jake said, "Do please sit." This time, Allison didn't pay any attention to the pain in his buttocks because he was anticipating the information that would come.

Jake had a great figure. His long, dark brown hair was neatly pulled back into a braided queue that reached just past his shoulder blades. He was probably an inch or two taller than Allison. His face, with its dark eyes, was unexceptional if not quite attractive. As befitting his status as an official in what was an imperial regiment, yet the most senior development in the English armed force, his gorget was overlaid rather than silver. His uniform coat bore his regiment's unmistakable illustrious blue sleeves and turnbacks with gold trim. There was a gold aiguillette and a red band over his right shoulder. Jake 's voice had a slight brogue to it when he spoke, which was appropriate for a man whose regiment was the Royal Scots. The man's polished demeanor led Allison to believe that he must have come from a prominent and influential family.

The Major exchanged a few pleasantries as he sat down. Lieutenant, how was your stay here?