Alexander was furious. That evening, Charles Lee had made it back to the camp, safe and sound, and refused to blame himself for their defeat earlier that day.
"The fault lies with George Washington!" he claimed to a small group of cronies. "He is indecisive and would help the war better if he went back home!"
Alexander had lunged at Lee, but Washington held him back. "Don't do a thing, son. History will prove him wrong." He tried to protest but Washingotn ordered him not to do anything. "We have a war to fight. Let's focus on that." He looked at him sternly and Alexander knew not to argue.
Trudging away, he found Laurens at one of the campfires and sat next to him. Laurens had needed a Calming draught but was otherwise in perfect health.
"You hear what Lee was saying about Washington?" he asked him quietly.
"I couldn't stop even if I tried," Laurens said, tossing a twig into the flames. "Someone ought to teach him a lesson." The firelight flickered on his face, making it hard to see his expression.
Alexander crossed his arms. "I would, but Washington ordered me not to do anything. I can't disobey him."
"Then I'll do it." Alexander gaped at him. "We'll have a duel," Laurens said, standing up. He looked at Hamilton, who was still sitting in shock. "You're my best mate, Alex. Will you be my second?"
Alexander jumped up and shook his hand, ready to support his friend in anything. "Don't throw away your shot, John. Let's go find Lee."
It wasn't that hard. "Charles Lee!" Laurens called, striding over to his tent. Lee came out, looking angry.
"What do you want?"
"I challange you to a duel for your performance today," he responded. "Do you accept?"
Lee rolled his eyes at the formailty. "Sure, I accept."
"You need a second." Hamilton put in. "Pick one."
The wizard scanned the camp. "Burr!" he called. "Come over here!"
Aaron Burr came over, looking as if he wished he could be anyehere else. "What did you do now, Hamilton?"
"I am Lauren's sceond to a duel against Charles Lee," Alexander said, puffing up his chest.
"Will you be my second?" Lee asked the man, though it sounded more like a demand.
"Fine," Burr spat. "This is ridiculous though."
The four men traveled to the edge of the protective boundaries. The area was flat. Perfect for dueling. As the other men prepared, Hamilton and Burr had a quick talk.
"Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?" Burr sighed.
"Sure," Alexander said. "But Lee needs to answer for waht he said."
"With his life?" Aaron exclaimed. "Its crazy!"
The other man held up his hand. "Well how many Aurors died because Lee was cowardly and inexperienced?"
"You're not going to change your mind, are you?"
"Nope!" Turning towards Lee and Laurens, he called, "Face eachother and bow!"
Glaring, the two men bowed, neither taking their eyes off of the other. "Turn and walk ten paces!"
They turned and Alexander counted. "...one...two..." Laurens was stone-faced, but his hands were shaking.
"...three...four...five...six..."
Burr looked nervously at both men and then back at the campsite.
"...seven...eight..."
Alexander suddenly felt a strange sensation of doubt. What if Laurens lost?
"...nine..."
No, he had to trust him.
"...ten..."
The men whirled around. Charles Lee made a slashing motion with his wand that sent a purple streak of light towards Laurens. He dodged it and yelled, "Stupefy!"
Lee blocked the red spell and was about counterattack, when Laurens sent a volley of arrows at him. He was able to knock most of them away, but one stabbed him in the side. He fell to the ground in agony, blood spilling from his wound. Burr gasped and ran to his aid.
Alexander put his arm around Laurens's shoulders and walked forward. "Lee, do you yield?" he said, covering up his relief.
"You just shot him in the side!" Burr yelled, trying and failing to pull the injured Lee to his feet. "Yes, he yields."
Laurens shoved his wand into his pocket. "I'm satisfied."
Hamilton was about to congratualte his friend when they heard an angry voice. "What is the meaning of this?"
This should be fun," Burr muttered.
Laurens went pale under his freckles as George Washington stormed onto the scene. He looked at the two men on the ground, one bleeding, and ordered, "Burr, get a Healer for Lee."
"Yes, sir." Burr never looked more relieved to leave the scene as he scampered off.
Knealing next to the incapacitated Lee, Washington said, "You will never believe me, but these men do not speak for me." He gestured to Hamilton and Laurens, who shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you for your service, Lee." He shook his hand.
Charles Lee groaned and laid his head back in the grass.
Alexander took a couple steps back.
"Hamilton!"
He winced. "Sir?"
"Meet me inside."
Alexander turned away from Laurens's worried face and followed in the wake of Washington's fury.
Washington stormed into his tent and Alexander followed. "Sit," the Auror pointed to a chair and the other man sat like an obedient puppy.
George Washington paced back and forth, trying to pull himself together. As Alexander sat there, he felt fustration and anger fise up in himself too. Why was he here, about to be scolded, while Lee just got a slap on the wrist by being sent home?
Washington opened his mouth, "Son-."
"I'm not your son," Hamilton snapped. Some days he didn't mind being called that, but not today.
Washington continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "This war is hard enough without fighting with eachother."
"Lee called you out!" Alexander exclaimed, feeling as if he had to explain the obvious. "He was all talk and no action."
"You solve nothing!" Washington spat, whirling to face him. "You'll aggravate our French allies. Now what will they do after they know you attacked one of our own?"
Hamtilon couldn't stop himself. "You're absouletly right. John should have cursed him in the mouth. That would have shut him up."
"Son!" Washington was aghast.
"I'm not your son," Hamilton growled. Washignton was treating him like a child.
The Auror got a dangerous look on his face. "Watch your tone. I am not a maiden in need of defending. I am-.
Alexander had enough. He lept to his feet. "Charles Lee! Thomas Conway!" he shouted, listing them on his fingers. "These men take your name and rake it throug the mud!"
"My name's been through alot. I can take it!"
The young man was nearing the end of his rope. "Well, I don't have your name. I don't have your titles. I don't have your land." He looked at Washington sideways. "But, if you-."
"No-," the older man tried to protest.
"If you gave me a group of men to lead, I could fly above my station after the war."
Washington came close and put his hands on Alexander's shoulders. "Or you could die and we need you alive." His voice shook with desperation to get him to understand.
Hamilton squirmed out of his grasp. "I am more than willing to die," he said, raising his chin proudly.
Then Washington decided to get personal. "Your wife needs you alive, son. I need you alive!"
Alexander swelled in fury. "CALL ME SON ONE MORE TIME!" he roared, pointing his wand at Washington.
The other man followed suit and for a moment, the two stood there in silence. Alexander glared at George Washington's cold face, chest heaving as his outburst faded into the night air. The Auror was the first to move. He turned away and pocketed his wand. "Go home, Alexander," he said softly, his back to him.
Alexander went pale. He dropped his wand. "W-what?"
"Go home."
"Sir..."
"That is an order."
