Black Wolf {Completed} - -

Chapter 19

Author's note : I know that in Heavy Burdens there was a mix up (oops my mistake) that Declan had a daughter and a few chapters later a son. I'm sticking with the son in Black Wolf. Because, well to be honest, it's easier to write for me since I have a little boy myself...

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Declan's POV - Fort James

The strength of the woman who led the way into Fort James amazed Declan beyond words. Her head was hidden under a hood of fur, no hair to be seen, though he knew that if Chesterfield laid eyes on her frame and the way Liz moved, he'd recognise her immediately. Elizabeth Wilson had a way to carry herself ; back and shoulders straight, chin high... and more recently, hands clenched into fists and ready for a fight.

She was sneaky, careful not to be seen by anyone and most certainly not the red skirts. Declan followed, McTaggart and Charlie close behind him. Fort James was busy, as always. People going to and from their work, others went to drink or eat while some were playing with children on the street.

His heart clenched when he saw a father carrying a young boy, not older then three years old, on his arm while his free hand was held a girl. He had stopped in his tracks and watched the three from a safe distance and it felt like ages since he had held his own child into his arms. Cradled him to sleep. Played with him and comforted him when his son was sad.

It wasn't until Liz came to stand next to him, and Declan felt her shoulder against him, that he realised he must've been staring for some time. The man and his children were long out of his view. Declan had to shake the memory of his son away for the time being if he wanted to be able to stick to the task. That was the case since his wife and son died ; shaking away his emotions for vengeance.

When he locked eyes with Liz, she didn't ask anything and he was grateful for it. No doubt on his mind that she'd seen the man with his children passing by and that she knew what went on inside him. The turmoil he'd been fighting since Declan buried his son. It was a hole in his heart that he could ever fill.

He missed him. His tiny arms that flung around his neck when he got home from a hunt. His feet and toes trying to tickle his father's belly to play and the laugh that echoed in their tent when Declan threw him up and down, catching him and throwing him gently up into the air again.

Declan felt the tears behind his eyes, prickling and sniffed his nose. He just nodded at Liz who patiently waited for him, her hand finding his in comfort before Declan moved to walk again. The shed they needed to be in was just around the corner and the sound of canons firing in the distance, still made them jump up. 

"How many times does Chesterfield fire these fuckers, what a fucktard aye?" McTaggart mumbled when he jumped up from the noise again.

No one replied and Elizabeth followed closely when the four of them entered the small shed and descended the stars into the darkness.

Declan's eyes needed to adjust to the dusk inside and when he heard a movement coming from behind him, he quickly turned and raised his hand. Stopping a small tomahawk from hitting the back of his head. His fingers curled around the smaller wrist of Michael and Declan pushed the boy off him.

"I would like to keep my head, boy," he grunted while locking eyes with him.

"Declan? Where the hell have you been," the boy snapped and brought a lantern to light the place up as soon as Liz closed the hatch behind her.

"I'm here now. I found a buyer. How far are you with the tunnel?"

"Almost there. But, there is thick wall and we can't get through."

Another shot from the cannons made Declan grab Liz who was still on the stairs. He noticed her wobble on her feet when the shot made the shed tremble all around them. A thankful glance from her side, made his lips curl up in a half smile when she was safely on the ground floor. Only then, he let her go and turned to Michael again.

"We need to break it," Declan stated the obvious and grinned while looking at McTaggart. "And, I know how. Remember the where the smaller canons are, McTaggart?"

The man started to laugh like a maniac and jump around while nodding his head.

"Yes yes yes, finally some bloody action! Let's find one, Harp. Let's go."

Declan turned to Liz and Charlie.

"Stay put," he murmured to both of them but his gaze stayed on Liz who was already shaking her head. "I will be back in a moment. I promise. Stay here. Michael and Charlie will keep you safe."

He turned to Michael who stared between Declan and Elizabeth. Declan waited for an answer from the boy who looked confused and lost.

"Yes, of course," Michael said. "Liz, I'm so sorry what happened back ..."

"Forget about it," Liz stated shortly. "Where's Sokanon?"

Declan turned to face Michael fully and crossed his arms. "Yeah, where is she?"

"She's escorting a girl to a native tribe," Michael said, shrugged his shoulders and Declan was the one who was confused now. "She isn't coming. Told me to tell you, that you would understand."

Declan sighed annoyed but let it go. Whatever his sister in law's reasons were, it were probably good ones if she decided to not show up for this.

He turned to Liz. "Be back in a moment."

Declan left, McTaggart behind him. He knew exactly where to go and led them through the small alleyways of Fort James. The town was perfect to sneak around lying right next to the tree-line. It provided them with the cover they needed and Declan didn't had a hard time finding the storage. Apparently, Benton was a man of habit. Even after so many years, the old man never thought about moving his weaponry to another place.

Another canon blast was heard and Declan muttered some curse words while McTaggart grabbed some gunpowder and Declan himself carried the small, heavy canon. These smaller canons were used on ships and were specially made to be carried, but those things were still heavy as fuck.

He didn't hesitate or stop anywhere on their way back. Declan just wanted to break the wall, get the furs out and sell them to Currather's as soon as possible. And get the hell away from this town. This time forever. He wasn't coming back.

When he entered the shed, he saw Liz standing behind the stairs with a frown between her brows when she noticed the canon that he dropped before the hole of the tunnel.

"What are you going to do?"

He smiled brightly at her and pointed at the gunpowder.

"We're gonna blast the fucker right open," he said and saw her eyes widen.

"They'll hear the blast," Michael said.

"Nope," McTaggart intervened and pointed at the ceiling. "Listen...one-two-three..."

Chesterfield let another canon shot loose, made the shed tremble again and Liz suddenly grinned.

"Shoot it when a canon shot goes off. No one will notice," she muttered when realisation dawned upon her. "That's...an excellent idea."

Declan playfully grabbed her chin and pecked her on the lips. "I'm all excellent ideas."

The half smile around her lips and the way she arched her brow, made him laugh even louder.

"If you say so...," she gave him a playful push on his shoulder before taking a step back.

"Get ready," Declan looked at Michael and the others. "Fire in the hole!"

He couldn't hide his amusement, the thought alone of blowing something up that once belonged to Benton brought joy to his heart.