Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 27

Madeline was stunned for nowhere in all the legends that she had heard about Luke did they talk about his encouraging women to read and write. She found that she really liked Luke the person. She found the general to be very fair and likeable as well but he could be a bit heavy handed when it came to disciple. In her opinion anyway. As they traveled on, Madeline tried to ask Luke about his background.

"You don't want to know, trust me. Plus, to give the story any justice at all it would take much more time than we have available. It won't be long before the artillery stops."

All through this Luke had been thinking and he realized what a monstrous ass that he had made of himself over the last couple of weeks and all because of a damn little voice in his head that had always been wrong before. Something else that gave him comfort was when Madeline said that she joined because she wanted to serve Marion. Maybe things would work out for the better after all.

When the artillery went quiet, Luke had his army right on the edge of the enemy camp. He could see that they had been devastated by the artillery fire and he could see that his theory of avoiding the path had been correct for he could see the hidden fortifications blocking it. The remaining enemy soldiers were starting to file out of their bunkers and were manning the field fortifications. He turned to Madeline:

"Just stay near me private and trust your training and you will be fine. Trust me."

"Yes sir."

Luke looked up and down his line to make sure that everyone was in position. The enemy was finishing up getting into position to repel the expected frontal attack. Luke stood up and waved his arm, signaling his troops to begin the attack. They went in with no yelling at all. They just moved silently and quickly. The enemy didn't even spot them until Luke's troops were almost on them. Most of the enemy troops appeared to still be in a bit of shock either from the bombardment or from Luke's troops showing up behind them and all this was just fine with Luke. Just meant that he would have fewer causalities. By this time, he had stopped carrying his sword unless it was ceremonial. For battle he carried his Sig which he was able to make ammunition for and a standard army rifle as well. Luke's troops swept over the enemy with ease for they had completely surprised the enemy forces. After they had for they had completely surprised the enemy forces. After they had swept the area, Luke went to stand on the enemy parapet where he waited for the main part of his army. With him he had Marion's flag and he thrust the butt of the pole into the ground next to him.

"General, sir. Can ask you a question?" Luke looked over and seen that it was Madeline. He then smiled warmly.

"Go ahead, Madeline."

"That flag, where did Marion get the idea from? I'm just curious."

"This was known as the flag of St. George where came from and Marion liked it." Luke made sure to skip over that part about this being the English flag in his universe.

"Oh, just curious. Sorry for asking."

"Never be sorry for asking questions for that is how you learn Madeline. Now you should probably get back to your duty."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."

When the commander of the rest of the army got up to Luke, Luke just had to ask:

"What took ya so long? I was beginning to wonder if you all had fallen asleep or something and I about to go and try to find me a pint."

Around him, the troops were relieved for their commanding general was back.

It took the rest of the day to bury all the enemy dead, not that Luke was bothered for he was no longer in a hurry. All the steel was collected, so that it could be sold to Luke's steel mill; the money would be divided between the troops.

When Alice found Luke, she wasn't sure who it was for she had grown use to Luke being angry and now he was back to his old self.

"Luke!" she exclaimed "What happened to you?"

"I just had to be reminded what I was fighting for, that's all. Well, that and a reminder that many other people live lives that are far that and a reminder that many other people live lives that are far worse than mine. Oh, before I forget to tell you, you might have a visitor this evening at our tent. Met me a young soldier who doesn't believe that she can read because of her being a well, her."

"If she stops by, I'll fix that!" Alice said with a smile. "What's the lass's name?"

"Madeline" With that Luke put his arm around Alice's shoulder and held her close. Alice was so relieved for Luke really had returned and he wasn't acting one bit.

That evening, Madeline did stop by. She had been fighting with herself all afternoon as to whether she should or not and she still wasn't all that sure. She wasn't even sure of how she had got there for one minute it she was in her tent and it seemed like the next, she was asking for permission to enter the commanding general's tent. She found Luke working on paperwork while Alice was doing some weird stretching. Luke had taught Alice yoga and she found that she loved it. Luke loved it for the spectacular view. Neither of them still had uniforms on for they were both in comfortable clothes. Luke looked up when she came in:

"Well, hi Madeline. Welcome. Can I get you anything?"

"Ah no. Thank you" Madeline was extremely nervous.

"Relax Madeline. I'm not nearly as rigid as I seem when in uniform. Time for introductions" Luke sald jumping up from his seat "Madeline this is Alice. Alice this is Madeline. She's the one I telling you about"

"So, you're the one who doesn't believe that women can read. Come in and take a seat for we have a lot to talk about"

For the next couple of hours, the ladies talked while Luke worked on paperwork. Once in a while Luke would chime in with his two- sense worth without even looking up from his paperwork. Finally, Luke was able to finish all of his paperwork. It was nice to be finally caught up on everything for once. He could hear that the ladies were still talking, but he had to interrupt.

"Excuse me ladies but I'm going to bed. Madeline, you might want to think about going to bed to for we will be leaving in the morning."

"Seriously Luke?" whined Alice.