The Fight for Freedom

By J.P. Bowie

Treachery and murder lead Jamie and Tanaka on the trail of a deranged deserter intent on personal revenge amid a looming war between the Choctaws and the English.

As the English army advances on the Choctaw nation, Jamie and Tanaka enlist the aid of a young Lieutenant, William McBride, who is sympathetic to the Choctaw cause. Their quest for peace is thwarted by Captain John Davenport, who orders their arrest then leads his men into a crushing defeat at the hands of the Choctaws. Court martialed for desertion under fire, Davenport seeks revenge on all those he holds responsible for his fall from grace.

As all these forces come together for the final struggle to survive, Jamie and Tanaka face their greatest challenge yet. Is their will strong enough to overcome those who seek to destroy them, and can their love protect them from the hazards of the wilderness itself?

Publisher's Note: This book was previously released elsewhere. It has been reedited for release with Pride Publishing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jan 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781786517036

J.P. Bowie

J.P. Bowie: I was born and raised in Scotland. Moved to London and worked in several West End shows before immigrating to the United States. First port of call was Las Vegas where I worked backstage with the Siegfried and Roy Show at the Mirage Hotel as Head of Wardrobe for the legendary stars. Another move more recently took me and my husband Phil to San Diego where we intend to stay! Love sunny San Diego.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by J.P. Bowie

Single title

The Set Up

Ride ‘em Cowboy

Ride ‘em Again Cowboy

Personal Trainers

Halloween Angel

The Officer and the Gentleman

With a Little Help From My Friends

Blood Relations

Nowhere to Hide

Trip of a Lifetime

A Ghost Story

Happy Ending

A Highlander in LA

Journey to Hope

Paris Connection

All I’ll Ever Need

Every Breath I Take

Highland Hearts

Evan Sent

Fear and Loving in Las Vegas

Breaking the Habit

Fear of Flying

From Upstairs to Downstairs

My Vampire and I

My Vampire and I

My Vampire Lover

Duet in Blood

Blood Resurrection

Bound in Blood

Blood Lure

Blood Lust

Blood Talisman

The Journeyer

The Journey Begins

The New World

Anthologies

Fabulous Brits: Under the Law

Naughty Nooners: Lunches in Laguna

Friction: Cruising

Saddle Up ‘N’ Ride: Ride ‘em Hard Cowboy

Promoted by the Billionaire: Fly to Him

Seasonal Collections

Heatwave: Summer Bliss

Christmas Spirits: A Present Christmas

Homecoming: Blueprint for Love

Yule Be Mine: A Special Christmas

Immortal Love: Night Wing

The Journeyer

THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

J.P. BOWIE

The Fight for Freedom

ISBN # 978-1-78651-703-6

©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2019

Cover Art by Cherith Vaughan ©Copyright January 2019

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book three in the Journeyer series

Treachery and murder lead Jamie and Tanaka on the trail of a deranged deserter intent on personal revenge amid a looming war between the Choctaws and the English.

As the English army advances on the Choctaw nation, Jamie and Tanaka enlist the aid of a young Lieutenant, William McBride, who is sympathetic to the Choctaw cause. Their quest for peace is thwarted by Captain John Davenport, who orders their arrest then leads his men into a crushing defeat at the hands of the Choctaws. Court martialed for desertion under fire, Davenport seeks revenge on all those he holds responsible for his fall from grace.

As all these forces come together for the final struggle to survive, Jamie and Tanaka face their greatest challenge yet. Is their will strong enough to overcome those who seek to destroy them, and can their love protect them from the hazards of the wilderness itself?

Dedication

Thank you, Claire and Rebecca at Pride Publishing, for making this story possible. Thanks also to Phil and all the ‘journeyers’ out there. Sláinte!

Chapter One

John Davenport paced his small cell like an angry animal. The guard, seemingly unable to hide the smug smile that lit his face each time he checked in on him, now laughed quietly at the captain’s incessant mumbling and muttering. Going barmy, he is, Davenport had heard him tell one of the other soldiers earlier. Talks to himself all the time. Paces like a cat. I don’t think he ever sleeps.

Davenport stood smartly to attention as the prison door opened and McBride entered along with Barron. Both officers wore grim expressions as they approached Davenport’s cell.

What the devil do you two want? Davenport cast them a baleful look. Come to gloat, have you, eh?

No, John, Barron replied. We’ve come to let you know that the date of your execution has been moved up a notch. Tomorrow morning, as a matter of fact.

Bastards! Davenport hissed through the cell bars. Bastards, both of you—and liars! You lied through your teeth about what happened. You couldn’t wait to bring me down.

And the men, John. Barron folded his arms as he stared at the raging man. Did they lie too? Did the entire division, what was left of them, lie to the judges about what they saw? Did they imagine that their commanding officer deserted them, again, in the heat of battle? Crawling away, like the spineless coward you are! Did they indeed imagine all that? Did they also imagine that the Scotsman dragged you back by the scruff of your neck and laid you at our feet? If so, then we all had the same hallucinations. How do you account for that, eh, John?

Shut your mouth! Davenport screamed, his face hot with rage. I shan’t forget this final insult. You, both of you, will rue the day you crossed me!

A little late for all that now, is it not? McBride remarked with ill-concealed contempt. A bit late to be threatening us, I fear, John.

We’ve also come to ask you if you wish to send a message to your family, Barron said. Any last words of apology, or something like that?

Get out! Davenport turned from them, his mind seething with the desire to tear both men apart.

Very well, John. Barron sighed. Your father will be sent a report of what happened, with all of our regrets and sympathy. I think they will find it all very hard to believe.

Get out! Davenport screamed again, refusing to turn to face them.

Barron nodded at McBride and the two men turned to leave. As the door closed behind them, Davenport let out a howl of frenzy and despair and Barron and McBride stopped short. He won’t go easily tomorrow, I’m afraid, Barron said with obvious distaste.

No, McBride agreed, as they walked out of the prison. I doubt if there will be a show of bravery at the end. What d’you suppose happened to him? He’s always been an arrogant man, but I never thought of him as a coward, until these two displays of rank terror. He has been in combat before. You, yourself, pointed this out in your defense of him the first time. So why now?

That is a very good question, William. And one to which I do not have the answer. Who can say what changes a man from being, at the very least, an adequate commander, to a whimpering coward? It’s just all too bizarre, and something I have not encountered prior to this. Yes, I’ve seen men quake with fear in the face of imminent danger. I’ve even seen one or two run from it when there was no other option open to them. But I have never seen a commanding officer attempt to leave his men to their fate and run like a scared rabbit. Never!

* * * *

The throb of drums assailed Jamie’s ears as he and Tanaka made their way back to Black Eagle’s village in the early hours of the morning.

What do they signify? he asked.

Tanaka’s face lit up with eagerness. Something I think you will never have seen before. He broke into a run. Come, Jamie, let us join in the game!

Game? What game? Jamie strove to keep up with Tanaka, whose fleet-footedness never ceased to amaze him.

Tanaka laughed over his shoulder. You will see.

As they burst through the village gates, Jamie was astounded to see throngs of men and women forming a huge circle, in the middle of which dozens of men stood facing one another. They carried wooden sticks in both hands.

"Kapucha!" Tanaka yelled with excitement. Black Eagle, on hearing his voice, turned and with a broad smile pulled him into the center of the circle. Jamie watched, wide-eyed, as what he now realized were two teams of players sprang forward to catch a ball that had been thrown into their midst. At once, mayhem ensued as the players became locked in what almost looked like mortal combat to gain control of the ball. Jamie gasped as Tanaka caught the ball between the sticks he held and tossed it high into the air toward a hoop that was fastened to a wooden post. The crowd roared its approval as the ball sailed through the hoop.

Jamie joined in the cheers as Tanaka scooped up the ball and threw it back into play, then yelled with anger when a member of the opposing team deliberately bashed Tanaka on the head with his stick, sending him sprawling face-first onto the ground. A restraining hand on his arm stopped him from running into the circle, but to what end he wasn’t sure…help Tanaka back on his feet? Punch his assailant? Small Woman stood at his side. She smiled and patted his arm, and he took that to indicate that Tanaka was not in any danger, and sure enough, his lover jumped to his feet and raced after the ball again.

I’ll warrant you’ve never seen anything like this before, Jamie MacDonald… Kate Williams gave him a cheeky smile as she joined him and Small Woman.

You’re right, I have not, Jamie told her, chuckling.

"It’s called kapucha, stick-ball, really. It’s a favorite among the men here. They come from nearby villages to compete. It can get fairly rowdy, as you can see."

I canna’ seem to follow the rules, Jamie muttered, his gaze trained on Tanaka’s sleek, muscled body as he bounded after the ball, hotly pursued by a dozen or so other players.

Kate laughed. There are few rules we’d understand. It’s more or less every man for himself. I’ve seen broken bones and bloody heads many a time, but there are few if any hard feelings afterward. She pointed at a sturdy young man who was blocking Tanaka’s path, or trying to. That’s my husband, George."

George? Jamie stared at her. How came he by that name?

I gave him it. I couldn’t pronounce his real name, then I found out it means Walks-within-the-Wind. I told him it was too much of a mouthful, so I would call him George.

He doesna’ mind?

He likes it well enough, and I keep him happy in other ways.

Jamie glanced at the comely woman by his side and thought ‘George’ would no doubt like anything she chose to call him. Tanaka, meanwhile, had outsmarted George by feinting to the left and passing him on the right before he was off again, leaping high enough to send the ball through the hoop and score another point for victory. A roar went up from the crowd and Tanaka was caught up in a bear hug by Black Eagle, who swung him off his feet while they laughed like young boys at play.

Oh, dear, Kate whispered, I’ll have to work extra hard tonight to make my George a happy man.

Jamie grinned and she walked off to placate her dejected husband. Small Woman jumped up and down with glee when Black Eagle dragged Tanaka from the milling crowd. Jamie had never seen his lover look as wild and as beautiful as at that moment, when he stood before him, his body glistening with the sweat of exertion and his mane of thick black hair falling in disarray around his face and shoulders.

Jamie, he cried, you must join us in the next game!

Jamie shook his head. I think I’d be more of a hindrance than an asset in there. I’m content to watch you and Black Eagle win the honors.

Then tomorrow I will teach you how to play! Tanaka’s high spirits were contagious and Jamie beamed at him, watching him run back into the fray for the second round of kapucha.

* * * *

Davenport sat on the narrow bed his cell provided, wiping the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. His earlier rage had passed and left him empty and desolate. The realization that his father and brother would be informed of his court martial and subsequent execution had brought him to the edge of despair and self-pity.

Oh, Father, he whispered, his lips trembling. Forgive me. Harry, forgive me… But, he knew that when the news was given to his father and brother, there would be no forgiveness. His name would never be mentioned again within his father’s presence. The old man would never recover from the shame his son had brought upon the family.

The clinking of keys drew his attention to the guard who was bringing him his supper. As he watched the young soldier fumble with the