Chapter 19: Dream Visitors and Kincade Resolve
July 1836
James continued toward the Kansas border, not sure what he was looking for, but dedicated to moving forward.
Although he had killed and buried the man from the wagon, he had a sneaking suspicion that he was being followed. A vengeful spirit? James chuckled softly at the absurdity of such an idea, and returned to the matter at hand. He had to find food, water, and shelter. He had some money from his prior encounter, or maybe he would cross another traveler. He would do what he must to survive. As his resolve was built up, he heard a whoosh to his right as an arrow flew past him into a tree. James turned around and found himself staring down a bow and arrow from an Indian that looked close to his age.
“You move, you die...just like that man you shot.”
James lamented his failure in avoiding an Indian encounter, and cursed his carelessness.
“Do what you must,” James responded sharply. “There’s no guarantee you could fire fast enough to get me, anyway.”
Still not backing down, the Indian couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You remind me of a story from my father,” the Indian responded. “What is your name?”
“James Kincade.”
“Kincade?” the Indian said in shock. “Kincade...was the one Father spoke of.”
“Father?” James asked, lowering his guard. “My father told me a story as well. Who is your father?”
“Father’s name was—Thlocco Tustennuggee. He was known as Big Warrior.”
August 1836
Chadwick’s grief from Eleanor’s suicide and the departure of his son, James, had taken its toll on him. Paul was now staying at Chadwick’s residence, Paul and the Robinson neighbors being the saving grace in keeping the farm and Oliver afloat. Chadwick spent his days alone in his room, writing in his journal to those that were no longer living. He wrote to Mitchell Damoan, his friend to whom he had sold the original Kincadia Farm. Damoan had died in the massacre from the Indian attacks, but at least he had played a crucial role in helping the women, children, Paul, and the miniature militia escape.
Chadwick wrote to his late wife, Eleanor, apologizing for the state of their family and the loss of what they had created together. He even wrote to Big Warrior, thanking him for taking care of Owen, and wishing he were strong in character and strength like the Seminole had proven to be.
Chadwick often drank himself to sleep with hard cider. One particular night he found himself back at Kincadia Farm in Georgia. He questioned how he could be there, since Paul had already confirmed that his former property was long gone. An arrow flew by his head, and out of the cornstalks walked Big Warrior himself.
“Kincade, it is time for you to awaken. Become the man who bested me once again, and fulfill your true legacy!”
“Big Warrior, is it really you?” Chadwick asked.
“Of course; I am speaking to you through this dream. You have fallen, Kincade, but just like our fight, you must get back up. Even when your time ends, the Kincade name must continue to make history.”
“What do I do, Big Warrior?” Chadwick asked. “I have made a mess of everything.”
“You aren’t the only one who failed with family,” Big Warrior confessed. “I had a son; his name is Holatta Emathla, or Blue Snake. I spent more time fighting than being there for him, and he ultimately went off on his own, much like your boy James. It may be fate, but the two have not only encountered each other, but are roaming Kansas together.”
“Our sons are traveling together?” Chadwick asked in wonder, feeling motivated for the first time since returning home. “I must find James, and Blue Snake, as well. I will save them, and I will watch out for your boy, just like you watched out for Owen. This may only be a dream, but I feel like it is really you, Big Warrior. Now I must prepare for one last adventure, which will be the greatest one of all!”
“Thank you, Kincade,” Big Warrior replied. “Eleanor, Damoan, Little Chadwick, and Little Eagle are all fine. I am watching over them, and Eleanor and Damoan especially look forward to reuniting with you one day, as do I.”
Tears filled Chadwick’s eyes. “Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. I will write my sisters about this.”
“May the spirits old and new guide and keep you safe, Kincade. I don’t know when we will meet again, but when we do, don’t forget you owe me a rematch.”
“Indeed.” Chadwick smiled. “Until then, rest easy, my friend.”
August 16, 1836
Specie Circular In Effect Per President Jackson
Written by Owen Kincade
As of August 15, 1836, government lands may only be bought using full-bodied gold or silver coins in lieu of bank notes and deposits. This practice comes from an executive order from President Andrew Jackson. President Jackson advised that this course of action is taking place due to state banks loaning paper money to just about anyone requesting it. President Jackson believes the gold and silver funds are the only dependable sources of money, and hopes to end massive land speculation and inflation.
“I have more to write, but what do you think so far, Aunt Rosie?”
“Well done, as always, Owen, but it pains me that he is news,” Roselyn said bitterly.
“Jackson’s policies led to the loss of my beloved Peter. I don’t trust anything that man does. The sooner he is out of office, the better. But now it is time for me to head to the hospital. My life and Lily’s life may be empty, but I can at least save other lives that are full.”
“All right, Aunt Rosie. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Owen said gently, giving her a sympathetic hug. “I will look after Lily until you return.”
*****
Roselyn found herself in a beautiful meadow that seemed to stretch forever. Knowing there was no location like this near Diana and Tyler’s home, she accepted that she was in a dream. She thought she was alone until she saw a figure in the distance. As the figure came closer, Roselyn’s heart grew warm. Could it be?
Roselyn ran to Peter and embraced him tightly as she sobbed. Peter returned the embrace and held his love gently.
“This may just be a dream, but it is really me,” Peter reassured Roselyn. “I never got to say goodbye to you when I died, but now I can tell you what my heart longs to say.”
“Let’s not say goodbye!” Roselyn protested. “Let me stay in this peaceful place, with you.”
“You will have to return from your slumber, my love,” Peter responded. “After all, our precious Lily needs you. She will grow up to be a fine woman that will make our legacy proud. But for that, you must be there for her.”
“I know, my dear,” Roselyn said with tears in her eyes. “It is just so hard without you.”
“We will meet again one day,” Peter vowed. “I don’t know when, but if you will have me, I will await you.”
“Always, Little Eagle, always,” Roselyn promised.
“Before we go our separate ways for now, I want to tell you your life is not empty,” Peter passionately told Roselyn. “Lily’s life is not empty, either. Both of you have so much to give the world, even if I am not a part of it anymore.”
“You will always be a part of the world; you will carry on in our memories,” Roselyn said with resolve. “We will honor your memory and life with what we do going forward. Until we are together again, we will make you proud, Little Eagle.”
“I know you will.” Peter smiled. “I will cheer you both on, always and forever.”
*****
Roselyn was preparing for another shift at the hospital, happily humming as she skipped over to her sister Diana to say goodbye.
“You seem to be doing better,” Diana said with a sense of relief. “What’s going on?”
“I spoke to him, Diana; Peter spoke to me in a dream!” Roselyn gushed.
“It was just a dream, but it was him, I swear! He believes in Lily and me, and told me that he will keep cheering for us! I still miss him so, but knowing that he still cares for us in the afterlife, how can I not be happy?”
“That’s wonderful, my sister,” Diana said supportively. She didn’t believe the dead could still see the living, let alone talk to them in dreams. But even with her own grief, it warmed her heart to see her sister doing better. And she wasn’t going to take that away from her.
*****
A knock at the door awoke Diana, and she slipped past a sleeping Tyler and headed for the door. Who could it be at this hour?
Diana opened the door to a young man. She was meeting him for the first time, but she felt like she already knew him. He looked like a younger version of her husband, yet she saw her own eyes looking back at her.
“Hello, Mother; it’s Chadwick,” the young man said. “I am your loving son, and I come to you in your dreams to speak to you.”
Diana’s personal walls came down, and tears filled her eyes as she embraced what her son would have been had he not been taken so soon.
“I know we weren’t able to have a long life together, but I want you to know that the love you and father had for me was real,” Chadwick said kindly. “You still have so much love to give, and you will have a beautiful legacy to speak of. And when your story ends, I will be there, Mother, waiting to hear you tell me all about it.”
June 10, 1837
The country was in another panic. Former President Jackson’s Specie Circular order had limited the currency for land purchase severely enough to limit the money supply. The wheat crop had been unsuccessful, which was bad news due to wheat being an important export. Despite the country’s troubles, Flower and William were still faring all right in Virginia. Flower’s seamstress skills continued to serve her family well, and William’s prior plans to specialize in a variety of crops also made a difference.
Lying in bed after a hard day’s work, Flower thought about previous letters from her siblings, how their outlooks and lives turned around after meeting their lost loved ones in their dreams. Flower had not had a similar experience, until she went to sleep that night.
Although in a dream, Flower was still in bed. She looked up to see none other than her parents, Randolph, and Hope Kincade.
“Mother, Father!” Flower squealed, tears running down her face. “But this is just a dream, right?”
“You are dreaming, but that does not make us any less real than Big Warrior was to Chadwick, Peter was to Roselyn, or young Chadwick was to Diana,” Randolph proclaimed.
“We know no one had visited your dreams yet, so we wanted to see you first, dear Flower,” Hope said warmly.
“We are so incredibly proud of you, your siblings, and all of your descendants,” Randolph said. “You have all had ups and downs, but please know through it all you are doing right by the Kincade name.”
“The legacy of the Kincade name will continue to shine,” Hope added. “Live the rest of your days knowing this, and never take life and family for granted, especially your brother and sisters!”
“Always,” Flower said as tears continued to fill her eyes. “I will treasure everyone always.”
“We also came to tell you that one of you children will be rejoining us soon,” Randolph said as gently as possible. “We do not know which one of you it will be, but we wanted to tell you to keep your head up regardless, and when all of you finish your journey, we will all be reunited once again. And when that time comes, there will be so many more Kincade stories to share!”
Written By: Roses311Sublime