I walked in Ben’s tent where I found him lying on his bed with a letter near him. I knew it was from the turncoat General Benedict Arnold. Ben knew that I was in the room, but he made no acknowledgement. But I knew that he knew because of a very small minuscule of a nod towards me.
“What did he write, Ben?” I asked him, he knew full well when I used his more common nickname than ‘Benji’ when I’m serious.
He wordlessly passed me the letter and when I finished reading it, I felt the same rush of anger towards the traitor.
As I know you to be a man of sense, I am conscious you are, by this time, fully of opinion that the real interest and happiness of America consists in a reunion with Great Britain. I have taken a commission in the British Army and invite you to join me with as many men as you can bring over with you. If you think it proper to embrace my offer you shall have the same rank you now hold, in the cavalry I am to raise.
“And I am guessing that he wrote to you too, my dear Lily of the Valley?” Ben asked, using my other nickname than Lily. ‘Lily of the Valley’ or delicacy, kindness, good luck, happiness, sadness, pain through death, serenity, unity, and hope. While Lily means beauty, rebirth, purity, commitment, and fresh life.
“Yes, he has, my Celamits,” I answered, using my other usual nickname for him which means mental beauty or intelligence.
I quickly handed him the letter, which I hope to burn later. I don’t want to be associated with Arnold any longer.
Olivia,
I write to you because you have so much potential that the British would love to use other than the Continentals. They haven’t given you any money for the years that you have kept their army alive. You have given them everything of you, but they gave you nothing in return. If you defect to the right side, I will do everything in my power to give you your own command, something the old fox had never given you. “Too inexperienced” my crippled leg, you have excellent battle skills and strategy, what more does he want?
I know that you will be a turncoat because like Benjamin Tallmadge, you had the chance to kill me, but you didn’t. You have the best aim I had ever seen on a person, so to you to miss me was a sign.
Heed my warning that the Continentals will throw you out as soon as they are done with you, and when they do, you know what to do.
Your Real Brother and Family,
Benedict Arnold
“He’s insane to even think that you’ll ever defect, you are one of the most loyal Patriots I have ever known!”
“I know!” I had to stop Ben from ranting because we have a bigger problem at hand, “How do we tell Papa?”
“We don’t, until for now. He’s been through a lot right now, and he doesn’t need more. Besides, it's not like we’ll ever defect.” He was right about everything: Papa is stressed out because one of his fine Generals defected that could catalyze the alliance with France, he lost one of his close friends, confidant, and brother, and Ben and I will never defect because we’re loyal to the cause.
“Let’s just hope that Arnold’s defection won’t cost us so much.” I wondered out loud. I heard Ben humming as if agreeing with me. Let’s just hope.