#Simcoe on the other hand... I have thoughts; there are at least some sources from the time that could be read in a way suggesting

[acrossthewavesoftime]

Not Eton (actually, might have been! But from what I piece together, they may have been at another institution together before at least one of them moved on to Eton), but Exeter Free Grammar School:

And no, what possibly happened at school, didn't stay there: it got published in an anthology called Poems Chiefly by Gentlemen of Devonshire and Cornwall, Vol. 1. (Ed. Richard Polwhele; 1792) by the recipient.

Me: Hmm, I wonder if there's any specific connection between Eton and queer men in the 18th century.

Me: Best to start with an overview of the topic, so let's see what comes up for a generic search like "eton" and "18th century".

JSTOR:

[happyhealthycats]

Meet the blogger!

(Picture: me saying so long to Amethyst on her adoption day).

As my introduction says, my name is Dani and I’m a Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist. I’m 29 years old, I’ve been married to my husband for a little over four years (together for over nine), and I live in New Jersey in the USA.

Granted, twenty years ago, nine-year-old Dani would not have even considered this career path or passion. As an adult, I was diagnosed with ASD. A lot of my childhood clicked into place after that diagnosis. I thought something was wrong with me, but could never put my finger on what. Turns out nothing was wrong with me, we just didn’t know that I had to do things a little differently.

From a young age, I was introduced to theatre. I was in my first show at 6 years old, and was pretty much on the stage at every opportunity after that. I loved singing and acting. I went to a Performing Arts vocational High School, and had amazing opportunities to learn more about theatre and performing than I could ever dream of.

Unfortunately, the high school also taught me that while I loved theatre and I loved performing, I would not cut it in the professional world. I was big, and I was always big. I wasn’t the look most people went for. I had a low voice. Nobody wanted Ethel Mermans anymore, they wanted Kristen Chenoweths. This was, admittedly, not my own conclusion. I had a lot of teachers and special guest artists tell me that I “had a face for stage management” and if I didn’t like that “that’s just how the business was”.

So theatre, while a wonderful passion of mine, was not a good, viable source of income.

(Picture: myself, playing Dolly Tate in a local production of “Annie Get Your Gun”).

So, going into college, I was at a loss for what to do. I had studied a few languages. I took Spanish for several years in middle and high schools, but my love of video games and anime brought me to study Japanese in high school (where it was offered as a class), and in college, I turned to Chinese. But the aspect of leaving the country to pursue the education scared me. While yes, many people successfully leave their country in order to study, and many people even stay where they study, I was hesitant.

I had met who would eventually become my husband. With anxiety and health issues, leaving the country wasn’t exactly feasible. I studied American Sign Language for a brief period, but a long-lived arm/hand injury made me unable to move some of my fingers, and I was not a viable candidate for a translator.

(Picture: me and Garnet, a foster kitten from my most recent foster litter).

Now, my love of felines seems a bit out of left field. From an early age I loved animals. My parents did not like, or know how to care for cats, and my grandmother only tended to vast outdoor colonies that she would let inside her house. My experience with cats had only been these feral and semi-feral cats who hissed and would swat at tiny child Dani. I didn’t understand, and the people in my life ALSO did not understand, so my opinion of cats was, unfortunately, tarnished.

I grew up with a dog, Muffin, who was a long lived and long loved Bichon. She lived for 16 years, and was my absolute best friend. She even performed in shows with me. As I grew up, I met more animals, loved meeting more animals. My mother kept pushing me towards becoming a veterinarian, but it was not something I was interested in.

(Picture: me with Muffin, taking her down the street to the beach before she passed away).

I really didn’t know where that left me, though. I tried going to school to become a medical receptionist, but my husband and I moved, leaving me with half a completed certification. 

Then we met Heimdall. And while I had grown to adore cats over the years, learning more about them from friends with cats and more popular television shows about cats, I was smitten and went headfirst into cat guardianship the same way I go into everything - with my whole heart and no looking back.

Cats. Were (and are). FASCINATING. 

There was so much information out there about cats! How so much of the things I’d been told as a child were so untrue. I loved every moment of it. I loved my cats, I loved learning about cats, I loved spending time with cats. I was so over the moon happy and fulfilled learning about them that it was the first time in my life that I felt like I knew what I was doing.

(Picture: me and my hedgehog Guy Fieri.)

So I enrolled with the Animal Behavior Institute, worked hard, studied harder, immersed myself in helping cats at my local shelter, and found what I absolutely knew I loved to do beyond all else. I could still do theatre on the weekends. I could still study languages in my spare time. But working with cats was never working. It was enriching. It was worth while. It fed my soul.

(Picture: me with my cat Seymour).

So what do I do now? I work an office job during the day because good grief caring for five cats is pricey and I want them to live their best lives. 

I play video games all the time. Currently playing Katamari Damacy Reroll on the Switch, along with re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-replaying the original Mass Effect series. One of my favorite non-cat related books is Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: And Other Lessons From The Crematory by Caitlin Doughty (proceed with caution Googling that, it discusses human death in a very matter-of-fact way and it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s perfectly okay. If you’re okay with it, though, check it out). 

I have seven tattoos and I’m in the market for at least four more (for the cats, Simcoe and Citra are a package deal), and I’m just artist browsing at the moment. I run a regular D&D campaign, and I’ve been DMing for about two years, first with Pathfinder and now with D&D 5th edition.

[wineanddinosaur]

We Asked 12 Brewers: What Brewery Makes the Best Hazy IPAs?

Let’s get right to the juicy stuff.

We’re talking, of course, about hazy IPAs, which continue to keep beer lovers waiting and salivating in line (at least before the coronavirus pandemic), in hopes of securing the latest rare releases.

Interestingly, fans of hazy IPAs, also known as New England-style IPAs or simply NEIPAs, far more often find their admiration for breweries that specialize in these highly popular beers rather than for particular examples — this due to many being made in limited quantities, and without broad distribution. (No doubt, scarcity contributes to the NEIPA’s appeal.)

So, with that in mind, we asked the brewers themselves which craft breweries they believe have demonstrated great proficiency in the uniquely American beer style. Below, 12 beer producers from across the country opine on the best purveyor of hazy IPAs.

The Best Hazy IPA Breweries, Recommended by Brewers:

Tired Hands Brewing Company, Ardmore, Pa.

Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn

Great Notion Brewing, Portland, Ore.

Humble Sea Brewing Co., Santa Cruz, Calif.

Root + Branch Brewing, Copiague, N.Y.

Cellarmaker Brewing Co., San Francisco

Triple Crossing Beer, Richmond, Va.

The Alchemist Brewery, Stowe, Vt.

Hudson Valley Brewery, Beacon, N.Y.

Mountains Walking Brewery, Bozeman, Mont.

Hop Butcher for the World, Darien, Ill.

Keep reading for details about all the recommended bottles!

“Wow. What a loaded question. The first brewer or brewery that popped into my head was Jean Broillet and Tired Hands. I just like Jean’s approach to beer in general. Trends are changing so quickly, and everyone wants the next hype beer style, but I like to rely on breweries that I know will create a consistently good and balanced product regardless. With hazy IPAs, so many examples are pushed out too quickly and get spicy. But I can have an IPA, or any beer, from Tired Hands weeks, even months, later, and they taste the same. (Full attenuation is key!) I’ve never been disappointed in a hazy IPA, or a pilsner, or an experimental potato something from Jean, and I don’t imagine I will be anytime soon.” — Erika Tessier, Co-owner and Assistant Brewer, Origin Beer Project, Cranston, R.I.

“I’ve been a big fan of Other Half, and the brewery’s IPAs are some of the best in the game, the continuous hype well deserved. They carry explosive aroma, mouthfeel, and flavor profile that checks all the right boxes. DDH Broccoli is still one of my all-time favorite IPAs, and the All Together initiative was not only a great beer, but a great campaign to support all these small business and communities during the coronavirus pandemic. The only downside is that I don’t have the opportunity to drink Other Half here in rural Iowa as often as I’d like!” — Eric Hild, Lead Brewer, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Decorah, Iowa

“Great Notion was the first brewer in Portland to start making hazy IPAs, and now there’s not one producer who doesn’t include at least one example in their lineup. What’s great about the city’s brewing community is that we openly share ideas; we’ve learned a lot about this style from each other. The most impressive part of Great Notion’s hazy IPAs is consistency. In particular, the all-Citra Ripe represents the style well, showcasing a silky body, balanced malt, and juicy hop expression.” — Shaun Kalis, Co-founder, Ruse Brewing Company, Portland, Ore.

“My choice for the best hazy IPA brewery isn’t from New England, but from a kooky town by the Pacific. I’ve been stoked on Humble Sea for a while and will always stop for a ‘Foggy’ IPA when in Santa Cruz. The brewery has been cranking out a ton of sick hazies since opening a few years ago, each more radical than the last. I think the Humble Sea team really nailed it with Socks & Sandals. Classic West Coast aromatics and flavor with that soft, creamy mouthfeel of a NEIPA; it really hit that sweet spot for me. It’s like East Coast meets West (Best) Coast.” — Justin Carter, Cellar Lead, Drake’s Brewing Co., San Leandro, Calif.

“Anthony Sorice of Root + Branch is one of a small handful of brewers that can really make a hazy IPA shine. His beers are well thought out, meticulous, and patiently executed. Root + Branch does a great job of keeping the style well balanced. Examples are bright, clean, and show the right amount of restraint, which is very rare these days. I had the pleasure to work alongside Anthony for a period of time and it was clear from the start that he had an excellent grasp on what makes a New England-style IPA work. There’s a very good reason why his beers sell out so fast, and it’s not just hype. The care, quality, and love is obvious.” — Stjepan Pavich, Lead Brewer, Other Half Brewing, Brooklyn

“Tim Sciascia at Cellarmaker makes amazingly crushable hazy IPAs that are consistently imbued with aromatic notes of Citra hops and tropical fruit. This adds to the drinkability of his beers, and shows off his amazing ability to find and select the best hops out in the market.” — Brian Rauso, Co-founder and CEO, Green Cheek Beer Co., Orange, Calif.

“Anytime I have a Triple Crossing hazy IPA, I end up staring at the glass after each sip. I’m half wondering how the Virginia brewery did it, and half hoping the consumed beer will magically replenish itself. That ‘it’ is being able to layer expressive yeast character, water chemistry, and hop aromatics in a way that makes its hazy IPAs truly stand out from the crowd. The single-hop Triangles series really showcases Triple Crossing’s chops; with only a single hop variety, the team achieves an envying amount of structure and complexity. Simcoe Triangles was the last one I had. It’s fresh-cut grapefruit bliss, summertime melon, and dank citrus wrapped up in a velvety smooth mouthfeel.” — Turner Humphries, Head Brewer, Hoptown Brewing Company, Mooresville, N.C.

“In my opinion, The Alchemist is one of the best producers of hazy IPAs. Everything the brewery makes in the style is nicely balanced in terms of aromatics and bitterness, and it’s based in Vermont, which has excellent water sources. Some of my personal favorite IPAs are Heady Topper and Focal Banger. Heady is probably Alchemist’s most famous beer. However, Focal Banger to me seems to be a more dialed-in recipe. I’m more of a malt gal myself, and I enjoy its malt sweetness. Not only does John Kimmich and team produce delicious hazy bois, but they’re also involved in community outreach, aspiring to educate and involve the community around them. The most recent involvement is an anti-racism action plan.” — Haley Ann Warren, Head Brewer, Sparge Brewing, Wellington, Colo.

“Hudson Valley Brewery consistently puts out great, more straightforward hazy, hoppy beer that flies under the radar because of all the attention — and rightly so — its innovative sour IPAs get. Though not an IPA, the hazy pale ale Diadem was one of the best hoppy beers I’ve had this year. The thing that excites me the most about what the Hudson Valley crew does, and where they seem to consistently differentiate themselves, is in blending capabilities. Their ability to skillfully arrange different fermentation profiles can really take hazy, hoppy beers to a place that is perfect for the modern drinker’s flavor and aroma wheelhouse.” — Ben Clayton, Founder and Brewer, The Test Brewery, Brooklyn

“The funky folks at Mountains Walking are making my go-to hazy IPAs these days, in particular the rotating Oat Whip series, which feature single hop varieties without changing the notion of a cloudy, juicy, hoppy beer. They make great companions at the end of a long trail hike or sitting on the side of a stream after a day of fly fishing. We were one of the first to produce hazy IPAs in the wilderness state, and we called them ‘frontier style’ because no one here really knew what a New England IPA was at that time. So we made up that term, since I had brewed in New Mexico and Pennsylvania prior to coming to Montana, where hazy IPAs had been around a lot longer. I’m glad to see other breweries taking the reins on this category that shines brightest on the local level, and making cloudy suds regularly available in Montana.” — Luke Steadman, Brewmaster and Janitor, Smelter City Brewing, Anaconda, Mont.

“I’ve always loved Other Half’s hazy IPAs. Along with a few others, Other Half paved the way for the style. The team is always pushing boundaries and I appreciate that. Right now, I’m really digging the brewery’s double dry-hopped session IPA, [DDH] Baby Diamonds. I love how well Amarillo and Galaxy play together, and it’s easy drinking.” — Maria Cabre, Head Brewer, J. Wakefield Brewing, Miami

“Hop Butcher is knocking it out of the park with the hazy IPAs right now. No two are alike, but they’re consistent with quality, pleasing mouthfeel, and exploding with flavor. The extensive range of hop profiles is incredible. A few of my favorites are Tavern Cut, Neon Green Relish, and Blazed Orange. I’m always excited to see what the brewery is going to put out next.” — Rachel Leiby, Head Brewer, Geneseo Brewing Co., Geneseo, Ill.

The article We Asked 12 Brewers: What Brewery Makes the Best Hazy IPAs? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/12-best-hazy-ipa-beer-2020/

[johnboothus]

We Asked 12 Brewers: What Brewery Makes the Best Hazy IPAs?

Let’s get right to the juicy stuff.

We’re talking, of course, about hazy IPAs, which continue to keep beer lovers waiting and salivating in line (at least before the coronavirus pandemic), in hopes of securing the latest rare releases.

Interestingly, fans of hazy IPAs, also known as New England-style IPAs or simply NEIPAs, far more often find their admiration for breweries that specialize in these highly popular beers rather than for particular examples — this due to many being made in limited quantities, and without broad distribution. (No doubt, scarcity contributes to the NEIPA’s appeal.)

So, with that in mind, we asked the brewers themselves which craft breweries they believe have demonstrated great proficiency in the uniquely American beer style. Below, 12 beer producers from across the country opine on the best purveyor of hazy IPAs.

The Best Hazy IPA Breweries, Recommended by Brewers:

Tired Hands Brewing Company, Ardmore, Pa.

Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn

Great Notion Brewing, Portland, Ore.

Humble Sea Brewing Co., Santa Cruz, Calif.

Root + Branch Brewing, Copiague, N.Y.

Cellarmaker Brewing Co., San Francisco

Triple Crossing Beer, Richmond, Va.

The Alchemist Brewery, Stowe, Vt.

Hudson Valley Brewery, Beacon, N.Y.

Mountains Walking Brewery, Bozeman, Mont.

Hop Butcher for the World, Darien, Ill.

Keep reading for details about all the recommended bottles!

“Wow. What a loaded question. The first brewer or brewery that popped into my head was Jean Broillet and Tired Hands. I just like Jean’s approach to beer in general. Trends are changing so quickly, and everyone wants the next hype beer style, but I like to rely on breweries that I know will create a consistently good and balanced product regardless. With hazy IPAs, so many examples are pushed out too quickly and get spicy. But I can have an IPA, or any beer, from Tired Hands weeks, even months, later, and they taste the same. (Full attenuation is key!) I’ve never been disappointed in a hazy IPA, or a pilsner, or an experimental potato something from Jean, and I don’t imagine I will be anytime soon.” — Erika Tessier, Co-owner and Assistant Brewer, Origin Beer Project, Cranston, R.I.

“I’ve been a big fan of Other Half, and the brewery’s IPAs are some of the best in the game, the continuous hype well deserved. They carry explosive aroma, mouthfeel, and flavor profile that checks all the right boxes. DDH Broccoli is still one of my all-time favorite IPAs, and the All Together initiative was not only a great beer, but a great campaign to support all these small business and communities during the coronavirus pandemic. The only downside is that I don’t have the opportunity to drink Other Half here in rural Iowa as often as I’d like!” — Eric Hild, Lead Brewer, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Decorah, Iowa

“Great Notion was the first brewer in Portland to start making hazy IPAs, and now there’s not one producer who doesn’t include at least one example in their lineup. What’s great about the city’s brewing community is that we openly share ideas; we’ve learned a lot about this style from each other. The most impressive part of Great Notion’s hazy IPAs is consistency. In particular, the all-Citra Ripe represents the style well, showcasing a silky body, balanced malt, and juicy hop expression.” — Shaun Kalis, Co-founder, Ruse Brewing Company, Portland, Ore.

“My choice for the best hazy IPA brewery isn’t from New England, but from a kooky town by the Pacific. I’ve been stoked on Humble Sea for a while and will always stop for a ‘Foggy’ IPA when in Santa Cruz. The brewery has been cranking out a ton of sick hazies since opening a few years ago, each more radical than the last. I think the Humble Sea team really nailed it with Socks & Sandals. Classic West Coast aromatics and flavor with that soft, creamy mouthfeel of a NEIPA; it really hit that sweet spot for me. It’s like East Coast meets West (Best) Coast.” — Justin Carter, Cellar Lead, Drake’s Brewing Co., San Leandro, Calif.

“Anthony Sorice of Root + Branch is one of a small handful of brewers that can really make a hazy IPA shine. His beers are well thought out, meticulous, and patiently executed. Root + Branch does a great job of keeping the style well balanced. Examples are bright, clean, and show the right amount of restraint, which is very rare these days. I had the pleasure to work alongside Anthony for a period of time and it was clear from the start that he had an excellent grasp on what makes a New England-style IPA work. There’s a very good reason why his beers sell out so fast, and it’s not just hype. The care, quality, and love is obvious.” — Stjepan Pavich, Lead Brewer, Other Half Brewing, Brooklyn

“Tim Sciascia at Cellarmaker makes amazingly crushable hazy IPAs that are consistently imbued with aromatic notes of Citra hops and tropical fruit. This adds to the drinkability of his beers, and shows off his amazing ability to find and select the best hops out in the market.” — Brian Rauso, Co-founder and CEO, Green Cheek Beer Co., Orange, Calif.

“Anytime I have a Triple Crossing hazy IPA, I end up staring at the glass after each sip. I’m half wondering how the Virginia brewery did it, and half hoping the consumed beer will magically replenish itself. That ‘it’ is being able to layer expressive yeast character, water chemistry, and hop aromatics in a way that makes its hazy IPAs truly stand out from the crowd. The single-hop Triangles series really showcases Triple Crossing’s chops; with only a single hop variety, the team achieves an envying amount of structure and complexity. Simcoe Triangles was the last one I had. It’s fresh-cut grapefruit bliss, summertime melon, and dank citrus wrapped up in a velvety smooth mouthfeel.” — Turner Humphries, Head Brewer, Hoptown Brewing Company, Mooresville, N.C.

“In my opinion, The Alchemist is one of the best producers of hazy IPAs. Everything the brewery makes in the style is nicely balanced in terms of aromatics and bitterness, and it’s based in Vermont, which has excellent water sources. Some of my personal favorite IPAs are Heady Topper and Focal Banger. Heady is probably Alchemist’s most famous beer. However, Focal Banger to me seems to be a more dialed-in recipe. I’m more of a malt gal myself, and I enjoy its malt sweetness. Not only does John Kimmich and team produce delicious hazy bois, but they’re also involved in community outreach, aspiring to educate and involve the community around them. The most recent involvement is an anti-racism action plan.” — Haley Ann Warren, Head Brewer, Sparge Brewing, Wellington, Colo.

“Hudson Valley Brewery consistently puts out great, more straightforward hazy, hoppy beer that flies under the radar because of all the attention — and rightly so — its innovative sour IPAs get. Though not an IPA, the hazy pale ale Diadem was one of the best hoppy beers I’ve had this year. The thing that excites me the most about what the Hudson Valley crew does, and where they seem to consistently differentiate themselves, is in blending capabilities. Their ability to skillfully arrange different fermentation profiles can really take hazy, hoppy beers to a place that is perfect for the modern drinker’s flavor and aroma wheelhouse.” — Ben Clayton, Founder and Brewer, The Test Brewery, Brooklyn

“The funky folks at Mountains Walking are making my go-to hazy IPAs these days, in particular the rotating Oat Whip series, which feature single hop varieties without changing the notion of a cloudy, juicy, hoppy beer. They make great companions at the end of a long trail hike or sitting on the side of a stream after a day of fly fishing. We were one of the first to produce hazy IPAs in the wilderness state, and we called them ‘frontier style’ because no one here really knew what a New England IPA was at that time. So we made up that term, since I had brewed in New Mexico and Pennsylvania prior to coming to Montana, where hazy IPAs had been around a lot longer. I’m glad to see other breweries taking the reins on this category that shines brightest on the local level, and making cloudy suds regularly available in Montana.” — Luke Steadman, Brewmaster and Janitor, Smelter City Brewing, Anaconda, Mont.

“I’ve always loved Other Half’s hazy IPAs. Along with a few others, Other Half paved the way for the style. The team is always pushing boundaries and I appreciate that. Right now, I’m really digging the brewery’s double dry-hopped session IPA, [DDH] Baby Diamonds. I love how well Amarillo and Galaxy play together, and it’s easy drinking.” — Maria Cabre, Head Brewer, J. Wakefield Brewing, Miami

“Hop Butcher is knocking it out of the park with the hazy IPAs right now. No two are alike, but they’re consistent with quality, pleasing mouthfeel, and exploding with flavor. The extensive range of hop profiles is incredible. A few of my favorites are Tavern Cut, Neon Green Relish, and Blazed Orange. I’m always excited to see what the brewery is going to put out next.” — Rachel Leiby, Head Brewer, Geneseo Brewing Co., Geneseo, Ill.

The article We Asked 12 Brewers: What Brewery Makes the Best Hazy IPAs? appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/12-best-hazy-ipa-beer-2020/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/we-asked-12-brewers-what-brewery-makes-the-best-hazy-ipas

[beardedsunshinetour]

Installment the second

Or, Caleb’s Bright Idea

“So which of you is gonna tell me how you know about Culper?” Caleb asked, cocking his head to the side. His gaze traveled over each of their faces, pausing for a moment as though he were reading their thoughts. “None of ya? All right, then.” He nodded his head and licked his lips. “How’s about we start with how you got behind the lines, then?”

“What is even happening right now?” Leena whispered, her wavering voice noticeably higher than it had been a few minutes ago.

“Shoosh,” June admonished, squeezing Leena’s arm as she worked her way to the front of the group.  She folded her arms over her chest, mimicking Caleb’s pose. “We’ve told you already, honey. We were takin’ the air and that storm blew in from Lord knows where, and the next thing we know, we’re talkin’ to you boys. Never set eyes on any sentry.”

Addie held her breath, her eyes darting between Caleb and June.

The skin around Caleb’s eyes crinkled as his grin grew. “All right,” he conceded. “Let’s say I believe that.” He sniffed. “Don’t explain knowin’ Culper,” he prodded.

June shifted her weight and raised her eyebrows.

“Nothin’ to say about that?” he asked.

June sniffed.

Behind her, Addie became aware of Leena’s increasingly short breaths. Oh, God. She’s going to lose it.

“Get a grip, Leena,” Mal hissed.

Addie elbowed her sister.

“Oh, come on,” Steph said, walking towards the door. “This isn’t real, guys.”

Caleb moved to the side, blocking her exit. “Don’t think you wanna be doin’ that. Those boys outside’ve been told to shoot anyone comes out that ain’t me.”

Steph stopped, casting a look over her shoulder to the remaining women.

Addie shook her head. Steph let out a huff and came back to the group, throwing herself down onto the hay. “It’s not real,” she muttered under her breath.

“So. Where did you hear the name ‘Culper’?” Caleb repeated.

~

Two hours later, the other women had joined Steph in the hay. Caleb was pacing in front of the group, firing off the same questions – how did they know about Culper, and what did they know about Simcoe?

Addie’s nerves were on edge; she couldn’t take her eyes off of Caleb. Beside her, Mal groaned and shook her head. The luster had worn off of their excitement.

“So you none of ya want to eat, then?” he asked, stopping in front of them.

At this new question, Steph lifted her head from the hay. “You’re going to starve us unless we tell you what you want to hear?” she asked. “The general isn’t going to be pleased to hear about that.”

“So you know Washington as well, now, do ya?” Caleb asked with a smirk.

“I know he doesn’t like prisoners to be ill-treated,” Steph said.

“That so?” he asked, taking a step closer to her. “And how d’ya know that?”

“Common sense,” Mal muttered.

Caleb shifted his gaze to her, cocking his head.

“Yeah,” he said after a moment, sniffing. “’Cept maybe he don’t even know you’re here.”

“Oh God.” Leena’s voice squeaked, and Addie closed her eyes against the hiccupping sobs that began to emanate from the other woman. “We’re all going to die, and it’s my fault!”

“Hey –“ Caleb frowned and knelt in front of Leena. “Give me somethin’ to give to Washington, and no reason any of ya will be harmed, all right?”

Leena’s breathing was shallow, the tears streaming down her face.

But she said nothing.

Caleb stood and looked over them, shaking his head again. He sighed and walked over to the barn door.

The women exchanged glances as he opened the door and stepped outside. They heard him muttering to the guards.

“All right, y’all,” June drawled. “We gotta get our ducks in a row, now, or this is gonna stop bein’ cute right quick.” She was rubbing Leena’s back as the girl’s sobs subsided.

“This stopped being cute an hour and a half ago,” Mal said.

“June’s right,” Addie said, turning so that she was facing the other women. “I don’t know how, but this is real.” She ignored Steph’s scoff. “ This isn’t the Ben and Caleb we fangirl over – it’s Tallmadge and Brewster. Soldiers. Spies who think their cover, and their friends’ covers are blown.”

“I’m just afraid to say anything now,” Leena said, sniffling. “Every time I open my mouth, it’s like I vomit bits of the show. What are we going to do?”

“We all need to be careful,” Addie said. “So maybe let’s agree not to say anything related to the show – or even the war – that we haven’t discussed as a group first?”

“So, like, telling them about Yorktown’d be taboo, then?” Steph asked with a smirk. Addie rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Anything that would lead to more questions about how we know these things should be avoided.”

“That’s all well and good, but what do we tell him so we can eat?” Steph pressed. “I’m seriously thinking about gnawing on some of this hay right now.”

“Here, hon,” June said, unzipping her jacket and reaching in to an interior pocket. She pulled out an energy bar and tossed it to Steph.

Steph’s eyes lit up. “Thanks!” She ripped off the wrapper and begin to nibble at the bar. “Normally I hate these things, but I’m not really in a choosey mood.”

They situated themselves in a circle, facing each other so that their words wouldn’t carry to the guards. “We make up sources. That’s all there is to it,” June said. “Y’know, like Abe did with Hewlett.”

“And then they check on them, and end up hanging us when they find out we lied,” Addie pointed out.

“Can we even die here?” Steph asked between bites. “I mean, we’re in a tv show. Maybe that’s the only way to get out.”

“You sure you wanna test that theory, honey?” June asked, brow arched.

Steph shrugged and took another bite of the bar, making a satisfied hum as she chewed.

“Okay.” Addie took a deep breath, her head spinning in time with the racing of her heart. They didn’t have time to debate how they were going to get out. They needed to figure out how to survive. “What do we know from the show? If Washington knows we’re here, he isn’t going to condone mistreatment, so they’re not going to starve us, right?”

“And they can’t hang us if we don’t confess to anything,” Mal added.

“What we told ‘em about knowing Hewlett was in New York is airtight,” June said. “We could have picked that up anywhere.”

“But how do we explain away knowing about Culper?” Mal asked, looking at Leena.

“Look, I’m sorry!” Leena said, her face flushing. “I just got excited –“

"It’s fine, Leena. We’ll think of something.” But Addie’s words weren’t working to convince even herself. This wasn’t fine. And as she looked around the group, she could tell that they were as lost for ideas as she was. And finally, at least some of them looked just as scared.

~

Caleb closed the door to the barn, taking off his hat and rubbing his head. He gave a grunt of frustration before putting the hat back on.

“You stay out here, they stay in there, right?” he said to the guards stationed at the door.

“Yes, sir, Lieutenant Brewster.”

“And nobody goes in ‘cept me or Major Tallmadge.” The guards nodded. Caleb chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment before heading in to the camp.

He was almost to the stone house that Washington had made his headquarters when Ben came out through the front door, his steps short, his hands balled into fists at his side.

“Shite,” Caleb breathed, increasing his own pace to head his friend off before he’d gone too far. “Benny boy!” he called out, drawing even with Ben’s tent.

Ben’s eyes snapped to Caleb’s, and he changed course to approach him. “Well?” he demanded, his voice low.

“Maybe inside, eh, Tallboy?” Caleb inclined his head toward the tent, his eyes darting around the camp at the other men milling around their own tents.

Ben nodded curtly and entered, throwing his hat on his cot.

“Tell me you got something from those women,” he said, hands going to his hips.

Caleb shook his head. “Not yet.”

“If they know about Culper, and won’t give up their source, then the whole ring is finished.”

“What did Washington say about Hewlett?”

“Since we’ve already sent Champe in, he feels it unnecessary to put up another mission to extract Culper now. All we’re being permitted to do is sit and wait.” He shoved the chair next to him further under the desk.

“If it’s any comfort, these ain’t spies, Ben.“

“They show up behind our lines in the middle of a snowstorm, knowing this business about Hewlett –“

“We don’t know if that’s true,” Caleb argued. “Could be something they made up –“

“And Culper? They didn’t pull that out of thin air, Caleb.”

“No.” Caleb tapped his finger on the head of his axe. “They ain’t sayin’ much of anything right now. One of ‘em started cryin’, but still wouldn’t talk. I’ll get ‘em some food, let ‘em rest. Maybe they’ll have somethin’ to tell us in the mornin’.”

“After they’ve had plenty of time to get their stories straight,” Ben said, shaking his head.

Caleb nodded, rubbing his cheek as he mulled over an idea. “So we don’t interrogate ‘em,” he said finally.

“So what, then, release them?”

“Into camp, yeah. We can talk to Anna, she can look out for ‘em, watch ‘em.”

“I fail to see how that will get us any information.”

“Let me work on ‘em,” Caleb said, grinning. “I do have a bit of experience with the ladies, Tallboy. A bit of a good time, make ‘em comfortable. A couple of days, maybe a week.” He nodded. “I’ll have ‘em talking.”

“As long as that’s all you have,” Ben warned.

Caleb grinned. “You know me,” he said.

“Yes, I do,” Ben muttered as Caleb left the tent.