Roses of Stone

Each time Katherine awoke, it was the same way. She was roughly mounted onto a horse, and her hands were bound tight, and they would be on their way again to wherever they were going. That evening they stopped at their next campsite, and Katherine was pulled down off the horse. They cut the ropes releasing her as the others dismounted and began to bed down for the night. Katherine waited to be told where she would sleep and who she would have to sleep next to as her babysitter for the evening.

A black man approached her slowly and took off his hat and held it to his chest in respect. He seemed almost childlike and there was kindness in his eyes, but also the mark of severe abuse. Katherine turned towards him giving him her attention. “Mam.” He said nodding a little.

“Yes?” She said kindly, knowing that this man wouldn’t harm her somehow. Which was more then could be said for the majority of the others in this unit of militia. Even their commander raised question in her mind.

Slowly, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small object. It was wrapped neatly in a bit of cloth and a flower that looked so beautiful. She reached out and gently accepted it as he placed it in her hand. He smiled at her before turning and replacing his hat before walking away. Katherine watched him curiously. He was a slave, but how did he come to be in this war as one of these men? Fighting for those very same men who enslaved him.

“Come on.” A man said grabbing her arm and pulling her to the blankets that had been laid down for her. As usual, she pushed them away insisting that she be allowed to look after herself. She sat down and glared at the others around her who laughed at her humiliation.

She was tired, but before laying down she looked at the gift she had been given, and carefully opened it placing the flower next to her on her bed. A crudely carved wooden comb fell into her hand, with some small designs carved around the edge. The teeth were close together, not like a regularly made comb of course. A knife such as these men carried could only do so much. Her eyes lit up and looked over to the black man who had given her the gift and smiled. She had more then longed to have her combs and brushes wanting to be able to groom herself properly or at least make herself presentable.

“Do you think you can bathe in the dark?” The familiar voice of the Colonel broke the silence. She looked up at him for a moment still holding her gift in her hand. “Unless that is, your afraid of the dark.” The men chuckled at that, and she glared at them. Standing up she looked the Colonel square in the eyes.

“There is a full moon out tonight and not a cloud in the sky. Is it that you, Colonel Martin, are afraid of Ghosts and wish me to make sure no evil spirits reside in the water before you bathe yourself?” The men stopped laughing and looked at her, and Benjamin Martin simply had a look of shock in his face. She held her hand out, and the Colonel dropped the soap into her palm. Katherine gave him a spiteful smile and headed towards the water.

He cleared his throat and looked towards the major, who nodded and took his pistol and followed after her to make certain she didn’t try and escape. Martin shook his head and went about his business.

When Katherine came back, she was tired but felt much better. Her body and hair were clean, and with the aid of the gift she had been given, she managed to untangle her hair and make it soft and lovely again. She had torn a piece of cloth from her undergarments and used it to tie her hair back, and felt human once more. Once back in camp, she lay down tucking the comb away in a safe place and pulled the blanket over her falling asleep.


When Katharine opened her eyes, she found it deathly quiet. It was strange, usually she heard at least the breath of the others, but there was nothing. Slowly sitting up she looked about to see that she was the only one left in the camp. All of their things had been packed up and moved and only a few men’s things had been left. Katherine couldn’t understand this, and slowly slid out of her covers and stood to find out what exactly was going on.

“You haven’t been abandoned.” She turned to see the Major sitting near a tree cleaning each of his weapons and making sure they were in proper working order.. “Simply, left behind for now since you are unable to accompany the militia on their current mission.” Oh this was just perfect. Apparently they were coming back and simply didn’t want her to escape while they were gone OR know where they were going.

“I think that Abandonment sounded much better.” She said as she sat back down on her bed, picking up the flower that she had been given and tucking it behind her ear under the small strip of cloth.

“You seemed to sleep much better this time, you didn’t even stir when the others left.” He pointed towards her with his cleaning tool; “You might want to hide that trinket in a safer place then around your neck. If the men see it they’ll steal it away from you while you sleep.” Katherine reached up and felt the necklace she had managed to hide from her other captors and quickly wrapped her hand around it tucking it back inside of her clothing. She glanced at the Frenchmen to see if he had the same intentions as the thieves he seemed to warn her against. He looked back to his weapon and continued to keep himself busy. “A gift from your husband.” He said.

“Yes. The only one he has ever given me without reason.” She said softly before straightening her clothes out around her. How did he know that? Was it so obvious to him that because it was a gift from him that she held it so close to her heart?

“Ah, The hope you were speaking of.” He said still looking at his hands and not up at her. Katherine felt so strange, and as though he was looking into her heart and reading her very thoughts. “There is some food there for you, still warm I think. You should eat, you must be hungry.” Katherine turned and saw the food and picked up the plate. She found a more comfortable spot to sit in and began to eat.

“Why didn’t you go with them.” She asked taking another bite of the food. He half smiled almost as if he was thinking about the true answer even though he would never admit to it at this moment.

“I was the one that the Colonel trusted. The men who make up our forces, aren’t exactly the sort to be left alone with a beautiful women who is fresh from England.” He glanced at her for a moment before looking back to his small project. “To them, the redcoats are the redcoats. Their treatment of you would be different since you are a women, but the end result would still be the same.”

“They would have their fun and then kill me. Yes, I think I am well aware of the traditional habits of those kinds of Colonists. To be honest, they are the only ones that I have ever really met during my stay here. And I more then lament ever having the unfortunate privilege in the first place.” She said with a tired sigh. “I have yet to meet a Colonist that might have manners without malice in their eyes. So my sympathy towards them is rather limited.”

“I understand. It’s a rather narrow view you have, but it is the only one you have.” He blew a bit of gunpowder out of the pistol barrel, “To be honest. Very little separates me from them, as I have killed my share of redcoats. While they surrendered and even the wounded ones.” He finished his work with the pistol and put it away before leaning back on the tree and looking at her.

“Will they be back soon?” She asked throwing a few more pieces of wood into the fire to chase the chill away. Then picked up a stick and pushed the logs around so they would burn better.

“ I expect that they won’t be back until sometime tomorrow. It will take some time and skill to acquire provisions after the other things that need to be taken care of. It is much harder now to get the things that we need when our main supply post was destroyed.” The tone in his voice let her know that it was not something he wanted to remember much less discuss.

Katherine sighed and put the stick down, she was tired, but not sleepy and it was frustrating. Reaching up she twirled her finger around in a lock of her hair as she gazed into the flames. The Major watched her and admired her beauty, especially the way she looked now. “You know you are quite beautiful Kate.” He said softly.

Katherine stopped what she was doing and slowly lowered her hand to her lap. “No one has called me Kate since I was a little girl.” Her eyes turned and looked at him a moment. “How . . . how did you know?”

“You look more like a Kate then you do a Katherine. Doesn’t your husband call you by that name?” Her eyes went downcast as she thought about his question a moment, even though she already knew the answer.

“No. He has never called me Kate. No one has besides my best friend since my father died.” Katherine’s eyes went back to the flames. “I am not a child anymore, and I haven’t been for a very long time.”

“You should be called Kate often, to remind you of your youth. You seem to forget just how young you are.” Slowly he stood up and moved closer to her sitting down on the stump that she had been told to sleep beside.

“Major, you are perhaps only a few years older then my husband. He is twice my age, and he expects more of me. As do the others around me. As you said, my position dictates how I will behave.” She looked at him, “I have seen much more then I’ve ever wanted to. Treated in ways that no human being should ever be treated. I’ve known fear, I’ve known hate, and I’ve known love. Even if those around me . . . fail to know love themselves.” She shook her head, “No. I am not young. Not anymore.”

“I think you are more then you realize. Your experiences, both good and bad make you the person that you are. I didn’t see it when you first came into our company, but it has become clear to me since then. You are strong Kate. Most women would have given up long ago, and wept until they had no tears left. A few tears may have fallen from your eyes, for good reason. Yet you don’t give up and you continue on.”

Tears filled her eyes with his words and she couldn’t look away from the dancing flames. He saw her as this person that she couldn’t see in herself. The major reached over and gently wiped the tear from her cheek, and caressed her face with the back of his fingers. The way he touched her was so gentle, it was comforting and she closed her eyes and leaned into the touch.

She looked up at him as another tear fell from her eye, “Do you really see all of those things in me?” She whispered, feeling her heart ache as she looked into his eyes.

He cupped her face gently in his hands and carefully wiped the tears away from her cheeks. “Yes.” The Major said with his heavy French accent as he looked deep into her eyes. “It is something you should have been praised for, every day of your life.” He whispered. Slowly, he leaned closer and kissed her softly at first. After a moment, he moved closer to her, and kissed her even more deeply. It was nothing like Tavington’s kiss at all. It was different somehow, and perhaps that is why Katherine completely forgot about William for a single moment.

As the kiss parted, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck holding her close. Katherine found herself actually enjoying being held and worshiped in such a way. The way he touched her, the way he seemed to admire her, everything seemed like a dream somehow. She opened her eyes and remembered his words and the way he first acted when she was discovered the first time. Suddenly she pushed him back halting this display. Katherine looked into his eyes and breathed deeply, she had scared herself by acting in such a way. He saw the fear in her eyes and started to try and calm her.

“No.” She said making sure he understood that this wasn’t going any further. “You simply can’t go from wanting to cut my throat to this.” Katherine said pulling back a bit more. “You are simply . . .” Her eyes narrowed, “Your trying to use me.” She said in a dark voice.

The Major shook his head and reached up touching her face, “No, that isn’t true. I already told you my actions when we first met where wrong and I apologized.” He said running his fingertips over her soft cheek. “Please Kate, please believe me. I beg you.” She moved his hand away from her, the tears in her eyes for a completely different reason now.

“My name is Katherine.” She said coldly. “And I will NOT be used.” She pushed him away and crawled underneath her covers ending the conversation and making it quite clear that it was the last word he would here from her for the rest of the night. The Major started to reach for her but stopped. He looked down shaking his head, before standing and going back to where he had been sitting before, and started to sharpen his knife, to finish the care of his weapons.

In the Dragoon camp, it was very late and Tavington lay on his bunk with his arm draped over his eyes to block even the slightest bit of sunlight from reaching him. The supply lines were still being ambushed at every turn, even worse now that Pembroke was burned to the ground, as well as all the traitors within it. Everything that was on his mind simply made him to restless to sleep. The war, the rebels, the Ghost, Katherine . . . All of it weighed on his shoulders like heavy boulders. He realized now that his leaves that he spent with Katherine had given him some relief from these constant misfortunes.

“Colonel Tavington?” A fragile timid voice said from the door of his tent. “Are you awake?” She whispered hoping not to disturb him.

“What is it now girl.” He growled at her not moving an inch from where he lay. Tavington found that Alcohol was useless when drunk every night, so tonight he decided to forgo the ritual and try to sleep with out the spirits aid.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, but . . . well . . . you didn’t pay me for last night, Sir. I was hoping that, maybe you could pay me now?” She said, her voice trembling afraid that she might upset him. Yet she was owed money and she did give him what he wanted last night. Truly, she wouldn’t charge him if he would simply touch her the same way he did the night before again. But the women had warned her to get the money and get out. To get attached to the men they worked for was simply a bad idea.

“Strange, I feel as though you should pay me.” It was obvious that his mood had gone sour again and it only made Tawnie feel like she hoped the ground would open up and swallow her. Giving a sigh he reached over and pulled some coins from a small coin purse and threw them at her. “Now be gone.” He said waving his hand, dismissing her from his sight.

“Sir?” She said even more softly now, almost knowing that he would be angry with her again for not leaving when he said to. “Is . . . there nothing I . . . I can do for you tonight?” Tawnie said bending down and picking up the coins putting them away in a safe place.

“Someone must have falsely informed you of my being a philanthropist girl. They were sorely incorrect and so are you for entering my tent uninvited.” Tawnie’s face fell a little, wanting to spend the night with him again, but what could she do if he wouldn’t have her?

“May I . . . May I rub your neck and back sir?” She said softly, hoping she wouldn’t be struck for her bold disobedience. He moved his arm from his eyes and starred at the ceiling.

“Oh yes, and I’m sure that you will do anything to cost me more money like the other wolves in the camp. Although I doubt you wish to perform your duty like the prostitutes for your wage.”

Tawnie looked down for a moment, and swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. “I . . . I wouldn’t charge you, for it. I know that you haven’t been sleeping well, sir. It would help you sleep, I promise.”

Tavington gave a frustrated sigh and gave in, “Very well, if you will observe the rule of silence I expressed to you last night. The first word I hear out of your mouth, when I have not spoken first, I shall throw you out of my tent and have you whipped out of camp. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes sir.” She said softly. “She moved closer to his bed, with her eyes well adjusted to the dark by now, and he turned over onto his stomach so that she could do what she said. She immediately began to massage his back, shoulders and neck more then happy to just be touching him like she was. Tavington was all she could think about all day, and now here she was in his presence again. Anything that she could do for him to ease his pain or suffering she was more then willing to do.

Tavington realized she was certainly skilled in what ever this was that she was doing, and he found himself relaxing rather rapidly. It was to long before he found himself sleeping into a deep and comfortable sleep.

As the band of rebels returned, they took a short time for rest and for food, then they were packing there things to move on yet again. Katherine was started to help with her own things, since she felt that they never did properly pack her things on the horse. As she did, the Frenchmen walked past her and looked at her for a moment. It seemed he had something to say and the look in his eyes was pure regret that he seemed to approach her all wrong the night before. Katherine met his gaze for a moment before he turned and walked to tend to his own belongings.

“Colonel Martin.” Katherine said breaking the silence as she stood behind him.

“Yes?” He said with out to much concern. They had to leave soon, they had stayed in this position for far to long, since the old Spanish mission in black swamp had become a primary target for soldiers and was no longer safe as a hide out for the militia.

“I request that I am no longer to be watched, guarded, or left alone with the French Major for the rest of the time you intend to hold me prisoner.” She demanded. It was simply not safe, and she didn’t want the temptations that entered her mind and filled her body, close to her and unsupervised.

The colonel turned and looked at her a little confused, “Is there something wrong? Has he tried to hurt you in anyway or threatened you?” He said wondering why the sudden urge to request this came about.

“I have not asked you anything besides to give me my freedom since you’ve had my company Colonel. Yet I request this now. Please don’t deny such a small and simple request.” He looked at her after a moment, feeling as though he understood why she did not want to be around him.

“Very well, I will have another watch you instead of the major.” He looked at her for another moment, as it seemed he wasn’t satisfied with her answer. “It would sure help me out miss if you gave me a reason why you’re asking me this.”

“Colonel. My reasons are personal and private and that is how they shall remain. Known only to me and me alone. You have granted my request and I ask nothing more of you, so I insist that this subject never be spoken of again.” She turned before he could say anything else walking to her horse waiting to be bound as usual so that they could be on their way. Martin just starred with puzzlement before continuing on with his preparation.

When they finally made camp again, it was almost morning. She still thought this was a very stupid way to travel since you could hide yourself better if you rested at night instead of the daytime, but apparently they would not agree. As a prisoner, she was positive that her suggestions would be simply tossed aside and considered useless. As the Major so eloquently pointed out, she was the enemy.

Katherine sat on the small amount of bedding she was allowed and took out her comb and began to brush her hair. This time, she began to braid it instead of simply letting it hang down about her shoulders. It seemed to collect dust and dirt that way and it simply wouldn’t do. “Miss Katherine.” A voice said making her turn to see who was addressing her. Why did this Frenchmen insist on continuing with trying to converse with her? She felt she had made herself quite clear. “Please, may I have a moment to speak with you?”

“I don’t think that is a good idea Major. After the last time you had the chance to have a private word with me, it turned into more then a friendly conversation. Something I do not wish to repeat.” He sighed and gave a nod.

“I give you my word. I will not touch you without your permission. Please. Please let me speak with you.” Katherine sighed and finished braiding her hair before using the small piece of cloth she had worn into a bow around the end to keep it from unraveling. She tucked her comb away safely inside of her clothing and stood walking into the woods keeping her distance from him. She simply couldn’t afford to have a repeat of the other night.

She found a place to sit down then waited silently for him to speak. He paced for a moment, and ran his fingers through his hair as it seemed he was once again trying to find the right words to say. Katherine hoped that he would choose wisely this time, for she was still in screaming distance of the camp. “I apologize yet again for my actions. I shouldn’t have made such an advance uninvited.” That struck a nerve, Katherine almost felt like she had somehow invited him, but her expression didn’t change and she let him speak. “It was just . . . I couldn’t help myself. I haven’t felt such feelings for a woman since before my wife died. You are nothing like her, and your looks . . . well simply aren’t the same . . . but something about you . . .” He turned and walked closer to her kneeling down beside her and looking into her eyes. “I just had to touch you, taste your beautiful lips. For an instant, I felt as though . . . .” The look in his eyes was so excited as he described what he felt, but he stopped his words for fear of making her uncomfortable again.

“Major . . .” Katherine began in a soft voice, wanting to say something about all this, anything at all that might ease this tension that had arisen between them. What could she say? She was ashamed of herself for enjoying being held and caressed in such a gentle and awed way.

However, the Frenchmen took her left hand and brushed his thumb over her ring finger ever so gently. There was a grove in her finger, where she had worn her wedding band for 11 years never taking it off. The only reason that it was bare now, was because it was stolen from her and she had no other choice. “However, you are married and . . . I am in the wrong.”

He continued to brush his thumb over her finger ever so softly, and Katherine found herself once again getting lost in the touch. “By this mark on your hand . . . I can see that you are a faithful and true wife. And for your virtue to be stolen from you in such a way . . .”

Katherine’s breath sunk deep into her chest as she closed her eyes. The simplest touch, the lightest caress of just her hand . . . it was pure and utter bliss. His touch was so much different then Tavington’s. Not, forceful or demanding, or controlling as she had become accustomed to. It was simply the way William was and nothing could change that. He tried more then once to better himself these past months she spent in the Colonies. But to change who you are completely would be impossible. Especially for a man like William.

Whilst her eyes were closed, she felt the Majors other hand move to caress her cheek and she shuttered showing him just how much she enjoyed his touch. “You deserve more Miss Katherine.” He said gently just stroking her cheek with his hand. She shook her head slightly and carefully reached up wrapping her hand around his and moving it from her face before she sunk into a state that would allow her to forget her place and her vows to her husband.

“Perhaps.” She whispered opening her eyes and looking into his, “But there are countless reasons why it could not be you who could give me these things. I suppose the most immediate and truly important reasons, being I am a mother to a handsome son. And you would be dead in moments of my husband finding out any indiscretions that may have occurred between us.”

“It would not be any of his affair. No one would know besides the two of us, for it would concern no one else.” He found himself almost pleading his case and actually attempting to convince her that nothing bad could come of them finding some solace with one another. Yet, he stopped himself. “But, I can see in your eyes how much you love your son, and that will make you stay with this man and keep your promise to him even though he has broken his promises to you on so many different occasions.”

“He is trying to change.” She said softly, as her fingertips retrieved the necklace he had given her and she managed to hide. “Otherwise he would have never given me this for our anniversary. The first time he had ever done something so thoughtful because he wanted to. Not because he had to.”

He grew silent for a moment before nodding. “Yes, but does one small gift forgive him for a lifetime of misuse to his wife.” Katherine grew silent looking into his eyes. It was the one question that had come up to her time and time again.

“I have had men want me before.” She whispered, softly aloud without realizing it. “I’ve never wanted them back until now . . .” Katherine’s eyes grew wide as she looked up at him, what a thing to say! “I should not have said that allowed for you to hear. Please disregard it.”

He moved closer taking her hands into his. “Do you really wish me to?” They starred into each others eyes for a moment before they each started leaning closer to the other. However, a whistle that was unlike any bird from around the places she had been, not to mention it was to early for such a sound broke the silence. Then another one, different this time came immediately after it. Jean looked at her, “Stay here a few moments.” He said simply before standing and hurrying back to the camp. Katherine looked after him but before she could say anything or object being abandoned in such away he was gone. She sighed and stood waiting for a few moments to pass before walking back to the camp.

When the Major returned, he saw that three men had entered the camp. He walked over quietly and stood behind Benjamin to see what was going on. “We will need to know your names or have someone speak on your behalf before we can trust who you are. We have had spies enter our camp before.”

“I can speak for them!” One of the band of rugged and grungy men said stepping forward. “We used to work together along time ago. We have known each other since we were very young.” He said. As he was one that fought with Benjamin the first war, Martin could trust his word. The weapons around the camp were un-cocked when the Colonel lowered his and they were welcomed into camp.

“Welcome to the militia. What brings you out this far?” He asked as he and the new men all moved to sit down next to the fire. “Have you been looking for us?”

“Actually no. We are bounty hunters and have quite the job this time. It’ll make us rich. We just came across you and hoped we could stay here for a spell. When you and your men leave we’ll go our separate ways.”

“I think that we could extend our hospitality for that long.” Martin poured some coffee and passed it to each one. “Just out of curiosity, exactly who is this bounty for? You seem to have a rather thick English accent.” He said pointedly, wanting them to know that they were not trusted in the slightest.

“I am what his majesty calls a deserter. I crossed a Colonel by speaking with his wife to often in private even though nothing ever happened in those times, and he continually placed me in front of the cannons. I had a death warrant on my head anyway, at least this way I have a fighting chance.”

Katherine felt she had waited long enough and appeared in the camp, moving to her bed without even looking up. The three men stopped and all starred at her at the same time. Katherine felt the eyes on her and turned around to see the three men. One, she recognized instantly. Stevenson. Everything seemed to stop and freeze in time. Dear God, the secret she had been so effectively hiding from these men was about to be shattered. “Lady Tavington.”

Without even the briefest thought passing her mind, she turned on her heel and began to run through the trees as fast as she could, jumping over boulders and running through the brush. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she could hear the shouting behind her.

“THAT’S HER!” The three men shouted as they began to go after her. A shot was fired by one of the men obviously in Katherine’s direction. Benjamin and Jean looked at each other before signaling the men to go after her and find her before the bounty hunters did since they didn’t know if they were commissioned to bring her back alive . . . or dead. Jean paused a moment as the realization of just who she was and who she was married to sunk in. It was absolutely crystal clear somehow that she had not been play-acting this past week with him, and he had every intention of finding her first before she could be harmed. He ran to his horse and mounted heading off down the trail that they had walked on together.

Katherine ran faster and faster fear moving her feet refusing to be captured again by even more ruthless men then before. It was made quite clear that all of these men in this band of militia had different quarrels with Colonel Tavington, and like everyone else, would most likely decided to exact there revenge on her.

Meanwhile, Tavington awoke in his tent to find that Tawnie at least had her wit to keep to the rules and leave by morning. Pity, he felt as though she needed to be given a good thrashing, and it would have been the perfect opportunity. Either way, a point was going to be made if she had the audacity to show up at his tent uninvited yet again.

There were a great many things to do today, there had been reports of Benjamin Martin’s movements and the Dragoons would be doing a sweep of the entire area behind enemy lines. Anyone associated with the band of rebels would be shot on sight. No more of the political nonsense that cost them 18 prisoners and Cornwallis’s pride. They would not be given quarter or mercy, and would be dead. Men could not be traded back with threats if they are dead.

There was no doubt that such tactics were going to stir up controversy all through the ranks but it was something he did not care enough about to worry on the issue. This war was a nasty one and since it was not being played by the rules, Tavington had to make new ones of his own.

It seemed like ages that Katherine ran, but she couldn’t slow down. She didn’t know where she was, or where she was going but she didn’t want to get caught. However, it wasn’t long before she grew tired, and her pace slowed without her realizing it. Yet it came amazingly clear when something hit the tree beside her making it splinter. They were catching up.

When she turned to look back, her foot was caught under the raised root of a tree and she went flying before hitting the ground because of how fast she was running. It seemed like she was instantly fallen upon by some man and she struggled before she managed to turn over beneath him, He tried to hold her fast to the ground, but she was so determined. Her eyes moved down to see his knife in his belt and she violently brought her knee up between his legs and she saw his eyes bulge. Katherine managed to pull herself from underneath him and grabbed the knife before she started running again.

That small bit of time was costly and it wouldn’t be long before she would be completely surrounded. She ran, and ran until she was stopped in her tracks as the Frenchmen found her and rode to block her path. Katherine turned a different way to take flight but he jumped off of the horse and caught her, knocking her to the ground once again. Katherine fell hard onto her back, as the Major took a brief second to catch his breath.

There was nothing she could do, she was exhausted and she simply couldn’t run any further. Taking the knife she held in her hand she pressed the tip into her skin preparing to plunge it through her heart. Jean’s eyes went wide and he fell on her straddling her thighs and grabbing her hands. He wrestled with her trying to pull the weapon from her hands but the death grip she held upon it simply to tight combined with the angle she held it. “What are you doing!” He said through his teeth, holding her hands with all his strength to keep her from committing herself permanently to this act of rage.

“I will not give anyone the pleasure of slitting my throat, or allow them the opportunity to use me against my husband!!! I will die by my hand and no others.” A few others caught up to them and froze in place watching the struggle. Katherine’s will decided that she was ready for this and kept pulling the knife closer, even though the Major was doing everything within his power to stop her.

The bounty hunters caught up and stopped cold as well, for they were absolutely positive the reward money wouldn’t be paid if she were dead. Jean grit his teeth together forcing her hands to the side, making sure that the knife was pointed away from her. But she was not quick to give up or submit. “Stop this Katherine! Nothing will come of your death and it will not put an end to everything!” He shouted.

“Yet nothing will come of my life either, let me be!” Just then, the Major managed to smack the weapon from her hands and grasped her wrists when she started to struggle again. A few tears escaped from Katherine’s eyes, when the Frenchmen finally stood pulling her to her feet by her wrists.

“We’ll be taking her now.” The three men said as they started to move towards them, the Frenchmen wrapped his arm around Katherine making it clear that they weren’t going to take her anywhere. When the bounty hunters drew their weapons all of the members of the militia did the same. Benjamin Martin stepped into the middle knowing full well that there was about to be a showdown if things weren’t calmed.

“I think you have some explaining to do before we even consider turning her over to you.” He said to the men. Guns were cocked and pointed and if they weren’t laid down soon, who knows how many would be left standing.

“We don’t have to explain anything to you. She is fair game to anyone who wants that reward, now either you can give her to us or we’ll take her from you.” They said taking aim at their respective targets. The Frenchmen turned Katherine around with his arm still around her waist and pulled his pistol cocking it and putting it to her head. “You’re not going to shoot her. You just stopped her from doing herself in. We’re going to take her with us, and you can either give her to us or die trying to keep her.”

Katherine just stood quietly. Obviously she had simply become a bone to be fought over by dogs and nothing more. They were going to do what ever they wanted with her, and because her foot stumbled, she would have no say in the matter. “Just because I kept her from killing herself, doesn’t mean that I’m going to give her to you alive.” He said pulling it back the rest of the way until it was completely cocked.

The men didn’t know what to think about this, he was French. He was just crazy enough to do it. “You can’t clam the reward, you’re a criminal. They’ll take her, and hang you, and you’ll never see a cent!” The leader yelled, “She’s of no use to you, and is quite valuable to us!”

Benjamin Martin gave a look to the Major who promptly backed out of the clearing taking Katherine with him. The men started to advance but the others that surrounded them made it quite clear that if they continued that it would be the last venture they ever attempted. “I think that will be all the time we give you here, now it would be well advised that you depart from our company. You may choose how you do it, walking of your own will, or dragged out since there is a woman among us. Either way, you should put it out of your mind that you came across her.”

The Major put his gun away and used both hands to hold her steady as he took her back to the camp. At once he spun her around and held her shoulders tight in his hands squeezing hard. “How could you even think of doing such a thing?”

Katherine hated being restrained like this, and she pushed herself free. “I don’t see how it’s any of your affair! What now? Do you intend to shoot me? Or slit my throat as you threatened to do before? Tell me? Or is it that you intend to barter me to my husband for some ridiculous demand!” He stepped towards her.

“If your desire to die is so great, then you would have done it long ago and not waited for this instant.” Katherine began to breathe harder and grit her teeth together in anger. She shouted at him in pure and utter anger.

“I have been passed around, stolen, assaulted, dragged by a run away horse, starved, deprived of water, men have tried to take me against my wishes, my house was raided, my sons life has been threatened! It’s never going to end! As long as I bare Williams name, it shall never end and I shall continue to pay his debt for his sins!!! I simply refuse to be tortured any longer! If I am destined to die, I do not intend to wait until someone decides to release me from this invisible prison! I shall choose it myself, and will decide the time when it pleases me!”

“Then leave him! Cast off his name, and start a new life! Go somewhere that he cannot find you that no one will know you as his wife and take your son! There is no reason in this world to take your own life!”

“There is no reason I should continue to allow myself to be subjected to this sort of treatment and abduction any more! What do you think those men are going to do when they return to camp now that they know who I am? I am not a child nor am I simple minded. Any sort of protection from my simply being a woman will disappear and I’ll be thrown to the wolves!”

“No one is going to harm you. They will listen to the Colonel, and he won’t let them molest you in anyway! What is to be done now, . . . I don’t know. We will simply have to wait and see what the Colonel says. I don’t think that he would do anything to put you in danger.” Katherine couldn’t believe this and just starred at him for a moment.

“Are you INSANE! You are a Frenchmen are you not? Have you no idea what that man did to your countrymen at fort wilderness! He slaughtered them mercilessly, and dismembered each and everyone of them!! Yes the stories even reached our ears in England, since I am of a military family there was no way of being able to escape it. That man is mad, and he holds himself to be above my husband when he is worse then anything William could ever be!” The Major just looked into her eyes. “Your French country men where the enemy then and he showed them no mercy. My countrymen are the enemy now, and I doubt that he will show anymore mercy to me then he showed your men.”

Suddenly, several shots rang out stopping the conversation cold. When the shouting and noise quieted the smell of gunpowder was almost suffocating. It was obvious who won, since the three men where vastly outnumbered. Katherine turned back to the French Major. “Let me go . . . or let me die.” She said simply, ready to run in any direction if he did not follow. It would take those other men at least a few moments to return to the campsite. Jean looked at her for a moment, thinking about what she said, turning it over and over in his mind.