Roses of Stone

Of course, 1,000 pounds was enough bounty to attract nearly every greedy soul, which held no loyalty to anyone once money was involved. Assassin’s were nothing more then glorified bounty hunters, except the specialized in killing the prime target rather then retrieving them and bringing them back. They were tricky to deal with, and not many desired to employ them for numerous reasons.

This particular assassin was 6’3 with dark hair, and gray eyes. Various scars adorned his body but most were covered by his clothing, except for the single scar he could not hide when he chose to allow anyone to see his face. He had been trained as an assassin since he was young by his father, and had continued to advance in his profession more and more from that time. It was true, that he was the best there was, but there was great cost to his life to acquire such a skill. No family, no friends, no love ones in the colonies or anywhere else.

Tavington and his dragoons had been stalking a band of rebels for a few hours and set up an ambush just ahead of them. There would be no mercy this time. The last raid where prisoners were taken ended with them all being set free. The orders were no prisoners, and to shoot to kill. General Cornwallis might be incapable of keeping his hands on war criminals, but Tavington had no intention of leaving the choice in the General’s hands again.

The men under Tavington’s command had stopped grumbling about the tactics that they were ordered to use, however brutal they were. It was as though they finally realized that whatever had to be done, had to be done. Many were missing their families and loved ones, or lost them at some point because of this war. The dragoons were ready for this war to be over, and Colonel Tavington seemed to be the only one who had some sort of plan to end it. Not to mention the perks and prizes that came with being a Green Dragoon. They were becoming more and more like Tavington as the days went by, and the men who had requested transfer from the unit, withdrew their requests.

Katherine lay quietly on her bed starring at the ceiling above her, wondering how her child was doing, and yes even William as well. She remembered the way they were beginning to open up and share in each others lives before she was taken away, but as each day passed, all she could find herself remembering was the horrid previous 10 years, when her hopes were dashed, and her dreams were shattered.

Sighing she sat up and rubbed her eyes before running her fingers through her hair wanting to do anything but be left alone with her own thoughts. She looked over to see the Major had just fallen asleep perhaps a few minutes ago. Needless to say, he was exhausted and had not had any rest in quite a few days. The thought crossed her mind to make some sort of escape attempt but it passed. She was simply to tired to try and run blindly away from this man an run smack into someone who was worse. No, she just needed to go outside and get some air.

Carefully she removed herself from the bed and carefully exited the cabin, closing the door behind her. It really was getting close to winter and the chill on the air was making it clear that it would most likely start to snow in just a few days. When Katherine breathed, she could actually see her breath in the air, but she felt that it was what she needed right now.

Stepping off the porch she looked around and decided to go for a little bit of a walk, but not to far. Just enough to stretch her legs and to just get out of the frame of mind she had been falling into since she was separated from her Family and countrymen. It was quiet and the familiar sound of the river or a stream that came from the river was nearby. She noticed that it seemed like no matter whom she was with; they always tried to stay close to the river. It suited her fine; she could bathe whenever she wanted in fresh water.

She stopped a moment and leaned on a tree looking up through the canopy that the branches and leaves made overhead. It really was beautiful here. It was unfortunate that this was the only way she was able to see it. The way things had started changing for them, it might have been quite the pleasant trip to go with William through this place and look at all of the wonders. Sighing she turned starting to walk again, but her foot was caught by a root and she fell to the ground hard. This was the countless time she did this, and was getting rather annoyed with it.

Katherine sat up and wrapped her hands around her ankle prying her foot free uttering something under her breath. However, she paused and stopped making noise as she thought she heard something. It was faint, very faint. If she hadn’t fallen she would have never even known of it. Once her foot was loose she quietly and carefully began to follow the sound. As she drew closer, it sounded like crying. Reaching for a low branch she pulled it back to see where the noise was coming from.

There on the ground, was a little girl who couldn’t be more then a year or two walking. She was face down in the leaves, with her head buried in her arms weeping hopelessly and trembling from head to toe. Her little clothes were filthy and torn, and she shivered in the cold. Katherine carefully moved closer and whispered, “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” She said gently.

The little girl turned over on her side to look up at her, with her eyes wide. Katherine sat down on her knees close to the little girl, and had to swallow her look of horror. The little girls skin and dress was covered in blotches of blood, with cuts and scratches all over her arms and face. The dirt that was caked on her certainly didn’t help the way she felt, or looked. “Don’t be frightened. I want to help you find your way home, to your family?”

The child wiped her face slightly on the sleeve of her filthy dress and seemed to calm down enough to talk. The little girls eyes welled up with tears and they began to flow down her cheeks again, “My family, my mother and my brothers and sisters . . . they’re all gone.” Katherine frowned as she listened, “The soldiers sent them away.”

She didn’t quite understand what the child meant and she carefully rested her hand on their back and rubbed trying to comfort the little one. “Sent them away? Where would they send them away to without you?” Relocating a family seemed a little strange, she had never heard of such a thing.

“They sent them to Grandmother, and Grandfather. With the angels.” She said crying a little more. Katherine’s eyes went wide as she realized, that this child was the sole survivor of an entire family. “I didn’t go with them, I hid. And I ran fast when the soldiers didn’t see me.”

Katherine felt absolute shock and horror at this, and she just wanted to scoop the child up in her arms and hold her close. The things she must have seen, this little tiny girl, with wide innocent eyes. “How . . . how long have you been out here by yourself?”

“Since . . .service.” Service? Sunday!?! Today was Wednesday. Katherine looked about, wondering what to do. This little girl out here all by herself, with no family and no where to go. One thing was for certain, she couldn’t be left out here by herself. It was a merical that she survived this long.

“You . . . you look tired and hungry . . . would you like to come inside and rest for a while?” She said with a smile holding her hand out to the child so she wouldn’t run or think that Katherine was going to try to hurt her. The little girl sat up a little more and wiped her eyes again, before moving closer and wrapping her arms around Katherine, burying her face against her. It was a little unexpected that she would so easily want to trust a woman she had never met before. Katherine closed her eyes and hugged the little one, choking back a small cry of her own.

She swept the little one up into her arms and started to make her way back to the cabin. Jean burst out of the cabin looking about with his pistol drawn, he honestly believed that he could trust her if only for a few moments. He started to make his way out into the woods but stopped when he saw Katherine coming from the other way. “I’ve told you not to leave the Cabin without me! What were you doing!” When she hurried closer to the cabin, he could see that she was holding something in her arms and followed after her.

“I found her a little ways out, she was crying. She’s been on her own for a few days.” Katherine said quickly sitting down with her next to the fire so that the girl could get warm.

Jean took out his handkerchief and gave it to Katherine so she could try and clean the wounds on the little girls face. “Where is her family?” He asked going over and getting the water bringing it back. “They can’t be to far from here.” Katherine reached for one of their blankets and wrapped it around the little girl, letting her drink the water.

“No, drink it slow. You’ll make yourself sick if you drink it down to fast.” Katherine said helping the little one drink. The girl slowed watching Katherine to make sure that it was what she wanted her to do. “There, that’s better.” Still holding the little girl close trying to keep her warm.

“We must get her washed and cleaned so we can dress her wounds.” Katherine nodded and let the child take another sip. “I’ll go down to the stream and get some more water,” He looked at her, still a little annoyed that she had left earlier without notifying him first. “I trust that you’ll not be wondering off this time?”

“I just needed some air Major. Please do not give me that accusing look.” She said glaring at him slightly. Jean arched a brow before shaking his head and leaving the cabin. Katherine put the water aside and looked at the little girl a moment. “We need to get you out of these filthy clothes, so we can get you clean and make you feel better, alright?” The little girl looked a little nervous but for some reason, she trusted Katherine and nodded a little. Lady Tavington smiled, “Good.”

A little while later, the young one was washed head to toe and lay on the blanket on Katherine’s bed while Jean when to work on her wounds making sure they were clean and if anything needed a stitch he saw to it before dressing the wound. The little girls eyes just stayed on Katherine’s as she held her hand. “That’s the last one.” Jean said putting the things he had used aside.

Katherine smiled, “That wasn’t so terrible? You were so good, and didn’t cry once!” The little girl smiled and beamed at Katherine’s approval as she wrapped her up in a blanket. “You’re safe here.” She said softly gently stroking the little girls hair. “Nothing will happen, no one will harm you. Sleep.” The little girl nodded and turned over on her side. Only a few seconds later she fell hard asleep.

Katherine wiped a tear from her eye quickly, but not quickly enough for Jean saw it. Katherine took a breath, “Her family is all dead. She told me. She told me that soldiers killed her mother, and brothers and sisters.” Her eyes started to tear and glaze over, “She saw them die. As young as she is and she watched her family be slaughtered.”

Jean watched Katherine; from the moment she had brought the child back to the cabin. Just quietly in awe of how well she seemed to make the little girl comfortable, and how much she cared for this child in a matter of moments. “When she wakes, we will give her some medicine to make sure that she’ll be alright and her wounds won’t make her ill.” He reached over and took Katherine by the hand, “Come. Come.” He said pulling her up from the bed. “She’ll be alright now, and you need some rest as well.”

Katherine shook her head picking up the small garments, “No. No I can’t, these need to be washed before she gets in them again. I will not have her climb into these dirty blood soaked clothes.” Katherine looked around a moment, “Now . . . how do I clean these?”

Jean couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit. She was so eager to help, but most likely never had to wash a bit of cloth in her entire life. He walked over to her and took them from her, “I’ll take care of it. You rest.” He kissed her cheek without realizing it, and shook the small dress out to look at the damage.

Katherine was a little startled when he did that. She just starred at him for several moments wondering what brought that on. The Major looked at her for a moment, not sure why she was looking at him that way, then he realized. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It was out of place.”

“No.” Katherine said immediately without thinking. “Don’t be sorry.” She could never remember being praised in anyway for what she did. Often when she tried to do things for herself or others, Tavington berated her for doing a servants job, and scolded her for not remembering her position. Jean smiled and nodded before taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles before he left the cabin. Katherine felt so strange inside. She moved over to the bed where the little girl was and lay down beside her.

The Dragoons returned to camp late that evening, but were not permitted to retire since there was a number of prisoners that Tavington had every intention of interrogating immediately. There were 14 and the first 5 were less then satisfactory in the information and answers they gave. Tavington ordered them to be taken out and shot immediately in front of the other prisoners so they would see what would happen to them if they didn’t answer his questions truthfully. The 6th prisoner seemed to have missed the message as they brought him in and shoved him down ruthlessly in the chair with his hands tied behind his back. He had a mean and definite look in his eye as he just starred at Tavington.

“There are very few and simple questions I am going to ask you. It shouldn’t be very hard even for a backwoods rebel such as yourself.” Tavington said inspecting his own fingernails to be sure they were clean. “Where is she?”

“She who?” The man spat at him sarcastically. Tavington only glanced at one of the shoulders who instantly punched the man hard causing a gash in the skin just under his eye.

“You have been reportedly part of the Militia under the command of the one called ‘The Ghost’ and your foolish attempt at acting ignorant to the question will only prolong your suffering. Now I shall ask you once more, Where is she?”

The man knew that he was done for, and no matter what he said or the way he answered the questions, he was going to die. He narrowed his eyes and just smirked at William, deciding that he would choose his own last words. “So you’re the Colonel Tavington that has been ravaging and killing innocent civilians all over the countryside. I’d never seen you before. Strange, I imagined you to be taller.”

Tavington glanced at the solider again, who punched the uncooperative man several times. The prisoner coughed and shook it off as best as he could only becoming that much more belligerent. “As many times as she tried to escape from us you would get the impression that you were really somethin’ special. Just looking at you, I can’t understand why on this god forsaken earth she would want to return to you.”

William’s eyes darkened at the confession that this man had actually seen her and been one of her captives. He turned and looked at the man, “Is that so?” He walked over and grabbed the man by the hair and jerked his head back glaring into his eyes, “And what was done with her when you found her true identity? Hmmm? What did you and your fellow criminals do to her then?” His grip on the mans hair tightened as he pulled his head back further and further as the fire of hate grew in his eyes.

“She certainly was somethin’ to look at.” The man said through his teeth, even more defiant still. “I’ll bet that Frenchmen took her off to have some fun with her before he slit her throat.” He said with half a smirk, “Even a Frenchmen was probley more then she ever had.” Tavington’s eye twitched and within a moment, his hand removed his dagger and dragged the sharp blade deep and hard across the prisoner’s throat. The man’s eyes went wide as he began to gasp and gurgle on his own blood.

Tavington leaned down and whispered into his ear, “as soon as you’re dead, I shall have your manhood ripped from your body and fed to the beasts.” He growled, just seconds before the last bit of life fled the prisoners body. “BRING ME THE NEXT ONE!” He shouted throwing the man’s corpse off the chair.

Katherine and her Captor sat next to the fire on the floor watching the little girl eat. It was as though her stomach thought her throat had been cut. Katherine was careful to watch her so that she didn’t choke herself. Jean had decided that her clothes were not salvageable and had managed to get his hands on some new clean clothes for the little one. “So . . . May we ask your name little one?” Katherine said when it seemed like the child had her fill and was feeling much better and happier.

“Madeline.” She said softly as she moved herself to Katherine’s lap and wrapped her arms around her, resting her head against her like she had done earlier. “But everyone calls me maddy.” Katherine wrapped her arms around the little girl and held her close, seeing a small smile grace the little ones face.

“Is this what it was like?” Katherine whispered looking up at Jean. “With your daughters when they were young?” The Major looked at her for a moment before nodding a bit. Katherine looked down at Maddy and couldn’t help but rock her a little.

“Yes. It seems only yesterday that they were little like this one. They both loved horses.” He said as he could almost see their faces. “She was lucky you found her Katherine. With the wild animals and . . . less then savory characters in this war, she wouldn’t have gotten very far.”

“Anyone that would harm a baby like this should be taken out and whipped.” She said holding Maddy closer, feeling as though she wanted to protect her from the entire world. “Men should be ashamed of themselves for even having the ability inside of them to touch a little girl.”

“Perhaps. But there are those of us who feel about them the way you do.” Katherine looked up at Jean, “If anyone ever thought of touching my daughters in such a way they would have been dead in a matter of seconds.” The Majors face darkened a moment before he shook his head and looked at Katherine, “Come, we will put her to bed.” He stood and reached down taking Maddy up in his arms, and offering Katherine a hand to get to her feet.

They carried her over to the bed she rested on earlier and tucked her in nice and warm. “She seemed to trust me so easily. I don’t even know what soldiers stole her family and her home from her. If they were the British soldiers, wouldn’t she have been afraid of me when I spoke to her?”

“No, not necessarily. Children are often able to accept things, and adjust better then grown ups.” He put his hand on her shoulder and rubbed it a little, “You did good today, Kate. She’s alright, come.” He took her hand and lead her to the door, letting her slip out before him and closed the door quietly behind them. The sun was setting, and everything looked beautiful, and the air even though it had a bit of a chill, was fresh and quite welcomed.

“What will happen to her? If she has no other family?” Katherine said softly wrapping her arms about herself. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was cold or because she felt so sick for everything that little girl had to go through.

“She will be given to a family that will take her in, usually with a dozen others. Or to a home specifically for children who have no families, or given to the church to raise.” He sat down next to her on the step and wrapped an arm around her to help her keep warm. “She will have a better chance at life then she had before you saved her.”

“Maddy isn’t an animal. She shouldn’t be treated like one, especially when her family was murdered before her eyes.” Jean couldn’t help but smile. A lady, an aristocrat, Tavington’s wife nonetheless, who cared about this small girl instead of thinking of her like an animal, was a rare thing indeed. Perhaps Katherine was spoiled growing up, but it was as though it did not spoil her. If that made any sense.

“How many children are you wishing to have?” He inquired, knowing that she already had one son. “Will there be any brothers and sisters for your son?” It seemed like a good change of subject. Perhaps one that wouldn’t upset her so, and get her mind of the horrors that girl must have gone through.

“I do not know. Young William was sort of a surprise when I found out that I was with child. I don’t think that either Colonel Tavington or myself really considered the possibility of having children.” She half smiled spitefully at the memory. “In fact when I came here, he would not take responsibility for him.” Katherine shook her head a little and sighed, “I don’t know if any more children will come into my family.”

“Kate . . .” He began softly looking at her, “Earlier today when I kissed you.” He paused not sure how to inquire, “I was . . .expecting to be struck for my boldness, . . .” Katherine felt a little uncomfortable, as though she failed to do something that she should have done instantly.

When she didn’t say anything, it was quite clear. Jean turned and gently took her face in his hands and kissed her ever so gently. Katherine returned his kiss without hesitation this time; she simply could not help herself. After a few kisses more, Katherine looked down as Jean stroked her face gently with his thumbs. “Jean.” She whispered. “We should not be alone together.”

“I do understand Kate. Please do not think I am disregarding your concerns.” He let her go and took her hands in his. “You must think I am the devil himself.” The Major said sounding a little ashamed of himself for constantly forgetting his place. Katherine looked at his eyes for a moment before it was her turn to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around him and hungrily consumed his lips.

“Oh God, Jean. You have no idea of the conflict that has been raging inside of my heart.” She said while trying to speak in between each heated embrace and passionate kiss. “I watched you sleep, I dreamt that I walked to you in the darkness.” She whispered. “But I couldn’t, even though I yearned to, I simply could not.” They kissed again, “I couldn’t.”

Just then, A cry came from inside of the cabin. “MOTHER!! MOTHER!!! DON’T LEAVE ME!!! PLEASE!” Katherine and Jean looked towards the door and quickly got to their feet and ran inside. Sure enough, Maddy was reaching out in her sleep as if she was trying to get to her mother, a river of tears streaming down her face.

“Shhhh, Maddy. Maddy it’s alright. You’re safe now. Shhhhh.” Katherine said picking up the small child in her arms and rocking her gently. “It’s alright.” She held her close until the child calmed down a bit and seemed to fall back into a fitful sleep. Jean just watched quietly, still feeling her lips on his only a few moments earlier. Katherine cooed and hummed gently holding the little girl tight.

“Get some rest Katherine. I’ll go early in the morning to find some supplies, and I’ll take you back to British lines.” He said before walking over to his own bed and laying down. Katherine looked after him a moment, a little regretful that she didn’t act before now. But she was relieved at the same time.

Before the sun came up the next morning, only about 10 minutes after Jean left the cabin to head into the town a few miles down the road. A dark, tall figure made it’s way to the cabin. Katherine lay with Maddy sleeping soundly, not even knowing that Jean was gone yet. He didn’t want to disturb their rest and left as quietly as he could intending to be back before they woke up.

The door of the cabin opened slowly, as the figure stepped in with a weapon drawn. It moved slowly over to the bed where the two girls slept and stood over them. Katherine could feel the shadow cast over her and her eyes opened instantly. Maddy could feel the way that Katherine jumped and woke up as well, seeing the man over them. She started to shake and tear up as she clung to Katherine, who immediately put herself between the stranger and the little girl. “You have no business here, Sir. I’ll thank you to leave!”

“Lady Tavington I presume?” Katherine just starred at him for a moment, before narrowing her eyes and looking over him. He looked like a bounty hunter, but . . . different somehow. As though he only traveled at night with such dark black clothes.

“You know my name, may I have the courtesy of yours?” She snapped, still annoyed that he would scare them in such a way. Katherine kept maddy behind her, ready to fight if he attempted to try and take her for any reason.

“I think not. No one knows my name and I intend to keep it that way.” He took off his glove and reached into his pocket, handing an envelope to Katherine. “ Your husband told me to give you that if I came across you so that you would know I am employed by none other then the infamous Colonel Tavington.” Katherine still didn’t trust him, and took the envelope from him opening it and taking the letter out immediately. It was William’s hand, and it certainly was written by William as she could tell by the way he spoke in the letter. When the man saw that he proved his authenticity to Katherine, he put his glove back on. “I suggest we start on our way, it is quite a ride back to the dragoon camp.” He looked about slowly.

“What on earth are you searching for.” Katherine said putting the letter back where it belonged before she looked up at him. The way he held his weapon, there was no doubt in her mind that he was definitely looking for the Major. “If you are looking for the Frenchmen, he returned to his unit last night. Most likely he is miles and miles away by now.” Katherine narrowed her eyes, “So you won’t be able to feed your blood lust today I’m afraid.”

The man turned and looked at her raising his brow. It was obvious that he didn’t believe her but the Frenchmen was not there, so there was nothing that he could do about it. Katherine stood and helped Maddy stand on the bed so that she could look her in the eye. “Maddy, you’re going to come with me and meet my family. We are . . . most likely what your family called . . . redcoats . . . there is no denying it. You can come with me to Charleston, or I can find a family for you in a town on the way back. It’s your choice.”

Maddy just looked at her for a moment. Many would say that giving such a choice to a child was ridiculous, but the fact that there was a war on and this little girl was basically crossing over to the side that was considered the enemy in this part of the world was a big decision. Especially, since it was quite possible that the soldiers who stole her family where indeed part of the British forces. It didn’t take the girl very long to decide and she reached out pointing her finger at Katherine to let her know that it was her she wanted to go with. Katherine couldn’t help but smile a little. “Alright, we’re going to go back with this man. Alright?” She turned and looked at the man, “Please saddle up my horse, it’s outside to the left of the house.” The man raised a brow before leaving the two alone in the cabin.

As soon as he was out of sight, Katherine quickly ran to the fireplace finding a twig still attached to one of the logs that was near by. She tore it off and dipped it into the black ash and started to quickly write on the back of the letter that the bounty hunter had brought to her. To just leave without the slightest word to the Major when he had taken care of her for so long, . . . . she would not do it.

“COLONEL!! COLONEL TAVINGTION!!!” A voice came screeching through the camp. Tavington opened an eye and looked around, before he heard the cry again. He sat up and took a drink before putting it aside and standing. “COLONEL!” The solider ran into the tent and saw William.

“The entire rebel army lead by the militia better have invaded my camp for you to come screaming into my tent unannounced!” The solider took a minute to catch his breath, before half smiling.

“IT’S HER! Lady Tavington!” He said in between deep gasps for air. Tavington’s eyes went wide as he sprung up from his bunk. “She’s here! She’s at the edge of camp!” Tavington pushed pass the solider and hurried out to see for himself. He had gotten his hopes up before.

Tawnie watched from behind a tree at the commotion and she frowned when she saw Lady Tavington riding into the dragoon camp. She had hoped that perhaps she would never be found, and Colonel Tavington would continue to call on her at night when he wanted her. But there was his wife, alive.

It was only Maddy and Katherine that rode on the horse, since her “Rescuer” so to speak, sent a message that he would come at nightfall to collect his pay. Katherine personally thought that he took himself far to seriously, and was rather annoying and pompous. Even worse then Tavington was, for otherwise she would be used to it by now.

William stopped, watching her ride towards him. He had never felt such a sense of relief and joy in his life to see her there alive. He walked towards her until he was standing by her horse. “Katherine? Are you alright?” She nodded and dismounted, before reaching up and helping Maddy down off of the horse. Tavington raised a brow. “What’s this?”

Katherine picked up the little girl, “Don’t you think we should go inside to talk William?” She turned and started to walk towards his tent, without saying another word. A little of the wind that was in Tavington’s sails dissipated at the encounter. He had imagined her running into his arms happy to see him, thankful that she found her way back. This was a little unsettling.

Katherine saw one of the other officers that she knew well and smiled asking him to look after Maddy for a few moments. He agreed and she made her own way to Tavington’s tent. When Tavington got inside he saw her sitting down at his table silently. “Katherine . . .” He said still trying to understand why she seemed as though she hadn’t been abducted at all, but had just gone on a day trip somewhere only to just return. “What . . . what happened to you? I was worried.”

Katherine just sat there silently, not sure what to say or how to begin. “ We have a volumes to discuss William. More then can be counted. She took a breath feeling her stomach turn and the thought and realization that it wasn’t a dream and really happened. “They showed me the church in Prembroke, the newly dug graves . . . and told me what you ordered.”

Tavington just stood there in shock and speechless. For her to know . . . for her to see . . . it never occurred to him before just now. “You were never meant to see that Katherine. It was necessary to the war.”

Katherine looked up at him a little dazed and shocked herself. “Women? Children? The old and the crippled?” She said with her eyes wide and her jaw nearly touching the floor.

“I only had to do it once, so I wouldn’t have to do it again. They were supplying the criminals that surround Benjamin Martin that continue to attack our supply lines. An example had to be made. The more brutal, precise and swift . . . the less likely that another example will have to be made.”

“William . . . . children . . .” Katherine said in a whisper almost hoping that he would understand why she was upset and just how horrified such a thing had occurred she really was. This was very disturbing. Tavington wasn’t sure how to explain this to her, and the look in her eyes . . . the look in her eyes was hard to endure.

“Yes. It was necessary. Katherine, where would they have gone otherwise? If I just let the children escape they would have seen their family and friends die and be left alone to starve.” That did not come out as he intended and the look on her face seemed to say that without so much as a comment. “I don’t wish to discuss this now.” He walked over towards her and kneeled on the ground taking her hand. “I’m just . . . thrilled that you are unharmed, and have been returned to me. I had thought that I had lost you.”

“William . . . are their any of the seven sins you haven’t committed in your lifetime? One commandment that you haven’t broken?” She said looking at him, wanting to be ignorant of all of this once again.

“Gluttony hasn’t been a very exercised one, No.” It was intended as a rhetorical question, and she hardly expected him to answer. Tavington didn’t quite get the reaction he had hoped for. “It was meant to lighten this mood you are in, darling.”

“How can you take these things so lightly William! How can you make jokes about this?” She said raising her voice. Just then, a sound seemed to come from everywhere calling her name. Slowly, everything turned black and Katherine opened her eyes seeing Maddy shaking her. Waking up from a horrible dream, that felt as though it was going to quickly turn into a nightmare.

“Miss Kate, Miss Kate!” She said. Katherine looked about and took a deep breath, realizing that she had fallen asleep. “That man went away.” Slowly, lady Tavington sat up looking around. The Campfire was built up, but their captor seemed to have disappeared. Even though a few of his things were still about.

“He’ll come back for us.” Katherine moved over a little bit. “Here, you can lay down with me and try to rest, I know you must be tired.” Maddy grinned and crawled underneath the blanket cuddling up with Katherine.

“I don’t like him.” She said softly. “ I don’t like him one bit.” The little one said, with a definite tone in her voice. That was her opinion and she was certainly meant it. Katherine couldn’t help but smile a little at her, and tried to suppress a small chuckle.

“I don’t like him very much either.” She sighed and held little Maddy close. “It shouldn’t be long before we are back to Charleston Maddy. Then you’ll have a proper place to sleep, good food to eat, and clean clothes to wear. I promise.” She said softly, closing her eyes. The little girl smiled and hugged Katherine tight, feeling safe and more comfortable now that she was with her.