Adult-FanFiction.org : Movies

Piety and Infamy	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: M through R > Patriot, The Views: 2093 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Patriot, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
It was well after dark before the unit of dragoons rode back into their
camp. William climbed down off the horse first before reaching up and helping
Heather to the ground. As they walked towards the tents, Tavington all but gave
her to an orderly, �Take her to my tent.� He said plainly. Heather looked at
him for a moment thinking that he must have really been upset with her to be
acting so cold towards her now. �Stay inside of my tent and do not leave it. I
will be with you shortly.�


Tavington turned giving a look to Major Borden, and Captain Wilkins. The
tree of these British officers began crossing to the far side of the camp.
Heather sighed a bit as she watched them disappear, before she looked at the
orderly whom had once again been assigned to see after her. The man put his hand
out, politely inviting her to follow him and led her to the Colonels tent. They
moved in the opposite direction that William and the others had departed in.


Once inside, she looked around seeing that this tent was a bit more
complete then the one they had stayed in before when he came and rescued her
from Cornwallis�s burning plantation. Then it was just a cot and a small make
shift table and a simple chair for whatever papers or dispatches he might have
had to write. There was a much larger and more comfortable looking cot, a
vanity, a table with matching chair, and a dresser to keep his clothes and other
belongings in. How on earth was all of this stuff moved from one place to
another when they had to advance?


Moving to the chair by the table she sat down looking about once more.
Inside she wished whatever scolding she had earned would have already taken
place. This waiting was making it worse. Taking a deep breath and letting it out
slowly, she sat back further in the chair swinging her feet about. It had gotten
to be a nervous habit when she was waiting for something when there was nothing
to do that she had developed, and it was considered to be completely unladylike.
Yet she was here in Tavington�s tent by herself and no one would see.


She jumped to her feet, startled when she heard the sound of a blood
curdling scream ripped through the camp. It sent chills
running down her spine for it sounded as if it�s owner was being attacked by
the very hounds of hell to scream in such a way. Swallowing she ducked out of
the tent and looked about, seeing all of the other soldiers near by were looking
towards the other end of the camp, where the sound had originated from.


Deciding it was better not to go with her first instinct like she had
done the entire day, she stayed in place rather then running to see what it was.
Something inside told her that she did not really wish to see the sight that
would accompany that sort of sound. In the distance, she did see two red
uniforms come out of the tent at the edge of the camp following behind a third,
whom was unmistakably Colonel Tavington. She had always been able to spot him
even among the other redcoats when they were in formation. Heather was a little
shocked to find that everyone else who had run to see what the commotion was had
dispersed and gone about there business like nothing had happened.


Colonel Tavington sighed in annoyance having lost yet another chance to
squeeze information on the Ghosts whereabouts out of a soul before they passed
on to the next world. �Well that did not get us very far from where we were
before now did it.� Captain Wilkins eyes turned towards Borden a moment,
praying he wasn�t going to get blamed for this one too. Borden ignored him and
took a step forward towards Tavington.


�I�m sorry sir, if I would have just kept him alive for a few moments
longer, I�m sure he would have . . .� Tavington cut him off, growing tired
of the endless line of excuses that had been thrown his way today.


�He was not going to tell us anything of value Borden. If you could not
see that in his eyes then you suffer from the same poor vision as a bat.�
Tavington reached into his pocket taking out his handkerchief wiping off the
spray of fresh blood that had found it�s away across his face and hand. �At
the last, I began to debate weather he even knew anything at all.�
Tavington�s eyes shifted upwards towards the most disliked member of the
dragoon ranks, �Wilkins. Any news of that town that was rumored to be
supporting Martin?�


�Yes sir, the name of the town is Pembroke. It�s about a day and a
half ride from here.� He knew this town quite well. As a boy, his family would
drive into Pembroke each week for services in the white church at the center of
the town. He knew many people there, but it had been a very long time since he
had been to church.


�Well then, I think it would be time for the fairy people of Pembroke,
to receive a small visit from his Majesties military forces. Wouldn�t you
say?� William�s eyes shifted upwards towards the Captain�s making sure his
meaning was plain. Tavington could tell that this was a place that meant
something to Wilkins, and was purposely pressing his so called �loyalty�.
Traitors in blue or red, were only held in distaste and disgust in William�s
eyes. They were useful for information, nothing more, and where perhaps the most
expendable men to have around. Civilian traitors were thought of no differently
in his mind, and these colonial�s giving supplies and aid to Benjamin Martin
and his outlaw rebels, whom were a thorn in Tavington�s side from the
beginning, was treason. They would be punished accordingly for this
indiscretion. �Dispose of the corpse Captain, and be sure to keep it out of
sight. There is a woman in the camp.�


William turned away from his two officers and tucked his handkerchief
back in where it belonged. He had never gone to her with
blood adorning him where she could see, and even though her being here was
unexpected and a bit upsetting, he would not begin to do so now. Heather could
see him starting to walk her way and she dove back inside, knowing she should
have never been out of the tent in the first place. Tavington looked up just in
time to see her disappear. Giving a sigh he shook his head and continued on his
way.


Having heard the most unholy sound of a mans utter pain, had her rattled
and she was very jumpy now. Tavington ducked inside of the open flap of his tent
carrying his helmet under his arm. Without looking at Heather or saying a word,
he walked to his vanity and put down the helmet and put his gloves beside them.
He began to loosen the gold buttons of his uniform jacket.


�William . . . what was that?� She said not being able to stand the
silence. She had to break it some how or she thought she would go insane.


�What was what dear?� William said, taking off his jacket putting it
aside.


He couldn�t have honestly not known what she was talking about, could
he? �I heard a scream just a few moments ago. It. . . it sounded like it came
from inside of the camp. Is everyone alright?�


�It�s nothing you need to concern yourself about my dear.� He said
closing the matter. Taking off his scarf he put that down as well before turning
and looking at her. �Alright, now would you be so kind as to explain to me,
what you were doing on foot, in the middle of a war zone? With no escort, no
horse, no weapons of any kind on your person . . . I�m quite certain that Lord
Cornwallis did not let you out of the fort knowingly.�


She was caught and she knew it. Heather swallowed a lump in her throat
feeling as nervous as could be. At this moment, he seemed rather calm and not as
angry as she thought he was going to be. However, she had witnessed a change in
just seconds at least one time before. If she gave him an answer that he thought
wasn�t good enough, or she snapped it to him in a smart way, it would almost
undoubtedly set off that temper that she had no desire to see again. Taking a
deep breath she began to speak carefully, �I had to get out William. I
couldn�t stay in there another minute, I just wanted to get away from
everything for a little while. I knew if I asked, Lord Cornwallis would forbid
it.


That was not an answer he had been expecting, and he wasn�t quite sure
what she was speaking about. It seemed like a matter that was important to her,
it had to be something that really upset her. Never since the first day they
met, had he known her to be foolish in such a way. �Get away from what? What
is so terrible that it would cause you to risk your life like this?�


Tavington waited silently for an answer and Heather stood before him
looking into his eyes. It had been months since she was able to speak like this,
each time he came to the headquarters he was shoved into Cornwallis�s office
and then shoved back outside towards his horse again. As if everything was to be
done to avoid their being able to meet together even though they were married.


Now here he stood, no one else between them or trying to keep them apart
or listening to every word that was uttered. All of her thoughts were cluttered
around and she was trying to put them in some sort of order. �The other
officers that come into the headquarters have been bringing back stories about
you, saying dreadful things about what they say you have done. Every word when
they speak of you drips with contempt and it�s like they are purposely trying
to disparage you. Each day when I wake, a new tale of terror that �The
Butcher� had done the day before, circles the headquarters.� Colonel
Tavington just looked at her in silence for a few moments.


William had not thought about anything that went on in the field reaching
her ears like it had done, and he was a bit in shock at the great detail, which
seemed to be added to these accounts. Tavington was very displeased that she had
heard about what was going on in the war that much. Before he could say
anything, he discovered that she was just getting started. Overwhelmed with all
of the thoughts she had kept to herself for weeks and weeks not daring to say
any of them aloud; she began to pace the floor. �Every week, the rumors get
worse and worse and more officers come in as if they all want a little piece of
the credit for tearing up your reputation. They way they speak is like their
reports are 10 times worse on the field as they are in Lord Cornwallis�s
office. Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, all pleading for the removal of your
command and even two other Colonels keep trying to find ways to have you
stripped of your titles.� She took a breath trying to calm herself down
closing her eyes for a moment, having felt like she was shouting and she
didn�t mean to be.


�I had to get out of there and just be away for a little while where it
was quite. Like I used to do when you came to visit me while we were still
courting.� William remembered the little clearing where she had always
retreated to with a basket of sewing things, and books that she would read for
hours on end. It was quiet, secluded, and away from the worlds eyes. �I
couldn�t control my tongue once and I . . . I spoke my mind to Lord
Cornwallis. He was very angry at me for doing so, and I didn�t want to do it
again less he take out his anger on you.�


Everything that had happened to day was enough to scare her from trying
to escape to a quite and secluded place by herself. It was obvious that with the
war on, there was no such place to be found any longer. After having thought her
life was forfeit when the Colonial Militia captured her, she was almost in tears
and her rambling off about all of these things in front of William was
embarrassing. �I�m sorry William. Please . . . forgive me. I swear I will
never disobey you again, I�ll stay where you tell me, I will go wherever you
tell me, I�m sorry . . .� Her voice broke and she couldn�t go any further.


Tavington watched her for a moment before walking to her, taking her into
his arms and holding her tight letting her cry all she needed to. Normally, he
absolutely despised woman�s tears. It was the most annoying, pathetic and
sickening sound he ever had to endure in his entire existence. Yet with her, he
actually wanted to comfort her and let her know that everything would be all
right.


William could see easily that the strain on her was caused by her heart
fighting not to believe all of the things that had been said where she could
hear. It refused to believe that everything that was said was true and not a
rumor. Everything about what had been going on, had happened and never for all
of her days would she admit it out loud or admit it to even herself.


Still holding her tight to him, he looked down at her in amazement. Even
if the rest of the world and the others in his majesties forces all thought
themselves better then him for the services he was willing to perform to speed
along their victory, one person still head him in the highest regard that could
be given. Deep inside of herself, she knew that the reports where true. Yet she
still cared for him knowing most of the major things he had done, and would
continue to do so not really caring about anything but his safety and health. It
was true, that she loved him despite all of his faults and to him, that was more
important then any of the ridicule that came his way. He would provide a home
for them here, in her homeland, and would do anything it took to secure their
future.


A few minutes later she reached up wiping the tears from her eyes, and
began to apologize for her foolishness again. �I�m sorry William.� She
whispered, feeling even more embarrassed that she had let herself go and cry
like that.


Tavington reached up and tilted her head back so she had to look into his
eyes. �I will find somewhere else for you to stay. I can�t say that General
Cornwallis�s headquarters in the middle of this god forsaken war, which is the
staging point for most of the military activities, was a wise place for you to
stay.� Looking into her eyes, he kissed her forehead holding her tight,
�It�s alright my dear, I�m not angry with you. I am just glad that you are
all right and it was I who found you and not a renegade band of murderous
Militia.� Heather�s eyes opened at his words leaning her head on against his
shoulder. It was almost as if he purposely expressed the worse thing that could
have happened to her, and sure enough it had happened. She decided it wouldn�t
be wise to tell him EVERYTHING that had happened today. There was no point in
it, she didn�t know where they were going and they didn�t harm her in
anyway.


Closing her eyes, she just held onto him in a way she had been wanting to
for the past few months as long as it could last. Once he left and was sent on
more missions, only God knew when she would see him again.
To Be Continued .
. .
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Piety and Infamy