The Butchers Love

Chapter 6

I woke up from my cot and wondered what time it was. I made my way outside and saw the sun retreating over the hills. I needed to talk with Tavington so walked into his tent "Colonel I wanted to a-" one I raised my head I met with the view of him wearing only his breeches. Initially, I was taken aback for a moment, he had a strong built upper body with a well trained flat stomach.

"Did you ever learn to knock?" he smirked and looked towards me, in response, I snapped out of my trance and focused my gaze on the floor "Another words, get out" Tavington groaned and shook his head.

Although he told me to wait outside out of pure embarrassment I rushed back into my own. Around 5 minutes had passed and the Colonel walked into my tent "S-sir" I dipped my head slightly and stared at the floor "might I ask why your here?"

"I was going to ask why you stormed into my tent" As he spoke he leant against the small oak table "out with it then" Tavington huffed.

"W-well It doesn't really matter"

"So you barged into my tent to say something that doesn't matter?"

"can I go, for a walk or something?" I asked and stood up "Please?"

"If you escape, don't forget that I know where your brother and father live"

"How dare you use that against me!"

"Mable-"

"No don't even attempt to worm your way out of this!" Tears burned the rims of my eyes "Why are you so full of hatred?!" With those words, I rushed out of my tent and into the treeline. Tavington shouted after me as I started to run, not to escape but to get away from him. His threats were enough to keep me from escaping, I knew he would actually go and murder my family. I kept running until I found a fallen tree and sat down, I knew he wouldn't be far behind and I would get it in the neck for pulling a stunt like this.

"Mable! God where are you!?" Tavington shouted before locking eyes with me "There you are" he came and towards me and rested his back against a tree.

"Just go away, please"

"and how do I know you're not going to run away?" he narrowed his eyes and leant his head back against the tree.

"Because you have threatened to kill my family, unlike you, I would do anything to protect them!"

"You don't know anything about my family, I don't talk of them anymore"

"Why?"

"That is my business and not yours"

"Alright" I stood up and walked back towards the camp "Well I'll be going then" As I was about to stand up, Tavington came and sat next to me.

"swear that you won't tell a soul"

"I swear" I trembled slightly.

"Well for starters my mother died when I was 13, she was the kindest woman that I knew. My sister died when she gave birth, the child later on died due to pneumonia. My father was a drunk who squandered my inheritance on gambling and drink, thankfully the man died before he could ruin my name even more" he let out a nervous chuckle and looked up into the sky "I don't have a clue why I'm telling you this, but that pretty much concludes my miserable life" Tavington mumbled and turned his head to the side.

"Your stronger than you seem, I'll give you that"

"I'm strong? My dear, you couldn't be further from the truth"

I shook my head slightly and smiled to myself "Colonel, I believe you are so much more than you think yourself to be" at my words he turned to face me and shot me a small smile "anyway, we should get back to camp before someone notices your absence"