The Butchers Love

Chapter 4

The second day in the camp was considerably worse than the first for many reasons. I woke up in my small cot and the blanket covering me that was worn out and full of holes. I missed my family dearly, I didn't even get to say goodbye. Tears unwillingly rolled down my cheeks and I hid my head in my hands. Suddenly I heard footsteps coming towards my tent, I quickly wiped my tears away and laid back in the cot.

"I know you're awake" Tavington's voice sounded and as I sat up in my cot he saw my teary eyes "Have you been crying?"

"No offence Colonel, That is really none of your business" I trembled as I spoke and he walked over towards me and shot daggers into my eyes.

"While you're at this camp and under my command, You will obey my orders. Meaning, you are to pull your weight around here" if looks could kill I would have been long dead "Do you have any sort of training in medicine?"

"If you're asking if I will treat the British you have another thing coming" I spat with pure venom embedded in my voice.

He raised an eyebrow "As I just told you, you will obey my orders" His face lowered to mine "So if you want to eat I suggest you do as I say, Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes" I trembled and flinched slightly as he moved away from me.

"So I ask again, Do you have training in medicine?"

"A Little...b-but hardly enough training to forgo wounds such as the ones your men have sustained"

Tavington shook his head "Then what can you do? Or are you completely useless?"

"Well at home I took care of our horses" I looked up at him "That and I know how to cook"

"You will take care of the horses and that's all I'm trusting you with" He looked at my attire "You have 10 minutes to get changed I don't like to be kept waiting" Tavington stormed out of my tent and waited outside. I looked at the small bundle of clothes that sat on the simple oak table and walked over to them. It consisted of an old white shirt with long sleeves and a simple pair of black trousers, A rugged pair of boots sat on the floor next to the table. I didn't take long to get ready and I met with Tavington outside my tent "That took you long enough" he signalled me to follow him not even slowing down for me to catch up. We walled for about 2 minutes until we reached the stable-like area, Most of the dragoons' horses were kept in pristine condition however a few others were covered with mud and their manes were sprawled out. "Your job is to clean the horses, very simple so don't let me down"

"Yes sir" I walked over towards the horses and reached my hand out. "Shh, it's alright I won't hurt you"

"You work ends at sundown" Tavington threw a metal canteen of water at me and walked off to attend to his duties

Thankfully I caught the metal container and it contained less than half of the amount of water it could carry. I was thankful that I had water, hey at least he was taking care of me to some extent. About 5 hours had passed and I walked over to a chestnut brown horse with the same coloured mane. I brushed the horses hair and put it to the left side of his body. I finished the horse quite and I was quite proud of my work. "There you go, all clean" I rubbed ther horses forehead. And looked towards the sun retreating from the moon and sighed in relief. "Looks like my day is done" I spoke to myself and walked back to my tent.

The amount of comments I got while I was walking was unbelievable, is there absolutely no decency. I shook my head and walked into my tent and threw myself onto the bed. Tavington entered my tent "eat" he put the bowl of food on the table and sat down in the chair.

"What is it?"

"Food, don't worry its not poison" he sighed and "I won't hurt you dear"

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can't, no one ever has, but the best I can give you is my word"

I walked over to the table and took the bowl and sat on the edge of my cot "But seriously what is this?" As I spoke I moved the spoon around the bowl before looking up at him.

Tavington nodded slightly "Beef stew, now eat it before it goes cold" I took a spoonful and ate it nearly choking on a piece of meat that hit the back of my throat "You eat like a salvage" he mocked me and smirked slightly.

"How very gentlemanly of you to say Colonel" I frowned and ate another spoonful of the stew "You need to tell me how to make this"

"I might do" We shared a gaze for a few seconds. He coughed slightly and shook his head before looking down at the floor "Tomorrow you will be attending to my horse, he needs cleaning, I expect good results"

"Nothing but the best sir" I sarcastically spoke and continued to eat the contents of the bowl.

Tavington stood up and walked towards the exit of the tent "I'll see you tomorrow Miss Smith" For some reason I shivered when he mentioned my last name. He bowed his head slightly before exiting the tent.

"Until then Colonel" I mumbled and looked at the exit and then back to my food. I ate the rest of the contents and put the bowl back on the table. I laid back down in the cot and pulled the blanket over me. My thoughts immediately focused back on my family "I will return to you somehow..." I muttered and eventually fell into a slumber.