The Butchers Love

Chapter 5

I woke up to the colonel shouting at some men, Something about their uniform being wrong and how they were a disgrace to the green dragoons. "and he is a mood" I muttered to myself before putting on the same clothes as the day before. He walked into my tent with some bread and another canteen of water as I was putting my hair into a plait. "Today you will be working until midday"

"Alright, may I ask why?"

"because after you have cleaned my horse, I'm giving you a tour of the camp. Any more questions?"

"none at all Colonel" I sighed and picked up my water canteen.

"Right, I will come and check on you soon" With them words walked out of my tent.

Christ, he actually smiled for a change, that was definitely new. I remembered where the stables were and noticed Tavington's horse. "You are beautiful" The dark brown horse stood there proudly "Do you have a name?"

"no he doesn't" Tavington appeared behind me and walked closer "I Never really found a fitting name for him"

"What about Ares?"

"who?" he looked at me confused.

"Ares, you know the Greek god of war?" Seriously was I the only one here who was educated.

"And how do you know that?" he questioned still astounded by my knowledge of ancient Greece.

"My mother she always loved Greek mythology and she taught me some of her knowledge"

"only some?"

"She died before she could teach me anything more" I teared up slightly and wiped the tears away with the sleeve of my shirt.

Tavington obviously noticed this and looked "I...I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked" since when did he feel remorse? "Ares is a fitting name, I like it"

I smiled at him and turned towards Ares and brushed his mane. Tavington admired my work and I could feel him staring staring at me, truth be told it made me uncomfortable. I brushed through Ares's pelt with a horse brush before moving onto his face. The horse was startled at first "Shh, it's alright I won't hurt you" I stroked his forehead gently and he calmed down instantly.

"Strange, normally he rears up when someone goes in front of him"

I turned towards Tavington "maybe he just likes me" I returned to Ares and brushed his neck. "there you go, all done"

"Not a bad job, It's acceptable" he shrugged and walked in front of his horse.

"Thanks" I smiled weakly before looking into his eyes for a split second and quickly looked down at the floor after I noticed who he was "Is there any more work to be done?"

"none right now" he walked over to his horse and rubbed his forehead. "Ares, it fits you" Tavington mumbled and ran his hand over the horses forehead, I stared at him with almost disbelief "What?"

"So you talk to your horse?" I asked and sniggered slightly

He gave me a death glare but in his eyes, he didn't mean it at all "no" he let out a small breath like chuckle and turned towards me

"Your secret is safe with me" I mocked him and he raised an eyebrow.

"I will be getting back to work, you can go back to your tent now, your work is over" he shot me a small smile and walked out of the stables.

I walked slowly back to my tent, I wanted my family. That is all I wanted.

I shook my head as I entered my tent. He hated me one minute and then the next he was laughing at something I said. What was with this man? minutes went by and all I could think about was his smile. Has the butcher gone mad? Have I gone mad?