It was a few days after the majority of the soldiers had left when Clara emerged from the tent. It was a dull day, the sky grey and swirling with clouds but the sun seemed to be trying to peak through. Marie hurried to Clara once she realized she was finally out of bed.

"How are you feeling?

"Alright, tired, I guess. But I Feel like getting out of bed today." Clara replied

"I'm glad to see you up, we were getting worried."

"I was…..just…"

"Depressed?"

"Yeah. That's a way of putting it. I'm starting to think I'm never going to get back to…. the way things used to be. Among other things" Clara replied distantly.

"It's been hard for you. I can tell. But if you need to talk, I am here. I won't let anyone know what has been said. "Even if it's about the future."

Clara smiled "So you don't think I'm crazy, for saying I'm from a different time?"

"No dear, I don't. I believe we all have are reasons, to why we're here. You have a purpose for being here. Maybe there is something in this time you need to change, maybe it will help you some how."

"Are you saying that I am here to change something that could cause a chain of events and save my family?"

"That's a possibility. It could mean anything, but what I do know and believe is that you're here for a purpose, like the rest of us. And soon, you will find what that is." Marie said smiling. "I better go, get some dinner ready. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine…I can help."

"Just relax for now, you look exhausted. Get some sleep, something good to eat. Then get back to work tomorrow, your not much use to me, if you're falling asleep on the job." Marie said smiling. Clara grinned in reply, but remained sitting there; thinking over everything Marie had just told her.

Over the next few weeks, Clara roamed around the grounds occasionally helping out at the camp, but mostly kept to her self, reading or taking in the wilderness. It was still cold, but it was refreshing. Yet, the words of Marie haunted her mind; she found her self wondering what her purpose here was, if that was why she was really here for. Over the weeks she also found her self, fairly alone. She had Marie, but she missed the company of Tavington. She knew she couldn't exactly call him a friend and they never really had any meaningful conversations, except for that one time before he left. But he was also just easier to be around, than the rest of the people there. Especially compared to the vile Cornwallis, Tavington seemed to treat her more like an equal, rather than an object, which was one of the things Clara, had always valued the most.

At the same time she found her self wondering how true the stories she about him heard were. There were rumours a boy was killed on a farm during a raid. He wasn't a soldier, but he, from what some of the returning soldiers had said, tried to free a prisoner. Either way, she found her self debating over how morally wrong it really was. People claimed the brutality of it. Clara thought it was cruel, but reminded her self, it was a time of war. No one is safe, and there rules of war, are basically, there are no rules. There is you and "the enemy" that's it. You oppose the enemy; you will likely pay the price, usually with your life, yet that still wasn't an excuse for killing him.

Other stories told her again, of Tavington's brutality, some claimed he earned a nick name, of the Butcher, he was not a man who showed mercy. Other rumours and tales came around at the main camp, some of the deaths of soldiers, some of which Clara knew. The soldiers who made fun of her and her ability to shoot a weapon had all died, battles were won, the enemy was defeated at many assaults, but most disturbing news that came along, was one of a rebel ghost. Who alone, attacked and killed many men. The news came to a shock to the main camp, and many mourned the deaths of the soldiers that night.

It was late into the evening, as Clara sat under a large tree reading, the three musketeers, for what seemed like the hundredth time since she had been there. She stopped to watch a group of servants, who began to scurry around, setting up lanterns and bringing large trays of fruits, and meat into a large tent. Clara also could see many of the soldiers returning into camp. She smiled as she saw familiar faces who had returned safely.

"Good evening Miss. Edwards!" A cheerful voice exclaimed standing beside her

"Good evening Wilkins" Clara replied looking up.

"How are we today? Better than the last time we seen each other I hope?"

"Yes…I am" Clara replied dully.

"That's great. You should make your way down, to the officer's tent. No one will mind you going down. It's a celebration after all." Wilkins explained smiling "It was a great victory on the battlefield today."

"Oh, yeah okay" Clara replied standing up, and brushed some dirt of her pants.

"I'll see you down there in a moment then"

"Uh….. right" Clara replied awkwardly before she walked down the hill towards the tent. She was nearly there when she saw Tavington walk into the tent covered in dust and dirt, she was about to enter then tent herself, when she stopped dead at the voices she heard inside.

"Always to early, always to eager for glory" Cornwallis exclaimed.

"For victory, my lord" Tavington replied sounding taken aback "I believe we took the field."

"Next time, you wait for my command." Cornwallis replied angrily.

"It appears, that Colonel Tavington likes to make his own commands" O'Hara exclaimed with a sneer, a remark that made Clara's jaw drop.

"That twitchy little rat!" Clara thought.

"O'Hara tells be you've earned the nick name, the Butcher, among the populous. We'll discuss it tomorrow."

"Very well my lord." Tavington replied noticing Cornwallis feed a large portion of meat to his dogs.

"Gentleman! To victory!" Cornwallis exclaimed happily raising his glass before turning to leave the tent. "Miss. Edwards, how nice to see you up and about. I do hope that means you're well!"

Clara nodded, as she still lingered just outside the tent, wishing Cornwallis hadn't seen her standing there. "I feel better, thanks."

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Cornwallis exclaimed not noticing that Clara had just kicked one of his dogs, for trying to eat her shoes. "Like the dogs? Beautiful aren't they?"

"Uhhh….."

"Well, I would like more than anything to stay and chat, but I have maters to attend before I turn in for the night, but make sure you join in the celebrations. It was a great victory." Cornwallis said smiling "Goodnight"

Clara nodded, as she watched Cornwallis leave his dogs and O'Hara following behind, Clara sighed, before entering into the tent, grabbing a glass of champagne she looked around, to see Tavington, his back to her, standing and staring at a large picture of Cornwallis' dogs.

"Is it really necessary to have pictures of those stupid dogs all over camp? What next golden statues?" Clara exclaimed sarcastically walking up towards Tavington. He spun around looking angry, but it quickly disappeared, his eyes softening when he saw Clara.

"Cla…Ms. Edwards." Tavington said "I see you seem to be feeling better."

"Yeah, I am." Clara replied "So what is with these dogs?"

"Ah, they were a gift from the King, to show his appreciation towards Cornwallis services."

"Ah….very generous….. because Cornwallis, really more stupid animals following him around where ever he goes, as if O'Hara wasn't enough. He's a twitchy little rat."

Tavington smiled slightly; glad to see Clara was back to her old self again."O'Hara hasn't bothered you at all, since the incident, has he?"

"No, he hasn't been around camp much. But I also avoid him when ever he's around. I fear I may accidentally push him in a river." Clara replied

"Good to hear" Tavington replied "Did you do much around camp?"

"Not really. It's been boring here. I've been mostly reading and rereading the few books I have." Clara replied dully. "I'm not able to do much, since Cornwallis has made it clear I shouldn't be off anywhere on my own."

Tavington looked at Clara for a moment, knowing very well that being forced to stay on camp was tearing her apart inside. "Tomorrow is a free day, a day off I guess you could call it for most of the officers. I have er… a meeting in early in the morning, but after I am free. I can take you for a ride. I'm guessing you haven't road that horse of yours in quite awhile. It will give you a chance, to leave here for a while."

"Really? Clara exclaimed excitedly "That would be great. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. It would be my pleasure." Tavington replied

Clara smiled "By the way. Congratulations, I hear it was a great victory on the battlefield."

"It was." Tavington replied

"To victory, and to England!" Clara said, raising her glass towards Tavington in a toast before taking a sip of the champagne.

Tavington gave a slight raise of his own, watching Clara drink it.

"Wow, this tastes….like…well awful" Clara choked after taking a large mouthful of it.

"It is a little strong for a lady such as your self." Wilkins said stepping up beside her "I don't find it half bad."

"Strength has nothing to do with it. More to the fact it tastes, like cat piss." Clara replied simply.

Wilkins laughed his face bright red, which made Clara look at him with an eyebrow raised.

"I think I'll go …..now" Clara said "Good night Colonel"

"I'll walk you!" Wilkins exclaimed stepping towards her quickly.

"No….uh that's alright." Clara replied walking quickly towards the exit "Really, it's still fairly light out, I can manage."

Clara walked out, but only took a few steps before she stopped and looked around. She realized just how beautiful of a night it was. She wandered up the hill where she as sitting earlier, when she noticed the full moon was glowing bright. She stopped and stared at it, smiling. It looked so different here. The sky was dotted with millions of stars, which you could actually see. Half the time in the future, the stars where covered up by city lights and pollution. But here, it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Part of her wished she took notice to the beauty earlier, rather than hating every aspect of the time here so far. There were some aspects of the place, that weren't half bad. She sat there under the tree just gazing at the sky smiling, not noticing the person watching her.

Tavington stood at the bottom of the hill, listening, or at least pretending to listen to Bordon and Wilkins ramble on about the battle, as he watch Clara. He was trying to figure her out, but couldn't. Part of him knew there was still more to the girl then she let on, she held a dark secret, perhaps dangerous secret. He was still determined to find that out, but another part found himself looking at her in a new way. A young, intelligent, beautiful woman, who refused to confirm to society, but also had a unique and mysterious vibe about her, all of these characteristics were what made him drawn to her more.

It was later than night when Tavington walked up the hill towards Clara noticing she was still sitting under the tree. He walked up beside her, realizing she was actually asleep, her chest rising slowly with each breath. "Ms. Edwards?" he whispered

Clara mumbled something as she slowly open her eyes, nearly jumping four feet in the air, before scrambling up swinging her arm out for a punch, when she saw someone standing over her.

"Calm down. It's just me!" Tavington said stepping back, with his hands raised.

"Sorry, you just startled me." Clara replied, holding her hand to her chest, and trying to catch her breath. "Must have dozed off, have I been out here long?"

"You've been up here for a few hours. I didn't realize you had fallen asleep. Lucky I came around. Or you would have been out here all night."

"Hmmm." Clara replied rubbing her arms for warmth. "It's getting cold. Lucky you came I guess."

"Here." Tavington said quickly, taking his jacket off, and wrapping it around Clara, he rested his hands on her shoulders for a moment, his blue eyes gazing at her. Sis touch sent something like an electric shock through her body, it felt like a tingling, warming sensation. Clara stepped back slightly, but still Tavington's hands remained resting on her shoulders. "Are you alright?" He asked sounding concerned.

"Yeah…sorry… just a little dizzy. I'm just really tired, sorry." Clara replied

"There is no need to apologize, come; let's get you back to your tent." Tavington said softly as he followed Clara down the hill towards the Green Dragon's camp.

Clara bade Tavington good night, before she collapsed into bed, unexpected dreams through out the night. It wasn't anything that made much sense, but odd things, like Tavington's piercing eyes, or his rare smile, he thought she never saw. Clara woke up several times, confused of what she was dreaming, what it meant, but she just told her self, it was nothing, that they were after all just silly dreams.