A year and a half had passed. William's dream of being in the army had finally been realized when he bought himself a commission as a colonel in the British Green Dragoons with the coin he received from selling the Tavington estate. Training was rough. William found he had a gift for fighting, but many of his fellow soldiers were a ragtag bunch with very little skill. The rations he received were hardly worth the bite, but Tavington managed to stomach them. Asmodeus had grown lean on small bits of hay and oats. William, who was so used to taking orders from his father, was now learning to give them, and with brutal command. His temper, dormant for so many years, flared quickly and he easily intimidated those around him. He slept alone in his tent just out of the way of the other soldiers and officers in training. Occasionally, he made time for a woman, though mostly, he was occupied with his work. There was no family for Tavington to write to, so he spent hours honing his skills as a soldier, learning new tricks in swordplay and how to command his men.

As summer approached, William and the other soldiers counted down the days to when they would board ship to America. Many wrote to their families of their dreams abroad, new land and lavish houses. William too, aspired for land and a new home, where he and Asmodeus would be comfortable. One hot evening, just as Tavington was finishing his rations in his tent, there was the sound of footsteps outside and a foot soldier stepped into the tent. "Sir," the foot soldier addressed William, looking him evenly in the eyes. "You are to report at the docks at dawn with your things."

"Very well, you're dismissed," William replied, assuming an air of nonchalance. The soldier left and Tavington, no longer able to contain his excitement, began to pack his things. Asmodeus, sensing the change of order, whinnied and pawed the ground until William came out of his tent to see him.

"What's the matter, boy," William asked, stroking the stallion's nose. Asmodeus looked at Tavington quizzically. "We are going to America," William spoke to the horse in earnest. "You'll have a new home. We leave in the morning." William slept in a surprisingly sound state that night and awoke with the sound of the ship's bell. Stumbling out of his tent with his things, he handed his trunk to a camp hand and saddled Asmodeus, before riding out to port.

"Who're yew?" A man with scraggly gray hair and stubble greeted him at the gangplank. "William Tavington, Green Dragoons." William replied crisply, adjusting the collar of his uniform. "Papers?" William reached into his saddle bag, pulled out his commission and handed it to the man. He looked it over briefly.

"This yer firs' trip overseas," He asked.

"Mind your own business!" William snapped, glaring down at him.

"Fine, it'll be bottom deck for you and your 'orse. Don' drink tew much lest ya get yaself seasick." William snorted and led a wary Asmodeus onto the gangplank, pausing when Asmodeus pulled up and neighed loudly.

"Come on, boy," He pulled the horse forward, pausing once he was on deck to look back at London. The weather was dreary, the Thames grey. Hopefully, he would see none of this for as long as he was willing. Leading Asmodeus below deck, William was directed to a small, cramped stall with little hay on the wooden floor. His own tiny room wasn't far away. Asmodeus looked ready to bolt. There was no pasture and he was nearly too big for the stall.

"It's what we have, Asmodeus." William spoke in a resigned tone, leading Asmodeus into his stall next to a grey Thoroughbred gelding who peered curiously out of his stall at his neighbor. William offered Asmodeus a carrot to calm him down and he took it, chewing it distractedly for a few moments before becoming upset once more and stomped the floor. Tavington shook his head and walked back to his bunk. The room had no windows and the bed was built into the ship. He was lucky that again, he did not have to share. Digging through his trunk, William took out his mother's ring. It was a simple gold band and he almost did not know why he kept it. After all, his father had given it to her. She wore it religiously. Hesitantly, he slipped it on his left little finger; it was the only one that the ring fit on.

Suddenly, the sound of a knock on his door startled him and he looked up. "Come in," he called.

A young boy of about ten stood in the doorway with a tray of dry bread and water. "Something to eat, sir?"

William stood up and accepted the food from the boy, waving him away in dismissal. He ate the bread first. It tasted bitter; then he tried the water; it was stale, but he managed a few more bites of his meal. Once he was finished, he carefully removed his uniform and got dressed in casual clothing. The ship was still at the dock as more soldiers poured into the decks. Wondering how Asmodeus was settling, William left his bunk and went to where the horses were kept. There, he found his stallion sniffing tolerantly at the grey Thoroughbred gelding next to him.

"Found a friend, did you? Well that's a first," Tavington said, patting the two horses in turn.

Suddenly, the boat rocked and they were off on their journey to America.

The sea was calm for the first few hours of the voyage. William grew restless below decks and went above to watch the sea. He was fascinated. For miles, the sea and sky stretched out in an endless blue. Tavington had never seen such a thing. Gulls dived in and out of the water, searching for fish and other debris dropped by the ship. Drawing the spyglass out from the satchel he carried with him, William aimed it at the birds to get a better view. A rippling just below the ship caught his attention; a shadow appeared and he caught a dolphin surfing at the ship's bow. William followed the creature for the next few minutes before one of the shipmates came up to him and said, "Yew lookin' at 'im? 'E's trouble. Eats our fish."

William put down the spyglass and glared at the shipmate, losing the dolphin to the waves. The shipmate quirked a brow and walked off, muttering, "City folk; dun know nuthin' abou' the sea. Just interested 'n the pritty things."

Tavington took out the spyglass once more and scanned the surface of the sea for signs of animal life, but all he saw were gulls, so he took a short walk from one end of the ship to the other before going back below decks.

Late in the night on the first night of his voyage, William rested in his bunk, listening to the waves and the rocking of the ship. Staring at the door to his bunk, William decided to light a candle and check on Asmodeus. Perhaps he would get some journal writing finished while he was at it.

Finding the horse resting in his stall, William pulled up a small stool, set his candle up on a small supply shelf, and began writing.

Spring

First day of sailing. The sea is a wonder unto itself. I could stare endlessly into its blue depths. I only hope to see more of the creatures that inhabit it on my journey to America. So far, the trip has been calm. Asmodeus settled in well enough, but I hope he does not get sick on the trip.

I am eager to begin a military career in America. Those rebels need quelling! Every damn one of them! But I hope to also build a home there, as soon as the war is over. Land for a farm will do. Enough for horses and a small family to settle on. Still, it's too early to assume anything. I need to keep my mind focused on the duties ahead of me. The light is almost out; I must be going.