Tavington

What in God's name just happened? Did I just catch Joseph off guard? Something once again didn't seem right.

"What are you planning this time," I asked.

"Catching my breath, what are you planning?" he answered. I had knocked the wind out him when I pulled him from the tree.Speaking of trees I looked back to see if Haley was still there,but she wasn't.I realized now that I took a closer look that I had discovered the Trio's hide-out.My men began to gather around me.I let go of Joseph. He couldn't get away now.

"Burn the tree," I said," If they get away again they'll have no shit hole to run to."

They waisted no time in setting the tree ablaze.Joseph watched with expressionless eyes.

"Get him back to Middleton place," I ordered two of my men,"Put him with the girl. Make sure someone is guarding them. If they make noise, let them do so. I don't need more soldiers getting knocked out by a bunch of children.Now go."

They pulled Joseph to his feet and hauled him away. I looked around me. If I was Haley, and my shelter and friends were taken from me, where would I go? I would assume some nearby village, but I'm talking about the famous Trio. Going to a village for shelter is too obvious for them. I was too tired to try and think about it. I always thought children were so easy and predictable, but these three are so impossible, and so misleading in their actions, that even I am confused by them. I wasn't going to stand there all night wondering where my final trouble maker was hiding. I planned on coming back in the morning where I had a better view in the light.I also had a guest to interrogate.

"Let's get the hell out of here," I said aloud.

It took us an hour to get back to Middleton place. I spoke with the Lord General about the boy and what to do about Haley, and then I went straight to the childrens quarters where Joseph and Julianna waited for me...sort of.

"Hey, it's not my fault you're here and Haley's out there," I heard Julianna say," Maybe if you learned to duck once in a while he wouldn't have seen you.Even I know that."

"You know what," Joseph shot back," If you would quit influencing her to be so competitive, I'd still be out there right now plotting how to get you out, and cause trouble for the bloody Butcher."

"You are impossible," I heard Julianna moan with a hint of amusement," You're such a seed."

"Root," Joseph said.

I entered the room and they fell silent. They eyed me as I walked over to the table now in the middle of the room, sat down, and motioned for them to do the same. Julianna got up and sat down next to Joseph. Both were across from me. They sat as still as stone, staring at me without blinking. I tilted my head up at them.

"You," I said," Joseph.I want to know the whereabouts of your friend."

"She's right here," Joseph gestured to Julianna.

"Haley you daft fool," I growled,"Where is Haley? Must I spell it for you?"

"If you think you must," Julianna said.

"Shut-up or I'll make you myself."

She glared at me and looked away. I looked back at Joseph," Tell me where she is."

"Why do you want to know," Joseph asked.

"I have orders to capture all three of you," I replied," If you don't tell me what I want to know, I will kill one of you."

"You know as well as I that you can't," Joseph said.

"There are three of you boy. We only need one to extract information."

"Colonel," a voice snapped behind me. I turned around to face the Lord General. He locked his hands behind his back, stepped further into the room and shut the door behind him.

"Might I remind you that these children are our guests, and should be treated as such," he had that tone of warning in his voice.

"Forgive me sir," I said,"I lost myself for a moment."

"Indeed," Cornwallis said,"I have been thinking about our discussion earlier, and I must say that I agree with your suggestion. Starting tomorrow the children will be separated. For tonight they will stay in here. I will keep Julianna with me during the day. Joseph will either stay with you or O'Hara. That may change once Haley is found, but I have not decided for sure."

"Sir O'Hara has the tendancy to get quite perverted when left alone with a female.I feel that it would work out better if I kept Joseph for now,and when Haley is found I will keep her with me, and O'Hara can have Joseph."

"Fair enough," Cornwallis said. He looked at Julianna, who was staring opened mouth at him.

"That's right," he said, reading her thoughts," We are going to separate you three. Maybe now we can have some cooperation."

"No fair," Julianna whined,"We should get a say in this."

"Everytime you get a say in anything, you run away," Cornwallis replied," I seriously think that we have heard enough of what you three have to say. You will be separated tomorrow, whether you want to be or not."

"What are we doing here," Joseph suddenly asked. I looked at him," I mean, what is the point of us being here?"

"Information," Cornwallis stated simply,"You three seem to be loaded with it. All we want is information. Give us this and in return we will treat you as guestsand offer you protection from outside dangers. Until then you will remain uder lock and key. When I feel you can be trusted, I will give you each your own quarters."

Julianna and Joseph looked at each other. Julianna sighed and bowed her head. I could tell that the thought of being separated bothered her. I found that quite amusing.

"I will come by in the morning to collect her," Cornwallis said.

"What am I a pile of sand?" Julianna asked. Joseph snorted.

You can kill their spirits, and it'll keep them down for less than five seconds. This is another thing I don't understand about them.