Chapter 53: Threats

Jewel stayed in the room overnight with her brother. She fell asleep in the chair next to his bed which would lead to a sore back when she woke up. Tavington woke up and looked at his sister. He smiled to himself then reached for a pillow then threw it at her. Jewel opened her eyes then looked at her brother "Ass," she chuckled. She got up then held her back "Oh bollocks," she winced then sat down on the bed "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot."

"Well, it was just a graze for the most part, you big baby," she smiled.

He let out a light chuckle then sighed "How the hell did one of Jack's men manage to get in here? I thought that...that...what's her name, that whore, was the only mole here."

Jewel sighed "I don't know, but Ban and Bordon are talking with everyone to make sure this doesn't happen again. And I do mean everyone."

"Jewel, General O'Hara told me about what went on while you were out. About you and the cliff." She turned her head and clenched her jaw. "Don't be mad at him. He was worried about you. To be honest, we all are. We all love you, Jewel, and I can't imagine the pain you went through, but you can't do that. You can't give up on us. It isn't your fault that our father is a sick twisted bastard. Your life means more than him."

"It was the only way out I could see, William."

"And now?" he questioned.

"Now?"

Tavington nodded "Aye."

"Now, I'm looking forward to running my sword through Jack and our father." Her brother laughed "That sounds like my sister."

They both turned to the door as it opened and saw it was Dr. Pegg.

"Doc," smiled Jewel.

"Good to see you, Jewel. And how are you feeling, Colonel?"

Tavington sighed "Just great. Nothing like getting shot by a sociopath, working for a sociopath, working for a bigger sociopath."

"In other words, same shit, different day," Jewel laughed. "Us Tavington's just have the best luck, don't we, Brother?"

"Oh, the best."

Dr. Pegg had Tavington sit up to so he could redress his wound.

"You'll be missed at the battle, Colonel. We leave tonight," said Cornwallis entering the room.

"Missed, My Lord?"

"Your wound."

Tavington swatted Pegg's hand away then stood up "It's nothing, My Lord. I am as ever, ready to serve."

Dr. Pegg looked at Jewel who just shook her head.

"Very well," said Cornwallis "See that you do." His face became more stern "I stand on the greatest victory of my career, don't fail me."

"My efforts in no small measure, have brought you here."

"I grant you that small measure in spite of your failure to deliver the ghost to me."

"Thus far," Tavington gulped.

"What?!" Jewel jumped up. "His failure? My lord, he didn't fail at anything. Are you kidding me?"

Cornwallis walked closer to Tavington, nearing his face "I will not tolerate a premature charge born of your eagerness for glory."

"My Lord, that isn't-," Jewel started, but stopped when her brother looked at her.

"Wait for my order. Or you may abandon any hope of Ohio," Cornwallis said then left the room.

Jewel blinked "What the hell was that all about?"

Tavington shook his head "Nothing. Just leave it alone."

"Yes, because I'm really going to do that. Like hell, William," said Jewel who started to walk out of the room.

"Jewel!" Tavington called out, but she was out of the room.

He sighed "Damn it. Stubbon ass."

"Yes," Pegg nodded "I'm trying hard to think of another person who is like that," he blinked.

Tavington sighed "I'm sorry, Doc. I didn't mean to smack away your help."

"It's all right, Colonel. Have a seat so I can re-check your wound."

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"Lord Cornwallis," Jewel shouted again. He stopped and turned around "What is it?"

"What do you think? What the hell was that all about between you and my brother?"

"It doesn't concern you.

Jewel scoffed "Bullshit. You just threatened my brother. It does concern me. What is going on?"

"It doesn't concern you, Jewel."

"My lord...what has changed? You do a complete 180 of being a pleasure to be around and now this. Now you threaten him. Why? I understand that you want to win the war, but you don't need to threaten him or call him a failure to do it. He didn't fail. You even gave him permission to use whatever tactics necessary to catch the ghost, Martin, and he did that and he still wasn't able to get him. And in case you haven't noticed, we've had bigger problems."

"The only problem we've had is you."

Jewel was taken aback "Me?"

"If the Colonel didn't have to focus on you so much, maybe he would have caught the Ghost by now. But no, he had to focus on you and your problems."

Jewel bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes "I see. Well, sorry for your inconvenience, My Lord," she said then brushed passed him heading out side.

He watched her then sighed shaking his head "Damn it." He walked back to his quarters.

Jewel looked around and spotted a Blacksmith. She smiled to herself for he was the person she's been wanting to see. She ran up to him "Excuse me, are you Jace, the blacksmith?"

"I am. You're Jewel Tavington, right? Or rather Jewel O'Hara now."

Jewel smiled "I'm still a Tavington, no matter what," she chuckled "Look, do you think you can forge this for me?" She showed him a drawing. "I need it before we leave."

Jace looked up at her "I think it's very fitting for you, Jewel. I will make it for you. You'll have it tonight."

Jewel smiled "Thank you very much, Jace." She went back inside to her quarters. When she got there, she found Private Jenkins sitting in one of her chairs. She looked at him stunned "Um...can I help you?"

"God, I hope so." He stood up and walked over to Jewel as she closed the door. "I'm sorry to approach you like this Mrs-"

"Just call me, Jewel."

"Jewel, but I need help. I keep having these nightmares. I don't sleep good. All I see are flashbacks of things. Of the pieces of war I have been in and I can't sleep. I wasn't sure if I should even come to you, but since you are um...a...well...a witch. I wanted to."

Jewel nodded then walked over to her dresser. She opened up the drawer and pulled out a 5 inch long Amethyst stone "Here," she handed the stone over to, Jenkins "Here. Keep this either under your pillow or somewhere by your head when you sleep. The nightmares will cease."

""Thank you," he said smiling taking the stone. "Thanks again," he said then walked out of the room.

"You're welcome," she said smiling. She was being accepted.

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Later that evening after dinner, Jewel had received a message to meet the blacksmith outside. She walked out and found him in a tent. "Jace?"

"Ah, Jewel, here it is."

Jewel examined the sword, the color and the design and smiled "This is exactly what I was looking for."

"I made something as well. Two other things. Two daggers. I want you have them," he said as he uncovered them "They belong to a strong person. These will fit in good with you."

Jewel smiled once again "Thank you so much."

Jace smiled "Your welcome."

She took her weapons back inside then went up to her quarters. A few minutes later, O'Hara walked in "Jewel, we are leaving with an hour."

Jewel looked to her daggers and swords then smiled "I'm ready."