A week later, the dragoons were in a patrol, still looking for this ghost they identified as Benjamin Martin. The night was settling down and Wilkins was sitting facing a fire pit. He could hear men laughing around him, but felt better sitting alone. His thoughts were consumed by Colonel Tavington. The man was pure evil and his recent actions only proved it. First he brought his wife to witness a scene he was not proud to have been a part of. Second he hunted Martin's children. James understood they were not on the same side of the war, but he was still neighbor with Charlotte Selton in Charleston. He saw Martin's children grow up and shared meals with his family.

Thinking about the life he had before made him nauseous. He wanted nothing more than build a family of his own with Sarah. He wasn't even sure this would be possible. She grew distant from him since he joined the dragoons. Of course I did as he was ordered to, but part of him regretted the night where he bought his commission.

A strong hand grabbing his shoulder got him right out of his daydreaming as Bordon sat next to him. James liked the man. He kept to himself and felt like he could be trusted. Unlike a certain colonel.

"We'll make our way to Pembroke tomorrow. There are rumors this town has been giving aid to Benjamin Martin. After, we should be going to the Fort for a bit. Missing you wife, Wilkins?" he kindly said as he grabbed his flask and drank from it.

"It's the least you can say. I want nothing more to end this war for her. Then we'll have a chance to build our family."

"Maybe you should not lose any time. Get your wife with child as soon as you can. If anything happens to you, she might have a son."

"Why would you talk like this? I did not take you for a pessimist man."

"This exact situation happened to my sister. Her husband died and she was left with nothing. From what I know, your wife is a strong, intelligent and beautiful woman. If she were mine, I would not want her belly swollen with the next husband's baby." Bordon said laughing. "And beside, I do not know one man who you refuse the task. Not even myself for starters. Not even Tavington. "

"Tavington?" Wilkins could not bring himself to finish the sentence he had in mind.

"Yeah, from what I hear, they were supposed to be engaged back in England."

"Engaged?" his cheeks turned red and his jaw tightened.

"Private Roberts was standing guard outside of Tavington's tent when he heard them talk about the good old days in England, while sharing a meal. But I am sure you do not have anything to worry. Even though his bloody reputation, he is a gentleman. "

"Hm. If you say so. I'm off to bed," he said as he rose to his feet.

As he walked toward his tent, the only thing he wanted to do was confront Tavington. He never trusted him and the man did surely not trust him. Could Sarah be the source of his mistrust? Sarah never told him how they knew each other. They used to talk about anything, but not recently. Normally, she would laugh and be interested in what he had to say. Now, she would was quieter and kept to herself. Of course she missed their home in Charleston and their quiet life but who did not? Maybe Bordon was right, a child might be a way to make their wedding stronger. Or at least, he would mark his territory for possible rivals.

…

The next day, the dragoons arrived in Pembroke. They made sure everyone was in this church, since Tavington wanted to address the whole village. When he met the Howard family, he felt a lump in his throat. They were so kind when they hosted Sarah and James after closing businesses together. The only thing James could do was obey is order.

When he saw Tavington entered the church on his horse, his eyes rolled back in his head. This might be war, but a church is a sacred place. That man was no gentleman on any level. When he got out, James rode closer to him.

"Ready to burn the town on your order, sir."

"The town? Burn the church," Tavington ordered.

"There's no honor in this."

"Didn't you say that all those who stand against England deserved to die a traitor's death?" James heard his own words, the one he pronounced the first day he met Tavington. "Burn the church, Captain."

"Give me the torch," he said after taking a deep breath. He knew he had no other choices.

"The honor is found in the end, not the means. This'll will be forgotten."

James could only watch, mesmerised by the flames and the desperate screams. The dragoons split in two different units. Bordon suggested Wilkins took part of the men to go and rest at the Fort, as he saw how distraught he was.