Two more days passed and Braden and Brielle had returned home again. I had finally gotten over being ill, so I went to Bordon's to collect Alastor.

"Good morning Sir." Bordon greeted me at the door. "How are you and your wife fairing?"

"Mary and I are both feeling much better, thank you. And you?"

"I am well. Come in."

"Thank you Captain." I replied, stepping into the house. "So, obviously, you know that I've allowed for Alastor to come back and stay with Mary and I; where is he by the way?

"He is upstairs, I believe, and yes, I do know that. How does Mary feel about it?"
"She's not happy, that much is obvious. She got herself into a bit of a strop when I told her about it. She still doesn't trust him very much, and honestly, neither do I, but I believe we should give him a chance."

"Well put Sir."

"William, good morning."

I looked up to see Alastor descending from the stairs to meet me.

"Alastor.. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes sir." Alastor replied.

"Very well, come then… Captain, thank you for your hospitality."
"You're welcome Sir." Replied Bordon with a smile. "I'll see you later."

Alastor and I left the captain's house and were on the road back to my house when a post-rider rode up next to us on a chestnut coloured mare.

"Colonel Tavington?"

"Yes." I replied with a nod.

"I've a message for you."

The post-rider stopped his mare, dug into his knapsack and pulled out a letter with a crimson seal.

"Here you go." He said, handing the letter to me; I thanked him and he rode off down the road, towards Bordon's.

Glancing at the seal, I quickly recognised who the letter was from: Lord General Charles Cornwallis. Quickly, I tucked the letter away for later reading and continued towards home with Alastor beside me.

When we arrived home and were taking the horses to the stables, Braden came running towards me, his eyes wide and full of fear.

"Braden what is it?"

"It's Brielle! She's hurt herself on the stairs; it's really bad Father! Come quick!"

Not waiting for Alastor to follow me, I grabbed Braden and ran up to the house.

When I got into the house, I found Brielle at the bottom of the stairs, crying loudly, and I was mildly surprised to see Mary out of bed, assessing Brielle as she sat crying on the stairs.

"What happened?" I asked.

Apparently, her and Braden were playing in the sitting room and were on their way upstairs when Brielle tripped and fell. Her ankle is sprained."

"Papa it hurts!" Brielle cried.

I looked down at my daughter; her tiny hand was on her right ankle, which I could see was beginning to swell.

"Is everything all right in here?"

Alastor stood in the doorway."

"Brielle sprained her ankle." I replied. "Can you take her into one of the spare rooms on this floor?"

"Certainly."

"Braden go with him, and I'll be there shortly."

After Braden and Brielle left with Alastor, I turned to Mary and said, "Let's get you upstairs."

"No no that's fine William. Please, just let me be in the sitting room today."

"Alright. The cot is still there so you should be fine."

I walked over to the sitting room with Mary and guided her over to the cot."

"I'd better go see how Brielle is doing."

"Alright, I'll see you afterwards."

I gave her a smile and kissed her tenderly. Then I went upstairs to see Brielle.