Back in Carrie's POV

I opened my eyes slowly. My vision was blurry, but only for a short few seconds. I was back in my quarters. I sat up as slowly as I could because my head was hurting, and I bet that if I moved too fast it would hurt even more.I wondered whether the pain was from sleeping for so long, or from the drug. I cannot believe I went and drank the tea, after seeing that there was clearly something wrong with it. Eric wasn't stupid at all for drinking it. The suspicion came only after I saw that look on his face.

I noticed a tray on my bedside table, and I knew that whatever it was I didn't plan on touching it. There were three light knocks on the door. There was only one person I knew who knocked on a door that light. I went over and opened the door. I was surprised to find it unlocked.

"Eric," I said when I opened the door.

"Oh good," he said pleasantly," you're finally awake."

He walked quickly into the room, and shut the door," Cornwallis and Tavington don't expect us to be awake for several hours."

"How do you know that," I asked him.

"They were in my room talking. They thought I was still sleeping," Eric said," Tavington said you woke up while the Ghost was still here, but he reckons the drug didn't wear off completely."

"That stupid man," I said bitterly," Where are they now?"

"Tavington's about to leave on a raid," Eric said," The Ghost took the Lord Generals dogs after he pretended to return them. Cornwallis is outside seeing him off."

I nodded. There was really nothing I could say.

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't eat the food," Eric said.

"Let me guess it's drugged," I said. Eric nodded.

"It's a different kind though, I don't know what it is."

"Don't worry," I said," as long as I'm here I will never eat."

Eric reached into his vest pocket, and pulled out two napkins wrapped around something.

"If you decide you do want to eat, then I have these apples here," he said. He held one of the napkins out to me.

"How did you get these," I asked taking it from him.

"The servatns down in the kitchens," Eric said," They were sent in to do some cleaning, and leave the trays.When Cornwallis told them to put the drug on the food, they did so, and then snuck extra food up so that we had something to eat."

"They're helping us?" I asked. Eric nodded," They think it's cruel and abusive."

I took out an apple sice and bit into it. It was very sweet and juicy,"Is that how you knew the food was drugged?"

"No," Eric said," I took a bite of it too."

He smiled innocently at me. I couldn't help but laugh. A horse whinneyed outside. I went over to the window, and saw Colonel Tavington mounting his horse. He was about to turn it around when his face tilted upward,and our eyes met. His lips were moving and his finger pointed at me, and next second Cornwallis and General O'Hara were running inside.

"Carrie quick," Eric said," Make it look like you ate some of that."

I took the lid off the tray, and started hacking at the meat and stowing it in the napkin. Eric snatched the napkin from me and put it back in his vest.

"Act calm, and don't mention anything about the drug,"he then said. Cornwallis and O'Hara burst into my room.

"There you are, Eric," Cornwallis said," What are you doing in here?"

"Well," Eric said lazily," I think I fell asleep while having tea with you. I came to ask Carrie, and she said we were just tired."

Cornwallis seemed convinced that we both were still drugged, for he smiled and looked at me," Did you rest well?"

You should know, nimrod, I thought.

"I did," I said," I had a dream that I was locked in a shed with Colonel Tavington, and he was holding me to the ground, and with a pistol pointed at my head. It was rather strange."

I was amused inside to see the Lord Generals smile flicker some.

"Well," he said," It's rather stuffy inside today. Now that the two of you are awake, why don't you go outside?"

Eric grabbed my arm, and together we went outside without another word to Cornwallis. It would have been a good time to run for it, but Cornwallis had sent O'Hara to watch us from a distance, and some of the officerswatched us from their posts. We flopped down on the grass a good distance away from the house and the officers.

"Carrie," Eric said," I know you don't want to eat the food that Cornwallis gives us, but when the evening meal is brought up you have to eat it."

"No," I said," There's no way-"

"Carrie you have to," Eric said, and this time he sounded more urgent," If they find out you're not eating they'll find some other way to keep you sedated. I don't want them to hurt my only sister."

I stared at Eric and made no effort this time to hide my fear.

"Carrie trust me," Eric said," The servants are helping us now. They know everything about drugs, and the one I talked to this morning, Mrs. Masou, she said she has a drink that can wash the drug right out when we wake up."

I felt a little better about it. If the servants knew how to deal with it, and were willing to help, then I would trust Eric and them.

"Ok," I said," I'll only eat the evening meals."

Eric sighed and layed back on the grass. It must have at least two hours before O'Hara called us in.

"Your dinner has been waiting for you for some time now," he said. He took me into my room, and stayed there with me, obviously making sure I ate the food. I took only a few bites of the meat, and immediately felt the careless sensation, and then I began to black out. The last thing I felt was blankets being pulled over me and someones faint voice say," Is she asleep?"

I knew no more after that.