Gen. O'Hara's evil grin grew as he made his way down the hall to Col. Tavington's quarters and knocked on the door, putting on his best sneer for the colonel when he answered. Unfortunately for the general, it was not Col. Tavington who answered the door, but his wife instead, who looked less than thrilled to be awakened from a much needed nap.
"Gen. O'Hara, how nice to see you..." she said in a delicate tone, trying to keep it void of animosity as her emerald eyes blazed with hate."
"My lady... Tell me, why do you even bother trying to mask your feelings toward me. It's obvious what they are."
"Well at least I can say that I try!" she snapped, glaring at him full on.
"Well that's much more than what I can say for that bastard Butcher of a husband you have. He doesn't even bother!"
"Oh he does; you're still alive and breathing, aren't you? However unfortunate that may be.."
"Enough!" Gen. O'Hara hissed. "Now where is the colonel?"
"I don't know." replied Mary, the corners of her mouth beginning to curl into a smirk. "However, my dear general, you have two legs, two arms, a brain (though a cell is yet to be seen in it), and a heartbeat (unfortunately); why don't you go look for him yourself?"
"You little we-"
"Save your breath; he's not here and I don't know where he is." Mary cut in coldly. "However, being as he is the colonel of the British Green Dragoons, and you are his superior officer, I'm sure you have an idea as to where he might be, so, off you go.."
Gen. O'Hara's face turned scarlet with rage as he was about to shout a string of curses at Col. Tavington's wife when she slammed the door harshly in his face and locked it.
"Wench.."
"I heard that." came Mary's voice from behind the door.
"As did I." a lower, masculine voice said in a soft deadly tone from behind the general.
O'Hara whirled around to face a very irate looking Col. Tavington.
"So, General, what is your pathetic excuse for calling my wife such a vulgar word?"
"I was coming here to discuss something with you when she opened the door, and when I asked where you were, she told me that I had two legs, two arms, a brain and a heartbeat, and that I could go find you for myself!"
Col. Tavington smirked.
"That isn't funny, Colonel! That woman needs to learn some manners!"
"Well did you wake her up?" asked Col. Tavington, his smirk growing even more wicked.
"Yes, he did." came Mary's voice from behind the door.
"That, my dear general, would be why. Now, what is it that you wished to speak with me about?"
"Well, Colonel, though I should have addressed the issue earlier, I have noticed some strange things happening that concern you and the Barrington sisters."
"Strange things.." replied the colonel uncertainly.
"Yes," replied the general with a horrible smile, "strange things. Or rather, things out of the ordinary for you and just outright strange for the sisters. For example, why are you not getting so angry at Cornwallis anymore? Your temper with him has nearly disappeared. Also, you are so secretive with your tactics now that it is said that not even your men know what is going to happen until you give the orders. And usually, these don't consist of your signature "quarter", but rather the capture of prisoners as it should be. Not to mention, you seem to have suddenly acquired a vast knowledge of how this bloody war is going to play out. You may not speak much during the meetings with the other officers, but when you do, you often correct Cornwallis, and with very astute observations."
"Are you suggesting that I didn't have a clue as to what was going on beforehand?" demanded Col. Tavington.
"No, but where did you acquire this new reservoir of knowledge? Does it have something to do with the sisters? Because things have been going oddly with them as well. Example: Jae's quick recovery... They don't even speak proper English!"
"My knowledge of this war has nothing to do with them. And I myself don't even really know how Jae healed so quickly."
"Really? Well perhaps I should find out-"
"You stay away from her." hissed the colonel suddenly, backing the general against the wall. "Question me if you must, but I don't see why it should matter as long as we win this goddamn war. But I'm warning you, lay one hand on Jae, or Jula for that matter, and you'll find it on the ground right next to your dignity."
"They're not even your blood, Colonel."
"I don't care. Stay away from them, or lose your dignity."
"You wouldn't do that to me. I'm your superior."
Col. Tavington leered at the general, grabbing his throat suddenly while pulling out a dagger from his boot and brandishing it threateningly in the general's face, pointing it down between his legs.
"Watch me.."