"Colonel Tavington!" A striking and deep voice called this name. But William and James didn't pay any attention. They ran on. The voice shouted again: "Colonel Tavington!" One could now hear quick steps. They were clearly from riding boots that rushed down the stairs. "Tavington!" An energetic and aggressive tone could be heard in the voice. It was General O'Hara who followed both officers. Tavington and Bordon had now reached the last step and were standing at the heel. They stopped and both turned to the General. He was furious and blushed in his face. His eyes were pinched together and he breathed quickly. William took note of this appearance, but he was not relaxed either. "General O'Hara," he said, and his voice let it guess that he was upset too. Bordon stepped two steps aside as O'Hara walked towards them and stood right in front of Tavington. They stood barely more than an arm's length apart. The eyes of the opponents met. The green eyes of the General looked even more poisonous in the bright light of the sun. The blue eyes of the Colonel looked even more icy here in the light. They both pulled their eyebrows together, creating a small fold between them. William had his arms hanging loosely next to his body. But his hands were clenched in fists. O'Hara left his right arm behind his back and his left arm hung down beside his saber. The seconds passed without either of them saying anything. But finally it was William who spoke first. "General O'Hara!" He didn't think long. Immediately he started talking. "Now that I have your full attention, Colonel Tavington, I would like to add something to our conversation earlier!" "Thank you General, but I know!" "You will listen to that anyway, Colonel. There will soon be no place for you and your kind in this army! It's time for change!" William came one step closer and they were now so close that both could feel the breath of each other in their faces. "What are you trying to tell me, General?" Their eyes looked at each other. They were cold and numb. "You, Tavington, and your Dragoons," O'Hara, pejoratively, pulled his face. "Yes General!" Everything was tense with William and his pulse went up. Inside his body the demons fought. As so often before, they tried to take the upper hand and there was not much left until they broke out.

O'Hara let his dark gaze wander back and forth between Tavington and Bordon. "If only your father could see you like this, Tavington. You have so nothing at all of him. Not even the honor and decency to adopt a senior officer stance. You really are a disgrace!" "Are you finally done with your remarks?" "Oh Colonel and believe me. I'm just getting started." "A word General O'Hara!" "No Tavington and you will listen to me now. The order you received from Cornwallis was hopefully understandable enough for you. There's no off duty tonight and don't get the idea of bringing any whores to camp." A snide grin was around O'Hara's mouth. "No General." "No, what Tavington?" "Those whores you mentioned. My men and I would never get the idea and bring them to camp." William looked completely innocent and yet, like he did, he wasn't. It was a lie that with the whores. Of course they would come to camp. After all, it wouldn't be the first time they're been there. O'Hara knew this very well and he also knew that Tavington would lie to him about it. "Do you mean Tavington? Why don't I believe what you're telling me? But of course and certainly. One hears so much about you and your men Colonel. You and your debauched orgies. That's just ridiculous. No, it's shameful. Oh, what am I talking about. For a gentleman like you who comes from such a distinguished family. It's really a tragedy!" "Have you finally finished your speeches General O'Hara?" "Who do you think you're talking to, Tavington?" "Do you know what I've been asking myself all along, General?" O'Hara looked at him. Waiting and challenging. "Say it to Colonel and don't be afraid. Or don't you dare, because you know Cornwallis could be around the corner at any moment. Do you have such a fear of him and hide behind him?" "I'm not afraid of anyone, General, and do you know what the difference is between you and Lord Cornwallis? I have respect for Cornwallis. You, on the other hand, are just a joke. A man who stands in the eternal shadow of the great and successful Cornwallis. You'll never be like him!" "You have a very good grasp of Tavington. Amazing for a man who sits in the saddle of a horse and sleeps with whores most of the day."

William didn't answer him and for a moment it seemed as if the men had ended their conversation. But appearances were deceptive. You could get the impression that the world was only about them and the war was declared won. "I'll give you one more well-intentioned piece of advice." "You don't have to do that, General." "You'll listen to that anyway. Whether you like it or not. If I catch you again showing my person disrespect, I promise you your days as Colonel of the Green Dragoons will be numbered and you will receive the post you deserve. As a Private who shoves the shit out of the stables." "Is that a threat to his General?" "Consider it a warning Colonel Tavington." O'Hara smiled and he knew exactly he had hit Tavington at a sore spot. It gave him a certain satisfaction and that made him exuberant. But he only showed it to the Dragooners in the form of a smile. "Gentlemen, since we would have clarified this matter so wonderfully, I would like to remind you of your orders. You will arrive punctually at the rendezvous point tomorrow morning. Everything else is in the order Cornwallis gave you. Colonel Tavington, Captain Bordon. I wish you a pleasant day." With his last words, he disappeared again and climbed up the stairs into the building. William and James stayed behind. Tavington was tense to the extreme and needed something to release the pent-up anger. He would think of something. Maybe they could attack a village of American settlers. The men would shoot them, hang them up or slit their throats. They would certainly do completely different things with the women. He would have loved to have a woman now. With her he would leave himself out. He would fuck her so hard all the time that she would collapse crying under him. But neither of those options worked. Why not actually? Of course there was a clear order that the Dragoons should stay over him for the night. But what about now? It was just morning and the afternoon and evening were still available for the preparations. William made a decision. He wanted to get rid of his anger and knew how to do it. Both men went to their horses. They climbed up. "Bordon," William said as usual, and they rode off. They trotted from the fort back to camp. But halfway along the way, Tavington slowed down his horse and stopped. Stubbornly, he looked straight ahead. James, of course, didn't go unnoticed by him. He rode to the left side of Blizzard. "What's the matter with you William?" But his Colonel said nothing. "What are you going to do?" With some concern he looked at his friend. William turned his head to James and smiled. "I give you the order to ride back to camp Captain. You will take over my post as long as I'm not there." "Great and what are you doing in the meantime?" The smile now turned into a cheeky grin and his blue eyes shone. "I'll take a look at the surroundings." "Damn William and don't do that!" "You're very welcome to join me Captain." "No, I'd better get back to camp. It would be noticeable if both of us weren't there." "Good decision!" "We'll see about that." "I'll bring you something too and wish me luck." With these words William rode away and James cursed himself just why he had not stopped him. He could only hope that Tavington wouldn't mess up. It was never good when William was alone on his tours. Something would happen, James knew that. He sighed and rode back to camp.