Banastre Tarleton

Nothing is as it seems. So therefore, if you see it, and it does nothing to move you, perhaps your heart has died a terrible death.

The Dragoons moved slowly towards their intended destination of Fort Carolina. What with a dozen or more camp followers, a baggage train that swelled to over sixty wagons and pack animals, and over a hundred fighting men, it was a wonder they didn't move much slower than the twelve miles or so a day.

The Colonel did not include his wife, Lady Catherine Tavington, nee Cornwallis, nor her servants in his calculations. Both his wife and her varied servants all rode hard just as he and his men did, and still, they managed to keep pace with the Dragoons. Which in itself, was a particularly amazing feat. Not many could have dealt with the harsh riding conditions Tavington set for his men.

He had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that the Lord General had taught his daughter well. If he hadn't known her to be a woman, he would have easily thought her a Dragoon. Not that it would have been such a bad thing, she knew warfare better than some of his own men did, and she did not scare easily. Her ability with both musket and sword was the envy of the junior officers, who just as reluctantly, offered to guard her.

By his orders, of course.

Much to Catherine's chagrin. She insisted she did not need protection, other than his, and that she could effectively take care of any rebel who crossed her path. This, he did not doubt, but he felt better if there were others watching her. It allowed him to focus on getting his men to Fort Carolina quickly, and hopefully, without incident.

The sun had just begun to set, when he heard the approach of horses. He reined in his own mount, and signaled to the men to halt. He took his pistol in hand; making sure it was fully loaded, and awaited the newcomers.

They soon came into view. At the head of this group was a man dressed in the green jacket and fur trimmed helmet of the Dragoons. Tavington recognized him immediately.

"Ban!" he called over the snorts of the new horses.

"Well, well if it isn't the infamous William Tavington! Indeed it is! Haven't seen you in ages, old man, how goes it with you?"

Tavington grinned stoically.

"It goes very well," he nodded towards Catherine, who sat her horse staring at Banastre Tarleton, "Very, very well."

Tarleton squinted at him.

"Oh? It does look as if you've done well…" he eyed Catherine wantingly, "Who might this ravishing creature be?"

Tavington knew the look Tarleton was giving his wife. The rogue clearly found her beautiful, yet somehow, this did not bother him. He knew Catherine well, and knew with certainty, that she would rebuff Tarleton if he chose to make any advances towards her.

"Allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Catherine Tavington…"

"Cornwallis." She added.

Tarleton's eyes widened at this.

"As in, the Lord General Cornwallis?"

"Tavington nodded.

"Yes Ban, she is the eldest daughter of his Lordship."

Tarleton's eyes widened even more. It was clear, he thought Tavington had gone mad.

"You have lost your mind, haven't you? And, you say you've married her?"

"Perhaps I have, and yes, we are married."

Ban snorted at this.

"Does the Lord General know?"

Catherine laughed.

"Of course he does not know! And you call my husband mad? How silly!"

Tarleton snickered softly.

"I meant you no offence, milady." He bowed slightly from his saddle.

"None taken, my dear Sir."

"Oh, please do call me Ban…"

Tavington laughed.

"Bloody Ban, that is. Rogue of all sorts. His specialty would be the fairer sex."

"You flatter me, Will." Tarleton grinned widely. "But, it's true, so I won't be forced to dual with you over those horrid remarks."

Tavington nodded absently at this.

"And to think, I always allowed you to drag me into some of your less than, pleasant escapades," the Colonel smirked ruefully, "However, where are you headed?"

Tarleton's grin faded slightly.

"No where in particular. Scouting, would be about all we're doing as of late. Are you headed to the fort?"

Tavington nodded.

"My men and I have been called back. Not that it matters, I'm sure we'll be scouting right alongside you."

From behind him, he heard Catherine chuckle. She knew the truth of the matter, but she would wisely hold her tongue.

"Well, I wish you luck in getting that sort of order, Will. Knowing his Lordship, he'll have you escorting his lackey around the fort. But then, that wouldn't be too bad, being as you could teach that snot a lesson."

The Colonel snickered.

"Too true, Ban. I would dearly love to teach O'Hara a lesson in the rules of war. My horse is far more of a General than he is, which is saying a lot."

"Watch what you say, William." Catherine cautioned.

He simply nodded at this.

"Ah yes, you have a point, my love. There are ears that do not always stop listening. Be that as it may, I don't regret what I'd dearly love to do to General O'Hara. Bah!" he spat.

"I do agree, William, and I'm sure so does Ban, but you know as well as I do, that some in the Dragoons would surely run straight to O'Hara and inform him of your words. He already causes problems for you, as well as Ban…do you really need him to cause more?" Catherine reminded him. She directed it not only at her husband, but at Tarleton, as well.

"He wouldn't dare!" Tarleton snapped.

"Indeed he would dare, Ban. Hardly a moment goes by, when he isn't plotting to undo my husband. Not to mention, he's probably plotting your undoing, too. It gives him great pleasure to demean those he feels are beneath him. Especially, those who actually do the fighting."

"And you know this, how?" Ban questioned.

"I've seen it time and again. He does whatever my father orders him to do, and damn the consequences. But, what really gives him joy, is bringing down his inferiors. Particularly, you and my husband. There is, however, one he'd just love to crush far more than the two of you."

"And who would that be?"

"Myself, of course. He hasn't forgiven me for making him feel like the lapdog that he is, nor for showing him up in front of the 17th Light. Or, for telling my father about his trying to seduce my cousin, father's niece. Yes, he would dearly love to see me brought low."

"He wouldn't dare to do anything to you! You're his superior's daughter!" Tarleton snarled.

"That certainly wouldn't matter in the least to O'Hara. He'd blame it on someone else, as he is wont to do. Namely, Colonel Tavington if he could manage it."

"Add that to the list of things he already blames me for." William snapped furiously.

Ban shook his head.

"Really, why do we sit here discussing that fool? Honestly, we sound like gossiping old women! Now, I do believe we best get on with our present orders. The sun is beginning to set lower, and we should've been far beyond this point by now."

The Colonel nodded in agreement.

"I had intended on reaching Fort Carolina before sunset, but it looks as if we shall not arrive until after dark. Still, we have made good time."

"I will leave you to it than, Will. Until we meet again." He bowed to Catherine, "Milady, I do hope you find fort life well suited to you, and that you can handle this handsome rogue!"

She nodded.

"Oh, I do believe I will find it just fine, Banastre. As to handling William, well I've handled far worse than him. He is a breath of fresh air next to them."