The End Is So Very Close

"What do you think will happen, Colonel?"

"That I cannot tell you, doctor."

"Perhaps, you need to be reminded then?"

~Doctor Harris & Colonel Tavington~

Cornwallis walked back and forth in front of the fireplace.

I have worn a path here. He muttered softly to himself. What I would not give for just one days peace!

But yet, he knew for certain, that peace would not be had. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not unless he could find a way to win this war. If only, he could win another battle. That would put things right, and then peace would surely follow on its heels.

The Rebels were now headed straight at them, and he shuddered to think if they lost this particular battle, what the King would say. Not to mention, what would happen to them.

Cornwallis shuddered again, and continued to pace in front of the fireplace. What good was this doing? It solved nothing. Yet, he could do nothing else, until the next battle.

And that, was just around the corner.

"Will!"

Tavington turned to see Banastre Tarleton nearly skipping towards him.

He seems rather happy today. Tavington thought tiredly.

Tarleton came to a halt in front of the Colonel.

"The Rebels have now descended upon Cowpens, Will. We leave in an hour's time."

Tavington shook his head and sighed.

"So I have heard, Ban. We have been pushing the men too hard, but there is nothing to be done about it. A battle is a battle, regards of how difficult it has been as of late."

Tarleton nodded in agreement.

"Too true, and the food has been fairly scarce. The men may go into this battle hungry and tired, but once in, I am sure they will fight hard."

Tavington was not so sure of this, but he kept his thoughts to himself on the matter.

"Either way, Ban, it is a battle we must win! And, one I need to be part of. If only to wipe out that irritating Benjamin Martin."

"Also true, but Tav…"

Tavington put a hand up to stop Tarleton.

"I know, Ban, I know."

"This is the battle, Will! This is the one you have dreamed about! You know what is to happen! What, pray tell, are you going to do about it?"

The Colonel smirked slightly.

humiliate me any longer! He has eluded me one too many times…not this time, Ban. I will have my revenge upon him."

Tarleton sighed.

"Yes, I know you well, Will. But, you already know he is to kill you! You have seen it in those dreams! What of Catherine? How do you believe she will react to your death? Who is to protect her after you are gone?"

Even before Tavington answered, Tarleton already knew the answer to that question.

I will be the one taking care of her. That is, until Harris can get you back round here.

"That is where you come in Ban. You will take care of my wife until I have come back. Any objections to that?"

"No I…" Ban began.

"I did not think you would! I see how you dearly long to get your hands on my wife!" William chuckled.

"Yes, but not in this way, Will! I would rather fight a duel with you, and believe me, that is just asking for death, but still…not in this way! I do not want her, only to have to give her back."

Tavington chuckled again.

"As Catherine said, you are hopeless, Ban! Regardless, all I am asking of you, is that once I am dead, you keep an eye on my wife. Keep that fool O'Hara as far away from her, as you can…"

"That I can do, Will…smug little bastard." Ban growled.

"And, do not allow her to see me…not until after Harris has me back around again. I do not wish her to see what Martin will do to me. That is a horror I wish to spare Catherine."

"What makes you believe she will not see it? She is an officer's wife. She is required to identify your body."

Tavington grinned faintly.

"Again, that is where you come in. You will be the one to identify my body. You will be the one to say what is to be done with me. Not my wife. Do I have your word on that?"

Tarleton shuddered at this.

"I…I…alright, fine! I will be the one to go thru hell just for you!"

"No, not for me, but for Catherine, Ban. She is the one who needs comfort and protection. I can handle myself. You, however, will take care of everything else afterwards."

"Of course, Will." Tarleton shuddered again.

"You already have gone thru this. I trust you to keep this between just ourselves. Even though Catherine already understands this is to happen, she does not need to see the consequences of it. The end result is all she will need to see."

Banastre nodded.

"Yes, that is quite true. And, Doctor Harris?"

Tavington sneered ruefully at him.

"Is ready. And, waiting."

"Damn him!" Cornwallis snarled.

His attention had been riveted on the chaos far below him, when he noticed Colonel Tavington dashing into the fray. The anger seemed to well up with renewed force.

"Damn him!" He snarled again.

In a moment's time, he next saw both Tavington and Benjamin Martin going at it one on one. Neither seemed to have the upper hand, though now and again, Tavington would gain much ground.

It was not until Cornwallis noticed that the Colonel now had Martin on his knees, albeit facing away from him, but upon his knees regardless, did Tavington have the upper hand for once. He watched as the Colonel drew back his saber and prepared to behead the Rebel leader…

Then, everything went horribly wrong.

"My God…"

O'Hara started violently as he watched the scene unfold before them.

"My Lord…what…"

"My God." Cornwallis groaned.

"It would seem, that we have lost yet another officer, my Lord." O'Hara smirked.

Cornwallis ignored the other man's words.

It was all over in a matter of seconds.

Cornwallis could do nothing but stare at the man who was his son-in-law. Who had been his most capable officer. Now, he was dead, still impaled upon the bayonet that Martin had thrust into him. The end, which had seemed so far off, now was far too close.

Yet, something nagged at the Lord General. Something was still horribly wrong with the whole situation.

It kept nagging him, even after he had seen to it that Tavington's body was brought to the tent of Doctor Harris.

It would bother him right up until Yorktown.

By then, Cowpens would seem but a very distant memory.

Tavington's death?

Cornwallis shuddered as he once again, paced in front of the fireplace.

Tavington's death…

"My God…" He groaned.

It would seem but a terrible nightmare.