TD - 15th Hussars HQ

"He has.. succeeded, I'm sure, sir." He shook his head and shuddered. The way his captain had accused him and had promised a hanging. It had chilled him to the bone. He would have probably not minded if his accusations were correct and he was found a deserted because he had fled. Yet when that wasn't the case and he'd done all he could - even if not a fine example of his orientation - an accusation such as this put a certain damper into the day.

George was silent for a moment, biting on his lip. 'Willoughby... don't brood, will you? I'll do my best...'

"Sir. " He tried to smile bravely. "I deserve far less than what you have already done for me. " He nodded, moving another chess piece on the board, to protect his king. "And come what will, I...know you do your finest, sir. "

[OOC: Group hug!!!]

George blushed and lowered his gaze to look at the board.

Willoughby looked at the chess pieces:".. It's your turn, sir."

There was a sound of brisk footsteps and a displeased voice outside the room. Presently the door opened and Pierce stepped in. He studied the two men playing chess and turned to Hunter.

'I see you took my note to heart, Hunter'.

Hunter nodded trying not to smile.

Willoughby was quick on his feet saluting Pierce. He straightened himself and waited presently to hear the reason the man had come. Was it time that he would be taken? He stared ahead in silence though he felt his heart begin beating fast.

Pierce turned on Willoughby looking him up and down, and making a grimace at the end as if he saw something very unpleasant.
'Major McIntyre wishes to see you, I would suggest you find it in yourself an ability to assume some semblance of a proper soldier'. Pierce turned and walked away briskly, leaving Willoughby to catch up with him.

Hunter smiled at the lad reassuringly and waved him off.

Willoughby's shoulders sank the moment Pierce turned his back. With what he hoped looked like a brave expression on his face, he nodded to Hunter and then, quickly followed his commanding officer. Feet clicking in an even rhytme against the ground , the Hussar felt his hopes did not leave the room, where Hunter remained. (goes to here )

Sergeant Parker led the boy back to the room where the trooper waited previously. He'd wondered why the Captain wanted to keep the boy in the Headquarters. Opening the door, he found that the red-coated officer was gone: the only evidence of his presence an unfinished chess game, an old-looking book and what seemed to be a note. He ushered the boy in, wanting to lock the door on him.

(come from here )

Willoughby entered in a stride, the limp barely noticeable. He adjusted his pellisse and his dolman, which were in clear need of some repair, and saluted the sergeant before he stepped in.

He looked at the bed, at the small room that was to be his till he was free from his punishment or till they marched. An improvement almost. With a small sigh he crossed the distance to the bed, untied his pelisse which was over his shoulder, and unbuttoned the rest of his dolman. Each he placed , once carefully folded, onto the chair, and then leaned over to pick at the paper he'd found lying beside the book.

With a curious look, he unfolded it carefully and went to read what was written.

'Well then, trooper, if you need to relieve yourself knock on the door, I'll escort, otherwise don't make too much a nuisance of yourself.' Perhaps, it was not a sergeant's job to guard errant hussars, but Pierce obviously wanted the boy out of trouble: this was not the first time Parker was assigned such a duty.

"Thank you sargeant. I shall." He smiled at the door. "And I of course shan't." He meant for the nuisance and making himself one. He sounded distracted though, for his mind was more on the letter, and what contents it held.

Parker grunted at the words and left, shutting and locking the door. Outside he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

The letter was short and to the point.. though it didn't quite help with easing his mind of the days to come. Speculations, assumptions, fears. Well, whatever would come, he was proud of his uniform and of who he was and though he found himself fancying the riflemen as well, he also hadn't regretted his choice to join the Hussars.

He looked at the door then slowly stretched his limbs over the bed, slipping each boot off of his foot. He looked at the chess and then carefully moved it to the small table, so that he would not loose a piece or have it damaged. Returning to the bed he picked up the old book and opened it at the first page.

Couldn't do much now, could he. So reading was enough of entertainment. Needing to head for the relief, might soon come with what water he'd drunk though.

It was already late when Sgt Allday of the 62nd Regiment of Foot arrived at the Headquarters of the 15th Hussars, and demanded that Trooper Willoughby be brought to him.

"Important, see," he said. "Important for him too."

Upon hearing the news that someone was demanding to see Willoughby, Parker unlocked the door and poked his head in.
'Come on, trooper. Up you get. Someone wants to see you'.

Willoughby slipped from the bed. He pulled his boots on swiftly, fastened the buttons of his dolman, straightened it and then binding the Pellisse so that it lay slung over his shoulder he walked to the door.

"Yes, sir. " He spoke, and stepped out, and followed Parker to meet with 'his' guest.

Sgt Allday was lounging in the entrance lobby when the trooper and the Sergeant came down the stairs. "Sergeant," he said. "Just want to speak to the Trooper. Just one question, I hope."

Parker nodded. 'Of course, Sergeant,' he answered, his face serious.

Willoughby saluted, and remained silent, straight in his posture. He looked past the two men, his expression serious.

"Come to collect the horse," Allday said. "You didn't return it to me, Trooper. So - we want it back."

"I do not have her here with me." Willoughby replied. He refrained from adding - 'To you? As if it were your horse? is it not of the regiment?' - and rather kept with the straight, formal look.

"Sold her, have you?" Allday asked.

Parker looked at Allday grimly. He did not appreciate hussars being insulted.