Voyage Home

by icevuk2634

21 Oct 2016 680 readers Score 9.4 (41 votes) PDF Mobi ePub Txt


Callum awoke to the faint morning light just after the dawn. It was filtering in through the laced curtains of the window above and behind his and Dustin’s bed. He inhaled deeply through his nose and wanted to stretch but knew better to do that with his wounds. He exhaled and let the stretching go and rolled his head to his left a bit. He smiled warmly at the sight of a sleeping Dustin next to him in the bed.

Dustin, his hair was undone from the tie Callum had originally given him, that kept his ponytail contained. His eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell slightly as he slept so soundly next to the love of his life, Quintan Callum, and Callum knew that he was and loved Dustin with everything that was in his heart and soul. Callum reached across himself and touched Dustin gently on his cheek with just fingertips, lightly brushing the tanned skin.

Cannon fire, Callum thought, as Dustin did not move from the touch. Another broad smile crept over Callum’s lips as the light streamed in through the window and cast a soft light down their bodies that were under the coverings of the bed. Callum knew that Dustin was naked under it, naked as he was, and thought back to last night, the two of them and their long lovemaking together that went on into the early hours of the morning until neither could do any more and simply fell asleep holding one another. It was these times that Callum felt the most love for the young man that lay next to him. He touched the cheek again as he heard a muffled sound from downstairs. He sniffed the air of the room and then a different smile came over his lips.

Callum slipped out of the bed and sat on the edge. He grabbed his pants from the pile of clothing that rested on the floor and stepped into them, standing and pulling them up over his firm muscular buttocks. He did the buttons on the flap and reached down for his shirt and stockings. He looked back at the sleeping beautiful young man that was there in their bed. He bent down and kissed the soft tanned cheek, picked up his boots and went to the door, going out quietly and went down the stairs. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and slipped his shirt over his head and put his arms through the sleeves, letting the shirt drop over his body and bandages, and carried the stockings and boots into the kitchen, setting them on the floor next to the little bench at the end of the table.

“My goodness, you are always up so early, why is that, Quintan?” Martha asked quietly from the stove. She reached up and took a cup from the shelf, poured from the pot on the stove and carried it over to him, setting it on the table in front of him. She smiled and put a hand gently on his bandaged shoulder. The pressure was not bad and Callum did not pull back from the touch, he simply looked up into her soft eyes.

“My many years at sea, my dear.” Callum rolled his head a bit and shrugged as he looked down at the stocking he was slipping on his one foot, “I have become used to the slightest sound and the slightest scent. Your more than excellent coffee always brings me out of that sleep.” Callum said and smiled up at her as he reached for his boot.

“So, what are you up to today?” She asked.

“That depends upon the other Squire of the property I suppose.” Callum said and raised an eyebrow, “And do not forget that we are having supper next door this evening at Harbroughs.”

“I would never forget that. A chance not to cook for one day?” She asked and flashed her eyes, “I suppose I should do some washing then.” She went to turn and looked at the parlor door. Henry was leaning against it, standing there in his nightshirt that went almost to his ankles, “Hmmm, looks like someone else is up and about this morning very early as well.” She nodded toward the half asleep boy and Callum turned and saw him leaning there.

“What are you doing up?” Callum asked quietly and the little one shrugged. Henry reached up a hand and rubbed an eye, “Come here, my lad.” Callum said softly.

“As I have said before, all he needs to do is hear your voice and he is right there.” Martha said and turned back toward the stove, shaking her head a bit. Henry came over and Callum put an arm around the little body and pulled him closer to him. Henry rested his head against Callum’s side and leaned his body against his leg.

“You should be in bed, my lad.” Callum said and he rested his cheek on top of Henry’s soft brown hair, “The sun is barely up.”

“You’re up.” Henry said in a sleepy voice and Callum smiled, pulling the little body a bit closer.

“You’re right, I am. I smelled the coffee down here in the kitchen and it always makes me get up.” Callum said and then kissed the soft brown hair, “Why don’t I put you back to bed?” Callum asked and went to pick the little one up, but Henry moved and nuzzled in closer, working himself up into Callum’s lap on his own, “Or maybe not.” Callum said softly, “Do you want to just sit here for a bit then?” A slight nodding of the little head was the answer to the question and Callum wrapped his arms around the little one that was his. He looked up at his aunt and their eyes met and she smiled warmly back at them both.

“Well, I think I know what you are doing today then.” Martha said, “He needs to spend time with his father, and I think he’s trying to tell you that right now.”

“Yes, perhaps he is.” Callum said as Henry had gone back to sleep in Callum’s arms, resting on his lap, “He’s a good lad.”

“He’s more than that,…he’s your son, Quintan.” Martha said and went over to the small table under the back window and picked up her egg basket, “Rest yourself with him, and enjoy your coffee. I will return and start breakfast in a short bit after a visit to the roost to gather the mornings eggs.” She said and stepped toward Callum and the little one. She put a hand on the soft brown curls resting against Callum’s chest, “I think I need to give haircuts as well today, it’s been a while for all of you.”

“By all means, my dear, if you think you need to.” Callum said with a smile.

“Yes, the lot of you are looking a bit on the scruffy side, rather like that dog there.” Martha said and nodded toward Fitz sitting in the parlor doorway. The dog cocked his head at her a bit and then sneezed, “Enough out of you, you scoundrel, come along.” She said to the dog and turned for the back door, going out, the dog following her, leaving Callum alone with the sleeping little one in his lap. He looked down and smiled again, and reached fingers up and brushed the hair away from over the closed eyes.

“Yes, you are a good lad, Henry. I am so glad that you are here with me.” Callum said quietly and bent down, kissing the top of Henry’s head again and the soft brown curly locks, he straightened on the bench. He picked up his coffee cup and sipped from it.

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Martha was working her shears over Henry’s hair as he tried to sit still on the tall stool out on the flagstone. The dog, Fitz, sat in front of Henry on the flagstone staring up at him, wondering what was going on and why Henry was not running and playing with him right now. The dog gave a whine now and then and would wag his tail when Henry would lift his eyes and meet his as the hair fell when it was cut. Martha went after the hair that was still attached to the little head with a comb.

Callum had come up the path from the stable and was standing there watching the scene as it played out behind Martha by a few paces. He folded his arms over his chest and watched as Dustin came up silently and stood beside Callum.

“She certainly is on about it today, isn’t she?” Dustin asked very quietly not wanting her to hear him. Callum only nodded his reply. Dustin saw it and watched the scene as well. Martha was combing and combing the long brown curls that were on top of the little head. She looked it over carefully and then went around the front of the boy looking him over and seemed satisfied.

“Your second haircut, my lad, since you have come here to the Cross.” Martha said and straightened. She saw Callum and Dustin on the flagstone and gave them a bit of a frown then went around Henry and untied the large cloth that covered him. She pulled it away toward one side of him, the hair that was trapped now falling to the flagstone and she shook it once, “Alright, off with you now.” She said and put fingers to Henry’s shoulder giving him a gentle nudge which was all that he needed. Henry scooted off the tall stool and bounded away down the grassy knoll, the dog running after him. Callum smiled at the sight, “Alright, which of you is next?” Martha asked. Dustin went wide eyed and swallowed hard, “I won’t hurt you. I have given you haircuts before.” Martha said, shears in one hand with the large cloth, the other hand was balled in a fist and was on her hip. Callum looked at Dustin and saw his expression and chuckled. He looked back at his aunt and stepped forward.

“I suppose I had better go next then.” Callum said. He came over and sat on the tall stool. Martha wrapped the large cloth around his shoulders and left it untied at the back. She reached up and untied the long black tie that held Callum’s tail. She put it in her apron pocket and set after him with the comb. She worked it over and over through his long blonde hair, Callum loved the feel of it, the motions of the comb and found it very relaxing. He closed his eyes.

“How much do you wish me to take?” Martha asked as she combed the blonde hair.

“I would think not that much, my dear.” Callum said. Martha set about the temples and then the length, trimming it down just a bit as what she thought what was what Callum wanted. She clipped, combed, and then looked it over and over, going around him, snapping the shears with every motion as if she wanted to snip more than hair. Callum smiled wide, but felt no fear.

“I hope this never goes out of style.” She said almost absentmindedly as she clipped a little here and there.

“What? Long tails and so forth?” Callum asked.

“Yes.” She said and smiled as she combed his hair yet again, “It is like your mother’s hair, soft and wavy. I always enjoyed combing out her hair, and it always smelled of cowslip…so pretty.”

“Did she enjoy you doing it?” Callum asked. Martha smiled out of the corner of her mouth at the question.

“She did. She would almost purr like a kitten.” Martha said as she stood behind Callum still combing the blonde locks, “I think I need to trim this as well.”

“I remember her hair…and her eyes.”

“What do you remember?” Martha asked as she trimmed the long locks.

“Her voice was soft, I recall that as well. She never raised her voice to me. Her hair was always so shiny in the morning light, it almost glowed I remember with the light in the kitchen windows.” Callum said as he stared out over the distance, “I miss seeing it.” Callum said above a whisper, but Martha heard him. She stopped what she was doing and put her hands on his shoulders and leaned slightly against his back and kissed the top of his head.

“I have no doubt, my boy. I am sorry that she is gone.”

“My only regret is that I was not here to say goodbye to her, to tell her what she meant to me and how much I actually loved her.” Callum said as he looked down at the flagstone feeling Martha’s touch, he lifted his head and his eyes, “But with you here, my dear, I like to think that I have a bit of her here with us with each passing day.” Callum said and heard a sob behind him. Martha had put a hand to her mouth and was dropping tears from her eyes at what he had said.

“I am sure that she knew, Quintan, even at the end.” Martha said in a shaky voice.

“There are times when I look at Henry and wonder if he was there when his own mother passed and if he was there and was possibly with her, if he had the chance to say goodbye as I did not with mine.” Callum said softly. He heard a deep sob behind him.

“Excuse me a minute.” Martha said. Callum was looking out ahead of him lost in thought of it all. He did not realize that she went back into the house and left him.

“What did you say to her?” Dustin asked and broke Callum’s thoughts.

“I’m not sure.” Callum said as he turned on the tall stool and looked at Dustin who was behind him, “I was merely speaking of my mother, my memories of her.”

“Well, she went into the house and was crying.” Dustin said and looked concerned. Callum looked toward the kitchen windows and was concerned as well. He got up off the stool and pulled the large cloth off him and set it on the stool.

“I’ll be right back.” Callum said went to the back door, he went in and closed it behind him, going through the kitchen, into the parlor, through to the small hallway and finally stood in her doorway. She was at the window and was breathing hard, Callum could see, “Are you alright, my dear?” She turned and looked at him and lifted the corner of her apron to her wet eyes, dabbing them to try and dry them. She sobbed openly and he frowned and came toward her, going around the end of the bed. He held out his arms and she fell into them, putting her face into his chest as he wrapped her tight with his arms, “I am so sorry, my dear. I did not mean to make you upset at all, can you forgive me?” He asked in a gentle voice. She nodded and then pulled back and looked up at him.

“He was there. He told me. She…died in that alley with him next to her…where they lived in that little crate together. Oh, Quintan,…he couldn’t have been more than two or three when it happened.” She said as she sobbed and the tears dropped from her eyes like they were being pumped out.

“He told you that?” Callum asked as he looked at her. She nodded silently in reply.

“When you were gone. We talked many times, and he finally told me one day. He asked me never to say anything about it, but I…” Martha sobbed heavily and sniffled.

“It’s alright, my dear.” Callum said and pulled her tight to him, patting her back gently as she sobbed heavily again into his chest, “He does not need to know that you said anything about it at all.” Callum said, “A most terrible thing to go through for anyone, especially one so young.”

“Yes.” Martha said and tried to compose herself, but was failing. Callum pat her back again and nodded.

“So much pain to go through. It makes him that much more special.” Callum said. Martha pulled back and looked up at him, her eyes wet and swollen.

“What are you going to do?”

“I am going to wait, my dear, wait for him to tell me when he is ready, if he feels the need to. I will never press him. That might scar him even more, and I will not be the cause of more pain like that.” Callum said.

“He needs you, Quintan.”

“Yes…and I need him.” Callum smiled, “He completes me, makes me whole.”

“Oh my Lord.” Martha said and put a hand to her mouth, “You need to tell him that.” She sobbed.

“I will.” Callum said and smiled softly at her. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead as he put hands on her shoulders. He pulled back, “We are a family, all of us here at the Cross and Harbroughs. We should have no secrets between any of us, and should always be ready and willing to be there for the others as the need arises.”

“Yes, you’re right, of course.” Martha said and dabbed her eyes again with the apron, she sniffled and pulled herself together looking up at him, “Let me finish cutting your hair and then I will take care of Dustin.”

“Are you sure?” Callum asked with a faint smile and she nodded. Callum turned and went for her door as she followed him out.

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Early afternoon, the sun high in the sky, as Callum walked up the pathway to the flagstone from the stable. He looked over and saw Henry and the dog running out in the tall grass down near the corner of the property down by the road but he saw something else as well and stopped his walking. He turned a bit more and continued to watch to make certain it was what he thought and it was, a single rider on horseback, a small trail of a dust cloud followed the rider and the horse as they came closer up from the south.

“What is it?” Dustin asked at Callum’s shoulder. He had followed Callum up from the stable by a few paces.

“A rider.” Callum said softly as he watched the road and what it had on it. Dustin looked as well.

“Darin perhaps.” Dustin said and Callum nodded his answer, “He doesn’t seem in too great a hurry. A Post rider maybe?”

“I don’t know. I’ll go down to the road and see.” Callum said and turned to look at Dustin, “We should also get ready to go next door for the evening.”

“I’ll see to Henry.” Dustin said and smiled briefly, “You go on to the road. But do not be long as I know how you like to primp to get ready to go somewhere.” Dustin said and winked, Callum paused and then smiled shaking his head.

“You wait until tonight and I’ll show you what primping is.” Callum said and Dustin chuckled.

“Henry?!” Dustin called out looking past Callum. The little one looked up as he stopped running, “Come along now, let’s get ready.”

“You are quite the deck officer aren’t you?” Callum asked seeing the boy and the dog, Fitz coming up the knoll. Dustin looked at Callum.

“I was trained by the best in the fleet.” Dustin said as his eyes shifted to Callum.

“I wasn’t aware that I had.”

“I wasn’t speaking of you.” Dustin said and raised an eyebrow in teasing.

“Why you…” Callum said in a whisper.

“Go on.” Dustin said and leaned forward, kissing Callum on the cheek. They both chuckled as Henry and Fitz came up on the flagstone. Callum walked away from the three of them.

“Where is Papa going?” Henry asked as he turned to look after Callum who was going to the corner of the house.

“Down to the road. There is a rider coming.” Dustin said.

Callum stood at the gate as he saw who it actually was. He waited for another minute as the horse was drawn up and stopped.

“Darin.” Callum said as he stepped through the gate.

“Sir.” The Talon said with a broad smile. His tunic and pants were covered in dust from his riding. The horse looked spent, his flanks and shoulders were sheened and matted with sweat as Talon swung out of the saddle and stepped down onto the road. He held the reins with one hand, the other reached into his tunic and pulled out an envelope, handing it out to Callum. Callum’s eyes looked down at it and could see the wax stamped seal. He reached up his fingers and touched it, “With His Grace’s compliments, sir.”

“You saw him then?” Callum asked as he took the envelope from Talon. Callum’s eyes shifted a bit and looked back at his young officer. Talon nodded.

“I did, sir. I must say, he was quite alarmed to read your letter. You were right, sir, the letter you received was faked.”

“Damn.” Callum said above a whisper.

“His Grace said he was going to send Regulars until I told him of what has happened, what with the crew and all.” Talon said and then looked a little sheepish for a moment, “And I apologize, sir, I may have said a bit too much to him…about you.”

“What did you say, Darin?” Callum asked.

“It’s all in his letter, sir. He brought me into his home while he wrote that out after reading yours. He had me served a tea and we chatted for a bit, he is quite the host, I must say. His sister was there visiting, she is quite the lady.” Talon said.

“I wouldn’t know, I have never met her.” Callum said.

“She spoke of you as well, sir, to me. She knows of your reputation and spoke very highly of you, as a friend to her brother. She went on and on for a bit.” Talon said and rolled his eyes.

“You seem rather smitten, Darin.” Callum said with a slight smile as he turned the envelope over reading the very elegant writing on it.

“Oh no, sir. She is quite the lady, yes, but she is not…”

“Callista Muir, Darin?” Callum asked and Talon blushed heavily. He dropped his young eyes to his feet, “It’s alright, my lad, I understand how you feel.” Callum said, putting a hand on Talon’s shoulder, “You have done me a great service, Darin, and I thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome, sir, it was nothing.”

“We are having supper this evening at Harbroughs. Thomas and Christian are cooking. I know they would want you there as well as we were expecting you today with this.” Callum said and held up the envelope a bit, “Let’s see to your horse and then to getting you something else to wear for the evening. Your uniform is a mess to say the least.”

“Yes, I am trifle bit of a mess, aren’t I, sir?” Talon asked as he looked down at himself and then back at Callum.

“You would not be fit to set foot in a tavern looking like that, nor to see that young girl of yours.” Callum smiled, “Take the horse down to the gate and bring him in, I’ll meet you down at the stable.”

“Yes, sir.” Darin said and started to walk the horse further up the road to the large gate at the rear of the property. Callum closed the small gate and went up the path toward the house.

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“Did you read it?” Thomas asked as he held the door and closed it behind the group from the Cross.

“No, I did not.” Callum said as he stood in the large foyer of Harbroughs. He had turned and looked back at his friend, one of their hosts for the evening, “As this concerns all of us, I thought it best that we read as a group.”

“Thoughtful.” Thomas said as he stepped up next to Martha. She held Henry’s little hand in hers and was flanked by Talon and Dustin. Thomas looked at Callum and gave him a slight nod, “Please, won’t you come in and be comfortable?” Thomas, ever the thoughtful host, held out a hand and pointed the way for all of them. They all went into the large parlor. A small soft fire was going in the fireplace. The heavy draperies that covered the windows were all pulled back revealing the shears underneath. The room was inviting to them all, Callum looked up at the portrait of Christian’s mother that hung over the mantle as he stood in front of the fire. Thomas went to the sideboard on the wall and lifted the decanter and poured sherry for them all.

“Something certainly smells wonderful, Thomas.” Martha said as she sat on the settee. Thomas set the decanter down and picked up glasses, turning and handing them out, Martha first.

“Thank you, my dear.” Thomas said and turned back to the sideboard to get more glasses, he picked them up and looked at Callum as he handed him one, giving a nod to Callum.

“Thank you.” Callum said as he took the glass. Thomas handed another glass to Darin and turned back to the sideboard. He picked up his own and held it up for a moment.

“To the family of Dover.” Thomas said. They all held up their glasses and repeated him and then sipped from their glasses, “I have discovered that Christian is quite the cook.” Thomas said, as he looked about at all of them, “With my wounds being what they are, and we not having a cook here, he has taken it on and I must say, he is doing quite well with the job. I have not had any complaint as of yet.”

“Really, I had no idea.” Callum said, “I on the other hand would be completely lost at the stove.”

“And I, for one, shudder at the thought of you standing at it.” Martha said as she lowered her glass, “Where is it that he learned to cook, Thomas?”

“He has not said, my dear. He simply produces these wonderful meals for us. They do not rival your cooking, I must say,” Thomas said as he bowed slightly toward her and straightened, “but, it is far more than ships food. I seem to be mending better than I thought I would because of it, I suppose.”

“Why, thank you, Thomas.” Christian said from the large entryway of the parlor, “Good evening, everyone.” He said and gave a slight nod of his head.

“Do you need any help, Christian?” Martha asked from the settee.

“No, dear lady, I have things well in hand. I will be ready to serve supper in just a bit. I thought I would come and join you all as I had some time, but I thank you for the offer.” Christian smiled as he moved into the room, “Darin, I see that you have returned safely, with good news, I trust.”

“That remains to be seen.” Thomas said as he handed a glass of sherry to Christian.

“Why is that?”

“I have not opened the letter as of yet, Christian. I wanted all of us to be together when I did.” Callum said.

“I see.” Christian said and raised his glass a bit, Callum nodded slightly in reply.

“How much longer?” Thomas asked.

“About a half hour or so.” Christian said.

“Then, if I may, we can read the letter now?” Callum asked, “Or would you care to wait?”

“No, before supper would probably be best.” Thomas said. Callum flashed his eyes and pulled the envelope from behind him. All eyes watched as he opened it and set the envelope on the mantle behind him.


“Callum,

My dearest friend, I understand on the word of your man that you send to me and the letter from you that I read that you supposedly received word from Lord Eldon in regards to a meeting. I assure you that no letter was sent by him or that we have met regarding the current situation. I will be speaking with His Lordship after I dispatch this with your man. We should meet, Friday after next in the afternoon. Come to my place of residence for it is safe here.

Your man has also told me that there have been confrontations with the Guardsmen and you have suffered from wounds yourself and in your group. I trust they are not severe, and this finds you all well. I was tempted to send Regulars to assist you, but your man said that was not necessary, and I trust that it is so. If you require protection, send me word immediately and they will be dispatched to come to your aid.

I spoke with Lord Hood yesterday regarding you. He relayed to me the circumstances of the boy with you and what he knows of it, and I know deep in my heart that you have done the right thing about him. His Majesty is also aware.

These are dark times, my dear friend, but there is a bright light at the end of it all, and that light is Quintan Callum. Keep yourself and those close to you safe. Trust no one in this until we meet.

Regards in the highest,

Arthur Wellesley”


Callum lowered the letter and looked at all that were in the room.

“My word.” Thomas said softly, “It was a trap then. We might have all been killed.”

“So it seems.” Callum said, putting the letter on the mantle.

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“Supper was most excellent, Christian.” Martha said as she dabbed the cloth napkin to the side of her mouth looking at him at the end of the table.

“Here, here.” Dustin said as he raised his glass from the center of the long table.

“Thank you.” Christian said and bowed his head slightly, “I merely followed your lead, dear lady. I know that you have years of experience beyond me in these matters, but I think of it simply as what I would want it to taste like and then do it.”

“Yes, exactly.” Martha said as she set the napkin down on the table, “That is what I have always done in all my years. You know, my own mother was a cook in a fine house for many years. She is the one that taught me and Quintan’s mother, as well.”

“I did not know that.” Callum said as he sat across from Dustin at the middle of the table. Henry was to Callum’s right, Darin Talon was across from Henry, next to Dustin.

“It’s true.” Martha said as she went to get up.

“What are you doing, my dear?” Christian asked.

“I am going to clear away this while you men talk.” She said with a rather firm tone.

“Please no.” Thomas said as he moved in his chair at the head of the table. She looked over at him and gave him an eye, “You are a guest in this house.”

“I thank you for the thought, Thomas, but I do not wish to be any part of a political discussion. Henry, give me hand with this, will you?” Martha asked as she picked up dishes and stacked them. They all knew better than to argue with her.

“Alright, then we need to plan for this then.” Callum said as he leaned forward on his elbows, “I will speak with Owen about securing a coach or a carriage. I think we need two days to be off to London and then back again.”

“Agreed.” Thomas said, “But what about here? We cannot leave it unguarded.”

“Yes, for certain, Quintan. I think you and Thomas should only be the ones to go.” Dustin said.

“No…” Callum said as he looked at Dustin, “The four of us or none at all.”

“Why?” Christian asked from the end of the table, Martha and Henry went out the swinging door into the kitchen, leaving the five of them alone.

“Because, we are the ones that have been involved in this from the beginning, Christian.” Callum said as he looked over at him.

“Dustin is right however, we cannot leave the property unguarded. What of Martha and Henry?” Christian asked.

“We leave that to the others that remain behind. What say you, Darin?” Callum asked the young Talon, “May I press you for another favor in safeguarding my family?”

“Of course, sir, it would be my honor to do so.”

“There you have it.” Callum said, “I will ask Owen to take care of the herd. Bockman and his workers will be here during the day, I am certain Owen can stay here at Harbroughs for one or two nights until our return.” Callum said and looked back and forth between Thomas and Christian and saw the looks on their faces, draining of color, “Darin can continue to court Callista, and there should be no harm done.”

“It seems that you have thought this through.” Thomas said trying to recover his composure a bit, his eyes flashed down toward Christian for a moment.

“You are not the only one that has time on his hands to think of things, Thomas.” Callum said as he intertwined his fingers, resting his hands on the table. A slight smile crept over Callum’s lips.

“Alright then, it is settled.” Thomas said.

“Not entirely.” Dustin said and Callum looked over at him, narrowing his eyes a bit.

“What bothers you?” Callum asked.

“What bothers me is that you are expecting a fight, aren’t you?” Dustin asked, “And I suppose that we are going armed to the teeth as if we were going to be taking another ship.”

“I didn’t say that.” Callum said.

“You didn’t have to.” Dustin said with a slight growl in his voice, “You want this man, Upton, dead. You have said before that you want him stopped, and that he needs killing. This trip to London gives you the excuse to be there. You want this to happen.”

“Dustin…” Callum said and Dustin sat back in his chair.

“I will not be a party to murder, Quintan.” Dustin said.

“I assure you, murder is not my intent.”

“Of course it is.” Dustin said flatly, “He has caused you great pain in what he has done and you seek vengeance with it.”

“Dustin…” Thomas said and sat forward.

“No, he knows I speak the truth in this. I was there with him and Paupling when it was discussed, and Quintan knows that.” Dustin said.

“It’s alright, Thomas.” Callum said, “He is involved in this, as we all are, and has the right to speak his mind.” Callum looked at Dustin and yes, was a bit shocked with what he said, but it had an air of truth to it and Callum was not angry about it, “Alright, Dustin, what would have me do?”

“Follow what Paupling said as he lay there in the Magistrate’s cell. Let this man be taken by the law.” Dustin said and folded his arms over his chest.

“And if he won’t?”

“You cannot know that, Quintan, not yet. The Duke and Lord Eldon need to know what we do, if they do not already. Let them take the lead in this. We have a life of peace here, happiness. You would see that destroyed if you murder this man.” Dustin said.

“He makes sense, Quintan.” Thomas said as he sat back.

“Of course he does, another voice of reason it seems.” Callum said as he stared at the love of his life.

“So, what of the plan then?” Christian asked.

“The plan should remain as Quintan has said.” Dustin spoke, his voice sounded very sure and solid, “We can all go, and go armed, just in case. There is no reason not to, just to be on the safe side in case this goes bad, as it did our last time together in London.”

“God, I remember.” Christian said and put his elbows on the table.

“Alright, we will leave the day before, Thursday morning, early, to give us time to travel and to seek lodgings.”

“Not at the Boar’s Head either, not again.” Thomas said rolling his eyes a bit.

“No, in Whitehall I think, near The Duke’s residence.” Callum said.

“Alright, that might be better.” Thomas said.

“And perhaps, we could have a visit to the bathes again.” Callum said and smiled, “Might do my stitches a world of good, as well as yours, Thomas.” Dustin went a bit wide eyed over that. Martha came back into the dining room through the swinging door carrying a tray with coffee and cups on it. She set it down in the middle of the table.

“I suppose it might at that.” Thomas said as he looked at the tray and then at Martha, giving her a soft smile, “Thank you, dear lady, very thoughtful.”

“I know how longwinded some of you men can be. I thought this might be better, rather than drink.” Martha said before turning toward the swinging door.

“Quite right.” Thomas said as he reached for a cup. He gave Callum a side glance and poured from the pot. He slid the cup toward Callum and then took another.

“I will try not to find that insulting, Thomas.” Callum said. Thomas chuckled a bit as he poured another.

“Darin,” Thomas said, “I must say, you look quite different in civilian clothes. Those of Dustin’s that you wear suit you very well.”

“Thank you.” The young Talon said as a cup was slid in front of him, “I do feel rather out of sorts in them, and not being in uniform. It has been all that I have known for quite a number of years as you know.”

“I felt the same myself when we first came here, but over time you grow accustomed to it.” Thomas said after pouring cups for Dustin and Christian. He poured the last for himself and set the pot down on the tray, “There is something to said for civilian life.”

“And what would that be, Thomas?” Callum asked as he looked at his friend.

“Loose clothes.” Thomas said and lifted his cup. Callum smiled broadly and lifted his cup as well, “And you, Quintan, fit quite nicely in your civilians, and seem to be rather relaxed in them.”

“As you say, it has taken a bit of time, but I do find that I miss the tall collars now and again.” Callum said and winked.

“Yes, propriety as it were.” Thomas said as he watched the cups being passed down the table. He sat back, both hands on his cup. “I do not think I could give up the service anytime soon. I have been giving it considerable thought as of late actually. I don’t really know what I could do in civilian life.”

“I thought we had talked about that once, at the stable at the Cross.” Christian said, “Before Quintan purchased this property.”

“Yes, I did say that, didn’t I?” Thomas asked as he looked at the end of the long table and saw Christian and the look he was giving him, “Unlike you, Quintan, you could have quite a career in politics as we have all said.”

“Far be it from me to argue with my host, but I shudder to think of that.” Callum said, “The sea has always been a love of mine and you know that.”

“And you do it well, very well in fact.” Thomas said, “Christian and Dustin both seem to be suited to farming and the raising of the horses, they have found their calling.”

“I do however miss standing at the wheel sometimes.” Dustin said softly without thinking. All eyes looked at him and he felt it and looked back at them, “The feel of the power of the sea with your hands on the wheel. It is almost as if it is alive and fighting back against you sometimes.”

“Yes,” Callum said as he set his cup down on the table, “something I tried to teach Abel when we were sailing Windsong.”

“After we left Portsmouth.” Thomas said, “I had one hell of a time trying to catch you that day.”

“I remember it quite clearly, sir, that first day. You had her almost flying.” Darin said, Callum smiled out of the corner of his mouth. Callum nodded a bit remembering as well.

“Yes, it did seem as though we were.” Callum said. A long silence fell over the table and those at it. Callum was remembering Abel Collingwood, his bright shining face, his manner and eagerness to carry out his duties and his wanting to please his Captain.

“Quintan, I was wondering,” Christian said breaking the long silence, Callum looking over at him, “perhaps we could have that practice that you spoke of before we go.”

“I think it was a ‘lesson’ wasn’t it?” Callum asked and had a sparkle in his eye. Christian smiled and snorted softly.

“Yes, I think you did call it that, didn’t you? My apologies again for that.” Christian said.

“None are necessary, my friend, but I would think that Dustin should have that practice with you as he has bested me with the blade.” Callum said and Dustin went wide eyed and almost choked on the last of his coffee.

“What? Me?”

“Certainly.” Callum said and looked at him from across the table, “And why not? You did best me, and they saw it as well, and were quite entertained by it.”

“It is true, Dustin, you showed incredible skill.” Thomas said. Dustin looked at him.

“I…well,” Dustin rolled his eyes a bit, “I was merely lucky that’s all.”

“Nonsense, you have skill, as Thomas has said. Did you not say to me that you had been watching my every move and learning from it?” Callum asked, Dustin nodded a bit in reply, “What better compliment for a teacher than to have his ‘student’ surpass him then.”

“I suppose.” Dustin said in a meek voice.

“Well then, perhaps tomorrow then, after we have seen to our chores.” Christian said. Dustin looked at Christian as those eyes of his flashed a bit. Dustin swallowed hard.

“I suppose we could, yes.” Dustin said with a dry mouth.

“Good, then we shall meet out on the knoll of the Cross and begin our practice.” Christian said and wiggled his eyebrows a bit. Dustin narrowed his eyes a bit toward his friend.

by icevuk2634

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Copyright 2024