Voyage Home

Callum skidded across the stone floor on his back after the hit from the giant fist. His sword was lost from his hand. He slid up against a stack of crates and came to a stop. He lifted his head and tried to clear his eyes of the stars that he saw that blocked his vision. He shook his head a couple of times and started to get to his feet. He felt the giant hand on his wounded left shoulder and cried out as the powerful fingers dug in.

“You will die slowly, tiny man.” The voice was more of a growl, heavy with the Germanic accent.

“Cap’n…” Shill said and swung his oak walking staff. The hit sounded like a thump to an old rug that was being beaten. Callum could not see where Shill was from being blocked by the giant body, but as the other massive hand went to his throat and gripped tight and started to lift him off the stone floor, he could only assume that Shill was on the other side of the living wall. The grip increased on Callum’s throat, the air was being cut off as Callum gripped the wrist that held him with both hands. He tightened his neck muscles to fight against it, but it was overpowering on him. He was slammed into the stack of crates behind him, his eyes focused on what held him.

The scarred and bloodied face had a sneer going across the lips. The eyes were like glass, doll’s eyes, black, evil, uncaring. Callum knew that he had to act and act quickly. Another thump sound, the oak staff hitting the back of the giant head, but it did nothing to slow or stop the giant of a man. Callum lifted his feet, bending his legs, placing his boot heels into the center of the giant form and pushed with everything he had, using his hands to try and pry the wrist off his throat.

“You cannot get away.” The deep voice growled as he tightened his grip even more, Callum made choking sounds and struggled harder and pushed as his face was beyond red and felt like his eyes were going to explode out of their sockets. A deep growl came from the giant and Callum was free, throwing himself back into the stack of crates, then hitting the stone floor, heaving his chest to get his breath back. He looked up in time to see the giant coming down to grip him again and rolled away, over and over. He got to his feet and held a hand to his throat and coughed.

Shill moved, getting around the giant form, staff in both hands and swung. Somehow it made contact with the iron jaw. There was a grunt and the giant reacted to it with a backhand. The impact sent Shill flying backward to hit the stone floor. Callum moved to come between Shill and the lumbering behemoth, waiting a split second as he drew on the last of his reserves. The giant reached him and his momentum was his undoing, Callum dropping to the floor, sweeping one leg hard, kicking the feet of the behemoth out from under him again, making him go face first into the stone with a heavy thud. He lay still for a moment. Callum getting to his feet, fists balled and readied. The giant of a man pushed with spread hands, lifting himself, Callum jumping to him, fists coming down one after the other, hit after hit, but the giant kept rising, eyes locked on Callum the entire time.

“Go down,…go down.” Callum said giving the last hard hit. The bloodied scarred face grinned and spit out a tooth that hit Callum in the chest. Callum went wide eyed and realized there was no stopping him with only his fists, he thought he would need a cannon to kill this creature.

“You die now.” The giant man said slowly and lifted his hands, Callum backed up and came to Shill, still on the stone floor, behind him. Callum looked over his shoulder once and saw it. He spun and grabbed up the thick oaken walking staff, with both hands. He looked up at the still grinning Hessian as he started coming forward again, giant hands reaching out. Callum sent the end of the staff into the face with a hard thrust, the head tilted back with the sound of the impact and a grunt was heard that echoed. Callum did it again before the giant could react, this time hitting the left eye. Callum slid his hands to the end of the staff, swinging it like he had the axe on the giant trees that he chopped up during the great storm. The impact to the top of the head echoed throughout the vast building and the giant of a man staggered backward two steps, Callum stayed with him, swinging again with everything that was in him. The impact split skin this time and the giant hit a stack of crates and knocked over two of them. He started to sink to the stone floor, Callum was still on him. He switched the grip on the staff and rammed it over and over into the face. Surrender finally came as the giant slumped and was unconscious. Callum was wheezing, resting the staff across his thighs, his hands on his knees.

“Cap’n...” Shill said from behind him weakly. Callum looked over his shoulder toward his mentor, seeing him struggle to get to his feet, hands trying to feel what was there and what wasn’t. Callum looked back at the slain giant once again.

“Don’t you move…I’ll be back.” Callum said with difficulty, straightening and going to toward Shill, staff in hand, “Here, old friend, I am here.” Callum said out of breath. He put his hand to Shill’s hands, gripping fingers gently, “Can you stand?”

“Aye.” Shill said and slowly got to his feet. Callum took one of Shill’s arms and tucked it under his own. Callum looked around. He was dizzy, very dizzy. He shook his head to clear it, but it didn’t help. He looked around again, except for the giant of a man against the crates, the wounded on the floor that had been left there to die, they were alone. There was no Atch to be seen. It worried Callum. He might be still about, ready to strike out of the shadows. Callum pat the back of Shill’s hand.

“Let me get my sword.” Callum said with difficulty and was having a hard time breathing. He let go of Shill and went over to where his sword was and knelt to pick it up as he heard voices, shouts, orders being given that were echoing.

“My Lord, they are here!” A Marine Lieutenant said as he came around a stack of crates. Callum looked in his direction as he weaving a bit. He focused on the most wondrous sight he had ever seen, Dustin rushing toward him, Marines following close behind, a small sea of red. Callum dropped to his knees. Dustin sank with him in front of him, holding him.

“Quintan, what is it? Are you wounded?” Dustin asked as his eyes scanned up and down Callum’s body.

“Griffould.” Callum whispered and closed his eyes, dropping his head on Dustin’s shoulder.

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“Where am I?” Callum asked with a raspy voice. His eyes were covered with a wet cloth. He could see the white of the cloth as he opened them.

“You’re lucky to be in one piece, Captain.” The voice said, “You are in the surgery of the Admiralty, and you are safe for now.”

“I thought it was an undertaker for a moment.” Callum said. He could hear a muffled chuckle above and next to him.

“You gave me gave me quite a shock, I must say, Quintan.” Another voice said, and Callum smiled.

“Arthur, I was wondering if you might turn up.” Callum said, still with a rasp in his throat. He tried to clear it.

“Rest easy, Quintan. That monster of yours almost crushed your windpipe. I am trying to reduce the swelling now.” Dr. Arthur Crawford said as he touched Callum’s bare arm.

“Where are Thomas and Christian?” Callum asked.

“They are here. Both of them are resting comfortably. Captain Holt will require another surgery however, I’m afraid.” Crawford said.

“Where is Dustin?” Callum asked.

“He is not here.” Crawford said. Callum tried to get up at hearing him, but Crawford put hands on him to stop him, “I said to rest yourself, Captain, Doctor’s orders. You will listen to me, or I will have you tied as I did in Portsmouth that one time. Do you understand?” Crawford sounded firm in his tone. Callum settled back on the table he was on, “I see that you have had more knitting done since I saw you last. You obviously have been brawling again, am I right?”

“Not quite.” Callum croaked out.

“Well, when you have healed enough, we will have to have a tankard and catch up with everything. Now, you rest easy. I need to check on Captain Holt.” Crawford said with a sigh. He pat Callum on his right arm and left him.

Callum lay still on the table, and sleep slowly took him after he smelled something, something he did not recognize. It was some time before his eyes opened again, under the white cloth. He listened as he could not move, he tried, but he could not get anything to move at all. The sounds that he heard were mumbling voices, the sound of metal tinging, the scuffling of feet now and then. He thought he smelled something else in the air now, something he had smelled before, something that was medicinal. He tried to move his arm, it responded slowly, weakly. He brought his hand to the cloth that covered his eyes and pulled it away. The light of the surgery was bright, the lamps glowing from chandeliers and on the walls. He turned his head left and saw the back of someone in a long white jacket, that was bent over a table working on something. He rolled his eyes and his head slowly turned right, his breathing was difficult and he hurt all of a sudden in several places. He saw the bottoms of a pair of boots on a table that was end facing him. He saw the legs, and recognized the pants.

“Thomas.” Callum whispered. He tried to roll his head but could not. His eyes became heavy again and closed.

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“Quintan?” The soft voice called out to him. He knew it and it brought a smile inside of him. His eyes fluttered and opened, “Quintan?” Dustin asked as he gently squeezed the hand.

“You are here. I was concerned.” Callum said as he turned his head slightly.

“Why were you concerned?” Dustin asked as he leaned closer to Callum’s ear.

“Remember what was said to us, we are not to be alone.” Callum said in his raspy voice and licked his lips, “Is there any water?”

“Yes, of course.” Dustin said and got up from the stool he was on. He went over and filled a glass and came back to the table. He held up Callum’s head as he held the glass, “Sip at it now. Your throat is badly damaged. You cannot swallow hard.” Dustin said softly, Callum sipped at the water and then stopped. Dustin took the glass away from his lips.

“Where is Shill?” Callum asked in his rasp and then cleared his throat.

“He is safe, trust in that. He asked me to let him set off. Before I could give him argument, he walked away.” Dustin said. Callum gave a brief smile knowing that Shill, his mentor was alright and was about keeping an ear open again.

“How are Thomas and Christian?” Callum asked.

“Thomas is asleep. His arm was badly mangled with the break, but they were able to save it. I am not certain about Christian however..” Dustin said and looked deeply worried.

“Why?”

“His lung was punctured by the knife. It keeps collapsing. They have had to operate twice. Dr. Crawford doesn’t know if he’ll survive.” Dustin said as his eyes welled, a tear dropped on Callum’s arm. Callum put his hand over Dustin’s and gripped it as tight as he could.

“This is all my fault.” Callum croaked, “I should have…”

“Stop.” Dustin said firmly, “You will stop this right now.” Callum looked at him with a bit of shock, “We all knew, all of us. Do not think for one moment that you are the only one in this, the only one that could be blamed or responsible. We all made this choice. You did nothing except what you were supposed to do. What happened to him is not your fault. If he dies, Quintan, God forbid it, but if he does, he will have died trying to save our country and way of life. The fault is not yours.”

“Yes, God forbid that he does not die.” Another voice said at Dustin’s shoulder. Callum looked beyond Dustin as Dustin looked over his shoulder.

“Your Grace.” Dustin said, getting up off the stool and bowing.

“Easy, gentlemen.” Wellesley said softly, “My friends, I wish I had known what you were doing. I would have sent troops with you. This is heartbreaking to me. All of you hurt and suffering as you are because of this situation.” Wellesley said. Dustin lifted his head.

“Your Grace, the warehouse has been secured. We found…” Dustin said as Wellesley put a hand on the young shoulder.

“Yes, I know. I have been there. Lord Hood sent a messenger to me. I came as soon as I could. You did well, all of you. We now have proof, proof of a possible insurrection. Lord Eldon is concerned about all of you as well. He wanted to come to see about you himself, but I told him to wait.” Wellesley said.

“I take it, Your Grace, he has found law to support action…” Callum said in his raspy voice. Wellesley looked down at his friend.

“Unfortunately, no. There is nothing in law to support what we know and suspect. There is no direct tie to Upton in the contents of the warehouse. All we have is evidence to support that there might be a troop movement into and against England. That has been stopped thanks to you. Upton, however, has slipped through in the cracks once again.” Wellesley said.

“But, I…” Callum said.

“Quintan, you must understand, before he can be charged and arrested, we must be able to tie it to him. There is nothing that is there. The men that were taken into custody will not speak, even under the threat of death by hanging. All are silent.” Wellesley said.

“I have ways.” Callum said. He tried to sit up, Dustin turned and helped him.

“Yes, I have no doubt, but once again, we are constrained by law.” Wellesley said.

“The Hessian.” Callum said as he got to a sitting position on the table, his legs off the edge, his hands resting next to his legs supporting himself.

“Yes. I am told that it took nine strong Marines to carry him in and put him in his cell. I have also been told that he even bent some of the bars of the door with his bare hands once he became conscious.” Wellesley said, putting a hand on his hip.

“He will talk.” Callum said.

“I don’t see how.” Wellesley said as Callum started to slide off the table, “And you are certainly in no condition to try and question him.”

“He’s right, Quintan. You can barely stand. We are done with this. Let us go home.” Dustin said as he put his hands on Callum’s upper arms.

“What of Thomas and Christian?” Callum asked Dustin, “Did they do this in vain? Will Christian die as a failing result of a matter of law? No, there is something else that needs to be done in this. We need to get the proof for Lord Eldon.”

“How?” Dustin asked.

“There are two in this, Atch and this Pennysort…Bancroft.”

“Albert Bancroft.” Wellesley said, “We spoke of him last night when we all met.”

“Yes. He was in the room at the boarding house when we came in, waiting for us.” Dustin said.

“What?” Wellesley said, “He was there?”

“Yes, Your Grace, hiding in the draperies apparently.” Dustin said, “He was the one that told us about the warehouse, and set us on the right path to it.”

“How did he…?”

“Your cousin is sympathetic to him, Your Grace.” Callum said with a slight bow of the head. Wellesley shook his head a bit.

“I will speak to him about that point.”

“I already have, Your Grace.” Callum said and tried to clear his throat again. He reached for the glass of water. Dustin grabbed it first and held it for him to take.

“Go easy with it. Sip it only.” Dustin said.

“Yes, Doctor.” Callum said and flashed a bit of a grin. Dustin frowned and put a hand on his hip.

“I am placing a squad of my personal guard at the boarding house to watch over you all, Quintan. You need to rest after these fine surgeons release you from their care.” Wellesley said.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Callum said, “Perhaps we can sleep easier.” Callum said and tried to clear his throat, “There is another matter, Your Grace.”

“Perhaps it can wait until you have regained your speech, my friend.” Wellesley said. Callum shook his head.

“No, it cannot.” Callum said, “We were told last night that Upton will have you murdered, and soon, once we are all in company with each other.” Callum coughed. Wellesley was a bit wide eyed. Dustin turned and looked at Wellesley.

“Your Grace,” Dustin bowed his head slightly, “if I may?” Wellesley nodded slowly, “Last night, this Bancroft told us that Lord Upton was going to have you eliminated. We came to the conclusion that it would have to be witnessed, and Bancroft also said that Quintan would be named for doing it, thereby removing him from Upton’s way.”

“Dear God.” Wellesley said as he looked at Dustin then shifted his gaze to Callum, “Did he happen to mention when this might take place?”

“No,” Callum rasped, clearing his throat again, “but it would have to be when we are all assembled together somewhere, possibly your home as it is being watched.”

“That makes sense. I know that those scavengers from the newspapers are always about wanting comment or whatnot from me, which I always refuse to give them. If there was an attack against me, it would be the perfect place as they would witness it, I am certain. What would you suggest that I do?” Wellesley asked.

“Distance yourself from us, my friend, as much as it pains me to say it. Also, you should increase your own security around you.” Callum rasped out.

“That pains me as well, my dear friend.” Wellesley said as he touched Callum’s hand. “I shall take your advice though, as it is sound.”

“Thank you.” Callum said and smiled briefly.

“Excuse me, Your Grace.” Crawford said as he came up to the table, all eyes turned and looked at him, “Quintan, you really should rest and not speak.”

“How is Christian, Doctor?” Dustin asked.

“I am not sure, Mr. Perkins.” Crawford said as he looked at Dustin and then looked back at the table where Christian lay on his stomach, face down. Two other surgeons were sewing on him again, “I am in hopes that what we have done will hold and he will survive, only time will tell.” Crawford said and looked back at Dustin, “If he survives the night, then I think his chances will be good.”

“I will say a prayer for him.” Wellesley said.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” Crawford said and bowed his head slightly, “I think we all should.”

“As you say, Doctor.” Wellesley said with a nod and looked at Callum, “I shall take my leave of you now, Quintan. Listen to the good Doctor and rest yourself.” Wellesley pat the back of Callum’s hand gently and then looked at Dustin, “Mr. Perkins, may I see you for a moment on my way out?”

“Of course, Your Grace.” Dustin said and looked at Callum, who nodded once. Crawford was guiding Callum back onto the table.

“Now, you rest yourself and perhaps I will let you out of here where Thomas comes around, Quintan Callum, and not a moment before.” Crawford said with a raised finger.

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“Quintan, you’re looking a far sight better than you did this morning, I must say.” Captain William Arvin said as he stood over Callum after seeing the eyes open.

“William.” Callum said with a slight smile.

“We have secured the warehouse as you no doubt know. Everything is under guard and there are three squads of Marines to secure the building. I wanted to tell you before Their Lordships came in to see about you. How are you feeling?” Arvin asked.

“Like I have been keelhauled several times.” Callum rasped out.

“It’s no wonder. I was down in the Crypt to speak with that mountain of a man that you took. My God, he is certainly a monster, isn’t he?” Arvin asked.

“You have no idea.”

“Do you know that he actually bent some of the bars of the door with his bare hands? How on earth did you take him?” Arvin asked.

“It was difficult.” Callum flashed a brief smile.

“We have a half dozen men posted down there with orders to shoot him if he tries anything.” Arvin said.

“You had better double it.” Callum said and started to get up off the table, “I need to see him.”

“You had better stay still and just keep quiet. Arthur will have you tied to the table and you know it. He even threatened me about coming in here.” Arvin said.

“Perhaps we could slip out before anyone notices.” Callum said.

“You would implicate me in a jail break?” Arvin asked raising an eyebrow.

“What are friends for?” Callum asked with a smile. Arvin shook his head.

“Why would you want to see him? He will not talk to you.”

“I think he will. He might have information that I need about Upton, or at least Phelps.” Callum rasped out.

“You are going to get me court-martialed, aren’t you?” Arvin asked as he hobbled around the table to help Callum off of it.

“Where is my shirt?” Callum asked as he knew he was bare chested.

“I am not sure.” Arvin said as he looked around and then saw it over on a bench against the wall. He went to it and picked it up, bringing it back to Callum and handed it to him. Callum smiled and nodded as he slipped it over his head and put his arms through the sleeves. He started to tuck it in his pants as they walked toward the doors of the surgery.

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Callum went down the steps into the Crypt slowly. It was dark, lit by lanterns that hung on the stone walls. He had been here before, when he had been arrested and brought for his own court-martial not but a few short months ago. Their steps echoed in the semi-dark place and the smell was musty and slightly damp to Callum. It made his skin crawl to be here. He saw two Sentries on the steps, muskets resting by their sides, they snapped to attention as Callum and Arvin walked by them down the steps. They reached the stone floor of the Crypt and looked toward the cells.

Memories flooded through Callum’s mind. His time here was brief, but it pained him so. The two men that tried to kill His Grace and Lord Hood had been in the cell next to him. He could see their faces clearly in his mind. The visit from Fitzwarren, that bitter visit from the man that he most admired and loved as a dear uncle, then the visit from Wellesley, in secret, Wellesley under the cover of a cloak, telling Callum not to fear, that everything would be alright, and he was correct in that. How he knew was a mystery to Callum, even though he had been told by Wellesley, the information given to Lord Hood as the court-martial was going on. All these memories were just running, like water being poured out of Callum’s mind. He stopped at the door of the cell, the cell that he, himself, had once occupied. He did see the bars were bent, three of them in the door. He focused and saw the giant of a man, Griffould, sitting on the slat bed against the far wall.

“Griffould.” Callum said in his raspy voice. The giant ignored him, looking down as he had been, “I wish to speak with you.”

“I have nothing to say to you, tiny man.” The giant of a man said slowly, with his heavy Germanic accent.

“That’s the most that I have heard him speak since he was brought in.” Arvin whispered to Callum’s ear.

“You will stand and you will face me as we did in battle.” Callum said trying to sound firm but was raspy. The eyes lifted on the scarred and bloodied face. They narrowed and Callum thought, if they were daggers, he would be dead right now.

“What do you want, tiny man?” Griffould asked.

“Justice…answers. You will give them to me.” Callum said.

“I have nothing to say.” Griffould said.

“Then you will hang, and I will find my answers elsewhere.” Callum said softly with his rasp. The doll’s eyes narrowed as they bore into Callum. Arvin saw it and swallowed hard.

“Hang me then. You will not find any answers anywhere. He will kill you.”

“He has tried, Griffould, you know that. I know you know that. He has failed with every attempt, as he himself is a failure. You know that as well.” Callum said as he gripped the bars of the door.

“Come in here and tell me that, tiny man.” Griffould said. Arvin swallowed hard, his eyes shifted from the giant of a man that now rose to Callum that stood next to him.

“Get this door open.” Callum said.

“Have you gone completely mad?” Arvin asked above a whisper. Callum tightened his grip on the bars and turned his head to see a Sentry that had the keys on his belt.

“I said, get this door open…NOW!” Callum rasped. The Sentry went wide eyed, looking at Arvin for a brief moment and then moved and went to the door, fumbling with the keys. He stuck the one into the lock and turned it. Callum opened it with one hand and stepped inside. He could hear feet, boots on stone, then the hammers of muskets being cocked back into position. Callum watched the giant of a man as he closed the door behind him. He let the door go and stepped toward the giant of a man and stopped a single step away from touching him. Callum looked up into the face that was looking down on him.

“You are brave, tiny man.” Griffould said.

“I beat you once in battle, Griffould. I can do it again. You know that I can.” Callum said without flinching an eye, staring directly up into the face of this monster that simply loved to kill. A slight grin went across the lips of the giant of a man.

“What do you want of me?” Griffould asked after a long minute of staring at one another.

“Tell me what you know. Tell me, what is he going to do?” Callum asked, fists balled and at the ready just in case. The giant of a man backed up a step and looked down at the slat bed for a moment. He half turned and sat back down on it, resting his arms on his massive thighs, thighs that were as big as Callum’s waist it seemed.

“Why should I tell you? What is in it for me?” Griffould asked.

“Honor.” Callum rasped out, “Something that you might not know of, Griffould. You are used to being paid for what services you provided to him. I can understand that. But you should understand this, there is more in this world than simply money. If you tell me what I need to know, I might be able to do something to stop them from hanging you.”

“I have been hung before, tiny man, it does not work on me.” The giant said. As he sat there on the slat bed, Callum realized that he was almost at eye level with the giant creature.

“We are English, Griffould, they will make it work,…believe me.” Callum said and he saw fear and hesitation for a brief moment in the eyes of the giant.

“I do not think so, tiny man.” Griffould said.

“You will tell me, Griffould. Like it or not, you will.” Callum said and stepped the step closer in front of the one being on the planet that could reach out, grab him, and snap him in half and enjoy it. Callum knew that he could show no fear whatsoever at all, and he did not. The giant of a man cocked his head slightly for a moment as he realized that indeed a very brave man stood before him.

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“Where on earth have you been?” Crawford asked as Callum and Arvin walked back into the surgery.

“In the Crypt.” Callum rasped.

“You were told that you needed to rest, Quintan. Shall I send for a length of line to tie you down?” Crawford asked. He shifted his eyes to Arvin, “And you, sir, you were also warned.”

“It could not be helped, Arthur.” Callum croaked, “I had to obtain information. William simply accompanied me to keep a watchful eye.”

“I see.” Crawford said and scowled at his friends, “So, I take it that you will be leaving then, even if I were to object to it.”

“I am afraid that I must. Where is Dustin?” Callum asked.

“I have not seen him since he left with His Grace.”

“Odd.” Callum said. He looked over at Thomas, still lying on the table, his arm was splinted and trussed so as it rested on his chest. He looked beyond Crawford and saw Christian lying face down on the table that he had been on the entire time. He was covered with a sheet, only his head and shoulders were exposed. Callum could see the chest rising and falling with labored breathing. He leaned toward Crawford for a moment, “Will he be alright, Arthur, tell me the truth.”

“Yes, I think he will be. His lung seems to be holding after this last go around. We are draining him of the blood that filled his chest.” Crawford said, “He is very strong. He seems very determined to continue to live.”

“Thank you for that, and thank you also for what you have done.” Callum said.

“It was a group effort. I could not have done it alone. That surgeon that you see there, Dr. Mortimer, is a Marine surgeon. He was very skilled, I must say, and impressed me very much. He would not stop and actually kept talking to Captain Holt the entire time as if he were awake to hear it, telling him not to give up, not to surrender.” Crawford said softly, “It was quite extraordinary.”

“Is that so?” Callum asked, “Sounds to be high praise indeed, coming from you, Arthur.”

“An older man’s envy.” Crawford smiled softly as Callum looked at him, “Back to you…Captain. I cannot stress enough that you really need to rest yourself. What has been done to you is very serious. You are more than likely feeling the bruising to your neck already. It will begin to stiffen your neck muscles very shortly and you might reach a point where you cannot turn your head to look about.”

“Yes, I do feel rather strained right now, I will not deny that.” Callum said with his rasp.

“Then please, heed my advice, lie down and stay quiet, at least overnight.” Crawford said as he put a hand on Callum’s upper arm.

“I believe I will.” Callum said and bowed his head slightly, “You are quite right, Doctor, as always. I shall retire to my room at the boarding house. Will that be sufficient?”

“Yes, it will.” Crawford said and smiled again.

“Then, let me find Dustin and we will set off.” Callum said with a smile, albeit brief. He went to the door, Arvin turning and following him. They walked out of the surgery together and into the large foyer of the building. Dustin was speaking to the Registrar at the desk, then turned and saw them coming toward him. He walked to meet them with a smile, “And where have you been?” Callum asked as they closed the distance to stand in front of one another.

“I was speaking with His Grace. He is very concerned about all that we have been through. He asked me for a full description of everything. I held nothing back and told him everything beyond what he was already told by us in the surgery.” Dustin said.

“Thank you. You did the right thing.” Callum smiled.

“We have a driver for the carriage, one of His Grace’s men.” Dustin said.

“Excellent. I was told that I needed to rest. Orders given to me by the good doctor.” Callum rasped and nodded.

“And you’re going to listen to them?” Dustin asked and Callum nodded again, “That’s surprising. You must be feeling poorly then.”

“I am.” Callum said and turned toward Arvin, “Thank you, my friend. I shall return when I feel up to it. Please, explain it to Their Lordships if you would for me.”

“Of course, Quintan.” Arvin said with a bow of the head, “I shall be here when you return. Remember what Arthur said, at least overnight.”

“I will.” Callum said. He looked at Dustin, “Where is my sword, I wonder?”

“It is in the carriage. I placed it there before they brought you here.” Dustin said.

“Ah, excellent.” Callum said, turning and going for the door without any further delay or goodbye. Arvin grabbed Dustin by the arm and held him back gently, Dustin looking up into his face.

“Make sure he stays out of any further trouble…for all our sakes.” Arvin said above a whisper as he watched Callum walk toward the doors of the building. Junior officers and Paige’s alike stopped and stared after him, all knowing who he is. Arvin looked at Dustin, who pat the hand that held his arm.

“I will, sir, rest assured.” Dustin said.

“I know you will, lad, it’s what you do.” Arvin said with a slight smile. He let go of Dustin’s muscled arm and watched him walk out behind Callum, “God help you both and protect you.” Arvin whispered.

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The carriage had set off, Callum sitting back in the seat. The driver had remained silent and just snapped the reins. He knew where he was supposed to be going. Callum sat in total silence, Dustin watched him out of the corner of his eye for the longest time after they were out of sight of the Admiralty.

“Alright, you want to tell me where it is and what it is that we are supposed to be going and doing, other than going to the boarding house?” Dustin asked as he sat closer to Callum on the back seat.

“What makes you think that we are not going to the boarding house? I thought you had already spoken to the driver about that.” Callum rasped out as he gave Dustin a side glance.

“I know you better than that, Quintan, please. You fed Captain Arvin quite a lie. Oh, he played along with it as you wanted, but he knew, as do I, that we are not going to the boarding house. So where are we going?” Dustin asked and rolled his head to look at Callum fully.

“Am I really that transparent?” Callum asked.

“You really want me to answer that?” Dustin asked in reply.

“No.” Callum said and leaned forward on the seat, “Driver,” Callum rasped out, the driver, the Regular, turning his head to give Callum an ear, “do know the Camden Road?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent. There is a large house near its end that we need to visit.” Callum croaked out. The driver nodded once and set the horses to it. Callum sat back knowing it was going to take a bit of time.

“And yes, you are.” Dustin said as Callum let out a breath and rolled his head against the neck strain he was feeling.

“I beg your pardon?” Callum asked.

“Transparent.” Dustin said flatly and Callum opened his mouth in a bit of shock, “But, only to those that know you.” Dustin said and sighed, “I suppose we are going after Atch, or should I say, you are.”

“You’re not going to join me?” Callum asked as he took one of Dustin’s hands in his.

“You know I will never leave your side, Quintan, never.” Dustin said and lifted Callum’s hand, kissing the back of it. He lowered it and looked at a half smiling Callum next to him.

“What would I do without you?” Callum asked.

“I was wondering that myself earlier when the surgeons were tending to you.” Dustin said and looked forward, Callum smiled and shook his head at him.

“You know, I think Thomas is becoming a bad influence on you.” Callum said.

“Why, because he is the voice of reason in our group and I seem to be following it?” Dustin asked.

“No, because of his constant sarcasms that he gives. You seem to be picking it up rather well yourself.” Callum said.

“You have to have thought that the house and the grounds are more than likely fully staffed, or there are armed men about to stop anything like what you are obviously thinking of doing. Am I wrong?” Dustin asked.

“No, you’re not wrong.” Callum said and looked out over his side of the carriage.

“So, what is your plan?” Dustin asked, “Simply go up and knock on the door? Hoping that they will let you see him and then what?”

“It might be just that simple, yes.” Callum said.

“Are you out of your mind? Yes, perhaps you finally are. I see it now, it might work. We drive up to the door, greeted by someone there, they lead us up to the door, we knock, Atch opens it, you ask him what he knows about his father and his activities about murdering The King and His Grace, he tells you, and we wave, thank him, and off we go. Simple.” Dustin said, folding his arms and sat back in the seat.

“Are you quite through?” Callum asked as he glared at Dustin, “I can do this alone, you know. The boarding house is on the way. We can drop you and I can continue on.”

“You are out of your mind, Quintan. It couldn’t possibly work that way. You can’t do this by yourself.” Dustin said. Callum sat there for a moment and then stared directly ahead.

“At precisely three o’clock, afternoon tea is served for the staff of the house, the grounds men included, which there are five in total, all ex-Guardsmen or military men. Three of them are out front, two are at the rear of the house at all times, except during tea, their only respite, before the evening supper. The library, Upton’s main room of usage, is at the back of the house on the main floor. Usually, Atch is there when he is at his father’s home. If he is not there, he will be in his own room which is to the right of the library by two rooms, which is two windows away from the doors of the library that lead out onto a stone terrace behind the house.” Callum rasped out quietly. Dustin was in awe of what he was saying, Callum coughed a couple of times, “We will have about a half hour to secure Atch, gain whatever information we can, secure him, and be on our way with that information. If it is viable, we will go directly to Lord Eldon with it and be done with this affair.”

“How did you learn all this?” Dustin asked.

“The Hessian.” Callum said and looked directly at Dustin, “He was quite forthcoming after I persuaded him in the Crypt.”

“You did what?” Dustin asked as the carriage turned and started to head out on the Camden Road.

“William was with me. He oversaw everything. There was no issue, I assure you.”

“And you are trusting what he said?” Dustin asked as he sat forward, turning to look at Callum, who nodded.

“Yes, I am. It became a matter of honor with him. I have no reason in which to doubt what he said.” Callum rasped.

“Quintan, he wants you dead.”

“He had opportunity and did not take it, ample opportunity, as I gave it to him. His information is true.” Callum said as he looked at Dustin.

“I certainly hope so, for our sakes.” Dustin said.

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The carriage drove slowly past the entrance to the grand manor that was owned by Upton on the Camden Road. The driver slowed for Callum, by his request, so that they may take a good look about. They saw indeed the three grounds men that were out in front of the house, one near the house itself, the other two out in the front formal garden tending to various doings.

“I wonder what time it is getting to be?” Dustin asked as he looked toward the sun to gauge the time. The driver leaned a bit to his right and took the reins in one hand, the other going into the pocket of his tunic. He pulled out a watch and looked at the face.

“Nearly three, sir.” He said over his shoulder as he replaced the watch back into the pocket.

“Well, there you have it. Good lad, thank you.” Callum said and smiled at Dustin.

“You’re welcome, sir.” The Regular said and spread the reins in both hands again.

“Tell me, what is your name?” Callum asked.

“Marston, sir.” The young man said as he looked over his shoulder.

“Marston? Are you related to…?” Callum asked.

“He is my elder brother, sir.” The Regular said with a soft smile. Callum nodded at him.

“Well, it seems that we are in good company all the way around then, doesn’t it?” Callum asked as he glanced at Dustin, who shook his head and smiled.

“There is a wide spot up the road a bit, sir. Along the stone wall there.” The young Marston said. Callum looked at where he meant and then looked toward the house seeing where it lies in respect to it. The stone wall surrounded the property or at least on the road side of it. It was over six feet high at least. There were some areas that were covered with ivy along its length and growing over the top.

“Yes, I see what you mean. A good place.” Callum said. He watched as the carriage neared where the widening was, “Perhaps we should turn the carriage around, just in case we have to make a hasty exit if this goes bad.”

“I understand, sir.” The young man said and rolled the carriage to a stop in the wide out. Callum looked to the right, seeing the house rise above the stone wall, but it was more than one hundred yards distant to only corner of it.

“I don’t think they can see us from here.” Callum said as he scanned around where they were and then looked at the young man that was driving them, “But they might see the brilliance of your red jacket.” Callum saw his rank on the lapel, “Corporal, would you mind?” The young man looked at Callum and smiled warmly.

“Not at all, sir. Just don’t tell my brother. He is very strict about being in uniform at all times, you understand.” The young man said as he looked at Callum over his shoulder.

“I can understand that as an officer myself.” Callum smiled wide and winked at him, “But, we must do certain things at certain times, am I not right?”

“Indeed you are, sir.” The young man said and slipped the red tunic off, folded it, and placed it on the floorboard of the carriage under his feet. When he rose, he had two pistols in his hands. He bent down again and pulled out a heavy sabre that was in its scabbard. Dustin grinned and looked at Callum.

“It seems to me that we have help in this, Quintan.”

“It appears so.” Callum said, “Corporal, where did you get those?”

“I’m sorry, sir, they actually came with you, the pistols that is, the sword was borrowed from my brother, Lt. Marston.” The young man said and blushed a bit.

“Does he know?” Callum asked.

“I’m hoping he won’t notice until after we return, sir.” The young man partly rolled his eyes. Dustin and Callum chuckled softly and looked at each other.

“He fits.” Dustin said.

“Indeed he does.” Callum smiled, the young man looked a bit puzzled and Callum held out a hand toward him, “Welcome to our little band, Corporal. I’m Quintan, this is Dustin.” The hands met and were shook.

“I am Evan.”

“Nice to have you along.” Dustin said.

“Now, this is what we’re going to do…” Callum said as he leaned close to both his companions.