Voyage Home

Shill Norris sat in the straw pile against the wall of the stable, waiting for Callum to pull himself together from learning that he knew Upton’s son. It was a painful memory for Callum to deal with as he had once loved Atchwood Franklin Penrose. They had been involved with one another at school, Sheflands, sharing many things while there together, studies, time, and each other’s bodies.

Callum had learned pleasures of the body, being taught first by Farrow Dunhill. They had come together one night, Farrow taking Callum, holding him down, covering his mouth to muffle the cries, but as it continued that first night, Callum slowly realized that he liked it, not the forceful part of it, but the act itself. The feeling that it gave him was something new, exciting, and wondrous to him being so young. He actually craved more after Farrow left him.

Farrow Dunhill was the nephew to the Headmaster of Sheflands and as such spoke to his uncle and revealed what he had done to Callum. The visits of the Headmaster to Callum’s room in the dead of night soon began after Farrow’s revelation. Callum took those visits in stride, learning from them, learning how to let his body feel pleasure, not pain and he wanted to share it as well. Callum decided to speak with his friend, Atch, to share that pleasure that he felt.

Atch soon became a constant in Callum’s room at night, hiding if Farrow or the Headmaster came in to take Callum for their own selfish pleasures, their using him and his body. It went on for nearly three years, the almost nightly visits to Callum’s room. But, with Atch, it was different to Callum. They were tender with one another, caring, and soon it became love with Callum. Atch never considered it that way Callum found out much later in their discussion of feelings. It was that one fateful day that ended them as well as nearly ending Callum’s life.

“Are you alright?” Dustin asked as he still had an arm around Callum’s shoulder. Callum was pulled out of his memories by the sound of Dustin’s voice. He nodded his head in answer to the question as he stared at the blind man sitting there silent in front of him in the straw.

“What else do you know, Shill?” Callum asked.

“Upton be plannin’ somtin, Cap’n, somtin big.” The blind man said, cocking his head a bit, “There be crates bein stored in a builin on the docks. E he’rd ‘e have many men a wait’n fer the right time to act.”

“Where? Where are these men?” Callum asked.

“Dunno, abroad, ‘e thinks.” Shill said, cocking his head a bit the other way. Callum narrowed his eyes, Dustin saw it.

“What are you thinking?” Dustin asked.

“Paupling…I’m certain he knows something of this. I will see him in the morning.” Callum said.

“He will tell you nothing, unless it’s a lie, Quintan.” Dustin said.

“Possibly, but I need to know, especially before we leave for London. This needs to be told to Lord Eldon and His Grace.” Callum said.

“But, you have nothing as far as proof goes, just more suspicion.” Dustin said.

“Shill, where is this building, what docks?” Callum asked.

“In London, Cap’n, on the Thames.” The blind man said cocking his head the other way now.

“If it’s true, which I have no doubt, Upton is going to stage a rebellion.” Callum said.

“To gain what?” Dustin asked.

“Power.” Shill said, turning his head to look directly at Dustin. Even with the blindfold on, the way he did it, it sent a chill down Dustin’s spine.

“That’s why he wanted Hans so badly.” Callum said, nodding slightly, “Hans is the rightful heir to the throne as we know, and Upton is only a first cousin, as Thomas told us that. With Hans out of the way, there is nothing to stop him for ascension. He is amassing his fortunes as we also know, that will fund his rebellion. And if he has men waiting to act, there must be a great number of them indeed, possibly rivaling the size of our own forces here. He means to take England, the only nation that would be key in all of this.” Callum said. Dustin took his arm away from the shoulder and sat in the dirt of the stable staring at Callum, “And I would also have to think that if he plans on ascending the throne to control all of it, all nations of Europe united under his banner, then he must also have a plan to eliminate those that rule, those members of the royal houses as well as Napoleon.”

“How?” Dustin asked.

“Through assassination.” Callum said flatly, “Our King included.”

“Smart as paint ye ‘re, Cap’n.” The blind man said cocking his head.

“I have to get to His Grace.” Callum said softly.

“We leave in three days, Quintan.” Dustin said, “Surely this is not going to happen that soon.”

“Possibly not, but…” Callum said as he looked at Dustin, “Paupling can either confirm or deny what we now suspect, that will bring what we are to do next.”

“Alright.” Dustin said as he was thinking about all of this. Callum looked at the blind man in the straw again.

“Shill, you are more than welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“Kind of ye, Cap’n. Ye ‘ave a good heart as ‘e said.” Shill said, cocking his head a bit.

“You must be tired from all of that walking that you have done, my friend.” Callum said, “Will you be comfortable here?”

“This be far better than bein in the street, Cap’n.”

“You’re more than welcome in the house as well, Shill.” Callum said as he rose to his feet, Dustin following him.

“Af’er I be cleanin ‘e up a bit, Cap’n. Don’ wanna be upsettin the lady now.” Shill said cocking his head a bit the other way now. Callum smiled.

“No, it would not do to have that, you’re right.” Callum said.

“That’s for certain.” Dustin said and rolled his eyes a bit.

“Gd night, gentlemen.” The blind man said and slipped the tattered cloak off himself and settled into the straw a bit.

“Good night, Shill.” Callum said, turning and walking toward the half doors, Dustin following him. Callum opened them as Dustin stopped to snuff out the candle on the sill and looked back at the blind man. His eyes went wide open as Shill removed the cloth from around his head and Dustin saw the burns around the eyes, the blackened skin, the hollowed areas where the eyes were once. Dustin wet his fingers and snuffed out the candle.

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Callum was getting undressed slowly and in silence, his mind racing about everything as Dustin quietly closed the door of their room. Callum took his shirt and put it at the end of the bed and sat down next to it to remove his boots. Dustin stepped forward and knelt in front of Callum.

“Let me help you with those.” Dustin said softly as he looked up at the love of his life. Callum gave him a brief smile in the candlelight.

“You don’t need to.”

“I know I don’t, but I want to.” Dustin said softly. He took a boot and lifted it, pulling on the toe and the heel and the boot slipped off. He set it on the floor at the end of the bed and reached for the other one, doing the same with it.

“Very kind of you.” Callum said and went to stand, but Dustin rose up, putting his hands on Callum’s chest over the bandages, stopping Callum.

“It is not kindness, Quintan. I can see that you are deeply troubled over all of this. I think we need to talk about it.” Dustin said and Callum just sat there silent. Dustin waited for what seemed to him to be an eternity, Callum just staying silent, “Why won’t you talk to me?” Dustin asked and Callum was gathering his thoughts, Dustin could tell.

“What would you have me say?” Callum asked.

“Tell me what you’re feeling?” Dustin asked as he settled back on his haunches. He rested his hands on Callum’s thighs staring up into the handsome face.

“Betrayed.” Callum said above a whisper.

“Betrayed, by whom?” Dustin asked.

“Myself.”

“Why?” Dustin asked.

“I swore to myself a long time ago, Dustin, that I would never let what happened between myself and Atch ever bother me again, and it has, and now, it is coming between the both of us.” Callum said.

“How, Quintan?” Dustin asked.

“What I feel,…what happened so long ago.”

“What did happen?” Dustin asked.

“I…” Callum started to say but shook his head, thinking it better not to say anything.

“Quintan, hear me.” Dustin said softly, “You think this is coming between us, you’re right in that, if you let it, like you are right now.” Dustin squeezed the muscles in the thighs under his hands and smiled softly, sweetly, “You said you would be lost without me, Quintan, don’t become lost, let me help.”

“I love you, Dustin.” Callum whispered.

“I love you as well.” Dustin said. Callum let out a sigh, closing his eyes for a moment and then looked at Dustin before him.

“Alright. I was at school, Sheflands, as I said. I had a close friend there, Atch.”

“Upton’s son.”

“I did not know he was obviously.” Callum said and sighed again, “We became close, very close, as close as you and I.” Callum said and Dustin was searching Callum’s eyes.

“You loved him.” Dustin said, Callum nodded.

“I did.”

“Quintan, that’s alright. There is no problem with that. You don’t love him still, do you?” Dustin asked.

“No.” Callum said and gave a brief smile, “It was different with…him.”

“I still don’t see what…”

“He was my first, Dustin, my first love.” Callum said, cutting Dustin off.

“So, he was your first.” Dustin said and smiled warmly with a gentle shrug of his shoulders, “So, how old were you when you fell in love with him?”

“I could not have been more than twelve or so.” Callum said, “He meant everything to me, Dustin, he was my world. I’m sorry and now I feel…ashamed.”

“Why?” Dustin asked, “There is nothing to be ashamed over, Quintan. That was then. You were together, at school.”

“He made me feel shame when it ended between us.” Callum said, “And when he tried to kill me that day…”

“Yes, he tried to kill you, I remember you saying that in the stable, why?”

“He had just returned from a visit to his home after a fortnight. I had received my orders to report aboard Dover while he was gone as we were going to go out on another mission. I was excited and wanted to tell him, to see him, I had missed him so. I went to his room and went in. He was angry with me and I did not know why at first. He said that he had spoken with his father, had told him of a few things about us and his father became very angry over it and threatened to pull him out of Sheflands because of it. He was told never to speak with me again because what we did was unnatural and disgusting. Apparently, his father had great influence over him. I rather fell apart over all of it and that’s when I told him how I felt about him. I remember him screaming at me as I begged him to forgive me, to stay friends with me at least, and that’s when he produced a dagger, a ships knife, and tried to stab me. I had the fight of my life on my hands.” Callum said as he was reliving it in his own mind. Dustin could see it.

“What happened?” Dustin asked.

“I finally was able to get away from him, but I hurt him in the process, knocking him out. I left him there, on the floor of his room. I packed my things quickly and left the school and reported aboard Dover the next day.”

“Did you ever see him again?” Dustin asked. Callum shook his head, “Probably best, I would think, don’t you?” Callum shook his head again.

“I wanted to settle it. I did not want to hurt him like I did. I needed to apologize to him.” Callum said.

“Well, in my opinion, he doesn’t deserve an apology, in fact, you do. I mean after all, all you did was defend yourself against him. He tried to kill you.”

“You’re right. But, I can’t help this feeling that I have.” Callum said softly.

“He broke your heart, Quintan. That’s what you’re feeling. All this has come back to you, all at once, and I can only imagine that you must feel like you’re drowning in it.” Dustin said and Callum looked at him and he felt so much different all of a sudden. Callum smiled softly and lifted a hand and cupped Dustin’s chin.

“You have such wonderful insight, Dustin, that’s one of the things that I love most about you. You never cease to amaze me.” Callum said.

“Nor do you, Quintan. You have a heart as big as the world within you. You are feeling something for a possible enemy to you, and yet…” Dustin said as he shook his head slightly. Callum leaned forward as he lifted Dustin’s chin, kissing him softly and then pulled back.

“I want to make love with you again.” Callum whispered. Dustin smiled warmly.

“Is it because I’m insatiable?” Dustin asked as he lifted an eyebrow.

“No, it’s because I love you more than anyone else in the world and find you even more desirable.” Callum said.

“Well, then by all means.” Dustin said as he leaned forward and kissed Callum.

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Callum woke to the faint morning light beginning to stream in through the window above and behind their bed. He lifted his head off the pillow just a bit for a moment as it was different this morning to him and then he realized why. As was always the way he slept was on his back, Dustin always curled in beside him. This morning was different though. Dustin was on his back, his left arm draped over Callum’s back, their heads touching together, Callum’s right leg between Dustin’s. Callum was half covering Dustin this morning. He could feel Dustin’s hardened length against his hip and loved the feeling of it there.

Callum nuzzled his nose against Dustin’s ear, then kissed the soft tanned cheek. Dustin did not move from the touch. Callum did it again, Dustin still did not move. Callum slowly reached down under the coverings of the bed that were entwined with them after their long and passionate love making most of the night. Callum remembered all of it, going to sleep as he was still inside of Dustin, resting on top of him. They must have moved early this morning Callum thought to himself. His hand reached what he was searching for, Dustin’s hard length. Callum encircled it with his fingers and slid them up and down the soft tight skin. He loved the feeling of it, the smooth softness and smiled warmly as he watched the beautiful face that slept beside him.

Without removing his hand, Callum slowly moved off of Dustin, coming beside him. He had to turn his hand as he made his way down Dustin’s body, lifting the coverings of the bed and pushing them off of them as he went until he reached what he wanted, Dustin’s hard length was before his eyes.

With the morning light he could see the exposed head, the color of it, the crown with its slit that had a large drop of clear fluid that was growing even more as Callum worked the smooth soft skin with his fingers ever so gently, gliding them up and down the length, marveling at its base, the smoothness of the skin there, pale in color where his pants would shield the skin from the sun and its rays.

Callum put out his tongue, the tip of it taking the clear fluid. He savored the taste of it as he drew it in, rolling his tongue all around. He opened his mouth wider and slowly he took in the length, closing his lips around the soft smooth skin. The feel of it to his lips was one that he enjoyed most. He pushed his tongue against the hardness and moved his mouth, pulling back withdrawing the length, feeling the head, the crown. He stopped and slid back down to where he had been, stopped, and slowly pulled back, his lips tight around the skin. Callum felt the touch to the back of his head and heard the sound of the inhale and then the sound of the slight moan as Dustin let out his breath.

“I thought I was dreaming.” Dustin said above a whisper. Callum moved again, sliding back down the hard length, stopping and then coming back up. He moved his tongue around inside of his mouth, tracing the outline of the crown, taking more of the clear fluid that was being drawn out.

Callum moved his own body now, rolling as he kept the length in his mouth, getting to his knees, making the length stand more. He worked himself in between Dustin’s legs and started to move on him again, going faster this time. Dustin put both hands to Callum’s untied hair that draped over Dustin, watching as Callum slid up and down on him. Callum took two fingers and encircled the hardness at its base, standing it, tightening his lips even further, sliding faster on Dustin. Dustin groaned as he watched and felt what was happening.

“Quintan,…you bring it…” Dustin said as he licked his own lips, tightening his butt. He felt it, the surge, the wondrous feeling from deep inside himself and let go, Callum taking it all, swallowing as he moved, the hard length pulsing as it erupted, giving him what he wanted and more. Callum slowed his motions as the pulsing eased, holding the hard, smooth shaft in his mouth, swallowing what was given one more time. He let go of it, letting it drop to the toned muscles of Dustin’s stomach and looked up seeing the beauty of Dustin lying there in their bed and smiled.

“You are such a thing of pure beauty, Dustin.” Callum whispered.

“Hardly that, Quintan.” Dustin said as he smiled out of the corner of his mouth.

“Oh, but you are, my love.” Callum said as let go of the base , sliding his fingers down over and cradling the two orbs, cupping them, kneading them gently in his hand. Callum moved his body as he came further up Dustin’s body, hovering over his beautiful face with his own. Dustin put his arms around Callum’s neck, locking his hands together. Their eyes were searching each other’s.

“What a wonderful way to start the day.” Dustin whispered, “I love you.”

“And I, you.” Callum whispered as he moved his hand further down, letting go of the orbs he cradled, running fingers in between the muscled mounds that rested on the bed, dragging a fingertip over the tender opening, making Dustin take in another breath sharply through his nose, Dustin rolling his hips up, lifting his legs off the bed, felling Callum’s hard thick length now as Callum shifted.

“Take me.” Dustin whispered, moving his hips using his back muscles, placing Callum’s length to his hole. Dustin rocked his hips a bit, dragging the wet tip over himself and began to breath in short rapid breaths, wanting it, needing it again as they were last night, all night. Callum narrowed his eyes as he stared into Dustin’s, seeing the look of lust that Dustin had in them. Callum moved slowly, pressing himself to Dustin’s tight hole, pressing in a bit more, Dustin opening his mouth a bit as he slowly entered, loving the feeling that was washing over his body. Callum moved only slightly, Dustin moving against him, rolling his hips downward a bit as the thick length slid in on its own, filling Dustin even more with that wondrous feeling that he craved from his lover. Callum pushed in more and bottomed out against Dustin, rolling his hips a bit, making his thick length circle inside of Dustin. Dustin closed his eyes and put his head back into the pillow, his mouth falling open wide and wanted to scream but had no breath.

“You enjoy this so very much, don’t you?” Callum asked as he made the motion happen again inside of Dustin. Dustin drew in a quick sharp breath as he unlocked his hands around the back of Callum’s neck, turning his hands, stretching out his fingers, digging them into the skin and bandages, “I so wish that I could do this all day with you, my love. There is no greater feeling to me than being like this, inside you this way.” Callum whispered. Dustin opened his eyes, looking up into his lover’s, his breathing was brief and sharp.

“Your mast always fills me so. It is so large.” Dustin panted.

“Is it too much?” Callum asked.

“No. It is perfect to me, always has been. I love it so, and what you do to me.” Dustin panted out. Callum rocked his hips, pressing against Dustin.

“Then perhaps I should do something else to you.” Callum said and pushed his hips up, bending Dustin a bit more, his legs going in the air, spread out. Dustin’s mouth went wide again as he felt so filled and stretched open, “Is it too much now?” Callum asked as the fingers from Dustin’s hands dug into Callum’s back. Dustin panted out through his open mouth, closing his eyes for a long moment, then opened them.

“Dear…lord…that’s so…good.” Dustin said. Callum smiled and leaned his head down, kissing Dustin deeply, feeling his insides about his hardened length, loving it as well. Callum moved, short motions, in and out, pounding the smooth muscles on Dustin’s mounds. They could both hear the slapping of skin as Callum moved. Callum moved his head over a bit, taking Dustin’s right ear in his lips, kissing and chewing on the lobe as he thrusted in and out. Dustin wrapped his arms tighter around Callum’s neck and back, pulling him in even more to Dustin. The motions continued and Dustin was feeling it building inside of him, the complete feeling of being filled, the dragging over that one special spot inside of himself, loving it and Dustin’s toes curled and he felt it even more and let go as he couldn’t hold back anymore.

The pulsing came between them from Dustin, over and over, Callum could feel it as it covered his skin and the bandages that he wore, the warmth of it and the wet. Dustin could not find breath from what he was feeling. He had experienced it a few times before, this feeling of total euphoria from his lover, but it was more intense this time to him and he let go of Callum, his arms sliding off and dropping to the bed. Dustin closed his eyes.

Callum felt the clamping on him from the internal muscles from Dustin and he let himself go as well, filling Dustin over and over inside as Callum throbbed deep within Dustin. The motions slowed in Callum’s hips and he finally stayed very still, nuzzling Dustin’s neck with his nose tip, kissing Dustin on the soft tanned skin now and then. Callum could feel the rise and fall of Dustin’s chest as he finally found air, now being able to breathe. Callum lifted his head and stared into his lover’s soft brown eyes.

“Do you still love what I do to you?” Callum asked.

“More than ever.” Dustin whispered as he took in another breath. His eyes seemed glassy to Callum.

“Good.” Callum whispered, “Did I hurt you?”

“Only in a good way.” Dustin said trying to lift his arms but could not, “I’m almost drained of life.”

“Then perhaps you should stay in bed for the day and rest yourself. We did have a rather long night, you know.” Callum whispered as he rubbed his nose tip to Dustin’s.

“I have chores to tend to.” Dustin whispered.

“Nothing that won’t keep. And I can tend to them as well.” Callum said. There was a knock on the door. Callum looked over, “Who is it?”

“Thomas.”

“Come in.” Callum said as he looked at a wide-eyed Dustin under him. The door opened and they heard a slight gasp. Callum looked over. Thomas had put a hand over his eyes.

“Dear God, Quintan, forgive me.”

Come in and close the door, Thomas.” Callum said as he moved inside Dustin again. Callum slowly pulled out of Dustin, looking down at his beautiful lover. Thomas closed the door.

“Dustin, I apologize. It was Martha’s idea to send me up. I did not mean to…” Thomas said.

“It’s quite alright, Thomas.” Dustin said as he stared at Callum, “But you, sir, that was very mean of you to do, to both he and I. You scared me out of my wits telling him to come in like that.” Dustin slapped Callum’s good shoulder with the flat of his hand. Callum chuckled as he got off the bed.

“I seem to remember you telling me that Thomas did the very same thing to you once in London.” Callum said.

“Almost, but at least he had underclothes on.” Dustin said, he thought for just a moment and then looked at Thomas, “Hold on, what are you doing here, Thomas?”

“I came to fetch Quintan. I thought we were going to see Stivers this morning.” Thomas said.

“Quite right.” Callum said, “I told you that last night.”

“You did, but why so bloody early?” Dustin asked.

“Again, I apologize, but these stitches are becoming increasingly tight in me. I cannot sleep hardly at all.” Thomas said, his hand lowered and he stared up at the ceiling.

“That wouldn’t have anything to do with your bed companions now, would it?” Callum asked with a smirk as he reached for his pants that were now on the floor. Dustin’s jaw dropped open and Thomas looked shocked as well at him.

“Quintan Callum.” Dustin said, Callum picked up the pants and looked at Dustin.

“What?” Callum asked, “If I shared a bed with those two, there would not be much sleeping as well.”

“I…I…” Thomas started to say something, but couldn’t from the shock. Dustin went to get out of bed.

“Close your mouth, Thomas, you might catch something in it.” Callum said. He was slapped again on the shoulder and looked at Dustin, “What? You would be the same and you know it.”

“Yes, but you don’t have to put it like that, especially out in the open.” Dustin said.

“Who else is here? It’s just the three of us.” Callum said. He looked over at his friend, “Thomas, I apologize. I did not mean to embarrass you. I was merely teasing.” Dustin folded his arms over his chest as he glared at Callum. Callum looked at Dustin, then up and down for a moment, “And you might want to get dressed as you seem to have found your strength this morning now.” Dustin blinked hard and then went wide eyed again realizing that he was still naked. He blushed red and reached for clothes. Callum gave Thomas a look and then winked. Thomas just shook his head.

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“Good morning, my dear.” Callum said as he bent down and kissed Martha on the cheek, “I must thank you for sending Thomas upstairs to get us out of bed.”

“Well, when you weren’t down here before the dawn as your usual, I felt something might be amiss.” Martha said as she was stirring a small pot, “Who is that man that is in the stable?”

“Did you wake him?” Callum asked.

“What man?” Thomas asked.

“No, I did not. I could smell him however. He needs a good scrubbing for certain and his clothes need to be burned.” Martha said with a scowl.

“What man, Quintan?” Thomas asked.

“An old friend.” Callum said looking at Thomas for a moment and then back toward Martha, “Did he say anything to you or was he asleep?”

“What old friend?” Thomas asked as Dustin stepped up next to him.

“Shill Norris.” Dustin said to Thomas’ ear. Thomas turned and looked at him.

“Shill Norris?” Thomas asked.

“No, we did not speak. He was sleeping, or at least he seemed to be.” Martha said.

“Yes.” Dustin said with a nod, “Do you know him?”

“Probably just as well,” Callum said, “he said he walked here from London.” Martha looked at him, stopping what she was doing at the stove.

“No, I know of him, from what Farrow and some of the crew have said of him.” Thomas said to Dustin.

“Walked, all the way from London?” Martha asked, “Why is he here? He seems to be more like a beggar in the street from the looks of him.”

“Yes, why is he here?” Thomas asked as he looked at Callum again. Callum poured coffee for himself, turning from the stove, he lifted the cup to his lips.

“He came to give Quintan a warning.” Dustin said.

“A warning?” Martha asked, her eyes moved about between them all.

“What warning?” Thomas asked. Callum lowered his cup, seeing Henry sitting at the table just listening to them all.

“We can discuss that later.” Callum said.

“What are you going to do with him?” Martha asked.

“I had not given that much thought as of yet.” Callum said.

“Well, if he wishes to come into the house, he had better be washed first, that’s all I’ll say about it.” Martha said flatly. She turned back to the stove and tended her pot.

“I suppose I’ll go and get some water to warm for him then.” Callum said, going around Thomas and Dustin to the table, setting his cup down, “Morning, my lad.”

“Morning, sir.” Henry said.

“Ah, we’re back to that, are we?” Callum asked softly. Henry just looked at Callum, “It’s alright.” Callum said and gave Henry a soft smile and then a wink. He went over and opened the pantry door and pulled out the large pot to go out and fill it at the pump.

“You had better not do that, Quintan. Here, let me.” Dustin said taking the pot from Callum’s hand, “Your stitches, remember? You don’t want to pull them out yourself you know.”

“Thank you.” Callum said and let go of the pot. Dustin went to the door and went out. Callum watched him through the window and looked at Thomas, “Perhaps we should be going into the village then.”

“Yes, I think we should walk rather than ride.” Thomas said.

“Why?” Callum asked.

“In case the good doctor needs to restitch one of us or both of us. He might have to give us one of his potions and well, I would hate to fall of a horse if that were to happen.” Thomas said rolled his eyes a bit.

“I see your point, Thomas. I agree, it might be best to walk like a drunkard than fall off from a height and be stepped on.” Callum said. He flashed his eyes and turned to look back at Henry, “Henry, there is an old friend of mine here. He is down at the stable. Dustin and I left him there last night. If you go down there to tend to the colt and the mare, he will not harm you. You have nothing to fear from him, alright?”

“Yes, sir.” Henry said with a little nod. Callum smiled at him briefly and looked back at Thomas.

“Shall we go?” Callum asked. Thomas nodded, Callum looked at Martha, “After we see Dr. Stivers, I have to see someone else. We shall return as soon as we can.” Martha nodded as she understood.

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They walked along the road into the village together, Thomas was listening to what Callum had begun to tell him, to help him understand what was going on, why Shill Norris was actually here. It was a bit confusing at first to Thomas and then Callum took the time to explain it in greater detail. Callum had told Thomas once, briefly, about being at school and when he had learned about what he liked, his preference of the company of another man, but that was to ease Thomas with his own confusion about his own feelings at what he felt about Christian. Thomas was intelligent enough to come to his own conclusions finally about his relationship with Christian, and it was rather quick, Callum had thought to himself but never said anything about it.

Callum explain in detail about Shill Norris, what he meant to Callum, another father figure, a man to be respected and admired deeply, a man that was even respected by Callum’s own Master and Commander at the time, Captain Powers. Thomas had no idea at all of what this man meant to Callum, nothing had ever been said, but now Thomas understand why Callum seemed to have a void in his life, something that he couldn’t put his finger on when he first came aboard as a midshipman, Callum being the 2nd Lieutenant then. It was just after the engagement and the accident when Dover had returned to port. The wounded were taken off and to hospital, replacements had been signed on, Dover refitted with repairs and provisioned, readied once again for the next mission. It came all too quickly and they were underway with the rest of the squadron.

“Quintan, I know that you obviously trust him, but with him being blinded as he is, can you be certain that what he says is accurate?” Thomas asked.

“A fair question, Thomas.” Callum said as they walked through the Square, Callum thought about it for only a moment and nodded his head, “I have no doubt that what he says is accurate, no doubt at all.”

“Well, if that be the case then, is it wise to go off to London?” Thomas asked.

“Yes, we have to, all of us. I cannot do this alone, Thomas.” Callum said as he stopped for a moment. Thomas stopped walking as well and looked at his friend.

“That’s not what I was suggesting, Quintan. I was thinking of Martha and Henry.” Thomas said. Callum nodded his understanding.

“I do not think that there will be any trouble here while we are gone. No, there might be trouble to be had when we reach London, however.” Callum said. Thomas rolled his eyes a bit.

“Of that, I have no doubt, it seems to follow you as it were. I take it that we are going armed?” Thomas asked.

“Indeed, and heavily.” Callum said as they started walking again.

“Oh, there’s a surprise.” Thomas said and Callum chuckled.

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“Good morning, Doctor.” Callum said when the door opened from his knocking on it.

“Captain, and Captain Tomlin.” The older man said, holding the door open a bit more, “What can I do for you, gentlemen?”

“We are in need of having our knitting looked at it, if you please, Doctor. It is becoming increasingly tight and very uncomfortable.” Thomas said.

“Do come in.” Stivers said and stepped aside for them, holding the door.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Callum said as he stepped inside, Thomas behind him, Callum went to the center of the room and stopped, turning to face the older man. Stivers closed the door, “I am wondering, Doctor, might I have a word with your other patient while you tend to Thomas first?”

“Certainly, Captain. He is right through there. I know that he is awake.” Stivers said and pointed to a door on the other side of the room. Cllum looked over his shoulder at where he was pointing.

“Thank you.” Callum said bowing his head a bit to the older man and looked at Thomas, “Call me if you need anything, Thomas.” Thomas nodded once.

“Right this way, Captain Tomlin.” The older man said, holding out a hand and leading the way. Stivers opened the door, Thomas going in as Callum reached the other door and knocked. He heard something on the other side and opened the door. Stivers watched Callum enter the room and then followed Thomas.

“Captain, this is an unexpected pleasure to be sure.” Paupling said as he was propped up on the single sized rope bed.

“How’s the leg, Paupling?” Callum asked as he came close to the man in the bed stopping at the foot of it.

“It aches considerably. The good doctor is very attentive of it, I must say, and has told me that I am most fortunate that he has not had to take it.” Paupling said as Callum came near the edge of the bed, “I take it that this is not a social call, Captain. What can I do for you?”

“Paupling, I will be blunt.” Callum said, firming himself and going into his authority mode.

“Well, before you do that, Captain, please, take a seat.” Paupling said, holding out a hand toward a chair in the corner. Callum looked over at it, turned and went to it, picking it up and bringing it back to the bed, setting it down and then rested himself on it.

“I am here because I wanted to discuss this matter of Upton with you, Paupling. I am leaving for London shortly, but I require information from you before I go.” Callum said. Paupling narrowed his eyes a bit.

“Do not go alone, Captain, I beg you. You will not return alive.”

“What makes you think I will not return alive?” Callum asked.

“Has there been correspondence from London, is that why you are going?” Paupling asked, Callum nodded once, “I thought so.” Paupling said, looking up toward the ceiling for a moment and then back at Callum, “From Lord Eldon?” Paupling asked and Callum nodded again, “I thought as much. The letter is a fake.”

“Yes, I know.” Callum said. Paupling gave Callum a look of question.

“You sent a letter of your own then, to verify.” Paupling said, Callum nodded, “Very clever of you, Captain. You play the game quite well.”

“I am not here for compliments or to bandy words with you, Paupling. As I said, I need information.” Callum said in his firm tone.

“What kind of information, Captain?” Paupling asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You know what Upton is going to do, what he’s planning, don’t you?” Callum asked.

“I have a suspicion, Captain, that’s all.” Paupling said in a serious tone.

“Well, as we don’t seem to trust one another, let us see if your suspicion is in line with mine, shall we?” Callum asked.

“Captain, you proceed under a falsehood, sir. As a matter of record, I do trust you, Captain.” Paupling said.

“Then why will you not tell me the truth then?” Callum asked as he sat forward a bit in the chair resting his arms on his thighs.

“Captain, also for that matter of record, I have never lied to you, sir. I may not have told you the entire chain of facts, but I have never lied to you.” Paupling said.

“I would see that as being lied to, Paupling.” Callum said, sitting back in the chair.

“Captain, surely you must understand that with all that has happened and is happening right now, at this very moment, there is no way that I could tell you of all of it, sir. You must see that. Too much is at stake here.” Paupling said, Callum was getting angry, hating this smoke and shadow that this man constantly produced, it seemed to pour out of him.

“I will ask you a question, Paupling, a very simple one. All I need from you is a name.” Callum said. Paupling could see the anger flashing in Callum’s eyes as he had experienced it firsthand.

“What is your question, Captain?”

“Who does know all of it?” Callum asked. Paupling looked at him and cocked his head a bit.

“Besides Lord Upton?” Paupling asked in reply, Callum nodded slowly as he sat forward in the chair again, Paupling flashed a brief smile, “I do.” Callum narrowed his eyes at the man in the rope bed, “I will tell you what you want to know, Captain, what you need to know, but before I do, you need to promise me that you will take me with you to London.”

“I think that the good doctor might have something to say about that.” Callum said.

“He will try, Captain, but I will make certain that he will not put up much of an argument over it.” Paupling said.

“Why is it important that you go with me, Paupling?” Callum asked.

“To make certain that you survive, Captain, to help you end this nightmare that you are walking into. You have no idea who you are really dealing with yet.” Paupling said.

“With your leg, you cannot be of much use, Paupling, I mean no insult.” Callum said.

“None taken, Captain. I must see a man in London, a man that can help in this.” Paupling said.

“Who is this man?” Callum asked.

“He is known by a nickname, Pennysort. He holds the key to all of this, Captain.” Paupling said and had a very serious look on his pained face.