Voyage Home

“Then tell me, Paupling, what am I walking into, as you seem to know?” Callum asked as he leaned closer to the man in rope bed.

“What do you suspect of it, Captain?” Paupling asked. He was propped up in the rope bed, his leg was splinted because of the fracture to the bone where the dead horse had landed on him in the driveway of the house known as Harbroughs.

“I will not play your game, Paupling, this smoke and shadow that you so enjoy. If you want me to take you to London, tell me what you know.” Callum said, his eyes flashed angrily.

“Come now, Captain, I think you can humor me, just this once.” Paupling said with a brief smile.

“A few things come to mind, Paupling, that might, this is not one. Tell me what you know or you can lay here and rot for all I care, and I will go on to London without you.” Callum said as he sat back in the chair next to the rope bed. Paupling smiled briefly at him.

“You are clever, Captain, that much is certain. Would you tell me, what made you think that the letter you received was faked?” Paupling asked.

“It was from Lord Eldon. I have only met him once. In the letter, it said that the four of us were to come right away, naming us by name. Now, having only met him once before, alone, how is that possible that he would know who my companions are?” Callum said.

“Clever, as I said. So, you drafted and dispatched a letter of your own then, sent by special messenger, someone you could trust in this, and you sent it to someone else, who could confirm the first letter. You sent it to His Grace no doubt.” Paupling said.

“No doubt.” Callum said as he sat there. There was a knock at the door and it opened, Callum looked over his shoulder and saw Dr. Stivers.

“Pardon the interruption.” The older man said.

“What is it, Doctor?” Paupling asked looking beyond Callum.

“I came to see how you two were getting on. I had a thought that our dear Captain might have strangled you by now, Reginald.” Stivers said as he came closer to Callum.

“No, not yet. But it is still rather early in our talk.” Callum said and Stivers raised an eyebrow, “How is Thomas, Doctor?”

“I have given him something to relax him. I will need to remove some of his knitting and do it again. I am waiting for him to go to sleep, Captain.”

“I see.” Callum said.

“Shall I have a look at yours while we wait, Captain?” Stivers asked.

“I think not, Doctor. I wish to continue my discussion with your other patient first, then you may have me.” Callum said.

“As you wish, Captain.” Stivers said, bowing his head slightly, “I shall leave you two to it then. And Captain, if you please, I am experimenting with his leg for a new medical procedure, this splinting that you see. If you were to kill him, I would have nothing to publish for the medical journal.” Stivers said and Callum looked over at Paupling and raised his own eyebrow. Paupling flashed a bit of a smile.

“I will make no promises to you, Doctor.” Callum said as he stared at Paupling. He heard Stivers let out a slight sigh behind him and heard the door close, “So, as you can see, Paupling, I have nothing to lose, tell me what I want to know.”

“You do have something to lose, Captain, your life.” Paupling said.

“I am willing to sacrifice my life, Paupling, for my King and my country.” Callum said.

“Very noble of you, Captain, but what of your companions?” Paupling asked.

“They feel as I do, Paupling. We all serve in His Majesty’s Navy, and as such, we are prepared to die, if need be.” Callum said.

“Misguided loyalty.” Paupling said and shook his head a bit. He looked into Callum’s angry eyes, narrowing his own, “Your group, Captain, they are very brave men indeed and I have witnessed firsthand that they will follow you and fight for you. Together, you are a group to be feared, that much is certain. I envy you in that.”

“Thank you. You keep dancing about it, Paupling.” Callum said, becoming even angrier.

“You are correct, Captain.” Paupling said, “Alright, I will tell you.” Callum adjusted himself in the chair and Paupling pushed himself up in the bed a bit further, resting his head against the wall, “Upton is the son of a once Viceroy. His father was in the Colonies during the struggle against the French prior to the rebellion there. The family comes from a long line that is linked as you know to most of the royal houses. But, as only cousins, they could not ascend any of the thrones and were left out. The Viceroy was a very bitter man because of this and I suspect that he plotted several times to try and obtain what he felt was his right. Thankfully, that never happened.”

“What happened to his father?” Callum asked as he crossed his arms.

“It is said that he was murdered in his sleep, though proof of that was never found. It was Upton that found his father, dead in the morning.” Paupling said and flashed his eyes a bit, “It is my opinion that Upton himself did away with his own father to assure that he, himself, was that much closer to obtaining power.” Paupling said, seeing the look of surprise on Callum’s face at hearing this, “I tell you this, Captain, to illustrate the type of man that Lord Upton actually is. He is dangerous, Callum, very dangerous and very powerful.”

“This I know, Paupling, from dealing with the Guardsmen.” Callum said.

“Yes, as you also know, they are under his control, but what you don’t know is, that when the time comes, Captain, they will take on another role.” Paupling said, Callum gave a look of question at the man in the rope bed, “They will become his generals.”

“So, he is planning a rebellion.” Callum said. Paupling nodded in reply.

“Do you know of the Knights Templar, Captain?” Paupling asked.

“Crusaders.”

“Correct. They had become very powerful once, and very wealthy as well and rivaled the authority of the Pope in Rome. The Pope, sent out orders, all across the Continent, as well as here in England. The Templars were seized, their lands, their wealth all at once, all on the same day. It was very much planned and carried out with great success. Upton plans to do the very same thing, in one swift motion, Upton will seize all of the heads of the royal houses and even Napoleon. All will be executed at once as were the Templars and Upton will gain what he wants, complete and total power over all of Europe and Russia.” Paupling said.

“He has to be stopped.” Callum said softly.

“We have said this before, Captain, you and I. But he has many supporters in this, they would have to be stopped as well, and there too many, not only here, but abroad.” Paupling said.

“What do you suggest, Paupling?” Callum asked.

“They must be rooted out, then proof must be established before anything can be done. That is a matter of law.” Paupling said.

“Obviously, you already know who they are, and also I would think that proof is close at hand to being established.” Callum said.

“As I said, you are clever, Captain.” Paupling flashed a brief smile, “You are correct, and this brings us to this man, Pennysort.”

“Who is he?” Callum asked.

“Albert Bancroft is his real name. He is Upton’s personal assistant and is always at Upton’s side, well at least during the day, and sometimes into the early evening. I am of the opinion that Pennysort knows when all of this is going to take place, that is why I said that he is key to this.” Paupling said, Callum shaking his head a bit, “You do not agree?”

“There is another.” Callum said, his palms began to sweat.

“You are thinking of Lord Upton’s son.” Paupling said.

“Atchwood.” Callum said above a whisper.

“You know him.” Paupling said flatly and looked a bit surprised as Callum nodded slowly.

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Callum led a groggy Thomas along the road. It had been a few hours of not only discussion with Paupling, but being worked over by Dr. Stivers. Callum felt great pain in his left shoulder as he held up Thomas with his right arm as they went along over the rise in the road and now Callum could clearly see the Cross and to the south a bit, Harbroughs.

“Almost there, Thomas.” Callum said with a pained voice. Thomas was holding his hand against his upper stomach, over the deep wound he had received from the attack by the Guardsmen that night. Stivers had removed the stitches to it, but had to stitch it up again. Thomas was feeling sick to his stomach as well from the potion he had been given.

“Quintan, I need a moment.” Thomas said, “My head is spinning.” Callum looked at his friend as he held him close, helping him.

“There, there is the Cross, Thomas, see it?” Callum asked as he looked down the road and then back at Thomas, “We’ll get you inside, you can rest there, and then after, we can get you to Harbroughs and to Christian.”

“What of you?” Thomas asked as he kept walking slowly. His own arm was draped over Callum’s shoulders, his hand could feel the wet in Callum’s shirt sleeve, Thomas knew he was bleeding.

“I’ll be alright. Don’t worry about me. I think you received the worst of it today.” Callum said.

“Tell me…what did Paupling say?” Thomas asked.

“Later, after you rest, we can discuss it with all of us there together.” Callum said, “Now, one foot in front of the other, we’ll be there before you know it.”

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The front door of the house crashed open, Callum struggling to get Thomas inside, feeling the strain to his own body. Martha came to the doorway of the kitchen hearing it and her eyes went wide seeing the condition that the two were in.

“Dear God!” She cried out. Henry came beside her and was wide eyed as well. Callum saw them both.

“Give me a hand with him, my dear, if you will.” Callum said with a grunt as she came across the parlor quickly to help. She came beside Thomas on the other side and supported him as best she could. They struggled and got Thomas to the settee and let him down easily, laying him out. Callum looked at Henry, who looked very scared, “Henry, run and get Christian over at Harbroughs for me.” Callum said, Henry nodded quickly and ran off.

“Dear God, Quintan, what happened?” Martha asked.

“The good doctor had to reknit us both. He gave Thomas one of his potions to relax him and it was a bit too much apparently.” Callum said as he stood straight, weaving a bit. Martha looked up at him and saw his dark shirt was wet. She opened it at the neck, loosening the looping tie, lifting it away and Callum winced.

“Dear God, you’re bleeding.” Martha said as she looked at him. She turned and hurried back into the kitchen, bringing out a chair from the table, setting it behind him, “Sit down, Quintan.” She helped guide Callum down into the chair as the back door in the kitchen was heard to crash open and Dustin came in quickly, getting in front of Callum.

“Oh, my lord.” Dustin said as Martha was looking inside the shirt again. Dustin looked at Thomas, unconscious on the settee, and then back at Callum, “Were you attacked?” Dustin asked Callum.

“No, my love. It was just a bit of a struggle to get back here.” Callum said with a faint smile.

“Stivers did this to you?” Dustin asked and was becoming angry seeing the condition they were in.

“He did not want us to leave, but I felt, as did Thomas, that we needed to return home. Apparently, we were both mistaken in that.” Callum said.

“What shall we do? Shall I go and fetch him?” Dustin asked.

“No, not yet.” Callum said softly. He reached out with his right hand, taking Dustin’s hand in his, “I have had worse, as you know.”

“My God, Quintan, but you’re bleeding.” Dustin said. There was a sound in the kitchen, a bumping and sliding sound, Dustin looked up and saw Shill putting his hand on the doorway, feeling it as if he was looking around. Shill reached out his other hand in front of him to feel his way as he came into the parlor, coming up behind Callum in the chair. Shill put his hand on Callum’s right shoulder, gently, with only finger tips, Martha looked up, Shill lowered his head as if he was looking at her and she saw for the first time, the blackened skin around his eyes, the burns, the eyes themselves were nothing but white, like eggs, there was no color to be seen and she was shocked by the sight of it.

“E be alright, ma’am, ‘e can look af’er ‘em. E be needin water.” Shill said and cocked his head as if he was looking at Dustin, “Boy, bring ‘e powder and sparker,…off with ye.” Shill said, snapping a nod, Dustin went for the stairs quickly, going up to their room. Martha backed up a step, Shill cocked his head in her direction, “Be needin water, if’n please, ma’am.” Shill said as if looking right at her. She nodded to him.

“I’ll be right back.” Martha said. She looked at Callum and then walked away.

“Cap’n, ye be bleedin, ‘e can smell it. Be needin to stop it be’re it be getting bad.” Shill said. Dustin came back down the stairs quickly, powder flask and sparker in hand. He came next to Shill, “Ye uner’stnd ‘e meanin’, Cap’n?”

“Yes,…I do.” Callum said with a strained voice.

“Boy, get ‘is shirt off.” Shill said. Dustin set the flask and sparker down on the floor. He slowly helped Callum get the shirt lifted and then off him. The new bandages were slowly undone and dropped on the floor next to the chair. The wound from the ball was oozing blood, it looked to Dustin that the stitches had been ripped out in the front only, the ones in the back were intact.

“It’s only the front, Quintan.” Dustin said, “I can go and fetch Stivers, if you want.”

“Th’ar be no time. E might be dead be’re ye could bring ‘em.” Shill said.

“What do we do?” Dustin asked.

Shill raised his head and looked toward the direction of the kitchen doorway, Martha came through with a small pot of water and cloth. She came next to Callum and set it down on the floor as she got to her knees.

“Soak th’ cloth ye ‘ave thar, ma’am. Wipe th’ wound of blood, ge’ it gd and wet. Boy, ge’ the powder.” Shill said pointing down at the flask on the floor, “Brave now, Cap’n.” Shill said as Martha soaked the cloth, wrung it and put it to the wound, wiping it clean. Shill lifted his head as Christian came through the doorway into the parlor out of breath. He was looking around, seeing Thomas on the settee, stretched out, Callum in the chair and a strange man standing there in front of him, Dustin and Martha on their knees beside and in front of Callum. Henry came running in now and stopped next to Christian, “Yung’un, ye need to be outside, not seein’ this.” Shill said, Dustin looked up.

“Henry, go outside now, take Fitz, go down to the stable.” Dustin said.

“But, Dustin…”

“Henry,…go.” Dustin said firmly and pointed. Henry turned and walked out of the parlor, they all heard the back door close.

“E still be bleedin’?” Shill asked as he cocked his head a bit.

“What in God’s name is going on here?” Christian asked. Dustin looked up him.

“Christian, help me.” Dustin said. Christian stepped forward looking shocked as came next to Dustin.

“What has happened?” Christian asked seeing the wound oozing.

“Hol’ ‘im tight. Ge’ ‘e the powder.” Shill said holding out his upturned palm. Dustin handed him the flask. Shill opened it and reached out, feeling the wound with his fingers, then poured powder over it, it soaked up the blood and the water quickly and he did it again, “Sparker.” Shill said, Dustin picked it up and handed it to him, Shill felt it and lifted it to his lips, blowing on it, bring it to a glow. Callum lifted his eyes only, Shill lowered the sparker, using fingers of his other hand to find where he needed to be, “Brave now, Cap’n.” Shill said, Callum nodded, Martha was wincing and put a hand to her mouth, Christian and Dustin held Callum tight, “Lads, be lookin’ away. Hol’ ‘im tight! Now!” Shill said and touched the sparker to the powder, the flash and the smoke was nowhere equal to the scream that filled the room.

The smoke rose and was clearing as it billowed across the ceiling of the parlor. Dustin turned his head back and saw Callum was unconscious, his head slumped forward, chin on his chest. Christian looked up as well. The smell of the powder filled the room but there was another odor as well, burnt flesh. Martha was horrified by what she had witnessed, tears dropped from her eyes as she came closer to Callum. She saw the bleeding had stopped, but the skin around the wound seemed blackened from the flash and burn.

“E be alright now, ma’am, be ye not worried.” Shill said as he touched Martha’s shoulder with fingertips, “The Cap’n be strong, always ‘ave been.” Shill said, Martha got up off the floor. She picked up the pot of water and the cloth and went to the kitchen.

“We need to move him.” Dustin said.

“No, don’ be touchin’ ‘em.” Shill said, Dustin looked up at him.

“Why?”

“Powder needs to be set ins’de, ‘em. Get a line, boy, tie ‘em to the chair fer a bit.” Shill said. Dustin turned and headed to the kitchen. Christian looked at the strange man standing there, “Say wh’t ye be thinkin, lad.” Shill cocked his head as if looking at Christian, who saw the white eyes, knowing full well this strange man was totally blind.

“Who are you?” Christian asked.

“E name be Norris.” He said cocking his head a bit and sniffed, “Ye be a Marine…officer, by the scent of ye.” Shill cocked his head a bit the other way.

“Yes.” Christian said softly giving this strange man a puzzled look.

“Ye ‘re noble as well, by birth.” Shill said.

“How would you know that?” Christian asked.

“I think Shill can tell many things about everyone even though he can’t see them.” Dustin said as he came up behind Christian, “Here, give me a hand with this.” Dustin said, Christian turned and helped Dustin to wrap the rope around Callum, carefully tying him to the back of the chair, “How long do we have to leave him like this, Shill?”

“Till ‘e be wakin’ up. Th’n ‘e can rest in ‘is bed.” Shill said cocking his head a bit.

“How did you know to do this, Shill?” Dustin asked.

“E be done aboard ship many time, s’ve many a man th’t way. Th’y be up and ready t’ fight ag’n.” Shill said.

“I had no idea. I’ve never seen that.” Dustin said.

“I have never seen that as well.” Christian said. He looked down at Callum in the chair for a moment and then over to Thomas, kneeling beside him. Christian took Thomas’ hand in his and held it.

Callum came around slowly, lifting his head. His eyes were having a bit of trouble with focusing. He blinked hard several times and saw Shill before him on his knees. Callum watched the head cock a bit from one side to the other.

“Cap’n.” Shill said.

“Shill…what happened?” Callum asked.

“Flashed ye to stop yer bleedin’.” Shill said.

“I remember.” Callum said, turning his head slowly and looked at the left shoulder.

“Think ye can walk?” Shill asked.

“I think so, yes.” Callum said softly. Shill reached out with only one hand and touched the knot, feeling it, his fingers found the end of the line. Shill pulled once on the knot and the knot fell apart, the rope dropped off Callum, “Why am I tied?”

“To k’p ye from fallin. Cudna’ move ye until ye be aw’ke.” Shill said.

“I see.” Callum said, using one hand to get the rope off him, “Where are the others?”

“T’e lady, she be at t’e stove, the lads be d’wn with t’e yung’un at t’e stable.” Shill said. Callum saw Thomas still on the settee.

“How is he?” Callum asked. Shill cocked his head a little.

“E be comin round soon. C’n smell wh’t th’t doct’r g’ve ‘im. Dn’t smell ‘t on ye th’gh.” Shill said.

“I wouldn’t take any, even though he tried. I wanted to have a clear head to get us both home, after what I saw what it did to him.”

“Brave ye ‘re, Cap’n, as ‘e said, and m’re th’n tuff.” Shill said and flashed a brief smile. Callum looked at Shill again and noticed that he was clean, washed and his clothes were fresh and looked familiar to Callum. Shill’s long silver hair shined in the afternoon light from the window behind him.

“Did you have a bath, Shill?” Callum asked. The blind man cocked his head and flashed another smile.

“Yer lad, ‘e helped ‘e to g’t one.”

“My, I would say you must feel better, that and those new clothes.” Callum smiled. Callum reached out a hand and put it on his mentor’s shoulder, “It’s almost like the old days, Shill, aboard Dover. I have missed you, I just didn’t realize how much until this moment.”

“Ye m’ke an old blind man happy, Cap’n.” Shill said with a warm smile, Callum gave it back as well, wishing that this man before him could see it. A hand was reached up slowly and cradled Callum’s cheek gently, “E said to ye, ye w’re t’e son ‘e n’vr h’d but wanted.”

“Thank you.” Callum said above a whisper as he looked at this man before him. The blind man gave a brief nod and removed his hand, as Dustin and Christian came into the parlor, Dustin coming around the chair and looking at Callum.

“You’re awake. Are you feeling alright?” Dustin asked as he was next to Shill, Christian coming around the other way.

“I am now.” Callum said looking up at Dustin then looking at Shill in front of him, “Thanks to you all apparently. I remember it now.” Callum said and looked up at Christian.

“Why did you walk back from the village? Owen would have brought you.” Dustin said.

“The livery was closed.” Callum said.

“He’s not here.” Christian said, “Something about a freight run to be made with his father up north. They are supposed to be returning in another day or so.”

“That would explain it then.” Callum said.

“What?” Dustin asked.

“Why the livery was closed. There was a sign on the door.” Callum said.

“Ah.” Dustin said, “Perhaps we should get you upstairs so you can rest a while.”

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Callum opened his eyes, the room was lit only by a candle. He could see the light moving a bit on the ceiling as the flame flickered. He had been dreaming, it came flooding into his mind, images of when he was young, that day that he last saw Atch at Sheflands, the struggle that they both had had with the ships knife. His mind was reliving it over and over even though he was now awake. He heard something and looked over as he rolled his head on the pillow.

“Henry.” Callum said, “What are you doing, my lad?” Callum saw the boy sitting on a chair, a chair from the kitchen table. Henry got off the chair and came to the edge of the bed.

“Dustin said to keep an eye on you, Papa.”

“Where is he?” Callum asked, Henry shrugged his little shoulders.

“He said to go and get him when you woke up.” Henry said as Callum started to move his legs to swing them off the bed.

“Alright.” Callum said, “Go and tell him I am awake. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Callum said, Henry nodded but he did not move. Callum got to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. Callum looked at his little one and smiled softly, “What is it?” He asked, Henry just shrugged again.

“Are you okay?” Henry asked.

“Yes.” Callum said softly. He reached out his right hand and Henry stepped closer, Callum putting it around the boy and pulled him in. Henry fell into the hug putting his little arm around the back of his father, his head turned and rested against the scarred bare chest for a moment. Callum bent his head and kissed the top of the soft brown hair, “I will be fine, Henry, not to worry.” They pulled away from one another, “Now you run along and tell Dustin for me, alright?” Callum asked and the little one smiled and nodded he went to the door, opening it and left the room, leaving the door open. Callum got up off the bed and went over to the bureau, opening a drawer and pulled out a shirt with one hand, setting it on the top, closing the drawer, as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

“How are you feeling?” Dustin asked as he came into the room, closing the door behind him, Callum turned his head a bit and smiled at him.

“Rested, for the most part.” Callum said as he rolled his left shoulder around slowly, “The shoulder is feeling a bit sore, but better than it was. That seems to have done the trick.”

“The man is a true wonder it seems.” Dustin said as he came up to Callum. He looked at the shoulder, there was no burn mark or anything, just the wound which looked like it was sealed.

“Who, Shill?” Callum asked as he took the shirt off the top of the bureau, “Yes, he is. I cannot begin to tell you how much he has actually taught me over the years. I would have never thought of doing what he did, flashing me like that.”

“How long was he aboard Dover?” Dustin asked.

“The crew used to tease that he came with her when she was built, but he told me once that he had served on many different ships since he was Henry’s age. I have no idea just how old he really he is.” Callum said.

“He cares a great deal about you, that much is certain.” Dustin said as he helped Callum with the shirt.

“We were very close, even after the accident. I spent all my spare time just looking after him below in the surgery on the Storage Deck. He meant the world to me as a teacher, another father figure, like Captain Powers was. I told him earlier that I missed him, how much I didn’t really realize until I came round in the chair and looked at him. I hope he stays with us.” Callum said. The shirt was lifted up and over his head, then dropped down his body. Callum slowly tucked it in his pants, “I thank you for leaving me dressed, especially with Henry being set to watch over me.”

“It was Shill’s idea actually, both Henry and leaving you dressed.” Dustin said.

“So, what is your opinion of him?” Callum asked as he finished tucking in his shirt.

“I don’t know.” Dustin said as he thought it over hard, “There’s something about him that just makes me…trust him. He’s…comforting in such a way, knowing that he’s there. And it’s remarkable that he knows everything even though he can’t see.”

“Yes.” Callum said with a smile. He nodded his head, “You see and feel what I had then when I was a young midshipman coming aboard Dover and meeting him. It didn’t take long for us to establish our relationship with each other. I needed it after what I had been through and he was there for me, giving me something that I had never had before, what only a father can do for you. Do you see what I mean?”

“Yes, that’s it, exactly. I don’t know how he does it.” Dustin said as he came to the realization.

“The crew responded like that with him as well, especially the younger members. Farrow, I remember, kept his distance from him. I never asked him why though.” Callum said as he scratched his chin lost in thought.

“Martha has supper waiting for you. We have all had ours.” Dustin said, “We should probably get you downstairs.”

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Callum came into the kitchen and looked about the room. Shill was at the table, his back to the back door, Henry was sitting next to Christian on the bench on the outside edge of the table, Martha was getting a plate at the stove. Dustin carried the chair from up in their room and set it at the end of the table. He held it for Callum and guided him into it.

“How are you feeling?” Christian asked, giving Callum a smile.

“I am alright it seems. How is Thomas?” Callum asked.

“He is a bit groggy still. He should have a clear head by morning I would think.” Christian said.

“Is he over at Harbroughs?” Callum asked as Martha set a plate in front of Callum.

“Yes, Darin is with him, looking after him.” Christian said. Callum could see that Christian had something on his mind. He picked up his fork.

“So, what have you been talking about while I was upstairs?” Callum asked as he looked at Christian and then Shill, then back to Christian.

“My father actually.” Christian said making Callum stop eating, “Shill here apparently knew him and of some of his activities.” Callum shifted his eyes toward Shill across the table from him as Dustin sat down in the chair at the back of the table.

“What do you know?” Callum asked. Christian looked at Shill.

“May I?” Christian asked. Shill raised his hand and waved a couple of his fingers, Christian looked back at Callum, “My father was in charge of supply for all Marine divisions as well as his own command over a regiment. Shill was present at one of the warehouses at the docks on the Thames, more than once, when shipments arrived or were taken out. This warehouse is apparently owned by Phelps, the man that owns the shipping company in Bristol.”

“Commodore Phelps’ father.” Callum said. Dustin was shifting his eyes back and forth between Callum and Christian as they spoke. Christian nodded.

“I had said once to you that the General Staff had suspicion of Commodore Phelps, that’s why Emery placed his son’s division onboard the Fleming, Phelps’ flagship.”

“Yes, to watch from within. I remember you saying that.” Callum said, setting his fork down.

“Shill knows the Boson aboard the Fleming and spoke with him before coming here. The Fleming set sail with their squadron for the Caribbean, without orders from the Admiralty.” Christian said, Callum narrowed his eyes at him, “From my understanding, that is never done.”

“Then Upton is on the move. He is starting to carry out his plan.” Callum said softly.

“Do you think you know what his plan is, Quintan?” Christian asked. Callum nodded.

“When I spoke with Paupling today, he confirmed what I thought.”

“And what is that?” Christian asked.

“Rebellion. He means to take over the government.” Callum said.

“How is that possible?” Dustin asked.

“He has an army in place, waiting for the order to move. What I don’t understand is, why the Caribbean?” Callum asked, mostly to himself.

“Do you believe what Paupling said, Quintan?” Dustin asked. Callum nodded.

“Yes…yes, I do. It all fits.” Callum said.

“He has lied before.” Dustin said, Callum looked at him.

“No, he hasn’t.” Callum said, cocking his head a little, “He just hasn’t revealed everything all at once. His game of smoke and shadow. Today, he was far more revealing.”

“Why?” Dustin asked.

“Because he wants something of me.” Callum said.

“What is that?” Dustin asked.

“He wants us to take him with us to London.” Callum said.

“Are you considering it?” Christian asked. Callum nodded as he looked at him.

“Yes. There is a man in London that has information and is key to all of this.” Callum said.

“Pennysort.” Shill said. Callum looked at him.

“You know.” Callum said as he sat back in the chair, folding his arms. He smiled softly, “Of course you would know.” Callum almost whispered. Eyes around the table were shifting back and forth between Callum and Shill at the other end of the table, “You also know of the Caribbean, and why the Fleming is sailing there.” Shill cocked his head the other way.

“Gold. Span’sh gold.” Shill said. Callum narrowed his eyes again.

“There has to be more to it than that.” Callum said.

“Aye,…pirates, th’y be takin ships, makin’ slaves fr’m the cr’ws.” Shill said.

“Why?” Callum asked.

“Makin’ Upton rich…richer.” Shill said, Callum was looking down at the table, scratching his chin.

“What are you thinking?” Dustin asked. Callum lifted his eyes only toward Dustin.

“I am thinking that Paupling was right in what he said to me, that this is a nightmare. It must come to an end, somehow, some way, it has to end.” Callum said as he lifted his chin.

“You have said this before, Quintan.” Dustin said.

“E n’ds killin.” Shill said lifting his own chin, cocking his head the other way a bit. His voice was chilling to everyone. Callum shifted his eyes.

“I agree.” Callum said.

“You are speaking of murder, Quintan.” Christian said, “We have said this before as well.”

“So many have died already, Christian, all as a result from this man Upton and what he is doing. All those crews that were slaughtered like so many sheep, it was all his doing. My sailing to stop that madman, Battenou and the Avion, that was Upton’s doing as well.” Callum said, “What would you have me do? Wait and bide my time, hoping he will be arrested?” Callum asked and shook his head, “No, something has to be done and soon or we are all doomed. We must get to London and act.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Christian said. Dustin went wide eyed.

“You’re not agreeing with this?” Dustin asked Christian from across the table.

“Yes.” Christian said and nodded.

“Have you gone mad?” Dustin asked, “You want him to commit murder? To be arrested for it, and then hung on Execution Dock?”

“No, of course not.” Christian said, “But there has to be a way to stop him. Don’t you see, Dustin, without Upton there will be no rebellion, no one to take power and control. It would end right then and there.”

“Yes, there would be someone.” Callum said, Christian and Dustin looked at him, “Upton’s son, Atchwood. You know where he is, don’t you, Shill?”

“Aye, Cap’n.” Shill said and cocked his head again.

“I thought so.” Callum said softly.

========================================================

“Quintan, please.” Dustin said quietly as he stood behind Callum in their room. Callum put his shirt on the end of the bed and remained silent, “Listen to reason, please. I know that you are thinking it will be a simple matter of just killing both of them more than likely. But, you also know that it is completely wrong.” Dustin waited for a response from Callum, but there was none. Dustin put his hands on Callum’s upper back, gently touching him, “I love you, Quintan, and I don’t want to lose you in this.” Dustin whispered. Callum lifted his head staring at the far wall on the other side of their bed.

“You won’t, Dustin.” Callum said softly.

“I am not so sure, Quintan. You have something else on your mind, I can tell.” Dustin said, “Does it have to do with…”

“Atch?” Callum asked as he turned his head and looked over his shoulder. Dustin nodded as he looked into Callum’s half turned face, “No, it does not.” Callum said and turned as looked at the love of his life, “I mean that, truly I do. I was thinking of Paul Eddington and Abel. It would be justice for them, as well for others.”

“You’re not going to commit murder for them, are you?” Dustin asked, putting his hands on Callum’s hips.

“No. You were right when you were speaking of that at the table. The man does need killing, I will continue to stand firm in that, but I will not do it. I have too much, far too much to lose if I did.” Callum said softly. He reached up a hand, touching Dustin’s chin with a finger, “I think sometimes of what it will be like to grow old with you beside me, here. To see Henry grow, go to school, have a family of his own one day.” Callum said and smiled warmly, “That would not happen if I simply killed him, he and Atch. You are right, they would arrest me for it and have me hanged, as they would have no choice, I know that.”

“Then, what are you going to do?” Dustin asked.

“We will go off to London as planned. We will see The Duke and Lord Eldon as planned, give them both what information we have and then return home.” Callum said. He lowered his finger away from Dustin’s chin.

“Why not simply do that with a letter?” Dustin asked.

“It would not emphasize the point.” Callum said, “There is also the fact that I need to know what they are thinking in this as well. You heard me when I read The Duke’s letter, ‘trust no one in this’, is what he said. Too much is at stake, my love, our safety, our happiness, all of that might be lost. I need to know for certain.”

“I see your point.” Dustin said and smiled briefly, “I am with you, you know that.”

“I know, and I love you for that.” Callum whispered. He leaned forward and kissed Dustin tenderly. He pulled back and they looked into each other’s eyes in the flickering candlelight of their room, “Now, shall we go to bed? I think we also need to pack in the morning.”