Clara took the time above deck to familiarize herself with the ship. The ship looked like it took a beating from whatever last encounter it had. She doubted a ship this size could hold more than fifty men.

Their losses must have been great to impress twenty new men. Obviously, they were in port for repairs, none of which have started. It would seem the Lieutenant's priority was to find men first and then to tend to the ship.

The Voyager would be no match for the Whispering Wind as they only had twelve guns. Two 9 pounders on traversing carriages, one on the bow and one in the stern and ten – 18 pounder carronades on the broadsides but she knew Commander Redgrave would not engage, not with a warship of His Majesty's Navy.

Her best bet would be to keep her head down low, do whatever they requested, and bide her time until she could figure out a way to get the men off the ship.

"You there!"

When Clara, "Did not respond one of the marines had spun her around, yelling in her face "What are you deaf?"

"No, he is mute!"

Clara turned to see someone she never expected to see again. Commander Redgrave stood on the Main Deck. "And I suggest you unhand him."

The marine laughed. "And you are?"

"Someone who is not going to waste time speaking with you." Redgrave cocked his gun. "I am Commander Redgrave of the Whispering Wind. Where is your Lieutenant?"

The marine stepped away. Someone obviously had informed the Lieutenant of Redgrave's presence. She recognized him from his interview in the house, in town.

"What business brings you to MY ship?"

"The business of your press-gang stealing MY crew and injuring MY passenger?"

"Your passenger?"

"Yes, Lord Fitton has returned to my ship after your thugs relieved him of his valet and beaten him nearly unconscious for telling them the truth."

Clara's eyes locked with Redgrave's. Oh my God, Lord Fitton! She assumed once she and Richards were taken they would let him leave. She prayed he was not permanently injured as he only spoke up on her behalf.

The Lieutenant knew of which two prisoners he spoke. So, the mute boy was a servant but he knew the other man was a carpenter and therefore too valuable to lose.

"The boy works for His Majesty's navy now. He signed this morning. I do not know this Lord Fitton of which you speak, and although his circumstance sounds unfortunate it has nothing to do with me or my men."

"I want my men returned to me, Lieutenant. All of them, or I will be taking this to a higher authority and with Lord Fitton's account of what has occurred you stand to lose quite a bit, as Lord Fitton is on a special mission for Her Majesty the Queen."

Clara's eyes widened. She had no idea Fitton worked for the Queen. Just like Benjamin. Could they know one another? No, that would be ridiculous. Lord Fitton is a scholar and Benjamin a spy. Still?

The Lieutenant walked over to her. He put his arm on her shoulder. "What say you Claremont? You signed. I will turn you over to the Commander OR you can choose to stay?"

Clara felt like she just stepped onto a chessboard and she was a pawn, expendable, and the Lieutenant's first move. She knew the Commander had no leverage. England was at war. A letter would take forever and most of the pressed men would be forced to serve before anything could be done, but what the Lieutenant didn't realize was she happened to be an avid chess player and she very rarely lost.

She pulled her notebook from her breast pocket and wrote in it as she walked towards Redgrave. His gaze zeroed in on her as she approached and now she stood before him.

Redgrave could not believe Claremont signed, but if he walked away with nothing else other then bringing him back he would take it as a small victory. The Lieutenant did not seem the least put off by his mentioning Lord Fitton or his connections. His ace in the whole failed to impress.

He took the note Claremont handed him. He scanned the contents. "Is this your final decision?" Clara nodded and took a step back from him. "Are you certain you wish to go through with this?" Clara nodded again. "Very well," he looked up at the Lieutenant who was smiling smugly down at him. "I will inform Lord Fitton of your decision. It would seem, Lieutenant, that my business here has been concluded."

Redgrave left the ship, with a heavy heart.

"Claremont you have proven yourself trustworthy. What were your duties aboard the Whispering Wind? Commander Redgrave has quite a reputation. I know he would not allow you free passage as a valet."

Clara wrote her duties down. The Lieutenant looked interested. "You may prove useful lad." Clara nodded and tried to look proud of the Lieutenant's words. He instructed her to meet with the cook below, as there are quite a few more mouths to feed. Clara raced off to do so.

__________________

Mr. McCree could not hide his astonishment at seeing Captain Redgrave come back aboard the Whispering Wind so soon after his departure. What made matters worse was that he came back alone.

"Captain?"

"Take us out Mr. McCree. I want us out of this dock before nightfall."

"Yes, Captain."

The rest of the crew looked on as Mr. McCree set to task to carry out the Captain's orders. Their Captain disappearing down below deck. Redgrave's first stop was sickbay to see Lord Fitton. Only when he arrived there was no one there.

He went on to Fitton's quarters and where he found them both, Lord Fitton and his Surgeon. Upon entering the room Lord Fitton tried to rise but the Surgeon had held him in place. "Lord Fitton, I must insist."

Lord Fitton's frustrations knew no bounds.

"May I speak with Lord Fitton alone?" Redgrave asked.

"Yes, but please see that he takes care not to move so much. His ribs appear to be bruised if not possibly fractured."

Redgrave nodded he understood and the Surgeon left. Lord Fitton tried immediately to rise, but Redgrave held him in place. Please, Aaron, I am in enough trouble as it is."

He could not ever remember Redgrave calling him Aaron, he relented and lain back against the propped up pillows. "What happened with getting Claremont back?"

"As you might have guessed I was unsuccessful. He gave me this?"

Lord Fitton scanned the note, "Does this mean what I think it does?"

"Yes, Claremont chose to stay behind. You know him better than I do. Do you believe he can pull it off?"

Lord Fitton looked at the note again. "One thing I have learned about Claremont is not to underestimate him but Captain... if he is unsuccessful..."

"Then he risks his life. I had to take the chance. My options are limited. I will take a lifeboat and row ashore with a few men. I plan on taking as many men with us as Claremont can liberate."

"Once we are away from the docks, the warship will not be able to follow. She is in bad need of repairs. I just need the time to put that distance between us."

"I feel so impotent. I wish there was more I could do." Lord Fitton frowned.

"There may be. I need you to dispatch a letter to the Queen asking that Whispering Wind be under her jurisdiction and become exempt from any repercussion this action may cause."

"Consider it done."

"Thank you! Now rest at ease. I will bring them back... all of them."

"Be certain you do."

Redgrave nodded and left Lord Fitton to rest.

Redgrave felt the ship sway beneath his feet. Mr. McCree has already managed to move the ship... good. He went topside and met up with him at the helm.

Angus said nothing; he just waited for Redgrave to speak. It was killing him. "I need four men, men you trust. Once we are out to sea, I plan to take a longboat and get to shore."

"What's the plan?"

"Not certain." He handed Angus the note. Angus read...

"I will not leave without them. I will not be free while they are made slaves. I will find a way to free them. Be ready."

Angus laughed a hearty sound. "That boy is pluck to the backbone he is. You believe he can do it?"

"I have been brought to Point non-Plus. What is your assessment?"

"I have gotten to know the lad. If there is a way... I have no doubt he will find it."

Redgrave felt buoyed by this. "Come sunset we move in. One way or another I must get Claremont off that ship. Should he fail, his life is forfeit."

"Let me go in your place," Angus asked, hoping not to be refused.

Redgrave hesitated.

Angus pressed, "You are the Commander. There are two vessels that need you to bring them safely to port and home again. Please, Captain. Let me go. I will not fail you."

Redgrave conceded. "Once we have put enough distance between us and the docks to make certain pursuit cannot occur, you gather what men you wish to take with you. Get in and get out with minimal damage. Understood? I expect a backlash from this event but nothing we cannot handle."

Angus' grin was downright wicked. "On your orders, Sir." And he strode off to collect his team. Redgrave prayed they were successful. There were many lives at stake, but death would be preferable over a life of impressment.

He took the helm, finding comfort in the smooth wood beneath his fingertips. He steered the ship out of port. Knowing this would give a two-fold advantage. One they would be too far out for retaliation, and two, them leaving would undoubtedly be reported back to the Lieutenant ... lulling him into a false sense of security.

He thought of Claremont and shook his head. The boy is either the bravest sailor he as ever met or just plain mad. "Whatever you have in that mind of yours Claremont," he whispered to the winds, "it had better be good. Or I will be labeled the biggest fool in all of England and you... you will be dead."