Lord Fitton straightened his waistcoat, took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Commander Redgrave's quarters.

"Enter."

"Ah, Lord Fitton. Sorry for the delay in our journey. Let's hope you won't find it total loss and learn something of interest in this port. My hope is to double our efforts here on ship and get the repairs done as expediently as possible."

"Well... that is good news," Lord Fitton said and then fidgeted with his pocket watch, before shoving it back in his pocket. He had no clue how to bring up his request. He stood there silent for such a long time that Redgrave paused from his maps and gave him a curious look."

"Was there something you wish to inquire about?"

"Yes!" Lord Fitton said, pointing his finger in an emphatic way.

And after another long pause, Redgrave chuckled, "Must I draw it out of you? Or do you plan to share it sometime this century?"

Lord Fitton cleared his throat. "I heard the injured are to be removed from the ship."

Redgrave brows furrowed. "Yes. Most have recovered. Those who have not will be far better off here where they can get medical attention. With luck I will have some of them back by the time our ship returns."

"Is this about your concern for a valet?" Redgrave asked. "If you wish I can inquire about one when I go ashore but I will be keeping Claremont on as cabin boy. He's proven himself a sturdy lad. The crew is quite taken with him. Even heard Mr. McCree praising him to another officer just the other day."

"Yes... but uh... no." Lord Fitton wondered why these situations always left him so flustered.

"You are not making much sense. Is it Yes, you want me to inquire? Or No, you do not?"

"It was yes, to your question about my concern for a valet and no, to you looking for one here. With your permission, I would like to keep Sturgis."

Redgrave gave up on his maps completely at this point. Circled his desk and sat on the end of it. Lord Fitton was not certain he should be concerned or relieved to have gotten the Commander's full attention.

Folding his arms over his chest he looked Lord Fitton in the eye and repeated, "Sturgis?"

"Yes."

"The boy has been blinded by the storm and as yet to recover. He may never recover."

Lord Fitton could see the pain that sentence caused the Commander to say. Sturgis has been in Redgrave's care since his first voyage. Mr. McCree said it was a crying shame, as the boy was due for a promotion in the ranks this voyage.

"I don't see the point. He needs medical care. He'd be far better off..."

"With me," Lord Fitton concluded for him. "Commander, the kind of medicine Sturgis needs will not be found here. Drop him at this port and you have sentenced him to a life of a beggar. He has no prospects to fall back on. Sturgis is a loyal lad. Let me take him on."

"I would never dishonor the boy to question his loyalty. It is about safety. There is too much risk for him about ship. "What if we were attacked? What if the ship was set ablaze? How would he defend himself? How would you, if you are worrying over him?"

Lord Fitton damned Redgrave in his mind as he brought up valid points. Points that were difficult to refute. Just then, there was another knock on the door and Claremont entered with food for the Commander.

"Cook sent you?" Redgrave asked.

Clara nodded. He didn't eat with the other officers. Cook was determined to be certain that the Commander stays fed and healthy. "As without him we are lost," he told Clara as he handed her the tray.

Clara glanced briefly at Lord Fitton and smiled. He kept his promise he was here to speak on Sturgis' behalf. Lord Fitton, looked away. It must not be going well.

"You bring up valid points," Lord Fitton said, as he watched the young boy set the tray down and lay out the food on the desk. "Sturgis would be at a disadvantage staying on as he can not protect himself from harm and a voyage like this can be a perilous place."

Clara dropped the metal plate with a clatter that got both men's attention. She circled the desk and pointed to her chest. Lord Fitton winced as he could see a storm brewing in those eyes.

"What? I do not understand?" Redgrave asked.

It was exasperating not to be able to talk. Especially at a time you want to yell at the top of your lungs. She slapped her chest with an open palm and pointed to Lord Fitton.

"I know you were hired as his valet but I need you as Cabin boy now," Redgrave said guessing that was Claremont's concern.

Clara shook her head, No.

At a loss, Redgrave looked past Claremont to Lord Fitton for translation.

"I believe he wants to take responsibility for Sturgis with me. Work with me on keeping an eye on him."

Redgrave's eyebrows lifted. He looked impressed. "You got all that from..." he slaps his chest and points. Then he shook his head in denial.

"You are out of line Mr. Claremont. If your opinion in this matter was wanted, I would have asked for it. Now, I expect you to continue about your work and I will forget this... outburst." It seemed an absurd word to use as Claremont hadn't said a word but it was evident he was worked up over something.

Clara, still not use to being told what to do. Or having her actions scrutinized by another did not take care to censor her actions. She threw her arms up in the air in an exaggerated manner. Pulled out her notebook and pencil. Scribbled furiously and shoved the note at Commander Redgrave.

Redgrave not use to having his orders disobeyed, crumpled the note and threw it to the ground. "I will have order on my ship, Mr. Claremont. I will not be disobeyed."

Clara was seeing red. She felt about to explode. It was Lord Fitton who interceded with an arm on her shoulder he guided her to the door and shoved her out of it. "You are not helping Sturgis in this way." Claremont gave him one last look. His eyes pleading, saying the words he could not speak. With a heavy heart, Lord Fitton closed the door on him.

When Lord Fitton turned around he saw Redgrave with the note in his hand. "What did he write?" Lord Fitton asked.

Redgrave smiled. "He wrote, 'If Sturgis leaves this ship. I go with him. Your decision.' The boy has spirit. He could have made Captain someday if only he were able to speak."

Lord Fitton took the note and wondered at the connection? Why would Claremont go through such lengths for Sturgis?

He sighed, "My position and offer still stands. The practitioners in India, they are capable of healing Sturgis. Claremont believes the same. If we are both wrong I will keep him as my ward."

"Why would you do this?" Redgrave asked.

"Because I have seen what you have about Claremont. When that boy sets his mind to something it is hard not to be pulled in. It is a magnetic force. Pointless in resisting."

Redgrave hated to admit this, but he had seen it too. He has watched his crew taking him under their guidance when Claremont was destined to fail, and Claremont being eager to learn and to please. He had impressed even Angus. Although he knew Mr. McCree would never admit it to Claremont in person. Redgrave found he too was drawn into this magnetic pull that Fitton had spoken of. One of the reason he chose to pull away from interacting with him, he found it all a bit... confusing.

"Fine. Sturgis is now your responsibility. You can inform Claremont of the good news. If there is nothing else then I would like to get back to my maps."

Lord Fitton felt elated. "Thank you Commander." Lord Fitton left to find Claremont and Redgrave puzzled over his maps and what he had just chosen to do and why? Until he could come up with no answer and so decided to stow it away for another time.

Clara opened the door to her cabin and slammed it shut. Sturgis stood up and asked who was there. She kicked her bunk and then had to stifle a cry as it hurt more than she expected.

"What has you in such a temper?" Sturgis asked.

Clara flopped onto her bunk. Why did he keep asking her questions he knew she could not answer? She continued to frown staring up at the ceiling.

Sturgis sat down on his own bunk. "I don't know why you have chosen this self imposed vow of silence but I know you can talk." He folded his arms over his chest and waited.

Clara shot up in bed. She was not going to admit to anything, but she did wonder.

"You seriously going to continue not to talk to me. I am leaving this ship. To who knows what fate. I am no threat to you Claremont. Talk to me."

Clara's eyes narrowed. She made up her mind. "How did you know?"

Sturgis laughed. "I knew it! You talk in your sleep. Well, yell mostly. Your own name, which is weird."

Clara rubbed her hand over her face. Her nightmares. She should have considered that. Benjamin would ask her about them often when she awoke. She never could bring herself to tell him what they were about.

"Why did you not say something sooner?"

"I wanted to find out if you were on the level. If you were a threat to the crew in anyway."

"What have you decided?"

Sturgis laughed. "You are definitely not a threat. At least not to anyone but to yourself it seems. You saved my life out there. That night. I should have died. My fate is sealed but you need to take care. If Redgrave discovers you are lying to him... he won't hesitate to imprison or maroon you. He runs a very tight ship."

Clara thought about how she tried to threaten him moments ago. She must be out of her mind. What was she thinking? She suddenly felt grateful he let her off with a warning. She will have to be more careful with her emotional outbursts in the future.

"It is not over for you just yet," Clara began but before she could say more there was a knock on the door and Lord Fitton entered. "Here you are? I've been searching the ship for you. I have news."

Clara looked at Sturgis wondering what he planned to do, if he would give her away.

He sat there saying nothing.

Lord Fitton sat next to him. "Sturgis, I have spoken with Commander Redgrave. We have decided that when the rest of the infirmed are taken ashore you will be staying aboard ship. I am convinced," he said looking at Claremont, "that the doctors of India can cure your blindness."

Sturgis looked in the direction of Lord Fitton's voice. "Cure me? As in I will no longer be blind?"

"Yes, I have seen first hand what they can do. I have seen men come to them with tremors, unable to stand on their own only to walk out of their infirmary on their own steam. They know things about how to cure aliments and disease that I doubt we have barely scratched the surface of. If there is even the slightest chance of you having your sight returned to you this is your chance?"

Clara smiled as she had seen the look of hope cross Sturgis' features but then he frowned. "I am of no use on a ship. How will I pay for my passage? Commander Redgrave can't afford to let me stay."

"You will remain on board as my Ward."

This got both boys' attention. Claremont was looking at him with such admiration he felt embarrassed and looked away.

"Sturgis, you have proven your worth continually voyage after voyage. If I am by chance wrong and your vision is beyond curing, I shall keep you with me. There is nothing a good education cannot cure. You will have a chance to be useful again. I promise you that."

Tears burned Clara's eyes. She fought not to blink so they would not be released.

"Well, I will leave you both now. Whatever happens next, we are in this adventure together."

Clara walked him to the door, shutting it behind him. In her excitement, she ran over to Sturgis and hugged him.

Sturgis pushed Clara away. Clara felt foolish but she was just so happy. She could not get over Lord Fitton's generosity.

"Why do I have the feeling you were behind all of this?"

Clara, cleared her throat. "I have no idea what you are talking about?"

"No more secrets, Claremont."

Clara felt nervous but resigned to her fate. "What do want to know?"