Benjamin followed McCullen through the streets of Cape Town. The buildings a mixture of all the ethnic backgrounds that have touched this place. Indigenous tribes, imported Asians, the Dutch, the English have all put their stamp on this developing city.

It is difficult not to be struck by its beauty as rising above all this is Table Mountain, with its streams and springs that provide the much-needed water flowing through this town, giving it life.

The spicy smells wafted down the small street causing Benjamin's stomach to growl. He wasn't even aware that he was hungry, driven by one thought and one thought only. That he was going to finally learn something about Clara.

"Ah, here we are," McCullen gestured for Benjamin to enter a small tavern. He walked in but had no idea for whom he should be looking for. Suddenly, he'd seen a man rise that was seated at a meager wooden table with 4 chairs placed around it.

"Roberts!" McCullen said, with a grin.

"Wasn't sure if you were still planned to show?" Roberts said, grinning back.

"Sorry to keep you waiting 'ol man but I wished to bring McAlister here with me."

"Mr. McAlister, may I introduce you to Mr. Roberts. He was a carpenter on the Whispering Wind."

"Am a carpenter," Roberts corrected. "I've only agreed to get the impressed men to the cape. Commander Redgrave will be taking me on once more upon his return to England." Roberts gestured for them to be seated and they obliged.

A meal of rice and red beans, stewed meat with okra was brought to the table along with some wine. "I took the liberty of ordering for you, hope you don't mind?" Roberts said, looking at both men.

"Not at all," McCullen reassured him.

"So you are a ship's carpenter on the Whispering Wind?"

"Yes, sir. I and a few of the more experienced crew members chose to sail the captured French frigate to Cape Town along with a crew of impressed men who wanted their freedom. Some had signed on with Redgrave, no better Commander to sail under, but I imagine some men have families to get back to and are eager to do so."

"How is it that Commander Redgrave managed to have so many impressed men upon his ship?" McCullen inquired.

"Well, we took some damage after a bad lighting storm at sea and needed to port for repairs. While we were gathering supplies and parts for the repair a Lieutenant from the British navy decided to gather up a new crew for himself."

"I was taken along with Lord Fitton's valet, a mute. I tried to convince the Lieutenant to let the boy go as he was only there as a servant to Lord Fitton but they took us both and beaten Lord Fitton to a point the man was lucky to have survived."

"That's criminal!" McCullen said, showing enthusiasm for Roberts' tale so he would continue and he did.

"Truthfully, I'm right glad the Lieutenant didn't listen to me as that boy is a hero."

"Really? How so?" McCullen asked, looking to Benjamin, who looked upon Roberts with avid interest.

Well... at first I thought him a traitor as he signed on to serve the British Navy but soon we discovered it was all a clever ruse. I don't know all the details of how he pulled it off but somehow he managed to get the key to the hold where the impressed men and other members of Commander Redgrave's crew were being held captive.

The clever lad started a fire in the ship's galley; smoke billowed out everywhere and caused quite a ruckus. It was the perfect distraction, to which he took full advantage. He was able to open the hatch unnoticed by the rest of the crew. We got everyone free. The Commander sent his first mate to collect us. It was only Claremont and me that were left on deck when the Lieutenant came topside."

Benjamin looked at the man with amazement as he'd seen him tear up slightly.

"I'll never forget that moment. The Lieutenant pulled his pistol. I heard the shot but soon found myself knocked out of the way by Claremont. We both tumbled down the gangplank. I was pretty disoriented at that point but managed to get to my feet but Claremont wasn't so lucky."

"He uh... he took the bullet for me," Roberts concluded, his words breaking slightly with the emotion and gratitude he felt towards Claremont.

Benjamin's knuckles were white as he gripped the arms of his chair. His impatience getting the better of him he nearly shouted, "Go ON! What of Claremont? Did he survive?"

"For certain, Sir. That boy is made of some strong stuff. First, he goes jumping through the rigging like a gibbon to free some of the entangled men during the storm. Then he frees the impressed men and those taken from for the Whispering Wind. A boy like that isn't going to be taken out by a mere bullet. No, sir! It was touch and go for some time but he fully recovered."

Benjamin exhaled sharply the breath he was holding and sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. He also took note that Roberts was still calling Claremont, he. So either he was doing so to protect Clara's identity or her ruse was still intact.

"What has become of this remarkable boy?" McCullen asked the question he knew his friend desperately wished to know but at the moment was too overwrought with emotion to ask.

"He's sailed on to India, with the Commander and the rest of the crew... only it turns out the boy wasn't a mute after all."

McCullen pulled his chair forward with anticipation. He hadn't heard this part of the tale. "Not a mute?"

"The Surgeon believes that perhaps something happened into him in his childhood. Something traumatic that caused him not to talk. That it was more of a mental infliction, but I must say, did he ever find his voice at the right time!"

"What do you mean?" Benjamin asked, fear growing in his heart again. He knew Redgrave too well to know he wouldn't question such an event.

"Well you see...we were being hunted down by a French fleet. One of our ships engaged but Commander Redgrave got the French frigate to surrender with nary a shot fired."

"How in the devil did he manage that?" McCullen wished to know. The very thought was highly impressive.

"Our ship is painted to look like one of his Majesty's fighting ships, so the Commander used that to our advantage. Making us appear far more formidable than we really were. The French Captain surrendered to us. He and his first mate boarded the Whispering Wind. However, once on board the Captain realized he'd been duped and demanded to be returned at once to commence a proper sea battle.

Of course, Commander Redgrave declined. The Captain was outraged that he was surrendering to a merchantman, his first mate somehow snuck a gun past our crew when he boarded and pulled it on the Commander. Suddenly Claremont yells out a warning and it was just enough time for Mr. McCree to push the Commander to safety."

A sorrowful look overtook Roberts' features that told them this tale did not end well.

"And McCree?" Benjamin pressed.

"An unfortunate loss, to be sure, Sir," Roberts said, hanging his head slightly.

"We are sorry for your loss." McCullen understood well what that loss felt like and it should be born by no man. "It is obvious Mr. McCree is held high in your esteem."

"He ran a tight ship. He was tough but fair. Many times he'd put himself in harm's way to save the crew from some sort of devastation. It's no wonder he had taken a shining to Claremont." Roberts said with a slight chuckle. "Those two were cut from the same cloth if you ask me."

"So you said the boy sailed on to India with the rest of the crew?" Benjamin probed.

"Yes, Sir. He's been promoted but still keeps most of his cabin boys' duties and his valet duties with Lord Fitton while he continued to recover. It was a bold move for the Commander to promote someone so new on the ship but there was not a jealous sailor in the lot. We all owe Claremont a life debt, and we know to what lengths he will go for the crew. The news was much celebrated among the men."

"Promoted?" Benjamin pondered aloud. Could it be that Redgrave is still not aware that Claremont is indeed his Clara? It didn't seem possible. Although neither do half the stories he heard told this night, but one look at Roberts and it was evident he was not one prone to fits of exaggerations.

"Pardon me for asking, Sirs but why all the interest in Claremont? He's not in any trouble is he?"

"No, trouble at all, Roberts," McCullen reassured.

"Yes, if truth be known it's Lord Fitton I am most interested in? Did he recover as well?" Benjamin inquired.

"Yes, but why the interest in the professor?" Roberts looked on confused at both men.

"He's on an important mission for the crown. There was much distress over learning about the impressment and Lord Fitton's condition. I have been charged with escorting him and his valet back home to England. Upon arriving in India he will learn by post that he is to wait for me."

"I see, so I guess, you'll be returning with us on the trip home, then?"

"Oh no, that's where I come in," McCullen piped in. "He's already paid for the return trip."

"Well don't be surprised if Claremont stays onboard. The Commander has taken a real shine to that boy, and I don't think he'll be too eager to let him go. You may have to manage the Professor on your own."

"I see," Benjamin said, an icy coolness creeping into his voice. Has Clara moved on from him in more ways than one? Has she become Redgrave's mistress? Is that how her identity has stayed safe all this time? No! He refused to believe she'd betray him in that fashion, not until he heard it admitted by her own lips.

Benjamin smiled at Roberts. The gesture taking the older man by surprise as it completely transformed and disarmed any hard feelings created by his tone. "Thank you for the wondrous tale, it was quite entertaining. Shall we eat?"

The rest of the night went quite well. All the men were at ease and enjoyed each other's company. Roberts retired and McCullen and Benjamin made their way back to the ship.

"So what do you make of his tale? Do you believe they hold any truth?" McCullen inquired.

Benjamin stared as his friend. "I believe them to hold every truth. Roberts is a simple man and works with numbers being a carpenter by trade, details are very important and never to be over-embellished."

"How is it then that your woman has come to have such a vast knowledge of ships, and strategy?"

Benjamin laughed. "Haven't you ever heard the old adage that a well-read woman is a dangerous creature? Mine is not only well-read but a writer. She's making her own fate while she travels. Obviously she's decided if today is a good day to die, she's going to do so with bravura."

"I do so hope I get to meet this mythical creature?" McCullen said adding in a hearty chuckle of his own. "Perhaps I can then ask if she has a sister."

Benjamin's laughter echoed through the silent night and deserted streets. "She does, but I'm afraid she's already taken."

"Pity," McCullen mused, "If only there were such a woman for me."

"They're out there, McCullen. You just have to keep your eyes open, as they seem to pop up in the darnedest of places.

"Then I shall sleep from now on with one eye slit, so as not to miss my chance. Sleep well my friend, for tomorrow we sail on, and your lady love will be awaiting you in India."