On Parole in Lisbon

"Not very long. Just two years, though I've been a surgeon for three. Many naval surgeons are rather young because most men grow weary of it after a few years, from what I've heard. And I have to admit, I sometimes wish for a quiet practice in a quiet village, a well-stocked dispensary, and the apothecary easily accessed-. But what about you? Have you been in the hussars for long?"

"Four years - I was made Captain last year." He smiled. "I too would like a quiet life in a quiet village, and if I am not to be exchanged, I may have that for some time. But for you, it is a chance to see something of the world before you settle down."

The doctor was about to reply when one of the seamen poked his head into the room.

"Scuse me, doctor. This one of yours?"

Crozier smiled and took the box from his hands. "Oh yes, it's my chess set! Thank you, Barrow." As he sat down again, he opened it to admire its contents once more before explaining to Raoul. "I just bought it, for passing the time on board when it's quiet. There are occasional free moments, you know. Do you play?"

Raoul shook his head. "I learned the moves, but I never managed to think six moves ahead, and was always on the run from the beginning of the game. While my opponent chuckled at my mistakes." He reached out to take one of the pieces. "They are not quite like English pieces, but ... I suppose it does not matter. Do you have a regular opponent?"

"No, I don't, but I was talking recently with one of our lieutenants about playing, and we both wished we had a set on board. We had only half a set. How one can manage to lose half a chess set is beyond me, though I really shouldn't be surprised anymore." He grinned at his guest. "Six moves? I could barely manage three. I would have thought a martial mind like yours would be good at that sort of thing."

Raoul smiled wryly. "I am a prisoner, Dr Crozier. It is clear that I am not a military genius, but one who blunders into traps..." That was not a topic that he wanted to dwell on, and he continued: "At sea, I would suppose that half the set was lost overboard - perhaps swept away by a giant wave, or by a losing player in a fit of pique. How would you secure the pieces during bad weather?"

"In the box. I wouldn't try to play during bad weather."

Raoul laughed. "A good answer, Doctor. How do you pass your time when the weather is bad, then?"

He shrugged and smiled. "Reading. Sketching. Talking. Treating all the patients who have fallen down the companionways or knocked their heads against misplaced beams."

"It sounds much like life in the cavalry, except that we fall off horses, or get bitten and kicked by them - and it's misplaced tree branches that we knock our heads against."

Raoul leant back. After the past few days it was pleasant to forget fear and guilt, and relax into gentle conversation with someone who did not care what had happened in his past, or even what would happen in his future, but just saw him as another human being, no better and no worse than anyone else.

"Ha! Well at least your horses are semi-rational beings! The weather cannot be coaxed or cajoled at all! But tree branches? Really?" He started to laugh. "But don't you wear tall hats of some sort? They should protect you, an early warning system like cats' whiskers!"

Raoul responded with a chuckle. "Of course we do - but if you ride into a branch with a shako on, it not only pulls you off the horse, but chokes you at the same time. "

"Oh, of course, with the chinstraps. Perhaps you should redesign those shakos - and your dolman, as you said, since soldiers do tend to get wounded. As do sailors. Perhaps chain mail, provided it won't rust?"

"Silk shirts, perhaps, although they would give no protection against cannon balls, for sailors or soldiers. But then, neither would chain mail or even plate - though I could see myself in La Morte d'Arthur, or ..." He stopped abruptly and gave a forced smile. "Or perhaps not. Those days are no more, doctor."

Had his guest stumbled upon an unpleasant thought? Dangerous territory, talking even of the uniforms of warfare. Crozier was certain that it must be a highly unpleasant situation for the man, a defeated and captured captain with men under his command also taken prisoner. As a naval surgeon, Crozier had been briefly captured only once, but the French ship had soon been taken and her captives released. He had not had to walk the streets with civilians of an enemy nation, and he had not had any self-blame for the defeat.

"Yes, those days are gone... and so is the tea, I think. Will you take more if I ask for another pot? Because I will. The drinking water at sea is sometimes appalling, and making it into tea doesn't improve it much."

Raoul shook his head. "I have ... No, it has been a pleasure for both of us, I think, but you have your things to sort out and I..." He stood up and courteously inclined his head. "Thank you for your stitches, and your time and your tea. I will take my leave now though."

"Are you sure? All right then, and be careful as you walk, in case there are other dangerous men around. Barrow and Chase might be willing to walk with you. Shall I ask them? I can recognize their proprietary air..."

Raoul glanced at the two sailors - more Englishmen who bore him no ill-will for being the enemy, any more than he bore for them. "If they wish - if they do not mind, I will not reject their company." He could not stay in the house for ever - he might just as well be back in the Guard House. But with such a kind offer, it would be foolish to refuse - just the sort of bravado that left one lying bleeding to death in a side alley. It would also give him the opportunity to reward them properly for their help.

Which reminded him. "And thank you. I have used your time and you have been kind to me, but can I at least pay you for your work on my arm?" He smiled with embarrassment. It would have been better, he realised, to have concluded what one might think of as the commercial transaction before relaxing into companionable conversation.

"Oh, no no no no. I've enjoyed our time immensely, truly - and you must keep your money while you're cut off from your funds. In fact, is there anyone I can speak to on your behalf? Like I said, I don't know how these things work exactly. Or is there anything I can do to help?"

Raoul felt the warmth of gratitude. "I thank you again, then, for your kindness. But I am not as badly off as might have been. As I said, I have access to sufficient funds for my needs, and arrangements can be made later if necessary - when it is more certain where I shall be. These things take time, but I..." He shook his head. "All is being dealt with, I am sure. But thank you for offering help. I am very grateful."

He looked round. "And now, I had better return to my lodgings. Goodbye, Dr Crozier. If you are staying in Lisbon..."

Crozier shrugged. "Not for long. I'm at the disposal of wind and tides and captain's orders. But where are you staying? Perhaps I might call on you - assuming that's allowed? - if there's time before I sail."

Raoul smiled. "I too am waiting for orders. But if you do... I am at the house of Mr Dawson - he is an Englishman, though one from a family that has lived here for many years - on the rua Santa Maria. If I am not there - and one cannot spend all day indoors - please ask Mr Dawson to let me know. It would be good to see you again if possible before you leave."

"Very good!" Crozier grinned and shook the man's hand. Then he called over his shoulder, "Chase! Barrow! Oh, I really must stop shouting like I'm on board a frigate - where are my manners... Billy, would you lads be willing to walk our friend home? The rua Santa Maria? That's not far, I think. And watch out for men with knives, for heaven's sakes. Goodbye, monsieur, er, Capitaine. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you and goodbye. And if I don't see you before you go, I hope you enjoy calm seas and good games of chess. I will try to let you know - if you are still here - if I am to move on." He smiled, and said with an assumption of cheerfulness, "With luck, I shall be exchanged and sent back to Oporto or France. But I will write to this address if I go." He returned the handshake, and turned to the sailors. "It is not far, as the doctor says, but I am grateful. If we see him..."

"If we see him, I reckon Chase'll get his chance to dunk him in a fountain," Billy said with a grin. "This way, is it?"