Fire Dragon's Angel

by Barbara Blythe

  Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he looked up to see Ceressa standing behind him, tears in her eyes. April noticed her and looked at him quizzically.

  “Who’s that?” She pointed a chubby finger at Ceressa as she dropped to her knees beside him.

  “I’m your uncle’s new wife,” Ceressa said softly as she held out a hand. “I’m hoping we can become the very best of friends.”

  “Unca Lat promised me a new mama,” April said then tilted her head as though looking Ceressa over carefully. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched Ceressa’s hair. “Muscaivwh,” she whispered.

  “She’s telling you that your hair is beautiful.”

  Ceressa met his gaze, and his heart thudded with new, unsettling emotions. He silently vowed to protect Ceressa and his niece with his life.

  Bocatakum’s wife and the elderly women returned, and judging from the bowls and baskets they carried, laden with all manner of vegetables, they were planning to prepare a meal.

  Latimer rose and then hoisted April to his shoulders while she giggled and shrieked. Latimer turned back to Bocatakum. “I will do what I can to help you and your people. For the sake of our friendship and for the sake of this child we share.”

  Bocatakum nodded his head, his gaze solemn and intense. “We will talk later,” he pledged just before two of his children claimed his attention.

  Fire Dragon's Angel

  26

  There was no sleep for Ceressa as she lay upon a mat. Her mind raced in circles as she tried to take in the fact she was spending the night in a village of the “savages” she had so feared. But they weren’t so very different from those of white skin or black skin or yellow skin. They loved and celebrated; they feared and fought and struggled. And they believed in God. Already, Latimer had brought the message of the Savior to his brother-in-law’s people. Ceressa suspected a tiny bit of the minister still resided deep within Latimer, even though he tried to hide it.

  Sitting up, Ceressa’s gaze strayed to where April slept with her cousins, clutching a cornhusk doll made by one of the elderly women. How could one not love the child with her curls and doe-like eyes? Even now, she was possessed of the urge to gather the child close.

  Coming to her feet, she made her way carefully to the entrance of the dwelling and slipped out. The night air was warm, her gaze finding the sliver of moon that had shone down upon her and Latimer the night before. How different that night had been.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” Gasping, she whirled about and recognized Latimer emerging from the shadows.

  “You gave me such a fright.”

  “Not as bad as the fright you gave me when you decided to speak to Bocatakum without permission.”

  “I know you told me to remain silent, but it was clear that the two of you were butting heads. That never works.”

  “I see. So, I have you to thank for the return of April?”

  “Bocatakum hasn’t said he’ll release her yet. Remember, he’s thinking about it.”

  “But he knows you wish her to be returned to me. That will decide him.”

  “What are you saying?” she asked, confused by Latimer’s words.

  “You’ve enchanted him just as you have me.”

  “I have done no such thing,” she protested, flustered and disturbed. She looked away from Latimer, twisting her hands.

  He quickly caught them and brought them to his lips.

  “I didn’t mean it in that way. He loves his wife, but you fascinate him. I saw it in his eyes when he showed you his Bible. He was amazed by your knowledge and how you quoted verses and passages of Scripture. You would have made a fine minister’s wife. Yet, you’re now tied to me, unequally yoked.”

  “That’s not so. You love the Lord as do I. Perhaps your path has strayed from the one He laid out for you, but it’s not too late to find your way back.”

  “And what path has He laid for you?” Latimer inquired huskily.

  “I thought I knew. Until that night at Sir Geoffrey’s. Now, I’m not so sure.”

  Latimer released her hands and turned away, gazing up at the moon. “What Bocatakum has asked will not be accomplished easily. I fear that you and April and all who depend upon me at Tidelands may suffer, for Bacon will surely retaliate. Tonight, I have given some thought to sending both you and April back to London. My pride and jealousy prevented me from doing so sooner. I wanted to be the one to help you—I wanted you to think as highly of me as you did Geoffrey. I wanted you to need me.”

  “Latimer,” she whispered as she moved so that she could look up at him. “If you only knew how I—”

  “Unca Lat? Ressa?” A sleepy tot wobbled toward them, rubbing her eyes. “You’re not goin’ way, are you?”

  “No, Pigeon.” Latimer moved toward her and lifted her in his arms. “We’re not going anywhere without you. You should be inside sleeping.”

  “I saw Ressa get up and leave. I wanted to come, too.”

  “Well, here we are,” Ceressa said, reaching up to stroke the child’s petal-soft cheek. “Why don’t we go back inside, and I’ll tuck you in?”

  “I sleep with you?” April asked hopefully.

  “Yes, dear, you can sleep with me.”

  Latimer sighed, and Ceressa caught the flash of disappointment in his gaze. But the important thing was to make April comfortable and secure this night. If the Lord willed such, there would be many other nights when she and Latimer could seek comfort with each other.

  ****

  “Wake up, wake up!” a little voice breathed in Latimer’s ear, and groaning, he rolled over to see April leaning over him. Her face was freshly scrubbed, and her hair had been combed and braided. Her little dress looked much cleaner, as though someone had washed it. Ceressa? “Get up. Ressa is drawing pictures in the sand, and she calls them letters. I can draw A, B, C.”

  The woman was already holding class, Latimer thought in vexation as he pushed himself up from the mat he’d placed near the entrance of the long house. Geoffrey had mentioned to him once that Ceressa had taken it upon herself to teach the servants’s children at Quarleton Mews. Now it appeared she had decided to educate the natives. Well, she wouldn’t be here long enough to teach them much more than a-b-c. Provided Bocatakum allowed them to leave with April. “Let’s go,” April urged as she grabbed his hand and tugged. He had no choice but to rise.

  Stumbling out of the opening, he was met by brilliant sunlight, which told him he’d overslept. A true surprise given the difficulty he’d faced while trying to fall asleep. All he could think about was how it had been between him and Ceressa the night before. There would be more of those times, he silently promised himself as he allowed April to drag him along.

  And there she was, kneeling upon the ground, at least a dozen children surrounding her as Ceressa made letters in the dirt with a stick. April released him and ran over to the gathering, kneeling between two of her little cousins. Ceressa looked up and smiled. Never had Latimer been so blessed before in his life as to be allowed to gaze upon a woman beautiful both physically and spiritually. Something within him unknotted—the cynical bitterness that had ruled and nearly ruined his life for so many years released his heart. He drew a deep, cleansing breath. “Nuttah,” he whispered to himself. “My heart.” He started to move closer until someone grasped his arm. It was Bocatakum.

  “You sleep all day like an aged one,” Bocatakum teased. “I have been up since before the nepausche rose in the sky over the great water. And you sleep on like a bear in winter. Even your noungasse is up and making herself useful.”

  Latimer chuckled. “I rarely indulge in a late rising. I ask your forgiveness, but apparently your hospitality allowed me to sleep deeply.”

  “I know better, Towawh. You are like the warrior who never sleeps but keeps a careful watch over his loved ones. She is the right one for you.” Bocatakum nodded toward Ceressa.

  “I know that now, but when we first wed, I was not as agreeable as I should have been. I’m afraid those
memories will only fade after much time has passed.”

  “Then you must pray to our great God that He will soften those memories and open your hearts. Latimer,” Bocatakum said, taking him by surprise. The man rarely called him by his English name, preferring the name Kitchi had given him—Strong One. “There will soon come a day when we will no longer be allowed in one another’s world. I have long known this would be—I believe you have felt the same.”

  Latimer pressed his lips together, knowing that to dispute Bocatakum’s words would be tantamount to lying.

  “I know that it was Kitchiwanok’s wish that his Pules be raised in the white man’s world because there is no future in ours. I accept this. I have placed my faith and trust in the God who sacrificed His own Son to save us. But what I ask of you is to keep us alive in the child’s heart. She knows our words—you have taught her well. But she needs to know who we were, who her father was, and how much he loved her. She needs to know that the blood of the great chief, Wahunsunacock, runs through her veins. And that no matter where life leads her, she is part of a proud people who were not afraid to die for their land.”

  Bocatakum’s words disturbed Latimer. The man spoke as though they would never meet again on this earth. But he spoke truly—while animosity and hostility prevailed in James Cittie, there was less and less chance that anything would be resolved between those of bronzed skin and those of white. Latimer knew he could no longer remain neutral in a battle that threatened all he held dear.

  The nagging notion that he should send Ceressa and April to England invaded his mind, but he forced the thought aside, unable to abide the pain it caused. There was so much he needed to explain to Ceressa. Somehow he had to make up for his inexcusable behavior. He couldn’t repair the damage if she left the colony. And skirmishes between the natives and the settlers had abated.

  “You know that I will,” Latimer pledged. “As long as God grants me life and breath. You have my word.” The two men clasped arms, and Bocatakum nodded solemnly. He then released Latimer and grinned.

  “You are lucky there is some food left after the morning meal. I made sure that some was put aside for you. Come—you will eat, and we will talk more about this story I have read in the Bible. The one about the good Samaritan.”

  ****

  Latimer had been silent for several hours, and as morning gave way to early afternoon, Ceressa wondered if she dared to break into his thoughts.

  April was riding before her on Nosegay and had fallen asleep some time earlier. Urging Nosegay along, she came up beside her husband. Husband, she thought, running the word through her mind in time with the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses’ hooves. Latimer looked over at her and gave her a half smile.

  “If you’re tired, I can hold her for a while.”

  “I’m fine—there’s no need to disturb her. I was wondering why you’re so quiet. Did Bocatakum upset you before we left?”

  “No. It’s just that I’m afraid things will never be resolved amicably between the settlers and the natives. Bocatakum believes the unrest and fighting will destroy his people and all the other tribes. That one day no one will remember the great Powhatan and his mighty confederacy. April is Powhatan’s great-great-niece. Bocatakum required my troth that I would share her heritage as she grows older. He doesn’t want her to forget her father or his people.”

  “That’s understandable,” Ceressa murmured. “April should be told.”

  “But that will make her different. It will limit her opportunities to make a good marriage. Prejudice runs rampant.”

  “You married me, and I might be a murderess.”

  Latimer turned his fiery green gaze upon her. “You must never say that again. It matters not to me. If Herrington did die, you did not mean for that to happen. You were defending yourself. I would have been sorely tempted to finish him myself. But you,” his eyes darkened, “are not to waste another moment dwelling upon the matter.”

  “It’s not so easy,” Ceressa said, as her vision blurred with tears. “I want to forget and put it all behind me, but—”

  “But nothing,” he shouted.

  April stirred in Ceressa’s arms, then stilled as she fell back to sleep.

  “I am your protector, Ceressa,” Latimer said, his voice much lower and softer. “I will keep you safe.” He turned away, focusing on the road, but she could see the muscles flexing in his iron jaw. Had her fire-breathing dragon returned? Where was the gentle, loving man who’d held her in his arms the night before last?

  They traveled an hour more in silence until April awoke, complaining of hunger and other needs. Ceressa dared to break the silence once more, aware that Bocatakum’s wife had given Latimer a basket of food to see them through their journey home.

  “It might not hurt to stop and stretch,” Ceressa suggested. “And April is hungry.”

  “Only April?” There was a teasing light in his eyes now, and Ceressa was relieved that he no longer seemed angry. “Personally, I could eat a bear.”

  “I don’t want eat no bear,” April said and pouted. “I want honey and bread.”

  “Miswetau made sure you would have honey for your bread, Pigeon. Yes, we should stop. But I’d like to travel a few miles more until we reach the confluence of the Pamunkey and York. We’ll stop there, eat, and rest for a bit before we continue. I’m hoping to make it all the way to James Cittie, perhaps by midnight. I’m sure we’d like to sleep in our own beds.” Ceressa felt a blush steal over her, wondering if he meant to share a bed with her. The light in his eyes was encouraging, but she certainly didn’t want to read more into his expression than existed.

  Reaching over, he plucked April from Ceressa and settled the child before him. “Just to give you a rest,” he explained.

  She smiled. Perhaps their earlier disagreement was already forgotten.

  It was only a short ride to the village Ceressa recalled from yesterday. There’d been much activity about the river, but today there was a sizeable gathering in front of the church, men’s voices carrying loudly on the warm air. Ceressa noticed the disturbed look in Latimer’s eyes.

  “Why don’t you and April unpack our meal,” he suggested while slowing Firewind, “and find us a nice, shady spot. I think I’ll see what’s going on over at the church.” He must have read the uncertainty in her eyes, for he smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Nuttah.” He placed April on her feet while Ceressa dismounted. Latimer untied the basket behind his saddle and handed it to her.

  As soon as he rode off, Ceressa looked down at April. “Do you know that word—nuttah?”

  “Of course I do,” she replied as though insulted. “Unca Lat says it to me lots. Means ‘my heart.’”

  “Does it, now?” Ceressa said. What a beautiful word, she thought as she took April’s hand and led her toward a grove of inviting trees.

  Fire Dragon's Angel

  27

  Dismounting, Latimer looped Firewind’s reins around a post then walked toward the growing crowd gathered before the church. As Latimer slipped in among the men, it was hard to understand what they were saying, but there was no mistaking something important had transpired. He neared two men who seemed to be more composed than the others, their private discussion barely discernable, and both men attired in the manner of the gentry. Latimer decided to approach them to ask what matter had invoked such intense discussion.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’ve just arrived, and it appears something of great import has occurred. My final destination is James Cittie, and I was wondering—”

  “James Cittie?” one of the men repeated. “That would be the last place you’d want to head. A post rider has just brought the news that Nathaniel Bacon went to the governor last evening requesting permission to visit his sick wife in Henrico County. When it was discovered that his wife was hale and hearty, the governor ordered a search for the miscreant. It was learned that Bacon was no longer in residence at his lodging house, even though he’d told Sir William he wouldn’t
be leaving until the middle of this week. A party was sent after him, covering both river and road, but there was no sign of him. Of a certainty, he left in the middle of the night.

  “I knew this was going to happen.” Latimer’s vehemence drew strange looks from the two men. “I was present at the assembly when Bacon made his ‘humble’ petition to Sir William, seeking the man’s forgiveness. What a marvelous act that was. Bacon has never been humble one day in his entire life. I could tell at the last session things weren’t going to his liking, especially when Sir William ignored his request for a commission once again. He’ll return to Henrico and stir up the residents.”

  “Sir, begging your pardon, but might I ask your name?” the taller of the two requested. “You seem to have intimate knowledge of these goings-on. Mayhap you could give us some insight.” Within seconds, the two men had summoned the others, and they now crowded about Latimer, who introduced himself and repeated the details of Bacon’s activities at the State House.

  “What do you suggest?” one man asked.

  “The governor should send another force after Bacon; halt him now before he comes marching back into James Cittie with his own army. We’ve underestimated the power of this man once too often. There’s no reasoning with him.”

  “There’s no reasoning with Sir William, either,” another cried. “He and Nat Bacon are cut from the same mold.”

  “The fate of this colony rests upon the decisions the governor makes today. If Nathaniel Bacon returns to James Cittie, it will be to destroy the man we recognize as the supreme authority in this colony. Whether or not we support Sir William, or agree with his course of action, to allow Bacon’s continued rebellion is the same as saying we no longer believe in what brought us to Virginia. Think on that, before this land, already divided, is covered with the blood of hate and discontent. I suggest to all, be you neighbor, friend, adversary, or associate, that we enter this church before us and pray for guidance, just as I hope Sir William is doing at this very moment.” Latimer looked about the assemblage and spotted Ceressa at the edge of the group holding April’s hand. Her hair was tucked up beneath the hat again so that she’d be taken for a boy. Evidently, she was aware that a woman would be less-than-welcome intruding into what was considered the business of men. Making his way through the babbling crowd, he reached her but held back from taking her in his arms. Her eyes were wide.