Currents of Will

by Susan MacIver

  “That is a great idea.” Aris looked at Rogert, “Let us tell the others so that they may begin the preparations!”

  The men hurried out the door; however, Ni-Cio tarried. He didn’t want his friends to know the extent of his alarm. In his entire life, he had never felt anything like the pains he experienced. He thought Rogert’s theory about the gas had merit, so in order to put that possibility to rest, he contacted the topsider. “Evan, the gas … what effects might it have on someone? I have experienced extreme stomach pains. Could the gas Travlor’s men released cause something like that?”

  Evan’s reply came back swiftly and with such certainty that it allayed Ni-Cio’s worries. “No, Ni-Cio … no effects as you describe. Can you think of any other reasons you are having these pains?”

  Ni-Cio couldn’t imagine what was happening. Evan’s next suggestion was wiser than Ni-Cio cared to admit. “You should find a doctor in town. Maybe he could help …”

  “I believe I will. I am disturbed by the reoccurrences. Are you and Kyla well?”

  “We are more than well; another time I will tell you all that has happened, but promise me, find a doctor . . .”

  Ni-Cio nodded, Evan was right. “Take care of my sister …”

  “Trust me, she’s in good hands …”

  Ni-Cio laughed; he missed his topside friend. “That is what I am afraid of . . .”

  He decided to find Rogert. He could ride into town with him and while Rogert purchased the beer, he would try to find a doctor. “Although, I am not certain what topside doctors can do.”

  He sorely missed Daria; she would have had him well immediately. With that thought, Ni-Cio felt like his heart would break. “Is it possible for a heart to weep?” He pulled a chair closer and sat. He dropped his head into his hands and bent forward, elbows on knees. He suddenly felt old and tired and bereft of finding her. “Without you my love, I am only half a person. Where are you? And why have we found no trace of Travlor?”

  He ran his hands through his hair and felt the loose grains of dirt scrape his scalp. “Where are you, love? Please be well, I cannot live without you …”

  He let himself feel the loss of her for a few minutes more, then he abruptly sat up. “What is this moroseness? It helps nothing. Ni-Cio, get hold of yourself! Things have a way of falling into place. Always, one foot in front of the other.”

  Those thoughts helped lift his flagging spirits. He stood and swiftly departed to find Rogert. A party was exactly what they needed.

  Evan had taken Kyla out for dinner to his favorite restaurant high above Boston. The city lights sparkled like precious jewels and a light patter of rain gave everything a soft, misted glow.

  Kyla had readily accepted topside food and was working her way through a huge salad. Evan couldn’t eat for the love that filled his heart. The brilliance of the lights had been forgotten as he once again drank in the Atlantean’s beauty. He was proud to have her on his arm. “This place suits you.”

  Kyla looked up and smiled. “Every place suits you.” She knew he had more to say, so she stopped eating and waited for him to continue.

  “I’m glad I’ve made the decision to sell. It would be too much of a hassle to have someone manage the business. I would have to continually oversee everything and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on you.”

  Kyla waved her fork playfully. “I like it when you concentrate on me. I think that is what you should always do.”

  Her statement brought its own dose of reality and Evan unbuttoned his suit jacket, leaning forward. “I’ve given it some thought, and it may take a while, but once I’ve sold the business, we’ll return to Santorini. I want to revive the compound and regrow the old vineyard into a viable business. I’ve been thinking it would be a great place to raise our children and still give you easy access to your home.”

  “Oh, I had never thought of that.” Kyla put her fork down. “I just assumed we would live in Atlantis.” She was quiet, for a moment. Then she sighed and took Evan’s hand. “I cannot imagine you would feel right about living in a place that holds so many painful memories. It was selfish of me.”

  Her downcast expression went straight to Evan’s heart. He gently rubbed each knuckle on her slender hand. Then, he turned her hand over and placed a tender kiss in the middle of her palm. “Love, I don’t know why I didn’t think to ask what you wanted. Do you not want to live topside?”

  Kyla was silent for so long that Evan released her hand and reluctantly picked up his fork. He speared his food but had lost his appetite. In truth, he didn’t really care where they lived as long as it was together, though he didn’t think it would be easy to live underwater full time. It would be worth a shot if that’s what she wants.

  Kyla tilted her head, placed her elbows on either side of her plate, and rested her chin on her fists. Her eyes glistened in the candlelight and Evan could see the love that radiated from her heart.

  She held out her hand and Evan reached across the table, placing his hand in hers. Kyla smiled. “Evan, I would live anywhere with you. I think your idea is magnificent! Why, it would give us the best of both our worlds.”

  Evan swiped his mouth, dropped his napkin next to his plate, and stood. He held Kyla’s chair and helped her up. He didn’t care if the whole world watched. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her so passionately that older couples in the restaurant wished they were younger and younger couples felt as though they were witnessing some excellent training.

  When Kyla and Evan finally released each other, the entire restaurant broke into applause and whistles. Evan laughed and called for the waiter. “Would you happen to have enough bottles of Cristal to serve everyone here?”

  The waiter gawked but quickly reacquired his dignity and stood at attention. “Why certainly, sir.”

  Evan smiled and nodded at the other patrons. “Then please, if you would, a bottle for every table!”

  Everyone in the restaurant rose in a standing ovation and amid boisterous cheers and more applause, the waiter disappeared, signaling for the rest of the staff to follow.

  Returning with the first bottle, he made a gracious show of producing and pouring for Evan and Kyla. He quickly settled the Champagne into a chilled bucket of ice and left them to themselves.

  Evan raised his glass and looked deeply into Kyla’s wide, amber eyes. “To the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, to our long life together, and to our new home. May we be blessed with children and grandchildren, with love and laughter, and the time to enjoy … oh, and great wine!”

  Kyla laughed and they clinked glasses. To Evan, her eyes sparkled more than the Champagne.

  The man came in heavily escorted by Travlor’s armed guards. In one hand, he carried a rather large, black leather bag. He looked extremely anxious and kept swiping his face with a rumpled, dingy white, handkerchief that he clutched in his other hand. His sparse dark hair fell in damp strands over his high forehead and his wide mouth seemed to be moving in some kind of prayer. He was dwarfed by everyone present.

  Travlor raked him with his eyes. He didn’t trust anyone but Daria as a healer; however, he had no other ideas. The man didn’t look too accomplished. “Who are you?”

  Nervously clearing his throat, the man opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. He tried again. “I—I am Doctor Diaz. I am from the local hospital.”

  “Do you know anything about pregnancy?” Travlor held his hands clasped behind his back. To the man standing surrounded by soldiers, he probably seemed like his executioner. Travlor didn’t care; he just needed to be sure that this man could help Daria.

  The Columbian’s deep, brown eyes lit with hope. “That is my specialty. I deal in troubled pregnancies and I will be glad to help you.” He glanced warily at each of the guards.

  Travlor stood in thought for just a moment, then nodded. He sent a compulsion to the doctor. “You are to exami
ne her and that is all … if the woman tries to enlist your help to leave the premises or asks where we are or asks you to get in touch with another person, you will not acknowledge …” The man’s eyes blanked and Travlor signaled the soldiers to take him upstairs to Daria’s room. As the men rushed off with the doctor, Travlor rubbed his face. The stiff growth of whiskers scraped his skin and it wasn’t until then that he realized he hadn’t gone through his daily ablutions. He detested feeling grimy. While the doctor was looking at Daria, he decided to go to his quarters and clean up.

  Daria was standing by the window when she heard the knock. She turned in time to see the door open. The man they had brought to the house hesitated and she waved him in. He edged into the room and cautiously closed the door. Trying not to look as desperate as she felt, she quickly walked over to shake his hand. “Hello, I’m Daria.” She could tell he was less than happy to be here.

  “Hello, I am Doctor Diaz.” He shook her hand limply, then shifted his gaze to the floor.

  She hurried closer and whispered urgently, “I am being held against my will. Where are we? Please, can you help me?” Daria held her breath and waited for the doctor’s response. When he didn’t say anything, she glanced up and could see that his eyes had glazed over. “So, he’s given you a compulsion. I should’ve known.” She sighed dispiritedly and gave up any thoughts of having him contact Ni-Cio. She switched her attention back to the reason that had brought him here: her baby’s health. “Thank you for coming. Are you familiar with pregnancy?”

  The doctor offered a small grin and nodded. “I trained in the United States.”

  Surprised, Daria asked, “Where did you go to school?”

  The small man looked shy, yet at the same time, proud. “Harvard.”

  Daria couldn’t help herself, she laughed. “Well, if I’d known that, I wouldn’t have been so scared about your visit.”

  The man nodded as if he understood. “We had no hospital where I grew up; it was my dream to go to the States and study medicine so that I could come back and help my people.”

  “Well, hopefully now you can help me.” Daria motioned to the bed. “Will that be all right?”

  “Si.” He stripped the sheet from the bed and handed it to her. “Please, try to make yourself comfortable. If you could wrap this around you, I will proceed with my examination.”

  Daria went to the bathroom and did as instructed. When she reentered the room, she walked to the bed and lay down. The doctor spread another sheet over her, then went to his medical bag and snapped it open. He took some instruments out, placing them on a clean white towel that he had spread out on the bed. He then pulled on some latex gloves and gingerly approached Daria. He explained the procedure. Daria closed her eyes and nodded her understanding.

  The doctor began his examination. To Daria, it seemed to take forever. She tried to think of other things, but all her prayers and hopes centered on what he would or wouldn’t find regarding the health of her baby. At last, she heard the snap of latex as he removed his gloves. He located a trash can and deposited them into it. “You may get dressed now.”

  Daria pulled the sheet tighter and hurried to the bathroom. When she came out, Dr. Diaz was seated with his legs crossed and a deep frown furrowing his brow. He waited for her to sit next to him. She tried to read his expression but she only noticed that his dark eyes were filled with compassion.

  “You are healthy and I believe the baby is healthy.” He hesitated, causing Daria’s alarm to ratchet up.

  “But …” she wanted to yank his reply out of his mouth. She tried to steady herself for the bad news.

  “But, I have never seen such a rapid growth rate. The child is twice what she should be.” He shook his head. “I have seen nothing like this and I have birthed many babies.”

  Daria released her breath, “Is she overweight?”

  “No, she is perfect … just larger than what would be expected this early into your pregnancy.”

  Daria was confused. “Well, what does this mean for us? Will she become too big to carry?”

  The man scratched his chin. “It is possible. Again, I have no knowledge of this particular condition.” He considered Daria’s problem for a moment. “Let me contact some of my colleagues and see if they know of this.” He sympathized with the young woman’s trepidation and took one of her hands. “I will get back to you as soon as possible.” He gently patted her wrist. “I wouldn’t worry about your stomach pains. As bad as they are, it seems to me to be caused by the rapid spurt of growth that neither your womb nor your child is accustomed to.”

  Daria was almost overcome with relief. She grabbed the doctor’s hands and squeezed. “If the pains are due to the growth of my daughter, then it’s a small price to pay for a healthy baby.” She smiled so wide her face hurt. “Thank you so much! You don’t know how much better I feel. I was so worried.”

  The man blinked twice before rising from his chair. He helped Daria up. “I am still worried about the accelerated rate. If it continues, there will come a time that your body will not be able to contain the baby. And for the sake of your life and that of the child’s, we must be prepared for a Caesarean.”

  “Oh my God, I didn’t even consider that.” Shaken again, Daria showed the doctor to the door.

  “I will let your guardian know that I should continue to look in on you.”

  Daria, lost in thought, hardly noticed when he left. When she heard the door click closed, she stood up and walked to the window, pushing the shutters aside. The news was not even close to what she’d been expecting. It was imperative now that she find a way to break Travlor’s hold over her thoughts. She had to let Ni-Cio know. She was so frightened. “I can’t go through this without you. I need your strength.”

  The back of her throat prickled and tears threatened. She gulped air and went to the sink for water. As she was filling a glass, she heard another knock. She didn’t feel like talking to anybody, but whether she wanted it or not, the door swung open to admit Travlor. The sternness with which he addressed her erased any thought of the man ever softening his attitude.

  “So, now that we must endure regular visits from this man, you are going to have to pick one of the kitchen staff to be with you when you are examined.” He stepped out of the room holding the door handle. “I will not have you talking to anyone other than me; is that clear?”

  He slammed the door behind him and Daria forgot about the water. She went to the bed before her knees gave way, then lay down and buried her face in one of the pillows. Her tears spilled out and her shoulders shook, but of one thing she was more determined than ever. She sat up and hiccoughed. Wiping her eyes, she glared at the door. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll break through your barriers! I will get through to Ni-Cio and he will come for us!”

  Doctor in tow, Travlor rushed down the stairs and stopped in the middle of the great room. “Everyone in here, on the double!”

  Soldiers raced to comply, boots clomping hurriedly against tile. Within seconds twenty men were assembled and awaiting their orders.

  “You three!” He pointed to each man. Stepping forward, they came to a halt and saluted. “Take the doctor back to the hospital. Give him leave to find the medical instruments and things he will need to set up an operating room in this house. Do not let him stint on anything. I want the newest equipment and I want any recommendations he might have for the birth of this child. Questions?”

  Nothing but silence, the men stared into space, and no one moved, they hardly dared breath.

  “All right, you three, get to it! The rest of you, dismissed!” Travlor waved his hand and the men jumped to comply. The three volunteers ushered the diminutive doctor out of the house and into the waiting vehicle. The rest of the soldiers returned to their assigned posts.

  Travlor was alone. He crossed to one of the many seating areas and dropped to a chair, then lowered h
is head to his hands. “This complicates matters.” He let his mind roam for a while, then had an idea. “My fame is not spreading fast enough.” Spurred by that thought, he raised his head and glared in the direction of Daria’s rooms. “I will initiate another healing before the topsider becomes too weak. This child frightens me.”

  He knew what he had to do. “Ten men, on the double!” They quickly filed in, received their orders, and departed.

  Travlor stood. With great effort, he straightened himself and grimly scanned his body. His legs were weak and his breath didn’t come as easily as it once did. He shook his head and walked to the stairs. Grabbing the handrail, he took several deep breaths and began the climb to his office. “It won’t be long before I need another healing session.”

  Covered in thick makeup, Ni-Cio sat in the passenger seat watching Rogert wrestle the truck to town and he hid his smile. “I think the truck is winning.”

  One side of Rogert’s mouth quirked up and he glanced quickly at his friend. “This vehicle and I have become friends; the obstinacy you observe is like a handshake. The old man knows I will overpower him, he just wants to make known his objections.”

  Ni-Cio watched the contest of wills between man and machine with no doubts as to who would win the battle. Rattling over the ruts, they finally reached their destination. Rogert located a spot and jammed the truck into park. “We will meet back here. I will not be long—the place for the beer is just over there.”

  He pointed to a shop and Ni-Cio nodded. “I will locate a doctor’s office. Evan has told me what I need to do.”

  They took off in opposite directions and Ni-Cio, with a few wrong turns, located an office with a sign proclaiming that the doctor was in and that walk-in patients were welcome.

  He pushed through the door and entered an office that, while not spacious and grand, certainly was clean and welcoming. Seated behind the front desk, an attractive young woman greeted him, “Good morning, how can I help you?”