Two young boys came running to the front of the big house to take their horses, and lead those on the wagon to the back.
Manny inhaled the last of the fresh air before entering the mansion. The others following suit – the body and breath odor coming from Gareth Kuiper filled the space surrounding him.
Quinton did not like the idea of staying the night, and would tell Manny so; they had to come up with a quick way to get her, and get out of there.
In fact, he spoke quickly, afraid that Manny might pin them to a night’s stay. “Our visit will be brief, for only a few hours or more – however, in exchange for your hospitality, I am a physician, I would be willing to look you over, your slaves, servants.”
“They look after themselves. Me, I’m fit as a fiddle and anything serious, Cora takes care’uv’em.”
Manny stood fighting back a grin, he was in agreement with the doctor, the last thing he wanted, was to lay his head down in such a place, there would be no telling what he would rise with.
“Cora? Who is Cora?” Quinton asked, even though he knew.
“She answered the door – the Indian.” He waved her off as if not important, what he wanted was money, “Why don’t you gentlemen have a seat, make yourselves comfortable – you know, here at Clover Leaf, we deal in some of the prettiest fancies known anywhere. I’m sure I have one or two, or more to your liking.” Rushing to his tray of drinks, “How about a drink, before I bring’em in for you to see’em?”
Manny turned to Quinton, deciding to let him have the first say, so not to step on his plan. “Fancies you say? Hm, interesting, I shall pass on the drink, water is fine if you please, it is still early in the day; however, the Fancies would be nice to see.”
Manny turned from watching Quinton to the owner, “Yes, I would like to see them as well. As owner of quite a few properties, I can never have enough servants.”
Gareth rubbed his hands together, giddy with excitement, “I’ll bring’em right in!” He rushed from the room and down the hall, leaving the men alone.
Quinton turned to Manny, “I’m sorry, the thought of spending the night in this horrendous place-…”
Manny lifted a hand to stop him, “I am in total agreement, the quicker our goal met, the better.”
“The woman Cora, is my wife’s mother. I cannot leave here without her, no matter what else she must be with us upon departing. He’s going to bring in God knows how many slave girls, how many will we buy? And how will we get him to add her?” Quinton worried.
“I will buy them all with the stipulation that Cora is thrown in with them, or else, none.” Manny answered, “He is in need, he will take the deal.”
“I owe you greatly for this.”
“You owe me nothing, you get her mother, and the rest belong to me.” Manny expressed.
Quinton sighed, nodding at the fair deal.
Ten minutes later, they could hear them being shuffled down the hall towards them, until altogether, eight young girls stood before them, with Cora standing behind them all. They were shocked to see, that three of them, were no more than 10 years old. Their skin color ranged from mahogany, to olive. Some had dark eyes, two had blue eyes, one of them, sandy blonde hair. The one with blue eyes and sandy hair was one of the young ones – they could also see, that she must have been his bastard child from one of the slaves.
Manny couldn’t take his eyes off of her at first, he couldn’t believe it! He knew that it happened, he’d always known – but to see this man, eagerly willing to sell his very own little girl to them, to do with her, whatever they pleased made him sick. He couldn’t speak for a moment; it was like seeing Hope – his own daughter by Lena. No, her eyes had not been blue, no her hair not quite the blonde of hers, but their skin color was so close, they could have been sisters. He looked to the other two young ones, and realized there was another that was his – this one also had blue eyes, her skin, dark, her hair straight and dark with a hue of blonde, and then it occurred to him that they were sisters, of the same mother perhaps. Sure enough, they could hear screaming from outside, their mother.
Manny wanted to take them all, but had no way to transport them. He couldn’t ignore the screaming of the mother, and then another joined the first. The sound of it was horrible beyond any nightmare.
Quinton couldn’t speak past the massive lump of disbelief in his throat, to see eight young women, all beautiful yes – but with them, 3 little girls, it was more than he could stand to be witness to. He wanted to leave the evil place that minute.
Manny came to his feet, “I will take them all! Their mothers included – they breed well.”
Gareth couldn’t believe his ears, immediately the numbers started adding up in his head, but before he got too excited, he wanted to make it clear on the total price.
“Now be sure, I’m talking $100 a head.” He clarified.
“Yes, the two mothers of the young ones included, how much for them?”
“Well, they breeders – they come just about as high, oooh, I’ll give you a deal, let’s say, $75 for each of them.”
Manny nodded, and then pointed at Cora, “And for her, how much for her?”
“Her? Cora? She ain’t worth nothing, breedin’ days over, she damaged her insides so she couldn’t have another, goddamn Indians – she should be dead.” He grumbled angrily, looking back at her.
“Nevertheless, I’ll have her just the same.” Manny spoke up.
“Why? Dammit,” He turned to Cora, “Get them two in here that’s doing all that screamin’ so they can shut up! Giving me a damn headache.” He griped meanly.
She turned immediately, calling them inside. Both women rushed in, going for their daughters, one grabbed two to her breasts, another was enfolded into her mother’s arms as well, still sobbing low. They were afraid, all of them, their future uncertain. The older girls, age range from 13 to 16 maybe, stood accepting, no tears.
After the women had calmed a bit, silent in their fears, Manny went back to dealing, “Well – how much for Cora?” He asked.
“Emmm,” Gareth scratched his head, looking at her, “Not too sure I want to get rid of her, she our medicine woman – she sees to the others.”
“In that case, I’m wanting her even more, my new plantation is in need of someone to care for those I own. I’m certain there will be another among yours who can carry on where she left off.”
Gareth stood thinking about it, not wanting to throw her in, when Quinton spoke up, “We will pay for her, what this entire lot will bring you.”
Gareth’s eyes grew so round they looked as if they could pop out of his head, “Let’s see that would be, 800 for the young ones, 150 for their mothers,” He looked up at Quinton as if he was crazy, “You mean, you’ll pay $950 for an old broken down, good for nothing Indian, that can’t produce no more?”
“Yes – if you say that she has healing skills…”
“That and more! That and more! You got yourself a deal! Got to pay now, I prefer gold.”
Two hours later, they rolled out with their 11 charges after Manny promised him, that he would be back. Gareth was dancing with joy, eagerly pressing him not to forget that he’d said so. It had been a long time since he’d made such a deal, and of course, he gained extra because the women needed blankets to keep warm and instead of throwing those in, he charged over the top for them as well.
Once they were all completely clear from the plantation, they assured the women that they were safe, that no harm would come to them, or course they didn’t believe them until Quinton called out Cora’s true name, “MiaKoda…” She looked up at him as he rode alongside the wagon where she sat with the others.
“How – my name?” She questioned.
“Your daughter.” Quinton answered gently.
“Which – daughter?” She asked hesitantly.
“The one, who is my wife, Lady Sarah, Countess of WhistHirst.”
Shaking her head, “I do not know such a woman, certainly not one, wh
o is my daughter?”
“Suga – your daughter – Suga. She is my wife, and before I could take her across the waters to her new home, your new home, she made me give my word, that her mother would be with her. Suga – has sent us for you.”
Since all in the wagon knew who her daughters were, and especially Suga they all sat in dumb silence, trying to wrap their heads around the idea that this white man had not only married her, but had come for her mother, they could not grasp what that meant.
“She – send you – all of you?” She looked around at them as if they might be trying to play a trick on her.
“I am her husband, she sent me. The rest came along to see that the deed be done – no matter what.” He smiled at her.
Cora only nodded her head, taking their word for it, and yet, like the others sitting close around her, she waited for the truth to unfold.
One of the women nudged Cora to ask a question they were all curious about.
“Masta’, the others, they worry – may I ask you about them?” Cora furthered. Manny’s eyes went to them, to the little dark one with the blue eyes, huddled tight against her mother. Because his eyes were on her, she spoke up as well, saying, “Please massa’? We sca’d.” in the voice of one so young, a voice so sweet, he couldn’t wait to get them to a better place. He rode comfortably alongside the women, his eyes still on her, he smiled, “Ask what you will.” He invited.
Cora sat back, quietly, listening.
“If we is safe, where we goin’?”
“Cora, is going with Doctor Quinton, the man riding there. The rest of you, are going to school. A better place to live, plenty of warm clothing, and at school, you will learn to read - among other things. We have a long journey ahead, huddle together and stay warm; we are going to close the top over you. Any more questions, before I do?” Manny asked them. They all shook their heads, eyes wide with wonder, praying that what he said was true.
With the blankets over their heads, closed around their bodies, they were quiet, leaning against one another, speaking as soft as a whisper, and a couple were praying.
Evan sat as a witness to it all, watchful – he’d always admired his brother. For once, he was glad that he was the eldest and chosen as Earl, because he knew if it had been him, or any other, they –or- he, would have squandered much of the inheritance and then where would they be? Yes, his father had chosen well to give all to Quinton, as long as Quinton had all, all – including himself, could continue to live among the elites in the style he’d grown to appreciate. As for the rest, in that too, he was charitable. It would be interesting to see what their mother would think of him, and his charitable spirit. He had paid for his wife’s mother, what the other man had paid for all the girls – their mother would not like that at all.
Back at the Princess – the women waiting – used that time to further educate Lady Sarah. Ellen was able to sit in on the lessons as her husband stayed behind to use this time to be with his son more since the ship was anchored to await the others.
In the areas that Lena taught, Ellen filled in whatever small cracks there might be, for even Lena to make notes in her ledgers and journals.
Standing and pacing, so much the way she’d seen her husband doing for years, Lena began reiterating what Sarah had been taught so far, encouraging her to fill in the pauses…
“Okay, let’s hear it; the presence of kings began how far back?”
“As far as the bible, two books are in fact called kings,” Sarah answered, “First Kings, and Second Kings.”
“In what time or circumstances among men, calls out more often than not, for the need of kings?”
“That would be, in the time of wars, whether defending ones borders or invading another land, this is where men or a man who may be worthy to be called, king – this is where he must prove himself.”
“To whom?” Lena asked.
“Before other men.” Sarah answered.
“Elaborate.” Lena encouraged.
Sarah gave it thought a few moments, trying to get her words in order, and then, “He must have, traits of a leader – he must be courageous, bold, with words to stir those around him to listen – and to act upon what they hear; his plan must be sound and then he must take the lead in his defenses - or – in the invasion. Should he prove victorious, those who follow him will gain confidence that this is a man they should follow, leaving all matters to him.”
“Exactly, the more he succeeds, the more he takes, stores and distributes among his favorite men, the more powerful he becomes. As he becomes powerful, if – he shares his success with those beneath him, they will become loyal to him. Thus, he becomes their king – the sovereign they turn to in all matters.”
Sarah nodded, coming to understand and see things more clearly. “What of the man himself, what is he made of, that is different from other men?”
Sarah sat for a moment, thinking that over, “I don’t know,-…”
“Does he have any special powers, perhaps given him by God? That makes him stronger than other men?” Lena asked. Again, Sarah thought about it, “I – I don’t think so.”
“All men are the same Lady Sarah, they all bleed, they all feel pain, they all suffer regret with their failures and they all shout jubilantly when victorious.” Lena stood before her letting that sink in, and then she took the seat across from her. Leaning over the table, she met Sarah’s eyes and then tapped her temple, “This is what separates one man, from another – this,” She tapped at her head for Sarah to realize what she meant, “A man who is powerful, uses this first, he fills it with all that is needed to get other men to listen to his voice. The more men that he has who will listen, follow and remain loyal, the more powerful he becomes. Do you understand?”
Sarah nodded, “So then, he must be wise?”
“Some are - some are not. You see, I believe, wisdom only comes when you use your mind, and your heart. There are men, who do not use their hearts – at all, because if they use their hearts – their hearts will compel them to share the riches and plenty they gain with those in their domains, the little people - let’s say, that keep his kingdom standing.”
“I don’t understand? Why would they not choose to be wise?”
“Some do choose to be wise. But – at the same time, there are those who choose to be – greedy, powerful and nothing else. There are two kinds of kings, one is a king who has fought the heavy fight, who has led the charge, who has bled and struggled for his victory. Often times, this king is wise. Then, there is the other type of king, this king has not fought in any of the battles, he has shed no blood, he has led no charge, nor stood with his men fighting for victory.”
“Then how did he become king?”
“Inheritance.”
“What is, inheritance?”
“It is when, a king – perhaps the original – who fought and led the battles – passed on all that he’d fought for and gained, to his son. These sons, unfortunately most, have been protected, guarded, pampered, spoiled, lived a life of the very best; they, these sons began thinking more of themselves than they should. Thus, they became greedy, wanting more power, and thus – out the window went wisdom and the heart.”
“Thus, you have kings, who have no heart, some not even this, -(she pointed at her head)- what his forefather had – but they have lands, power, an army. Now, all they can see is a need to have more, and the only way to do that, is bring about war.”
Sarah sank back in her seat with her head swimming; listening as Ellen gave actual instances of what Lena had just told her.
They taught her about past wars, kings, dukes, and how all the other titles existing came to be. They discussed what makes a kingdom strong, and what makes it weak, open for another rival nation to come and take it. They talked about a people who were once no more civilized than the tribes they attacked, who were and are barbaric in what they fight to claim simply because they had access to stronger materials for weapons.
As they invaded, they t
ook gold, silks and styles and fashioned for themselves a standard of life and living that if others were not of said fashion – they were then considered uncivilized, only worthy of turning into slaves.
These were the Welsh, the Irish, the Scots and any other they conquered, until now – the time period has moved on to push forward the last slave, the African; the most sturdy slave of all. Because they can endure the sun, the long hours of back breaking work, and unlike the others, no matter what they are wearing, they stand out.
For the following days, Sarah was filled with questions for Lena and Ellen, one after the other. Some they answered in discussion, some Lena made her read and research for the answers. The more she did so, the more that all could see, it was indeed changing her, little by little and Lena prayed, for the best – because as she had always known, knowledge was power – the problem with it was too many with the knowledge, used the power it gave them, and not their hearts.
Deciding that she’d taught enough, Lena met her one day up top, on the deck of the ship as she was standing, looking out at the vast sea awaiting them, “Until the return of your husband, I want you to spend the remaining time alone, to ponder what you’ve learned. I want you to think about what some have done with their knowledge, and power – and I want you to think about what you will do, with yours. You are now, Lady Sarah Abigail Caine, Countess of WhistHirst. What will that name come to mean to those within your husband’s estates? What will his name come to mean?” Lena finished and quietly strolled away, leaving Sarah alone to think.
Ponder she did, day after day, she read and thought about all that she read. She stood at the ships railings each new day and thought about all that she could see before her. The men on the ship that protected them; most white males, a few black, Indian and Lena’s cook and doctor, Gaitsu the Asian – he was a wise man – yet, not a king, but all upon the ship, even Lena, looked up to him.
The Fancy Page 17
