The Purlieu Experiment, Book 1

by Linda L Rigsbee

  Kenyon led the way, and it was he who selected their campsite. The first night it was under a rock overhang. It was fortunate that he chose that spot, because in the middle of the night a thunderstorm woke them. Rain poured and lightening flashed with blinding frequency. Thunder rumbled so hard that the ground shuddered.

  They put their bedrolls as close as they could to the rock wall behind them. When the storm reached its climax, Akira grabbed her blanket and curled up beside Donte. She was actually trembling. He found her hand and squeezed it. She never said anything and neither did the other two men when they woke to find her sleeping next to him. Donte fixed a quick breakfast and Akira helped clean the camp while they saddled their equines. They mounted and continued their journey.

  Kenyon was pushing them. No doubt he wanted to get out of Lochfowk as fast as he could before someone changed their mind. Donte was in the same frame of mind. Chait didn’t talk much and when he did, it was usually brusque and to no one in particular. It occurred to Donte that he was in what he would consider poor company. Unless he changed his attitude, he would be the only one to suffer. Soon they would be in Libertad, where only Donte and Kenyon knew the language. Akira had shown in the past that she could adapt.

  A little past mid-day they reached a high spot where they could see the river - the border between Libertad and Lochfowk. They would reach it sometime tomorrow. Donte was the first to speak, and he spoke to Kenyon.

  “After the rain last night, do you think we will be able to cross?”

  Chait snorted. “How many times have you got this far, Kenyon?”

  Akira gave Chait a poisonous look. “I think you enjoyed letting him get as far as he could without getting out of Lochfowk.”

  Donte felt sick to his stomach. Was this another of their games? Would they be captured and taken back? He looked at Chait and then at Kenyon. They had no weapons, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t put up a formidable resistance.

  Kenyon ignored Chait. “There is a sand bar that goes almost all the way across. We can swim the equines across the rest of the way. We’ll get wet, but…”

  “Shut up, Chait.” Akira said. “This time he’ll make it and then you’ll know what it’s like to be at the mercy of people you are unable to communicate with.”

  “You shut up you….” Chait launched into a string of lewd and insulting titles.

  Kenyon swung around to Chait. “I’m going to tell you just once. Keep a civil tongue in your head when you talk to her.”

  Chait’s brows shot up. “Since when did you become a defender of women…especially her?”

  Kenyon ignored him, turning to Akira. “Don’t bait him.”

  Akira urged her mount up beside Donte. She spoke without looking at him. “I’ll be glad when we get across that border.”

  Behind her back, Chait gave her a disgusted look and shook his head.

  Donte looked at Kenyon. Hopefully Chait and Akira wouldn’t act this way when they were introduced to others.

  Kenyon gave Donte a wry smile. “Are you sorry you brought the kids with you, now?”

  Akira gave Kenyon a startled glance and looked at Donte. “I’m sorry.”

  Donte moved so he could see all three of them. “You are going to be introduced to some of the most influential men on the planet. I hope you appreciate that and act accordingly.” He let his gaze rest on Chait. “Where we are going, disrespect of women is unacceptable. It will likely result in a bloody nose or a black eye. It is even possible that I will give it to you.”

  Kenyon looked away, obviously fighting a grin.

  Chait lifted his chin and stared Donte in the eye in a challenging way. Donte met the challenge without blinking. He wasn’t going to back down an inch, and he let his eyes and posture say it. Akira was watching him with an anxious expression. There was no doubt in his mind that Chait swung a lot of weight in the Lochfowk colony, but he held none here, and he might as well realize that right now.

  Chait didn’t respond verbally, but he finally looked down. It was all Donte needed. Without a word, he swung his equine around and started down the hill. The others followed him without comment.

  Later Kenyon rode up beside Donte. “I guess dealing with Farasi taught you to stand your ground.”

  Donte looked at him and grinned. “Farasi? No. It was Halisi.”

  Kenyon chuckled and rode ahead.

  Donte swung his mount to follow. Kenyon had no idea how close that was to being true. Sometimes when Halisi looked into his eyes, it was all he could do to keep from cringing. It wasn’t because Halisi was mean, though. It was because it reminded him of what he was doing to her. Still, there had been times when he felt it necessary to stand up to her. For him, standing up to someone he respected and admired was more difficult to do than standing up to a tyrant. In a way, challenging Farasi had been a game. Even so, there were times when he backed down simply because that was the best way to achieve his goal. Where Halisi and the children were concerned – and often the humans – he made an exception.

  His thoughts drifted to Chiku. He missed her more than he could say. It would almost be worth the price to go back and hold his children in his arms again. Would he ever have children he could be with until they were grown? Would he ever hold a woman in his arms again and not feel guilty?

  They camped that night in the open and slept beside the fire. If Donte had been alone, he would have continued in the dark. He had the awful feeling that they would be captured again during the night. This time it wasn’t a feeling that anyone was near, but a logical fear born of Chait’s comment.

  Akira slept near the fire, between Chait and Donte. There had been no further episodes of name-calling. Hopefully it would remain as peaceful for the rest of their visit.

  They were up early the next morning, traveling on empty stomachs. In a few hours they reached the river. Donte eyed the sand bar with concern. Walking more than half way across the river on dry land didn’t seem worth the turbulent short distance. Apparently Kenyon felt the same way, because he turned and led them to a wide shallow area. Within minutes they were across the river and once again in Libertad. Donte felt like getting off his mount and kissing the ground. Since he had lectured the others about acting mature, he figured that would be a bit much, though.

  Donte looked at Kenyon. “Shall we take the tram at Cuna?”

  Kenyon frowned. “Tram?”

  “It’s an enclosed car on a monorail. It will take us all the way to Libertad in a fraction of the time it would take on equines.”

  Kenyon stared at the horizon. “When did that happen?”

  “When I was about ten.” Donte said.

  Kenyon shook his head. “I’ve been gone a long time. What about our mounts?”

  “We can put them in the stock car. We’ll need them later.”

  Kenyon nodded. “Lead the way, brother.”

  They reached Cuna before dark and discovered that the tram would not arrive until the next morning. Donte checked and discovered that his credit was still available but Libertad would soon be going to a monetary system. He wasn’t sure if he liked that idea. Maybe it would be easier for the merchants, but he would have to carry his money around everywhere he went. It would be of no use in other colonies, but neither was his credit, so maybe that made no difference. Things were changing so fast. The little burg of Cuna had visibly grown since the last time he had visited. No doubt the addition of a rail had brought on that change.

  The rail station had expanded, including sleeping quarters and an eatery. The elevated loading ramp now had the convenience of a lift, and the corral had been enlarged, with a stable to board equines temporarily for passengers. There was even a general store. The place looked prosperous. The town was still quiet, but no longer sleepy.

  Donte bought a change of clothes and some boots. He caught Kenyon’s attention and purchased some clothes for him as well. Then he reserved rooms for all of them. With their equines stabled and their belongings stashed in their re
spective rooms, they all went down to eat their evening meal.

  Donte ordered for everyone except Kenyon. The serving girl spent almost as much time with him as she did with Donte’s long order - and it wasn’t because Kenyon was ordering so much. Kenyon, it seemed, was an incorrigible flirt. Obviously the attraction went both ways. His antics apparently amused Chait, but Akira was unusually quiet. She hadn’t said much since their exchange before crossing the river. At the moment, she was busy taking in everything around her.

  Their table was near the center of the room, which was large with a high ceiling. Hanging from the ceiling were long stems with petals that rotated fast enough to become a blur. They stirred the air enough that it was cooler inside the room than outside. The walls were coated with some kind of paper that had flowers on it. The floors were made of multi-colored rock that had been cut even and smooth.

  Donte’s gaze came to rest on Akira, who was watching him with an awed expression.

  “This is beautiful!” She said in a voice barely above a whisper.

  He nodded. “It certainly has changed since I was here last.”

  The server brought their food and drinks, paused for a moment to talk with Kenyon, and left them to eat in silence.

  As Donte pushed away his empty tray and lifted his drink, he addressed Kenyon. “I have been thinking about what, if anything, I want to message Dad. Do we simply show up, or should I warn him?”

  Kenyon stared at Donte. “Message?”

  Of course. If he didn’t know about the trams, he wouldn’t know about the message system. “There is a wire system inside the monorail that is used to send messages.”

  Kenyon looked at the fluid in his glass for a moment, apparently digesting the information. Finally he looked up at Donte. “Either way it’s going to be a shock.”

  Donte nodded. “On the other hand, I need to tell him about our guests.”

  While the two redheads had attracted a lot of attention, they were well received. The tiny town probably had no idea that their guests were the first from Lochfowk to visit Libertad, but they had seen many from other colonies, including Nyumbani. They were accustomed to hearing different languages as well.

  After the evening meal, they all returned to their rooms to bathe and go to bed. Donte decided to give his father some kind of warning. He went to the message center and sent a note:

  “Dad,

  I was released by the Nyumbani. I will be arriving on the mid night tram tomorrow with two guests from Lochfowk.”

  Donte hesitated. How could he briefly explain the presence of Kenyon? As it was, the information was so incredible as to raise suspicion about its validity. Finally he concluded:

  “I found Kenyon. I have so much to tell you that it is surreal.

  Donte.”

  He handed the message to the clerk and left the office. Dad would convey the news to Pieter and anyone else concerned. Returning to his room, he bathed and turned in for the night.

  The next morning he was up early, dressing in his new clothing. It was nice to wear something that actually fit. The woven cotton of the Lochfowk and Anialwch was comfortable enough, and he was thankful for their generosity, but they were nothing compared to the colors, style and flexibility of the fabrics produced in Bosvrouwen.

  He packed the remainder of his things into a bag provided by the complex and left his room. Akira came out of her room at the same time, wearing a dress. She looked him up and down.

  “Wow! You look….” She grinned, her eyes sparkling with humor. “Tall,” she concluded.”

  Donte chuckled. “I guess I am…tall.”

  Probably hearing their voices in the hall, Kenyon and Chait emerged from their rooms. Akira lifted her brows when Kenyon joined them in his new clothing. Kenyon was taller than Donte and slighter of build. He looked especially tall in dark trousers and shirt.

  The four of them walked down the hall together. After their morning meal, they would board the tram. They made it to the end of the hall before they were stopped by a man in uniform.

  “Donte?” the man asked.

  Donte nodded. “Yes.”

  “I am to escort you from this point forward.”

  Donte frowned. “We don’t need an escort. What is this all about?”

  The officer glanced at Akira and Chait. “President Quade has asked that we provide an escort for the safety and comfort of you and your guests.”

  Of course, why hadn’t he thought of it? He had been away far too long. Now he had become self-focused. As the first visitors from Lochfowk, Akira and Chait were honored guests. They were, as Sima would have said, diplomats - emissaries from another colony.

  Kenyon gave Donte a sour smile. “Wait until he discovers how they treated us.”

  “That was them,” Donte said. “This is us.”

  Kenyon took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh. “So I’ve been told.” He shrugged. “So the escort is for you and them…”

  Donte shook his head. “I didn’t tell him you were with me. I merely said I found you.”

  Kenyon stared at him. “Why?”

  Donte’s neck felt hot. “I wasn’t thinking about them as being emissaries. I was thinking that saying I was with you and two people from Lochfowk might sound a bit over the top. I mean, we’re both supposed to be dead and who would think someone from Lochfowk would come here?”

  A slow smile came to Kenyon’s lips. “Apparently Dad did.”

  Donte nodded. “Which is why he is president and I’m…” He shrugged. “Whatever I am.” He turned to the uniformed officer. “Could someone get a message to Dad that Kenyon is with us?”

  The officer started to nod in agreement. His gaze shifted to Kenyon and his mouth dropped open. “Monomi!” He said. “I thought you were…I did not recognize you. I will send word immediately.” He turned and called to someone, telling them to send the message immediately.

  “What’s happening,” Akira asked Donte.

  Donte smiled. “President Quade has sent an escort. You are now officially diplomats in Libertad.”

  Akira’s eyes lit up and she looked at Chait. Chait gave Kenyon and Donte a sour look. “Hopefully we will no longer be threatened.”

  Akira glanced at Donte before giving Chait a stern look. “It would do you good to remember that they are the sons of the President - and Donte did not threaten you. He warned you. There is a difference. What do you think will happen to our diplomatic status if you start treating either Donte or Kenyon disrespectfully?”

  Chait shrugged. “I’m hungry. When are we going to eat?”

  Donte turned to the officer. “Our guests are hungry.”

  CHAPTER 16

  Kafil sat at his desk in the complex. He had forgotten about the letter Donte sent to his father until he received the message requesting the return of Donte’s body. Where was Donte? He should have arrived by now – or at least sent a message to his grandfather that he was alive. The last time he had seen Donte, he was in the company of the Anialwch. He appeared to be on good terms with them.

  Monomi, they called him. He hadn’t heard that term spoken voluntarily for a long time. Farasi had insisted on being addressed with the term. It didn’t fit – though he was a high ranking mascot. Monomi was a term of deep respect, though – something few felt for Farasi in the time that he had known the man. He smiled to himself. Donte had never addressed Farasi as Monomi. It was always Farasi, never King Farasi, just Farasi. It annoyed Farasi no end, but he never called Donte on it.

  When the Anialwch used it to address Donte, it sounded genuine. They couldn’t have known him long, though. Of course, they probably knew who he was, and a person didn’t have to know Donte long before he earned their respect.

  Kafil laid the message on his desk, debating whether he should answer it. If something had happened to Donte, the Nyumbani would be blamed. Of course, they were already being held responsible for his death, even though he was still alive. Had the Anialwch detained him? Another thought
made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. Had the Lochfowk taken Donte captive? Had he even been permitted to talk with their leaders? The Lochfowk woman had made no promises. Even now the Lochfowk could be gathering to attack. He would have to get word to the docks to watch for Lochfowk ships. Guards would need to be placed at the mountain passes in case they came from that direction. The council would have his job for releasing Donte and the Lochfowk woman if they were attacked. At the moment, the loss of his job sounded appealing.

  At first the colonists were grateful that Farasi was gone. That didn’t last long. Without the raids, food was getting scarce. Even those who benefited from Halisi’s generosity were starting to grumble. Donte no longer provided them with meat and their hunts were unsuccessful. They blamed Donte for killing all the game and Halisi for abandoning her farm for a better life than they had. Donte would have squelched their grumblings, but Kafil was at a loss for words.

  Kafil didn’t have to convince Halisi that the raids must not resume, but the council was already comparing their relative prosperity when Farasi was alive to the growing famine. Something had to be done. He had presented a possible solution to Halisi, but she wanted to wait a little longer to give Donte a chance to negotiate.

  It wasn’t as though he wanted to beg Anialwch for food. Other people traded with them. He couldn’t think of anything they could use for trade, but there must be something. He was willing to talk to them about it. They couldn’t afford to wait on Donte. He might not be in a position to help, but even more important, the colony of Nyumbani needed to grow or fall under its own power. If something didn’t happen soon, the new government would be tossed aside and their colony would return to its dependency on raiding.

  He pulled a sheet of fresh paper from the desk drawer. Dipping the quill into the ink, he began an answer to Pieter and Quade.

  Our colony did not execute Donte. He was released. We last observed him in the company of the Anialwch, who welcomed him with honor. From there he planned to visit Lochfowk.