The Anialwch Connection
Chapter 14
Donte felt sorry for Donica. Saskia and Pieter were not only her grandparents, but her parents as well. They had raised her as their daughter. Donica had gone through so much with Chait, and now this. Quade offered to take her back to Libertad with him, but she wanted to stay with Saskia. Rianne took the children to their cottage, so only Donica and Donte were with Saskia when they came to get Pieter’s body. When they took it out the door on a stretcher, Saskia began sobbing. Donte and Donica tried to console her, but soon they were all in tears. They had watched him die, but having his body removed made it final. He wasn’t coming back.
Saskia had known this was coming, and in a way, it must have been a relief. At least his suffering was over. Still, all those years together – it would be difficult for her to adjust to being alone.
When they all regained their composure, Donica decided to stay with Saskia. Donte went home. He waited until the children were asleep before he told Rianne about Pieter’s request. She listened quietly until he finished telling her what the cabinet had told him.
“How do you feel about that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m still numb with shock, I think. It’s hard to accept that he is gone.” His voice wavered at the end and his eyes burned. He drew Rianne into his arms.
She hugged him. “I’m sorry about all of this. Of course, the cabinet will make the final decision.”
“Right now, I’m thinking about Donica and Saskia. I wonder what Saskia will do.”
“It’s hard to say. She may go back to Bosvrouwen to be with her sister, but my guess is that she will stay where her grandchildren are as long as she feels welcome.”
“I’m concerned about Donica.” They had talked the night before about the situation in Lochfowk and the problem with Chait. “I know she’s unhappy. She was looking forward to spending time with Pieter and Saskia.”
Rianne laid her head on Donte’s chest. “It isn’t giving her much opportunity to relax, but on the other hand, she will know she is appreciated and needed. It sounds like she hasn’t had much of that for a while.”
Donte caressed Rianne’s back. “It’s so good to talk to you. I wish Donica had that with Chait.”
“She didn’t have that with Abel either. It seems like she is drawn to the kind of men who use her. I wonder why some women are like that.”
“I wanted to hit Chait when I was talking to him. I can’t understand what Donica sees in him.”
Rianne giggled and leaned back, looking up into his face. “I can’t imagine you hitting someone.”
He grimaced. “I certainly could…and I did imagine it. He said I was taking advantage of him because my sister was his mate. Actually, that was probably the only thing that stopped me from loosening a few of his teeth.” He held Rianne’s chin in his hand and caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I kept thinking about the way Kenyon caught me sleeping with the children, and how it could have been an assassin. I’ll never let that happen again.”
She sighed. “The joy and innocence of travel is gone forever. Donte, you can’t let things like this ruin your life. There is always danger, no matter who we are or where we go.”
She slid her arms around his neck and brought his mouth down to hers. “Right now, we’re alone.” She kissed him.
He lifted her into his arms and took her to their room. There were no guarantees in life. A person had to make the most of each moment and not allow themselves to be burdened with too many possibilities.
***
When Gerritt heard about the attempted assassination, he felt ashamed. He had promised to help Donte, but he had been too intimidated by Pieter to hang around. Thankfully, Beier, Kenyon and Celyn had been there for him. Then, when he heard Pieter had named someone else as his second shortly before he died, Gerritt felt angry enough to request council with the entire Bergen cabinet. As a Bergen colonist, he resented the fact that Peiter had gone against the vote of the people. Donte appeared to be so overwhelmed with grief that he was accepting it.
Gerritt was surprised that he got the council the day he requested it, but only with two cabinet members – Cariel and Pim. He met them in the conference room, still indignant.
"The people voted for Donte because that was who they wanted. What right did Pieter have to name an alternative?"
Pim looked uncomfortable, but Cariel lifted a hand. "Calm down. Right now, we are mourning a long-time leader and Donte is mourning a beloved Grandfather. We cannot confirm Beier without first poling the people of Bergen."
Gerritt frowned. "That was my point. They have already been poled and they confirmed Donte. What is this? Are you going to keep poling until you get the results you want?"
Cariel smiled. "If it makes you feel any better, Donte is the preference of the cabinet, but as I said; we are bound by the rules. There must be a majority vote by the people of Bergen to override Peiter's request." He sobered. "If the majority want Beier, then we must accept that."
Gerritt leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he mentally counted to ten. Of course Cariel was right. The cabinet wasn't concerned because they knew Donte would be confirmed.
"What about protection for Donte?"
Pim answered. "We're working on that, and until we verify that the people want Donte, not Beier, Donte is the Ruler of Bergen. We have already told him that."
Gerritt ran a hand through his hair and released a long sigh. "I guess you think I'm overreacting, and maybe I am, but...I think a lot of people will probably feel the way I do."
Cariel nodded. "I don't think you're overreacting." He glanced at Pim. "The cabinet has been under a lot of stress lately with Peiter's unusual requests. Things will settle down now, but we must follow proper procedure."
Gerritt groaned. "I know. I shouldn't be upset with you when I wasn't there for Donte either." He grimaced. "Peiter told me he didn't want me around, so I left. He thought I was encouraging Donte to be rebellious."
Cariel snorted. "Peiter underestimated Donte in every way possible." He shrugged. "And yet, he loved and admired him more than anyone. He wanted Donte to be his second, but he was concerned that Donte was too preoccupied with The Prophesy to be an effective ruler."
Gerritt shook his head. "Donte is fully capable of both. In fact, I think he will be a better ruler because of his involvement in The Prophesy."
Cariel looked at Pim and they both nodded. Cariel leaned back in his chair and lifted his arms, cradling the back of his head in his hands as he studied Gerritt.
"We had another matter we wanted to discuss with you. This latest problem has convinced us that we need a strong militia. We would like you to organize that. Would you be interested?"
Gerritt's first thought was to question why they had chosen him, but the cabinet would have been aware of his service record, and they knew he was Donte's friend. It made sense that, if Beier was confirmed, they would want someone close to Donte. Beier wasn't going to be confirmed, but it was a way Gerritt could assist Donte. He didn't have to do much considering on that offer.
"I would consider it an honor."
Cariel smiled. "Well, stick around and after the funeral, we'll work on that."
Garrett felt relieved. The ban on his presence in Bergen had been lifted. In fact, now his presence had been requested. He would be able to assist Donte without feeling he was participating in a rebellion.
Pieter’s death had been inevitable. He had reached the point that Gerritt questioned his sanity. It must have been painful for Donte to watch him deteriorate. When Gerritt heard Pieter had named Beier as his successor, he knew the ruler had completely lost his mind. It wasn’t that Beier would be a bad ruler. He’d be a good one, but Donte would be better and the cabinet had already confirmed him. In a way, Pieter asking Donte to inform the cabinet that Beier was his choice had confirmed that Pieter had lost his mind. Another thought had crossed his mind at the time. Pieter knew that the cabinet would stick with Donte. Perhaps his deathbed wish had actually been a final test. It was a thought. There had been no doubt in Gerritt’s mind what Donte would do. Of course Donte would deliver the message to Beier and the cabinet. He was too honorable to do otherwise.
***
Celyn and Kenyon were in Playa, waiting for an Anialwch ship to arrive when they got the news about Pieter.
“I feel sorry for Saskia and Donte,” Celyn said.
“And Donica,” Kenyon responded. “Pieter and Saskia raised her like their daughter.”
“Donte is the ruler now, isn’t he?”
“I don’t know. He and Pieter were having problems.”
Celyn said nothing more about it. She couldn’t even imagine how Saskia got along with Pieter. For Donte, it would be worse. Pieter expected more of Donte than he did of Saskia. Still, The Prophesy said Donte would lead the colonists to freedom in the uniform of Bergen, so it had to work out that way.
The next morning the Anialwch ship arrived. A Nyumbani ship was moored on the other side of the dock. Celyn looked up at Kenyon. “Would you take me to Nyumbani sometime? I’ve decided to join the service when I turn sixteen and I’d like to see Nyumbani before then.”
Kenyon’s brows lifted. “What made you decide to join the service?”
“I want to be as prepared as possible. Maybe Donte will want my help then.”
“Donte wants your help. In fact, he is depending on your help. He promised your father that he would take care of you, and you know how he feels about a promise.”
She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice, mimicking Donte. “A Mascot does not renege on a promise.”
Kenyon laughed. “Come on, let’s get on the ship. We’ll talk about Nyumbani another time. I have a feeling your father would have strong objections.”
“Why?”
“Because it could be dangerous and you’re still his little girl.”
“Father knows I’m a grown woman capable of making decisions. He let me go with Donte and he thought that was dangerous.”
Kenyon gave her a wry smile. “I’m still wondering how you convinced him of that.”
“I told you. He knows I’m an adult.”
News of Pieter’s death reached the palace before Kenyon and Celyn did. Neirin welcomed Celyn home with a hug and a smile. “You have grown into a woman.”
Celyn gave Kenyon a satisfied smile. “See? My father knows I am an adult.”
Neirin offered a palm to Kenyon. “Thank you for seeing my daughter home safely, Monomi. I understand Donte is otherwise occupied.”
Kenyon nodded. “He has his hands full right now, I’m sure.”
“This makes him the ruler of Bergen now, is that right?”
“I guess so. I’m not that familiar with what they are doing.”
“I have sent our condolences.” He turned toward his office. “Shall we talk in my office?”
Proof of Neirin’s acknowledgement that she was an adult was in his invitation to talk in his office with Kenyon. There they discussed the trip to Lochfowk and her stay with Donte and Rianne.
As it turned out, Neirin had something of major importance he wanted to discuss with them. A farm had been raided near the mountains of Nyumbani. They had killed an elderly couple and burned their home.
“I have no proof,” Neirin concluded, “But I’m certain it was Nyumbani raiders. I talked to Kafil, but he knew nothing about it.” He shook his head. “We were ready to let Nyumbani ships stop at our docks, but I had to reconsider. I like Kafil and I believe him when he says he knew nothing about it, but I cannot take the risk.”
Kenyon leaned back in his chair, one ankle on his knee and listened to Neirin’s story. He didn’t comment until prompted to do so by Neirin.
“I certainly understand your precautions. I would feel the same way. Still, is it possible that it could have been someone else?”
Neirin shrugged. “Since we can’t be certain who attacked the home, it is possible that anyone did it…even Libertad.”
Kenyon’s smile was wry. “Let’s not get that started.”
Celyn looked at her father. Of course, he didn’t really think it was possible that Libertad had any part of the raid. He was merely pointing out that Nyumbani was the most logical.
Neirin stood and walked across the room to a map, pointing at the location of the farm. “It’s right here, at the foot of the mountains. The Nyumbani are lowland people, but the thing that makes me certain it was Nyumbani is that the man and woman were killed with arrows. We use muskets here in Anialwch. Of course, if they wanted it to look like Nyumbani raiders; that might work for them, but I don’t think it was any of our people.”
Kenyon dropped his foot to the floor and stood, walking across the room to join Neirin. He studied the map. “You could put a tram line through there and save days on travel – not to mention instant communication.”
Neirin snorted. “I’m not looking for a faster way for them to get here. In any case, that’s rough country. There are huge rock formations jutting up out of the ground, and canyons that have no way in or out.”
Kenyon looked at Celyn. “Can you use a map to target a vision?”
Celyn stood and looked at the map. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
He nodded. “Can you contact Donte from this far away?”
“I don’t know. I can find him from here.”
“Well, don’t try it right now. He’s got enough on his mind. Maybe in a few days.… I think I’ll go to Nyumbani and snoop around a little.”
Celyn gave him her most persuasive smile. “Can I go with you?”
He chuckled and patted the top of her head. “Not this time, scout. It could be dangerous.”
“I could help you.”
“How?” I can’t communicate with you like Donte does. You stay here. If I need either of you, I’ll contact you.” He grimaced. “I doubt Donte will be available now, though.”
Kenyon ate the evening meal with them and accepted a room for the night. He left the next morning for Libertad. Celyn climbed up on the wall surrounding the palace like she had done so many times as a child and watched the group of camelus plod away. She had a new friend in Kenyon. They hadn’t snapped at each other since the tram ride to Lochfowk. He was starting to recognize her as a woman too, but he wouldn’t admit it. He had given her a nickname – scout. She liked it.
***
Neirin liked Kenyon. He wasn’t as reserved as Donte. Maybe proper was the correct word. Of course, Kenyon was older, and he didn’t have the responsibilities that burdened Donte. He liked Donte too, but Kenyon was more informal. With Donte, he always felt like he had to be on guard so he didn’t say anything inappropriate. He had the feeling that there wasn’t much that would shock Kenyon. Maybe that was because he had been a captive in Lochfowk for so long.
Celyn had gone away a troubled teen and come back a nearly mature woman. She no longer spoke of Donte in the same way, and she had obviously developed a friendship with Rianne. She spoke of their children as if they were her siblings. He had missed her the year she had been gone, and had often questioned the wisdom of letting her go, but looking at her now, it had clearly been a wise decision.
Kenyon’s evasive response about Donte’s title made him wonder about the conversation he had heard between Donte and a cabinet member that day at the station in Bergen. Had Pieter named someone else to be his successor? If so, how would that affect Donte’s preparation for The Prophesy? While The Prophesy said that he would lead the colonists to freedom in the uniform of Bergen, it didn’t say that he would be wearing the uniform of the ruler. Still, having Pieter exclude him would likely change the way leaders perceived him. Would they still stand behind him?
The information about Ness was particularly disturbing. It was one thing to confine leadership to Mascots only, but quite another to resort to assassination. He had never met Chait, but what he had heard about the man didn’t make him feel comfortable. He wasn’t ready to embrace the idea that Chait wasn’t involved in the attempted assassination. If Chait was elected, he had a feeling Lochfowk would be the first colony to have problems. They were already creating concern in colonies around them.
Neirin had made a decision to back Donte’s role in The Prophesy and he’d like to help him right now, but he didn’t know how. The only way he had been able to help so far had been by giving Celyn permission to go with him. Her assistance may have saved his life. They were certainly an awesome team. As they gained experience with their powers, they would be even more so.
Celyn wanted to go to Nyumbani with Kenyon. Neirin wasn’t keen on the idea of sending her there with Kenyon – mostly because, as Kenyon had pointed out, it would be putting her at risk without assurance of gain. If Donte traveled with them, that would be different. How could he refuse under those circumstances?
Celyn wanted to join the service when she turned sixteen. That would give her even more valuable experience to draw from. If Donte became ruler of Bergen, they would be popular enough to have universal backing. Still, there would always be someone trying to stop them. It was a frightening prospect, but this thing was bigger than a father-daughter relationship. If they didn’t work together, there would be no life to preserve. He was proud and frightened by turns. The only thing that gave him any confidence at all was the fact that the two were supposed to lead the colonists to freedom. To do that, they would both have to live until that time came. They were destined to live – at least for a while longer.
***
When Nieke heard of the failed assassination attempt, she felt sick to her stomach. She had heard the rumor about a planned assassination attempt and discarded the information. Who would want to assassinate Donte? From what she had heard, they nearly succeeded. She had promised to back him and she had let him down. She had decided not to think about him, but that was impossible. She didn’t love him any less a year later. The only thing she had learned was that she felt cut off from life. If it were not for commanding the militia, she would have lost purpose altogether.
Last night she had received more news. Pieter had died. While people felt compassion for those who loved him, there were many who thought it was a good thing. Everyone she had talked to thought that Bergen would be stronger and friendlier under Donte’s rule. She had no doubt about that.
Jorn and Fleur had taken Donte’s advice about the militia. They had a meeting with Damian and received his permission to start a militia. They called it the Colonial Militia and named Nieke their commander. She had been shocked, but they all agreed that she would be the best choice. She was the one who kept in contact with Damian. Damian believed in The Prophesy and Donte, but more importantly, he was concerned about the rumors coming out of Lochfowk. He was deeply disturbed by the assassination attempt on Donte. If they would strike at Donte, who would be next?
She arrived in Kliffen in time to catch the morning Tram to Bergen. It was time she started doing what she said she would do. She hadn’t been any help to Donte when he needed it so far, but she intended to be there for the funeral. Whatever Pieter was to anyone else, Donte loved his grandfather. At least she could give him her support in his grief.
When Nieke arrived in the main colony of Bergen she found it crowded. All the rooms were filled, but someone had set up large tents at the edge of the colony with cots for visitors. The morning and evening meals were served at tables set up in one big tent and the food was a combination provided by local families. The atmosphere was somber, but friendly.
A fire had been built and a bed of glowing red charcoal was ready the morning of the funeral. The body would be brought out in a wooden box supported by two long poles. Friends and family members would use the poles to place the body over the charcoal. At that point, each person attending the funeral would take a log from the pile provided and toss it on the coals. This would continue until the fire blazed and consumed the box and body. Later, any bones remaining in the cooled ashes would be removed and buried.
People were gathered in a circle around the fire when Nieke arrived. Before long, the box arrived. Donte carried one side of the front and Beier was on the other side. On the back were Quade and a red-haired Mascot. It might be Chait. She didn’t know because she had never seen him.
They carefully placed the box on top of the glowing embers and removed the poles. The box immediately burst into flames. Donte placed the first log on the fire and walked away, joining Rianne. He lifted Petra from the ground and held her in one arm, putting his other arm around Rianne, who was holding the baby. Together they watched others continue the ritual. Nieke took her turn and picked up a log. The flames were high and hot as she approached. She tossed the log on the fire and turned away. When she looked up, Donte was watching her. She made a slight bow of respect and joined the others in the circle. When all the attendants had placed a log on the fire, Donte began to sing. The others joined him. It was a sad song about lost love.
After the funeral, word was spread around that there was going to be a poll. Nieke wasn’t the only one shocked to learn that Pieter had changed his mind and named someone other than Donte to take his place. She couldn’t vote because she didn’t live in Bergen. The poll wasn’t going to happen until a few weeks from then anyway. Not surprisingly, people were upset. They had already voted and confirmed Donte. They wanted Donte, not Beier.
Nieke spotted Donte and Rianne with their children by the pond a little later, so she joined them to express her condolences. Donte shifted Petra to his other arm and smiled as he offered a hand.
“It’s good to see you, Nieke. I haven’t heard from you in a long time. What have you been doing?”
“I’ve been busy on my farm, building fences and such.”
It wasn’t a lie. She had kept herself super busy trying to keep him off her mind. It hadn’t worked and she was no longer going to try. Thoughts of him often provided the highlight of her day. Maybe that was pathetic, but it was fact.
“I’m sorry about your grandfather. I know you were fond of him.” She reluctantly withdrew her hand from his and offered it to Rianne. “I’m sure you are a great comfort to Donte right now.”
Rianne glanced at Donte. “I try.” She put the baby on her shoulder and accepted Nieke’s hand.
“I heard you recently had a baby…a boy, isn’t it?”
Rianne smiled and nodded, exposing the baby’s face so Nieke could see him. “His name is Andras.”
Andras looked like Donte with his dark hair and deep blue eyes. “He’s beautiful. He looks healthy.”
She chatted with them for a few more minutes. “I think it’s about time for the tram back to Vlaktes, so I’ll be going. I wish the best for both of you; however things turn out.”
She left them and headed for the tram station. She did wish them both the best. She had thought a lot about the information about Rianne and decided it didn’t prove anything. Donte believed in Rianne. He loved her. If she made him happy, that was good enough. Donte already had what he wanted – a mate and children. Those things were more important to him than being the ruler of Bergen. She was happy for him.
Soft Science Fiction
