Return Of The Fontalo
by Linda Rigsbee
Chapter 10
Donica was frightened for the first time since she moved to Lochfowk. It had started with Chait bullying the colonists. Then he began snapping at her over little things and blaming every problem on someone else. Donte’s assistance had been twisted into an attempt to belittle him in front of the colonists. He’d never had a lot of patience, but last night he lost the little he had and hit her. It was the first time he had ever struck her. She wanted to be there for him the way Rianne had always been there for Donte, but instinct told her to get out of Lochfowk while she could. She didn’t think he would harm Tavin, but she hadn’t thought he would harm her, either.
Chait was putting on a front. He was frightened – she could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He was desperate enough to do almost anything. Power meant more to Chait than anything else – political power and power over his family. When he wasn’t in full control, he was completely out of control.
She had done nothing more than tell him that he shouldn’t have burned the papers the colonists filed, and asked him why he had done so in front of them. Without warning he had backhanded her. She lost her balance and fell over a chair. He didn’t help her up. Instead he stood over her in a cold rage, telling her she was like her brother, always plotting against him – never supporting him. He was probably right to some degree. It had been difficult lately to find things she could support. He had always been ambitious, but lately he seemed to be driven to sheer madness in his craving for power. She couldn’t blame the colonists for turning on him.
Chait didn’t want her to associate with Rianne or Donte. Even Saskia was off limits. This morning after he left, she had decided to send a message to Saskia and see how things were going with Donte and Rianne. Chait had forgotten a packet of papers and returned. When he discovered what she was doing he threatened her. He told her that if she ever left him and took Tavin, he would kill her. She wasn’t certain if he said that to frighten her into obeying him or if he would actually kill her, but she had a feeling the latter was the truth. It was time to get out.
She thought about packing a bag, but he might find that. She was pretty sure he was having her watched. Somehow, she needed to get a message to Donte. That opportunity provided itself that evening when Chait was bathing. His clothes were on the bed, the communication medallion in the pocket. She took the medallion into the kitchen where she was cooking the evening meal and tapped it once, as she had seen Donte do.
“Donte, it’s Donica. I need help getting out of here. Don’t call me back.”
She quickly returned the medallion to Chait’s pocket and ran back to the kitchen. That was where Chait found her when he returned from bathing. He sat at the table, waiting for her to put the food in front of him. She poured him a hot drink and set it on the table in front of him. He sat sipping the hot liquid, watching her work. It occurred to her that he was thinking about how he would let her know he was sorry he hit her without actually saying so.
Tavin woke from his nap and came into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He saw Chait and ran to him, climbing into his lap. In the process, he knocked Chait’s hot drink over, spilling it onto his lap.
Chait leaped out of his chair, knocking Tavin to the floor. “Why don’t you watch what you’re doing?” He snarled at Tavin.
Tavin started to cry. Donica rushed to him and lifted him off the floor, checking to make sure he didn’t get burned by the hot drink. He clung to her neck, crying.
Chait walked into the other room, bitterly complaining that he would have to change clothes. Donica carried Tavin on one hip while she finished cooking the meal. When Chait returned, he shook his head in disgust.
“Put him down. He’s old enough to walk. You shouldn’t be lifting anything that heavy at this point anyway.”
Too bad he wasn’t thinking about that when he hit her and she fell over the chair. She pushed the thought from her mind. “He’s frightened.”
“We all get frightened sometimes. We have to learn to deal with it on our own.”
“He’s only four.”
“He’s almost five. You treat him like a baby. That’s why he acts like a baby.”
Donica tried to sit Tavin in a chair at the table, but he started crying louder, clinging to her. She lifted him back into her arms.
“Put him down, I said!” Chait glared at her.
“Don’t yell. You’re scaring him.”
“I’m going to give him something to be frightened about if he doesn’t shut up.”
Donica lowered Tavin’s feet to the floor. “Go to your room honey, Mommy will come get you when the food is ready.
Tavin made his way to the door, careful not to come too close to Chait. Once out of the kitchen, he ran to his room and shut the door. Donica returned to preparing the meal.
“You’re making him afraid of me,” Chait said.
For the moment, Tavin was safe. She wasn’t going to antagonize Chait by arguing with him. Somehow, she had to get out of there – with Tavin. Right now, she needed to find a way to defuse Chait.
“How was your day?”
He was quiet for a few minutes. “As good as it could be under the circumstances.”
She wasn’t sure what the circumstances were and she didn’t want to ask. “Are you tired?”
Again, he waited a few minutes before responding. “What do you want me to do?”
She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
His mouth twisted in a sardonic smile. “When a woman asks a man if he’s tired, she usually wants him to do something.”
She couldn’t remember asking for that reason, but if she wanted him to do something, she might check to see if he was up to it first. “I don’t have anything I want you to do. I only wondered if you were tired.”
“Because I’m grouchy?”
She didn’t say anything. That wasn’t why she was asking. She was asking to make pleasant conversation. That wouldn’t sound any better.
She finished cooking and filled a tin for Chait. She sat it in front of him and returned to the stove.
“Aren’t you and Tavin going to eat?”
“We’ll eat later.”
He glared at her. “Eat now – with me.”
She filled a tin for herself and one for Tavin. When she started to go get him, Chait pounded his eating utensil on the table. “Sit down,” he snarled at her. He turned and looked at the bedroom door. “Tavin,” he called. “Come in here and sit at the table.”
Tavin came out of his room and slowly made his way to the table. He climbed into his chair and stared at the tin of food.
Chait frowned at him. “Stop sulking and eat.” He groaned, his attention shifting to Donica. “Why do you put up with his insolence?”
The better question was why she put up with Chait’s insolence. She wasn’t going to do it much longer. It was one thing when he acted that way with her. Pieter had been a grouch, so she was accustomed to dealing with it, but to treat Tavin that way was inexcusable and unacceptable. Donte would be there in a few days – if he got her message. She had to hold out until then. She’d simply have to make sure she didn’t upset Chait.
She ignored his question and began to eat. Her hand was shaking so badly that she dropped the eating utensil.
Chait stared at her. “If you’re that afraid of me, why don’t you leave me?”
“You told me you’d kill me if I left.”
“I did not.” He shrugged. “I said if you took Tavin again I’d…” He shrugged again. “You have no right to take my son from me.”
“He’s my son too and I’m not leaving him.”
“Then you’d better not try to leave me.” His gaze rested on her bruised mouth. “Is it too much for a man to ask his mate to support him? Don’t you think I have enough problems with the rebels? If they keep listening to you it’s going to get worse for them. I don’t want to do it, but if I have to, I’ll kill enough of them to make them submit – you too if you don’t stop inciting them. We can’t run a colony without establishing order. How do you expect them to surrender when you and Donte keep stirring them up with your tales about The Prophesy?”
She looked up at him. “The Fontalo is here. The Prophesy has begun.”
He snorted. “So, they came back to see how we’re doing. They haven’t lifted a weapon against us and they probably won’t unless your brother starts it. He’s going to get all of us into a fight we can’t win – all over a piece of folklore. We’d all have been better off if he and Celyn both had been assassinated.”
“Chait!” she gasped.
Someone knocked on the door. “Who’s that?” Chait snarled. “Tell them to come back tomorrow. It’s meal time.”
When Donica stood, Tavin started to cry. She lifted him from the chair and carried him with her to the door. She hoped it was Donte, but more than likely it was one of Chait’s council members. She opened the door to find Beier standing outside.
Beier took her arm. “Donte sent me to get you. Come outside.”
Donica turned to look at Chait. He was staring at his communication medallion with a confused expression. Beier’s voice was coming from his medallion. She had left it on in her haste to get it back in his pocket. Beier had probably been listening to their conversation. Who else had been listening?
Chait looked at Donica, his expression going from comprehension to indignation. “You set me up!”
“I didn’t….”
Beier pulled her through the door. Chait was livid.
“You can’t come in here and take my son! Donte has no right…”
“Chait,” Donte’s voice came from the medallion. “I authorized Beier to rescue the Princess of Bergen if she feels the need.”
Beier looked at Donica and she nodded. “I want to go with you.”
Chait started for the door. “If you think I’m going to let you….”
“Chait,” Donte spoke again. “I have authorized Beier to use whatever force is necessary to defend himself and the Princes of Bergen.”
Chait stopped, eyeing the laser in Beier’s hand. “This isn’t the last you’ll hear from me, Donte. You have no authority to take my son from me.”
“You have no right to take Donica’s son from her,” Donte countered.
Chait’s voice was cold. “I’ll get you for this, Donte.”
Donte’s voice was sour. “Make sure it’s you who comes after me, Chait, not your assassins.”
“I never..." Chait began. "I don’t need someone to do my fighting for me and you’re not going to bluff me into running.”
“Beier,” Donte said, “is the Premier Infantry there yet?”
“Yes, Monomi.”
“Chait, the infantry is there to keep the peace. Whatever happens, it will be done in a peaceful and orderly way.”
Chait glared at Beier’s medallion. “Donte, you have no authority to order troops into Lochfowk.”
“I didn’t. The infantry commander made that decision.”
Chait’s voice was cold. “Don’t come into Lochfowk again. You aren’t welcome here anymore. If you or any of your men show up here again, I’ll have them captured.”
“We’re back to that, are we?” Donte hesitated. “You’re welcome in Bergen any time you feel you’d like to visit me.”
“Beier, bring Donica to the Premier Infantry headquarters.”
“Yes, Monomi.”
Donica went with Beier to a carriage and from there, out of the village. People watched them, some suspiciously, but no one attempted to stop them. When the village was out of site, Beier pulled the carriage over. Sima met them and held the equines while Beier helped Donica and Tavin down. Sima smiled at Donica and climbed into the carriage, turning it around and heading back into the village. Beier led Tavin and Donica a short distance away to where a shuttle was sitting.
Whatever had transpired, Sima had assisted them. A blonde bearded man that Beier introduced as Gerritt navigated the shuttle to an area below a mountain. There Beier turned them over to a troop of men in light green uniforms.
Beier squeezed Donica’s shoulder with one hand. These men are part of the Premier Infantry. Donte is their leader now, but Dalziel is the commander. If you have any problems, ask for him. You’ll be fine. Saskia, Rianne and the children will be joining you sometime this week.
The troops led Donica and Tavin up the mountain, assisting them when they faltered. They were taken inside a cave that had a lift at the back. From there, they were taken to a maze of corridors. Donica could never have found her way out. She was beginning to feel frightened when a man in a wheelchair arrived. He smiled and held out a palm to her. “You are Donte’s twin sister, Donica. Is that correct?”
Donica gripped his forearm and nodded. “You must be Dalziel.”
He squeezed her arm and released it. “Yes. I am Dalziel. Welcome to the fortress.”
Donica glanced around. “I feel…overwhelmed.”
“Yes, it can be that way at first. You’ll get used to it. Hopefully, you won’t have to be here very long.” He held out a hand to Tavin. “Who is this young man?”
Tavin placed a forearm in his palm and gripped Dalziel’s forearm. “I’m Tavin.”
“Well Tavin, we have a play area with grass and trees – a kind of park. Would you like to play there?”
Tavin nodded enthusiastically.
Donica rubbed her back. She had been on her feet a long time and her back hurt. Dalziel looked at her and motioned to someone. A woman in a uniform joined them and Dalziel instructed her to take Donica and Tavin to her room and let them get settled in. Then she was to let Donica rest and take Tavin to the play area and stay with him.
Living at the shelter was safe, but a constant reminder that her world was upside down. At night she cried for the Chait she wanted to see again, but by day she knew it was hopeless. She had no idea what had sent Chait over the edge. One day he came home thankful that Donte had helped him and the next he came home blaming Donte and her for plotting against him and the Lochfowk government. He had never been the kind of husband that Donte was to Rianne, and she sometimes wondered if she was the cause. Chait wasn’t one to display his feelings – unless they were negative.
On the third day she was at the shelter, Saskia, Rianne, Donte and their children arrived. Donte looked at Donica’s bruised face and asked what happened. She didn’t want to lie about it, but she didn’t want to make Chait look any worse than he already did, either. She merely shrugged and looked away. Donte took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him.
“It isn’t your fault, Donica.” He released her.
“I didn’t mean to leave the medallion on.”
Donte smiled. “Once I forgot mine was on and Commander Cadha heard a conversation that was meant for only two people. It happens.”
Rianne looked up at him and lifted a brow. He laughed and Rianne shook her head in tolerant dismissal as she hugged his arm.
It would be nice to have a relationship that trusting. Both Rianne and Donte were adored by many people. The only thing that could top that was their adoration for each other. Donica had never heard either of them say anything that indicated they entertained a thought that the other might be unfaithful. While their relationship was an excellent example of how a union could and maybe should be, it was also rare. Donica had compared her relationship with Chait to Donte and Rianne’s relationship. That was neither fair nor realistic.
Donte stayed long enough to make sure Saskia, Rianne and the children had everything they needed. It was obvious that he didn’t want to leave them any more than they wanted to be left. Donte kissed them all goodbye and said he would check on them later. He didn’t say how much later and no one asked. Rianne said he thought the Fontalo ship could show up any day, but they had still not located it.
Life was more pleasant and interesting after Saskia and Rianne arrived. Both were sympathetic to her situation, but they didn’t speak negatively about Chait. They mostly listened and offered support. Tavin was happy. He had all the love he could ask for and a cheerful playmate in Andras.
Dalziel came by every day to make sure they had everything they needed. When Saskia realized Donica and Tavin had left without clothing, he assisted Saskia in sending a message to the factories in Bosvrouwen. They donated clothing. Food arrived from Vlaktes, Libertad and Anialwch. Donica was embarrassed that Lochfowk wasn’t participating, but everyone told her not to worry about it. They were all certain that Lochfowk would cooperate when The Fontalo arrived. Donica was afraid that wouldn’t be the case. They’d be lucky if Lochfowk didn’t turn on them.
The park contained dwarf trees, grass and flowers, but there was no sun – only lights. Water flowed from a spring and made a creek where the children played. Sprinklers provided rain at night. There were swings and picnic tables. They spent a lot of time in the park, but everyone was hoping they could soon enjoy real nature. Of course, real nature outside the confines of the underground shelter would soon be snow - and lots of it.
Soft Science Fiction
