The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 10
Copyright 2015 & 2021
Donte stood in the shade of a large rock; Akira silent at his side. She hadn't said much since last night. He had offended her, and for that he was ashamed. What right did he have to lecture her about morality after spending six years with a woman without benefit of vows? He had made children with her enemy. Why would Akira feel compelled to listen to him?
All that aside, there was much more on his mind today. They were being followed. He didn’t have to see them. He sensed them and he sensed malevolence. Had their tracks been discovered by the people at the farm? Even as he considered that possibility, he was certain that it was the Nyumbani who followed. He could only think of one reason why they might do so. Farasi's men had regained control. He had promised Kafil that he would take the girl home, but he could not leave his children to the mercy of those men. He would have to go back and get them. How he would do that, he didn't have a clue. If he brought militia, they would either kill the children or use them as a shield. He had to get back there and out again without being seen.
Akira looked up at his face. "Something is wrong."
He nodded. "Someone is following us."
She looked around. "I haven’t seen or heard anything."
"Nor I, but I know they are there. We can't be far from the river. From there on it is desert. I think we can cross it in two days if we travel by night and sleep by day. We'll enter Lochfowk on the southwest side, west of the mountains. The river empties into the sea. If something happens to me, follow it to the sea and then turn north, keeping the sea in sight. When you see the mountains, your colony will be beyond them."
She frowned. "I'm not going to leave you to fight them alone."
"I told you, I promised to see you home…"
"That is your promise," she interrupted forcefully. "You just heard mine."
There was no arguing with her. She was the most head-strong woman he had ever met.
She sighed. "We should have caught the fowl. We will be blamed for it anyway. At least we wouldn’t die hungry."
Donte didn't say anything. He wasn't going to get into that argument again. He moved away from the rock. "We'd better keep moving."
Several times they stopped and watched their back trail, but saw no evidence that they were being followed. They were steadily climbing, and that concerned Donte. Was the desert on a plateau, or would they have to find their way around cliffs in order to cross the river?
Gradually the trees thinned out until there were only a few. The rocky terrain changed to short grass. By late afternoon they reached the river. They stood near the edge of an escarpment, looking down a steep cliff at the smooth green river below. Ahead of them lay a desert of red sand and moss green shrub trees. In the distance, twin rocks thrust up from the earth like two fingers. That would be their landmark for a few days.
Akira gasped. "It is beautiful!"
Donte nodded. "Now, how do we get down there."
"Jump," Akira said.
"That's got to be a 50-foot drop!"
She smiled up at him. "Are you afraid?"
He snorted. "Any sane person would be."
"You faced an axe with total calm, but you balk at a little jump into smooth water."
"It isn't…" Movement caught his attention and he whirled. Six Nyumbani raiders had them trapped against the cliff.
"Jump!" Akira called to him.
Logic said that was the only way out, but he'd rather face six sure things than one questionable jump. He hefted the spear.
One of the raiders lunged at him, knife in hand. If he could get that knife away from him, he might have a chance. He placed his feet wide for balance and spread his arms out, the spear raised in one hand. These men were not Mascots. Each on his own stood very little chance of defeating him, and they knew it. They would consolidate their efforts on him.
"Run!" he yelled at Akira.
When she didn't respond, he glanced at her. She was trying to dig that stupid knife out of her pouch.
The raider took advantage of the distraction, whipping his knife through the air. Donte saw the movement in time to step back, but didn't totally avoid the knife. The blade bit into his upper arm with a sharp sting. Donte took another step, trying to get into a good position as the other raiders closed in on him.
"Forget about that knife and RUN!" he screamed at Akira as he stepped back.
It was one step too many. He felt the edge of the cliff crumble under his weight. The sickening feeling of weightlessness engulfed him as he fell. The sheer cliff passed him in a blur as he plunged toward the water, waving his arms as he tried to enter the water feet first. Something hit his head with a dull thud and he lost consciousness.
Donte woke on his back in the water to find Akira's arm around his neck as she struggled toward the shore with him. He gently kicked his feet to assist her. High above them, the raiders cautiously peered over the cliff with amazed expressions.
Akira reached the shallow side of the river and began dragging him to the shore. Donte turned over on his knees and staggered to his feet, clutching his swimming head. "I can walk."
Akira glanced back at the cliff. "If they decide to jump, we are in trouble."
Donte gave her a wry grin. "I don't think they're going to jump." He felt his head. "Something hit me in the head."
Akira examined his scalp. "It was a clod of dirt from the side of the cliff. I saw it hit you as I jumped. It crumbled when it hit your hard head."
Heat surged up his neck. He had to fall, but she wasn't afraid to jump. "You saved my life."
She shrugged. "Yeah? I guess we're even then." She glanced at the blood flowing from his arm. "I'd better fix that, but let's get away from here."
They found shelter in a group of boulders and Akira proceeded to sew his arm with a needle and thread from her pouch. He winced as she pierced his skin with the needle.
"Is there anything you don't carry in that pouch? I'd like to crawl in there and see if I could find a boat."
She glanced up at his face. "I know I don't have anything in there for pain."
Donte gritted his teeth as the needle made another pass. It didn't hurt as much when the knife sliced through his arm. He glanced down at the arm. It wasn't too bad, but without attention, it could get that way.
"I'm afraid you're finally going to have a flaw," she said.
"A what?"
She glanced up as she finished tying off the thread and clipping it with a small pair of silver scissors. "A flaw - a scar." She tucked the thread and scissors into her pouch. "How did you get this far into an active life without any scars?"
He grunted as he examined the perfect stitches. "They're hidden. Are you a doctor?" he glanced up to find her looking reflectively at his hidden lower torso. He smiled. "Hidden inside me."
A flush stained her cheeks. "Oh. I thought.… No, I'm not a doctor, but I am a nurse."
She leaned over and ripped a strip from her white undergarment. She smiled. "It’s wet, but it will help stop the bleeding until we get somewhere that I can put a poultice on it." She wrapped the cloth around his arm twice and tied it. "That will do for now."
He found her obvious discomfort at the subject of scars humorous. Trying to make light of their situation, he teased her. "It's strange that you noticed I didn't have any scars.
She lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. "When you go around flashing all that exposed skin, you can expect people to notice little things like that."
He laughed.
She tipped her head to the side. "It's good to hear you laugh."
He nodded. "It feels good. I haven't done it in a long time."
He hadn't thought about it until then. What a poor example he had been to his children. They were probably better off without him...if they were still alive. He looked back at the river. How far did the cliffs extend along the river, and did the Nyumbani know this country any better than he did?
"When I get you home safe, I've got to go back."
She frowned. "But you said they wouldn't let you return. Why would you want to go back?"
He shook his head. "They wouldn't let me return if they knew I was coming. If Farasi's men have regained control, my children may be in danger."
She studied the cliffs for a while before responding. "I'll go with you."
"No."
"Why; because I'm a woman?"
"Yes."
She rolled her eyes. "May I remind you who rescued you from that river?"
He met her gaze. "May I remind you why I fell?"
She lifted her chin and challenged him. "It wasn't because I was a woman."
"No, it was because you didn't do what I told you to do."
"You? Who died and left you boss?"
He groaned. "We're no good together, Akira. I'm always going to be distracted by you because you're a woman and you're always going to be challenging my authority…because I'm a man."
"You don't have any authority. That's just my point. If you'd have been minding your own business…."
"No, Akira. This is non-negotiable."
She met his stern gaze. "You're maddening, you know that?"
"I'm sorry."
She sighed. "Well, at least it's nice to know you find someone twice your age to be distracting - even if it isn't in a flattering way."
For a minute he stared at her, uncertain what to say. It hadn't taken much skill to get along with Halisi. She wasn't interested in him enough to flirt. She accepted his authority because he was a man, never arguing with his direction. He knew what his purpose was and he always waited for her to approach him. There was nothing even remotely romantic about their relationship. This was different. Akira was clearly baiting him. The worst of it was, he wasn't interested in her…not in a romantic way. He ran a hand through the roach of hair.
"You're an attractive woman, Akira, and your age has nothing to do with it." He hesitated, not sure how she would take the information. "I'm still very much in love with my mate."
She looked relieved. "I understand." She turned away. "You're too young for me, and you're from another colony anyway. It's not as though I'm looking for a man." She started walking away from him and then stopped. Turning, she surveyed him from head to toe and smiled. Her eyes twinkled as they met his. "But when you decide you're ready for a mature relationship, look me up. I might have changed my mind by then."
He smiled and shook his head. "Let's get out of here before they figure out how to get around that cliff…or off it."
He had lost his spear and hide shoes in the fall. He was back to nothing more than a hide on his lower torso. He’d have to make more weapons – maybe a long bow this time.
Luck was with them that night when they came across an abandoned cabin. A storm caught up with them and they were searching for shelter in a downpour when they found the cabin. The roof leaked, but Akira said she thought she was in heaven because she found something to boil rain water in and wood for the fireplace. She removed her underskirt and hung it on a chair. Next, she placed the white strip in the boiled water.
He frowned. "What are you doing? I was hoping you had something to cook in that pouch."
She smiled. "I'm making a sterile bandage for your arm."
He glanced at the arm. "It will be fine."
She rolled her eyes. "It's getting red. I'm going to make a poultice from some plants I found…"
"Are you sure you're not a doctor?" He interrupted.
"Are you getting nervous?"
He grinned. "Since you asked…yes."
She chuckled. "Don't be such a baby. It will stop throbbing a few hours after I put the poultice on."
She put the strip of cloth in the boiling water for a little while and then hung it to dry. Then she took some leaves from her pouch and placed them in another pan. She crushed them with a silver spoon she found; added boiling water and made a paste. When the paste cooled sufficiently, she smeared it over his arm with the spoon. She wrapped the still damp cloth around his arm twice and tied it.
"There." She said as she stepped back. "Does that feel better?"
He flexed his arm, surprised that it actually did feel better. "What is that stuff?"
She sighed. "A simple yes or no will suffice."
He smiled. "Yes, it feels better, doctor."
"Akira," she said in a tone edged with annoyance.
"Doctor Akira," he said, flexing his arm. He lifted his head to see her expression and wiped the smile from his lips. "Thank you. It feels much better, Akira."
She stepped back and frowned. "What's this?"
He followed her gaze to the floor. She had accidentally kicked the old rug back and a hinge was exposed. She stepped aside and pulled the rug back.
"It's a trap door to a cellar!" She tugged on a rope handle. "Help me."
He squatted and helped her pull the door open. For a moment they stared into the black hole. Donte frowned. "I'm not going down there without a light."
"I saw a candle somewhere…" Akira began searching the shelves. "Here!" She lit the thick candle in the fireplace and handed it to him.
Donte lowered the candle and peered into the darkness. He still wasn't that eager to go down there, but if he didn't, Akira would…or would she? Suddenly she seemed to be glad he was a man.
He sprawled out on the floor and hung his upper torso into the hole, examining the walls and floor. Finally, satisfied that there were no serpents, he crawled into the cellar. There were a few empty jars on the shelf, but nothing to eat. At the back of the cellar was a door. It took a few tries, but he finally managed to separate the swollen door from the frame. A small hallway led to another door that lifted open. Water dripped on him as he opened the door. About half way open, the door squeaked and groaned. It was an entrance or exit to the outside.
He let the door drop closed and walked back down the hall and through the other door. He tried to close it, but was unsuccessful. It didn't matter. The place had been abandoned and was falling apart anyway. When he arrived at the trap door, Akira watched anxiously.
"What is it?"
"It's just a cellar - nothing to eat, just empty jars."
She moved back and he lifted himself through the trap door. Closing the door, he pulled the rug back over it.
Akira gave a heavy sigh. "I'm so hungry I could eat a…What's that?" She pointed across the room to a small animal.
Donte leaned close to her and whispered. "Give me your knife."
Without question, she dug in her pouch and removed the knife. Donte hefted it a couple times to find the balance and then threw it. The knife pinned the animal to the floor. He walked over to it and removed the knife. Without another word, he took it outside. There he skinned and cleaned it. He brought the carcass back inside and handed it to Akira. "Here, cook it."
She met his gaze with a question in her eyes. "What is it?"
He shrugged. "Meat."
She said nothing more. She cooked the meat, they ate it and curled up on the rug to sleep. Akira snuggled close to him and put her arm around his waist. The warmth of her body felt good in the cool of the night.
Donte woke in the darkness of pre-dawn with a feeling that someone was outside. He shook Akira's arm. She was awake. He carefully turned and spoke into her ear. "Cellar."
Together they pulled the rug back and lifted the trap door. He went into the opening first and then helped her down. Pulling the rug over the door, he shut it. He took her hand and led her to the back door. There they waited, listening to the sounds of the night.
After a few minutes they heard the door open to the cabin. The Nyumbani had found them. Donte took Akira's hand and led her through the open door and down the hallway. With his mouth to her ear, he softly whispered."
"I'll open the door half way. Any more and it will make a noise. You hold it while I crawl out and I'll help you out. It's too dark for them to see us, so if we don't make any noise, they won't know where we are."
He could only hope she would follow his instructions - quietly. He carefully lifted the door until there was room to crawl out. Directing her hand, he let her hold the door while he crawled out. He held the door for a minute, listening and when he heard nothing, he reached down for her hand. She grabbed his hand and squeezed through the opening. He quietly let the door back down and took her hand again, leading her into the darkness. Night vision and instinct guided him in the right direction - away from the Nyumbani raiders.
By daylight they were far away from the cabin. The Nyumbani would find their escape route, and follow their trail, but they were hours ahead already and he intended to widen that gap. They traveled at a jog for several miles before they slowed to a walk to rest. He had intended to cross the desert at night and sleep by day, but that wouldn't be possible now. They continued into the scorching desert, using the two fingers of rock as their navigation point. They were nearing that structure when they came across a dry ravine. Hopefully there would be water standing somewhere from the rain last night - if the rain got this far. He was thirsty, but not suffering the way Akira was. In any case, the ravine was traveling in the direction they wanted to go.
They had been in the ravine no more than an hour when Donte was again troubled by the feeling that someone was stalking them. It couldn't be the Nyumbani. He found a place where he could see for a distance beyond the brush that lined the ravine. Akira peered over the edge with him and they both caught their breath; looking at each other in surprise.
Working their way toward them were a half dozen camelus with riders. They were obviously looking for something. If they continued their course, they would discover them.
Donte considered their situation; Anialwch militia in front of them and Nyumbani raiders behind them. Did the Anialwch know the Nyumbani were there? There wasn't much time to think. He'd rather be caught by the Anialwch than the Nyumbani. But what about Akira? He glanced at her.
She shrugged. "We're not enemies with the Anialwch, but we're not exactly friends, either. I don't know how they will react at seeing me here. You, on the other hand, can speak their language. They have a reputation for being good at defending themselves."
Donte nodded. "That's what I've heard." He studied the approaching riders. "I'll go down the ravine a way and come out so that they see me. Don't come out until I call you. They may be searching for the Nyumbani."
Her pupils were large with emotion, but she nodded. "I'll stay right here."
He patted her on the shoulder and left her there. Stooping low so that he wouldn't be seen, he darted down the ravine. After putting a bend between Akira and his progress, he peered over the edge of the ravine again. A rider was approaching the ravine near him.
A shadow caused him to look up. A large white avialae soared over him, likely curious. He turned his attention back to the rider. It was time. He stood and climbed out of the ravine, approaching the rider cautiously. The rider stopped and stared at him in surprise. He turned and called to the others.
"Here he is!"
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