The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 22
Copyright 2015 & 2021
The tram shot across the flats of Bosvrouwen, following a straight rail until it reached the mountains. From there it climbed in a sequence of curves that followed the mountain ridges. The scenery was breathtaking. High meadows gave way to ridges of mountains. As they climbed, patches of snow were more frequent. At one point the rail took the tram through a mountain pass so high that they had a good view of the flat plains of Bosvrouwen. It was a tawny color butted up against the purple, blue and gray mountain ridges.
Donte breathed a sigh of contentment. This had been home to him for several years before he exchanged vows with Liana, and he still missed it. Liana had never understood his love of the highlands, but she was a native of Libertad. She thought Libertad was the most desirable place to live. The idea of living in the mountains chilled her to the bone. They both liked Libertad, so they had settled there.
The main colony of Bergen lay tucked into a large valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Cottages were surrounded by well maintained pastures with rock fences. There were bovines, caprines and all sorts of domestic stock.
The tram slowed as it entered a long, covered structure. There it came to a stop at an elevated building.
Inside a heated lobby, Donica greeted them with the warmth that was always hers.
A coach sat ready for them outside and took them up a cobblestone road to the Groot Thuis. The gates were opened and they rode into a large courtyard. Pieter and Saskia lived in a large three-story rock home. The bottom story was a huge open lobby with lifts at the back. They were taken upstairs to the living quarters of the ruler and his mate.
Saskia met them at the door and welcomed them inside. She hugged Donte, moisture filling her eyes. "I am so happy to see you. The weeks between your letter and the news that you were actually alive were long."
Donte held her close for a moment. "I'm sorry, Nana. I wish I had never written that letter."
She patted his arm as she drew back. Wiping her eyes, she turned to introduce her mate to the others.
Donte tried not to reveal his shock when he saw the healthy man he left six years ago now in a wheelchair.
Pieter welcomed their guests first before he turned his attention on Donte. "Donte, you cannot imagine how delighted I am to see you alive and well." His gaze traveled every inch of Donte's frame. "You are thin, but we will take care of that." His attention came back to Donte's eyes. "I wish to talk to you in private about a matter of great importance." He nodded to the others and addressed his mate.
"Saskia, would you see to the comfort of our guests while I talk to Donte?" He gave Quade a level look. "We shall talk later."
Donte followed Pieter to his office. He knew his grandfather well enough not to assist him, no matter how much he wanted to. Pieter instructed Donte to shut the door as he turned his chair to face him. He indicated a hide covered chair "Sit down, Donte. It hurts to look up at you. I believe you have grown taller."
Donte sat in the chair he indicated and smiled. "Possibly I am taller." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers, trying to keep his head the same level as Pieter. He waited for Pieter to speak. Pieter had never wasted much time on small talk. He hadn't changed.
"Donte, as you can see, my health is failing. It has always been my wish that you would take my place. Is this something you would consider?"
Donte's elbow slipped off his knee and he jerked upright. "Now?"
Pieter's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Does the idea frighten you?"
Donte considered the idea and finally nodded. "A little. I'm not prepared - and what about Donica?"
"Donica lacks both the experience and the temperament. You are my choice. I must know how you feel before I speak to my Cabinet."
Donte ran nervous fingers over the short hair on his scalp. There were so many things he planned to do. Eventually he had hoped for this, but not so soon. Of course, he would have to spend three years in service on the spaceships before he could rule.
Pieter watched him with concern. "What is it, Donte? I always thought you wanted this."
Donte nodded again. "I did...do. I am honored. It's just that...I hoped to be instrumental in bringing the colonies together."
Pieter smiled, his eyes conveying both relief and a touch of humor. "Yes. Our little peacemaker." He sobered. "Surely you must know that we all want this." He reached out and patted Donte's knee. "I cannot think of a better emissary for our colony. It is your safety that concerns me. After this last experience with Nyumbani I do not want you to travel without protection. You had no representation and from what I understand, you offered no resistance."
"I murdered their king..."
"Do not use the word murder for what you did, Donte – nor assassination. You executed him, as any responsible Mascot would have done. This was not something the colonists could do. They knew this. They had no right to execute you. After six years, they saw you as one of their own. This cannot happen again. If you are to represent Bergen, you must make it clear that you are not a captive."
Of course, he was right. It was his fault that the Nyumbani had treated him the way they did. He had become one of them. In his grief, he had completely lost focus. After his children were born, his position had become parental. He could and should have left after Heri was born, but he had become personally involved. How could he abandon his children? Only near execution and being exiled from the colony had forced him to leave. In direct contrast, when he entered Lochfowk, he had done so with the mind set of an emissary...which was probably why they had accepted him as that.
"I see what you mean," Donte said, "But wouldn't an escort imply distrust?"
Pieter's sandy brows drew together in a frown. "You have been a captive of the Nyumbani for six years. They almost executed you and then decided to send you through the mountains with no clothes into unfamiliar territory. Lochfowk detained you and kept Kenyon captive for 30 years. They haven't earned our trust...or have I missed something?"
Donte couldn't resist a smile. "It doesn't sound like you've missed a thing."
"Very well. You will not only have an escort, but you will wear the uniform of Bergen. It will remind them that if any harm comes to you, there will be retaliation." He leaned back and sighed. "Do you accept these conditions?"
"I respectfully disagree about the uniform being a form of protection." Donte said. "I doubt it would make a difference. As you noted, it is more what I am than who I am. Still, I accept the conditions...." He hesitated
Pieter lifted his brows, "Something else troubles you?"
Donte nodded. "I have not fulfilled my three years of continuous service."
Pieter studied him for a few minutes before responding. "That requirement was set by The Parliament. We make our own rules now, and that one has not been observed since the plague. I am surprised that you knew of it."
"I saw it at the library on the Moeder. I wish to serve, but I don't want to abandon you. There are so many things I would like to learn."
"There is time. You lack experience, but my cabinet agrees that you have great promise. Farasi saw this in you when you were a young man. I should not have let you go. I knew it then. You acted out of grief and honor." He shrugged. "It is done and we cannot go back. I will tell my cabinet that you have accepted and we will make the announcement during the celebration tonight."
Donte frowned. "I don't want Dad to learn that way."
"I will tell him when I speak to him."
Donte shook his head. "No, I want to tell him."
Pieter smiled. "Very well. I will let the two of you talk before I talk to him." He swung his chair toward the door."
Donte exited his chair and opened the door for Pieter. Pieter rolled out and beckoned for Quade. As Quade joined them, Pieter spoke to him.
"Donte wishes to speak to you alone before we talk together. I will speak with our guests while I wait."
Quade stepped into the office and turned to Donte; his brows lifted. "What is this all about?"
Donte took a deep breath. He didn't want to hurt his father's feelings. They had always been close, but he was no longer a child. There came a time when your offspring grew up and found their own place in life...if they were lucky.
He slowly let out his breath. "I don't know where to start."
Quade watched him. "That bad, is it?"
"No.... I had a feeling this day would come. I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I didn't know Papaw was ill." Donte met Quade's expectant gaze. "I accepted his request to supersede him."
Quade continued to watch him. "What about Donica?"
Donte shook his head. "I asked the same thing. He said I was his choice."
Quade nodded. "I thought this would happen."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you and I mean you no dishonor. I could not have asked for a better father. I admire you more than anyone I know." Donte sighed. "I wish I could explain it. When I'm in the mountains, it feels like home."
Quade nodded and looked relieved. "I was afraid you were being pressured to do something you didn't want to do. You haven't disappointed me. I'm continually in awe of you. If this is what you want to do, then I'm happy for you. At least I will be able to visit you and know you are safe.
There was so much he wanted to talk to his father about and there had been so little time alone with him up to this point. He shook arms with Quade. "I should go. Papaw is waiting."
Quade smiled as he gripped Donte's arm. "He is not a patient man, either. You have your work cut out for you."
Soft Science Fiction
