The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 30
Copyright 2015 & 2021
Donica stared at her grandfather as he read the message from Donte.
"How could Donte even think of going back there?"
Pieter continued to read the message. Finally, he looked up at Donica with a wry smile. "It looks like you just lost a best friend." He tossed the message to her.
"What?" Donica read the message again. Below it was one sentence. She read it and caught her breath as she looked up at Pieter. "I didn’t even know they were serious about each other."
Pieter rolled his chair toward the door. "It is a good match. Now I must go down and send our young lovers a message." He shook his head. "Clearly, he is not thinking straight, but at least we know why."
After Pieter left the room, Donica read the message again. She knew Donte well enough to know he was carefully not saying something. Donte wasn't that impulsive. If he suddenly wanted to hop on board a Nyumbani ship and go back where he had been exiled and nearly executed, there was a reason, and it wasn't to negotiate peace. It was personal and vital. Rianne wouldn't go with him without knowing, either. Donte knew things that no one else did. He sensed them. What had he sensed this time?
If Donte had exchanged vows with Rianne, he had confided in her. Of that she was certain. Donte would not exchange vows with someone he couldn't trust. Unlike some women who were turned off by Donte’s unique endowment, Rianne had always found it intriguing. Liana had found security in it – or at least the façade of security.
Even as a boy, Donte had been in high demand on a hunt. No one understood why he could sense the animals near them, but they lost no time in exploiting him. Then, there was the time the ursidae had wandered into the settlement. He sensed the animal before anyone saw it.
There was one thing in the message that she found comforting. If Donte had decided to exchange vows with Rianne, he had finally come to terms with Liana's death. It was more than she had managed to do with her mate, and she didn't even feel responsible for his death. She thought she could never love again until she met Chait. There was something about the way he looked at her that reminded her of Abel. Chait had the same kind of rebellious pride. But Chait wasn't Abel and she probably stood no more chance of seeing Chait again than Abel. She completely lacked Donte's desire to travel. Bergen was her home and that was where she wanted to stay for the rest of her life. She had ruled out the idea of children until Chait came along. Now Donte had provided another possibility – Beier. But Beier was in his sixties and she wasn't at all attracted to him.
She dropped the message on Pieter's desk and headed for the kitchen. Nana had gone to a fabric conference in Bosvrouwen and Donica had promised to fix the evening meal for Papaw.
When Pieter returned, he said he had sent Donte a message to return as soon as possible.
Donica said nothing. There was more to it, but Pieter would tell her when he was ready and not a moment before then. She suspected he knew about the Nyumbani ship at the dock. Otherwise, he would have instructed Donte to investigate.
Pieter ate his evening meal in silence, which meant he had something serious on his mind. He said it was a good match, so it was unlikely that he was upset about the union.
"Did Donte say when he and Rianne would return?"
"No," Papaw said as he pushed away from the table. "I sent a message to Quade. I'm sure he will understand if they don't show up for a while."
"Is something wrong?"
He shook his head. "Nyumbani sent a representative to talk to Quade. He arrived today."
Donica waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "Well," she finally said. "Kwasi can translate. They don't need Donte."
He didn't respond. Instead, he went to his office and shut the door.
Donica cleaned the table and washed the dishes. When Nana arrived, she asked where Pieter was. Donica told her he had been in his office since the evening meal.
Nana frowned. "He left you alone? What has happened?"
Donica gave her all the facts she had. "I don’t think he is unhappy about their union."
Nana smiled. "Whatever is wrong, I'm sure that is not the problem." She hung her shawl and turned to Donica. "How do you feel about this union?"
Donica shrugged. "They are a beautiful couple. I wish them all the happiness they deserve."
Nana lowered herself into a chair. "That sounds rather formal. What is your objection?"
Donica caught her breath. "I don't object."
Nana gave her a knowing smile. "But you don’t think it will last?"
"I didn’t say that." Donica sighed. "It’s just that she’s so ambitious and he is always on the go."
Nana nodded. "She is ambitious…and hungry for knowledge. They both are. Do you think she believes they will stay at home now that they have exchanged vows?"
She hadn't thought of it that way. Of course Rianne wouldn't want Donte to give up everything any more than she would want to. She looked at Nana. "I think she will want to go everywhere with him."
"And you think he won't want her to?" Nana smiled. "Donte was married at 17. After Liana died, he had a relationship with another woman and now he has exchanged vows with Rianne. I think Donte wants to have a woman with him all the time."
Possibly, but she doubted it. Donte didn't want the relationship with Halisi, but he did stay with his children. "He wants a family."
Nana leaned forward and patted her hand. "I have seen the way he looks at her. You have no reason to be concerned about them. They will adjust in whatever way is necessary." She leaned back in her chair. "The family will come soon enough."
***
The next morning Donte woke before dawn. He lit the lamp and looked down at Rianne, still sleeping peacefully. He gently shook her shoulder. "Rianne."
She smiled her contentment without opening her eyes and snuggled close to him.
"Wake up, Rianne. It's time to get up."
She moaned. "I'm as comfortable as I've ever been in my life."
He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder, kissing his way up her neck to her mouth. When he drew back, she opened her eyes. Her pupils were dilated with passion.
"Good; you're awake," he said. "Let's get up before we miss the tram."
She punched him in the stomach and he gasped. She pulled his head down and gave him a long sensual kiss. When he moved over her, she squirmed away and giggled. "I thought we were supposed to be getting up."
"Rianne…" He pulled away and sat up. "If we don’t get off that tram in Bergen tonight, Papaw will probably send someone after us."
Making love with Rianne was different from any before that point. She was playful and imaginative. She liked to tease and tantalize. Rianne was confident, fully aware of her charms and unabashed about revealing all of them. She was exciting and reassuring by turns. She was exactly what he needed and wanted. Unfortunately, she was going to be the biggest distraction of his life. He couldn't assist Nyumbani from that bed, and he didn't want to leave it any more than she did.
As he bathed, his thoughts remained with Nyumbani, and Chiku in particular. Had he sensed her suffering, or had it been someone else? What about Heri or even Halisi? He hoped he wasn't connecting with Halisi. That could get awkward in a hurry. Whatever it was, apparently they were feeling better now…or he had lost the connection.
While Rianne bathed, he pulled the sheets from the bed and tossed them in the laundry bag. Pulling a clean set from the closet, he proceeded to make the bed. Rianne came out of the bathing room as he was straightening the blankets.
"Great timing," he said in a sarcastic tone.
She smiled. "I thought so."
He laughed. "We’d better hurry."
"A-hem!" She posed for him.
He grinned. "Nice…Very Nice? Perfect?"
"You’re getting better. Keep trying."
He tossed her a cloth bag. "Put your things in there, princess. I think I hear the tram."
They boarded the tram and Donte tucked their bags on the shelf above them as the tram began to move. Dawn was building when the tram left the dock and headed inland. They were alone on the tram at that point. Donte propped his feet up on the opposite seat and slid down until he could lay his head on the back. Rianne tucked her feet under her and snuggled close, her head on his chest. Sleeping was the easiest way to make a long trip short. There was a more pleasurable way, but that wasn't an option in public transit.
The tram stopped several times and other passengers boarded or left, but their trip was generally private. When they reached the stop before their transfer in Libertad, they were snoozing again. A voice cut into their slumber.
"Hey! What’s going on here?"
Donte jerked erect and pulled his feet off the seat. Kenyon grinned down at them. He sat down on the seat opposite them, still grinning. "What's the matter? Didn't you two get enough sleep last night?" He stuck his hand out to Donte. "Congratulations, brother."
Donte shook his hand. "Thank you. How did you know?"
Kenyon’s laugh was more a snort. "I think everyone knows. The loss of the most eligible Mascot in two colonies has everyone talking. By the way. Thanks for opening the market." He eyed Donte’s casual clothes. "Where's the uniform? Don't tell me she talked you out of that position already."
Donte glanced at Rianne, who was watching him with interest. In the breath it took to make those statements, Kenyon had managed to put Rianne down twice. Rianne was a much sought-after Mascot and Donte wasn't the only one who left Bergen in uniform on a mission. He'd better get this one right. He looked at Kenyon.
"We both feel more comfortable out of uniform."
Rianne rewarded him with an adoring smile.
Kenyon tipped his head to Rianne. "My apologies. I forgot you were traveling as a representative of Bosvrouwen." He leaned back in the seat and looked at Rianne with a reflective expression. "I guess I didn't think about you being an eligible Mascot either." He made a face. "I think I spent too many years in Lochfowk where the men have to pat each other on the back, because the women aren't going to." He shrugged. "But I was brought up to know better. How was your mission?" This time he pointedly looked at each of them.
Donte looked at Rianne and she looked at him. They both spoke in unison. She said "informative" and he said "uneventful."
All three of them laughed.
Donte and Rianne stepped off the tram into the station at Bergen to find a crowd waiting. They walked through the lobby amid cheers and showers of fragrant flower petals. Rianne laughed and hung on to Donte’s arm as if she were afraid he would get away. He wasn't sure why their union was important to so many people, but Rianne seemed to be enjoying the attention. He glanced around the station and found two faces missing. It was late, though, and Pieter didn't get out of the house much any more
Donica joined them and hugged each of them. "Congratulations, and welcome back."
They shook hands and hugged people all the way through the lobby until they finally reached the coach. Their bags were placed in the back and they finally headed for the Groot Thuis. There, they were met by more well-wishers. Donte felt relieved when they escaped to the second floor.
Saskia welcomed them and congratulated them, but Pieter was solemn. Finally, he asked Donte to join him in his office. Donte glanced at Rianne and she looked at Pieter. She smiled at Donte. "Go ahead. I want to talk to Donica for a while."
In his office, with the door shut, Pieter rolled behind his desk and motioned for Donte to sit in a chair. "How was your trip?" He asked.
Donte related the discussion with King Neirin and the invitation to use the Anialwch dock.
Pieter listened without comment until Donte finished. He obviously had something else on his mind. He leaned over his desk and clasped his hands.
"I must send you back to Lochfowk."
Donte frowned. "Why, what's wrong?"
"I need someone to ask them for volunteers to teach the Nyumbani medicine."
"When do you want us to go?" He asked.
"Not us. Only you."
Donte was too shocked to speak for a few moments. "Why?"
"I think the Lochfowk have shown us that they are willing to change. You will be armed but you will not be in uniform."
Donte looked at him. "What about Rianne? Is this a request only from Bergen?"
Pieter shook his head. "This is a request from you."
Donte frowned. "I don’t understand."
Pieter sat up in his chair. "Donte, you know the needs of the Nyumbani better than anyone. You were the one who stood up for them and asked for help. Now you wish to back out?"
Donte stared at him. Why was he acting this way? He shook his head. "No. It's just that…Rianne would be…"
"A distraction." Pieter interrupted in a crisp tone. "I have given you a mission. I do not expect to have my instructions questioned every time I make a request."
Donte clamped his mouth shut and waited for further instruction. Pieter had never talked to him this way and he saw no reason for him to do so now.
Pieter continued. "You will leave tomorrow morning. I expect you at the dock in Playa, Libertad with the volunteers in nine days."
Donte stood, anger drowning out caution. "It has only been one day since we exchanged vows."
Pieter looked up at him. "That was your choice of timing, not mine."
Donte stared at him, too shocked by his unreasonable challenge to respond.
Pieter eyed him as he leaned back in his chair. His voice was harsh. "Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes." Donte’s voice lacked enthusiasm.
"Yes what?" Pieter prompted him in a sharp tone.
For a moment he was no longer speaking to Pieter. Farasi was demanding that he call him Monomi. He was never going to address Farasi with that term. Blood pulsed in Donte's neck and the answer shot from his mouth in a cold voice.
"Yes…Farasi." Donte caught his breath in horror. "Yes, Monomi." He corrected instantly, his face growing hot.
Pieter glared at him. "Donte…" He closed his eyes and shook his head. "You are dismissed."
Donte turned and walked out the door without another word or a backward glance. This wasn't his grandfather. He sounded more like Farasi than anyone else. Was he, too, going insane? He could understand sudden changes in plans and even requests that required no questioning, but why was Pieter so hostile?
Rianne took one look at his face and turned to Donica and Saskia. "I'll talk to you later." She followed Donte out the door without comment.
He didn't want to talk to her until he had control of his temper. That didn't happen until they were downstairs in the commons. They each got a hot drink and sat at a table.
"What's the matter?" Rianne asked. "I've never seen you look so angry."
He took a deep breath and let it out. He had been this angry before, but not with Pieter. Only with Farasi. He wasn't going to transfer that anger to Rianne.
She placed a hand over his. "I don’t know what it is, but I'll be there for you. Just talk to me."
"He ordered me to go to Lochfowk…alone…tomorrow morning."
"What?" She gasped; her eyes wide open. "But he was the one who didn't want you to go anywhere without an armed guard." She stopped and shook her head. "I'm not helping. Tell me more."
"I am to go to Lochfowk, get volunteers to teach medicine in Nyumbani and deliver them to the dock at Playa in nine days."
Rianne stared at him. "Is that possible?"
He let out a long breath and ran fingers through his hair. "I don’t know."
Rianne stroked his arm. "You can do it. I know you can."
"The way he talked to me…" he said. "He’s never talked to me that way before. If he is angry about us exchanging vows, I wish he’d just say so."
"But he said congratulations, Donte."
He ran a hand through his hair again and realized it was trembling. "He sounded like Farasi."
She smiled. "Oh, I see." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "And you spoke to him as you would have Farasi. Are you angry with him or yourself because he frightened you?"
He sat up and slid his hand under the table. "I'm not afraid of him."
She reached under the table and took his hand in hers. "I didn’t say you were afraid of him. I said he frightened you. You are afraid he is going insane, like Farasi."
She was incredibly perceptive.
She pulled his hand out from underneath the table and kissed it. "I don’t know what is happening, but he’s not insane, Donte. Maybe he feels threatened because you are making changes in your life that don't include him…or maybe he thinks he has to get his bluff in so you will stay on task."
He grimaced. "He said you were a distraction."
She smiled up at him, a twinkle coming into her eyes. "How could he say such a thing?"
He smiled. She could always make him feel better. "I love you Rianne."
She stood and tugged his hand. "If you have to leave in the morning, we better get some…uh…sleep...now."
Donte stood. "We slept most of the day."
She lifted her brows. "Did we? I'm exhausted."
He chuckled and followed her out of the commons. Yes, she was exactly what he needed, but he wasn't being what she needed. She deserved better.
In the morning, after he bathed and dressed, Rianne handed him a bag. "I put some clean clothes and a little food in there."
He took the bag and threw it over his shoulder with one hand, gripping her waist and pulling her close with the other. "If he thinks keeping you here will stop me from being distracted, he is insane."
She snuggled close. "He’s not insane, Donte." She kissed him on the lips. "Don’t hold this against him. I know you both love each other. Don’t go away angry with him. Tell him good-bye."
She was right. They might never see each other again. Whatever was wrong – even if he was going insane – he deserved some respect. He was the ruler. He did have a right to give orders and not have them questioned.
"You’re right." He held her close and kissed her thoroughly. "I’ll see you in ten days."
She smiled. "I'll see you in Playa in nine."
He grinned. "That makes me feel better."
Donica, Saskia and Pieter were waiting in the lobby of the Groot Thuis when Donte left to go to the station. He hugged and kissed Donica and Saskia, but when he turned to Pieter, he swung his wheel chair around and headed for the lift.
Donte stared after him. "Papaw?"
Pieter paused for a moment, but never looked back. He continued down the hall without responding.
Donte had a lump in his throat as he turned back to Rianne. She shook her head and hugged Donte. "Forgive him." She whispered.
He kissed her again. "I do."
"I’ll go with you to the station."
He shook his head as he released her. "No, I don't want to say goodbye to you. I'll see you later."
She smiled, touching her fingers to her lips and then to his. "Later."
He left them all there and headed for the station. He would switch trams in Libertad and continue to Cuna. He left all he loved behind and put his mind to the task ahead. He had it to do and there was no point in whining about it. He was the one who had requested aid for Nyumbani and they were depending on him. His children were depending on him.
Soft Science Fiction
