The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 37
Copyright 2015 & 2021
Donte met Beier at the station in Bosvrouwen and they boarded the next tram to Bergen.
Beier offered a hand, palm up. "It is good to see you again, Monomi. Bergen has missed you."
Donte shook arms with him and they sat facing each other as the tram left the station. For a while they watched the scenery, each lost in their own thoughts.
Hunting a rogue ursidae would be dangerous. Donte could keep it from sneaking up on them, but killing it with a musket bullet before it reached them wasn't nearly as certain. He looked at Beier.
"Has anyone told Pieter about this?"
Beier grinned. "You don't think I'd bring you into this without his permission, do you?" He pulled a small metal object from his pocket. "He said I was to give this to you."
Donte held the weapon in his hand and ran a thumb over the smooth surface. The colonists had muskets, but he was allowed to have a laser weapon. Pieter thought of it as a necessity to ensure his safety. Yesterday Donte would have thought of it as a weapon to protect the colonists. If The Fontalo returned, there would be no need to protect the colonists. Only the Mascots need fear for their lives. The prophesy said the colonists would turn on the Mascots. Would the Mascots use lasers against the colonists? He thought of all the animal genes implanted in Mascots. It was a fine state of affairs when the animals had weapons to use against the humans.
Beier interrupted his thoughts. "Do you know how to use it?"
Donte nodded. "The bigger question is, do I know when to use it, and on what?"
Beier looked startled. "On the ursidae, Monomi."
Donte looked at him and smiled. "Yes, on the ursidae, for now."
Beier watched him with interest. Finally, he leaned back in the seat. "Monomi, if ever there is a time that I can help you. I hope you know you can trust me."
Donte stared at the weapon. Did people actually like him, or was it the pheromones? Of course, with Beier, it could simply be gratitude because he thought Donte was responsible for his freedom. That was as misleading as the pheromones. A lot of people were involved in the freeing of the captives.
He suddenly became aware that Beier was waiting for an answer. He tucked the weapon in his pocket. "That is a comforting thought, Beier. I'm certain I would not want you as an enemy."
They met five colonists at a cottage near the tram station in Bosvrouwen and rode into the mountains on equines. For most of the afternoon, one or all of the men watched Donte. He tried to look unconcerned without giving them the impression that he was inattentive. Their anxiety was distracting. He sensed things all around him – aves, cervidae, and other inhabitants of the forest. As usual, it took him a while to dismiss the emotions of those with him and focus on the wildlife.
They found the place where the men were killed and began tracking. The trail was old. The ursidae could be anywhere by now. Donte looked around for the kind of habitat an ursidae would use and any sign that the ursidae had used it on a regular basis.
He sensed the presence of an ursidae several times, but it faded away in the forest, like any normal wild animal would. The ursidae they were looking for would not move away. It would stalk them instead.
As darkness neared, they camped in a small clearing. After the evening meal, they sat around the fire with their hot drinks. The men had said little since he joined them. It had been a while since he had felt the newness of his presence among colonists.
He sat on a log, sipping hot liquid from a cup. He needed to initiate conversation, but he wasn't in the mood for it at the moment. He still felt humbled by the information on the Baigh. When the Mascots mixed, did they carry all the genes of each animal, or was it selective?
Beier interrupted his thoughts. "You are quiet and reflective this evening, Monomi."
Donte lowered his cup and nodded. "I was wondering what our baby will be like."
Beier's brows lifted. "Rianne is going to have a baby?"
Donte nodded again. "In about eleven months."
A sarcastic voice broke into their conversation. "One more generation of Mascot rule. Just what we need."
Beier stood, his expression austere as he turned to the man.
Donte spoke to him gently. "Beier, everyone is entitled to their opinion…and the opportunity to express it."
Beier sat back on the log and looked uncomfortable.
Beier wanted to defend him, but reprimanding the colonists would only alienate them. He needed their support in the future. They had a right to know the prophesy. It concerned the colonists as much as it did Mascots.
Donte let his gaze touch each face around the fire. When he spoke, it was in a calm voice. "I agree that hu…colonists should have equal opportunity to rule. Right now is not a good time, though. It has been prophesied that The Parliament will return and I will lead you to freedom."
The men looked skeptical. How could he blame them?
The first man snorted. "You will lead us into slaughter. We'll do the fighting so you can be free."
Donte looked at the man. "I don't know what will happen. All this is new to me. I was told only yesterday by Niall before he died. I can tell you that I will do my best to negotiate our freedom in a peaceful way."
Beier frowned. "Niall was the last of the original spaceship commanders. He's been missing since the plague. Where did you see him, Monomi?"
"I cannot say." Donte lifted his hot drink and drank the rest.
"What do we call you?" One of the men asked.
"My name is Donte." He looked at Beier. "I prefer to be addressed that way."
Beier sipped his drink, eyeing Donte over the rim.
"Not Monomi?" One of the men said.
Donte shook his head. "Monomi is a term that was created to be used from one Mascot to another. It was intended as recognition of higher rank - and an expression of respect. The Parliament never wanted the Mascots to rule exclusively. Our purpose is to protect the colonists."
The men looked at each other. Whether they believed him or not, they didn't appear to be upset by the information. One of the men stood and went to the fire, pouring hot fluid into his cup. He walked over to Donte. "Would you like a refill, Donte?"
Donte lifted his cup and smiled. "I think I would. Thank you." He held the cup while the man filled it. Donte looked at the liquid. "This should keep me awake tonight, one way or another."
Beier grinned. "Give me some more of that. I'd better stay awake tonight to make sure he does."
The colonists bedded down beside the fire and Donte stayed up, keeping the fire going and walking the edge of the clearing; listening and sensing the wildlife. Things were quiet until early morning.
He felt the malevolence before he actually sensed the ursidae itself. He walked back to the camp and alerted Beier, who woke the men. They prepared their weapons and waited, watching him.
The equines snorted and stomped their feet. Donte pulled the laser from his pocket and slid back the shield, setting it on high range. He slid the cover back over the weapon and checked the equines to make sure the lines were still tight. Behind him, he was aware when Beier joined him.
"Where is it?" Beier whispered.
Donte nodded his head, indicating the area ahead of them and spoke in a quiet voice. "It's standing still, watching us."
"Maybe it isn't the same ursidae."
"I sense malevolence."
Beier watched him a moment.
"He's moving away." Donte started after the ursidae, trying to force the ursidae into a showdown. Instead, the ursidae started to run away. Donte ran after it, Beier behind him.
They ran for a short distance before Donte suddenly stopped and turned back toward the camp. "There are two of them." He said to Beier. "The other one is headed for the camp." Donte began to run. Beier's feet cracked twigs and dry leaves as he ran after Donte.
Donte called out to the camp. "Watch the area to the south!" He pulled the laser from his pocket and slid back the cover.
He broke into the clearing as the ursidae charged out of the trees from the South. The men were ready, firing their muskets. The ursidae stumbled and went to the ground.
Beier carefully approached the ursidae while the men reloaded their weapons. Donte divided his attention between the downed ursidae and the other, which had stopped running and had turned back toward the camp.
Beier leaned over the ursidae. When it didn't move, he kicked it. The ursidae suddenly lifted its head and struggled to its feet.
"Get out of the way!" Donte called to Beier. Beier threw his body to the side and Donte fired the laser, bringing the ursidae down again. He didn't need to look. The ursidae would not be getting back up again. He turned his attention back to the approaching ursidae.
The other men followed his gaze, their muskets ready. The ursidae was approaching the clearing.
The ursidae suddenly charged from the trees, targeting Donte. Donte lifted the laser and pressed the button, but it didn't fire. The weapon had not recharged from the killing of the other ursidae because he left the cover open. He slid the cover back over it. The men were firing and puffs of dust and drops of blood were bouncing off the ursidae’s fur, but it wasn’t stopping.
Donte ran, drawing the ursidae away from the men. The ursidae stumbled and fell, then got to its feet and charged Donte again. Donte swerved, putting a tree between him and the ursidae.
On silent wings, a huge white strigiformes swooped down and grabbed the ear of the ursidae. The ursidae stopped and stood on its hind legs, roaring its rage as it tried to bat the strigiformes out of the air. But the strigiformes was already climbing into the sky. The ursidae turned back to Donte. The weapon still wasn't flashing that it was fully charged yet so he ran to the side, dodging behind another tree. All he needed was a few more minutes.
He was so focused on the ursidae that he tripped over a dead limb and fell, dropping the weapon. The ursidae was almost on him. Donte rolled to the side and leaped to his feet, leaving the weapon on the ground where it fell.
The men were no longer firing. With all the commotion, they would be afraid of hitting Donte. Donte dodged behind another tree, trying to work his way back to the weapon. It had to be ready by now.
Once again, the white strigiformes swooped down, aiming for the face of the ursidae. Once again, the ursidae was distracted. Donte darted for his weapon. He dived over the dead limb, landing on his hands and knees. Grabbing the weapon, he somersaulted to his feet, facing the ursidae. He planted his feet to steady his aim and slid the cover back on the laser. Lifting the weapon, he pressed the button. The ursidae was almost on him again when the beam sent it to the ground. Momentum took the dead ursidae forward, slamming it into Donte's legs. Donte fell flat on his back on the ground, knocking the air out of him and sending the weapon through the air.
Beier was suddenly beside him. "Are you hurt, Monomi?" He lifted Donte into a sitting position.
Donte gasped for air. "I’ll be alright." He finally managed. He looked at the dead ursidae and ran a hand through his hair. "Always close the cover after you fire the laser." He looked around. "I lost the laser."
One of the men found the weapon and handed it to him. Donte smiled as he closed the cover and tucked it into his pocket. He leaned forward to stand and found he had four sets of hands to help him do so. "Thanks." He said as he brushed leaves and dirt from his clothes.
Beier watched him. "That was something to see – that strigiformes. I've never seen one that big – or that white. It was almost as if it was protecting you."
Donte said nothing. The strigiformes was on a limb nearby, watching him, as if it wanted to say something. He stepped away from the men and slowly lifted his arm. He had nothing but his father's shirt to protect him from the talons. He trusted her not to hurt him now.
As soon as his arm was elevated horizontally, she flew from the tree and landed on it. She gripped his arm gently and he was careful to hold his arm still so she wouldn't lose her balance.
Donte looked into the large eyes and spoke in the language of the Anialwch. "Thank you, Celyn."
The strigiformes watched him for a moment before launching from his arm and flying away. Donte watched her until she disappeared. Rianne was right. He did have a strong connection with Celyn. If there were any vows involved in their future, it wasn't the kind he exchanged with Rianne. This was how they would lead the colonies to freedom. They were working together, using their unique strengths.
He turned to find Beier and the men watching him, their mouths hanging open in shocked silence. They didn't know what to think. Sensing animals in the forest was strange enough, but working with them and talking to them was a bit over the edge.
Beier was the first to speak. "Celyn?"
"Donte nodded and looked in the direction where the strigiformes had disappeared. "King Neirin's daughter. I don't know how she does it, but she connects with me."
"The aves gene." Beier said, still watching Donte.
"But how?" Donte asked. "She doesn't have the aves gene. She's Anialwch."
Beier shook his head. "She has the aves gene." He turned and looked at the men, who were still watching them in shocked silence. "Come on boys. You've skinned an ursidae before."
The men looked at each other and split up, walking to the two ursidaes.
Beier stepped closer to Donte and lowered his voice as he repeated. "She has the gene of the aves. She got it from me. I’m her biological father. She doesn't know and neither does King Neirin."
Donte watched him for a few minutes, unsure how much of what he was hearing that he could believe. It did make sense, though. He looked at the sky where the strigiformes had disappeared and mused. "She is the other half of the Anialwch Connection."
"And you are the first half." Beier spoke behind him. "Then the information is correct. The offspring of a mixture have super powers."
Donte jerked his head up and looked at Beier. "Where did you hear that?"
Beier's smile was slow. "Do you think you are the only one who has talked with Niall?"
Donte frowned. "Did you serve on the Baigh?"
Beier shook his head. "No, back then you could only serve on a ship of your colony. I served on the Moeder. Niall was like a father to me. He told me about Dalziel's vision. I came back with him to help him with the underground complex. I was captured, though. You know the rest of that story."
All the puzzle pieces were coming together. The picture was bizarre but becoming clear. In a way, it was still difficult to believe, and yet, it was too coincidental to be mere folklore. Was Celyn's power to connect with the aves any more difficult to believe than his power to sense the animals? It wasn't as if either of them became the animals. The aves couldn't talk. Her visions were unusual, but certainly not unique.
Even so, they had to be careful. They had to learn to use the powers to help others and not let the powers control them. Celyn was allowing her future to be dominated with the idea that she would exchange vows with him. It would not only destroy his relationship with Rianne, but any possibility of love for Celyn with someone else. Celyn was a little girl, lost in dreams, but he was old enough to know better. Avoiding her wasn't going to solve anything, and he obviously needed her assistance. He had to help her as well, and guide her in the right direction. One thing he could do was make sure she saw a world other than the one King Neirin was building for her. She wanted and needed to see other cultures.
Beier put a hand on Donte's shoulder, bringing him back to the real world. "While you were at the Baigh, did you happen to see Chait?"
Donte shook his head. "Why would he be there?"
Beier smiled. "He dropped by to see Donica before he signed up for his three years. I believe that boy has designs on your sister."
Donte lifted his brows. "And the presidency of Lochfowk, no doubt."
Beier laughed. "Perhaps. I think these men can take care of the job here. Let's head for Bergen."
Donte shook his head. "I'm going back to Libertad. Rianne is waiting for me." He looked at Beier. "Could you give Pieter a message for me?"
"Sure."
"Tell him that Rianne and I will need a separate cottage, and let us know when one is available."
Beier grinned. "He will be happy to hear that." He lifted a brow. "And the uniform, Donte?"
Donte hesitated. If he was going to lead the people to freedom in the uniform of Bergen, he'd better learn to accept all the commitments that went with it. He nodded. "And the uniform." He reached into his pocket and brought out the laser. "And return this, would you?"
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The Mascot Trilogy continues with book 2, "The Anialwch Connection." Visit Lindar's Library to find out where this and other books by Linda Rigsbee can be purchased or acquired free.
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