Promenade dans un bois la vielle Louisiane
Les ombres lougnes nos pas silents
l'air de la Louisiane
Toi et moi ne parlant pas
en sucant d'la canne
Pour un instant je suis content en
l'air de la Louisiane
Pour un instant je suis content en
l'air de la Louisiane
A walk in
the woods of old Louisiana
the shadows are long
Our steps are silent in the Louisiana air
You and I say nothing as we suck sugar cane
For one minute I'm happy in the Louisiana air.
Bulma picked up her satchel. With her head held high she followed the woman across the levee.
"Excuse me, but where are we going?"
Chi-Chi grinned a little. "All things in time. Just follow me."
Bulma wrinkled her nose, slightly annoyed with her answer. Her guide didn't seem to notice.
"Watch your step." She warned as they stepped up onto the banquette.
They walked together past the shops that lined the narrow streets. Many of the markets had closed or were beginning to close for the evening. Still the city seemed to be bustling. They passed by a musician playing on a violin who smiled and nodded to Chi-Chi.
"This way."
Bulma was pulled by her arm down an alley way. They emerged in an area filled with houses all painted beautiful colors and built right next to the street.
Flowering vines entwined themselves around the elaborate wrought iron fences. Huge banana trees flourished and exotic looking blooms burst out from the window boxes. The air was perfumed with flowers.
Bulma was admiring one of the courtyards when she was pulled around another corner. This time she emerged into a public square near a huge church. Bulma gasped in awe.
"That is the Cathedral of Saint Louis. Beautiful, non?"
"Yes, it's lovely."
Unfortunately, Chi-Chi was walking so fast that Bulma didn't have time to have a very good look. She passed by a street vendor, a dark skinned woman with a blue scarf on her head and a large basket of something that smelt delicious.
"Bella callas, tout chaude!"
The smell of food made Bulma realize that she was very hungry. Walking by a street café only intensified her hunger.
"Do we have much farther to go?"
"No, not far. Just down this street."
The women turned to go down a very small street. On the corner stood a life-size statue of a man on a horse. Chi- Chi motioned to it as they passed by.
'This is the Rue du Chevalier.
At the third house down from the statue Chi-Chi stopped.
"Here we are."
Chi-Chi took Bulma satchel from her and opened the massive door. She pointed in the direction of the parlor.
"You can wait in there. Monsieur will be with you soon."
Bulma hadn't realized just how tired she was until she took a seat in one of the high backed chairs in the parlor. She hadn't really slept on the ship, her mind had been reeling the whole time. Even now, she couldn't make herself relax. Who was this man whose house she was in now. He was practically a stranger, an acquaintance of an acquaintance of a friend, who may be able to help her, or maybe not.
What if she had come all this way for nothing? No. She couldn't let herself think like that, she needed to be positive.
Easier said than done.
The sound of a door opening caused Bulma to jump. Heavy footsteps were heard coming her way. Bulma stood and put on her best business face to meet this stranger with.
A tall, distinguished man who looked to be in his forties. He extended his hand.
"Miss Briefs, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Bardock. Please, let us talk in my office."
Bulma followed the man to a door at the end of the hallway. He opened it and gestured for her to enter.
"Please, sit down. You must be tired. How was your trip?"
"It went well. Thank you for sending your maid to meet me at the docks, I would have been quite lost without her."
Bardock looked puzzled.
"My maid?"
"Yes, Chi Chi. Is she not you maid?"
Bardock smiled. "Not quite. But never mind that. I've been informed of you situation and I offer you my condolences. I know of many cases such as this. I will do everything in my power to help you but I make no promises as to the return of your father."
He paused to give Bulma a chance to speak.
"I understand sir, please go on."
"I have spoken to a friend of mine about you Miss Briefs. He has agreed to meet with you but he is…temperamental, at best. Once again, I make no promises…
Bulma could almost feel her heart sinking. If this man wouldn't help her she did not know what else she could do, where she could turn. She hated feeling helpless and the fate of her father rested in the hands of a person she'd never even met.
"But before you agree to anything Miss Briefs, I need you to understand. My friend is known for operating somewhat outside of the law. If this is to work your complete cooperation and utter discretion is needed. Do you understand this?"
She took a long time to answer. This was not exactly what she expected. She was hoping to work out a deal with the British, bargain for her fathers safety. Not to get involved with criminals. But what could be done?
"Sir, I am willing to do whatever it may take to get my father back safely."
Bardock nodded his head. "Good then, you will leave as soon as possible but first, you must be hungry. Come, I'll have the cook prepare something for you."
Leave?! Leave for where??!!
Her mind was screaming but she stayed composed as Bardock escorted her to the dining room. She couldn't worry, all she could do would be simply put her trust in these strangers.
What have I gotten myself into?
The food had been delicious and Bulma had eaten so quickly that she spilled soup on her skirts, thankfully it didn't stain. Bardock had tried to make small talk but Bulma was too lost in her own thoughts to have a conversation. She just nodded her head politely as he spoke but didn't hear a word he said.
Her trance was broken by the sound of a hound barking followed by the sound of the front door opening. Bardock rose from his seat.
"Excuse me Miss Briefs. I'll only be a moment."
Bulma leaned toward the foyer where Bardock and his guest were talking. They were speaking in hushed voices so she only caught a word or two, though that was enough to be certain they were talking about her. When she heard the men coming she stood and straightened her skirt.
"Miss Briefs, I'd like you to meet Nappa. He will be your escort."
The first instinct Bulma had when she saw Nappa was to take a step back. The second was to run, but she didn't give in to it. He looked to be well over six feet tall and very muscular. His clothing was that of a sailor, a particularly dirty sailor. Grinning, he removed his hat and bowed, never once taking his gaze off of Bulma.
"A pleasure to meet ya."
Swallowing hard she forced a smile. "Likewise."
Sensing the tension, Bardock cleared his throat and nudged Nappa as if to give him a warning.
"Miss Briefs, as I said earlier Nappa will be your escort. You will leave as soon as you are ready, Chi-Chi will be going with you as well."
Just then, Chi-Chi appeared holding Bulma's bags. She handed them to Nappa and smiled pleasantly.
"All your things are ready. I'd like to leave soon so we can be there before nightfall."
Bulma nodded slowly, not really understanding. "Be where?"
The next thing she knew she was being helped into a small, flat bottomed boat and having her luggage tossed at her.
"All set?"
Nappa growled as he pushed away from the shore and pushed through the muddy water with a long wooden pole. Chi-Chi sat beside her and rested her head on one of Bulma's bags.
The water got darker and the trees and brush got thicker, blocking out the sunlight as they went farther into the swamp. Bulma jumped when she heard a big splash just to her left. She glanced at Chi-Chi only to find her asleep.
How can a person possibly sleep through this? I suppose it would be easier to relax if I knew where I was going.
Bulma had asked but no one would tell her exactly where they were going to. The sun had sank farther down and the swamp seemed to come alive. It was too dark to make out exactly what was out there, all she could see was shadows.
"How much farther is it?"
Nappa grinned when he saw how afraid she was. "We'll get there soon enough."
Despite her nervousness, Bulma felt herself slowly slipping off to sleep. Her body and mind were too tired to fight it anymore.
She awoke with a start when the boat ran into the muddy banks. Nappa stepped out and tied it to a small dock. Chi-Chi took his extended hand and pulled herself to up onto shore. Bulma followed but her stiff legs wouldn't cooperate. She would have fallen if Nappa hadn't caught her and slung her up on shore as it she were a rag doll.
When Nappa started to walk off Bulma started to follow behind him. Chi-Chi grabbed her arm and pulled her the other way.
"It's this way, Mademoiselle."
"Please call me Bulma."
She smiled. "Bulma, this way. And please try to relax, you are quite safe here with me."
Bulma nodded but didn't feel anymore at ease. Her stomach was queasy with anticipation and her legs were cramped from sitting for so long.
But when she turned the corner she forgot everything. A magnificent house stood there in the center of what seemed to be a small city. Torches burned illuminating the path to the house.
Chi-Chi smiled and held her arms out to behold the city.
"Welcome to Barataria, Bulma!"
Ta-Da! You would think after all the time I've taken I could write a longer chapter. There really is no good excuse for me taking so long to update. I've just been a very busy person. I'll try to be a little better about updating from now on. Anyway, please review! Thanks!