Part 18 – He is Claimed

As Frédéric leads Arch along a well-worn dirt path, he takes pity on the pale man's despondency and begins talking, gesturing up to the impressive building above, "The Teacher came several years ago, sent by the very good King of Brazil to do good works. A school room for our children and a small clinic for Dr. Stone are at one end of that fine house. Soon we will have a separate school and hospital. All very good things. The Teacher herself is seldom seen. There are stories of a great tragedy but no one knows for certain." He gives Arch an anxious glance. "It is very strange that The Teacher sent for you. This has never happened before."

Archie watches the dirt pass under his feet, counting the steps to his enslavement. "Perhaps the teacher wishes to study the evil eye."

Frédéric nods as if remembering something. "Perhaps. The Teacher has always been most interested in the evil eye. Which is also strange."

Arch looks up. "Why's that?"

Frédéric huffs a breath, "Because the Teacher's housekeeper has a grandson and it is said he has the evil eye. Perhaps that is why they brought him here, to shield him. He is seldom seen as well."

Archie nods, too distracted to think. At least I will be imprisoned in a large household with other people around. Perhaps I can talk myself into teaching English in the class room? His thoughts are interrupted as they come to a wide wrought-iron gate that Frédéric swings open onto a lush green garden that puts Arch in mind of his old... He shakes his head. No, that's from another life, gone now.

But he frowns. "That's it? That's all they have here for security? This gate should be locked and it needs a stout fence to enclose…"

Frédéric laughs, "Oh, Mr. Askwyth, there is no crime here on our island. We leave that to other less fortunate places. Here all is peace, all is happiness. Especially now that proper beer is coming."

Arch smiles small. It's a strange dichotomy; peace and happiness and slaves all together in one place, yet he feels he has an ally in this young man. "Well, we'll see about that. It is my understanding that I am to remain here until released. Who knows how long that will be?" At Frédéric's alarmed look, Arch can't help but laugh, "Perhaps you could speak up for me, hmmm, persuade this teacher to set me free as soon as possible?"

Frédéric nods thoughtfully. "Oui, perhaps, although I am sure Danilo will be your most vocal advocate. And Yvette." He dekes an eye to Arch. "Do you know, I had the strangest feeling that Yvette was going to claim you for herself when…" but whatever he is going to say is forestalled as they are now at an imposing door which swings open as if by magic to reveal a middle-aged woman in a familiar black costume, but now minus the veil.

Frédéric bows. "Bom dia, senhora guardião das chaves, I deliver him to you."

The woman nods in turn and steps aside to allow Archie to enter.

Archie hesitates, then says to Frédéric, "Um, aren't you coming too? I don't know these people. Can't you come with me?"

Frédéric steps back, shaking his head. "No one is allowed inside except by special invitation. Only the Magistrate and Dr. Stone are so privileged, and now you. You must go on alone. Good luck. We will wait for you down in the town. Danilo and Yvette most eagerly of all, I think." The young man salutes and walks back down the path and out the gate, shutting it behind him.

Archie watches him go with his heart in his throat. Finally, he turns to face the woman in black, bows, and steps inside the big door. The heavy thud of its closing sounds like a death-knell. The woman silently leads him up an imposing curved staircase to a large airy room full of cool shadows. She gestures to a pair of red velvet chairs where a small table sits with two waiting glasses and a bottle of something also red.

As he sinks into a chair, Archie watches the woman glide to a heavily curtained archway, look back briefly, then slip between the curtains and vanish. The room is very quiet. Just as Archie is wondering if he is to pour the drinks, he hears a rustle and someone in mauve silk sinks into the chair beside him.

All the hair on his body bristles in shocked realization as a slim dark-skinned hand of exquisite loveliness reaches out and caresses his cheek. His entire body seizes up as he feels perfumed breath gust against his cheek and a soft sugar-soaked voice croons low, "Arr-chee, my Arr-chee, finally and at last you come to me!"

Many hours (and 1 bottle of red stuff) later

Turns out he needn't have worried about his boots… or his clothes… or even his sunburnt and healing skin. She is all gentleness, all solicitude, and all hunger as she takes him again and again in the large ornate bed in the white bedroom that overlooks the hillside leading up to impenetrable jungle. Never in all their encounters in London had she shown such desperate need. It is as if she has found heaven and it has green eyes.

Finally, when they are satisfied enough, he thinks to ask, "What happened to you? I made it to Lisbon within a year but couldn't get anyone to talk to me. I was so desperate to find you!"

She flutes a laugh, "I was gone by then. I asked for a small place under my King's protection where I can build and teach and heal and I was given this island in reward for my services to my country. I've been here ever since. And you? Why didn't you return to your family as planned? I never thought to see you again."

He flops onto his back and groans at the high ceiling, "I did go back! Except I was two months late and almost walked in on Portia's wedding celebrations with my own brother! I shipped out the next day."

She slaps his chest, ignoring the resultant 'ouch'. "And just who is this 'Askwyth' person? I searched high and low for a 'Nelson'!"

He coughs a laugh, "Oh, ah, yes, sorry about that. I thought 'Nelson' would draw too much attention. Askwyth was my maternal grandfather's name. He was a brewer, you see…"

Now she caresses his chest, her hand gyring lower with each pass, "Yes, I heard all about your new profession from Evora. She is very excited about it for Evora's family also comes from such a background." She sweeps him up in a massive embrace, "Oh, Archie, Archie, to think I searched and searched for you only to give up, then have you wash ashore on my very own island! God is good!"

He strokes her hair, looks deep into her eyes. "Yes, I can't believe it either. You know, I don't remember making landfall or leaving the wreck that brought me. It's as if the sea took a whim to carry me to you and then something dragged me from that spar and up onto the beach. Am I really here, lovely? Maybe I'm still drifting, dying, and hallucinating about Heaven and its most glorious angel. Maybe none of this is real."

She sits up. "Will you stay with me now, my sweet? A miracle like this must never be refused. The angels would punish us if you leave now."

He smiles, coiling an ebon strand around a finger. "I'm not going anywhere. Yesterday I was a desperate man, fearing for my life. I thought I was being sold into slavery. Instead, I am in your arms again and happier than I have ever been, happier than I truly deserve. Nothing can top this. Nothing."

She bites her lip. "Nothing, meu amor? I think perhaps…" She slips out of bed, rings a tiny bell at her bedside. Evora enters from a side door, making Archie pull the bed-covers up to his chin. "Come," Catia implores him, "it is time for you to dress properly." A strange man follows Evora and stands patiently looking at Archie. Catia waves a hand, "This is Patrice, Evora's husband. He will take you to your rooms. We must dress, for there is a most important personage for us to meet."

As Evora opens the doors of a massive wardrobe filled with sumptuous clothes, Archie wraps a cover around himself as he is pried out of the bed by Patrice. "What? Right now? Can't it wait? It's been five years since we parted and I'm in no mood for company other than yours." He is ignored and chivvied to the side door. Just before he is shoved through he turns back, "And why do I have rooms and new clothes if you'd given up on me?"

Catia flaps a hand over her shoulder at him as she makes her choice of dress, "Because I knew I must marry sometime in this life and I lived in hope to find another Archie, if the angels would only answer my prayers. Now, hurry." With that, Archie is borne away, too surprised to say anything else.

An hour later, Archie is groomed and polished to a high gleam and dressed in finery. Surprisingly, he is comfortable and cool. He especially admires the shiny boots. He is back in the big room where he'd started and is making himself comfortable when Catia re-enters and seats herself in the other chair.

She settles and pats his hand. "Now, my Archie, we meet our guest." She claps her hands and the main door opens. Evora and Patrice stand without, flanking a small figure dressed much the same as Archie except with shoes instead of boots. The couple gently usher the young boy into the room and right up to Catia, who takes the child by the hand and kisses his brow.

Then she turns the boy to face Archie…

… and Archie looks into the mirror image of his own eyes.

"Archibald Askwyth," Catia intones, "I wish you to meet Archilio Benjamin Guilherme Xavier, my son." She hesitates briefly then lisps, "OUR son. He was born a month after I came to the island and is untainted by politics, intrigue, greed, or hate." She studies Archie's frozen stance for a moment then turns back to the child, "Archilio, I wish you to meet your papa. He has found us at last."

The child bows and says very clearly, "Ola meu pai. Hello papa." Then he stands back up, smiles small, and steals Archie's heart.

END – part 18

*S/P note: guardião das chaves = guardian of the keys

Epilogue

The east tower of 'a casa na colina' does indeed have a viewing deck and three silhouettes are seen to take tea there every day. This number increases yearly, fine sons all. It is the talk of the town for a while but island gossip is nowhere near as vicious as The Ton, for which one of those silhouettes is supremely grateful. Instead, he is the subject of laid-back island humour which he takes in good stride.

Yvette is put out briefly by the whirlwind marriage but she gets over it, for she is now a woman of substance with the most popular beer parlour on the island. She plans to cast her nets wider as soon as a small ship is built to export to the rest of the archipelago, perhaps even to The City of Mango Trees itself. Danilo is her trusted partner and their future (both professional and personal) looks cosy.

The brew-master is a man of many talents for, after much experimentation and with the enthusiastic help of Frédéric, 'Palm Beer' is a success and in great demand. So much so that a small cutter is designed and being built to the brew-master's specifications in order to begin trade.

Such a cutter of course needs a crew and the brew-master, really a very talented man on many fronts, also runs a training course for youngsters willing to learn of life on the sea. He enjoys many a sojourn with his students but is always happy to return home to the bosom of his ever-growing family.

So ends the saga of Archibald Edward Malcolm Richard Belamey Featherington.

And the beginning of the saga of Arch Askwyth, the saga that will continue in the hearts of all good people of a discerning nature and fellow admirers of a particularly fine pair of green eyes.

THE END

A personal message: Thanks to all who took the time to read our saga. We welcome your comments now it is done, and wish you all prolific writing and many happy reviews. ffh and S/P