Chapter 20
The night had been a restless one for Vicki. The new surroundings and strange noises from the woods had given her pause, and then there was the feeling that she was being watched or so it seemed or could it have been she was being paranoid?
She had tossed and turned in the narrow bed and finally when dawn broke through the night's clouds and the sun began to paint its panoramic view of glorious colors across the sky she stood by the window shivering and watching the sun come up and for a moment a brief moment she was finally at peace. Exhausted but at peace. Then she saw it, barely discernable nothing more than flicker of something along the wood line.
Could it be an animal? She thought studying the movement and the shape that was taking form. Then there is was it became a more defined shape and her heart began to beat a bit faster with her fear and expectation watching the shadow that now moved through the woods. Those shadows were moving around the cabin to emerge.
Then she saw the first shadow was now joined by another shadow and as that shadow became more define in human form. She saw that there was a series of moving humanoid shadows all surrounding her cottage advancing on the small garden and courtyard.
That is when she truly new that her fears had been redefined to a mounting terror. She was now more than just frightened she was frozen to the spot and she was terrified. What could be gathering in force around her cottage?
Finding strength to move from the small window she moved with frantic movements to the front door of the cottage prepared to flee into the woods and away from the cottage. Flinging the door open she was startled to see the ancient face of an old Native American standing on guard at her door.
He looked up and his face cracked with a broken tooth smile he peered into her eyes and nodded and then touched her forehead with his fingertips and then touched her belly and smiled. His words were broken and not discernable to Vicki she figured he was speaking the language of his tribe.
The problem in not understanding him had put her at a disadvantage and Vicki tried to politely explain that she did not understand him. He was so excited about seeing her that he did not note her inability to understand one single word he had uttered. He just seemed to be very pleased and excited to meet her and see her.
Vicki shook her head and said slowly with the sound of an apology in her voice. "I am sorry, I do not understand you."
From behind the element that was wind and known as Aureliegh appeared, puckering her lips she blew her soft sweet breath across Vicki's body and suddenly the old mans language was being translated into a form of a universal language.
His words in broken English came out as "The Wind and the Water bless this day Mother Earth allows us to be fertile yet again and to have plentiful crops that will feed the many. Then there is the Fire that warms us and gives us light to show us the way. She too is kind and gentle to those obeys her wishes and not abuse what she gives. Together they come to protect and we as a people know they cannot always protect the new hope. So, we come. Taking turns to stand and guard the new hope and the life you carry in you."
Vicki sighed and nodded and spoke with a sincere appreciation. "Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness. It is one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me and I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness."
The old man nodded and turned to see who brought the wind and smiled, "Aureliegh she of gentle touch and comforting times in the heat, please tell her that we will watch until the new hope is born then we shall celebrate her life and the life of the new hope."
Aurelieigh smiled and spoke softly on the whisper of her wid. "Mignan, my dear friend grey wolf, she understands your words and she knows you mean only good and no harm will befall her as long as you and the young braves that you bring to help watch over and protect her."
The old man smiled and his eyes lit up with his pleasure at being able to please her as Eluwilussit also known as one of the holy ones. He bowed to her from his waist and then peered to Vicki and smiled. "I along with Askuwheteau will protect with my dying breath, my moons left are not many but as long as I am here, she shall be safe."
Aureliegh laughed and nodded, "You are the wise one in deed my old friend and we all shall share in those duties. Let us hope that you are blessed with more moons than you think."
The old man nodded and then turned and in serious pose took up his position at the front of the house to continue to guard. Aureliegh gently closed the door on the back of the old warrior and turned to Vicki, "Why the sad sigh little one?"
Vicki had sighed and she considered her words carefully,, "Would he not be more comfortable in here instead of out there, he is old and I am sure he would tire easily.
Aureliegh shook her head and spoke gently, "He would not dare allow any of his tribe to think he was too old to perform his duties. That would be perceived as a weakness and he is a proud warrior."
Vicki turned to peer out the window and just by the set of his shoulders and the way he rested his weight from hip to hip, knew he had arthritis and even now she knew how tired she felt but he looked far more exhausted than she felt.
"Look at how tired he looks. Do you think we could suggest that they could better protect me in the house than out and that way they have a closer contact with me to make sure I am well and being protected?"
Aureliegh chuckled, "I can see why they chose you as the vessel you are the clever one." She shifted from her current form and appeared at the side of the old warrior and the conversation they had was short but apparently it was the result Aureliegh had hoped would be achieved.
With a subtle call of an owl, the area filled with three more warriors that moved out into the open from around the house and moved to stand in front of the shimmering glowing form that was Aureliegh.
She explained what she had explained to Mignan and found that the other braves were nodding in agreement to her suggestion and slowly as a group they moved to the front of the cottage and waited for Vicki to open the door.
"I am going to have problems talking with them. I am completely ignorant of their language."
Aureliegh shook her head and spoke softly," Open our mind to your heart and allow the words to flow you will be able to communicate with them as long as one of us is not that far from you my dear."
Vicki turned and pulled her shawl closer to her body and nodded to each of the five braves that now took up position inside her house. They all looked upon her in awe and wonder standing and waited for them to find a comfortable position to assume as her guard.
"Thank you all for your kindness and your sharing my time with me so I would not feel so alone and abandoned."
The eyes of the other braves were averted from Vicki they took up position around the small cottage. Having received no comments she moved to the small bedroom and paused one of the braves had entered the room and was watching out of the window. He was a handsome young man of undetermined age and stood like a silent sentinel against the wall. He unlike the others wore more ornamentation on his person and in his long black hair.
"The great father told my father that when she came the promise one would lead me and be my guide. I always thought that the promised one would be one of the first nation."
Vicki paused as she moved to find a dress and turned to look at the handsome young man. "We never know what package the promise ones will come to us, but this much I know no matter the vessel that carries that promised one, she or he holds the blood of all nations in their body and loves each and every one of us."
The young man studied her carefully and then spoke softly, "You are known among our people as Wawetseka which means pretty woman. Many say you belong to Nukpana the evil one and that you died and came back to haunt us all. But if you died then you could not be with child."
Vicki moved to sit on the edge of the bed, folding her long fingers over the edge and hung her head and thought a moment. "It is hard for me to explain how I am here and why. There are great powers at work that want to make things right for you and your people and all future peoples. In order to do that, they needed me and I was sent here to make things right. I suppose that by being the vessel that brings forth this life will secure the future of all peoples and keep the darkness away."
Huzitt slid to his knee and bowed his head. "Then you were sent by Eluwilussit, the holy one. Then I will protect you gladly and offer my life for you and your unborn child."
Vicki sighed and moved to kneel with him. Lifting his chin with her fingertips he could feel the power that was held within her body and his dark eyes grew wide with wonder and awe. "Do not bend on knee to anyone other than your own God Huzitt, you are a proud people and should only worship the one that you hold sacred. Because I am here out of my time and my place does not make me any better than you or your people."
Feeling uncomfortable from bending on her knees, Vicki started to stand and felt her knee give. Huzitt grabbed her with strong arms and held her tightly to him. She could smell wood and the odors of his body as he held her close.
Feeling embraced she pushed against his body and straightened he stood with her guiding her up. Though the time had not allowed for a better hygienic smell, she was just as sure her own body odors must have smelled off for him as his had for her.
Trying to be polite she backed away with a soft flush to her cheeks lowering her eyes. "I am sorry, thank you for your help."
He stepped back and nodded. "You are unhurt?" She nodded not trusting her voice. The charge that he felt when he touched her and held her close to his own body had brought about her own desires and needs and she was missing her husband.
Vicki turned and grabbed her clothing, "I am going to that room and bathe then change. Excuse me please."
Huzitt nodded and turned to watch the woods again he heard the door open and close. His own mind had found he wanted this woman, his body had reacted to her body and he knew it was wrong.
She had cleanness to her body that he had not smelt before. The women from the village were like him, they bathed at the end of the week period and they allowed their scents to blend with the wood so that they would not be smelt by their enemies. Their hair was braided tightly to their heads and carried the odors of the wood and cook stove or the smell of the wood.
Her hair had smelled of sweet flowers and soft scents. Her skin was too pale and not as golden as the women from his village. But where she was pale she held a magical quality about her and wondered if it came from the promise one that allowed her to have such a strong magical power.
Trying to not think of her while she was bathing behind that closed door. He could smell the soap and heard the soft intake of her breath, as she must have found the water chilled to the morning's touch. He could smell the sweet scent of flowers and knew she bathed in such things and wondered at why they would do such a thing, for to do so alerted the great bear, fox, mountain lion to their presence and made them easy prey.
It also allowed those of the nations so smell them as well. These pale people were odd but they were not of the nation so he put aside his curiosity and concentrated on the area around the cottage. Opening the window slightly so he could hear the noises of the forest around them and smell the air for any other dangers that might be awaiting them in and around this land.
He put aside the thoughts of those that had traveled the sea to come to their land and fight for it when it did not belong to them. He tried to forget Wawetseka as she bathed in her room and he focused on his task at hand. His eyes were ever vigilant to the wood line and around the area needing protection. He would focus on that and not the woman behind the door.
Jeremiah had managed to get himself good and drunk and had only fallen off his horse four times before he staggered through the doors of Collinwood. Bellowing at the top of his lungs for Victoria to come to him he laughed and fished into his pocket and pulled out the key.
"Oh, yes she is locked in our room." Pushing himself off the sofa he staggered up the stairs and down the long hallway to his room. "Hello darling guess who came home!" he called through the door.
No response so he figured she was mad and perhaps asleep and sleeping soundly. Missing the keyhole for the sixth time he leaned his head to the door and then dropped the key. Finally he had given up as he slumped to the floor and leaned his head to the door and banged it against the door. "Knock, knock my love, your husband is home."
He laughed hysterically at something that was funny to him. Looking down at his long legs stretched out on the floor he noticed the hem of a gown and two small feet, looking all the way up he smiled and nodded to Angelique, "Hello vixen, did you come to entice me to your bed?"
Angelique bent over and tried to help him up only to have him trip her and pull her down into his arms and then roll her over on the floor. "Why go to the bedroom when we have the floor and here. My wife has locked me out of our bedroom so she might as well hear how I seek my pleasure."
Jeremiah fought with the end of her gown and looked into her dark brown eyes. "God you are so beautiful.
Angelique laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "And you my lord are very drunk."
He bent his head to hers and deeply kissed her he allowed her to work his pants loose and to have access to his sex. Try as she might she could not get him aroused enough to allow penetration. Feeling frustrated with him and the smell of booze on his breath she sighed. "Jeremiah, come you need to get up and come to bed. I am sure you can perform so much better and be more comfortable in bed than on this cold hard floor."
Jeremiah kicked the door again, "Here that woman! She wants me unlike you. She is warm and hot and willing where you fight me!"
Angelique was growing more passive and quiet while he had his tirade to the entrance of his bedroom. "She is hot and willing Victoria! Do you hear me? She wants me unlike you!"
His distraction with his bedroom door and the wife that was supposed to be locked inside was beginning to annoy Angelique. "Why worry about her my dear? I am here, I am willing, and unlike her I do want you in my bed. Now come along, let us finish what we started here."
Jeremiah smiled drunkenly down into her gaze and then stroked her hair from her face. "Why won't you love me Victoria? Why do you run and hide from me? All I want is a child and then you can go. Why do you despise me so?"
Angelique froze under his body and looked into his eyes. "What did you call me?"
He smiled into her gaze his eyes distant and his mind thinking he had Vicki under him. "I said why do you fight me so."
With his thoughts now directed to who he perceived was Victoria under him, she could feel his arousal and now he wanted to make love to her.
"Oh no you do not touch me! You will not touch me not when you do not know whom you are with!"
Her voice had grown cold and the outrage was making her voice deeper. Jeremiah caught up in his fantasy he now held Vicki under him drew back his fist and slammed it into the side of her head to make her stop struggling against him and it caused him to become more aroused and he took her savagely and without mercy on the floor.
Dazed and reeling from the strike Angelique laid docile and waited for him to finish. He finished and passed out on top of her. She pushed him off of her body and rolled to the wall and felt the blood starting to flow down the side of her face.
Uncontrolled anger filled her looking at the man that had just raped her and refused her love. Speaking softly she glared over at his unconscious form. "You will never rest Jeremiah, and you will never be able to love anyone. For whomsoever loves you will die! That is my curse on you. And you will live with it through all eternity. " Angelique crawled up the wall to stand and look down at the figure of the man she thought she had loved.
Looking down at his body sprawled on the floor she turned and in tears fled from the hallway to leave him to await the curse that she has just placed on him. Jeremiah vaguely recalled her saying she cursed him but was so besotted with drink that he did not bother to care.
So he slept through the rest of the night on the floor until morning. When daylight arrived he pushed himself up off the floor and realized his pants had been undone and he vaguely recalled having sex on the floor but he thought it was with Victoria.
Finding the key to his room, he rubbed the back of his neck, and pushed himself up to stand on unsteady feet. He was hung over and knew that he had come home and then remembered he had locked his wife in their rom. Opening the door he moved into the room and stopped. His gaze traveled the room to land on an empty bed and on an empty room but for him. "VICTORIA!" He shouted her name and looked the room over.
He staggered to the bed and lay down. His body felt as if he had been beaten and kicked. He was stiff and sore from sleeping on the floor. Laying there he wondered who he had taken in the hallway and then it slowly began to edge into his clouded brain that it had been Angelique that had come to him.
But the image of Vicki had laid so close to his mind that he must have put her in place with Angelique's body and now he felt at odds with his own thoughts. He loved his new wife and he took the maid in her place. He must have called her Victoria and he did remember hitting her because he was angry and she was resisting him.
Why did she have to resist him? Why could she not find her heart and love him. He sighed deeply and looked around then realized the house was incredibly quiet. Rising he moved on steadier footfalls to the door and opened it. Stepping out into the hallway he headed to Victoria's room. Pushing open her door thinking she was there because Naomi must have let her out of his room he paused to see her closet was open and her clothing was gone.
A panic filled him as he looked around and then rushed to Naomi's room and discovered she was gone. Systematically he moved through the house looking for Sarah, Daniel, and Millicent they were all gone. They were missing from the house and this should have made him very happy but it did not.
Hearing movement in the dining room, he rushed to the dining rom and saw Peter Bradford and Julia sitting down for breakfast. "Good morning Jeremiah."
Julia smiled pouring her self a cup of tea. Peter looked around at the empty spaces at the table and inquired. "Where are everyone and that lovely wife of yours?" He did not mention that Jeremiah looked like crap or that it was not surprising the very lovely and delicate Victoria was not at the breakfast table.
Jeremiah shrugged, slumping down into head of the household's designated chair. "I believe that the family have deserted me and the house. It would appear my sister in law and her family have vacated the premises and I believe they may have taken my wife with them."
Julia frowned and looked at her teacup. "That is a pity considering I believe your wife is expecting."
Jeremiah's head shot up along with his eyebrows looking at Julia. "What do you mean you think she is expecting?"
Julia smiled and turned to wink at her husband. "It is just I know the signs. She seems to be glowing with an inner light with new life, she has been ill in the morning and she complained that her breasts were sore."
Jeremiah was shocked into silence as he considered her words. If this were the case, then now more than ever he wanted her found and returned to Collinwood.
Standing he began to pace off the room. "She must have went with Naomi to the old house."
Peter glanced to his wife and then down at his plate of eggs and bacon and toast. "Jeremiah, why would your wife wish to move away from you?"
Jeremiah stopped and looked ashamed, "Perhaps because I beat her and then locked her in our room for being disobedient."
Julia frowned and shook her head. "Those days are now gone Jeremiah, men or more particularly husband's do not beat their wives for disobedience. That is what the slaves and servants are for though I do not condone such actions being perpetrated on any human being. No wonder she left with Naomi, if it had been me, I would have shot you first then left if you had beaten me."
Jeremiah slumped to the nearest chair and sighed. "It is what father did, it is what Joshua did and I figured that is what I was suppose to do."
Peter folded his napkin into his lap and looked at his wife with adoring eyes and then reached for her hand and raised it to gently place a kiss on her knuckles. "Never would I think to lay a hand to my wife Jeremiah, it is because I love her too much to see harm come to her."
Julia smiled indulgently at her husband and then turned her gaze to Jeremiah. "I also heard you are dallying with the servants, again were you to do that to me, I fear I would not be your wife for much longer and would have long left your sorry hide."
A flicker of anger filtered over his gaze as he looked from Julia and then down not wanting to see the condemnation on Peter's face. "Your wife is a bit free with her thoughts and advice would you not say Peter?"
Peter cleared his throat and glanced indulgently again to his wife. "I find her thoughts to be stimulating and thought provoking and her advice impeccable Jeremiah. I would suggest you might wish to listen to what she says and consider how you have been conducting yourself of late."
Jeremiah pushed up from the table and nodded to Julia and then to Peter, "What I need to do is find my wife and bring her home." With that said he barged out of the room leaving a confused and enlightened Julia and Peter to their breakfast.