Chapter 40
Basta tore his face off Dafne to answer Silvio's question.
"No we're not finished," he said with barely concealed annoyance.
"Oh," Silvio said uncertainly, "I saw everyone leaving so I thought..."
"We're having a one on one lesson," Basta said.
Dafne looked at him enquiringly. We are?
"Dafne was about to teach me how to write my name," Basta went on, "Weren't you?"
He gave her a meaningful look as if telling her to play along.
"Er yes," she said, thinking this had better be what he been planning.
"Oh," Silvio said again, looking pointedly at Dafne, "It's just that I'm about to go see Netta."
Dafne realised why he had come. He had called in to collect her, though they had yet to ask for Basta's approval.
"Go then," Basta said, impatient to have the boy depart, at least on his own, "You don't need our permission to see your girlfriend."
"She's not..." Silvio began then sighed, choosing not to deviate into argument, "I wanted to see if Dafne still wanted to come with me."
Basta turned to Dafne,
"Why do you want to go?" he said, "The boy doesn't need a chaperone."
"I just wanted to see Netta," she said. She wasn't lying, this desire was genuine even though she had another agenda which was to give her a note intended for Resa, "I haven't seen her since Cockerell..." she trailed off as Basta had to know what she was referring to.
Basta nodded but he didn't look happy about the idea.
"But what about us?" he said, disappointment evident in his voice. Dafne suddenly felt guilty for wanting to rush off. She couldn't blame him for wanting to spend time with her.
"I can teach you tonight," she suggested soothingly, "And you can give Silvio bridge duty so we'll have no distractions."
This cheered him up, especially the latter part.
"I suppose that's a better idea," he said, "I ought to get back to work anyway."
He said it as if he were going back to the office after lunch. Dafne found this slightly disturbing given what he could be heading off to do.
"Don't stay out too long," Basta said. This was addressed more to Silvio, "I want her back at the house before dark. Do you understand?"
Silvio bobbed his head obediently but he was smiling. He had a lot to smile about. He was going to see Netta and the dogs.
"I will," he said, "I'll bring her back and head straight to the bridge."
"You better," Basta growled, "This lesson is very important to me."
He stood up, stowing his knife on his person. It made Dafne uneasy seeing him do it. The action had an air of anticipation.
"See you later dear heart," he said, cupping the side of her face, "Try not to embarrass him too much in front of his girlfriend."
Dafne scowled at him and he laughed, moving to kiss her despite the expression.
She let him do it, glaring at him afterwards, trying not to smile.
Her annoyance was superficial and he seemed to know this because he left smiling.
"Have fun," he said as he sauntered past Silvio.
The boy didn't reply, he was looking at Dafne expectantly,
"Let's go."
She smiled, sensing his excitement.
"Okay, just a second."
Basta had left his paper on the desk. She folded it up and put it in her pocket, along with his pen. She would think of what to write to Resa on the way.
Resa, she thought as they walked, DF wants to help you escape. Do you have plan? If you do, write it down and give it to Netta, she can give it to Silvio, he can give it to me and I'll tell DF... I'm sorry but I can't come with you. Why?
Why?
She sighed. This was the part she kept getting stuck on. She was afraid of how Resa would react to learning about her relationship with Basta.
"Did you say something?" Silvio asked.
"No," she said.
The boy shrugged and grinned,
"Almost there."
She smiled but inside she was feeling the pressure.
Maybe I should just say nothing about Basta and myself, tell Resa it's just too hard for us to escape at the same time, she thought, tell her to leave without me and not worry because I'll find my own way to escape.
Would she accept that? Dafne wasn't sure she would. She knew Resa was too loyal to simply abandon her.
"Hey Netta!" yelled Silvio, startling her.
They had reached the boundary fence of Capricorn's backyard. There were two figures in the distance by the chicken coop. One of them was Netta. The other was...
Dafne froze when she recognised her. Of all the maids, it was her.
It was Resa. For a split second, she wanted to run away. But then she saw Resa smile, her lovely warm smile and all she wanted was to be close to her. She forgot everything else.
"Resa!"
She scrambled over the fence and rushed over, dimly hearing Silvio call out "Hey wait for me!"
But she didn't stop until she reached Resa. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around her, gripping her fiercely, as if it were the last time. It could be the last time. But she couldn't stand there holding her forever. She broke away and noticed Resa was breathing a little more heavily. She realised with embarrassment that she had probably been crushing her.
Maybe Basta was right, she thought, I don't know my own strength.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, "I'm just happy to see you."
Resa laughed, pointed at herself then at Dafne. Me too.
"Hey Dafne," Netta said. The girl was smiling but looked a little stunned. Dafne wondered if it was merely her sudden appearance or the way she had thrown herself on Resa so unrestrainedly.
She embraced the girl more carefully than she had done Resa. It was good to see her as well.
"Hey Netta."
Silvio reached them. Up close, he became shy around Netta, and she with him, exchanging quiet greetings.
"Hey."
"Hey."
They lapsed into silence after that, as if they weren't sure what else to say. In other instances Ignacio might have helped them fill the void. Their relationship was still on tentative ground. They weren't fully comfortable around each other. But there was genuine affection in their smiles, even though they couldn't seem to look the other in the eye for too long before glancing away. Dafne found it sweetly amusing.
Netta turned to Resa, who was watching them with the same amusement as Dafne,
"Resa you remember Silvio," she said, "He's the one who rescued me."
There was admiration in her voice and Silvio looked pleased but embarrassed.
Resa gave a nod of recognition. She smiled rather mischievously, pointing from Netta to Silvio. Then she worked one hand in a talkative motion. Dafne burst out laughing because she understood what it meant. Silvio didn't, however, and regarded Resa uncertainly.
"I don't..." he looked at Dafne for explanation.
"She says that Netta talks about you," she told him. Resa quickened the pace of the talking hand. "A lot."
Silvio's eyes widened in surprise. Netta blushed.
"Resa I do not," she protested quietly, avoiding Silvio's gaze.
But Resa nodded unrelentingly.
"Resa!"
"If it makes you feel better, Silvio talks about you a lot," Dafne said.
Silvio blushed,
"No I don't!" he said, looking at Dafne with the pained expression of someone betrayed.
Dafne smiled mercilessly,
"Yes you do."
"No I don't," Silvio said, shifting the blame, "Basta's the one who brings her up all the time."
Netta and Resa regarded him quizzically, the latter frowning. Dafne noticed this acutely, her heart sinking as she saw how quickly her friend's face turned grave at the mention of Basta.
"Why would he talk about me?" Netta asked, sounding nervous.
"Because he likes to tease Silvio about you," Dafne said.
"Why?"
"Because he thinks your Silvio's girl..."
"Because he's being an idiot," Silvio interrupted agitatedly, cutting her off a little too late. He seemed to realise this because he looked worriedly at Netta. But she only gave him a sympathetic smile and his concern turned to relief.
"Yes he is an idiot," Dafne said, feeling a little guilty for treating Silvio's feelings for the girl rather insensitively. He obviously wasn't ready to admit them and she should have respected that. "He thinks kicking cats will give you rheumatism."
Resa laughed, rolling her eyes. She mimed a necklace hanging from her neck to Dafne's confusion. This time Silvio understood.
"I think she's talking about Basta's charm," he said, "You know, his rabbit's foot."
"Rabbit's foot?"
"You haven't seen it," Silvio said surprised, "He wears it all the time. It's supposed to protect him."
Dafne shook her head,
"I didn't know anything about it," she said, "But I wouldn't be surprised. He gave me a horseshoe," she glanced at Resa, "It's supposed to be lucky but I don't really believe it."
Resa wrinkled her nose, implying her own disbelief. She gestured towards a spot further away from them. Dafne nodded,
"Yes we should leave these two alone," she looked at them apologetically, "We've bothered you guys enough."
Resa took hold of Dafne's arm and they moved to a place to speak more privately. Silvio and Netta looked more nervous to be left in each other's company than relieved. There was no need to worry about the two left behind though. They overcame their shyness soon enough.
"So... how's your arm?"
"Its fine," Dafne heard Silvio reply before she switched off eavesdropping to concentrate fully on Resa.
"I have a lot to tell you," she told her, "I didn't know you'd be out here so I was going to write you a note."
Resa suddenly frowned. She reached into her pocket. Dafne expected her to bring out paper and pencil and begin scribbling. But to her surprise, her hand came out empty. Resa shook her head sadly, holding out of a palm full of nothing.
"Did Mortola take your paper?" Dafne guessed.
Resa shook her head. She made a C shape with her hand.
"Capricorn?"
Resa nodded, scowling. She mimed paper being torn up with her fingers then made a scattering motion.
"Why?" Dafne wanted to know. She brought out the paper and pen she had taken and pressed them into Resa's hands.
She waited as Resa penned her tale.
C is angry, she wrote, a girl he wanted brought here ran away...
Dafne glanced up involuntarily. Sara.
He made me empty my pockets, Resa's story continued, they were blank but he still ripped them up. He said you better not be planning on running away. If you do, I'll kill the girl...
Dafne looked up again,
"What girl?"
Resa subtly inclined her head towards Netta. Her conversation with Silvio now seemed to be flowing easily. Neither of them noticed Resa and Dafne looking over at them with grave expressions.
"That's awful," Dafne murmured. There was no doubt in her mind that this was no idle threat. Capricorn had already ordered the execution of Netta's family. Why not her as well?
Resa held her hand out for the paper.
If we escape, we need to take her with us.
Dafne nodded. She had been thinking the same thing herself.
"Escape is what I wanted to talk to you about," she said, "I saw Dustfinger."
Resa brightened, reaching for Dafne's hand and squeezing it.
"He wants to help you," Dafne went on. She made it a point to say 'you' instead of 'us'.
Resa closed her eyes briefly perhaps out of thankfulness. Then she nodded for her to continue.
"He told me to find out your plan for Monster Night so I could pass it on to him."
Resa smiled faded into disappointment and she took up the paper once more.
It's too risky to try something so soon. I've stopped writing notes because I'm afraid of C checking my pockets. We need to wait until his suspicion dies down.
"I think that's a good idea," Dafne agreed. It gave her more time to work on Basta to convince him to leave. "I'll let Dustfinger know."
Resa sighed heavily.
It might be too long for him to stick around. He usually doesn't stay in the village too long. We would have to wait until he comes back.
"Maybe we don't need him," Dafne said optimistically, "I'm on the outside now. I can help you."
Resa touched her face tenderly but shook her head,
I was going to get Dustfinger to steal Basta's keys. But that's too dangerous for you to do, even if you live with him. If he caught you, he would punish you and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.
Well yes he would be furious if he caught her taking them sneakily. But if he consented to leave the village, what reason would he have to object to Dafne giving the keys to Resa to escape?
"Don't worry I can handle Basta," she said.
Resa shook her head, unpersuaded by these words. Resa knew of nothing to convince her that Basta was anything other than bad. But if Dafne told her the truth, including the part about Sara, she might change her mind. That or she would think Dafne was crazy, a fool and a traitor.
She took a deep breath,
"There's something I have to tell you," she said, "Basta..."
Dafne faltered, watching Resa's brow furrow at Basta's name. There was concern on her face as if she expected Dafne to recite some ill Basta had done to her. Dafne opened her mouth to prove her otherwise but was interrupted.
"Well well," said the familiar sneering voice, made purposely loud to capture the attention of all four of them standing the yard, "What have we here, two visitors."
They turned to the doorway where Orlanda stood, arms folded in their usual formidable position.
"I can see why you two were taking so long now," she went on, addressing Resa and Netta before turning her gaze on her former charge, "Long time no see Dafne."
As disagreeable as Orlanda was, Dafne was just glad it wasn't Mortola standing there in her place.
"Hi Orlanda," she said in an as pleasant voice as possible.
Orlanda grunted, eyeing her up and down scornfully.
"What a lovely dress," she said, "Appropriate for your new status," she turned to Resa, "I'm surprised you're even talking to this one Resa. If I were you, I would see what she's done as a betrayal."
Resa looked confused but Dafne knew very well what Orlanda was referring to. Panic seized her heart.
"Orlanda please," she said. She had to be the one to tell Resa.
Orlanda smiled a horrible smile of understanding.
"Oh I see," she said, "She doesn't know. I'm surprised. News usually travels so fast around here."
"Don't..." Dafne begged, "Please don't tell her."
But Orlanda didn't care if she hurt others in the process of amusing herself. She wasn't Mortola right hand for nothing. Dafne's pleading fell on deaf ears.
"Why? She's bound to find out eventually. Obviously you haven't bothered to tell her."
But I was, Dafne felt like crying out. The situation was so impossibly unfair and she had no control over what Orlanda chose to say to Resa. She wanted to cover Resa's ears because she knew the truth was about to come rolling off Orlanda's tongue.
"Basta hasn't been bothering you lately, has he Resa?" she said, "Well you have Dafne to thank for that. He's much too preoccupied with her to concern himself with you," she chuckled before she loosed the blow, "Especially now that she's his little..."
"Stop!" Dafne yelled helplessly but Orlanda didn't even stumble.
"Girlfriend," she finished.
A dreadful silence followed. It was broken by a gasp of astonishment from Netta.
"Girlfriend?"
Dafne barely registered the girl's reaction. She was focused on Resa. There was only amused disbelief on her friend's face. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head at Orlanda, taking her announcement for jest or misinformation.
"You don't believe me," Orlanda looked at her in mock pity, "I understand. I didn't believe it myself at first. But ask her, make her look you in the face and see for yourself."
Resa followed her suggestion. She turned to Dafne with an unworried smile. It made Dafne want to burst into tears. That smile was about to disappear. She was about to make it disappear.
"I'm sorry," she said, unable to look at her as she said it. "It's true."
There was silence but there had to be silence because Resa couldn't speak. Her reaction was in her face but Dafne didn't dare look.
"There you see," Orlanda said triumphantly in the background, "Straight from the horse's mouth. Well not a horse really. I hear Basta likes to call her mouse or something."
Dafne started as Resa's thumb hooked under her chin, forcing her head up, forcing her to look at her.
Resa shook her head, mouthing no. She didn't want to believe it, was refusing to believe it.
But it was true and there was nothing Dafne could do but wait for her inevitable acceptance. It started in her eyes, a confused sadness which spread across the rest of her face. She took a step back from Dafne, her hand leaving her face. Dafne gave a small cry as she did.
"Please," she begged, "Please let me explain."
"Oh yes do explain," Orlanda sneered, "I'm quite curious myself. Considering your new beau once kidnapped you, not to mention that he used to make goo-goo eyes at your best friend. I know those things wouldn't win me over. Does he have something going for him downstairs?"
"Shut up!" Dafne yelled at her, "Resa, I..." she turned back to face a wall of solemnity that was her friend's face, "Please listen to me. He's not as bad as he looks. He's..."
She was interrupted by Orlanda's coarse laughter.
"Not bad. Not bad she says."
Dafne ignored her. It was Resa she had to convince.
"He's changing," she said, "There's good in him. I know it. He..."
She stopped. She had been about to mention Sara but realised that she couldn't with Orlanda present. She would pass on the information to Mortola, who would gleefully go to Capricorn. She would be putting Basta's life in danger. Capricorn might kill Basta if he learned the truth. Basta thought he had a special place in Capricorn's heart but Dafne knew the man would put him down like a dog without a second thought. What good was a dog who didn't obey you?
Dafne was filled with helpless frustration. Basta had begun redeeming himself in her eyes through Sara. But she couldn't tell Resa about it. How else could she convince Resa of Basta's good side? She couldn't. She could see the disappointment and hurt in Resa's eyes. These emotions were more painful to see than anger, they pierced deeper.
Resa curled on hand into a fist and raised it in the air. For a moment Dafne flinched, thinking she might strike her. But Resa only brought the fist down in short stabbing motions, not even coming close to her. Dafne understood what she was miming. It was Basta and his knife and her belief that he wouldn't change. Resa shook her head. No he wouldn't change.
Maybe he won't, Dafne thought in her despair, and I'm about to lose my best friend over it.
Resa had been with her since the beginning. She had taken her under her wing and looked after her. Resa had never had anything but good intentions towards her. Basta on the other hand had done wrong to both of them and many others. He was a gamble, a gamble that was about to cost her a true friendship. But she couldn't blame Basta since she had chosen him freely. All this time she had been worried about Resa rejecting her but now she saw it from another point of view. She had been the one to reject Resa. She had rejected her in favour of Basta.
So when Resa lowered her fist and turned her back on her, she understood completely. It broke her heart and tears started to run down her cheeks, but she understood. She let her go, let her head back inside without protest.
"Mortola is really going to be sad she missed this," Orlanda chortled, the only one to derive any pleasure from this parting, "The break-up of the dream team."
Resa gave her such a hostile glare as she past that the laughter died in Orlanda's mouth.
"Don't look that way at me," she said snippily, "I'm not the one dating Basta of all people."
Resa glanced over her shoulder, giving Dafne one last sorrowful look before she disappeared from sight completely.
Silvio and Netta bid each other very quiet and quick farewells. The boy went over and touched Dafne's arm consolingly. She was fragile glass and as soon as he made contact, she broke. She broke down into sobs. Silvio hovered by her side, his face stricken with concern, uncertain of what to do.
Orlanda watched the display with her lip curled in distaste but for the first time said nothing. Perhaps it was simply too pathetic for her to comment on.
Silvio finally seized the initiative and took hold of Dafne.
"Come on," he said. She had a feeling he was trying to sound calm but he couldn't keep the distress from entering his voice, "Let's go."
Her vision was blurry with tears and she let him steer her. She may have been blind but her ears worked just fine,
"I hope he's worth it," she heard Orlanda call after them.
I don't know, Dafne thought despairingly as Silvio guided her, I don't know.
To be continued...
In the book Dustfinger says the last time Resa tried to escape she got bitten and that he wasn't sure how Capricorn punished her to make sure she didn't do it again. I thought threatening to kill a girl around the same age as her daughter might do the trick.