Power play

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The natives of this country have lived in the same manner for centuries. They know no other way. Look how difficult it is for you to adjust to living here, and you are not trying to change your way of life. You are just trying to fit it into a new difference between the Iroquois and any other tribe is that their vengeance is on us. To be more accurate, their vengeance is on anyone who is not Iroquois. They are also more clever and more daring; thus, they are more in number."

"How could you live with such goings on?" Frod Dominos blurted out.

"Frod Dominos..." Captain Rodrigo Liam shook his head as a cue to stop her interrogation.

"I am not one to back down from an honest question." Eliot took a piece of pastry from the cloth and popped it in his mouth. "The Indians I was with were not too eager to attack anyone, though they did what was necessary."

"What do you mean 'necessary?" asked Frod Dominos,

"They defended their own people however they had to. For example, one day, about midmorning, a few months back, a small group of Iroquois ran into our camp. They were whooping and throwing spears and tomahawks. I suppose they believed they could surprise us and s*******r us all, even though we were twice in number. We were all taken by surprise. We quickly picked up our weapons and fought as best we could. Being a novice warrior, my job was to watch over the women and children. I was to blast the attackers with my musket as they came near." Eliot's face lost the animation it had carried, turning solemn and stony.

"Did you protect them?" Frod Dominos asked.

"I was quite shaken at the events. I fumbled when I loaded my g*n. A woman was running to me. A young woman. She was running toward me because I was going to protect her. Just as I reloaded my g*n, a spear struck her through her back and pinned her to the ground at my feet. She raised her arms to me, but I could do nothing. I was frozen. It seemed like hours as I watched her die. I know it was only seconds. I couldn't have helped her. The guilt plagues me just the same. In the end we slaughtered our attackers."

Eliot took a deep breath and sighed. "I think I've revealed more of my life than I cared to." He stood and smiled, bringing life back into his face. "Captain Rodrigo Liam, I am here to offer my assistance if you should need anything. Mother said you were settled in, and by the looks of your homestead, I see she was right. Still, if you should need anything, just ask. I will be here in Quebec for another month; then I will go back to the vast interior," he said with a comical wave of his hand. Captain Rodrigo Liam nodded in gratefulness. "I am impressed with your generosity. The entire LaPointe family has been more help than you know."

"My parents came here many years ago, but they still remember the very hard, early times. They have helped many new settlers, and I am convinced that they are the reason so many have stayed. Remember my offer of assistance." "I will, thank you," said Captain Rodrigo Liam as Eliot turned down the path rubbing his jaw.

Captain Rodrigo Liam stoked the fire and watched the orange flame lick the bottom of the heavy black pot. Frod Dominos was quiet as she prepared the evening meal, stopping every so often to stare into the distance.

"Weighty thoughts, Frod Dominos?" He poked at the fire.

"I was thinking about Eliot. He does appear to be full of spirit, as Madame LaPointe said. I simply cannot imagine choosing to live with the Indians, whether Huron or Iroquois." Frod Dominos brought a bowl full of freshly chopped vegetables to the kettle and threw them in. She stirred the contents well, then hung the ladle back on the hook. "I felt badly for him," she said as she sat on the chair by the table. "It must be awful to carry around the guilt of someone's death."

Captain Rodrigo Liam stopped poking the fire and gave complete attention to what she was

saying.

"It wasn't anything he did," she continued. "He was in an impossible situation and

did the best he could. He has to forgive himself."

"Do you mean that?" He winced as soon as the words were spoken. "Of course. Do you think otherwise?"

"No. I think you are right." He rubbed his damp walked over to Frod Dominos, then back to the fire.

hands on his pants and stood. He

"Is there a problem? Did you want something?" "No, no...just pacing." He poked at the fire again. He could scarcely believe the direction their conversation had taken. The simple fact that Eliot had come to their house that day and said what he did must have been an act of God. To have Frod Dominos feel compassion for Eliot's circumstance and then to actually talk about it was a sure relieved or to be angry. He was not prepared to disclose his secrets but afraid to let the that the time had come to set matters straight. He didn't know whether to be opportunity pass. He knew Jacques had prayed for him but didn't expect this to be the

"Frod Dominos, I have something very important to tell you." He continued to stare answer. He set the stick down. into the flames under the kettle.

"What is it?"

He closed his eyes to summon his courage, then stood and faced her. The glow from the fire lit sparkled in her eyes. The shadows in the room softened her edges. She looked like a painting-a beautiful moment caught in time. He couldn't possibly tell her what he had done. How could she understand that he was the one who killed her brother?

He sighed. "I have been making plans for a new house. I was going to surprise you with it, but I thought maybe you would find some relief, knowing you would not have to live here forever."

"When do you plan on building this house?" she asked. "Next spring, as soon as the ground thaws."