Power play

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Excitement flooded through Frod Dominos. She could not have hoped for such good fortune. Instantly she started working out the details of her escape upon the ship. To her understanding it was very late in the year for sailing, but to Frod Dominos it was perfect timing. Her prayers had been answered, for God had sent her the ship to take her back to France, to her warm, cozy home, her friends, her father, and Gaston.

"Oh, my," said Frod Dominos with feigned alarm, "I have forgotten some of my mending. I promised Captain Rodrigo Liam I would repair his good shirt today, and I have left it at home. I'm sorry, but I must return home and finish my tasks." She gathered her basket and musket, then turned back toward Madame LaPointe, who appeared puzzled. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention it, but Captain Rodrigo Liam asked me to find out if Eliot could come by this afternoon. It seems he needs his help with a few things. Could you please give him that message?"

*Certainly, dear," Madame LaPointe replied.

Frod Dominos smiled at the two women and left. She couldn't keep her feet from running back to her little house. She worked out the details to her plan on the way. She would quickly pack her most necessary items in her bag. By then Eliot would arrive, and she would explain everything to him. She was sure he'd take her to Tadoussac, where she would board the ship that would return to France.

"I am going home, home, home," she sang as she haphazardly stuffed her dresses into her bag. She grabbed her pearl combs, her brush, and one of her books and put them in also. "That's it." She placed her bag by the door and looked outside. "Where are you, Eliot? I'm counting on you." She went to the food shelf and took a parcel of dried meat and fruit and squeezed it into her bag. "That should be enough for the trip. Moving with the river's current we should arrive at Tadoussac in just a few days, if not sooner." She reviewed her plan to make sure she had taken care of the details, then sat at the table with a piece of parchment, ink, and quill, and began a letter.

Captain Rodrigo Liam, she wrote, the opportunity has arisen to sail back to France. I have taken it. She stopped writing and put the quill pen back in the ink. "That sounds awful," she mumbled as she balled up the paper. She was surprised how little emotion she felt while writing the letter; she was more concerned for the writing style than the content. "Eliot! What took you so long?" Frod Dominos rushed to him as he appeared in the

doorway. "What is wrong? Is Captain Rodrigo Liam hurt?" he asked.

"No, it is I who need your help so desperately."

"What's wrong? Mother said Captain Rodrigo Liam needed my help." "That is what I told her. I didn't want to answer any questions about why I needed you."

"It seems to me you are playing a game and haven't informed me of the rules. What is so important that you needed to bring me here under a cloak of secrecy?" he asked in his usual exaggerated manner.

"I am not playing a game, Eliot. I need your help to reach Tadoussac. ship there, and I must be on it before it sets sail for France."

"You cannot be serious about this," he said incredulously. "Please, I am sure you would have no trouble getting me there. I have my things packed. I have food, too-at least three days' worth. I am ready to go," she pleaded.

"You can't just decide one day to leave. It's not a pleasure trip; you know that."

"I have not decided this in one day. I never wanted to come here. I cannot tolerate another day of life here, knowing there is a ship waiting to take me home. I must get away from here...from Captain Rodrigo Liam. Oh, Eliot, please understand how important it is that I be on that ship to France." Tears filled her eyes. "I have to leave here."

Eliot took hold of her shoulders and looked intently at her. "Is Captain Rodrigo Liam mistreating

you? Does he hurt you?" Frod Dominos shook her head.

"I cannot help you unless you tell me."

"He does not beat me," she said softly. "It is worse." "Worse? What could be worse? Tell me, Frod Dominos."

"He brought me to this horrible place against my will!" she shouted, tears running down her cheeks. "He married me when I loved someone else and made me be his wife. Do you understand? His wife! He defiled me when I loved someone else. I have to leave."

Eliot let go of Frod Dominos's shoulders and stared at her.

"Will you take me to Tadoussac? We need to leave soon before the ship leaves. Captain Rodrigo Liam has even said I could go back to France on the next ship."

"He has? Then why aren't you begging him to take you?"

"He is not as experienced as you in this country. If he took me, we would never get there."

"Woman, you are mad. If there is a ship at Tadoussac, it will be long since sailed by the time we reach it and, dear Frod Dominos, do you have a boat in which to get Tadoussac? Do you have any money to pay your way? Did you forget how long it took for you to sail here?"

"Can't you find a boat? You must know someone with a canoe who would lend it to you. As for the money, I'm sure I can arrange something with the captain. My father can pay him when I arrive in France. I must leave here. Please, Eliot, you can take me to Tadoussac, It will work out."

"You make your life sound like agony. I don't understand your thinking at all. You say you have been defiled? You are not defiled: you are Captain Rodrigo Liam's wife. What did you to do?" he asked in astonishment. "He does not beat you, he does not expect him

torture you, he provides for you. What is it you want from him?" Frod Dominos turned her back to him. "I think you have misread me to think that I would be part of this plan of yours.