Power play

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

She felt suspicious of the people in this strange land, yet was irresistibly drawn to the LaPointe family. She wanted to keep everything surrounding her secret, yet she wanted to tell Father Jacques the whole story. Frod Dominos hoped that Captain Rodrigo Liam had. Then she could someday tell all to Father Jacques and be rid of the tightness that had held her heart for so long.

"Did you see which way Captain Rodrigo Liam went this morning?" Jacques asked as he turned his head to view the paths that led from the clearing.

"Yes, I did. Every morning he heads down that path into the woods." She pointed the little trail that led east from the clearing. "I have been tempted on occasion or to two to follow after him into the woods, but I fear the Indians." "If they are Huron, you have nothing to fear. We are working closely with them,

and I am finding they are rather friendly, gentle folk." Jacques peered toward the trail. "I don't think, if I met up with an Indian, that I would take the time to ask if he were Huron or Iroquois," Frod Dominos said with self-amusement. "Father, if you will

excuse me, I must return to my chores."

"Yes, of course," he answered without looking back at her.

Jacques moved toward the path that led into the woods with an ache in his stomach for Captain Rodrigo Liam. "Where are you, my friend?" he whispered. "Lord, let me find him, for I cannot help but feel the compassion You have for him."

Jacques prayed as he followed the path. It disappeared into brush and weeds, only to appear again some feet away. He hoped it was the same path. If he were a woodsman or the Indian who had been born here, he would be able to track Captain Rodrigo Liam's footsteps with ease.

Jacques kept his eyes to the ground but saw nothing. He wondered what he would inclination when he met Captain Rodrigo Liam was to let him alone and wait for him to approach ay if he did find Captain Rodrigo Liam. If pride were a virtue, Father Jacques would say that understanding first. But God would not let him forget Captain Rodrigo Liam and placed him on his heart and mind men was his best quality. But Captain Rodrigo Liam was a mystery. His first

many times a day. So Jacques relinquished himself to the task of watching over him. The trail led deeper into the woods. Just at the time Jacques was considering turning back, he saw Captain Rodrigo Liam. He was leaning against a large tree with his eyes shut and his chest heaving. Captain Rodrigo Liam looked up as Jacques made way toward him, then quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

Jacques halted. His own eyes threatened to become moist. He cleared his throat and continued to move toward him. "Captain Rodrigo Liam." He opened his mouth to say more but could not bring anything to mind that would give his friend comfort without sounding trite and patronizing. He sat on a fallen tree across from him.

"I've become quite a mess," Captain Rodrigo Liam said slowly. "I don't know what more I can do."

"The dreams?" asked Jacques.

Captain Rodrigo Liam nodded. Torment wrote itself across Captain Rodrigo Liam's face, casting a gray pallor that caused him to look older than his years. The corners of his mouth turned tightly downward, the creases deepening as he continued to speak. "Some mornings it takes all my strength not to slay myself. I fear I am going mad, Jacques. I cannot bear this much longer. Oh, God, how I want this to end."

"Can you tell me now what demon is chasing you?"

Captain Rodrigo Liam closed his eyes and leaned back into the tree. The gentleness of Jacques's voice was soothing to his ravaged soul. Just as the man had great peace, so his voice contained the same. Captain Rodrigo Liam wanted that peace more than ever, but no matter how hard his soul reached out, he could not obtain it.

Captain Rodrigo Liam sighed in resignation. "I will tell you." He turned his head and looked intently at Jacques. "Please, Jacques, do not tell anyone what I say." "You have my word."

A dark shadow came over Captain Rodrigo Liam's eyes as he pushed away the curtain of pain. "I have committed a hideous crime." He paused and listened for a response from Jacques. Hearing nothing, he continued. "It happened back in France, but of course, that is obvious. I was a good day's journey from home, finishing a commission of work, and had sent my hired man ahead with the wagon. I lingered to settle business, so it was early evening when I plodded home alone on my horse, enjoying the night. The moon and stars were especially bright. I remember that, for I could see quite a distance.

"On the road just outside of a small village I happened upon a group of men. I could make out five of them from their silhouettes. Three were on their horses. A fat man and one who seemed familiar were standing on the ground. Though most of what they said was muffled, I heard enough to know someone was being accused of a wrongdoing.

"Not wanting to involve myself in the matter and to avoid any chance of being robbed, I led my horse across the shallow creek that ran alongside the road. A border of trees hid me from their sight, yet I could still see them.

"As I passed, I recognized one of the men...his voice, actually. It was Jean, Frod Dominos's brother. Surely, I could not go on in case he needed defending, so I turned back across the creek. As I dismounted, I saw a glint of metal and knew someone had drawn his weapon. I drew mine.

"When I neared, I saw their faces. Jean was obviously drunk, taunting the fat man with laughter and belittling his efforts to lay hold of some money. Gaston was there. He was touched Jean's closest friend. That was to Jean's detriment, for anything Gaston was ruined. He is evil and conniving. I had warned Jean about him, and I had warned Frod Dominos also." Captain Rodrigo Liam looked again at Jacques, wondering if he saw deeper into his statement.

Jacques lifted his head and eyebrows slightly to signal that he did. Captain Rodrigo Liam continued, "Gaston remained mounted and was quietly letting Jean

antagonize the man. Then everything seemed to happen at once. The fat man swung his knife, catching Jean's coat. Gaston dismounted and joined me in combat against the two strangers, who had also slid off their horses. I saw Jean lunge forward, slashing the fat man's arm. I got away from the man I was struggling with and rushed to help Jean. As soon as I reached him, Gaston and the other man had stumbled into us. It was chaos...arms, legs, hands flying everywhere. I was struck time and again, and I could not tell by whom.