Power play

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"Then the most sickening feeling came upon me. I felt my knife enter something thick, stopping at the shaft. Blood oozef sticky and warm on my hand. Jean looked at me. He knew. He knew I had stabbed him." Captain Rodrigo Liam closed his eyes to blot out the picture. He could not keep his calm as the images forced their way through.

"I felt him go limp in my arms. I prayed that he would not die. He kept looking at. me. He didn't close his eyes or say a word. Then he let out his breath and died. I laid his body on the ground and looked up. Gaston was gone. I, alone, faced the three men. They had put their weapons away. I didn't know what to do or say. I just knelt next to his body. The fat man shouted at me and accused me of murdering Jean so I could take the money for myself. "I swear I know nothing about any money. I can only guess that it was come by

illegally and that Gaston had ridden off with it."

Jacques was silent.

"I have never before killed anyone. Believe me, Jacques. I was a simple mason. I

lived an honest life."

"I believe you," he said. "Is that why you are on this ship, to escape the authorities?" killed him. I quickly left the scene after the man accused me of murder, but I left Jean "As much as I could tell, no one other than the men present knew that it was I who with my dagger in his belly. The dagger was a gift from my father. My initials are the authorities. That is why I married Frod Dominos in haste. I couldn't let her find out engraved on it. I suppose it is only a matter of time before Gaston points that out to that I had killed her brother, and I couldn't let her continue to see Gaston. News of li death came to her shortly after the ceremony. She didn't see him or attend his fune because I had hurried us to port to save myself. I convinced myself that the mart I was as real in heart as it was on paper and moved to consummate it as she wept for he losses, I have proven myself to be a pitiful coward."

"Not a coward," said Jacques. "If you were a coward, you would not have become involved at all. From what you tell me, Jean's life was destined to end that night. "Perhaps, but I do not believe that I was to be his executioner. Now I am being

executed almost every night in my dreams. I know I deserve as much. I've killed and lied and deceived. I have run away from just consequences. I have forced myself upes woman who now despises me." Captain Rodrigo Liam blinked away the emotion in his ca "Jacques, do you have a remedy for me now?"

"You didn't intend to harm him. You are innocent for lack of malice."

"It is true I did not intend to harm him. Yet it was my dagger that took his life and my hand that put it there. I have settled that within myself. You do not need s comfort me on that account. But tell me, please, how to be delivered from the nightmares."

"Confession is the only way I know, Captain Rodrigo Liam. Confess to God and ask forgiveness then confess to Frod Dominos and ask forgiveness from her, also." "Isn't confessing this to you enough? I couldn't bear to tell Frod Dominos that

murdered her brother. I couldn't face it. I would rather die. At every turn I am faced

with a nightmare. I understand that you want me to reconcile with God and those

have wronged, but that is something I am unable to do. Please, Jacques, pray to God

on my behalf."

Jacques looked into Captain Rodrigo Liam's troubled eyes and was sorrowful at the condition of his soul. He knew Captain Rodrigo Liam would continue to be tormented until he came to the place of confession.

"Yes, my friend, I will pray for you."

d

The quiet discontent that had been felt throughout Quebec had become loud and demanding. Though the growing season was proving to be a profitable one, to venture very far to hunt. The increase in clashes with the Iroquois was wearing heavily on Quebec, and large numbers of settlers wanted to leave. Governor Montmagny tried diligently to keep the spirits of the people alive, but even he had trouble believing his own encouragement. He, more than anyone, wanted the situation resolved but had little power to do anything about it. He promised to send for more French soldiers on the next ship and to speed up construction on a wall to surround the city. This seemed to satisfy most of the settlers for the time being, but they all knew danger lurked everywhere. Each day that passed without an attack from the Iroquois was just one day closer to when they would.

Until the soldiers could be sent for, each man was responsible for the safety of his own family. Those who had large farms always had muskets at their sides whenever they were in their field. If one Indian attacked them, they had a chance of surviving. If a group of them wanted to terrorize the farmers, they would find little resistance. Those who owned stores and lived near the fort had the best advantage in the event of an attack. The soldiers were just a scream away. Even so, it only took a few seconds to die at the wrong end of a tomahawk. At least they would be less likely to be taken hostage.

There was not much Captain Rodrigo Liam could do to secure his home. He put a stronger bolt on the door and fixed bolts to the window shutters. In spite of his efforts, if anyone wanted to get inside, it wouldn't be difficult. The only other task was to teach Frod Dominos to use the musket. If it were not such a serious matter, Captain Rodrigo Liam would have found the training humorous. Frod Dominos was knocked backwards every time she fired. She was no match for the power of the g*n. Time after time she landed on the ground. After days of practice she could load it and fire. She never hit the target, but the volley of pellets landed somewhere in the vicinity of her aim. They hoped that would be good enough.

Captain Rodrigo Liam's work of constructing a hospital was hard and tiring, but incredibly rewarding. He was finally doing what he was skilled at doing and working with people of like mind. Few had masonry or building skill, but their willingness to participate in the project was impressive. Unfortunately, the time they could spend participating was limited since all of them had to take care of themselves and their families.