Hidden

Thwarted

The wedding preparation was going on. A lot of people in the house there was an affair between Tom and Rose but only her family members knew a wedding date had been fixed which 25th of March 1527 .

The public will only know three days to the wedding. Immediately after the wedding, they would leave before Isabella came back.

Tom would not have thought about getting married now in his world but meeting Rose was something that redefined him. Her mother also made him understand that the only means that a man could have s*x with a woman was through marriage. f*********n and a******y were sins as agreed by both Christianity and Islam.

That prompted him to stop making love to Rose and proposed immediately. He believed there was a life after death. Life itself was spiritual. Everything was perfectly arranged and no one could convince him that there was no supreme being who made these happen. He was from the modern world and knew the latest science discoveries. The way the atom was arranged was an enigma. The nucleus contained protons and neutrons while the electrons revolved around it and this could not just be a result of some random phenomenon. He believed in God and that meant the world was guided by divine rules and regulations.

That meant heaven and paradise were real and one had to account for whatever he did in this life. f*********n was one of such things so he had to be careful.

They had less than one week to the wedding and most of the arrangements were complete. Isabella would be back for the next one month and that would give them enough time to leave. He was glad there was no phone here that would make anyone notify her. She would come back and meet the greatest surprise of her life.

The bridal gown was imported from England while his clothes were made in Syrusis. Arrangement for food, drinks and entertainment was made. The mega ship were ready and only time would tell. He felt excited. They could not go to Yorkshire. It had to be a new kingdom and that made it more exciting.

He was sitting in his vast office, enjoying tea while he fantasized about his new life. Was he forgetting his mission? No but he did not know where to start from. He was sent here without a specific direction. He was not even ready. Well, he had a life now to live. He was like a king here, and made him remembered the epic movies he had watched.

It was at that point he heard noises, and the sounds of horses. He was not expecting any visitors. Who were they?

***** 

Gumba walked quickly, nodded at one some women harvesting cotton, walked down the farm and got to his new hut. He moved here about one two three weeks ago and it was sequestered from the rest of the huts.

He looked back, making sure no one was watching him, he went in and shut the door. He had built the hut himself, using mud to make the bricks like they did in Africa.

Gwen was lying on the bamboo bed he made and mattress made of cotton wool. He used mud to plaster the walls, and then used colored smashed leaves to make paints which he used in painting the walls. He used corals and shells to make decorations. The floor was covered with fine sand which made it soft and then used knitted grasses to make carpet.

He also had a toilet attached to it. He did not tell anyone she was there and since he was a loner with no friends, no one came into the room.

There was a locally made stove by the side of the wall. He used dried dung to produce a gas which produced a powerful flame when pumped with a bellow. This made cooking very fast.

This is where they had been for three weeks since the day Pius chased them. She refused to go back. They slept in the farm, inside the tent he made in one day with sticks and leaves while he built this hut in three days. He was very hardworking and she realized that black people had exceptional strength and resistance.

She enjoyed every bit of it. Three days after they moved in, she fell sick and he amazed her. He got herbs, cooked it and made her drink and steam. She felt better and he told her that his father was a herbalist and he knew a lot of herbal treatment.

But now she felt sick again and the herbs seems but to be working. She had been puking, feeling dizzy and having a fever. He had asked her to urinate into a small container and he got some herbs, chewed it and mixed it with the urine. He observed it and gave her a sharp glance with fear displayed on his face.

“I am going to die?” she asked, observing him.

“No, my love and please don’t say such a thing.”

“What is wrong? You look scared.”

He got up, went outside and poured the urine away.

“I understand why the herbs have not been working. It can only reduce the intensity…you are with a child.”

She was silent for a few seconds, sullen in thoughts.

“My father would kill me. My brothers will do that first and Pius will kill you.”

“I know. What have we done?”

“We have done love.” She said. “But you know what? I am ready to pay any price for your love. I am happy I have your blood inside me and I will do anything to carry your child. I can’t imagine what it would look like. Half white and half back, right?”

“I am glad but we have like nine months to go. I am not sure they will not find out that you are here.”

“What do we do? I can’t go back. I don’t know why they really want me top get married to Pius. It is a bit strange.”

“Why?”

“Come and lie close to me, please. I want to feel you here.”

He moved and lay by her side, his hand touched her belly and he felt love for the child at once and more love for the mother of the child. What would happen if they knew she was carrying the child of a slave?

“One day, the king sent for my father. We were all surprised because my father is considered to be a lazy drunk. My mother, I and my brothers do the work to feed the family. He came back from the king with money and looked so happy. He gave my mother a little from the money and kept the rest for wine and women. He said I was getting married to Pius and the king called for it. At first, I was told that Pius was not happy over this because he had a fiancée. But from the instance he saw me; he changed his mind and became so clingy, nagging and pesky. He is not just a soldier but the king’s nephew. I never loved him but had no choice but since I met you, I felt bonded by you and in b*****e with him. I was confused. I must confess, I know my parents would never let me be with you or leave him for another man but I was there hoping anything could come up. We did not plan this and it is happening. If he had not chased us, and put the fear of killing you if he recognized you in me, I would have not being here and being here made me have your blood in me. He drove us to our destiny.”

He smiled and kept running his hand over her belly.

“But why did you it is strange?” He asked.

“The way the king seems desperate to get us married. Then I remembered something my father told me one day as he came back drunk. He said it happened before I was born. A soldier came to this town and he happened to be from a royal family in Syrusis. He met my grandfather and they got acquitted. My grandfather was a widower and lived alone. My father was married with my had my elder brothers but  born so he took my grandfather away to work as a physician. My father said that was not true but a cover-up. He said he was going to use my grandfather top practice magic because he overheard the man talking about money and spell. My father said he travelled to Syrusis to see my grandfather but met his absence. As he waited for him, he saw a dragon fly down and he became so scared. He said he saw a man on the dragon and it was my grandfather”

“Whoa!”

“I did not believe him because he was drunk but something nudge my memory. When I was five, my grandfather came to visit us and he made sure there was no one around before he gave me something to drink. The taste was awful and the odor almost made me puke but he gave me sweets after that and said I had the blood. I did not know what he meant by the blood.  The other day, my father said the dragon that attacked on Salvar day was my grandfather’s dragon. He said he saw it twenty years ago. No one believed him.”

“Where is your grandfather?”

“He was found dead a few months ago.” She sighed. “And Pius said he really wanted to have a child with me. He wants that blood. I asked what blood? He said my family blood. I asked him what he meant ad he said I have things I do not know. It is all crazy, right?”

“Not really. I am African we believe in spiritualisms. We have wizards and witches.”

“That is everywhere. That is why we have words for it.”

“But it is all of beliefs I accept. I think some are superstitious beliefs but darling, what are we going to do now? I am afraid they will find you.”

“I don’t know but the only thing I know is…I want to live and die with you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I wanted to tell you something but we were asked to swear an oath not to reveal it. Now I am confused.”

“Then I can’t know about it.”

He took in a deep sigh. He was hesitant.

“To respect the oath, I will skip the details and what matters is the result.”

“Okay my love.”

“I have been drafted…”

“Drafted into what?”

“We will skip the details but the bottom line is…I am part of those to embark on the journey. I don’t think we will ever return and parting with you has been eating me up. I think we will go together but I don’t think we will ever return. I feel the pains of leaving home to a point of no return and I don’t want you to go through the same thing.”

“Oh my God! Were you planning to leave me for life? Tell me, Gumba! You would have left without me..”she wa now emotional.

“No Gwen.” He said, put his hand over her and drew her closer to embrace her. “I would not have done that…”

“Listen Gumba…you were forced to leave home but I am leaving on my own accord. There is no life without you. Life is wherever you are. That is what makes my world revolve and rotate. Your love give life the butterflies that fly around me, the sweetness of the water I drink and the purity of the air that I breath. My black king, a man with honor and vigor, my prince, king and knight. Take me wherever you are going and that is my only wish….”

Meanwhile Tom came out of his office, and saw over one hundred horsemen, the king’s soldiers in the farm.

Pius was first to alight, wearing a stern expression, followed by some armed men.

Shaft was standing in front of the office, along twenty guards, and they all watched the soldiers.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Timothy of Fishtown. I am sorry I barged into your farm unannounced but it is a matter of emergency and kingdom assignment. Please forgive my indulgence.”

“Very good afternoon, Pius. I accept your apologies and as a respecter of the law, I excuse you. What brings you and your men to my farm?”

“Your farm..yes, your farm. Emm..a noble girl was abducted a few weeks ago and I witnessed the unfortunate incidence. In fact, I chased the culprit and they escaped.”

“I saw the portrait of a girl been pasted and declared missing.”

“Very good Mr. Timothy.” He was now standing before Tim while the soldiers stood a few yards away from the men.

“Her name is Gwen Romanus and she was a worker in this farm. Do you recognize her?”

Tom shook his head.

“No. I have thousands of workers and I may not be here when she worked here. I was at Madam’s farm but cannot recognize every member of staff.”

“That is correct. She left here when Sir Wellington was still alive.”

“So why come here to look for her?”

“Disgustingly, the abductor was a black slave..’ he spat on the floor, expressing his disgust. “I mean a black slave had the guts and effrontery to abduct a noble white girl. The world has come to an end, don’t you agree with me?”

“Hmmmm…” Tom made no comment. “are you very sure of this , sire?”

“I am a very competent security man, Mr. Timothy. I work based on facts.”

“Why did it take you so long to come here if you chased them three weeks ago?”

“Because I did not know he was from this farm.”

“From this farm? You mean one of my slaves?”

“Yes. It took a while to get the results of the investigation.”

“I am not aware of that. Do you have an identity?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I will keep that confidential until the culprit is apprehended.”

“We have thousands of them here. How do you intent to do this?”

“We are going to search the farm. I would not suggest gathering them as I believe they are at their places of work now. I plan to get him unawares. I think we will do that now.”

“I am afraid you do not have the authority to go into my farm like that. I suggest I call them to the field so you can search for him.”

Pius gave him a smile.

“I must say I excuse your ignorance sire. Sir Wellington himself was not a native of Dransvalle but a native of England. We have our laws which must be respected. I don’t know much about Fishtown laws but I know that I have the right to search this farm. I must inform you that I am the king’s nephew and the girl in question is my fiancée. I hope you see the magnitude of this matter.” He turned at the soldiers.

“Move in.” He said. “To the fields.”

****** 

“I am excited, Gumba!”Gwen smiled. “I mean these three weeks have been the most memorable in my life. Now I have the chance to to go far away from here with you. A place where we will not need to hide.”

“Sure Gwen and I am not going to live as a slave.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We are getting librated and would live normal citizens.”

“I am so happy. I can’t wait. Do you have a date?”

“No but it will be soon. It can’t exceed a month.”

“That is close. My belly bump won’t be vivid then..Oh my God! I can’t believe I am pregnant.” She chuckled. “This explains my appetite.”

“I see  a future where you and  I will get married and live as  man and wife. A place where I will wake up and go to work, come back and meet my lovely wife with our kids. Do you know what it means to be free? You won’t appreciate it because you have never being in b*****e. We don’t own ourselves but we like a commodity. There is no need of similes. We are commodities. We are bought and sold, owned and used according to the wish of the owners. You will appreciate freedom after you have gone through this life so you can imagine what it means not only to gain freedom but getting to live with the woman of your dreams. I am the happiest man on earth.”

“And you made me the happiest woman on earth..” They held each other tightly.

“Oh my God!” He exclaimed.

“What is it?”

“I only excused myself to come and get some medicines. We are on  the farm but we will close within the next two hours. Better days are here. We had no time before. We worked until we were exhausted. I wish you were still here because Sir Tim is just the best but it does not matter. I guess we will enjoy his endless kindness.”

“Something tell me that he the reason you are leaving.”

“Who tell you that?”

“It is simple enough to understand. Who else has the power and the heart to do that? Okay, no details and what business do I have with details? All I want is to be by your side.”

“My Love, I have to go back to work. We are going to celebrate our unborn child today. I caught three rabbits and two birds. We are going to have a nice time.”

“I am so exited. But how do you catch animals so easily?”

“It is not always easy but I was a hunted back in Kabunda.” He got up, kissed her belly and said, “tell him I love him or her that I love him or her.”

She smiled.

“I will miss you my dear”

“You know I will miss you more.” He went out and shut the door.

Immediately he got out, he saw Pius and over twenty soldiers coming towards the hut.

“Gwen!” He called as he felt the most chilling sensation in his life.