Test of Freedom - Episode 35 - Teaser

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Episode 35 - "The Royal Governor"

by Camille LaGuire

Government House was glowing softly from small lanterns of white muslin and gold.  There were banners flapping in the balmy breeze.  It was almost--almost, mind you--a pleasant evening.  If one ignored the people, one might imagine a summer event on a hot night back home.

Sir Henry Pembroke, the new royal governor of Sabatine island, thought the blur of too much brandy might improve that impression.  Couldn't hurt.

He turned from his balcony, where he'd been hoping to get some air, but had instead had his nostrils assaulted by the aroma of those large purple flowers that someone had chosen to festoon the place with.  Henry had already given them a name.  Stinking Violets.

As he stepped inside his study, and before he could reach the brandy, the former governor of Sabatine, Lord Halburton, stepped in front of him with that conspiratorial look on his face.

"Good day, sir," said Henry, drawing back a little as Halburton took his arm and led him back to the balcony.  Henry didn't resist, but only because the man was his father-in-law, and supposedly a man of good breeding.  It appeared the island had taken its toll upon his manners.

"Well?" said Halburton, waving a hand out over the town.  "What do you think?"

"The lanterns are quite attractive, and the banners are appropriately excessive for such a location, but the flowers have a stench like a charnel house."

Halburton let out a sigh and studied him.  "You are still not fond of my island."

"No, sir.  I admit, I've seen nothing yet to change my mind."

"It is a work in progress, Henry...."

"Sir Henry."  They exchanged a glance, and Halburton nodded in assent.  It was, after all, Henry's price for cooperation.  His wife, his father, the queen, and Halburton had all conspired to get him to this damned island, and the price Henry demanded was a knighthood, so he could stop being just one of the younger Pembrokes.

"As I was saying, Sir Henry," said Halburton.  "This island is a work in progress. I need you to continue that work."

"I promise to follow your advice in every detail, but please don't expect me to take an interest in it."

At this moment, Lucy Pembroke entered, in a cream colored gown that shimmered with gold in the evening light.  Henry smiled, and she blushed.  He loved the way she blushed, though it also made him cautious that she was so sensitive.  A lady, true and total.

She curtseyed as he quickly stepped forward.  He had forgotten to put down the brandy glass, but that was all right.  He needed only to take one hand and bow deeply, as he kissed her fingers, just below the knuckles.

"Sir Henry," she said.

"Lady Lucy," he replied.

As they greeted one another, one of the clerks scurried in with official business of some sort.  He went straight to Halburton, but the old man directed him toward Henry.

"Please father," said Lucy.  "Don't take him from me now.  You don't want to stop being governor, anyway.  Why don't you see to it?"

"All right," said Halburton, and it was clear Lucy was right.  Halburton did not wish to stop being governor.  He'd only left the job because the Queen insisted. Henry had the feeling that his own appointment had been part of that deal.

"Thank you, sir," said Henry, bowing graciously.  His father-in-law returned the bow with more grace than Henry thought him capable of.  Halburton was a man of quality, after all.  He'd taken on a certain rustic rudeness due to his tenure on this island....

Suddenly Henry was struck with the fear that he was looking in a mirror.  Is that what Henry would become in the future?  Or was it a mirror of the past?  Is that what he became like during the Acton war?

"Henry?" said his wife.

"Yes, my dear," he replied, pulling himself back to courtly grace.  She cocked her head.

"You looked for a moment like you'd been stricken," she said.

"Oh?  I'd realized that the brandy bottle was nearly empty.  I feared I'd have to leave your side in search of more."

She smiled slyly at him, and shook her head.

"You have a full glass, Sir Henry," she said.  "And even as much as you've been drinking since you arrived, that should get you as far as the ballroom."

"I've been drinking too much?"

"You've never become unseemly."

He set down the glass.  "Silly of me.  Your presence is sufficient to make my head spin."

"I don't disapprove," she said, looking concerned.  "A gentleman should have his drink.  Please, take it with you.  I don't want to seem one of those horrible Plain people...."

"You could never be plain!" crowed Henry, and he took her hand and kissed it again, feeling for just one moment like crushing her in his arms.  But she was delicate and innocent, so he refrained.  And instead he took her arm and led her off to the ball.

As they reached the ballroom, though, they paused and looked across their sea of guests.  These were not of the quality, just charter holders of the island, over-dressed, over-noisy. Under-mannered.  And the best the island had to offer.  Lucy's smile grew fixed, and the happy glow faded from her eyes.

"They're trying so very hard," she said under her breath.  "I suppose.... I suppose this is what Acton was like."

"A little."

"I can't imagine Acton could be worse."

"At least there are no Alwyns here," he declared, glibly.  Then he realized how inappropriate that was to say to her. "I'm sorry, my dear..."

"It is quite all right, Sir Henry," she said.  "You are permitted to be glad of that."

---

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

The Adventures of Mary Alwyn will continue with League of Freedom -- coming in the fall. (More info on Thursday.)

In the meantime, next week  we begin a short interim serial: A Fisful of Divas, a Mick and Casey Mystery/Western.  And in April, we'll start the summer serial up again, with The Case of the Misplaced Baroness.

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 34

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Episode 34 - "It Is Done"

by Camille LaGuire

Penelope hovered in the background, feeling odd and dithery, both in the carriage and once they'd got back to the inn.  Brother William fetched them a doctor very quickly, a man sympathetic to the condition of prisoners and slaves.

Unfortunately, owners seldom allowed him near a man under punishment, and he had little direct experience with such abuse.  He was assisted by one of the missionaries, though, a dark woman dressed in an excess of white clothing, including a bonnet and veil which hid her face.  If the clothing had been black, you'd have thought her in deep mourning.  According to Brother William, she was a member of a foreign sect--he didn't say which--and she'd taken a vow of "white mourning."

The silent Sister Kow had been a slave herself, and had more experience than the doctor with abuse.  She also knew more of the local medicines.  She had something to help with infection; and infection, the doctor told them, was the greatest risk now.

The main job was to clean him up, and that in itself seemed a large and unpleasant undertaking.  Mary, the sister, and the doctor were busy taking care of him.  Loreen and Hingle were running back and forth, getting things, and providing more help than was needed.  And they certainly provided better help than Penelope could, and they were much less likely to faint.

And fainting was exactly what Penelope was about to do at the moment.

She recognized the smell of blood, and it brought back vivid flashes of memory; of Roland, of the blood, of Mary leaning over him to see what could be done -- just as she was leaning over Jack now.  Penelope covered her face with her hands and pushed back the wave of nausea, and the world seemed to recede from her.  Someone caught her arms, and pulled her to her feet again.

"Come into the parlor, mum," said Sherman.  She followed willingly, as he led her away and sat her down near the window.  She took several breaths of fresh air.

"I'm quite all right now," she said, placing a hand on her stomach.  "I'm really quite useless, aren't I?"

"Not at all, mum," said Sherman, and she looked up to see him looking quite seriously at her.  "You saved his life.  Do you realize that?"

"Mary saved his life."

"You made that possible."

She felt giddy, and almost laughed, but then she had a sobering thought.

"But he's not home yet.  We haven't really got him to safety until he's home, have we?"

"No, mum."

"And ... is it legal?"

"Legal enough that Clement will have to fight you in court, at least," said Sherman.  "That will give us time for other plans.  But this is a wild place, mum.  The signed contract and possession are what the law favors.  To be sure, I'm off to Philipston tonight, to register the purchase as soon as the office opens in the morning.  You may have more money to spend and trouble to go to, but I think we can say with some assurance that it is done."

"I should go with you," said Penelope, gathering herself.

"Oh, no, mum, Loreen is needed here I think, and--"

"I may not be able to help take care of Mr. Alwyn," said Penelope, "but I am capable of caring for myself.  You've been riding all day.  We'll take the coach so you can rest properly.  I'm of more use in Philipston than I am here in any case."

With that Mr. Sherman bowed and put forth no more objections.  Soon they were settled in the coach with fresh horses, trundling their way over the ridge to the capital.

As the carriage bumped along, she found her mind going back to that filthy, smelly, bloody mess of a man in compound at Clement Farm.

"We've got to get him away from this island," she said more to herself than to Sherman, who was dozing in the seat opposite her.  He didn't lift an eyelid, but he replied all the same.

"A wise course, mum," he said.  "The man is an ardent revolutionary, and likely to get himself into more trouble if we don't watch out."

"You know, he's not at all what I expected," she said.  At this he did look up.

"You can hardly expect a man to be like himself in such conditions."

"Oh, I expected him to be a wretched mess," she said.  "I meant... did you hear his voice?"

"Yes, mum."

"He's not...He's not...."  She paused. She was going to say that he wasn't a gentleman, but that sounded insulting.  "He really is a smith!"

"I thought that was well known, mum."

"It is," she said. "And Mary told me in any case.  But, well, it's silly of me, but I am surprised all the same. When I've read his books, I've always heard the voice of a cultured man.  I did not expect the thick Actonian workingman's lilt that came out of his mouth. I thought I knew him, but now I see I don't know him at all."

"That's excusable. I often find his writings themselves rather surprising."

"It makes me wonder what other surprises I'm in for."
"Quite a few, no doubt," said Sherman.

"No doubt," she agreed, and she looked out the window of the coach.

They were just cresting the ridge and she could see down into Philipston Bay. It was quite distant as yet, but she could see the town laid out in lights across it, and up above the city, Government House was lit up like a beacon.

"There must be something to do at Government House," she said.

"A ball in honor of the new governor, I believe," said Sherman.

"Do you know anything about him?" asked Penelope. "Is he amenable to bribes, do you think?"

"I'm sorry, I have been remiss," said Sherman with a laugh.  "I have been too distracted to learn his name, and do not know about his greed, but I expect he will be amenable to influence if necessary."

---

And thus the first act of this story is done.  But there is more trouble in the air....

Stay Tuned For Episode 35 - "The Royal Governor"

Available after 8am EST, on Monday

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 33

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Episode 33 - "Clement and Rocken"

by Camille LaGuire

The servant girl who had silently brought tea to Lady Ashton and Mr. Clement that evening was named Sisi.  And now, after the ladies had gone, she hovered just by the service door, listening to Mr. Clement pound and shout from within the closet.

She was terrified of letting him out.  She didn't want to be the first thing he saw when he got out of there.  She could get Mr. Rocken to do it, but she was afraid of him too.

But inside her, in her very heart, she was also thrilled; There was Mr. Clement screaming and pounding in helplessness, bested not by Mr. Rocken or any of those big men who could if they tried, but by a woman!

Sisi would have liked to leave him in there forever, until his hands were bloody from pounding, and no one ever heard his screams.  But she couldn't.

She waited until the ladies had got their man away, and then stood by the door of the closet.  She waited until he was particularly loud before she slipped the cane from its place.  He didn't hear it, so she scurried from the room, trembling in relief.

And it was just in time, because Mr. Rocken came storming in a moment later.  Sisi huddled outside the service door, as she always did, watching through the crack.

"Clement!  What kind of a fool are you?" shouted Rocken, and then he paused to look around the office.  Mr. Clement shouted and rattled the closet door, which immediately popped open.  He came out, looking confused.

"I was locked in," he said.

"Were you?" said Rocken, a little louder than he should.  He weaved a little like he was drunk.

"Yes, dammit, I was!  Did you unlock it?"

"No, I was handing over the damned prisoner you sold."

"Why didn't you check with me?  You shouldn't have handed him over."

"I had to.  She had all the proper papers, that you signed."

"You should have checked with me."

"Why?  It isn't as though you could change your mind once you'd signed them."  Rocken paused.  "That was your handwriting, wasn't it?"

"They forced me to sign those papers."

"A pair of women?"  Rocken began to laugh.  "How? With their pretty eyes?"

"They threatened me!"

Rocken laughed louder.  "They were a terrifying pair...."

"With a pistol, dammit!"

"Just like they locked you in the closet," said Rocken, and he stopped laughing, although he still had that wrinkle in his sneer.  "That door doesn't even have a lock."

"Dammit, Rocken, I'll have your hide."

Mr. Rocken quickly lowered his head, but his shoulders were stiff.  Would Mr. Rocken get a beating?  The very thought was a wonder.

Sisi watched as Mr. Clement stood still too, and they were both tense as could be.  She thought that maybe Mr. Clement couldn't beat him, because then no one would respect him and Clement would have to do all the work.  And maybe Mr. Rocken would beat him back.

"I'm sorry, boss," said Mr. Rocken.  "I've been drinking."

Sisi was torn between triumph that even Mr. Rocken was not as strong as that woman, and sorrow that she wouldn't get to see him beat Mr. Clement after all.

"Drunk the night before you have to hang someone?" said Clement.  "You're going soft."

"Apparently we all have our weak points."

"She had a pistol."

Mr. Rocken nodded thoughtfully.  "But she paid you, didn't she?"

"Yes."

"Paid well?"

"Two hundred."

Rocken let out a whistle.  "Not bad."  He thought for a moment.  "We could use that."

"We could, but...."

"No, boss, we need it.  We just lost two to fever, and another shot, and a broken leg.  And we already have too many old or broken.  You have to admit, being robbed by ladies isn't something to brag about.  Keep the gold."

"And leave the men thinking they can get away with uprising?"

"We've got one body on display.  That's the ring leader.  We say the other just helped, so we just sold him someplace hellish.  Compton's Mine.  And they saw what I did to him."

"I don't like it," said Mr. Clement, like a spoiled boy.

"If you try to get him back, you're out the two hundred, and you won't have him either, because you'll hang him.  And you'll have fees from fighting a rich woman in court.  This way you can replace him with two at least."

"Dammit, get out of here," said Mr Clement.  "And put Sisi in the slave house.  I'm not in the mood for her."

Sisi scurried back toward the kitchen, relieved that she didn't have to stay in the house tonight, but terrified of being caught listening.  She set to cleaning up the tea things quickly, and was at the basin as Mr. Rocken came in.

"Come on, Sisi," he said.  She cringed away from him, but at least he wasn't one who tried to touch her.  He looked down at the dishes.  "Go ahead, finish up."

He took up one of the tea cakes, one that hadn't been touched at all by the woman who had the pistol, the one with the dark hair and the eyes like iron.  Sisi washed up the dishes and put away the tray.  He ate half the cake, and then held the other half out to her.

He'd never been friendly to her before, and she was afraid of what it meant.  Still, she liked cake.  So she reached for it anyway.  He pulled it just a little out of reach.

"First, Sisi, tell me, did the ladies have a pistol?"

She nodded cautiously.

"And did you let Mr. Clement out of the closet?"

Sisi froze.  She swallowed and started to shake, as she searched his face for a clue as to what he would do.

"I won't tell him," said Mr. Rocken.  His smile wasn't really a smile, but it never was.  Still, he held the cake out.  "Go ahead.  Take it.  That's all I wanted."

Sisi didn't want the cake any more, but she took it anyway.  If she didn't, he might take her hand to force it on her, and she didn't want him to touch her.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 34 - "Lady Ashton and Sherman"

Available after 8am EST, on Thurs

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 32

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Episode 32 - "Misery and Angels"

by Camille LaGuire

Jackie was beyond misery.  They had him on his knees outside the cook pavilion, so that everybody could get a good look at him and the cuts across his back when they went in and out from the fields.  They'd fastened his hands behind him, and hooked the binding up on something so he was bent over, face near to the ground.

No matter how he shifted his weight, it fell painfully on his knees or on his twisted arms and shoulders.  Or both.  He had shifted a number of times, and worn out every position.  And to top it all off, they'd put the gag back on him, just because they knew he hated it.

But now he had reached an unhappy medium where he was equally miserable in every position, and could forget about easing anything, and just go on into a daze that was something like sleep.  At least it was dark, and the flies had let up on the wounds across his back.  The others were locked up in the pen, and there was no one to see him, but he was sure they'd keep him there all night.  It was a way to be sure he couldn't move well enough to act defiant when they hanged him.

Through his daze he could hear movement in the compound, and voices.  They buzzed at him from close by, but barely penetrated the daze.

But then he was awakened by a searing pain in his arms as someone yanked up on his hands to unhook them and dropped him to his side in the dirt.  All the recently balanced sensations reawoke into sharp pain, but it was still a relief to be out of that position.  He moaned and started to writhe a bit as the feeling came back into his limbs.

"Hold still, damn you," said Rocken, and he pressed a knee on Jackie's arms to hold them still as he used a chisel to remove the manacles.  Someone was struggling with the buckles on the gag.  He heard women's voices, and thought his mind had already simply gone.

Then he opened his eyes and saw Mary, and he knew his mind was gone.  And then he saw behind her that woman.  The one from the trial.  And she seemed to be glowing, like a spirit in a dream.

As the gag came free from his mouth, he coughed and swallowed to try to get the iron taste out of his mouth, which was probably as much his own blood as from the gag.

"Mary?" he said.  "Am I dead?"

"Do you hurt?" she said.

"Aye."

"Then you couldn't be, could you?"

"Then what's she doing here?"

The lady bent down, and he realized she was glowing because she was holding the lantern.

"I'm not an angel, Mr. Alwyn," she said.

"Then who the hell are you?"

Mary smiled, and nearly laughed, although there were tears in her eyes.  She took hold of his face to examine the injury on his brow.

"She's a friend," she said.  "A good friend."

By this time Rocken had knocked the shackles off his ankles, and then he and Mary and another man helped him up and got him to a carriage.

There was some trouble getting him in, and he couldn't sit on the seat, because he couldn't lean back against anything.  He was too tired to hold himself up, so he simply collapsed to sit on the floor of the carriage, one arm across Mary's lap, and his face buried in her skirts.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 33 - "Clement and Rocken"

Available after 8am EST, on Mon

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Story Notes - Test of Freedom and Rocken

I thought this might be a moment to talk about Rocken, the "Man With the Cane" in Monday's episode.

This story, Test of Freedom, is actually the first act in what is currently a trilogy (though the third act is scattered enough that I might find that it wants to split into two).  And the whole series, which started with The Wife of Freedom, is one where you have to question "Who is the protagonist?"

In this case, it really is a matter of each character being the hero of his or her own story.  It is a soap opera and the threads weave around and include different characters in different ways.  Rocken is one of the antagonists, if you see this as Jackie's story or Mary's story.  Or even Penelope's story.  But for them, there are multiple antagonists and Rocken is just one of them.

But for Rocken, the story is very linear and consistent, and I do think that in this particular arc of stories (Test of Freedom, and then next two, League of Freedom and Beast of Freedom) Rocken is, secretly, the main protagonist.

Sure he'll disappear for a while, but then he'll come back with a vengeance (literally).  And in the end, he'll be the one who comes the furthest and has the most interesting transformation.  And even in this story, he is the only one who truly is transformed, even though it's entirely internal.

I debated whether to simply fold Episode 31 into the previous episode, because it's so short, and not much really happens there.  But, in terms of Rocken's story, I think it really is a quietly significant episode.

It's a tipping point for Rocken.  Sure, he comes out seeming rather benign just now, but the fact is: Rocken a very dangerous man, capable of incredible brutality.  He is under control partly because he believes there is no hope for anything to change.  As such his rage and disgust is under control because there is no help for all that is wrong with the world.  He can survive by rationalizing.

And, as it says in the story, he threw his soul away as something useless to him.  And Jackie keeps picking the darned thing up, dusting it off and handing it back to him.

Which shakes Rocken up a little, but since he has no hope of things getting better, or ever needing that darned soul again, it doesn't change things... not until Mary and Penelope show up to save Jackie.

Because the ladies bring hope with them.

And that's a dangerous thing to give to a dangerous man. It starts a slow leak in his armor. So in the end, I'm glad I made it a separate episode.

Tomorrow, we find out what's happened to Jackie. And next week I'll start blogging for reals again.

See you in the funny papers.

Test of Freedom - Episode 31

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

Episode 31 - "The Man With The Cane"

by Camille LaGuire

Mr. Sherman met them as soon as they rushed out of the house.  Penelope paused to give him a quick and garbled version of what had happened.  Mary was scanning the yard for what to do next.

"We have to find him quickly," said Penelope.  "Should we show the papers to the guard at the gate?"

Sherman shook his head, more in doubt than as an answer.  Mary clutched urgently at Penelope's arm.

"No," she said.  "We ask him."

She pointed at a man who stood in the compound, watching them.  He was a big man, in a loose white shirt, with a whip slung from his belt and a heavy cane over his arm.  He was smoking a clay pipe, and he watched them as they hurried toward him, but he made no move to meet them, or even acknowledge them.

"Excuse me, sir," said Penelope.  "I have just bought one of the prisoners, and Mr. Clement seemed anxious that the transaction be quick and quiet so the other prisoners won't know."

She held up the papers, and the man glanced slowly down at them.  He puffed on his clay pipe for a moment before he reached down and took the papers.  There was something about the way he stood and moved.  Penelope thought he was drunk.

He blinked and held the papers more carefully to the light of the lamp on a post next to him.  His lips moved as he struggled to sound out the words.  Penelope realized that he couldn't read.  That could be very awkward.  He might want to ask Clement about it....

"It's Jack Alwyn," she said, pointing to the name on the paper.

"I can see that," he said, but he kept studying the paper.  "He sold him to you?"

"Yes..."

"Like hell!" he said, and he spat upon the ground.

Mary lifted her carpet bag, ready to pull out the pistol again. Penelope reached quickly to hold it closed.

"Yes," said Penelope.  "He told us of the difficulty with selling him, but he did it as a favor to my family...."

The man let out another oath, and shoved the papers back at her.  He weaved a little and ducked his head forward, like a bull. Penelope very nearly let go of her hold on Mary's bag.

"I am Lady Ashton," she stammered.  "My... my son is the Lord Ashton, the Earl of Ingerlick."

He seemed to pay no mind as she stammered out her credentials. He glared for a moment, a mad bitterness about him, like an angry animal.  And then, suddenly, he shook his head and shoulders, like he was shrugging off a great burden. And there was almost a smile on the bitter twist of his lips.

"He sold him!" he said in a voice halfway between a laugh and a shout.

"Yes, you see, my family...."

"Don't bother with the story," he said.

"And of course, I will compensate you for your assistance."  She held up her purse, but was afraid to let go of Mary's bag.  It was all right, though.  The man looked down at the purse.

"Sure," he said.  "But you don't need to.  He signed it all right.  However you got the signature, I don't care."

She let go of Mary's bag and poured out all she had left in her reticule.  She didn't even look to see how much it was, she simply held it out for him to see.  He raised his eyebrows.

"Whatever he says, at least I don't sell myself cheap."  He put away his pipe and accepted the money.  Then he grabbed the lantern and turned, gesturing for them to follow.  "Hope you have a doctor waiting."

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 32 - "Misery and Angels"

Available after 8am EST, on Thur

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 30

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

Episode 30 - "Perfectly Capable of Firing"

by Camille LaGuire

"Put that down, young lady," said Clement, as he faced the pistol in Mary's hand.  "I know you won't fire it."

"Oh, won't I?"

Penelope stared, frozen.  The pistol brought back a horrible flash of memory.  She thought for a moment it might the same pistol.  Mary had taken it from her after ... after she shot Roland.  She could see the blood, smell the smoke, and for a moment she felt nauseated.  But no, it couldn't be.  Not after all this time and distance.  Penelope pulled herself together.

"Please, Mary," she said hoarsely and carefully.  "Put it down."

"No, I can't do that," said Mary, and she stepped around the table, to point the gun more clearly at Clement's chest.  Penelope blinked away the memory of the wound in Roland's chest.  Mary spoke again, with a lightness in her voice that sounded mad.  "Look, Mr. Clement, see how my hand is trembling.  The pistol is likely to go off by accident if I get any more upset."

Clement leaned back, definitely nervous.  It was too late to change tactics now.  Penelope braced herself.

"You'd best do as she says, Mr. Clement," said Penelope.  "Mary was in the Acton war, and she's perfectly capable of firing.  And she's very upset about losing Jack."

"It won't help him if you shoot me, ma'am," said Clement.

"And you say there's no help for him if I don't," said Mary.  "So I'll shoot you, and then there will be time to reload to shoot myself."

He stared at her, now truly fearful.  Mary shook the gun--just a small shiver.

"Oh, look, I'm trembling again.  You'd best watch out for an accident, Mr. Clement."

"All right.  All right.  What do you want?"

Mary stepped back and lowered the gun to point at his legs, and gestured with her head to address Penelope.  Penelope sat forward.

"Do you have paper and a pen?  A bill of sale.  I have two hundred crowns with me, will that be sufficient?"

"It won't be legal...," said Clement, pulling some paper across the table and dipping his pen.

"Please don't say that, Mr. Clement," said Penelope.  "We want to be as legal as possible, so as not to upset Mary."

"Yes, of course.  Two hundred."

"And we'll need his court contract, too."

He looked up at her, and looked suddenly unwilling, but he glanced at Mary.

"That isn't here," he said.

"Isn't it?  Well, we'll retrieve it," said Penelope, keeping her voice sweet and calming, which she realized made Clement at least as nervous as Mary's weapon, since it implied that Mary needed calming.

"It...it isn't here.  I keep those with my solicitor."

"Doesn't matter," said Mary.  "Keep writing."

"But...," said Penelope.

"Keep writing!"

Clement finished the bill of sale, and gave it to Penelope.  Then Mary raised the gun to Clement's chest.

"He's lying about the court contract.  It's here.  We can search the place after I shoot him."

"Oh, please, Mary, wait."  Penelope looked around.  She saw only one place for the storage of paper in the room.  "It's probably in that cabinet.  Is it, Mr. Clement?"

Clement looked at the pistol for a long moment, and then sat back.

"Yes," he said.

"Thank you," said Penelope, and she went to the cabinet.  There were quite a lot of papers, but luckily they were either alphabetical, or the recent purchases first. Alwyn was near the top.  "If you'll just sign the transfer, please."

"All right, then," said Mary, when he had signed the papers.  "Is that a closet, my lady?  Take a peek to see if he keeps weapons or anything in it."

"It appears to be full of linen."

"It'll do," said Mary, then she turned to Clement.  "Go, get into the closet, and I won't have to shoot you."

Clement did as he was told, but Penelope could see that his fear was giving way to confusion and anger.  Mary picked up a silver-handled cane as she followed him to the closet.  Once he was inside, she jammed the cane up under the doorknob.

Then she put the pistol back into the bag, and they hurried outside.

"We're not done yet," said Mary.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 31 - "The Man With The Cane"

Available after 8am EST, on Mon

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 29

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Episode 29 - "Clement Proves Stubborn"

by Camille LaGuire

It was evening by the time Penelope had got them all organized.  Mary was impatient, but oddly quiet.  Brother William had made it clear they needed to make the appropriate impression.

Sherman had hired an excellent carriage, and some livery for himself and Hingle.  Penelope took extreme care in her own appearance.  A proper lady could be intimidating to men on the rise, like Clement.  She made sure Mary was dressed well but plain, like a companion.  They left Loreen at the inn.  One more male servant would have been useful--a coachman and two footmen makes for a very intimidating entourage.  But perhaps it would have been overdoing it.

It was a long drive, and the place they came to was rustic, to say the least.  Tall solid fencing of sharpened wood, like a fortress.  A man out front with a musket.  He looked like he was lounging when they arrived, but as soon as he saw them, he jumped to his feet, and opened the gate.  The house was large and quite modern, but beyond it, lamplight revealed glimpses of shacks and hovels, and another picketted wall.

Mr. Clement received them with surprise.  He had Penelope's card still in hand when the man from the gate showed them into the parlor, or perhaps it was a study.  The place seemed too rustic to tell the difference.  Though it might merely be a reflection of the fact that the man didn't have a wife, and probably didn't socialize much.

"I am pleased to meet you...Lady Ashton?" he said, clearly full of curiosity.  He took her hand and bowed slightly, then glanced at Mary and decided not to take her hand, perhaps because it wasn't offered.  Mary dipped a slight curtsey.  A cold curtsey.  Penelope didn't like the look on her face, although it was blank enough not to upset Mr. Clement.

They all sat, and went through the ritual of offering and accepting tea.

Then the girl came in with the tea tray.  She had the dark bronze complexion of the Tantalis, and her black hair was cut short.  She moved awkwardly, as if it were difficult to walk, and as she set down the tray, Penelope saw there was something wrong with her hands.

Clement paid no attention to the girl, but she certainly paid close attention to him, as she carefully avoided coming within his reach.

At the sight of the girl's hands, Penelope was struck with a new feeling of fear.  Almost a panic.  She took up her tea, casually, and forced a smile.  The panic was not rational.  It was only that Trent's and Brother William's words seemed suddenly to have real meaning.

This man had a despotic power to control others, and there was no controlling him.

Brother William had said not to be desperate, so she had to be as casual as possible.  Clement did appear to be impressed with her title and presence.  Though Mary was clearly burning behind her, Penelope took her time.  Only after a sip and a taste of her cake did she get down to business.

"I'm afraid I'm in distress, Mr. Clement."

"Oh?"  He looked suprised, and clearly did not think she looked in distress.

"One of my servants got himself into trouble while I was out of the country.  When I returned, I found he had been transported, here to Sabatine.  I'm trying to find him."

"A good long way to come for a servant, ma'am."

Penelope raised an eyebrow in haughty rebuke:  "I came here to visit Governor Halburton before his retirement."

"I beg your pardon," said Clement, properly cowed.

Penelope nodded, and took another sip of tea.

"However, before I return home, I must discharge the family duty.  This man's family has been with us for many many generations.  They're old retainers, very loyal..  And if he has made trouble, it is really our duty to correct him, in any case.  So I would like to buy him and send him to my brother's lemon plantation on Tikhali."

"And you think I have him."

"Yes, my man inquired at the market.  His name is Jack, and he's a broad man, black hair...."

"Jack Alwyn?"

"Yes."

"I'm very sorry, ma'am," said Clement, looking honestly disappointed.  "I can't sell him to you."

"What?"

"He's trouble, all right.  It doesn't matter how loyal he may have been to you, he tried to start an uprising.  I have to hang him."

Penelope looked in alarm at Mary, but Mary just sat, straight and stiff, staring at Clement, and pale as snow.

"He's been tried and sentenced for this crime?" stammered Penelope.

"I don't have to try him.  He lost his rights when he committed his first crime."

"There is some doubt as to his guilt on that...."

"But no doubt as to his guilt in this.  I am very sorry that I cannot assist you, but I must make an example of him."

"I will pay you an extremely high price."

"I can't take any price.  If I let him go, what does that tell the other prisoners?"

Mary slowly stood up, holding the large bag she had brought.  Penelope flushed, and thought furiously.  It wasn't over.  She could reason with this man.

"Is he imprisoned by himself at the moment?  You could tell the others that he died of a fever, or a zealous guard, or...."

"Oh, no, ma'am.  I have to display the body."

Penelope closed her eyes, but then heard Mary set her bag down on the sideboard.  She made odd sounds with what she was doing, a rip, and a click, and other metalic sounds.

"Here, what are you doing?" said Mr. Clement.  Mary turned around and pointed a pistol straight at Clement.

"You will sell Jack to Lady Ashton, and do it quickly," said Mary. 

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 30 - "Perfectly Capable of Firing"

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 28

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Episode 28 - "The Inevitable Trouble"

by Camille LaGuire

Rocken sensed something, but he couldn't put a finger to it.

There'd been some optimism lately, and he didn't like that, but there had been no focus to it.  He might have seen the situation a bit sooner, but they were behind on their work, and Clement was screaming for another field to plant, so his mind was on getting the work done.  It was purely chance that he saw Old Steve kneeling beside a fence post.  And even then he almost overlooked it.

Rocken went to look at the post and saw the dirt disturbed next to it.  He glanced at Steve, who was moving away fast.

"You, hold there!" he said as he scraped at the dirt.

Steve didn't hold. He knew what was under the dirt, so he ran.  And then he saw it was hopeless, so he did what appeared foolish, though Rocken was never certain if perhaps he had thought it through after all: Steve grabbed the bush knife away from one of the other prisoners, and stumbled off, wielding it.  One of the four guards who carried a musket was right there, and he shot him.

Old Steve, who wasn't really old at all, fell where he was and died.  And it was an easier death than he might have had.

The sound of the shot sent all the other prisoners flat to the ground in fear.  It was a good thing too, because Rocken could see the panic in the guards' eyes.  He wasn't sure there wasn't a bit of panic in his own.  He swallowed and surveyed the men, but he didn't see any sign of an uprising.

"Tim!" he shouted to the boy nearest to him.  "Run down to the south field and tell them to keep the men working until I send for them."

"Yes, sir," said the boy, jumping to his feet, but stumbling as he looked at the body of Old Steve.

"And Tim, you just say we had trouble with one of the prisoners.  That's all."

"Aye."

The other prisoners began to stir, but they were too cautious to get up.  The two guards Rocken had with him started moving around, giving a knock to anyone who seemed too active.

"Damnation!" Rocken said through his teeth, and he stabbed at the dirt near his feet to find what was buried there.  It was a knife.

Rocken knelt down and pulled it from the earth.  He dug a bit more, and found a second one, but that was all.  He heard one of the other guards beating at Tom.

"Where did he get that?" shouted the guard.

"I don't know," said Tom.  "He was acting funny...."

It didn't matter.  It was clear enough to Rocken where the weapon came from--crudely forged from scraps in the smithy.  Rocken threw it down and charged on Jack, who was up on his knees and staring by the pile of brush.

"Damn you, Jack," he hissed, as he grabbed onto his shirt and dragged him up.  "Damn you for making me do this."

"It isn't me that's making you."

"And it wasn't me that made you an idiot.  You could have survived your whole ten, you know."

"This would have happened sooner or later."  Even so, Jack looked pale and shaken.  "I'll be dead at the end of this, won't I."

"You can be sure of that."

"Something to look forward to, then," he said, mainly to himself, it seemed.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 29 - "Clement Proves Stubborn"

Available after 8am EST, on Monday

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 27

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Episode 27 - "Brother William"

by Camille LaGuire

The man who stood behind them wasn't dressed in the formal gray of the Plain folk back home, but Mary recognized a religious man when she saw him.  And he wasn't the queen's kind of religious man.  He was definitely Plain, in his simple, practical clothes, and to top things off, he was carrying a book of the prophets.

"You, clear out," said the man from the slave market.  The man in the straw hat gestured for them to follow.

"Come, I'll tell you what you want to know."

He led them across the road and into the shade of a warehouse.  There he stopped and looked carefully at them.

"You're looking for Jack Alwyn?"

"Yes!"

"And you're looking to buy him back?"

"Yes."

"You can't take him home, you know.  It's a part of the sentence.  He has to stay here."

"We know that, sir...." began Lady Ashton.

"Brother William. You don't have to sir me."

"I beg your pardon, brother.  We're only concerned at the moment with his well-being."

"Where is he?" interrupted Mary.

"He was bought by Clement Farm, which could be worse."  The man sighed.  "Some of the places are purely evil.  Clement likes a profit, so he keeps his men healthier than most, but he also thinks of himself as an arm of justice.  He firmly believes that the men are there to be punished.  He isn't very sympathetic to mercy."

"Have you seen him?" said Mary.

"Aye, but not much of him," said Brother William, nodding.  "Sometimes they let us in to pray over them, as a part of the process of reform.  We were at Clement Farm about three weeks ago.  I didn't speak with him, though.  He doesn't appear to be a man of religion."

"Not your kind of religion, anyway," said Mary.  "How did he look?  Have they been beating him?"

"It's difficult to say, since he didn't come close.  He looked well for his situation.  And he had some scrapes, but that could be from the work."

"So he's healthy."

"Three weeks ago he was."  Brother William lowered his head seriously.  "Listen, we sometimes try to buy these fellows, for mercy.  Some of the owners use us to get rid of those beyond work.  Clement is difficult to deal with.  It's rare he'll sell someone for mercy, and then he strikes a hard bargain."

"I am wealthy," said Lady Ashton.

"Are you?" said Brother William with disapproval, and Lady Ashton blushed and looked away.  "It will help.  And your obvious status will help.  But don't let him know you're out to free the man."

They spoke for a while longer, and he advised them on the location and more particulars of Clement's farm.  As they left, Lady Ashton hesitated, and then, chin tucked in like a penitent schoolgirl, she took money from her reticule and offered it to him.

"For your good works," she said, clearly afraid he'd be insulted.  However, Brother William wasn't so proud, and he took it with thanks.

Mary was ready to start walking to Clement Farm right then, but it would take nearly two hours to get there by carriage.  And by Brother William's words, they needed to take care.  No madwomen showing up at the gate demanding or begging for mercy.

They decided to go back to the inn, and cool themselves, and prepare to visit more formally. They had good hope that Mr. Sherman would be able to join them.  Lady Ashton wanted all the support she could find, and Mary couldn't disagree.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 28 - "The Inevitable Trouble"

Available after 8am EST, on Thursday

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 26

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

Episode 26 - "The Other Slave Market"

by Camille LaGuire

Their search in Philipstown didn't turn up anything, and that left only more distant and scattered places to look.

They decided to split up, sending Sherman out to one of the two large plantations.  He wouldn't be able to describe Jackie as well, but the owners had the court contracts of the prisoners they bought--which would have a name on it.

The ladies, in the meantime went to East Harbor, the second largest town on the island, which was also the location of the other market.  It was a long trip by coach, around the north point, and halfway down that to the east.  On horseback, there was a chance that Sherman would catch up with them in the evening.

There was no hotel in East Harbor, but there were a number of inns.  It was, apparently, common for gentry to come to see their properties, only to find that the accommodations on their estates were lonely and not at all amenable to someone of quality.  Thus the inns did good enough business for there to be several that suited Lady Ashton's standards.  She was able to buy up the second floor of one of the smaller inns, which was above town on a small rise, where it was a bit cooler, though not by much.

As soon as they had settled in, Mary insisted: They went to the slave market.  This was a smaller place, less often used, but rougher, and more obvious about its purpose.  Mary tried not to look at the cagelike pens behind the platform inside its yard.  The man here was sneering and surly, but a glimpse of gold got them a look at the books.

Mary looked down the neat listings, ignoring the heat and the stench, and the misery the words in front of her represented.  These records were even less detailed than the previous set.  A number, a note as to whether they were juvenile, adult or aged, the price they went for, and who they were sold to.  She saw an additional note by one, "six feet".  Either the man had highly unusual anatomy, or they noted when they were tall.  Jackie wasn't tall, but they might have noted that he was strong.  Or that he was a smith.  She looked more carefully down the listings again.

"You must keep more detailed records than that," Lady Ashton argued.

"No," said the man, shaking his head and clearly enjoying the exchange.

"They are prisoners.  You must have some record of their presence.  If only for accountability that they are serving their sentence."

"That's with the owner."

"So we trust the owner to remember when to release them?"

"Well, you can't trust the prisoners, can you?"

"And what if some escaped?  You don't have records to account for...."

"None of these have escaped."

"You can't run a successful business without proper accounting and record keeping."

The man just shrugged at her.  Mary looked up from the book.

"And what do these numbers mean?"

"Lot number."

"And do they refer to another record anywhere?"

"No."

Mary closed the book, and stepped around to face the man.

"He's about this tall," she said, holding up her hand.  "And broad, with thick black hair, a bit curly, and blue eyes.  He'd have an attitude of rebellion about him."

"Not once they get here."

"Then he'd be showing signs that they'd beat the rebellion out of him."

Lady Ashton suddenly looked up and put a hand on Mary's arm.

"They might have put a gag on him.  They did at the trial."

"Oh, him," said the man.  "Yeah, he fit that description.  He was crying."  The man grinned at Mary, but as much as she hated him for being such a pig, she could have kissed him for giving her the first sign she'd heard that someone had seen him.

"Who bought him?" said Lady Ashton.

"Can't remember."

"You aren't earning your fee."

"You paid me to look at the book.  You looked at it."

"If you wanted more, you should have said so," said Lady Ashton, pulling open her reticule.  The man simply smiled and held out his hand, but then a shadow fell across them.

"You don't need to pay him."

The voice was stern and deep and well modulated, like  preacher. The ladies turned around to see a tall man in a broad straw hat.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 27 - "Brother William"

Available after 8am EST, on Mon

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 25

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

Episode 25 - "Talk of Esape"

by Camille LaGuire

There'd always been a lot of idle talk about escape.  It was a fantasy.  Like dreaming of being a prince.

But now the prisoners were all talking about the bandits in Acton.  Those from the peninsula added to the stories.  Most of them had been loyalists or fence-sitters during the war, but they knew as much about Cap'n Trent's horse pirates as anyone.  Sweeping across the plains, and striking terror into the king's armies.

"But they had horses!" protested Cooper.

"That's true," said Jack.

"And weapons."

"That's true too."

The fellow who had been telling the story looked at both of them in annoyance.

"They didn't start out with horses and weapons," he said.  "They stole 'em."

Jack shook his head.  "No they had more than we do even to start with.  Cooper's right.  We've got to build ourselves a foundation first."

"There's no point in any of it," said Cooper.  "Because no matter what, there is no place to go.  We're trapped here, and the more of us get free, the more they'll hunt us down."

There was a bit of silence.  Jack considered for a moment, and then looked at Cooper.

"You know, Cooper, if I told you I was going to jump to the top of the pavillion here, right from the ground, you'd say I was a fool.  With these chains on, I couldn't jump a foot in the air."

"Aye!"

"But if I studied it up first, and worked out a way to climb up, getting a boost from Tom and Steve, and climbing up that pole there.  I could make it.  A little at a time."

"In a perfect world you might," said Cooper, "but Rocken would pull you down and whip your hide off for acting crazy.  So you'd never make it no matter how well you planned it."

"There's a way around everything, if you take it slow.  I could propose to fix the leak in the roof.  Or do it at night, if I had help from you watching the guard."

"I hope then that you take it slow enough that I'm not around anymore when you do it."

"That could well be how slow it takes.  It could be Tim here who leads a bunch of young fellows out of here.  The thing is, nobody's ever going to have it any better if we don't start getting ready."

"And how do you propose to get ready?"

"Well, we start with thinking about the problems and breaking them down to the things we can do now.  And we figure out what is possible.  I think we could survive in the jungle as a group of bandits, and make them feed us.  And we could help others from that position."

"I told you, they'd hunt us down."

"Then that's the first problem we think about."

**

The next day, Tom and Steve sat down on either side of Jackie at the morning meal.  Old Steve--who wasn't really old at all, just older than a fellow they had called Young Steve, before he died of a fever--leaned in close.

"Did you get a chisel?"

"I told you, a chisel is difficult," said Jack.  "They count them.  We shouldn't even try until we're ready to go."

"Well, we're ready to go."  Steve pointed to himself and Tom.

"Just the two of you?"

"And you, if you want."

Jackie shook his head.  "We need to get everyone out."

"We can't," said Tom.  "It's like Cooper says, it's too difficult."

Jackie considered for a moment.  "I suppose you're right.  A few at a time will be easier."

"Then you'll come with us?"

"No, but I'll help you.  It'll be easier getting the rest of us out if we have help on the outside."

The two of them exchanged looks.  Jackie sighed.

"It might be difficult, but you've got to promise me you'll try to be of some use to the rest of us."

"I will if I can," said Tom.  Old Steve nodded in agreement.

"I'm making a saw," said Jackie.  "I've got it hidden while I work on it.  But I'll move it to the woodpile when it's done, and Steve can get it when he does his rounds."

"What we need are some blades," said Steve.  "Those bandits up there, they respect someone with a weapon.  They aren't too merciful with someone helpless."

Jack paused for a very long time, and then nodded his head.  There was sense in that.

"I'll see what I can do."

The fact that Tom and Steve would be the first to escape gave Jack doubts. They were not the wisest of men, but they had enough courage, and perhaps that's what was called for.  And it was their choice to take the risk.  He didn't know if anyone wiser ever would.

---

Stay Tuned For Episode 26 - "The Other Slave Market"

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

---

The first book in this series, The Wife of Freedom is at most ebook retailers.
Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Deisel, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Also, Amazon International: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan.

Test of Freedom - Episode 24

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

Episode 24 - "Stirring Trouble"

by Camille LaGuire

There was something different about Jack after the whipping incident.

Cooper wasn't sure; it might have been just that everyone looked on him differently.  It seemed, though, that something had come together in him.  As though before that he had just been biding his time.

Thus it was another warm and tiring evening, not a week later, that Jack sat down next to where Cooper and Tim were talking.  He listened silently for a while, chewing on a bit of lemon grass, which was about the only way a man could clean his teeth in this place.  He'd been in the workshop since the incident -- and not in the fields -- doing smithwork and repairs.

Rocken had just been through for the evening rounds, and Tim watched until he was out of the pit.

"So I wonder, how do they decide which murderers to hang, and which to send here?" said Tim.

"It's luck," said Cooper.  "Rocken had a witness that said it was self-defense."

"Then they should have let him go."

"He murdered a nobleman.  They'd have hung him for that regardless of whether it was self-defense.  But the witness was a nobleman too.  I suppose it was easier to transport than to sort out who was more important."

Jack sat up and tossed away the bit of lemon grass he'd been chewing on.

"So how many murderers do thay have in this camp, then?"

Cooper thought about it.

"The only one I've seen is Rocken."

"So it's a lie, what they say."

"What's a lie?"

"That transportation is a mercy, because it saves us all from hanging."

"It saved you from hanging."

"It was an odd circumstance, though.  They had no intention of transporting me.  It was clear enough they were determined to hang me.  But I was saved ...."

He paused, and a puzzled looked came across his face as he thought about it.

"By what?" prodded Cooper.

"Just like Rocken, I had an important witness who couldn't be ignored."

"And what did he say?"

"She," said Jack, as if the fact still surprised him.

"So you have an important lady friend?"

"No!  I'd never seen her before in my life."

"And still she testified for you?"

"Aye."

"What did she say?"

"That I was a literary light.  And a philosopher for the coming age to boot."

Cooper laughed as Jack shook his head and shrugged.

"And that went over with the court?"

"Not in the least.  It just pointed up why they wanted to hang me, actually.  But she also pointed up that they were breaking the queen's laws all over the place just in charging me.  A lot of faces in that court got red at that."

"I can imagine.  A woman telling them about the law."

"But it was a woman's laws," protested Jack.  "Still they called her a silly woman and shut her up as quick as they could.  I suppose they let her speak because they thought a fine noblewoman would say something against me.  But she did speak, and they couldn't pretend they hadn't heard, so they sentenced me to transportation, in case that other silly woman with the crown ever got to hear of it."

Jack winced as he raised his arms up and put his hands behind his head.  He paused for a long time and glanced calculatingly at Cooper.

"And what do you think they sent you here for?" he asked.  It was a funny way of putting it.

"I don't think," said Cooper.  "I know. They sent me here for burglary."

Jack shook his head and leaned in a little closer.  "What did you steal?"

"Some silver."

"How much do you think that silver was worth?"

"Couple of crowns."

"And did you do damage getting in?"

"Broke a window."

"Worth another crown to repair it, would you say?"

"Probably less."

"And how much did Clement pay for you?"

"Eighty-five crowns," said Cooper.  "I was younger and stronger then."

"And would you say that Clement expects to make a considerable amount more from your labor than what he spent on you?"

"Already has, I'd say."

"So your labor's worth quite a lot."

"I suppose."

"And all that gold that's passed over your head, did any of it go to the people you stole from?"

"I don't believe so," said Cooper, grinning a bit as he realized where Jack was headed.

"You can be sure it didn't," said Jack.

"And even their silver was a bit dented when they got it back."

"So it would have served justice better if they'd given you a good beating and made you work for a bit right at home to pay back the damage you'd done, and maybe a bit more for the expense to the court."

"I suppose."

"So tell me again what they sent you here for?"

"Eighty-five crowns."

"Aye.  And what about young Tim?  What did they send him here for?"

"He's young, so they probably paid more."

"One hundred, even," said Tim.

"They got more than that from you, Tim," said Jack.

Cooper looked at Tim, who looked miserable.

"The house.  My father's house.  They took it to pay my debts."

"And how did you get into those debts?" asked Jack.  "Did you spend and gamble?"

"You know I didn't," said Tim, shortly.

"Sorry, Tim."

The boy swallowed and looked at Cooper.  "My father died in the war, fighting on the free side.  They taxed us for war damages.  I couldn't make enough to pay it."

"They taxed you because they wanted the house," said Jack.  "And they got money from you trying to pay the tax, and money from selling you.  I'm confused.  Who's the criminal again?"

"They're bastards," said Tim.

"No," said Jack.  "They're the enemy in a war.  It's those with power against the rest of us.  They keep winning as long as they have us convinced we're fighting them each alone.  There are a hell of a lot more of us than them."

"I wouldn't say that too loud, Jack," said Cooper.

"No, but it needs to be said all the same."  He lowered his voice and leaned in closer.  "It doesn't matter that you're a theif, and he's a debtor and I'm a traitor.  We're all the same.  Even the slaves."

"They were never free.  They were born to it," said Cooper.  "And they're savages."

"Did they choose to be slaves?"

"No, but...."

"Then they're the same as us, too."

"I wouldn't say that too loud either."

Jack sighed and looked at him sidelong, annoyed.  But he knew what Cooper was telling him.  He chewed his lip.

"They can help us.  They get sent on more errands than you do, and longer ones.  And sometimes the girl spends the night in the house."

"Help us what, Jack?"

Jack simply shrugged.  Cooper had the feeling he wasn't just talking about an escape now.  At least he was smart enough not to say the word rebellion aloud yet.

"This isn't Tantaline," said Cooper.

"No," he said.  "Not yet."

"Not by a long shot."

"I know," said Jack, with another shrug.  "You have to be half free before you can be all free.  But do you know what we started out with in Acton?"

"No, and I don't want to know."

Jack paused and then looked up at the wild jungle where it was said that some had escaped and lived bandit lives. Then he looked back at Cooper, his blue eyes clear and shining.

"We started with bandits."

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Stay Tuned For Episode 25 - "Talk of Escape"

First Episode | Series Intro and TOC | Story So Far | Previous Episode

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