Hidden in the New World (closed)

[Kismets_Paramour]

OOC: italics indicates that another language is being spoken.​

“Erva.” Calm Waters, the tribal elder waved the young woman over his kind eyes taking in the child that had changed the path of the tribe. “Your mother was a mighty woman.”

Was? With a touch of panic Erva looked out over the village searching for Dancing Feather. The Highlanders sharpened hatches around the fire, swaying to the musical flute playing by Nelly an Irish lass. Freed slaves with skin the color of soot, practiced with spears, familiar weapons from a time before they were slaves. Younglings ran about with the newest litter of puppies. Standing Bear was out in the meadow gentling a fiery filly she had half a mind to steal and gentle herself. But Dancing Feather was absent from sight. Just as she was about to get up and search for her, she rounded their hut with a crowd of younglings and olders alike waving her hands as she weaved a tale. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Why the past tense?

Seeing her confusion Calm Waters began the story of how Edith, her birth mother, had saved Dancing Feather and her son Standing Bear. Dancing Feather was the chief’s only child and Standing Bear would be the next chief, their savoir the white English woman and her daughter gained a place with the tribe. A move that would bring the two women closer together, become blood sisters and take Erva as her daughter when Edith passed when she was four.

“It is time that you be given this.” Switching to English, Calm Waters handed Erva a leather wrapped bundle.

Opening it quickly Erva revealed a journal. Again she quirked her brow looking up at the Elder with more questions than answers.

Ever the riddler, Calm Waters shooed her away with a wave of his hand and a saddened tinged smile.

In the spring the tribe villaged in a bountiful green valley with a winding river and wooded hills and grassy flatlands. On the lower western pasture they erected huts and longhouses around a large campfire.

Feeling like she needed privacy, Erva waved at Standing Bear as she walked barefooted down to the river. Like many in the village she wore a simple deer suede dressed, made even plainer with its lack of dyes, beading or stitches. Sitting on a flat rock she tucked her legs up under her and opened the journal unprepared with how violently it would change her life.

= = = = = = =

Halfway across the world the Duke of Hardwick, William Cavendale clutched at a message teary eyed. "Is it true?" His voice wobbled, he had always been a steady and strong man but news that his granddaughter had been sighted weakened him with hope.

"My brother himself saw her, spitting image of the Dutchess he swore."

William breathed a deep breath. At one time Paul and his twin brother Frank had been his handmen but when Frank got married and moved to the colonies he thought that would be the end of his service but it seemed to far away brother would gift him with the most wanted treasure. "America and stealing away slaves and nursing mercenaries."

It was almost too fantastical to be true but William trusted Paul and Frank with many a things, his life and wellbeing included. Standing William steeled his spine and started fleshing out a plan. With his health he knew he wouldn't be able to go.

“Call the small arms, gather as many ships as needed. Send a message to the peerage. Freshen the second hall, northern wing and new beds might be in order." He ticked off as his smile grew with every stride across and back the library. "Have Katie purchase wine and ales for a party. It'll be the grandest gathering since the Queen's own wedding!" He hooted just before his jovial mood slipped. He looked to Paul his face darkened. "Strike that, strike it all." He snarled remembering the thorn in his side and son-in-law David. If he were to hear of his he would make a mess of things. "Send your most trusted men to meet with your brother. I want to keep this a private matters and as far from David's ear as possible." William whispered regaining his seat behind his desk. "The last thing we need is for David to run off Edith and little Minerva again." Even after twenty years William still blamed David, Edith's husband, for their disappearance. As a Father he should have come to Edith's aid the first time he saw her bruised but he believed her tear filled pleas that it had all been an accident and that it would never happen again. As a man William should have called the woman beater out to a duel it not the courts when months later new bruised marred Edith's ivory skin.