A Change of Fortune by Veronice Ceccarelli
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The days went by, and every day, the women and two men worked cheerfully under the direction of Carol and Helene, in full cooperation with the Freign, who still swarmed.
Valencio was hilariously cheerful, except that quite suddenly he’d become restless and announce that he was going out for a while. Every day, he went out, needing to know that he could. It didn’t particularly matter where, and usually only for an hour or two, as there was still so much work to do. Running, often. It was a joy to run and to get somewhere. He didn’t understand that no-one else was willing to cross the boundary. There was that crio, he thought, but it wasn’t binding. He hadn’t yet explored their own property. Within bounds, even the bounds of three thousand acres of mountain and forest, was not what he needed now.
Several times, they were urged to go and see Joyce, who was a ‘representative’ from the DMT. It was said that they might find it a benefit to talk to her about their experiences. But Valencio was not the only one who had a strong suspicion she was a healer, and no-one went near her. If they needed minor cuts and bruises treated, there were lotions kept in the First Aid Room.
No-one wanted to talk about their experiences as prisoners. It quickly became almost a taboo subject, to the extent that when Mariabella wondered how Hicham was getting on without her, Gloria said, only pretending to be joking, that she never wanted anyone to mention the name of any bloody Kobi wizard ever again! On the other hand, the subjects of their lives before the Kobis was no longer as much avoided. Some, like Gloria and Valencio, were silent on the subject, but Ingrid, now twenty, spoke longingly of her sisters, and then, slowly, “Do you think Mum and Dad would still want me?”
She didn’t get an answer. Many of them wondered if half forgotten families might still want to know them. Valencio was sure. He would never contact those who’d once known him. How could he, after what he’d done?
Dot took a list of names, discovering that Valencio was now ‘Vince McDonald.’ She raised her eyebrows at him. McDonald? Anyone who looked less like a McDonald was hard to imagine. She made no comment, and asked if there was family he might like to contact, because they could trace them, discreetly if needed.
Valencio’s reaction was typical of those she’d spoken to. He stared into the past, and there was a long pause. Dot waited patiently.
Finally, he said, “I just want to know if she’s still alive. Her name is Caprice Sylvio, but she was sometimes known as Silver or Sylviano, or even Domenico.”
Dot wrote down each of the names, and Valencio gave his old address in Italy and also the one in Hollywood. “Dean Blockman,” he suddenly said. “She’s probably not married to him any more, but I want to know whether he’s alive.”
“You want us to be discreet, not tell them you’re alive?”
“Best if they think I’m long dead.”
Dot made a note, and said, “After a while, you should think about it again. Family are important.”
Valencio shook his head decisively, and stood, hesitating. Finally, he said, “We’re very grateful, you know. To all of you. Even when it doesn’t seem like that.”
Dot smiled, “I’ve been thanked roughly seventeen times a day, every day.” She was serious suddenly, and continued, “There’s no need to be grateful. It’s something you’re owed. Too much was taken from you, and although we’ve have never had anything to do with the Freign of Arabia or even Asia, I think if we’d known, we should have tried to do something.”
Valencio looked at her, and knew exactly what she was thinking. The Kobis would have been far too much to fight. They would not have done a thing! Not for a few score of medj.
He asked Tasha that evening, whether she thought of contacting family. Tasha said slowly, “My full name is Natasha Maskkov. I’m from the Ukraine, and I have three brothers. I want to know about my family, but to contact them? I’ve been a sex slave!”
“They’d still be happy to know you’re alive.”
“I don’t know if they would. I think I’m like you. I can never go back.”
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Chapter 14:
On the sixth day, Tasha said to Carol, laughing, “He’s pacing again.”
Carol grinned and called to Valencio who was now standing stock still and staring into the distance. She said firmly, “Valencio, don’t go yet. I have some money for you. Better if you don’t return half-starved.” She handed him a card as well. “The phone number’s here. If you get in trouble, make a phone call and Dot says you can be collected. The money’s in case you need a meal.” She smiled at him, and nodded, “You can go now.”
Valencio kissed her and thanked her, although hurriedly, and strode off. Tasha joined her, and said, “It’s like he has to prove to himself, every single day, that he’s really free.”
“I guess we all should do it - go off the property.”
“It’s only a little fence, even fallen down in parts, but I feel panicky at the thought of crossing it.”
“Are we cowards?”
“I don’t know.”
Valencio accepted a lift that day, and wound up in London, wandering around for hours. He must be really free. He was in London, and if he didn’t ring home, they’d never know where he was. He didn’t ring home, only checking the money he had. It was enough for a few meals, and he could work and he could steal. He was very good at stealing, he thought. But these were not wizards, and of course, it was wrong to steal from real people.
No-one molested him or threatened him in any way. An old man in rags even offered to share his bus shelter for the night, when he admitted he had very little money and no place to stay. Valencio smiled at the man who was as free as anyone, and said he had enough money to buy them both a hamburger or something, he thought.
Tasha waited outside a long time as it grew dark, watching the drive, wanting to see her husband come back to her. Hilde joined her and sat close, sharing the vigil. Then Emma, who said, “He just needs to do it, maybe. He’ll come back. He loves you, and I think he loves quite a lot of us, though not as wives, of course.”
Tasha looked at the young woman. Aside from herself, Emma knew Valencio better than any of them. “Will he come back?”
Emma said, with certainty, “He will come back.”
Valencio was wide awake as dawn came, not very uncomfortable, but wishing very much he could shower and put on fresh clothing. Instead, he slid the remains of his money under the bag that belonged to the homeless man, and started walking North again. He was free and if he wanted to return to where his wife waited, there was not a thing to stop him. He started to whistle, deciding he had to practice. Free men were happy and happy men whistled. A few early commuters grumbled at the young man who strode along, whistling tunelessly. He didn’t notice them. He was going home.
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End of Book Two
Valencio’s Story continues in Book Three.
Free, in a home of three thousand acres of misty mountains and frequent rain, just as Valencio had sometimes dreamed of. They were looked after by wizards, it seemed to Valencio, still controlled by wizards. He would have liked to leave, but freedom is not an instant cure for those scarred by many years of imprisonment. And was it the best thing for himself and for Tasha?
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Cheap and good. e-books by authors I know.
Scott Strosahl, ‘Framed.’
Violet Jones, ‘The American Girl.’
Samantha Towle, ‘The Bringer.’