WWIV - Basin of Secrets

by lake, e a

  Emily Bradley knelt beside Cara and finally urged her back to her feet. With swollen red eyes and a face to match her hair, she appeared defeated. “Please give me back my daughter,” she again begged. “Please, I’ll do anything. Anything.”

  Sympathetically, Willem nodded to her. “You can have her back when I have Betsi by my side. If I can’t have Uncle Talbot, I want my cousin at least.”

  “Your what?” Jeremy shouted from the crowd. Tarlisch grinned. The lad had obviously not been paying attention earlier. No doubt helping hide his cowering wife, Willem thought.

  “My cousin, you imbecile,” Willem chuckled. “Don’t tell me that after almost a dozen years together, she never mentioned that fact to you.” The shocked expression on Jeremy’s face told him everything.

  Now Willem laughed loudly. “Oh my Lord, are we all keeping secrets today? Jeremy, Betsi and I are cousins – kissing cousins you could say. Of course, lately we’ve been doing a lot more than kissing.” Willem delighted in the pain Jeremy displayed. “And she’s quite good, I might add.”

  Jeremy tried to push forward but was held back by several camp members from a certain death upon attacking Tarlisch. “You liar!” he shouted.

  Willem turned to Howard, mystified. “Why would I lie?” he asked. “I’m an honest man, perhaps too honest sometimes.” Still holding Rose, he stepped past Cara toward Jeremy. Cara pulled on her daughter, but Willem pushed her away, reinforced by several armed men raising their weapons mere paces from the crowd.

  “I’ll prove it to you. The mole on the right side of her left breast is shaped like Russia.” Jeremy’s eyes narrowed, seething at Tarlisch. Willem felt his grin broaden. “And the inside of her otherwise baby smooth thighs, all scratched and scarred. We had been in the thorn brush that day. Didn’t get my pants off fast enough when she begged me to take her. My fault, sorry.”

  Jeremy screamed, shoving forward from the group. When he got to Tarlisch, Willem spun and stuck his pistol in his face. “I’ll kill you myself, not that Betsi would care,” he snickered.

  “Willem!” a pained voice shouted from the gate. “Stop this. Stop this madness now!”

  Turning, Willem gazed at his beloved. Shoving Jeremy to the ground, he holstered his weapon. “My dearest Betsi,” he beamed, “there you are. All changed and hidden in plain sight. Come here my love.” His right hand extended, his left free, as he dropped Rose at her mother’s feet, now with his prize before him.

  With a scowl, Betsi inched forward through the crowd. Glancing right, she saw Jeremy spring from the ground back at Tarlisch. “No!” she screamed.

  Willem spun, drawing his weapon again. “Howard,” he called back, “if this idiot even looks like he’s about to attack, have someone shoot him. I need a moment with my girl.”

  “Your whore, you mean,” Jeremy spit at the pair.

  Tarlisch grinned, his eyes still fixed on his cousin. “Oh don’t be like that, lad. So she cheated on you a few times. Well, many times, but it was only ever with me. Take solace in that fact.” Betsi lowered her eyes, refusing to look at her husband or her cousin. “You never told him about us, did you?”

  Betsi shook her head. “Of course not,” she whispered.

  Willem tried to bring her eyes to his, but she pushed away his hand. “Oh cousin, how sweet. Caring about his feelings like that. Sweet, yet stupid. I’ve always told you to be honest. That means about everything. Did you think of me every time he tried to make love to you?”

  She pushed him away. “Stop. Haven’t you done enough damage? Haven’t you hurt enough people today already?”

  Willem chortled. “Hurt? You’re kidding, right? These people know nothing of real pain, dear cousin.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  “You must understand, all of you,” he shouted to the gathering, “I am an expert in pain, in heartache. My father and brother were murdered as I watched, my mother withered away in the desert with a thirst and hunger caused by our banishment.” Turning back to Betsi, he shook his head several times. “No one – absolutely no one – here understands pain any better than I.” Reaching for her, Willem pulled Betsi from the crowd. “Here,” he vented. “Let me show them something.”

  Betsi met his eyes and shook her head slightly. “No, Willem. Don’t do anything else.”

  Grinning, he squeezed her hand tightly, almost crushing the smaller appendage. “By the power invested in me…by me, Lord of Salt Lake, I pronounce Betsi and I are legally wedded husband and wife. I plan to kiss the bride later, as we have already consummated our union.”

  The faces in the crowd looked on in shock. Tarlisch relished every last leer and gawk they offered. Betsi stood next to her prince, absent any trace of happiness.

  “If any man – I mean any man – has cause and desires to knock me off my mountain, please let him step forward. Otherwise, keep you filthy leers and comments to yourself.” Searching the crowd, he tossed out his next insult. “Jeremy, would you like to fight for her hand?”

  Turning from the scene, Jeremy disappeared into the center of the colorless camp. Willem pouted sarcastically and peeked at Betsi. “I guess he’s not interested in you any longer.”

  Focusing on the group, he let his face brighten one last time. “I suppose you simple people are wondering what I need with four wives? That’s actually a good question. It’s just too bad you can’t see the obvious answer and how it fits into my grand plan.”

  Gently, he moved Betsi next to Howard, releasing her hand with a kiss. Back in front of the crowd, he began pacing.

  “My younger wives – Suzanne, Rachel and Willow – are my prizes taken from three of the four ruling families of Salt Lake. Betsi, of course, is the fourth of my set. Perhaps I just should have slaughtered those families in front of their homes. I could have even murdered all of the parents and placed the children in slavery, serving my every need. But that wouldn’t have exacted as much pain as I desired.

  “By taking their youngest child as my child, and their beautiful daughters as my wives, they can now watch as I put their beloved on display, despair over the older one’s bellies as they grow with my children. That, my friends, is pain. Pain that hurts worse than death. Pain that constantly reminds that I win and they lose…everything.”

  Strolling back to Betsi, he continued. “Now, with the marriage of Betsi and me, Talbot Bond can choose to ignore us if he likes. But when she is wide with child, my child, and she gives me a son, let’s see him stay away then.” Spinning, he shouted at the assemblage of humanity. “When he sees his grandson in my arms, he’ll come back. And then, I will kill him – just as he killed my family. And then I’ll stick his head on a spike, and everyone will see that my vengeance is complete.”

  Steven stepped forward. “What makes you so evil, Willem? I get your motivation for revenge, but the rest of this, it’s so over the top. Is that what you think your father would have done?”

  Willem laughed and took a spot next to his old acquaintance. “Henry Tarlisch had no imagination when it came to matters like this. I have a much better handle on how to punish people.”

  Steven sighed, staring at the ground.

  Willem snickered and leaned in again. “Let me ask you something, Steven, man to man.” Steven’s eyes rose. “When you sleep with her, when you made her pregnant, did you think of Kellen? Does she ever scream his name instead of yours during passion? I understand what you did. I just wonder if Kellen would have, that’s all.”

  “Dead men have no feelings,” Cara retorted, just above a whisper. Willem stepped back, not knowing she had rejoined the fight. But there she was, risen from the ashes, whole again. “The man in front of you is my husband, not Kellen. Because Kellen is dead. And since the last breath left his lungs, he’s been dead. I still love Kellen, but he’s never coming back. He’ll always be dead. For the rest of the time, while we suffer and toil on this wretched planet, one thing will always be true. The dead are dead, Mr. Tarlisch. Leave the dead out of this.” She wrapped
her arm through her husband’s, her speech complete. “Come Steven, let’s leave Willem to his chores. We have our own.”

  Willem watched husband and wife retreat to the safety of their camp. “Are you certain you don’t know where Talbot Bond is…Mrs. Steven Wake?” he shouted. “You can save me a lot of trouble by just being a little more honest with me. I can see it in your eyes, you know. There’s something you aren’t telling me. If I find out you’ve been lying…”

  Cara stopped and turned. Below her stood Rose, covered by her arms. Behind was her husband, his arms wrapped around her. Leering directly at him, he knew Cara’s words wouldn’t be of any help. “You’ve made your bed, Mr. Tarlisch. Now go lie in it. Take all your men and women, your guns, your new wife, and leave us alone.”

  Willem tipped his head to the right, rolling his eyes, unmoved by Cara’s speech.

  “And return my men, safe,” she added. “You’ll not enjoy what may happen next if any harm comes to them. You never know who may come gunning for revenge on you.”

  “Quaint,” Willem replied, watching her and her family turn and walk back into the safety of their camp. One by one, the rest of her people followed, not looking back. “Empty, but quaint, Mrs. Wake,” he shouted one last time.

  Willem turned to join his army as Andy pushed his way through the crowd. “Want me to order the troops to open fire on them, Will?” A quick shake of his head gave young Andy his answer. “What about we burn the place to the ground? Teach that little red-haired bitch a lesson. Show her she can’t talk to us like that.”

  “I don’t think so,” Willem replied. Peeking back at the camp, he shrugged. “What I see there is enough pain and heartache and misery and suffering to last many lifetimes. I don’t see where they need any of my help in being hopeless. They’re doing just fine on their own.”

  Howard met the pair as they turned away from the scene. The scowl he wore caused Willem to sigh. “What the hell we taking prisoners for, Will? We ain’t got no need for that.”

  Considering his question, and tone, Willem reached down and squeezed one of his friend’s shoulders. “We came here hoping to corner Talbot Bond. But he’s not here, is he? Sure, we found Betsi, but no Uncle Talbot. I can sense an air of defeat amongst the group. Their promise of blood unfulfilled. If they couldn’t have Bond…well, someone has to pay. It is what has been promised to them after all.”

  Another one of his warriors stepped forward with two horses. Handing the reigns to Willem, he grinned and left. “Betsi,” he called back, “time to mount up. Time to go home.”

  Betsi’s teary eyes remaining glued to Cara. She watched as the pair and their child disappeared behind the fence.

  “Betsi,” Willem said, standing beside her now. “There’s nothing there for you my love, nothing at all. Your home is in Salt Lake, with me.”

  Searching one last time, her head moved slowly back and forth. “This isn’t how I wanted it to end.”

  Willem placed his long arm over her shoulder, squeezing gently around her neck. “I know, sweetheart. But this is how it did end. And now it’s time to go.”

  Betsi turned to face him, her eyes focused on his midsection more than his face. “How many did we hurt today? How many did we needlessly hurt, Willem?”

  Steering her toward a horse, he chuckled. “What have I always told you about secrets, cousin? I told you, they always come back to hurt you. No one else, just you. They learned that today.”

  He helped her mount the palomino and reached for his. Once in the saddle, he shot her a hopeful smile. “Cheer up,” he said. “We’ll be back in Salt Lake before nightfall.”

  “Willem?” she asked. “What about your secrets – are they safe?”

  Grinning, he nodded at his newest bride. “Oh yes, my dear. They are very safe. You see, I only entrust people like you and Howard with them. People I know I can depend on. People who would never let me down.”

  “And Andy?”

  His expression darkened, glancing back at the lad. “Never, ever, trust our cousin with anything. He’s not one of us. Sure, he’s a Tarlisch. But he’s not the same as you, and I, and Howard.”

  Betsi nodded slightly, pondering his words, “Ruthless, you mean? Ruthless, despicable, uncaring bits of humanity…like us?”

  “Yes,” he replied, spurring his horse forward as Betsi did the same. “Something like that.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  Once inside the gate, Cara stopped and turned Rose to face her. “Sweetheart,” she began, kneeling to hug the child tightly, “why don’t you go with Emily? She’ll take you for a treat.”

  Emily reached for the girl’s hand. Placing the other on Cara’s shoulder, she whispered to her friend. “It’s all right, Cara. Everything’s fine.” Rising, Cara watched as her remaining child, for now, left with her best friend.

  “You should come home and have some water or something to eat,” Steven requested from behind. “This has been a bad day for you. You need some rest.”

  Turning, she looked past her husband, glancing at the members of her community. “We need to continue the harvest. There’s so much work to be done. And I need to go speak with the assembly. I owe them an explanation.”

  Steven gently took her chin and steered her tired eyes at his. “You don’t owe anyone anything. You owe yourself some rest.”

  “Steven,” she replied, taking his hand. “I’ve been made out as the vilest creature I could ever imagine. My worst nightmares aren’t as horrible as today. You understand, right?”

  Steven’s head shook at her words. “No, I don’t. When we first arrived in camp 10 years ago, everyone thought we were father and daughter. That would have been bad, Cara. But we don’t share any blood. We’ve done no wrong; we’ve sinned only against ourselves by keeping this secret. This will pass.”

  Her lips tightened hearing his words. “Are you reminding me that this is all my doing? That I was the one who wanted to be married? This is my sin? Is that what you’re saying?”

  Steven sighed and looked away. “Of course not, but that’s what you’re hearing, isn’t it?”

  “You sir, have a problem,” she scolded between her teeth. “My son has been taken captive by that madman. And he’s going to be hung in less than 36 hours. That cannot happen, Steven. Do you understand me? Are you listening?” She swiped at his collar, hoping to awaken something inside the sullen man.

  Turning away, Steven paced before answering. “He’s not going to be hung. He’ll be back in two days, maybe three.”

  “How can you pass this off as nothing?!” she screamed. Lowering her voice, she moved closer. “If my son has one hair harmed, I will hold you responsible, forever. Do you understand that?”

  Finally, Steven looked back at her. “Nothing will happen to him, trust me.”

  Cara lowered her head, rubbing her swollen eyes. “I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive myself for what I’ve done to you today. But I know, I’ll never forgive you if Joshua doesn’t come back.”

  “Don’t threaten me, Cara; I’m not the enemy,” he replied.

  Wide-eyed, too hurt and too angry to reply, she turned away. “I have to go talk to Chet. Please do something, anything.”

  Without reply, Steven turned the opposite direction to continue his day. Cara peeked over her shoulder at him, unsure of what he knew. Rushing back to him, she lunged at him as he turned, hearing her approach. “I love you,” she offered. “I love you so much. I just don’t want anything to happen to my son.”

  Steven rubbed the back of her head, squeezing her tightly against his chest. “Nothing will happen to Joshua, my love. Our son is going to be just fine.”

  Chet handed Cara a cup of strong coffee and took his spot in a brown wooden chair across from her. Rubbing her hands, she looked up from the couch. “Thank you, Chet. And thanks for seeing me, hearing me out.”

  “I have to admit,” the old man replied, “that I’m not sure what there is you need to talk about so badly. Certainly nothing from
today, is it?”

  After taking a sip of the black liquid, Cara set the cup on the arm of the couch and turned toward her friend. “I need to come clean on something. I need to be honest for once. It’s been 10 years since we arrived, six since Steven and I married. You need to know the truth once and for all. Directly from me.”

  Chet waved his right hand at her. “Old news, honey. You can’t tell me nothing that I don’t already know or haven’t figured out in that time.”

  Cara’s eyes narrowed. “What did you know?”

  Chet smiled. “We all figured when you first arrived he was your dad. The way he took care of you and the boys. He loved you like a father. When you got married, well, we figured maybe an uncle or something. Steven Wake’s reputation is well known by all. A man like that wouldn’t have a child with his daughter.” Focusing on her more seriously, he nodded. “Just who you two were to each other wasn’t anyone’s business but your own.”

  Easing back in the couch, Cara felt her nerves calm. “Kellen and I were married seven years before the darkness arrived. Nine years later, he was dead. He had a heart problem. It wasn’t real bad, easy enough to control with medication. As long as we had meds, everything was okay. I remember the Sunday before it all disappeared. We were home from church, I think it was noonish. I had on this pretty flowered sleeveless sundress; I loved that dress.” Cara paused, lost in a far-off world. “I peeked in the living room; Kellen was reading the paper in his leather chair he loved so dearly. Jacob was just starting to crawl. Joshua was three at the time I think. He played with his brother while Daddy read the paper. It was perfect, I remember thinking. I didn’t want them to grow up; I didn’t want any harm to come to them.

  “Four days later came the darkness. I was scared to death, so were the boys. But not Kellen, no, not him. He had that Wake ‘can do’ attitude. Everything was going to be okay, he said. Everything would be normal again, soon.