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Amazon
Category:
Action/Thriller
Publisher: Woofie
Type: Fiction
Pages: 233
Copyright: August 26, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780985417048
Price: $2.50 (eBook)
Sentenced to Pello Island for a murder he didn't commit, Darius must find a way to survive. This book is a continuation of Pello Island Cassia.
Spoiled young nobleman Darius must learn to survive the harsh realities of life in a prison colony. He is taken in by a woman named Livia who teaches him how to fish and farm, but also how to love another unconditionally. Being with Livia changes Darius, but when she dies, he falls into his old ways.
When Cassia arrives on the island, her dreams of marriage are dashed by Dariuss' lack of concern for either her or their newborn daughter, and when he begins to act strangely, she begins to fear for her daughter's life. Also, Darius' relationship with a sultry prostitute named Antonia drives a deeper wedge between them, and Cassia must decide whether to stay on Pello Island living a lie, or go back to Rome and raise her daughter alone.
Darius Pello Island 2 is a dark tale of a man whose last chance at redemption is thwarted by the gods of Rome. It concludes the tale of Darius and Cassia, and brings a fitting end to their atory.
Excerpt
CHAPTER 2
The dirt was hard and rocky. The hoe kept banging into the rocks, sending jolts through Darius’ shoulders. Livia had shown him how to use it earlier that day and told him how long to make each row.
“This is impossible,” he complained the first time he used the hoe.
“You’re doing well,” she said. “It takes time to learn new things.”
By the end of the day, blisters formed on his hands, which soon turned into open runny sores. It had taken him all day to turn the small field that bordered the woods near their home, but when he’d finished, he felt the thrill of accomplishment. As he sat at the table that night, Livia applied honey to his wounds.
“These will turn into calluses one day,” she said. “Then you’ll be able to work harder.”
“Harder!” he cried.
She laughed at the expression on his face. She had a lovely smile, and Darius blushed as she patted his shoulder.
A few weeks later, when the new plants began to appear in the soil, Darius beamed over them with pride.
“Can I tell you something?” he asked one evening over supper. Livia looked at him and nodded. “I like farming. I like seeing all those things growing.”
“You really haven’t done anything in your life, have you?” she teased. “But you keep avoiding the fishing net.”
Darius hated fishing, and even though most of the men living on the island fished, Darius would leave the fishing to Livia.
“I will if I have to,” he said. “It’s just so boring.”
Livia rose from the table and suddenly felt pain rip through her stomach. She buckled, grasping the edge of the table. Darius jumped up and held her.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
For weeks, Livia had hidden her affliction from Darius. He thought she just didn’t eat very much, but she was becoming weaker, and he couldn’t overlook it any longer. He decided it was time to find out what was ailing her.
“I’m fine.” she lied. She was in pain, and the nausea was growing stronger.
Darius knew she was lying. “I know you haven’t been eating,” he said.
She sat on the bed, drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, trying to stop the pain. Beads of sweat slowly rolled down her forehead, and her face was pale. She had wanted to tell him, but she’d hoped to put it off a little longer. He was so dependent on her, and she wanted to spare him. She had made herself believe that if they didn’t speak of it, she wouldn’t die.
“Livia, I know there’s something wrong. Please tell me.”
“I’m fine, Darius,” she said softly. She hugged her knees tighter. “Check the crops first thing in the morning. And we’ll need water from the river.”
Livia fell onto her side, still holding her knees.
“You’re not fine, you’re in pain; I can see it. Why won’t you just tell me?”
“Please, Darius,” she begged, “leave me alone.”
Darius had grown quite fond of Livia. He’d never had a friend like her, and their conversations over dinner had formed an intimate bond between them. Darius loved her like a sister, and the thought of losing her was unimaginable.
He cleaned his plate and walked over to the bed. He slid behind her and she leaned against him as he put his arms around her. Suddenly, she began to cry.
“Oh, gods Darius, it hurts so much.” She was sobbing now, and Darius felt powerless to help her.
“How long?” he asked.
“Since before you came, but it’s much worse now.” She rocked back and forth, holding herself tighter and tighter.
Darius suddenly remembered his mother’s physician giving her opium when she had one of her terrible headaches. He would need to go to the village. He had only gone there once, and had avoided it ever since. Livia had taken him there his second day on the island and he’d seen a group of men on their knees throwing dice. The urge to join them hit him hard, and he knew if he did, he’d never return to the house on the cliff. Livia’s presence helped him overcome the urge that time, and his respect for her kept him away from the village ever since. Even though he felt a slight tightening in his chest, he chose to ignore it and put Livia’s needs first.
“I’m going to the village. Somebody there may have opium,” he said. “Do we have anything we can barter?”
“Look under the rug.” she said softly.
The rug was beside the bed, and Darius got up, he kicked it out of the way. Underneath it was a loose board. When he pulled it up, he saw a silk pouch. Inside the pouch was a necklace encrusted with jewels. Darius had seen his mother adorned in jewelry many times, and he was willing to bet these were real.
“Where did you get this?” he asked, holding the necklace up and examining it.
“My lover gave it to me the day I left Rome. He said it was a promise that he wouldn’t forget me. He told me he’d be waiting when I came home.”
“You’re sure you can part with it?” he asked.
Livia nodded her head. “I won’t be going home now.”
Darius put the necklace back into the pouch and tied it to his belt. He touched her cheek and then stroked her hair before heading to the village.
“Go to the tavern,” she said. “Primus will help you.”
Darius took a path through the woods that led to the river. The river ran through the island, dividing the east and west sides. Those on the east side would wade through the shallow end of the river to get to the west side, where a “village” had been built. It consisted of a tavern, a brothel, and several hastily assembled ramshackle tables the inmates used to barter their goods.
Primus, an older member of the merchant class, had built the village from the ground up. He had a keen business sense, and had owned one of the most lucrative brothels in Rome. His partner had stolen money from him and left Rome, leaving Primus with debts he couldn’t pay. Since he had been privy to the secrets of Rome’s elite, they chose to send him to Pello rather than risk imprisoning him in the debtor’s prison in Rome, where he could spread gossip about them.
Darius entered the village and saw the newly constructed tavern and brothel, and suddenly, the island didn’t seem so far from home.
“May I help you?” Primus said as he greeted Darius. “We have wine today, just off the ship from Rome.” Primus took Darius’ arm and led him to a table. “If you have the price, that is.”
“I’m not looking for wine today, old man,” Darius said. “I need something a bit stronger. Are you Primus?”
“I am.”
“Can we go somewhere private?”
Primus smelled a grand trade in the offing, so he led Darius to his living quarters behind the tavern. They passed two men lounging at a table near the door to Primus’ suite. They eyed Darius suspiciously.
“Not to worry, men. He’s my guest,” Primus told them. “These are my hired men, Lucius and Philos.”
Primus opened the door and allowed Darius to enter the room first. There was a low round table in the center of the floor with cushions. Darius sat while Primus took a bottle of wine and two cups from a shelf. He poured the wine and took a seat.
“Here’s to us,” Primus said as he threw back the wine. “Ah, I never cease to enjoy the first taste of a new bottle of wine.”
Darius smiled and Primus grinned. The boy reminded him of the patricians his brothel serviced in Rome. He reached across the table, and clapped Darius on the shoulder.
“Now, dear boy, you said you are in need of something stronger than wine.” Primus raised his bushy eyebrows.
“Yes,” Darius hesitated. “I’m looking for opium.”
“Oh, dear, now that would be stronger. Let’s see, which of my ladies grows poppies? Ah, of course – Bianca. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll be right back.”
Primus rose from the table and exited the suite, leaving Darius alone. He looked at Primus’ home, noting the luxurious items strewn about. The older man had done well for himself. The place was very comfortable, from the cushions he was sitting on, to a bed by the window. Darius wouldn’t mind spending a night here himself.
Primus returned several minutes later with a shell full of brown powder. He placed it on the table in front of Darius and returned to his seat.
“This is opium?” he asked Primus.
“Bianca tells me it is quite pure. She grows the poppies herself, and supplies most of the village, to those that are so inclined.” Primus watched as Darius stuck a finger into the brown powder. “Tell me, my boy, how do you intend to pay me? I do have to reimburse dear Bianca after all.”
Darius removed the pouch from his belt and placed it on the table, pushing it toward Primus. The older man picked it up and looked inside. Darius could hear Primus’ intake of breath as he gasped at the sight of the necklace.
“My gods, boy, does anyone know you have this?”
Darius shook his head. “Is it enough?”
Primus’ eyes were wide, and a smile creased his lips. “Of course it’s enough.” Primus was doing the math in his head and looked up at Darius. “My boy, do you realize that you have just given me a steady supply of wine! My tavern will turn a profit at last.”
Primus was overjoyed at his good fortune, and he told Darius that anytime he needed the drug, he was to come to the tavern and ask.
“You can have as much as you want for as long as you want, my boy.”
“It’s…for a friend. Livia told me to see you,” Darius said. “She’s…not well.”
Primus eyes softened as he studied Darius’ face. The younger man’s eyes were misted with tears which he did his best to hide. Primus placed his hand over Darius’.
“Livia is a wonderful woman,” Primus said with a sigh, dismayed at the thought of her being in pain. “She’s a good friend. My boy, please don’t hesitate to come if you need help.”
Darius was taken aback by Primus’ benevolence. It was the second time since he had arrived on Pello that someone had shown him kindness, and Darius wasn’t used to being treated so cordially.
“Do you have something I could cover it with?” Darius asked, holding up the shell.
“I have a box, a small box with a lid.”
Primus got up and rummaged under the bed. He found what he was looking for and brought it back to the table.
“It slides, you see,” Primus said as he pushed the lid back and forth. He poured the contents of the shell into the box and handed it to Darius.
“Bianca says you are to make a tea out of it. Please let me know how things go.”
Darius left the tavern, heading back to Livia. His spirits were high as he imagined the relief she would have from the powerful narcotic. Primus had followed him to the door of the tavern, and he noticed young Darius glancing at the building next door, a small stable-like structure with stalls that served as rooms.
“I see you’ve noticed our bagnio,” Primus said. “I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the fairer sex. Women delight me,” he said. “Perhaps before you go, you’d like the pleasure of some female company?”
At that moment, a young woman came to the door of the bagnio. She had the haughty look of a noblewoman, but there was fire in her eyes. She had long, wavy black hair that hung loosely and wildly around her shoulders, and the only thing she wore was a sly little smile. Darius felt a stirring in his loins for the first time since arriving on Pello Island. Then he felt the box in his hand and shook his head.
“Maybe next time,” he answered, and quickly headed for the cold water of the river.
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