COLORS OF THE WIND
Prologue
London
Spring, 1607
"My lady?"
Her young maid's voice rang through the oak
door and straight into Rose DeWitt Bukater’s ears. Today was the day that she
would leave all that was known to her for a new land.
"A moment!" she shouted through the
door, feeling her stomach already sink.
Months earlier, she had asked her mother,
Ruth, why they had to leave first class London for the newly founded English
settlement of Jamestown. Her mother had replied, "Rose, there is talk of
gold. Mountains of it—enough to help us settle the debts that your father left
behind."
It didn't make Rose feel any better when Cal
Hockley was introduced into her life. Being seventeen, Rose had been expected
to already be married, but she was always too particular, according to Ruth.
At the last social event of the season, Ruth
had thrown Cal her way. Rose was admittedly charmed by him. At least, until
after the first slap, which had been delivered to her when she had misbehaved.
That was how Cal put it to her when the sting had lessened.
Not weeks later, Ruth and Cal arranged for
Rose and him to be married. She was given no choice as she accepted his offer.
They were to be married at the beginning of the next social season. That is, if
the offer for more wealth presented itself. Cal insisted on going, since he
felt that Rose's family was worth less than what he could find in Virginia, but
her mother, determined to further her status, persuaded Cal to let them travel
with him. That was where she was now, standing at the foot of the carriage and
letting the footman help her up into its seat.
*****
"Twelve?" The Italian’s voice rose
as he stared at the dice.
"Yeah. That's right," the young man
replied, smiling.
"Damn it! You can't do this. It's my
only chance!" protested a short, chubby man who sat at the far end of the
table.
"Well," the blond man said.
"If your only chance was as good as your bet, then perhaps it's best you
don't go!"
The inn exploded in laughter, and the man
ducked as a punch was thrown his way.
"Two passages aboard the ship,"
said another man, who stood beside him.
"That's right," the man said.
"Who are you going to take?"
The blond man turned to him. "I was
thinking you."
"Me?"
"Yes. What about it, aye, Thomas?"
The two men shook hands as Jack Dawson handed
Thomas his papers.
*****
"Wingapo, Father. I'm so glad you've
come home safely," an Indian woman said as she hugged her father.
"Seeing you gives me great joy. Come
with me. We have much to talk about."
She followed him into his wooden longhouse
and spoke first.
"Father, for many nights now I've been
having a strange dream. I think it's telling me something's about to
happen—something exciting!"
Her father smiled. "Yes, something
exciting is about to happen."
"Really? What is it?"
"Kocoum has asked to seek your hand in
marriage."
"Marry Kocoum? But he is so
serious."
She looked out the window at the stern-faced
warrior.
"Father, I think my dream is pointing me
down another path."
"This is the right path for you, my
daughter. Kocoum will make a fine husband," Powhatan said.