Subject: A More Consistent Origin -- Parts 6-9
From: Whitey Pale

Part 6

Alexis could not stop violently shaking. She had been shaking so much since returning to her hut after Judah Zachary's furious reaction to her infant daughter, that she had vomited several times. Angelique had awoken from the noise and started crying, and Alexis could do nothing to calm her down. Alexis had never known such fear, not even when her mother had thrown her into the streets several months earlier.

Of course, Alexis's first instinct when Judah Zachary angrily dispersed the coven was to run away as far as she could. But it was dark, and she had no idea where she was, or how far it would be to get help. In any event, she calculated that had she tried to escape, the coven would find her easily. In fact, with her newfound knowledge, Alexis knew that they did not need to catch her physically--they undoubtedly had one of her possessions for the voodoo. Alexis resignedly waited for what she was sure to be her death, or the death of her child.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the doorway to the hut, and Alexis jumped. It was Evan Dawson, dressed as he had been the night they had met. "I'm relieved to have found you here, Alexis," he said soothingly. "We were afraid that you might have run off."

"Y-Y-You're here to kill me, aren't you? And my child!!" Alexis cried hysterically. Evan Dawson knew that his task of calming Alexis would not be easy--especially since up until a half-hour ago she had been right. He placed his arm around her shoulder.

"I'm sorry we frightened you, but it was the only way to guarantee that we could see you alone, without arousing the suspicions of the other women." At this, Alexis looked at Dawson with puzzlement. Ah, he had her interest. "You see, as soon as our master saw your child, he knew that she was the special one, the chosen one, to fulfill the ancient prophecy and to wield immense power."

At the memory of the expression of pure hatred that Judah Zachary had shown her child, Alexis turned away and viciously pointed her finger at Dawson. "You're lying! He wants us to die! Just kill us and get it over with," she wailed.

"I know that it's hard for you to trust me, but the master wants me to take you to him now to explain everything. Believe me, his reaction was the only way to make sure that you and your child are protected from the rest of the coven. For if they found out the great honor to be bestowed upon Angelique, they would be envious and might take action against you." Dawson paused for effect here. "Especially Danielle Roget."

Alexis shivered at the mention of Danielle Roget. Alexis thought that Dawson was probably lying, that Judah Zachary was going to kill her privately, out of sight of the others. However, Alexis realized that, if she went with Dawson, the story he was telling might be true. If she didn't go, she knew that she would surely be killed. Somberly she said, "Of course, I will go with you. But won't we be noticed with Angelique crying. .. "

Dawson interrupted, "Angelique must stay here." Alexis began to protest, thinking that Dawson planned to lead her away so that Angelique could be killed. Dawson hushed her, "I will wake up Valerie LeConte to care for her in your absence. As you know, Valerie has just joined our settlement, so she has not yet become one of us. She is under the nightly sleep spell that was once placed on you, and knows nothing of what happened tonight. Angelique will be safe, even though Valerie will be very groggy from the interruption of the spell." Once again Alexis calibrated her choices. She had none. "All right," she said meekly.

After Valerie LeConte had been roused from her sleep to take care of Angelique, Evan Dawson led Alexis back to the clearing where Judah Zachary's head remained in its container on the tree stump. All looked as it had before, the cradle filled with blood was still there from the interrupted ceremony. Except this time the head of Judah Zachary looked at Alexis with a benign, soft smile.

Alexis was very unnerved. She remembered Judah Zachary's wrath and was sure that this was a trap, and that she was about to die. Evan Dawson sensed this and knew that she was not that far off, for if things did not go as planned, she would die--and so might he. Dawson thought that it probably would have been better to have talked to Alexis away from Judah Zachary, but the master had insisted on being present given the potential threat to his survival by letting the reincarnation of Miranda DuVal live.

Dawson thought it best to begin immediately: "One of the oldest legends of our craft is that back at the dawn of history, the Earth was ruled by supernatural beings of great power, the Leviathans. Before man arrived, the Leviathan race was banished from the Earth, but not before they had arranged that someday they would return. On that day, one Leviathan spirit, a seemingly human being from the lower classes, but possessing an upper class bearing, would arrive on Earth to take a human bride. That bride would in turn become immensely powerful and would begin a new Leviathan race that will rule the world! According to legend, the time of the Leviathans' return will be foretold when a girl child is born into a coven having an angelic face and eyes into which a master warlock can see the fires from the dawn of time."

Alexis was listening very intently. Dawson began to play into this by dropping his initial calm, soothing demeanor, and becoming more animated and excited as he went along. "This is why we have consecration ceremonies for the children born into our coven! In the hope that one day, we would be blessed with the one who shall herald the fulfillment of the prophecies and the return of the Leviathans! When Judah Zachary looked into your daughter's face, he saw an angelic look! When he looked into your daughter's eyes, he saw the fires from the dawn of time! Yes, Alexis, your daughter Angelique is the one! She will one day herald the return of the Leviathans and obtain enormous power beyond any of our dreams! And we, who shall help bring this about, will share in that power!"

By the conclusion of Dawson's speech, Alexis's fear had been replaced by excitement. The leadenness of her movements were replaced with an exhilaration of spirit. "What am I to do?" she asked eagerly.

It was actually very difficult for Evan Dawson to complete his speech, because as he spoke, in his brain he heard Judah Zachary guffawing, a sound that grew louder with each of Dawson's sentences. Judah Zachary thought that Evan Dawson was having himself quite a night. First, Dawson had convinced him to take an enormous risk by allowing the reincarnation of one his sworn enemies to live. Now he had convinced a girl certain of her death that her daughter would rule the world. What a fairy story, Zachary thought. Even if he believed the legend of the Leviathans, without Dawson's carefully crafted modifications, which Zachary did not, the thought that he would allow the reincarnation of Miranda DuVal such an honor was absurd. However, the thought of Miranda DuVal remaining alive once again brought Judah Zachary up short. Convincing Alexis with the fairy story was easy. However, getting Alexis to unsuspectingly do exactly what needed to be done to exact his revenge was the true critical part.

Part 7

Once again, Alexis eagerly asked what she could do to help the Leviathan legend come true so that her infant daughter, Angelique, could one day start a new race that would rule the world. Of course, she did not know that Judah Zachary's and Evan Dawson's agenda was quite different, as they wanted to surreptitiously prepare Angelique to become the instrument for Zachary's revenge on the Collins family.

Dawson explained, "Tonight, you and your daughter will leave the coven. You will stay in my residence in the city until your placement can be arranged. While you were to be placed as a servant to a distinguished attorney, your daughter's position now requires something much more suitable for her exalted station. Instead, you will be placed as a servant in the plantation of Andre Du Pres, the wealthiest man on Martinique and the owner of the largest sugar plantation on the island." Alexis's expression showed great excitement at this.

Dawson continued, "Because your daughter will someday rule, she must learn how to comport herself with dignity. Andre Du Pres has a young daughter, Josette, just a few months older than Angelique. Josette's mother died in childbirth, and Andre Du Pres's sister, Nathalie, has moved in to take care of the girl. While you are acting as a servant to the Du Pres family, Angelique can watch Josette grow up, befriend her, and eventually become her servant. Of course, when the day of the Leviathans comes, Josette will then serve your daughter. Until then, Angelique must watch and learn."

"In order to prepare your daughter for the fulfillment of the prophecy, you must also teach her about love. If she is to become a Queen, she must know about love so to best serve her future husband (Writer's Note: this is the 1770s, please no letters!). This task will be very hard for you since you, of course, have not known love yourself. Therefore, you must not tell Angelique the truth about her background. You must tell Angelique that you and her father were very much in love. That you married after a romantic courtship. And that after Angelique was born, your husband died in a storm at sea, but that you had been very happy together and could never love another." At these words by Evan Dawson, Alexis frowned. Undaunted, Dawson pressed forward, "you must be observant of others. Point out loving relationships and explain that such will one day be her destiny."

"Finally, you must train Angelique in the secrets of the Black Arts. If she is to rule the Leviathan race, she must be prepared and have an appropriate background. I will provide you with books--" Dawson saw Alexis's expression go blank, and after pausing to consider the reason, he added exasperatingly "and teach you to read. You must teach Angelique yourself. You must never return to the coven. As I told you earlier, the others will be envious if they knew of the fate that was in store for Angelique, and might seek revenge."

Dawson suddenly heard Judah Zachary's voice in his brain. Dawson lightly nodded toward the box and looked straight at Alexis. "There is one more important thing to keep in mind. In order for the prophecy to be fulfilled, your daughter must have a pure heart and fall in love with the Leviathan ruler willingly, not because she knows it must be. Therefore, she must not know of the prophecy, our coven or of Judah Zachary."

The voice returned to Dawson's brain, this time more insistently. Dawson paused to consider a way to say his next statement in as least a frightening way as possible, then realized that, if he did so, the master would be displeased. "One more thing Alexis," Dawson stared right into Alexis's eyes and spoke slowly and carefully, "you have an enormous responsibility here to ensure that the prophecy is fulfilled. If anything should go wrong, in particular if your daughter finds out about the Leviathans, Judah Zachary or this coven, on that day you and your daughter shall surely die. Do you understand?"

Much to Evan Dawson's surprise, this statement did not phase Alexis. Looking soberly at Dawson, she said "I understand. I figured as much." Dawson smiled and thought that he had done a brilliant selling job. Alexis continued, "How will I know when the one has come for my daughter?"

Dawson's smile evaporated in embarrassment. "Of course, that is an important detail isn't it? The one will arrive on the date of Angelique's twenty-first birthday to claim her. He will appear lower class in appearance, but upper class in manners. This is why Angelique must learn from the Du Pres' daughter, Josette, how to behave above her station and expect such behavior from a suitor. Of course, you will have the difficult task of igniting Angelique's interest in love, but, at the same time, fending off potential suitors. Angelique must remain a virgin until her twenty-first birthday."

"I understand." Alexis nodded.

Dawson once again heard Judah Zachary's voice in his brain. Dawson rolled his eyes and said, "Good! But remember, if Angelique learns of the prophecy, this coven or Judah Zachary, on that day, you and your daughter will surely die."

Alexis looked disturbed at the repetition of this threat that she felt went without saying, but nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Perfect!" Evan Dawson said. "Now go and pack your things, we must leave immediately." Judah Zachary smiled at Alexis, and she smiled back and thanked the master for all his help. Then she walked enthusiastically away from the clearing for the last time, not seeing Zachary's smile turn into a sarcastic smirk.

Part 8

Evan Dawson shared the elation Alexis Bouchard felt as he walked her back to her hut, but for different reasons. Alexis was elated because she truly believed that her daughter, Angelique, was the chosen one who would marry a descendant of the Leviathans and start a new race. Dawson, of course, was pleased that he had convinced Alexis of this lie so that she would train her daughter so that one day Angelique would fulfill Judah Zachary's revenge on the Collins family.

However, Dawson's elation evaporated after he had left Alexis to pack her things. Suddenly, he realized that there was a major uncertainty in his complex master plan. He was certain that Alexis would follow his instructions--she wanted her daughter to gain power and honor. But for his plan to work, the Collins family must also cooperate--and Dawson had no control over them.

Even if Dawson placed Judah's witches as servants in Collinsport as he did in Martinique--and he did not--it would be much too risky. The Collins family were a suspicious, insular lot. Dawson imagined that Joshua Collins would investigate any new servant. If the trail led to him, there was always the possibility that he would be linked to his great-grandfather, Nicholas Dawson, who had "mysteriously disappeared" after Judah Zachary was beheaded in 1692. The illiterate guard that Nicholas had bribed to obtain Zachary's head had eventually informed the authorities. Nicholas and the head were long gone by then, but the whole town of Collinsport knew the tale of the distinguished attorney who had led a double life as a high priest in a coven of Satanists.

First things were first though. Dawson informed the coven member who had been a servant at the DuPres' estate to give her notice, which she did, and then Evan placed Alexis as a servant in the household. One selling point that Andre Du Pres liked was that Alexis also had a new daughter, and that Angelique and Josette would be able to play with each other growing up. Josette would have a companion to ease the pain over the fact that she did not have a mother.

Alexis held up her part of the bargain. On her days off, Evan Dawson taught her to read. As soon as Angelique was old enough to understand, Alexis began telling her the romantic lie about the father that Alexis loved so much, married and had tragically died at sea. Josette and Angelique were inseparable as pre-teens, a fact that occasionally made the status conscious Countess Du Pres very upset, particularly when Josette allowed Angelique to sit in on her tutoring sessions. Alexis had already been teaching Angelique to read and write--very rare for servants.

Nathalie Du Pres often harangued her brother about his only daughter playing with a servant girl, but Andre would brush her off. He thought that children were children, and that class differences were something to be learned as one got older, part of the passage to maturity. As for Angelique's education, he would say, what is there to fear from that? Besides Josette loved being with Angelique so much.

Finally, on Josette's 14th birthday, the Countess finally prevailed on Andre Du Pres that enough was enough. News of the guillotining of French royalty in the wake of the 1789 Revolution had reached Martinique, and the nobility on the island were concerned that the disease not spread to the French colonies. "Polite society" was becoming alarmed that Andre Du Pres was letting his only child form an inseparable friendship with a servant girl.

At first, Josette and Angelique were very angry and upset about their forced separation and could not understand why it must be. Andre DuPres summoned Alexis for a private meeting and said that he would have to let her and her daughter go. Alexis convinced Monsieur Du Pres to give her a chance to calm things down. Du Pres, who was unhappy at the whole turn of events, agreed.

When Alexis returned to her quarters, Angelique was still fuming. She turned violently and said petulantly, "I don't understand Mother, why Josette and I can no longer see each other." Alexis explained to Angelique that she was the daughter of a servant and that Josette was the daughter of a nobleman, and that the original intent was that Angelique serve Josette. It had been all right for the girls to be friends with each other as children, but now that that the two were reaching the age of maidenhood, it was time for each to take their rightful roles in society.

Angelique bristled with anger at this explanation. "But Mother, Josette and I have been with each other all our lives. We have shared each other's secrets. We have learned the same things. We are equals!"

Alexis put her hand on Angelique's shoulder and said sympathetically, but forcefully, "you must never say such things again! Even if they are true. The nobility have all of the power on this island, and if they hear you express such sentiments, we will be turned on the streets to starve. In fact Msr. Du Pres wanted to discharge us. I pleaded with him for a chance to calm the situation so that we can stay. You have no choice. You must serve Josette."

Angelique looked at her mother with fury. "How can you say such things? How has the world suddenly changed since last week? Would that I had the power to make things the way they were!"

Alexis's face brightened. "You can have that power." she said. Angelique paused and looked at her mother with a puzzled expression on her face. Alexis continued, "I have waited until you were of age to tell you this, but there are powers that we who are servants can use to defend ourselves in this unfair world. I will teach them to you."

"Yes! You must!" Angelique said forcefully, grabbing her mother's arms.

Alexis looked straight at her daughter and said soberly, "I will do so only if you make me a promise that you will learn to be Josette Du Pres' servant and not complain about your lot. I will tell Monsieur Du Pres that you have realized your station, and are prepared to serve. If Josette rebels, you must convince her that this is what you want to do. It is the only way that we can stay here--and that you can find a way to escape."

"Escape?" Angelique asked.

"Yes. You are much more fortunate than other girls of our class. You have learned to read and write. You have learned what it is like to be a proper lady. If we stay in this house, a suitor may come someday that will recognize your talents and rescue you from being a servant. If we are thrown into the streets, you shall never escape your birth."

Angelique smiled at the thought of a suitor arriving to sweep her off her feet romantically as did her father to her mother. "All right, Mother. I will do as you say."

"Good!" Alexis said. "I will go and tell Monsieur Du Pres. When I return I will give you your first lesson on how to defend yourself in this world."

Andre Du Pres allowed the Bouchards to stay, overruling the Countess's objections. Angelique became Josette's servant, although Josette was reluctant at first, and then somewhat embarrassed. However, Josette eventually became accustomed to the situation and, while the old friendship was still beneath the surface, the formality of the master/servant relationship became ingrained. In the meantime, Alexis began to secretly instruct Angelique in the Black Arts. Evan Dawson learned of these events from another servant that he placed with the Du Pres' about a year after placing Alexis--a woman that Alexis did not know was associated with the coven. Evan Dawson and Judah Zachary were pleased that at least this portion of their plan was working so well.

Part 9

While Angelique Bouchard and Josette Du Pres were growing up together in Martinique, Barnabas Collins was, at least initially, growing up alone in Collinsport. An only child during his early years, growing up as the son of the most feared man in the most feared family in town, Barnabas led a quiet childhood. His only true companion had been his young Uncle Jeremiah, who was eight years his senior. Despite the age difference, Jeremiah became more than Barnabas's mentor, but his close friend.

Jeremiah was the only person he could confide in. Barnabas's father, Joshua, was autocratic and aloof. His mother, Naomi, was moody, withdrawn and alcoholic. His Aunt Abigail, who lived at the Collins estate, was sharp and superstitious.

Barnabas did discover a new joy in his life when he was 12; his parents had a daughter, Sarah. Naomi's pregnancy was a surprise to all, because she had been unable to conceive for the nearly dozen years since Barnabas had been born. Life at the Collins estate had been happy throughout the pregnancy. It seemed to bring Joshua and Naomi closer together, and Barnabas saw them in a rare light, supporting each other.

Unfortunately, when the child turned out to be a girl, Joshua was bitterly disappointed. He returned to his old imperious ways. Similarly, Naomi once again became moody and withdrawn, and soon began to drink again. Barnabas, however, was not disappointed in Sarah, as he doted on the child.

Barnabas's relationship with Jeremiah had become more complex when Jeremiah fell in love with and married Laura Stockbridge, a beautiful blonde woman a couple of years younger than he. Jeremiah understandably spent less time with Barnabas after meeting Laura, and Barnabas found himself irresistibly attracted to his Aunt Laura's beauty. She was the first woman Barnabas had romantic feelings towards, and, of course, she was untouchable because of her marriage to Jeremiah, and the age difference (Barnabas was 14, Laura claimed to be 20).

Evan Dawson did not know of Barnabas's attraction to his Aunt Laura, but Dawson certainly had heard of the woman. His sources in the Collinsport occult underground had informed him that Laura had been buying books and herbs from east Africa, particularly Egypt, that suggested an interest in, if not outright activity in, the occult. Laura became another reason for not placing a spy in the Collins household. If Laura Collins were a witch who was devoted to the Collins family, she might be hostile towards Judah Zachary's plan. Dawson was therefore relieved to learn that, two years after marrying Jeremiah, Laura Collins died in a fire on the Collins estate.

But Evan Dawson had other worries. At the time of Laura Collins's death, Barnabas Collins had turned 16, and was at the age where he would be expected to have strong feelings towards the opposite sex. Dawson somehow had to ensure that Barnabas Collins did not marry until Dawson could spring his trap for Judah Zachary. While Dawson did not have a spy at the Collins estate, he began sending women from the coven in Martinique to New England to work for wealthy families with girls roughly Barnabas's age. These women would be the ones that Joshua Collins would most likely want his son to marry. Sure enough, Barnabas courted some of these women in the six years after his Aunt Laura's death. But thanks to Dawson's agents, each of these women would mysteriously fall in love with another man, leaving Barnabas without a mate.

One unfortunate woman that Barnabas courted was killed by a wild animal. This occurred when Judah Zachary had ordered Dawson, over his protestations, to send Danielle Roget to Collinsport to act as reconnaissance. Zachary sent Roget as a punishment for some action that had made him angry. Roget, as usual, performed her task with cruelty.

Judah Zachary and Evan Dawson were furious. In the first place, death creates suspicion. In the second place, they feared that separation by death rather than by rejection, could lead Barnabas to decide that he could not love another, to become obsessed with a memory. Fortunately for Zachary and Dawson, Barnabas had not been in love with the unfortunate woman. Roget was expelled from the coven, which was fine with her, because during her stay in Collinsport she had fallen in love with an attorney named Peter Bradford. But that is another story.

When Barnabas turned 25, and Angelique and Josette were 19, Dawson decided that it was time to spring his plan into action. He sent the manager of his import/export business, Josiah Green, to Joshua Collins to suggest the business opportunities that could be gained for Collinsport by importing sugar from Martinique. Ironically, Green was not part of Dawson's plan: he ran the cover operation blissfully ignorant of his boss's true motives. As a result, Green honestly presented the business proposal to Joshua.

When Joshua learned of the wealth of the Du Pres family, he became quite interested, but said that he could not spare the time to travel to Martinique. Dawson had warned Green that this would be Joshua's reaction, and had supplied a response--suggest that Joshua send his son, Barnabas to Martinique to negotiate the deal.

Joshua at first was dubious. His son, while intelligent and polite, was too inexperienced in the ways of business to close such an important deal. Dawson also had told Green that Joshua would likely respond this way, and supplied Green with a rejoinder--have Barnabas introduce himself to the Du Pres family, discuss the proposals, and invite Andre Du Pres to Collinsport to negotiate the final deal.

Joshua liked this idea. It maximized Barnabas's strengths and would give him some practical experience. Joshua agreed to the proposal. Barnabas was very excited at the opportunity. He would be going to Martinique in November, and would miss most of the bitter New England winter. Had he known what was to come, he probably would have chosen the snow and ice. . .