Kismet~Nesselorette The Beginning A Novella Book 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The greatest gift one can give is the gift of Love. My wife Beverly Maddox has been the gift of love God gave me. When we think of the word journey what comes to mind is an intriguing adventure of some sort. My journey in life has culminated with my wife being the compass that continues to point me in the right direction. Without her support the novels I have written would have been nothing more than a mere statement of I wish I could write a book. She has been my guiding light and insurmountable lift to make my writing a reality. I love you Beverly!

PREFACE

Kismet grew to be the most powerful and nefarious swamp voodoo witchcraft woman of the black arts known around the Louisiana bayou swamps. Her legacy was born from a hatred of losing the once in a lifetime opportunity to rise from poverty into royalty. Her madness spanned more than one hundred years in search of the hidden wealth stolen from the de Broglie royal family. Watch how a young girl learns the evils of darkness and how to spin a web of deceit and cunningness to find the hidden, stolen de Broglie wealth.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Preface

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

References

Check out these other books by the author

CHAPTER ONE

The term French Creoles came to be applied to Creoles that were of European or white ancestry. The word Creoles, used in the Colonial era but popularized in the 19th century, came to be referred as a mixed-race people of African and European ancestry primarily French and Spanish, who were native in the area before the Louisiana Purchase.

Armabetu and Kismet Lioutau were sisters of Creole descent. Their mother was French, and her name was Gintera Lioutau. Kismet was born October 31, 1845, and her biological father was Betu Do Jamba, an Ethiopian. Her younger sister, Armabetu was born March 17, 1868, and her biological father was Josef Okenna, a Nigerian. While neither of the sisters knew their fathers, their mother, Gintera ensured that her daughters had knowledge of their genealogical heritage as French Creole.

The two sisters were twenty-three years apart. After the death of their mother, who died from a rare disease, Kismet became more like a mother than just a sister to Armabetu.

Kismet and Armabetu were both born in Chateauvieux (pronounced "Chat-tow-vu’). The village of Châteauvieux is a small village located in the south east of France. Before Armabetu was born, Kismet at age five worked alongside her mother as a chambermaid for the Chateauvieux family. The small township where Kismet and Armabetu were born was founded in 1234 BC. Some of the first settlers of the Chateauvieux family did not arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana until the 1720’s.

Gintera Lioutau first met Kismet’s father in 1807 during a time when she was working with her father selling food and other goods to villagers in Carcassonne. It was said that the Romans decided in 453 BC to build more fortifications at Carcassonne, which was a frontier post for their northern marches across Europe. Carcassonne was a bustling village that stood as a reflection of the time when the Romans occupied the land.

Gintera was a very thin, lanky girl with fiery red hair. Her skin was a pale white that made her look ghostly against her fiery red hair. When she would smile, her entire face lit up like the autumn moon. Her eyes were a hazel greenish color that looked like sparkling rubies. She first met Kismet’s Ethiopian father Betu Do Jamba, one summer day as he helped load supplies on her father’s wagon. As much as Gintera’s father forbade his daughter from talking to the African boy, after numerous encounters with Betu Do Jamba, Gintera slipped away one night to meet him romantically. Shortly after that special night, Gintera and Betu made love. Gintera became pregnant with Kismet. Gintera’s father was ashamed of Gintera’s pregnancy and sent her to work as a chambermaid for the Chateauvieux family, in the small town of Chateauvieux in the center region of France. That was the last time that Gintera saw her father.

Kismet grew to be a very energetic and an inquisitive little girl. She would ask her mother repeatedly about her grandfather, and why she was not allowed to see him. When Kismet became six years old, she asked her mother why they were poor and living in a small run down and damp house, at the foothills of the Chateauvieux castle. Kismet did not understand why they could work in the castle but could not live there. She would tell her mother that when she got much older, she would find a way for them to be rich and live in a castle.

Kismet began to look so much like her mother, with her tall, lanky frame and smooth, olive skin with deep blue eyes. Her hair was a fiery red color, and the people that lived around Chateauvieux called Kismet Cardinal like the bird, because of her deep red hair. Kismet was such an inquisitive little girl, the Chateauvieux family allowed her to be educated with their daughter of the same age, until Kismet turned thirteen.

It was 1831, on the eve of Kismet’s thirteenth birthday, when her mother instructed her to take home the remaining food from the Chateauvieux family’s great festival meal. Gintera instructed Kismet to not stray off the road from the castle to their small home. A cold winter mist that had floated down from the large hills like a sweeping vapor confused Kismet as she walked the narrow road to her home. Somehow, she accidently wandered off the road and found herself in the thick woods that ran along the base of the castle’s west side. She was lost, but instead of panicking, Kismet turned the situation into an adventure and proceeded to figure out how to get back to the main road.

After walking for more than an hour, Kismet saw a faint, dim light flickering off in the distance from where she stood. Although darkness had engulfed the area, Kismet decided to walk in the direction of the small dancing light, hoping that someone was where the light flickered. It did not take her very long to arrive at the light source, where she found a small house nestled deep within the woods. It was pitch black, with the light wavering from a large crack in the side of the house. The wind began to blow more penetratingly rustling through the trees making a sound that resembled a flute. Kismet had once heard the same sound in one of the chambers in the castle where she and her mother worked. Without the slightest fear in her spirit, Kismet walked to the front door of the small house and stared at a strange symbol carved on the top of the door.

Just as she was about to open the small door, it swung open. No one was standing in the open door area. Hello, shouted Kismet, but there was no answer. Hello, shouted Kismet again, as she stepped into the small area. There was a flaming fire burning under a large pot in the middle of the room with no one around. It had a spoon in it, and it was stirring all on its own. Kismet set down her large food bundle on the floor next to the door.

From the dark shadows, a small, frail, old woman appeared with what looked to be a large hump across her back. Hello, Kismet, how have you been doing?" asked the woman.

Without showing any signs of fear, Kismet asked, How do you know my name? My child, I knew your name when you were born, replied the small old woman. What do you mean, you knew my name when I was born? asked Kismet. Who are you? inquired Kismet.

My name is Omeda Katchese, replied the old woman. Are you here to bring me food from the Chateauvieux castle? asked the small old woman.

No, but how did you know my name, and how did you know that I was carrying food from the Chateauvieux castle? inquisitively asked Kismet.

I know all, replied the frail old woman.

Kismet stood staring at the old woman and noticed how the wrinkles across her face seemed to ripple as if tiny worms were crawling under her skin as she stood staring at Kismet. Her eyes were black as coal and her pupils did not move but remained fixated on Kismet. Her hair was long and bushy, and gave the appearance of a bird’s nest that Kismet would see lodged in the top of the trees that ran along the road leading from the castle. Her feet were so small; Kismet thought she would topple over if she took a step.

Why are you here Kismet? asked the small old woman.

Somehow I got lost when the deep gray fog rolled across the road leading from the castle, answered Kismet.

You did not get lost, Kismet, replied the small old woman. I sent the fog to lead you here, informed the little old woman.

What do you mean you summoned me and how can anyone summon the fog? asked Kismet. My mother told me the wind; rain, snow, and fog are all elements from nature and are sent to us by God. Who are you and why do you live so deep in the woods hidden from everyone? asked Kismet.

Kismet do you know what a witch is? asked the old woman.

No, what is a witch? asked Kismet.

I am a witch, Kismet; sit down over there near the fire to warm yourself. I want to read you something, said Omeda.

Kismet walked over and stood next to a small chair that reeked of strong herbs and spices. The smells were similar to the food fragrances that Kismet would smell coming from the kitchen in the castle.

As I was saying, there was this fool, named St. Augustine, paused Omeda. He was known as Saint Augustine of Hippo. Sit down my child, while I read you something that will soon change your life, said Omeda.

Kismet sat down and could not help but think about the nice aroma from the smell of food the chair was giving off.

The old woman began to read, "St. Augustine was a highly respected and influential theologian in the early Christian church. He argued in the year of 400 that God alone could alter or suspend the normal laws of the universe. He said that neither Satan nor witches had the supernatural powers to alter or change things in the universe. He went on to also say that Satan or witches were incapable of effectively invoking magic of any sort."

At that very moment, the fire blazed so bright that Kismet had to place her hands over her face to prevent the heat from scorching her face. She shook her head to refocus her eyes and asked, "What does all this have to do with me?

Let me finish, Kismet, and then I will answer your questions, said Omeda. "St. Augustine went on to state that it was the error of the pagans to believe in some other divine power than the one God. He emphatically inferred that witches are indeed powerless and the church should not worry about witches casting spells or other acts of evil.

Why was it necessary for you to read all that to me? asked Kismet.

Your father, Betu Do Jamba, and his forefathers from centuries ago, believed and practiced what Ethiopians call the Evil Eye, said Omeda. These Evil Eye practicing witch doctors, believed to be variously mad, dangerous, or strange, were outcasts. They had the power of the Evil Eye, said Omeda.

I just do not know why you are telling me all these strange things, responded Kismet.

I am telling you all this because you have the inner being of a witch inside you, said Omeda. Walk over to the pot that is now simmering on the open fire, Kismet, instructed Omeda.

Kismet rose from sitting, walked slowly to the boiling pot, and peered inside the boiling pot.

Tell me what you see, asked Omeda.

Kismet gasped and grabbed at the center of her breast area, then stumbled back. What did you see? asked Omeda.

Kismet just stared at the large pot that now was bubbling with steam emitting from its open area.

Kismet, calmly, called Omeda. What did you see? asked Omeda, again.

Kismet began stammering and said, I saw my mother standing in the door of our small house. But how did you do that? asked Kismet, looking to the old woman for an answer. I …I could hear my mother, frantically calling my name, as well, stammered Kismet. I need to go, panicking and stammering, Kismet decided, as she quickly grabbed her pack and ran to the door that now stood open. Before Kismet ran off into the dark woods, she turned and asked Omeda; Can I come see you again?

Omeda responded by saying, No one could stop you, Kismet, from seeing me again.

Kismet ran in the direction of a group of trees that began to spread apart, showing her the way to the open road. Omeda stood in the open door and continued to chant a spell to enable the trees to continue to separate, showing Kismet the way home.

CHAPTER TWO

Kismet finally made it home and did not realize that it was now midnight. When she opened the door, she found her mother lying across her bed, sobbing. Mother, I am sorry. I accidently strayed off the road and got lost.

When her mother heard Kismet’s voice, she jumped out of the bed, grabbed Kismet, and kissed her repeatedly. She could not stop kissing her and crying, telling Kismet that she thought something tragic had happened to her.

No mother, I am fine. I promise not to frighten you again, said Kismet as she moved from her mother’s tight embrace.

Gintera was a little perplexed, and asked, If you were lost, how did you find your way in the dark, without a fire torch to assist you?

Mother, tell me all that you know about my father’s family, asked Kismet.

Kismet, is there something wrong? asked Gintera, with a worried frown.

No, there is nothing wrong, replied Kismet. When I was lost and wandering around in the dark woods, it dawned on me that I really don’t know much about my father’s family, other than the brief information you have told me, said Kismet.

Kismet, it is late and we have to be back at the castle before the sun rises. I promise to tell you as much as I know about your father’s family. But for now we need to get a few hours of rest before the sun rises in a few hours, said Gintera.

Kismet walked over to the small woodpile next to the open fireplace and tossed a log on the fire, as she would do each night before they went to bed. Kismet found it difficult to fall asleep because of all the things that were flying through her thoughts like a rushing wind. She particularly was enamored with the old woman, and felt that there was so much more she wanted to learn from her. Kismet finally drifted off to sleep, and it seemed like within minutes her mother was shaking her to wake up. She groggily opened her eyes and saw hundreds of tiny sunrays filtering through the cracks in the walls of their small house. Kismet rose out of bed to the dampness that was always there, due to the leaky roof. It infuriated Kismet that she and her mother had to live so poorly. She stretched, yawned, and said, "Mother, one day soon, you and I are going to live as royalty.

I know, Kismet, responded Gintera, but for now we need to hurry before the Chateauvieux family rises to begin their day.

After they finished their morning breakfast of a piece of baguette with churned butter, Kismet and her mother began their two-mile walk to the Chateauvieux castle. Mother, are there any witches around here? asked Kismet.

Gintera stopped walking abruptly. She turned to Kismet and asked her, Why do you ask, and what has gotten into you that you speak of witches? Do you know what would happen to you if someone overheard you speaking of witches? asked Gintera. I do not want you to utter a word about such nonsense, stated Gintera. If someone overheard you speaking of a witch, you and I would be condemned, firmly stated Gintera.

Condemned for what? asked Kismet.

Her mother frowned but continued walking and speaking. Kismet, we must hurry to arrive at our chambermaid jobs on time, and as we walk, I will tell you all that I know about witches. So hurry! After I tell you what I know, I do not want you to ever speak of witches again, firmly stated Gintera.

"Mother,