was politics.’
‘What do you know about politics? You insulted him in front of everyone, suggesting that he’s been little more than a guide through this damned rebellion.’
‘I had to bring him down a peg or two.’
‘You ever thought about trying to elevate yourself instead?’
‘I’m forever glad he doesn’t have your kind of debating skills.’
Her expression stayed unchanged.
‘Louisa. Please. He has been like a god to us. I needed the others to see him as a mere man . . . one who makes mistakes.’
‘And what about you?’
‘Come on. I thought you took a degree in politics.
It’s a game . . . Okay,’ Hector then added quickly, regretting the comment. ‘It’s not a game. I retract that. I’m not as eloquent as you. I don’t have your education. But you know what I mean. Of all people, do I have to explain myself to you?’
‘What makes you think you’re right? Why are you so sure you’re not the one making the mistake?’
‘I’ll tell you why I know I’m right. Sebastian operates entirely on passion. His kind of passion is the fuel that ignites rebellions. I could not do it. I admit that. He is remarkable. But passion is blind, Louisa. It does not know when to pause and inspect the wreckage created by its own fury.’
‘And you’re the new voice of reason and sensibility, I suppose.’
‘Is that so hard to believe?’
‘You’re out of your depth.’
‘You think so?’
‘We’re not dealing with honourable people. Neravista is a murderer. Amoral. A liar, cheat, thief, a torturer of men, women and children. For God’s sake, Hector. He’s playing you like a fish.’
‘Not a fish, a shark. And I’m in the pool along with him.’
Louisa rolled her eyes. ‘One of my lecturers used to warn about using metaphors in a debate since even the dullest wit can recover.’
‘Thank you,’ Hector said, trying to convey hurt in his tone.
‘Neravista can’t afford to lose power. If he loses this country he loses everything.’
‘You’re making my argument for me. Of course he cannot afford to lose. That’s why he has to make a deal.’
Louisa shook her head in frustration. ‘He’s not going to agree to anything that reduces his power.’
‘Don’t be so sure.’
‘He’s offered you autonomy?’
‘It’s a most important part of the agenda.’
‘Guarantees?’
‘We’re not at that stage of the negotiations yet.’
‘Dear God, Hector. You want a completely different form of government from him. You think he’s even going to consider that possibility?’
‘Once we get our foot in the door I’ll kick it wide open. Small steps, Louisa. But peaceful ones. Can we talk about something else for a moment?’
She knew what he meant. ‘There’s nothing more important than this.’
‘There is something of
‘There is no us, Hector.’
‘Tell me one thing. Be honest with me. What if I am right? If I win? What about us then?’
‘To win, Hector, you would have to try. And the cost of trying would be far too much for Sebastian to pay.’
‘I’m in love with you, not with Sebastian.’
‘When you talk about Sebastian’s future you talk about mine.’
‘But that’s like asking me to choose between my politics and you.’
‘You just said your politics and your feelings for me were equal. You have to have a good memory to be a politician. They have to lie all the time.’
‘Is that what you’re suggesting? You and Sebastian instead of politics?’
‘No, Hector. I’m asking you not to split the rebellion. Have you even tried discussing this with Sebastian?’
‘You heard him last night. He will not hear any of it.’
‘Because you pushed him into a corner before you made your intentions clear. I believe that was your plan all along.’
‘Rubbish. I don’t need Sebastian to deal with Neravista - and yes, Sebastian would have made it more difficult, even impossible, as he is trying to do. But I did not try and shove him aside. Not the way you describe it.’
‘I applaud you, Hector. And I apologise for being wrong about you. You’ve taken to politics very easily. You lie with such conviction. Goodbye.’ Louisa turned her back on him to leave.
He made it to the door a fraction ahead of her and placed his arm across it, barring her way. Hector would not have been so bold with a woman like Louisa before that day. He had started his adult life as a goat herder in the eastern provinces and he remained aware of his humble beginnings, especially in her presence. He was the youngest of five brothers, of whom three had left their parental home when Hector was still an adolescent to start their own families while two had already died in infancy. The village he’d grown up in had had no doctor, the nearest one being a walk of two days or more away. Usually, if someone fell ill, they pulled through or they died.
Hector’s opportunity for an education presented itself with the arrival in his village of an American non- governmental medical aid agency. One of the volunteers was a student from New Mexico who spoke Spanish and English. When Hector showed an interest in his books the student took it upon himself to teach the boy the basics of literacy. Hector’s appetite for learning was unquenchable and the student was soon teaching Hector how to read during just about every spare waking hour either of them had. Six months later, by the end of the student’s contract, Hector could read and write just about as well as any boy his age. The day the student left Hector asked if he could accompany him as far as the capital where he intended to get a job and continue studying. And that was precisely what he did. He rushed home to say farewell to his mother and asked her to tell his father out in the fields that he was leaving home. He tied all his earthly possessions into a bundle no bigger than a football and jumped aboard the NGO bus.
The student let Hector stay in their offices for a couple of days until Hector got himself a job as a waiter in a hotel restaurant. Within six months he had risen to a position in lower management. In that time he also witnessed the injustice of the Neravista government and, thanks to some of the better-educated staff at the hotel, he developed a more than mild interest in local politics. After suffering a severe beating at a peaceful demonstration for better conditions in a local hospital, his patience for passive campaigning withered. He gravitated towards those who wanted a militant approach. Yet none of the leaders of any of the political parties inspired him until one day he went to a meeting outside the city.
Several hundred people from all walks of life attended, something Hector had not expected since news of the meeting had circulated clandestinely. He was surprised to see how many of them appeared to be well-educated members of the middle class. But what really impressed him was the main speaker, Sebastian. When he talked everyone listened intently. He was so incredibly subtle. If Neravista himself had been there he would have heard the call for armed rebellion loud and clear but an inspection of the transcript would not have revealed a single direct reference to weapons or force.
The other sight that for Hector almost overshadowed the impression left by Sebastian was that of his daughter. Louisa stayed very much in the background, quite literally. Few people probably noticed her standing in a far corner. For the would-be revolutionary she stood out like a beacon. To Hector she was a vision sent from the gods.
Several months later there came another opportunity for Hector to visit Sebastian’s estate to hear him talk.
