The World Duology (World Odyssey / Fiji: A Novel)

by Lance Morcan

  Studying the bloated, fly-blown bodies of their Qopa friends, the Mamanucans were filled with sorrow. The two peoples had been allies for many generations. Lemeki soon found the body of his old friend, Joeli. Devastated, he fell down to his knees beside the body, cradled it in his arms, and offered a chant to the spirits while his men began burying the other warriors where they lay.

  Then Lemeki saw the body of Jack Halliday. Jack’s arm still lay protectively over Waisale’s body. Releasing Joeli, he walked over to inspect the white man. Jack’s green eyes stared, unseeing, back at him. Lemeki knelt down and respectfully closed Jack’s eyes. “May your journey to the Afterworld be speedy, White-Face,” he whispered.

  Honoring his promise to Nathan, Lemeki personally dug a grave for Jack and saw to it that the Cockney received a fitting burial. The ratu whispered a prayer for his spirit and honored him as he would one of his own. Waisale, Joeli, and the others were given similar sendoffs.

  As the last of the warriors was buried, the heavens opened and heavy rain lashed the hillside, drenching everyone on it and threatening to wash the newly dug graves away. Lemeki waited for the rain to ease.

  After a long wait, the rain eased almost as quickly as it had arrived. Lemeki was relieved to see the graves were still intact. Raising his right hand skyward, he shouted, “We the Mamanucans honor you, Qopa warriors!”

  His warriors repeated the traditional Mamanucan salutation then, without a backward glance, began retracing their steps to Momi Bay.

  Before leaving the Land of Red Rain, Lemeki thrust a spear in the ground. It would serve as a warning to others not to walk on the burial site or interfere with the Afterlife journey of the Qopa spirits.

  22

  Nathan, Susannah, and Sina were exhausted by the time they finally reached Momi Bay. Qopa villagers rushed out to greet them as they emerged from the rain forest. The villagers all talked at once as they plied the trio with questions.

  Women and children glanced around expectantly, looking for their loved ones. Their smiles quickly turned to dismay when they realized Joeli and his warriors wouldn’t be returning. A black mood descended over the village and women began wailing.

  One young woman who wasn’t wailing was Selaima, the slave girl. Rather, she was staring at Susannah in disbelief. While she was relieved to see Nathan had been safely returned to her, she was mortified to see that the white woman had also returned safe and sound. However, for the moment she focused her attention on Nathan. The spirits had listened to her plea that the American return to her and for that she was grateful.

  Looking around, Nathan was reminded that the Qopa clan was now almost devoid of men of fighting age. The latest clash with the outcasts had seen to that. The village’s reserves of warriors had been decimated. Now, apart from a few warriors who had been wounded in the outcasts’ earlier raid, there were only women, children, and elderly men left. Nathan feared for the future of these people for without a fighting force of able-bodied men, they would fall prey to even the weakest of enemies.

  Sina’s parents simultaneously laughed and cried as they greeted the daughter they had never expected to see again. Sina pointed to Nathan as she relayed the events of the past few days to them and to other family members. They and other villagers were impressed by Nathan’s exploits. Sina did not mention that Nathan had the golden tabua in his possession. In her own unselfish way, she decided to let the American divulge that piece of good news in his own time and receive full credit for it.

  As the villagers escorted the trio into the village, an elderly woman wept on Susannah’s shoulder. The woman was the mother of Rewa, one of Joeli’s trackers. Speaking Fijian, Susannah tried to comfort her. “Your son died an honorable death,” she assured the woman.

  The elderly woman began to wail. Chanting, she turned away and walked toward the cliff top on the headland above the village. Susannah tried to hold her back, but the woman shook her off and kept walking. Susannah cried out. Her cries fell on deaf ears. Still chanting, the woman stepped out into space and disappeared over the edge of the cliff, just as Joeli’s mother had done after losing her husband.

  Susannah turned away and buried her face in Nathan’s chest.

  Watching this display of intimacy, Selaima was consumed by jealousy toward, and hatred for, Susannah. She vowed that she would place a far more powerful curse on the white woman than she did previously. This time, she swore, not only would Susannah be removed from Nathan’s reach, she would be removed from the physical world.

  Kamisese, the respected toreni koro, or headman, walked up to Nathan and touched him on the shoulder. Looking into Kamisese’s all-knowing eyes, the American felt as if the old man could see right through him. The toreni koro inspected the bloodied bandage that still covered the wound on Nathan’s forehead then studied Nathan’s face for a long time before addressing him in his native tongue. “The red rain has come,” he intoned. “It has drenched our land and swept away all our warriors.”

  Nathan didn’t understand a word, but listened patiently nevertheless. Nearby, Susannah turned her attention to what the old man was saying.

  Kamisese continued, “Yet somehow you have survived the storm. As the last surviving warrior, you must stay and help us grow strong again.”

  Surprised, Susannah translated for Nathan. “Kamisese says he wants you to stay and help his people grow strong again.”

  “But I am not one of them.” Nathan pointed out.

  Kamisese said, “You fought bravely alongside our sons and brothers. You are now Qopa.”

  While Susannah translated, Kamisese turned around to address what was left of the tribe. “Nathan Johnson is the only warrior to survive the torrent of the red rain. He is a great warrior. He will stay to help us become great again!”

  The villagers crowded around Nathan and cheered. They seemed to immediately accept him as their savior.

  Nathan looked at Susannah. He had to shout to make himself heard. “Tell them I cannot—” His words were drowned out as he was swept away in the crowd.

  The villagers began to worship him as if he were a god. In unison, they chanted, “Nathan Johnson! Nathan Johnson!” Smiling women and children reached out to touch him. Boys performed impromptu mock battles to show their respect for the man before them.

  Kamisese stood back and admired the occasion. He looked well satisfied with himself.

  Nathan felt strangely humbled—and emotional. Despite himself, he couldn’t stem the tears as the Qopa lifted him onto their shoulders and began singing a traditional tribal song. Their singing was powerful and in perfect harmony.

  The American’s tears were prompted by a mix of emotions—partly sadness at losing newfound, close friends, partly relief at having rescued Susannah and survived the battle in the Land of Red Rain, but more than anything it was the realization that he’d evolved as a human being. The antipathy he once felt toward Fijians, and indeed all native peoples, had been completely washed away. He no longer felt anything but love toward the Qopa and, in return, he felt nothing but love coming from them. He had truly been touched by the warmth and openness of these indomitable islanders.

  For the remainder of the day, the villagers plied the three survivors with questions about their ordeal. Family and friends of the Qopa warriors demanded to know every detail about how their men had acquitted themselves on the battlefield. The old men basked in the reflected glory of the young warriors’ exploits.

  That night, Nathan slept in the bure he’d occupied previously, while Susannah was accommodated with Sina and her family. The returned trio were so exhausted they would sleep until well after sunup.

  23

  Later the following day, as the shadows lengthened, Nathan and Susannah approached the mission station. A thin dressing now covered Nathan’s head wound and Susannah was still limping, though not as badly as before. She carried a small posy of wildflowers.

  Susannah could hardly bring herself to look at the rebuilt mission house: it looked so e
mpty and forlorn. While she and Nathan were happy to be alive, there were reminders everywhere of the despondency that hung over Momi Bay like a black veil. Villagers continued to mourn for their loved ones; a number of new widows had chosen strangulation to be reunited with their husbands; and the sound of wailing and chanting continued without let-up.

  On top of this, the Qopa believed the spirits of their ancestors were mourning, also, compounding the oppressive feeling of sadness that embraced the entire village and its occupants.

  Adding to their own despondency, Nathan was mourning the loss of friends, while Susannah was mourning the loss of her father. In a way, it felt as if they themselves had crossed over to the land of the dead.

  The morbid atmosphere and the bloody events of the past few weeks reminded Susannah of an old saying she’d heard on her arrival in Fiji:

  All things in Fiji are paid for in blood.

  She hadn’t believed it at the time. Now she did.

  Outside the mission station chapel, the couple stopped before a simple wooden cross Nathan had constructed. It marked the place where Drake Senior had been buried. The villagers had taken it upon themselves to bury the reverend the day after he’d died at Rambuka’s hands. Visiting his grave had filled Susannah with an unbearable sadness.

  Nevertheless, it had given her some sort of closure.

  Now, as she placed the posy of flowers at the foot of the cross and whispered a silent prayer, she studied the words on the cross. They read:

  REV. BRIAN DRAKE 1793-1848

  Beloved husband of Jeanette

  Father of Susannah

  And friend of the Qopa

  Thinking of her father caused her to start crying. “He was such a good man, Nathan,” she sobbed. Nathan pulled her to him and held her tight. “I can’t believe he is gone.”

  “I know,” Nathan agreed.

  The two stood in silence, looking down at the cross. Susannah was feeling more at peace now. She’d finally come to accept her father’s death and felt ready to move on. “I still half expect Papa to walk out of the chapel at any moment,” she murmured.

  “I feel he is still here in spirit,” Nathan said.

  Susannah looked at Nathan in mock surprise. “Nathan Johnson, I do believe you are becoming religious!”

  Nathan smiled, shaking his head in denial. With both of them still unsure how each really felt about the other, they began walking back toward the village. Neither spoke, yet each felt they were communicating.

  Nearing the village, Susannah turned to Nathan, saying, “They want you to stay, you know. The villagers.” Nathan nodded. “They believe you possess supernatural powers because you are the only man from Momi Bay ever to survive a journey to the Land of Red Rain.” She hesitated. “Will you stay?” Nathan shook his head, indicating he wouldn’t. Susannah said, “I understand. But the Qopa will be disappointed.”

  Nathan knew the Rendezvous would be calling back into the bay any day now en route to Suva, on the other side of Viti Levu. It had always been his intention to continue on to Suva, but there were other things to consider now. Having not yet inquired, he wasn’t sure of Susannah’s plans—and he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving without her. He suddenly realized he hadn’t inquired because he was frightened of the answer she may give him.

  “What about you? Where will you live now that your father is gone?” Nathan held his breath.

  This is it. This is my future right here.

  Doing his best to appear casual, he nervously awaited her response.

  Susannah stopped and looked up at him. She thought long and hard before answering. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “Perhaps I should carry out my father’s last wish, which was for me to return to England.”

  Nathan suddenly felt a deep sadness welling inside him. He hated the thought of being parted from Susannah, but he still couldn’t bring himself to reveal his true feelings. Something inside him prevented him from expressing his love for her.

  Nearby, some village girls called out to Susannah. They were weaving flax baskets and wanted to show off their handiwork.

  Susannah smiled at them then turned back to Nathan. They stared deeply into each other’s eyes for a moment.

  After another uncomfortable silence, Nathan ventured, “I guess I’ll see you later.” The American wondered if this was the right time to kiss her. How he longed to kiss her.

  To hell with it!

  Taking a deep breath, he leaned toward her, but then he hesitated and simply kissed her on the cheek. Nathan felt more awkward than ever.

  Susannah misinterpreted his nervousness for coldness. Upset, but hiding her feelings, she quickly pulled away from him and began walking toward the girls.

  Nathan was angry with himself as he watched her walk away. He questioned what the blockage was inside him. Deep down he knew he was afraid of rejection. As he searched his mind, he suddenly realized the fear of being rejected by the only woman he’d ever loved would be nothing compared to losing her forever. If he didn’t risk rejection then there was no chance of winning her.

  If you don’t at least try, then you may as well just shoot yourself because a life without Susannah would be akin to death anyway.

  Nathan took a deep breath. “Susannah!” he called.

  Susannah pulled up and turned around expectantly. She sensed something in Nathan’s voice. Now, as he approached her, she noticed the intensity in his startlingly blue eyes. “What is it?”

  Before she realized what was happening, Nathan pulled her to him and kissed her full on the lips. She responded fervently.

  Each could feel the sexual tension in the other. It was clear to both they wanted each other badly. They kissed again, stopping only when they became aware they were being watched. To their embarrassment, they noticed the Qopa girls and other villagers in the vicinity were smiling at them.

  The couple didn’t realize it, but the Qopa had known from the outset that they were meant for each other. Nathan and Susannah laughed self-consciously when they saw they’d become the center of attention.

  Something else they didn’t realize was that they were also being observed by Selaima. The slave girl was consumed by jealousy as she watched the Englishwoman coming between her and the man of her dreams. Selaima reminded herself she needed to be patient. The time wasn’t quite right to place another curse on her rival, but it would be soon.

  As he held Susannah close, Nathan felt at peace for the first time in his life. In a world full of chaos, he’d now found something that made sense to him. Alone, he’d felt lost. With Susannah at his side, he felt as though he’d found his place in the universe. He knew now he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this woman and was so relieved he’d finally found the courage to express his true feelings. He kissed her again.

  For the life of him, Nathan didn’t know what had stopped him from kissing her weeks earlier. It now felt so comfortable and effortless. His mind was racing.

  So many unanswered questions.

  “What about the mission station?” he suddenly asked. “What about your calling to spread God’s Word?”

  Susannah looked away. “The calling I felt has gone,” she confided. “If I’m honest with myself, I don’t think it was ever my calling to be a missionary. It was my father’s. I did it to please him.”

  After a few moments, they resumed walking. There was a spring in their step now. A barrier had been swept aside and they felt content.

  Dusk was approaching as they walked through the village. Villagers tending their lovos in preparation for their evening meals smiled or waved as the couple strolled by.

  Elders greeted Nathan with the respect usually reserved for ratus. He wondered if Sina had told them he had the golden tabua. The American didn’t dwell on that for long. Right now he had more pressing matters on his mind—like Susannah. He wanted to bed her more than anything he’d ever wanted before.

  Approaching the small bure that had served as his home since arriving in Momi
Bay, Nathan announced, “Well, this is my place.” After an awkward silence, he asked, “Which is your hut?” He knew full well which bure was hers.

  Suspecting Nathan already knew, Susannah pointed to the bure she shared with Sina and her family. It was some distance away. Sina was standing outside it at that moment. The maiden waved when she saw Susannah and Nathan. They returned the wave.

  Susannah smiled at Nathan and began walking toward Sina. As she walked, she tried to ignore the pounding of her heart and the feeling of faintness that threatened to engulf her.

  I must have him!

  No longer in control of herself, she stopped walking and slowly turned around. Looking at the handsome man before her, she suddenly felt incapable of logical thought. All she could think of was Nathan’s body fused with hers.

  A part of her wanted to stay true to her puritanical upbringing and remain a virgin until she was married; another part of her demanded that she connect intimately with Nathan. She knew this was a result of coming face to face with death in recent days. That had served to remind her how fleeting life could be and how she should live every moment of every day as if it were her last.

  Susannah now felt an extreme sense of urgency. Her desire for Nathan was just too strong now and it completely overpowered her religious morals. Deep down, she also knew she’d never be able to banish the sexual fantasies that raged within her mind. They were far too vivid and prolific. Susannah sensed the only way to quell them was to give herself to Nathan. She felt she’d go insane if she didn’t have him right now.

  Fighting against the feeling of light-headedness that still persisted, she walked slowly back to him, pausing only to take his hand before leading him inside his bure.

  Behind them, Sina smiled to herself as she watched her friends disappear from sight. It was a bitter-sweet smile as she remembered she had once shared similar times with Waisale.

  Watching from afar, Selaima was still observing the couple. The jealousy raging inside her was at boiling point now.