16
"There's another tribe on this island?" I asked. "Why didn't you mention this before?"
"I didn't think it was important," Te' said. "It's a big island and they usually stick to themselves, so I didn't think we'd cross them. But they're venturing further afield than usual and coming from the direction of my village, which worries me."
"Have the two tribes never had contact before?"
"Many years ago, we all lived together in peaceful harmony. But when a power struggle erupted between the chief and my grandfather, my tama matua was killed in battle and the chief banished the other faction to the other side of the island. My father became the chief of our clan and built fortifications to keep the other tribe away. Since then, everybody's been content to mind their own business. At least until now."
"What makes you think they mean to threaten your village?"
"It's unusual for them to venture so far from their side of the island. Their normal fishing grounds are to the north, not the west. And they were wearing war paint. But it was what they were chanting that worries me the most."
"What were they saying?"
"Something about taking back their land and reunifying their clan. I think they intend to recapture the women and children and kill off all the men. This was probably an advance reconnaissance mission to scope out our village's defenses before sending in their full war party."
"Oh my God!" I said, widening my eyes in horror. "What do you intend to do?"
Teuila paused for a moment as her gaze darted from side to side in thought. Then she looked up at me and frowned.
"I don't think I have any other choice. I've got to warn my father of their intentions before my tribe gets slaughtered. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to save them."
I peered into Te's brown eyes, considering the implications of her plan.
"But aren't you risking your own freedom if you go back? After you've already disobeyed his wishes, he'll never let you out of his sight a second time."
"I can sneak in under cover of darkness and warn my nona. We can trust her to protect our safety. She'll tell my father, then we can retreat back to our hiding place."
"While you worry about the safety of your family? Do you really think you'll be able to stay here while there's a battle raging on the other side of the island?"
Te' looked at me with a pained expression. I could tell she was torn between the loyalty to her family and her love for me. My stomach sank, realizing I was putting her in an impossible situation.
She paused for a long moment as she considered her predicament.
"There might be another way," she finally said. "If I sneak into the other tribe’s camp, maybe I can gather information about their plan. If there's still enough time, my father might be able to set up a meeting to defuse the tension. If the other tribe realizes that we know about their plan, hopefully they'll be less likely to attack."
"That sounds almost as dangerous as your first idea," I said, shaking my head in dismay. "What can I do to help?"
"I don't think you should go anywhere near either village. Your blonde hair and white skin will stick out like a sore thumb and be that much easier to detect. The best thing you can do is hide out here and wait for me to return. Now that you've learned the essential survival skills, you should be fine on your own for a couple of days."
"Screw that!" I said, fearing for Te's safety. "I'm not letting you go there alone. What if you get caught? At the very least, I can be a lookout and send for help if you get captured. You mean far too much to me. I'm not taking any chances that we'll get separated again."
Te' peered into my eyes and sighed in resignation.
"Okay. You can come with me—but only if you promise to stay further back while I scope out the situation. There's no point in both of us getting captured.
"Besides," she said, scanning my bare breasts, "there's no telling what they'd want to do with you if they got their hands on you."
"It's a deal."
"Come on then," she said, grabbing my hand. "There's no time to lose. We need to be there when the scouting team returns to their village so I can hear their plans."
Teuila picked up her adze and led me through the jungle, staying a few hundred yards away from shore to keep out of sight from the canoe team. Every now and then, a thin break in the brush revealed the wide expanse of blue surrounding the island, and she stopped to earmark the position of the passing boat.
"Do you know your way to their village?" I asked after she paused for another moment.
"Not as easily from this side of the island," she said. "But I've spied on them before on some of my longer hikes from my village. As long as we keep following the canoe, they should lead us directly there."
"Assuming they're heading to their village and not yours," I said, wondering if the angry tribesmen were already planning to attack.
"It's not a large enough team to overtake our village, even with the element of surprise. I'm ninety-nine percent sure this was just a scouting mission in preparation for the main invasion."
"It's that other one percent I'm worried about," I said, peering at Te's primitive hatchet. "If it came to an armed conflict, how would you defend yourself? Shouldn't we have brought the fire bow with us just in case?"
"That wouldn't do much good against an army of hundreds. It's too small to function as a weapon. Besides," she smiled, "that's one skill I still haven't taught you."
I shook my head at how quickly everything had begun spiraling out of control
"And here I thought the people of Anuta were such a peace-loving tribe."
"We normally are," Teuila said. "But some men's egos are easily offended. It appears that this next generation of chiefs still have a bone to pick."
"I just hope it won't be our bones they’re picking over in the end," I said, re-imagining scenes of cannibalism among the warring tribes.
17
Dusk was beginning to set in as we approached a flickering light near the edge of the forest. Teuila held up her hand and crouched low as she peered through the trees. The team of canoeists were pulling their vessel up onto a sandy beach framed by thatch-roofed huts similar to those in her own village. A gray-haired man wearing a grass skirt approached the boatmen, flanked by a group of other young tribesmen. They paused to confer briefly on the beach, then they walked up the path and sat around a large fire burning in the center of their square.
Te' turned around and handed me her stone adze and small filleting knife.
"You stay here," she said. "I’m going to try getting closer to see if I can make out what they're saying."
I looked at the basic implements, batting my eyes wondering how they could possibly serve me better than her.
"What do you expect me to do with these?"
"Nothing, hopefully," she smiled. "They'll just slow me down. But you might need them if I get caught."
"What? To tomahawk the bad guys and cut you free?"
"Don't even think about trying that," she said. "If I don't return within the next hour, can you find your way back to my village to warn my father?"
I paused, looking up at the darkening sky.
"Not at dark, that's for sure."
"It will be easier if you double back to our lagoon, then try to pick up the trail from there. Worst-case scenario, just stay close to the beach and follow the island around until you get to our village. It might take a little longer, but at least that way you won't get lost."
"You're making this sound increasingly ominous," I said, wrinkling my brow. "Please be careful, Te'. Don't go any closer than you have to."
"Don't worry, my love," she smiled. "I've done this many times before. I should be back before the sun disappears over the horizon."
Teuila kissed me gently, then crept into the woods in the direction of the village. As I watched her tip-toeing through the trees, I marveled at how quietly she was able to pass through the dense brush hardly making a sound.
That's my girl, I nodded, peering up at the whispering canopy. Don’t even let the snakes know you're there.
After a few minutes, she passed out of sight, and I squinted through the thicket, focusing on the circle of tribesmen seated around the fire.
It's true, I thought, remembering what she'd said to me earlier. Why is it always the men who need to mix things up and create conflict? I closed my eyes and imagined Teuila and me back in our little treehouse, living a peaceful life in our isolated stretch of paradise. I was in no hurry returning to all the stress and noise of Western civilization.
I picked up her adze and ran my finger gently over the edge of its blade. It was heavier than I imagined, and surprisingly sharp. I studied the head and shape of the handle, admiring how her people had fashioned such an effective tool out of basic materials. The stone head had been filed down to a sharp edge, with the butt of the blade supported by the extended arm of the ninety-degree handle. Tight cords of woven bark wrapped around the shank, securing it tightly to the frame. As I held it up wondering if it could be wielded as a weapon if the need arose, a deep masculine chant suddenly arose from the direction of the fire.
I peered through the copse of trees and saw that the men had raised to a standing position as they danced in a circle around the fire, flexing their spears and chanting loudly, just as I’d seen Manaia and the other young warriors from Teuila's tribe demonstrate a few nights earlier.
Maybe they'll kill each other off and let the two of us live peacefully on our own, I thought, shaking my head at their belligerent behavior.
I squinted my eyes, glancing from side to side to see any sign of Teuila. For the first time in days, I wished I'd had my phone or watch to keep track of time. It seemed like an eternity since she'd snuck off in the direction of the camp.
Where are you? I cursed under my breath, fearing she'd been discovered.
Seconds later, I heard some branches rustling behind me and I ducked defensively behind a bush.
"Jade!" Teuila whispered as I poked my head up.
"Thank heavens you're okay," I said, pulling her tightly against me. Her bare breasts were warmer than usual, toasted from the heat of the enormous fire in the village.
"I said I'd never leave you again," she said, kissing me sweetly on the lips.
I held her closely, feeling her heart beating against mine, then I pulled away and looked into her eyes.
"Did you hear anything?" Do you have any clearer sense about their plans for attacking your village?"
"Yes," she said, tightening her face in concern. "And it's even worse than I thought. They intend to attack two nights from now, during the next full moon. We haven't any time to lose. I have to get back to my village immediately to warn my father."
Teuila picked up the blades from the ground beside me and pulled me back through the forest in the opposite direction of the camp. As we scurried through the brush, I shook my head in dismay. I wasn't sure which posed the greater threat—her father, or this new tribe.
18
By the time we wound our way through the dark tangle of jungle to the other side of the island, the first glimmer of morning light had begun to appear over her village lagoon. Teuila paused at the edge of the forest overlooking the main square and peered in the direction of her hut. Everything appeared to be quiet and still, save the occasional squeal of a seabird returning from the surf with its morning catch of fish.
I glanced at Te', shaking more out of fear than from the cool onshore breeze.
"So what's your plan?" I said. "Everyone still appears to be sleeping."
"I'm going to sneak up behind my hut and try to get the attention of my nona. I want you to stay here and keep a lookout. If you see any unusual activity, whistle softly twice in succession."
"Won't that attract the suspicion of the tribespeople?"
"Not if they're still asleep. Just try to sound like one of those seabirds."
"Fat chance of that," I said, realizing I still had much to learn about her island. "What should I do if you get caught?"
"Same thing we talked about earlier. It'll be safer for you to return to our lagoon until things quiet down. I'll steal away when I can and find you."
I shook my head and furrowed my brow at the fragility of her plan.
"You might not have enough time. The other tribe is going to attack in two days."
"Once my father finds out about their plans, I'll be the least of his concerns. He won't be able to spare any extra tribesmen to watch over me. It shouldn't be too hard to break away during all the distraction."
I placed my hands around Te's arms and stared into her eyes.
"Just tell me no matter what happens that you won't stay and fight. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
Teuila smiled at me as she cupped my face and kissed me gently. Then she pulled the heart-shaped stone we'd found on the beach out of a pouch in her loincloth and patted her chest with the palm of her hand to symbolize the beating of her heart.
"You'll always be with me, Jade. Forever and ever."
I pulled her close to me and squeezed her tightly against my chest.
"Please be careful."
Te' nodded, then crept quietly around the perimeter of the camp toward the chief's hut. As she disappeared behind the cabins, I glanced toward the beach and noticed Manaia stowing something in one of the village's outrigger canoes. It seemed odd that he'd be up alone at this early hour and I peered back toward Teuila, unsure if she'd seen him. For a moment, I pursed my lips preparing to send a warning signal. But he seemed unaware of her presence and I decided it was best not to risk any further distraction.
When I looked back in Manaia's direction, I noticed a flickering light emanating from inside the hull, as smoke began to rise above the gunwales.
He's setting fire to their outrigger canoe! I realized, pinching my eyebrows in confusion. Why would he be doing that?
Teuila had told me how important the village's few outrigger canoes were to their tribe and how long it took them to hollow them out from the thick trunks of the island's breadfruit trees. If they needed them as their sole method of navigation around the island and for deep sea fishing, what purpose would he have in destroying them?
Then it suddenly dawned on me. The timing of his act of sabotage was too coincidental. He must be a spy for the other tribe! By virtue of his status as Teuila's chosen mate, he'd have unique access to her father and his plans for protecting the village. He must have been offered some kind of preferential treatment by the other tribe for him to take such drastic action.
I turned back in Teuila's direction just as she slipped behind the rear of her family's hut. If I gave the warning signal now, she mightn't hear me and just attract the attention of Manaia. As I swiveled my head frantically back and forth between the two scenes at opposite ends of the village square, I heard some rustling coming from the chief's cabin. A few moments later, Te's grandmother appeared at the front entrance. She slowly swiped the door covering aside and tiptoed down the front steps toward the back of the cabin.
Te' pressed her finger to her lips when she saw her nona, and two women retreated further up the path away from their hut. I could see the two of them talking quietly at the edge of the forest, then her grandmother began gesticulating wildly with her hands, obviously upset about what Teuila had told her. When I turned back in the direction of the beach, I noticed two more canoes had been set aflame and there was no sign of Manaia.
I wasn't sure if he had escaped into the bush to rejoin his comrades, or if he'd retreated to his cabin to maintain the guise that the other tribe had sabotaged their canoes. Either way, Teuila needed to be warned so she could notify her grandmother of the betrayal within their ranks. I pursed my lips and strained to whistle as loudly as I dared.
It took longer than I hoped to attract Teuila's attention, and by the time she finally looked in my direction, the flap of her hut's front door swung open as her father stood in the entrance, peering
from side to side. From her position many yards away from her family's hut, she was unaware that her father had been roused. I wanted to scream out loud to her and tell her to run, but by now many of the villagers had begun to stream out of their huts, attracted by the unusual smell of burning wood.
When the chief caught sight of the burning canoes, he hollered something in his native tongue and a swarm of tribesmen converged on the beach trying to put out the flames with baskets of seawater. But it was too little, too late. By the time they were finally extinguished and the gray smoke stopped pouring out of the hulls, all three of the village's outrigger canoes had been cut in half by the charred ruins of the fire.
When I looked back toward Teuila's hut, I was horrified to see that Manaia had found her and was holding her arms tightly behind her back as her father stormed back up the path in their direction. When he confronted his daughter, they hollered at each other for a few moments as Te' struggled helplessly against Manaia's hold. Her younger sisters and brothers began streaming out of the hut, and the chief muttered something to Manaia, motioning for him to take Teuila inside.
When they disappeared behind the door curtain, the chief castigated nona for helping his daughter then yelled to the tribesmen returning from the beach, pointing into the woods in my direction.
"Saili latou!" he shouted, as the angry warriors spread out into the jungle.
19
As the tribesmen darted toward me, my mind raced trying to devise an escape plan. All I could think about was Teuila's dream where her father tied me to a stake and burned me alive after he found us. It seemed like an extreme punishment for two lovers following their hearts, but from the crazed look in his eyes, I couldn't rule anything out right now. And with her jealous boyfriend demonstrating increasingly suspicious behavior, I'd have one more enemy wanting me out of the picture.
Polynesian Pleasure Page 9