The Feke Tohunga paced in front of Howaru. He sat looking watching Pakuu, almost eye level with him. You're an ancient wreck of a tohunga, he thought. Too old for battles or plans but just right for boring speeches and ceremonies.
"We first want to thank Matavai tribe for their beautiful calling, and for honouring us in this magnificent hall." Pakkuu began.
Howaru nodded respectfully in agreement. Beyond a series of tapa mats facing Pakkuu were the villagers of the main Matavai tribe. The Matavai region had over ten sub-tribes, including slave tribes administered by the Chief's immediate family. These nobles were sat in the front while representatives, elders within the slave tribes, were at the very back—everyone else, young and old, warrior and fisherman, sat somewhere between.
"It has been too long since our peoples came together to share kava and share of ourselves and our spirit." Pakuu nodded towards Chief Kuanua. "The last time I hoed the Waimate, it was when your chief was still a pup, Kua back then, the eldest boy, waiting for his time to come, he wore the meanest war face."
Chief Kuanua laughed and called out, "Too long ago Pakuu. Too long."
"He looked like a chief back then. A pig on his back or a string of eels in hand, always to feed the tribe, never just himself. He knew back then what being Chief meant. It means to be a provider, to take care of your people, and protect and guard the land."
Chief Kuanua nodded and Howaru found himself nodding along with the jellyfish. Sometimes even Pakuu makes sense.
Pakuu carried on, stood now beside one of the fale pillars. "This land of Matavai, born out of the struggle between Takali Foto, the volcano god, and his wife ārohirohi, the lake goddess. A land swallowed up by his rage and selfishness along with the original people. Then spewed out in lava cooling to became the Waimate river we now depend on."
Howaru scratched his head thinking, no he's lost me now. Nobody cares about those ancient gods! They only care for the living; they only care for their champion Howaru!
"A lesson for us all." Pakuu continued, "to pay attention to the signs. For the signs are all around us! Takali Foto, as prophesied, is waking from his slumber. The destruction of lake ārohi is behind him, and this time he intends to destroy the Island itself. That prophecy foretold by a Matavai Tohunga, Via-Vutu, and most powerful seer in Kafiki's history. She foretold 'a White Robin born near Matavai's river would be stolen by day and held captive under an unknown sky.' I believe this event has happened already. One of nine prophecies to be fulfilled before the god in the volcano wakes."
Howaru clapped and thought if I make it seem like the welcome is over maybe he'll sit down. Soon the entire fale was clapping along, but Pakuu didn't sit. He said same speech from the previous night, and after listening again, Howaru was worried he would lose all self-control and attack Pakuu. What is wrong with you Pakuu, he thought. Have you no sense of occasion? The people don't care about your doom and gloom shit. They want to see me, see me drink puga, eat a moa, and fuck the prettiest daughters gifted by husbands who want to watch! Howaru looked among the crowd again, searching for a particular face. No Howaru, there is only one Matavai woman I want, and she hasn't shown her face here tonight.
He sighed, anther woman would only make a poor substitute and returned his attention to murdering Pakkuu, now pacing in a slow circle.
"And now that I see him again - his stature - I can say that his mana has grown alongside it. But we're not here to acknowledge Matavai's Chief. Our two tribes have a shared history. A new history started over ten summers ago when we exchanged captives and balanced old utu to bring peace. A peace which has continued through to now."
Howaru could feel the effects of the drugs weakening as Pakkuu continued. Pretending to listen is starting to tire me out, he thought. Maybe Takaroa could send a thunderbolt up his ass to hurry him up. Please, Takaroa hear my prayer.
"When Feke tribe has been in need of help, when we welcomed the strangers to our Island and their disease killed our kumara crop two summers ago, Matavai slaves were gifted to help plant the tubers. Pigeon and eel meat were sent over in baskets to feed our children."
Howaru yawned behind Pakkuu's back, and a murmur broke out among the crowds. He could see people whispering. Children pointed and copied his yawn, sniggering. Shit, he thought, now Pakkuu is going to pester me on this believing Matavai was being disrespectful. Howaru, wake up you stupid dog!
"Now, Matavai, need our help. This creature, this demon Baby Eater the slave tribes named him, has been plaguing villagers for years. Hundreds of children stolen from the night. And now Teā, son of Selai, third wife to the Chief - and a child of noble birth – some say born of Watea himself – a child of the cosmos - he has been taken too."
Howaru perked up at the mention of Selai, but she was mentioned only in passing, and soon his eyelids began to lower like a sail before his mouth stretched wide into another yawn. This time most of the crowd erupted into laughter and Pakkuu shifted nervously on his feet, glancing behind him to see what was so funny.
By the time Pakkuu had finished, and Chief Kuanua stood to return thanks Howaru had truly lost interest, nodding in and out of consciousness. Any remains of Puga or Kava or _______ skins had left him and left him tired. Let me close these eyes just for a moment; I'll rest enough to carry on as before. Howaru nodded off again but was immediately roused by a hand on his thigh. He opened his eyes wide.
Pakkuu was beside him, and he shook his eyebrows before nodding down to where his hand had been. A smooth greenstone pebble left on his thigh. What is this? Pakkuu indicated to put it in his mouth, as a child does, when taking instruction from a Tohunga in a house of knowledge – to maintain concentration.
Howaru shook his head and nodded towards the gourds resting on the tapa mats. You want me to put that pebble in my mouth? I'm no child learning to listen for the first-time you half-wit.
Pakkuu smiled and shrugged then turned his attention to the speaker. Howaru went back to listening after that, riled enough by Pakkuu that his blood began flowing again. Kuanua's father, the former Chief, was now speaking - of his ancestry - he could trace his line back to Punga, the god of reptiles.
Someone must have seen Howaru nod towards the drink because soon his cup was filled. This isn't kava, he thought, this is mixed with Puga! Thank you Takaroa! Thank you Matavai! I am back! He drank it all and nodded for more.
The drug soon took hold of him, clearing his mind of any want to sleep. I can see again, he thought. It felt like a familiar dream, the audience staring up at him, wide-eyed and admiring. But the moment left him and soon the burden of fresh experiences - the last two days with little sleep - began to press upon him, waiting to be considered.
Images from last night, of the dancers, clothed during the ceremony and then naked later, sprang to mind first. I hope I get a chance to repeat that night when this is all over. He could hear his heartbeat now, blood pumping through muscles growing again after so long starved on that rock.
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Other concerns, former patterns of thought, manifested and pushed ahead of women. He took a quick count of his injuries. A black eye and bloody fat lip, bruised forearms and shoulders, aching kidney and finally a chafed cock – for which he was thankful. He still needed to eat more before he took on this Baby Eater – too skinny and light, a few right blows or a sweep could knock him off his feet. His injuries - some carried over from Little Rock, and some from yesterday's fight, were minor, but how fast they healed would determine how ready he was to face a real foe.
His mind drifted to the fight from yesterday when he thought he'd lost Totokono. Like most fist-only fights he'd won over the years, it had descended into a battle of timing. Just one punch at the right moment, usually while a warrior's weight was ahead of them – during a wild swing – one well-timed punch was all it would take. He'd knocked out the biggest of the five first. Not the tallest, but certainly built the best. He must have been their favourite because they rushed in all at once, landing heavy blows around his shoulders and arms and he'd had to cover up and block, waiting out the initial flurry until they tired a bit, before picking off each one individually. It had taken a bit of time and effort to get them all down at once. He would still be fighting one when another came to and had another go.
For three of the brothers, he'd had to knock them out at least twice. He ended it with kicks to the jaw while they were on the knees. The crowd taunted him, believing he would fight with tournament rules. But by the end of it when he had gouged out an eye, bit off a thumb and ear, and tore a nutsack, the crowd were on his side. Blood soaked into cracks on dirt mound where he had busted the noses of all but one of the brothers. The five were laid out, asleep, and the villagers circled him and began to cheer and finally chant his name over and over, like the olden days.
When he picked up his beloved clubaxe Totokono, kissing it then raising it above his head in a show of victory, the villagers crowded around him, touching his weapon in reverence. He'd strolled down to the beach to swim and afterwards sat in the shallows washing the blood off himself and Totokona. When finished, he was met on the beach by the five brothers who knelt before him and offered their help in killing Baby Eater.
Howaru smiled widely at the memories as the puga took a stronger hold, and as the voices of the speakers merged into one droning sound, day fading into late afternoon. He became more aware of noises around him. Crickets, birds, the barking of dogs, and even the distant sound of waves – all carried a rhythm, and he bobbed his head happily.
A final memory slipped into his mind, a pair of teenagers rutting amongst the ________ trees when they had arrived at the gates of Matavai village, ten or so feet away from the main path. His honour guard, the slaves, and several of the immediate family of Chief Taumatifiti, watched the couple with some amusement.
"This is how Matavai welcomes visiting nobles?" Chief Taumatafiti laughed.
The girl had looked over at the small crowd before she stopped grinding her hips, looking embarrassed. Her lover, caught up in the final part of the act, was frustrated by the stoppage before he too followed her gaze up towards Howaru, recognising him.
"Au, you're Howaru – the champion!"
Howaru had laughed hard, and it had felt good, it was a release to smile again. The boy had sprinted away then, holding his kano and laho (dick and balls) while everyone began to laugh, including the slaves. He'd left his lover behind, a woman of almost twenty, no longer shy but curious about Howaru.
She had smiled at him and then without covering up, walked proudly towards him. "Are you from the Taniwha Island?"
"No, we're from Feke Motu girl."
"Put some clothes on au." One of the slaves muttered.
She said nothing more but had stroked the Moa he was riding and letting her hand rest on his, holding the reins. He could see the sexual energy colouring her mana purple – the lingering puga in his system had given him extended sight. Then she had turned and walked off towards the tall flax lining the path. Her body had looked good and nodded his approval before continuing through the gates. "I remember this place."
BANG! The crowd was now agitated by the length of speeches, shifting restlessly, waving fans to remain cool under the setting sun and hitting the floor with spears and cane. How long have I been drifting in puga's waters, he wondered? The drug lessened its hold, and he was able to return attention to the ceremony again and not his private concerns.
An elder, tattooed from head to toe in Matavai's style, stood in the centre of the platform, completing a prayer to Pongu, Matavai's primary god. "Pongo, please direct your children, the lizards, insects, and birds of the forests around Ulu Waimate, to lend ears and eyes in finding the boy Teā. Strike down Baby Eater, the scourge of our people."
It seemed the formal speeches had now ended while the smells of cooking spread through the hall. Howaru shifted the knot of his 'ie (lavalava), loosening it; looking forward to a full stomach. The platform was empty now, and everyone had turned their attention to him.
He felt an elbow on his side, and Pakkuu leaned in, whispering, "You need to stand and say something Howaru."
He replied, "What? Why?"
"Because you are why they are here."
He hated speeches, even more while under the effect of Puga.
Pakkuu continued, "And we have yet to offer your services."
He was sure he would lose a grip on his emotion but understood they would never begin the feast until he said something to the people.
He rose to his feet and the crowds silenced. "Thank you, Chief Kuanua. Thank you, Matavai. Ah -"
That was all he could think to say at first, his mind emptying of any prepared words. Damn the puga! All it does is want to look into my heart and let it bleed out in front of me.
He took a step forward and searched through the front row for a face, Selai's face again. "I want to ask someone here to speak on behalf of her tribe and make the request directly to me. Can the mother of the boy Teā come forward?"
There was head-nodding among the nobles, an agreement this was the correct thing to do. After what seemed ages movement broke out among the front row near the sides, where the Chief's children sat. Selai emerged and walked towards him, eyes downcast, looking fearful.
"It's good to see you after so long Selai."
"Thank you for coming to our village Howaru."
He was staring, hoping to catch her eye, but she kept her gaze towards the floorboards. "Tell me what you need from me."
"I – I want nothing, I want nothing but my son's return Howaru."
Disappointed by the emptiness in her voice, he nodded and sat back on the floor beside Pakkuu.
Selai turned, looking shy, and addressed the village. "And to eat and drink and celebrate Kafiki's champion."
"Perfect girl!" An older woman's voice rang out from the crowd, followed by more villagers agreeing with the sentiment.
"Too much talk au!" A warrior yelled out from the back.
Howaru called out after her, "I will do what I can for your boy, if he is still alive. My main job is to put Totokona to work on Baby Eater." And then to the crowds, "It will be easy work to destroy this Baby Eater. Now I will shut up."
"Thank you for your gift Howaru," Chief Kuanua stood now. "Selai is my third wife, my newest wife, and I look at Teā the same as all sons. We will be grateful for your help as well as the other warriors already on the hunt."
Howaru frowned, "other warriors?"
"Yes," Kuanua shifted his eyes to Pakkuu and back to Howaru, "I'm sure you must already know Autara tribe gifted the Moa you rode today. And once they found out Selai had lost Teā, they gifted three of their finest Pokai (eagle) hunters track down Baby Eater. They are already on the hunt as we speak."
Howaru felt his throat constrict – he could hardly swallow his anger. You faithless Matavai namus! You already sent warriors ahead of me? Am I not good enough dogshit of a man Kuanua? I am Howaru! Who is greater? Who are you? Nothing – what have you ever done! You take Selai and make her embarrassed in front of me, and now you tell me there are others sent by Autara, the tribe who enslaved me as a child! And I wasn't the first in your mind? I should wipe you out of existence right now you fat lazy namu. "You sent Autara warriors?"
Kuanua detected the change in his tone, "Pakkuu should have passed on the word. Autara were to supply fifteen Moa last winter, but when they heard of our plight, they sent three of the chiefs own children, master Pokai hunters, as a gift instead. We had to accept the offer."
Howaru slammed his fist down on the floorboards, "So be it. Move onto the feast."
Kuanua stared at him, looking as if he wanted to say something else.
Pakkuu now stood up and placed a hand on Kuanua's shoulder. "I was going to let Howaru know about Autara's gift during the feast my son. Autara has been enemies to Howaru in the past, and while he has achieved satisfactory utu feelings linger. These are things we can discuss another time Kua."
Kuanua lingered on Howaru for a moment before turning and indicating to the slaves waiting in the wings. "Bring out the feast!"
