The Fifth Brother – Installment 6
“They are a proud people. I think you will like them, they like to fight, just like you!” Tobia Ledsome’s face scrunched up as he laughed at his little joke. The three of them sat around the table at his home. “That is a warning also, though. They are a warrior people, and most of their history and personal pride is centered on the wars they have fought with each other. Oh, and they eat their enemies you know.”
“They what?” Ezekiel was a little shocked. Of course, he had heard rumors of cannibalism, but it was widely regarded as tall tales that people told to scare each other about the “wild” people. He didn’t think anyone took them seriously.
“Yes. They are cannibals. Though from what I can gather, they only eat their enemies, it isn’t part of their regular diet or something they seek to do to feed themselves. I understand it is more like the final defeat of their enemy. My advice is to stay friendly.”
Ezekiel didn’t know if he should take Tobia seriously or not. The little man had been a fairly reliable source of local information so far, but this seemed a bit outlandish. He would have to trust what he said was true since he didn’t have any information to the contrary. However, if the opportunity arose, and he could do it without causing offense, he might just try and ask Matiu about it.
Maggie had scarcely said a word the whole time. She answered when asked a question, but sat still and quiet through dinner. After clearing the dishes away, she excused herself saying she had a headache and would retire. It was a much quieter home than the time before. It cast a shadow over the rest of the evening, and Ezekiel soon excused himself to head back to the lodging house. He steered clear of the noisy parlor and went straight to his room where he finished packing.
Sleep avoided Ezekiel. He lay awake for what felt like most of the night. His mind would not rest as it raced between the mysteries that waited for him on the search for Widow Clark, and the mystery wrapped around his feelings for Maggie. Dawn came as a relief, an excuse to get out of bed and cease his tossing and turning.
He hurriedly got dressed and out the door to perform his morning exercises. He wanted to make sure he was ready to go when Matiu came by. As he went through the motions of working out, his mind kept on slipping to Maggie and her silence at last night’s dinner. Ezekiel struggled to focus and pushed through his routine.
______
With a clear coat of sweat on him, he headed back up to his room. He cleaned himself up and put on the clothes he planned to travel in. They were crafted to be hard worn, tougher and more resilient than the prescribed missionary garb he normally wore. He had purchased them while in London but had not had many occasions to wear them.Even in Australia, his adventures had not ventured much from the city limits. Now he would put them to the test, for he planned to go where no white man had gone before.
He went downstairs and into the parlor for breakfast. There were a few others already eating, and creating a general buzz of conversation in the air. He moved to a small table near a window. One of the employees took his order, and he sat and ate it alone. He kept looking for Maggie, but she never appeared. Ezekiel had wanted to tell her goodbye. In fact, he wanted to tell her a great many things. Things that were probably never going to happen and she would be better off not knowing. Things that would make his face red causing her to laugh at him. Regardless, he ate as slow as he could, hoping she would show. When she didn’t, he got up and went to retrieve his trunks.
Tobia Ledsome had offered to store his items while he was gone. He had a room in the back on the first floor where he kept items for people. Most were sailors who had items they didn’t want to be damaged while out whaling or sealing. A few were from men who had decided to explore the island. None of those men had returned for their belongings. Tobia, true to his word, kept the items under lock and key. Either the true owner would return for them, or they turn to dust, those are the only ways items leave his store room.
One of the employees helped Ezekiel pack away his belongings in the store room. When he walked back out to the lobby, he saw Tobia talking with Matiu. Ezekiel walked up and shook Tobia’s hand, then turned and shook hands with Matiu.
“God be with you Mr. Stone. I will pray for your safe return,” said Tobia as his face crinkled with a gnomish grin. “I am sure little Maggie will be praying for you too.”
Ezekiel’s face betrayed his feelings, he was sure, so he hastily said a farewell and turned towards Matiu. “I am ready if you are, Matiu.”
“Good, matua tane is waiting.”
“Who?” asked Tobia.
“Papa?” replied Matiu, looking hopeful that he was being understood.
“Yes, your father. Very good! Matua? Is that right?”
“Matua tane. Let’s go.”
“We are off Tobia. Farewell. I will see you again, I am sure.”
“Yes, yes. Of course. You have a room here waiting for you. See you soon! Good luck.”
They began walking out of town, heading inland and south. Ezekiel had his shoulder bag packed with supplies slung across his body, crossing it was his rolled up waxed duck cloth tarp with some clothes rolled inside of it. Matiu had a roll of made of seal skin at his side, it was tied off on the ends and hanging from his should by twine.
The European buildings and tents soon gave way to the native homes. Many of them looked more comfortable than the tents and hastily made structures of the town. They were well built with grass roofs, and each had a garden with which they grew their potato-like plants. They stopped at one with a carved figure over its door.
An elderly Maori man came out and smiled at Matiu. His face was covered in the swirling tattoos, which were raised more than the surrounding flesh. His age and wrinkles made them even more pronounced and added a layer of chaos to the designs. He came over to Matiu, and the two touched their foreheads and noses together gently. The held that position for a heartbeat, then the older man pulled back and looked on his son.
Matiu gestured towards Ezekiel, introducing him in his native tongue. The older man came and stood in front of Ezekiel, then bent down towards him. Stone almost pulled back but remembered the greeting done with Matiu and angled his head up slightly so their foreheads and noses would touch. To Ezekiel, it felt awkward and much too intimate. Not something he would ever envision doing with even his closest friends back home.
They parted, and the old man smiled at Ezekiel who smiled back.
“Stone, this me papa. You call Rangi.”
“Rangi?”
The old man smiled and nodded. Ezekiel was happy he got it right the first time.
With the introductions complete the unlikely trio headed out, trying to make the best of what sunlight they had left.
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This is the end of the introduction of my new book The Fifth Brother . The book isn’t finished yet, but it is well on its way. If you would like to know when it is published and get a free electronic copy, sign up for my newsletter at the top of the page.