And the Island's Cried

By Marie Higgs

AND THE ISLANDS CRIED.
Continuing the story of David Jovane,(Farpa Tarla) ,the Goaharan and Manlu peoples.
David and the Goaharan people are caught up in a disaster of natures making, but a warning has them preparing for it, but not escaping tragedy. Then comes a black ship bringing greedy men, a type the islanders had never meet before, but they find their own way to deal with them . A small English boy also arrives with these men a prisoner of the Captain. Both David and Jelsi have to sort out a worrying problem and the outcome sends them both on a journey not knowing what the future would hold.
Book 3 of the trilogy- Then the Rainbow Smiled is being written now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris NZ
• Release date: Oct 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493191932

Marie Higgs

Have been writing for some years as a freelance writer, Short stories, another trilogy in a different vein, articles, lots of poems and children’s stories, the latter yet to be published.. This story started out as an entry in a Short Story competition, but the characters took over and wouldn’t let me stop. So much so that there is another book to follow, perhaps even a third in this series. I have 4 children, three lovely daughters and a handsome son, all of whom I am so very proud of. Living on my own I am able to write when I like, that is when volunteer work doesn’t call me and my characters give me a break!

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Marie Higgs.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014910379

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4931-9192-5

                Softcover        978-1-4931-9191-8

                eBook             978-1-4931-9193-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/02/2014

Xlibris LLC

0-800-443-678

www.Xlibris.co.nz

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Acknowledgement

To all my friends and readers, who kept asking – where is the next book?

Well… here it is – hope you enjoy it just as much.

Dedication

With much love to

Harley, Louie, Noah, Harry and Amelia

And of course: Jemmah, Philippa, Amanda and Theresa

PROLOGUE

F ARPA TARLA (DAVID Jovane) had come to this little cove on the Goaharan Island to be on his own while he thought. He needed to sort out all the disturbing, disjointed thoughts racing around in his mind. He couldn’t understand why all of a sudden, some of these thoughts had just popped into his head, after all this time. Perhaps the only way to go about it, was to put them in chronological form – perhaps that would make sense of them.

‘Well, I can but try,’ he commented, to a lazy seabird resting in a pool of water left by the receding tide.

He sat on the warm golden sand, resting his back against a Puni nut tree, and let his gaze and thoughts wander where they would. The clear blue sky, its golden orb, blazing down, the slight breeze whispering through the trees, the seabirds, so many kinds, wheeling and screeching high above him, searching for their meals. The sound of the sea gently breaking over the reef surrounding his island home, and the occasional splash as a dolphin leapt high up out of the water, as though dancing with the sea. All being now so familiar and loved. So why, why this turmoil within him?

He had left home, thinking he was going to a large foreign country to help the people there, but definitely not the island of Goahar, onto which he was thrown, after the savage storm at sea. He nearly drowned, but his God and the Gods of the Goaharans had other ideas. He had been befriended, taken care of by the Chief of the island, Hercylan, and the High Priest, Kique and he became part of the island community. He had married the Chief’s daughter Jelsi, and was now a member of the ruling Council. They had overcome a ploy by the Manlus to take over Goahar and its people, making them into slaves. He felt a flash of anger, when he thought how the Manlu Witchdoctor, K’uro had decimated his people, the Manlus, by his cruelty and the way it had all turned out.

He was happy. He had a beautiful, loving girl as his wife, wonderful people who respected each other and him. The tribes High Priest, Kique who had doptued him as his son; and Hercylan, who was like the older brother, he had left behind in his home country, so what was this unrest that was invading his mind? The only thing was, even now, after all this time, he still had a feeling of sadness knowing he would never, ever get home to see again his father, mother and brother.

He mused.

Perhaps his brother, who had married not long before he left, might even be a father now, something that seemed to evade him – fatherhood. He knew Jelsi was saddened as well, at not becoming a mother. Kique had said to them both, not to worry – the Gods have a plan and when it is the right time to put the plan into action the seed within will grow.

He gave a small chuckle as he remembered thinking how he snorted at his father’s comment, which in turn made the old man look at him with a look of sadness.

‘My son, my son, have you not understood the ways of our Gods and your God? They all have a plan, so who are we, mere flesh and blood people, to doubt them. Think back how, over the last 3 seasons, things have changed for us and the Manlus. The Gods of my people and your God will not be hurried and they certainly won’t be laughed at or told when and what to do.’

He remembered apologising and promising never to doubt again, but… heavens he was only human, and nowhere near as godly as his father Kique. However, any thoughts he had from then on about the Gods and their ways, he kept firmly to himself. His lips twisted in a wry smile at his thoughts.

He got up and walked to the edge of the water, where the tiniest of waves lapped up wetting the sand, making it look like polished bronze. Dropping his garment onto the sand he dived into the water and swam a short distance out. Rolling onto his back he gazed up into the heavens above calling to the wheeling gulls,

‘Well my friends, what you think?’ and waited for an answer he knew wouldn’t be given. Then he felt it, a gentle nudge, and glancing down he saw the dolphin, which swam away from him then came back, doing this a couple of times.

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ he asked, amazed at the friendliness of this creature of the sea. The dolphin came up and touched his arm with his nose and it seemed to Dafod – he actually smiled at him.

‘Okay, I’m game.’ He said and taking hold of the animal’s large fin was taken for a journey that he would never forget. The dolphin and he were in tune. He knew when to take a breath as the creature dived down and swam in and out the reef. It seemed to know when he had to surface again for air and so it was. Time passed but he was so mesmerised at what he was being shown, time didn’t matter. The living and dying, of all the creatures of the sea, the colours, the cunning of camouflage, and the wonderful peace. Finally they surfaced for the last time. The dolphin swam away a few feet, then rising up and balancing on its tail it turned and dove down, coming up with a rush along side him, flew like a bird over him and splashed down again in joyous abandon. It was then he realized he was at peace. He had been shown, all in the world had a place, a time and a purpose and all he had to do was to remain patient and wait for all to be revealed. He swam lazily back to the shore, replaced his garment and with contentment within, strode purposely up the beach to the track that would take him back to the village – and home.

CHAPTER 1

‘M AY WE SPEAK with you Dafod?’ the voice interrupted him as he worked on the painting of the dol phin.

Looking up he saw both Kique and Hercylan standing at the door of his home.

‘Yes, of course. Please, do come in.’

The two men entered and taking a small stool each sat down opposite to Farpa Tarla who waited for them to speak.

‘My son, last evening I had a dream. It was rather disturbing, but the message was as clear as any message sent by the Gods can be. I have spoken to Hercylan and now we must speak with you.’

‘You sound as though there is something that is of a great worry to you my father. Can I help in any way?’

‘What our honoured High Priest has to tell is worrying and we are not quite sure how we will deal with it.’ Hercylan added, his voice carrying a tone of anxiety, ‘so we thought, my brother, we should speak with you and see what you think.’

‘Please,’ Farpa Tarla said, his voice showing concern at what both men were saying.

‘I had gone to bed with a slight unease within me,’ Kique spoke slowly, ‘I couldn’t understand at first why I should feel this way, then I remembered. Once long ago I had had the same feeling, and it didn’t bode well. However, I lay down and finally slept. In my dream a man came to me and led me to a high hill, he told me to watch the sea and be prepared. Not just me, but our whole village. Suddenly the ground groaned as though in great pain and started to tremble and shake. The trembling and shaking only lasted a few moments, then all was quiet. No sea birds called, no wind whispered, even the sun changed its appearance, hanging in the sky as though it were angry. It was so strange. I have never seen or felt anything like it before, except for when we went to get the Mranda seeds, but still this felt different – it felt as the sun looked… angry.’

‘Angry, my father?’

‘Yes. Almost as though it was building up to a real rage. I asked the man beside me and he just pointed out over the sea. Then I saw something I have never ever seen and I do not think any one else in our nation has seen either. The sea started to run away from our land . . .’

‘What do you mean run away? The sea cannot just run away. It’s there all the time.’ Farpa Tarla’s voice rose and his face wore an incredulous look.

‘I am telling you – it ran away, right out past the reef. I could have walked on the sea bottom without getting wet. There were all sorts of things lying in the sand and even some fish were flapping around trying to swim away. Then it came . . .’

‘What came?’ Farpa Tarla queried unbelievingly.

‘The dreadful sound. It was like all the Gods were roaring in anger. Then in the distance I saw it. The sea was as high, if not higher, as the Sitting Rock on our beach and running . . .’

‘Running?’

‘Yes, running faster and faster as it came rushing towards us. I wanted to run away as well, but the Man commanded – watch. The big wave hit the reef and then rushed towards our shore. It pounded up against the Sitting Rock and over its top. It hit the trees and land behind, throwing all sorts of things from the sea it was carrying, against the hill and trees – then it stopped.’

‘Stopped?’

‘Yes. Stopped; and went back out over the reef, dying as it went. It left behind all sorts of things, but it also took the trees and rocks from our land with it. The man told me to warn others and to be prepared or many would be taken to the Land of Called People. What do you think it meant Farpa Tarla? For I have never known anything like that before.’

The three men sat silently for some time, thinking about and visualizing the picture Kique had mind-painted for them.

‘I am not sure, but it was a warning,’ Kique finally spoke. ‘so what are we to do?’ We must prepare for this giant wave. However, I think we will be safe, for the water only came halfway up our island, but the sighing of our land was the worst I have ever heard, so I do not know what will happen when the water comes; and I am afraid for our people.’

‘Did the man tell you when it was coming?’ asked Hercylan.

‘No, but I think it must be soon, because he reminded me again to look after the people.’

Farpa Tarla, during this exchange had been thinking as he imagined this wave and the consequences of it hitting the island.

‘I think we should prepare now, for I feel it will be very soon. Have either of you noticed the change in the day? I noticed it this morning and there were no gulls flying over the lagoon when I went down to the beach. I met Jahco pulling his canoe up onto the beach and said he caught no fish either.’

‘So what are we to do? ‘Hercylan spoke, his tone of voice holding an anxious note.

‘May I suggest something, my brother?’ Farpa Tarla looked over at the man whom he now thought of as his brother.

‘Yes, please do.’

‘Well, I suggest we gather up everything below where Kique saw the water come up to. Tie everything down firmly that could be taken by the wind and the sea, then make all people leave the village and go up to the caves on Tocko-Tocko.’

‘I agree,’ Hercylan said. ‘We must also take all the food and water we can as well, for who knows how long the earth will sigh or the waters stay. If the sea goes back, will it come again, only in another wave like is does now. Our people must be warned and warned now.’

‘I will gather up all my medicines and warn Domta to gather all the older people to start moving.’ Kique said as he rose to his feet.

‘If I warn Peris, Jelsi, and the warriors, they can get all the women preparing and taking things up to Tocko-Tocko right away.’ the urgency in Hercylan’s voice was clearly heard and felt by his companions.

‘I’ll warn all the young boys and girls to help where-ever they can. As soon as something is packed they can help carry things up the path to the caves.’ Farpla Tarla said, rising to his feet.

The alarm horn sounded and all came to the Idol Circle anxious to find out why the alarm horn, which they hadn’t heard in many a season, was sounding. When told of what Kique had been shown in his dream vision, they all started to call out. Hercylan raised his bula stick and the villagers fell silent.

‘We all have to work very hard and fast, if we are to survive, starting right now, for we do not know when the earth will begin to sigh and groan, and the wind come, bringing the wall of water. We are lucky we have been warned, and we have a mountain to go to, where the water cannot reach, but the sighing earth will still be able to get to. Everyone, and I mean everyone must help. The warriors will help get all the old people up to the mountain caves first, along with those women who are carrying within a bopa seed. They will also take all other bopas as well. At the caves on Tocko-Tocko, the elderly will store everything and arrange places for all. They will prepare meals and look after all the young. All those who are able will pack and take up food, bedding and anything else that we need to the caves. Everything that can be moved must be taken up there, for we do not know how long we will have to remain on Tocko-Tocko. No one is without something to do. I have spoken.’

The people hurried away to do as they had been commanded by their Chief. Taji came up to Hercylan and drawing himself up as tall as he could, solemnly said,

‘My Chief, what would you have me do?

Hercylan looked at this young boy/man – his son and felt proud for the lad showed no sign of fear.

‘Would you, because I can trust you and you are the fasted runner, stay above the Sitting Rock with the Calling Horn and blow it loud and long when you feel or hear the slightest sighing of the land? You know what the sighing sounds and feels like; for you have seen and felt it before, or if you see the waters of the sea coming. We must have a warning so that those who are still in the village can run up the path to safety. We will rely on you.’

Hercylan looked down at his son with a look that he would have given to one of his warriors.

Taji, in return seemed to grow just a few inches taller, as he accepted the task given him, he bowed saying,’ I will my Chief, you may rely on me.’

And with that he turned around and march proudly down the track to the Sitting Rock, taking with him the Calling Horn passed to him by Domta.

As the day wore on the lines of people from the village to the caves on Tocko-Tocko never stopped. Everyone was given a space in the large caves. Cooking areas were set up and foodstuffs were stored away. Some of the warriors went down to the beach and secured as best they could all the large canoes, the smaller ones were bought up to the village and secured to trees. Hopefully they would survive.

Domta, who had quietly slipped away down to the beach looked at the Sitting Rock and mentally measured its height, converted it into strides and then carefully counting his strides walked back up to the village where he called Hercylan aside to tell him of his discovery.

‘My Chief, this is only a guess but I think our village is high enough to survive. It will get water through it about knee high, but it won’t be washed away. How the sighing and groaning of the land will be within the village, I cannot say, but if the Gods see we are taking their warning seriously, perhaps the land will rest quickly. However, if I may, I would advise not telling the people about the village being safe, because not only could I be wrong, but they will insist on coming back. Then if my measurements are wrong they could be taken to The Land of the Called People. That I could not live with.’ Domta looked with great compassion at the Chief of the people, knowing of the great responsibility lying on his shoulders.

Hercylan laid a hand on the old man’s shoulders, ‘My friend I hear your wisdom and I agree with you. Thank you for your concern. Now let us join all the others on Tocko-Tocko and give thanks to the Gods for their warning.’

The two men turned and followed the last of the people trudging up the steep path to their home for the time being. Each one had thoughts of a different kind racing around their minds, but basically hoping all would be well, till this unknown event was over and done with.

CHAPTER 2

D AY FOLLOWED NIGHT and late in the following afternoon still nothing had happ ened.

Some of the people were getting restless and starting to wonder if what they had been told was true. The ground wasn’t sighing and groaning and the sea was calm – this they knew because a warrior had been sent early in the morning to see what was happening back in the village.

Taji had been taken food and asked if he wanted to have someone else take his place, but proudly he stated he had been given a warrior’s task and he would stay till his Chief told him to come up to Tocko-Tocko or what had been Kique’s vision started to come true.

One or two people came to Hercylan and Kique stating they wanted to go back down to the village – nothing was happening and they wanted to go home. Hercylan with Farpa Tarla and Kique gathered the people together and asked them,

‘Has any of the warnings given to Kique by the Gods, ever failed to happen in the past?’

A chorus of no’s came from the gathered crowd.

‘Well then, don’t you think we had better give it a little more time? We don’t want to be caught in the village by the sea roaring in, when we could all be safe up here on Tocko-Tocko, now do we?’

Again the peoples voices came loud and clear – no!

A petulant mutter came from one of the young mothers,

‘Why wasn’t Kique told when it would come and then we could have come up just before it was to happen. I want to go home.’ Some murmurs of agreement came.

‘My brother, may I speak?’ Farpa Tarla’s voice came quietly to Hercylan’s ear.’

‘Yes, Please do.’

Hercylan raised his bula stick and the people fell silent.

‘Farpa Tarla wishes to speak.’ his voice was clearly heard by all.

‘People of Goahar. Please think of this. If we waited till the sighing started or even just a little time before, how many of our honoured aged folk would have made it up to the caves in time to be saved? How many of your wives, heavy with a bopa, would have managed to race up this steep track to safety? How many of our barely walking children, would have run up the hill fast enough to avoid the trembling ground and racing sea? Before you answer – tell us this – how many of you could have carried children and goods and helped you old Ma’muma and Pa’pupu as well, for there would be no chance for anyone to return to the village once the sighing and waters came.’

At his words the people fell silent, as each one thought about what he said, and then heads began to nod and all the grumblings stopped.

‘Thank you my brother.’ Hercylan whispered.

The next morning dawned, but something was different. Suddenly people realized there were no sea birds calling or wheeling on high. Even the trees had stopped their whispering – leaves hanging still and silent.

Kique called to them,’ Be prepared for the time has come I feel.’

Suddenly the alarm horn sounded loud and clear – a long mournful note and then within moments the ground started to sigh. It became a groan and the earth moved, just as though it were dancing in tune with the groaning. A figure bounded off the end of the track and Taji ran forward, shouting to all.

‘The sea is starting to run away, right out beyond the reef.’

It was then the people knew Kique’s warning from the Gods had come true. They huddled together in the caves wondering if the caves themselves, would stand the shaking, but they did.

A huge roar came rushing up the hill, the wind tore through the trees, bolted around the area of the caves, rushed away and then the crashing of water could be heard. Some of the children started to cry and many started begging their Gods and Farpa Tarla’s God to save them. It seemed as though the noise and shaking would never stop and the whole world was one angry God. But – just as suddenly as it started – it did. The silence was almost deafening. For a long minute or two, no one moved or said anything. It was as though they were holding their breathes, waiting for the next sound, but nothing happened.

People looked at each other and came to realize they were alive. No one was hurt, the water had gone, so had the wind. The sighing and groaning of the earth had stopped – everything was going to be as it was before. Smiles came, then excited voices all followed by nervous laughter – they were safe – Kique, Hercylan and Farpa Tarla were right in what they had said and done.

Kique stood up and warned them not to rush outside, but to wait for a while. He suggested they all have something to eat and tend to the crying children.

‘It may be the wind and moving of the earth will come back, so let us stay safe here and wait patiently for a while.’

The people followed his advice and with food inside them and the relief they all felt, it wasn’t long before smiles and laughter filled the caves and all the crying of the children was stilled.

As Kique, Hercylan, Domta and Farpa Tarla sat eating the food prepared for them by Peris and Jelsi, they quietly discussed how long they should stay at the caves.

‘I think,’ Kique cautioned, ‘we should wait until after the sun starts his journey across the sky. If nothing more happens, then we can venture back to the village.’

"I agree,’ Domta chimed in supporting his friend. ‘Nothing would be more hurtful to go back to the village now, only to find that within the hour the sighing of the land, the wind and water return.’

This time when it was suggested to everyone to stay where they were until morning – no one disagreed. Besides they were so happy they had survived they didn’t want to risk anything, especially trying to find their way back up the steep path to Tocko-Tocko in the dark, being chased by the sea. However, a couple of the young men muttered how it would be alright to go back because there had been nothing for hours now. They were firmly told to do as they had been ordered by their Chief, and so it was.

It was suggested they had some fun at a Talking Circle. Some songs and stories and perhaps Farpa Tarla might tell them some more about where he lived before he came to Goahar. Even perhaps, as a special treat, a story from his magic book. Finally all went quiet and the gentle sounds of a sleeping tribe wafted out the entrance of the caves. A small, hunger whimper of a newborn baby, the coughing or snoring of an adult, and the soft humming, as a mother calmed a disturbed child, making Hercylan and Peris happy and proud of their people.

Dawn broke and all was still calm. When asking when they should go down to the village, Domta cautioned restraint.

‘Please wait just a little longer,’ he begged them. ‘I feel we must wait till the sun is high in the heavens. A little longer won’t matter. Besides it will take a little while to gather up everything.’

So it was agreed.

One of the young men, Zano, muttered to his friend Nebe,

‘I can’t see why we cannot go to the village. Nothing has happened for a long time. I am a man now and I say we should go and see.’

‘Well, our Chief will be very angry if we disobey him,’ Nebe replied, his voice full of doubt.

‘But when we come back and say all is well, we will be greatly thought of by High Priest Kique and our Chief. You are not afraid are you?’ his voice held a note of scorn.

‘Of course I’m not afraid. I am a man now as well. We became men together remember, or is your mind not your own now?’

The two huddled together, unaware they were being watched by Domta, who had a faint suspicion they were up to something. He became distracted when his daughter Eliu bought her baby for him to hold, while she went to help another young woman with her newborn. Sometime later, when relieved of his baby minding task, he looked around and saw the two boy/men were not to be seen, and he knew his premonition was true.

It was then they all heard the gentle sighing coming and the ground began to shake. This time it was quick and heavy and the face of the cliff where the path came up from the village started to break away. A scream came from the far edge of it and