The New World

By J.P. Bowie

Jamie finds his life and possible destiny irrevocably intertwined with Tanaka, a Choctaw warrior and shaman, but danger lies all around in a land troubled by unrest and war.

When Jamie finally reaches the Americas, he is a changed man—one whose innocence has been replaced by a keen sense of self-preservation and a determination to survive, no matter what. That determination is challenged when he is charged with piracy and must choose between a death sentence or life as an indentured slave.

Choosing to live, he suffers the humiliation of slavery until he is rescued by Tanaka, a Choctaw warrior-shaman. Jamie joins the Choctaws against the soldiers of King George, who are trying to force them off their land. It isn't long before Jamie and Tanaka's admiration for each other becomes a love that will shape their destinies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Nov 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781786516916

J.P. Bowie

J.P. Bowie: I was born and raised in Scotland. Moved to London and worked in several West End shows before immigrating to the United States. First port of call was Las Vegas where I worked backstage with the Siegfried and Roy Show at the Mirage Hotel as Head of Wardrobe for the legendary stars. Another move more recently took me and my husband Phil to San Diego where we intend to stay! Love sunny San Diego.

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Publisher

The New World

ISBN # 978-1-78651-691-6

©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2018

Cover Art by Cherith Vaughn ©Copyright November 2018

Edited by Rebecca Baker

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2018 by Pride Publishing, 535 Kings Road, London SW10 0SZ, UK

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

The Journeyer

THE NEW WORLD

J.P. Bowie

Book two in the Journeyer serial

Jamie finds his life and possible destiny irrevocably intertwined with Tanaka, a Choctaw warrior and shaman, but danger lies all around in a land troubled by unrest and war.

When Jamie finally reaches the Americas, he is a changed man—one whose innocence has been replaced by a keen sense of self-preservation and a determination to survive, no matter what. That determination is challenged when he is charged with piracy and must choose between a death sentence or life as an indentured slave.

Choosing to live, he suffers the humiliation of slavery until he is rescued by Tanaka, a Choctaw warrior-shaman. Jamie joins the Choctaws against the soldiers of King George, who are trying to force them off their land. It isn’t long before Jamie and Tanaka’s admiration for each other becomes a love that will shape their destinies.

Dedication

My thanks to Claire and everyone at Pride Publishing, and Rebecca, my most patient and supportive editor. Love and thanks also to my hubby, and to the readers who have made this journey with us!

Chapter One

The setting sun hung heavy in the darkening sky as Tanaka made his swift way through the forest. His slender, hard-muscled body was naked, save for a breechclout made of softened deerskin. His long black hair swung across his back in rhythm with the movements of his body. Slung across his shoulder was the carcass of a young doe, several days’ feasting for him and his younger sister and brother. Despite his haste, he was cautious. There was no telling what enemy lay ahead of him. Only two days before, in this very stretch of forest through which he now traveled, a member of his tribe had been murdered and his woman taken into slavery by white men.

The white settlers were everywhere these days, more and more of them laying waste to the land, cutting down trees, building stockades, fouling Mother Earth with their filth.

In the beginning, they had seemed friendly enough, trading with Tanaka’s people, inviting the children to their schools, encouraging them to attend church. Tanaka had even learned to speak their language, ugly and awkward though it was. But things had soured when it became obvious that the settlers intended to possess the land of his people’s forefathers. At first, they had offered to buy it. The village elder, old and venerable Gray Eyes, had laughed at them. The earth cannot be bought or sold, he had told the settler’s leaders. The earth belongs to no man. The earth is our Mother, providing us with life. How could I sell her?

The settlers had thought him mad but used his philosophy against him. If the land belonged to no one, then it was theirs to take—and take it they did. Now, the forests and hillsides were no longer a haven for Tanaka’s people. With each passing day, they had to be more vigilant, aware that death or slavery might follow them into the forest glades, ready to snatch them from their loved ones forever.

Even the gentlest people can be pushed only so far, and so it was that Gray Eyes had declared war on the settlers for the atrocities they had committed and, after several raids against the stockades had proved successful, the white settlers had appealed to the English militia to protect them from the ‘savages’.

The result had been all-out war, with no side the victor. Tanaka’s people had resisted many onslaughts, but now they remained at bay, ever watchful for the next aggressive move the settlers might make.

As Tanaka neared his village, his nostrils flared at the smell that invaded them―smoke—too strong to be from just the small cooking fires. This was a fire that could consume the forest! He quickened his pace and soon burst into the clearing that housed the lodges of his people.

His heart jumped into his throat as he surveyed the ruins of what had once been a vibrant and happy place. Almost every lodge was in flames or already burned to ashes. Strewn among the debris were bodies, twisted grotesquely in death. Old, young, women and children—no one had been spared. His mind and body numbed by the destruction that surrounded him, he stood before the smoking ruin of his home. Of his sister and brother, there was no sign. Keening, he sank to his knees and poured the ashes of his home upon his head.

Oh, Great Spirit, he prayed. Help me find my sister and brother, and Great Spirit, help me wreak revenge upon those who did this to my people. He stood and looked around for someone, anyone, who might still be alive and able to tell him of what had taken place here.

He found Gray Eyes, partially hidden beneath the ruins of his lodge. The old man’s eyes were slow to focus on him as Tanaka cradled his head in the crook of his arm.

"Amafo, grandfather, who did this?"

White soldiers with many guns and swords. The old man struggled for breath as he spoke. They came upon us without warning, without parley. They killed and killed…

What of my sister and brother?

They were the first to fall to the soldiers’ swords, Gray Eyes gasped through his pain. The Great Spirit has spared you.

To avenge them and all my people! Tanaka cried, hot tears spilling down his face.

No, my son. Gray Eyes touched Tanaka’s wet face with his fingertips. Grieve for us for just a little while, but follow the path your destiny lays before you. Do not seek to destroy our enemies out of vengeance, for you will surely fail. You must choose the way of the shaman. Let the Spirit wisdom guide you in this and protect you. His hand fell away and he sagged in Tanaka’s arms as he slipped into darkness.

"Go to the Great Spirit, Amafo, Tanaka murmured, holding the old man in his arms and rocking him gently. Find my little sister and brother and take them with you, for they will be afraid…"

He bowed his head in grief, knowing now that he would never see his little brother and sister again, that they had gone beyond his reach to where he could no longer protect them. He released Gray Eyes from his embrace, his tear-filled eyes surveying the carnage and desolation all around him.

He lifted his arms to the heavens and a hoarse scream of defiance was ripped from his very soul. The sound echoed through the woods and hills, causing flocks of birds to wheel and scatter in the skies. Startled by the savagery in that scream, the inhabitants of the forest cowered in fear, and on the edge of the white settlement, some men jumped to their feet and reached for their rifles, their faces etched with surprise and bewilderment. The silence that followed reassured them that it must only have been some wild animal seeking its prey—and, in a way, they were right.

* * * *

Tanaka stood on a ridge overlooking a swift-flowing river in the valley below him. In the gray light of dawn, before the sun cast its welcome light and warmth on the land, he could just make out the shapes of the lodges in the village that sprawled along the riverbank.

This was the home of his cousin, Black Eagle, chief of the Choctaws. He had traveled all day and night to reach this place, to warn them of the white man’s treachery and brutality, for he feared it would not stop at the massacre of his village. The white man would never be content until he owned all the land of Tanaka’s people. Their greed is like a sickness, he thought, as he descended the hillside.

He awoke the dozing lookout with a rough shake. "Okchali…wake up! The village is not safe if you sleep, Little Fox, he admonished him, receiving a scowl from the young man. The white soldiers have destroyed my village and may be on their way here!"

We must let Black Eagle know of this, the young man muttered.

I will tell my cousin. You alert the other guards—if they are awake. Tanaka gave Little Fox a keen look. I could have killed you with ease. Remember that, the next the time you are asked to protect your people from your enemies!

Little Fox muttered something under his breath then moved swiftly off to warn the other guards.

Black Eagle! Tanaka called out as he approached his cousin’s lodge. It is I, Tanaka, come to warn you of great danger!

The animal hide covering the entrance to the lodge parted and Black Eagle stepped out. A tall, imposing man with the bearing of a chosen leader, his strong features were now creased by a frown.

"Halito, Tanaka, he grumbled, pulling a deerskin robe around him to cover his nakedness. What brings you here, disturbing the peace of our village this early?"

Better I than the white soldiers who have destroyed my home and massacred my people! Tanaka found it hard to contain his anger. If I had been the enemy, I would have found this an easy place to destroy! Little Fox and your sentries were asleep as I approached.

Black Eagle gaped at him. Gray Eyes… Your family?

Dead. All of them, dead…all of them.

His cousin stepped forward and embraced him. We will avenge them, Tanaka. We will wipe out the white man’s settlement.

And what then? Tanaka pushed his cousin away, even though the other man’s strong body had given him momentary comfort. They will only send more. They are like the trees of the forest, too numerous to count. Gray Eyes told me to seek the Spirit guidance.

What good would that do? Black Eagle asked. "Should we pray for the white man to go away? You know that will never happen. All they know is the power of force. I will ready the warriors, and we will drive the white settlers off our land once and for all!"

Despite Gray Eyes’ warning, the fire started in Tanaka’s blood at his cousin’s words. Yes, they should avenge his people. How could he let these murderers go unpunished? Black Eagle was right. They could not be removed by anything other than force.

I would be proud to fight by your side, my cousin, he said.

Black Eagle’s face was grim. Come, arm yourself. We will tell the people what has happened, and what we must do to protect ourselves.

It seemed as though the people had already heard the news, no doubt from the guards returning to the village. Black Eagle regarded them with anger.

Your laziness might have cost us our lives. Be thankful Tanaka brought us this news before the white soldiers struck again. He fixed Little Fox with a cold stare. Your punishment will be that you stay here with the women, children and old ones. You are not fit to join us in battle.

Little Fox started forward, his look of hatred meant for Tanaka alone. He lies, he blurted. He seeks to humiliate me. I was not asleep.

You mean to fight also with your eyes closed? Tanaka asked him with contempt.

Little Fox drew his knife and lunged at Tanaka but was stopped in his tracks by a mighty blow from Black Eagle’s fist. He lay on the ground, nursing his jaw and glaring up at the two men. The titters and guffaws that came from the onlookers as they witnessed his humiliation fueled his rage.

Black Eagle grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Be glad your punishment is not more severe. He pushed Little Fox away. Guard the people with your life, or I may put aside my forgiving nature. He turned and addressed the assembled warriors. Arm yourselves well. The soldiers have guns and swords and know how to use them. Make every arrow count, every spear thrust find its mark!

The war chants and drums started as the men scattered to gather their weapons. The ululating of the women as they joined hands and began the slow shuffling step of the war dance filled the air, firing up the resolve of the warriors to destroy the enemy and protect their homes.

Tanaka took the bow and quiver of arrows Black Eagle handed him. Black Eagle’s wife, Small Woman, looked at the two men anxiously. Her husband embraced her, burying his face in her long, luxuriant hair. They