Marupa - the Legend of the Lost Tribe

By Alex W. Morgan

This novel is a sequel to MARUPA - The Legend of the Black Pearl which was published in 1997. In the original novel, Marupa, an accomplished warrior on the island of Shantu, falls in love with Alandra, the eldest daughter of the island's chief. Whoever marries Alandra will eventually become chief since the chief had no sons. At the far side of Shantu lies a dangerous and deadly mountain called Kuja. At the very top of Kuja is the black pearl necklace that a previous chief had placed there to memorialize the death of his wife. Whoever retrieves that necklace will marry Alandra. Marupa is challenged by eleven other warriors to bring back the necklace and marry the princess Alandra.
It is now years later and another legend is told about a lost tribe that lives beyond Kuja. The legend goes on to reveal that about forty islanders fled their side of the island generations ago when a deadly plague hit the island when many villagers died. Marupa's twin brothers take it upon themselves to go there and see if there actually is another tribe living there. At the same time, a ship of slave traders come to Shantu to capture all of the villagers and sell them as slaves. There is one more storyline that occurs at the same time that will be revealed in this book. Love, danger, excitement, and courage are compiled into this story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469196527

Alex W. Morgan

Alex is a native Albuquerquean, has served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, and is semi-retired. His passion has always been writing. He has written songs, poems, spiritual writings, short stories, and five full length novels. At the age of fifteen he wrote his first song and continued creating dozens of songs while in the military. He now has a large collection of all of his writings and is attempting to get them all published. This book is a sequel to the first original version that he wrote and has published, entitled, "MARUPA - The Legend of the Black Pearl." Alex does have ideas for the third sequel and hopes to have book that completed within the next couple of years. Alex is active in the Real Estate Industry, continues on with his writings, and enjoys time spent with his wife Martha, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Now, most of Alex's writings are more Christian oriented. He has been a member of Believers Center of Albuquerque for over twenty-seven years, enjoys reading the bible, and utilizing his gifts of writings towards the honor of God.

Book preview

Chapter 1

TRADERS COME

TO SHANTU

It has been three years now since Marupa came back from Kuja with the black pearl gold necklace. Marupa, Alandra, and Panji are at Marupa’s favorite location, the pomegranate tree. Coco and Mutaki sat next to them. Caleeko was perched on a branch just above them.

Marupa and Alandra sat quietly watching Panji. Marupa stared at Panji intently as Panji drew back his arm and released the spear toward the tree he was aiming. As the spear found its target Alandra clapped her hands. Now that was a good throw, Panji, Alandra yelled.

Thank you, Panji said as he went to take the spear off the tree.

Marupa looked at Alandra and told her, Panji is ready for the warrior trials. I know he will complete the trials and finally get that gold headband he has been wanting for so long.

Alandra smiled at Marupa and laid her head on his shoulder. I believe you are right, my husband. She then lifted her head back up and stared into Marupa’s eyes as she asked, What else can you tell me will happen?

Marupa looked at Alandra with a puzzled look and asked, What do you mean?

I mean, Alandra said as she continued to stare into Marupa’s eyes, what do you think will happen between you and me in the next, oh, let’s say seven months?

Marupa’s eyes and mouth opened wide, and then he let out a big smile. You mean, you mean that we are going to have a child?

Yes, Alandra answered, you, my husband, are now going to become a father.

Panji returned to the tree and saw the look on their faces. Hey, what’s going on?

Marupa turned his attention to Panji and stood. "Alandra has told me that we are going to have a child!’

That is good news! Panji exclaimed as he hugged Marupa and then bent down to hug Alandra.

Marupa then turned back to Alandra and asked, Who else knows about this?

Only you two so far, she answered. I plan on telling my parents tonight.

Marupa extended his hand to Alandra and helped her up. You have made me the happiest warrior on Shantu, Alandra. We are now starting the family that I have always wanted to have with you. I only hope that our child will have your good looks.

Well, if we have a boy, Alandra added, I hope that he or she will have the mind and heart of his father.

Suddenly there was the sound of drums. The three listened intently as they looked at each another. The drums stopped and Marupa exclaimed, A strange large boat has come to our lagoon. Come; let’s go see what is happening.

As the three entered the area of the lagoon, there were already many villagers staring at the ship in the lagoon. None of the villagers had ever seen a ship this size before. Marupa looked out and saw the largest boat he had ever seen in his life. The boat was several hundred feet long and there were large poles coming up from it. Attached to the poles were large cloths held by ropes. He could see small figures moving about as the boat came to a stop and dropped its anchor. Soon, several smaller boats attached by ropes were dropped into the water. Some men climbed down rope ladders and got into the smaller boats. Then other men from the larger boat dropped large white sacks down to the other men in the smaller boats. Chief Jamara walked up to the boats as they made their way to the shore.

This was not the first white man that was ever on Shantu. Most of the elders still remember a white man that was found almost dead, washed ashore in the lagoon many years ago. That was about two years before the plague had come to the island. The white man was called Joramuno, which simply meant white man. He was a good and friendly man who taught them about the world that surrounded theirs and also taught them about the God they call Konaka. He was one of the many that died when the plague hit the island. Although many of younger islanders had never seen a white man before, Chief Jamara remembered Joramuno as a kind and wise man.

Four men got out of the first boat and went to greet Chief Jamara. Hello, we come here in peace as traders, one of the men told the chief.

And we welcome all of you in peace. What is it that you wish to trade? Chief Jamara asked.

The man signaled for one of the other men to bring him one of the sacks. We have lots of colorful beads to make jewelry. We also have flour, salt, coffee, tea, different colors of cloth, and many other goods that might interest you and your people.

The men from the large boat seemed friendly enough, so Chief Jamara invited them into his village. The men were indeed friendly and had good intentions. The villagers referred to them as Potumo Sanjuras, which meant Boat Traders. They taught the villagers about the use of salt and made coffee and tea for them. They also taught them about the type of wheat flour they brought, and showed them how to make necklaces and bracelets with the many bright and colorful beads. The villagers of Shantu traded pearls, many different colors of coral, and carved wooden items for the goods that the boat traders brought.

The captain of the ship was Captain Williams. He and his crew stayed for two weeks. Out of respect for his position, the villagers always called him ‘captain’. In the short period of time that his ship was docked at the island, he and his crew grew to respect and enjoy the villagers of Shantu. During that time, Captain Williams told the villagers many stories about the land they came from. The villagers were fascinated about the numerous villages on the trader’s island. They were also amused about the different types of foods and tools that the trader’s people used. They were saddened to learn about the many bad things that occurred such as murders, stealing, and other crimes that they were unaccustomed to. Captain Williams warned the chief of other men in ships that would go to different islands in order to steal people and sell them as slaves. The villagers could not believe that men could do such a thing. After the traders left, things went back to normal in the village.

It was now the final day of the warrior trials. Not every young man on the island was required to go through the warrior trials. Only those that desired to be skilled hunters and protectors of the village would accept the challenge. Most of the other young men would go on to other trades in the village.

This year there were twenty-four young men attempting to capture the gold headband. During the three stages of the warrior trials, eleven young men did not qualify to get to the final stage. Now, only thirteen remained, and probably only half of those would receive their gold band. Marupa was at Panji’s home helping him to prepare for this last event.

Marupa, Panji yelled out from his room, is there anything else you may have forgotten to tell me? Marupa yelled back, Do not worry, Panji. You have learned all the skills there is to learn. Now it will be a challenge of your mind, not your skills.

I guess you are right, my friend, Panji responded. But I feel so nervous. I have spent the last three years for this moment. I know what you are saying is true, but my heart is very eager to get that gold band around my head.

You must forget that is the final stage of the warrior trials. You must pretend that you are just practicing as you have been doing, Marupa told him. You are one of the best I have ever seen with the spear and the bow and arrow. Remember that you are trying to better yourself on the accomplishments you have already achieved with your skills. You are not out to prove anything to anyone, only to yourself.

As Panji came out of his room, he walked over to Marupa and hugged him. You are my best friend, Marupa. No matter what happens I know that you will always be there for me. You have taught me well and now it is up to me.

Marupa smiled at Panji and said, You will do fine, my friend. Come; let us go before you are late for the trials.

As Panji started out the doorway of his house, Marupa tapped his shoulder, pointed towards Panji’s weapons in the corner of the room, and asked, Will you need to take those with you?

Panji shook his head and smiled back at Marupa. I hope that will be the last mistake I make today!

As they entered the center of the village, Alandra, Grazza, and Tishna met them and gave them each a hug. Well Panji, this is the day you have been waiting for, Alandra said. I know you will do well.

Thank you, Alandra, Panji said. For some reason I do not feel as nervous as I did earlier.

It is the heart and mind of a true warrior that brings a peace to his body before a moment like this, Grazza told Panji as he smiled placing his hand on his shoulder.

Panji nodded and told them, I know that I will win my gold band today. Thank you for being so patient with me. Then he turned and joined the other young men in the final trials.

The thirteen young men stood in front of Chief Jamara. My people, Chief Jamara said to the villagers, today we will honor new warriors of our tribe. These young men have worked hard to make it to the final warrior trials. Those young men that did not make it to this final event may be here next year. To them I say, ‘Do not be discouraged, but be strong in your mind and spirit for the next trials’. Now we must begin. Chief Jamara walked up to each young man clutching his spear, and with the spearhead he tapped their left shoulder first and then their right shoulder. As he tapped each of them, he smiled and