Aotearoa by Augustine Nash

Author:Augustine Nash
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: eBookPartnership.com
Published: 2014-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

A chill wind was blowing and the dew-laden grass wet to their bare feet, as Tu and most of his tribe set off to attend the feast. His two uncles staying behind, pleading that they were too old to walk such a distance. All they wanted now was to be left in peace.

Ta-tea walked by her husband’s side carrying their small son, Tu-wai, strapped across her back wrapped up in his small cloak to keep him from the rigours of the morning air. She was feeling quite nervous about the feast, dreading coming face to face with Hine-titama again, always having felt that the other woman treated her with contempt, befitting a low-born person. In the past Ta-tea had noticed that look of longing which had appeared in the chieftainess’s eyes, whenever Tu had been near.

Ta-tea comforted herself with the thought that now Hine-titama was married she would not be interested in anyone else. There had been others. She knew that as once Tu’s sister-in-law had confided in her. Now the very thought of losing Tu to this other woman’s charms smote at her heart, causing her to feel anxious for the future.

After a long walk through the forest they came into a valley, which rose up steeply either side of them. A small stream meandered through the bottom so they followed this. Once, they stopped to cup the clear water in their hands and swallow it thirstily down.

“That is snow,” Old Motueka pointed out to Tu.

Away in the distance he could just make out the shape of mountain tops, all covered in white. “It is beautiful,” Tu answered.

“Yes. But very cold to the touch,” the old man said, laughing.

As they emerged from the valley they were faced with a huge clear lake, where a freshening wind moved ripples in the centre. They noticed at the edge of the lake marvellous reflections of overhanging trees dipping majestically down towards the water. Presently they saw smoke billowing up through the greenery, and knew they were not far off the village they were seeking.

Strangely, as they entered the village they were not challenged by their hosts, or any other procedures which was generally the custom. It was then that Tu realised that having no chief that had been done away with.

Yet the visitors were greeted by welcoming cries as the two tribes met and mingled, with gifts and garments being exchanged. Then Tu and his people were shown into houses specially set aside for them, while outside the food was placed in the ovens to cook.

Later they all assembled on the marae, to listen to long speeches made by either side. Chief Tikitiki sat on his wooden seat proudly applauding as he watched his youngest son, Rangitoto; stand to make an agreeable speech on behalf of his tribe. While Hine-titama stood arrogantly to one side, never once glancing in her new husband’s direction. Appearing to close her ears to all he was saying.

Tu himself found it hard to concentrate, because his thought’s lay elsewhere.

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