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The Fikou scattered as a Tohunga walked through the forest.
The Tohunga was from Ta-Koro, a member of the guard, and was enjoying
a stroll back to the village through the cool air and buzzing
insects. This wasn’t to last for long.
“Kaiwera!”
Kaiwera groaned. He knew that tone of voice. His Captain, Jala,
used it when he had done something wrong or stupid.
“Kaiwera! I have to talk with you!”
Jala caught up with Kaiwera and panted for a while.
“How’d you find me?” asked Kaiwera, a little confused.
“You always – take this – route – don’t you.”
“Well, yes I suppose. Is there something wrong?”
“Vakama – Turaga Vakama wishes – to speak to you,” said Jala “Can
we stop?”
Kaiwera found them two stumps to sit on, where Jala collapsed
down.
“Are you ok? You look very puffed out.”
“Not as – young – as I used to – be, that’s – all.” Jala took
some more gulping breaths, and seemed to recover slightly.
“Vakama wishes to talk with you.”
“Yes I know, you’ve already said that,” said Kaiwera, getting
impatient.
“You must take the beach route back to the village immediately,
apparently he wants to talk to you about some ‘quest’.”
“The beach route? Isn’t that a little… dangerous?”
“Kaiwera, you're a good fighter. You can hold your own if you
get into trouble. But you're not a team player." Kaiwera
was not convinced. This exercise seemed quite pointless and Jala,
apparently realising this, tried a technique that Vakama had made
use of many a time: he used a quote. And a very dramatic one should
do the trick.
“Now... go… my son… tell your sister… she was right.”
“I don't have a sister Jala," said Kaiwera, one eye becoming
a little larger than the other in a good simulation of raising
an eyebrow.
“Yes, yes, I know that, but that doesn't matter. The point, lad,
is that the guy who said that went and did what he had to do and
came out of it pretty well. He even got a completely transparent
blue body for his troubles. Who knows, maybe you'll get a transparent
body if you get on with Vakama's orders. Wouldn't you like that?
Just think, your mask alone could be auctioned for ridiculous
amounts of widgets."
“I think I’d better go now Captain, it’s getting dark.”
“Of course. I’ll walk back the way I came. See you later.”
Kaiwera set off through the trees again, deep in thought. He guessed
Vakama would explain everything once he talked to him. It must
be urgent to ask for him to use the beach route… but even so.
Tohunga had died out there, from constant attack from Rahi.
Unfortunately for Kaiwera, it’s not a good idea to be deep in
thought whilst walking through the Ta-Wahi woods…
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