| “Strange,”
he thought, “I’ve had that mask for so long… but now it’s
gone I don’t miss it at all. It's like I still have it on...”
He saw Moana leaning against a hut and waved.
She waved back and motioned him to come over.
“Hi!”
“Hello, you’ve bought yourself a new sword I see?”
“Uh… yeah. I thought I might need it.”
“That’s thoughtful of you. What are you expecting
Makuta himself?” she said, and winked at him.
Kaiwera’s insides seemed to melt.
“Gah! B- uhh…
hmm. Er.”
“Quiet, Maku is about to start!”
“Oh – er, sorry.”
Maku had climbed up the little steps on the side
of the podium, and was now preparing to address the assembled
Ga-Koronans. Then she turned to Kaiwera, and gestured to him to
join her.
“Go on!” said Moana encouragingly, giving him
a little push.
Kaiwera walked through the sea of blue figures
to the podium.
“Thanks for coming…” said Maku, “Er.”
Moana chipped in, “Kaiwera, Maku.”
“Ah hello Kaiwera! I am very glad you came, we
need your help. You’re a fighter aren’t you?”
“Yes, if the cause is just,” he said, puffing
out his chest.
From the crowd he heard a general groan and phrases
like “Oh pleeease!”. He guessed the Ga-Koronans must get shown
off to a lot.
“Well, we are all here to discuss the disappearance
of Nokama. Any ideas?”
“Ideas?”
“For getting her back of course! Now, she told
me not to tell anyone but I don’t think it matters now. She went
to the Sacred Water Temple to look for the Kanohi Kaukau. The
Toa cannot be summoned to save us from Makuta unless the masks
are all collected. She has been gone for far too long. I think
it would be best if I went to the Temple and looked for her. Kaiwera,
will you be kind enough to protect the village?”
“Uh… okay.”
“Hey wait a minute, I want to help!” piped up
Moana, a longing in her eyes.
“No. I will go alone. Stay here. You are far too
inexperienced with this sort of thing. And you know that if things
go bad, you would make everything worse.”
“But…” Moana sighed, her cheeks blushing.
“No Moana, I am in charge right now and I forbid
you to go to the Temple. I will see you all later.” Maku climbed
down the podium and set off towards the docks.
“Wow. She’s gonna go into a Temple on her own?!”
said Kaiwera in amazement. |
