| Turaga
Whenua, after calming Kaiwera down, listened to the Chosen’s tale.
When Kaiwera finished, he was sulky and gave one word answers
to the Turaga’s questions.
“Four companions, and wearing Great Masks too.
You must be the Chosen, of whom Vakama spoke. And your tale is
too good to be any story,” said the Turaga, with knowing eyes.
“Heh, you know, I've not been on this team for
long, and already I'm getting tired of that name,” said Kikia,
slumping further down his seat.
Whenua’s hut was very large. Indeed. It seemed
to be much bigger on the inside that it was on the outside. The
walls were made of rock hard earth, and there was a small fire
providing most of the light in the room underneath a carving of
the Kanohi Pakari. There was a desk, and the table they were sitting
at, a crystal coffee brewer at the far side, and a bin next to
it, overflowing with used cups. Whenua caught Kaiwera looking
over at it.
“Yes… I’ve been under a lot of pressure recently.
Apparently the coffee contains some sort of anti-oxidant that
is supposed to cleanse, relieve stress and also keep you awake
longer. Marvellous invention, coffee. Did you know our own Naparu
came up with it? Good little thinker that one…” the Turaga trailed
off. He looked puzzled.
“I feel something from you... A source of great
evil… What is in that pack?”
“That would be this mask Turaga Whenua. We found
Makuta in the form of a Tohunga carrying it,” said Kaiwera, taking
it out of his bag.
“You encountered the Makuta and survived? Surprising…
Why didn’t you include this in your tale?”
“We… I, I didn’t know if you’d believe us Turaga.
We were lucky actually. He ran off and left the mask behind. Though
we don't know what to do with it, and Pirihi says it is very potent...
So we have kept it with us so that no-one else finds it.”
“Yes, that mask feels very potent. I doubt that
you can destroy it physically, so you should hide it somewhere
for the time being.”
“I'll take it! I know an excellent place, and
I can take it there and be back in a moment with this Kakama,
right?” said Kikia, sitting up.
“Well, alright, but be careful. Do not let a Rahi
take it!” said Kaiwera.
“Right.”
“…”
“…”
“…Kaiwera? Don’t you think you should give Kikia
the mask dear?” said Moana sweetly.
Kaiwera looked up at her. And then back at the
mask… he knew what the mask was. He… he had seen it in the dream…
it was looming over the scene in the snow, in the sky, huge, with
yellow eyes…
“Kaiwera! Give Kikia the mask,” said Pirihi sternly.
Kaiwera brought the mask to his chest and glared
at Pirihi. Pirihi almost took a step back at the look of disgust
Kaiwera gave him. Slowly Kaiwera handed over the mask to Kikia,
who took it gingerly.
“Erm… well, thanks… Kaiwera. Back in a jiffy folks!”
said Kikia, and disappeared out of the door.
“Turaga, we need to find the Kanohi Pakari and
the Chosen of Earth,” said Pirihi.
“Yes, of course. From what Vakama tells me, the
Chosen of Earth is called Kohuke. I know a Tohunga of that name,
he is a member of Onepu's Ussalry. He should be in the stables
north of here.”
“Many thanks Turaga. But what of the Pakari?”
asked Kaiwera.
“The Earth Temple was recently discovered, as
long ago it was buried from a cave-in. It is very near to the
Po-Koro Highway, though oddly after we found it part of the highway
collapsed. If you travel there, be cautious. No doubt Rahi now
dwell within the caves and dark places of the world.”
“Turaga, I was wondering… how did you know that
we were coming?” asked Moana.
“Ah… yes, I thought one of you would ask. The
Earth tells many things, for those who know how to listen to it
– it is everywhere, all-seeing. Sometimes it does not speak, but
at times it does. So, I prepared for your arrival! You have free
admission to the Inn, I should imagine your trek across the desert
has left you weary. Sleep now, let the darkness take you, and
take away your troubles…” |
