#8 Echoes of the Land by Marc LeVine

All chapters are available at: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/echoes-of-the-land

Chapter 8: The Encounter

Kimo, Nia, Justik, and the other Lenni Lenape tribesman carefully carried the badly wounded Anthony back to their village near Lake Topanemus. As they emerged from the dense woods, Anthony’s limp form slumped between them, his breathing shallow and labored. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the earth as they approached the thatched dwellings resembling wigwams that dotted their village.

The villagers began to gather, curious and apprehensive. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they caught sight of Anthony, the first black person they had ever seen.

“What do we know of this dark skin which we never before have seen?” an elder questioned, peering closely at the unfamiliar figure. “What manner of being is this?”

“Is he human?” another voice chimed in, skepticism lacing the words.

“His presence here is ill-omened,” a woman remarked, casting a wary glance at the unconscious man. “He should not be among us.”

Kimo felt the weight of the stares on his back, the unease spreading like wildfire among the villagers. He turned to Nia, determination in his eyes. “We must show them he is a badly wounded guest, that we care for him.”

As they reached the entrance of a larger wigwam, Kimo knelt down, careful not to jostle Anthony too much. “Do not depart this world, Anthony,” he whispered urgently, laying a hand on the man’s shoulder. “We are here for you.”

Nia knelt beside Kimo, her hands working swiftly. “Help me, Justik,” she called, her voice steady despite the anxiety threading through it. The young men nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation as they helped lift Anthony’s body carefully.

Amid the gathering crowd, Chief Tamok approached, drawn by the commotion. He parted the throng of villagers and entered the wigwam, his presence commanding immediate respect. As he stepped inside, his gaze fell upon Anthony. Shock flickered in his eyes as he took in the sight of the dark-skinned man, the likes of whom he had never before laid eyes on.

“What is this?” Tamok’s voice cut through the murmurs, a mixture of confusion and anger swirling within him. He moved his eyes to Nia, who hovered protectively over Anthony, and then to Justik before settling on Kimo. The chief’s expression hardened as he realized Kimo’s involvement in this unsettling encounter.

“Why have you brought this dark skin here?” Tamok demanded, his tone sharp. “He is not of our people. What have you done?”

Kimo stood tall, swallowing his fear. “He was among the white settlers. He was shot by accident as we aimed for a deer. We could not leave him to die alone.”

Tamok’s brow furrowed, the urgency of Kimo’s words causing alarm to surge within him. “White settlers? Here?” The chief’s voice lowered, steeped in disbelief. “How many? Where do they camp?”

“There are not so many, Chief,” Kimo replied quickly. “They camp in a clearing about an hour’s walk from here.”

Tamok’s eyes narrowed further, anger flaring within him. “And they were armed? Did they follow you?”

“Yes, Chief,” Kimo admitted, feeling the weight of Tamok’s scrutiny. “They had muskets that they pointed at us, but they did not fire. I do not believe they have followed us.”

“This is no trivial matter,” Tamok said, pacing the small confines of the wigwam. “The presence of the settlers could threaten our people. We must think on these events and decide what should happen next.” He paused, clenching his fists. “I must alert the chiefs of the other tribes that white settlers have arrived.”

Kimo felt compelled to explain further. “They invited me for a warm drink made from unfamiliar herbs called tea. At first, the settlers were fearful of us, but a woman came forward and made the invitation to drink tea with them. Most became less fearful and tried to communicate with hand signals and gestures that seemed to imply they were looking to settle here, build homes, plant crops, and raise families. They seemed to need help building and planting because they lacked the experience to do so.”

Tamok’s expression shifted, revealing his skepticism. “You speak of building homes and planting crops as if it is something we should consider. These settlers may bring nothing but trouble.”

“They may,” Kimo replied earnestly, “but their knowledge of life from where they come from could benefit our people, should we decide to engage with them.”

Tamok was not ready to consider any of this. He responded with a grunt, dismissing Kimo’s words, and walked off, leaving a tension hanging in the air.

Justik stepped forward, eager to support Kimo. “What if we fortify the village? We can prepare for their approach and make sure Anthony is safe.”

Tamok nodded slowly, considering Justik’s words. “Perhaps we can send scouts to observe them, learn if there are more arriving, and their intentions. If we understand their purpose, we may have a better chance of addressing this.”

The atmosphere grew tense as Kimo and the others exchanged glances, fully aware of the implications of the settlers’ arrival. Anthony lay motionless on the ground, blood oozing from his wounds, yet the urgency of the settlers loomed larger than any single life.

“Chief,” Kimo spoke hesitantly, “Anthony is not just a stranger. He has suffered greatly. He was left for dead by the white settlers. We found him alone, abandoned.”

Tamok’s expression hardened again, reflecting the brutal reality of what Kimo had just shared. “What do you mean abandoned? Did they not care for him?”

“He is a poor victim of circumstance, Chief,” Kimo explained. “The settlers were willing to leave him to die. They treated him as though he were less than human.”

Tamok’s brow furrowed deeper, his mind racing. “Less than human? How could anyone do this? We do not speak of such cruelty among our people.” He turned away momentarily, processing the implications. “But you must understand, the settlers are a threat, not just to Anthony but to our way of life.”

“Yes, Chief,” Nia interjected, her voice strong. “But we cannot abandon him. He deserves our help, just as we would help any of our own.”

Tamok’s gaze flickered to Anthony, who lay unconscious and vulnerable. “I do not recognize this concept of ownership you speak of. To me, it is nothing but physical abuse towards another. But the threat of the settlers is very real, and their presence here could bring danger.”

Kimo felt the tension in the air thicken as Tamok’s words sank in. “If we allow fear to guide our actions, we lose sight of who we are,” he said softly. “We are the Lenni Lenape, and we have a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Tamok looked at Kimo, a mixture of respect and frustration in his eyes. “Your heart is brave, but bravery without wisdom can lead us to ruin. We must decide our next steps carefully.”

Justik glanced at the door of the wigwam, where whispers from the villagers grew louder. “What if we start tending to Anthony’s wounds? We must show our people that we care for him, that he is not a threat.”

“Agreed,” Nia said, her hands still working to staunch the bleeding. “We must first save him. The decisions about the settlers can come later.”

As Kimo and Justik assisted Nia in caring for Anthony, Tamok’s gaze remained fixed on the doorway, the villagers murmuring about the dark-skinned man who had entered their midst.

“We need to fortify our village immediately,” Tamok finally said, resolve hardening his features. “Tonight, we prepare for whatever may come. The scouts will watch the settlers, and we will keep our people safe.”

Kimo felt a surge of hope amidst the uncertainty. “Together, we can face this challenge.”

Meanwhile, miles away, Edward paced near his wagon, anxiety gnawing at him. The settlers had just arrived, camping in a clearing under the stars with nothing but their wagons to shield them. He glanced toward the forest, worry etched into his features. Where had Anthony gone? What could his absence mean for the work they had ahead of them?

His mind raced with thoughts of what Anthony’s injuries would mean for his ability to labor. A slave was only as valuable as his work, and Edward’s plans depended on having all hands ready for the tasks that lay ahead. He felt a twinge of dread, knowing that without Anthony, his goals might slip further away.

Back in the wigwam, Kimo, Nia, Justik, and Tamok stood together, bound by the weight of their choices and the unknown threats looming outside their borders. The lines between friend and foe blurred with each passing moment, but their commitment to protect their own remained unwavering.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the village in a twilight glow, Kimo knew the struggle ahead would demand courage, wisdom, and unity. The encroachment of the settlers was not just a threat to their land; it was a challenge to their very way of life.

“Tomorrow, we begin our watch,” Tamok announced, his voice resolute. “We will not allow fear to dictate our actions, but neither will we be reckless. We are the Lenni Lenape, and we will defend what is ours.”

Kimo felt a swell of determination rise within him. They were not alone; they would face whatever came next together. And for Anthony, they would help him live and be free.