Chapter 10: The Circle of Voices

Part One: The Council’s Decision

Miwā?k was not an elder by age, but his presence among the Lenni Lenape tribe carried the weight of one who had seen much and understood more. He was a man of deep connection to the land and the people, one who had traveled beyond the borders of his own tribe and had returned with the knowledge of the wider world. Born in a small village near the banks of the Delaware River, Miwā?k’s youth had been marked by a time of peace, before the first whispers of the settlers' arrival in the region.

It was as a young man, eager to learn and to understand the changes that were creeping into his world, that Miwā?k had made his first journey beyond his village. His curiosity had drawn him to the nearest town, where he encountered a small group of traders and missionaries from the east. It was there, through broken exchanges and the kindness of an old English-speaking missionary who had come to the tribe years earlier, that Miwā?k learned the rudiments of the English language. He had studied diligently, learning not just words, but the ways of the new people who were beginning to take root along the edges of their land.

Though Miwā?k was fluent in his own language, he became one of the rare few in the tribe who could communicate with the settlers in their tongue, bridging two worlds that were increasingly coming into conflict. His knowledge of English had made him invaluable to the tribe, especially as more and more settlers appeared in the region, their presence growing harder to ignore. He had become a translator, a negotiator, and an interpreter of the settlers' words and their strange ways.

In the eyes of the Lenni Lenape, Miwā?k was seen as a protector of the old ways, but also someone who understood the necessity of interacting with the outsiders in order to safeguard his people’s future. He had learned that the art of survival might mean knowing when to speak their language, but also when to listen to the language of the land.

Miwā?k led Levi and Will Allen through the thick forest, his long stride purposeful, though his expression was unreadable. The air was thick with the scent of earth and growing things, and the forest seemed alive with the sounds of the creatures that called it home. The trio made their way toward a clearing ahead, where the Tribal Council was waiting.

As they emerged from the trees, Levi and Will felt the shift in the atmosphere. There was a tension in the air, an electric buzz of curiosity and wariness. The members of the council were already gathered, sitting in a loose circle on blankets made of woven reeds and animal hides. The setting sun cast long shadows over their faces, giving them an almost ethereal quality. These were the elders of the Lenni Lenape—men and women who had witnessed the ebb and flow of many seasons, and who had lived through times of great change.

Miwā?k raised his hand, signaling to Levi and Will to stop. His voice, when it came, was deep and steady, and though it was in Lenni Lenape, it was still clear to the council that he carried the authority of one who understood both the tribe’s traditions and the ways of the outside world.

“The men you see before you come from far lands. They have traveled a great distance. They seek not to harm us, but to speak of their intentions.” Miwā?k’s words were firm, his gaze steady as he swept his arm toward Levi and Will. “They come seeking the wisdom of our people, to learn from us and perhaps find a place to live in this land.”

Levi and Will stepped forward then, their hearts beating in their chests, the eyes of the entire council now on them. The tribe’s curiosity was palpable, but there was also a hardness in the air, a caution that hung between them like an invisible thread. Levi took a breath, stepping into the circle, and waited for Miwā?k’s translation.

Miwā?k turned to them, his voice lowering as he spoke in English, the language now familiar to him but still a foreign bridge between two worlds. “Now you must speak. Tell them who you are, what you seek.”

Levi’s voice, heavy with a Spanish accent, rang out first, his words slow but deliberate. “We no... no come for fight. No. We come... to stay. Build home. Farm... make family. We need land. We no take from you... just need place.”

Will stood by Levi, his own voice smoother, but still carrying the accent of his Scottish roots. “We are farmers. Not soldiers. We wish no harm. We come to work with the land.”

The members of the council exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The murmurs began to rise as Miwā?k translated for them, each word carefully chosen. The suspicion in the air was thick, a palpable weight pressing down on Levi and Will. The elders listened with the kind of patience that only comes from those who have lived through the cycles of many seasons, but the wariness in their eyes did not fade.

Finally, from the back of the circle, an elder stood. He was tall, his face lined with age and experience, and his voice, when it came, was strong and deliberate.

“You speak of peace, but you are the first white men we have met. We have heard only whispers, rumors from other tribes... strange men, strange ways. They say your people come, speak of peace, and then take what is not theirs. How do we know you will be any different?” His gaze was sharp, his eyes never leaving Levi. “How do we know you will not do the same?”

Miwā?k translated, his voice calm, but Levi could feel the intensity of the elder’s words. The council was not speaking from their own experience with white men, but from stories they had heard—stories of other tribes who had been tricked by promises of peace only to have their land stolen or destroyed.

Levi straightened, his expression resolute. “We no take. We no harm. We live... we work with land... together,” he said, each word heavy with the weight of his intention.

Miwā?k repeated the translation, his voice steady. The elder’s gaze did not soften, but the murmur of the council grew louder as the discussion spread between them.

After a long pause, another elder—a woman with gray streaks in her hair, braided neatly behind her head—rose to speak. Her voice was quieter, but it carried the weight of experience.

“The hunting is good here, near the stream and the hills to the west. This land has been enough for our people to survive. But farming... farming requires much. The trees must be cleared, the earth broken. We have no need for more fields here. The land is not suited for many farms. And there is not enough water to irrigate the crops of many people.” She paused before continuing. “To the east, however... there is better land. Larger bodies of water—lakes like Topanemus and Weamaconk. The soil is rich. The water will feed your crops. There, you will find what you need to build a home and a future.”

Miwā?k translated as the woman spoke, and Levi felt a wave of relief wash over him. The path east was not far—just a few hours beyond the current location, and it would lead them to the land that would become Freehold. The lakes, the soil, and the water supply would offer the resources they needed to build the community they envisioned.

Levi nodded. “We go east,” he said firmly. “Find good place for home.”

The woman nodded in return, her face softening slightly. “We will show you the way. But remember—this land is sacred. The trees, the lakes, the waters—they are gifts. You must respect them. Work with the land, not against it.”

Levi and Will exchanged a glance. This was the opportunity they had been waiting for. They would move east, but they would have to prove their worth, their respect for the land, and their determination to build something lasting.

The council murmured among themselves, their voices rising and falling in quiet debate. Miwā?k turned back to Levi and Will, his expression serious.

“The elders have spoken. They will guide you east. But you must prove yourselves. Your actions will speak louder than your words.”

Levi nodded solemnly. The journey east would not be without its challenges, but it was the only path forward. The elders had given them the chance they needed, but it was now up to them to make good on their promises.

As the council began to break up, Miwā?k turned to the settlers once more. “This is the path you must take. But remember, the land will test you. It is not enough to say you will respect it—you must show that you will.”

Levi and Will nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility that now lay before them. They had been given the opportunity to settle, to find a place in this land—but they would have to earn it, step by step, through their actions.

Part Two: The Path East

As Levi and Will returned to the settlers, the weight of the news they carried was heavy. The tension of the council still lingered in the air, but they had secured a path forward. The settlers had been anxiously waiting for updates, their campfire crackling with unease, the shadows of the trees stretching long into the night.

When they arrived back at camp, Levi felt the eyes of the group fall upon them instantly. They had traveled many miles and faced countless dangers—yet they had yet to secure their future. Now, the decision had been made. But the settlers were anxious, unsure if they could trust the path that had been laid before them.

Levi cleared his throat and faced the group. “We speak with the tribe. They show us the way east. There’s good land there. Water... trees... fertile soil. We can build homes, farm, make a future. But... they give us a test. We show respect, we show we work with the land, not against it.”

Will stepped forward, his eyes scanning the faces of the settlers. “We have a chance to make something real here. The land is good. Miwā?k will guide us. The path is east, not far from here, but we must prove ourselves. The elders—they watch us.”

There was a murmur of approval from some, but not all. A few voices were skeptical, a few still doubtful. One settler, a younger man with a beard that hadn't quite filled out, stepped forward. "But what if they change their minds? What if the Indians—" He swallowed, casting a nervous glance at Miwā?k, who stood slightly behind Levi and Will, a silent presence, observing. "What if they decide we’re too much trouble? What then?"

Miwā?k's eyes flashed briefly, but his voice remained calm. "I take you there. If you are true, you will find what you need. If not, you will leave."

Levi raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "We have to move. We cannot stay here. There is no land left to farm. If we do not go now, we risk everything. It’s the only chance we have."

The group exchanged looks, and finally, after a few moments, the decision was made. They would follow Miwā?k to the east.

Meanwhile, as Miwā?k led Levi and Will through the forest, he was already thinking ahead, knowing that the path east would be far from easy. There were other tribes in the area—tribes that were already uneasy about the increasing number of settlers—and many of them were not as patient or forgiving as the Lenni Lenape. He needed to reach Chief Tamok before the newcomers arrived.

Miwā?k was not thrilled to be guiding so many settlers into the region, but he knew there was no turning back. He had to warn Tamok—there was no time to lose.

As they neared the edge of the land where Tamok's people had settled, Miwā?k began to move with more urgency. His thoughts were on the Chief, and the uneasy news he would bring.

When he finally reached Chief Tamok, the meeting was tense. The Chief was not thrilled at the prospect of even more white settlers in the area, particularly after Kimo had encountered the earlier group. The area was rapidly filling up with potential change and new threats.

Chief Tamok did not look pleased as Miwā?k approached. “More settlers?” he asked, his voice heavy with doubt. “What do they bring?”