Chapter 12: The Meeting at the Encampment

The sun was sinking below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dense forest as Levi, Will, and Miwank walked through the woods. The tension of their mission weighed heavily on them. Chief Tamok had made his position clear: A lasting peace between Lenni Lenape and any white settlers in the area could only come through unity, and the settlers had to present a united front. Divided, they would only bring conflict. Together, they might carve out a future, but only if Levi and Will could find a way to bring everyone together.

As they neared the edge of the settler encampment, Kimo, the Lenape warrior who had accompanied them from the village, stopped. His role was clear: He would guide them to the settlement, but after that, he would stay back. Chief Tamok had specifically instructed him not to engage with the settlers after the incident with Anthony, the slave who had been accidentally shot by one of Kimo’s hunters. The Chief had made his point, and there could be no further missteps.

“Kimo,” Levi said softly, acknowledging the warrior’s decision. “You stay here, yes?”

Miwank translated the exchange as Kimo nodded. He stepped back into the trees, silently retreating out of sight.

“Kimo says he stays hidden,” Miwank spoke quietly, his eyes scanning the tree line. “He won’t come closer. Chief Tamok gave orders after the arrow incident with these settler's black-skinned man.”

Levi understood. The mishap with Anthony, though accidental, had complicated relations with the settlers. Chief Tamok didn’t want any further conflict. They would have to carry the weight of this meeting themselves.

As the three men walked on, the clearing ahead revealed the encampment: small clusters of settlers working at building shelters, tending fires, and talking in low voices. It was a scene of early survival, where everyone worked hard but uncertainty lingered in the air. The settlers knew they were on land that wasn’t their own, and though they were trying to establish something, they still had no idea what the future held.

Then, as they approached the center of the camp, a tall, broad-shouldered man saw them emerge from the nearby woods and stepped forward. His expression was guarded, but not unfriendly.

“I’m Thomas Lake,” he said, his voice firm but not harsh. “And you are?”

“Su Nombre. I mean my name is Levi Solomon,” Levi answered, stepping forward and offering a respectful nod. “And este...this is William Allen. We come to speak about future here, where settlers and natives can live in peace and build together.”

Will nodded in agreement, though his voice was rough as he added, “We’ve been talking with the Lenape—those nearby—and they’re willing to live alongside us and teach us how to farm. In exchange, we offer some of our own knowledge—tools, farming techniques, and the like.”

Lake raised an eyebrow, skepticism clearly written on his face. “You come to settle in these parts?” he asked, his gaze flicking to the small group of settlers scattered about. “And you want to keep peace with the natives? I’m not sure how that would work for any of us. We seem to want the same land they now live on.”

Levi stepped forward, his dark eyes steady as he explained, “We believe it can work. The land is here is to share. We need unity —among the settlers. If we divided, we can’t work with the land or the people who’ve lived here for long time.”

Lake nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. “Unity’s a tall order. But perhaps we’ll see. I don’t trust everyone here to share your vision. Are there more settlers with you and are you sure they will share ours? We’ve all got our reasons for being here.”

Levi nodded, understanding the man’s caution. “I understand. We all have our histories.”

Lake’s eyes flicked between the two men. “And what are your histories?” he asked, his tone softening slightly.

Levi took a deep breath before answering. “I’m a Jew, from Spain. Fleeing the Inquisition. We were persecuted, hunted. They wanted to burn us, to erase us from world. Wife. Me. We no choice but leave. This land… it’s a place for free.”

Will glanced at Levi and nodded, then spoke himself. “I’m from Scotland. The crown there… taxes us to death. Took everything I had. I couldn’t live like that. Came here hoping for something different, a place to work without being bled dry.”

Lake’s eyes softened a little more as he heard their stories. “Aye,” he said, his voice laced with a certain sadness. “I know what you mean. I’m from Scotland too. By way of London. But not like you, Levi. I’m Catholic. And being Catholic in England, when most people are Protestant? It was dangerous. They hunted us too, drove us out. So I came here, seeking a place where I could just live, without fear.”

Levi studied Lake’s face, seeing the truth in his words. “We all came seek free then,” he said quietly. “Freedom to live, to be... we are.”

Lake gave a small, rueful smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Aye. We all have our reasons, don’t we?”

Before any more could be said, a sudden movement in the trees caught their attention. From the treeline emerged a figure, stepping slowly but purposefully into the clearing. Kimo, who had been hiding behind the trees, now stepped into the light, his presence a clear reminder of the tension between the settlers and the native people.

The moment Edward, a tall man with a harsh expression, saw the movement in the woods, his eyes narrowed, and a sneer crossed his face. He immediately reached for the rifle slung across his shoulder. The settlers around him stiffened, sensing the rising tension.

Edward pointed the rifle at Kimo, his voice cold and hard. “Who’s that?” he demanded. “Come out of the woods.”

The three men—Levi, Will, and Miwank—immediately recognized the figure as Kimo, but Edward had no idea who he was. His mind was clouded with anger and mistrust.

Levi stepped forward, raising his hand in a calm gesture. “It’s all right. This... Kimo. He come with us.”

But Edward wasn’t listening. His finger tightened on the trigger as he glared at the Lenape warrior. “ Wait! I know you,” he spat. “You’re the one who shot my slave. The one who—”

“We told that was accident,” Levi cut him off quickly, trying to calm the situation. “We no want trouble.”

Edward, however, was already enraged. “You brought a killer savage into our camp, and now he’s hiding in the trees, thinking he’s safe? Get him out of here!” He pointed the gun squarely at Kimo.

Lake stepped forward with a commanding voice. “Edward!” he shouted, his hand outstretched. “That’s enough. Put the rifle down. That Indian meant no harm. It was an accident that took place. He brought help to treat Anthony and never threatened us."

Edward slowly lowered the gun. His face twisted with disdain as he glared at Kimo.

“You’ll regret this, savage! You too, Spaniard Jew,” Edward muttered, his voice full of venom as he turned and stalked off into the woods. “All of you.”

Lake exhaled heavily, turning to Levi and Will. “I apologize for him,” he said, his voice softer now. “Edward’s a man with his own demons. But he won’t get in your way again.”

Levi’s face was hard, but he said nothing. Edward’s threat was just the beginning. The real battle would be in uniting these settlers—if it was even possible.

As Edward disappeared into the shadows, Lake gave them a final nod. “Let’s focus on the matter at hand. We’ve got a long road ahead if we’re going to build something lasting here. Meet the group and let's talk more. We don't have much but we can offer you a meal. The Indians, too!"

Levi gave a curt nod, but his mind was already racing. The conversation with Lake had been helpful, but Edward’s hostility would be a challenge—one they hadn’t anticipated.