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"Nothing, hopefully," she smiled. "They'll just slow me down. But you might need them if I get caught."
"What? To tomahawk the bad guys and cut you free?"
"Don't even think about trying that," she said. "If I don't return within the next hour, can you find your way back to my village to warn my father?"
I paused, looking up at the darkening sky.
"Not at dark, that's for sure."
"It will be easier if you double back to our lagoon, then try to pick up the trail from there. Worst-case scenario, just stay close to the beach and follow the island around until you get to our village. It might take a little longer, but at least that way you won't get lost."
"You're making this sound increasingly ominous," I said, wrinkling my brow. "Please be careful, Te'. Don't go any closer than you have to."
"Don't worry, my love," she smiled. "I've done this many times before. I should be back before the sun disappears over the horizon."
Teuila kissed me gently, then crept into the woods in the direction of the village. As I watched her tip-toeing through the trees, I marveled at how quietly she was able to pass through the dense brush hardly making a sound.
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That's my girl, I nodded, peering up at the whispering canopy. Don’t even let the snakes know you're there.
After a few minutes, she passed out of sight, and I squinted through the thicket, focusing on the circle of tribesmen seated around the fire.
It's true, I thought, remembering what she'd said to me earlier. Why is it always the men who need to mix things up and create conflict? I closed my eyes and imagined Teuila and me back in our little treehouse, living a peaceful life in our isolated stretch of paradise. I was in no hurry returning to all the stress and noise of Western civilization.
I picked up her adze and ran my finger gently over the edge of its blade. It was heavier than I imagined, and surprisingly sharp. I studied the head and shape of the handle, admiring how her people had fashioned such an effective tool out of basic materials. The stone head had been filed down to a sharp edge, with the butt of the blade supported by the extended arm of the ninety-degree handle. Tight cords of woven bark wrapped around the shank, securing it tightly to the frame. As I held it up wondering if it could be wielded as a weapon if the need arose, a deep masculine chant suddenly arose from the direction of the fire.
I peered through the copse of trees and saw that the men had raised to a standing position as they danced in a circle around the fire, flexing their spears and chanting loudly, just as I’d seen Manaia and the other young warriors from Teuila's tribe demonstrate a few nights earlier.
Maybe they'll kill each other off and let the two of us live peacefully on our own, I thought, shaking my head at their belligerent behavior.
I squinted my eyes, glancing from side to side to see any sign of Teuila. For the first time in days, I wished I'd had my phone or watch to keep track of time. It seemed like an eternity since she'd snuck off in the direction of the camp.
Where are you? I cursed under my breath, fearing she'd been discovered.
Seconds later, I heard some branches rustling behind me and I ducked defensively behind a bush.
"Jade!" Teuila whispered as I poked my head up.
"Thank heavens you're okay," I said, pulling her tightly against me. Her bare breasts were warmer than usual, toasted from the heat of the enormous fire in the village.
"I said I'd never leave you again," she said, kissing me sweetly on the lips.
I held her closely, feeling her heart beating against mine, then I pulled away and looked into her eyes.
"Did you hear anything?" Do you have any clearer sense about their plans for attacking your village?"
"Yes," she said, tightening her face in concern. "And it's even worse than I thought. They intend to attack two nights from now, during the next full moon. We haven't any time to lose. I have to get back to my village immediately to warn my father."
Teuila picked up the blades from the ground beside me and pulled me back through the forest in the opposite direction of the camp. As we scurried through the brush, I shook my head in dismay. I wasn't sure which posed the greater threat—her father, or this new tribe.
18
By the time we wound our way through the dark tangle of jungle to the other side of the island, the first glimmer of morning light had begun to appear over her village lagoon. Teuila paused at the edge of the forest overlooking the main square and peered in the direction of her hut. Everything appeared to be quiet and still, save the occasional squeal of a seabird returning from the surf with its morning catch of fish.
I glanced at Te', shaking more out of fear than from the cool onshore breeze.
"So what's your plan?" I said. "Everyone still appears to be sleeping."
