Chapter Eleven
What Are You Looking At?
During Joseph and Spock's conversation they developed respect for one another. The conversation continued.
Joseph looked at Spock and said,
"Tomorrow you become a clan member, a Wakafunzi. Do they have clans on Vulcan?"
"Yes, I am from Maat S'chin T'gai clan which denotes direct descent from Surak, our founder of logic."
"Kind of royalty."
"No, we have no monarchy."
"Kind of celebrity?"
"No, we do not seek prominence."
"Leaders?"
"On some levels yes."
Nodding his head Joseph said,
"The Wakafunzi were initially warriors and produced a line of kings. In the present time we are known as leaders and educators. You cannot be a part of this clan without at least one masters degree. Now most of the members are teachers, professors, college presidents…a few have strayed into other fields. My father attended Star Fleet Academy where his training allowed him to venture forth in a totally different direction…electronics, some entered banking. Nyota is one of the few females to leave home to pursue a career. You are aware of my mothers absolute desolation when that choice was made. But Nyota's argument was, the males have left home, lived off-world…You've seen her room?"
Glad to know that the darkness would hide his green blush Spock said,
"I have."
You have seen all that stuff on her walls-stars, space, The Academy. She started that dream when she was four years old."
Spock responded,
"I think she has always been older than her years."
"Yes, yes she has."
Spock made a statement that was so weighty,
"I use to look at the night sky and direct people's attention to my home, the planet Vulcan…New Vulcan is not visible in this sky.
Silence prevailed as each male reached deep into himself to find understanding, resolution or comfort.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Day One dawned bright and Nyota entered the bedroom that Spock had stayed in the previous night. She saw him seated on a mat, deep in meditation. She knelt next to him and joined him. During her deepest level she sensed how much she had missed Spock the previous night. Not quite unbearable, but close to it.
When he stirred, she brought herself into consciousness. His first words to her were an echo of her thoughts,
"Beloved, my sleep was not productive, my arms were empty."
Kissing him lightly in order to avoid the surrender to their tightly held passions, Nyota said,
"I will meet you in the kitchen."
Once she showered and dressed she quickly follow the aroma of Kenyan coffee and was seated at the table when Spock entered the kitchen. Nyota went to prepare his tea. As she placed his tea in front of him, the bond sparkled.
"I count the minutes beloved."
Smiling she said,
"Countdown, W-day minus…
Spock said,
"Sixty three hours, five minutes, forty-five seconds. Eternity."
"Baby, your final word was illogical."
"Of this I am aware, my humanity keeps seeping through. It must be the environment."
The older women had taken over the kitchen so Nyota and Spock decided to take a walk.
"Have you heard the clan's distinctive drum beat."
"Yes, and memorized it."
"You will present yourself when you hear it."
"Nyota, I am aware of all the steps to be taken, Benjamin is an excellent instructor.
Spock introduced another subject,
"K'diwa, I have spent quite a bit of time conversing with Joseph. How do you think he would respond to encouragement to apply to Star Fleet? He is well below the cut-off age for acceptance and his experience as a ship captain would certainly weigh in his favor. He might even be accepted as an advisor or flight instructor."
Nyota nodded.
Just as they were about to make a turn Nyota heard her name being called. She turned to observe a tall, well build, extremely handsome brown skinned man approach. With a quizzical look on her face she asked,
"Roosevelt?"
He stepped into their private space and taking Nyota's forearm said,
"Let me take a look at you. I did not think it possible but you are more beautiful than ever."
Nyota could feel the possessive elements that were part of Spock's very being coming to the surface.
Her husband's even tone, belied his conflict,
"Mr. Roosevelt, please do not touch my wife again. That action has serious effect on my being."
With a voice and action that was designed to feigned fear, the male backed away with his open hands in front of him and said,
"Excuse me Mr. Vulcan."
Nyota closed her eyes and took a deep breath,
"Roosevelt M'musuda, let us start off on a better footing. This is my husband and bondmate, S'chin T'gai Spock."
Internalizing his 'feelings' Spock nodded and made the statement,
"The girl you once knew is now a woman who has consented to be my bondmate and wife. We are pleased you are able to attend the ceremony."
Of course we all know that Vulcans don't lie…not much anyway.
Spock then placed his hand at the small of Nyota's back and led her away to seclusion.
After a short period of silence Nyota spoke,
"You are aware that weddings are a community affair. He did not need a personal invitation to attend."
"It is of no consequence K'diwa. I do not feel he will dampen the spirit of this occasion."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
As night approached the family made its way to a location where there was elevated ground. Torches had already been lit and the unique drum beat of the the Wakafunzi clan, Luo tribe started beating. This tribe had always lived by the shores of Lake Victoria and its tributaries, in this case Lake Kisumu. The mixture of this group with the Maasai of the region explained the height of the majority of this clan, they were quite impressive.
The tribal griot started his recitation…"and M'mbi gave birth to…" That recitation would continue until it reached its culmination at the addition of the new clan member-Spock of Vulcan.
Benjamin stood before the family and said,
"A worthy candidate is presented for adoption into our clan. I myself have nominated him-Spock of Vulcan. Are there any who disagree with his adoption?"
Out of the crowd came one lone male, Roosevelt who said,
"I object."
"On what basis?"
"He has not proved himself worthy."
Benjamin held both of his hands up and a spear was placed in each palm.
"In days long ago, bloodshed was coupled with such a challenge. In our day, it is settled by a spear throw. The warrior whose spear travels the longest distance proves himself worthy."
Benjamin, having lived among Vulcans had no question in his mind about the outcome of this event. Spock received from his father-in-law, his weapon, which had a red shaft, and tossed it in his hand to check its balance. He considered the wind's direction and then acknowledged Roosevelt's height, weight and muscular strength, and mentally calculated the furthest distance he could throw his spear. He also took into consideration the wind resistance that his heavy robes would create. Spock was dressed in a simple tunic and trousers.
The tribal member who would supervise 'The Challenge of the Spear' stood with a red cloth in his hand. Roosevelt looked at Spock and through clintched teeth said,
"You do not deserve her."
Spock was silent, for he knew the outcome already.
The referee said, "Juu tatu anakodi mkuki ruka." (On three let spear fly).
"Kimoja. Mbili. Tatu." (One, Two, Three)
Roosevelt's thrust was accompanied by a loud grunt which was usual when a human performed such an act; Spock was silent as both spearmen let their weapons fly. Once the sound of their landing was heard, several men with torches went in search of the spears. As the first one was found, a marker was set. The men looked about for the second spear and then proceeded along what they felt would have been its path and discovered Spock's spear twenty five meters past his opponent's. The challenge had been successfully met.
The witnesses that returned with the spears simply said, "Such a feat has never been accomplish in all of our history. He is a great warrior. Benjamin smiled, for he knew they did not know the half. He could hardly wait for Spock's response once he was accepted into the clan.
Nyota broke free from the crowd and climbed and then stood before her husband, then knelt with her hands to the ground. Spock lowered himself to her level and took her face in his hands and with a slightly upturned lip he said,
"There can be no doubt now," as he raised her to her feet.
Roosevelt was not through with his disruptive behavior. As Spock and Nyota stood together he said to Benjamin,
"How can you allow it, he is not even human?"
"It can be and will be allowed for I was adopted by his clan many years ago, even though I am human. Benjamin then started to roll up his sleeve, Spock mirrored his action. On the inner side of each males right upper arm, just below the arm pit was the tattooed name, "S'chin T'gai in Vulcan script."
These two testimonies were witnessed by two secondary chiefs who nodded.
"There is no longer any dispute."
Roosevelt stormed out of the compound attempting to hatch a plan that could secure Nyota for himself. He was not considering the odds against him, a determined female and a bonded Vulcan male. It could not go well for him.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Benjamin again took his stand on the rising ground…
"Are there any other dissenters?"
Silence.
With that the clan totem was brought forth. Carved onto the top was the figure of a lion. The drums started again along with guitar and the mbira (African finger piano). Benjamin clapped once and a man with his arms full of garments came forth and a screen was set in place.
Benjamin said,
"Here are the garments of the Wakafunzi. As you place each garment on your flesh may you be given the strength of our numbers, and the unity of our clan."
Spock bowed his head and went behind the screen. Knowing his son-in-law well, Benjamin had made sure that a table was available for him to fold and place his removed clothing. Once Spock had changed his clothes he placed the cap on his head and presented himself to the sound of applause. The males had all lined up with their right arm on the shoulder of the one next to him. This line continued up onto Benjamin who with great deliberation placed his hand on Spock's right shoulder and said to the crowd,
"Nini tanda wewe ona?" (What do you see? What are you looking at?)
"Cha Brathee." (A brother)
Placing a staff of authority in Spock's right hand Benjamin raised his son-in-law's right arm high as he announced,
"Wewe ni sasa, Wakafunzi, Karibu Simba Kauli ." (You are now Wakafunzi welcome Voice of a Lion)
As anticipated by Benjamin, with that welcome Spock did roar, a pure Vulcan sound, frightening, and startling because it came from one who personified calm. There was a momentary pause and then shouts, "Karibu, Karibu." (Welcome, Welcome)
As the sounds died down the griot finished his narration,
"…Spock son of Sarek, of Vulcan."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
