Chapter 7: Love and death
When Pocahontas arrived back at her village she saw with dread that the warriors from the other tribes had finally arrived. "The warriors are here!" This was not happening they were too early! Now, what was she going to do!
She felt a hand tap her on the back of her shoulder and whirled around coming face to face with her younger sister. Nakoma's eyes were filled with worry. "Pocahontas, are you crazy?" What were you doing with one of them?
"Nakoma I-There you are." Pocahontas turned around to see Kocoum approaching them. "Look at them." Now we have enough warriors to destroy those white demons. Pocahontas wanted to argue that not all of those men were monsters. There was at least one among them who was good. That she knew to be true!
"Now that we are joined by our brothers...we will defeat this enemy!" Powhatan shouted loud enough for his people to hear. No! There has to be a way! Pocahontas ran to her father hoping there was some way she could convince him! Some way she could stop this war before it began!
"Father, I need to speak with you." Powhatan turned to look at his daughter. "Not now, my daughter." The council is gathering. "We don't have to fight them!" She shouted. "There must be a better way."
The tired chieftain sighed. "Sometimes our paths are chosen for us." But maybe we should try talking to them. "They do not want to talk." But if one of them did want to talk, you would listen to him, wouldn't you? Pocahontas...Wouldn't you?! The old man sighed. "Of course I would." But it is not that simple. Nothing is simple anymore.
Meanwhile, John Smith stood guard outside the fortress when he heard the sound of a branch breaking. He turned his gun aimed right at...Quasimodo. Quasimodo held up his hands defensively the raccoon on his shoulder slipped off his shoulder and ran away.
Relax John, I-Its just me. John sighed somewhat annoyed. "You idiot! I could have killed you!" He shouted alerting the rest of the camp of his arrival. "I-I'm sorry John, I didn't mean to scare you." John sighed annoyed. "Just get in here."
Ratcliffe looked somewhat displeased. "There you are kid we've been looking all over for you." Said Lon. There you are, boy! Shouted Ratcliffe looking displeased. And where exactly have you been hiding?
The boy felt instantly uncomfortable Ratcliffe's eyes borrowing into his soul. "I was...E-Exploring sir. I-In the forest. Ratcliffe's eyes widened and for the first time ever...He smiled at the boy. "You didn't by any chance...Find anything...Did you?" Say the...Location of the Indians.
The boy froze and for once he felt true unimaginable fear! "N-No sir...W-Why do you ask?" The man growled slightly then sighed. "That's too bad we'll need that information for the battle." He looked at him confused his heart racing. "W-What battle?"
The man smirked. "I'm glad you asked because...I plan to eliminate these savages once and for all!" Quasimodo's fear was replaced with pure rage. No! He growled. Ratcliffe looked at him shocked. "I'm sorry...What was that? The Boy stood his ground. He was not about to let this man win. The man was planning on killing thousands of innocent people...And he refused to play a part in it!
I said no! He growled. John looked at his friend confused. "Quasi what are you-"I won't let you kill those people!" You cant! Ratcliffe merely chuckled. "Oh, I can't, can't I?" And why not? The boy growled in frustration.
Look, w-we don't have to f-fight them! He pleaded. Quasi what's gotten into you? John asked his friend confused. Quasimodo sighed as he finally told the truth. "I...I-I-I met one of them." John stared at his friend in shock. It suddenly all made sense. The time he spent in the woods he had been lying this entire time!
You what? Said Ben speechless A savage? Lon asked shocked. Quasi shook his head. "Y-You d-don't understand...They're not savages." T-They can help us. "T-They know the land." They know how to navigate the rivers. And look. He said pulling the vegetable Pocahontas had shown him having accidentally left it in his bag. "I-It's food." What is it? Lon asked. It's better than what we had to eat on the ship, that's for sure. Ratcliffe glared at the boy furious. He knew the boy would be trouble!
He snatched the corn from his hand and threw it on the ground. "They don't want to feed us, you ninnies!" They want to kill us, all of us! "They've got our gold, and they'll do anything to keep it!" Quasi glared at the man as he tried to plead to the others to listen.
"D-Don't you see?" T-There is no gold! No gold? Ben said shocked. Ratcliffe smirked. "And I suppose your little Indian friend told you this?" He asked. "Y-Yes she did." He winced realizing instantly what he'd just said. Ratcliffe smirked. She?
I should have known this boy would be trouble, and now he's gone and fallen in love with one of those savages! Well, I've had enough! If that boy gets in my way I'll kill him and this...girl! The other man whispered "She." Realizing the boy was in love. John looked at his friend worriedly
It's lies! Lies! Lies! All of it! Ratcliffe shouted. Murderous thieves! "There's no room for their kind in civilized society." Quasimodo looked furious his eyes burning with rage as he stood his ground. "But this is their land!" This is my land! Ratcliffe shouted back. "I make the laws here."
"And I say anyone who so much as looks at an Indian...without killing them on sight will be tried for treason...and hanged!" He shouted. Quasimodo glared at the man as he stormed off. John placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. Quasi-Leave me alone! He shouted storming off.
That night Pocahontas ran through the cornfield silently hoping she wouldn't get caught. "Pocahontas!" Pocahontas turned to see her younger sister behind her. Nakoma I have to! No, you don't.
"Don't go out there, I lied for you once, don't ask me to do it again." I have to do this! Pocahontas tried to run off, but her sister grabbed her arm. "He's one of them!" You don't know him. Not like I do. He's just wants to put an end to this war.
"If you go out there, you'll be turning your back on your own people." Pocahontas looked shocked. "I'm trying to help my people." She tried to run again but Nakoma grabbed her hand. Pocahontas, please. You're my sister and my best friend!
"I don't want you to get hurt." Pocahontas placed her hand on her sisters. "I won't," I promise. "I know what I'm doing." Before she could stop her she ran into the corn stalks. "Pocahontas, no !" But it was too late, she was gone.
She remembered the stranger's words. "I just want peace." Did he really? What if it was all a lie? What if it was a trick? What if he hurt her sister? She remembered the strangers pleading eyes. What if it had all been an act?! What if her sister was in danger?! She had to do something!
Meanwhile, in the camp, the men sat around a fire discussing what the strange boy had told them. "But what if the kids right?" Asked Lon. "What if there is no gold?" Ben shrugged. "If you ask me, Ratcliffe's been lying to us since we left London." Said, John. He suddenly noticed a shadow crossing behind one of the tents and followed after it. the others still arguing.
"Listen to you, ya bunch of idiots!" Ben said annoyed. "Those savages didn't attack us for nothin'. They're hidin' somethin'." John Smith peered out of the entrance to the camp in time to see Quasimodo running into the forest.
A shadow fell across him. "Follow him," Ratcliffe said. Of course sir I'll bring him back. Don't bother. Sir? "I want to know where he's sneaking off to." Yes, sir. Smith? Yes. if you happen to see any Indians...shoot them. Oh and smith? Yes...Sir? That boy has been a slipshod sailor and a poor excuse for a soldier If he gets in your way do not hesitate to bring him down! Do you understand?
John felt sick to his stomach. Y-Yes, sir. He walked into the woods thinking about his friend. How could he agree to this?! Ratcliffe was asking him to take his friend's life! Could he really do it?! He looked nervously at the forest. "Please be alright!"
Meanwhile back at the village, Kocoum was sharpening his spear when he heard footsteps behind him? Kocoum. Kocoum turned to see Pocahontas's younger sister approaching him. Nakoma...What is it? "I-It's Pocahontas." The man looked instantly fearful. "What's wrong?" Is she all right? She shook her head. "I...I think she's in trouble."
Meanwhile, Pocahontas ran through the forest towards grandmother willow the other animals that surrounded her tree chittering in fear. "The Earth is trembling, child." What's happened? "The warriors are here!" Pocahontas! She turned to see Quasimodo rushing towards her.
Quasi! She cried out relieved. "L-L-Listen to me the settlers...T-Their planning to attack y-your people! "Y-You've got to warn t-them!" He pleaded. "M-Maybe it's not too late to stop this!" She grabbed his hand a look of pure determination in her eyes.
"You have to come with me and talk to my father." W-What? He said Shocked. He pulled his hand from hers. "I-I can't." Don't you see? "T-T-Talking isn't going to do a-any good." I already tried talking to the others b-but e-everything about this land has them s-s-spooked.
Suddenly a loud howl echoed off the trees. Meeko came running into the clearing hiding on Quasimodo's shoulder. A creature that had the head of a tree came walking into the clearing. "That's the strangest creature I've ever seen." Said Grandmother Willow shocked.
Suddenly the log creature tripped rolling down the hill hitting a rock and a small dog flew out of the log and into Quasi's hands. Quasimodo recognized the small pug immediately. It was governor Ratcliffe's dog, Percy!
"P-Percy?" He said confused wondering how on earth the little dog had gotten stuck in that log, to begin with. The little dog looked up at him shocked instantly recognizing him. Then his eye's landed on Meeko who gave the little dog a small wave.
The dog growled as it leaped from his arms and chased after the raccoon. Quasi stumbled as the two rushed past him. E-Easy, Percy. C-Come here! He said calling after the dog. "Meeko, come back!" Pocahontas pleaded.
"Y-You see what I m-mean?" Quasimodo said looking to Grandmother Willow. "O-O-Once two sides want to fight, n-nothing can stop t-t-them. "Come here, both of you!" Pocahontas Shouted. "I-I-It's all right!" It's all right! "H-He's a friend!" Quasimodo shouted trying to get the barking dog's attention.
Bad! Bad dog! Sit! Quasimodo shouted when Percy tried to bit Meeko's tail. Meeko grabbed flit and tried to use the hummingbird as a sword as he climbed up into the tree. What are you doing? Stop that! "All right, that's enough!" Grandmother Willow shouted frightening the pug causing him to faint and fall back into the water.
"It's enough to make your sap boil." The tree spirit grumbled picking the dog up by the tail and dropping him onto the trunk. "Now then, there's something I want to show you." Look. She said dipping one of her vines into the water creating ripples.
"The ripples," Pocahontas said. Quasimodo merely stared at the water mystified. He understood instantly what she was trying to say. "So small at first, then look how they grow, but someone has to start them." He sighed looking up at the spirit exhausted.
"T-T-They're not g-going to l-listen to us." She chuckled. "Young man, sometimes the right path is not the easiest one." Don't you see? She moved the root he was sitting on and he slid of coming to stand next to Pocahontas.
"Only when the fighting stops can you be together." Quasimodo sighed. She was right! A-A-All right. "L-let's go talk to your f-father." Grandmother Willow smiled closing her vines around Meeko, Flit, and Percy giving the young lovers privacy.
Pocahontas pressed her lip against his and first, the young man was surprised but he kissed her back. To strangers sat hidden in the brush watching the scene unfold. One was John smith who stared at his friend shocked. "He really is in love!" John smith thought shocked as he watched them.
The other viewer was...Kocoum! Kocoum could not believe what he was seeing. What was she doing?! He instantly saw red as he lunged from the bushes tackling the other man. The two fought each other Kocoum had a spearhead pressed to his throat.
"Kocoum! No!" Pocahontas pleaded. Quasimodo stared at the other man in fear. He had heard Pocahontas mention his name before. He was the man she was supposed to marry. The man she was supposed to love...And he'd seen them together and now...Now he planned to kill him!
Quasimodo struggled with the man trying to force the spearhead away from his throat while Pocahontas pleaded with the man to let him go. Kocoum! Please she begged. "Leave him alone!" She said trying to pull him off the man she loved.
Kocoum pushed her away as he tried to force the home-made dagger closer to his throat. Quasimodo instantly realized that this man...Saw him as a threat! Pocahontas couldn't save him...So he'd try to reason with this man himself! It was clear he cared for her just as much as he did.
"P-P-Please." He pleaded trying to keep the knife from impaling him. The man's eyes narrowed. "I-I don't want to fight y-you." For a moment, the man's eyes seemed to widen in shock. "I-I just want peace!" The man almost looked shocked. His grip on the knife almost seeming to slacken
What was he doing? This was one of the invaders? He should kill him! But-He looked at the strange man confused. He'd seen this...Stranger kissing Pocahontas! Did Pocahontas love this stranger? She loved him! Not me! Before he could let his anger return there was a loud bang.
The man fell back his fingers wrapping around Pocahontas's necklace. It instantly shattered in his grasp as he fell back into the river darkness swallowing him whole. Quasimodo looked at the man shocked. He was-He turned to see John Smith behind him his gun aimed at the spot where Kocoum had been seconds before.
John looked somewhat shocked at what he'd just done. "J-John." W-What are you doing here?! He asked staring at him in disbelief. I-I...Is he-did I...YOU IDIOT! He roared. What have you done?! H-He...He was going to kill you...I-I had t-I was trying to reason with him! He was going to let me go!
"I-I didn't know...I didn't mean to I- I thought that He stepped forward. "Get away from him!" Pocahontas shouted lashing out at the man. "P-P-Pocahontas, it won't h-help!" He said pulling her away. "H-He was only-He killed him!" Pocahontas sobbed.
Quasimodo could hear the natives shouting in the distance. Get out of here! He growled at his friend. W-What? Said John shocked. But...They'll kill you! He looked at him bitterly. I-I know. Pocahontas looked at him shocked.
"No, go with him." Run, please! She begged. He sighed. "I-I'm not going to run." T-This is my fault...and I will face the consequences. "This isn't your fault! John pleaded. I'm the one who killed him! It should be me who dies not you! GO! He shouted. "Q-Quasi, please...Don't do this."
Quasimodo gave his friend a sad smile. "Y-You saved my life once...Now...I'm saving yours" Go! He shouted as John ran off tears streaming down his face as he ran into the forest to hide. He watched with a heavy heart as the natives grabbed his friend dragging him away.
Pocahontas stared at Kocoum's lifeless body. Come Pocahontas said one of the warriors. We'll come back for him after we get this..."monster" to your father. Pocahontas said nothing as she walked back to the village her head hanging low.
Meanwhile, John smith watched hidden in the brush. What have I done! He turned his back on the man's lifeless body as he rushed back to camp. Percy sat under the roots of the tree shaking. Flit urged his friend to do something Meeko climbed down the tree and pat the frightened dog on the head and ran off as the nervous dog reluctantly followed.
Meanwhile in the village people cried and mourned upon hearing the news of Kocoum's Death. The Chieftain looked shocked. Are you sure? He asked the messenger? He nodded. How? He growled. How did this happen? Who? Who did this?! Who is to blame?! He shouted angrily.
People backed away alarmed as the other warriors walked into the camp dragging Quasimodo between them. The boy did not even attempt to fight let alone beg for his life, knowing full well no amount of pleading would spare his life!
He looked somewhat shocked by the creature's appearance. In front of him was one of the pale-faced strangers only this one...Actually looked like a demon! Kekata the village shaman however looked even more surprised. But not because of the creature's strange and twisted features...But because of his eyes. There was fear in them. So much fear as well as pain. He could see the innocence in the boy's heart and realized instantly that this was the one with the pure heart that the flames had shown him.
Though he hadn't seen the boy's face in the flames that day he just had to look at the boy to know he did not kill anyone. It was clear the boy was trying to protect the real killer. A friend perhaps he was about to intervene but could do nothing as the boy was forced to his knees in front of the chieftain.
"Pocahontas was out in the woods." Kocoum went to find her and this...Thing attacked him! Quasimodo looked at the ground refusing to look the man in the eye. Fear coursing through his veins.
He felt the tip of a spear underneath his chin forcing him to look the man in the eye. He tried not to let his fear show but failed. However, the chieftain did not see the fear in his eyes all he saw was a murder...A monster who had killed one of his strongest warriors.
"At sunrise, he will be the first to die!" He shouted. The boy looked at the ground. He wanted to cry. He wanted to plead...Beg for his life! Anything! But he was numb. Nothing he did would matter tomorrow...He would die!
Father! Powhatan turned to see his daughter rushing into the camp. "Father listen to me I- I told you to stay in the village." I know but- You disobeyed me. "You have shamed your father!" "I...I was only trying to help." She pleaded.
"Because of your foolishness, Kocoum is dead!" He shouted. Take him away! He shouted as the boy was dragged away! Nakoma watched as the boy was dragged past her their eyes meeting for a mere second and she knew instantly that he knew what she'd done. Why? He said silently as he was dragged away.
She instantly felt guilty. What...Have I done?! That night she searched desperately for her sister. She needed to tell her the truth! She already felt guilt for what she'd done. She'd seen the fear in that poor boy's eyes. He was going to die tomorrow because of what she'd done! She soon found her sister near the river.
"Kocoum was just coming to protect me," Pocahontas said not looking up her tears falling into the river. "Pocahontas, I sent Kocoum after you." Pocahontas looked up at her shocked. "I-I was worried about you." I-I thought I was doing the right thing. She said. B-But I was wrong! I'm so sorry.
Nakoma half expected her sister to be angry with her but Pocahontas simply shook her head. "It's not your fault little sister." All this...happened because of me. And now ill never see Quasimodo again. So that was the strange boy's name. Quasimodo. She kneeled next to her older sister.
"Come with me." She said taking her sister's hand as she led her to the tent where Quasimodo was being held. Two warriors stood guard at the entrance. "Pocahontas wants to look into the eyes of the...Monster that killed Kocoum." The warriors looked at the tears in the young woman's eyes thinking they were for the man who'd lost his life! Be quick.
As soon as they opened the tent Pocahontas rushed in while Nakoma kept the guards distracted. "P-P-Pocahontas." She fell to her knees throwing her arms around the man she loved. "I-I'm so sorry." The man chuckled trying to seem brave.
"F-For what, t-this?" The man said smiling. "I-I've dealt with w-worse." Her head rested against his chest as she sobbed. "It would've been better if we'd never met. None of this would've happened."
Quasimodo looked down at her in disbelief. "P-Pocahontas, l-l-look at me." She lifted her head her dark brown eyes meeting his sea green ones. "I-I-I'd rather die tomorrow...t-t-than live a hundred years without k-knowing you." She stared at him shocked.
"Pocahontas...It is not your fault!" I-I'm g-glad I met you. "You changed my life!" You taught me what true freedom felt like when I'd spent my whole life in a cage." You t-taught me the value of the world around me. You taught me t-to see the beauty in everything. You showed me k-kindness when no one else would. "I...I love you."
Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him. "I...I can't leave you." She said looking up at him. She brushed his face with her hand. He placed his hand on hers and smiled at her. "Y-You never will."
"N-No matter w-what happens to me, I-I'll always be with you." F-Forever. Pocahontas. He turned to see Nakoma standing behind them. He smiled at her. And mouthed the words "I forgive you." She smiled tears streaming down her own face. Quasimodo kissed Pocahontas's hand as she pulled away and followed her sister to the entrance of the tent. He turned away he could see Pocahontas's shadow on the wall before it disappeared as she left the tent. The boy felt tears stream down his face. What have I done! I don't want to die! He felt terror set in as he began to cry.
He froze as the tent flap opened. Had the chief changed his mind? Was he going to die now?! "Your not what you appear to be, are you boy? The man looked into the darkness confused. He had expected the chief's angry voice instead he'd heard the voice of an old man.
An old man stepped from the shadows. The boy looked away trying to avoid the stranger's gaze. "W-Who...Who are you? The old man sighed. My name...Is Kekata. I'm the village shaman. Quasimodo refused to look the stranger in the eye.
"You are not a murderer." Are you? The boy was shocked. I-I- You do not need to be afraid of me child I know you did not kill that man. The boy sighed. "The man's body has disappeared." The boy looked up shocked. W-What?
He nodded as he sat across from him. They went back for his body but found only a trail of blood. "They think a wolf or a bear dragged him off." But they didn't look well enough. I found footprints in the dirt leading deeper into the forest. The boy sighed sounding somewhat relieved.
"S-So h-he's alive!" The shaman nodded. The boy sighed. "I-It doesn't matter." T-They'll still kill me tomorrow. Maybe. The man said looking at the boy with pity. Why did you take your friend's place? Quasimodo wasn't sure how the man knew but he didn't ask.
"H-He saved my life once." I-I wanted to repay his k-Kindness. By sacrificing yourself? By taking his place the boy whimpered. "Are you afraid to die?" Y-Yes he stuttered. The shaman got to his feet. "Do not fear boy, You will not die tomorrow." The boy stared at him in disbelief.
"I-I...I don't understand?" You're different than those other men. Aren't you child? You have a special connection to the forest. To the plants and the animals. "H-How did you-I'm a shaman boy the spirits of this forest tell me everything." You have a gifted boy; you are too special to die let alone here! The spirits of this forest will not let you die. It isn't your time.
Do not fear. Sleep rest everything will be fine. The Old man said as he left the tent. I hope he's right. Quasimodo said fearfully. He shuddered imagining the chieftains cold eyes. He knew the man was just afraid.
He wasn't evil! He was just trying to protect his people! It was Ratcliffe he was really worried about. He sighed. Hopefully, tomorrow would be over with quickly. Tomorrow the war begins! Tomorrow is my execution Tomorrow...Tomorrow I die!