Unusual Child: Chapter 5

By: jungleboy69

Chapter 5: Village Debate

It was almost dusk by the time Pocahontas arrived back at the village. Songaa was still asleep in her sling with Meeko curled up at the front of the canoe while Flit sat on the tip with his head tucked under his wing.

As she docked on the shores, Nakoma was waiting for her. "Pocahontas!" She called, waving at her. "You're back!" "Sorry, Nakoma." Pocahontas replied. "I was taking Songaa to meet Grandmother Willow."

"Really?" Nakoma asked. "Did she like him?" Pocahontas grinned. "She adored him. In fact, she even sang Songaa to sleep." Nakoma looked and smiled at the sleeping baby. "How cute..." She whispered. "He looks like an angel..."

Pocahontas smiled as she looked her sleeping son. She turned to Meeko and Flit who were still snoring away. "Meeko, Flit! We're home!" She told them. Meeko yawned and stretched himself while Flit lifted his head and shook his feathers.

"How is everything back at home?" She asked. Nakoma frowned in worry. "There has been a hunting accident." She explained. "One of our hunters has been badly wounded." "An accident?" Pocahontas asked in concern. "What happened?"

"A mountain lion attacked Helaku and Nabori while he was hunting." Nakoma replied. "Helaku managed to fight it off but he has been scratched and bitten." "Kekata has been tending to him." She added. "He won't be able to hunt for the next few weeks."

"I don't understand." Pocahontas pointed out. "Why would a mountain lion attack a man?" "Nabori told us the mountain lion is affected by madness..." Nakoma replied. "There was a gash mark on its paw and a scar on one of its eyes."

"It was fortunate both of them survived." She added. "But now, your father plans to set a hunting party to hunt the mountain lion." "Is my father home?" Pocahontas asked in worry. "He's in his tent with Kekata and a few of his braves." Nakoma replied

Pocahontas nodded. "Would you mind taking Songaa back to my tent?" She asked. "Me...?!" Nakoma asked, a little flustered. "I-I'm not sure..." "It's alright, Nakoma." Pocahontas assured her as she picked Songaa out of her sling and handed him over to her. "It will be alright."

"O-Okay..." Nakoma replied, as she took the baby in her arms. "Meeko, Flit, you two stay here with Songaa and Nakoma." She told her animal friends as she went over to her father's tent, leaving Nakoma with Songaa in her arms and Flit and Meeko.

Nakoma sighed. "And I'm left holding the baby..." She muttered. She suddenly heard soft moaning sounds and looked to see Songaa waking up from his nap and looking up at her with his big blue eyes.

"Aaaaauuuu..." Songaa cooed, reaching out to him. Nakoma couldn't help but smile. "Well, it can't be all that bad." She pointed out.

(With Pocahontas...)

The latter peered in closely at the entrance of Powhatan's tent. She could see her father, along with Kekata and four other braves inside, having a meeting. "Chief Powhatan, do not worry." One brave spoke out. "We will track down and kill this man-eater."

"There have been rumors of a scarred, rogue mountain lion in our hunting grounds." Kekata added. "But, this is the first time it has ever attacked one of us." "It doesn't matter what it does!" Another warrior spoke up. "We must kill it before it attacks again."

"My brothers!" Powhatan spoke, raising his hand for silence. "We must tread carefully." "A man-eater is more cunning and dangerous than a normal animal" He pointed out. "Once it has a taste for human blood, it will crave for more."

"Once more, the mountain lion is ruler of his domain." Kekata added. "It moves like darkness, it strikes like lightning, and it fears nothing." "You must be careful." "Don't worry, Kekata." A brave spoke up. "We'll find and destroy this evil beast for good!"

Powhatan sighed. "It pains me to have such a noble creature killed." He explained "But if that mountain lion continues to attack our people, it has to be stopped." "We will start tomorrow at sunrise." He added. "Stay together."

The braves nodded and quietly left the tent, causing Pocahontas to move out of the way as the warriors left. After listening to the meeting, she figured it was best for her to leave. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard her father calling for her. "My daughter, come inside."

Pocahontas froze and hesitated at a first, but took a deep breath and entered. She found her father and Kekata waiting for her. "You know, it's rude for you to eavesdrop on a meeting." Powhatan spoke with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, Father." Pocahontas replied. "Nakoma told me about the accident." "Is Helaku alright?" She asked. Powhatan smiled kindly and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Do not worry, my child." He assured her. "Kekata's medicine is working wonders. Helaku will survive."

"You don't really mean on hunting that rogue, do you?" Pocahontas asked worriedly. "It has to be done." Her father replied. "If the rogue continues to attack our people, it has to be dealt with." "Do not worry." He added. "Our best hunters will track it down."

"But, let's not talk about me." Powhatan spoke, with a kind smile. "How about Songaa?" Pocahontas's expression brightened. "He's fitting in well." She explained. "I took him to meet Grandmother Willow."

Powhatan chuckled. "She must be excited to have a great grandson." Pocahontas giggled as well. "She is." She added. "She rocked him and even sang a lullaby." Kekata stroked his chin. "Pocahontas..." He muttered. "You said the spirits guided you to Songaa, is that right?"

Pocahontas nodded. "Yes, the wind guided me to him." She explained. "The wind, you say..." Kekata asked. "It would appear the spirits have an interest in your son." "The spirits, Kekata?" Pocahontas asked in surprise.

"The spirits work in mysterious ways." The medicine man explained. "Ways that we can't understand." "They can sense when one is pure of heart or one who is selfish." He added. "It would appear your son has a pure heart."

Pocahontas nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Kekata." She replied. "I just wish others were more open-minded like you." "What do you mean?" Powhatan asked. Pocahontas sighed. "Some of the villagers still don't accept Songaa." She explained. "They believe that he should have been killed."

"Do not worry, my daughter." Powhatan replied gently. "They only say those things because they don't understand." "People who are afraid of others who are different will speak harsh words." He added. "Do not listen to them."

Pocahontas smiled at her father. "I hope so, Father." She replied.

(5 mins later...)

The tribe were sitting around the fire, having their evening meal. Pocahontas and Nakoma were sitting together, with baby Songaa in the former's arms. Meeko and Flit were with them, the raccoon eating delicious wild turkey and corn.

"Aaaauuu..." Songaa squealed as he ate some corn meal and squash. Pocahontas giggled. "He's so sweet..." She cooed softly. Nakoma chuckled. "You know, when you left Songaa with me, he kept pinching my nose and patting my cheeks." She pointed out.

"Really?" Pocahontas grinned, resisting the urge to giggle. "I would love to have seen that." Nakoma rolled her eyes but grinned back. "My brothers!" Powhatan spoke up. "I have news that I wish to share."

"The rumors of a scarred mountain lion have proven to be true." He added grimly. "It has attacked Helaku and it will surely attack again." The villagers murmured among themselves. "I have assembled a hunting party of some of our finest warriors to track down the creature and destroy it." He explained.

"Chief Powhatan!" A warrior named Takona exclaimed. "Mountain lions live far up in the mountains" "How could there one here now?" Chief Powhatan signed. "It must have been searching for a new territory." He explained. "That is why it has come down from its mountain home."

"Chief Powhatan," Another warrior named Quick-Bow spoke up. "I find it hard to believe that a mountain lion would attack a man." "Don't you find it strange that this attack occurred just after the day Pocahontas found that child in the forest?"

More murmurs were heard. Pocahontas clutched Songaa close to her. "What are you suggesting?" She asked, with a tremble in her voice. "I'm saying it can't be a coincidence this attack happened after you found that thing in the forest!" Quick-Bow spoke up.

"It could be a sign from the Great Spirit!" He added. "He's trying to warn us about keeping that pale-face in our village!" "I agree with Quick-Bow!" Takona spoke up. "Helaku is one of the greatest hunters and warriors! He couldn't have been injured so easily!"

"But ever since you brought that pale-skinned child back to our village, Helaku has met with misfortune!" He added. "Who will be next?!" "As long as it remains with us, we will never be safe!" Loud murmurs were heard. Pocahontas was horrified to hear such words and clutched Songaa close to her. The baby began to whimper in fright.

"What is wrong with you?!" Nakoma exclaimed. "Songaa is just a baby, you can't honestly blame him for what happened to Helaku!?" "Stay out of this, Nakoma!" Takona spoke out. "This is for the safety of our people!"

"Since when is an innocent child a threat to us?!" Nakoma demanded. "You're getting worked up over events that probably will never even happen!" "How would you know?!" Takona argued. "In my opinion, there is no place for that white devil in our tribe!"

Some of the villagers gave out cries of agreement. "My son...is not a devil!" Pocahontas yelled back, clutching her son in her arms. "He is just an innocent child who has no one else!" "I will not give up my baby just because you're afraid of him!" She added.

"You dare call us cowards!?" Takona snarled. "Only a coward would threaten a mother and her child!" Pocahontas replied defiantly. "You're not fit to be called a warrior!" "You will pay for that!" Takona roared, taking out a hunting dagger.

"ENOUGH!" Powhatan thundered and everyone fell silent. "There will be no fighting amongst ourselves!" "I already made my decision that Pocahontas will raise Songaa!" He told them severely. "If Songaa can learn our ways, he is every bit a member of our tribe!"

"Songaa is the son of my daughter and that makes him my grandson!" He added. "And I will not tolerate any insult or threat to either of them!" "Chief, you cannot be serious!" Takona argued. "This devil child will be the end of us all!"

"And I say you are not Chief, Takona!" Powhatan warned him. "My decision is final!" "And if anyone dares to even harm one hair on my grandson, will be dealt with severely!" Takona snarled a bit but remained silent.

Pocahontas sighed in relief before gently bouncing a whimpering Songaa in her arms to calm him down. However, she noticed Takona and a few braves glaring at her. She remained undaunted. She had vowed to stay by her son no matter what and she was going to keep it.