Ok, so this stories is not to popular, but --here are some more chapters anyway. Sorry for the slow pace, butI need this back story to off set some of the majorconflects that I hope will take place in this story.

Thank you to all that have reviwed and given support.

Chapter 6- Deliverance

North America- Jamestown

1607

"The council is pleased with your endeavors with the natives over these past months and we would like to offers you your seat to the council as the head of native relations. Do you accept" Would he accept, of course, hadn't this what he had been waiting for. He face showed the calm countered expression he always showed his superiors. However, his hidden emotions were of pure elation and confidence. He enjoyed most of all watching Ratcliffe's face twist. John new his new success added to the hate Ratcliffe had for him, but hewould have to settle that later.

"I accept with honor. Trust that I will serve the people to the best of my abilities." He wondered if they would notice that he vowed to serve the people and not the council, it was amazing what word choice could do. It always helped that the people you tried to fool thought you of lesser quality and thus lack the education to have deceived them in such a manor.

"Then it is all settled, you may trade and do as you see fit on the native problem. "No they didn't notice," he thought. As he walked out his men had clasped him on the back and murmured congratulations to him. He felt jubilant and now he had the freedom to discover about his new land he now called home. He knew what he had to do, he would venture forth into the wilderness to study the land, it resources (particularly how to get a steady supply of corn till they could grow their own), but most important on his journey he would study its native people. He differ from previous views held on how to deal with native peoples, he would treat them, as they were-useful entities.

As he sat in the shallop filled with the five men he had chosen to take with him, he felt guilt. It was the guilt of leaving Thomas behind. The boy had pleaded with him, "John it would be my first adventure," and he had responded "By coming to this land you had already started your adventure" then he said firmly "No."

He hated to leave him but he could not risk it if his friend was injured that would hurt his heart; he never liked to see anyone die especially a friend. No he sat waiting and from what he could tell far to the North and days from the friendly last friendly village that he had discovered so far on this journey. His thought was broken as he saw an arrow pierce the chest of the man in front of him. Instinct had kicked in an he reached for the gun beside him. He knew in what direction they were coming from west, it had to be. In the panic his men, paddled faster in the freezing water, hoping to find shelter of at lest make it closer to the shore and then fight.

But John knew as he aimed at his unseen target that that would not happen. He heard an anguish cry as a man near the rear was struck. They were well hidden and God knows how many there were of them, but he took a chance and fired. Scatter and movement, them he reloaded seeing another of his aim in the same direction. The brave had suddenly moved out expecting, not to be hit, but John had been faster aim accurate and the out come utterly deadly. The bullet struck the natives chest and it burst open like a child from the womb. Slowly falling to his knees John heard him call his God. In retaliation he heard the blood thirsty cry of out rage, sudden, and more arrow shots as they entered his men. He shot again a from the gasp he knew he his something, moreover someone and again lifting a fallen comrades gun did they the same and with the exact out come. As soon as the shallop hit the land, he was out and with drew his sword. With rustling from the bush out came a brave running full force at him. John had the breadth and strength enough to with stand the force coming at him, but that was not his plan. With war club raised, the native ran, however John started in motion an irreversible movement. John, connected with the brave using his own momentum and weight to swipe his enemy to the ground and in the same motion grabbing the knife from his boot, driving it home to the heart of his adversary.

He watched as the face beneath him grew lifeless and he became numb. Then, it was over. Only him and another man, Green, were alive. One by one the natives came out and it was a size able force fifteen there was no need to struggle, John and Green would be dead before they could ever have killed them all. John felt himself lifted from the body before him. He stood tall, straight, silent, and with dignity, if he was going to die, he wanted it this way. He knew if he struggled against it or showed weakness his death would long and painful.

"Green don't struggle," He had pleaded. However, the very human emotion of fight took over and Green struggled. He thrashed about, even spit into the native faces. For this he would die now. John watched as they took Green to a tree, striped open the loose shirt, bound him to it. A bled was driven over the meat of his chest, slowly lifting defleshing the meat from the bone. Blood cover Green and ran thick across the ground, all the while Green asked, "God have mercy."

They moved to the stomach easily disemboweling him. John wanted to scream, he had seen death and the many types it could be worked, but what was before him sickened him still. Finally, it was over Green lay lifeless throat slit as he lay on the ground after the strings had been cut. They dragged John, hit him, and even pressed a knife to his throat but he would cry out asking for mercy for he refused to die. The punches hurt, knocked him to the ground but he got up.

This angered his captors even more and in the native language he heard the angered order to stop. "This ambush was not ordered," a robust man in his middle years called. With his own anger the brave in front of John responded, "He has killed my brother and I must be avenged." "For this I would grant but according to the laws of war this captive has acted as any brave would, to kill those who threatened his life. Look for he has not cowered now, if he had, you could have killed him now," the older man spoke. "Then when shall I take his life." "Kocoum, we will take him to the our king Powhatan and he would decide his fate." "So the brave's name was Kocoum," John thought, "I will remember that." The group pushed John and he began his forced march to the great Powhatan.

Powhatan Village

1607

"The one of my chiefs from the North will be here by the fall of the sun tomorrow. Make ready for his arrival and then I shall pass judgment on his captive," Powhatan ordered. As council members filed out of the room the most powerful member of the council, Mattenock, approached the king. "They say this pale one might be a great Werowance, that he holds honor as if he was one of our own braves," Mattenock spoke. "Yes, they say he faced the danger, and brought down many of our men.

All of this happened because my orders were betrayed," Powhatan relayed to Mattenock.

"This pale one should die, he is our enemy."

"It is true Mattenock but if my orders were followed the ambush would not have happened and the chief's son would be alive," and Powhatan also thought "My daughters marriage and the subsequent shift of power would not be in jeopardy."

"What will you do," Mattenock asked.

"Wait till they arrive. No bring my daughter to me and you may go." At the word "daughter" Mattenock's face curled and he did contain the bitterness of his voice, "As you wish mighty Powhatan."

Again pulled from her troubled sleep Pocahontas made he way to her father's fur lined throne. "I am troubled child." Nearing before her father she spoke, "I am here." It brought the comfort that he needed and her gently cupped her face in his hands.

"Daughter, if I don't allow revenge upon this white man, your marriage and the lessening of my burden will be forfeit." "I understand father do as your will." I it hurt her that someone, depending how her father ruled, might die for this marriage. However, she would do anything for her father and it was his will that would be done, what could she do.

"Know thus daughter that I will do what is best."

She gathered herself and headed back to her fitful sleep. As the sun rose John knew it was the day he was to be taken to Powhatan's capitol city. He had no reservations of hope left and my nightfall he would die. It was a beautiful day to him, the say high and blue as his eyes, even the birds sang in the winter morning. Through the night he had made it peace with god and heaven help him this night.

"Pocahontas get up they are expecting you there," she thought. She could not bring her self to do it, she wanted to stay in the safety her covers held. However, that was not possible. She would meet her future husband and he would be asking to take the life of the man who had driven a knife through his brothers heart and strangely she wanted to look upon the face of the man who had done this, killed one of her people. Should she? It was with this question that she readied herself. Pocahontas moved into the shadow of the room. She could feel warmth of the huge fire the glowed red-orange firelight. No one had noticed her as she gathered in among her father's wives along the wall. She had a good view and heard the war drums as the chief from the North entered and along side was a brave, undoubtedly her husband. She approved of his appearance, but that was not what she was looking for, how would his actions tonight affect her? This was what she was looking for.

"Great Powhatan my brother in war," the chief announced Powhatan stood and embraced him and calling the chief brother. "I have come for to ask your judgment on a captive that killed my son." "I understand, was Powhatan's reply. With a nod from to one of his generals the chief had ordered the captive to be brought be for the king. The noises of pushing could he herd for outside as Pocahontas held her breath and waited for who ever would come through that door.

They had beaten him and he still had not cried out. Now they came as he sat in the dark. Pulling him roughly from the ground a gasp had come from his lips, his broken rib had been irritated. The pain that seared through his body made him slow, in order to quicken him pushing was the remedy. This was how he entered the longhouse. Pocahontas's intense gaze was focused on the man they called her enemy, but she knew him as John. Unconsciously, she swallowed the lump that had started in the back of her throat. She could tell that he had faced his tormentors bravely, refusing to cry out if he had, he wouldn't have been here now, despite blood that trickled down his mouth and the wounds that bleed beneath his shirt he had stood his ground. She felt pity for the prisoner and she blinked back tears. In the darkness, she could not see his eyes and dragging in a ragged breath, she remembered the vivid blue that they were.

Seeing the pale man before him Powhatan spoke, "You have killed members of my people and for this you should die, but you have and even now act with the strength of one of my own braves."

"It was Kocoum who spoke next, "Great emperor he has taken from me my brother, my father's son who now sits with you. We ask to be allowed our vengeance upon this animal."

Powhatan heard the anger and bitterness in Kocoum voice and he sympathized, but could he order the death of some one who acted, as any brave would have, to defend his life? But for his daughter he would. "It was under my order that the pale ones were to be left alone and that was broken. However, this man has taken much life from us and he is a killer, but let it be known that he has the will of a Werowance."

"Great King." It was loud and as it boomed across the room, it carried the strength of their own great Powhatan. It was John who spoke and he heard as gasps went across the room. The king turned and looked at the man standing in front of him, tall and immobile. "Great King, I have killed your people but it was only after my life was threatened. I have made peace and have traded with your own brother in his land, all I wish is for peace between my people and yours," John spoke in near perfect native language.

Over a mixture of self-loathing, hate, and pity Powhatan asked, "Why have you and yours come to my land." "We were blown her in a great storm and we await for our boat to rescues us," John lied and he hated this, eventually they would realize the truth.

"Liar" was the voice of Mattenock, "they have built a city of wood."

John responded, "Only for protection as we wait."

"Enough," It was the voice of Powhatan, he had made his decision, for his daughters sake and he knew what he had to do.

"You pale one have killed and for this you will die. I will grant you a warriors death." Then Powhatan commanded, "Bring out the stones." John knew it was over and his shoulders dropped. Silently he said a prayer and wished there were a priest of his own people that he could repent to, he just hoped that his God would forgive him and see the good man he had always tried to be. She saw the look of triumph in Kocoum's face and she hated it. She watched John and could not keep the tears from her eyes, they were hot and slid down her face to hit the ground silently. Fear griped her mind and she realized their was nothing she could do for the man she had this unforeseen connection, which confused her very soul. She gasped when she saw the stone brought out and was laid facing her direction.

Awaken from his prayers by a hard hand gripping his shoulders, John felt himself lowered as if to kneel, but he would not kneel with out a fight. He struggled and it was the weight of three men that finally brought him down. In the movement of falling to the ground he saw her and she him, their eyes locked as once before. He could see the tears the stained her face and he thought, "She cries for me" as his head was lowered to the stone. His eyes broke her heart for they pleaded to her heart and she felt emotions that she thought she would never feel for any man.

Powhatan handed Kocoum the wart club, he would have the honor of killing the man who had killed his only brother. Kocoum in one movement brought the club high above his head and in this motion Pocahontas's heart took over her body. As the mighty club made it's downward move to its target she landed on top of John, her head cradling his own bellow her. In that moment she felt as one with him, connected soul to soul, heart to heart. The club stopped a second from her head. "Move woman," was Kocoum order.

"Quite boy for you don't know who you now ordered, this is our kings daughter" was Mattenock's angered call.

She then turned to her father, eyes still wet with tears, "Has there not been enough blood shed already. I will protect this man who acted as any brave would have. Now I claim him as my own and under my protection." "Daughter move," was Powhatan's angered growl. "Father, I will not have anyone die even to protect me."

In unison both Kocoum and his father spoke, "She has no right.." But they were cut off by Powhatan. Stung by his daughter's actions and request, she had awakened the guilt he had of killing this pale man.

"My daughter is within her rights under the law and I will do as she wisely pleads, I will not take his life," Powhatan ordered. In an angered fury the chief of the North followed by Kocoum stormed from the room, head back to their own territory. As soon as the roomed cleared, only then did she move from off of John. She cupped his faced, amazed at its softness, and helped him to sit up. From the look in John's eyes and his small smile told her he was grateful to her. As they looked eye-to-eye she knew now as he knew that they were connected. They both had felt the complete oneness that had washed over them, like ran falling into a river.

Her father ordered her to him and she dropped her hands from John's face and then moment was broken. She moved to her father and heard his words, "Daughter do you know what you have done? You have jeopardized the treaty and your marriage." No she did not know what she had done, but she had acted fully with her heart.

"Father, I done what I felt was right, but I couldn't watch this man die. You said it yourself he is worthy to be a one of your chiefs. Father we.. I could learn for them." "Daughter I fear what you have started. Go have someone tend to him, he is now your ward. He'll be returned to his people at once. You are wise, but you will suffer for this action to night." It wasn't as threat, just a foretelling, but just the same it shook her. In the moment she moved from the wall, she knew she would suffer for her action, if not now, later. However, now she felt rightness in her heart, to save have saved John's life, she was certainly willing to suffer the consequences.

Chapter 7

North America, Powhatan Village

1607

"Great Powhatan." At the call of his name, Powhatan turned to face Mattenock. "Yes," the great king answered. Mattenock approached the king gracefully but his motion was cut short by the anger that appeared in his face.

"The council is angered at the princess's action tonight, she has upset the balance. She refuses to see her place."

"Mattenock it was her right by our laws."

"Great king she will be our destruction," Mattenock spat. Gathering close to Mattenock's face Powhatan spoke with the coldness he felt in his heart, "She is my daughter."

"Then great king control her," Mattenock spoke as he backed away from his king. Powhatan turned his back to the council member so that they could not see the anguish written in his face. Mattenock had made his way to the door and before he turned to leave said, "For our people's sake handle her, for she will destroys us" with that he left. Darkness enveloped Powhatan.

Pocahontas gathered her strength and opened the door of the longhouse. To her sight she saw Nakoma and another women bent over John cleaning off the blood that had caked along his face. He was awake and she saw his eyes flicked to her as she entered. Her eyes softened to him and by the firelight they glowed. Nakoma also turned and watched her friend's attentive approach. Gathering herself from the ground Nakoma went to her friend. Standing in front of her friend Nakoma spoke in a low tone, "What has happen to you."

"Later Nakoma," Pocahontas answered as she moved past her friend and headed to the captive. Slightly angered Nakoma headed to the door but waited. She saw her friend slowly set in front of the pensioner and take his hand. "What has changed in her," Nakoma thought as she exited the longhouse." Pocahontas thanked the native woman who had helped Nakoma and told her, "I will take over for you." The woman gave Pocahontas a confused look but did as she bid. "Thank you." The word was so soft on the air that she had missed it forcing him to repeat himself.

"Thank you Pocahontas." She nodded and took a rag from a water dish. Pocahontas wrung the rag and brought it to the bruise on his cheek. John touched her chin and brought her face to him so her eyes would meet his. He laded his hand on top of hers were it touched his cheek and spoke, "From my heart thank you for saving me." His hand was warm on top of hers and it was as if she was feeling the essence of his life. The touch had again brought the feeling of oneness that she had felt earlier. In a voice that was as soft as his was she answered him. "I just did what I felt was right. You did not deserve to die like that." Still holding her hand it was his turn to nod and the nod brought on a pain. Wincing with pain John released her hand and moved to lay upon the pallet made for him. She helped him. She saw as he lay she saw the blood that stained his shirt and with a shaky hand, she opened it. The skin was tender and she was careful not to hurt him more. John helped her clean the wound. Then he said it, "I am glad that we have met again," and it moved her heart. She had tried to block out her feelings and the touch of his hand, but it was that one sentence that had penetrated her shield and moved her heart. "I am also. I hoped that we would meet, but not like this."

"Nether did I," John spoke in his deep voice. They finished cleaning his wounds and she told him of her father's plans. "My father has ordered that you to be taken back to your people." He could not hide the surprise off his face; he realized that she must have been high ranking nobility, but he did not expect that she was the daughter of the emperor. "Your father is the king." "Yes." "Please tell him that I am grateful to his daughter who saved my life and I pledge peace between our peoples." "I shall tell him. I have to go," and she turned to leave. He grabbed her hand and her eyes closed. "When will I see you again." Composing herself she turned to him, "I do not know." "I if we never meet again know that I am thankful to you," he released and she went to the door. She stopped and looked into his eyes again and went through the door. He lay left alone with his thoughts.