The other men were already waiting for them when they arrived, knives packed under their threadbare coats. "You let your boy out of the house wearing that?" asked one of the men. "He said it would help them recognize him easier. Be nice to the kid. You go after him, you're losing the both of us and can figure this all out on your own," warned Adam. The man sighed but nodded. "Alright Alfred, where should we go? Can we walk there or would it take some camping time?" asked the Pastor gently.
"We shouldn't camp. There's bears out there and other animals. Besides, it's going to get really cold over night and you guys probably don't have the stuff we need to survive it," said Alfred without a thought. Jefferson raised an eyebrow at that but Adam nodded in agreement. "Most of our tents got destroyed during the building. Anything we have left is probably in pieces by now. And we certainly don't have the supplies...a one day trip is our best bet," said Adam.
"I agree. Lead on child before night comes a falling," said the Pastor gently. Alfred nodded and ran ahead into the forest. Adam smirked at the child's excitement and followed, waving at the men to hurry up. "Alfred, you're supposed to guide us there. Not leave us behind," he chuckled. Alfred spun around, looking guilty. "Oh! Sorry! I can wait. You guys need to be careful not to get tired and fall asleep. You might not wake up," he said, hearing Georgie whisper the advice he hoped his father would heed.
The men looked baffled at that before Adam shook his head at them. "He lost his parents. Father died on the way to their camp and mother got sick and died at the camp. More than likely they died in their sleep," he said in hushed tones Alfred wouldn't over hear. The Pastor and Jefferson's face fell. "Ah right...That makes a lot of sense. Poor boy," said Jefferson slowly, not sure what to say. "That poor boy. I'll hold the next service in rememberance of them. Martha and James were good Christians," he muttered.
"Are you guys coming?" called Alfred from several feet in front of them. Adam smirked. "Don't worry. The boy's tough. He won't let it get him down," he said before going after the boy. Alfred hummed an old chant as he walked along to the amusement of the men. "How long do you think it will take for us to get there?" asked Jefferson. "An hour. Maybe less if they recognize me and lead me to their camp. This is one of her brother's colors," said Alfred, pointing at the pattern along the hem of his shirt.
They wallked for about forty five minutes before Alfred paused. "What is it-" Adam was cut off by Alfred holding up a finger and listening to a bird call in the distance. Alfred quicky answered the call with one of his own. There was a response and he turned around. "They're gonna let us in. Let me do the talking and don't try to start any fights. Also, take any food they offer you. It's rude not to eat food someone offers you. They'll be really nice and there's gonna be a bonfire too!" said Alfred with a grin.
The men slowly nodded and followed Alfred to the camp, blinking when a girl looking about ten years old approached them, wearing furs and a bright smile. "Dyami! It's so good to see you again. Where's Kanata? Who are these men with you?" she asked. "They're my new friends. That one took me in. They're my Papa's people...and mine now too. Matthew left...he went north. These people need help finding food or they're going to go hungry. They don't have much of it left," he explained.
Chowanoke frowned and looked over the men. "That explains the rumors…" she said quietly. "What rumors?" asked Alfred cheerfully. Chowanoke looked at the younger boy. "Alfred..How long have you been with these people? I haven't felt you in my territory for some time now…" she asked gently. Alfred tilted his head, looking confused. "Only a few days. Adam found me and now I'm his son," he said. That made a sad look come across the girl's face.
"There's been stories of pale ghost skeletons walking the forests around here...No wonder why people thought that…The settlers look like they're only skin and bones," she said. Alfred looked at the men, surprised he didn't see it before. He had been so excited that he had found people like him that he didn't even notice the gauntness of their face or how their clothes hung off of them. They've been starving for some time now. No wonder why so many people were mad at last night's meeting.
"What is she saying Alfie?" asked Adam. The other men looked a little uncertain about what to do. Alfred hesitated. "They thought you were ghosts...That's why they haven't helped before. They thought you were spirits come to claim the island. It's because you remind her of skeletons," said Alfred honestly. The men looked uncomfortable with that. "Have you asked her for help yet son? Explained to them our situation?" asked the Pastor gently, taking his hat off in respect for the girl.
"Nope but I'll ask right now!" he said cheerfully before turning back to Chowanoke. "They need your help. They don't know how to hunt, gather, or farm and are running out of grain. Right now they're surviving on the squirrels and birds they can catch and they have three pigs left in the entire village. They're going to starve if no one helps them," said Alfred, looking at his older adopted sister with watery puppy dog eyes. Chowanoke chuckled. "No need for the eyes Dyami. I'm going to help. I can't let these people suffer so much," she said.
"You're going to help us? Thank you Chowie!" Alfred said happily. "What did she say?" asked the Pastor. "She's going to help us!" he said. The men smiled and nodded happily. The pastor handed the girl a few coins of gold, shaking her hand happily as he did so. Chowanoke looked a bit confused but smiled and shook his hand in return before turning to Alfred. "Wait...Shouldn't we talk to her father or the chief?...Or is this how they do things?" asked Jefferson. "She's the, um, chief's daughter. Her word is binding," lied Alfred.
"...I forgot myself. They don't know that we're immortal do they?" she asked, eyes wrinkling in concern. "They don't know I am...Like I said, I just met them. They're people aren't like yours or Aiyanna's. They aren't as connected to the Earth for some reason...but they have me as a guide. I'll help them. You know I'm connected," he said proudly. Chowanoke laughed, tapping his foot gently. "I know. I remember your brand of magic little one.
"Alfred, why don't you and your people come and share my fire? I believe we have a stew bubbling and your men look like they can eat...So do you. Have you lost weight little one?" she asked. Alfred looked confused. "What do you mean?" he asked. "You look skinny and pale...Nations reflect the state of their people and it looks like you're starting to reflect your settlement," she said gently. Alfred's eyes widened in fear.
"Don't worry...It won't affect you as fast or as seriously….Well I'm not sure about the serious part. Are they your only people on this land? Are there any more of them?" asked Chowanoke. "I don't know….These ones are the first ones that I have met. They're the only ones I have met," said Alfred. Chowanoke frowned. "That means they're the ones you're bonded to. I'm sorry Alfie but you're going to be feeling it a bit stronger than a normal representation would. But I'll be there to help you. I'll teach them how to help themselves," said Chowanoke happily.
Alfred nodded slowly, before turning to the settlers and telling them about the food waiting for them. "Just don't tell Aiyanna...She said she didn't want anyone helping me out too often. She thinks I need to learn how to take care of myself…" said Alfred. Chowanoke sighed and nodded. "I know. She put out a notice to all of my siblings and I...but I'm sure a hand here and there won't be anything she will hear about. You're still very young and it doesn't look like your settlers are doing well anyways," she said.
Alfred nodded and followed her to the fire. Her people stared at them as they walked in, backing away if they drew near. The shaman even started a soft chant under his breath in hopes of scaring the spirts away. Chowanoke spoke to him and quickly explained what was going on. The Shaman's eyes widened and he went to call for the chief. After the Shaman completed his task, he came to the men and pressed handfuls of nuts into their palms, gesturing that they were to eat them.
The men sat down and were surprised by how much food was handed to them. "What do they ask for in repayment? Surely they don't have enough food to feed us all of this," asked Adam, incredeous. Alfred shook his head. "They wish to be friends. Besides, it's their tradition to help others and welcome guests. That and they know me. They wouldn't turn someone in need away if they could help it. Just be sure to be polite, respectful of their traditions, and let them know you're grateful for whatever they give you," said Alfred, taking the bowl of stew from Chowanoke.
"Of course. Are you sure they don't want payment? We do have some gold...not very much though. A-And I'm sure we can find some way to do some work, help them out here and there," offered the pastor. "They won't accept any of that until they know you're doing better. That, and they don't really use money. They barter with items. Gold doesn't mean the same thing to them that it does to you. Maybe instead offer them some blankets or teach them how spin wool," offered Alfred.
The men nodded and started attempting to converse with the men of the tribe that came to greet them. Alfred turned back to Chowanoke for help. "Only about ten or fifteen of them are still alive. There's one child that looks my age, er, the age I look like, and a baby. There's six or seven men and the rest are women. They've ran out of grain, have three pigs, and their clothing is beginning to worn thin but I don't think that's a real problem right now. They're fighting with each other a lot," said Alfred.
Chowanoke nodded. "Adults do that when they're stressed out. I'm sure it'll stop once they start getting our help. Then I'm sure your settlement will get big again. Where did they come from anyways? Can't the people that sent them here send them food? I've seen the big canoes a few times. They are big enough to carry the food," said Chowanoke. Alfred shrugged. "They come from my dad but they said that the ships will take too long to get here and that no one was going to come for a while," he said.
"That's strange. So you haven't met your real father yet?" she asked, frowning. Alfred shook his head. "Only his people. They told me a little bit about them and this thing called tea, but I haven't seen even a drawing of him. But they tell me he's coming here soon! Unless…" Alfred trailed off. Chowanoke raised an eyebrow. "Unless what Dyami?" she asked as the chief started talking to Jefferson as best as he could. "...Unless he already chose Matthew over me…" he muttered.
"Alfred, your father would not do that. Matthew have acted harshly but parents are supposed to be nice and kind…" she said, trailing off when she rememered how indifferent Aiyanna could be to the twins growing up. Alfred fell silent and simply nodded. Chowanoke softly sighed. "Alfred, I will help you. No matter what Mother may say. I know Grandmother is quite smitten with you and your brother. She will help you as much as she possibly can. Until then, I want to see those cute dimples of yours," she said, softly teasing.
Alfred beamed at her before hugging her. "Thank you Chowanoke. I wish you were my real big sister," he said. She ruffled his hair. "We're bonded by blood through the Earth. You know that. I'll always act as your big sister," he said. Alfred nodded happily. "Go on now and eat the rest of your stew. I'll gather up some things I want you to bring back with you to your settlement. I can't send you back empty handed after seeing how badly you're suffering. You'll have enough food to feed your people for a while…" she said.
"You're going to help me teach them how to grow food? ...You know the only way I know how to do it right now is using magic and I'm not sure how well these people would take to it. I don't think they have magic like you and I do. I wonder if my dad has magic if none of his people can do it," he said. "Well...maybe try to help them carefully? Though I'm not sure if you'll really be able to do much with the winter coming in as hard as it is this time of year. Just be careful Dyami," she said.
Alfred sighed and nodded. He wished he could just wave his hand and fix everything. He and the men quickly finished their meals, thanked Chowanoke and her people for their hospitality, and got up to leave. True to her word, Chowanoke and her people started offering the men gifts of food and blankets, which were taking with great gratitude. "Are you sure they want nothing in return?" asked the Pastor. Alfred smiled. "See her there? She's my big sister. She takes care of me. Her people are going to help us because it's the right thing to do," said Alfred proudly.
The men nodded and made it clear that they were forever thankful for the help and generosity of the tribe before starting their trek back home. "Are all her kind like that? I know there's some other tribes but they didn't seem as friendly," said Adam. Alfred shrugged. "Some of the others aren't as quick to warm up to outsiders as Chowanoke. It might take a bit longer for them to even consider um...not attacking...when they first see someone strange. They aren't used to people like us," said Alfred.
"They seem very used to you," said Jefferson. Alfred sighed. "I kinda grew up with them. I know a lot of them or they know someone who knows of me. They know not to hurt me," he explained. "And why is that child?" asked the Pastor. "They know I'm a friend. They knew my mother's last wish before she died and news travels pretty fast," he said. The men fell quiet at that. Alfred didn't seem to notice, happily continuing along the path, directing them back to the settlement.
There was a crowd of people waiting for them at the edge of the settlementwhen they came back. "Look Alfie, the whole town came out for us," grinned Adam, having picked up the sleepy toddler and carried him the last twenty minutes back. "Some town. There's not much of them left. Where's McGregor?" asked Jefferson, frowning when he looked around for one of the older men. The Pastor frowned. "His wife is missing as well. Don't tell me we lost another one while we were gone," he said.
Adam softly kept a hand over Alfred's ear before walking toward the group. "What did they say?" "Are you all right?" "Are they going to help us?" "They sent you back with food?!" The town immediately bombarded them with questions when they spotted the group coming out of the forest. "We're fine. They were very friendly and sent us back with enough food to feed us for a few days. The chief is planning on sending a few people over to help teach us how to hunt and gather food. They won't teach us how to farm until the spring, but they said they'll make sure we have a way to support ourselves figured out during the winter," said Adam.
"What happened to McGregor? He and his wife aren't here," said Jefferson, looking around the crowd. "Trisha fell ill. Thomas is tending to him but...it doesn't look very good. She isn't holding down any of the food we can manage to give her despite her having not eaten well for a good amount of time now," said a woman hesitantly. Jefferson frowned. "What do you mean? If it's the flu...now that we have food it is possible we can revive her or at least help her get some of her strength back," he said, holding up one of the pots of stew he had brought back.
"It's not that it's just that...She's gotten so thin that Thomas accidentally broke her wrist helping her get out of bed this morning...and she decided to get up out of bed when his back was turned and broke a hip. We know she isn't going to last long. We don't even have someone that could give her proper attention. Alice died months ago from that wasting disease," muttered an older woman, squeezing her husband's hand as she explained what happened.
Adam frowned. "But perhaps we can still convince her to save her strength and eat some food," he said. "Dear, I know your heart is in the right place but...the food we were given will only last so long. We can't be sure the natives will keep their promise or remember us. We need to make sure this food lasts as long as possible...and we know she isn't going to survive either way," said Sarah softly. Alfred looked shocked. "B-But...she's one of you, us. You're just going to leave her behind?" he asked softly.
"Dear don't think of it as leaving her behind. She'll be moving on to a much better place than this. Besides...she's asked that no one but her husband see her. She doesn't want to risk making the rest of us sick. With so few of us, it's important that we think about what's best for the group," said Sarah softly, running a hand through his hair. Alfred looked horrified by the consideration but came up with an idea. He'll just sneak into the McGregor's house and give her food and maybe try to use a little bit of magic to make her feel better. That way she doesn't have to feel sick anymore!
Before you ask, no, none of the tribal representations' names have been made up. American, I believe Canada does this as well, towns, cities, and other areas after the tribes that lived near them. That is why America's early name isn't Roanoke, as there is already a representation that goes by that name. Thought I'd clear that up. Will Chowanoke save the day? Or will all of the settlers mysteriously disappear before any help arrives just the way all the history textbooks predict? Find out next week! (And review!)