Chapter 4 – Meeting the tribe.
The journey to the mainland was uneventful. Renesmee bounced excitedly on Bella's knee whilst her eyes darted everywhere and Edward pointed out all the interesting sharks and fish that were visible in the water to their superior eyes.
Jacob spent most of the journey talking to Kaure. They spoke quite quietly but Edward and Bella heard everything. Jacob was very intrigued to find a tribe similar to his own, but was a little affronted that she knew so much about their tribe, but he and his pack had hear nothing of them.
As the boat pulled up to shore they were greeted by Gustavo. Kaure had spoken to him on the phone and updated him of a few things.
"Mr Edward, Mrs Bella, it's a pleasure to meet you again. I am so happy you've come to visit." Gustavo said pleasantly.
Gustavo exchanged glances with Kaure and she sighed. "Let me introduce you to Jacob and Renesmee" she said pointing to Jacob who was proudly holding Renesmee.
"A Quileute" Gasped Gustavo.
"What is it with everyone knowing who I am around here and me not having a bloody clue" moaned Jacob, before breaking out into a smile and offering his hand to Gustavo to shake.
Gustavo broke the handshake with Jacob and turned to Renesmee. "Oh she is such a beautiful young lady. She is so much like Tawémake, just like you said she would be"
He spun around to Kaure and she nodded her head vigorously.
Gustavo stroked his chin "So fascinating."
Kaure filled Gustavo in about what had happened at Isle Esme. He listened patiently and quietly, simply nodding his head now and then, though he did gasp when Kaure mentioned the reasoning behind the golden eyes and that the bloodstone did not work on Edward.
"You used the bloodstone against Edward – shame on you Kaure" Gustavo yelled.
"To be fair at the time I still did not believe him about Bella and he was trying to get me into the house, I am of course very grateful that it did not work." retorted Kaure.
After Gustavo was up to speed he led them all into the compound.
"Here is where our tribe lives, our houses are fairly primitive, but as a people we have simple needs. The fact that a large number of our tribe can shape-shift makes hunting for food and security quite easy"
Edward nodded and asked "So how many of the tribe can shape-shift?"
Gustavo thought for a moment and said "I think around 18 of our tribe can do it. Many choose not to, unless absolutely necessary, but others seem to enjoy it. Out of those 18, there are 10 who are more practiced, including Kaure. Those 10 each carry a bloodstone and tri-let"
Kaure suddenly remembered the vision that Renesmee had showed her. "I almost forgot. Not too long ago a group of vampires known as the Volturi attempted to destroy the Cullens and young Renesmee. Felix, the vampire who got Yula pregnant was among them"
Gustavo face contorted with rage. "Does that piece of scum still exist?"
Edward nodded his head. "We barely managed to avoid an all out battle; it was a miracle that there were no casualties on either side"
As they reached a larger shack, which appeared to be a community hub, they took seats whilst Kaure went to gather some other people. Edward explained the Volturi in more detail.
Kaure arrived back with 3 or 4 women, who were all of a similar stature to her. They all had the same sort of smell as Kaure and moved with an air of elegance.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. We have heard tales of vampires who avoid feasting on humans, but we always thought that they were just legends." The middle one spoke.
"My name is Athena and these are my sisters Pandora and Grace. There is also another young lady who wishes to see you, especially the child you bring"
Suddenly a young girl, who appeared to be about 11 or 12, poked her head out from behind Grace's back. She was a very pretty young girl, with short dark hair and a light olive skin. Her eyes were a deep chocolate brown and her cheeks were rounded.
"Hi" she said a little nervously.
Edward, Bella and Jacob all smiled at her and said a "hi" back, but Renesmee decided to take a more direct approach.
She ran over to her and offered out her hand in friendship. "I'm Renesmee; it's a pleasure to meet you"
Tawémake giggled and held onto Renesmee's hand, the two girls found somewhere to sit and started chatting and giggling together.
Tawémake entertained Renesmee by taking a bunch of wilting flowers and turning them into a colourful bloom of beautiful flowers.
Renesmee returned the favour by placing her hand to Tawémake's cheek and relaying some memories for her.
Edward, Bella, Jacob and the others all looked on with smiles on their faces.