The first stop on Makani's map was a small island with, when last checked, a population of roughly 200 islanders. Their main source of food was fish and coconuts, so Makani wouldn't have to face any new diets while stopping there. Their main construction material was wood reinforced with stone, which was different than Makani's island. The thick, dangerous forest her home had sported many huge creatures whose pelts were used to create the durable tents the citizens resided in.
Makani felt her heart rise in her throat as the island came into sight. She wondered if being closely related to the chieftain of her island would earn her any special privileges or if she would be hard pressed to find a meal and a good night's sleep.
Either way, she pressed onward to the island, nursing a small hope that Maui would be here and she could quickly return to Gramma.
Makani gasped in realization. Of course! Being the granddaughter of the very woman who had populated this island should be more than enough to win her favor. She clutched the tiller tighter, as if that would make her boat move faster through the gentle waves.
As she grew closer to the island, she saw a few people milling about on the beach, watching her approach. The closer she grew, the more people came from a small path leading up to the village to watch her arrival.
She rehearsed what she would say in her head. Hello. I am Makani, granddaughter of Moana. I need to speak with your chieftain.
Her boat bumped against the sand of the beach and she hurriedly disembarked, tugging her boat up the beach. No one came to her aid and she felt her spirits sink slightly.
They're probably just wary of strangers, a small voice comforted her in her head. If they're related to the people on your island, they must be friendly and understanding.
Makani turned and found herself face to face with a girl not much younger than she was, about twelve years in age. The girl was obviously doing her best to be intimidating, but her scrawny form and wild hair undermined her efforts.
"Hello," Makani started, her voice trembling slightly. She cleared her throat and spoke louder to erase the tremor. "I am Makani, granddaughter of Moana. I need to speak with your chieftain."
She was mentally congratulating herself for remembering what she wanted to say when the girl spoke. "You're looking at her."
Makani stared, eyes wide. "You're the chieftain?"
"I am the chieftess of this island. These are my people. Who are you?"
Makani took a step back, confused beyond measure. "I - I said. I am Makani, granddaughter of Moana."
The girl snorted. "Moana. Sure. And I'm Te Fiti."
Makani was taken aback by everything about this girl. Her rudeness, her youth, the fact that she ruled the silent, stony-faced people that surrounded them, and especially her disrespect for a goddess through causal use of her name. "Truly, I am. I have been sent here - " Makani glanced around, acutely aware of the islanders listening to her every word. "Is there anywhere we could talk in private?"
The girl hesitated before nodding, turning, and striding away without another word. Makani hurried to follow her, heart beating quickly. This was much worse than she had imagined. Something had happened on this island, something that made the people cold and unfeeling. Something that put this eleven or twelve-year-old in charge of an island.
Sure enough, the chieftess' house was made of wood and stone. It looked squat and ugly, but much more durable than the animal skins that Makani's people used.
The girl crossed the room and sat in a chair made of stone. She crossed her legs and snapped her fingers twice. A woman hurried to her side and offered her a bowl of coconut milk without ever meeting her eyes. The chieftess drank, eyes never leaving Makani as she looked around.
The room was extravagant. Flowers were hung from the ceiling to dry them. Men and women sat at attention against the left and right walls, staring straight ahead blankly. Each of them held a different kind of food, drink, or novelty. Does she have a different number of snaps for each of them? Makani wondered, then shook her head slightly. This felt even worse than the fact that the chieftess was a preteen. In Makani's village, the islanders were equals. The only thing separating the chieftain and his people were the nicest tent and his power in decision making. Otherwise, his children played and learned with the other children, his wife worked with the other wives, and he told stories around a fire with the other islander men. He would never dream of making his people do his bidding and answer his every beck and call.
Makani tried to hide her dismay and wondered if it would be best to simply continue to the next island and sail through the night. Surely she could go one night without sleep, if it meant escaping this island...?
"What do you wish to discuss?" the chieftess asked.
"I - I'm looking for someone," Makani stuttered, unsure if she was to share Maui's identity with the room full of these servants.
"Who?"
"His identity is very private, Chieftess. I'm not sure if I - " Makani gestured helplessly to the walls of servants.
"Oh, it's fine. If any of them blab, I'll have them executed," the young chieftess said casually, raising her voice so that it seemed as though she was addressing the servants even as she challenged Makani with her stare.
"Oh...okay. Um, I'm looking for a demigod. Maui?"
The girl stared at her for a moment before cracking a smile. "You must be joking."
Makani pressed her palms together, unsure of how to respond.
The chieftess stopped smiling as abruptly as she had started. "You're serious."
Makani nodded, unable to speak. The little girl intimidated her, as much as she hated to admit it. She must have done something awful if all of these people agreed to serve her.
The child chieftess lifted her chin slightly and shook her head. "I'm afraid we can't help you. I'm surprised you still believe the stories."
"What stories?"
"The legends of the gods, Makani!" The child stopped as Makani flinched at the use of her name and a slow smile crossed her face, looking like she was a predator about to make its kill.
"I was sure you'd have figured it out by now. The gods don't exist."