Makani stared at the chieftess in pure shock. What was she saying? Did she not believe in the gods?
"You're looking a little pale, Makani," the chieftess said, smiling slightly. "Can I help you any more or are you going to leave us in peace?"
Do not let them see your fear. Makani cleared her throat and said, "I would very much appreciate whatever supplies you could spare. I - I have quite the journey ahead of me. And...could I possibly spend the night here? I am not skilled enough to sleep on the sea."
"You seem very calm for a girl who traveled across the ocean to find a demigod, only to discover that he does not exist," the chieftess said, her smile fading. Makani realized what was happening. The girl wanted her to be angry or sad or afraid. She wanted to have that power over her. Makani knew now more than ever that she could not let that happen.
"I understand that people have different beliefs," Makani said quietly, although she didn't. "I understand, and I respect you and your people."
"Where did you say you come from?" the child chieftess asked, and it felt like all of the air had been sucked from the room. Makani's heart told her to not give her people's location to the girl so easily. Something was very wrong here.
"I - I didn't. Um, just a little island. There aren't many people." Please don't be interested. Please let it drop.
No such luck. The girl's eyebrows raised. "Interesting. Not the home I would envision for the great Sea Queen herself."
Makani was familiar with the nickname for her gramma. "Oh, she just came to live there in her old age. She is quite old, after all." The lies rolled off of her tongue so easily that Makani was appalled at herself. In almost any other situation, she would have prayed to the gods for forgiveness, but she knew they would understand. The gods were forgiving like that.
"And why are you seeking out a demigod?"
That was easy. Gramma had helped her piece together enough half-truths to fool anyone. "My gramma is nearing death, and she wishes to speak to the gods. Of course, she is too old to make the journey, and Maui is a demigod for the people. Moana hopes he can serve as a bridge between her and the gods, so she might make her final amends."
The chieftess shrugged. "Fine. I guess the old crone's really losing it in her old age." She peered closely at Makani, gauging her reaction.
Makani hid her fury, taking a deep breath and forcing her face to remain calm. What she would really like to do was punch the arrogant child in the face, but on this strange island, she wouldn't be surprised if that meant death.
The chieftess grinned. "I am Sachi, by the way. Chieftess Sachi. We will give you supplies and you may sleep on the shore. I would prefer you not poison my people with your backwards thoughts."
"Thank you, Chieftess Sachi," Makani said immediately, dropping to the floor in a bow. She stayed in that position for a few seconds, to get her anger under control. Why was Sachi purposefully trying to insult and anger her? Was she hoping to get attacked? What did she have against foreigners?
Makani wondered what horrors had unfurled on this island to make a cruel child chieftess of a submissive people. Much had changed since her grandmother had populated the island.
A man stood from his position against the wall and took her arm. She flinched at the unwanted contact and the man shot her an apologetic smile. He led her quickly from the house and toward the beach.
Makani wondered if she dared to ask the man the questions she would never dream of asking Sachi. It turned out that she didn't have to, as the man spoke first.
"You reacted very well in there. You handled the chieftess exactly as you should have."
"I was just trying to control my temper."
"The chieftess..." The man glanced fearfully around and lowered his voice. "She is a frightening girl. She has done many bad things?"
"Like what?" Makani breathed, but the man merely shook his head. "Please, you can trust me."
"I know. You still worship the gods." Pain crossed the man's face. "We are forbidden to because she does not believe."
Makani snorted with indignation. "How did she rise to power?"
"She killed her own father. Poisoned him. And some...some would whisper about her in the streets. Share how they felt about a demon child ruling us. They soon fell dead as well, from the same thing that our kind chieftain suffered from: poison."
"She poisoned her own father?" Makani was too taken aback to say anything else. This truly was an island of terror.
The man nodded. "I swear it is true." He then fell into silence and Makani felt that he did not wish to be bothered with more questions.
They were silent until they reached the beach. Then, as Makani was checking her boat and supplies, the man hissed, "Go."
"What?"
"Go. You do not want to accept the supplies of a poisoner, especially one who scorns your belief and grandmother. Go now, before it is too late. I wish you the best of luck in your quest. Please, tell someone of our plight. Please."
Makani rested a hand on the man's shoulder. "I will. I promise." She readied her boat and began pushing it into the water, all too glad to be free of the terrifying island.
As she sailed away, she turned to wave on the man on shore, but he was gone. It made sense - he didn't deserve to suffer for her escape - but somehow, it make Makani feel even more alone.
She turned to the sea and swore that someday, she would find a way to help him and his people.