Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
The carriage ride was bumpier than I expected, but I was so anxious and ready to get to the battlefield that I couldn’t sleep anyways.
It hadn’t taken long to gather a small army and make our way through the mountains, and I had to thank Alohi for his promptness.
Keanu had been wise to assign Alohi as my personal guard.
We were en route to Nu‘uanu, and with each passing hour, I hoped with all my might that Kalani and the rest of the chiefs hadn’t gone to battle yet. I didn’t bother to meet with my counselors, though I was sure they’d try to persuade me to join forces with Kalani and the others.
But I know better. I had always listened to my mind, the logical part of me that discerned the best case scenarios.
But this time, I never felt more sure of myself, because I knew that the path ahead of me–though terrifying–was the right one. It was the path of peace, the path of Kāne, that I worshiped.
Eventually, I did fall asleep though, and Alohi awoke me in the morning, telling me that we were close.
“You should eat first,” he said. I glanced at Malu and he blinked his yellow eyes at me, as if to say, “You look pretty haggard.” I felt haggard, physically, at least. It would probably be a bad thing to show up in the enemy’s camp when I didn’t feel too well.
So I ate some food and made myself as presentable as possible. Then we entered the camp of Kalanikupule, Keanu’s longtime enemy.
“Ah, have you come to tell me you’ve changed your mind?
” Kalani took a bite of his kalua pig and smiled at me.
I wondered if he heard what happened to Malakai.
It was strange to me that only a day had passed since I saw Kalani.
He had seemed so confident walking into the dining hall and asking Keanu to join forces with him.
And now… he seemed even more inflated. Several chiefs from the island had allied themselves with Kalani, and they were prepared for a very large battle.
I feared for them. Kalani was literally leading the people of this island to their deaths.
A chilly breeze wafted through the tent that Kalani resided in. It was a strange thing to feel so cold in the middle of the day, but we were in the heart of the lush mountains, far from sea level, so of course it was chillier up here.
Waterfalls fell from every crevice in the cliffs, and mist covered the tops so the mountains seemed to disappear into heaven.
“I’ve come here to ask that you stand down against the warlord,” I said.
“I know that you and Keanu have been enemies for years, but if we are to worship Kāne, we must choose peace.” Saying the word “peace” brought comfort to me.
I relaxed a little, and Malu on my shoulder moved a little closer to me.
I was grateful to have him by my side, as well as Alohi standing closely behind me.
“I assumed that’s what you were doing.” Kalani laughed. “You did not bring a substantial army with you.”
I bit my lower lip.
“You know.” Kalani took another bite and chewed before saying, “I could kill you right now, little queen. Your foolish attempt to ‘save’ my life, as I’m sure that’s the way you view it, is in vain.”
I could tell Alohi and the other guards tensed behind me. Kalani’s guards did the same.
I shook my head. “Your army is outnumbered. If you lead them to battle, they will surely die.”
“They will die defending this land.”
I couldn’t believe it… Kalani knew this was a suicide mission. Why would he do this to himself, or to his people?
Then it hit me…
Kalani and Keanu were so similar. They were both so obsessed with protecting their land. But at what cost? Was it really worth it? No.
And now I knew there was no use arguing with Kalani. It had taken true love, but especially humility, for Keanu to acknowledge his wrongs and change. I knew, deep down, that I would not be able to convince Kalani to change his plans and surrender to the warlord.
“Goodbye then,” I said. I didn’t wait for Kalani to reply, but left in haste.
Much to my surprise and relief, he did not send his guards or a small army after us.
Instead, he said, as I walked out of his tent, “I’d kill you myself, little queen, but I’ll let the warlord do that.
You’ll see… he doesn’t care for this people or this island. He just wants power.”
I shuddered as I stepped back into the carriage. For the rest of the day, I visited with other chiefs, asking them to join me on my quest, but I was rejected time and time again. I was mocked, the other chiefs telling me I was a coward, and that I had no business being a queen.
But I knew I was right, and it broke my heart to think that these people were all marching to their deaths.
I failed, I thought as I stepped into the carriage again.
No, Oli. You still need to complete your plan. I could still save my people, at least. Because now… it was time to meet the warlord.
Alohi looked nervous as ever when he opened the carriage door. A lump formed in my throat as I looked around, finding us surrounded by an intimidating group of men. They looked like warriors of old, though they wore trousers and coats. Still, they had tattoos and spears. A few of them held guns.
Guns. I swallowed hard, allowing myself to be led by the captain of this group through the warlord’s camp. It was impressive, with rows of organized tents, campfires, and men… so many men. The warlord had truly amassed an army that could not be destroyed.
I feared for Kalani and all those he would lead into battle.
When we reached the warlord’s tent, my legs were shaking under my skirts, and I kept licking my lips as though they were dry as paper. Malu shook his head on my shoulders, as if he, too, were trembling beneath his warm brown feathers.
When we entered a large tent, it seemed as if the air were sucked straight out of me. I’d felt power around certain people in my life, but none as much as the warlord before me. He sat on a wooden throne, his striking wife beside him. They had an air of authority, one that I had never felt before.
“Speak quickly,” said the warlord, his dark eyes piercing into mine.
I bowed in haste, as did the rest of my company. “I am Oliana, queen of ‘Anolani Kingdom.” My voice shook.
Speak with confidence, Oli. You have nothing to hide. I thought about Keanu, and how he would act if he were in my shoes. He had changed because of me.
And I could change because of him. I stood a little taller and swallowed before speaking further.
“I am asking you to spare our kingdom,” I said.
“‘Anolani Kingdom is beautiful–with pristine blue waters, lush green forests, and kind people. You will never find a people more generous and giving than those in this kingdom. They care for one another and for their ruler–well…” My voice trailed off.
“It was because of my late husband that the people were so united.” I lifted my chin a little.
“Keanu was a good man–one of the best–but he was murdered because he would rather join with you than go to battle. He would rather have peace.”
When I finished, the warlord just looked at me. Sweat gathered in my palms, and one glance at his wife said that she did not believe me either.
“Where is your proof that your people will not support Kalani, Ka‘iana, and all the rest of these fools?” the warlord asked.
I swallowed hard. “I’ve come without an army to speak with you. Does that not tell you that peace is my true intention?”
“You could have easily left an army with the others,” he laughed.
A lump formed in my throat. “What would it take for you to trust that I’m sincere?”
“Tribute.” The warlord folded his arms. “After we win the battle at Nu‘uanu, we will come to ‘Anolani Kingdom to inspect. And I fully expect a tribute.”
“What sort of tribute?”
“Men. Your armies. We sail to Kauai next, and I want all your armies and canoes prepared to join my army and leave with us. Also food and provisions for our journey. I have thousands of men under my command, and if your kingdom is as lush and fruitful as you say, you will feed my armies.”
I nodded. Anything. Anything to spare the people’s lives.
“And what of you?” the warlord’s wife sat forward. “You are young. Too young to be a widow.”
Widow. I had not even realized that’s what I was until that moment. I licked my lips, trying to focus.
“What do you hope to gain out of this? A promotion?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “All I hope to gain from this is the assurance that my people are safe. If you would rather take me as hostage then...” I opened my palms. “Do that. But please don’t hurt the people of the kingdom. They are good people.”
I thought of my sister. Alohi. And all the people. I thought of sitting in the court room with Keanu, and visiting the widows. I thought of Kanoe, Pohai, Kai, and sweet baby Nalu. All good people. All good ‘ohana.
The woman sat back, a look of approval on her face. “So you would even be a slave if it meant your people’s safety?”
“Yes.”
“Would you die for them?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Please, I’ll do anything.”
The warlord and his wife exchanged glances. Then he smiled. Just a little. It thinned the tension around us and made him look less terrifying. Even his wife softened as she gazed at me with her wise brown eyes.
“I am King Kamehameha,” said the man, tipping his head to the side. “I am the first to unite the islands, but never have I met one like you, Oliana.” He looked at his wife, who nodded.
Why did she nod? For a brief moment, panic washed over me that he might actually make me a slave or concubine. Or kill me.
But I told them I’m willing to do anything. And I was, even if it still terrified me.
The woman stood and took a white flag from a servant standing nearby. I hadn’t noticed him, or the flag, but it made complete sense.
The warlord’s wife approached me, holding it.