Chapter 20 #2
“Take this token from my wife, Queen Ka‘ahumanu,” said the king.
“Fly it high on your journey home, place it at the palace of your kingdom, and my armies will spare you.” He added, “And be careful. I will lead my men to battle tomorrow. Be sure that you fly that flag wherever you go, to avoid getting into any crossfire.”
I bowed to Queen Ka‘ahumanu, and she smiled at me, beauty radiating from within her. Taking the flag, I then bowed to the warlord king again. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “I will see you again soon… and I do expect that tribute.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you.” My shoulders relaxed a little. The people of ‘Anolani kingdom were safe. My people are safe.
I bowed once more before leaving, feeling confidence within me grow. But despite the relief at having allied myself with the king of all the islands, I couldn’t help the sadness that still sat within me.
I wish Keanu were here to see this with me.
Traveling back to the kingdom, I sat with my head against the window, watching the white flag blow in the chilly air. We’d been traveling all night, and now, the following day, the afternoon sun beat down on us. Though the sun felt good with the cold breeze, there was an eeriness in the air.
That was when I heard it.
Gunshots.
I stopped the carriage and looked around. The songbirds had gone silent, as if they, too, listened. The loud booming sounds continued. In the distance, too, men shouted.
My hair stood on end.
The battle has begun.
“We should hurry.” Alohi stood beside the carriage, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.
I nodded my agreement, and we continued on our journey. But no matter how far down the mountain we worked, the gunshots seemed to continue. Blaring. Echoing.
Shuddering, I wrapped my shawl tighter around my shoulders.
Malu flew above and I looked up at him, the white flag still blowing in the breeze. “Please let us get home safely,” I thought, realizing the prayer was towards one specific god.
It had been a while since I prayed to Kāne. But now, more than ever, I wanted to go home. Away from the battlefield. Away from the warlord for a time. Away.
We still had a while to go before getting home, and I couldn’t help but think of all that was ahead of me.
I was deeply grateful that Kamehameha spared me, and that I had found favor in his and his wife’s sight but… I still felt so empty.
Yes, I saved our people and kingdom. Yes, I solved Keanu’s riddle, but…
He’s gone.
Malu flew in the night, sometimes circling above the carriage, and other times flying alongside the window, as if to check on me.
At least I have Malu? I tried to joke with myself, tried to lift my spirits, but how could I move on?
I miss Keanu. Distracting me from my melancholy, Alohi opened the carriage door and escorted me out.
We had traveled the whole day, going a different route home to avoid the battleground at Nu‘uanu, and it was taking longer than usual.
The path was less developed, and several times we stopped to clear off fallen rocks, or to pass through rivers that cut through the valleys.
After a light meal, I rolled out my mat by the campfire.
“You don’t want to sleep in the tent?” Alohi asked.
I shook my head. “It’s the clearest night I’ve seen in days, and the moon looks full and bright. I think I’ll sleep under the stars tonight.”
My guard didn’t question me, just as he never did, but instead kept watch. A wide, flat river flowed nearby, close enough to see the moonlight sparkling on the running water. The coconut fronds rustled in the chilly mountain wind, and Malu occasionally hooted, letting me know he was close.
I don’t know how many hours passed, as I stared at the moon, wondering how I was going to move on. Should I move on from my feelings for Keanu? His death was still so fresh, but… I needed to rule his kingdom–our kingdom–and prepare for Kamehameha’s return, once he conquered all the islands.
It’s practical to forget about him… The thought roused me from my half-awake ideas. I thought I had moved past survival. But there I was, telling myself to “get over” Keanu.
My heart would never “get over” him. Just as the realization hit me, a pū blew in the distance.
The conch shell. I scrambled up, as did Alohi and my other guards. We exchanged nervous looks, which only grew more tense as a drum sounded.
“The night marchers,” Alohi said, his breath lingering in the cold air. My personal guard and the rest of the surrounding attendants all fell to the ground, but I stood there, shocked.
It was as if I stood on the path towards the village, a month ago, the lantern in my hand. I could almost feel the breath on the back of my neck, and see the chilly ghosts approaching.
Last time, I had ignored the superstitions and I made eye contact with one of the night marchers. I gaped.
I’d been just as disrespectful as Keanu in ignoring Kāne’s rules for his night marchers. Then it dawned on me… The riddle applied to me, just as much as it applied to Keanu.
I should become one with the shadow, by obeying the rules.
I prostrated myself on the earth, something I should have done last time.
The drums grew louder, followed by footsteps.
The air grew icier, causing the hairs on my skin to stand on end.
A chill ran down my spine as warm lights bobbed in the distance, not far from the river.
Someone began chanting the riddle:
“E ho‘opa‘i nā pahu,
Pā‘ani i ka hihiu loa.
E lilo i ho‘okahi me ka aka,
E ho‘ā i ke ahi mau loa.”
I kept my eyes down, but couldn’t help drifting them to the river, where there was a clear reflection. The night marchers kept a steady pace with the beating drums. And that drum beat seemed to slow when I recognized a reflection of the shadowy figures.
I could point him out easily. Not only did I meet him in this form once before, but I held his hand, kissed him, and loved him.
I love Keanu. That was the truth, making my heart soar farther than the owl in the sky. I love him. And that love only grew as I saw who he escorted home to Kāne.
Kalani. The man looked exhausted, worn down from the battle against Kamehameha. There were thousands of fallen soldiers marching home, escorted by Keanu and the other night marchers.
Once again, this was proof that Keanu had changed. He had changed so much that he even escorted his enemy, in mortal life, home to Kāne.
His heart is willing! He did it… Keanu had become one with the shadow!
Then it hit me. If he loved me so much, to even sacrifice himself for me, then what could I give to him?
Light the eternal flame.
Keanu once asked who would light the eternal flame for him. And I finally understood. Finally knew where it should be lit, and who should do it.
Me. I would do it for the night marcher I loved.
As soon as the night marchers disappeared and silence replaced the beating of the drums, I prepared my group to return home, even though it was night.
I didn’t want to waste any more time. I loved Keanu, and I had to do this now or never.