Brothers in Arms
by Kai Toh
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Table of Contents parts 1, 2, 3 |
conclusion
“Welcome honoured guests, representative of the Waskaganish Cree, Ahanu and Chief of the Skytrees, Raith. Thank you, Raith for graciously accommodating my request to have yourself accompany the trespassing missionary to the appropriate authorities. His death, though deserved, does not further our wish to remain left alone and to rule independently.
“Over 12 years ago, my father met yours and, though both our fathers have passed since then, my father thought your father a man of great authenticity and integrity and one who could be completely trusted. That is why I requested your presence to ensure the missionary here is properly returned.
“Ahanu, please do not take such a request as mistrust of the Waskaganish Cree, whom we hold in high regard and respect immensely.” Chief Waka spoke through his translator, and Ahanu further translated to Raith and Lleyton. Raith nodded appreciatively.
Chief Waka continued to go on and on in diplomatic pleasantries, which surprised Ahanu. He did not think a leader of a primitive culture would do such a thing. Perhaps they had a tradition of storytelling. The Cree saw that it was difficult for Raith and Lleyton to pay attention. It was easy for him, because he needed to concentrate and make sure he translated properly.
“Your father — Rhythern, Chief of the Skytrees — seduced and impregnated my father’s then teenage daughter, my sister, while visiting the island.” Ahanu looked at Raith, who gave a never before seen before look of shock. The missionary was very confused.
Chief Waka yelled something after he thought Ahanu had finished communicating his last verbiage. The interpreter did not translate what was yelled, but there was much shuffling of the men and drawing of weapons. Looking at the enraged soldiers, Ahanu did not think a simple arrest was on their minds.
“This is wrong, Waka,” Anahu yelled at the interpreter, putting his body in front of Raith’s. “You have no proof. Would you kill me and enrage the Cree tribe and risk your whole island losing its sovereignty over such libel?”
Suddenly, Ahanu was dragged to the ground and stocky tribesmen armed with spears gathered around Raith. He caught a thrust of the spear with his right hand and redirected it to the temple of another attacker, missing its target and instead putting the blade through his eye killing him immediately, blood sputtering everywhere.
That movement pulled the initial attacker closer, and a thunderous left hand knocked him unconscious, if not dead. Raith lunged forward, knowing there were spearmen behind him. One spear caught the side of his stomach. He used as a shield the man he had just incapacitated and threw the lifeless body onto two other approaching enemies.
The Ministikese guarding the missionary attacked Raith with a large knife. Raith grabbed the wrist of one attacker with one hand and then used the machete-like blade to kill the other attacker instantly with a vicious cleaving blow to the neck. It was as if the man’s wrist was the handle of the blade and the rest of him was being flung around.
Eventually, he freed the blade from its hand and used it against its former holder, piercing through one side of the torso and out the other. He grabbed the missionary and ran towards the door. Looking back at Anahu, he hoped and thought they would not dare kill him but worried for him, nonetheless, feeling immense guilt for having to leave him
After a long chase, Raith and the missionary eventually found themselves behind some trees, near the shoreline. They could not be hit with arrows from their angle. If they got too close, Raith would be able to dispose of them. The archers, if intelligent, could flank from a distance. Raith thought of transforming and combatting them in that monstrous entity, likely being able to overcome even this large number of enemies.
However, everyone would know his secret, but they were secluded on an island whose inhabitants barely communicated. Still, Lleyton would see, and Anahu would find out... if he lived. Before Raith could weigh the options, archers did come but unexpectedly from two different directions simultaneously. Running to safe cover led to a waiting spearman, whose thrust cut through Raith’s arm and caused him to fall into turbulent waters.
The missionary, unaware of his own safety, dove in after him and pulled Raith’s head above water, temporarily saving him from drowning. He dragged Raith and himself under the water when the arrows came and resurfaced in the lull in between. However, if the Ministikese adjusted their timing, there would be no lull, and escape would be impossible and death eminent.
After half a dozen plunges, the archers did indeed change their timing, and the spearman neared. The missionary thought about going out into the open water, where they would likely drown, being swept away by the waves, but it would at least delay the inevitable. Raith was too injured and thought he could not transform but he thought of making one last-gasp attempt.
Suddenly, Waka appeared and yelled something. Everyone lowered their weapons. The natives dove into the water and helped Raith and the missionary to safety. Ahanu raced behind the chief and told them that the sister did not know Waka’s plan and when she realized what was happening, she admitted another had impregnated her but blamed Raith’s father because he would never be seen or heard from again. Upon hearing this, Waka decided the attack should end.
Lleyton did not know whether to be enraged or thankful, but he soon thought only of leaving as quickly as possible. Anahu told the translator they would take Raith back to Waskaganish where he could receive medical attention. The mistreated guests walked quickly to their canoes.
Chief Waka, through the translator, said, “I have treated you poorly and tried to kill an honoured guest. I do much dishonour to our people. Many died because you simply tried to defend yourself.”
Ahanu was furious but tried to maintain his composure. He translated the message to his friends. “It is very unfortunate that you chose these actions. Even if what you claimed were true, this was not the way to bring about justice. I am sorry for all your people who lost their lives today. I will report what happened to my chief. Please reflect wisely on today’s actions.” With that, Ahanu turned his back on Chief Waka, went to Raith, dismissed the Ministikese trying to help him, and the four approached the two canoes.
The missionary knew how to row and sat with Benton helping him to cross the large body of water to reach the mainland. Lleyton tried to control his tears and emotions but could not, visibly shaking and doing all he could to keep himself from sobbing. He had never seen death before.
When he closed his eyes, all he saw was sputtering blood and madmen trying to kill him. It did not matter that it was the enemy. He could not unsee all that had happened. He knew he would never be the same. Taking a deep breath, he managed to focus on rowing, a temporary reprieve to the new haunting memories.
“You okay?” Raith asked Ahanu, noticing they were veering off course.
“I’ve had fights in my life, but no one ever tried to kill me. I... I can’t believe this happened. Explaining it to my chief, he would never believe me... You killed... I don’t know how many, so violent, so much blood. Justifiably and in self-defence, of course... you’re so calm.”
“Well, I wasn’t calm when those arrows were firing at me, and I was under the water. I really thought that was it. I was scared and frightened just like everyone else,” Raith comforted Ahanu with the half-truth.
“But you’re okay now. No one else is.”
“I’ve seen a lot of death over the years and done my share of killing. Intellectually, we are okay with it. It is in self-defence, but physiologically, it is a rollercoaster, and you three are not used to seeing such carnage. It might take some time... it might take some time,” Raith said, trying to comfort the Cree.
“Yeah,” Ahanu said, taking a deep breath.
“I saw you jump out and put yourself between me and my would-be killers.”
“It was nothing, they were not going to kill me, and they just tossed me aside like nothing.”
“No, my friend, that was everything,” said Raith.
* * *
When they got to the mainland, Raith requested that he be treated by a local native practitioner and not a medical doctor. He told them he was a quick healer and would eventually be fine. Ahanu made the appropriate arrangements, and Raith was examined immediately and informed he would make a full recovery.
Still slightly disoriented, the three made their way to Chief Wapachee’s office, where Ahanu spoke at length to the chief while the other two sat in a waiting area. Finally, the two were invited in.
“Raith, my sincerest and deepest apologies for our role in Waka’s manipulative and devious machinations,” the Chief apologized.
“No apology is needed. How were you to know? You, Ahanu and your people did nothing wrong. In fact, Ahanu, here, risked his life to save mine as did young Lleyton, our missionary friend here.”
The chief looked proudly at Ahanu.
“What will be your response to the danger Chief Waka put your people in and the attempted murder of myself and the missionary?” Raith asked.
“You two were the aggrieved parties. I wish your input before I ultimately decide. For the missionary trying to access the island and their trying to kill him, there is no crime there, as he should have known better. As for inviting you onto their island and trying to kill you and, indirectly, the missionary, I am unsure. If we report it, the government might use this an excuse to invade the Ministikese, remove them from the island, and exploit any resources found on the island. The government will possibly not do this as there would be international and political backlash. Still, do we want their fate in the hands of political winds?” asked the Chief.
“We cannot do nothing, though. Actions, especially trying to kill people should have consequences,” Lleyton argued. “Isn’t there laws of the Cree that have been broken here?”
“Yes, but it would not apply to the Ministikese,” the Chief answered. “They have a special status.”
“We could ask the Ministikese for some kind of repercussions with failure to do so ending in the reporting of the incident to the police,” Ahanu suggested.
“That should sufficiently motivate Chief Waka,” Chief Wapachee thought. “What repercussions do you think would be appropriate?”
“We could demand that a Cree individual be allowed on the island to make sure outside laws are not broken,” Ahanu offered. “We could also ask for tea, their most valuable resource.”
“It looks like there might be some negotiation between the two chiefs, but whatever you decide is fine with me,” Raith said.
“Myself as well,” said the missionary. There was a long silence, and finally the missionary spoke. “Will I be arrested?”
“Will you ever do this again?” Chief Wapachee asked.
“No. Never. I swear.”
“Do you see the error of your ways?”
“Yes. They should be left alone. I guess I wanted fame, to be the missionary to spread the word of Christ to the last known uncontacted tribe in North America. My reasons were vain and selfish. The worse part was seeing them die, how Raith killed them, and the life draining away from them. I don’t want that to happen to me or to any other who would be foolish enough to try to do what I did.”
The chief looked at Raith and Waka. “You two were with him through all of this. What would you say?”
“I believe he has changed,” Ahanu said.
“He saved my life,” Raith stated. “He should get a second chance.”
“Either you are truly sincere or have fooled us all, because I, too, believe you. You are free to go,” the chief said. Chief Wapachee thought if Lleyton was arrested, then the attempted murder would be on the record and that unforeseen consequences might end up being large and devastating.
“Please do not ask how,” Raith said politely, “but I know people in the area and can find my own way home. Ahanu need not drive me. He has done too much already. I trust that this is okay with you.” And there was a knowledgeable elder in the area that might have information on the giant, fiery-coloured bear that had killed his father.
The chief nodded and the three left the office. Ahanu took Raith and the missionary into his own home for the night. The missionary was to take a bus south the next day. When they were alone, Lleyton asked Raith why he came all the way to save him, especially since Raith thought he deserved to die.
Raith explained: “Part of it was Ahanu and Chief Wapachee. If Ahanu went to all this trouble to find me, bring me here, and drive me back home, it must have been important to him. If Ministikese killed you, authorities would get involved. And those people, despite their flawed leadership, deserve to be left alone, undisturbed by the white man.
“I must admit I was interested in seeing these people. Who wouldn’t be? If I didn’t help Ahanu, part of your potential death could reasonably be attributable to me. I am certain of many things but not that I would be justified in letting you die. I did not want the guilt. I was being selfish. In my home forest, I am like a warden; I save many more lives than the unfortunate ones I must kill. I try to save people. To put it simply, you deserved to die, but when they spared you, you did not.”
“Whatever the reasons,” the missionary said, “I am grateful.”
Raith nodded, hearing the sentiment often when he rescued those in need.
“I am not who I was,” said Lleyton. “I have changed. Going through all of this is going to change anyone, but I’m not like that anymore. I will be better.”
“I know,” Raith said quietly and patted the young man on the shoulder. “Get some rest, it’s been a long day.”
* * *
After a very satisfying brunch, it was time for the three to depart.
“Ahanu,” Raith said warmly, “I am forever in your debt. You know Mike, I wrote down his name, address, and phone number here. If you need my help, let me know and I’ll come as soon as I can. I can’t fix everything, but I am resourceful. It is an honour to have spent time with you and fought along such an honourable and loyal man. I know you do not have aspirations of being a chief, but I think you would make a great one. You make us aboriginals proud, unlike Chief Waka.”
“And you,” Raith shook his head while looking at Lleyton. “There is no Jesus in my life but this representative of his has shown great character... in the end. I first thought you were a naïve, misguided believer of lies that were sold to you.”
“And now?”
“I think the same, but you risked your own life and saved mine. I don’t think that it was God telling you to do that. There was something inside of you that caused you to act in such a way. I offer you the same. Take this, if you need help, tell Mike and I will be soon by your side. You saved my life, if you are across the country or in the States, or even across the world, I will find you.”
“Can I charge you for therapy after seeing what you did to the Ministikese?” the missionary joked.
“For you and your actions that saved me... anything,” Raith said and gave each a firm handshake and a hug stronger than the Fyrebaer that killed his father. He then looked at them both. “It was a strange fellowship, and the enemy was completely unexpected, but we somehow survived, and we persevered. You two have a strength of character that I will always admire and respect. Goodbye, my unexpected fellow soldiers and friends forever.”
And with a departing wave, Raith walked into the distance, made a turn to the right and was gone.
Copyright © 2025 by Kai Toh
