The Fall

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Chapter 4

Te Hākari/The Feast

Rātū leads the boy along the corridor. He is rough with him and angry that he can’t be rougher. But this kid is no pushover. He walks straight-backed, proud and showing little fear. This makes Rātū even more suspicious.

Rātū had been on the Queen’s guard for 26 of his 55 years. Amaia was the third succession to the throne under his guardianship as the top dog. She was by far his favourite and he had good reason to favour her. But he couldn’t show it. It’s unprofessional to show emotion as this could be seen as a sign of weakness. And many of the younger generation would jump at the opportunity to take his prestigious role. So far he had never been challenged. It wasn’t just his size and battle scars that put people off. He was clever, a strategist and commanded a lot of respect. Still with his constant backache and weakened, injured knee he knew he only a had few more years at the top. No one knew of his injuries and he wanted to keep it that way.

They climb the stairs and at the top, the boy realises they had been underground. It is night. Through the windows he sees people mingling, standing by fires, drinking and talking. Word about this stranger had spread like wildfire. When they see him and Rātū they push and shove their way to the windows to get a better look. Rātū opens the door to exit and many more people are waiting to catch a glimpse of the boy. "Clear the way,". Rātū walks the boy through the crowd keeping a wary eye.

The meeting house is packed full. Lanterns and candles light the room that is elaborately decorated with woven panels and huge plastic carvings that glow in the dim light.

Amaia sits on a carved and moulded plastic chair that is fit for someone twice her size. She has a dark green tattoo-like pattern painted on her chin that glistens in the light. Marcus and the elders sit behind her in silence.

The crowd are restless but excited. The doors open and silence spreads across the room. Rātū and the boy stand at the open doorway. Amaia smiles reassuringly at him. As she stands she starts to sing, her voice strong and clear. The boy watches in amazement as Amaia’s song fills the room. Her voice becomes stronger, higher in pitch and she suddenly jumps in the air, lands on one knee, fist to the ground. Everyone in the room suddenly jumps up following Amaia’s action. They all join in on a full-on passionate haka* as the boy watches on in terrified wonder.

Amaia’s eyes flash as they all slap their chests, quivering hands point to the sky, the gods and back to the earth. And as quickly as the haka started it finishes leaving Amaia with the last sentence, clear, beautiful. The boy is stunned at the beauty and power. Amaia smiles at him as she addresses the crowd.

"Look what we found in the deer trap!"

The crowd murmur, laugh.

"For the first time in our 200 year history, we have a guest."

The crowd cheer.

"A guest with no name."

The crowd is a little confused.

Amaia loves the attention. "He can’t speak to us and we did catch him in a trap. But that is no reason to treat him like an animal."

She looks at Rātū who scoffs.

"And considering he can not tell us his name, I will name him." The crowd cheer.

"Everyone, I’d like you all to welcome...," she pauses for effect, eyeing the crowd.

"...Aaron!"

The crowd call his name, "Aaron!"

She looks at the confused boy, smiling.

"We the People of The Fall, who rose again, welcome you!"

The crowd cheer. Then Amaia holds both hands up to quieten them.

"Let’s not forget what we are here for. Bring him to the front and he can celebrate the life of Uncle Stan with us all".

The crowd cheer again. Marcus leads Aaron to the Amaia. She takes his hand, leans in and gives him a hongi* Aaron doesn’t know what she’s doing. He is awkward. She laughs.

"Get used to it. Everyone is going come up to you and greet you this way". He eyes the crowd, a little uneasy.

"Yes, every single one of them," she smiles. Marcus approaches Amaia but before he can say anything Amaia cuts him off.

"He will be seated by me."

Marcus is a little breathless. "There is so much we need to discuss Amaia," he puffs dramatically. She ignores his drama.

"Tomorrow I’ll address the council. Tonight we celebrate. Let’s eat, everyone will be starving." She eyes Aaron. "Especially him".

"Yes." Marcus bows and backs away. He addresses the crowd, "Kai time." The crowd cheer and disperse. Amaia turns to Aaron.

"You’re going to love this. Changeovers are always great. The singing, the memories. Oh my God, the food. You must be hungry?" Aaron nods, ’yes’. He watches the crowd as they prepare the stage and floor for dinner. They are excited and move in quick, well-practised motions. Tables are bought in immediately covered with cloth, cutlery and bottles of water. Just as quickly chairs are bought in and set in place.

As people pass Aaron some stop and greet him with a hongi. He is reluctant but has no choice. They shake his hand, pat him on the back. It's all a bit overwhelming. By the door

Rātū is watching Aaron's every move. Panea approaches. She is agitated. "Perenara still hasn’t returned from the hunt," she says watching Aaron too.

"He was with you?"

"Ae, he ran ahead. Do you think it’s strange this boy turns up and Perenara disappears?"

Ratu contemplates this. "What could a boy do to Perenara?"

"I don't know but if something bad has happened I'll kill that kid!"

Rātū looks to Panea. As always she means what she says. "Let me know when he returns." Panea nods.

On the stage Aaron nervously watches Rātū and Panea talking. They all catch each other's eye.

But then people file into the meeting house carrying platters of food covered with silver lids and white cloth. They quickly set food and candles on the tables. Aaron is amazed at the speed everything is done The lids and cloths are lifted and steam rises from the food. Aaron eyes the food hungrily. Meat, chicken, fish, greens and root vegetables. The room quietens as they look to Amaia at the main table. She raises her cup. They all follow suit.

"To Uncle Stan. And to you, his whanau, may you all go forward in peace. Kia ora tatou!"

The crowd raise their cups. "Kia ora!"

She sits. Everyone sits. Aaron looks at the feast in front of him. He doesn’t know where to start.

"Just fill your plate and eat," she says, "There’s plenty."

Aaron can’t believe it. He loads his plate and digs in. He can’t slice the meat fast enough.

Amaia and others watch him, amused. Aaron chews the meat. It is tough and a bit foul but that doesn’t hold him back.

"You’re very lucky. We don’t eat like this every day." She points to a group seated up the front of the house.

"That’s Uncle Stan’s wife and kids. He stepped through the veil this morning. He was a great man with a big but weak heart". Aaron stabs at the meat with his fork and lifts it to his mouth.

She continues, "And he’s a donor which is so honourable for the family. Only the ones who are sick with rot or cancer can’t become donors". She pauses, "We don’t eat them. It’s sad for everyone."

Aaron pauses. He takes a second to register what Amaia is saying. ‘We don’t eat them?’

Suddenly Aaron turns red with rage and disgust. He starts to choke, slamming his fist onto the table in anger. Everyone jumps in fright. He stands and starts to spit the food out onto the table. Grabbing bits with his hands and throwing them on the floor.

The people' shock at his bizarre behaviour soon turns to anger. Some stand and start shouting abuse at him. Amaia doesn’t know what to do. Aaron grabs for a cup of water but someone at the table knocks it out of his hand. It spills on Amaia. He looks at the crowd. They are hostile and ready to rip him apart. His instincts kick in as he looks for some kind of escape route. There isn’t one.

Suddenly Rātū appears. Amaia who is a little panicked shouts to him, "Get him away from here!"

"I should throw him into the crowd," he replies. Amaia is terrified for Aaron.

"It’s not his fault Ratu. Protect him!"

Rātū grabs Aaron by the scruff of the neck and walks him roughly through the crowd. The people yell, spit and push Aaron. Some young men run at him threaten to punch him, poking their tongues and miming slitting his throat. Ratu has to do everything he can to protect Aaron.

Much to Amaia’s relief Rātū and Aaron get to the door and exit.

Rātū opens the cell’s iron gate and throws Aaron into the room. There is a mattress on the floor but Aaron misses it, hits the ground hard and slides up against the wall. He jumps to his feet and runs for the door. Rātū grabs him again and smashes him on the ground. This time Aaron stays where he is.

"She’s not going to be able to help you now," he growls.

Ratu extinguishes the lantern throwing the room into darkness. He bolts the gate behind.

Aaron leans back against the wall wincing in pain.