Love Upon the Hudson Bay

Chapter Two

Aranck

I could hear the animals lazily patter across the soil as the new light stretched across the forest floor. Quiet giggles accompany the animals as the children chased one another. I know the women would be now preparing for a gathering expedition, and if I was to stretch my ear further - I would hear the rumbles of my brother. Growling over the encroaching HBC and the unlimited threats they impose on us.

I couldn't help but scowl when I think of the greedy company. A foreign entity pillaging and claiming the land as if the Earth could not be shared. All of the pale ones were the same: Savage and greedy. 

I quickly rise from my bed, pulled on some buckskin pants. Feeling the humidity creep into my tent I decide against a shirt and tied my shoulder-length hair into a low bun. With ambition carrying my feet I flip open the tent and stride to the Chief's tent. 

Despite the daylight that spread across the village, the Chief's tent would be cloaked in darkness. A roaring fire lies in the center -- it would be the only source of light in the tent. Adjacent to the entry lay the main table: only serious papers and matters were to be placed on the discussion table. I knew that the table was covered with maps and any information that we have gathered on the HBC in the past months. 

When the sudden sunlight breached the somber room, the conversation ceased. 

The chief immediately looks up, his elderly face lightened when he realized I was the one who interrupted.

"Tsíki, I am glad you finally found the strength to rise from your slumber" His eyes crinkle. 

"Nínaa, if you continue to scold me, I may perhaps never rise" I laugh and open my arms to hug him.

"Waistáaat, there is no time to waste" he declares as he gently guides me to the table.

I looked at the two others who joins my father and was not surprised to see my younger brother, Machk, standing just to the side. Being the younger brother of the chief gave my brother unlimited freedom, but he chose to spend all of his time at the ear of my father. Undoubtedly, he is the favourite. But the Council would never choose the youngest son to take over. 

I pity my brother, all he ever dreams of is being the Chief of our people, but his youth is not the only factor holding him back. It is often tradition to choose names that mirror our personalities, and Machk's is spot-on. Machk means bear; seemingly this would be a positive namesake, it actually is not. Strong but unpredictable- not the qualities of a leader. 

Aranck means stars, and I am still waiting to discover my namesake, but my father ensures me that he named me correctly. 

The other man was Hassun, my father's right-hand man. His name means stone, and I could not think of a more fitting name for a man that had the emotional variance of a boulder. But, his emotions, or lack thereof, is one of his best features. It allows him to think logically, and if I become Chief I would want to have a man of the same capabilities at my side. 

But, I will not have a Hassun as a right-hand man: it will be Machk. It has to be. There is no other man who cares about our people more, and no other person that I could trust more. 

Passing a sly grin to Machk, I glance at the new map that Hassun has created. It depicts the HBC movements and their closest camps. I couldn't help grimance - they are much closer than the last full moon. 

"They are now closer, nearly 50 paces. Every week, they come closer, how long until they are in front of the village?" Hassun measures with his fingers - voicing my exact thoughts. 

My father leaves the table, and my eyes follow him as he approaches the quilt my mother made before she left to join the Great Spirit. He strokes it for a moment, before turning to lock eyes with me. As the vivid colors from the fire etch his face -- he asks me a question that changes everything.

"Aranck, my eldest, soon my reign will be over. We have tried peace, and it has only ensued more anger and more violence. We have attacked, and we are no match. What can we do?" my father solemnly whispers.

"If we cannot fight, if we cannot negotiate. That only leaves us with one option: we must coexist" I respond simply.

"Coexist? A death sentence!" Machk snips from my side.

Ignoring Machk's outburst, "...We simply live with them. We will not be the first tribe to do it! There are others who are beginning to realize the benefits of living and working with them! We would benefit handsomely, and we would finally be able to live in peace without checking our shoulder every night" I rambled; unsure myself if such a strategy would work. 

"Are you sure you did not hit your head on a branch on your way over?" Machk retaliated.

Knowing better than to tango with him, I just glared. 

Hassun seemed to simply weigh both options, while my father shocked me:

"My son, you speak beyond your years. A wisdom that I had only hoped to gather when I had long white hair down my back" he replied slowly. 

As soon as my father finished, Machk stormed out. 

"Give him time, he still wishes he could lead, but eventually he too will see." My father hums.

"I know, but I do not want to see him hurt" I concede.

"But, that is the way things must be. There can be no peace within that boy, he has a beast filled with hatred that lies within him. A useful beast, but he must learn to tame it and himself first" my father lamented.

"Kakó, you have training, and I am still waiting for you to decide on a woman. It is time for you to settle down, I will squash the reputation you have been building for the last few years" my father boomed.

I could literally feel my cheeks burn as I scooted out of the tent. 

Translations:

Tsíki -- a term of address to son

Nínaa -- leader or chief

Waistáaat -- come in

Kakó -- go ahead