Islands of Fire and Water
an excerpt

“Why do you insist on coming here every morning, Ililani? It is such a waste of your time as a Priestess.”

Well, glad to see we’ve got the criticism out of the way early, Ili thought as she looked up at her mother, standing at the edge of the pool and looking quite testy.

“My soul is at rest here, mother. It’s peaceful. I feel like I’m bathing in Kamapua’a’s embrace.”

Her mother snorted and rolled her eyes, but said nothing more. That was the signal -- Ili got out of the pool and dried herself briskly before wrapping her hair in her towel and putting her daily dress on. A boring robe of no particular color, unlike her beautiful, soft ceremonial robes, it was made of tapa and tied with ti. Yet another use for the plant.

Her mother stood by impatiently. When Ili was done dressing and drying herself they headed back to the village together. As per custom, her mother started ranting to her about everyone else’s incompetence.

“Those idiots we call warriors botched everything up royally last night. I can’t believe I let them get away with such a gentle punishment. We still haven’t found that Mountainer from last night, though our intelligence -- ha! -- says that he didn’t make it off the Island. We’ll find him, sure enough -- he has to eat, after all -- and then when we do, we’ll give Kamapua’a His sacrifice.” She shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know what has to happen to make those idiots understand that it’s not just me they’re angering -- it’s our God, our Supreme Ruler! Do they want the Tribe to starve and die? Because it will happen if we don’t straighten up and canoe right!”

Ililani spoke before she could stop herself. “Mother, I have a question for you.”

Ipo stopped walking and looked at Ililani with pueo-sharp eyes. “What? You know I don’t like questions.”

She was trapped now. She had to ask. Even if it was the last time she did so.

Deep breaths. Remember your ha… “Mother, I was wondering if…if Kamapua’a really wanted sacrifices? It seems…well, He’s always seemed so gentle to me. And loving. I didn’t think he was particularly bloodthirsty.”

The slap was sharp and quick to Ili’s face, a stinging blow to put her in her place. “Your duty is not to think, Ililani, it is to do as I say, when I say. I am the only one who corresponds directly with Kamapua’a, and never forget that! If I say he demands sacrifice, he does -- and you should consider yourself lucky he does not request young virgin women, you impudent girl.” Ililani’s eyes stung with the saltiness of her tears; she tried desperately to stop crying in front of her mother. “Stop crying,” Ipo snapped, “and get your worthless okole to breakfast. I’m tired of your questions.” Without another word the Queen continued on down the path , not looking to see if Ili followed or not.

Ili quickly dashed the tears from her eyes and composed her face before following her mother. It had been so stupid, and she could not believe how dumb she’d been. She wished she could take it back -- but if wishes were fishing nets we’d have no use of netters. Thank you, Kamapua’a, for saving me from her terrible wrath today. I promise I will not skip my devotionals again.

She said her prayer silently, to herself and her God, meekly following in her mother’s footsteps. No, it would not do to have independent thought again.