Chapter 71 - The Chief’s Visit
“They say the sea never returns what it takes,” Yenari muttered under his breath, the sound barely more than a whisper as he gazed out at the endless horizon. His eyes were locked on the distant waves, their steady rhythm was a reminder of the mysteries they held deep in their waters. “But this time… this time it has.”
Sitting on the wide porch of his home, Yenari’s fingers absentmindedly traced the edges of a finely carved wooden bowl, his mind occupied with thoughts of the woman who had been pulled from the sea. The ocean didn’t often release those it claimed, and when it did, there was always a story behind it. The village was still buzzing with speculation, and Yenari, Chief Captain of Havalu, had heard every theory from the superstitious and the skeptical alike.
Chapter 72 - Will of the SeaGeorgia stood at the entryway of the healer's hut, her bare feet sinking into the sun warmed earth, it was relaxing, massaging the soles of her feet. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of salt and ripe coconuts. For a brief moment, the soft crash of waves and the distant chatter of the villagers calmed her racing heart. But her senses remained on high alert. Every laugh, and every movement around her was a potential threat in her eyes.Her head turned toward the sea, the vastness of it overwhelming her, reminding her of the escape she had attempted. It had brought her here — alive but broken. She stepped forward, drawn toward the ocean's horizon, as though it was calling her.“I’ll leave her to you for now. I’ll come visit again.” Yenari uttered before leaving, only giving
Chapter 73 - The Village’s HarmonyGeorgia woke the next morning, the sound of waves gently crashing against the shore outside the healer’s hut greeting her. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the ceiling made of woven palm leaves. The unfamiliar yet peaceful rhythm of island life slowly stirred her, and a sense of calm washed over her. It was contrasting to the chaos and nightmares that had haunted her for so long. Sitting up, she felt the warmth of the sun filtering through the open window. The salty breeze caressed her face, carrying with it the scent of ripe coconuts and distant cooking fires.A soft knock on the door broke her thoughts. Kaia peeked in, her bright eyes filled with a gentle curiosity. “Good morning. I thought you might like to take a walk today . . . to see more of the village.”Georgia he
Chapter 74 - Looking for a BrideKaia smiled, noticing that Georgia was beginning to open herself, asking questions and showing interest in the village. “Yes. And we are the only village on the island.”“Really? So no other villages on the other side of this island?” Georgia asked, and Kaia shook her head.“There is none. Behind the village territory is just mountains then and cultivated lands by our people. Basically, it is just us.” Kaia answered.Further along the path, after silence settled on them, Kaia pointed to a group of villagers harvesting from the coconut trees. Several men climbed up while some held a net where the climbers dropped down the fruits. Others gathered the coconut fruit into woven baskets, their arms full as they carried their
Chapter 75 - For the Night’s FeastThe soft white sand beneath Georgia’s feet crunched in her every step as she wandered the shoreline, watching the sun dip toward the horizon like a ball of fire kissing the blue sea, becoming one to be painted in brilliant hues of orange and red, casting a golden glow across the rippling waves. A calm breeze swept through the air, tangling gently in her hair, while the faint calls of seabirds circled overhead. She stopped for a moment, letting the beauty of the scene wash over her. It was almost surreal, standing here after everything that had happened, after all the blood and pain. The serenity of Havalu Island was the opposite of the chaos that haunted her memories.But for now, she let herself forget. She was miles away from where she had come from, and she did not have to relive every single memory she had.
Chapter 76 - Spared for a ReasonAs the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the village came alive. Wooden instruments, hand carved and beautifully worn from use, were brought out. The deep, resonant sound of drums echoed through the air, accompanied by the light notes of flutes and a harp like instrument made from wood and twine. The music was soothing yet lively, and it stirred something deep within Georgia. For a moment, she let herself be lost in it, the rhythm of the village, the warmth of the fire, the laughter of the people, and a smile slowly spreading on her face. And from a distance, unbeknownst to her, the Chief was watching her like she was a star from above.When the food was ready, everyone gathered around the tables, their plates piled high with grilled fish, roasted pork, fruits, and vegetables. The feast was a celebration, and as the villagers ate, they shared sto
Chapter 77 - Where You Belong“You’ve got it, Georgia! Just like that!” Kaia’s excited voice rang out, echoing through the shaded area beneath the palm trees.Georgia was crouched down, her hands steady as she wove thick, fibrous ropes together, trying to mimic the exact movements that had been shown to her earlier. She furrowed her brow, concentrating, as she continued her work. Around her, the other women paused their work, watching with approving smiles as she carefully looped and knotted the rope.It was not perfect — not even close — but it was an improvement from her first attempts, where her knots slipped apart and her hands fumbled with the unfamiliar materials. Now, the knots were holding, and a section of the net began to take shape, even though it was still rough and a little uneven.“I did it,” Georgia murmured, more to herself than anyone else, an evident surprise in her voice. She glanced up, catching Kaia’s beaming grin, and for a moment, she felt a small swell of pride
Chapter 78 - Arrival of Merchants“Are they here yet?” a young boy asked, bouncing on his toes as he tried to get a better look over the villagers headed by the Chief gathered near the shore. Their eyes squinted against the glare of the sun, searching for signs of the merchant ships on the horizon. “I can see their sails! Look!” another voice called out, pointing excitedly toward the open sea.The villagers of Havalu had been preparing for days, setting up makeshift stalls and tables made from sturdy wood and palm fronds, each draped with colorful fabrics and woven mats. The annual trade event was a time of excitement, a rare opportunity for the islanders to exchange their handmade crafts for goods from other countries or faraway islands. Every year, merchants from different regions arrived with their ships laden with exotic items, bringing with them stories and products that added a touch of the world beyond their isolated island.Women and children continued arranging woven baskets,
Chapter 79 - It’s You, the Silver-Eyed“What is this?” a villager asked, picking up a small wooden box intricately inlaid with silver.“That, my friend, is a puzzle box,” the merchant replied with enthusiasm. “A gift from the Pau Kian region. Solve the puzzle, and it will open. Many secrets could be hidden inside.”The villager’s eyes lit up with curiosity, and soon a small crowd had gathered around the stall, watching as the merchant demonstrated how the box worked. Next to him, another merchant was offering small, colorful stones that glowed faintly in the sunlight, claiming they were charms to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Other stalls displayed an array of products that ranged from delicate pottery and handwoven fabrics to strange and exotic trinkets. One stall had rows of small glass vials filled with vibrant, swirling liquids — potions, perhaps, or perfumes. Another had bundles of dried plants and spices. At a nearby stall, two merchants were haggling over a collec