فصل 10

10

Evil to Come

The compound’s mess hall was designed to seat a thousand Elgen soldiers and was easily large enough to accommodate the small Tuvaluan force. The room was dull and gray, but the emotion was bright and festive. The Tuvaluan cooks were happy to be with their own people again, and they joyfully cooked the traditional foods they were not usually allowed to make: cassava, boiled tapioca, curry, and stew with fish and beef. They made special Tuvaluan bread and cakes and dipped into the Elgen’s best butter, wine, and cream. They also cooked large, meaty steaks imported from New Zealand that had been reserved for the Elgen officers. They made enough food to provide the soldiers with as much as they could eat and some to take away.

Enele walked among his soldiers, observing them and shouting, “Eat up. The next feast you have will be on free Tuvaluan soil.” After the small army had eaten, Enele told the cooks to eat their fill and then to prepare as much bread and food as they could for the coming days of battle. All the cooks volunteered to follow Enele into battle. They took about seventy-five soldiers and ransacked the Elgen’s food supplies, filling the trucks with the Elgen’s food and bottled water.

After Enele had eaten, he gathered his leaders together. The men were in high spirits—a few of them high on spirits.

“We are an unstoppable force,” Nazil said, lifting a glass of wine. “We have put down the Elgen.” “We put down thirty drunk accountants,” Enele said grimly, angry to see his men so quickly off guard. “Drink no more.” Nazil set his glass down. “Sorry, sir.”

“When do we sail to Funafuti?” Adam asked.

Enele paused a moment, then said, “We’re not sailing to Funafuti.”

The men looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re joking with us, Enele,” Raphe said.

“I don’t joke about serious matters. We’re not sailing to Funafuti. We’re sailing to Nui.” The men looked back and forth at one another. “Nui?” Zeel said, not hiding his disapproval. “Why would we sail to Nui? That is the opposite direction. It’s time we attacked. We have soldiers. We have found more weapons and ammunition than we hoped for. Our people need us. It is time.” “I will tell you when it is time,” Enele said. “Yes, our people need us. Our country needs us. But this is not our way. We are sailing to Nui.” The men glanced furtively at one another with concern.

“Excuse me, sir,” Adam said. “But what is not our way?”

Enele took a deep breath. “I have just learned that the great Elder Malakai is still alive and residing on the island of Nui. We will not go to battle until we have counseled with him.” “Enele,” Zeel said. “I beg you to please reconsider. This change of course could delay us three or four days. Any delay gives the Elgen more time to build up strength. Just a few minutes ago the cooks told us that new Elgen soldiers are arriving on Funafuti every day. They are growing in strength. Soon our window of advantage will be gone.” Enele looked disturbed. “I know the risk,” he said. “This was originally not my plan. But my heart has guided me correctly so far. I feel that this is something we must do.” “But, Enele,” Nazil said. “We—”

Enele abruptly stood. “This is not a matter open to discussion. We will set sail at four a.m. Have your soldiers ready.” He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the men sitting in stunned silence.

“Adam,” Zeel said. “Go after him. He listens to you. You must talk sense to him.” “I’ll do what I can,” Adam said. He got up and ran out the door after him.

When he reached Enele’s side, Enele said, “You wish to discuss the matter more?” “You said this is not a matter open to discussion,” Adam said.

“But you would if I allowed,” Enele said. “Or perhaps the group sent you to reason with me. Why else would you run to catch up with me?” “Yes, they asked me to speak to you. But that is not why I ran after you. I ran to you because it is not wise that the leader of our nation walk alone, in the dark, on enemy ground.” Enele stopped and looked at him. “Thank you. But this is not enemy ground. This is our home.” “It was our home,” Adam said.

“Exactly. And it will be again.” Enele’s voice softened. “I do value your advice. What would you like to say about my change in plans?” Adam looked down uncomfortably, then back up into Enele’s eyes. “I have such respect for you. Always. So please, if what I say is foolishness, just tell me and I will own it.” “Speak,” Enele said.

“I would like to say that I would never disagree with you in front of the others, but it seems to me that Zeel was right. Every day brings added danger. Every day the Elgen grow stronger. The gods have blessed us with great weapons and people willing to fight. So between us, as friends, as my leader, are you sure this change of course is right?” Enele was silent for a moment, then said, “No. In this crazy new world, I am sure about few things. But I am sure about the wisdom of our elders.” Enele looked Adam in the eyes. “I have always considered you wise for your age. But still, you are young in years, so there is much you don’t know about this world, even in our small corner of it.

“Many years ago, at the inauguration ceremony of my grandfather, there was, as is our custom, a great celebration. For six days we ate our traditional foods and laughed and danced. There was much wine and yaqona. After nearly a week everyone was . . .” “Happy?” Adam said.

A slight smile bent Enele’s lips. “. . . wasted.”

Adam laughed.

“Not me, of course. I was only eight years old. But during those days I noticed that the Elder Malakai was not celebrating with everyone else. He alone was solemn and grim. I don’t know why it bothered me so, but it did. I took him a glass of wine to drink, but he said, ‘I will not partake.’ I said, ‘You do not drink to my grandfather?’ He replied, ‘I do not celebrate.’ His words angered me. ‘Then you do not accept my grandfather as our new leader?’ ‘That is not why I do not celebrate,’ he said. ‘Your grandfather is a great man. And I mourn for him.’ ‘Mourn?’ I said. ‘Why would you mourn?’ He looked at me and said, ‘There is evil to come in this world. Evil without a name. Evil that will, in time, reach even our small islands. It is that I mourn. For what begins with a crown will end with a cage.’ ” Adam’s jaw dropped. “He really said that?”

“It’s not something I would ever forget. After that, for the longest time I didn’t like Elder Malakai. But my grandfather respected him, so my grandfather often invited him to our home for the annual festivities. I, having wise parentage, showed the elder due respect, but I avoided talking to him or being with him.

“Many years later, on the night of the Tuvalu Independence Day, Elder Malakai said, ‘Enele, come to me. We must talk.’ I obeyed uncomfortably. He looked at me for what seemed a long time. Then he said, ‘You do not like me.’ “I started to make some excuse about why I never talked to him, when he raised his hand. ‘Do not add deceit to your troubled heart. You do not like me because many years ago I shared with you unhappy news. Listen carefully to me now. It does not matter to me whether you like me or not. I like you, and that is enough. So I wish to give you this wisdom. If you love only those who give you happy news, you will never love those worthy of your trust. For those who love you will speak truth, and truth is not always happy, but it is always a blessing.’ He then smiled and patted me on the back. ‘You are a good boy, Enele. A strong boy. You will bless your people someday. In your hands you hold the future of our nation.’ ” Enele took a deep breath, then looked into Adam’s eyes. “So, my friend, what do you think I should do?” “I think we should sail to Nui as soon as possible.”

Enele smiled and put his arm around the young man. “I thought you might agree. Now let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow comes far too soon.”