Chapter Three | Island Spirits Welcome page | Chapter Five
Utel's garden was thriving, and her belly grew with every day, it seemed. Nork was able to spend plenty of time with his new friends, the Fishermen, and, slowly, Utel was starting to meet the other village women. Everyone seemed busy with preparations for the upcoming celebration, though, and she didn't want to intrude. She had things to get ready, as well, because she was planning on cooking a vegetable feast for the ceremony, as a thank-you to the tribe. With everything going on, it wasn't surprising that some mornings she accidentally slept in.
Nork, however, was not impressed with Utel's lazy mornings. He had gotten used to her herbs on his fish, and eating them plain simply wasn't the same. The least she could do was get up in time to help him with breakfast!
This morning, shortly after Nork finished cooking his fish and Utel finally got up, Chief Guar showed up with the anticipated news. The Ceremony was set for this evening, at the temple. Neither Utel had nor Nork had had reason to visit the temple yet, and, individually, both had felt they would be intruding to go there before the ceremony to induct them into the tribe. In other words, being finally officially invited to the temple was a thrill.
Utel spent the rest of the morning harvesting the necessary vegetables, fruit, and herbs for her feast, and packing it in baskets. The butterflies of nervousness flew madly in her stomach, and she tried in vain to convince herself that it was just the young one inside her. The trek up the volcano to the temple was undertaken with reverence, and Nork was even magnanimous enough to help carry her vegetables.
The temple was already teeming with activity when they arrived, and the cooking pit was prepared for Utel's feast. She hurriedly packed the vegetables and herbs in the pit and started them cooking. She then arranged the fruit on the table, and villagers quickly began testing them, remarking with pleasure at the quality of her produce. Utel flushed with pride, and went about meeting the other ladies she hadn't seen before.
Nork helped ready and light the bonfire with his fellow fishermen, and they looked on happily as the village all started crowding around the flames.
The party continued as the sun slowly set, and the bonfire was enjoyed by all for it's warmth and light. Having two new members of the village was a huge moment for the tribe, and extremely unusual, so the opportunity for a day off of work was gladly received by each and every member.
Utel called everyone to partake in her vegetable feast, and she nearly quaked with nerves as the entire village lined up to try her offerings.
The feast was well-received by everyone, much to Utel's surprise, and several women asked for sprouts from her garden to enhance their own plantings.
After the feast, the Chief called everyone to the bonfire, and the men, including Nork, all did their traditional fire dances in celebration of the new village members. Nork told the story of their long Journey, and of Utel's vision. He even managed to sound less sarcastic about the visions this time.
By the time the Ceremonies were over, Utel was exhausted... and had fallen asleep on one of the stone benches. Nork helped the women with cleanup for the feast, even though it was considered women's work, to make up for her not being able to help.
By the time everything was cleaned up, most of the village had headed home, and Nork made one more round around the temple, making sure it was pristine. Much to his surprise, some spirits showed up, giving their blessing to the new villager. He started in fright, but then shrugged. Perhaps Utel's visions were correct. This WAS where they belonged.
On the way home from the volcanic temple, both Utel and Nork availed themselves of the waterfall for a cleansing ritual, then trudged the rest of the way back to their homestead.
That night's sleep was by far the best they had slept since arriving, and, to Nork's chagrin, both slept in the next morning.
In the days following the ceremony, Nork and Utel became very popular members of the village.
Nork did small things around the village for the ladies, and one of them, Utas, seemed very thankful.
Nork and Utas spent the afternoon flirting and checking the fishing traps around the village.
Later, they played in the sand together, and she introduced him to some other villagers.
Nork felt completely welcomed, and an idea started forming in the back of his mind.
Every night for the next week, he labored late into the darkness, building and building.
The hut, however, was finally complete. Since they were official village members, Nork knew it was time to solidify their place in the village by no longer living in a flimsy travel-tent.
The hut was just in time, too, since that night, her labor pains began. In a panic, Nork ran for Saelua and quickly vacated the hut to allow for the midwifery. To Utel's relief, the process was over by the morning light, and she named her daughter Saazul.
After caring for the new baby, Utel fell into an exhausted sleep in the new hut, completely spent.
Despite the fact that infant care was women's work, Nork showed a sensitive side and helped care for the baby while letting Utel rest and recover. Just holding the young one made his chest fill with pride, and he made a resolution to himself to try for more young ones as soon as possible.
Poor Utel is tired of being stinky.... (or maybe it was the fish Nork was cooking??)
Chapter Three | Island Spirits Welcome page | Chapter Five
