Spanning five centuries, New Zealand: A Novel is a sweeping tale of discovery, destiny, and forbidden love in which the old and new worlds collide. While this novel may not always convey exactly what happened during the discovery and settlement of New Zealand, first by Pacific Islanders and later by Europeans, I believe it captures the spirit of those sometimes romantic, always fascinating and often bloody times. –Lance Morcan (Author)
CHAPTER 11
Matavai Bay, Tahiti, May 3, 1769
It was early May and the men of the Endeavour were enjoying their stay at Matavai Bay so much that many had all but forgotten the purpose of their visit. As the transit of Venus neared, Cook reminded his men in no uncertain terms of the reason they were in Tahiti.
Construction of a fort, appropriately named Fort Venus, at the northeastern end of the bay was almost complete. With the assistance of some of the villagers, work on it had begun within days of the Endeavour’s arrival. It was located on a sandy spit Cook had named Point Venus, and had been extended to accommodate an observatory. Everything was in place except for the telescopes and other technical observation equipment. These would remain under lock and key aboard ship until closer to the big day.
June 3rd was fast-approaching and the captain was worried. May was throwing up some depressingly cloudy weather, not ideal conditions for observing a distant planet. All eyes were on the skies and Cook had taken to praying for fine weather during his daily devotions.
Nicholas was among a number of crewmembers selected to assist with the preparations at the observatory. The captain had long been aware of the usefulness of his intelligent, hard-working surgeon’s boy. Surgeon Monkhouse’s reports left no doubt that Nicholas Young was a gifted lad, and Cook needed the services of such people for the task ahead. Monkhouse also confirmed there wasn’t a lot for him or his assistant to do in the ship’s surgery now that the bark lay at anchor.
The surgeon might not have been so confident if he’d foreseen the number of men who any day now would begin reporting to the sickbay with the pox – an unfortunate result of their licentious activity since arriving in Tahiti.
#
Nicholas was one of eight hand-picked individuals now based at the observatory within the fort. He reported directly to chief carpenter John Satterley while the other seven were under the supervision of astronomer Charles Green. The observatory team’s main task was the construction of a sturdy, dead-level, observation tower. This was completed under Green’s critical eye within days and well ahead of schedule.
Like the other members of Cook’s crew, team members now had considerable spare time on their hands. Nicholas used his free time to explore Matavai Bay, more often than not alone. Although attracted to the local wahines, his heart was set on Queen Obadia. To his mind her beauty overshadowed that of all other women. So he channelled his energy into climbing the rugged hills, exploring the picturesque coastline and swimming in the bay and in the streams that emptied into it: blissful days for a lad from Derbyshire. He soon became a familiar and popular figure with the villagers. His only regret was he’d be leaving here eventually and would be separated from his beautiful queen forever. It was a continuing frustration to him that he’d hardly seen her since the welcoming feast. On those rare occasions he had seen her, she’d been surrounded by members of her personal guard or by throngs of villagers, or both. Thinking of her now made him tingle all over.
Nicholas’s comings and goings in and around Matavai Bay were noted by the nattily-dressed Tupaia. Although now ensconced in his new quarters aboard the Endeavour, the navigator-priest-turned-interpreter would often stumble across the surgeon’s assistant and engage him in conversation on those occasions he went ashore. A genuine friendship was developing between them.
One day, in the company of his new friend, Nicholas broached the subject that had been nagging at him. “Do you see much of your queen?” he asked nonchalantly.
Tupaia paused and smiled to himself before answering, “Uh. As high priest, I spend time…with all, ah, member of royal family.”
“Is…is she happy?” Nicholas probed further.
The Tahitian adjusted his cocked hat. “Do you mean is she happy being…consort…of our great rangatira?”
“Well…yes.”
“They not live together…as lovers…for many year. It more to help keep peace…with other tribes.” Tupaia explained that the rangatira was from another island. “He be with Queen Obadia, ah, help protect our people…against attack from enemy.”
“I see.” Nicholas felt relieved. He hadn’t been able to cast from his mind the awful image of Hercules violating his beloved queen.
“You are interested…in Queen Obadia?” Tupaia enquired innocently.
“Not really,” Nicholas responded lightly before quickly changing the subject.
The conversation had set Tupaia thinking. He now viewed Nicholas potentially as his passport out of Tahiti. From talking to the occupants of the tall ships which had visited his island, he’d learned there was a big world out there and he yearned to discover it for himself. Besides, he had ambitions that were far too grand for this little corner of the world. The amiable Tahitian knew if he could secure a permanent berth aboard the Endeavour he’d realise his ambitions. And so he hatched a scheme he vowed to put into action that very day.
His conscience was clear about what he intended doing. No-one would get hurt. Misled maybe, but not hurt. If everything went to plan, everyone would be happy. Captain Cook would be happy, Queen Obadia would be happy and Nicholas would be happy. Very happy.
On second thoughts, he realised, perhaps the rangatira the visitors called Hercules wouldn’t be happy.
Fortuitously for Tupaia’s plan, today was a sacred day, a monthly occasion devoted to prayer and devotions. Traditionally, after dinner on such a day, Tupaia and the other priests would join with Queen Obadia to pray to their island gods and thank them for protecting their people. If the villagers were enjoying an especially good growing season or the fishermen brought in a big catch from the sea, the queen would sometimes order a human sacrifice be made to the spirits as a gesture of appreciation. Usually, a new-born child would be sacrificed. Thankfully, no such offering would be made on this occasion. Tupaia had no stomach for such acts. He considered them barbaric. Although as high priest he often had to officiate during human sacrifices – it was sometimes he who delivered the fatal blow or knife thrust – inwardly he loathed the practice. He wondered how the gods could be so generous and immediately so ruthless in demanding payment for their generosity. It crossed his mind that if the priests’children were the only ones eligible for sacrifice, there would be fewer sacrifices. He also wondered how a person of such physical beauty as Queen Obadia could order acts of such cruelty. He’d been tempted to speak out, but he knew that would be punishable by death.
Usually, after the evening’s deliberations, the other priests would retire with Hercules to the outer chamber of the royal quarters to talk long into the night over bowls of kava. Tupaia would stay behind to engage the queen in some lively conversation if she was receptive. She usually was for she enjoyed her high priest’s company. He just hoped she’d be receptive tonight.
#
That night, after dinner in the royal quarters, Tupaia was relieved Queen Obadia indicated he should stay as Hercules and the other priests departed. He was content that so far everything was going to plan.
Like her high priest, the queen had a keen mind and a quick wit. She loved Tupaia’s company, if only for his conversation these days. Unlike the amiable priest sitting before her, she had all but forgotten their night of lust. It was so long ago and there’d been so many young men since. As for Tupaia, he could never forget that night, but on these occasions he’d learned to force all carnal thoughts from his mind and concentrate on entertaining the queen with his conversation instead of his body.
Tonight, concentrating was easy as he was about to call on all his considerable powers of persuasion. In deference to his queen, he waited for her to speak first. She was in no hurry. While he waited, he noticed she appeared troubled. He smiled to himself. Her apparent anxiety would aid his plan.
“Tupaia, my trusted companion,” Queen Obadia began. “You know I do enjoy our talks.”
“Yes, my queen.” Tupaia bowed his head respectfully.
“Tonight I need your advice.”
“Something ails you?” Tupaia asked hopefully.
“Uh. A change is coming over our people. They are growing fat and lazy.”
Tupaia glanced over his shoulder. He hoped Hercules was out of earshot.
Queen Obadia continued, “Our warriors spend their waking hours drinking kava and sleeping. The young men spend their days filling our wahines with their seed. The wahines are no better. Our people grow soft.”
Tupaia nodded. He knew this to be true.
“If those devils from Bora Bora attacked tomorrow, we would be crushed like turtle eggs beneath a falling coconut!” the queen continued passionately.
“That is so,” Tupaia said. It was one of the reasons he knew he had to escape this place. Outwardly he looked as concerned as his queen. Inwardly he rejoiced. The conversation was leading exactly where he’d hoped it would.
“What can we do about this state of affairs?” Queen Obadia implored. “I fear so for my people.” Her distress was genuine.
Tupaia adopted a thoughtful expression befitting a high priest. When he had the other’s full attention, he spoke with authority and feeling. “My queen… I hesitate to tell you this.” He paused dramatically.
“Uh? Go on!”
“On the last Holy Day, I had a vision.”
Queen Obadia’s eyes widened.
“I saw the spirit of your ancestor Hotu, and he spoke to me.” He referred to the great Hawaikan explorer and rangatira whose youngest daughter, Obadia, the queen’s namesake, had been abducted when Tahitians raided Hawaiki more than four centuries earlier. The girl, a beauty so legend had it, had not only survived her enslavement, but had married well and produced many children.
By now Tupaia could see he had the queen’s full attention.
“Why did you wait so long to tell me?” she asked.
“Because…It is delicate.”
Queen Obadia waved a hand contemptuously. “Phsst! Tell me what Hotu’s spirit said.”
“He referred to your barren state, my queen.”
The queen looked like she’d been slapped in the face. She was shocked into silence. Her barren womb was a taboo subject. No-one on the island ever mentioned it or even referred to the fact that she was childless. If they did, they risked an almost-certain painful death.
Tupaia took a deep breath before continuing. He was gambling his life on the fact that he was the high priest and had, after all, been in direct communication with Hotu’s spirit, or so he claimed. As the queen was a direct descendent of Hotu, he was reasonably sure she’d hear him out. “Do you wish to hear the rest?” he asked nervously.
“Tell me all,” she hissed, stony-faced.
“Hotu said a strong people cannot be ruled by a barren queen. He said the gods had decreed that a queen must be able to give her people a son, a future ruler to continue the dynasty. Without this your kingdom will decay and die.”
Queen Obadia’s face crumpled. Her shoulders sagged and she wept silently. Tupaia struggled to suppress a smile.
“What can I do?”
“Fear not, my queen. The spirit of your ancestor gave me the answer.”
The queen’s face lit up. Hope gleamed in her almond eyes. “What is the answer?”
“Again, it is delicate.”
“Please tell me!” she implored, grabbing his arm.
“The spirit of Hotu told me a young, virile god would arrive on our shores aboard a tall ship. He said that I would recognise this god when I saw him.”
“Go on!”
“He said you must take this god to your bed mat and he will fill you with his seed, which will bear fruit.”
Queen Obadia instantly knew this to be true. She’d long felt she was not barren. The fault, she was sure, was with her consort and other partners. For years she’d had a succession of young, healthy lovers in her attempts to conceive. Tupaia had been one of those albeit briefly. In recent times, she’d become celibate, having tired of striving unsuccessfully for the thing she wanted most in life. Now she had a chance to achieve what she wanted as a result of a message from the spirit world. “Have you seen this young god?” she asked at length.
“Yes my queen, I have seen him. And so have you.”
Queen Obadia searched her memory. She flashed back to the handsome, blond-haired youth she’d seen at the feast given in honour of the crew of the Endeavour. She remembered the instant impression he’d made on her, and she recalled the way he’d looked at her. “Let it be him,” she murmured to herself.
Tupaia could see from her expression she remembered the young god. “I will bring him to you,” he promised.
The queen’s relief was palpable. She laughed joyously and threw her arms around the priest. “My dear Tupaia, how could I live without you?”
Tupaia was tempted to say, “Hopefully, you will find out soon!” But instead he said, “My queen, there is something else I haven’t told you.”
Concern registered on Queen Obadia’s face once more.
Tupaia continued, “The spirit of Hotu said the young god’s seed would only bear fruit if he remained alive until the baby’s birth. He said he could only guarantee his safety if I sailed with him as his protector when his tall ship leaves our shores.”
“Then you must go with him!” the queen commanded.
Tupaia smiled. The exotic ports of the world suddenly seemed closer.
“Does this young god have a name?” Queen Obadia asked.
“They call him Nicholas.”
#
After returning to his temporary lodgings aboard the Endeavour, Tupaia sought out the captain. The Tahitian was still glowing after his fruitful meeting with Queen Obadia earlier that same evening. He found Cook in his cabin and was pleased to see that despite the late hour he was awake and working at his desk.
“Mister Tupaia, welcome,” the captain said, looking up from an astronomers’ chart of the heavens spread out on the desktop. At his elbow was a glass of port. “A drink?” he offered.
Tupaia declined graciously. He’d only ever tasted the white man’s liquor once and had vowed never again after suffering a hangover to end all hangovers.
“What brings ye here at this hour?” Cook enquired.
“Captain, I have message…from Queen Obadia.”
“Ah! Your beautiful queen. And what does she say?”
“She is impressed with your surgeon’s boy.”
“Nicholas Young?”
“Yes. She judge him be…intelligent…and ask if he…ah…be her guest in village until you leave. She want learn more about England and…um… other distant land, and believe Nicholas make good talk, ah, conversation.”
“Queen Obadia is obviously a good judge of character,” Cook responded. “Master Young is one of the finest young men aboard this good ship.”
Tupaia nodded.
“Ye can tell the queen I am happy to oblige,” Cook said without a hint of suspicion in the other’s motives. Returning his attention to the chart on his desktop, he added, “I’ll get orders to Master Young tomorrow to relocate to your village for the remainder of our stay.”
Tupaia hesitated.
“Was there something else?” Cook asked, looking up.
Tupaia could see the captain wanted to get back to his work. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Yes, Captain…. I hope you keep me as interpreter…for remainder of your voyage?”
It was Cook’s turn to hesitate. Tupaia had already proven his worth as an interpreter, and if reputation was any guide he was a good navigator as well. The captain knew he’d have need of those services in the future, but it could be years before Tupaia would be able to return home, if at all. “Let me think about it,” he replied non-committedly.
“Yes, Captain.” Feeling slightly let down Tupaia retired to his quarters. The Tahitian felt he was nine tenths of the way toward achieving his dream. He only had to twist the captain’s arm a little more, he thought. He’d pick his moment.
#
On shore, in the royal quarters at Matavai Bay, Queen Obadia was too excited to sleep. She sat, cross-legged on the floor, thinking about the young god who’d been sent to her by Hotu’s spirit. She felt her womb flutter in delicious readiness for the son she believed would soon be growing inside her.
#
Nearby, at Fort Venus where the Endeavour’s shore crew was based, Nicholas lay fast asleep on his bunk, oblivious to what was in store for him over the remainder of his stay at Matavai Bay, and oblivious also to the snores of the other crewmembers who had been assigned to shore duties until the eclipse.
#
Breakfast in the fort’s mess was scarcely over when Captain Cook’s servant Will Howson appeared bearing written orders for Nicholas. At sixteen, the Londoner was one of only two crewmembers younger than the surgeon’s boy. Sighting Nicholas seated alongside others on the far side of the mess, he marched straight over to him and handed him a sealed document. “The captain asked me to give this directly to ye, Nick,” he said in the strongest of London’s East End accents.
“What’s all this about, Will?” Nicholas asked, opening the document.
“Dunno,” the young Londoner said. He couldn’t care less what it was about. This was one of his few trips ashore and his full attention was on a beautiful wahine he’d spotted through the near window of the mess. Wearing only a grass skirt, she was walking along the sandy spit upon which the fort sat.
Nicholas was impressed when he saw the orders were penned in the captain’s own handwriting. He couldn’t believe his eyes as he read and re-read the letter.
“What is it, lad?” enquired carpenter John Satterley who sat opposite.
“That captain has ordered me to move into the village as guest of Queen Obadia for the remainder of our stay,” a disbelieving Nicholas mumbled.
“What?” Satterley snatched the document from Nicholas before he remembered he couldn’t read.
“Perhaps I can help.” It was Tupaia who came to the rescue. Having a vested interest in proceedings, he’d accompanied Will ashore. He studied the document. Feigning surprise, he looked up. “It is as Master Young says. He is to re…ah…relocate…to village as guest of queen.”
“Well, fuck me!” Satterley exclaimed.
“We’d rather not!” one of Satterley’s fellow carpenters ventured. The others, who by this time had gathered around to hear Nicholas’s news, laughed bawdily.
Ignoring the jibe, Satterley muttered, “Some bastards have all the luck!”
Tupaia addressed the still-incredulous Nicholas. “If you collect belongings…I escort you to meet gracious queen.”
Nicholas nodded and hurried from the mess. He returned minutes later, slightly more composed, with a small knapsack over one shoulder. “Lead the way,” he said to Tupaia.
A barrage of crude comments followed the pair as they retreated from the fort and set off for the village. Most were directed at Nicholas and they included all manner of suggestions as to how he should repay the queen’s hospitality. Normally, he’d have responded to such jesting with barbs of his own, but he was so incredulous he’d been struck dumb; his prayers had been answered, and he couldn’t believe it.
When the pair reached the village, Tupaia escorted Nicholas to a small bure, which adjoined the larger dwellings that made up the royal quarters.
“This be your home…until Endeavour set sail,” the Tahitian said, stopping outside the bure.
Nicholas nodded dumbly.
“Wait here…I announce arrival.”
Nicholas watched as his companion disappeared into the royal quarters. Alone with his thoughts, he tried to make sense of the latest developments.
I must surely be dreaming!
The lad couldn’t believe his good fortune. The statuesque and beguiling queen was the object of all his Earthly desires. He could feel his manhood hardening thinking about what might follow.
CHAPTER 12
Matavai Bay, Tahiti, May, 1769
Time passed ever so slowly – excruciatingly slowly for Nicholas. The lad noticed the bure he’d been allocated was only yards from the rear entrance to the royal quarters. He wondered if that had any significance. Curious, he entered his new temporary home.
Inside, he found the bure was typical of others on the island. Constructed of bamboo, bark, palm tree fronds, ferns and pandanus leaves, it looked comfortable enough. There was…
>>> NEW ZEALAND: A NOVEL continues next week.
*
This novel is available via Amazon as a hardcover, paperback, audiobook and Kindle ebook… https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan/dp/0473728524/
*************************************************************
Morcan Books & Films 