Amazon Challenge-Tribe Wahine 3/5

Early that morning, Buffy shares her plan with her mother. Much to her relief, her creator mother encourages her to start the ceremony right away. “Haipo, although a bit feisty, would make a wonderful addition to our family genealogy, Buffy,” Abra says. “This is a wise choice. I’ve been impressed these past nine suns with his service.”




Quickly, Buffy hurries to change into something special. Then she rushes around the camp, looking for Haipo, but she can’t find him. Finally, she sees him spraying for bugs in the garden. He often does this because Ekewaka doesn’t like spraying. It causes her nose to swell and itch. Smiling, Buffy says, “Having fun killing things?”

“No,” Haipo says not looking up from his duty. “I’d rather be working on my woodcarving table, advancing my handyman’s skills so the plumbing won’t break so much around here.”

Buffy pulls at the disc in her belt, fidgeting. “How about taking a much needed rest then? I have something important to ask you.”

Haipo looks up, not liking what he hears in her tone. There’s a nervousness about it that he’s never heard from her before. “What’s wrong?”

Almost pulling the belt ornament off, she says without meeting his eyes, “Come.” She grabs his hand and forces him toward the Ceremonial Gong.

His stomach drops as he jerks his hand away, hoping this was not what it seems. Certainly Buffy was not going to ask him to breed with her. He was the master slave. Abra made a promise to him. He would live until elder in Tribe Wahine until he could no longer serve a purpose for the tribe. This was his right. He’d earned the privilege.



Taking a deep breath, Haipo sees Buffy’s cheeks color.

“It is as I feared,” Haipo thinks to himself. Before Buffy can utter a word and embarrass both of them, he says, “Stop, dear Creator. For I know what you are going to ask and I have to, with the utmost respect and honor, refuse.”



Immediately, Haipo sees Buffy’s eyes gloss over with tears as her lip quivers. “But why do you refuse me? Am I not desirable? Have I done something to offend you?”

His heart aches to see her in pain, but he can’t become a breeding slave and then leave his home. Not even for Buffy. “Of course not, Creator. Please forgive me. I swore an oath to the creator mother I’d stay serving this tribe until elder and she promised it would be so. I hope this doesn’t hurt your feelings in any way. This is not about your desirability.” Seeing the hurt in her face tugs at him and makes him feel sick and guilty so he offers, “Of course, you can order me, and I will obey you.”



“No,” she whispers, “I won’t force you, Haipo. But you are wrong to think my heart isn’t breaking. I thought this would be an honor for you. As a master slave, yes, you will spend years full and long, but you will not leave anything lasting. No one will remember your great deeds. But as a Creator’s father, you will be remembered forever in our genealogy just as my father is remembered as the first generation father.”

“Yes. The honorable Akamu. He is known even in my original tribe. A great slave, indeed. But what about Bane? Surely he is good enough for you. Wasn't he brought here as a breeding slave?”

"Bane is full of self importance. I would never choose him."

"There are other tribes full of worthy slaves, dear Creator. I'm sure there are others more admirable for this honorable duty."

Buffy swallows down tears. "No. You are who I want, Haipo."

Haipo's eyebrows knit. "I remember when I arrived, I was only 18 suns old and you were but a child. Am I not like a brother to you?"

"No," Buffy whispers in a hoarse voice. "You are like the morning sun to me. Warm. Comforting. You were always there to give me cookies when I had a bad day. You spoke up to my mother when Bracha was being vicious to you."

"That is not commendable, surely," Haipo counters. "I spent several days in punishment over my foolish temper."

Buffy's eyes pierce him. "I need that strength in our bloodline. I'm too weak."

"Don't say that, Creator. You're very strong. You defeated Bracha with your own skill."

Shaking her head, Buffy says, "I would have lost if it hadn't been for your words."



“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” she says, wringing her hands.

Haipo’s eyes close. “I-I can’t…I’m sorry.”

Full of grief, Buffy turns and runs into the women’s compound.

Haipo hits the men’s compound door, almost taking it off its hinges. He hates himself for making his creator so sad. He wishes she never thought of him so highly.