“Tumas Struggles with Amnesia” (Karena Series)

by Amber "V" Moonstone   8/13/08

As the last brave retreats,
Tumas walks into the Chief's dwelling,
Powhatan fears no white man,
He is willing to die for his people.

Tumas removes his hat,
and announces that he comes in peace,
"Why then, do you bring thunder sticks?"
"I do not have one, the troops carry them."

"I seek information from your counsel"
Chief stands and looks Tumas in the eyes,
"You were of our people, now you have deserted them, what is your purpose?"

"I do not know of what you speak, Sir,
but all I do know is that peace should reign supreme in our lands.  We must stop fighting, and end this senseless struggle.

"Yes, You are right, I want peace,
Go back to your white leaders,
and tell them to talk of peace and lift
these burdens you have placed on my people."

"I cannot do that, I have no power,
I am only a civilian in a militia state.
I have only come to find peace. Can you help me, Powhatan? Please can you help me."

Just as soon as Tumas's plea was heard, the heavens opened up and a tremendous storm broke loose.  Everyone ran for cover as the lightning and thunder were heard.

Karena and the children were safe beneath the archway of their cave.
They welcomed the cooler air and the rain to quench their thirst.

Karena found herself dancing freely
under the cover of the oak trees,
as she was spinning, two strong hands grabbed her arm and pulled her to the ground.

She began to moan and cry out,
"Please don't hurt me, or my children.
Her three children were fast asleep
in the sanctity of the darkened cave.

The white men pulled and tugged at the wildcat Indian maiden,getting her to co-operate was extremely difficult.
Perhaps they should find another squaw.

Just as Karena was going to be manhandled, Tumas called out for the men to stop and go back to the village to wait for him. They did as he commanded and left.

Tumas approached the fallen maiden,
He could see she was quite irrational,
sobbing and crying out someone’s name.

As she looked up at this white man,
Her heart soared, like the eagle in flight, but somehow, Tumas was different. More stern, and he appeared to be a  white man.

As their eyes met and locked for an instant,  She was taken to the day she met him, so long ago, but the memory still alive in her heart.

He touched her head, and offered his hand to her, she took it and they stood face to face.

“Tumas, do you not remember me?, your children are here asleep, look, your new daughter is there with your two sons.  Come let us re-unite them with their father.”

“NO, I am not Tumas, You are mistaken, this is a trick,You are a crazy woman, now come with me.”

“I will not, I cannot leave my children. You will have to kill me before I abandon my children.”  She stood firm.

“What is your name, squaw?”

“I am not a squaw, I am Karena, Powhatan Eagle Medicine Woman”.

He looked at her with new eyes, You are Powhatan’s Medicine Woman?  Let me beg of your pardon, dear woman, I have made a grave mistake.  Let us gather up your children and send you back to your village.

There is no harm there now, the men will not touch you or your family.  Karena, You have my promise.”

“Yes, I want to go back to my village, please help me with the children, you carry Eagle Soaring, and I will take Red Hawk and Glowing Moon.  Thank you, Mr. ?’

“I am Daniel Jamison, I am honored to meet such a highly respected Medicine Woman.”

Tumas picked up his son, Eagle Soaring, and carried him back to the village.

As his was walking with this boy in his arms, the child woke up and said, “Father, you have returned, my prayers have been answered by the Great Spirit, and he began to cry and hugged his father.”

Tumas did not know what to say or think, now a child calls him father, what is going on here.  What is happening.  I shall seek counsel with the Chief again.

As Karena walked behind Tumas, her thoughts were running wild.  How can he not know me, or his children?

What has the white man done to her beloved.

My Chief will know, he knows everything about the white man’s powers.

Karena Powhatan Eagle Medicine Woman,
October 1609