A Step Toward Freedom (Karena Series)

by Amber "V" Moonstone

9/16/09

The moon captured Karena's mood
She was intensively following her intuition,
"Sir John Rolfe seemed honest and sincere,
can I really trust this white man?  Will he betray
my trust as others have done?"

Upon entering her village,
she noticed an uncanny darkness
despite the brilliant moon light.
It was too quiet for her liking.
She proceeded with caution.

As she approached her Chief's dwelling
Her heart sank, he was not there,
nor were any of her people.
"Where have they all gone, she thought"?
Terror grasped her heart.

In her mind she knew that they fled
as fast as an eagle could scoop down on it's prey.
"The English have attacked once again,
Never will my people be safe or free".
She hid among the pine trees toward the banks of the river.

The night deemed long, but the site of the Mattaponi village brought hope,
She was among their sister tribe on the opposite shore.
Sitting within the safety of the Mattaponi people,
She found herself sobbing from exhaustion and peace.

She would get some much needed sleep.
Upon awakening, she would talk with the Elders,
to discover what happened to her people.
She was sure that they were safe, but
needed to know where they were hidden.

It is always at night that peace comes to her soul,
Her father’s words ring throughout her dreams,
“Go toward the North, travel for 6 moons, and settle
there, please do this as a favor to your father.”
Daybreak came too quickly for Karena.

The Elders welcomed her with open arms,
They embraced her with admiration and respect,
There was no other Medicine Woman
that could come close to her, and all the tribal Elders knew this.
“Dear Karena, What can we do for you this time?”

“My honored Elders, I bow to your wisdom, and kindness,
My people have fled and I must discover where they are hidden.
Do you know where Powhatan and his people have gone?”
“Karena, we would tell you, but we know nothing of their disappearance”.
Karena thought before she spoke, “I thank you, I must go and search for them”.

She walked out of the Elder’s dwelling and rode off toward the North.
It was four days before she discovered a sign of her people.
She was resting at a stream, and a lone warrior grabbed her from behind.
She was startled but then laughed, it was Tumas!
The two held each other for a long time and cried with joy.

“Tumas, are our children safe?  Powhatan? our people?
I cannot bear to hear bad news.”
“Karena, everyone is safe, no one was killed this time.”
“Oh Tumas, thank the Great Spirit for saving everyone. 
I was not there, I let you all down.”

“No woman, you did not, you are beautiful
and wise and my woman!
You could never let me or anyone down.
You are blessed by the Great Spirit, never forget that!”
Tumas carried Karena back to re-unite her with her children.

Karena, Eagle Medicine Woman

November 1610