"This is not good, Jedidiah," Herman smiled as he spoke with his long-time friend so as not to give a hint of their conversation to the Hawaiian chief.
"You have underestimated this man; although he may not yet believe in God, but he is a very shrewd and intuitive fellow.""How so?" Jedidiah replied, hardly able to hide his nervous irritation.
"It is apparent to him that Grace does not know the reason for his daughter's presence in your home," Herman began. "He has commanded that you will tell her everything."
"Only God can command me, not a savage sinner as this man is and his heathen idols!" Jedidiah looked directly at the aliʻi ʻai moku as he said this.
No understanding of the English language was needed for the aliʻi ʻai moku to know the depth of Jedidiah's meaning. The noble Hawaiian chief looked at his retinue and gave the nod. The oldest son, Jubelum, was gathered up and held tightly so he could not move. Then, with a shark-toothed weapon, the aliʻi ʻai moku sliced open the arm of the oldest boy and watched as the young man began to bleed out. As did the rest of the children, Grace and Jedidiah screamed in horror. Lau, could only look down and shake her head. "This is a warning that if Lau is not with child by the time he returns, he will kill the rest of your children until there is only the child of Lau to be had," Herman translated for the aliʻi ʻai moku.
Grace was then made aware of the actual reason for the presence of Lau in their home. There was much argument and the threats of leaving on the next ship back to Massachusetts with their children, never to return. But, what Grace and Jedidiah were unaware of was the affection that grew between Lau and Jubelum. By the time the aliʻi ʻai moku returned, Lau was full with a child, but she was not present at the Corliss home. Instead, Jubelum had taken Lau, and they both boarded the next ship returning to Boston, leaving his family to fend for themselves. The family of Jedidiah was seized by the aliʻi ʻai moku and directed to retrieve Lau and her child and bring them back before him. He was given three Mahina to do so or three months. Otherwise, the life of Jedidiah's family would be forfeited in the most brutal fashion.
"This is an impossible task!" Jedidiah yelled at Herman.
"For the life of your family, nothing should be impossible," Herman insisted.
"What has become of you Herman? Are you one of them now? Godless and savage?" Jedidiah asked.
"Their gods answer their prayers immediately, immediately Jedidiah!" Herman hissed. "There is no need for patience or charity or an intermediary. Their gods exist! I have seen them with my own eyes! You would do well to heed the words of this aliʻi ʻai moku, and go and fetch Lau and Jubelum, for the sake of Grace and your children!"
...to be continued
17A Productions Presents
LOPAKA KAPANUI - CHICKEN SKIN GHOST STORIES
A LIVE and IN-PERSON storytelling concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre. This master storyteller is one of Hawaii's most popular teller of tales and has been in the business of scaring people for more than 20 years. Lopaka is terrifically skilled at provoking that sudden chill going down one's back or causing the small hairs on your arms to stand up. Chicken skin is what we call it in Hawai'i. Others might refer to it as chills or goosebumps. Sharing real accounts of Hawaii's supernatural culture, Lopaka often leaves audience members questioning the darkness on their drive home and anxiously leaving the light on at bedtime.
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