Below is the first chapter from Maiara: Princess of Onia. This is the first book of a trilogy that I am writing. Enjoy!
It was a cool mid-summer morning with a light fog lingering on the ground. The rain from the night before set an earthy fragrance in the air of grass and pine. The sun had just come up over the sycamore trees causing the grass to glisten.
I arrived at Zula creek before the sun made its debut. The creek went on for miles and gave relief to animals passing by. It was the perfect time of the day for me to be alone and watch a herd of deer stop to get some water. I watched as they took the time to make sure that everyone in their herd had enough for the next journey. It made me think about my next journey, tomorrow will be the ceremony for me to officially become Maiara, Princess of Onia. I will rule beside my father, Chief Akule, until I can rule on my own. I was an only child, so I had a ton of responsibility as the future ruler of Onia.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn’t hear my name being called. It was Chogan. Chogan was my father’s advisor and one day he will be my husband. It’s not official until my father says so but I had a feeling he was going to announce it soon. The union was arranged by my parents so Chogan and I have been spending time getting to know each other. I had hoped that when I did meet my husband that I would be in love. That’s not the case with Chogan but I feel safe and happy around him, so that’s a start.
“I thought I would find you out here,” he said with a smile. He really was handsome and had a charm about him, with his long black dreads tied back, bare chest and brown pants.
“I thought I would get some time to myself before I had to make more preparations for tomorrow’s ceremony,” I tucked my long black wavy hair behind my ear. “I can’t believe tomorrow will be the day,” I said fumbling with the string on brown tunic.
“Are you nervous?” he asked.
“No. I just hope that I will be able to keep my people safe.”
“Don’t worry, with me by your side you will follow in your father’s footsteps and keep everyone safe,” he said smiling.
I hoped that he was right.
“I should probably head home before everyone wakes up,” I said.
He helped me up and held my hand. It was the first time that he had done so and it felt nice. Of course, he couldn’t do that in front of everyone so holding my hand is as far as we have gone. Unless you were already married, it was frowned upon for arranged couples to show affection in front of the whole village.
Chogan had his horse tied to a nearby tree and helped me up on it even though I can do it myself.
“Are you going to get on as well? There is plenty of room,” I said.
“Only if you want me to,” he said smiling.
“Yes, I do,” I said feeling my face get flushed.
As we rode to Naro, which is the main village of Onia, I thought about how our life would be. If we would have mornings like this, only longer. How would we rule together? I was getting ahead of myself, so I just blocked those thoughts out of my head.
There are several cabins on a plateau that overlooks all of Naro. My home as well as the council members’ homes reside on top of the plateau. Since Naro was the main village it housed most of the people of Onia. Some lived in Pio, which is our berry village, or Seco, which is our farm village.
When we arrived at my cabin I could see from atop of the plateau that everyone was busy with preparations. The center of Naro consisted of several small cabins that held everything that we could possibly need. One cabin had clothing, another made jewelry, and another baked bread.
Chogan helped me off the horse quietly and walked me to the front of my cabin. He kissed the back of my hand and got back on his horse.
“I will see you at midday by the Leal River,” he tried to whisper to me.
“Shhhh!” I giggled at his attempt to be quiet.
When I walked in my mother, Chieftess Awendela, was coming from the flower garden she tends to behind our home. She had angelic features and her long brown hair was adorned with a stone arrow that wrapped around her forehead and wore a blue tunic that floated behind her as she walked. I hoped that I would one day look as graceful as she does.
“Where were you this early in the morning?” she asked looking out the front window. “I see. Trying to steal some precious moments with your husband to be.”
“No. I was at Zula Creek when Chogan found me there,” I responded smiling.
My mother held my face in her hands. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Of course, she is ready,” my father said coming out of their bedroom in blue cotton pants and a beaded breastplate. His features were sharp, and his long black hair was tied in a low ponytail. In Onia, every couple dressed in the same colors. It showed unity and love.
My father kissed me on the forehead and held my hands.
“Thank you, father. Is there anything else we should go over before tomorrow?” I asked.
Before my father could answer one of the guards came in out of breath.
“Chief Akule, you have to come to the Leal River quickly…. it’s Chief Etu,” he said.
My father called his horse and quickly rode towards the Leal River. I called my horse as well.
“Maiara, let your father handle Chief Etu alone,” my mother said.
“Mother, I don’t know why Chief Etu hates us so much. I need to know what is going on,” I got on my horse and rode away hoping to catch up with my father.
Etu was the ruler of Hawten and an overall evil man. Hawten was a large island across the Leal River.
When I arrived, Etu, with three of his men behind him, was yelling as usual. It seemed that he could never speak calmly about anything with my father. His bald head and bulging vein in his forehead solidified his anger. He wore the same clothing as we did but the people of Hawten embellished theirs with markings on their rawhide pants. Every word that comes out of his mouth sounds like a snake whispering in your ear trying to manipulate you. He stopped yelling when he saw me.
“So, you decided to bring your daughter to help you with negotiations,” he sniped.
“My father doesn’t need me to help him with anything. As the future ruler of Onia, I have every right to be here. Now what do you want,” I said firmly.
“This is a conversation for leaders,” Etu said with his eyes glaring at me.
“Don’t you dare speak to my daughter that way!” my father yelled.
“Then tell your daughter she should only speak when spoken to!” he yelled back.
My father stepped closer to Chief Etu and I knew he was getting ready to strike him. Luckily Chogan came running when he saw the commotion and stood between them trying to separate them.
“What do you want Chief Etu?” Chogan asked.
“A fire was set to our cornfields and I know that you sent someone to do it,” he said looking at my father.
My father moved Chogan out of the way nearly knocking him down.
“Why would you think that I would do such a thing?” my father asked.
“Because you want to see my people starve. You want me to seek further resources from you just like you always have!” he yelled.
“That is a lie!” my father responded.
When I was a little girl I remember seeing a fire blazing across the river. I can remember a younger Chief Etu starting a war that caused his village and mine to lose grains and corn. My father admitted that he did start the fire, but he never said why. So, to keep the peace Onia provides Hawten with food resources and in return another war doesn’t start. Since Hawten is a long island, certain grains and corn can’t grow properly. The only resource they have is fish while food in Onia thrives.
This time I got between them.
“Chief Etu, let’s compromise. I will offer corn to your village until your fields heal if you agree to give us more fishing grounds in the Leal River,” I said calmly.
“No,” he said quickly.
“Then we won’t help you,” I responded. His brow creased in confusion. “You can watch the men, women, and children in your village starve. We share every food resource that we have with you without an exchange. You will take this deal and we will continue to provide Hawten with the food they need.”
For once he was at a loss for words.
“It seems that I have no choice in the matter,” he said.
“Good. Goodbye Chief Etu,” I smiled with glee.
He looked at my father and then returned to his canoe.
Chief Etu was a hard man to argue with and I succeeded in winning that argument. That moment of victory ended when I heard my father clear his throat. I was nervous to face him in case I did speak out of turn. However, when I did turn around, he had this huge smile on his face. He wrapped his big arms around me and held me tight.
“I am so proud of you. You handled Chief Etu with strength and courage. Don’t you think Chogan?” he asked.
When we looked at Chogan he had this disapproving look on his face. “I think until Maiara has been properly named ‘Princess’ she shouldn’t make any negotiations.”
My father let me go. “Chogan, I’m surprised to hear you say that. Chief Etu and I do not share the same views. I hope as the man that will one day marry my daughter you do not carry that same view.”
Chogan cleared his throat. “Of course, not Chief Akule…” he started.
“Good. Now I have some issues to discuss with the council,” he kissed me on my forehead. “have a good day my darling daughter.”
When he left Chogan stepped closer to me “I hope you didn’t get upset by what I said. I just feel that your words will carry more weight once you are a princess.”
“So, anything I have to say now means nothing,” I responded.
“Yes….no…what I’m trying to say is…. can we forget that I said anything,” he said with a smile.
I was uncertain if I should, since he seemed sure by what he said.
“Maiara!” my best friend Genesee was running towards me.
“I should join your father, so we can keep the peace with Chief Etu. Can we meet here a little later?” Chogan asked.
“Yes,” I said. As he left, I could tell that he felt bad about what he said so I decided to forget about it.
Genesee gave me the biggest hug and squealed with happiness. Her short brown curly hair bounced around her angular face and her maple tunic complimented her skin.
“What did the council say?” I asked laughing at her jumping up and down like a rabbit.
“Since I will be eighteen this coming winter the council said I won’t be sent to live with my aunts and uncles,” she said.
Her parents recently died due to old age and within days of each other. Now she won’t have to be sent to live with her estranged aunts and uncles in a village far west.
“I’m so happy for you Genesee. Who will help you to tend the land around the cabin?” I asked.
“Oren will help me…,” She then held her head down, “I miss them so much Maiara.”
Just then someone else wrapped their arms around us and lifted us up.
“No more tears,” Oren said as he put us down. He was tall enough to do so. His smile widened his chubby cheeks and he still had his baby face. His short black hair was always unkempt and seemed to have a mind of its own.
Genesee and I laughed as she wiped her tears away.
“You’re right Oren. The two of you are my family. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Genesee said.
“Don’t worry once I become a princess, I will make sure that you are taken care of,” I said smiling at her.
“Enough with the sadness. Let’s go for a swim!” Oren announced.
“Well, I was supposed to go back home and help with my dress…. but your plan sounds better,” I said starting to run.
We ran south along the Leal River where it turned into a huge body of water. The sun was shining so bright that it didn’t bother me that the water was cold. It was a needed relief. The three of us floated in the water looking towards the sky.
“I wonder what’s out there beyond the clouds,” I said.
“What do you mean?” Genesee asked.
“Nothing I…,” I responded.
Oren popped up out of the water scaring Genesee and I that when we screamed all the birds in the nearby tree flew away squawking. I’m sure they were upset by their peace being disturbed. Genesee got him back by pushing him under the water.
It was a good time for us to have fun. After today I will have to be the leader that is expected of me.
My guard signaled to me that it was time to go. “Well that didn’t last long. I have to go but the two of you have fun,” I said hugging them goodbye.
When I returned home soaked from the swim my mother and a few of the council’s wives were there to help with my dress. I tried to quietly go to my room, but I was unsuccessful.
“Where have you been Maiara?” my mother asked without looking my way.
How did she do that?
“I…. tripped and fell in the river,” I said hoping she would believe me.
The other wives giggled, and my mother looked at me like she knew exactly where I was.
“You must have tripped more than once then,” she said touching my hair. “Please go dry yourself and hurry back so we can see how the dress fits you.”
Once my ceremonial dress was finished the council’s wives left and I was able to quickly meet Chogan by the Leal River.
When I saw him, he led me to the Sone tree. The Sone tree was massive, almost as tall as a Sycamore tree, and very special to my people since everyone believed that it held divine power. Fruit would fall from the tree when it was ripe, so a net and baskets have been placed around it to catch the fruit. Stories have been told about how there was once seven trees, but they intertwined during a powerful storm.
“In a short time, we will be unified here and spend the rest of our lives together. Ruling Onia, together,” he said.
“I can’t wait until that happens,” I said smiling.
We sat down, and I didn’t want to bring this up, but I had to. “As much as I don’t want to bring it up, I have to ask about Chief Etu. Why does he hate my father so much?”
“I’m not sure. We should leave that dispute for your father to handle. Chief Etu is an unsteady man,” he said taking a deep breath.
“Your right. I just worry about his instability and what that could mean for my people. He’s going to hurt someone one day. I just pray to the God’s that it’s not anyone that I love”
“Does that include me?” he asked.
I couldn’t answer that question as honestly as he wanted me to. I cared about him, but I couldn’t say that I love him.
I just smiled at him. “Chief Etu is such an unpleasant topic, I hope you didn’t want to meet me here to talk about him.”
“No. I wanted us to enjoy this,” he signaled for the guards to come over and when they did, they brought a table with Venison, bread, and fruit.
“Chogan this is very gracious of you to do. What are we celebrating?” I asked.
“I just wanted to enjoy a nice meal with my future wife and celebrate our impending future,” he responded.
Here he was with an open heart towards our arrangement and I felt bad about not returning those feelings. “Thank you.”
We spent the rest of the day under the Sone tree laughing and talking. It wasn’t until one of the guards lit a torch that I saw it was nightfall. I was really enjoying this moment and I didn’t want it to end.
“I didn’t realize that it was getting so late. You have a big day tomorrow, let me take you home,” he said.
I yawned, and it validated his statement. “Perhaps your right,” I giggled.
He helped me up and held my hand while we walked up the plateau. When we reached my cabin, he cupped my face and stared at me intently. Could this be it? I braced myself for a kiss. He then pulled me towards him, so he can kiss my forehead.
I exhaled and giggled at the thought that he would kiss me. It would have been my first kiss and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to do that before we were unified.
He smiled and walked away. When I turned around my father was standing in the entryway with a raised eyebrow and curious look on his face. I kissed him on his cheek and hurried to my room.
As I was sitting on my bed, rubbing my feet, I saw a shadow in the window out the corner of my eye.
When I stood up and walked to look out of my window all I could see was a white-haired animal in the distance. Lightning struck but there was no rain. Out of fear I stepped back from my window and my mother came in draping my window in cloth.
“Get some rest Maiara,” she said leaving.
I readied myself for bed and kept looking towards my window. Whatever it was, it left me feeling uneasy and fearful. I laid down on my bed and tried to steady my mind. I’m sure that will be the last time that I see it.
Loved what you read so far? Maiara: Princess of Onia is available on Amazon at the link below.
Ashley Allard 