#9
Published by Korean Cherry Blossem under on 4:49 AM
Write Yae's last moments from the killers' perspectives.
Maum watched with growing anticipation as Yae talked of the grand invitation to his village. The joy embodied upon his face was nothing compared to the satisfaction which awaited Maum. Rather absentmindedly, Maum observed the formalities as he waited for the signal he knew was soon to come. Then, it came. A slight eyebrow raise was all that was needed, he passed along then deliberately rose to his feet. He secretly drew out his long barbed ironwood, all the while feigning a yawn. It was finally time! After seven months of gaining ostensible trust. Maum flashed a grin at Yamasi and Giriman as all three held their spears at the ready. More in the manhouse followed their suit, pulling weapons from under mats and edging ever closer to Yae, who was conversing with Kauwan and distracted, thus making him a cornered captive.
Yae looked up, to the great delight of all but himself, and his expression altered greatly as he glanced around at all those whom he had considered friends. Maum felt a victory as his eyes met Yae’s and the realization of what was shortly to take place dawned upon the victim. He made sure to carefully note the details of Yae’s reaction in order to depict for a later time in the manhouse. After all, this was an treachery of the most excellent sort and must be recognized. It was not a mere murder that was being committed, but the Sawi ideal of betrayal, revealed to Yae himself with Giriman’s words of “Tuwi asonai makaerin”-"We have been fattening you with friendship for the slaughter."
The marriage of his daughter to Kauwan was certainly worth this: the fulfillment of an art which their forefathers had perfected! Poor pathetic Yae, thought Maum, he believed he had overcome generations of tradition. His cry to Kauwan was still more pitiful, showing him not a true warrior. He cried “Kauwan! Where are you? Protect me, Kauwan!”, which only brought more satisfaction to who had formed a circle around him.
The reply from Kauwan showed his resolution regarding the matter, “I kept telling them this was bad, that you are my friend and they should not do this to you. But Maum here has promised me his daughter in marriage if I would keep silent. Too bad, my friend. I guess I’m not going to help you.” Maum was filled with pride regarding his large role in the whole matter, and he was ready to further secure his honor by, if possible, being on of the first to strike Yae.
“Don’t say that, Kauwan! Stand by your promise!” Yae screamed out these words in a voice filled with passion and anguish. Maum could hardly hold back any longer, he was ready to plunge the spear into Yae at any second. Yae attempted to rise, but was stopped short by a long barbed ironwood which stuck out of his side. Maum felt the joy of victory as it was his spear which pierced the side of Yae, who sank to one knee, and caused a mighty roar from the occupants of the manhouse.
Yae tried to pull out the spear and implored Kauwan for mercy. Kauwan turned away from Yae and simply stated “You should have given me a peace shild. Then I would have protected you.” With these words, was the fate of Yae sealed, and the permission seemingly granted to all in the manhouse to thrust their weapons into the injured party. One man struck Yae with an axe, at which he tumbled down; another man let an arrow fly into Yae’s thigh. Then, watching with amusement, Maum saw how the fallen warrior tried to redeem himself and lunged at some of the men, receiving another spear for the his troubles, which went through his calf. The men of Haenam merely moved aside shrieking at the reaction of Yae. Yae fell forward and slipped downward through a gap in the uncompleted manhouse only to get stuck by the spear sticking out of his calf. He made quite a spectacle for Maum to remember, hanging upside down with no hope of escape. Not only did he have to wait for the fate that was now totally unavoidable, but he was also subject to blows by the women and children. Arrows were shot as the dogs licked up the blood that was falling from Yae.
When Yae breathed his last, Maum joined the other warriors as they danced wildly around the body. They all boasted of their roles in the treachery, but none was more honored than Maum, who, by obtaining Kauwan’s silence, had the right to the head of the one formerly called Yae.
Citations:
Richardson, Don. Peace Child. 4th. Ventura,CA: Regal Books, 2005.
Maum watched with growing anticipation as Yae talked of the grand invitation to his village. The joy embodied upon his face was nothing compared to the satisfaction which awaited Maum. Rather absentmindedly, Maum observed the formalities as he waited for the signal he knew was soon to come. Then, it came. A slight eyebrow raise was all that was needed, he passed along then deliberately rose to his feet. He secretly drew out his long barbed ironwood, all the while feigning a yawn. It was finally time! After seven months of gaining ostensible trust. Maum flashed a grin at Yamasi and Giriman as all three held their spears at the ready. More in the manhouse followed their suit, pulling weapons from under mats and edging ever closer to Yae, who was conversing with Kauwan and distracted, thus making him a cornered captive.
Yae looked up, to the great delight of all but himself, and his expression altered greatly as he glanced around at all those whom he had considered friends. Maum felt a victory as his eyes met Yae’s and the realization of what was shortly to take place dawned upon the victim. He made sure to carefully note the details of Yae’s reaction in order to depict for a later time in the manhouse. After all, this was an treachery of the most excellent sort and must be recognized. It was not a mere murder that was being committed, but the Sawi ideal of betrayal, revealed to Yae himself with Giriman’s words of “Tuwi asonai makaerin”-"We have been fattening you with friendship for the slaughter."
The marriage of his daughter to Kauwan was certainly worth this: the fulfillment of an art which their forefathers had perfected! Poor pathetic Yae, thought Maum, he believed he had overcome generations of tradition. His cry to Kauwan was still more pitiful, showing him not a true warrior. He cried “Kauwan! Where are you? Protect me, Kauwan!”, which only brought more satisfaction to who had formed a circle around him.
The reply from Kauwan showed his resolution regarding the matter, “I kept telling them this was bad, that you are my friend and they should not do this to you. But Maum here has promised me his daughter in marriage if I would keep silent. Too bad, my friend. I guess I’m not going to help you.” Maum was filled with pride regarding his large role in the whole matter, and he was ready to further secure his honor by, if possible, being on of the first to strike Yae.
“Don’t say that, Kauwan! Stand by your promise!” Yae screamed out these words in a voice filled with passion and anguish. Maum could hardly hold back any longer, he was ready to plunge the spear into Yae at any second. Yae attempted to rise, but was stopped short by a long barbed ironwood which stuck out of his side. Maum felt the joy of victory as it was his spear which pierced the side of Yae, who sank to one knee, and caused a mighty roar from the occupants of the manhouse.
Yae tried to pull out the spear and implored Kauwan for mercy. Kauwan turned away from Yae and simply stated “You should have given me a peace shild. Then I would have protected you.” With these words, was the fate of Yae sealed, and the permission seemingly granted to all in the manhouse to thrust their weapons into the injured party. One man struck Yae with an axe, at which he tumbled down; another man let an arrow fly into Yae’s thigh. Then, watching with amusement, Maum saw how the fallen warrior tried to redeem himself and lunged at some of the men, receiving another spear for the his troubles, which went through his calf. The men of Haenam merely moved aside shrieking at the reaction of Yae. Yae fell forward and slipped downward through a gap in the uncompleted manhouse only to get stuck by the spear sticking out of his calf. He made quite a spectacle for Maum to remember, hanging upside down with no hope of escape. Not only did he have to wait for the fate that was now totally unavoidable, but he was also subject to blows by the women and children. Arrows were shot as the dogs licked up the blood that was falling from Yae.
When Yae breathed his last, Maum joined the other warriors as they danced wildly around the body. They all boasted of their roles in the treachery, but none was more honored than Maum, who, by obtaining Kauwan’s silence, had the right to the head of the one formerly called Yae.
Citations:
Richardson, Don. Peace Child. 4th. Ventura,CA: Regal Books, 2005.
1 comments:
What a tremendous piece of creative writing. Your writing is really vivid. Mrs.Mc.
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