Krotoa was on her way to Susanna, with permission, and instructed to waste no time.
'If you are here to tell me about Nommoa, forget it.'
'He was injured in the war against the Dutch. His wounds are not healing but he is safe from the Commander.'
'That is the story of Nommoa. What is yours, Krotoa? You pass back and forth between the soldiers without any difficulty. Nommoa said you were a chameleon.'
'You sound as bitter as Nommoa.' She giggled. 'You two would have made a good match. He says many things about me. Even accused me of the capture of Autshumao.'
'Autshumao's captured?'
'Yes.'
'That is...'
'It is bad out there, Susanna. After they lost the war things are bad for our people.'
'I am sorry.'
'Me too. The Commander lied. Told me to bring Autshumao to the fort... Said he wanted to keep him safe from the Caapmen, and I believed him.' She scoffed. 'Nommoa and the Commander betrayed me. They used me and dragged him before the Commander's court like a criminal.'
'Can they do that?'
'I do not know anymore. The Commander said Nommoa pointed the finger of murder and cattle theft to Autshumao. It happened about six winters ago. Nommoa was their witness... he accused him of stealing their cattle and killing a Dutch shepherd boy.'
'And you believe the Commander?'
'I am not sure. It could have been one of his sons... autshumao is not a murderer... Everybody cried when they took him to the island. In a cattle boat.'
'To mad Eva's Island?'
'I hear he is miserable there. But he knows that island. If anyone will make it back to the mainland it is Autshumao of the Goringhaicona.'
Susanna was deep in thought. 'There is something I do not get. Why would Nommoa blame you if you were both responsible for his capture?'
Krotoa's face settled into one of her expressions that Susanna had come to recognise but was unable to fathom. She was never certain if it was a foreboding of the truth or her twist on it. Watching it extend to someone she loved, she steeled herself. 'To save his honour,' came the dry response.
'I do not understand.'
'Susanna, Susanna.... Ever so eager to believe every heart bubbles white and pure as the foam of the waves in the bay.'
'Is that wrong?'
'When I was little we sat around a fire at night. There was music that came from horns and drums with animal skins pulled tight over them. And there was dancing. Lots of dancing and laughter till the break of day. The elders smoke their pipes and told stories.'
'You had a great childhood.'
'We did.'
'Sorry.'
'What for?'
'Interrupting.'
'You might have one ear but you listen when people speak. You do not need another ear.'
Susanna smiled. 'Continue.'
'One night Autshumao told the story of a great warrior who was as swift as the gazelle but sad and full of hatred because he was born with two tongues. He went up to Hoerikwaggo and called on Tsui to rid him of the obstacle in his mouth. When it did not happen, he got angrier and angrier. Finally he called on Gunab to heal him. Gunab healed him but in return he had to dedicate his life to extend the power of Gunab.'
'I do not understand. That warrior cannot be Nommoa. He called on Tsui. At sea when I was dying. When I was tied to the tree...'
'I never understood that story or what it meant until the night he and Autshumao declared his hatred for Nommoa. He told me that Nommoa was the warrior with two tongues.'
'Your Autshumao could be wrong.'
'Your Nommoa convinced the Commander to put Autshumao on the island because he hated him for seeing into his heart.'
'I saw a lot of good in him.'
'The eyes of the Goringhaicona only opened when the Commander took all their land and all their cattle. But it was too late.'
'He was a warrior who believed it was possible to defeat the Dutch...'
'A warrior depends on the spears and the assegais who fights next to him. Without them the lion will tear him apart. He went against the warnings of the elders, and Autshumao. He believed that an attacked on the Dutch in wet weather would bring victory to the spear and the assegai and defeat the fire spitting arrow of the Dutch. Our people fear their guns. That is why they will never attack the fort. He knew that.'
'Why would Nommoa turn against Autshumao or bring ruin over his people?'
'Nommoa hated Autshumao's relationship with the Cimmander. He wants Gogosoa and the Goringhaiqua to lead the Caapmen. Then they take over Autshumao's role, without the interference of Autshumao and the Goringhaicona.'
'Your story does not make sense. The man who saved my life prayed to Tsui, even taught me about the powers of Tsui. He hated the Dutch. Wanted to drive them back to Batavia. He never spoke with two tongues.'
Krotoa sighed. 'Gunab lives in all of us.'
'Tsui is more powerful than Gaunab in him. I am proof. I think your Tsui fights for the spirit of Nommoa.'
Krotoa had lost interest in the conversation. She examined her surroundings. 'How do you breathe in this filthy hole?' She pulled her face, her mouth and lips curled with disgust.
'You are restless.'
'I have a message. And a gift.' Certain that she had Susanna's attention, she started speaking, fidgeting somewhere beneath her dress.
'Sick as he was, Nommoa spat on me. There it is.' She pulled out a flat square-shaped animal skin which she began to unfold. 'Shame on you, he said. He was angry because he could not free you. I saw him cry, for the first time.... Blamed me. Said you lived like a pig while I eat at the master's table.'
Susanna choked back her emotions. 'I am sorry your Autshumao is on that cold Island. That your people lost the war... and that your people hate Nommoa. But most of all I am sad that he is wounded... that I cannot be with him...'
'He sent you this.' She handed over a red piece of cloth the size of a handkerchief. In it was a bracelet made of beads. Susanna stared at the two items in her dirty hands, too afraid to do anything with it. She passed it back to Krotoa.
'My hands are too dirty... I am too dirty. This place will dirty it...'
Krotoa pushed her hand back and closed her fingers over the items which she had placed into the palm of Susanna's hand. 'Hide it.'
Susanna looked at the cloth. She caressed it and buried her nose in it. Her lips shivered and whimpered as she touched the beads and stroked the cloth.
'My sister is the wife of the powerful Oedasoa. He is a captain of the Cochoqua. You should have seen me when I came back.... escorted into the fort like a princess.' Forgotten were the sadness about her former protector trapped on Robben Island. A warmth had nestled onto her own face which set her cheekbones on fire and settled into an uneasy grin. Her eyes twinkled.
'You are altered. Your head is swarming with promises and whispers of good fortune and station among Dutch society. What is the cause of your happiness?'
Krotoa nodded. 'I feel different. It was good to spend all this time with my people.'
Susanna could see that the impulsive Khoe girl with the clogs and bows was left behind in the wild interior. Krotoa was a woman, that she had matured under the guidance of those who with speed amonst those that endowed her with love and security. She was extravagant in her details about her stay with her sister. She glowed and it was mirrored on her face and in her eyes. 'My sister is going to give me a man. Not any old no good one. Oh no.' All her dreams for the future rolled off her full lips. 'My children will be sired by a good husband, an owner of many cattle, and a great captain.'
But one sentence bothered her. It flitted through her mind over and over. 'You said Nommoa was injured. That his wounds were not healing.' Krotoa's speech slowed down and she was quiet. 'Will he ever come back for me?'
'Susanna... the Commander sent me here.'
'I should have known-'
'He is going to set you free if Nommoa hands himself over at the fort. When I leave here I must go to Nommoa and tell him to hand himself over. If he does, the Commander will set you free-'
Susanna jumped up. 'No.' Susanna was trembling. 'Do not let him use me as bait to kill one of your warriors. He will go back on his word. As he did with Autshumao... Do this. Not for me but for your people. For once in your life, Krotoa, do the right thing. I beg you...'
Krotoa thought for a long time before she replied. 'My sister said with his wounds he should have been with Tsui. They already prepared him for his journey. His life can end any day. But you? The Commander might keep his word and then you will be free.'
'Listen to me. Why do you think I am held here? Under these conditions? It is to punish Nommoa. He will never set me free. Do not go along with his wicked plan. Give Nommoa an honourable journey to Tsui. He deserves that. Do not trade one of your own for me.'
'It is you, Susanna. You are holding him back. Release him. He is suffering. Send him a message. One that he will recognise. One that will make him embrace Tsui.'
It was quiet for a long time before Susanna spoke. 'Tell Nommoa... tell him the warrior slave is ready. She has the aim of the assegai and the poison of the cobra. Tell him to wait for me. I will soon join him on the other side...On Hoerikwaggo we will drink nectar from the tortoise shell.'
'That is a strange message. I do not understand it. How will he?'
'He will.' She smiled. 'He will.'