HOLES IN THE FABRIC: Bk 1 The Weaver Prophecy

Chapter 11: The Magnificent Waldo

Marama had sat them down at the base of a Punga tree, and told them not to move a minuscule. Marcus and Ezzy sat, quiet as pie, overwhelmed by the place they had entered. The Tohunga had gone into his whare, or palace as Marama had called it. Marama disappeared off into a small whare and then returned to their sides with a small bundle under her arm. She had put it down beside them and then walked off. That was some time ago now. Curious eyes regarded them from all directions.

Ezzy saw an old Kuia out of the corner of her eyes, walking towards them. The old woman’s hair was grey and thinning, it was combed, oiled and fastened at the back with a carved comb watching her back with paua shell eyes. Her face was wrinkled and brown like the inside of an autumn leaf fallen from the tree. Her eyes were both dark and light and danced with a timeless mischief.  Her bodice was woven with intricate borders and patterns. She had very few teeth Ezzy noticed and wondered if they were the ones hanging around Marama’s neck.

            "Kia ora ehoa . You two the ones eh?” She winked at them.

“Bit small and scrawny aren’t you?" She leaned over and tickled Ezzy on the tummy. Ezzy giggled out loud, its noise breaking the watched silence.

"What about you eh boy? Are you a Patupaiarehe? Blond hair, that would make some nice rope eh?" The old lady leaned forward quick as a flash, and tousled Marcus hair all over his face, her knobbly old fingers dug into his head a bit too hard.

"Hey, that hurt" Marcus eyes welled up.

"Not a brave warrior like you! You have many warriors blood in your veins. Remember that!" She looked at his face close up so their noses touched, and gave him a hongi, rubbing their noses together, her back craned over to reach his height. She turned to Ezzy.

“You girl, you know more than you think. All knowledge runs though you. It’s in here.” She tapped on her chest. “You know, eh.” The old woman bent to touch her nose.

Ezzy went to stand up so she didn’t have to bend and couldn’t move- her arms and legs were like dead weights. Ezzy realised with a start she was asleep and promptly awoke.

"Marcus, I just saw" Ezzy started

"An old lady who" continued Marcus

"Gave you a" Ezzy tried to finish

"Hongi” Marcus was in disbelief.

"But I was asleep, were you asleep? Did we both have the same dream? "Asked Ezzy.

"I was asleep too, I think…I don’t know? I can’t see her anywhere." Marcus peered around.

"No. Was it my dream or yours?"

"Did she tickle your tummy?" asked Marcus

"Yes." Ezzy smiled at the memory as Marama came towards them.

"Look at you, a couple of Ruru, with big owl eyes. Everything okay?" Marama did not wait for an answer but continued on.

“Okey dokey, you two I think its time we removed the revoluting mess from your appendages.  It does start to smell horrendous after a while." She indicated the coating they had received when entering through the Koru whilst crinkling her nose at the odour.

Marcus’s hair was plastered down the sides of his face and the gooey gel was discolouring upon his clothes. His appearance like that of someone covered in Lhama snot, green wet and daggy. Ezzy giggled and pointed at Marcus.

"What? What’s so funny?" Marcus’ face went red. He looked at Ezzy, half dried goo stuck in her hair, some pieces stiff like spikes, while the rest was dried to her face as if painted on with a brush of glue. There was a big hunk on her nose that looked like a wart. Marcus started giggling too. They both giggled and giggled until they were rolling around under the tree.