I toss the white powder into the bucket, but to my disappointment, nothing happens. I stand there, a mix of confusion and frustration, while Boleslaw looks on with a puzzled expression. I gaze down at the bucket, watching the powder dissolve and settle at the bottom of the water.
I feared this would be the case.
I press the activation button on my AI device, taking out a bit more powder and placing it in my hand. The AI starts processing, displaying a series of calculations and messages in front of my eyes.
"Calculating... travel time from 1000 AD to...
Calculating...
Connection established.
Begin the processing now," a flashing red message appears before me.
Once again, I drop the powder into the water, and as it hits the surface, I reach out and touch the water, feeling a strange pull. Meanwhile, the AI continues flashing with information.
"Travelling to 1445 AD Sweden. Would you like to change the destination?"
"Yes," I respond hesitantly.
"What year?"
"2021."
"Not enough resources. Please choose a different year."
"How far can I travel?"
"Travelling to 1445 AD Sweden. Would you like to change the destination?"
"Yes."
I begin to grasp the limitations—I can only travel up until the year 1445. Perhaps it's wiser to choose a destination somewhere that, I believe I will be safe... America! It hasn't been discovered yet, not until 1492.
"North America."
"Calculating...
Travelling to North America, 1444 AD. Would you like to change the destination?"
"No."
"Arriving in... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
I feel a powerful force, as if I've been forcefully expelled from some colossal entity. I land abruptly on the ground, wincing in pain as I sit. My AI blurs out historical and general information about the place I've arrived in.
Gathering my belongings, I ask the AI, "Where is the nearest water source?"
A map materialises before my eyes, and as I turn around, I see that I'm standing in front of a vast, breathtaking lake. The water is crystal clear, allowing a clear view of the bottom. Colourful fish swim gracefully, catching my attention from a distance. Majestic birds stand in the water, their long legs poised to catch their next meal.
Mesmerised by the sight, I slowly walk closer to the lake, careful not to startle the animals. Suddenly, all the birds take flight, creating a spectacle that briefly obscures the light. Once they've vanished, complete silence surrounds me.
My instincts as a hunter kick in, alerting me to the danger I'm in—I'm surrounded. I quickly survey my surroundings, drawing my sword in preparation for an attack. I spin around, unsure from which direction the threat will emerge.
Then, I see painted faces peering out from behind the trees and bushes. Indeed, I am encircled—men and women, Native Americans, in all their natural beauty and splendour. And here I am, fortunate enough to witness it.
"Who are you?!" my AI adjusts the voice translator and begins teaching me the language so I can respond.
"My name is Beth. I come in peace." I raise my hands, weapon and all, to show that I pose no threat.
A woman approaches me and asks, "What are you doing here, Beth?"
"I am traveling. I am trying to find my way back home."
"Where is your home?"
"It is in a faraway land, still distant..."
"I am Pocahontas, the chief's wife. My people and I were returning from our fields when we saw you arrive."
"You saw that?"
"Yes. Are you a goddess? Are you here to bring destruction or blessings?"
"I am neither. I only seek to return to my home."
"Please, Beth, come with us. Our village is not far from here..."
"Okay."
I follow Pocahontas back to her village, leaving the beautiful lake, full of water and hope to return home... behind...
The village sprawls across the hill, with tipis and wooden structures arranged on different levels. People sit outside their homes on makeshift benches, engaging in relaxed conversations. We make our way towards the largest tipi, situated at the center of the village. As we approach, I overhear men raising their voices.
"She's bringing one of them into our village?!"
"We don't know if she's one of them, chef..."
"Who else could she be? She was found spying near our camp. Do you know any other tribe so reckless?"
"No, chef..."
I spot a tall, mostly bald man with a ponytail adorned with feathers atop his head. He is heavily adorned with jewellery hanging from his torso and arms, wearing leather trousers and boots. His presence is imposing. Beside him stands a much smaller man, also bald, wearing a feathered necklace and arm jewellery, and a vest-like garment over his top.
As we enter, they cease their conversation and turn toward us.
"My love," Pocahontas says, touching the tall man's arm. He leans down and kisses the top of her head.
"Pocahontas, why would you bring one of them into our village? I never knew you to be so reckless."
"My husband, she is not one of them."
"How do you know?"
"Just look at her." Pocahontas turns to me and gestures for me to come closer. "Beth, please meet my husband, Chef Mohave."
"Honoured to meet you, Chef. My name is Beth, and I am on a journey back home." Chef Mohave scrutinises me, his gaze fixed on my belt and its contents. He then looks at my weapons and abruptly turns to his wife.
"You let her come here with her weapons?" Without waiting for Pocahontas to respond, he turns back to me and says, "You speak our language well. Who taught you?"
"I know many languages, Chef," I reply softly, feeling a knot forming in my stomach. This situation is not going to end well. I lack knowledge of this tribe's history, culture, and rituals. It's only a matter of time before I unintentionally offend someone.
"How is that? Who taught you those languages?"
I sigh and respond, "I am a little goddess." His eyebrows shoot up, and he regards me with anger.
Just as I realise I'm running out of time, a couple of men rush in front of the chef, exclaiming, "We caught one of them spying in the bushes. They're bringing him here now."
Moments later, four men appear, struggling to restrain a large man. They throw him down in front of me, the chef, and his wife. He looks up defiantly and starts shouting. My AI pierces my brain, translating his curses and his subsequent statement: "You can do your worst to me. I won't tell you anything!"
The chef turns to the shorter man and orders, "Fetch the speaker!" The man hurries out of the tipi.
"He was shouting curses and just claimed that he won't tell us anything, no matter what," I inform the chef.
"So, you speak their language as well?"
"I told you, I speak many languages. It's part of my gift."
"Or perhaps you know their language because you are one of them!" he shouts. Pocahontas leans in, whispering something into his ear.
"Husband, look at them... Look at their appearance."
The chief observes the large man dressed in leather and jewellery, resembling his own attire. Then his gaze shifts to me, wearing a Viking warrior dress made from animal skins.
"I see your point, wife. They do look different..."
"Chef, I'm here. How can I assist you?" an older man arrives.
"Good, speak to him," the chef instructs, pointing at the large man. "Find out why he's here."
The older man turns to the captive and asks, "Pawnee, what are you doing here? Why didn't you go to your people this morning as planned?"
"Oh, Sekani, you must help me get out of here. I spent the night with Pima. They captured me as I was leaving..."
"Is Pima in trouble?"
"I don't think so. They apprehended me on the outskirts of the village."
The old man then addresses the chef, saying, "He keeps cursing and claims we won't get any information out of him."
"Tell him I will personally torture him until he reveals how many men are with him and when they plan to attack. Let him know that once he's dead, I'll personally kill his entire family..."
The old man turns back to the captive and relays the message. "This isn't good, Pawnee. The chef wants to torture you until you disclose the number of men in your group and your attack plans. He says he'll torture you personally... I'm not sure what can be done. I'll speak to Pima, but maybe it's time to come clean. Perhaps at least with the chef's wife. She might have a solution..."
"It's pointless. Even if the women agree amongst themselves, the paranoid men will lead us to our demise. I need to escape from here!"
Pawnee starts to struggle, fighting against the men restraining him. They fall to the floor as Pawnee displays his skills as a seasoned fighter. I reach into my pocket and retrieve a small amount of white powder.
"Calculating...
Connection established..."
I blow the powder onto Pawnee, and he immediately collapses. Everyone in the room looks shocked, filling the air with deep sighs and gasps.
"I told you I am a goddess... I don't like it when people get hurt. He was about to harm your men... He's only asleep for now."
"Take him away and prepare him," the chief orders.
The four men carry Pawnee out, followed by the old man. The chief appears distant for a moment before refocusing his attention on me.
"So, what other skills do you possess, little goddess? Can you extract the information I need from this man's mind?"
"I don't read people's minds, but I can use some of my magic to persuade him to tell the truth," I explain.
The chief raises his eyebrows, clearly intrigued, and I continue, "But you must be prepared for the possibility that the truth may not be what it seems."
He looks at me, unimpressed by my answer. I turn to Pocahontas and add, "I don't read minds, but I sense that things here are not as they seem. It may take the women of your tribe to bring about peace, but only if the men have the strength of spirit to restrain themselves. Are your men strong in spirit, Chef?"
He regards me as if I have insulted him with my lack of faith in his men. "Of course they are. There are no fiercer warriors in the entire valley."
"They may be fierce warriors, but their spirits might be weak. Only time will tell," I remark. "Pocahontas, I would like you to join me in questioning the man. Also, there is a woman in your village whom I need..."
Their eyes widen in surprise. "Do you require an offering?" Pocahontas asks.