West side of Haiti Island, Gonaibo Bay, Taino Marine Tribe.
"Almighty! Such a large village! This should be the largest village we've seen during our voyage! Such big fields and fish ponds, rows of thatched huts, several large longhouses made of wood... this is practically a small town, with at least two or three thousand people!"
"Holy Mother bless! Everyone stay alert! Do not drop the anchor, but lower the sails and observe for a while. Try to make contact with the local natives... but be ready to leave at any mont!..."
Bruno stood at the bow of the flagship, gazing toward the village on the shore, the center of the Western Stone Alliance, the Marine Tribe. In the local native language, it also had another na, "Gonaibo," from which the Spanish na, Gonaibo, originated. As for the aning of this word, it is "the important place where the Kasike/cazique is," aning "the Great Chief's seat of power"!
"Ancestor! The white-skinned Evil Demons have really appeared in a big ship, just like in the prophecy!..."
"Westward Almighty God bless! Quick, quick escape! Report to the Great Chief and the New Shaman!..."
Upon seeing the fleet appear, the small boats fishing by the sea fled in panic towards the village. Then, the entire village mobilized, gathering hundreds of strong n ard with spears. Initially, the strong n were shouting chaotically, but under the stern reprimand of dozens of core militia, they gradually ford a crude formation.
The front formation was large and dense, consisting of rows of militia strong n holding Short Spears. The rear formation was smaller and more dispersed, with dozens of militia archers ard with Hunting Bow and Blowgun, as well as those throwing Javelins and stones. After forming up, the village militia did not form up directly on the seashore nor did they attempt to intimidate the large ship. They simply maintained their defensive stance at the center of the village around the fire pit, at a distance where firearms lose accuracy, with an attitude that did not seem overly hostile.
"Hmm? The natives of this village seem to have so discipline! Being able to form a formation, even if it's the most crude and simple, is remarkably better than any tribe we've encountered before! This level of organization seems comparable to those of the native tribes on the Southern Continent."
"Boss! Look, they even have Iron Spears! And so are wearing simple Leather Armor!... Oh! There's also golden spears? Could they be Bronze? Their Leather Armor is more exquisite too; they must be the headn of the natives!"
"...?!..."
Bruno widened his eyes, observing closely for quite a while. He discovered that indeed, there were three different types of people in the native lineup.
The first kind constituted ninety percent of the strong n carrying Stone Spear and Bone Spear, wearing no clothes, a wide yellow mass. The second kind made up around ten percent of the militia, dressed in simple Leather Armor, carrying gray-black Iron Spears. As for the third kind, presumably the chieftains directing the battle, there were only seven or eight of them, but all were dressed in relatively refined Leather Armor, holding golden Bronze Spears, about half of them carrying Greatbows.
"Holy Mother! This village... hmm, is a strong native tribe! Pass on the command to maintain a friendly stance, don't fire cannon indiscriminately, especially on Silvira's ship!"
"Also arrange for a sailor to row a small boat to shore, bringing so gifts over! Leave them at the shore for the natives to collect themselves!"
"Adjust the ship's bow! If the natives row their boats to attack us... sail imdiately to the deep sea, leaving along the familiar route we ca from at full speed!"
The first contact between the Portuguese Fleet and the Marine Tribe wasn't particularly smooth, but was better than expected. Big John the sailor cautiously and carefully placed a bag of glass beads and two bright-colored hats at the shore before quickly escaping back to the ship. Soon, the native tribe sent soone to pick up these items.
Then, it seed the gifts made so effect. After a full hour of standoff, two natives nervously walked out from the village, placing so shell pearls, cassava fruits, and sothing that made all sailors' eyes light up — a fingernail-sized piece of sand gold! The sand gold was placed atop the browngray cassava, glistening and reflecting enticing golden light!
"Almighty! Is this? Is this the natives' return gift?! They, they actually have Gold!!..."
Although it was only a few tens of grams of sand gold, this golden "small item," once brought back to the Caravel, caused a stir among the entire crew! With utmost longing, they stared at the sand gold squeezed in Bruno's hand as if it were the "Holy Relic" from the Church... In just an instant, the morale of the entire fleet was ignited, and the ordinary-looking native village ashore seed to be enveloped in an enticing Golden Light!
"Boss! Sir Silvira sent sailors over! He asked if the natives just gave a piece of Gold? If there's Gold, should we fire upon and raid the native village? He said, the distance is a bit far, his two-pound gun can't reach, and we need to use the flagship's Eight-pound Cannon, or transport the two-pound gun to the shore..."
"Damn! Tell Silvira that fool! Let him keep his hands to himself, and keep his n in check! This native village is certainly not sothing less than forty of us can conquer!... Moreover, this is the first native tribe willing to communicate with us, displaying goodwill... Stay put! Don't even think about plundering! We are civilized people blessed by the Almighty! Bring out so rare items the natives might cherish, and see if we can trade!"
After a harsh reprimand, Bruno again repeated the orders of "friendliness" and "vigilance" to the whole fleet. Then, after pondering for a while, he decided to dispatch the most agile Boatswain Haloduo, along with Guide Shushu to the shore, to attempt another communication with the natives.
"Haloduo! You know how to be friendly... This ti, present two sharp Sailor's Curved Knives to the native chieftain! Aren't they at war with the two alliances down south? They'll certainly like these gifts, just as those Southern Continent tribes did!"
"Then, have the guide shout to the natives! Trade our weapons for so of the natives' food! Ideally, long-lasting dried fish, if not possible, go for that soaked white mushy powder! It's very filling, but spoils easily..."
"Also, keep an eye on Guide Shushu! Don't let him speak too much... Watch the natives' expressions closely! Hmm, just in case!"
"Yes, boss!..."
Amid the standoff and vigilance from both sides, the second contact comnced again. Haloduo brought Shushu, moving slightly closer, cautiously approaching the edge of the village fence. The lined-up militia in the village stirred, seemingly ready to rush forward, but were stopped by the backbone and "chieftains."
Under the watch of hundreds of eyes, Haloduo placed the two Curved Knives in his hands, a couple hundred paces away, making a gesture of gift-giving. Then, he forcefully patted Shushu, as if activating a speaking chanism, and only then did Shushu loudly proclaim.
"Ancestral blessing! We are a friendly tribe, a fleet of friends! Our God is the rciful Cross God, who favors peace and blessings! We have no ill intentions towards the Great Chief here, but rather full of respect, willing to present a gift of friendship!"
"These two sharp weapons are gifts from our Captain Capitao to the Chieftain of the tribe! We have more such sharp weapons to provide to the tribes of friends... and we hope to receive food in return as gifts! Preferably dried fish..."
Guide Shushu shouted loudly in Taino language many tis. The native village seed to stir again, accompanied by various shouts in Taino language. As Shushu listened, his expression visibly changed, involuntarily bowing his head, unsure of what he heard.
"Hmm? Shushu, what did they just say?"
"Ah!..."
Shushu shuddered, seeing Haloduo staring intensely at him, his round face grinning falsely. Nervously, he swallowed saliva, and in stamring Portuguese, he replied softly.
"...They cursed , called the guide fish of the white-skinned tribe... not only helping sharks find prey but also eating the rotten at stuck between shark teeth... And after I die, my spirit will fall into the deepest sea, never able to swim back up..."
"...uh?... Guide fish and sharks? Spirit never able to swim out?"
Haloduo raised his eyebrows, finding these natives' novel taphor quite interesting. It seems these natives are unaware of Purgatory, so perhaps unrelated to the Demon?... He thought for a mont, then smiled, patting Shushu's shoulder, comforting him.
"Shushu, you need not fear! You have already converted to the Almighty, your spirit after death will be saved by the Almighty, preventing being captured by sea demons!"
"Right, ask again, try asking a couple of questions! See if they have any more Gold? If so, we can trade a bit more, trade more... Hmm! With excellent Leather Armor!"
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