Love For Survival

Kaya was the princess of the Taino tribe of Native America. Born in the wild, she was free spirited and loved to explore. She belonged to the nobles and ruled over the the commoners. Every full moon, they assembled near the lake which was very sacred to them, the high priestress will then communicate with zemis their deity , and sacrifice a living being to please the gods, who then provided the priestess with important insights.

"I see ships sailing towards our land, they will bring Doom", said the priestess. There was a commotion in the tribe, everyone whispered among themselves." "We will shed our blood but protect our land", roared Kaya. Everyone cheered in Unison.

The battle began where they prepared arrows dipped in poison and made bows out of the wood. Her tribe had high hopes from Kaya. Soon after few cycles of the moon, some large ships were seen near the coast. The Tainos were alarmed. As they saw people descending they started to rain incessant arrows. It was a Spanish fleet led by their brave captain Duke Guzman. A fierce battle broke between the natives and the Spaniads. Their poisoned arrows killed the first line of European men. The tribals cheered. But then there were sounds as if the mountain top was going to break, and Kaya could not hear anything but the blast. Few minutes later she saw blood everywhere. The Europeans were using cannons, a devastating weapon they have never heard or seen before.

The Spaniads mercilessly beheaded tribal men and women with their lances.

Kaya tried to fight with her war club but they were of no match with the cross bows and cannons used by the Spaniads. In one day her tribe was reduced to less than half. She cried near the lake and prayed to Zemis. One more day and there will be no sign of her tribe. But the spirit was high and her tribal chiefs wanted to give their lives for her. Kaya made an important decision she has to meet the cruel Duke Guzeman, all alone. The priestess stopped her but she shrugged her hands and ran towards the enemy camp. Duke Guzeman called her inside the tent.He laid his eyes on Kaya and was mesmerized by her wild beauty. "Be my mistress he said and I will let your family live, and whoever from your tribe will submit to me will live", roared Guzeman. Kaya looked at him with hatred in her eyes. " I don't trust you " , she said.

"We never harm anyone why are you doing this to us", she asked.

"I have promised to bring your land as a gift for our king, but seeing your enchanting beauty I am making this lucrative offer, be my mistress and save the lives of your family and near ones or lose everyone by tomorrow." commanded the Duke.

It was a difficult decision for Kaya, but she decided to betray her tribe , sacrifice herself to this man and save her little brothers and sisters.Not a decision a warrior princess should take.

The next day, Kaya's family was saved, and she herself was taken into Spanish custody.

But ill fate loomed over the Tainos. Having utter disbelief and hatred for the native spiritual places, the Spanish men marched through the sacred lake onto the other side tredding on the pious stone of the Zemis. Men were beheaded and tortured and children were killed. The curse of Zemis fell on Kaya.

She laid like a stone with unstoppable tears while the Duke enjoyed her beautiful body.

Nine months later Kaya gave birth to a baby boy named Zayome.But she was always scared as the tribal ministers who had managed to escape , was furious and considered her as a betrayer, they wanted to avenge their defeat by killing Kaya and her new born.Every night she will pray to Zemis begging for forgiveness.

She hid from place to place, guarded by Spanish troops nursing her baby. She had a love hate relation with the Duke. He was the man responsible for the destruction of her clan and inflicted cruelest form of punishments to her people, but strangely enough he was very gentle, caring and loving towards Kaya and her baby.

One night of the new moon , the Tainos entered and defeated all the Spanish guards, they mercilessly killed each and every member of Kaya's family.

Kaya bundled her baby and hid him in a basket and gave him to a Spanish maid who promised her that she would protect her son.

Kaya went alone to the place where the ministers stood covered in blood of her family.

They hit the right side of her chest with a spear and blood started oozing out of the wound.Duke Guzeman rushed with his sword to protect Kaya , but he was overpowered and killed in front of her eyes.

Kaya ,wounded ,staggered on ,towards the lake, when a poison arrow shot her and she fell into the water.Her head hit the stone of Zemis.

"Please forgive me Zemis", she whispered as the water became red with her blood.