Ocean: War of Independence by Brian Herbert, Jan Herbert Read Free Book Online

native Hawaiian family trying to cope with the intrusion of western civilization, an invasion that disrupted native land-use practices and changed their centuries-old way of life.
    Ealani Pohaku had put it best, in asserting the situation was not the fault of her family, and not the fault of Jeff’s grandfather, either. “We have all been caught in a clash of cultures,” she’d said the night before, as they sat on her screened porch and drank mango tea. “We are all victims of circumstance, Jeff.”
    It was late morning now, and Jeff was preparing to go and see his grandfather again, to ensure that the old man was continuing to improve. Ealani would take him there, leading him along back trails where the police were not likely to see him.
    When they emerged from a trail and were within view of the hospital, however, Jeff was shocked to see his sister walking across the grounds not far from him, heading for the central of three hospital buildings, none of which were large. She wore shorts, sandals, and a khaki blouse, and carried a small backpack.
    “Alicia!” he called out, motioning to her. “Over here!”
    She saw him and hurried over. “Is Grandfather all right?” she asked, appearing uneasy when Jeff hugged her.
    “He came out of a coma two days ago.”
    “I heard that, but he’s still OK?”
    “I’m just going to check on him myself.”
    “You must both be careful,” Ealani said, urging them back into the cover of the jungle. “The police are looking for you.”
    “For both of us?” Alicia said, looking at Jeff. “But my brother is not a Sea Warrior.”
    Jeff told her briefly, tearfully, about the man he had killed on the boat—in self-defense, he assured her—and about his own role in their grandfather’s nearly fatal injury.
    “I will go ahead and make sure the way is clear,” Ealani said. “Wait here, and watch for my signal.”
    #
    Preston Ellsworth had not slept well the night before, lying awake most of the time, afraid he might slip back into a coma. Today his headache was not any better, and he had not felt like eating much of his lunch. He pushed the rolling tray-table away.
    Later this afternoon, several people were scheduled to visit him, friends from Wanaao Town. He wasn’t sure if he felt up to seeing them, however, and didn’t want to ask about Jeff, because he knew the police were looking for him.
    The old man had been surprised to see his grandson and Ealani Pohaku together when they visited him earlier, but they’d left before he could ask them any questions. After Dr. Chandrapur examined Preston and gave new instructions to the head nurse, she’d remained in the room. While entering notes in a handheld computer, she’d asked him, “Who was that young man?”
    “Just a friend,” Preston had said, lying.
    “Ealani has been coming to the hospital every day,” the nurse told him again, as she darkened the computer screen and slipped the device into a pocket of her smock. “Sometimes she comes by herself and sometimes with other healers to perform rituals on your behalf—summoning the spirits to make you well again. And it seems she is succeeding!”
    He considered this for a moment. “Perhaps you are right, and her kindness will put an end to the bad history between our families….”

    Alicia saw a nurse leave the room where Ealani had said her grandfather was. The nurse turned down another corridor, disappeared from view. Anxious to confirm that the elderly man was all right, Alicia hurried forward with her two companions behind her, and all of them entered the room. She saw him arranging his pillows, preparing to lie on his side, with his face turned away from the doorway.
    The Hawaiian woman closed the door behind them, a sound that caused Preston to look. Surprise registered on his creased face. Alicia saw a clean bandage on one side of his head. His blue eyes were alert.
    “I came the minute I heard you were hurt,” she said.
    The old man scowled and stared