Aahana Swrup
The Apple TV+ historical show’ Chief of War’ unravels the history of the Hawai’i Islands as a bloodstained path leads them toward their unification. In the wake of King Kahekili’s brutal campaign of claiming the Prophecy of the Great King for herself, the Maui kingdom continues to expand. Thus, it’s only a matter of time before trouble inevitably knocks on Hawai’i’s shores. Given the aging King’s current state, his successor, Prince Kamehameha, must embrace his destiny even in the face of uncertainty. Unfortunately, these circumstances end up weaving the fate of Ka’ahumanu, who has been betrothed to the future King. Meanwhile, Ka’iana ventures into unknown lands with Captain Meares and his crew. Unexpectedly, on his travels, he ends up meeting a face from home, who promises to help the warrior fulfill his mission even if at a high cost. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Kamehameha is Pushed to Reckon With His Destiny
In the aftermath of Kahekili’s conquering of O’ahu, news quickly spread of his cruelty. His ambition runs heedless, and he’s quick to deliver bold punishments to his enemies and their entire bloodlines. In fact, at times it seems his actions trouble even his own son, Prince Kupule. Therefore, King Kalaniopu’u, ruler of Hawai’i, grows understandably vigilant of his kingdom’s future. He knows that his own age has ensured he won’t be around to protect his people once Kahekili makes his move. Therefore, he needs to secure an heir to his coveted throne. It seems to come down to Kamehameha, the beloved Prince of Hawai’i, and his cousin, Keoua. Even though the former clearly has the King’s favor, he seems reluctant to accept his title.
For the same reason, when Kalaniopu’u asks Kamehameha what he would do in the face of Kahekili’s attack, he tries to defer his opinion to Keoua, who seems eager to take the throne for himself. Nonetheless, when pressed, the Prince reveals an answer that seals his fate, at least in the King’s eyes. Unlike Keoua, who speaks of battle on the grounds blessed by the God of War, Kamehameha talks about fortifying food storage. He wants to ensure a famine doesn’t weaken his kingdom’s people like it had during a previous war from the past. Furthermore, he has even put this strategy to work, maintaining food storage in multiple locations. Thus, despite his reservations, the Prince proves that he is truly the best fit to lead Hawai’i through the upcoming tides of war.
Ka’iana Ventures Into Zamboanga
In the weeks since his inadvertent departure from the Islands, Kai’ana continues to sail with Meares and his men. He even makes a friend in Tony, practicing some English with him while learning the art of weaponry and firearms. His past involvement in aiding Kahekili’s attack on O’ahu has left him riddled with guilt. Additionally, he also believes he has a crucial part to play in bringing the ancient Prophecy to fruition. Consequently, in order to make up for his past sins, he wants to bring back an advantage with him when he returns home. His plan remains to source enough guns to arm an entire army and wage his war against the King of Maui. Thus, the arrival of Meares’ ship at Zamboanga, a Spanish East Indies port, presents the perfect opportunity for the same.
Still, even though Ka’iana has some coin to offer, no blacksmith remains willing to supply an entire battalion’s worth of weapons to a regular man. Coincidentally enough, in the city, the warrior’s paths cross with someone resourceful, Wien’e, better known as Vai, is a Hawaiian who also seems to be on worldly travels of her own. Since she has far more experience in the European man’s land, she has the resources to smuggle weaponry for Kai’ana. However, she naturally wants something in return. After witnessing the greedy conquering of the Spanish, Vai remains worried about the future of her own Islands. She believes that it’s only a matter of time before white men seek to conquer the four kingdoms and their people as well.
For the same reason, Vai wants to set up a sandalwood trade with Captain Meares. The wood is an expensive luxury item for the Spanish, while it is an easily available resource for the people from the Hawaiian Islands. Since the latter is yet a mostly hidden location, an early trade set-up with the locals via Ka’iana’s help will establish Meares handsomely in the market. Yet, the warrior Chief sports a different opinion. He believes such a trade would be selling away his people’s land to a foreign power. Unlike Vai, he isn’t willing to bend his morals and worldviews to the profit-driven mind of the Spanish. Consequently, friction abounds between the duo. Yet, the choice of Spanish discovery threatens to slip away from Ka’iana’s hold entirely as one of Meares’ villainous crewmates, Marley, promises to sell out the Islands’ location to the most cruel captain around.
Ka’ahumanu Becomes Kamehameha’s Bride
Since Ka’ahumanu’s arrival at Hawai’i, her fate as the future wife of the future King has been written. Still, she tries to find some peace for herself, mostly by engaging in lessons from John Young, the white man she rescued from Meares’ ship. Nevertheless, her time soon runs out, especially once Kamehameha’s destiny as the King solidifies. The woman’s father had agreed to this betrothal for one vital reason. He and many others believe that the Prince is the prophesied Great King who will bring union to the four kingdoms. However, Kamehameha himself lacks faith in this idea.
Consequently, Ka’ahumanu’s father wants his daughter to use her own headstrongness to guide the Prince toward his future. For the same reason, he can’t help but be taken aback when the young woman reveals a troubling truth about her future. Ka’ahumanu shares the Prophetess’ words with her father, telling him how she’s fated to bear no kids for Kamehameha. She believes once the future King realizes the same, he’ll turn to another wife, leaving her future barren. Still, her father convinces her against revealing this crucial information to her would-be husband. In the end, the wedding takes place, as does the wedding night. Yet, while the Kamehameha and the rest of the kingdom pray for the birth of an heir, the new Princess holds on to the secret of her own prophesied destiny.
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