Leela and the Forest of Light

by Lin Northrup

  “You may not be Mountain Lion or Lynx, but I’m sure glad you’re here,” she said, talking to the cat while she finished combing her hair. Her new friend’s loud purr lifted her spirits. Taking a deep breath, she slid back the latch and opened the door. Maryann and Carl were talking, but she didn’t hear David or Sky Bear. She stood in the hallway holding the cat.

  “I see you’ve met Rain. She showed up in a fierce rainstorm and has definitely won our hearts. Dinner’s almost ready. Would you’d like to help me set the table?” asked Maryann.

  Glad to have something to do, Leela was setting down the plates when David walked in.

  “Something smells delicious. Let’s eat and then we’ll go over to the council lodge.”

  “Carl, you sit here,” said Maryann, placing a casserole of vegetables from the garden on the table. The smell of fresh baked rolls filled the air.

  Leela sat next to David and bowed her head when Maryann gave thanks for their meal. “Tonight we’re blessed with abundance from the earth and with Leela’s presence in our home. May she feel all the love that is surrounding her.”

  Leela blushed at being singled out and was grateful when Rain jumped onto her lap making everyone laugh. David winked at her. “Now that the mud’s washed off, our princess of the wolves looks very elegant tonight,” he said.

  Even with his light tone, she sensed an underlying urgency around the table and wondered what was going to happen next. And where was Sky Bear?

  After dinner they all sat on the porch. Maryann told her stories that were passed down in her family until David announced it was time to go. Walking between them Leela’s stomach was a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. As they got closer to the lodge, she felt the steady beat of drums and smelled the smoke curling out of an opening in the roof.

  “Leela, I want you to wait on the porch with Carl,” said David.

  “What’s going to happen in there?” she asked, not liking how serious he sounded.

  “I can’t talk about it right now. Just wait here for a few minutes and then you can come in.” Maryann gave her a look of encouragement before going inside.

  Leela wished she could go back to Sky Bear’s house. She didn’t want to meet more people. And why was David acting so mysterious? She sat on the front steps searching the night sky for two stars.

  Inside, the elders were gathered around the council fire. Maryann and David changed into their ceremonial dress and took their places in the circle. The sacredness of the coming initiation united the hearts of everyone present. Tonight they would lend her their combined strength to send her through a portal where she would travel beyond time. If she accomplished this task, Leela would receive a gift that would be critical for the times to come.

  Chapter 21

  The Gift of Far-Seeing

  Leela sat on the porch steps staring intently at the stars. “Are you looking for something?” asked Carl.

  “Yes,” she said, keeping her gaze fixed on the sky.

  He could see she didn’t want to talk, so he sat on the porch railing watching the young girl whose arrival was changing his life. Her time in the world between worlds had brought her to this point, but could she withstand this next test? Sky Bear would have to determine her readiness.

  The drumming stopped. She turned to look at him. “It’s time to go inside,” he said, watching her take a deep breath before getting up.

  She hesitated for a moment then opened the door. The strong smell of burning sage filled the room. Flames from an open fire illuminated the faces of the elders. Sky Bear and Walking in Wisdom stood side by side facing her. David and Maryann sat on either side of them. The mood was solemn. She looked at Maryann and David for reassurance, but their eyes were closed.

  Sky Bear began. “We’re here to assist you on a journey that has never been undertaken by one so young. You’ve shown courage and heart on the path and those who have walked with you said you are ready. Come forward.”

  Leela stepped closer to the fire. What if she wasn’t ready? The heavy silence pressed against her chest. She flinched when a voice whispered from the shadows.

  “Leela, this is not the time nor the place. Humility teaches you when you’re ready for this test and when you’re not. It’s arrogant to approach the portal before you’ve had more experience. Show the humbleness Sky Bear expects and leave now,” said the voice.

  She looked around the circle to see who was speaking. The elders were staring at her and the force of their collective gaze made her stumble backwards.

  The sinewy form of the black panther rose from the fire. “I warned you. Leave, before it’s too late.”

  Shocked at seeing him, she looked at David for help, but his eyes were still closed.

  “Surrender. Admit you aren’t ready. Sky Bear will respect your decision.”

  She looked at Sky Bear, but he was silent. Her mind was spinning. What was this trickster doing here?

  “You’re not even real,” she shouted. “You’re a fake. A pretender!”

  In a flash, he shapeshifted into the slithery demon who blocked her on the mountain. “Is that real enough?” he hissed, shapeshifting into a creature covered with sharp scales.

  “No matter what form I take, I am the master of darkness and I will rule this planet.” His scaly arms reached out pulling her toward the fire. The scorching flames licked at her toes. Kicking and fighting against his grip, she went into her heart.

  Gray Wolf bolted out of the shadows growling at the demon. Locked in a ferocious battle, Leela watched in horror as they flung each other in and out of the flames. Their fierce fighting cast frightening shadows on the walls. Teeth bared, the demon lunged at Gray Wolf’s throat, pinning him down.

  She had to do something! Closing her eyes, she visualized her love for Gray Wolf turning into a silver shield. The demon screamed in rage lunging again at Gray Wolf’s throat with his razor-sharp talons. Sweat dripping down her face, she held the shield in place with the force of her will until she heard Gray Wolf howl triumphantly.

  The battle was over.

  The demon turned into a burnt cinder. Gray Wolf faced Leela. “There is always a battle within every human being between love and fear. It’s a battle every truth seeker must fight.”

  “The demon said I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know if I was. I called on you because you’re the guardian of my heart and I needed to know the truth,” she said, in a strong, clear voice.

  “You chose wisely. When you choose to be guided by your heart, you’ll know what is true for you.”

  She closed her eyes letting his words sink deep inside her body. When she opened them, Gray Wolf was gone.

  “We’ve told you of the forces of fear in the world that want to stop the children of the new earth, said Walking in Wisdom. “We’ve warned you that the darkness takes many forms in order to trap you. By trusting your heart, you’ve shown us that you’re ready for this initiation.”

  She nodded to Maryann who got up and went over to Leela. Taking her hand, she slowly walked her around the circle. When they came to David, he stood up and took Leela’s other hand. David and Leela stood in front of Sky Bear.

  Maryann tied eagle feathers to Leela’s hair and carefully painted her face with white and orange symbols. Chanting, she waved the smoke of burning sage around her.

  “David and Leela are bound together through the power of Wolf,” said Sky Bear. “Leela, your task is to go through the portal alone. David will be the anchor for you on this side.”

  David put his hands on Leela’s shoulders. “Let the elements of fire and air speak to you.”

  Steadied by David’s firm hands, she stared into the fire letting the red-orange flames pull her deeper and deeper into a trance. A powerful energy poured in through the top of her head and moved down to her feet. When she turned to look at David, the spirit of wolf encircled them. />
  In that moment, she was lifted upward into deep space. Galaxies floated by, each one carrying its own purpose and timeless beauty. A bright golden light loomed in the distance. Its magnetic pull grew stronger and stronger. An opening in the light revealed a crystal staircase. She slipped through the opening and walked down the staircase toward a carved bed of marble surrounded by tall columns. The bed was draped with an orange and indigo blue tapestry, purple lupines and green pine boughs. A sleeping girl in a long white dress was lying on the bed.

  It was a her!

  Golden light streamed through the marble columns. “Dear child, I am the Mother of All Life. It is to you that I bequeath the gift of vision that can light the way to the new earth. Stay steadfast, my daughter, in spite of what you hear and see. Your heart will be your compass. Don’t be afraid of your path. The children coming across will seek the new way and together you’ll help humanity return to love. Unity, peace and respect for all life will be the touchstones upon which you stand.”

  The golden light began spinning into a powerful vortex pulling Leela deeper and deeper into its center.

  “Hold on Leela, don’t let go,” said David, his thoughts traveling to her through space and time.

  She was splitting apart! How could she hold on? She had no control.

  “If you don’t hold yourself together, you won’t be able to return with the gift of far-seeing,” David warned. “This portal is a star gate and you’re receiving knowledge unknown on earth. You must hold on and pass through this portal.”

  “David, help me! I’m losing myself,” she cried.

  “I can’t help you any longer. You must remember how to do this.”

  Leela had no choice. She had to reassemble herself in order to move out of the vortex. Her body was dissolving yet she was aware of other worlds that looked like earth, but weren’t earth. Knowledge poured into her as she spun and slid through the portal. She had no form, no body. How could she return unless she had a body? She focused her mind on Gray Wolf. It was the only thing she could remember to do.

  “Use your will, Leela. Join your will with your heart.” It’s the magnetic force that holds you together,” said Gray Wolf.

  With enormous effort and concentration, she willed herself back into physical form. As soon as she felt the energy of Gray Wolf move into her heart, she shot out of the vortex and flew back through billions of stars toward earth’s solar system. The sight of her own blue-green planet shining in a vast cosmic sky filled her with a deep feeling of peace.

  Eagle joined her when she entered earth’s atmosphere. “Leela, it’s time to go and witness some of the challenges that you and the children of the new earth will face.”

  White, puffy clouds gave way to gray skies that hung over a barren stretch of land. Fires burned out of control and tanks were lined up for battle. Smoke curled above blackened towns surrounded by dry, scorched fields.

  Below her a group of children were huddled under rags tied together to make tents. They were wide-eyed as they watched her descend from the sky. A small dark-haired girl ran over, knelt down and touched the beads on her moccasins. Leela took her hand and walked over to the other children.

  “Where are your parents?” she asked, looking around the desolate camp.

  A thin boy missing a leg limped over to her on homemade crutches. There were dark circles under his eyes and his clothes were worn and ragged. He looked her straight in the eye. “Our parents were taken prisoner by an evil man and his army. I’m in charge here,” he said, with an air of defiance.

  Behind him stood twenty or so bedraggled, curious children. “My name is Amir and I’m their leader. We take care of each other,” he said with pride.

  Surveying their home of burned-out trucks and makeshift tents, Leela saw a girl standing alone. Her head was wrapped in a scarf and she held a walking stick. The children parted to make way for her. Leela realized the girl was blind when Amir took her hand and guided her to where she was standing.

  “This is Mara,” said Amir. “She’s my cousin.”

  The girl felt Leela’s face with her hands and smiled when she touched the eagle feathers.

  “You’re beautiful, like an angel. What’s your name?” she asked.

  “My name is Leela.”

  “Have you come to help us?” Mara asked, in a sweet voice.

  Leela’s heart sank. How could she help these children? Not sure what to say that would be reassuring, she looked at Amir. His eyes softened when he saw her concern for them.

  “It would be our pleasure if you stay for the evening meal,” he said.

  Leela smiled at his formal invitation. When she accepted, the children cheered and clapped. Mara took her hand and led her to a shelter made out of rusty, corrugated metal. Amir spread a red cloth on the ground for Leela to sit upon. A small boy with a mop of curly hair brought a bowl of watery broth with a few pieces of potato floating in it. He stood there waiting for her to taste it. The children crowded around to watch.

  Leela smiled at her host. “Tell them to eat too,” she said.

  Amir sat down next to her. “You’re our guest. Please go ahead and eat,” he said, in a polite voice.

  Leela sipped the soup. The children giggled with delight.

  “You’re the first guest we’ve ever had and they’re excited,” he explained.

  “Thank you. And who’s the cook?” A girl about twelve years old stepped forward. “I cooked the soup,” she said proudly.

  “Well, you’re a very good cook and I’m honored to be your guest.” Later she was deeply saddened to find out that the children didn’t eat every day. This last bowl of soup was left over from yesterday.

  When she finished the simple meal, she walked around the camp with Amir. He was fourteen. His father died defending their village.

  “Tell me how this happened to you.” They sat on the back of an old truck. She waited until Amir was ready to speak.

  “A man in a black cape came from the north and promised he would make our poor country peaceful and prosperous. But he turned into a tyrant who only wanted to rule over us. I had a dream the night before his forces surrounded our village. In the dream the tyrant ordered his soldiers to find the children because we were the biggest threat to his power. He said there were other children in the world like us and we must be stopped. I spoke of my dream and our parents told us to run and hide in the forest. My mother was taken away to serve in his palace,” he said, looking away to cover his pain.

  “I am responsible for all these children.” The weight of it showed in his eyes. “When the fighting comes too close, we run to the hills and hide. Then we return to the camp. “

  As he was showing her where they planted a small garden, a little girl ran up to him. He picked her up and swung her around. Then he lectured three small boys about wandering outside of camp. They nodded solemnly and ran off.

  “I try to keep them in camp and away from the fighting, but they want to play and explore. I do my best,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

  Leela could hear Eagle calling to her and knew that her time here was limited. Silently, she asked if she could stay the night and got a confirmation when a feather drifted down in front of them.

  “I’d love to stay the night, Amir. What if we gather everyone and have a story time?”

  “That’s a great idea. Anything to keep their minds off the war,” he said, grateful for a break in their struggle to survive.

  Fascinated by the mysterious stranger, most of the children had trailed behind them. When Amir announced there was going to be a story time, they ran to the main shelter and made a throne for Leela out of old tires. The blind girl draped the red cloth on top. The smallest children sat closest and the older ones crowded in behind them. Amir escorted Leela to her tire throne.

  She didn’t know what she’d say to these children held hostage
by war, but as soon as she sat on the throne, she felt the love of the Great Mother whispering to her. “Just speak from your heart, Leela.”

  She looked around at their eager faces. Instead of seeing the grime and desolation, she saw brilliant colors around each child. They were beautiful, radiant angels. We’re all sisters and brothers, she thought. We’re all the same.

  A small boy climbed onto the tire throne and whispered into her ear. “Leela, we’re ready.”

  “Of course,” she said, settling the child on her lap.

  She began telling her story about meeting Fox at the river, her ride with the wild mustangs, her encounter with Gray Wolf and the lessons she’s learning from her animal teachers. Their eyes lit up when she said they all had special gifts that would help the new earth flourish.

  The moon’s soft light caressed the faces of the children as they listened to Leela’s stories. A bird sang sweetly and a gentle breeze cooled the night air. They were cradled in the arms of the Great Mother and would tell the story of this magical night for years to come.

  When she finished, no one spoke. Amir’s face was softer like any young boy full of dreams and hope. He looked into Leela’s eyes and for a fleeting second, she thought she saw the eyes of Gray Wolf looking back at her.

  The children stayed together through the night sleeping in each other’s arms. Amir walked around to make sure everyone was all right. When he was satisfied, he laid his coat on the ground and went to sleep.

  In the morning, Leela was gone.

  Chapter 22

  Make It Green

  Leela was still thinking about Amir as she and Eagle flew over a sprawling city whose south side neighborhoods were filled with empty, neglected buildings.

  “There’s something here I want you to see,” said Eagle, flying to the rooftop of an old warehouse.