by Sheryl Seal
Aponi and Grey Wolf joined us and were already in a deep conversation about the Evil. How it had gotten past the magical wards that protected us. How maybe there was help from inside the compound. Then I heard Aponi shriek, “I don’t believe that! If anyone here helped, that would mean there has been a traitor among us for a while. Only the new Dwellers have been allowed in. There was a special kind of enchantment so they could reach us safely. Who could possibly be responsible?”
“Evil always finds a way in.” Grey Wolf was stripping down at this point in the conversation and continued on, as I blushed furiously. “There is only one thing left to do while we are waiting for grandfather. I for one am going swimming!” Then he took his magnificently formed body and dove in the sparkling water at the foot of the falls. Right after that Tim and Jim followed and Aponi looked at me and said, “I’m game how about you, Oria? And then she stripped down and went in. Come on in, it feels great.” I stood there timidly. I wondered if I had the nerve to just let my inhibitions go and strip down. Then grandfather came up behind me. “Why aren’t you enjoying the water Oria? I took a swim this morning and it was very enjoyable.”
I started to stammer out I was just getting ready to go into the water, when all four of them came running up dripping wet. They all looked very refreshed. Wait, something about them was different. Though, I was the only one who noticed this. They all seemed to be slightly shifting back and forth into each of their spirit animals.
I looked at grandfather imploringly.
“Grandfather, what is happening? What is going on with them? How come they don’t notice what is happening? Look at each other; you’re all shifting in and out.” I asked all of these questions anxiously. I hoped grandfather had the answers that could explain this behavior I was observing.
“Oria, my dear are you alright? You are asking strange questions. I see nothing out of the ordinary except four dripping wet youngsters. Is there something I am not seeing?”
Aponi was the one to speak up, as everyone gaped at me like I was crazy. “Everybody looks fine to me and I feel great after that swim.” They all nodded at the same time. Each of them gathered up their clothing. Getting dressed, they came over to where I was standing. Grey Wolf looking concerned and asked, “Why are you behaving so strangely Oria? What has happened to you?” I watched Grey Wolf shift from a very attractive man into a gray wolf and back again. The concerned look on his face grew more worried. I shook my head back and forth. As if that would remove what I was seeing that no one else could. I looked around him to where Aponi was standing. I watched as her face became that of a bird with little beady eyes. There was a sharp beak where her mouth should be. Just as quickly she shifted back to herself. I then looked over to Tim and Jim and sure enough, their faces were morphing in and out like wolverines. The only comfort I found was that grandfather remained the old man he was although; he suddenly looked like a falcon. Then he started to resemble a big tree with snarled old branches protruding everywhere. “Now that’s just creepy.” I whispered.
I felt myself starting to shake. Grey Wolf was there with his strong arms holding me as he begged grandfather to help me. “Something is seriously wrong grandfather; she is seeing things that aren’t happening. Please, what can you do? Why is this happening to my heart?” My knees gave away and I let myself collapse so I was kneeling on the ground. I was trying to breathe deeply. Grey Wolf was stroking my hair and talking in a soothing voice. He was telling me that everything would be fine. Grandfather came over quickly with the others. “Let’s get her back to her lodge so she can rest. I will have to examine her to see what is happening. I don’t know why she is seeing these things that we are not seeing.”
Grey Wolf gathered me up in his powerful arms and started hiking back to the village. I protested all the way that I was fine and he didn’t have to carry me. He just ignored me and kept walking.
Throughout the village, I observed others that were shifting back and forth also. Odd that it wasn’t everyone I noticed. The shifting continued with several people though.
I wondered what this meant. Was I losing my mind? Why was I seeing people shifting when they weren’t? I didn’t know, but one thing I did know, I was scared. So I squeezed my eyes shut and let Grey Wolf carry me to my lodge.
I listened as grandfather told the others that I was going to rest for the day. He couldn’t find anything obvious wrong with me. Maybe a little rest would be the answer to what was going on. He would come and check on me later and he didn’t think anyone should worry; he said that I was probably just overwhelmed with my powers coming in and they were probably stronger than any of us could realize. It was probably nothing. He didn’t sound convincing even to even me.
I kept my eyes tightly closed until I fell asleep. Then I started dreaming.
I was a dragon in the sky. I could see the falls down below. There was a faint colored mist around it. For some reason it just didn’t look quite right. I didn’t know why but I knew the green mist water was the cause of everything.
Chapter 13
I woke to the whispering of grandfather and Grey Wolf right outside my hut. I thought I heard Grey Wolf saying, “I think her powers are coming in strong and she may see things we cannot. We have to push this along. We can’t wait much longer. Everything is happening now. We must get organized soon.” The old man sighed, and I heard him say, “It is happening now. You are correct Grey Wolf. Her gifts are surfacing and we will prepare the girl the best we can. She will be ready and do what needs to be done. Go now, and I will talk with Oria and see how she is feeling.”
I heard Grey Wolf leaving. Grandfather pushed aside the door to the lodge and entered. I stood up and waited for him to speak. I knew I had fallen asleep and there was something important I should remember but it just wouldn’t come to me.
“What is going on grandfather? I heard some of what you and Grey Wolf were saying and I am a bit confused. I want to know all that you are not telling me. I can feel something shifting in the air. It scares me. What is coming?”
The old man exhaled his breath, inhaled deeply and began. “You have the insight of a Golden Queen; you cannot let this scare you. You will always see things others can’t. That is why you could see others shifting. I think it was just a little too much at once. There is something else though. Do you know what it could be?”
I was shaking my head thinking that it might help clear my thoughts.
The old man smiled and clicking his tongue as he nodded at me.
“After all you have heard and seen so far, are you still so surprised by the powers you may have and of what you can do?
You are the Golden Queen Fairy. This is your destiny. You are here to help us all. Us, meaning, there are more in the world than just shapeshifters and fairies. There are many things that are magical. Not all of it is good. With the good comes an evil. That is the way of things. Do not rule out any stories you have heard in your lifetime. All are bits of truth woven into an old tale or legend that is retold for many generations. This started further back than the Ahwahneechees. There have always been legends of fairies and shapeshifters and other creatures and even Gods. We bring them all here to the old world. Everyone can learn and train together. We protect what the world of man does not even know exists. It began further back than the goddess Tisayac and the great warrior Tutokanula.”
Wow! Yeah my head is spinning. All the old legends are true? Or at least have some truth to them. Now I am a part of this. Since he had been talking, I felt that I knew somehow, every word he spoke was truth. I smiled at the thought.
“Shall I continue Oria? You look as though you have come to some acceptance of all of this.”
“Yes go on, I need to know everything.” Of course I had to accept this after what I have already seen. I had to admit that anything was possible. I am here. We are all here.
“Oria, you are descended from the great Golden Fairy Queen and an Ahwahneechee Warrior. If we do not get started on your gifts we w
ill all be vulnerable of what is to come. We will start here and now. You have many great powers. We need to unlock these gifts and you and I will do this by practicing everything that I have knowledge of. You will then expand your mind even further. Your powers will exceed all of ours, beyond my knowledge in fact. I have no way of knowing everything you are capable of. We will learn together. Are you ready to begin?”
Chapter 14
Grandfather and I sat there and stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Just when I was about to tell him I have no idea what gifts I might have except changing into a duck. I heard him say loud and clear. “Oria, I think you can hear me. Try and listen to only my voice. I want you to answer me.”
“Of course I can hear you.” Wait, his lips didn’t move. I heard him in my head. So I squealed. “I heard you grandfather, can you hear me?”
“Of course I can hear you; I am an old man but my hearing is sharp. Think your thoughts to me, only do it softer please.”
“This is so cool; I thought we could only do this when we were our spirit animal. Why couldn’t I hear thoughts before now?”
“It is the way with most. You and I are special. You weren’t trying before now. You just need to really open up your mind to all possible things. Let’s go over to the falls where we can be outside in the fresh air. I prefer to be outside. I will show you so much more that you can do.”
We strolled through the village and down to the falls. We talked of what else I might be able to do. We did all of this without ever even opening our mouths. Grandfather thought I might be able to do many things; I had just never been placed in a position to try anything. I may have had signs before now because I am more powerful than most.
He began by asking if throughout my life when my moods shifted if I happened to notice the changing of the weather.
I didn’t understand what my mood would have to do with the weather changing. Grandfather was quick to get to the point so I had no time to think on it.
“Like when you were embarrassed and created the twisters. You must learn to control your emotions. The emotions must not get out of control and harm those around you through the weather.” My mind was suddenly like a kaleidoscope. All the storms that had come and gone according to my moods made me question my attitudes. I didn’t have time to think about all the times people were in danger just because I was mad or sad.
Then we were at the falls. Grandfather showed me how to wave my hands gently across certain objects to make them change color.
We started simply from turning the grass from wheat colored to green. Then I made flowers bloom. I turned the leaves on the trees. It was like having my own seasons whenever I felt like it. “Now, think of an animal you would like to be and Shift!” he commanded. I went to the first thing I suddenly seen off to the left of where we were standing.
I could sense I was getting that tingly feeling again and knew something was coming. Just that quick and with no delays I was a beautiful doe.
“Now shift back!” grandfather was starting to sound a little gruff.
I did what he said just by thinking shift back.
“I did it, I thought what I wanted to be and this time that’s what I shifted to.” I exclaimed loudly.
Yeah, I was pretty much in awe of myself.
“Now I want you to look at the water and tell me what you see?”
“Okay, I see water, with rocks and white foam from the falls.” “That is good Oria. You can see what is right in front of you. Sometimes the obvious is the answer. You need to see what others cannot and be able to control it. Much like you did earlier. Now I need you to look beyond the water. Look through the falls.”
I tried really hard, but all I could see was the water with… what was that nagging feeling? I have seen this before. “What is that gold lining the water? Grandfather do you see that? I could not see it before but there is gold all through the water and a weird greenish mist.”
“No, I cannot see the mist granddaughter. I will trust in you that it is there. What I see is the ward I put there to block the borders from the Evil that would like to enter. That is the gold you see. Someone else has added to it. Get back away from the water. That must be the way the evil has come in. I think this has affected everyone who has been in or near this water. If people are affected by it they cannot shift properly when they want or need to. This could cause much damage to them, permanently. You have done well with this lesson, and you have great powers beyond my expectations, my dear.”
Grandfather took my hands and squeezed them and smiled at me like a proud loving grandparent.
“Come, we must warn every one of the dangers of the water they have been using. They must be warned not to shift. We will come back and replace the wards later.”
We hurried back to the village and Grandfather rang the bell that was in the center by the lodge. He then instructed a few people I didn’t yet know to guard the falls. He led me inside to a seat and said for me to wait here.
Everyone filed in and sat down and waited for grandfather to begin. The room grew silent and all were looking at our speaker intently. Grandfather was described in a loud booming voice that penetrated every ear in the room. “We should all stay away from the water at Bridalveil Fall. Anyone that had been in the water was to cease from shape shifting immediately! There are terrible consequences that could happen. One of those being you may never be able to shift back. You would remain in your spirit form for the rest of your lives. It could possibly kill you. There is a spell that was cast on the water the night that the new Dwellers came through.” Grandfather paused here, because there was so much ranting and raving from the group. The roar of voices in the lodge was deafening.
Then he held up his hands for silence and continued again. “I think I know how to remedy the situation with the water but for anyone that has been in the water you need to be examined before there is to be any shifting. As soon as we have a solution you will be informed. Until then I say to you again. DO NOT SHIFT!”
Chapter 15
I went back to my lodge and waited for grandfather. I thought a lot about what he and I had discovered.
I thought who would do such a thing? It would be impossible for just anyone to come through to this world without the benefit of magic. They would have to be someone trusted. My biggest thought was what did they want or expect to gain? I realize I didn’t know enough about all the things that went on here. I also didn’t know enough about the people here either. I wanted to learn more. There wasn’t enough time to educate myself on all I needed to know. I decided to track down someone who could help inform me quickly.
I headed out of the lodge in search of Grey Wolf to see if he could help me when I ran into Jim.
“Hi Jim, I was just going to look for Grey Wolf. Do you happen to know where he is?” Before he could answer I heard him speak in his mind. “How does she always tell us apart? No one else can, it’s so weird.” I thought about that for a quick instant. I decided it really wasn’t that hard. He had a light surrounding him that Tim didn’t have. I wondered why, but didn’t have time to sort that out today.
“Umm, yes, I saw him heading toward the falls; I think he is trying to figure out what is going on with the water.”
“Oh, okay thank you I need to talk with him, I’ll see you later. Can you let grandfather know where I am?” I decided not to let him know that I had heard his thoughts. This could be useful. I think grandfather is under the assumption I can communicate with him only. Does he know I can read other minds as well?
I walked down to the falls to find Grey Wolf. I saw him kneeling over the water. He only had on a pair of leather leggings and moccasins; he also had a sour look on his face. I was admiring him and his long raven hair that flowed down his bare broad shoulders. Then he picked up a rock and threw it in the water with a sigh.
“Are you just going to stand there admiring me or did you come to say you have a solution to our problem?”
I was actually try
ing to see if I could read his mind. It was just like a brick wall. Well, this mind reading was more difficult than I thought. I wondered if he could read my mind.
“I was neither admiring you nor do I have a solution. I was looking for you to see if you might have some answers to some questions I have. I thought maybe you could help me learn about some of the people and the things that happen in the village.”
He patted the ground next to him and said have a seat. “Where do you want to start?”
I sat down beside him and as I looked at the water, I asked the first question that popped into my mind.
“Have I done something that has made you mad at me?”
I watched him smile but he just as quickly covered it.
“You have done nothing to anger me. I hardly see how this helps you though. But, if you must know, I was just expecting something… different, I guess.”
He had a far off look in his eyes and I had no idea what that comment could mean. He didn’t elaborate. So I pushed him further.
“You mean I am not what your vision said I would be?”
He smiled that sexy smile I was really starting to like and guffawed, “Something like that. It is not so important right now considering all that we have going on. What else would you like to know?”
I really wanted to know what his vision was and why I didn’t match up to it. He was right though. There were other things more important. “Can you see the shimmering gold in the water? Or the mist that weaves its way throughout it?”
He squinted at the water and then he looked back at me. He said he couldn’t see anything but the water, rocks, and the foam from the falls. I had to smile at this because that’s all I had seen at first. So I asked, “Can you look beyond that. The magical ward is up that grandfather placed there but it’s been compromised by a greenish mist.”
He arched an eyebrow and seemed to be studying the water harder. Then I watched a smile grow across his face.
