Dwellers of Ahwahnee (The Beyond Collection)

by Sheryl Seal

  “Yes, I see grandfathers ward of gold now. How is it that now I can see it? Did you help me somehow to see grandfathers spell?”

  Did I help him by suggestion alone? I didn’t know if this was another power I had?

  “I don’t know if I can suggest something and then it happens. Do you think that’s what I did? I just wanted to see if you could see what I see in the water.”

  He looked a little perturbed by this. I imagine nobody wants suggestions on how to feel or act. I ignored this thought and moved on.

  “Can you see the greenish mist over that spell?”

  He looked at the water again. He was silent for a while. Then he turned back to me and said no, he couldn’t see that.

  “Well, now we know I don’t have the power of suggestion. I had hoped you could help me with some other issues.”

  He was looking at me like he was amazed with me. Or maybe he was mad again? I wasn’t sure of what was in his eyes.

  “I thought I could probably help you but now I am not so certain. You may see and know more than I.”

  I knew it! He was upset! I looked at him and he had a smile that lit up his eyes and they were the most beautiful sparkling silver.

  “You’re teasing me?” I smiled back at him. It felt good and I liked it. I felt relaxed and safe.

  “All work and no play, what else would you like to know?” He stood up and put out his very strong looking hand. I put my small one in his and stood with him. I felt a thunderbolt shudder through me when our hands touched. The chills that ran up and down my spine were very pleasurable. “Walk with me; I have something to show you.” He spoke while watching me with a bemused look on his face. I wondered if he had sensed what I had just felt.

  We walked around the water at the foot of the falls. Then we hiked up to the top. I was standing there looking down at the magnificent site below us. Grey Wolf released my hand and unexpected, I felt alone. I looked up at him inquiringly as to why that should be.

  He didn’t seem to notice though. I didn’t know why I would feel this way. What the heck was wrong with me? I couldn’t seem to help myself. Whenever I was around him I felt helpless, angered or foolish. Focus! I shrieked inside my head. Before I had enough time to recover he grabbed my hand again and placed it to his bare chest over his heart.

  “Feel how fast my heart beats when you are nearby? I have waited a lifetime for you my Queen. I can scarcely breathe since you have arrived. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. My vision just told me my heart would be here soon. I can’t get a grasp on how you feel about me though. I usually can read people right off. I get nothing from you and it leaves me confused. I don’t understand it.”

  I was speechless at first; I had watched him during his declaration with awkwardness. I was aware of how difficult this had to be for him. He was usually very reserved towards me and a little standoffish. Could this be why? Could he really believe I was sent by The Great Spirit in a vision, to be his Queen and his heart? Could he also read minds but mine he couldn’t? If he could feel my heart racing, he might be pleasantly surprised.

  Chapter 16

  I wished I could read his mind.

  I jerked my hand away from his chest like I had been burned. I could tell he was wounded by my reaction. My feelings were scaring me though. I truly didn’t know how to respond. All I could say to him was, “Grey Wolf, are you sure you interpreted your vision correctly? I mean, maybe I am the Golden Queen. Which, by the way, I’m still unconvinced that I am. What happens if I’m not though? What will you think of me then? How will we go from there?”

  “Whoa, let’s deal with one issue at a time, okay? First of all, you are the Golden Queen! There is no question about it. The sooner you accept this, the better off everyone will be. Secondly, The Great Spirit would not send a vision that would not come to pass. You and I will find our way if you are willing to try.” He then seized my shoulders and pulled me toward him. I felt lightheaded and my knees turned to Jell-O. I found I couldn’t speak. I nodded my head yes and then a breeze of wind picked up and blew all around us like a sigh. Grey Wolf threw on his sexiest smile. Just when I thought I might get my first kiss, he released me. “See, even the elements agree. For now, we will find answers that will help everyone. How does that sound to you my Queen?”

  I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face as I gave him my best smile and said, “Yes that sounds great. There is one condition however. Please stop calling me that.”

  “We are in agreement then my Queen. I mean, Oria.” He was teasing me again and I felt that I really liked it. I let it go and put on a serious face and asked.

  “So what are your thoughts on the wards that have been breached? Who could be responsible? I am new here and do not know very many people. I’ve been trying to think of how we can lure out whoever this is. What can you tell me?”

  “Well, you have been thinking a lot. I think the wards were not that hard to cross. I think we can make them stronger now that we know about them. Actually, I believe you are the one who can make them stronger. Clearly you have many powers. As for who is responsible, this is a very good question. All the Dwellers that come to this place, beyond the falls, are here to learn and to teach. They keep the evil from getting to the outside world. It seems to me that only someone that would like the evil to get through the boundaries would do this. Some of our Dwellers keep guard for new evil. Others are to keep track of the old ones that have always been here. They always find a way in, eventually. It’s possible to penetrate and cause chaos of some kind if this happens.

  It would be hard to determine who could be responsible; the gain could be astronomical if one is dealing with an evil one. Everyone should be suspect. Evil will also use others that don’t even know they are being used. Right now, I will rule you and myself out. Unless you believe it could be me.” He smiled at me and it reached his sparkling silver eyes. Between that and his perfect lips I was unable to resist any longer. I reached up and pulled his head down to mine and kissed him right on the mouth, just a quick peck. I don’t know who was more surprised, him or me. Then I said with a smile of my own. Nope, it’s not you! I have special powers that allow me to feel this Evil and you are not it!” I felt my face grow hot until I thought I might burst into flames.

  “Special powers, you say? Well I have some exceptional powers of my own!” He gathered me up in his strong arms. Then he kissed me long and deeply. I was completely liquefied. Every inch of my body and soul screamed out for more. He let me go and gazed into my eyes. I noticed his were golden again when a few seconds ago they had been silver. The smile that he released made me tingle all over. “There is absolutely no evil in you. You are pure all the way through to your soul.” I felt myself swaying on my feet. He didn’t seem to notice and he continued on. “This is a good thing. Do not ever be embarrassed with me. You are inexperienced in love. This is the way it should be until you are ready. I think I can help with this, in time.” He gave me a wonderful wink. Seriously, I didn’t think I could take much more; my body was already quivering. I was just trying to stand on my own two feet and get some control over myself. I tried thinking of an icy cold river. That did the trick and I could think clearly again. “Okay, now that we have established we are not the evil ones, how do we figure out who is? We can’t very well go around kissing everybody.” We both snickered at this. Then he took a stray curl that was blowing around and tucked it behind my ear.

  “No, people might get suspicious if we started kissing everyone we came in contact with. I don’t think it would be as enjoyable, for me anyway.” Me either, I thought to myself. I decided we needed a subject change. We didn’t want to do something we might regret later. I spoke quickly then to keep the conversation moving.

  “Then, I think I have an idea. You are the best bet we have here in the village. You know everyone already. You can speak with each person as if you are just visiting. They won’t think you are interrogating them, Right?” I wasn’t sure of th
is part of the plan since I really hadn’t seen him communicating much with anyone. I didn’t know if he was a friendly member of this clan, liked or disliked. “Yes, I believe that I can handle this assignment. What are you going to do while I am eating and getting fat for the next few days, My Queen? I mean Oria.”

  We both smiled at his not so subtle of a slip. “What do you mean; you will be eating and getting fat? I thought you would be getting information for us.”

  He thought on this before he replied chuckling.

  “In the village when you visit with others, especially the elders, it is polite to accept food while visiting them. It is how most socialize here. With a few hundred people feeding me I may eat so much that you will not find me as attractive as you do now.”

  Now it was my turn to joke.

  “I see, and what makes you think I find you so attractive?” I could hardly contain the flirting I felt like doing. Especially how I felt when that slow smile started crossing his handsome copper face. I knew it was just for me.

  “You have many special talents Oria, but you need more practice at hiding your feelings. They are written on your face for the world to see. You do find me to your liking. I find you to my liking also.”

  Egotistical much, I thought, but what came out of my mouth was, “Well of course you are to my liking, I mean yes, and you are attractive. You already know that now don’t you? Umm, I will have to work on my facial expressions. I can’t be going around wearing my heart on my sleeve for all to see, now can I? ” “Oh, I do not mind so much.” He caressed my cheek until his fingers were following the curve of my lips. I wondered if the tension was always going to be so high around him. “What will be your job though? I believe if you speak with grandfather, he is working on something that you will be very helpful with. He has much knowledge on your gifts and how to safely coax them out of sleeping.” “Yes, I need to go see him so we can get started right away. Let’s keep each other informed just in case there is any progress okay? I’ll find you later on if that’s okay with you.” Then I took off down the trail to find grandfather.

  “I look forward to it Oria,” he yelled after me.

  I could feel Grey Wolf watching me all the way down the trail. I never looked back. I wondered later if I should have. Then I thought no, it is too soon for us to do what I knew was inevitable. I wondered if he had felt all that I had. I know he must have. At one point I thought I could see his soul, before the wall was up again. It was blindingly bright though. I couldn’t see anything else. I had never even had a boyfriend little own one that thought we were destined to be together forever. I hope I’m not just in for heartbreak. I don’t know if I could take a shattered heart.

  Chapter 17

  I found grandfather in his lodge making a venison stew that smelled wonderful. After all the hiking this morning I was famished. Grandfather said to sit down and we would talk while we ate.

  We discussed the water. The wards and how he thought I could help put them back in place. There was much danger. We also talked of how to undo what damage had already been done to some shapeshifters.

  We decided to work on the wards first. We took a walk to the foot of Bridalveil Fall. Grandfather would show me how he put the magic in place and try to find out what I could do to help.

  We sat down on the ground away from the water.

  “I would like for you to help me open the doors so that I can become the Queen I am supposed to be grandfather. A Queen without powers can’t be very helpful to anyone. Can you help me?”

  “Of course I can help you my dear. It is time you open your mind to every possible gift you may have. The rest will just flow through you.

  First you need to close your eyes for a moment and take some deep relaxing breaths. Now imagine that you feel and see a white light surrounding you. Imagine it filling you with a sense of peace and happiness. Now open your eyes.”

  Then grandfather took a stick and drew a square in the dirt. Next, he told me to imagine it is a doorway. That it’s opening up. Then try to step through it.

  “Now then, stay relaxed and feel happy and uplifted. Imagine your mind stepping through that doorway and into a sunny garden. This garden is enchanted with all sorts of magic. I want you to say the words. To the left and right of me, above and below me, I awaken the spirit of nature and magic within me.”

  I repeated the words with grandfather as I walked through the door. I wondered around in the enchanted garden for quite a while. What I found there was truly breathtaking.

  The sky was an array of colors that were of the softest of shades. There were enormous mystic waterfalls that shimmered and sparkled luminously. Iridescent glitter fell from Giant Sequoias, California Black Oak and Ponderosa Pines. Dazzling flowers of Mariposa Lilies, California Poppies, Purple Foxgloves and so many more were scattered all around me. I then sat on a charming bench by a glistening pond of silver and gold. After a while a breeze picked up and gently whipped around me.

  Then I heard many tinkling sounds like a parade of chimes. I looked all around me but I couldn’t find the source of the melody. Just as suddenly the breeze and the music stopped and I could see that there were these tiny little beings with effervescent wings fluttering all around me. I could feel them sprinkling me with magic. A moment in time I would never get back and I blinked, and they were gone. I would have liked to stay here forever but knew it was time to leave. I felt hesitant at going. With one more glance I timidly whispered a thank-you and then walked back through the door to where I knew grandfather was waiting.

  I stated matter of fact, “I am a child of the Universe and so will it be.”

  I felt an inner warmth and peace within myself that I had never felt before. It was as if I had finally come home and everything made more sense. I just seemed to know what had to be done.

  I got up off the ground. I strolled over to the edge of the water and unlaced my moccasins. I took them off and waded in the water. I placed my hands along the top so that they just skimmed the surface. I closed my eyes and whirled in a gentle circle as my palms glided atop the water.

  “Blow laughing winds from North and South, from Fairy lands and East to West, I’ll be happy as I say, Send me magic this very day.”

  Then I felt a pull on the water and it started to swirl all around me. I opened my eyes and watched. The water turned from the gold with a greenish mist to a sparkling blue. Glittering Silver laced all through it now and then it calmed.

  I smiled and gave my appreciations again. I turned and walked out of the water. Grandfather stood there in his raggedy clothes with his staff and a broad smile on his old wrinkled face.

  He grabbed me up and hugged me tightly.

  “Wonderful Oria, you have taken down the old wards and replaced them with much better ones. I am very proud of you. I have never seen anyone master anything so fast.”

  I frowned as I thought what I had felt standing there in the water; the magic seemed to be directed at me in particular. I wasn’t affected by it, so I decided not to mention this to grandfather. I didn’t need him to worry over me. I wasn’t sure why someone would want to hurt me but there had been evil in it.

  The danger was gone now. I recovered a smile for the old man and said.

  “It is done, but I would like to go lay down if you don’t mind, I feel very exhausted.”

  “Yes, of course my dear, you will get used to it and then the magic will be like second nature. You will not tire so easy. Also you will not have to use so many chants. Unless it is a very powerful force you are working against. Come along we will walk back together.”

  I gathered up my moccasins and slid into them. Grandfather waited while I laced them up. I took the arm he offered and we walked back to the village in silence.

  I was thinking all the way there about the magical garden and how peaceful it had been there. I hoped one day I could go back. Then I thought about the chants and spells, they were kind of silly and I felt silly saying them. Soon I wouldn’t have to
, that was encouraging.

  Chapter 18

  I didn’t wake up until late the next morning. I left my hut to find the village bustling with early morning activity.

  “Ah, so you’re finally awake. Aponi glanced up at me as I approached her. She was coming out of a circle of women; I thought you would never wake up. Everyone has been waiting for you. I am supposed to bring you to the warriors lodge. Did you sleep well?”

  “Oh yes I did, thank you, what’s going on Aponi? I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”

  “Oh, it’s alright. I am just impatient. We’re all just so excited and we need to get to the lodge now.”

  We walked to the lodge. The women that Aponi had been talking to were following right along with us. There was chattering around us about the magic wards being restored. Everyone in the village was safe again and that thanks to me the new evil is contained. A few women even touched me on the arm and said thank you. We entered the lodge and it was filled with lots of people and all kinds of food. “This is a celebration just for you. We will eat and get to spend the day however we want while grandfather examines those of us who have been in the water. Let’s get a platter of food and find a place to go and sit.”

  We got our breakfast that was a selection of fruits and meats, eggs, hot cakes, coffee, and juices. I always find it amazing that all this good food is here. This is one of the other elders gift. One of his jobs is to supply food for the village. I was so grateful too, because honestly I was starved. While we ate I asked Aponi if she had seen Grey Wolf. “I believe he filled a couple of platters of food and left as we were coming in. I hear he has been visiting many people of the village. Today already, he had visited many women; they all want to be next. I think they are all hoping he will take a woman soon. It is funny to watch them all squirm. Because they do not know yet what we know.” She said this last sentence in a conspirator’s voice and winked at me.