Dwellers of Ahwahnee (The Beyond Collection)

by Sheryl Seal

  “You will not whine like a spoiled girl Oria.” She snapped in a commanding voice, and it sent a shock to my system, but then she caught herself and softened her tone toward me. Not before my eyes had searched the room to find that everyone was just as shocked as I was.

  “I am sorry my child, I did not mean to be so harsh with you. This is something that I need to do for me. Do not worry yourself any. We will come and go and there will be plenty of time for us to spend together and get to know one another. I can appear in and out in a blink of an eye and will be here whenever you need me to be. Now give us that bright smile of yours and let me rest for a bit.”

  I thought I needed her here now, but was not about to speak my mind. I wouldn’t want to seem spoiled or anything. I didn’t get the impression that she liked me very much. Oh yeah, she said all the right words and acted nicely towards me, except her “spoiled” remark, but it all just seemed to lay there flatly. I smiled hesitantly at her, and feeling dismissed like a disobedient child, I turned around and left the lodge. I ran through the village and found myself at the foot of Bridalveil Fall.

  I sat down and thought how so much of this was bothering me. The first thing I found hard to ignore was the shifting I had seen in her face. This scared me. Whenever I have seen this without anyone else witnessing it, let’s just say that no good ever came of it.

  The first time I witnessed this behavior in anyone, there was a bad magic in the water at these very falls with my friends. The next time was in Yori, the Ale. That was definitely bad news. This time however, it was my own mother. What could it mean? I was afraid I knew the answer to this and I didn’t like it one bit.

  I knew that I had to go with my instincts. There was a time when I didn’t listen to them and it was almost too late to stop whatever was in motion. I didn’t want to let things get that far this time. My own mother though? What could possibly be happening? Could I be wrong?

  Maybe it was just all that had happened with her. Maybe her body was getting back to normal and still recovering after so many years being dormant. Why then, was I questioning my own mother’s motives at leaving me so soon? I needed to focus. My intuition is all that I have to go on. This is where I will begin. After all, grandmother would say to me, ‘Oria, more people would learn from their mistakes, if they weren’t so busy denying them.’

  I was so wrapped up in my thoughts; I was startled when father sat down beside me.

  Fire Cloud

  Sitting beside my exquisite wife and listening to her conversation with our gorgeous daughter, I was torn in half with Titania’s decision that would once again separate our family. I really wanted to stay here in the village and learn all there was to learn about our daughter.

  Titania has always been strong and outspoken but usually always made the right choices. This was one decision I was not so sure about though. I owed her my life and it was after all, my fault that we were taken away from our daughter that fateful day in the cave. I had been the one that had taken the stone off the shelf that took us to the other world.

  I left in search of my daughter so that my wife could rest and found her at Bridalveil Fall. She seemed very sad and in deep thought. I believed that she was owed an explanation of her mother’s decisions.

  “Do you have a minute to spare for your father, my beautiful daughter?”

  “Yes father I would like that.”

  “I have a story that it is time you hear. It is about the day we fought the Ale and were taken away to the Village of the lost souls.” I sat down beside Oria and began the story of what happened that fateful day that would forever change all of our lives. “Let me begin by saying that your mother did not mean to be harsh with you. She has always loved you and only wants what is best. Considering this, it was you we were both protecting the day the Ale came. You were here in the village for a celebration. We were here to introduce you to your grandmother and the other Dwellers, when the battle began. Everything became chaotic very quickly and we tried to take the fight away from the village. We surrounded the Ale as we shifted into our dragons and fought our way out to the ridge. We drove the Ale to the mountain where the caves are. The fight was long and punishing, and we all were exhausted by the end of the battle. The Ale are very powerful, something you know all too well. Anyway, the Ale had me cornered and as I fought to protect myself against her wrath, I exhaled a fiery storm of arrows at her. I didn’t see Titania who was right behind the Ale. It was too late to stop what was already in motion. The Ale was able to dodge the fire but your mother was caught directly by the flames and went down. As I watched my own weapon hurt the woman I loved, I had no other thought but getting her to the cave and giving her the time she needed to heal.”

  I turned and watched my daughter as she listened to the words that I related to her, as she looked out over the water. I could see her pain and I could tell what a loving and forgiving heart she had for me. She turned and gave me a hug and let me know that I was not to blame. It of course, did not lessen the guilt that I had about this, or the guilt that I had felt for many years. I let her go and told her there was more she needed to hear. “In this cave there were many symbols on the wall. I should have taken the time to read them but there was also a brilliant glowing red stone on a shelf. Without thinking about it, I picked the glowing stone up and it warmed in my hand. I thought that perhaps it was a healing stone. There are many magical things that happen in this Ahwahnee and I was so grief-stricken, that I just assumed it had appeared there to heal her. Lifting up my wife’s hand, I was about to place the stone over her when we were transported to the village. I never knew what became of the Ale and only had knowledge of certain things that the chief would divulge. I knew the village survived and that you lived. I believed from that time on, the rest of the Dwellers had killed the Ale, or sent her back to her own realm. There was not much more information to go on. You know the rest of the story from there. So you see my daughter, it really is my entire fault that this has happened, to your mother, and to our family.”

  Finished with my story, Oria did and said the unexpected. She hugged me again and releasing me she said in her young wise years. “I love you father, and this was not your fault. All things happen as The Great Spirit intends it to happen. You know what grandmother would say?”

  I smiled at her and let her impart some of the wisdom I knew she had learned from her grandmother. “You have to master the past in the present, or your past will master your future.”

  I joined in with the rest of the quote that I remembered the old woman had once told to me. “The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past.” We snickered as we finished the sentence together.

  “Yes your grandmother is very wise and all knowing. It would appear that you have listened and learned her lessons well.”

  “Then you must forgive yourself father, you cannot live in the past. I’m sure mother does not blame you. I certainly do not. I have fought with the Ale, they are evil and crafty. You could not have prevented what happened with mother.”

  I wasn’t so sure of this, and she has acted very strange since she woke up. It is like she doesn’t care for me much at all, or her own daughter for that matter. She hasn’t been impolite exactly, but it is like my touch bothers her greatly, and she is very short with Oria. Maybe we do need to go home and let her heal.

  “She doesn’t blame you, right father?”

  I could hear the concern in her voice and I had wandered in my thoughts so she read my mind like her mother used to do.

  “I don’t believe she does, no I’m sure it’s just that she has lost so much time. Many years have passed since the day that changed all of our lives. We have all lost a lot of time together. Maybe your mother is right; we need time to acclimate ourselves before we start right in being Dwellers of Ahwahnee again. You and the other Dwellers seem to have everything under control. You are doing an extraordinary job Oria. I am very proud of you and the woman you have become. We both want you to continue wi
th being the Golden Queen.”

  “I thank you father for the compliments. I guess I was just hoping that you and mother would be around more, now that we have just met again and all. If it will help my mother with her recovery I will do as you ask. Are you both sure she is ready to do this though?”

  What a fine young lady. I hoped this was the right decision her mother was making. It just didn’t feel right to me, and I have a nagging feeling that something is not quite right but she was correct about one thing, we could come back and forth as often as we pleased. “She seems to believe she is ready and she appears healed, there really is no reason to wait, I suppose.”

  “When will you leave?”

  I think she felt the same way I did; both our hearts were breaking, to find each other only to be pulled apart so soon was almost too cruel. “I believe tomorrow morning is when she would like to go. We will go with grandmother to your home in the world of man. Monterey is it?”

  “Yes father, do you really have to go so soon? You’re sure I cannot come home with you both for just a little while? I could help you get settled.”

  I knew this would be painful for her and for me but it would be better this way. She was needed here and the village had been without a Golden Queen for a long time before she came here. “The other Dwellers need you here, you know that Oria. We will be fine and your grandmother will be there with us, hey, isn’t there a wedding coming up with your best friend?”

  “Yes, Aponi and Red Thunder, I guess she would never forgive me if I weren’t here.”

  “See, you will be very busy and we will be back before you know it. Speaking of your friends, I like your young man Grey Wolf. He seems to be a very fine man. I know of his parents.”

  We both laughed at this, because who didn’t know of them, they were actual legends. He was the son of the famous warrior Tutokanula and the Goddess Tisayac. Together Oria and Grey Wolf would be a good fit. No man would ever be good enough for my daughter but it was hard to complain when her boyfriend was the son of Gods.

  “Yes, he is quite wonderful. We are getting to know each other still. I wasn’t certain about him at first because well, let’s just say there was a lot of obstacles in our path that we had to overcome. So we are taking it slowly and enjoying each day that The Great Spirit has given us.”

  “You are wise beyond your years my daughter. Enjoy every day you are given, you just never know what tomorrow holds. Before you know it, many years have gone by. Anyway I need to get back and your young friend Aponi is strolling this way. Remember my dear, life gives us time, only love gives us meaning. I will talk with you later.”

  I kissed Oria on the forehead and had felt a wrench in my heart at having to part from her. I left her there waiting for her friend, who I passed on the path.

  I knew there was really nothing that would make her feel better about the situation but the truth was nothing would make either one of us feel better. Torn between leaving my daughter once again and having my wife back among the living, I walked back to the village with a heavy heart.

  Oria

  I sat there in front of Bridalveil Fall waiting for Aponi to approach me. This whole thing with my mother and father had me depressed, but more than that, I just felt like something was not quite right with my mother. That’s just crazy though. I don’t really even know my mother. I did know that even father feels things are not right with her. I think he’s afraid to find the truth since he just got her back.

  Aponi sat down beside me and nudging me with her arm asked me what was wrong.

  “Who said anything was wrong?”

  “Have I not told you before, how perceptive I am? Besides not only can I see it, I can feel it radiating off you a mile away. Another fact you should be aware of, look at the sky. The weather is turning to match your mood, and it seems to be moving in at an alarming rate.”

  I looked up at the sky and she was right, there was weather moving in. I had been wrapped up in my thoughts and hadn’t even noticed the change in the temperature as it dropped to a chilly degree. I was fairly certain it wasn’t me though, so I controlled myself to make sure.

  The weather just kept coming and now it was starting to sprinkle a bit. Looking at Aponi, I replied alarmingly. “This isn’t me Aponi; someone else has to be doing this. Besides, at the rate this storm is moving in, I would have to be in one bad mood. This is the work of someone else.”

  “You’re sure Oria?”

  I looked at her and gave her the eye roll, of course I was sure. “Yes, we better go back to the village and see if grandfather knows what is going on.”

  “Great and now just look at my hair.”

  I had to laugh at her; she looked so funny with her neon green hair dripping all over her face, and her dark eyes were dripping mascara everywhere.

  “Stop laughing Oria, this is so not funny!”

  “Oh, but it really is. What were you going for anyway, a gothic look?” I couldn’t control myself now and I laughed even harder. “Because if you were, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but you look like a raccoon that fell into a bucket of green paint.”

  Looking at me totally horrified she snapped. “Come on, we have to get back to my lodge before anyone sees me.”

  The rain was coming in a torrent now and we were running for her lodge when the first thunder rumbled and made us run faster. We barely made it there, when lightning streaked across the sky illuminating the entire village.

  “Wow Aponi that was too close and see? It isn’t me. I was too busy laughing at you and the storm just continued to intensify.”

  “Yeah, well we all know there are never storms here unless it is something evil, or a Queen who hasn’t learned to control her emotions yet.”

  I hadn’t thought of it that way, yeah a light bulb blinding me just clicked on. “I have to go see my mother Aponi, something is wrong.”

  “You want me to come with?”

  “No you better stay here, and do something with your hair, will ya?”

  “Ha-ha, that’s called sarcasm my Queen; you’re getting very good at it, at my expense though.”

  Before I went out the lodge door, I asked her if she could get Grey Wolf and have him meet me at my lodge. If what I thought was happening, he could help.

  I ran through the pouring rain and now muddy village and met grandfather at the door to the lodge, and as usual grandfather knew pretty much everything before anyone else.

  “Do you know what has happened grandfather?” I was screaming through the howling wind and booming thunder, as I kept my eye on the lightning that flashed all around us.

  Grandfather motioned that we get inside, so I followed him in out of the weather. That’s about when the hail started. I thought I heard him grumbling, something about cultivating his orchard, Golden Queens tempers, and the weather. It was all lost on the wind but I heard it in my mind.

  The storm outside wasn’t the only storm that was raging out of control. There was one going on in the back of the lodge. My mother was throwing things and yelling at my father and my grandmother. I could hear her words as she tossed them vehemently at them both. Feeling anxiety building in me, I listened as grandmother and father tried to calm her down. She would not be appeased though. I stood there with grandfather and many questions were going through my mind, and then I heard his words strong over my own thoughts. “Wait a minute my Queen, this would be a dangerous time for you to enter where your mother is.”

  “But maybe I can help grandfather.”

  “No my dear, this is a fight you cannot win right now.”

  “I don’t understand, what is going on?”

  Then I heard as mother exploded again. “I want to go home to Monterey now, Fire Cloud!”

  I heard grandmother trying to console my mother but she was not having it. Father had thrown in his thoughts as well. “I just thought you might like to visit with your daughter one more day Titania.”

  “No, I want to go now!”

  “Why
do we have to go to Monterey this minute, what is the rush my daughter?” Grandmother questioned.

  So, my grandmother had tried to talk my mother into one more day of staying in the village and father thought it would also be a good idea. Clearly she didn’t want to stay even one more day. This just doesn’t sound like the soft spoken woman everyone has talked about so lovingly, she was raging.

  Just then Grey Wolf entered and I sent him one of those pleading looks he is so good at giving me. I needed help and hoped he had some answers on what we could do.

  “What should we do for her? She has lost all control.”

  “I know my heart, I will go in and with your father’s help, and we will calm her down. When you hear that all is calmer, come back, I have a plan that will help until we figure the rest out.”

  ‘Are you sure Grey Wolf? Maybe I should go in there and help calm her.”

  “I am sorry my love, but I do not believe that you can help just yet. You may be her problem. I can tell by the look on your face that you find this hard to believe, but trust me in this. I do not ever want to hurt you my heart. It will be better if you wait until I have her calm.”

  I’m sure the look he saw on my face was one of astonishment. Why in all of the worlds, would she be upset about me? What could I have done to cause such outrage? It broke my heart but I also knew that he was telling the truth and I could wait until he had her settled down. I nodded my acceptance and watched as he went to the back of the lodge and then he had to duck as a basket that grandmother had made, came sailing passed his head. He continued on and it got a little quieter as I heard him introduce himself to my mother.

  For a second she was silent but started up once more with her curses. All suddenly went silent and as the stillness grew, I got a glimpse into her mind and was terrified of what I was witnessing.

  Now all I heard was the rain and the wind beating on the lodge, but that was already diminishing. I looked over at grandfather and he nodded and hesitantly, I put my feet in motion and moved slowly forward toward the now hushed area. I was trying to read the minds of my family as I approached the back of the lodge, but all I was getting was all kinds of confusing messages. I blocked it all out and was surprised when I entered where my mother was; she was now lying peacefully on the bed.