by Sheryl Seal
The room echoed with his laughter and he jumped around as he laughed like a mad man, though he was no man. He was a creature with high intellect and knew what he wanted. I already had discovered this and now my wife would.
She was assuming she could talk her way out of that cage but he was not in fear of his life. He had the upper hand at the moment and knew it. There was no way we could escape his clutches. She should be the one who was afraid.
I admired her courage and knew she was not a stupid woman but did not understand in my haze what she was up too. I guess she was stalling but if she went too far… It could also be the end of her.
I did not see it coming and I had not witnessed this before but with my wife’s next words, the Demon Goblin transformed right before our eyes. “Show yourself you coward!” She screamed at his face.
I did not understand how it was that she could focus on him when I could not but she seemed to see through him. He was somewhat of a man, or appeared to be. This must have been why he morphed in and out all the time. He was still a beast of a man, so I think maybe this is what he wanted her to see.
“Is that better my dear?” He asked as he sat down across from the cage out of her reach. I was still weak but feeling a bit stronger as I watched and listened to this conversation taking place as if I were not even in the room.
“Yes, now what are your terms for our release?” She asked him sweet as you please. My wife could really turn it on when she wanted her way.
“Terms, there are no terms because there will be no release. I have brought you here to take the essence of the Ale that you carry within you both. You are the one I need mostly Golden Queen of the Ahwahneechee. You see if I have all of the Ale essence that you carry within you than I can become whatever I want and I can rule the world. Making slaves of all and have my bidding done for me. No one will be able to say that I am not the ruler, a king, or even a God.” He laughed like all mad men do when they have power to abuse.
To my astonishment, my wife laughed with him. I stared in horrified fascination at them. They laughed with each other for a minute before he stopped and looked at her quizzically.
She was still laughing and then cleared her throat and said. “Good plan…not! You are delusional if you think that you will get anything from me. I will not give you the essence of the Ale or anything else. We will be leaving here soon, and like I said before, let us go now, crawl back into your hole and I will let you live out your miserable life.” The smile she gave him lit up the dark tunnel; he was mesmerized for a second but recovered quickly.
He stood up quickly and pointed his finger at her where she fell quickly to the ground and started twitching like she was having a seizure. He then dropped his finger and stared at her amused. I yelled and tried to shake myself free of my restraints. “Come here you coward, I have what you need, take all of the essence you want from me, leave her be!”
He never even turned my way, just swung his arm in my direction and pointed that finger. Then I was seizing in my restraints. When he stopped the magic that he used, I went limp and his voice was strong but not angered. “I am the one in control here, you have no powers. I will take what I want when I want and you two will be no more.”
I raised my head back up from my chest where it had fallen and watched and listened to his words. Oria was getting to her feet and came near the bars of the glowing cage where she carefully grabbed one in each hand and held tightly.
I was not sure what the green glowing metal was made of and it looked painful but she held on and did not let go. She spat at him and I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head back and forth. I knew she could not be stopped and it would probably be the death of us. “You have done enough harm to Grey Wolf; he is no longer any use to you so let him go and I will give you what you want with no interference.”
My eyes snapped open in horror as I heard her declaration. “No, I will not leave here without you!”
She shook her head and ignored me. “Do not listen to him, he is near death, let him go home to the tribe where he can live out his life.” She pleaded my case.
“No!” This was all I could say as I was shocked again by his magic that silenced my words. I listened as I hung there unable to speak this time.
“This is a fair trade since I already have taken what I need from him.” He cackled and said, “I accept these terms and you will promise to let me have the essence.”
She nodded towards him. “Done, now let him go home.”
“I am not that dumb my dear, you will give me the essence first and then I will let him go.”
“No, how would I know that he made it to safety? I will be dead.”
There was more laughter from him as he replied. “I do not need to kill you for the essence, you will live. I will have all the power and you will have no way to protect your tribe. Then they will do whatever I need of them. I know that you are the last of the Golden Queens and the only thing that stands between me and the world I will rule.”
Then he started to morph in and out and finally was this big ugly stinking Demon Goblin again. Howling in pain and covering his ears he vanished as I now heard the mournful wailing of the Fylia.
She appeared in front of Oria’s cage and quieted to a tone we could actually tolerate. She smiled over at me with her angelic face but spoke with Oria. “I am Asparas and I am your Fylia, I cannot stay long down here but I have a message from your son. I let him know that the Demon Goblin has sent his other goblins to the village to destroy and take captives. He has now moved everyone back to the Village of Lost Souls and the wards have been reinforced all around so the Demon Goblins cannot enter. They are safe for the time being and are coming soon.”
Oria smiled sadly at Asparas. “Thank you for protecting my family Asparas, if I might ask why can’t you help free us from here?”
“I am only a guardian for you my Queen; I can counsel, help relieve the pain, warn of danger to your family and friends and help you to cross into the spirit world. I am sorry, but the last is mostly what I am called upon to do. Not encouraging for the future I’m afraid, is it?”
“We all have our roles in The Great Spirit’s plan. I am not frightened of death Asparas. I will be happy to have you walk with me to the land of the West. I would just prefer that my husband go back to our village. I know he will not leave me here though, Hoka-hey…”
Matoskah, my true brother and friend shouted this once when fighting and it had become a battle cry all the Dwellers used before we went to war.
My wife was correct so I yell to The Great Spirit on this day because I would die a proud man. “Hoka-hey!”
Then I listened as my heart and soul repeated the vow once more. Hoka-hey my love! It is a good day to die!”
O' GREAT SPIRIT
Help me always
To speak the truth quietly,
To listen with an open mind
When others speak,
And to remember the peace
That may be found in silence.
Cherokee Prayer
Chapter 18
~Spirit Walker~
“I knew Aponi would not wait in giving this journal to you and I knew you would read it without waiting. I am right aren’t I? You two are so very predictable.”
I slammed the book shut as a smile spread across my face, even though I was saddened and worried about my parents, my mother always knew the way of things to come. Where I could walk in others dreams, my mother always had dreams or premonitions while she slept. I wondered if I should read on. I had already witnessed where my parents were and knew this journal was probably full of mother’s memories or thoughts of the future. A passage that may help was what forced me to take another look. Hesitantly I opened the journal again and began to read.
So you have decided to read on, just as I knew you would. I am smiling as I write these words although I know the situation seems bleak at best. You probably think I have lost my mind to be so indifferent under the circumstances; I a
ssure you this is not the case. But there comes a time in one’s life, when it is no longer about the fear of the unknown or even of death itself. It is about how you have lived your life. I have lived a rewarding life, one full of love and achievements for my people and loved ones.
I leave this world at the ridge where I stumbled across the entrance of Bower’s Cave. I have placed a binding spell over the door for safety so nobody else stumbles upon it. I must find your father in this world, where there may or may not be a chance, to one last time save the World of Man. It will be as The Great Spirit wills it to be. Our lives are predestined for us and as Golden Queen now, you will discover that The Great Spirit’s design is stronger than your wants. The World of Man is all that matters. It must be saved at all costs; even if that means that your father and I are not to survive.
I know you will make the right decisions and follow your head and not your heart Spirit Walker. I have mentioned before about the sacrifices one has to make in order for the World of Man to survive. You know that I have lost many loved ones and some Dwellers because of the choices I have made in the past. Only look to the future, it is the only way your soul can survive. You cannot live in the past of ‘what ifs.’ You know that some dear friends like Jim and Tim and Kierra were lost to us in the great rift. Fallyn went to live with the Gods after this and took Falling Rock with her. They have never been the same since the Ale took possession of them. At some point, you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart but not in your life.
Grandmother once offered a quote to me that may help you in life and help you overcome the truth of the tough decisions you have to make. Your life may not be going the way you planned it, but it is going exactly the way The Great Spirit planned it. Do what is right Spirit Walker, not what is easy. Another thing, characterize people by their actions, and you will never be fooled by their words! Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters in life.
Mother then started in on a story of the past and I did not see how this could be helpful in this situation. I thought I had the information I needed so I closed the book to read it again on another day.
Grandmother was walking up to me smiling and cackling like an old woman. She would have more words of advice for me, I was sure. She sat down beside me and took hold of my hand.
In a strong, clear voice, she relayed her feelings of what she felt I needed to hear at the moment. “There are things we don’t want to happen, but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go of. Yes, these are all hard lessons in a life that we have no control over. Your mother finally learned all of these lessons and one of her biggest lessons was that her past mistakes were meant to guide her, not define her. She finally came to peace with what she had no control over and the mistake with the Ale; well, no one could have known what would happen with the world. I believe The Great Spirit has a design for everything and it is all according to his plans. Your role is to be Golden Queen now, never doubt that you can change history, you already have.”
“How did you become so wise grandmother?”
Cackling again she patted my hand that she was still holding and answered, “To be old and wise my dear, you first have to be young and stupid.”
Now I laughed with her. “I doubt you or mother was ever young and stupid grandmother.”
“Do not underestimate yourself by comparing yourself with others. It’s our differences that make us unique and beautiful. So tell this old woman, what is the plan Spirit Walker?”
The plan, yes what is the plan? I wondered that myself. So I told her the plan so far that grandfather and I had discussed, ending with whom I would take with me. “I will take some Dwellers along and Brave Eagle and Fire Walker and after we rescue my parents, we will close the entrance to the world at Bower’s Cave. I will not sacrifice anyone. There is no other plan beyond that.” I said a little dramatically.
“This is a good plan Spirit Walker but remember The Great Spirit has a plan for life. The enemy has a plan for life. Be ready for both and wise enough to know the difference.” Patting my hand again and squeezing it affectionately, grandmother stood up sprightly and turned to walk away.
I smiled at her retreating back and turned back to the book, which I caressed lovingly. “I will bring you and father home mother, I promise.”
With the tribe settled into the village and the wards in place, we had Dwellers stationed on every border so the village would be safe. With the sunrise, it was time that we leave for Bower’s Cave.
Aponi and Red Thunder, White Bear and Sapata, Brave Eagle, Fire Walker and I were ready. Of course grandmother and grandfather wanted to go but I was adamant that we needed them here more than where we were going. Not that we couldn’t use them, but we had a plan and part of that plan was, that there be at least one Golden Queen in this world.
There was Tatiana my grandmother but as far as I was concerned she was with the Gods now. In another world we never knew if she and my grandfather Fire Cloud survived. I had never met them and did not know if they would or could ever return to this world. There needed to be a Golden Queen.
Oh how I wished the Gods could help us. I never have understood why they cannot interfere in our time of need, especially when it has to do with their own family.
Grandmother agreed that it made sense to leave a Queen behind in the village. She and grandfather would stay. Grandfather was sending hand-picked Dwellers with us since him and grandmother would not be going.
These would be some of the more experienced warriors that had battled the Ale. Grandfather said he and grandmother could be there in a flash of a star if needed. They would be waiting, just say the word.
“Spirit Walker, we are ready to go.”
“Yes, I am ready Red Thunder. Everyone is here now so let us go.”
We went through the cave with the wonderful red stones lighting our way. Most of the time they were deeply embedded in the cave walls without glowing, and I suspect this was grandfathers doing, although he and grandmother were forced to stay behind.
As we passed through the cave, like always I noticed the drawings on the wall that told the story of the Village of Lost Souls. I know of this story and have heard it repeated from many of the Dwellers over my lifetime.
White Bear and Sapata held hands and with his other hand, White bear lovingly touched each mark on the wall. A pivotal time in his life, as this is where he found and fell in love with Sapata.
I came to the end of the story where above a great fire, there was a beautiful red dragon hovering and a grey wolf with golden eyes gazing up at the dragon. My mother and father, and even through time itself, I could feel their love for each other.
I felt the sting of tears hit my eyes and more than anything else, I was infuriated that some Demon Goblin even felt worthy to look upon my parents little own try and kill them.
“Move out!” I shouted to cover my own fear and anxiety. We left the cave and traveled over the ridge and away from the old village. I knew where we were headed and I silently thanked my mother for leaving the answer in the journal.
The border that had opened up here was the way we would enter into the Demon Goblin’s home. Everyone looked around as I stopped. “This is the entrance.” I spoke the words to take the spell off that mother had used.
As the ward dropped, electricity circled through the air like an electrical storm and my stomach did a flip-flop. The stench that came pouring out was rancid and I think I heard several Dwellers gag as I tried to breathe through my nose.
We all backed up a couple a feet and I turned to Brave Eagle. “You know what to do Brave Eagle; we will wait for your signal.”
Smiling at me with that handsome face of his and giving me a lazy wink, he replied. “Look for the signs Wild Cat!” And he was gone. He shifted right into a puddle of water and melted into the ground before I could even blink.
Many of the Dwellers had not seen this kind of shif
ting before, and there were many ohs and awes. Aponi asked that all be quiet so we would not miss the sign that Brave Eagle sent us. She came and took my hand, squeezed it tightly and smiled rather shakily. “Do what comes to you naturally Spirit Walker, it is in your blood and this is your destiny.”
I noticed for the first time that her hair was tinted the colors of the golden eagle with feathers all through them. She really looked awesome. Mother had been right about her sister and friend Aponi; she now was healthy and had a glow about her. She looked also like a Dweller ready to defend her Queens.
We gathered in a circle and waited for what seemed like forever but could only have been a matter of minutes for Brave Eagle to appear. When he finally emerged, he came right up out of the entrance flying as a big North American, Western Mastiff Bat. Shifting as he lit on the ground he warned us they were coming. I don’t know what he had done to anger them all but they were right on his tail.
I don’t think anyone was ready for the number of Demon Goblins that poured out of the cave. There were hundreds upon hundreds, screeching and howling with the bright light that tortured their cave dwelling eyes.
Then I heard as White Bear yelled his battle cry and it echoed off the mountains. “Hoka-hey! Hoka-hey! Hoka-hey!”
With every Dweller repeating their own battle cries and shifting into their spirit animals, we descended on the beasts and a great battle had begun.
I repeated these words myself as I shifted into my mighty dragon and took to the sky. “Yes, it is a good day to die!”
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
Respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life.
