Flute And Fire

by Jill Wilder

Keo stood in the doorway of the Sanctuary. He was clothed in his Ceremonials, minus the Roach from his head. His hair was slightly tossed from the removal of the head piece.

  The Sanctuary was a place aboard the Solar Star Base that a person could go for meditation, or simply to be alone with the Spirits or to pray. It was a simple room with very little lighting. A wooden box sat in the corner full of candles made from bees’ wax. The burning of a vigil candle became a common practice on the Base for aiding a love one during their Crossing Over or Healing.

  Sitting in the middle of the room upon the floor, was the Captain of the Solar Star Base. His back was to Keo. A trail of smoke lifted up above his head from the candle he was now burning along with the smoldering sage bundle that lay in the abolone shell next to his folded knees.

  The Captain’s lifted up his head, feeling Keo’s presence in the room. “Keo?”, the Captain asked, “Why are you dressed in your Regalia?”

  Keo’s eyebrows raised as he noted the fine qualities of his most favorite students from years past. He even knew what Keo had on without even turning his eyes towards the door. Taking in a long breath, Keo answered, “Because, my friend, today is the beginning of the Prophecy. It is also the beginning of our preparation and for deciding the choice we all must make.” Keo held his position at the door. “I have come to tell you your council awaits your arrival.”

  As the Captain lowered his head back to the burning candle and sage, he replied, “I know without even going into the council that I will never see my son again. My heart weighs very heavy. Tell me Keo, when will my spirit be lifted again?”

  Keo understood this man’s pain well and finally entered the room and knelt down by the Captain. Keo too, fixed his eyes upon the burning candle and gently spoke, “My dear Captain, you will be at rest the day we all rest. We will talk more of this when the council is over, but for now your People await you.”

  With their eyes leaving the flame and looking at each other, the Captain spoke, “I am very thankful you have been by me side all this time Keo.” Together they rose, left the Sanctuary and headed for the council room.

  Once the Captain entered the council room and took his place completing the circle of People, the council began. Already the room was smelling of burning cedar, clearing the mind to think proper. Everyone in the room could sense a presence never felt before. A light breeze began to stir and the chill was creeping up every spine in the circle.

  Keo, feeling the uneasiness of everyone around, spoke up first, “It is all right, my Grandchildren. It is only the Spirits of the Ancient Ones. They have come to witness our council.” Keo looked straight at Shell, while speaking the last few words. She tore her stare away from Stone only to lock eyes with Keo‘s. She knew from that moment on, what her destination was to be. The air around the circle began to settle.

  The Captain opened the council, “I have suffered a great lost once in my lifetime, and now it seems I must suffer once more.” He paused as he gazed at everyone in the circle. “You are my People, my extended family. I must bury this pain that has happened to me and direct my focus on you...the People.

  Keo generally sat next to The Captain, but this time choose to sit where he could see the mural painted wall and fixed his stare upon it. After noting where Keo settled, the Captain began again, “I have a feeling that my son Keith, is never to return to this Solar Star Base. My only goal and focus from this day forward is to complete our mission that our Grandfathers and Grandmothers set forth for us to do. It is time to begin the last stage of preparation. Soon humans will once again walk on sweet Mother Earth.

  Across the circle, Stone closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He was relieved not to be the first to speak of Keith. His heart was too heavy for that. Now, his priorities too, have changed, but he could not put out of his mind what he saw. And still, there was the song. He wondered what Spirit planted it in his head and why.

  “I suggest”, the Captain said, “that the council listens to the reports from the two returning Birds, then we will council again in the morning.” The Captain purposely made eye contact with everyone in the circle, until he met Stone’s closed eyes. The Captain calmly spoke, “Stone, you did the best you could do. I know Keith was a close friend and maybe it is his Spirit that is with us at this hour. Be strong and give forth your report.”

  Stone popped open his eyes and quickly replied, “Yes.” Stone took one big breath in and then slowly out before he continued. “Either there was a malfunction in my detectors or the enemy has a new shield for their fighters. Nothing showed up on the image screen. But from the corner of my eye I saw it fire the fatal shot. Keith had only 45 seconds to stop his spin and eject. I never saw the Bird stop spinning, until it was a fire ball in the side of the Mountain.” One tear fell from Stone’s eye as he turned his gaze to the mural on the wall.

  The Captain sat silently for a long moment. He then raised his eyes to met with Shell’s. “Shell, you have always been of strong mind and spirit. I always found you capable of going the distance. With your sharpness I am sure you have a report to share. If you please.”

  Shell always had a firm and confident sound in her voice and this time was no exception. “I too, did not have any signs of the opposition’s presence, but I saw something that Stone did not see.”

  Stone quickly moved his eyes from the wall to Shell. With great interest, he listened.

  Shell continued, “I did see Keith’s Bird Stop spinning just before it hit the hill. I know the chance is slim, but I thought I saw something shoot out and fall to the ground at the time the spinning stopped. I want to hope there is a chance that he is alive. I would like us not to wait until tomorrow to council again but instead, let us refuel and go on a search party.”

  The Captain knew Shell was always sharp minded but all she would be most affected by Keith’s death. They were companions, mated for life, but it did greatly lift his spirits to think there was hope that Keith may still be alive. Besides, Shell seems to have this way about her. Very strong woman.

  “Keo?”, the Captain asked. “Do you wish to guide us in our decision? I do not want us to be chasing any false hopes.”

  “Captain”, Keo replied as his eyes left the mural to focus on those in the circle, “This matter at hand should be treated as any other in the traditional way. None of us here should seek answers from the other, but seek from within. Keep with the Way and bring out the sacred feather to discuss what lays on your heart and the rocks for the vote.”

  “So be it.” said the Captain.

  Keo brought forth to the Captain a wooden cedar box. Inside were two compartments. One holding a set of smooth stones, painted white on one side. The other holding a white Eagle Feather with beadwork and leather at the bottom of the quill. The feather was gently and respectfully handled by the Captain. “I hold this Great feather and will begin its journey around this circle. Speak what may be on your heart when you hold this feather or pass it on.” To the Captain’s left, the Eagle Feather began its journey.

  Around the circle sat a few Elders and some of the best fighters and strategist on the Solar Star Base. An Elder went first, “I speak from my heart...Keith is a brother, a grandchild. I love him as my own. I find everyone’s life precious. I believe if the feeling is strong among us, then we need to honor him by trying.”

  As the Feather floated around the room from hand to hand, the voices sang the same tune. “Honor him, make an effort out of respect and faith”. The Feather ended is journey in the Captains hand once more. “I am deeply moved”, was all the Captain could choked out. After a few moments went by in silence, the Captain spoke again, but in much stronger voice. “These rocks will cast our votes, please take one and pass the box around.”

  “The matter at hand is do we search for Keith and risk the chance of losing more good fighters? Let the vote begin.”

  Laying of the stones in the cent
er of the circle, began to the left of the Captain. One by one each member laid his rock according to his vote. When it reached the Captain’s turn, all the rocks before him were turned up white. The Captain calmly laid his stone down as white, then reached up to his cheek to catch the tear. “In the very least, we will honor him with an attempt to recover his body for the proper “crossing over”, ended the Captain. After a pause, he continued, “Now about the search party...”

  Quickly Stone spoke, “Captain sir, Shell and I already know this valley well. It has been all three of our studies this last season. We know where he crashed...”, Stone’s eyes glimpse for a few seconds at the mural. “We can do this with back up on the way in.”

  “Please Captain,” broke in Shell, “I know our emotions are spent, but what we are feeling is coming from within. Yes it is personal and yet it is for the People. Stone and I have great ties to Keith, but we also have great ties with our People. Keith’s fate must be confirmed before we can put this to rest. We would consider it a great privilege to return for any one of our People.

  Captain gently picked up the Feather once more and spoke, “Is there any one here who feels Stone and Shell should not go? Please take the Feather and say your piece.” He held the Feather out and panned it around the circle allowing everyone to take the opportunity, but all were silent. The Captain raised both hands and again spoke, “That is the end of the council.”, he passed the Feather to Keo to put away and rose quickly to head back to the sanctuary.

  Everyone silently filed out of the room. Shell was the last to come out. Stone stood in the corridor waiting for her.

  Shell stopped in front of Stone and whispered, “Stone, I don’t know if Keith is alive, I did not see the bird stop its spin. I had my eyes closed. However, I feel he is alive. I can‘t explain it right now, but trust me on this.” Shell took one of Stone’s hands and held it as she pleaded, “Please Stone, trust me.”

  “You lied to the Captain!?”, Stone whispered back. “You did this for a personal thing after all. And to involve me! Well, little Bird, you have better be ready in an hour for our suicide flight. You know those fighters are still out there.” Quickly Stone turned and walked away.

  Shell slumped her shoulders as she realized that her friend had no faith in her. She walked the opposite direction as she mumbled under breath, “Good-bye Stone, see ya in an hour.”