by Jill Wilder
Chapter 6
Stone paced back and forth beside his silver bird, while he waited on Shell to arrive at the docking bay. She was now an hour late for their departure. On his way to the docking bay, Stone went to Shell’s living quarters to check on her. He did not find Shell there, but he did find her journal left open to today’s entry. It was as if she wanted someone to read it. As if she knew Stone would come.
Stone respected Shell too much to pry into her private thoughts, but he was concerned over the sudden change in her behavior. At first, Stone simply rubbed his hand over the written pages, as if his fingers could absorb the message. He then quickly went back to the entrance of the quarters to see if anyone was in the corridor. It was empty. Just as quick, Stone went back to the journal laying on the table by the round viewing window that gave glimpses of the star studded space.
Stone’s eyes grew big as he read the first passage...
DATE 9th Moon, 4th Day
The Great Spirit has spoken to me several times in the last few days. I still find it hard to believe the destiny of my life. And I do wish I could tell Stone, for now I really need a good friend to give me strength. A verse came to me earlier in the form of a song. These are the words: Two souls shall inhabit the earth, one carrying the gift of the wind, the other carrying the great birth. Here again, will begin the sweet Earth.
Stone was shocked to see those words written on paper. He then knew it was Spirits who spoke to him earlier - those same words. A chill ran up his spine as he closed her journal and tucked it away on a small shelf. He could not read anymore.
Back at the silver bird, Stone shivered as he remembered the incident with the journal. Still pacing, he stopped only momentarily to received a note from a messenger.
“Stone?”, called out the young boy, “I have a note for you from Keo”. He handed the note to Stone and quickly turned and left.
Stone mumbled to himself, “The mission has probably been called off”. Stone was unusually nervous as he opened the note. The message was as follows;
Stone,
You must practice patience. Shell will arrive soon. I needed to council her before this mission. Prepare to travel together in one bird. Shell will tell you more when she arrives.
Faithfully, Keo
Reading the note again, Stone hoped to find a hidden message. None could be found. Suddenly, he wadded the note into a ball and with all his frustrations that was building, he threw it into the cockpit of the silver bird.
Needing to be alone and regain his composure and meditate upon his inner thoughts, Stone chose to visit his favorite place - the Natural Reservatory. This special place was as close to a re-creation of the beauty found on Earth. It was the largest room on the Solar Star Base. Sitting on the top of the ship, with a great dome of a sky, this place gave breath to plants, trees, birds, and other wild creatures as instructed by the Creator, Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery.
There was a loft that circled the entire dome area. Here, was where many people came to be in solitude. Stone walked around the loft until he found a spot that suited his soul. He promptly sat down and relaxed himself and prepared to become one with all that was around him. Looking across the trees and watching the birds in flight from one branch to another, peace began to pour into Stone’s thoughts.
If ever he needed strength, it was now. He opened his mind to the spirit world and called upon his Father, “Oh Father, if you can hear me now, please tell me what am I to do?”
A breeze could be felt on Stone’s face. He knew it was not the great fans that that circulated the air in the great dome, but the coming of his Father’s spirit. Patiently, Stone waited to hear the voice call...
“My son, I have been awaiting your calling”, came a sound voice from the invisible air. “I must first tell you not to despair - I can see success on our side. Do not try and seek revenge for my death - for my death was an honorable one. We all have a purpose in Life and yours is about to unfold. Patience you must practice, for as time progresses so will the unveiling of your duties to the People. For now, my son, gaze across the beauty of the Nature and let its magic work its wonder on you.”
“But Father!”, cried out Stone, “I have held my patience too long. I fear I can not wait much longer.” Silence enveloped Stone as he waited for his Fathers response. None came. Stone remembered his Father had always been direct with any given answer, and never stood for any rebuttal.
Again Stone gazed upon the trees and continued to watch the birds in flight. He did as his Father instructed him. He took all of the sights before him into his soul as he remained seated in the loft.
There were robins, blue jays and cardinals aplenty, and every other clump of red flowers were being tasted by humming birds and yellow jackets. The air smelled of sweet earthy scents while the leaves on the trees spoke in the breeze.
Not far from where Stone perched himself, stood a majestic Oak Tree. It was the first tree planted in the dome when this sky colony began rebuilding their world. Upon it’s highest branches you could always find a great big Eagle. The great Oak spread it branches out as if in praise to all of its surroundings. Stone was suddenly caught by its beauty - no matter how hard Stone was to try and look away, he could not - the great oak seemed to entrance him.
Stone rubbed his eyes as he saw the Great Oak lean to the left. He could not believe what he was seeing. Again the Oak leaned more as if to bend down and whisper something in someone’s ear. Suddenly a big crack of wood echoed throughout the dome. While the once perched Eagle took flight, the Great Oak came crashing down to the dirt floor below. Other birds were fleeing the branches as their homes were flung from their resting places.
Stone stared at the Great Oak Tree that laid sprawled upon the ground below him. Others, who heard the mighty crack had now gathered by Stone up in the loft. A few began gathering around the tree below. Everyone felt a great loss, for the Great Oak had become a symbol of the People’s growth since the holocaust. Everyone felt the loss, but Stone.
Gazing down the mighty tree, Stone followed its trunk down to where it led into the ground. Not far from that very spot were young tree saplings. They held out their young tender branches and basked in the rays of the sunlight that fell from the domes sun disk lights. Only then, did Stone realize what the Great Oak was trying to whisper to him. Only then, did Stone see that the Great Oak fell to make room for the new growth, and to give food to the young saplings. Only then, did Stone began to partly understand his destiny.
Back at the dock, where the silver bird rested, Shell was now waiting on Stone’s return. She sat quietly by the wing of the bird and began to reflect upon her council with Keo...
Her and Keo sat side by side in the sanctuary. Three candles were lit, one for Shell, one for Stone, and one for Keith. The counseling began by giving thanks to the Creator, Shell softly spoke, “Thank you for the breath in my body, and for the creation of my destiny. Let these candles that burn give refuge to our souls in this most darkest moment. And thank you for giving the People such a leader as Keo.”
The shadows of the candles danced upon the walls as Keo drew in a deep breath, “I wish to give thanks to you Great One for the gifts you have bestowed upon me. I wish to thank you for giving me strength and courage to comfort our People.”
Keo gingerly pulled out from beside him a long leather bag. Placing the bag in front of him, Keo carefully pulled out the stem and pipe bowl. Once the pipe was pieced together in the sacred manner, the bowl was filled with sacred tobacco that was harvested from several plants in the Natural Reservatory. Respect was given to each direction as the bowl was filled.
After lighting the pipe, Keo handed it to Shell. They passed the pipe back and forth until the tobacco was cached, saying words of prayer in between each toke. The smoke whirled in the air and carried each prayer with it.
Once the ceremony was completed, two of the candles were blown out,
leaving only one to burn for Shell. Keo then took Shell’s hand in his. “My dear, I know you have a great love for our People and Mother Earth. This love is being returned to you. The Spirits have given you a great gift of life that now stirs in slumber inside of you. Protect yourself and this soon to be Child. The Spirits will protect Keith.”
With his freed hand, Keo wiped the tear that rolled down Shell’s face. Softly Shell spoke, “The Spirits keep nothing from you. I have told no one of the baby and yet you know. So tell me, Great Elder, what destiny are myself and the new spirit inside me to travel?”
Keo let out a light hearted laugh and placed both of his hands on Shells shoulders as he prepared to answer. “I know of the world, my child, but to give all the answer is the same as in destroying all the spirits. Growth is part of seeking the answers for yourself and I realize you have always been seeking”.
“We are here in human form, so therefore we must do things the human way. Except for those who are gifted with sight, the future is not for us to see while living in the present. But, so to soothe your soul, I will tell you this; your destiny belongs on Earth and your child must be born there. You shall become a steward of the Earth along with child, there will begin the sweet Earth...this is the beginning of your Destiny.”
Shell came spinning back to reality of the present, as Stone stood over her gently calling her name. “Shell? Shell, what far off land were you in just now?” He reached out a hand to help pull her up from where she was sitting by the bird. “Are you all right? I have noticed a change in you. You know I have played your big brother all your life. If you need someone to talk to I am still your brother.”
Shell smiled a warm smile as Stone helped her off the ground. “I love you Stone, but our lives are about to take a turn in separate directions. There is nothing you can do but to have faith in me and the Creator.” Quickly, Shell turned and proceeded to climb into the sliver bird.
Stone smiled to himself and said, “Yes, our paths are turning! I am not sure exactly what direction, but I know they are certainly changing.”
