by Jill Wilder
Chapter 12
Stone had time to think and reason to himself on his flight back to the Solar Star Base. After he finished docking his bird and leaving the crew to finish the rest of securing the silver machine, Stone stepped away from the docking bay and stretched his tired aching body.
In the middle of a stretch and yawn, Stone could see Keo waiting at the door to the corridor. So much had been swimming in Stone’s mind that talking to Keo might do him some good. Straightening out one’s thoughts works best when turned over to a fresh mind. Stone walked over to the doorway to greet Keo with greatest of respect.
“Hello Elder! Wish you could have been on this trip with me,” sighed Stone as he reached out to shake Keo’s hand.
Grabbing Stone‘s outstretched hand with both of his, Keo replied, “I understand your weight has been heavy. Come let’s walk a ways to your pod and we will talk a little. I bet your bed is calling your name, beckoning you to some sweet dreams.”
Together they did not walk fast, nor did they walk slow, but at a pace in which one can carry a conversation.
“Keo, I do not always understand what the Creator wants us to do, but I have faith all will turn out for good. However, I had a vision that is hard to swallow. What I believe Great Spirit wants of me and the People of this ship is going to be very hard to come by.”
“My Grandson”, Keo replied, “being a warrior is never easy. The Creator has chosen you for this task because he knows your strengths and warriors will always be tested. For now, it is advised that you keep your task to yourself and we simply spend the next seven months preparing the People.”
Stone knew in his heart that Keo already had knowledge of what the Great Spirit was requesting. However, knowing why it was to be done this way was a little out of reach for Stone’s understanding. If only he could share these thoughts with Keith or Shell, his best friends. Together, all three of them always figured out the hard riddles and puzzles.
“I trust that Shell was left behind on Earth?”, Keo changed the subject.
“Yes, she is. I really did not like leaving her there either. What if she doesn’t find Keith, or is a big animal, like a bear finds her first. She might even fall and break a leg or something. Oh, I worry too much I know.”
“Yes you do, Grandson, but those details are for the Creator to work out. Keep the faith.”
Stone stopped walking. Turned and looked at Keo who stopped a couple of paces ahead. Looking into Keo’s eyes, Stone let one lone tear fall from his own. In return, Keo caught the tear in his palm as it dropped from Stone’s cheek.
“The Great Spirit has created this tear. It is full of sorrow and joy, hate and love, bad and good. This tear is all of life and all we can do is let it flow and respect it for what it really is…a part of you and a part of the Creator, a part of life.”
Stone had no reply but let what Keo said soak in to his already crowded mind.
“I suppose you need to rest now. Upon waking up, I would like you to meet me in the sanctuary in the morning. I have something for you. Go on now, get some sleep. We will have lots to discuss tomorrow. Maybe then you will find some answer, if you do not find any in your dreams.”
Stone agreed to the sleep. As he found his way into his pod, he did not even bother to put on sleep clothes. Stretching out on his bed and laying his head on the pillow seemed like heaven at that moment. Even though Stone was tired he laid there thinking, not able to turn off the thoughts.
Getting up from his bed, Stone went to his desk and pulled out small pieces of sage wrapped in twine. Stone lit the sage bundle with the burning candle on his desk. Quietly, Stone went into prayer and asked for sleep. Soon Stone was back on his bed, and found himself being lulled to sleep by the melody that captured him earlier that day.
The next morning Stone woke up refreshed. He was surprised how strong he was feeling. He quickly cleaned himself up and set out to meet with Keo in the Sanctuary. Upon entering the door of the Sanctuary, the smell of burning sweet grass tickled Stone’s nose.
Stone went to the alter that held a buffalo skull and a small bowl in which the sacred herbs were smoldering. Using his hands, he cupped the smoke and moved it around his head and shoulders. He gave thanks for the day and asked for guidance with his task ahead. Then he remained quiet in meditation until Keo arrived.
Keo entered the Sanctuary not too long after Stone. He carried with him an oblong cedar box in which he carefully and respectfully took to the alter and smudged with the smoke from the sacred herb.
After setting down the box, Keo took from his robe a leather bag as oblong as the cedar box. He gingerly took out a wooden stem with colorful beadwork, then a red stone pipe bowl. As he did with the cedar box he did with the stem and pipe bowl, bathing in the sacred smoke. Then by placing the stem into the pipe bowl, the instrument became one and holy.
Reaching again into the leather bag, Keo pulled out a smaller pouch with sacred mix of tobacco. He took a pinch of tobacco and smudged with the same smoke, speaking honor and thanks to the East direction, then placed into the pipe bowl. He repeated this routine for each direction to be honored.
Holding the pipe by the bowl with his left hand, Keo placed himself next to Stone on the floor. Using the candle in front of them, Keo lit the pipe.
Keo handed the lit pipe to Stone. Reaching out with his left hand, Stone took the pipe by the bowl with respect. They passed the pipe back and forth smoking the sacred tobacco until the bowl was burnt. During the whole routine, they were praying for the People and for Keith and Shell.
Not a word was yet spoken between Keo and Stone, just words to the Creator.
Just as Keo had put together the sacred pipe he also took apart and smudged each piece before placing back into his leather bag. Returning to his seat next to Stone, Keo now had the cedar box in his lap.
“Good morning my Grandson, my brother!”
“Good morning to you, Holy One!”, replied Stone with a smile.
“I trust you slept well. You look content compared to last night.
“Well, it was a trick getting to sleep at first, then a prayer and a song in my head lulled me to that sweet dream.”
“Ah, yes, you have been hearing the music too! The Spirits are preparing you.”
“I know”, sighed Stone, “I just wish I could understand, but in time I am sure the complete picture will be there for me.”
Keo was silent for a moment. “Well, I suppose that brings me to this cedar box I have.” Keo gently rubbed the box with his wrinkled and cracked hands. He took a deep breath, then opened the box.
