“Darcy, it is a Bible,” he said as he handed me the book.
My hands were shaking as I examined the worn leather of the book. The binding was almost gone. I carefully opened it in awe of what I was holding. I turned the first few pages and found the inscription written by Madeline Butler. It had been over two centuries ago! I was overcome. I was actually holding the Bible that was mentioned so many times in the stories Tiponi told. I sobbed as I looked over the book, trying to digest all the events and the stories he had told me from the first day I entered the reservation. It was as though all the characters came to life before my very eyes.
Jack broke my reflection. He had turned pale as he was looking away fixated on something. He looked into the distance and pointed. Dawn was breaking. All I cold see was a silhouette.
“Do you see that?” He was facing the clearing on the mountain.
It looked as though there was a man on a horse. I could see the feathers in his beautiful long black hair. He was riding bareback. He looked so majestic and the energy that he generated was felt in every fiber of my being. He sat motionless for a moment. Then, he took his beautiful stallion to full speed. As he approached us we could see the figure of a woman. She ran to meet him with her arms stretched out to him. He swept her up upon his horse. They were riding in our direction.
I was petrified and I could see it in Jack, also. I almost closed my eyes but could not take them off the figures. Then, my feelings turned from fear to calmness, as I knew in my heart that they were not harmful. In fact I was welcoming the interaction.
As the figures moved closer we could see they were transparent. It was an exhilarating feeling that only deepened as they moved closer to us.
We knew without speaking that it was Running Wolf and The Mourning Dove. I could hear the sound of drums that were beating in unison with our hearts. They came to us quickly and through us with a fury of an intense wind. As they passed through I felt cold at first and then my body felt soothing warmth. I felt a life in me that was analogous to when I carried my children within my womb. I knew that Jack could not relate to that sensation. Instead, his face had a peaceful look that I had yet to see him express. His eyes for a moment seemed to hold the wisdom of the world. I buried my face in his chest and sobbed.
Jack and I stood on the mountaintop in each other’s arms, bonded forever.
And The Prophecy Continues…
A Note from the Author
From as far back as I can remember growing up my grandmother proudly told me of our linage to the Native Americans. While the details are sketchy and my personal research has not unlocked the keys to my ancestry, the desire to know my heritage is very strong
Several years ago I began to study the culture of our Native people. For as long as I can remember there was something very tender and enigmatic about a people who knew and respected the earth in a way that history now holds sacred in her keeping.
The more I researched, the more captivated I became. The way of life of the indigenous people inspired me. I felt compelled to share a story of love in the purest of all forms, without human boundaries. It is a story of devotion that does not question logic. It is a story of love that conquers all prejudice and misconception. It is tale of commitment that clearly illustrates the true spirit of unconditional love. It is what is in the heart that really matters the most. It is what is in the soul that truly lives on.
The Spirits of Nature is my first published novel.
From my daasé
Michelle Post
Comments always welcome…www.thespiritsofnature.net
Table of Contents
Prologue
The Spirits of Nature Page 31