by Sheryl Seal
“Well, it is a magical land, so of course I met all characters from her book. I also met some characters from her other books. Some of them were only there in spirit. Oh yes, they all are great characters. That Howie Evil character is quite the charmer…”
“That is funny grandmother; I didn’t know you had a sense of humor. I also love the ‘Midnight Hunter’ series. I keep all of my collections in my hope chest that you gave me, for safe keeping. Just in case you ever would like to re-read them. Wink wink.”
“That is wonderful dear and I may just take you up on that. Just so you know I am old, not dead Spirit Walker. I appreciate the finer things in life also. Now back to my story. We were only passing through Broken Spur and did not stay to visit. This was just our way into the World of Man. We needed to gather information and this was the perfect place to find out what was going on with the world. We found out many disturbing things the Ale and Fallyn were up to. This is also where Grey Wolf met us and gave us the facts of what his sister had done. He had finally gotten through to Fallyn but it was too late for the people in her hometown and her earthly parents. With the help of the Ale, they went through many California cities leaving nothing behind but devastation. From there, the power was like how a bear needs the honey from a beehive. It is addicting and keeps them wanting more. They were out of control and chaos reigned down on every state from shore to shore. The borders surrounding Rest Inn Peace were the safest and the most logical place to come and go. Disasters were hitting coast to coast and had caused several tsunamis across the world that affected many countries. Hidden from the disasters, Rest Inn Peace was safe. The world was now unstable and many other catastrophes happened. Earthquakes occurred in many regions and twisters and wildfires engulfed others, while still other countries were left to deal with wars and famine. There has never been so much disaster within such a short span of time that covered the globe.”
“I have heard these stories of the destruction in the world grandmother; we have all grown up listening to the reasons why the World of Man is so dangerous now. I also know that with the power only known to the Gods and those of the Golden Queen, Grey Wolf and Oria were able to turn Fallyn and the Ale back in our direction. Titania and Fire Walker along with White Bear and Aponi kept the Ale and Falling Rock contained in Yosemite National Park. I know they were surrounded by fires everywhere and if it were not for their shifting abilities and powers, this would have been impossible. The World of Man is unstable now and we are not allowed to go there.”
“Yes my dear, we are unsure of the World of Man now. It is altered, as are the people that live in the World of Man. We keep a much closer eye on the borders that are forever changing and appearing where we least expect them. You must be careful Spirit Walker because you are the hope for our future.”
A wise woman has the inner wisdom of her mother
Grandmother and great grandmother
And also the wisdom of her inner
Divine girl child
Chapter 3
“Actually my dear, I think you may learn more from this journal that has appeared for me to give you.”
“This is a surprise; I thought I had the one book I needed. I thought that it covered everything.”
“You do Spirit Walker, but the journal will travel and be given to you when the time is right for you to read further. You are a quick study and have already read in this journal. You know almost everything. These pages will help you to understand more why your parents are not here at this moment, where they are and how you can help. There will be more pages to come. Your mother’s magic will transfer the book to others for when you need them. Accept them graciously and read them with understanding. I think she means to keep you connected with each person.” She chuckled and whispered. “She is a very smart Queen.”
Grandmother had gotten up and I followed her into the lodge and towards the back, where she had a very old trunk. She said it was called a hope chest. I was never allowed in grandmother’s hope chest. It was filled with her private things and I would never invade her privacy. After all, it was grandmother who gave me my hope chest to keep all of my private keepsakes in.
“Other pages will appear with each person that gives me the journal? Is there a possibility that I can bring mother and father back? How is this all possible?”
“Spirit Walker, the words are in the journal and you will be the one to decide if there is hope for your parents. Take this book and find a nice quiet place to read. Find the grandfather or me when you need guidance after each time that you have read the journal.” She handed me the journal with a squeeze to my hands. “First turn around and let me plait your hair for you. It is just like your mothers and is just an auburn mess springing up all over your head.”
“Yes grandmother. This hair of mine drives me crazy and always comes out of the braids.”
“Yes, Oria always complained about her wild hair, but I will tell you a secret. This is one of the things that Grey Wolf loved/loves…”
I heard the break in my grandmother’s voice and whipped around and gave her a good hard squeeze. She hugged me back even harder. Grandmother was ancient and no one knew how old she was for sure. But she was as strong as an ox. Turning me back around, she finished my hair and patted my shoulder and gave my braid a tug. “Go now my dear, the falls are waiting for you. Read your mother’s words.”
“I love you grandmother,” I spoke with a lump in my throat. Swallowing hard, I swiped at the lone tear that escaped my eye and headed out of the lodge. I couldn’t resist what I had been thinking and on my way out, I snuck a peek in my hope chest. Sure enough, the journal was gone. I was sure that this was the same one. There could be no mistake in the intercut designs on the cover, this was mother’s journal.
I held the book tightly in my hand and walked through the village with the many lodges all around. I could hear the women and young men that were training in the meadow above the village. They were practicing the art of shapeshifting; each one of them had their own spirit animal. We were always preparing for the evil that often finds its way into our world. Now more than ever, it was hard to stop the many different kinds of evil that found its way here to the Beyond. There were now new borders that popped up wherever we least expected them. I was thinking on the different evils when a giant white bear came bounding towards me. I giggled and stood my ground because it could only be one of my Godfathers. Matoskah is a loyal and trusted friend of my parents and he is indeed, a great white bear as his name translates.
Shifting, he walked right out of his spirit animal dressed in a loincloth and moccasins and greeted me, “Hello Spirit Walker, how are you today?”
“Very well, White Bear, and you?”
“I am wonderful thank you, what do you have there in yours hands?” He smiled and I happened to know he already knew what I had, he was just making conversation.
Smiling proudly, mother’s journal felt like a treasure. “My mother’s journal, I am going to Oria Falls to read about the great battle in the World of Man.” This would be a first so I was truly excited. I haven’t read about the great battle before. I have only heard the many stories.
“Yes, it is time you learned the whole story from her point of view. There were many things that could not have been changed that day. If your mother is hard on herself, know this Spirit Walker, she did all and more than anyone would have expected of her.” Smiling, he reached for me, gave me a hug and whispered in my ear. “I am looking for Sapata, have you seen my woman?” He chuckled and I thought on it before I replied. “No, I was with grandmother all morning.” I giggled because I had just felt her enter our world. I backed away from him and he looked quizzical and then he smiled too.
Right then a massive brown bear came hurdling its way up behind White Bear. Shifting, Sapata grabbed him in a hug with one arm and growled playfully in his ear. We both only felt her presence the minute she entered the world. Being a child of the God’s and Grey Wolf’s sister, my Godmother was a bea
uty and although she had a crippled leg and arm, she never let it slow her down. She often traveled between the worlds of the God’s and the Beyond. We could not feel her if she was not in this world.
“Hello Spirit Walker, I see you have the journal and you are going to read your mother’s words at Oria Falls.”
“Yes Sapata, grandmother just gave me the book. I am hoping I will be able to find my parents and bring them home. I will see you both later.”
“Yes okay dear, we are all very worried for my brother and his wife, my sister. I hope the answers are in the journal. I am just sorry, my family cannot intervene.”
Feeling a little dispirited, I nodded yes as I left them both standing there. I really didn’t understand many things in life. One of the biggest challenges for me was to understand the powers the Gods have, yet they cannot do anything to help us. They are always around just watching, but cannot interfere? Clearly there is more I need to learn in life. It also didn’t surprise me that everyone knew what was happening with me. We all had a connection with telepathy, and I had not learned yet how to block people from reading my mind. I continued on my way, although I felt the hurt coming from Sapata. Strolling through the meadow of wild flowers, which continuously bloomed here in the meadow and have an overwhelming aroma, I kept walking and although I knew it was not Sapata’s fault she could not help my parents, I was still angry about it.
Oria Falls was in my line of vision and I could see the many beautiful and vibrant colors that made this waterfall so beautiful. Silver and gold sparkled throughout the water making it all very mysterious and magical. After my mother defeated her first Ale, the meadow with the forever blooming flowers and this waterfall and pool appeared. There is also a cave behind the waterfall. In this cave there are many drawings on the wall of how the Dwellers sent a tribe to the land of the West. There are also fiery red gems embedded into the walls. We used to live beyond this cave. The people call it The Village of Lost Souls. Our tribe went into hiding for safety reasons after the destruction of the world and I was born there.
Taking a deep breath and sighing, I knew there is still much I need to learn and clutching the journal tightly, I sat down at the foot of the falls and opened it up to the first page. I knew this journal, like all the other times I’ve read it, would begin wherever I wanted. There is fairy dust embedded in the pages for protection against evil. The words will disappear as the story was told or read. This was to ensure that evil would not escape the pages. Evil also could not find its way into the words and use it against the Dwellers of Ahwahnee. I could also call up the stories again if needed. Like everything my mother has written in her journal, I say the words to find the story. “I want to know about, ‘The battle that ended the World of Man.’” I would start here although I knew I could read of the great love my parents have for each other, I needed to know how to bring my parents’ home. I could read the other stories after they were safe. I begin to read my mother’s words.
Hold On
Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it's a long way from here
Hold on to your life,
Even if it's easier to let go
Hold on to my hand,
Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.
A Pueblo Indian Prayer
Chapter 4
The day the world ended as we knew it, changed all of our lives. Anyone that survived was lucky. I’m sure it is the master plan of the Great Spirit. Although it still feels like my fault and I have been plagued with guilt all these many years later.
It has been over twenty years now and I know that you have read most of the words that will be repeated here. Some words need repeated so we do not make the same mistakes again. Stop rolling your eyes; I have not lost my mind. If words are repeated, it is because you need to have this knowledge engrained on your memory.
“Are you serious mother?” I catch myself looking around to make sure I am alone. I know that I am but it’s just like she is beside me. I thought I was the one that walked through people’s minds but I felt like mother was in mine. I willed myself not to do the eye-roll no matter what I read and looking back at the book, I continue.
The world has been growing from nothing since that fateful day the Ale destroyed everything. My parents were lost to me before I could do anything to save them. I was just getting to know them and had just brought them from the village of lost souls where they had been all of my life. The grief I felt when the Ale in possession of Falling Rock, consumed my parents, is always with me. If only I could have gotten there in time. This is part of the Great Spirit’s plan and I am still trying to accept his ways. For years the guilt was unbearable but I have learned to live with many things in this life.
When all was said and done and with our world devastated and the World of Man inhospitable, we made our escape into another world. We were separated from some members of our tribe though and I was never sure what became of the other Dwellers. Did they make it into another world or did they perish in the Great Battle? Could it be a possibility that some survived? There were other worlds where some of the Ahwahneechees could have escaped to.
We searched after a few years, when we noticed the world we used to live in had started to evolve again. It began as just a small piece of earth. We kept an eye on it and watched as it started to grow very slowly. We have been to several other worlds, but they are full of savages. Dangerous shapeshifters and all sorts of other cross-breeds have been evolving in the other worlds. We hid from them in our own world to safeguard the small tribe that we had. There have been no signs that any of our other tribe members/Dwellers have survived. This is very sad for me.
There can only be hope though, because without hope for the future, all worlds will be doomed. This is why we keep an eye on other worlds. They grow quickly with my magic. The Beyond especially grew fast. I have not been there this year because my duties as Golden Queen have kept me very busy. Grey Wolf travels the worlds and keeps me informed. He has been gone this time for far too long. I fear for his safety and the safety of all Dwellers.
Our tribe has also grown consistently since we arrived in the Village of Lost Souls. We started with only about two hundred and twenty of us. Grandfather had married most of us who had soulmates that first year. We began immediately populating our new world. We needed to be strong in numbers and trained for the day The Great Spirit called us back into the other worlds to serve him.
In this world where we have hidden ourselves away, there is much magic. Since this was the land where my parents had been living and the lost souls were returned to the land in the West, the magic had returned. Now it is a beautiful warm land and very hospitable.
Grandfather has spoken of a prophecy for the last twenty years. We have been preparing all this time and we are now several hundred strong. We re-populated quickly and all were blessed with many children yearly. The training starts now when the children are sixteen. In this land of magic is when all new powers emerge. Grandfather says we will need all the Dwellers we can get and then some.
Somewhere out there in other worlds, others have survived and are growing stronger every day. Some are good people but many are not. There are worlds that will need protection from the rest of the evils that have been breeding. There are worlds that will need The Dwellers of Ahwahnee.
I relive all the things that went wrong and what I could have done to change the outcome that happened on the day the World of Man celebrated Christmas. I must live with the tragedies and losses of family and friends and so many others. I want with all my heart and soul, for you to be stronger than any other Golden Queen. I want you to be able to defeat the new evils of the world and learn from past mistakes so you can lead our tribe into a new safe world.
This is the beginning of your legacy Spirit Walker,
stay true to your heart and The Great Spirit will guide you through.
When all the trees have been cut down,
When all the animals have been hunted,
When all the waters are polluted,
When all the air is unsafe to breathe,
Only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
Cree Prophecy
Chapter 5
As I read my mother’s words, I heard her voice clearly in my head and tears started to swim in my eyes and blurred my vision. I silently vow to find her and my father and bring them home again. Now I block her voice that is a constant in my head and read the journal again. There must be clues in this journal and I do not want to miss anything. Why else would she repeat what I have grown up knowing? I dried my tears and took a deep cleansing breath and began to read again.
It really all fell apart when I wasn’t able to get all the wards up in time. That was how the Ale was able to escape into the World of Man. I saved my mother and separated her from the Ale with the help of my star. The star still flows in my veins and will always be there whenever I need its help. Your grandmother and grandfather will teach you of this when the time is needed Spirit Walker. Maybe it is just something you will instinctively know. Anyway, the battle was far from over and my friends and loved ones tried to hold the border into the World of Man. With a mighty roar and more power than any hurricane or tornado the world had known at the time, the Ale broke through the shield that Grey Wolf and his sisters had put up. I was too late to stop her as I approached Horsetail Falls that fateful day.
When I arrived too late, Dwellers were lying everywhere, scattered around like discarded toys. I watched helplessly as my heart and soul, shimmered and shifted into the World of Man. The Ale needed a living soul to enter and Grey Wolf’s sister Fallyn, had opened her mind just enough and the Ale possessed her and was gone. Grey Wolf had to find her and fast. If he lost track of the Ale, then he knew he would forever remain one step behind.