by Sheryl Seal
Go Forward With Courage
When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
When doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
Be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
As it surely will.
Then act with courage.
Ponca Chief White Eagle (1800's to 1914)
Chapter 16
There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to help the ones you love when you know they are suffering. These were my thoughts as Brave Eagle explained in his own tortured voice of things that were going on with my parents.
I let him continue even though I had also observed some of what he described. “I am sorry Spirit Walker, but your father is being tortured while your mother is trapped across from him in a cage of her own. I witnessed a creature that I have never encountered before. He was like a monster of tales my parents would speak to us of as children so we behave. Indescribable, he wavered in shape and size, so that he was never just one form. I felt that he is very powerful but I listened as he spoke with another. He seeks to rule the entire world with the essence of the Ale, which your mother and father carry within them.”
“Why not just go to the Ale world, where there is plenty of this essence?” I asked my grandfather.
“You know the world of the Ale is closed and cannot be penetrated. We have tried many times to break the wards and it is impossible. If we could have, we would have saved your grandparents Tatiana and Fire Cloud. This creature would know there is no way through to the Ale world. He has probably tried many times with no success.”
Grandfather turned back towards Brave Eagle and demanded more answers. “There is more to be told Brave Eagle, what is it you have not said?”
Brave Eagle kicked at the ground and stammered for a few seconds. Then he looked up at us both. “There are many other beast that guard the cave entrance and throughout the cave. They are some type of community. The smell is horrid down there; it is the smell of death. I know we can get in but I do not see a way to get your parents out Spirit Walker.” He was looking at me sadly but I felt I had enough information now.
Grandfather and I looked at each other and with a little grin and a nod of his head; I knew we had the same answer. But as we were trying to sort out all the information we had, Fire Walker spoke in our minds. He was on his way here with all of the Dwellers. He would explain when they crossed over.
I replaced the wards we had taken down so Brave Eagle could enter the world where my parents were being held. Then we left for the cave where the Dwellers would be coming through to this world.
With the long line of Dwellers and horses that were stacked tall of supplies behind him, Fire Walker was the first to cross the border into the Village of Lost Souls. Most all, were wide-eyed and curious of this land where some of us were born and had grown up.
Others were upset to once again be moving. They all had as much of their belongings as they could carry and grandfather was trying to put them at ease as grandmother approached us. She hugged me tightly and explained of the guardian Angel that had come to the village. “She said her name was Asparas and there was a Demon Goblin and his minions that were coming to the village and they meant to destroy all of us.”
Grandfather held firmly to his staff and while she talked, he nodded his head in understanding. He said that it made sense that everyone came to this village. “There is still a border that is open somewhere and we have no idea where it is or where the attack would come from in the Beyond. This will be the safest village with more wards put in place.”
As the last of the tribe came through, with Red Thunder and Aponi, I did exactly that. I put the wards back in place and we all moved down into the village.
Grandfather gathered us all in the center where the warrior lodge was located and explained what we knew so far. The entire tribe needed to be aware of the danger and the new evil that wanted to destroy us.
Plans were made with over half of the Dwellers for a rescue mission. The rest of the tribe would stay and protect the village. Just as important, there could always be evil trying to enter in many of the other borders so they needed watched constantly. Also, if all went terribly wrong, there would still be Dwellers to carry on and they would be safest here.
Before this rescue occurred, we would make sure the Dwellers were settled into the lodges. This village was big enough for everyone and there was an abundance of food in the streams and nearby forest. It was the logical choice since we didn’t know where the open borders were but I was sure we had found them all here.
Of course we all hoped that the Demon goblin was not so full of power that he could just open a new border anywhere it pleased him.
I was helping place some Dwellers into an empty lodge as my mother’s good friend Aponi approached me. I couldn’t help but notice the remarkable change that had taken place since I had first met her. She somehow looked more youthful and had energy about her that she hadn’t had before.
Apparently my mother had healed her completely before she had disappeared. Aponi carried in her arms a basket that had a few personal belongings from the other village.
“Spirit Walker, I would talk with you for a while if you have the time.” Smiling prettily, her voice had a serious tone so I felt as if it were important to her. I certainly could take a moment to speak with her.
“Of course Aponi, let’s walk over to the water.” She put her arm through mine and we walked away from the village. Then she cleared her throat and I heard as her voice cracked. I was sure she was afraid she would lose her sister again. “You know that your mother is like the sister I never had, we have been sisters for a very long time. Although we have not been together for many years, in my heart, I never doubted that she was alive. You have noticed that I am stronger than when you first met me. This is your mothers doing. She would come into my lodge every night and hold my hands while we talked of the old days. We talked of all the differences in our worlds when we were not together. We spoke of our children and our hopes and dreams for the future. I knew she was leaving to find your father. Nothing has ever stopped her from getting to the bottom of a situation and solving the mystery. We did not speak of what I knew she was planning. It would not have helped and she would not have allowed anyone to go with her. I am completely healed now thanks to your mother.”
She giggled a little and cleared her throat and continued on. “I believe White Bear is a little miffed that her magic is stronger than his. He could not heal me. This is not his fault though. She is very powerful and that is what I told him. He has always been afraid that the old ways are dying out and that only magic is our future.”
“White Bear may be right; we can always learn from the old ways though and must preserve them. Mother says there are many times we will need the old ways but she believes in her magic more. I am so very glad that mother could heal you Aponi but are you strong enough to go with us all? This is a different evil that none of us have ever encountered.”
“I have met with many dangers in my lifetime and I think we can all help each other. We can use all of our powers together to free your parents from Bower’s Cave. Evil is never the same Spirit Walker. We will have to find new ways to fight the different evils we come across.”
“Well, I certainly cannot afford to turn down help. I am just concerned that you are ready for battle. I must also admit I need the help because I have never really had evil in my life. I also have never been to battle. We have only heard of the stories, and even then, it was of a different evil then this. Brave Eagle says the Demon Goblin is after our essence which we received from the Ale. To have it would mean the destruction of the rest of what remains of the world; we need to protect what is left of mankind. Your son, Brave Eagle has given us more information and will lead us to my parents. He has a remarkable power Aponi.”
“Yes he does, we are blessed to have had him and he is
very courageous and uses his power in the most unexpected ways. We must all be careful of this new evil though, it is new to us yet it is older than time. We must get them away from this Demon Goblin and close that world forever. There is another thing I wish to discuss with you.” Aponi seemed to hesitate and looked at me hesitantly.
I felt concern but I also knew what would come next. “I am listening Aponi.”
“We lost many people the last time that we fought with what we thought was evil. Some of our Dwellers were lost and I know that your mother blamed herself. Although there are always losses in war and she was not to blame, her burden was heavy for many years. She worries for you and if it turns out that your parents cannot be saved, she does not want you to blame yourself. She knows that we will do all we can but sometimes there are sacrifices that have to be made. She hopes when the time comes, you will make the right decision and the one that is best for the survival of all Dwellers. I guess what I am trying to say is, sometimes we have to let go of the ones we love to save the rest of the world. This is our lot in life. This above all else is what the Dwellers are meant to do.”
“Why is it that everyone speaks to me of sacrifice all the time? It is as if there is no hope and everyone has already made the decision that a sacrifice has to be made.” I was angry now that everyone assumed I would fail as Golden Queen. That the decisions I would make, would be one or the other and so there would be losses.
I willed myself to control my temper; after all it was not Aponi I was angry with. Calmly I approached the subject again. “I will not sacrifice anyone Aponi. I will bring mother and father home safely and we will end this Demon Goblin and his evil ways. He will not have my family’s essence.” Suddenly I felt power coursing through me that I had never felt before.
Smiling and giving me a hug that proved how strong she had become, I felt my anger receding and then Aponi kissed my cheek and reached into her basket. Pulling out mother’s journal she caressed its cover and handed it to me. “Your mother wanted you to have this. She said it would appear when the time was right. I did not pack it but when we crossed over into the Village of Lost Souls it was in my basket. I think you should have it now. I do not know what is in the pages of course, but knowing your mother, it may help you to understand her better. You may read it now or save it for later; I give you the choice since right now you are the acting Queen.”
“Thank you Aponi, mothers words are always a comfort to me. I am honored to receive more of her words from her most valued sister. I find it odd that this book finds its way into an elders hand and is given to me just when I am missing her most or when she feels I need her words.”
Aponi laughed and this made me smile. “Your mother is a very clever woman and has always had very good timing. Nothing with her is ever by accident and always, there are hidden meanings behind her actions. I think she learned this from grandmother and grandfather. Nevertheless, she has never let anyone down no matter what she thinks. She has always made the right decisions and now it is your time to make the tough decisions.”
“Yes mother never takes chances, unless of course it is with her own life. Thank you Aponi for trusting my judgement enough to give this journal to me now, maybe there will be more that can help us in the rescue of mother and father.”
I genuinely did appreciate that she thought I was more than capable of handling whatever was in the pages so soon after just reading from the journal. I was sure it was meant for a later day. You never did know with mother though.
“Knowing your mother the way I do, there are words that will help you through this. Mostly though, there will be words of advice for the future.” Her voice caught in her throat and she took a deep breath, “Just in case things do not go as we would like.”
“I understand Aponi, but as I have said, I will bring them back and I will accept nothing less.”
“You are very much like your mother when I first met her, only she has taught you more confidence than she had when first we met. This is good and you are determined, so I have faith in you and all that your mother has taught you. I will leave you now with her words. Many of the Dwellers gathered your mother’s belonging’s and are leaving them in her lodge for her return. I will go and assist them. I know just how she likes her lodge.”
“Thank you for that Aponi. Mother and father will need their items when we bring them home. It always amazes me, how quickly a village can move.”
She took one of my hands and squeezed it affectionately. “We have had many generations of practice and we never leave behind another’s belongings.” She squeezed my hand again and left me alone with mother’s journal.
I continued to stand there for a moment debating, and decided I had a minute and opened the journal. After all, what if there was something I could really use to save my parents. I knew I was trying to justify the reason for not waiting to read her words, but isn’t this really the reason Aponi gave it to me? To read it now because there might be a clue that we would all need.
I watched as the words appeared in my mother’s script and started right in reading. Immediately a smile came to my face and a snicker escaped my lips.
And while I stood there
I saw more than I can tell,
And I understood more than I saw;
For I was seeing in a sacred manner
The shapes of things in the spirit,
And the shape of all shapes as they must
Live together like one being.
Black Elk, Black Elk Speaks
Chapter 17
~Grey Wolf and Oria~
I woke up to my beautiful wife calling my name and I could hear the pain in her voice. Head hanging heavy against my chest, I struggled to lift it up and present a brave front.
I already knew she had assessed my health and she knew I was barely hanging on to my human form. I would not die in front of her, so I called on my reserves and smiled towards her although my lips cracked and bled. “Fancy meeting you here my little Queen.” Coughing and spitting out some blood that had trickled into my mouth, I noticed her shock at my nonchalance.
“Do not act like you are just fine and dandy my husband, I know the pain you are in. Just hang on until our Dwellers get here, they will get us out of this place. I have already felt the presence of Brave Eagle, and our daughter. Although I am unclear on how Brave Eagle came and went unnoticed, I am sure it was him. They will all be here soon to get us out of this mess. Who has us trapped here and what do they want from us?”
“What makes you think they want something from us my love? Maybe it is just me that has angered the Demon Goblin and you are not supposed to be here at all. How did you find me anyway?”
“A Demon Goblin? Like the ones that we have all been told of as children? And do not treat me like we are not in danger of our mortal lives Grey Wolf. We would be dead by now if that is all this Demon Goblin wanted. No, they want something more, that much I can feel.”
There was no point trying to hide anything from her, even down here where our powers were useless, she knew and felt my fear for her. “This creature is called the Demon Goblin is after the essence of the Ale that we carry within us. You more than me are important, because you have more essence and are also a Golden Queen Fairy. Apparently a God is not what he needs. I tried not to leave any trail when I found out what I was tracking, so I repeat how did you find me?”
“Quite by accident I am afraid, you left no trail to trace. You are very good at your job as you well know. This is not a world I was aware of so I may never have found you had I not stumbled upon the door to this world. I am afraid it was no accident now though.”
I chuckled, I could not help it and as weak as I felt, the look on her face that she had been careless was priceless.
“Do not laugh, this is not funny Grey Wolf, we are in danger. I cannot get out of this cage to help you and you are restrained and have been tortured. I do not see the humor in the situation.”
“Whoa there my little Queen,
I see that your face is turning even redder than your skin. You cannot shift in that cage if that is what you are trying to do.” I could not help myself, so I teased her again hoping it would help ease her fears.
She was not having any of my teasing though, and placed her hands on her hips, and smirked at me with a definite attitude. “Humph… You are in pain and not as humorous as you think you are. I am not trying to shift. Whatever this cage is made of keeps me from using any of my powers. So funny man, what are we to do, just sit here and wait for death? You are already on the verge of it.” There was trembling in her voice that sobered me.
“The guardian spirit that came to me said she was going for help, so there must be a plan by now. I will not die for a while yet…” My words trailed off as the horrible stench grew stronger and I knew that the Demon Goblin grew closer. “He is coming back now, do not provoke him love, he already has plans to take your essence but maybe we can stall him until the Dwellers arrive. They must know where we are by now and are on the way.”
The Demon Goblin entered the area where we were being held and ignoring me and eyeing my beloved up and down, he moaned and groaned like he had just discovered a yummy treat. He morphed from one odd and horrendous creature to another, with his red beady eyes and a foul smell coming from every orifice.
He was drooling big pools of green goo all down his big body. My heart and soul could not hold her tongue and started right in on him.
All I could do was, squeeze my eyes tightly and shake my head at the barrage of words she spat at him. “You are a disgusting form of life. You are the vilest of all creatures that has ever been allowed to live in any world. Let us go now and I may let you live until tomorrow. Otherwise I will exterminate you and everyone that follows you by the end of this day. You do not deserve even that after what you have done to my husband. I should kill you now for that alone. But I am a forgiving woman and we just want to live our lives in peace. Release us now and I will call off my Dwellers.”