The sky above was cloudless with the stars and twin moons shining brightly guiding their way. Once they were at the top, he guided her along the edge of the cliff as it grew in height. He hugged the tree line going as far as he dared lest her scent give them away.
Patting her on the beak, the protector let out alone to complete the quest he’d promised to his grandmother. He found the area of the nests shortly before morning and stayed hidden in the jungle watching as the great majestic bird set off for its morning hunt.
The cries of the enormous bird flock echoing through the jungle sent the smaller predators fleeing. Sojurn was just getting ready to sneak up to the cliff edge and peaked over when the object of his journey poked above the edge of the large nest.
Like a vision from ‘The One’, he watched completely frozen as if the image in the old hag’s pot had risen and come alive. The warrior was mesmerized and unable to move as his brain played catch up with what his eyes already knew to be true.
The “Lumpinudo” returned breaking the warriors trance that he’d been in only to marvel at its magnificence. The sheer grace and elegance of the enormous bird was mesmerizing as it treated the star that seemed so delicate tenderly. Sojurn had never heard of any of these beasts treating a human with respect as if she were a hatchling.
None of that mattered now as he still had to take her back to the shaman. He lay unmoving as the day wore on watching the star in the company of giants. She was so at ease, fearless even, as she lounged around the wild ‘Death Wings’ calm and lazily.
Night time finally fell and the warrior ventured away only after the cliff dwellers had all returned to their nests for the night. Finding his way back to his mount, Sojurn snuggled next to it for warmth as the cool autumn breeze blew down from the mountains above.
Waking early, the warrior snuck back to the cliff edge that overlooked the vast valley below. As dawn broke over the horizon, the great birds dropped from their nests wings popping with loud whooshing as they caught the thermals beginning their morning hunts.
Sojurn waited in the brush for the ‘Morning Star’ to make an appearance. Blazing like the sun cresting the horizon, she climbed up and out of the eagles nest and made her way across the large tree trunk.
After climbing up over the edge of the precipice, the Star walked sleepily towards the forest. She wore strange clothing the likes of which the warrior had never seen. Her long legs a very light bronze in color and on her feet wore moccasins that had pointed heals one could crush a ‘Blocad’ beetle with.
Her hair was the color of honey mead and neatly pulled back and braided. It hung down to the middle of her bare back like a silky spider web. Covering her chest was a bright yellow fabric that tied around her throat and in the center of her back leaving her entire mid-drift exposed. A jewel winked at him from her navel as it caught the morning sun as she stretched catlike relieving her night’s aches and pains.
Sojurn couldn’t peel his eyes away as her hips swayed from side to side and she walked over to the woods in front of him.
Looking around, the star dropped her bottom cover and began to relieve herself before him. The honorable warrior averted his eyes until he heard that she was done and stood back up fixing her garments.
Quick as a snake, he shot forward wrapping a hand around her belly while clamping the other over her mouth. She stomped on his foot and bit him hard making Sojurn pull back his hand for a split second. He felt her draw in breath to cry out for help but a quick squeeze knocked the breath out of her and he slung the star over his shoulder before taking off through the jungle.
He had to escape the cliff area else the ariel masters would shred him to pieces for stealing their prize. His mount was still where he’d left her and only complained a little at having extra weight.
Off they went thru the thick underbrush running faster than a man by eight times or more. It would take him much longer to return back to his tribe then it did coming here. That is if the ‘Lumpinudo’ didn’t hunt down and kill him before Sojurn could reach home.
******
Franchesca stood at his door as Paul looked up from the books and maps that he had been poring over for nearly a week now. How long she had been standing there he didn’t know, but on her face was a look of both pride and understanding.
“She was rather intriguing and desirable wasn’t she?” his mother said walking across the room to stand beside him. “Yes.” came his strained reply as he looked down at his research and then back up at her.
Pulling a small bag from inside of her sleeve, the professor’s family matriarch laid it on the page of the open book before him. ‘What is it?” Paul asked opening the bag and pulling out a rag covered item.
“A gift my son and a curse.” his mother told him as he un-wrapped a pendant of an eagle wrought out of gold and silver. It was an exact copy of the one that the American had been wearing but only one-third of the size.
“I don’t understand mother. Where did you get this?” Smiling, Franchesca went over and sat on the bed patting it for him to join her. Once he settled, she looked up at the ceiling before starting a tale that Paul would never have believed if he had not seen Alitta disappear before his very own eyes.
“A long time ago… No. a very, very, very long time ago, our people lived and ruled over this entire continent which is now called South America. In those days it was called Katchipunu, or land of the Wind Walkers as it would be translated into the language known as Spanish today.
The Katchipunu where a proud and noble people who ruled the land with honor and justice. They made sure that all of their subjects did not suffer for food or magic which we call medicine now.
For nearly three-thousand years all went as it was until the living God appeared amongst them. He was dressed in white and yellow robes with long black curly hair and hair on his face thick as could be.
He taught them who the God of the sky truly was and they worshiped him almost to the last. All too soon he was gone ascending into the heavens with a promise to return when the time had come for them to live among the stars.
Twelve hundred years later a rebellion by one of the king’s sons, the youngest, put our people at odds fighting against one another. The prince had gained influence over wild animals from the great deceiver who whispered honeyed words into the boy’s ears.
Those words only carried death and destruction with them until we were all but wiped out. The last Shaman opened the seal on the scroll that had been passed down through the age’s generation after generation from the living God.
The last of our people who hadn’t fled used this gift and left these lands forever. Those left behind intermarried with their former subjects as the prince and his advisors rose to power.
They were known as the Killkee and for hundreds of years stood united and reigned until other prince’s broke off creating their own societies.”
“The Aztecs, Mayans and Incas?” Paul asked her. “Correct my son. Each one had their time in leading this continent until the Spaniards with their dogs of war came conquering and destroying. Their plagues decimating the people in greater numbers than their steel. A few moved north across the great swamps integrating with the natives there.”
“The American Indians.” He spoke up again and she just smiled and nodded. “Despite all that had happened, our heritage was never forgotten as it was secretly passed down along with the knowledge that there was still a way to reach our people and dwell in the new lands with our God.”
Franchesca paused at this point taking his hand and walked over to the table full of open books, maps and scrolls. Picking up the pendant, his mother held it by the chain and let it twirl in her hands as her old eyes watched it.
“This my son, is the key that will grant the wearer access. Although I knew about this knowledge, I didn’t really believe it even when I saw the chamber with my own eyes. Oh yes, don’t look so shocked. Why do you think I allowed myself to be taken by your father so long ago and moved to thi
s hole in the ground? My great grandfather worked the copper from this mountain as had his before him.
He told me stories of the chamber on his deathbed giving me that very pendant. Along with it he told me about my great grandmother who still had the knowledge and left when a group of gorilla soldiers descended here.
He had her use it and be free rather than enslaved or worse. She had only gone when he promised his love to pass on the knowledge so that his sacrifice would not be in vain. For over sixty years he carried it around in his shoe until I came along.
We lived in the little village that the soldiers terrorize still. He begged me to sneak away to the coast and make a new life, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave him. My own parents had been killed by Sabio’s father for not telling him that they had a daughter as he used them for slaves at his camp.
I managed to catch your father’s eye and thus saved from life at the brothel as he asked to have me as his own. On my fifteenth birthday he tried to take what was only mine to give and nearly lost a nut.” Franchesca said with a chuckle as she reflected upon her past.
“Anyway, from then on he gave me my due respect and pursued me as is fitting. Only after he had shown me the chamber would I agree to be his wife. So you were born out of love.
You however have seen this power first hand, haven’t you? I saw it in your eyes that day Alitta disappeared. There’s no denying it. Your future here is bleak at best.” His mother said squeezing his hands lovingly.
“Go after her my son so that maybe you two can have the life that your father and I never could. For your grandfather was only sub servant to the man who truly controls this region as is your father.” his mother spoke now sadly.
Paul kissed her on the cheek as she patted his shoulder and then pointed to the books. “Find the final key.” came her words before she left his room.
The professor held up the pendant scrutinizing its features. They matched the ones imprinted in his mind as he’d seen it tucked between the perky Americans chest.
Putting his nose back in his books, Paul was determined to find the way to reach her.
******
Alitta sat with her arms bound riding in front of her captor on what could only be described as a living breathing Phorusrhacids, or Terror Bird. This one stood about ten foot high with the features of a lizard like body covered with bird feathers and eagles head. She remembered reading about them in one of her classes in college.
It was among the ones that had lived in North America during the Triassic period. A large predator that predated the Tyrannosaurus rex and Argentinosaurus. Incredibly fast scooting through the forest like large non flying eagles at speeds reaching up to thirty miles per hour.
Unlike the majestic birds that had saved her, its hind legs were built for speed and despite being held captive, Alitta found herself enjoying the ride almost as much as she had her flight.
A far of cry broke thru the morning sending the smaller creatures scurrying for cover. Her captor’s beast just ducked its head down and ran faster through the thick underbrush.
They broke from the forest and the beast took off like a racecar headed for the lower cliff up ahead. A shadow passed by and the paleontologist looked up to see the great wings flapping in their direction. Another shadow passed over and she was pushed low as talons missed her raking the back of her captor.
Instead of slowing as Alitta would have expected, the animal leapt of the rock face with a cry of defiance as the great eagle passed by only inches away.
The three plummeted for almost one hundred feet until the beast spread its own wings which popped open sending her stomach into her throat. They glided down the steep slope only about ten feet away until they reached the ground below. Another close call sent the mount spinning over crashing all three of them amongst the thick grass’s of the plain.
Alitta was pulled to her feet and a short spear four foot long was held before her as the great eagle landed crying out at those who had taken the fallen star.
Others soon followed until they were surrounded and the two odd creatures then engaged in mortal combat. Her own captor pulled her back away from the tussle that sent up feathers, grass and dirt into the air.
When the dust settled, the great eagle had prevailed and it advanced on them crying out so loud that it vibrated through their very core.
Her captor turned the spear point to Alitta’s neck stopping the eagles advance in its tracks. It cried out in anger and paced back and forth trying to find a way past Alitta without hurting her and get at the thief.
As the captor turned her keeping her body in between him and the eagle, he let his guard down for only a moment and the Paleontologist used it to her advantage.
Stepping hard on the insole of his foot, she flung her head back hearing the satisfying crunch of cartilage as his hold loosened. Kicking up and back, Alitta caught him in the jewels then spun away grateful for the self defiance class that she’d taken in college.
Her savior jumped forward catching the spear in its enormous beak snapping it like a twig as one of its talons held the man pinned to the ground.
“Wait! …Esperar!” Alitta yelled running over with her hands up. The great eagle stopped in its razor sharp beaks descent that surely would have decapitated her would be captor.
It looked at her and then at the man laying on the ground beneath its talons and back again curiously. Using its beak, the great eagle cut her bounds still keeping an eye on both of them.
“Seu Ok. Eusou Multa.” she said rubbing her hands over its smooth powerful beak soothingly. Its large eyes noted the cut on her cheek and lowered its beak cutting her attacker in the same spot before it let him go and stepped back a few paces.
Alitta leaned down to look at him more closely knowing he had understood the great birds warning. He had features similar to her own, but more pronounced as well as darker skin.
It was kind of reddish reminding her of an American Indian boy she’d seen on a road trip from Berkley California to Phoenix Arizona. She and her girlfriend had walked into a restaurant after getting gas for something to eat. Every voice in the place fell silent and all eyes turned to them. The two stood there awkwardly until a tall muscular native walked up and stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Can’t you see that you’re not welcome here? Please leave.” the native told them in an angry tone. Alitta and her friend had looked at each other and apologized leaving not wanting to start any trouble.
“What is your name? …Nombre?” she asked looking at him still laying on the ground. He looked up at her but didn’t answer. “Mi Es Alitta.” she said touching a hand to her chest. “Nome Sojurn.” came the reply touching his own chest.
“Nome?” she asked. “Nome.” “Por Oue Me?” she asked. “Seu O Tiro Estrela.” he stated as if it should be obvious. “Tu El Tiro Estrella?” she asked confused. “Sim, Tiro Estrela.” he stated again pointing to her. “Si…yes…Sim?” “Sim.”
Alitta stood there wracking her brain for she only understood about half of his words and could only imagine that this was a new dialect of Spanish as she had not seen the twin moons last night confirming once and for all that she was no longer on earth.
Well, at least nowhere on earth that she recognized. “Where…ah…Donde Tu De. Where are you from?” she asked. “Onde Voce De Tu?” She said pointing to him. “Tu Sojurn.” was his reply.
“Oh my God, that’s Greek or Latin mixed with Spanish.” She said as the light bulb came on now and she started to understand. “What…Voce Sao Gasodor…Hunter.” Alitta said pointing at the native. “Sim…Casador.” the man agreed tapping his chest.
“Voces Desejor Levar Mim Onde” “You want to take me where?” “Levar Voce Espirito Lider,” Sojurn replied now sitting up leaning on his elbow.
“Ah …Espirito Lider …Spiritual Leader? …Your Shaman. …ah Seu Padre Ah Femea Padre.” “Sim.” He said smiling now that she was beginning to understand.
“Why didn’
t you just ask me?...Uhm…Pur Que Nao Questinor Mim?” she asked crossing her arms over her chest crossly. “Perdoar Mim.” he asked bowing low with his head to the ground.
Alitta could have been angrier with him, but the humbleness of the warrior softened her fury. Had she wanted to, a single word to the great eagle and the man before her would be torn to shreds.
Turning, she walked over to her savior and looked into its large green eyes. “Take us to his city.” she asked the Lord of the Eagle’s bowing her own head before him touching it to its beak. Looking from one to the other, finally it bobbed its head in understanding. Using a vine she’d found, Alitta strung it around the gigantic birds neck and then climbed up onto its back.
Sojurn looked cautiously at the creature that had so easily killed his own mount but did as the star bid him as his grandmother would never forgive him if he failed to bring her back. Not before he went and stood before the majestic eagle and asked forgiveness for his attempted thievery.
It cried out to its fellow flock members then jumped up into the air with its powerful wings beating hard kicking up dust. Circling the others below until they became a mere pinpoint on the landscape before heading west.
*****
Her people scattered as the large ariel predator swooped in close to the edge of the jungle. Guia stood unmoving as the monolithic eagle with a wingspan of more than fifty feet flew by banking around for another pass.
“It’s OK. Come out my family.” she called out to the tribe. The shaman smiled as she had seen her grandson on the creatures back holding on tightly to the fallen star.
Its great wings flapped kicking up dust as it touched down less than thirty feet from where Guia stood leaning on her wooden walking stick. Folding its wings with kingly grace, the enormous aerial marauder bowed its neck as Sojurn slid down to the ground followed closely by the Star.
Guia took her grandsons hands in hers as welcome home congratulating him on his completion of the quest, “But my mount is dead. I raised it from a hatchling.” he complained. “That is irrelevant my son for the fallen Star is all that matters.” came her reply as she looked with old eyes at the future savior of her people.
Dinosaur Dreams (Indian Trail's Book 1) Page 5