My how she was as radiant and vibrant as the sun in Guia’s visions standing there beside the great beast rubbing its massive beak that could so easily cut a person in half as if they were a blade of long grass.
“Welcome to our homeland.” the Shaman said loudly for all of the tribe to hear as they gathered as closely behind Guia as they dared. She bowed her head in respect to the goddess before her who gave a classical greeting befitting the spiritual leader.
“Of course, you speak our language.” Guia said with a chuckle as if shed expected to have to teach her. “Please come. We must talk. None here would dare harm you, but there are others who are not so peaceful.” Guia told her using her hands to mean this world.
“What is your name child?” she asked as kindly as an old Aunt. “Alitta.” Came the unhesitant reply. “I am Guia.” she replied back with a matching smile of the stars.
Together they walked towards the Shamans hut after the Star had spoken to the great eagle and it had taken off into the sky with an earsplitting cry.
*****
Alitta had only heard this ancient language spoken about ten times in her life, but even with the slight deviation of vowels she was able to pick it up in only a short while.
She listened to Guia as she told her a tale of her people coming here nearly two thousand years ago when the living God had come to them preaching about their heavenly father. She told her how the Shamans had been entrusted like the twelve men and four women with the secret knowledge passing it down from one generation to the next.
“But you said that your people were scattered across the continents.” “Yes my child.” “Then …I mean since I…is there Katchipunu blood in my veins to?”
The old woman’s eyes sparkled as a smile lit her face. “Of course Star of the night sky. How else could you have come to us?” came her words as if talking to a child who asked if the grass was green in color.
“But how? I grew up in the northern continent and…” “Every star will shine as they are called home by our maker.” the shaman told her gently squeezing her arm tenderly.
The old woman told her about the places that she knew the tribes to have gone in the world. Alitta’s own mother’s blood line came from the American Indians who settled in Canada as they escaped the slaughtering by the U.S. Calvary.
Her great grandfather was French Canadian and had married one of them so it was in fact feasible. The old woman could tell that she had many questions and signaled for her to ask.
“This living God in robes, do your people know his name?” “Cristo.” Guia said without even a second thought confirming what had been nagging at the American’s brain but she had refused to believe.
Alitta sat back nodding as she could only accept what she was being told. Always the skeptic of anything science could not explain, she had gone so far as to dismiss her mother’s people’s religious beliefs as a need for those who were unable to except reality.
She remembered the words of her great grandfather as he said both hello and goodbye to her from his bed in the Montreal General Hospital near to Parc Du Mont-Royal.
“Mon Peu un, Toujours Croire. My little one, always believe.” The star wiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks as she looked at Guia in understanding.
Reaching up, Alitta unhooked the ends of material that she had used as a top and let it down so that only her personal area was still covered. The old Shaman nodded her head with a smile touching the corners of her old face.
Sojurn looked at her in disbelief and then at Guia for confirmation of what his eyes were seeing. Slowly he moved close and placed his hand on her chest. The warrior ignored the eagle pendant instead tracing the brand that Alitta had received from the medallion back in the cave in Brazil
Stepping back, he fell to one knee with his head bowed low offering his service to her. Alitta looked at him confused and then at the Shaman for an explanation. When it was apparent that the old woman wasn’t going to say anything one way or another, the paleontologist accepted his offer though she didn’t know exactly what it would mean.
Feeling guilty for breaking his nose, she went and knelt down in front of him gently lifting his face. Apologizing for the pain she was about to cause, Alitta straightened his nose with one swift move clearing up the nasally whistle despite the blood that came from it.
The shaman nodded then asked the warrior to wait outside as she and the star had many things to discuss. First Guia applied a paste to the wounds on his back that the great eagle had opened up. Even with the rain that had started to fall, Sojurn stood stoically outside the door for three hours.
After she and Guia were finally done, he led her to another hut then disappeared for only a few moments but soon returned carrying a new spear and shield. He now also wore a chest plate made of wood and bone plus a helmet that had long colorful feather plumes on top.
The sun was beginning to set and two women arrived to speak with him then they were allowed into the hut. Bowing low to her, they began to set down the items they had in their hands. Bowles were set out with hot water before they proceeded to undo Alitta’s cloths and gave her a sponge bath.
The water had been scented with some sweet smelling flower petals so by the time they were done and she was dressed, Alitta was feeling sleepy. The Star thanked them before she lay down on the cot that was there.
It wasn’t as comfortable or warm as in the eagle nest, but she slept peacefully none the less. Perhaps it was Sojurn’s dark silhouette outside of her huts only window, or the sounds of the rain falling, but she was asleep in no time.
For the next two weeks she spent her time with Guia’s tribe learning their history and all about what was known about this new planet that they had come to.
Alitta met the king who eyed her a bit suspiciously but accepted what the old shaman told him about her. He questioned Sojurn’s attire in his presence then looked at Alitta who spoke for the proud warrior who stood silent behind her on guard.
The king looked to the shaman once more who confirmed his unasked question about The Star. He then extended his welcome and told her to ask of him what was needed and it would be so.
Alitta thanked him for his generosity then left with Sojurn in tow. Those present began to speak about all that had just transpired. Outside The Star touched the medallion hanging around her neck before heading back to her hut.
A few hours later, her eagle arrived with his wings thundering in the air at the last second just before he touched down as gentle and light as a feather. Climbing up onto his back, she told Sojurn that she would return then held on as the great eagle took off.
His argument was left behind along with the ground as her majestic mount soared higher and higher into the evening sky. She headed west curious to see the lands of the rebelling Ketchipunu whom Sojuen’s people were now at odds with.
*****
Franchesca sat listening to her husband’s early exploits under his father’s reign. Sabio was drunk again and not considerate of her feelings and had been turning to the bottle more and more lately as their intimacy had started to suffer due to his occasional impotency.
Her eyes lit up as she saw her son appear at the door. He scanned the room with his eyes until he located her, then giving a nod he left again.
Excusing herself and ignoring Sabio’s slap on the rump, Franchesca headed off in search of Paul. She found him near the copper tunnel pacing back and forth nervously.
“Mother, I think that I’ve found the key but need your translation.” he said. “Of course my son, show me.” she told him then followed as he went down the tunnel guiding them with a lit torch.
Once they had reached the chamber, he pointed to the wall holding up the torch for her to take a closer look. Franchesca’s eyes scanned over the glyphs unsure why her son would need help with this part of the text as it was no different than the rest.
Turning to ask him, she didn’t see the knife until it was plunged into her stomach. She stood there w
ith a questioning look on her face as he pulled forth the blade and pushed her back onto the floor.
In a loud voice filled with anger, he began to recite the ritual as he must have heard the American do as he held the bloody knife up with one hand and a book in the other.
Franchesca watched as the ancient promise was fulfilled as her body began to get cold. The words of the chamber seemed to float into the air and she could feel the raw power as the glowing letters began spinning around her son faster and faster.
Suddenly the floor dropped away out from under them and each fell into the black hole that had appeared in the very fabric of time and space.
She was whisked away from Earth and reappeared high above a planet more lush and green then her own. Two moons greeted her arrival before she floated down and landed in a cloud of dust.
Looking up at a night sky filled with stars that she had never seen, Franchesca said a prayer to the ‘One’ and closed her eyes. A smile touched her face as her heart ceased to beat in her chest.
*****
Sojurn went to the stables and took a new mount. He would not let the star fly away alone no matter how brightly it shone on its own. He could never catch her on the ground, but the warrior knew where he could go to ride the winds. That is as long as he wasn’t eaten first.
*****
Sabio searched for his wife and son but neither where anywhere in his underground fortress to be found. Like the pretty young American, they had disappeared without a trace.
He was angry as who would take over when he could no longer rule this part of the Amazon? He had seen the hunger in Paul’s eyes over the girl, but the betrayal of his wife was unacceptable.
She would pay dearly when he caught her and if not, then he would burn her family’s village to the ground enslaving or killing all of the inhabitants.
*****
Alitta sat on the great eagles back enjoying the wind in her hair and the sun in her face as they continued to fly westward until the sun began to drop over the horizon.
Her mount circled looking for a place to land settling finally near a fifty foot waterfall. The pool that it fell into was about eighty foot wide and over one hundred long with bright yellow and green striped fish swimming lazily about.
The water was so crystal clear that Alitta could see to the bottom. Taking off her clothes, the Paleontologist dove in surfacing with a gasping laugh at how cold yet refreshing the water was.
She swam around the pool laughing and splashing as her mount stood on a large boulder watching the brightly colored fish. Chasing them towards shore, Alitta smiled as the great eagles head bobbed catching one of the large tasty morsels.
Again and again they worked together until it had its fill and flipped three of the larger ones onto the bank for her. Climbing out of the cool liquid, the paleontologist rubbed her friend’s beak before building a small fire.
Lounging in front of the flames on a large flat rock, Alitta cooked the fish while she was warmed and dried out. Putting her clothes back on, she sat back and devoured one whole fish before gazing up at the stars and twin moons above.
Singing a soft lullaby to her mount after covering the coals with river rock, she wrapped the two remaining fish in leaves placing them on top of the rocks.
Sleep came quickly and she woke only when the great eagle moved its body gently away from her to go and catch its breakfast as well as get its own bath.
After eating half of the second fish, the paleontologist put the rest in her small pack and climbed onto Horhay’s back once he had returned. The colossal majestic bird was more than ready to go and let out a cry of glee as they rose above the trees and waterfall that had refreshed them both.
Alitta didn’t see the eyes that watched them or notice that a being followed after her with ill intent.
*****
Franchesca opened her eyes into the face of a handsome young man. He had the characteristics of a Mayan …or maybe an Aztec or Incan and could easily have been someone in her own family.
A copper helmet adorned his head with colorful feathers attached at its top. A shield of wood painted with colors as vibrant as the feather plumes and a wood and bone chest plate that was dulled with mud. A large bird that looked at her over his shoulder reminded Franchesca of a great eagle mixed with the phoenix of ledged.
The man touched her neck after looking at her wound and then about their surroundings. She gasped in pain as he lifted her up and climbed onto the back of the ten foot tall bird.
It reminded her more of a chicken then an eagle now as its back legs were clearly meant for speed. She blacked out several times only to wake at the call of a female voice.
Opening her eyes, Franchesca looked into the face of a woman who could have been her grandmother. “Hello, welcome back.” the woman who identified herself as Guia said with a smile.
“How long?” she asked through parched lips. “Nine days.” came the shaman’s reply and she just nodded. “Where is the dark one?” was Guia’s next question and a lump formed in her throat as she knew who the old lady was referring to.
Pointing to the setting sun, the old woman just nodded as if she had already known with distinct sorrow in her eyes.
“Then I fear it has come to pass as it was foretold. You rest now; your services will be required all too soon.” Guia said patting her arm. She then left her in the little hut all alone.
*****
Paul plunged the dagger into his mother's gut twisting it to make her cry out just for fun. Pushing her away, he licked of the blood before spitting out the final words of the spell that the American had finished for him.
The stones beneath his feet seemed to vibrate faster and faster until they seemed to separate as time and space opened up only to swallow him whole before closing again.
He thought that he may be torn apart from the astral winds that catapulted him towards the promised planet. His lugs began to hurt as he found himself high above a sphere that was easily three times that of earth. It was more lush and tropical thanks to its closer sun and twin moons.
Paul’s descent was met by resistance and friction as flames crackled against the magic’s of old as his body plummeted towards ground far below.
Making his body rigid, he was able to aim towards the fleeting sun. He wondered if Alitta was still conscious at this point or had she missed out on such a rare opportunity that back home only the astronauts got to experience.
As the ground approached, he tucked himself into a ball hoping that the same magic that had gotten him here would continue to protect his body.
Tree limbs splintered and leaves burst into the air as he plowed through them still aware of his surroundings. His lungs burned and he almost passed out but managed to hold on almost laughing as the face of a stunned native streaked by. He plunged through the forest slamming through the trunk of a large tree and plowed up the ground for three hundred feet past it.
Paul came to a rest finally in a tiny clearing, the visitor sucked in a big lungful of air happy to be alive and thinking nothing of what had befallen his own mother. After all, she had served her purpose and now he was here and would rule over his fellow inhabitants.
Once his legs were not so wobbly from the trip or the exuberance of being a new deity, Paul set out to the west to meet his ancestors and find his future wife.
*****
The American relished the feel of the cool breeze on her face as they glided on the thermals in the early morning rays of the sun.
Her ride flew until it reached the edge of a vast inland sea that was darker as it extended from a rock shelf about one hundred yards from shore. White capped waves continuously rolled in onto a sandy beach that was so white that it looked like snow.
It almost reminded Alitta of New England in the middle of winter except with Havana temperatures. Not a soul could be seen in either direction so she they banked north following the coast until they came upon a large fishing village.
It was made up of wooden
huts on stilts with thatched roofs and primitive boats bobbing in the water. Reining the great eagle in, they descended to the ground after circling twice so that Alitta could get a lay of the land.
Petting Horhay on his massive beak, she sent him away watching as his magnificent wings carried him high into the air and further northward.
Taking a deep breath, Alitta fixed the band of leather on her forehead before heading into the little town. From above it had looked so small, yet on the ground she was impressed with how vast it actually was.
A wave of energy pushed her to the ground and Alitta watched as the wooden huts turned into stone buildings with slate roofs. The few natives she had seen were now dressed in fabric instead of reeds.
The buildings had multiplied by two hundred percent or more with some reaching ten stories or more high. The forest had dropped back almost a quarter mile on all sides of this sprawling metropolis now before her eyes.
The sound of a steam whistle could be heard in the distance along with the pounding of metal from blacksmith shops and venders hawking their wares in the open market.
The American stood there looking around confused as natives passed by looking down at her for her lack of covering. She ducked into a cloths shop as tears ran down her cheeks at the devastation that had befallen this part of the planet.
She asked for assistance from the clerk who looked her up and down with a disapproving shake of her head. Two gold coins quickly changed her attitude as she attended Alitta as if she were the Queen of England.
A half hour later and the newcomer left the little shop continuing on her way now armed with the knowledge about her nemesis that she previously had been unaware of.
A gas lamp on a street corner illuminated a sign that pointed her in the proper direction.
Dinosaur Dreams (Indian Trail's Book 1) Page 6