Blood of the Rainbow

by Shelia Chapman

  “He also told me his grandfather’s brother had something to do with Tom not being able to take his place as head of the Council. Jared said your family were black balled. Was there any other reason, Jared’s great uncle would have wanted to get even with George?”

  “Oh yes. Seth – that’s who you’re referring to - wanted Mikah, Jared’s grandmother on Tom’s side. George and Seth both wanted Mikah, but for different reasons. George wanted Mikah because he loved her, and she was his perfect match. Seth convinced Mikah he loved her as much as George did while keeping his real intent hidden. Mikah had feelings for Seth, and because of this, it caused her a great deal of confusion.”

  “But you said Mikah was George’s perfect match. How could she have feelings for Seth too? I thought once you’d met your perfect match, that was it. At least, that’s what Jared told me.”

  Nadine smiled. “Sara, not both people of a perfect match, realizes that’s what they are at the same time. Sometimes they go through life, and never find each other. Sometimes, even when they do, something goes wrong. Even when you’ve met with your perfect match in the land of dreams, there’s no assurance you’ll be together in the waking world, or even meet for that fact.”

  Sara’s next question was a do or die situation. She approached the subject with caution. “Nada, when we first met, at the hospital, you told me there was one way to find out if I were Jared’s perfect match.”

  Nadine stood and turned away from Sara. Her voice was full of dread. “Yes Sara, there is. But I can’t tell you now….”

  “But you said at the hospital that you would tell me later.”

  “That was before George died. Now that he’s dead, the birthright has passed to Tom, and when he’s gone, it will pass to Jared. Before, I could have told you. If I told you now, Jared would know. Another thing, to keep peace between you and Jared, and between Tom and Jared, I must ask you not to repeat what we’ve talked about.”

  Obviously, whether I like it or not, I may have to consider reading more of that book. Sara sighed in exasperation. “Ok, fine. Can we just finish our conversation? Or can’t you tell me about that now?” Sara was getting agitated.

  Nadine laid her hand on Sara’s. “Of course I can tell you Sara. I don’t want you to be mad at me, but some things are kept from us for our own good. I’ll tell you the rest of the story if you still want to hear it?”

  Sara studied Nadine’s eyes. Finally, she smiled. “Yes, Nada – Mom – please, tell me the rest of the story.”

  Nadine smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. “As I was saying. George knew Mikah had feelings for Seth, and because this would create friction between George and his brother, he told Mikah to make a choice. George told her and Seth, no matter who Mikah chose, there would be no hard feelings between them. Seth was not as noble. Mikah chose George because she loved him most. I don’t think Seth ever forgave George for that.”

  “Has Tom mentioned anything to you about trying to reclaim his right to sit as head of the Council?”

  “As a matter of fact, he has. Seth has not always made the right choices. He’s done everything to try and keep our family out of the Council altogether. What are you getting at, Sara?”

  “Jared said Mikah suddenly took ill, and died before they could diagnose her condition or treat her. He said they didn’t know exactly what was wrong with her, only that she was suffering from some kind of respiratory disease.”

  Nadine’s interest had been piqued. “Yes, that’s right….”

  “You do know they’ve got new methods for determining the cause of death. Jared knows somebody in Shreveport who he believes could help. He works at a place call D’Netics, but Jared has heard rumors that there’s a firm in the UK that’s very interested in obtaining his research. Have you ever considered having Mikah exhumed and tested for possible foul play? I mean, would Seth be so dead-set on revenge, that he would hurt Mikah to get even with George?”

  Nadine’s eyes widen with recognition. “Yes, I believe he would have. But Sara… Mikah’s body was burned. There’s nothing to exhume.”

  Sara sighed. “That could pose a problem, but I still don’t think it could hurt to look into it. You said Seth wanted Mikah for the wrong reasons. If he didn’t love Mikah, why did he want her so badly? Simply because he was competing with his brother?”

  “Not entirely. You see, Mikah’s father held a high position on the Council. He had a lot of pull as far as decisions were concerned. George knew this, but he didn’t care. He was hopelessly devoted to Mikah and only had her best interests at heart. Seth, on the other hand, wanted Mikah for her inheritance and possessions. If it hadn’t been for George’s book, when Mikah’s father passed, George would have had what Seth has, and would have been head of the Council. Seth convinced the rest of the Council to remove George’s privileges, and the rest is history.”

  “If Jared could get his friend to help, and there was a possible way of determining how Mikah died, would Tom consider…?”

  Nadine laughed. “I doubt it, Sara. Tom would see it as disgracing his mother’s memory, as would everyone.”

  “I understand that, Nada,” Sara pressed. “But if we could prove Seth was responsible for Mikah’s death, that would automatically put Tom as head of the Clan, where he should be – wouldn’t it?”

  “Clan?”

  “Oh – I mean Council.”

  Nadine raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but I doubt he would go for it. Besides, Mikah’s been dead for a long time, over ten years now.”

  That’s so unfair, Sara thought.

  George Thundercloud had been carrying this guilt for ten years. Everyone in the Council believed he was responsible for his wife’s death because he had the book published. If, Seth did have something to do with Mikah’s death that would mean there was a strong chance that it wasn’t George’s fault. Sara never believed it was George’s fault anyway. Even if, Seth didn’t kill Mikah, it still didn’t mean George was responsible. What if there had been another enemy? Someone standing in the shadows. One none of them had considered.

  “Jared and I have talked this over,” Sara said. “We’d like to help restore your family’s honor.”

  Nadine hugged Sara. “Sara, that’s sweet, and I appreciate it. I’m sure Tom will too, but you don’t need to prove yourself to us. We love you, just the way you are.”

  “I know and in this short time, I’ve grown to love you too, but this is a matter of family honor, and if I’m ever going to be part of it, I don’t want my children to be born under the same curse. Whether I believe it or not; Jared does, Tom does and so do you. I want our children, if we ever have any, to hear stories about their grandparents, and remember them as having been heroes, not only to us, but to the rest of the people as well.”

  Nadine eyed Sara suspiciously. “Have you and Jared discussed your future?”

  “Not really Nada. I don’t think Jared wants to have children with me. He keeps saying he won’t risk having a child with me, because he won’t risk losing me. Nada, women have been giving birth to children for thousands of years. I don’t understand why he believes if we have a baby he’s going to lose me,” Sara sighed. “There are no miscarriages on my side of the family, and as far as I know, no one died in childbirth. Are there any on Jared’s side? Is that why he’s so concerned about it? He’s afraid he’ll pass it on to our children?”

  Nadine swallowed hard, and busied herself with cleaning the counter. She laughed. “Who knows what goes on in that son of mine’s head. No Sara, there haven’t been any miscarriages or deaths by childbirth on Jared’s side either. What about you?” Nadine fished. “Do you want children with Jared?”

  Sara answered straight away. “Yes, of course I do. But, as far as Jared is concerned, I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”

  “Even though you’ve only known each other for a short time?”

  “Yes.”

  Nadine laughed again. “Then be patient with Jared. He can be a little stubborn at times,
and he wants to do things his own way. I know he loves you. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. He was in love with the dream, long before he was in love with the woman. I’m sure he’ll feel the same way about starting a family with you.”

  Sara smiled. “Nada, I love Jared too. Sometimes when we’re apart, I don’t feel like I can even breathe. I feel so empty inside.”

  Nadine patted Sara’s shoulder. “I know just how you feel, Honey.”

  “Just think about what we talked about Nada. Jared is supposed to be talking to Tom about it now. If we all pool together, maybe we can convince Tom to go along, for the good of the family and your people. I’m sure, their lives would be a lot better off with Tom leading them.”

  Nadine smiled. “I’ll think about it, Sara, and I will try, but Tom is set in his ways, sometimes.”

  Sara smiled, and they walked in the lounge to watch TV, while they waited for Jared and Tom.

  ------------

  Sara and Nadine had waited for a long time. The sun went down, and the sky became a blanket of stars. Sara could see them from the conservatory. She’d been standing out there, watching the glow from their campfire for a long time. Nadine walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

  “Here, Sara,” she said, handing Sara a cup of something warm to drink. Sara took it and smiled. “Let’s go sit out on the back porch for a while, and drink our tea,” she said, motioning toward the door.

  Sara followed Nadine out, and they sat in the two-seater swing. Sara sipped her drink, expecting it to be tea, but it wasn’t. It tasted more like eggnog, but it was sweet and pleasant. “What is this? It tastes kind of like eggnog.”

  Nadine chuckled. “It’s called goan. It’s made from dried chamomile blossom, coconut milk, a touch of honey, a drop or two of vanilla flavoring, and a hint of freshly ground nutmeg. You heat it up and add a teaspoon of fresh butter. Then, swirl that around with a spoon, and let it melt. I like to sprinkle a little grated cinnamon on top. Jared likes his frothed up on top before you add the cinnamon. I have a cup at night when I’m restless,” she said. “It helps me relax so I can sleep.”

  Sara sighed. “I could have used some of that last night. I’ve never had such a crazy nightmare in all my life.”

  Nadine eyed Sara over the top of her cup. “I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me about it,” she prompted.

  Sara sighed. “Nada, it’s so jumbled up. It didn’t make any sense. I’m not even sure if I can remember it all.”

  “In that case, why don’t you just tell me what you can remember,” Nadine said, narrowing her eyes in concentration.

  Sara shuddered, already feeling a chill up her spine. “Here goes,” she began. “I was in my bedroom. I was wearing my silk strapless nightgown – the one I wore last night. I could see lightning flashing. I walked to the window. A thunderstorm was brewing, just over the horizon. I wanted to get a closer look at it, so I went out back.”

  Nadine studied Sara’s eyes. “In your silk nightgown?”

  “Yes,” Sara replied. “I stepped out onto the patio. The view was magnificent. I heard a noise behind me, so I turned to see what it was. There was nothing there, but when I turned back toward the desert, it was gone too. Like one of Jared’s sketches, with just me and the house drawn in.”

  “Was anybody there with you?”

  “No. I was alone. I walked to the edge and looked down. The ground was covered in what looked like snow. I touched it with my toe. It was cold, freezing, but it wasn’t snow. It was sand. I could feel the individual grains between my toes as I stepped off the edge of the patio.”

  “You said there was nothing in front of you. What happened to the storm?”

  Sara chuckled. “Like everything else, it was gone too. I told you it didn’t make any sense.”

  Nadine smiled. “It does sound strange Sara, but dreams are often like that. What happened then?”

  “I started walking, and I began to see the outline of a tall object, far off in the distance. It was as if someone was sketching my dream as it went along. As I got closer, I could tell that the object was some kind of totem pole, but it was different to the ones I’d seen in the past.”

  “What do you mean by different?”

  “Well, totem poles normally have images of different animals and events – right?”

  “Yes, normally. On rare occasions, an animal or image might be repeated, but it’s usually different in some way.”

  “Yes, but the only images I could see on this totem pole were wolves.”

  “Wolves? That’s interesting. Were they all the same?”

  “Not totally. They were different colors and ages. When I walked closer to the pole, the ground changed again.”

  “In what way?”

  “It started getting warmer. From that point on, each step I took, the sand kept getting hotter until it was burning my feet like fire.”

  “Were you in pain? Was the sand physically burning your feet? What could you see now?”

  “Yes. The sand was burning my feet. I turned to go back, thinking the sand would be cooler, but it wasn’t. No matter which way I turned, the only thing I could see was the strange totem pole. My feet were hurting. I couldn’t stand in the same place for very long, but I was driven by an insatiable curiosity to get closer. I got this really uneasy feeling, and the closer I got to the totem pole, the worse it got, and so did the burning. By this time, it was blazingly hot. I screamed and dropped to my knees.”

  “Didn’t the sand burn your knees as well?”

  “No, just my feet, that was the odd part. As long as the soles of my feet weren’t touching the ground, it didn’t burn me anywhere else, at least not in the beginning. When I knelt down, I heard a low growling, coming from the direction of the totem pole, just a few short feet in front of me.”

  “Did you see where the growling was coming from, or what was making it?”

  “It was coming from one of the wolves on the totem pole. I looked up, in time to see the symbol at the top of the pole starting to change. I got back on my feet, and despite the pain from the burning sand, I started backing away from the pole. The symbol separated itself from the top of the pole and jumped to the ground. It wasn’t real. It was made of wood.”

  “Are you certain it was made of wood? What did the wolf do?”

  “Because when it snarled at me, I could see what looked like fire, burning behind its wall of jagged wooden teeth.” Sara sipped her drink, and then continued.

  “I took a few more steps back. I figured if I broke and ran it would chase after me. Then another one of the symbols changed and dropped down on the opposite side of the pole. I guess I started to think a little more logically, at that point. I reasoned if the second symbol changed because I stepped closer, if I went back, that should prevent another symbol from changing.”

  “That does sound logical,” Nadine nodded. Were you right? Did it stop the third symbol from changing?”

  “No, I was wrong, it didn’t.” Another chill went down Sara’s spine, and she shivered again.

  ------------

  Myra finished her studies, and decided to come down stairs. When she couldn’t find anyone in the kitchen, she decided to look out on the patio.

  Myra took Nadine’s cup. “Can I join you?”

  Myra scared Sara. Sara scared Myra, and both of them screamed. Nadine laughed. “Holy Geez Sara!” Myra gasped, nearly dropping Nadine’s cup. Like Jared, Myra had the uncanny knack of sneaking up on someone without making a sound. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to need more than a sip of this stuff,” she said, passing the cup back to her Mother.

  “Would you like me to make you a cup?”

  Myra patted her mother on the shoulder and settled on the porch, her back propped against one of the posts. She smiled. “I’d love one, Mother.”

  “I’ll be right back, Sara, and then you can finish your story.

  Myra studied Sara’s eyes. “Story – what story? What have I missed?” />
  Nadine stood. “Sara was telling me about a nightmare she had last night. Sara, Honey, would you like another cup too?”

  Sara passed Nadine her cup. “Yes, please. It’s very pleasant and relaxing. You’ll have to write the recipe down for me before we leave.”

  Myra seemed surprised. “You mean Jared hasn’t made it for you already?”

  Sara sighed. “No, he hasn’t.”

  Myra leaned her head back and looked up at the sky. “This is why I love this place. Come have a look, Sara.”

  Sara walked to the edge of the porch and looked up. The sky looked as if someone had dusted it with silver glitter, and was shining a spotlight on it. Sara watched a shooting star fall toward the western horizon. “Is it always like this at night?”

  Myra nodded. “Sometimes, you can even see stars during a thunderstorm.”

  “How can that be? Thunderstorms normally come with rain.”

  Myra laughed. “Not in Arizona. We get violent lightning and thunderstorms but seldom the rain. We could get as little as two inches the whole summer.”

  “Wow that is dry! Louisiana was dry during the summer months, but not that dry. In fact, sometimes during the summer we had flash floods. How long is the summer season, here?”

  “It depends. Sometimes it can run from late April up to mid-September. It starts getting cooler then. Because the days can be so hot and dry, it’s not uncommon to see a gigantic thunderhead covering the western skies, and have stars glittering everywhere else.”

  “Wow!” Was all Sara could think to say.

  “Here, Dear,” Nadine said as she handed Sara and Myra their goan. Nadine sat beside Sara. “Now, let’s hear the rest of that story,” she said anxiously.

  Sara drew in a large sigh and began again. “Let’s see, where was I…?”

  “You were talking about how you thought by stepping closer to the pole, that it might make the symbols go back where they were,” Nadine prompted.