According to Legend (11 page)

At first my thoughts filled with memories of being in his arms, being held and feeling loved, but then came the memory of the battle. I wondered if it were possible to have a dream within a dream.
Did our enemies attack?
Was there really a battle or was it a nightmare?
Would I wake to find destruction and death in the village?
Would I wake in Moheeladeck’s arms to find his dark eyes shining with love, or would I wake to find myself in my own bed safe and sound in my own time?
I didn’t want to open my eyes to find the answer. I didn’t want to believe that the savage carnage I witnessed could possibly have been real, but I had to know. My eyelids fluttered opened to find there were indeed eyes looking into mine, one brown and one blue.

She lives. Thank you, Great Spirit,
the wolf said.

I shivered and Half-Breed inched his large body a little closer in an attempt to warm me.

You may still be in shock, Princess. You had a pretty rough night
.

Half-Breed, what has happened? Did we engage in a battle with our enemies? Was that real, or was it a dream?

That was no dream, Princess.

What happened? Who was injured?
I asked timidly, afraid to find out if anyone had been killed.

It wasn’t as bad as expected and certainly not as bad as it looked last night.

Did we . . .?
I paused. I could hardly bring myself to ask, but I had to know the answer. I needed to know the answer.
Did we lose any men?

Half-Breed closed his eyes as if mourning the loss.
Yes. One.
Moheeladeck has instructed me to stay close to you. You are in grave danger now in both realms.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. All the memories of the battle came flooding back to me and the ache of deep loss cut through me.

I have got to go back there. Now!

You cannot. It is important now more than ever that we locate the other half of the stone in this realm. Moheeladeck fears that our enemies are aware that you do not possess both halves. He fears that they will attack you here in this time where you are unprotected and most vulnerable. And, Princess, I have to agree
.

How long before they move in?

Moheeladeck thinks it will be soon. We must find the stone. Your very life may depend on it. I can defend you, but I have limitations. I can only do so much against armed men. You need to possess the ability to summon Moheeladeck and our warriors forth to this realm.

I haven’t got a clue as to where to start looking.

Moheeladeck has told me you already possess the knowledge of the location of the stone. He tells me you have gone there many times and stood beside it. He has felt your presence there through the stone. That is how he knew your spirit was reborn. How he knew to send Weekatay to find you.

What?

Think, Princess. Is there a place you often go, a special place, to clear your mind? To find peace? A place that refreshes you, that calls to your spirit, for it is there you will find the stone
.

Wait a minute, Half-Breed. Back up a second. Are you telling me that Moheeladeck knew of me before I had the dream catcher?

Yes, through the stone.

Amazing.

PRINCESS,
his tone stern with impatience, then he spoke in a softer tone.
Please, concentrate. Time is growing short and we must find the stone.

I can’t think with you yelling, Half-Breed.
Then it dawned on me.
Wait.
I sat bolt upright.
I know. I know where to look. It has to be the cliff at the waterfall
.

Is that far from here?

No. Let’s go!
I jumped out of bed and started pulling on my jeans.

Wait, perhaps we should plan. We will probably need to dig
.

Good point. We’ll take a garden spade. Besides, don’t tell me you’ve never dug a hole!

Yes, of course I have, but I wasn’t looking for a small stone and didn’t need to be careful!

If we both dig, we will double our chances of finding it.

Got it.

Hey, Half-Breed, I have an idea. You said Moheeladeck felt my presence through the stone, right?

Yes, that is what he has told me.

Please ask him this. When I’m near the stone again, will he feel it? Will he know?

I could hear the wolf’s thoughts in my mind as he relayed the question to Moheeladeck.

Yes, he believes that will be so, but why?

When we get near the stone, ask him to let you know. Maybe that will narrow down the search and help us find it faster.

Good thinking, Princess,
Half-Breed said with pride.

He relayed our thoughts to Moheeladeck who readily agreed.

Excited about the quest ahead of us, I hurriedly packed some bottles of water and snacks into my backpack. Then I went out back to the shed and poked around until I found a garden spade.

I think we’re ready, Half-Breed, let’s go. I’m not coming back without that stone
.

I set the alarm and we went out the front door.

How long will it take to get there?

Not long, maybe twenty or thirty minutes,
I answered as we circled around the side of the house to the car parked in the driveway.

Ah, Princess,
Half-Breed stammered.
I’m not too sure about this, but I don’t think we’re going very far.

My gaze followed his. A surge of anger shot through me, sending my pulse into overdrive. Someone had slashed all four tires. I knew it wasn’t a random act of vandalism, and I knew I couldn’t call the police.

I called a towing company instead and had the car brought to a local service station.

I sat in the waiting area of the garage, tapping my foot, and biting my lower lip. Now that I had an idea of where to find the stone, I was impatient to get there. The mechanics had just gotten the car up on the lift and my gut twisted. Something just didn’t feel right. I jumped when the catcher vibrated over my heart and I instinctively put my hand over it.
Half-Breed, something feels wrong here
.

What is it, Princess?

I’m not sure, but the catcher agrees with me
.

I approached the mechanic, who was about to remove the first tire. “Excuse me,” I began, “is there any way you could run a total check on this car? I’ve been the victim of vandalism and I want to make sure the damage is limited to just the tires.”

“I’ll do what I can, Miss, but if we get busy, well, I can’t really let things get backed up. You would have to leave the car.”

“I’d appreciate anything you could do.”

I headed back to the waiting room, took a seat, and Half-Breed sat beside me, but we didn’t have to wait long before the mechanic showed up.

“Miss,” he began.

I looked up at him and my heart sank at sight of the frown on his brow. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but it appears your brake lines have been cut, too.”

“What?” I said with a gasp, slumping further into the plastic chair.

“You probably should leave the car here so we can check it out. We’ll maybe have it back to you in a day or two.”

“Do you happen to have the phone number of a local car rental agency?”

“Actually, we have a few loaner cars here. Let me see if one is available,” he said with a sympathetic smile.

He returned a short while later stating they had a loaner I could borrow.

“While you have the car here, would you run a full check on it to make sure nothing else is wrong?”

“Sure, no problem.”

No problem
, I thought with a laugh,
my life these days was nothing but problems.

The parking lot at the falls was deserted. It was a Monday in late October so I didn’t find that unusual. Actually, I was glad since I was accompanied by a wolf and we were going to be digging up a state park.

It was a steep climb up the eastern slope, and by the time we arrived at our destination, my legs ached and I was breathing like a freight train.

Half-Breed
, I huffed to catch my breath,
please ask Moheeladeck if we are close to the stone
.

Half-Breed conveyed the query to Moheeladeck.

After a few go ‘rounds with no success, it was agreed that Moheeladeck would let Half-Breed know when he felt I was near the stone.

Moheeladeck is on stand-by?

The wolf nodded. I started walking around in hope that I would step close to the spot, but with no response from Moheeladeck, I was getting frustrated.

I thought for sure it would be here somewhere.
My hands balled in fists at my side.

You have been walking around in circles. Focus, Princess. Maybe if you do, the stone will call to you.

I took the backpack off and set it on the ground beside him and then removed my shoes. I stood calmly, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I smelled the crisp coolness of the water, the pungent pine trees, and the rich, earthy mud. I stepped forward and felt the damp ground beneath my feet and the spray from the falls upon my face. I inched toward the outcropped ledge and stopped in the same spot I had stopped every time I came here.

I peered down over the ledge at the falls and sparkling pools below. I did feel as if I were performing an ancient ritual, my ancient ritual, passed down through time from mother to child. I was suddenly filled with a closeness to my mother and overcome with such emotion that tears pooled in my eyes. The catcher gently hummed and its warmth radiated over my heart.

STOP!
Half-Breed commanded.

I froze.

We must dig. Moheeladeck feels a strong pull from you. He thinks you are standing on or very close to the stone.

Yes.
My breath came in pants as I said,
Come, Half-Breed, and bring the backpack.

Half-Breed did as I asked. Without taking my feet from the spot, I took the backpack and riffled though it for the garden spade.

Don’t wait for me, Half-Breed, start digging.

I took one step back and knelt to dig in my fresh footprints. The earth was moist from the constant spray of the water and the spade moved through it easily. Half-Breed dug gently and I could tell as he nosed the upturned soil that he was trying to be careful. I thought that I should dig and then use my fingers to sift through the moist earth held in the shovel of the spade to be sure I wasn’t overlooking the prize.

After a while, we had a small but rather deep hole and still had not found the stone. I couldn’t prevent the heavy sigh that escaped me.
Half-Breed, please ask Moheeladeck if he can still feel me near the stone
.

Yes, and he said for some reason the feeling grows more intense.

I looked down into the hole and realized that the catcher that I usually wore hidden inside my shirt was no longer hidden. It was hanging from my neck, suspended directly over the hole, but it was pulling slightly toward the right. I had the idea then that the stone in the catcher was being drawn toward its mate. I leaned closer to verify my theory and sure enough, the catcher shifted more to the right.

Half-Breed, look here. The catcher is showing us where to find its mate. Dig here
.

We began to dig a second hole. Half-Breed was gently pawing the ground and sniffing through the mud and I was sifting through the mud with my spade. This hole was getting deep and I was starting to become impatient and stuck the spade down, thrusting my arm into the hole to my shoulder. As I was lifting the tiny hand shovel out of the hole, the catcher dangling around my neck began to spin wildly over the spade.

Half-Breed, look at this. I think I may have found it!

The wolf stopped digging and sat to watch. I brought the spade up out of the hole and gently pressed my fingers into the small mound of damp earth. The first attempt yielded nothing, but when I stuck my fingers back into the soil that remained in the tiny shovel, I connected with something solid.

Digging into the backpack, I took out a bottle of water and washed the mud off the clump in my hand.

My spine tingled and a grin spread over my lips. There in my hand, shining in the afternoon sun was the identical mate of the stone in my dream catcher. In that moment, it was as if my spirit truly became one with the spirit of Takshawee. She and I were no longer separate people. My mind opened to the knowledge possessed by the Indian Princess.

I knew exactly what to do and how to use the stone.

I took the catcher into my left hand. The artifact was full of light and energy as if it were excited to reunite with its mate. I held the throbbing stone in my right hand. Then I put the two flat sides of the stones together. In a flash like lightning, the stones instantly bonded to become one, together for all time. Somehow, I knew this was true.

Before I even realized it, I uttered the words, “Bring Moheeladeck forth to me.”

Lightning flashed again and there before me stood my warrior husband; tall, dark, and muscular, dressed only in a loin cloth. The smile on his face could have dulled the sun.

I reached out to embrace him. It was only then that I realized the hands I saw before me were not my hands. The sleeves of the fleece jacket I had been wearing were now deerskin. I looked down at myself. I was wearing the clothing I wore in my dreams.
Had I suddenly become Takshawee?
Before I could even make sense of this, I found myself wrapped in Moheeladeck’s loving arms. Whoever I was, wherever I was, I was happy to be in his embrace. I knew it was where I belonged.

“I knew you would not fail, Takshawee,” he murmured and bent to kiss me, his lips soft and warm. His embrace tightened. My arms wrapped around his neck and my fingers entwined in his long hair as I responded to him. The catcher hanging over my heart was warm and humming with excitement.

He placed the palm of his hand over the catcher, over my heart, and I knew he felt its power flowing into his hand. “We will now be united for all time,” he said.

His gaze became heated as he stared into my eyes. And as he leaned to kiss me, I heard the underbrush rustle when Half-Breed slipped away. As our lips met, I recalled our kiss in my first dream of him, the kiss that took my breath away. It was as if the passion held for centuries had been released in this one kiss. My breathing became rapid and my heart began to thunder as the passion grew. I clung to him as we sank to our knees. There in the place where I had always found peace, the place that spoke to my spirit, where I felt one with the earth, we made love. We became one. There in the shadows of the tall pines, beside the raging water our passion also raged. Passion so intense that I felt I would die before reaching my release.

I lay in his arms, with the warmth of the afternoon autumn sun on my back. Staring into his eyes I saw his love shining there. I knew that this man was my past, my present, and my future, and I knew that our hearts were bound together just as the stones were . . . forever. He reached up and gently brushed a stray piece of hair away from my face.

“When did you first know my spirit had returned?” I asked.

“I knew the first moment you stepped on the earth where I had buried the stone,” he answered. “My heart soared as an eagle knowing that we would be united once more.”

“I was worried that even if I found the stone I wouldn’t know what to do.”

He laughed. “That surely was not the case.”

“Once I held both stones in my hands, it was as if my mind opened and I possessed all the knowledge of their magic. I even knew what words to say to summon you to my side. It was amazing.”

“I will be by your side always. Takshawee, you are the very essence of my life.”

Just then, Half-Breed interrupted.
I hate to butt in, but there is a van down in the parking lot and it’s right next to the rental car.

“Half-Breed, go and scout,” Moheeladeck instructed. “Then return and report what you have seen.”

The wolf nodded and ran off into the woods.

I dressed quickly and waited for Half-Breed’s return. We didn’t have long to wait. We could hear his thoughts along with his usual grumbling long before he arrived at our sides.

I don’t like it. Not one bit. I don’t know who they are, but I don’t like their scent.

Leaning over the ledge, we saw three men wearing backpacks who had started to hike up the marked trail on the west side of the falls.

“Are there more than three?” I asked.

No, but I don’t like it.

“Maybe we can make it down to the car unnoticed. Did they do anything to the car, Half-Breed?” I asked.

I don’t think so, but I know little of cars.

“I think we can make it to the car before they realize they’re on the wrong side, if they’re even after us. They might just be hikers,” I replied.

“I will not leave you if there is any chance of danger,” Moheeladeck said.

“I don’t think there is any danger.”

“How could you know this?”

I put my hand over my heart and the catcher. “The catcher vibrates when there is danger and right now, it’s quiet.”

“No, I will accompany you,” Moheeladeck insisted. He crossed his arms over his chest and spoke in that tone of finality.

We made our way down the trail with Half-Breed leading the way and Moheeladeck bringing up the rear. As we neared the car, I saw the old beat-up van with the faded blue paint job and a peace sign in the window. It appeared that the hikers were just a bunch of hippies and it bolstered my confidence in trusting the catcher. We got to the car and I unlocked the door.

“What strange thing is this?” Moheeladeck asked.

“A car. We get inside and I drive us home.”

I adjusted the front passenger seat to accommodate his long legs. Half-Breed climbed in back and when Moheeladeck got in the front, I buckled the seat belt over him.

“What is this harness?” he asked.

“It’s to keep you safe.” I smiled as I climbed in and turned the key. The engine roared to life and Moheeladeck jumped.

“Safe? What have you done to this great beast that has caused it to roar so fiercely?” he asked.

I giggled. “That’s the motor and it’s supposed to sound like that. Just sit back and relax,” I said. I burst into laughter realizing that if I ever got stopped by a cop it would be quite a sight with a wolf in the back seat wearing a seat belt and an Indian Warrior wearing only a loincloth in the passenger seat, and the car being driven by a woman dressed in an authentic Indian clothing.

When I put the car in gear and started to back out, Moheeladeck grabbed my arm and the dashboard. If he has this reaction to simply backing up, how would I ever prepare him for travel at actual speed, let alone the highway?

“Moheeladeck, it’s supposed to be like this and we’re going to move a lot faster before we get home,” I explained.

Half-Breed’s thoughts shyly entered my mind but I soon realized he was actually speaking to Moheeladeck.
You will become accustomed to it and find it is quite enjoyable, especially when the window is down. It’s a fast way to travel and it sure beats walking.

“It may be a fast way to travel, but how can you feel the earth? How can you hunt? How can you be on your guard for enemies? This is not the way of a warrior,” Moheeladeck answered.

I pulled out of the parking lot onto the road and started toward home. Moheeladeck became silent as he gazed out of the windows watching the countryside slip past.

“You seem deep in thought. Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Wrong? No. Merely different.”

“Different?”

“Yes. I am trying to imagine this land as I know it in my time. What has become of the great forests filled with deer and game?”

“People have settled and the forests made way for farms and eventually for housing.” I saw his sadness as he realized what the future held for the Aloscotay people and my heart wrenched. So much would change.

I pulled into the driveway and hit the garage door opener.

“What magic is this?” Moheeladeck asked.

“This is a garage door opener. It’s an electronic device that makes life easier.”

“What is elec-tronic. An electronic what?” Moheeladeck asked.

I parked the car and got out. Half-Breed helped Moheeladeck unbuckle his seat belt while I disarmed the security system.
I can’t wait to see his reaction to television.
As we went inside, Moheeladeck’s amazement and curiosity grew. “You have a very big lodge for one person,” he said as he looked around.

“That’s how we do things in this time, but I think you’ll understand better if I show you the house, er, a, lodge and all the things in this time that make life easier.”

“Let us begin. You show Moheeladeck,” my husband directed.

We entered the kitchen. “This was where we cook,” I said, motioning toward the stove.

“Where is the fire pit?” he asked.

“We use a stove now,” I answered and showed him the stove and refrigerator. But he was most impressed when I made popcorn in the microwave.

“How long can you stay here?” I asked as we moved through the rest of the house.

“Until you send me back.”

“Won’t the tribe need you?”

“Yes, but I have been away before on hunting trips. Do you tire of my company so soon?”

“No. Actually, I was thinking of how nice it would be for you to spend the night,” I said as we entered the bedroom and I closed the door behind us.