A Place Of Trust
chapter 2
In the light of the full moon he stepped softly out side taking care not to wake the old Grandfather. They had talked long into the night. He listened carefully. Always he sat the mind aside when he spoke with the old one. There would be no interruptions when he sought the wisdom of the Grandfather who nurtured him too good health, taking him into his arms and carrying him many miles to a new location at a time the people had gathered all things of material value and were on the move to escape the harshness of the coming winter.
The Grandfather was all he had then. He was just past puberty when told he was found abandoned and near death as a tiny infant. While the others had passed, ignoring sounds of faint cries, the old one had stopped and listened for some time, then squatting to push aside thick brush he picked up the tiny limp body and their journey together began.
The old one found himself busy with life once again. A space long empty was filling daily. Now he must ask one of the older women to take care of his new found gain when he was hunting. He would bring extra food to her in trade if she would do this thing for him. Although crippled somewhat from past injuries the old one was a very capable hunter. He did not enjoy the feeling of hunger. He would use his horse now to carry great weight if his kill were heavy. Always he shared food with the old women who out lived their husbands. And if the kill were large then many would share.
The boy grew. Became strong and learned what the Grandfather had to teach him. It came quickly and most natural. The food offered up was more than that of the wild life the Great Spirit had put upon the earth for the Human beings to eat. This food came from deep within. Sometimes it was awhile before the boy understood what he had been given. Most times it seemed to the him it was a lesson followed by a message that made a kind of sense the old one merely alluded to. His awareness became keen within this nourishment. He often wondered why the boys around camp did not understand his ideas or the thoughts he shared with them. Occasionally though, it seemed as if something he 'might' have said did slip into the conscious awareness of a friend here and there. They treated him with some fondness yet teased him more than one another among themselves. The old one told him it was because he could see what the others could not. They teased because his presence was powerful and they stood in awe at times while observing his inner qualities. Some were self conscious and showed genuine shyness.
Now, standing in the moonlight, thinking of all this it was as though a new path awaited him. It would require stronger moccasins and material wealth greater than he had acquired at this point in his life. Was he capable of creating further what Spirit had given him up to the present moment? He must go quickly... for the journey had begun. He must return before the move down the mountain. Before the first snowflake fell.
The old one listened closely in the dark as the young one rose softly from his blanket and moved deftly through the shelter opening into the moon light. The two had spent long hours at their fire this night and the Grandfather knew it would be many nights before he would again have the pleasure to enjoy his youth through the eyes of the found son he
had loved from the beginning. As he listened to the words and looked into the eyes he knew the younger man spoke from the heart.
Feeling his years he wished he could go back to that moment in time when he first heard the sound. It seemed as if a whimper of resignation. He recognized the sound of a child in death. It filled his ears. His head swam as if the wind were moving through it. Unable to move he could only listen. A wave of energy moved through his body and he thought he would drop to the ground.
He stood waiting, wondering how long he would be wrapped in the blue light that consumed him. A light filled him with deep love and compassion for this young Soul that was now being placed within his care. He was aware the people moved on past him unaware he had received a gift. Unknowing the Spirit Father had given him new life. As the last of the people passed and his equilibrium returned, he squatted down to move the bushes around and finding the tiny body brought it to his bosom and turning, rejoined the people.
"One cannot go back", he told himself. "One can only remember... holding the memory dear."
Closing his eyes he held the memory a moment before drifting off to sleep. Knowing the young one would be gone when he awoke he slept deeply. He dreamed the birth of new life. New life would arrive come early spring. He saw the infant placed in his arms.
Then all went red. Bright red, splattering, covering his dream. He awoke with a start. Day light flooded the shelter.
He traveled for weeks. Gathering food and trading among the clans he was familiar with. Trading stories and news from one clan to another. Always he approached with hands filled and came away with those things he knew would be necessary to make life comfortable for he and his bride to be and the arrival of the child.
Upon hearing the other boys teasing words of his coming fatherhood his breath had left him. Glancing around to see if anyone else had heard he wondered at the truth of this. Calling his followers aside he asked how they knew such a thing and why would they think it to be the truth. One of the older boys had happened upon the girl and the mother in the woods alone. The girl was telling the mother she had been waking up sick lately and her clothes were getting tight. Word spread quickly and soon it was known by all through out the camp. And now he too was aware.
Turning from his youthful friends he went to find the girl. Giving careful thought to the idea of a family of his own he found his heart beating. For him there would be only this one female. It was she who brought him up short each time he saw her. He hoped she would not hear his thoughts nor recognize his feelings just yet. It was early spring and new life was coming to all nature. They would move camp soon, into the mountains to keep cool through the summer. The snow had melted fast this year and all were anxious to be moving to higher ground.
After several hours of searching he knew he would not find the girl this night. Returning to the Grandfather and shelter he built a fire. He must speak with him now. There was much to be said and he wanted these things said only to the old one. There was a silent bond here, unspoken, unwritten. An innate awareness that drew the two together as one in the world of men. There was nothing he could not take to his Father, his Grandfather. There was nothing he would not do for this kind, gentle Soul. Ever.
They talked long over the fire and plans were made. A message would be taken to the girl if he had not found her before he left. She must know he had gone to bring wealth back for the two of them. Horses and furs for the girl's father. They must start life with all necessities at hand. She and the child would never do without.
He was restless, eager to start. Leaving the shelter and stepping into the moonlight he made his way to find her. She had to know he now knew. He had much to do in order to ask her father for this marriage. He was eager to be off, anxious to return to his youthful woman.
Summer passed quickly and he had twelve horses of his own, five whose backs were covered with packs of needful things. They were wealthy now, he would return and ask the girls father to allow this marriage. By now he had thought a good deal of his prompt leaving of camp. Unable to find her he had left soon after his search, depending on the Grandfather to deliver his message.
The time had come to return and continue his dream of living for himself, the woman, and child. His child. Then...there it was again. That sound. Almost like drums. His ears were full. His balance slightly off, he remained still, waiting. Suddenly he knew...
The clan would head down mountain before he reached their present location. He must make haste. A terrible fear filled his total being. Overwhelming him. He could not shake it. He must go, at once.
