Shaman - the Awakening (12 page)

Hey

Oh o o We e

Hoo! Hoo! Hey ey

Ey ey ey O We

Hoo! Hoo! Hey ey

Ey ey ey O We

We repeated the verse several times until he felt confident I knew it. I thought the verse was quite simple. It had a melodic ring to it that made it easy for me, since I was a musician. I treated the verse like chords. Then we shared the peyote pipe for enlightenment. It didn't take long before I felt the effects of the cactus, as we began to chant again. Now I saw why he wanted me to practice several times. The world felt a bit different after smoking peyote. Things began slowing down for me, and appeared distorted. I watched the speeding wings of a humming bird appear to slow to the occasional flap of a soaring eagle. I also viewed the sinuous dance of a bumblebee as it sought a promising flower. I was amazed that I could even see its wings flight.

Then I made my wonderful journey. I could only imagine that this was how it was to take an acid trip. I constantly heard Asku in the background, chanting even after it felt like I had stopped. I appeared to be traveling over the skies and mountains, and then I came to rest in a rain forest. It was similar to the Amazon, where I had traveled while in college. Everything was so colorful and peaceful. Then
she
came to me; black and beautiful. I no longer heard Asku chanting in the background.

I wasn't frightened for some reason, and I should have been, but something inside me was telling me she wasn't here to harm me but to protect me. She seemed to peer into my soul with her ever staring green eyes. It looked like I was looking into my own eyes as she moved back and forth, pacing while checking me out. She finally came to a stop and lay down before me. I knelt beside her and rubbed her silky soft, jet black coat, as she purred and panted deeply. It felt like I could hear the rumble resonating deep inside my soul. It was as if we were one. I had never experienced such a delight in my life.

Then I lay beside her on the cool jungle floor, staring up at the sky, peeking through the flora of the jungle canopy. I hadn't a care in the world at that moment in time. I felt at one with nature and the universe. All the self-conscious feelings of doubt and insecurity had vanished. I finally felt like I belonged to some place. I felt so secure that I fell asleep lying beside her. Then, in the distance, I began to hear Asku chanting again. I suddenly understood every verse of the chant, as if I knew Kituhwa.

When I woke from my trance I was still sitting with my legs crossed on the rug provided by Asku, who remained beside me, chanting. I had stopped.

I turned to Asku like a little boy, wanting to give thanks to his parents on Christmas Day. He fell silent. “I hope you found what you seek,” he stated.

“Yes, I did,” I said with an enormous and enthusiastic smile. I checked my watch and realized that I had been gone for several hours in what had felt like just a few minutes.

“You saw her?” he inquired.

“Yes; it was the most beautiful black panther I've ever seen.”

“She has always been with you,” he explained, “but was waiting for you to come to her when you were ready. She is the spirit of touch and the guardian of the night. She is the ruler of the dark domain. She is relentless and powerful. What she lacks in stamina, she makes up for in cunning and agility. This means she is a fast learner. Due to her quickness of mind and reactions she sometimes forgets to stop and pay attention to details.” I nodded. I could relate to what he was saying.

Asku continued. “She is a natural climber which means she always seeks the higher ground; professionally, academically and in her personal life. She is an overachiever who is extremely intelligent and succeeds in most things she sets out to do. When she climbs, she feels the need to be closer to the sky; the heavens or upper realm, but is just as comfortable in the dark of the underworld or lower realm.

“Unlike the lion or tiger she is an excellent swimmer and just as agile on land. It is this duality which enables her to transverses both realms as fluidly as water in osmosis. She is the guardian of the realms and holds the keys and knowledge of both worlds. This makes her an invaluable ally, yet dangerous as well. Her knowledge holds the light and the darkness. Sometimes her abilities can be a detriment to her, and others. It is a gift and a curse.”

He met my eyes and I felt a cold chill creeping up my spine.
Be careful,
he seemed to be warning me.
We're not talking only about a cat.

He spoke again. “Her power comes from the moon and the night, which makes her a lunar creature; an astral traveler. The night offers her a natural camouflage with her jet black coat. It's her security blanket. She feels the night and the moon as others baize in the sun. She is most active at night. While other animals hunt at sunset, she stalks her prey in the dark of night with the moon as her guide and only friend. She is a solitary creature, a loner who avoids the crowd at all costs.

She is beautiful, but doesn't know it. She has an insatiable sexual appetite and is naturally non-monogamous, passing from one partner to another without commitments or lasting ties.”

This last made me want to squirm.
He's too close to the truth for comfort!

It felt like Asku was reading my biography. I couldn't believe the things he was telling me about myself that were true of the Black Panther also. He described my affinity for the dark and my ability to see well at night. He also mentioned my sexual appetite and my love of running and swimming. He spoke about my need for solitude. He said things about my life that no one knew except for maybe my mother and two doctors; Dr. Banks and Dr. Green.

“So tell me more about yourself, Christian. What tribe is your family from?” Asku inquired.

I took a deep breath and began my own tale. “We are descendants of the Freedmen Cherokees of Sampson County, North Carolina. My paternal great-grandmother and great-grandfather were Cherokees. My grandmother was Cherokee and my Grandfather was a Freedman, half black and half Cherokee, who lived with the Cherokees. My mother is of African American and Cherokee bloodline. I never knew my father; he died when I was an infant. I am a half breed in every aspect of the word. My family was shunned by the Dawes Rolls Act and the emancipation.”

“I am sorry about what happened to your family,” Asku replied. Mine voted against it. Greed and prejudice knows no boundaries. Those whom you would expect to know of the pain of injustices are some of the main culprits. The Cherokee's `Trail of Tears’ and the Navajo `Long Walk' are examples of these injustices, yet our people chose to turn a blind eye towards the same injustices perpetrated against Freedmen. It is this duality within you that gives you strength and makes you strong in the Spirit Worlds.”

I nodded, well aware of the cost and rewards to be gained from suffering.

We continued our conversation under the huge hemlock tree for several more hours.

“We don't have the time to go over everything as I stated before, but now that you are in touch with your Spirit Guide, perhaps things will get easier for you when you're crossing. This backpack is for you,” Asku said and began pulling out its contents. “It contains a Dream Catcher. I've created this one specifically for you, with the three realms represented. Sometimes even dream travelers must get sleep without the disturbances from beyond. This pipe is yours and I've included some dream inducers and other ethno botanicals to assist you as well. This Bowie knife has been infused Cherokee magic. The handle is made from the horn of the sacred stag. It will save your life when you need it. Keep the prayer rug also. Along with the experience we shared together, it will allow you to reach out to me whenever you need me,” he explained.

“I have also taken the liberty of passing down to you this mystic crystal. I have no sons of my own. Wear it and be proud of who you are and your heritage. Your Tsalagi name is `Cheveyo'. It means Spirit Warrior,” he further stated and placed the crystal around my neck, and explained the rest of the contents of the backpack and their purpose.

“When you complete your journey you must return, so we can continue your teachings. There is great power in you, Cheveyo. I felt it as soon as I stepped into your aura. I confirmed it when I shook your hand, and now I've seen it after this session. You have the power to be a great healer as well, but this path I must show you at a later time.” Then he said, “Chankoowashtay,” which means `go on the good road'.

The sun had gone down before we departed from the mountains. We doused the fire and left under the starry skies of the Smokies. I was energized with new confidence in myself and in my abilities. I didn't feel like a weirdo any longer, after bonding with Asku.

Awenta, Nina and Kele had dinner prepared and waiting for us when we returned from the mountains. It had been a long time since I'd sat down and had a family dinner. I learned a lot about my abilities, the Cherokee heritage and the Kituhwa language. It was a pleasure spending time with Nina's family. I conversed with her family after dinner then we drove back to the hotel late that night.

“So, was the trip worth it?” Nina inquired in the vehicle.

“We'll see,” I replied. “I need to make contact with Gracie tonight, but thus far it has been worth it. Thank you very much, I really appreciate what you've done for me.”

“Don't mention it. Have you spoken to Dianna today?”

“I did this morning. I haven't had time to call this evening.”

“I'm sure you can't wait to call her.”

“I had an interesting conversation with Asku about you on the mountain.”

“Really? How embarrassing is this going to be?” she inquired, laughing.

“Oh; he wanted to know if we were seeing each other. I told him that we were just colleagues. Then he stated that I was the first male friend you've ever brought home.”

She began to blush. “Oh, he did,”

“Yes; he did,” I responded.

“Well, you got it easy. Awenta telephoned my parents and told them about you also. They started to come over for dinner until I talked them out of it,” she informed me.

“I guess they're waiting for you to bring that special someone home,” I replied.

“I guess,” she said with a smile, looking at me.

“I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to see them,” I added.

“Oh, I did; I went over there when you were at the mountain. I wouldn't have been able to come back down here if I didn't,” she replied.

“It's good to see how close you are with your family,” I said.

“You're not,” she asked?

“Not really.”

“Well, consider yourself family. They really liked you,” she said.

“I like them as well. I told Asku I would be back down after this case is over,” I informed her. She attempted to hold back the smile I saw written on her face. Nina was infatuated with me and it was very clear to see.

When we arrived back to the hotel, Nina asked, “Are you going to Dreamscape tonight?” There was something pointed in her tone, which I couldn't quite put a finger on.

“Yes,” I replied. “Of course. It's critical I make a connection with Gracie. We're running out of time.

“Can you try and take me there when you go?” she asked.

“We discussed this earlier, Nina. I don't think it would be a good idea.”

“Why not; four eyes are better than two. You and Dianna have already admitted that I'm a part of this.” She stuck out her lower jaw and compressed her lips into an expression of absolute stubbornness, daring me to defy her.

I sighed. “Alright; we'll see if it works. Your spirit is strong, Nina; that's how we connected so easily,” I stated. “Your uncle told me you are the daughter of the Chieftain. Why didn't you tell me you were a princess,” I inquired?

“We don't consider it in those terms,” she replied.

“Your family bloodline has been great in the Eastern Band Cherokee Assembly,” I stated.

“Thank you, but I like to consider myself independent,” she replied.

“Well, you definitely are that,” I responded with a smile, then continued, “Hey, I need a few minutes to talk to Dianna first, then we can get started. OK?”

“Alright; come and get me from my suite when you're finished,” she replied.

“Alright,” I responded.

I wasn't sure how Dianna was going to accept this news of dreamscaping with Nina, especially after our last sexual encounter in dreamscape. Nina had already admitted to the both of us that she had been aroused and thinking about me that same night, which opened the door for the experience.

I spoke briefly to Dianna and told her all about my day and she briefed me on the proceedings of the investigation, which wasn't that good. I told her about Nina's idea and she didn't mind, as long as we kept it civil. I knew what she meant, but how civil can I be entering the lair of a psychotic killer? When I finished my phone call with Dianna, I went next door to get Nina. She had showered and changed by the time I arrived.

She had pulled on a pair of stretchy spandex gym pants and an athletic bra top that only covered her breasts and left her stomach and mid-section exposed. She changed into a pair of running shoes and some ankle socks. You would think she was going to work out or for a run or something. She was looking sexy and distracting as she showed her body's every curve and accentuation. I knew she wasn't going to make this trip an easy excursion, and sooner or later I would have to deal with the consequences of my actions; the dreamscape and its sexuality.

She grinned, following my eyes as I gave her the once over. She then threw on a long t-shirt that covered it all up, but made sure I saw her physique first. Nina was a tease, so I attempted to distract her. I was really trying to be good.

“Did you ever call Sheriff Hughes back?”

“No, not yet. I don't know about those long distance relationships. They never work out. Commuting back and forth from D.C. to New Mexico would be hell,” she replied.