BK 4 - Chapter 29 - The Legends
"What do you mean I've finally come home?" Alex asked. He had thought he was born in Rio. Kele patted his hand before letting it go as she began rocking in her chair.
"Please sit down, and I will explain." She said with a smile. Alex and Kiersten sat on the small loveseat across from her while Tom sat in a chair. Once everyone was settled, Kele began speaking.
"Let me tell you about one of our legends, passed down through the generations. Many moons before I walked this land, our ancestors left from the east to come to the west. The white man had taken what was ours and made it their own. We had to leave if we didn't want to live under their laws. The terrain was harsh, and many of our people lost their lives. Our people settled here and made it our home. They lived happily for some time, but it didn't take long for others to make their way to these lands. When the white man tried to take our lands again, our people didn't want to leave, so they fought back." Kele paused to take a sip of tea.
"They didn't have guns like the white man, but their arrows could pierce their hearts just the same. Our people made them retreat, but many lives were taken in the battle, including Chief Atohi's pregnant wife. He carried her body to the river, where his cries of anguish could be heard for many miles. The wolves that protected those lands came to watch over him in his grief. When the chief put a knife in his chest to kill himself, the wolves drank the blood that flowed from his body. Even though the man was gone, his spirit had transferred to the wolves." Alex and Kiersten were so caught up in the story they didn't move or make a sound.
"The next day, the white men came back. Our people were still mourning their losses and were caught by surprise. Before they could attack, the wolves that had drunk Chief Atohi's blood emerged from the forest. The white men and our people couldn't move out of fear when the pack stood between the two groups. The wolves were no longer the size of average wolves. There were at least three times the normal size. No one knew what to do, and that's when the wolves attacked. They killed all of the white men who had come to kill our people. When they were done, all but one wolf walked into the forest. The one that stayed behind spoke to the people in the voice of Chief Atohi. The words didn't come out of his mouth; they heard it in their heads." Kele stopped speaking and began rocking in her chair again. Alex, Kiersten, and Tom were on the edge of their seats, waiting for her to tell them what was said. Just as Tom was ready to ask her, Kele took a deep breath.
"He told them they would no longer need to fear the white man or any other man. Wolf blood and human blood had been mixed to make a new species; this was a gift from the great spirit. From that day forward, man and animal would be the same. Any child born would be a pup and have the ability to shift from their human form into their wolf. When the large wolf left, no one believed what he'd said. A new chief took over, and they prepared for the next attack they knew would come. A couple weeks later, one of the women gave birth to a male child. The wolves returned and stayed by the child's side. Once again, they heard Chief Atohi's voice. He said this child was the first of the new species. The child had a wolf inside him, and he would be able to change into his wolf when he came of age. With every child born male or female, the wolves returned to watch over them for the first few days. Still, no one believed what the wolf said." Kele paused again to take a drink of her tea.
"Every time the white men came to attack our tribe, the wolves stood by my ancestor's side to help in the fight. Several moons later, when the first child of the new species reached the age of five, he told his parents that he heard a voice in his head. The voice told him that he was the child's wolf. No one believed him and thought it was a child's game. There was still doubt when the other children began saying the same thing. Even when the wolves growled from inside the children, they thought they were playing tricks on them. The next time there was an attack, the new species of children were of age. When the white men showed up with their guns, the children ran to the front of our people with the wolves. The children leaped in the air and changed into large wolves themselves. Our people all fell to their knees, thanking the great spirit for giving them this special gift. From that day forward, our people never doubted Chief Atohi again." Alex couldn't believe what he was hearing, but he still wondered what Kele meant that he had finally returned home.
"Over the years, we have heard of other tribes with the same experiences. Depending on where they lived dictated the type of animal their people changed into. I have heard there are wolves, lions, tigers, panthers, bears, and many more. So, my dear child, you are of the new species. You are an ancestor of one of the tribes. What animal do you have inside of you?" Kele asked Alex. Tom turned to Alex with his eyes wide.
"Is what she said true?" He asked Alex in disbelief. His mom had never told him this part of their history. Was she beginning to lose her mind?
"Yes, it's true. I have a grizzly bear. His name is Remy. My family is a mixture of lions, panthers, wolves, and tigers." Alex answered. Kele nodded happily.
"I believe over the years they began to refer to your species as werewolves, werebears, and such, but that's part of the folklore thinking man can turn into a beast to terrorize others. Your species are mostly protectors, and it is an honor to meet you." Kele said with tears in her eyes.
"I don't understand. If your people had wolves back then, wouldn't there still be wolves in your tribe now?" Kiersten asked. She had heard the way Tom questioned Alex. It didn't make sense that he wouldn't be a wolf if the legend they had just heard was true.
"Sadly, no. Those that had wolves became fewer and fewer over the years. I don't know why our children were no longer born with them, but by the time I set foot on this earth, we no longer had wolves. I have never spoken of this legend before today. When my father told me this legend, he said a time would come when I would know I needed to repeat it. He said to not speak a word of it until that day. My children, what is the real purpose of your visit today?" Kele asked Alex and Kiersten.
"Our kind is being killed. We're being sold to be tortured or hunted like animals. Just before my grandfather died, he asked me and my sister Lisa to finish his work making laws to protect us. My sister thought it would be a good idea to speak with some of the tribes to learn how the laws that protect you could be used to protect us." Alex answered. Kele's smile got bigger and bigger.
"You and your family are part of us, but many don't know of you. I know you plan to visit other tribes. Will you allow me and my son to travel with you? I may be able to get you more help when I speak with the other elders like me who hold the secrets." Kele leaned forward in her chair. Tom couldn't believe it. His mother hadn't left the reservation in years.
"Mom, are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes. We need to help them. They're part of our family, and it's only right that they are protected like we are." She replied.
"We would love to have your help. Thank you." Alex couldn't believe his luck. The first reservation he visited held a wealth of information.
"Tom, help me pack. We'll meet you at your vehicle, and I'll tell you where we need to go next." Kele stood up and clapped her hands. Alex led Kiersten outside.
"Well, that was interesting." She said as they walked toward the SUV.
"I know. I feel a little raw hearing that story. I don't know how the vampires and witches fit into this, but I didn't think it was a good time to bring it up. I'm just glad to have her help when we speak with the other tribes. This might not be as difficult as I thought." Alex kissed Kiersten's forehead and wrapped his arms around her.
"I agree. Let's see where this goes."
