Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Thirty-One: A Wind Walker

The following morning the bright blue sky spoke of another sunny day. The trial of the Long Walk had been a journey filled with shared suffering and sacrifice. For three weeks, Changa had traveled with Emec and Maneau to various tribes of his people, the Menduwaka, the People of the Wind.

The Centaur nation consisted of twenty tribes, scattered across the Plains of Delwar. Each tribe consisted of between twelve to fourteen clans, and each band had well over three hundred people. Today was to be the final leg of their journey before Changa returned home and Danced with the Wind. Gold and moonbeam paint glistened upon his body, giving an impression he was a Spirit Walker, one of the elder spirits. Emec and Maneau followed him, and their Centaur bodies were coated in gleaming pearl moon pigments, acting as ghosts of lost warriors seeking their way home. Bright-red tears were painted on the corners of their eyes as if they were crying drops of blood.

Many years had passed since one of the people had last undertaken the Long Walk. Changa would dance with the elder spirits and would share a council with the leaders of long ago. Put, he was offering himself for sacrifice, if need be. Up to this point, every tribe had accepted them openly. Even Chief Dendros attended a council meeting with his clan. The ambitious Centaur leader dared not challenge the old ways.

Many listened with silent sad faces, nodding as Changa voiced his concerns about the Menduwaka’s future. Everywhere he traveled, elders came to him with heads held down while holding their open arms high in shame. Standing close to the great bonfire, Changa spoke of great sorrow.

“There once were a people who walked bravely across this land. Proudly, they called themselves the People of the Wind. Many brothers and sisters strong, they feared no one.”

Emec approached Changa with his head bowed in shame. “Forgive us, Spirit Walker. We are lost and have forgotten who we are and why the Great Mother gave us life.”

“Centaur and human children can run together across the green grass of the Plains of Delwar. They run free because humanity and Centaurs fought for it to be so. The Menduwaka and humans are brothers and sisters, for both our futures are tied together in a bond of life,” Changa said with emotion. The Spirit Walker spread his arms as if to embrace every Centaur gathered around him.

Maneau advanced hesitantly, as if unsure of what to say. “Spirit Walker, it is said great darkness now covers the land. Shadows whisper of war upon humanity and those who stand beside them. What is to become of us, if we do not go to war to aid our brothers and sisters?”

The wind started to pick up in gusts, buffeting all who were present. Changa heard faint whispers in the night air around them. Ghostly voices filled with great anger and shame.

“The Elder Spirits gathered here are angry. To turn away from a brother or sister in their hour of need is the greatest betrayal. Those who do so are doomed to walk alone, despised for all time by the Golden Ones,” Changa said solemnly.

“Spirit Walker, you speak great words of wisdom,” Amoka, a Clan Elder, said solemnly. “Your words have given me great strength and fill me with pride. I also sense our destiny does not lay with parting with those whom we call brother and sister.”

Within the vast crowd of Centaurs gathered around Changa arose a great murmuring of assent, as they talked amongst themselves. There was strength in their faces and fire in each one’s eyes, as each let their inner courage show.

“The Menduwaka are many when we are gathered together as one. Our enemy knows this. Elliana’s dark brother seeks to make the people of the wind fight against brothers, sisters, and even amongst ourselves,” Changa declared to everyone gathered around him. Now many Centaurs were standing and nodding their heads in agreement, while some stomped a front hoof.

An elder stood and stepped into the firelight. The old Centaur stopped and gazed upon Changa for a moment and turned to face the thousands gathered around him. “I am Sedar, Shaman of the Sedwan Tribe. There is no sign of betrayal within the Spirit Walker. By my word—I stand for this son of the Menduwaka.”

“Our enemy has spoken to my father and said they would leave the Menduwaka alone, as long as we do not aid our brothers. Maska, my father, told this evil one we would not abandon our brothers and sisters. This enemy of ours seeks to divide and weaken us; we must prevent this at all costs.” Changa passionately defended the alliance while pacing back and forth.

Sedar stepped in front of Changa. “Your father has always been a wise leader, and I agree with him, Spirit Walker.”

“Soon, the elder spirits will dance with me. I shall ask for their aid to help the Menduwaka find their way,” Changa stated in a commanding voice.

Later in the night, Sedar walked with Changa, Emec, and Maneau to where they would be sleeping for the night. The night air was calm and quiet. “Changa, your words have filled our hearts with courage and our minds with hope. Be careful; it is not wise to trifle with the elder spirits. If you are not sincere, our ancestors will recognize this and destroy you,” Sedar said to them. The wizened old Centaur led them to a lodge and bade them enter.

“Our people must rejoin the alliance, or everyone will perish. A great evil has risen and revealed itself; it serves their dark master Bemenah. Great powers are stirring, and all who would save Aederan are needed. The Great Mother has shown me strange dreams,” Changa revealed to them all.

“Take this amulet I have made from the teeth and claws of a great bear. It has immense powers of protection. For it to work, Changa, you must believe in what you say.” Changa took the amulet, bowing his head to honor Sedar, for the gift. Placing the charm around his neck, he felt a slight tingling when it contacted his skin.

The following night, Changa prepared for the ritual, having returned to his clan. His body was anointed with oils and spice, to soothe the elder spirit’s anger. Various markings were carefully drawn, according to the old ways. The bear amulet hung lightly from around his neck.

“Changa, are you sure you want to do this?” Maska asked quietly. His father was painting symbols of power upon his son’s body.

“I must ask the Elder Spirits to help rid us of this shame. Our people wander and have lost their way. If this goes badly, please understand I tried my best.”

An hour later, Maska softly played the drum while Changa danced in the firelight. Sweet spice filled the air around him. Barely imperceptible at first, it seemed as if the soft beat of the drums and his heartbeat were slowly becoming one. The Milk of Yenara he had drunk earlier flowed through his body, giving him strength. The Centaur Spirit Walker felt his consciousness expanding. The elder spirits ran around him, glimmering with golden light.

Many elder spirits crowded around him, whispering words of anger and despair. Changa spoke to them from his heart. The golden ones immediately confronted him. He became a faintly glowing bear, who now fought other bears, which rose to do battle with him. The elder spirits challenged his right to stand there. One by one, the Spirit Walker fought them off. The Centaur’s bear form now bled from a few places, yet still stood proudly representing the Menduwaka. There was no telling how long it lasted. Every moment he stood and fought, gave his people more honor.

As the battle raged, Changa, the bear grew larger. Another bear now stood beside him, fighting against the onslaught. Quickly, a second bear joined him. Others turned against the remaining elder spirits battling against him. The Spirit Walker continued to speak to them from his heart, asking for guidance for his people. The spirit’s challenges were starting to take their toll. Now bleeding from several places, he felt his strength ebb. Most of the elder spirits now stood at his side, fighting against the last few who continued to oppose him.

Suddenly it was over. The elder spirits gathered around while whispering soothing words of strength and power. Changa looked where others pointed at purplish-black tendrils, which snaked around those who waited for him below. He instantly knew the dark wisps were powerful evil. Whatever they touched was weakened or destroyed. An elder spirit angrily pointed at a small black leather bag, cleverly hidden at the base of a bush, with his spear.

Those who stood around Changa became still. One single elder spirit approached and stood before him while chanting strange words. In a great flash of light, the golden one became a massive silvery bear glowing brightly in the night. The great bear walked up to the Spirit Walker, who stood before him in bear form and placed a paw upon his chest. Searing heat burned him while sharp claws pierced his weary flesh.

Changa stood still and felt great power crest within him. Total peace filled every fiber of his being, while his sense of awareness expanded further still. More energy now enhanced his essence than he had ever known had existed. The Spirit Walker was now a massive silvery bear, standing in the night air upon his hind legs. The elder spirits stood around him, chanting as his sight dimmed. The Centaur looked up to those gathered around him. Their eyes were wide in awe, for he now glowed in the darkness with intense silvery light.

“What is on your chest?” Emec asked. His friend pointed at Changa’s chest.

Changa looked down, upon his chest was burned the form of a great bear standing, while roaring defiantly. In amazement, the Spirit Walker quietly stared. The seared imprint of the bear was now a scar, and the wounds he had suffered were healing before his eyes. The exhaustion the Centaur had felt had been replaced by vibrant energy, as he once more stood.

Maska silently stared at Changa in amazement. “The elder spirits have chosen you to lead our people in the coming war. You will wield mighty power against our enemies,” his father said solemnly.

“The elder spirits told me our totem from this day forward, is to be the great bear.” Changa heard himself say, as if from a distance. “I am now a Wind Walker, and I will lead our people in the coming war.”

The winds quieted, while many in the clan gathered wood and built a bonfire. They formed in a group around Changa and the blaze, for they wanted to listen to what he had to say. Others evidently could not sleep, for their group quickly grew until every member of the clan was present. Faces filled with joy sat around the Wind Walker, eager to share the unity which was theirs. Through the night, the Centaur told how he had danced with the elder spirits and everything which had occurred. Others shared their stories and answered questions about the elder spirits.

Right before dawn, Changa stood and raised his arms. “There is much to do. The elder spirits have shown me great evil lies close to our clan. Follow me.”