The Festival of the Four Suns

As the escort took us back up to our rooms, the walk continued in normal fashion with the female official, who's name i still did not know, and her guard seeming to be in complete solace. It was as if her mind were so occupied that she forgot to be human. I decided to muster up enough courage to talk to her. "So, that was unnerving to say the least." I spoke with an unsure tone. She continued to walk in silence. "So, I never caught your name." I said this time hoping she would answer. "That is because I never told you." She replied. " Well what is it?" i inquired. "If you must know they call me Kuma, short for Sekuma." Kuma uttered with out any inflection or emotion. "Oh that is a nice name they call me..." "I do not care what your name is or what they call you." Kuma bluntly interrupted "We are not friends nor shall we become friends. I am here for business not pleasure. " "Well, excuse me..." I sounded with a sarcastic tone. We continued walking as silent as we had started. It was apparent that trying to reach out to this woman was pointless. She seemed so defensive and assured with in her stern unchanging nature. I need not worry myself wondering what her problems are or were. I have much bigger things i need to worry about now. Like how to even begin to fathom preparation for the ceremony that awaited me once i got to the temple.

Nachel and her sisters awaited me back at my room. They seemed so relieved to see me. I must admit I was relieved to see kind and non-judgmental faces myself. "How did it go?" Nachel asked. "It went well, I am to be examined by the priests at the temple of Ma'ktu with a ceremony called the tarre." As soon as the words left my mouth the girls gasped. "The... Tarre!?" Na'Chel exclaimed. "Yes, the Tarre. I am well aware of the danger, but you saw what happened in the bath house. And my vision, if only you could have seen it as clearly as I did. It showed me my destiny. I am no longer afraid and I beg of you not t
o be either." Na'chel shook her head in agreement. "I will go with you." Nachel said. I looked at her with gratitude and excitement. "Are you sure? This means you will have to leave your sisters." I inquired. "I am." She replied firmly.  "Okay, I will insist that you stay by my side as my personal confidant." "Really? Not as your servant?" "For a woman as wise as you are to be considered anything but would be an insult to those who have chosen to employ you." I stated with a smile. "How wonderful, you will not be sorry. I promise!" She spoke with great joy.

Later on that day in a large room filled with many people in beautiful attire; beset by a banquet table fit for an emperor. There a lone voice rose in the midst of the incense filled haze of beautiful aroma and decoration.
"We are the few, the chosen those who refuse to be changed but are in a constant state of evolution. Driven by the power and might of our ancestors we trudge forth. In times of war we prepare for peace and in times of peace we prepare for war. The Akia are a mighty people we will not rest until the our planet is free from destruction and disease. From poverty and crime. Our purpose is clear and our destiny forged in the essence of time itself." One of the elder officials spoke in a clear and distinguished tone. To the large audience that were before him.

"From the time before time we have tried to preserve the ways of the ancients, but with the constant threat of war and attack its becomes less and less possible to preserve life and culture in the same way. We are faced with hard times, our people suffer and live in fear. But it is up to us, the protectors of the ancient ways to create a future brighter than the present we are faced with now. Our minds are made up and our message is concise. We were here, we are now, and we will forever be!" Chills ran down my spine and my spirit began to rise as the crowd before him rose in standing ovation to such a great and noble speech.

"What a fitting way to begin our ceremony." Spoke a loud voice from the line of men standing behind the podium. It was the wisest elder councilman. He proceeded "But we must not only feed on the emotion provoked by these words. We must hold them in our hearts daily we must live and die by them. The hardest of times are still ahead. We must face them with the faith provided by these truths and live with resilient nature. Today marks the beginning of what could be the brightest ember of hope we have seen in a long time. Our most recent discovery of a descendant of the Ma'ktu. If she proves so she could be the key we need in this on going battle and become the restoration of peace  harmony and justice. Living in disrepair so long may cause many of us wise and lame, young and old to receive this news with doubt. But what we must understand is our battle is not only one of external turmoil but the battle we have struggled against is within, and is the ultimate battle with doubt itself. We must restore faith in not only the possibility of triumph but in the inevitability of it. The only obstacle standing in our path is our selves. We are the descendants of a mighty people. Divinity and truth flows through our veins. We must call upon that truth we have inside to guide us in the reality we now face. Now is a time to have greater faith than we have ever had before. It is time to have faith in ourselves, and the greatness of of ancestors. We are not only here but we celebrate this moment as if we have already won!" An even greater and mightier roar of applause filled the room with the completion of these words. They meant so much to me. I connected with these speeches deeper than anything I have ever heard in my life. I had faith in myself. And the faith I have with in is growing with each day here. Every experience I have had shows me the missing and forgotten pieces of myself.

"Let the festivities begin!" The same voice proclaimed. With those words came the most pleasant melodies I had ever heard in my life. They moved me and all those around me to dance. With the energy so high in the room, I had neglected to pay attention to a rare and odd sight. Could it be that the cold harsh stone of a woman that I had known as Kuma, was partaking in the celebration? She was dancing right along with the rest of us. Quite well I might add. We all swayed in rhythm with the beat. Creating a unified energy among us. Each of my senses were engaged. The sweet smells  of the great banquette set before us. Sweet and pungent spiced fragrances filled the air. Matching the frequency of the music perfectly. I was enveloped completely in this moment and I reflected it in my dance. We danced as if  the only time were now and we became one in doing so.

When the dance had ended it was now time to partake of the beautiful banquet set before us. I was called along with Kuma; to sit at the head table with the counsel-men themselves. The wisest elder spoke as we were seated, "I have great faith in you young one. You have an ancient face. Your eyes burn with an intensity not held by many who have only lived but for a short while." He said with a kind yet familiar tone. I was thoroughly surprised to be so highly thought of, but some how it just felt right. I replied in a gracious tone, "I am honored by your words. Your wisdom is so respected and genuine that I must humbly accept the truths you offer." We both smiled as if we were the only ones who were in on some great secrete that no one else yet knew. In a way we were; we shared something special and indescribable. A bond; the way one must feel after meeting a long lost relative. A feeling of knowing you are connected beyond any experiential proof.

After I received those words not much as was spoken. The music still lingered in the background as we devoured our beautiful meals. The tastes of all the spices so rich and fragrant lingered on my tongue with each bite. The table set family style encouraged us all to share dishes that were passed up and down the large table. It was a meal unlike any other I had ever experienced in my life. Back home I was used to eating freeze dried what ever the hell it was in those little packages in my dorm room often alone over my next report or research paper. It was rare that I ever ate a meal with other's let alone with flavors so rich. It was if my tongue had been revived from taste purgatory and was now initiated in to the sweetest, most savory, and delicious version of Nirvana one could ever be permitted into. Each new dish vibrant with colors of greens, reds, oranges, and browns; gave beauty to the eye as well as the tongue. As I tasted them I was driven into pure orgasmic bliss and my body was nourished and healed by the experienced. I began to question if what I was accustomed to doing could even be considered eating. After we had all had our share of the great bounty we sat back letting the grace of what was given digest and linger. Kuma spoke, "I am not one to be easily amused; but it as if you have never received nourishment. Haven't you ever eaten?" She said in a joking and sarcastic tone. I decided to engage her little joke, "No!" I exclaimed. "Never in such opulence nor grandeur. Today for the first time in my life I dinned as a Queen." She looked at me with a strange and twisted smile. Could it be that the queen of ice for the first time since I've met her has graced us with a smile? Damn this food must be good! I laughed to myself.

A gentle man approached the table, "May I have this dance?" He asked. I looked back shocked that he was speaking to me. "Yes I replied." He was a tall man who stature complimented my own. He walk gallantly as he led me to the dance floor. "Are you familiar with any of our traditional dances?"He inquired "No." I answered. "Of course not, I will teach you. Here, place your arm on my shoulder. Now stand with your back arched facing toward me. Place your feet as such and let my arms and the music guide you." The gentle rhythm and sweet melodies carried me as gracefully as his body supported my intuitive movement. We swayed beautifully to the music. "This is nice." I told him. "You are a natural." He replied. "Really?" I laughed.
"Yes, why are you so surprised?" He smiled back. "Well, because I have never danced before." I murmured almost ashamed. "How is this so? Do they not have music where you come from?" He inquired. "Well yes, but not anything like this." I said. "What a strange place you must come from. You could not grow up in this nation; nobility nor peasant with out at least learning the basics of movement. It is as sacred to our people as breath itself." He spoke with great pride. "I see from your movement, you must love to dance." I declared. "Yes it is part of who I consider myself to be. It is my pleasure to behold a beauty such as yours while we engage in this ancient art. May I ask you your name?" "Yes- my name is Atu'ehna." I spoke. He was the first to ask me my name in the 6 months that I have been living here. "What a beautiful yet strange name. I don't think I have ever heard anything like it." He stated. "Really? Yes, well it's not very common where I am from either. I guess you could call me one of a kind." I told him. "Indeed" He confirmed. The song was finished. "This was lovely,-I'm sorry I don't think I caught your name either." I spoke. "Juanku." He sweetly answered with a smile. We both sauntered back to my seat. "Will I see you again Atu'ehna? " He questioned. "I hope so." I smiled. As I returned to my seat. Kuma glared at me as if I had some how deeply upset her. Her eyes cut so hard it was if they threw flames. "Have I done something wrong?" I asked her. She abruptly got up from the table and replied, "No. Nothing, at all." The sternness in her voice led me to believe otherwise. I wonder what got into her. I had barely ever seen her show a single emotion let alone a whole range of them in one single night. From elated to amused. From amused to upset. Wow, I wonder if all people here react to the festival of the Four Suns, this way. The night was very enchanting and enticing to say the least. I had danced ate, and danced some more. My heart and my belly were so full I could burst with contentment. A feeling fleeting when I thought of the future and what it might hold for me. But for tonight I had the festivities, and the kind words of the Eldest councilmen as my comfort. They strengthened me for what I knew was sure to be the beginning of a long and adventurous journey. I was up for the conquest. But for now I was just awaiting rest. I am wiped out from this long and exhausting day, yet still anxious for the road that lies ahead.

The Matter of the Tarre and The Great Council

The escort was tall broad and muscular he was dressed in a uniform made of fine linen. His face was serious and his stance intimidating but powerful his dark brown chest muscles peered the the low v neck shirt and his well built arms busted the the sleeveless vest that sat on top of the shirt. He was very handsome i could help but notice his pearly white teeth when he talked and his deep and booming baritone voice as he spoke. "Come, I will take you to the court. The officials are ready to meet with you." My heart dropped a little, my hands became a bit clammy i was nervous. I was about to come face to face with my destiny that was in that hands of a group of strangers who viewed me as an outsider and intruder in their lands. This couldn't help but to start me off on the wrong foot. But hopefully the urgency of the times along with the importance of the matter would help to temper their minds and hearts when making their decision. I walked along side the escort and in a strange way he helped to relax my mind. Although his demeanor was strong, his spirit seemed stern but kind. Maybe i was only telling myself these things to make the experience less frightening or maybe this was apart of my spiritual development. The ability to see the truth of a persons spiritual intent. If this was the case i only hoped it would serve me as useful and guiding as i spoke with the officials i was about to meet. We strolled down a long corridor until we reached a set of stairs we scuffled down into a court yard where he led me through a beautiful tropical garden. At the end of the garden where two ornate doors, than he gestured to the guards to open them and beyond the doors was another long and beautiful corridor. This time the stair case at the end led upward and we turned right at the top where another flight of steps were located and this time at the top of the stairs where two great arched doors with more guards in front the escort gestured to these men as well and they opened the doors. When they opened they reviled the royal courts. At the back of this great room were a host of seats that sat in a semi circle around the curvature of the room. Beautiful open balconies lay at each end of the gold toned court that gave a beautiful view of the wondrous garden we had previously traversed. standing before the court i noticed the two familiar faces the female official and her personal guard. She gestured to the escort to leave and for me to come to her side. I nervously scurried across the meticulously designed floors to the side of the official a great thunderous drum and bellowing voice announced the The Great Council. My knees began to shake and my heart pounded, how could i someone who is used to being so brave and fearless be so scared and unsure. It was almost as if this life felt more real, like the whole life i was living before was just a great illusion. Even the memory of what that life felt like was fading fast and beginning to feel more and more like the memory of a distant dream i had long ago and the truth of my fears were bubbling to the surface more and more each day.

The elder counsels made their way into the courts, each of them dressed impeccably in the most beautiful long flowing garments i had ever seen each of the seven dressed in a color of the rainbow. The first counsel was dressed in all of a beautiful and vibrant red. The second was in from head to toe robust orange. The third was dressed in a loud and bold yellow. The next counsel wore all of a deep earthy green and the fifth wore a royal bright blue. The sixth counsel was adorned in deep indigo tones and lastly the seventh and most exuberantly dressed of all wore garments of beautiful shades of purple and gold and a matching head piece that was singularly greater than each outfit that came before it. I stood back in pure amazement at the sheer beauty of the garments each elder counsel wore. This only added to the beauty of the court itself. The first six counsel men sat in six adorned seats closest to the front of the room while the seventh sat in a specially adorned seat about a foot behind the rest of them. The female official bowed before the elders as did her guard i hurried to do the same. They nodded and we were granted permission to speak. The female official began, "Highest honor to the great and noble elders of the court, I am here today to speak on the possibility of important matters to the southern tribe. It has been recently brought to my attention that this peasant standing before me may somehow be of the weakening bloodline of song oracles, and due to the urgent need and current shortage of song oracles i felt it should be of great interest to the courts to place her immediately in the care of the elder harmonic sages to be trained for battle and further service of this great and noble tribe."
The seventh and head counsel spoke in a course but stern voice "From where has she come and how was she found?" The female official replied, "She was found at the edge territories of Arahdalum by the working fields for filling her duties as a prisoner of war. She was found mysteriously wondering in the undeclared lands of Kino Yarabinon where she was captured and accused of being a spy from the northern tribe. She was immediately taken in for investigation, but her inability to speak any language we are familiar with she was taken to Arahdalum where she was put to work." The second counsel spoke, "How are we to know if she can be trusted, to undergo such rigorous and powerful training she must prove her loyalty to this nation. I do not trust any such person found wondering amongst the unknown with no sure source of identification. How are we not sure that she can be trusted?" The sixth counsel rebutted, "There is but one way to try her loyalty to the southern tribe and to be sure of her true heritage as a song oracle and that is to bring her to the elder sages themselves and have them perform the Tarre." The fourth counsel interjected in a concerned tone "We all know of the powers of Tarre but we should also be careful of its adverse effects as well. What if she is neither an oracle nor a spy then she will still be ripped apart by the sheer force of the Tarre are we willing to sacrifice an innocent life." The First counsel spoke loud and as if he were offended, "These are desperate times surely in the grand scale of things one possibly innocent life is a small price to pay to unlock the potential of finding a new song oracle and a female one at that. Who is to say she is even innocent? maybe she is a spy and has been gathering information all along, then would she not be deserving of the effects of the Tarre?" The fourth counsel cried out in disgust "Have you no shame? The very forces we battle against everyday are the very seed of those thoughts if there is even one possibility that she is innocent her life must be spared! There is not one hint of evidence to suggest the she is guilty of any crime other than being the victim of unusual circumstance." The female official spoke, "It may interest the court that we have found that she bares the mark of harmony." The head counsel man spoke, "Show this to us at once." I raised my head and brushed away my locks with my hand. All the counsel men gasped with utter shock. The second counsel spoke, " That mark has not been seen in ages. I thought the last of the line of Enean was killed years ago how is this possible!" The seventh and head counsel spoke in a sure and robust tone, "All things are possible is she not standing before us now. Such a gift from the great ones must not be questioned nor taken lightly. We have heard and seen enough official we will deliberate at once."
It was as if i had clung to each word at the exact moment they fell from his mouth. With each word came a greater feeling of ease. I could sense in some way my mark, the source of so much mental anguish as a child, had persuaded him that i was a "gift." I had been called many things in my life but never a gift. The elders rose for deliberation in a procession as orderly and ornate as they arrived. They all gathered into a room set up behind the court, to what's appearance was kept a mystery. My heart felt sure even though my mind was uneasy about the doubt some of the other counsel men had shown, it was as if a great the lot of a great burden had been lifted off of me from a deeper place than i could even truly realized. For the first time i was beginning to feel sure of my own destiny. That i a poor lowly girl from the slums of the world i had come from could have a greater purpose in this world, amazed me in ways i could never have imagined.I felt like a horse at the beginning of a race only waiting to hear the shot of a starter pistol, anxious to begin what i had come to do.

After hours of deliberation the elders were finally ready to announce their decision. They proceeded to stand in front of the adorned seats and announce the result of their deliberation. The head elder spoke in a robust and authoritative tone, "We The Great Council of Elders have deliberated for many long hours. We have come to a final and official decision regarding the matter and fate of the young peasant girl. We feel that it is of utmost importance to the counsel to uphold the well being of this great and Nobel tribe. As the keepers of such a scared order, we agree that it is in our best interest to take the girl to the elder sages and have them perform the Tarre. Which will confirm or deny this girl the honor of her lineage. You will leave, to take her to the mountains at dawn tomorrow morning. Until then she will stay here at the palace and partake of tonight's festivities. The Great Council has spoken." I sighed with relief. The female official, the guard, and i all bowed at the declaration of the news. The Council proceed back to their chambers and as swiftly and beautifully as it had started, it was over. The courts guards were summoned again to escort us back to our chambers, where we would await further instruction for the nights ceremony. Which was explained to us a the Festival of the Four Suns.
For the first time in my life the sense of purpose i felt alone was enough to make me feel determined. Its like i was so sure of myself that not even the fear of possible death could destroy my sense of pride, for my path was chosen and I was more than sure of who i was and more than ready to begin.

Contemplations of Far Away Home

So i waited in my room for what would next approach me. Even though i had a renewed confidence in the substance of my spirit it still seemed hard enough to accept the potentiality of what was to come. I waited what seemed like hours alone waiting and analyzing every corner of the room. From the beautiful high ceilings and great archways to the long a glazed marble floors. I gazed upon every specific and select detail of the great carved canopy bed's head bored, foot bored, and posts. Each unique and delicate carving only took me farther and farther away into the depths of my own mind. There i couldn't help but spend the time thinking about home. Something i had not done in depth since my ride to the city.

See my mother was killed when i was only one year old and i don't have much recollection of her other than what i have learned of her through my aunt, my father's sister, which is not much. After she died i was placed in temporary homes until my aunt learned of me, at the age of three, and sought me out. When she found me she says i was underfed, neglected, and over all abused. I guess a part of me just blocked all these things out as i can only remember bits and pieces of those years and those memories are random and fleeting. Anyhow my aunt is a wonderful woman although she did not always have the best financial condition she made me feel loved understood and important. My fondest memories of my childhood spent with her were the times we spent in the mirror together where she would tell me to recite this affirmation while hugging myself "I love what i see when i look at me!" These words seemed funny at the time but little did i fully understand the love and confidence she was filling me with to face this cold and sometimes cruel world. Each day she would come and pick me and her son,who i refer to as my brother, up from the academy and on our walk home she would take us to the park. The last remaining parts of what was left of nature where i come from.
In the world i come from it is polluted over-populated and crowed to say the least. Most of the natural resources renewable and nonrenewable, have been greedily used up and by the time my children will be born and growing up there will be even less and possibly nothing for them. This is part of the reason i chose to go on this journey in order to salvage the only option of what could be a brighter day for my future children. The place i come from is a dieing planet the skies are almost always grey with smog and pollution and when ever the sun does decide to come out the people are so unequipped to deal with the high radiation content from the destroyed ozone, that the people are advised to stay inside. Most of my generation has learned how to adapt to that sort of environment, but i hadn't i still longed for and dreamed of being amongst the trees and in direct sunlight like my ancestors. My aunt told me that long ago our people specifically did nothing but that. Auntie told me that our ancestors were the most ancient bloodlines on the planet. That we were the original people of the planet, she would always point out our dark skin and tightly curled hair as markers that we once danced in the suns rays and our dark skin was our protection. She also told me that our tightly curled hair is like the foliage of the trees and that it took the energy of the sun in and helped our body to properly receive it. This was completely different from what i had learned at academy but i knew she was telling the truth. Here was a woman who took great pride in her honesty she wouldn't even lie when she needed to so why would she start now. With that genuine look in her eye and the soft yet stern confident tone in her voice that she only used when speaking of serious matters i at least knew that she believed it but something in my spirit told me that it was true. I guess you can say that's how i ended up here my curiosity for what came before me. A search for the truth of who or what my people were, and who or where i personally came from. It's crazy how the universe works as it seems like these answers were patiently awaiting me here in this time and this world. As these answers unfolded they seemed to be greater than i could have ever imagined. Just as i was in my head figuring out and thinking of all these things, a great thudding knock came from the door. I jumped up to open it and it was an escort to take me to the royal court, it was time. My destiny was calling and i had to answer.

The Great Snake and the Seven Scales

An older man gathers his quilt and a couple of his other belongings. He gets up and begins to walk to the the big fire set a blaze in the middle of the camp grounds. A young girl follows behind him. The older gentleman is so majestic and tall that when he walks it is as if you can hear the thunder in the distance gather with his foot steps. The young child tries to emulate her grandfathers walk in an overly exaggerated and playful manner. The little girl looks to be about seven or eight years of age. She has warm brown skin, chubby checks and two long kinky braided pigtails that befall her shoulders with big bulbous berets at the ends. Grandfather finally reaches the fire, and the little girl is so bent on imitating her grandfather that she forgets to pay attention to where she is going and when he stops she keeps on walking. She bangs into the back of her grandfathers legs and she is knocked back by her own gumption. "HEY!" she yells, as she is flung backward onto the soft grass that breaks her fall. "I didn't even notice you Aliyah. What are you doing back there?" Grandpa says in a voice as thundering as his walk. "I'm tryna walk big like u Big Daddy!" Aliyah says excitedly and hops back up dusting off her blue and purple shorts where she had fallen. She walks toward Big Daddy normally this time and careful as to not make a repeat of her last tumble. "Are you ready to hear an old time story?" Big Daddy asks. Aliyah finishes her journey to a big oval rock where her grandfather is already sitting and climbs on top to sit. "Now I am!" shes says as she cuddles up next to Big Daddy. He lays a bit of the quilt hes already under, on her legs. "Better cover up those pretty little legs don't want those knees shaking." Big Daddy says. "Your right" Aliyah agrees.
"Big Daddy tell me about the time when you and Daddy went fishing when he was my age." Aliyah asks as she smiles excitedly. "Aren't you tired of hearing that story leelee? Why don't I tell you a story my grandpa used to tell me?" he inquires. "You used to have a Big Daddy too?" Leelee asks. "Yup" Big Daddy answers "When i was little like you. He used to tell me story that his grandpa told him and his grandpa's grandpa told to his grandpa and all they way back until the story was first told." "Wow, that's an old story. What is it about big daddy?" "It's about a great snake and the seven scales" said Big Daddy. "I want to hear it big Daddy! It sounds way better then how daddy almost fell out the boat trying to catch the big fish when he was young." Aliyah said with a bright an beautiful smile she was intrigued and couldn't wait to hear the new old story that her grandfather was about to tell her.
"Well are you comfy and set kiddo?" Big daddy asked. "Yes" liyah replied. "Okay. In the time before time, when men didn't walk the earth, before the earth was even created. There lived a beautiful serpent who had seven great scales. They were bright and beautiful they glistened and glowed and resonated with the a brightness that gave light to the darkness of this space. Even though the great snake was very young it was very big. The great snake always traveled with its seven scales each one glowed with the different hues of the rainbow and they shown in the darkness of space like we see the stars in the skies now.
The great serpent loved each of her scales greatly and everyday she would count them by lighting them up one by one until they all glowed in a harmonious light. One day while the serpent was on her daily travels she noticed a far away light off in the distance. Intrigued she decided to investigate and see where the light was coming from. As she moved closer to the light she realized it was a small and odd creature one she had never seen the likes of before. Still curious she proceeded to move closer to the small creature. When she was close enough she called to the creature 'what is your name small one?' The creature did not answer her back so she called once again 'Do you have a name? Who are you? Where did you come from?' The creature still remained silent and still. The great serpent decided that maybe the creature could not hear her so she proceeded to move even closer and blink each of her scales to the creature maybe it would notice her then. So she did and each scale in all its splendor and beauty blinked and glowed in the darkness and created vibrant patterns across the skies. At that moment the small creature revealed itself and it wasn't so small after all. It turned out to be a great and powerful monster of the heavens. The creature grew large and long and powerful tentacles grew from the center of the being and millions of eyes opened all of them glowing almost as bright as the serpents scales. The serpent was frightened and tried to escape." Big Daddy paused for effect. Liyah looked at big daddy with intense anticipation "Oh no KEEP GOING BIG DADDY KEEP GOING!" she yelled excitedly. Big daddy proceeded "When the serpent moved away from the creature one of the monster's testicles emerged from the darkness and wrapped itself around the serpents body. The serpent twisted and struggled and tried to wriggle free, but the harder she fought the tighter the tentacles griped. The tentacles began to pull the serpent back in to the abyss of its center. The great serpent was very scared but the tentecals had begun to grip her so tight that she was not able to move and so she was paralized with fear and tried to accept her fate. But while she wrestled in her own mind to understand what was happening to her she refused to accept it. Just as she was about to descend into the deepths of the great monsters abyss, she thought of her scales and with all her might she made them glow as bright as possible and the light that came from them over powered the darkness of the skies and blined the moster's millions of eyes they all shut and the monster was confused by the light and let the great serpent go. At that moment the serpent fled the monster and continued on her travels but not with out being very shaken up at the experience, but something felt very different. She had been so taken back by what happened that she didnt even notice that her seven scales were no longer on her long body and at first she was devastated and began to cry. 'Oh no i have lost my scales' the great serpent said with great sadness. Just as she began to cry the hardest she noticed from the corner of her eyes seven great spheres that glowed even brighter than her scales had in the past. At first she amazed and a bit confused at how they had gotten there but as she peered closer the spheres possessed an uncanny familiarity and she felt a great connection to them. When she looked even closer she noticed that they all glowed with the beautiful hues of the rainbow. Instantly she knew, 'My scales' the serpent gasped.' Each of her scales had become beautiful bright spheres that gave an even greater brightness of light to the darkness of this space. So to commemorate and honor the great spheres that used to be part of her she did a great dance around each of the seven spheres and cried great tears of joy. These tears became what we know as the stars in the skies. And some say that some where far away out in the depths of space the serpent still dances the dance of the seven spheres of light!" Grandaddy finished with a great smile on his face. "Wow that was a great story Big Daddy!" Aliyah said with a great big smile. "Yes it was and there is a dance that goes along with it. Would you like to see it?" He said. "Of course." Liyah smiled. "Okay, here we go first you take your left arm and you wave it like this." Aliyah looked on in amazement and fascination and tried to emulate the movements her grandfather did before the fire. "That's right your getting it Lili." Big daddy's great voice thundered into the darkness of the forest. And so they danced and danced until their hearts were content and Aliyah never forgot the story that her big daddy told her. When she got older and had children of her own, she told the story to them to honor the traditional telling of the great snake and the seven scales.

The Bath House and the Bright Light/s

We finally arrived in the city the streets were lined with merchants selling everything you could ever imagine and some things i had never even seen before. It was my first time in the city and i was mesmerized by its beauty and its detriment. The grandeur of it was of something i had never seen or prepared myself to see, especially in this ancient time. This experience was life changing to say the least, but i must not fail to realize the situation at hand. We trotted through the streets even still approaching the most inner parts of the city beginning to surpass the common folk and going into exclusive areas where only officials where allowed each part guarded by a great gate and two or more soldiers depending on how distinguished the section and the people who lived there were. It was quiet an experience as we road deeper and deeper into the heart of the city. It's as if the city were a living organism and as we road through i felt closer and closer to its nucleus of energy. I was strangely familiar with this energy in an unexplainable manner i was overwhelmingly intrigued.

We pulled up to a grand and beautiful structure that was more luxurious than anything I had ever seen in my life five hundred feet across the face and one mile on in each direction. There were great cravings of massive statues greater than anything I had ever witnessed in my life, sitting on each side of the grand entrance. It sat perfectly against the horizon of the setting sun. It was like some great mural every angle and curve was set off perfectly by the orange haze of sky behind it. That framed the structure and accented its beauty. The smells of burning oils, perfumes, and incense filled the air the aura of this place was great and it spilled over into the rest of the city. This must have been the nucleus of energy I felt some strange connection to. We stopped at a small side entrance. The guard came to the back and opened the door for both the official and I. She got out first and I followed her. When we were both standing before an entrance, there awaited three servant women. The official spoke, "You smell terrible, these women will led you to the bath house there you will bath and put on proper clothes." She turned away and began to walk toward the door the guard walked along with her. She opened the small door and walked through it. The guard behind her closed it after walking through. The door made a reverberating thud. This alarmed me as I had thought that I would be following behind them. Although they them selves were strangers to me they were who I had come with and thought I would remain. A foolish thing to think, but in this world I felt so alone that I often clung to small familiarities.

The three young women took me away to another entrance a short walk away from the previous one. They opened another smaller door and we walked through. One of the women seemed more friendly than the others. She appeared to be the youngest. She spoke in a soft but comforting voice, "We hear you are from the country side. Why are you here?" One of the other women looked at her as if what she had said something inappropriate. "That is rude of you to ask and not your place Na Chel." The second woman said in a stern tone. Then she turned and looked at me, "Forgive my sister she is young and has just begun to work." I replied and smiled, "No it's fine, I didn't take offense to her words." I turned to Na Chel and smiled, "I am here on business with the female official." She smiled back and said, "That must be interesting." "It is." I replied. While we spoke we walked through a long and open hall were I could hear a steady flow of water running. The floors were lay with marble and granite. Giant granite pillars supported the arched structured ceilings the walls seemed to be painted with liquid silver and quarts crystals lined the lower panels of the walls. It was a beautiful display of luxury and extravagance. The optimal splendor of just the halls, gave hint that no detail was over looked and nor expense spared to create such splendorous quarters. "The bath house is this way," Na Chel pointed forward to a great man made body of water that was crystal clear and reflected the great architectural beauty of the house around it. The arched ceilings hung like a frame over looking and reflecting within the pool. The young women began to undress me and I was a bit shy but eager to finally properly bathe. Although if may say so myself, I have never experienced a bath like this. Zita the oldest sister, had disappeared into the other parts of the building for a bit but reappeared a couple minutes later. This bath house was grand to say the least. It provided a serenity that had healing properties to my spirit. At the mere sight of it my heart was moved to bliss and conquered by its enormity all at once. Still entranced by this structure I had failed to notice that the women had finished undressing me and were already preparing the water with oil essences and fresh flower petals. There were candles lay all around the perimeter of the pool and they all lent fresh fragrances to the air. The warm mist that engulfed the entire space was a mixture of all the sweet aromas that had been created by the sum of all this bath's ingredients. This aroma seemed to have awaken something deep in my spirit. "Go on in" Na Chel said excitedly. "We have prepared this bath especially to clean and remove all negativity from your heart and spirit. It will cleanse and strengthen you as you prepare to meet with the great court." I thanked her and her sisters.

On the closet edge to me were a small and sturdily built set of steps that was used as an entrance to the water. I stepped down from the first step and the waters warmth and spirit completely surrounded and penetrated my foot. With each step the spirit of the water awakened my own spirit and the awareness of the areas it enveloped. By the time i reached the last step and my entire body up to my neck was covered and the feeling was so intense and comforting yet strange all at once. I was entranced by the energy. At the instant I realized this the middle of the bath opened up and a great flash of light covered the whole bath house. When the ominous and bright light disappeared I saw before me the out lay of four pyramid structures and there where eight women and eight men dressed in all white before a great fire humming a high pitched frequency. As the frequency permeated the the air one of the pyramids bases began to glow. Shortly following was a second then a third then the fourth. A purplish glow resonated bright and pure. The symbols and markings of each pyramid began to glow in the purple light and traveled up to the capstone of each one. There the lights ascended above each pyramid on a slanted tilt and met in the meridian of the four. At this instant the lights joined and an almost sonic boom was heard over powering the still chanting priests and priestesses. The light penetrated the space that surrounded it and began to head outward first swallowing the priests then myself after them. I was lifted by the light and my body merged with it all orifices on my body projected this same light outward. I rose to about the highest points of the pyramid's capstones, I was jilted and my body was thrust backward I awakened in the arms of Na chel. She had a worried and confused look on her face. She spoke "I am not sure how this happened. The bath was only meant to rid you of the bad energy around you." "What happened?" I asked peering up at her. "I am not sure, as soon as you were fully submerged in the bath your body went unconscious, but you didn't drown. You remained fully submerged in the water at peace. And for a while my sisters and I thought you were just resting and being playful in the water. When several minutes passed we began to worry so I jumped in and pulled you out the water. You had stopped breathing but your heart was still beating. I was rocking you and telling you to come back and then you came too." "You didn't see the light?" I said confused and shocked. "No, what light?" The oldest sister interrupted Na Chel "You saw a light? Did it have a hue?" "Yes" I answered. What color?" she said inquisitively. "Purple" I replied. "Do you know what that means?" "I have only ever heard of something like this happening once. It was a long time ago, when I was young, but I do not want to speak about it." Zita told. "Please tell me!" I begged. "It is hard for me to speak of and I was young so maybe I am not a reliable source to recall." I looked at her daringly and sincerely searching for an answer. "Please tell me, I must understand what this means." "Okay." She sighed. "A long time ago when I was very young my mother held the same position with her sisters, our aunts, as my sisters and I do now. I was very young and wanted so very badly to be with Mama all the time. One day she gave into one of my fits of her leaving the servants quarters to go to work, and let me tag along. There was a new guest who had come to the courts shes was young like you and possessed the same peculiar mark on her head. My mother prepared a similar bath to the one you were submerged in. The woman stepped in and passed out as well. Mother was worried an went to an official inside while my aunts waited with the woman trying to revive her. When the official finally came she told my mother and aunts that they were fools for letting this woman bath in such spiritual waters. That she was an untrained oracle and was too sensitive to be in such situations. The woman woke up for but a short while just long enough to utter these words, 'the purple light, it is so beautiful.' Mother and aunts were confused they didn't understand. Shortly after this woman faded and died in my aunts arms. My mother was fired but my aunts were not. Mother returned to the country side with the rest of our family, but left me and my younger sisters with our aunts. She said we had better chances here. She did not want us to know the harsh life of a country peasant. I never saw Mama again, she got sick and the family could not afford to treat her and when they had saved up enough money it was too late. She was too sick to be treated and she died." Big tear dropplets began to fall from her eyes. "That is why I was so hesitant to say anything that event, took my mother away from us. That is also why at the begining of the bath I went into the house to tell the elder maids that you seemed special and to confirm if we should be giving you the bath we were instructed too. They brushed me off like I was stupid. Maybe I should have warned them better." The tears were still falling from her eyes. "It's okay I'm still alive and no one is leaving or being fired I wont say a word. Any how, I believe I was meant to have that bath. I am strong enough even untrained to survive anything and some how I feel stronger than I was before. Look at me honey, I came from the fields, that bath was a walk in the park." I said with easy eyes and a loving grin. Na Chel asked "In your dream you walked in the park? Was the light there?" I laughed. "No, Na Chel... Never mind it is a saying from back home." "What does it mean?" She asked. "That the situation was easy for me and even pleasant." I answered. "Oh, that is good. I think? I was worried that you wouldn't awaken." She uttered in a relieved tone. "You are a sweet natured woman Na Chel." She beamed and smiled. This was an experience to say the least. I dusted my self off and got up off the ground. Just as I stood upright I caught a glance of myself in the water. In my reflection there was a bright golden light that glowed around my whole body and I appeared to have three eyes and two orbs of the same golden light appeared behind me. I just stared at this reflection for a couple moments. Then i rubbed my eyes and it was gone. I began to ask if the girls saw it too but I just shrugged it off. Dismissing it as a part of my gift. Man this oracle thing maybe real. I just maybe special. But if I am why haven't I experienced any of this stuff before? There was something special about this place. The energy here was more natural and organic than anyplace I had ever felt back home. Like every thing about this place was set up to bring the most intense energy and to shock and stimulate the senses and tap deep into the reassesses of the mind. This place called to me like an enticing and seductive siren and my heart, my spirit and my soul answered with agreement to the experience of experiencing her. She was scary yet beautiful and I was falling deep for her and all she had to offer.

The Female Official and The (Almost) Stolen Girl

The softest breeze struck my cheek and a chill ran ever so suddenly down my spine. It was as if the wind had whispered, "Change," in my ear. Just as i stopped to listen a cloud of dust came bustling down the road the wheels of the vehicle trotted and bumped on the unpaved streets. This was very uncommon for this time of year we had just begun sewing seeds and they never came until harvest what could they have wanted? There was no way who ever it was could have been bearing good news. The vehicle finally came to a halt the doors swung open and a guard came from the front and a female official from the back. She was adorned in precious jewels and garments made from only the finest linen and silk and when the wind blew from her direction the sweet and pleasant fragrance of only the finest perfumes and oils were sent in my direction. The woman made her way to the main house and gestured to the guard to stay with the vehicle, with hesitation he obeyed. She walked up the remainder of the main pathway to the house. The house was modest to say the least a simple structure that served it's purpose. On the front step stood the owner and his son to greet the woman official. They bowed to the official as a sign of respect it was apparent that she was here to discuss serious matters. The most prominent matter of the day was the war. the wars with the northern tribes were as old as time. Ancient legend told of the northern and southern tribes great rivalry. It goes back almost as far as their story of creation and the great ones.
Myth goes that in the time of the great ones, when the air was most pleasent and the spring time never left, there lived two peoples who flurished in harmony and tranquility. All was well with both nations the economies flurished, the people never knew of sickness nor violence, of pestalience nor distruction. This was the time before time, but then the great clamity happened. Many catastrophies took place great and numerous droughts and earthquakes. The seasons began to change first the temperature rose to unbareble heights, then plumented to tretorous lows. Needless to say, this completly and utterly anilelated the crops and any of the other source of food. The southern tribes were the greatest afftected by these catastrophies as they specialized in agriculture. Thusly this is where most of their food supply came from. Great numbers went with out nourishment for many months. Some became sick and began to die. This was unusual because before this time no one died they only ascended into the higher relms of being. The people turned to the high priests and priestess to explain what was going on they told the people that this time was spoken of and prophicied by many great ones in the eons past. The time of change, of death and rebirth, the time of culivation the mediation. Durring the fammon the southern tribes had turned to the northern tribes for help. In awe and amazment at how they had managed to survive seemingly unscathed, they sent embassadores from the southern tribunal to the the north in search of answers and help. When they arrived they were amazed at the totals of people in the streets it was as if the populations had not been at all affected. The embassadors went into the royal courts in search of answers and help. What they received was suprising and horrific to say the least. The night of their arrival there was a great feast held in their honor and the embassorders were not only impressed but intrigued. What did they do so differently to avoid the fammons? How could they have managed to not only survive but thrive in these conditions? On that night their questions were answered. The legend says that on the fest table lay human remains and flesh broiled, roasted, and grilled. They had resorted to caniblism and savagery to survive. The southern embassored were greatly disturbed but puzzled at the same time. How could they survive on human flesh with out decreasing their population? That answer was soon revealed to them, the high priests of the northern tribes had resorted to low level magik the likes of which had not even been thought of in the time before time. They created beings whos sole purpose was to become a food source for the nation. These beings were farmed and harvested like animals or crops. This greatly discouraged the southern ambassadors and they fled the nation as soon as they received the news. They were never to return. When the stories were told of the horrors that they had encounter many were moved to action. The southern tribe though greatly effected and small in number where determined to rid the planet of this injustice. And so it had begun, the first of many and continual battles that led to wars with the northern tribes. Every one knows of these myths and they are locally passed down from generation to generation to tell the history of the events that tormented the people for ever more. I had become aware of these stories through the tellings of them every night around the dinner fire. The elders always told them and all the young ones and many of the adults would sit and listen as we all ate dinner. Since i was new to theses people all my learning about them came from me teaching myself the language and observing what i could. The myths are all i have had the chance to learn and understand my outside world with. Since this mission was highly experimental, little knowldge of the actuality of it working let alone an ability to acess or gain knowldge of the history of this place was highly unlikely. See i am not from this time or place, i am from a future time were my people had just discovered the extremly experiemental and highly dangerous dark matter energy science. Few people valenteered there time to this science because of its high risk factors including death or even worse becoming permanently lost in the abyss of the unknown. They say only two types of people are actually crazy enough to volunteer for these types of missions, the crazy and the foolish. I guess you could say i was a bit of both. Although i would much rather discribe my foolishness as maybe a fearless, a naivety that could possibly make me crazy enough ever even dream of going on this trip in the first place.

The owner and the official spoke for only but a few short minutes before the official pointed out into the field at this young girl who was the child of a poor peasant couple, but from what i could pick up about the situation locals say that the girl was born biologically to a long line of many great and wise song oracles. A song oracle had the power to manipulate sound a frequency with his her voice and tailor them to magically fit properties of enormous strength. Strength that could be used for creation and positivity or destruction and negativity. It was all in the ways that these frequencies were harmonized and utilized. It was obvious that she was adopted because her features were not that common to any of the common people i had seen here so far including her own parents, and her aura glowed with a brightness unmatched by anyone around her.

The guard came to the side of the official and accompanied her to the fields, where she went to the child and ordered the guard to pick her up and take her to the vehicle. As soon as she was picked up and the guard began to walk away, the child realized what was going on and began to cry for fear of separation from her parents. The sight was so heart wrenching that i couldn't bare to watch. I wouldn't, I couldn't, sit idly by and let this young girl be ripped from the only family shes ever known. I had to say something I spoke up, "How dare you rip such a young child from her mothers arms?" The official turned around stunned and disgusted at my lack of respect for her rank and position. "What did you say to me you feeble and worthless peasant?" she replied. "Say what you like to me but leave the child alone!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "I ought to have you put out of your misery you evil little-" she had turned and looked toward me and stopped upon looking me in the face. "Wah-wah-where did you get that scar?" She spoke puzzled and breathlessly. I looked up at her confused and stated faintly "Are you talking about this?" She nodded yes. I guess she had seen the scar on my forehead. I was born with it. It was from an injury i had acquired as i was being born. They say it was an internal injury that couldn't be explained. I told her about how i had been born with it. She said to me in an forcefully yet intrigued voice "SING TO ME!" I was so nervous i had never sang in front of people before only behind the closed doors of my own room. I wasn't even sure if i was any good but i had no choice in the matter if this meant spearing the child's life it was important enough for me to over come my fear. I opened up my mouth and begin to sing a melody. A melody i remember my mom singing to me every night before i went to sleep. Her eyes were asphyxiated and a mesmerized look came over her face. She spoke "I will spear this young girl if you come with me to the official courts and if they approve the Abby of The Sacred Songs." I nodded in acceptance of this agreement. The little girl was put down by the guard and ran eagerly back to her parents. Her mother picked her up and held her tight. They looked at me with a ambiance of thankfulness and respect but also with shock that I, not a native would risk myself from a nation that i am not a part of, and in context i guess i understood. But this was a matter of voicing my principles and where i stand. No young girl or boy for that matter should be taken away from their family at such I young age. And i refused to stand idly by while i watched that very thing happen. The official motioned for me to hurry along and I followed behind and was seated in the back of the vehicle right next to her. The whole ride to the city must have been at least ten hours. The whole way she never once looked me in the eye nor spoke to me. All i could hear were the wheels bumping over the unpaved and rocky roads and the occasional cough or biological noise from either the official or the guard. The quiet, although awkward, was welcome as it was much needed in the aspect that it created a space for me to perceive the actuality of what was happening to me and how truly at very least amazing it was. Here i am suspected of being from a long line of great oracles. How is that even possible? I diddled with the thought of what that meant for me and my life. How it would effect the chance of me going home? Would i ever see my home again my little brother? my aunt? I guess these were the chances i was had to be willing to take when signing up for this mission but never the less the depth of human emotion is never so clearly understood than the moments in which it is felt. The world i came was fading like the shadow of a distant memory. I felt as if I was beginning to forget my old life, like things that were once so vivid grew dim in the strange light of this new world.

Is Natural the "New Black"

Many African American women are opting out of the straight and silky look, and the question becomes is Kinky in? Well an astounding number of black women in the US are saying yes to a natural and no to THE PERM. For those who aren't aware, the word perm is short for permanent which refers the permanent straightening of the natural texture of African American hair, not the same as curly perms in other communities. This process for women of color can be expensive, painful and sometimes dangerous, but"pain is beauty." The phrase we have always heard chanted over and over again to us since the time we received our first process. Seeing the long luxurious locks that came to be after the process was over was well worth it or was it? Personally i have been natural from chemicals for four years and from weaves or non-natural textured extensions for about two years. And may i say that this experience has been interesting to say the least but over all an exhilarating and liberating one that has allowed me to not only restore the health of my hair but gain knowledge and an understanding of myself that i would have gained had i remained enslaved to the perm.

The biggest worry for most black women is acceptance. Will a culture that has exonerated fine textures of hair accept my kinks and curls? Will this look be accepted as professional and or attractive? The answer to all these questions is ever changing and advancing in todays world. Although it is true you may hear primitive cases of a companies refusing to hire African American women and men with natural hair styles, the number of individuals with these doos are increasing and becoming more visible in the work place. And from my personal experience men and women alike from all cultures and backgrounds seem to love, accept and sometimes even go so far as to compliment me on my natural hair. Could this mean that it is becoming more culturally accepted for us as black women to wear our hair the way it grows out of our head? Well we all are well aware that the trends for hair and style in our society has always been set by two industries fashion and entertainment. So by their reflection we create our conception of beauty, but like the times this concept of beauty is rapidly changing and we are beginning to see more and more sisters rock their naturals in the spot light. Here are a list of natural women in the entertainment business.
Janelle monae
Erykah Badu
India Aire
Solange Knowles

Chrisette Michele
Lisa Bonet
Lauryn Hill
Les Nubians and countless others who are showing us sisters it's okay for us to be natural and even more than that it is beautiful. In the fashion industry representing natural beauty we have...
Alek Wek
Nerissa Irving
Sandria Washington
Ty States
Andy Allo
and many more...
Could it be we are on the brink of a new hair revolution? Will it become as hard to find a sister with a perm as it used to be to find a sister with her natural? I wouldn't go so far as to implicate such things. Although I would go so far as to say that the number women of color with natural hair is steadily increasing and that many of us are fed up with the fuss of the perms wigs and weaves and the damage that it does to our hair. We are also tired of the a culture that has perpetually told us that our hair, our features, and our bodies are not considered to be beautiful. And many hair companies and salons are changing and adapting to fit this new trend. In this post Obama world it should no longer be an issue for us to embrace and display proudly who we are just the way god made us. Natural hair just maybe the "new black."