VI.

I had given many names before. Most came easily. Newborns were still attached to the spirit world and with that parting they cried. What their souls have been before is beyond me. They cry out with pain because of leaving that behind. It slowly fades yet hurts drastically, like slowly pulling a knife from your leg. It’s much the same. Once the knife is gone the wound heals then all connection with that world is cut off. Sometimes the wound stays open just a bit and allows some energy to circulate throughout one. One such as I, for example. The link had not been severed completely after my birth. With my connection I am able to feel people’s auras. They come in colors, shapes, and texture. Sometimes, if the aura is strong there is a slight vibration.

Last week, at the spring lake, I felt all of these to the most extreme and constantly changing. When he was first born his aura was akin to a flame, it was warm, moving, and red to yellow. Somehow it became something totally the opposite. In the water it was like ice, it shined blue and felt cold, but the strangest thing was that I could feel a heavy vibration deep in my bones. I’ve only heard about those with that power.

In our old legends there is the tale of a man born with abilities. His abilities were that of creation. In an upset mood he could bring about storms and summon tornadoes. Yet, while he was calm he could bring a flower to full bloom just with his presence. They say his spirit wound was not healed and he remained in contact with the spirit world. The downfall of him was that he could not feel things as we do. He did not think as we think. Some say he was not human at all but a demon born into flesh. He so wanted to love. He wanted to be normal like everybody else. It was not possible because every time he felt those connections it hurt. He was a walking soul still trying to pass into our world and with each step he severed the link bit by bit. Going so long in this state hurt him for he was now too old and too attached to the spirit world. In the end he pulled it from his body, but did not live long after. His soul bled from him and he died.

I did not think Kana was a demon and I found it difficult to compare him to a legend. After all, how true could it be after a thousand years of being told by different people? There were many other things he could be. And the one I feared the most was fitting perfectly so far and yet others applied just as equally.

For the time being I took care of him. I loved him as much as I could. His uncle was not here yet and already several have came to me asking that he be released. Some of the other women begged me to let him go for he brought them bad luck. What kind? The stories were absurd. Some of them claimed their man had lost libido, others blamed him for illnesses among their families, and even more thought him to bring a famine to the valley. I heard them out then politely asked each of them to let me decide. Words of wisdom were offered and prayers that I not keep this one for long were said before they left me. Several weeks after the naming, an attempt was made on his life. I was gone only for a moment and when I returned to my lodge I found the back cut open. A slash had been made near Kana’s crib. I dropped my things at the door and ran to see. He was perfectly fine.

Nobody ever came clean or even tried to take credit for the assassination attempt. I wasn’t surprised; one who tried and failed would not be honored but mocked. If they could not kill a baby then what good were they as a warrior? But still, it left me puzzled as to how they failed. The killer must have been watching for some time to know where he slept and how long I would be away. He got inside but the kill was not made. Kana remained perfectly fit.

I was so afraid for the child. I never let him leave my arms. All day I would cradle him and sing to him. I would sing his song of how he cried a wall of water. He was so adorable. A tiny patch of black hair was growing on his head and his eyes became darker and darker. He did have his mother’s eyes, so fine and elegant; she never once let her eyes betray her heart. Each day she put on her face to hide what was inside. I think that if she had not been pregnant when Grey passed away she would have taken her own life to be with him. Bu she endured the months and gave birth to her son, Kana.

One day while I was feeding Kana with a steadfast bottle made of hide and sinew, I was summoned from my lodge. It was a voice I knew so very well.

When I came out he was there. Ti’lon stood as tall as ever, with dark red hair and squinted shallow eyes. He always looked to be carrying more than he should and it gave him great stress. It also made him look older than he really was. While I knew him to be a sort of loner he came to my lodge with five others. All of them were warriors. One of them leaned against a stout spear and looked tired as he stared out onto the grassy plains. The others were dead serious, just like Ti’lon.

“Unci,” He said. “I think it’s about time you released that child.”

“Kana.” I said.

“What?”

“His name is Kana.” The man leaning on the spear looked to be a bit more interested. Mainly because Ti’lon now raised his voice at me.

“I care not what you have named it! It is a great burden to travel with such a bad omen and with that, he may be dangerous!”

“Why? Has he been beating up other children? Has he been intimidating others? Did he hit you, Ti’lon?” I whispered the last sentence in his ear. “If you want him gone then do it yourselves, unless you’ve already tried and failed!”

“Don’t protect the demon, you old hag!” One of the others stepped forward with his knife. Ti’lon kindly raised his hand and he stepped back at ease.

“We would not want to murder this child,” Said Ti’lon. “Of course we would give him the right to of a proper ceremony. You know he does not belong among us. He does things that are unnatural and he may be very dangerous. I would not want him hurting others.”

“Others? Has he hurt anybody yet?” Tilon’s gaze fell to the ground. One of his companions also bowed their head. I seen he had bandages around his shoulder. “I see. And you six think you can take on a Miyaka? He was born onto this world with far superior power than all of you. Even now he can see into the spirit world. He would kill all of you.”

“If you wish to challenge our numbers then go right ahead.” Ti’lon nodded to the man leaning on his spear. He stood up looked at me. His eyes became alive with hatred and fear. I knew who he was. It was Sorou, the War Leader. He raised his spear into the air with one hand. Instantly a band of warriors fell into rank behind the five men. They appeared so suddenly from nowhere. They did intend to kill Kana. He was still in his crib, awake as always. I wondered if he was aware of the situation. A War Leader with a band of his finest warriors was set on killing him. On top of that they had a Spiritual Guardian, Ti’lon.

Then man who had barked out at me earlier stepped forward. He pulled a blade from his black quilted sheath. At this point I didn’t know what to do. I could see them all driven by their fears and superstition. He shoved me out of the way and went for the door.

Then he came.

With a loud bang the man’s knife flew from his hand and landed in the dirt, shattered into two pieces. They all gasped.

There he stood with his pistol. The long hallow barrel still smoking and pointed at the crowd. His eyes barely noticeable underneath the large brimmed hat he wore. His coat swung to the ground and flowed in the wind. He wore two belts across his waist, each packed with bullets and on his left hip was another revolver. He slowly tilted his head upward to reveal a sly smirk.

“Have all of you come to slay my nephew?” he spoke with authority yet he was absolutely calm. A few of the men backed away. The rest stood ready to attack. “Back off now or next time my aim will be true. The truth of fear lingers in each of your hearts, I will not miss.”

“Byoden?” Ti’lon stepped forward. “Why have you come back?”

“I was summoned here. And why have you brought a war party to you grandmother’s lodge, Ti’lon?”

“That child, he is a Miyaka. He must be killed. You know the danger he poses!”

“I know that he is my brother’s son, and that is all the reason I need to protect him. Now turn away and abandon your foolish behavior!”

“We are not foolish. As War Leader, I condemn this demon to death.” Sodou raised his spear towards Byoden. “You will not interfere in my business.”

With that he advanced towards the lodge. His men followed behind him, each of them had their weapons drawn.

As I lay there watching, I could only wonder on how much Byoden had changed. I had so many questions I wanted to ask my toka. He had been away for so long, the last time I seen him he cursed his brother to die and his sons to be taken in death. With those last words he rode off.

Before that he was a talented marksman. He used a bow back then and not the heavy twin revolvers he now wore. I was his favorite, and no matter what the condition he would always find a reason to come visit me. I told him stories of old and legends that I knew by heart.

He and Grey had fallen in love with the same girl. Odds have it that she wasn’t interested in Beoden’s cocky behavior and renounced him for his tender and caring brother. It caused him so much heartbreak, mostly because he could do nothing out of respect for Grey. He left, to afraid to live with his shame. In all, he was superior to his brother but he lacked the qualities of a companion. He was inconsiderate of others.

But he returned. Maybe he had made a solemn promise to right the wrongs he did. He could not ask forgiveness from Grey himself, but he could at the very least earn it through his son.

The War Leader, Sodou, and his band marched forward, stoically, towards Byoden. He gave off that same sly smirk as he drew up his other pistol. Like the firecrackers that traders brought into the valley, a series of loud bangs went off. In an instant the whole party was halted in their tracks. Each of them stared wide eyed at the weapons lying in the dirt. Byoden reloaded in a blink and took aim at Sodou.

“You had better leave or your whole party of children will be slaughtered today.” His grin was gone and the gaze that held Sodou made time stand still.

There was a long moment of silence. Nobody moved. It was broken only when Ti’lon stepped up.

“Brother. This day you are the unlucky one. You see, since you’ve been gone,” Ti’lon brushed back his hair. “I’ve been the Spirit Guardian of this camp. I can’t say that I can stop bullets, but I sure can deflect them.”

Ti’lon put his hands together and the air around him solidified. He walked towards Byoden slowly, holding the shield in place around him. Byoden holstered his pistols.

“You would dare call me your brother! In this moment you are my enemy, Ti’lon!” He pulled a glove from his inner pocket and put it on his hand. It was white with a blue jewel on the inner palm. He stood ready and waiting with that sly smirk of his. “Come and get me.”

When Ti’lon seen Byoden put away his pistol he dropped the shield and held out his palm. In it a red orb began to grow. It pulsed with energy. I knew this was why Spiritual Guardians were feared. They can control the flow of their power into concentrated forms. This was the tenth form, meant to incinerate on contact. He ran at Byoden and thrust at his chest. Byoden moved out of the way and caught Ti’lons wrist and twisted it. Ti’lon fell to his knees and Byoden kicked at his leg, knocking him off balance. Then turning into Ti’lon sent him spinning into the air. He landed flat on his back with the wind knocked out of him.

Byoden came and gently helped me up. His eyes were full of joy when he asked where his nephew was. I led him into the lodge, all the time I eyed the men. None of them looked our way. They all watched Ti’lon try to catch his breath.

VII.

I didn’t know who he was. He looked like my Byoden but he wasn’t. He was much older and not as skinny. He wore clothes of beyond the Valley. He looked like a Kibo from the higher plains. Both of his revolvers were nestled easily into leather holsters on each side of his hips. Bullets lined his twin belts and there were also some on the inside of his long grey worn out coat. His set his hat by the door to show respect. But his manner was annoying. He kept pacing and putting his dirty hands on my ornaments. I thought it was nostalgia at first but it looked more like he was trying to keep busy. He was hiding something from me.

My dear Byoden returned to me and yet he was still as shy as ever. At that moment I remembered when he came into my lodge for the first time. He was hiding from his older brother Grey. They had been playing and Byoden accidently hit Grey in the nose. He ran before Grey’s surprise could turn to anger. I don’t know why he picked my lodge to hide in, maybe it was the closest or he thought it was empty. Whatever the reason he came in and closed the flap behind him and curled his legs up and cried to himself.

He jumped at the sound of my voice. His eyes were so frightened and lost. I offered him tea but he declined. I tried and tried to get him to talk but he stood there looking at his feet. Finally when I hugged him and told him it was going to be okay, he bawled in my arms. After that he told me the incident with his brother. I asked if he said sorry. He looked at me with such big eyes. It was a marvelous revelation! He would apologize and set things right between him and his brother.

Unfortunately for him Grey did not want to hear words but get his revenge. He dunked poor Byo into the pond until he cried. But the next day him and his brother were causing mischief again. They were friends again. Not one of them knew how life would turn out.

And this man walking around in my lodge like he had a burr stuck to his ass. I didn’t know what to make of him. After seeing Kana he merely sat there staring into space. I knew he was contemplating something.

“You’re brother was here.” I said. He gave no reply. He didn’t even blink. “He came for Liah and took her to the stars.”

He sat down again and began to disassemble his guns. He pulled a small bag from behind him and brought out cleaners and oils.

“Are you in trouble, boy?” I asked.

“Why did you call me?”

“Why did you come back? Why would you bring your troubles here? Can’t you see that I am old and brittle now? I can’t be cleaning up after you. What do you need? Please take anything you wish and settle your depts.”

“It’s not money.” He poked a long metal wire through the barrel of his gun. He held it above the fireplace and rubbed in around inside. Black soot fell out.

“Then what is it, Byo?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Tell me! I have called you back here to watch after your brothers son. If you can’t do that then leave! Abandon him just like you abandoned his father!”

“I will not do that! You see, I would leave now but after seeing a whole war band try to slaughter him, I won’t leave!”

“What are you running from, Byo?”

“I’m in trouble with some very dangerous people.”

“What do they want? Money?”

“I told you, it’s not money. They want to kill me.”

“Why?” He snapped his revolvers back together and slapped each chamber into a spin. They hissed quietly as he eyed into the chambers. He blew on each of them once last time and re-holstered them.

“I can’t tell you that. For now know that they want to kill me. They don’t have to. Call it a grudge.”

“You piece of shit. Why not fight them? I seen what you did outside! You disarmed a whole band and knocked out a Spiritual Gaurdian!”

“It was nothing but a cheap parlor trick. If Ti’lon and Sorou wanted to kill me they would have. I guess they think it’s better to leave Kana in my hands.”

“Maybe they think you’re going to take him with you?”

“Why would they think that?”

“He can’t stay here.” He cut me off and waved his hand at me.

“What are you saying? All I have to do is raise him to the right age to be adopted. After that I’ll be gone forever. I can even teach him how to shoot. He’ll be adopted in no time at all, Unci.”

“Nobody will take him, Byo. He is a Miyaka.”

Byoden turned stone still. I tried to tell him a few times but he didn’t want to hear me. It came as a great shock to him. I thought he knew why so many were trying to kill him. Still, he knew now and I wondered if his plans would change.

“What will you do now?” I asked.

“Why are you keeping a Miyaka!” He pointed his revolver at Kana. I stepped in his way. There was so much confusion going on inside him. I could feel it. He was no longer stable. “Get out of my Old Lady!”

“He is your blood. If you do not want him then leave now or kill the both of us!”

He withdrew his aim and left. I sat there and cried. In all my long years I never thought he would raise a gun to kill one of his own. He was just like the rest of them. Fear drove his heart. Fear made him choose the easier path to follow. It kept him from knowing what he really felt inside. Fear locked his heart in a prison of pain. And now he was running from something.