Ayzer's Destiny

Ayzer sat beside the blazing fire and gazed up at the clear night sky. The only sounds to be heard were the crackling fire and the owl's song deep within the woods.

As she listened to the owl, she pulled her cape tight around her. The warmth of the fire wasn't enough to ward off the chill within her soul. She desperately wanted to believe the owl's words, but with the passing of each day, it grew harder.

The owl tilted his head sideways, his big yellow eyes boring into her very soul. He reminded her that he was almost the last of his kind. Soon she would be the last of her kind, too. Then it would be time for her to fulfill her destiny. Great things were in store for her. Together they would create a New World.

She was thankful to understand the owls. Save for them and Grandmother she would have had no one. Actually, had it not been for Grandmother, she would surely have been killed at birth.

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It was a good thing that Grandmother had been wise enough to see the true meaning behind all of those signs. The villagers had been terror-stricken and only wanted to destroy that which they believed to be the culmination of the curse. It was a good thing Grandmother was a wise shaman and elder. The villagers had tasked her with destroying the curse.

Instead, Grandmother had stolen off deep into the mountains with the infant. She knew full well that the future of the world would depend on this odd-looking child. It would be up to her to keep the child safe and teach her the ways of the healers and shamen that had come before her.

This child was destined to bring a great transition. She would heal the dying planet. The villagers didn't think so. They looked at the events surrounding her birth and believed her to be the one that would finally destroy the entire planet.

It wasn't just the people that had been cursed, even the planet had been suffering.

The people had brought this all upon themselves, but they refused to see it. They had grown disconnected from their Mother Earth. For centuries they had been taking from her and forgotten to give thanks and nurture her in return for all that she produced.

They would take what they needed but forgot to give back. Then they started to take more and more, always thinking that someone else could tend to the nurturing. They had better things to do. The Earth had always provided for them and so it always would.

They had forgotten the old ways. They had stolen all that Mother Nature had to give and given nothing back, thinking Mother Earth would transform poison into something beautiful and healthy, even without recharging her positive energy.

Grandmother had to run so very far to even find the cave in which she hid the infant. The people had sucked almost the entire planet dry. They were too lazy to trek across the parched desert. Instead, they sat waiting for someone else to breathe life back into Mother Earth. They cried and moaned, as they grew weaker and sicker.

Grandmother had told Ayzer her birth story over and over. It was vital that the girl know that she would be the key.

It had certainly been a terrifying night for the villagers that had become so disconnected from their history and their planet. It was easy to see why they would be scared since they had stopped listening to the ancestors so long ago, believing them to be nothing more than fools.

Legends passed down from one generation to the next taught people how to nurture the Mother so that she would always provide for them. Those same legends foretold that Mother Earth would retaliate if they forgot to give thanks and give back. The people had forgotten.

People had been dying. When they died, an owl would appear to carry their spirit to the Heavens, where they could rejoin their ancestors. The villagers would beat their chests and cry out in their grief, but they refused to recognize that they had played any part in the death of the people or the dying planet.

On the night that Ayzer was born, there had been a storm like nothing seen before. Many of the villagers had never felt the touch of a raindrop, but that night the rain poured down. Lightning lit up the sky and the Earth shook as labor pains gripped her mother tight.

Owls flocked into the village and lit outside the tiny cottage as the woman began to push. Knowing that the owl only appeared when someone was dying, the villagers hid away in terror. Only ever having seen one owl at a time, they felt certain that the hundreds that surrounded them would carry off the entire village.

Ayzer had come first. Her mother took one look at the infant with white hair and icy blue eyes and her heart filled with fear. What was wrong with this child!?! This was not the perfection that was guaranteed in her long line of nobility.

She pushed again and delivered the beautiful baby boy. He was the embodiment of perfection, big and healthy, with olive skin and thick raven hair. He never drew a breath. Ayzer's cord had wrapped tightly around his neck.

Her mother refused to even look at her, certain that the infant had intentionally killed the heir and salvation for the village. Tears streamed from her eyes as she lay back and bled to death.

Grandmother had held tightly to her daughter's hand, trying to reassure her that the ancestors had foretold the arrival of a child whose appearance would be like nothing ever seen before. That child would have the power to make Mother Earth flourish once again.

Tears streamed down Grandmother's cheeks as she watched greenery sprouting from the pool of blood pouring from her daughter's womb. This was her assurance that the infant would bring life back to a dying people and a dying planet. As her daughter drew her last breath Grandmother sang out in the wailing song of grief.

The villagers, on hearing her song, joined her sorrowful wailing. They did not yet know if it was their beloved Queen or her heir whose spirit was riding the wings of the owls overhead. Soon the sorrowful wailing echoed throughout the entire valley, drowning out the roar of the thunder.

The people took the storm to mean that even Mother Earth was grieving.

The midwife did not say a word. She trembled as she had to take on the tasks of not just tending this ghostly looking child, but also preparing the bodies of the Queen and prince for their return to the Mother.

She had tried to flee, but Grandmother had grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The steely gaze and firm face of the Grandmother said everything without a word being spoken. This was part of the midwife's destiny and there would be no escaping until she had done her due diligence.

She must first tend to the needs of the infant. Precious colostrum needed to be expressed from the Queen, before it could be tainted by death. It would nourish and protect the infant.

Grandmother had put out collection bowls for the rains that poured from the heavens. Some would need to be warmed to bathe not just the crying newborn, but also those who did not draw breath.

Water and blood, along with the greenery sprouting from it would need to be carefully preserved. Ayzer would need it when the time came to resurrect Mother Earth. This too was part of the midwife's destiny, not just hers, but that of her son as well.

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The sound of Grandmother coughing told her it was time. She needed to take Grandmother back to the village before it was too late.

Mother Earth was still blanketed in darkness, but soon the light would come. Ayzer knew the paths around the mountains well enough but would need light in order to find the village. It would be a long and difficult journey. She knew that she would need to draw on Mother Earth to get her there in time.

She lit a torch and doused the fire. Heading to the cave her heart pounded. Everything was packed and ready to go. She took up the satchel and strapped it to her back then paused. Silently, she took in the cave for what she knew would likely be the last time.

This cave had been the only home she had ever known. Grandmother had transformed the dark, damp cavern into a warm and cozy place to raise Ayzer. Love radiated from every crevice. She ran her fingers across the writings on the wall.

Grandmother had patiently taught her to grind berries to make ink and use owl feathers to pen the legends as she committed them to memory. She had never known another human, but that was all about to change, at least if Grandmother's fairytales held any grain of truth.

Ayzer secured the torch to its place on the travois and placed a gentle kiss on Grandmother's forehead.

Grandmother's eyes glistened with tears as she murmured prayers to all of The Powers That Be. The planet and its people would need them all if Ayzer and Grandmother were to fulfill their destiny.

Gently, Ayzer lifted the travois, taking a deep breath and saying a prayer of her own, she exited the cave. The owl lit upon her shoulder, cooing softly in her ear.

The trek down the mountain was treacherous. Pulling her grandmother on the travois made it even more so. The slightest bump made Grandmother quietly groan in pain. Ayzer worried that Grandmother wouldn't have the strength for the journey that lie ahead. She took her time, trying to be as gentle as she could.

Only Grandmother would be able to ease the fears of the villagers. Without her, this journey would be pointless. The world would end.

She stopped at the base of the mountain. Grandmother needed to rest and Ayzer needed to gather herbs and prepare the special tea. This would be the first of many rituals that had to be performed on this journey. Everything would have to be done just right if she was to fulfill her destiny.

Ayzer was full of uncertainty. Grandmother's mind had been failing so she wouldn't be able to guide her through this journey and the vital rituals that needed to be performed along the way. Ayzer murmured prayers that The Powers That Be would guide her through.

'Have faith,' the owl quietly murmured.

She opened the satchel and removed a bottle of water, a piece of blood-stained cloth, and two bowls. She tried to give Grandmother a sip of water, but the parched old woman waved it away. She would wait. The Mother needed to be tended first.

Ayzer tore off a small piece of the bloody cloth. She held it tightly between her hands as she remembered the many times her grandmother told her the birth story. This bloodstained cloth was all she had of her mother, but it would need to be sacrificed for the sake of Mother Earth. The blood would bring life back to the planet. She murmured her prayers and placed it in the bowl. She carefully measured out some of the herbs that she had gathered and wrapped the rest in the remaining cloth, tucking it all away in the satchel. She poured half of the water into the bowl and left it to steep.

Her hand trembled as she poured the remaining water into the other bowl. They had a long journey ahead of them. It would be hot and they would need water. This didn't make sense, using it all up before their journey had even really begun.

Again the owl murmured, 'Have faith.'

She glanced over at her grandmother, her heart filled with fear and uncertainty. Grandmother had told her throughout her life that on this day if she remembered to give thanks and give back, Mother Earth would provide. She surveyed the barren surroundings and couldn't help but wonder how the Mother would pour life-giving water from an empty vessel.

She took a deep breath and stooped at Grandmother's side. Grandmother nodded, an affirmation that this must be done. She brushed aside the hair from Grandmother's forehead and cringed at the burning fever. She soaked a cloth in the water and wiped the sweat from Grandmother's brow, then laid the cloth across her forehead, hoping to temper the burn.

She gently lifted Grandmother into a sitting position and brought the bowl to her lips. The more Grandmother drank, the harder Ayzer prayed. This seemed so wasteful and wrong! Common sense told her that she should be rationing the water to ensure that they would have enough to make it across the desert, but the legend said otherwise. Grandmother drank like a thirsty camel. Surely there hadn't been that much water in the bowl!

When Grandmother's thirst was finally sated Ayzer laid her back into the travois and tucked her in tightly. It was time to turn her attention back to the tea.

This was the part of the prophecy that had always terrified Ayzer. Even though Grandmother had been training her from birth for this very moment, Ayzer still had her doubts. She knew her grandmother had trained her well and her faith in The Powers That Be was strong, but she wasn't ready.

She had not yet reached The Age of Becoming. She was no shaman or medicine woman! She had only just transitioned from child to woman a few moons ago. She hadn't even had a chance to try channeling The Love without Grandmother's helping hands yet.

Grandmother was too weak to help her today. She needed Azyer to channel The Love and bring the Healing as much to her as to the planet and the people. Ayzer would have to make the connection on her own, but that was all a part of fulfilling her destiny.

She faced the rising sun and set the bowl of tea on the ground in front of her. She raised her face skyward and basked in the warmth. She murmured a prayer, thanking The Powers That Be for a Life so richly blessed, asking them to embolden her to carry out the daunting tasks ahead.

The owl grew impatient. 'We must get on with this already! Time is of the essence!'

She drew another deep breath, an electrical warmth now coursed through her veins. She knelt down and placed one hand firmly on the ground, with the other she picked up the tea.

There was a fierce determination in her voice as she apologized to Mother Earth for the neglect and pain inflicted by her people. She began to pour the tea onto the parched ground. Thanking The Mother for always providing for her, despite being depleted.

When the bowl was emptied, she placed both hands on the Earth, bowed her head, and closed her eyes. She could feel Mother Earth drawing from her warmth as she fervently repeated the incantations taught to her by Grandmother.

She was shocked when Mother Earth gifted her The Vision. She saw clearly how, in the beginning, The Powers That Be, The People, and Mother Earth were deeply connected. The Life Force had flowed in a strong and vibrant circle. The People were the link between Mother Earth and The Powers That Be.

All life was connected, deeply rooted in vital rituals and prayer. The people would start each day by raising their eyes to the rising sun and placing their hands upon the earth. They would give thanks to the Powers That Be, bask in the warmth and energy from the rising sun, feel it coursing through their veins. Then they would open the channel and allow that energy to flow through their hands and bare feet and into the ground, fuelling Mother Earth.

There were other rituals as well that were performed throughout each day. They all depended on each other to keep the Life Force, Love, and Healing flowing.

'It's time!' the owl screeched.

Ayzer opened her eyes to see the Earth in full bloom. It was a wonderous sight to behold. Never before had she witnessed such lush greenery! A spring-fed stream had begun to flow from where she had poured the tea.

'Follow the water.' She wasn't sure who was urging her, but the voice rang clear.

She carefully re-packed her satchel and lifted the travois, carefully, so as not to wake her sleeping grandmother.

The stream was little more than a trickle and the parched ground quickly sucked in the water that tried to flow. At least it had pointed her in the direction she needed to go.

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The sun rose hot over the desolate land. Ayzer wished she could hide away in the cool shade of the mountain cave instead of dragging the heavy travois through the scorching heat, but she must press on. As her tongue grew fuzzy, doubt crept in. They had no water. If the prophecy was wrong they would surely die.

Even with having devoured a huge breakfast, her stomach growled. She didn't think the few berries she'd gathered would be enough to sustain her and Grandmother on this arduous journey.

Just as her muscles began to scream out in protest, Grandmother woke in another coughing fit, signaling time to stop. Ever so gently, she laid the travois on the ground and sat cross-legged beside it.

She eyed Grandmother's cracking lips with concern. Again Grandmother refused to be tended before Mother Earth.

Ayzer was a little bit doubtful that she would be able to do it. The vessel had been empty when she placed it back in her pack this morning. They had no water. She was surprised when the vessel was heavy as she withdrew it from her satchel. Mother Earth had replenished their supply.

She repeated the morning's ritual and quickly tended to Grandmother. She worried over Grandmother's burning fever and cracked bleeding lips. She found great comfort as Mother Earth pushed forth shade-giving trees to mark their path.

'There's no time to waste! You push on!' The owl screeched.

As the village came into sight, Ayzer noticed that the Full Moon kissed the sun. Her pace quickened. She knew that she must reach the village before the sun and moon were locked in a full embrace. The final rituals must be performed when Sun and Moon were one. She quickened her pace.

As she drew closer she noticed a man standing just on the outskirts of the village. Beside him, in a willow chair, sat an older woman.

At the sight of Ayzer approaching, the woman rose and began to chant.

'Praise to the Powers That Be!

Prophesy fulfillment we will see!

Praise to Mother Earth!

Prophesy fulfillment we will see!

Praise to the Grandmother!

Prophesy fulfillment we will see!

Give thanks to the Triad!

The child of the gods lives!

The child of the gods has returned!'

The woman rushed forward and took the travois from Ayzer. She looked far too frail to pull the weight, but she carried it like a feather, tears streaming down her face. She continued to chant loudly and now the young man had joined the chant.

The man helped the woman lift Grandmother from the travois to a soft bed beside a fire. A pot of rich stew boiled over the fire and once Grandmother was comfortable, the man dished up bowls for them.

Grandmother was crying now, too. The woman had lied down next to her and held her in a tight embrace, stroking her long grey hair, still crying and chanting.

As Ayzer sat down beside the fire her gaze locked with the young man's.

'I am Salvador,' he said, passing her the stew, his eyes still locked with hers. He had never before seen someone with blue eyes and hers were the color of the sky. It was as though their very souls were locked together.

Even though her stomach growled and cramped at just the smell of the stew, Ayzer could not take her eyes from his. She brought the bowl to her lips without breaking his gaze. She didn't even notice when the other villagers joined them around the fire, chanting along with Salvador's mother.

The words of the chant changed just as Sun and Moon became one. Salvador drew Ayzer into his strong arms and placed his lips upon hers.

'Prophesies fulfilled!

'Mother Earth shall be reborn!

'As Ayzer and Salvador become one,

'The Triad is reunited!

'Destinies fulfilled!

'The era of suffering draws to its end!'

With the last line the midwife let out a heart-wrenching wail and Ayzer's owl swooped in stealing up Grandmother's spirit, swooping her away to rejoin Sun and Moon.

The sound of the midwife's wail brought Ayzer back into reality. She turned her gaze skyward just in time to see the owl soar gracefully into the light of the Sun emerging from the Moon's embrace.

She raced to her grandmother's side and wrapped her in a tight embrace. She desparately wanted to keep Grandmother here with her. She was embarking on a journey that she didn't want to face alone, even though she knew she must.

She felt a warm hand, softly upon her shoulder. She looked up into Salvador's eyes.

'You are not alone,' he said softly, 'You will never be alone. She will be with you always and I am right here, to hold your hand for every step of this journey.'

He gestured to the villagers around the campfire, 'They will be here also. Standing behind you.'

Ayzer took a deep breath. The air felt somehow different as it flowed through her nostrils. As she looked around, taking in the people and the surroundings, she couldn't help but notice that the whole world had changed in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Her skin was being kissed by a gentle mist that seemed to be coming from the lush forest that suddenly surrounded them all. A multitude of birds sang and owls danced through the skies above.

Ayzer knelt, with her hands placed firmly on the ground, her face upturned to bask in the Sun's warmth. The energy that coursed through her very veins was like nothing she had ever felt before.

She gave thanks to the Grandmother, the Sun and Moon, Mother Earth and The Powers That Be for all of the her blessings and gifts.