CHAPTER 16
The Keepers did not forget Raef next sunrise. They called for Raef early, before Raef normally woke. Folor had already left, so Raef dressed and put on his blue robe and tried to get his messy hair to lay down flat. He was not entirely successful. Raef ran to the Ceremonial Lodge to meet the other Keepers. They left one of the lesser Keepers to do sunrise homage while the rest, including Raef, went to the medicine lodge to see Prime Rodon. A Healer was drawing water from the well out front when they approached.
“How is Rodon?” Prime Bremen asked the healer.
“It is still too early to tell. His wound is great, and three ribs are broken.”
Raef felt uneasy as they entered the medicine lodge. It smelled of strong herbs and foul wounds. They passed several sick and injured before reaching Rodon. The man was covered with sweat and he was trembling. The gash on his side went from his ribs to his pelvis. It had been sewn shut, but was still swollen and had an angry red color. It bled from the edges. Rodon managed to smile.
“Ah, good men,” he said hoarsely, “It is good to see you. And young Raef, look at you, already wearing a Keeper’s robe.”
Raef looked at his feet.
“I will tell Chaz you came. He will be glad,” Rodon said.
“You must rest now,” Prime Bremen said, “we will be outside, meditating for your healing.”
Rodon tried to smile again. It looked more like a grimace. Raef followed the Keepers out. The Keepers sat in a semi-circle, Raef at the end beside his father.
“Raef, we are going to meditate for Rodon’s healing,” Dimmel said.
“How long does that take?”
Raef was immediately embarrassed that he had asked in a way that sounded like he didn’t really want to meditate. Keeper Dimmel smiled, so Raef knew it was okay.
“We must be patient with the spirits,” said Prime Bremen, “We will medidate until the sun reaches one third sky.”
Bremen drew water from the well and, using the water in the bucket, performed the ritual washing of Open Flower. Raef watched as the bucket was passed and each Keeper did the same. Open Flower was to clear the mind of distraction and be open to the spirits. Raef was a bit confused because it seemed more appropriate to perform the washing of Broken Stem for sorrow. His father passed the bucket to him, then closed his eyes in meditation. Raef was glad no one was watching as he did the Open Flower washing because he was still not very good at it.
Raef sighed quietly. He was not sure he could sit still until the sun reached one third sky. But, when he closed his eyes, Zul appeared almost immediately. The spirit did not seem to see Raef, however. Instead, in his mind he saw Zul, the old spirit himself, go to Rodon’s side. Zul touched the wound and it glowed, white-hot. Rodon groaned, but then the wound was gone. Rodon was smiling easily now. Zul looked over his shoulder at Raef. The spirit gazed at Raef a long time. It was as if Zul was peering into his soul. Raef became afraid. What did Zul see inside him? The image faded. Raef felt something gently shaking him. He opened his eyes to find his father shaking his shoulder.
“Raef, it is time to go.” Folor said.
“Already?” Raef rubbed his eyes. He felt as if he’d been asleep. “I just started.”
“Look,” said Folor, “the sun is at one third journey.”
Raef stood up, his legs feeling tight and cramped. The other Keepers were already leaving. It didn’t seem possible that so much time had gone by so fast, but his body felt as if it had. Raef followed the others. His legs felt stiff. As they walked in silence, he realized they were not heading towards the Ceremonial Lodge.
“Where are we going?” Raef whispered to his father.
“To console Prime Rodon’s family.”
Raef turned pale. He didn’t want to see them. Chaz might be there. He did not know why, but he did not want to see Chaz.
“We will visit with Rodon’s wife. And, since you are Chaz’s age, you will visit with him.”
“But Chaz doesn’t even like me,” said Raef.
“Nonsense, of course he does,” Folor said, “And even if he didn’t, as Keepers, we are here to serve everyone, not just to those who are like ourselves.”
Raef followed obediently. All too soon they arrived at Chaz’s home. Chaz’s mother opened the door when Prime Bremen called from the street. She did not speak as she let them in. Once inside, the Keepers converged on the mother. Raef was pointed to the curtain that lead to Chaz’s room. He hadn’t been in Chaz’s room for many seasons. Raef slowly walked to the curtain and called softly. He heard a quiet voice say to come in. He pulled the curtain aside and went in.
Chaz was sitting on his bed, looking much meeker than normal. His eyes were red. He looked almost frail. Seeing Chaz like this was unsettling. Raef stepped in and let the curtain fall behind him. He looked around the room. It was even more impressive than before. Two short metal swords had replaced the wooden toys and a small spear hung menacingly on the wall. Raef looked down at his blue robe. It must look silly to Chaz. Raef pulled off his robe and tossed it on the floor then moved to sit next to Chaz on the bed. He didn’t know what to say.
Chaz looked up at Raef. There was fear in his eyes. Raef suddenly felt sad for Chaz. Chaz tried to smile, but his lip quivered.
“Sorry about your father,” Raef finally managed.
Chaz said nothing.
“We went to see him. I know you probably don’t believe in what we do, but we did a healing meditation for him.”
“Thanks,” said Chaz, staring at the floor.
“In my meditation, I saw the Great Spirit Zul heal your father. I think everything is going to be okay.”
Chaz looked sadly at Raef.
“I’m not making it up, I really saw it! Zul touched your father’s side, and the cut went away!”
Chaz looked away and said nothing.
Raef didn’t know what to do next. He hoped he hadn’t made things worse. He looked around the room again and noticed the same arrowhead collection from Chaz’s early seasons was still on a shelf. There was also a clear round stone, in a very prominent place next to the arrowheads.
“Chaz,” Raef said, “you still have that stone I gave you.”
Chaz got up, waked to the shelf, and picked up the stone. He held it to the window to see the light shine through it.
“I look in the streams every chance I get since you gave it to me,” Chaz said. “I have never found another like it.”
“I found it when I was fishing with my father,” Raef said.
“I remember,” said Chaz, “it has always been my favorite treasure.”
Raef smiled at the word “treasure.” It was not something an older youngling would normally say in public. Folor opened the curtain, and Chaz put the stone down.
“Greetings, Keeper Folor,” said Chaz.
Raef was surprise to hear Chaz address his father with such respect.
“Greetings, young Chaz. I am very sorry your father was hurt. We will do all we can to help him.”
Chaz looked at the floor.
“We should go now, Raef,” Folor said.
Raef picked up his robe to go.
“Raef,” Chaz said, looking up again, “thanks.”