***
That afternoon fires were lit and a grey light smoke filled the cavern only to escape through its opening. A council was held and the sacred pipe was struck and passed from elder to elder. Now with the war ended the fathers of the many nations spoke of whether there should since the first arrival of the Grey Beards be a change in their dealings with one another, and how contact with those that came from across the Great Lake would affect their many values now and in the future. Such talk was something that would occupy them for years and even generations to come.
It was decided that some nations would meet at the first season of the year and at these meetings which eventually would become traditional, different clans would gather to arrange trade, dance, sing, hold council to discuss and find solutions for the difficulties of their lives and where the young would find a suitable spouse.
It was decided that Black Buffalo would leave with the Sky People. After the council some drew pictures on the walls, of battles and creatures encountered, of Fenrir, the Wold, to remind others of what had gone on in Turtle Island of giant Viking Warriors and the Sky People, of Long Tooth and the brave Grey Wolf and the powerful Humming Bird; and slowly but surely days later the cavern and lands emptied leaving the Ute, Hopi and Hidatsa elders, led by White Eagle and the Sky People.
“We shall depart now,” said Michael, “Hunting Bear and Wild Cat will be returned to you. We thank the Spirit People for their aid - should the time come and you have need of us, look for us in the Vision Realm.”
White Eagle stood tall, proud and resolute; his weathered face, beaten by time, had not yielded the dignity of his people. “We shall do as you say, and remind those to come of your time among us and how you brought peace back to these troubled lands.”
Uziel busied himself by the Portal, reviving the energy within it. “Everything is set I have Raphael’s last location; Michael give the word and we’ll be on our way.”
“People of the Hidatsa, you and the other nations here have fought bravely once again and once more as we parted from your ancestors so we must part from you. You have been worthy of praise among us, may the Great Spirit live in you always. As we pass through, to what you know as the Vision Realm, these bodies that were used for the purpose of safeguarding Turtle Island, will after the proper ceremony be returned to Hunting Bear and Wild Cat. Black Buffalo, it is time.”
Uziel adjusted the Seal and energy throbbed and emanated from it. The Portal came to life, shimmered and glowed, and within its horizon an image slowly appeared. It at first was covered with a layer of mist which slowly cleared, and there on the other side, the picture began to quickly expand; moving over a distant land and coming sharply into focus was a walled city, and beyond the walls were high domed towers and palaces of marble, a thousand sandstone churches, incredible arenas and amphitheatres, hospitals and schools of learning that ran along cobbled streets, beautiful exotic parks, grand forums and market places. The picture became clearer and clearer. Michael pointed at a place and Uziel adjusted the Seal again. This time a more concentrated view of an alleyway appeared; on the other side of the threshold people were gathered round, playing what must have been a game of dice.
Michael stepped across, followed by Gabriel.
Uziel turned to Black Buffalo, “The energy field will only hold for a few more minutes. The portal will expand to envelop its entire frame and disappear for good, and tell the First People that the weapon that was given to you from your ancestors must then be well hidden. It does not have the means to pass from this world to the next but before you leave it behind, make sure you remove and keep the Seal. So say your last goodbyes.”
Uziel walked through, and Black Buffalo stood a moment facing the Elders of the Nations. One of them stepped forward and he handed him a medicine bundle and with that he turned and entered the portal and was gone. There was silence as first one then another began chanting, and as they did so the Portal flared a moment and disappeared.
Two bodies lay on the floor by the wall where the Portal had been - those of Hunting Bear and Wild Cat who appeared to be asleep. As for Uziel and Black Buffalo, as they passed through the portal their bodies were transformed into energy beings.
Epilogue
Sentinel
Michael gathered himself. Someone was shouting at him.
“Arzealous, would you throw the dice? We haven’t got all day.”
“Yes, Arzealous,” said a voice by his side. It was Gabriel, “or perhaps it would be wise for us to leave.”
“Hey, Adamous, you’ve got to give us time to win our money back,” said another man.
“Germanicus, you’re losing too, would you tell them.”
“Sorry, boys, I can’t help you there.” It was Uziel, the tallest one there, long golden hair hung beneath his helm and he wore a corselet of well-crafted mail rings that shone in the gloom. Over his shoulder was a large two headed axe. A long sword hung from his belt and like the others, he was well armed for someone going about their daily business.
“You Sentinels are always thinking of your duty; I’m sure the Emperor isn’t going to mind you having one night off.”
“In these days there’re no nights off, so if you are leaving then you had better head back over the walls to see if all’s quiet out there,” said a surly looking man.
Without another word Michael handed one of the men the dice. He turned and the three walked away quickly, exiting the gloomy alleyway they stepped out into a dusky day. Someone was walking past, lighting the lanterns that lined the streets.
“Where do you think the Watcher is?” asked Gabriel, “and for that matter Raphael? He was carrying the Codex.”
A man from behind them, wrapped in a silken cloak, his face half covered stepped forward out of the shadows. He looked like a merchant.
“I am here,” replied Black Buffalo removing his hood, “wherever here is and whoever I am. At least my memory or memories, of being a Watcher are less vague: hence it is possible for me to recognise you. Also I have with me both Sacred Seals, the one taken from Leif Erikson, and the other, so once we find Raphael, we should be able to open a Portal and be on our way.” He looked to be of Eastern descent and in truth he had not altered much in appearance from the man he had been in Turtle Island.
Michael smiled. “Good, make sure you keep them safe, now to find out what’s going on and where Raphael is.”
The four disappeared down the concourse toward the Gatehouse. As they passed legionary after legionary they were saluted. Even Black Buffalo was hailed with some respect. They walked across a wide open thoroughfare with its bronze and marble statues, across avenues with stone or marble columns through a park where the smell of lavender and jasmine filled the air. At its heart were graceful fountains with images from antiquity. The city was the grandest there had ever been, it was thought of as the jewel of heaven. They approached the long stair by the gate house, the guards there quickly stood to attention, kicking over a board game in their haste to stand; playing dice and gambling was clearly a pass time of the legionaries. Gabriel gave Michael a quizzical look and shrugged. They climbed the long cold stair to the top, and crossed to the far side of the turret to gaze over it and onto an open plain.
“Haven’t we just left this scene?” Black Buffalo asked open mouthed.
“This has to be a bad joke,” gasped Gabriel.
“I don’t know, I think it’s a pretty good one,” replied Uziel unsuccessfully holding back his laughter.
“Only on Terra Azure,” Michael simply shook his head.
Below them was the mightiest army thus far ever assembled; from horizon to horizon fires were being lit, trumpets sounded, men gathered, the tumult of clashing metal cried out. It was as though there were tens of thousands of ant mounds scattered across the entire plain but these ones concealed hungry Saracens and in the background, still echoing, could be heard the laughter of Uziel.
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