Spirit Whisperers
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The few of us that were actually going to be at the grave site spent the night before at the shack and were ready at dawn. We stood before the shallow open grave and silently waited as the 6 men who had been chosen slowly lowered the stretcher with John's body into the ground. As the sun appeared on the first day of spring Brian 'Listens to The Spirits' Montclair stepped forward flanked by Ron and Roy and picked up a shovel. He bowed his head and stood there a few minutes then he put his left hand over his heart and extended it over the grave. after throwing a shovel full of dirt onto the body he handed the shovel to Roy and turned to walk away. As Brian left the grave another man took his place leaving 3 men at the grave. He put his arm around White Eagle's shoulders and stood there silently. When the last man had paid homage Brian stepped out to walk towards the grave for the second time but stopped in his tracks when the sky suddenly darkened and we all heard a loud clap of thunder. He listened for a moment then nodded his head and walked over to Carrie. "The Great Father says ALL the Warriors and Wise Ones are to take part from now on." he whispered leading her towards the grave. The rest of the women were led to the grave in turn beginning with White Eagle and ending with Megan. When each woman had finished Brian stepped up again and the ceremony repeated itself until the body was completely covered then some one started the digger and quickly finished filling the grave in as the thunder drew closer. The deer skin was draped over the dirt and Brian laid 3 broken arrows and an unstrung bow on top; "Safe trip Chief John 'Waushino Chaska' Long Feather." he said. The rest of us also left a gift and said a few words. Finally Mike walked up with a small box and took out a daffodil plant with 1 perfect bloom on it. He placed it in the ground at the top of the grave and stood up. "We need to go. Quickly, the thunder is a warning." Brian said. ***** The men had brought Ms Cora over before the rain started and we were all gathered in the living room in front of the fire. It had been decided with the thunder storm that should have been impossible given the weather this time of year the bridge wasn't safe for anyone let alone two old and frail women despite their objections. "We's gonna git floods or we's gonna be buried in ice an them spirits not tellin me which so I reckin we jus gon has to play by ear; lessen sumbodies knows somethin I don." "All my guide told me is if the ground isn't covered in ice or water by the 10th to plant everything we can and to get ready for another wedding." "That's not quite true, Ms Jo. What your Goddess said was there was to be 2 marriages, 1 a secret, and 5 funerals, 1 of them family. "I think I liked you better when I didn't know you were a 'Spirit Whisperer', Shaman." "Katy, what do you think?" Brian asked winking. "Should I have kept it a secret between you and me and Granpa Paul?" "Nope." "Granpa said don't pay her no attention. Ms Jo just doesn't like giving bad news or anyone meddling except her." Katy said giggling. "He's glad it's not a secret anymore. They all are. Me too." That shut everyone up for a few minutes. ***** "Here. I know you've already been served but I thought you might want these anyway." Lizzie said laughing as she handed me a glass of wine and a slice of apple pie. "Yeah, well what would you say if I told you that 'Secret Wedding' effects you and Ashara directly?" "I'd say it was about time they make it legal. Considering Penny's putting on weight and is actually beginning to glow, that year and a day thing will probably be too long a trial period." "Her Mother and I are just waiting for her to say something." ***** 'The waters almost up to the bridge all ready on the far side, it's a good thing we got you 2 over here when we did or you'd be completely stranded by morning one way or the other." Abe said when he and the the twins brought some food in. "Thought we'd bring dinner to you all - to save everyone from getting soaked through or slipping. Missy's just starting to be able to walk and Kevin said he's got enough to do without 1/2 of you coming down with pnumonia. I'm also supposed to make sure you have enough food and firewood to last you a day or 2 if you get cut off." "Actually we're probably better off here then some of the others will be, at least the main house is set up high - the cellar may flood but we should be okey and I keep the pantry stocked should I choose to cook. We'll get everything we can up out of the cellar though just in case." I said lost in thought. ***** "Care to share what you're thinking about?" Brian said "I was just remembering a spring when I was real little. it had been raining hard for what seemed like forever and Momma had sent Daddy down to the cellar for something." "I snuck down behind him and stepped into water over my head. He had to save me, I wouldn't go down there for a long time after that. Something else, my Daddy kept worrying we wouldn't be able to get out but when the creek left it banks it all seemed to stay on the other side where the ground is real low and didn't flood much on this side. It's a lot higher over here. It didn't flood bad until you got below the bend where the road crosses the creek and drops." "I think The Goddess reminded me of this for a reason, and I think we need to keep everyone here on the property and get anyone that's out somewhere back now before the river and creeks jumps their banks."
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