The Proof
? Chapter Seventeen
THE STORY SO FAR: The Eagles have just given Rainera and Dalton a vial of blood and a bit of finger bone from an ancient skeleton – proof, they claim, that they are their ancestors.
Once again the Eagles and the young people walked back toward the bower. With great care, Rainera held onto the vial of blood and the wrapped finger bone.
As she walked, Rainera fell deeply into thought. Finally, when they reached the bower, she said, “I don’t know what to say except that Dalton and I are only newly initiated and have much growing up yet to do. Nonetheless, speaking for myself, I promise to bring your message and gifts to the Elders. Of course, it will be up to them to decide what to do. But we will do all we can to tell your story as fully and truthfully as possible.”
“Yes,” agreed Dalton.
“That is all we could ask of any emissaries,” said the giant woman. “All we could hope for.” The two giant men nodded in agreement.
“But,” said Rainera. “But …” She closed her eyes, and for some reason she envisioned the dances of the Telling – only in her mind now she saw Eagle Mother dancing as her own real, gigantic self. Rainera saw the other giants, too, sharing what they knew of the time before the Darkness, filling out the lost history and knowledge of her people. Suddenly she began to imagine what it might be like to travel in the Eagles’ flying house and visit far-off worlds. “Maybe,” she began to think, “the journey to the stars isn’t over. Maybe it has just begun!”
Rainera opened her eyes and saw Dalton peering into the sky. He looked at the Eagles’ shining house, their spaceship, then at her. There was a new, adventurous light in his eyes.
“Maybe he’s thinking what I’m thinking!” Rainera thought, then realized that the Eagles seemed puzzled by her unusually long silence.
“But,” she continued, “if I were an Elder, and if it were my decision, I’d say that we have lots to share, lots to learn, and lots of gifts to give each other. If I were an Elder, I’d say, ‘Welcome home!'”
Dalton smiled and nodded in enthusiastic agreement.
“We should go now,” said Rainera, “and bring these proofs you’ve given us to my father and the Elders.” Then, with a sudden rush of excitement, she blurted, “But it’s a long way back down the mountain. It’s still winter below the clouds, and the trails are treacherous. I wouldn’t want to slip and lose these precious things. Is there any chance we might … that is … could you, maybe – “
“Rain!” exclaimed Dalton.
“Interesting,” said Eagle Mother thoughtfully. “Maybe that would be best. It would speed things up, and would also, as you say, ensure that nothing gets lost in the descent. Perhaps you are right, Rainera. Perhaps it is time we took off our masks and got our own answer.”
“I agree, Captain,” said one of the men.
The other giant man nodded. “Let’s get it over with and find out where we stand,” he said. “Our Emissaries have given us a good trial run. They have been open-minded and brave, patiently listening to and understanding our story. They are the first to hear and bear the truth, yet they are hardly more than children! We should have as much courage as they.”
“I agree,” said the giantess. “Thank you, Rainera, for your excellent suggestion. Come with us now, both of you. Let us fly down the mountain together to meet the Elders and all the People.”
Dalton’s face broke into a huge grin.
In her mind’s eye, Rainera saw the People gathered in the Great Hall. And she saw the real Eagles, not masked actors, telling their amazing true story, which was also the true tale of the People. She saw, too, that a lot was going to change. The old tale might not get thrown aside – after all, her people had believed in the story of the Eagles from space for a long time.
But the story was going to change. It would now have to embrace all that had really happened if it was going to have meaning. It wouldn’t be easy. Many people liked the story just as it was. They would want to believe as they always had. But change, Rainera was beginning to realize, was part of what the story would be about. The new version of the old story was going to be exciting. There was so much to learn about the past, so much to imagine and make real for the future.
The Eagles lifted their helmets, tucked them under their arms, and started walking toward their spaceship.
Rushing along, hearts leaping with excitement, Rainera and Dalton hurried to keep up with their new friends.
Before long, there they were, standing before the Eagles’ house, which was much bigger than they had realized and shaped like two silver plates, one upside down atop the other.
The steep steps going up into the house had clearly been made for legs much longer than Rainera’s or Dalton’s. They had to almost pull themselves up, using both hands and feet, as if they were climbing the mountain all over again.
Hesitating at the top of the stairs and squinting against the bright sunlight, Rainera peered uneasily into the relative darkness of the doorway. Then, surprised by a sudden weakness in her knees, she had to steady herself by placing one hand on the smooth outer surface of the flying house.
“Why don’t you go in, Rain?” asked Dalton, standing behind her.
But Rainera was struggling with one last doubt. What was inside? And what might happen once they put themselves completely in the Eagles’ power? To her surprise, she recalled Jenson’s gun, and how he had tried to give it to her. Were these Eagles whom they claimed to be? Could she and Dalton really trust them?
• NEXT WEEK: The Eagles’ Gift