Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [74]
“Yes,” she said. She looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Can you see Him?”
Chakotay turned and beheld a magnificent white-tailed buck regarding him with more than human intelligence. He felt a shiver. One never spoke the name of one’s animal totem; that would anger it. But here, joined with his sister in a way that his people had never before attempted, he was being granted the privilege of sharing her visions.
Slowly he nodded to the great beast, Who inclined His own head in acknowledgment.
“Daughter of the Forest,” said Stag in a musical voice, “you must be in great need to have brought Stone Keeper with you.”
Sekaya’s eyebrows rose as, for the first time, she heard her brother’s spirit name.
“Yes,” she replied. “Many are in danger. This was the only way we felt we could save them.”
Stag nodded His comprehension. He turned His large, soft eyes on Chakotay.
“Then you must begin your journey. Each being that you encounter will give you strength to manage the burden you bear. Do not worry that it is taking too long; you must leave your impatience behind with your body. When you return, you will have been in this world for only a few moments, no matter how long it seems that you have been away. Do you understand, Stone Keeper?”
“I do,” Chakotay replied solemnly. “How do I begin?”
“Daughter of the Forest, you must release him.”
Chakotay realized that his spirit-sister had been clutching his hands hard. She swallowed, then deliberately stepped back and loosened her grip. They both gasped to see a golden cord of light connecting them still.
“This is Sekaya’s will,” Stag said. “She will hold you and keep you safe on your journeying.”
It was no small thing, and Chakotay worried about the toll it would take on her. He opened his mouth to voice his concerns, but Stag had read his thoughts.
“I and others will lend her our own energy to keep her safe. Have no fear, Stone Keeper. You must journey boldly, secure in the knowledge that all will be well. One bit of doubt, and you will falter. And if you falter, you will fail.”
Stag walked on delicate legs to where Sekaya had settled herself against the trunk of a pine tree. Gracefully He knelt beside her and put His head in her lap. She reached to stroke His neck. There was an ease about the gesture that told Chakotay they had done this before.
“Go, my brother. I will keep you safe.”
She closed her eyes and began to chant. Assured that she would be taken care of, Chakotay turned around.
“Heart rate dangerously low,” said Kaz. “Blood pressure dropping. Abrupt cessation of activity in the medulla.” He looked at Moset. “I’m worried she might be going into shock.”
“The readings you gave me are all perfectly normal for humans at this stage,” said Moset. “Keep me notified, but I don’t think we need to be concerned. Everything seems to be going fine.” He leaned closer and stroked Sekaya’s cheek. “Perfectly fine.”
“Took you long enough,” Kolopak said, a twinkle in his eye and a slight smile belying the chastisement of the words.
“We’ve met before in this place, Father,” Chakotay said.
“Not like this.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Look at you!” Kolopak said. He wore the battered old expedition hat that Chakotay remembered. A lump rose in his throat. If only he could be sure that this was real, that he really was speaking with his father, and not just imagining it, fantasizing about a forgiveness that could never truly come—
“Stop it!” Kolopak cried, seizing Chakotay by the arms and shaking him. “No fear! No doubt, or you will fail!”
“Looks like Sekaya inherited your confidence and optimism, Father,” Chakotay said.
“My contrary son,” Kolopak said affectionately. “Perhaps it took someone so willing to question things to embark on so important a journey.”
“You know, then?”
“I do. You are accepting the burden of Sky Spirit DNA,” Kolopak said. “I see its powers beginning to settle in your mind. How does it feel?”
Chakotay considered the question. “I don’t know yet. I don’t feel any different.”
“Here, all souls are equal in power and beauty,” Kolopak said. “But when