Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [51]
“A spirit walk. Where we enter an altered state of mind and converse with people or beings on a spiritual plane.”
“The active imagination technique espoused by Carl Jung!” said Astall. Her excitement came through clearly. Sekaya wondered if the counselor might actually be jumping up and down.
“Yes, exactly.”
“I like your term.”
“So do we.” Sekaya realized she was smiling. “Use it if you like. Would you like me to assist you?”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. Kaz seems to be more comfortable with scientific rather than spiritual treatments.”
Sekaya thought about what she knew of the handsome doctor and had to agree. “I think you’re right. If you change your mind, I would be honored to assist you.”
“You’re sweet to offer! Astall out.”
Although the conversation had been on an entirely different topic than the one Sekaya had been brooding on earlier, it had helped her clear her mind.
“Computer, locate Captain Chakotay,” she said.
“Captain Chakotay is in Holodeck One.”
“Is he alone?”
“Commander Andrew Ellis is also in Holodeck One.”
“Damn,” Sekaya muttered, her newfound resolve crumbling. She wanted very badly to finish the conversation she and her brother had started the other night over dinner, but didn’t want to interrupt anything. Sekaya loved Chakotay and hated lying to him. At the time, she knew she hadn’t been up to the difficult task. Now, though, her instincts were telling her that bringing him into the loop was the right thing to do, and who knew when she’d have a better chance.
Or was it really the right thing to do? She tugged on her long hair, which at the moment she wore in a braid. It was a nervous habit left over from childhood that only emerged in times of great stress. Should she tell him now, or later? Tell him everything, or just give him the general picture?
She was second-guessing herself. Sekaya could help others make clear, compassionate decisions, but now, she felt torn in so many directions she couldn’t see the right path.
But she didn’t need to make this decision alone. She could ask for help.
Calmed by the thought, Sekaya retrieved her medicine bundle from where she had tucked it in one of the drawers. She sat down cross-legged on the floor and reverently unfolded the fabric.
Each individual’s medicine bundle was unique. It reflected what they had “seen” during vision quests, or stumbled upon, or received as a gift for whatever reasons. Medicine bundles were also rather private. One was not forbidden to share the contents with another during ritual moments, but sharing was a gesture of great trust and affection. Sekaya recalled being surprised when Chakotay revealed to her that he had shared his medicine bundle with Janeway, and wondered a bit about the motivation behind that. Despite his more recent involvement with the Borg woman, Seven of Nine, Sekaya suspected that her brother just might be carrying a bit of a torch for his former captain.
Her own bundle contained an akoonah, the shed skin of a snake, a fragment of an antler tine, a stone from a lake, similar to one her brother had, and a small tree branch upon which she had carved traditional symbols.
She took a few long, slow breaths to calm herself, and then placed her hand on the akoonah. It felt warm and tingly, and she closed her eyes and opened her soul to the familiar, comforting sensation.
“We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers,” she whispered. “We are far from the bones of our people. I come here seeking guidance.”
She opened her eyes and found herself standing in a lush forest. Above her, bright sunlight filtered through the feathery branches of evergreen trees, making dancing patches on the needle-strewn forest floor. She knew this place; knew who dwelt here. Sekaya stood barefoot on the loam, sinking her toes into the richly scented earth, the pine needles pliable and softened with rain. She breathed deeply of the pine scent, and heard a soft sound behind her.
He had come, as she hoped He would. She never knew who would come to her call, as the spirits decided among themselves