104 Winter solstice 2

After the feast they prepared their prayers of gratitude. They write their prayers and blessing of the year inside the paper they roll sweets and sage as offerings to be burned in the scared fire by the medicine man. Placing them in the offering basket they sing and pray while Onacona placers the packets into the fire. As they burn he says a prayer of thanks.

"We thank the Great one above for his eternal blessing and love. We thank Mother Earth for her bounty that nourishes us . We ask that the sorrows of the past are forgiven and forgotten. That we may have prosperity and grace in the new year to come. Amen"

When it is done now it is time for storytelling. This is a time for stories of old.

The Chief stands and tells everyone they have a special treat. That a Astila's wife is going to tell a story about her family.

Aisling looks at Onacona and begins her story.

"My story begins with two siblings they are twins . One was a male child and one female. I know that everyone has been wondering why I have things from Waya and Unole. That is because Waya is my ancestor. It was his granddaughter that was my great great gran. Her brother could not be separated from her. Their twin bond was to great. So when she married with a trapper he followed them. He gave up the opportunity for a family to be with his twin. There they settled him with them. They had a good life until a bad illness came to the area where they lived. Many died but my uncle tried his best to save as many as he could. One night a man whose child was not able to be saved. Out of his anger he killed my uncle . After that night my uncles spirit still could not leave his family. My uncle stayed close and watched over generations of his sisters children. In turn we treasured everything we had of his. Our love for them did not stop when they died. It continues on just as he watched over us we watched over the things we brought today. I was raised with a few of the traditions though they have been intertwined with my other ancestors traditions. The part of my story that I wanted to convey is that love and traditions flow through time. They don't stop just because we leave this life. Onacona is apart of my family line the things I brought I give to him. He even carries the name of my uncle. I especially want to give him. The staff and headband of my Onacona. His spirit who carried me to safety when I should have died more than once. The one who held me when I cried at night , who stayed by my side until my husband came to take his place." Aisling walks over to Onacona with tears streaking her face and hands him his staff and headband. Kissing his cheek she whispers

"Thank you for being my protector and my treasure. I love you forever."

Stepping back to sit with Astila. The Chief stands by the fire. Clearing his voice and looking around he sees many wipe their eyes.

"For that we are grateful to be able to add your story to ours. We have often heard stories of the children of Waya and the only story we knew of Daisy and Onacona was they left . It is good to know they were treasured by their children . That their memories were treasured and retold. "

Before he could go further there is a snake like flame coming up from the fire. The ground begins to shake and thunder rolls. They hear a loud clasp that rocked the area. Lightning streaks across the sky and strikes a tree close by. When all was settled there stands a man in the center of the fire pit. His headdress was that of a horned snake. Everyone except Aisling kneels. The Chief tells her to kneel . The man speaks.

"She is not to kneel for she is the chosen one."

She bows her head to the man reaching around her neck she takes off the leather pouch. Walking towards the man she hands it to him. He places his hand on her forehead and in a flash of light they have disappeared. Everyone becomes panicked. The elders know who it was that appeared but wonders why this girl? Astila is in a panic looking at Onacona and Inola. He knows that it is Uktena that took her. He remembered him from his journey. Why did he take her and where?

Moll and Maureen see how panicked everyone is looking at Onacona they know he knows something from what he said to her earlier. Onacona lets out a yelp to get everyone's attention.

"Aisling was given the Uktena crystal. She will be return to us when it has been placed where it is to be. She is going to be ok . She knew that she would be returning it though I don't think she knew how. Astila you know better than anyone that she will be ok." With that they relight the fire and begin to pray that Aisling will be returned.