Mierda

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. Under a full moon, the world glowed a purple hue. I stood alone in a field with only rolling hills to see for miles. Dark green grass swayed at my ankles. Waves of wind rolled across the meadow creating a sea of greenery. To my right, I could hear soft crashing waves on the beach in the distance. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply through my nose. I held my breath, holding this moment, then gently released with a sigh. It was rare to have a moment of quiet, a moment in time where you are one with the ground you stand on.

I stood alone for a few more moments absorbing the serenity, then whistled to the sky for my ride. Omete flew in with an ease only seasoned birds do. She shook her head then looked my way, I took a few moments taking in her beauty. Omete was a beautiful owl. She is white with the exception of a few gray feathers scattered on her face and tips of her wings. I walked over to Omete and she let down her right wing, dropping a small rope ladder I used to climb on. “Hei!” I commanded and she took to the sky. Flying through the silent night, Omete and I swerved in and out of fluffy, purple clouds. She cooed with delight as she swayed left then right. Omete was paired with me when I was a teenager. Once you become a certain age, you’re paired with a riding bird. It’s Druid tradition. Riding on birds was a common way of travel. For places you cannot walk or ride a bike, you fly. It was uncommon to be paired with an owl but with being a night person, my community found it suitable. For example both of my parents are connected with Broad-Wing Hawks. Hawks were common birds because they were reliable birds of prey, helpful with hunting. Large birds like hawks, eagles, and falcons were common because they could fly long distances with ease and doubled as a hunting aid. Being a Druid meant believing everything on Earth is connected to each other. Every plant, every animal, every person; all connected to one Mother Earth. We live in harmony with nature, not in competition. Omete and I rode straight towards the moon. The full moon was so large and bright, I reached out toward the white orb as if I could touch it. The bright orb illuminated the world below, miles and miles of dark blue ocean. No matter how high Omete flew it was as if the ocean was endless. She’d coast a little higher, then gently eased to the left then back down. Omete soared downward similar to a roller coaster. I screamed in excitement as we plunged toward the Earth below. Flying at night was the best. At night, there are no other Travelers. At Midnight, the world is asleep.

After having our fun, Omete took us home. In a clearing from the clouds I could see my small cottage with a light on and soft smoke rolling out from the chimney. My home sat in a small clearing in the forest. Not far into the forest, just about a mile from the road. Compared to the clearing, my home looked small. My cottage was a small log cabin with a brown shackle roof. One window by the front door, one window on the right wall where my bedroom was and a large window out the back next to the backdoor. I could see Leroy waiting for me by the front door. He spotted us as Omete circled for landing, I could see his little white fluffy tail wagging. I could hear his hooves clicking on the front porch as he rose to his feet. “Hey, easy!” I laughed as he rubbed his head into my belly. “You’re growing new antlers, remember?” I chuckled gently, guiding his head away. Leroy was a white-tailed deer who I have been connected with for several years. He was my first animal connection. He and I connected when I was about three-years old. I remember I was hanging outside with my mom while she was gardening. She laid out a soft blue blanket for me to lay and play with my toys. It was a beautiful sunny day, I was enjoying the sunshine. Suddenly I felt a soft touch to my right shoulder. I gasp and flinch away from the unknown feeling. I quickly looked over my shoulder and there he was. Equally as startled as I just was. I stayed frozen for what felt like forever while I waited to see the animal’s motive. He stared back at me unmoving then he bowed his head and sniffed my blanket. I watched him sniff around my blanket until he laid down. I continued playing with my toy, Leroy curled up and started slowly closing his eyes. Since then, he’s always been around. From hanging in my backyard, to living with me in the cabin.

I walk inside and take my coat and boots off. Leroy walks past me to curl up by the fire. This is beautiful, I think to myself. My life is a beautiful life, I look over at Leroy relaxing by the fire. The Voltrin have initiated war, it is only a matter of time before they discover us, I think to myself, Weeks or months? Will we see them crossing the sea? Well at least we have allies in these waters. I shake my head to clear the thought and turn to the kitchen to make tea.