Thieves Of Olympus

43

ERINA

"We're almost there," ani ng conservatory agent sa amin.

Kanina pa niya pinapaliwanag ang lugar na pupuntahan namin. Ang Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Nasa Montana, Texas ang location pero sa Browning are headquarters nila. He gives us infos about the tribe.

The members are composed primarily of the Piegan Blackfeet (Ampskapi Piikani) band of the larger ethnic group historically described as the Blackfoot Confederacy. They were a powerful force, controlling an area that extended from current day Edmonton, Alberta Province, nearly to Yellowstone Park, and from Glacier Park to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Their sacred history became centered in the Badger-Two Medicine area, known as their "Cathedral".

The language they use is called Siksikáí’powahsin (commonly referred to as the Blackfoot language) is an Algonquian language spoken by four Blackfoot nations: the Siksiká (Blackfoot), Aapátohsipikani (North Piikani), Aamsskáápipikani (South Piikani) and Kainai (Blood).

We are listening to Mr. Birken—the agent—tell us about those things. Then there's Soleil whose eyes were blank and ears are like an open tunnel. Labas pasok ang mga salitang naririnig niya. Tango lang siya ng tango kahit walang naiintindihan.

"Soleil," tawag ko sa kanya. Wala siyang kibo at tahimik lang. I touched her arms and try to use an inveiglement, "Look at me, Soleil."

"Anong iniisip mo?" tanong ko noong tumingin siya sa akin. Umiling ito at ngumiti.

Alam ko na ang peke mong ngiti. Kaya hindi na uubra sa akin iyan. Madalas ko siyang naabutan na malalim ang iniisip tuwing mag-isa. Simula ng dumating sila galing sa Dark Shadows Institute. Apektado tuloy ang panahon.

"Okay ka lang? May gusto ka ba?" tanong ko.

"Yes and none," she assures me.

I sighed. Mahirap pigain ang isang ito kapag ayaw magsabi. I don't want to force her though. "Tell me kapag may kailangan ka," I said.

Nakita na namin ang Reservation area pagkatapos ng ilang oras na biyahe. Nasa border na kasi ng Canada at US ang lugar.

"Here's my ID..." pinakita ng agent ang ID pagkababa ng bintana. Hindi ko pinansin ang iba niyang sinabi habang nakikipagkwentuhan ng kaunti. "Sorry about that... It is her first day as an agent."

"No problem," I smile at him.

"Here you go. Welcome to the Blackfoot tribe reservoir!" he formally greets us.

It has a railway station. An Inn for tourists who wants to stay. May lake dito at kitang-kita ang kalikasan. The mountain alps look majestic gayun din ang mga pine trees. Mayroon ding rock formation dito. But no tribe was around the area. May lugar pa kung saan may mga bakal na estatwa ng mga hayop at Indians. What a sight!

What caught my eyes was the Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery. May something na humihila sa akin para tignan iyon.

"Do you mind if I leave for a while? You can check the whole place if you like. I'll contact one of us to go to you if you need anything," he said.

Bumaling si Milo sa kanya, "No, Mr. Birken. We'll gladly take this time to familiarize ourselves for a bit."

"I'll see you later," he waves and leaves.

Akala ko makakakita na kami ng mga totoong Indians. Mukhang inaalagaan talaga nila ang ala-ala at kultura nila dito. This place is dedicated only for them.

I can also feel many eyes. Sigurado akong malaki ang populasyon ng mga Hamadryads at Dryads dito. Isama pa ang mga Naiads. Some Auraes are here too pero bilang sa kamay. Baka nga may Huntresses pa dito.