Prairie Flower

Chapter Five

It was a very cold journey, from a far I see smoke dancing in the air. By the way Jairus was in a hurry to get to our destination I knew something was not right. We arrived at a village, almost identical to Jairus' tribe. However, in this village here stood the tallest teepee I have ever seen in my life. Decorated with Aztec prints, children's hand prints and a big red flag that sits upright right beside it. We get off the wagon and made our way towards the teepee, before we could even get inside my mother starts running to it, she is running like she is being chased by an evil spirit behind her- and then she stop to a halt. A tall man comes out of the hut, inked with colourful images all over his body, stories I'd like to think were the purpose of these. At the corner of my eyes I see my mother fall down like a tower made of blocks that is stormed down by a big gust of wind. Seeing her cry makes me want to break down and cry myself.

"Oh father... " The big chief looked down and said as a tear rolled down his cheek, "Marinna, my little leotie.. I thought we lost you forever.."

"I have always dreamed of this, how I am going to return to father.. Finally, I am back home." My mother was still kneeling, in a praise position. As she looked up she said, "My daughters, my son.. I have brought them with me. They're all I have left father.."

Jairus helped us into the giant teepee, carrying all our things and Gunnar, while walking into the tent all I could think about was- why after all this time? Why now that my mother returns? Could it be her love for LeSharo that was stopping her?

"I have walked for days to finally be back home, I need help father.. Adriel, my love, died weeks ago.. A man, named LeSharo is following us around, harassing us. We need to find a way to get away from him as far as possible, father. Please.." I hear the shakiness in my mother's voice as she said that.

"My darling leotie, I will help you, we will settle an agreement with the water tribe on the east side to take you to an island to live and flourish there. But for now, you shall rest here for a day or so" My grandfather reassures my mother, it reminds me of my mother herself before my father died.

"No! It has to be now.. please.. he will find us here! He will kill all of us! Please!"

"Marinna! Not today please! Our tribe has suffered a lot, we need to rest. You have to rest! You gave birth just days ago.. Please my leotie, just rest tonight."

That next day all I remembered was that I was crying on the ground, yelling for my mother, holding her hands in mine and smelling her sweet scented hair. Fire blazed in the background and the smell of smoke has lingered everywhere around us and the only comforting smell was my mother's hair. Her last words were for me to run and run as far as I can, take with me my siblings. I will never forget that.

"Leotie! Run! Run now! Run to Aashna! Hurry!" Jairus yelled from the tent, dragging grandfather on the ground, he was shot by an arrow to the leg.

My heart was racing, all I could think about was my mother and my siblings. I quickly ripped my mother's necklace from her neck and started running towards the caravan where my siblings and Aashna, Jairus' wife, was. She started pulling on the ropes and the mules started running fast towards the horizon. I look back and I see my mother's body on the ground between the crossfires, laying there peacefully as if she is just sleeping. After an hour or so, we had stopped and Aashna told us to stay in the caves, bringing everything with us.

It was so silent until it was broken, "You know, your mother was lost here, in this cave was when we all lost hope, my husband lost his other half, just like Yana and Leah."

"Leah and Yana.. they're so young to be without a mother.. Gunnar.. Is this what it is like Aashna? Do I have to be the mother now? Are the Gods punishing us, our family?"

"Oh Leo.. its okay.. I will be here, no one is punishing you nor your sisters and brother, Jairus and I will be your family now.." says Aashna as she moves closer to me and hugs me.