Ashen Souls

Dilyehe

We do not all dream in color, some people have their dreams in black and white just like they see their lives. In the three centuries that I've been eavesdropping on other people's dreams I've paid attention to the content, but mostly, the emotion. There are deeply rooted feelings that come to life when someone is asleep. Even the things people try to hide in their reality, live in their dreams. I once felt as if I was imposing on the personal thoughts of my dreamers, but there was much to learn from their compilation night after night.

A harsh lesson you learn as an Overseer is to not bond with dreamers, which is ironic when you are responsible for saving their soul. So, I began paying attention and believing in dilyehe, or planting stars, a concept my Navajo ancestors would encourage Spirit Walkers to do with each of their dreamers. These marks allowed a direct line from Overseer to dreamer in the Unwoken, as a sort of emergency alert system. Some time ago, before I was a factor in the Nova, they decided that dilyehe was too personal, that Overseer and dreamer should not be linked.

Only Atlas knew of my dilyehe and I intended on keeping it that way, even from Aiyana, so having a partner was a no go for me.

"Cordelia how could you display such lack of control in front of all the Nova?" Aiyana had calmed down since my display of star power in the courtyard, but she had never sounded so stern.

I stood staring at the brilliant night sky above the council room, still buzzing from my release of energy. I knew I should answer Aiyana, but my buzz had left me speechless.

"Are you so cross with me about the council's decision that you would disrespect me with your silence?" Aiyana had moved so close to me I was forced to meet her gaze.

"You are the Nova Superior; your vote trumps the council. This was your decision." I dared not even flinch after my bold words. My heart quickened in my chest as I awaited the argument I knew I had sparked the second my star power had engulfed that tree.

Aiyana backed away and looked towards the stars.

"Our makers have made you too resilient for even I to command. Your display today exposed your true power, that even I was not fully aware of....... or maybe I just did not want to believe that you were a capsule of such energy. Either way Cordelia, you are correct, I am the Nova Superior and MY decision stands." Aiyana turned without meeting my eyes again and began to slowly walk out of the council room.

That could not be it, the great argument that had built up to this moment and she was simply going to stand stubborn and walk away. My tongue was itching to spill all the feelings in my gut that were tormenting me. I needed to protect my dilyehe and my own soul now, and I didn't need a stranger to be my shadow.

I ran after her and stood to block her way out, "You do not believe in my strength even after what you seen in the courtyard? Haven't I shown you what I am capable of all on my own, even without Atlas?"

Aiyana cupped my face with both her hands, "Being capable, is not being ready, and strength is not wisdom. I believe you will take my place one day, Cordelia, it is inevitable. That is why I fear your heartache and I want to protect you from further harm in the Unwoken. Why do you fight me so on this?"

"I don't want a replacement for him" I started to choke up, "I need to be able to do this without him, or anyone holding my hand anymore."

With the release of my face Aiyana took a deep breath. "You remind me that not everything is as black and white as I would like sometimes. Give it a week, Cordelia, to ease back into it. Then your partnership, if you choose to have it, is your choice." She smiled at me and walked out of the council room, leaving me in the silence of the moonlit room.