His vision may have told him of their coming, but he didn’t trust outsiders. He was not one to foolishly trust in a vision just because it was his vision. Maybe that’s why he was respected in his tribe and named Keeper of the Old Ways. Because he didn’t leave everything to the fates. Sometimes you had to make and guide your own fate.

  The group arrived without incident at his house. He glanced up into the star filled night. He hoped he wasn’t letting demons into his home. People were not to be trusted without proof, but he was not going to abandon them to die either. And if he left them here with no water or food, they would die, and in a matter of days. He wouldn’t let that happen. As a medicine man of his tribe, he was honor bound to help them. He opened the door and let the guests inside.

  His wife was standing up before he came in and closed the door behind their guests. He didn’t speak to them but pulled his startled wife aside into the kitchen. In their native tongue he said, “These people were wandering in the desert. It was my duty to help them.”

  She replied calmly, “I know of your oath as a medicine man to help those in need. But six people traveling in the desert with a wolf leashed in at their heels like a pet? Doesn’t that feel just a bit odd to you?”

  “Odd? You think they may be dangerous?” He asked.

  “Yes, I think they may be,” she replied evenly.

  “If they were dangerous then why wouldn’t they have killed me in the desert? They had ample time to do it. They knew where our house was, the lights can be seen for miles. Why wouldn’t they have killed me and then come here? Less things to deal with.”

  She nodded, “Does this have anything to do with that vision quest that upset you?” her brown eyes bore into his, seeking his truth.

  He knew that he could not hide anything from his wife and he didn’t try to, “yes, I believe that these people, who came from the west, are what my vision was trying to tell me about. These people need help, and I don’t mean just food and water. Something drove them to seek out the desert and I intend to find out what, and help them, if I can.”

  His wife nodded and sighed, “I know the responsibility I married into. I love you now as when I agreed to bear that burden with you. I will prepare some food for our guests.”

  *   *   *   *   *

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  After the meal had been eaten and Aceso’s pack sat comfortably at the table they looked towards their gracious hosts. Ansuya knew that there was something special about this man. There was a just a feeling she got. He wielded power of some kind, what power she wasn’t quite sure of. But if there was anyone in this desert that could help them, she was sure that they had found him.

  “Sir,” Ansuya began cautiously, “What we have come seeking in this desert may sound strange. We owe you our gratitude for your help tonight, but I must ask another favor if you’ll listen to the request.”

  Celestino glanced over at his wife. She returned the look with a supportive one, even though sometimes he wished that he was as confident in himself as she was in him. But the fates had spoken and he had already begun the journey, there was no stopping the river once its waters began flowing.

  Ansuya stated calmly, “We are from the Mountain, and we are here to reopen our relationship with the tribes of the Free peoples of the four corners region.”

  Celestino smiled at the woman, “There are many mountains in this region. Which mountain is it that you’re talking about?”

  Ansuya didn’t hesitate or return the smile, “The only one that really matters. The one to the west and north of here. The Nexus of spiritual power that your people have often looked to. The place where a great good happened. The place that stands as a bulwark against the great evil that happened inside what is now known as Crater lake.”

  Celestino nodded, “Mt. Shasta you mean.” Ansuya nodded. The old man rubbed his chin as he thought about what he had just been told. “The mountain doesn’t have any inhabitants on it. What do you mean you come from there?”

  Ansuya nodded, “That’s correct we don’t live on it, but underneath.”

  William could tell that the old man was being very cautious with his words and how he proceeded. What Ansuya was doing was almost insane. This could get the old man to call the cops or the Feds or both, and they would be in even more trouble than they were now. Still, neither he nor any of his pack was willing to go against the Elder, at least not yet.

  Ansuya continued, “I can see that you have some power of your own. Aceso?”

  The wolf picked up her head and looked at the Elder. She moved closer to the table and sat down. Her expression told William that she had no clue about what Ansuya was doing any more than anyone else did. But William somehow did.

  “Ansuya, maybe this wouldn’t be the best time…” he began.

  Ansuya cut him off with a sharp glance. Looking down at Aceso she asked, “Aceso, please show the gentleman why we’re here.”

  The pack collectively looked at the Elder like she had just lost her mind. Aceso on the other hand just sat there, a bit stunned, looking up at Ansuya wondering if she had misheard or if she had misinterpreted what the Elder wanted her to do.

  Ansuya nodded and smiled, “Go ahead pack Alpha, show us your true self.”

  Aceso cocked her head to the side, William knew that she was still not sure what was going on, or if she was really doing this. Nevertheless, the wolf shifted and a moment later her six-foot, ten-inch werewolf frame was hunched down on the floor with an arm resting comfortably between her bent legs, helping to support her as she crouched on the floor.