The Ouiet Turtle Society-Chapter Two-War over God

As the leader of the ‘Bright Faces’, Chief Sweet Grass who is also the founder and chief of chiefs, leads those who change things, people, and even events, but this is extraordinary power, it cannot be done, without repartitions or consequences. The ceremonies have to performed and in secret, where they will demonstrate their powers to their peers, but, others cannot influence or direct any actions or results. Most members take care of him, because of his age and position, he doesn’t have to do much, he is treated like a head of state, one who is revered by his followers with loving respect, but, he is the head of this state. He is a very holy man, who can cure the incurable, find anything or solve any problem. very unassuming and gentle in nature, he is only 5’7″ and 170lbs, with long white hair, really long and white, like snow with red wraps, that make it stand out even more. He likes to wear cowboy boots and western shirts, still walks upright, a bit slow and labored, he doesn’t need assistance to get about, but, it is always there. His eyes are what really gives away his age, his left one just sunk in and almost disappeared, the right one doesn’t work too good, either, he wears dark sunglasses, but, he doesn’t need to see, he just knows what is going on around him, his hearing is like radar and his nose, wow, so keen, smell like a mile away, like a animals’ rather than human. Such a good storyteller, funny things about famous people Chips, Red Cloud, Geronimo, and Black Elk to name a few. It is like listening to the history channel live and seeing living history talk…slowly, he heads to the center of the circle hundreds have gathered, it is only 7am, the sun has just started to kiss the rolling Coteau des Plaines, there is something in the air, a sense is about, the skies look different, Sweet Grass is serious and that in itself, is strange, wonder and anxiety is seen in every face. He stands and looks East, up and down goes his arms, he says, ” The war over gods has struck in the east, many lives lost, fires and smoke in the great city, it marks a beginning of unusual times. He sits down, has a wooden cane craved and beaded that serves more like a extra appendage than disability aid, he points it up and eagles fly, four in a row, east to west, they pass and return, he sings a song, slow and low, but clouds begin to separte and disappear, just like smoke from a fire gone cold…you can see tears on his face, hear the sorrow in his voice, see the pain in his body, all are taken by this, people begin to sing the song, it is the greeting song of the turtles, it has a irregular beat and high to low vocable, with just a few spoken words, they say, hello, today, tomorrow waits, we are those here today, we stand with you…The cane is extended and shows the image in the few clouds, the first clouds, the lowest to earth, one can see two large buildings burning and falling, hear the cries and hear explosions and sirens, we are those here today, we stand with you…many have closed in around him, a plate of food sits on his lap, he offers a prayer. The skies turn all blue. No one is speaking, joking, teasing or laughing. People take notice, i sure did, this is not normal. Most are sitted under the fresh cut pine and cedar tree arbor with leaves and branches laid over the shade. When Good Voice and Big Talk, stand up together, they make the people proud and make them smile with pride, so, handsome with thick dark braids and straight and tall, make such a handsome couple. Good Voice is the youngest son of Sweet Grass, although nearly 50 years old and great singer, she is his companion, a sub chief of the Bright Faces, she was one of the best dancers, her voices softly carries over the crowd like a warm breeze, not harsh not loud, but clear and soothing. “My Relatives and Friends, this gathering in spite of these events is meant to be a happy event, for it is Sweet Grass birthday. And, we are so happy to announce the news of our first baby, before we break camp, born this morning, his name is Walks the road of Life. Her words and news change the atmosphere and all expect these two to take over the leadership after Sweet Grass. Good Voice says, in a strong and powerful voice, Today is my Fathers’ 110 birthday, he is our past alive today, the Dakota lovely wisdom sharing, he leads us like tomorrow arrival from before to now, his voices fades as…as a storm rumbles, lightening and thunder begin, then two clear gun shots ring out, pop, pop, the sound carries like needle in the arm and electric bolt running through your body, Good Voice and Big Talk crumble to the ground…what, the old man sits in the hard rain, and still you can see the rain falling right from his eyes to the ground…(to be continued)