“But that doesn’t make sense. Erebus saved me.”
One of Mother Earth’s graceful, verdant brows lifted sardonically. “And who will save you from your plan to save him?”
“Vampyres?” Kalona said hesitantly.
“Yes, vampyres,” Mother Earth said firmly. “Now, shush. I need to call the Wise Women.”
Kalona wanted to ask his mother how vampyres were going to save him and from what—and also, he badly wanted to know what she was up to. Why she was drumming on the tree and singing in … He cocked his head, listening, and realized she is singing in Tsalagi! She is calling Tsalagi Wise Women. Kalona relaxed a little then. The Tsalagi revered him. Whatever the Wise Women were going to concoct with Mother Earth would be fantastical—of that the immortal was sure. He was also pretty sure that the Tsalagi wouldn’t require too terrible of a sacrifice from him. He was, after all, Kalona of the Silver Wings—their protector.
The gloaming that heralded dusk had softened the day when the women began to appear. They arrived alone and in pairs. They each had a determined look that changed to adoration and welcome when they saw Kalona, and then awe as their gazes shifted to the incredible being who played the mighty oak like a bison-hide drum. Each Wise Woman nodded respectfully to Kalona before going to the Earth Mother and bowing low to her.
“Osiyu, children!” Mother Earth welcomed them. “I have a task that I would ask you to witness. Are you willing to do that for me?”
“Uh, E-`tsi!” they chorused. Yes, Mother!
“Wa-do.” Mother Earth thanked the Wise Women, and her smile was so beatific that their eyes filled with tears.
The oldest of the women stepped forward. Her long, thick hair was completely white and dressed in bluebird feathers—as was her fringed tunic and skirt. She bowed low. “Great Earth Mother, as long as we draw breath your Tsalagi Wise Women will answer your call. Ask what you will of us. We are in your service.”
“Your fidelity moves me,” said Mother Earth. Long-stemmed wildflowers with bright red and yellow cuplike petals appeared about her feet. “Form a circle around this tree of power and sit until everyone joins us.”
The women eagerly did as Earth asked, forming a growing circle around Kalona and Mother Earth in the midst of fragrant wildflowers. He wondered how she would know when everyone had arrived, and then understood when the last Wise Woman appeared from the growing shadows, taking the one remaining spot in their circle.
Mother Earth finally stopped drumming against the skin of the oak. She stood and shook back the cascade of rowan leaves that was her hair. She moved languidly, as if she walked in her sleep, until she stood beside Kalona where he sat in front of the oak tree. She rested her hand on his shoulder and addressed the raptly listening Wise Women.
“It is good to see you my children. Though I have slept long I have watched you in my dreams. A mother should not have favorites, but I admit that you are mine.”
The women beamed smiles at their Earth Mother.
“So, it is to you I come to ask for help for my eldest son, Kalona.”
The ancient woman spoke again. “Great Earth Mother, we have long been friends of Kalona of the Silver Wings. Even were we not dedicated to serving you, we would gladly come to his aid.”
Overwhelmed by their affection, Kalona bowed his head and pressed his hand over his heart.
“It fills me with joy that the Tsalagi and my son are friends. There was a time when I was concerned for Kalona’s future. After hearing your affection for him I shall no longer be concerned.”
“Command us, Great Earth Mother.” The old woman bowed again.
“Wa-do, wa-do, my children.” The Earth Mother’s voice was filled with love. Her dark eyes gleamed with pleasure. “Then, if my son agrees, this is what we shall do. From my own bosom I will fashion a new being, one formed specifically to be the perfect immortal Consort for my youngest son, Erebus.”
Kalona opened his mouth to agree, but his mother squeezed his shoulder and spoke for his ears alone, “Shh, do not agree until you have heard the cost.”
Kalona closed his mouth and waited.
“I would have you sing this being into existence and fill her with joy and beauty, wisdom and kindness.”
“And a sense of youthful fun,” Kalona added.
His mother nodded. Her lips tilted up. “Ah, you do know your brother. Yes, his Consort must also be a playmate for him and share his youthful exuberance and excellent sense of humor. Can you do that, my children?”
“Uh, E-`tsi!” The women instantly responded as one.
The Great Earth Mother turned her gaze to her son. “I will give Erebus’s mate a body fashioned from my bosom and breathe life into her, but in order for this new person to be more than an empty vessel she must be filled with spirit. She needs an immortal spirit to be an immortal’s Consort.”
Kalona’s mouth went dry. He cleared his throat. “Do you mean I must give my life for the creation of Erebus’s Consort?”
“No, but only because you are immortal and cannot be killed. What you must give is an essence of your immortal spirit. It will not kill you, but it will utterly drain you.”
“I understand. So, I will be tired. How long must I rest?”
His mother stroked his hair gently and in a lovely sing-song voice she recited:
“Ancient one sleeping, waiting to arise,
When the dead joins with fire and water red
Son who is not—his word is key; the raven will devise
He shall hear the call from his sacrificial bed.
By the blood of she who is neither foe nor friend he is free.
Behold a terrible sacrifice to come—a beautiful sight,
Ruled by love they shall be.
The future will not kneel to her dark might.
Kalona’s return is not bittersweet
As he will be welcomed with love and heat.”
There was no sound from the group after the Earth Mother finished the recitation. Into that pregnant silence Kalona spoke. “That sounds like I am going to be resting until the prophecy is fulfilled.” He paused. His gut turned upside down and for an instant he actually thought he was going to be sick. Kalona cleared his throat again and clung to his mother’s gaze, hoping she would tell him he was wrong.
Instead she told him the truth. “You will be resting below, within the earth, cradled by me as you recover, though after you give away some of the essence of your divinity, you will be forever changed.”
“You mean I will age and die?” he asked, feeling numb and thinking, Well, at least when I die Nyx will welcome me home to her realm and I will be by her side forever.