Darque Wants (26 page)

              Then without a big show, the cat rose to its feet and slowly trotted back towards the jungle brush. Nai rolled over on her back and looked up at the sky as her mind wondered around the experience she had just had. She couldn't put her finger on it, maybe she wasn't supposed to, but she felt like something important just happened. Her view of the blue sky was superseded by the face of the Shaman hovering over her.

              “Do you understand the circle girl?” He asked as he looked down at her. Nai didn't care that she was naked any more. She didn't feel exposed or ashamed. Her body was sprawled out bare, the dust and sand sticking to her body seemed natural.

              “Control my urges,” She said calmly as she looked up at him. “Got it.” The Shaman took his foot and brushed away the edge of the circle to create a path for her. Then he raised the spear again and pointed it towards the hammock in the distance.

              “Your passion can give you strength, and your instincts can protect you, but you must learn how to control yourself,” he said as he pointed where he intended her to go. Nai rolled over and pushed herself up on her hands and knees. For a moment she felt like the great cat, her strong shoulders in the air and her swaying hips following behind. For a brief moment, she considered simply trotting over to the hammock on her hands and knees, but then she thought better of it and rose to her feet. As she reached the hammock and crawled into it, she saw the hard young man again approaching from the edge of the jungle.

              “Oh, this is going to be good,” She thought to herself as she smiled at him.

              “You have spirit, girl,” the Shaman said as Nai sat across from him by the fire. “Now you must see where that spirit will take you.” He held up the spear towards the darkness beyond the trees. Nai turned to look and saw the Jaguar emerge from the jungle once again. This time she wasn't afraid. She felt strong, and she felt alive and calm all at the same time. The cat came into the clearing and looked at Nai as it wagged its tail. It turned back towards the bush, and then looked over its shoulder at her. “Go, daughter of the moon.” Nai rose up from the log and followed the cat. She didn't stop to dress or to pick up her guns. She simply followed behind the cat as it faded into the jungle.

              Even in the darkness, Nai could see the cat, or she could feel it. She wasn't completely sure which. As they went deeper into the trees, the cat began to pick up pace. Nai felt her heart pounding as she broke into a run behind it. It wasn't frightening, it felt more like a playful game. She could feel her blood pulsing through her veins as she ran, whipping through the leaves, leaping over rocks and fallen trees as she followed the cat. Every sound in the darkness caught her attention and was dismissed just as quickly. She could feel everything around her, from the ants humming under the ground to the bats fluttering above. It was as if she was the jungle itself. It was all part of her, and she, it as she moved through the night. She ran and she ran for who knows how long, keeping pace with the jaguar until the sun was rising over the jungle canopy.

              They broke through the brush and came to stop on a high rocky ledge. The cat panting beside her as Nai leaned over with her hands on her knees to catch her breath. She was a bit winded, but she still felt completely alive, pulsing with energy as she looked out over the vista. The jaguar walked to the edge of the ledge and laid down, looking out over the landscape below. Nai came up beside it and sat down on the stone outcropping. She followed the cat’s line of sight when she heard something in the distance. As she looked down the hill side, the scene came into focus. At the bottom of the hill was a small village. There were people running, screaming as flames burst out of the rooftops. Then she saw the men. She knew the uniforms and the silver armor from history books. She watched as the Conquistadors rampaged through the village.

              The cat rolled over on its side and laid its head against her as Nai watched, frozen in disbelief at the scene below. She grew up on adventure movies and horror movies, but she wasn't anywhere near as bulletproof as she thought. Watching the hacking blades of the Conquistadors and listening to the cries of the villages was horrific. It made her stomach tighten and turn until she felt she needed to vomit, but she couldn't move. She didn't have to see him to know the Shaman was standing behind her. She felt him like she felt the rest of the forest.

              “Why?” was all she said as her eyes stayed focused on the carnage below.

              “This is what those who seek power have always done,” The Shaman said as he stood behind her. “They slaughtered our people, and others before. They will keep going until the end of time. Unless someone stands in their way. They must not be allowed to have the Jars, and the bracelets have to be taken back from them.”

              “How can one girl stop all that?” She asked him over her shoulder.

              “One girl cannot,” He answered. “Generations can, and that is what the daughters of the moon are born to do. It is what you were born to do. So now it is time for your questions girl, what are you going to do?”

              “Stop them,” Nai said as the anger grew inside her. In an instant she was on her feet, the jaguar quickly behind her. This time it was the great cat’s turn to chase after her as she leaped from the ledge and made her way down through the trees along the hillside. Her heart pounded in her chest, and with each step her fury grew more and more. She made it to the bottom of the hillside and burst through the tree line with her fists balled in hard knots ready to fight. As she did, she found the village in ruin, the battle over, and the Conquistadors gone. The cat emerged from the jungle and stopped at her side as they both looked on over the tattered battle field. Bodies laid around, pale from the blood running in the dirt. Huts and homes leaned, ravaged by fire and falling into smoldering piles. It was over, but Nai still clenched her fists. Her teeth still gnashed as she tasted the smoke on her tongue. Again, the Shaman was behind her. “Why, why is it over?”

              “Time is a tricky thing, girl,” The Shaman said. “Sometimes it moves slow like the lazy bend in the river, and others times, it moves fast like the rapids. This was over before it had begun.”

              “Then what's the fucking point,” she said. “If I can't do anything, if I can't stop it, what’s the point?”

              “Clarity,” The Shaman said. “Purpose is the point. You must know who you are, you must know what is right. Every moment you question, every instant you think time slips by. All that evils need to succeed is a moment when good does nothing.” Nai thought back to the hill top, to sitting on the edge of the mountain above it all, removed from it all, and she instantly hunched over and gagged. Her stomach lurched inside her, and she vomited. The jaguar brushed against her leg, and she heaved painfully. How could she sit there, she wondered to herself as she felt the world spinning around her.

              “Chew,” The Shaman said as he bent down and shoved a hand full of green leaves in her mouth.  

              “Great, more coca,” Nai said as she bit down and started to grind up the bitter green mass.

              “We all carry this burden,” The Shaman said as he stood beside her and crammed a few leaves into his own mouth. “Those moments we did the wrong thing. Grow wise, daughter of the moon, and know this is the time, these shameful moments we all share are what you wish to limit.” Nai felt her cramps ease as she chewed, the throbbing in her head started to fade. She stood up and looked at the Shaman closely.

              “Ok, then let’s get to it. What's next? Come on,” she said as she stepped up to him. “What's the next test, damn it?”

              “The next test, girl, is beyond this place,” The Shaman said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “The next test is back through the gateway. You will not need me again for some time.”

              “What?” Nai said. “That's it?”

              “For now, girl,” The Shaman said as he headed back towards the brush. Nai watched him walk away again. She reached down and ran her fingers through the jaguar’s fur and then started towards the jungle behind him. As she pushed through the foliage behind him, she had to struggle to keep up with him as the sky grew dark overhead. When she finally broke through into the clearing, she found herself in the room with the Jar once again. The night sky spiraling over head as wondrously as before.

              “You're back,” Marjorie said as she rose from the floor where she had apparently been waiting. “And my goodness, you are filthy!” Nai was shocked by her sudden reappearance in Jar room but thrilled to see that her clothes had also suddenly reappeared on her body. She could feel the dirt under them on her skin. She couldn't really argue with the woman. In fact, she found herself glad to see the old lady again.

              “Yeah,” Nai said as she greeted Marjorie with a hug. “Yeah, I am, but wasn't I always a little dirty?”

              “That you were, dear,” Marjorie said with a smile. “Let’s get the sisters to pour you another bath. But this time let’s keep the volume down, it's been a long day here.”

              “I hear that it has been a pretty long day for me too,” Nai said as she followed Marjorie up the stairs to the main floor of the mission. “Didn't we say something about showers last time? Are you sure they don't have hot showers in 1866? And what about those Lucky Charms?” Marjorie laughed over her shoulder as she climbed the stairs.

              “We have some very fine split pea soup tonight,” Marjorie said.

              “Split pea soup? Seriously, Marjorie, Lucky Charms, you have to find me some Lucky Charms.” Nai said. “Marjorie? Marjorie, damn it, split pea soup?”

              “Split pea soup,” Marjorie said.

*****
 

*****

“Oh god, that's not bad,” Nai said at all as she laid back in the large steel wash tub and felt the hot water soaking into her skin. “Not bad at all.” Marjorie took a pail of steaming water from one of the sisters and slowly poured it into the bath.

              “Jaguar,” Marjorie said as she poured the water into the tub. “Oh course, it was a jaguar. Actually, I think I have seen that tattoo before.”

              “What,” Nai asked. “What the hell are you talking about? I don't have a tattoo.”

              “Don't worry, dear,” Marjorie said as she put down the pail and went to the washstand to pick up a small brass-rimmed mirror. “We all have one. It's our spirit animal.”

              “Spirit animal?” Nai asked remember the jaguar in the jungle. “What the hell is a spirit animal, and what do you mean tattoo?” Marjorie held up the small mirror where Nai could see, and sure enough, on her left shoulder blade was a black jaguar stretched out across her skin. “Holy crap, when did that happen?” Nai said as she grabbed at her shoulder as if she could pull the skin around for a better look. “That feather-headed bastard got me while I slept.”

              “The tattoo is a manifestation of meeting our spirit animal, nature’s parallel spirit that mirrors our own personal nature. You must have met yours. We all do.” Marjorie said as she put down the mirror and took another pail of water and poured it in. “And from the looks of you that wasn't all you met. I'm surprised your tattoo isn't of a spread eagle rather than a jaguar.”

              “Mother Superior!” Nai said with a mock gasp. “Did you just call me a slut?”

              “Oh, calm down, dear,” Marjorie said. “I am sure I'm not the first, and I know I won’t be the last.” Nai cast her most fierce look at Marjorie and backed it up with a healthy splash of water. “Hey, watch it, you know we have to heat this up on a stove, don't you?”

              “You know, the Spirit Guide said something interesting,” Nai said as she leaned back down in the tub and sank down to her neck in the steaming water. “He said all of the priestesses suffered from overactive sex drives.”

              “Oh, did he?” Marjorie said as she headed for the door of Nai's room.

              “Yes, he did,” Nai said looking at Marjorie with a grin on her lips. “So why are you giving me crap all the time if you are just like me?”

              “Well, I am sure I don’t know what you mean, dear,” Marjorie said as she grasped at the door handle. “You must have misheard the Spirit Guide, dear.”

              “Misheard him?” Nai asked.

              “Yes, you misheard him,” Marjorie said as she backed her way out of the room and pulled the door closed. “Besides, I don't think there has ever been a slut like you, dear.” Marjorie said with a wry smile just as she closed the door.

              “Bitch,” Nai shouted playfully as she splashed a large blast of water towards the doorway behind Marjorie. Marjorie had already closed the door and begun her escape down the hallway when she turned the corner and ran face first into someone coming the other way.

              “Oh, excuse me, Mother Superior,” The man said as he tipped his hat and took a few steps back. “I was just coming to tell you that the gate was locked up tight for the night, ma'am.”

              “That's perfect alright, Earnest,” Marjorie said as she straightened her habit. “And the horses, they are all in the stable and not out in the field?”

              “Yes ma'am, they are all locked up, just like you asked,” Earnest said.

              “Wonderful, thank you, Earnest, that will be all,” Marjorie said, as she gave him a slight bow and turned to head down the hallway again.

              “Thank you, Ma'am,” Earnest said as he tipped his hat again and watched her walk away. “Good night then, ma'am.”

              “Oh Earnest, could you do one more thing for me?” Marjorie asked as she turned back towards him.

              “Yes ma'am, of course,” Earnest replied.

              “Could you crawl through my window a little early tonight? I don't think I can stand it much longer.” Marjorie said as she smiled at him.

              “Yes ma'am, I'd be happy to oblige.” Earnest said smiling like the cat who ate the canary. He tipped his hat once again and made off down the hall at a trot.

              “Oh god!” She heard Nai moan through the closed door.

              “Damn it, Earnest, you better hurry up,” Marjorie said as she turned, covered her ears, and made off down the hallway at a pace.

              Nai had her head laid back against the rim of the tub as her fingers spread her delicate lips wide.  Her eyes were tightly closed as she envisioned the nameless hunk she had enjoyed in the jungle.

              “Oh god, yes!” She called out as she saw his hard cock in his hands again as he stroked it. But this time, at least in her mind, she could cross the line. She could cross so many lines. “Fuck,” She called out loud completely forgetting the vow she had made to Marjorie to be more discreet. Her fingers were about to cross the line too and her hips writhed with the pleasure of it.

“Marjorie was right,” Vagar said quietly to himself as he leaned against the wall below her window. “There wasn't ever one like you dear.”