Elo was troubled. The runner’s, dying, had brought news that the metal beasts were moving up the long valley. Large doglike creatures covered in metal being ridden by two leggeds that looked like the people and yet they did not. They also were covered with metal that clanked when they moved and they carried weapons of metal. The runner’s had escaped with wounds that he could not heal, two of them died already. The runner’s told them that the great beasts and their riders had killed their entire pueblo. They had killed women and children and old men and warriors had fought valiantly trying to protect the others only to die themselves.
Elo clutched the bag around his neck that contained the powerful blue stone. “What should I do?” He whispered. “How can I protect the people?”
The stone had been passed on to him by his great grandmother when she moved to the spirit world quite some time ago now when he had taken over as healer and shaman of the people.
The one he had chosen was so young. The boy was smart and gifted but he had barely begun his training. He called Anto to him.
“My boy, you have heard the news of the invaders?”
“Yes Elo.” The boy was wide eyed.
“Send word to the warriors and the elders that I wish to call a counsel and then, Anto, come to me. There is much we must talk about and plan.”
In two days time the scouts reported back that they had seen the invaders and they were on their way and would, at the pace they were going, make contact with the people in another day and a half. The plan was in place and the people made their preparations to leave. The warriors had wanted to fight but Elo had convinced them that he could use his power and the power of the stone to stop their advance long enough for the people to get away. Anto knew where to take them and with the warriors to guard them from behind and from the sides he was certain he could slow the advance of the conquering killers.
Late the next day the soldiers on their horses could be seen at the far end of the valley starting to make an encampment and the plans were put in place. Elo took his place on a shelf overlooking the valley. After praying and readying himself, just as the sun set, he gave the signal. Anto began drumming, a slow but steady beat. One by one others in the tribe joined till a great thundering of the drums echoed across the valley. Elo raised his staff and rattle and there on the cliff edge started to dance and sing.
Soon the people could see dark clouds rising in all directions around them lit in the early darkness with lightning. The drumming intensified and Elo looked like a madman, raising his arms to the sky, shaking his rattle and his staff to the rapidly building storm. Loud cracks of thunder began striking around them and in the valley.... and the rain began. Great deluges of rain. Elo danced and chanted but with the rain the people stopped drumming. In the noise and power of the storm the people would make their getaway into the night. Planned and ready they moved like silent spirits, the boy Anto, leading them, warriors around them, off in their exodus from the place that had been home for many cycles.
A day later the people were well on their way to their new home and Anto and two warriors run back to see if the invaders followed and to assist Elo in joining them. As they reached the plateau and looked out over the valley they were awed and amazed at the sight before them. It appeared that a great flood had deluged the valley. From what they could see none of the invaders had survived it. Four of the great beasts run loose and the warriors captured them, took off any remaining metal and took them back with the plan of learning about them and perhaps riding them as the strangers had done.
Anto found Elo’s lifeless body still on the shelf but lying back against some rocks. Tears welled up in his eyes. His teacher had saved his people but at the cost of one life, his own. The warriors helped him place Elo on a pyre of wood. Frantically Anto searched but nowhere could he find the pouch that contained the blue stone. He picked up Elo’s staff, indicated to the warrior to light the pyre and as the flames took hold the small party made their way back toward the people.
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