Chapter 1
"Come on, Princess. You are going to be late for the ceremony!" A young boy squealed from the outside. Gale sat cross legged inside a deer hide tent, meditating just before her spotlight went up.
Today was her rite of passage. Today was going to be the most exciting and dangerous part of her life. The girl stood up and bowed her head forward so it didn't hit the top of the tent as she walked out. As the breeze hit her tan skin, she heard drums pounding and wooden flutes whistling. Her ears caught the delicate voices of the girls and women of her tribe while also catching the noise of the young boys and men booming about the area.
"Hey, Princess Gale! Your royal throne is ready for your big hiney to sit on!" The boy from the tent called as he giggled to himself.
The tribal girl rolled her eyes. "Dummy... Why can't you make like a rabbit and hop?" She asked, continuing to cross down the line of people.
"Because if I did, I would make Daddy mad. He told me to babysit you!"
When the boy stuck his tongue out, Gale ruffled his hair and stifled a short laugh. "I think he said I was babysitting you, squirt." Her eyebrows furrowed. The two were close siblings, Gale being the responsible and independent older sibling while Ahanku was her annoying, ignorant younger brother. And quit calling me 'Princess'. Those are just fairy tales."
In the distance the elder sibling could see the feathered headdresses of her tribe, the symbol of their religion and their lifestyle. "Ahanku, come on. They have started the dances! I can't miss mine!" She yelled and grabbed the eight year old by the hand and dashed off toward the feathered hats.
They arrived in less than five minutes to hear the drums lull in their rhythm and the performers prepare themselves for the acceptance dance.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," A tall man yelled over the tribe, his voice carrying across the territory, "welcome to Gale Blyhart's Akule ceremony! Today we celebrate Gale's sixteenth birthday and tomorrow we send her on her way to the Eagle's Perch. Everyone shall enjoy her celebration through dancing, singing, eating, and communicating. Gifts for her journey shall be given when the moon rises over the river to the South. Until then, each to their own! Enjoy!"
The crowd of people hollered at the speaker, whisking him away before the drums boomed once more and the dancers graced the tribe with their performance.
"Gale!" Called a hefty man with a guttural voice, his arms stretched wide in front of him as he strolled over to meet her.
"Papa! So glad to see you!" She called back and raced toward him. "How was hunting?"
"Triumphant! We brought down a huge buck and gathered a few baskets full of fresh fruit from the bushes and trees." The two met and the man grabbed the girl and pulled her tight to hug him. "But I would have much rather been here this morning to congratulate you on your special day."
A big smile creased Gale's face. "Aw, papa... It's okay! Ahanku did a... decent job of waking me this morning." Her eyes darted to her brother and glared.
The man chuckled deep before answering. "That is a blessing, isn't it?"
"I wouldn't call it a 'blessing'" The girl mumbled.
"Ahem! I am still here ya know!" Ahanku cried as he smirked from one ear to the ear and looked up at his pa.
"Sorry, buddy," the man hoisted the boy up and over his shoulders in one sweep and patted his daughter on her shoulder. "Oh! I almost forgot! Come this way." He moved his hand to hers pulled her along through the crowd of people.
They ended up a little ways from the dancing and singing and near narrow river that lead down in a small pond. "Papa, what are we doing here?" Gale asked. This place was known for its serenity, its contribution to easing the mind and bringing peace to a person's self. Many walked across the bank and found tranquility from its pale blue color.
"We are here for me to give you your gift."
"But gifts aren't (insert better word here) until the moon is over the river!" The girl couldn't believe her dad was doing something off schedule. He and Gale's mom were very keen on keeping the balance. Including the balance of time.
"Yes, yes, but I wish for you to study your present longer than all others. It won't find its use until you need it most." From his pocket he drew a gourd rattle. "This is your gift from your mother and I."
A puzzled look appeared on her face as she took the rattle in hand. She shook it lightly and heard no sound. "It is empty... Should it be?"
Her father winked playfully to her. "You will learn the answer later on down the road, Gale. I promise."
Still unsure of her papa's words, she nodded her head. "Yes, Papa. I will do exactly that! I won't let you down!"
He chuckled and Ahanku giggled to himself. "If you don't ever learn its purpose, I will not be disappointed. There is no guarantee you will need to use it."
"Will I get a rattle when I reach sixteen, Daddy?" The boy asked.
"No, son. You get a different heirloom."
"Okay..." He grumbled.
Another smile grew on Gale's face and she looked down to the water. Her reflection looking back at her with crisp green eyes. Her cheekbones were high and angular while her smile held soft. Her black hair reach down her shoulder and stopped by her collarbone. In her hair lied two eagle feathers and around her neck a choker of turquoise stood tall. In her family's eyes, she was a perfect girl... In her own eyes, she couldn't help but want to be different.
In a flash the girl was hit by a splash of water, a wave that came from nowhere. She glared at the boy who held his stomach with both hands because of how hard he was laughing.
"You idiot! Now I have to change!" She yelled and her hands went behind her and darted in front of her, palms facing her dad and Ahanku. To her side where the water was still, a wave grew up to her waist and was thrust at the males.
However, with one hand their dad stopped the water and pushed it back down into the pond, his hand starting with his palm to the water before pushing straight down so the palm was perpendicular from him. "Now, Gale... Don't forget your manners. I don't want to be involved in such childish antics either."
With a sigh, Gale responded. "Yes, Papa..."
