The Eagles’ Gift
? Chapter Eighteen
THE STORY SO FAR: About to fly high above the Earth in the Eagles’ spaceship, Rainera suddenly panics. Can the Eagles really be trusted?
Rainera breathed a deep sigh of relief as she remembered that she herself had been the one who had asked to fly in the Eagles’ spaceship. They hadn’t even suggested it – which meant that her fears were groundless. Thus assured, she nodded to Dalton and entered the spaceship.
The interior was bright, with light emanating from every direction, glowing panels, unusual instruments, and various machines that seemed to merge smoothly into the walls. “They’re like Dad’s X-ray,” Rainera thought, “and DNA scanner, only bigger and sleeker.”
And there were more Eagles, maybe two dozen in all, men and women both. Seeing so many Eagles, all so huge, gathered in one place, was unnerving. Having only just gotten used to the three Eagles they’d been speaking with, Rainera felt very small again, as did Dalton.
“This is Rainera, and this, Dalton,” Eagle Mother said to the other Eagles. “Our Emissaries. They may be young, but they have shown us the way. We are going to fly down the mountain and meet the People ourselves. It will be up to them to decide our fate.
“Please take a seat, Honored Emissaries,” she continued, nodding to Rainera and Dalton.
The seats were so big that the two young people sat easily together in one, side by side. Then, once everyone was seated and strapped in, the Eagles began turning dials and moving switches. A high-pitched, whining sound filled Rainera’s and Dalton’s ears. They gripped each other’s hands – and the house began to rise.
“Would you like to see the world from on high?” asked Eagle Mother.
“Yes!” Rainera and Dalton exclaimed, holding hands tighter still. “It’s like the Telling!” Rainera whispered excitedly.
The house rose higher and faster, then faster yet again, up and further up, until they soared beyond the sky, far out in space.
“Oh! It’s amazing! It’s beautiful!” exclaimed Rainera.
“I wish everyone could see this!” said Dalton.
Before them a million stars glittered, burning with living fire, each a world, each with its own story. Rainera looked toward the moon, which glowed like an immense pearl. The gloriously blazing, life-giving sun was like a golden flower. Below was the Earth itself, a refreshing blue-green oasis in the endless blackness.
“May we live in peace and never harm our home again,” said Eagle Mother. “Your people have done a fine job of healing Her. We thank you. Isn’t She beautiful?”
“Yes,” Rainera murmured with awe.
“Oh, yes!” added Dalton.
“So, are you ready?” asked Eagle Mother.
“Another minute, please,” said Rainera, “if you don’t mind.”
“Of course,” the giantess said gently.
Rainera and Dalton looked and looked. Stars and moon and sun and Earth, all were before them, waiting patiently as ever for whatever might yet be. Rainera had already begun thinking of how the ship’s controls might be adapted so that hands her size could work them. Then she pictured herself flying among the stars, adventuring through space and time. “Now that,” she thought, “would really be something!”
At last they flew back down to Earth, below the clouds, into winter’s darkness and cold.
Rainera and Dalton watched the toy-sized village beneath them grow larger and larger. Finally, with hardly a bump, they landed at the base of the mountain. They were home, close to the people and places they knew. But now it all seemed different and strange – as if they, too, had been gone more than a thousand years.
Rainera and Dalton put on their winter coats, while the Eagles pulled on snug-fitting caps and adjusted the controls on their suits. Finally the door opened, snow whirled in, and the stairs slid out.
Rainera and Dalton leapt down the stairs, step by giant step. The sun shone brightly. The cold air sparkled with snow.
Groups of villagers stood in the streets watching Rainera and Dalton’s unusual arrival with amazement, curiosity, and fear.
Rainera spotted her father, mother, and Bilt, too. Then she saw Jenson and some others holding guns. “Hi!” she called, and waved. “It’s just us, Dalton and me!”
Dalton’s face broke into a grin. He began to wave.
“And guests,” Rainera continued. “Relatives, actually, who’ve come to talk, and to ask something important. They have a gift – many gifts.”
Rainera looked up at Eagle Mother, who stood tall and beautiful beside her. Impulsively she took one of the giant’s big hands in her own small one.
“Rainera,” said Eagle Mother, looking down and smiling. “You’ve been reminding me of someone. Now I realize whom – the girl I used to be!”
Rainera beamed. What better compliment could Eagle Mother pay her? Then, looking up at Eagle Mother, she realized something, too. “Why, you remind me of the grown-up I dream of becoming!” she exclaimed.
They looked at each other again and laughed. At that moment Rainera felt more whole than ever. It was as if something that was missing had been returned, not just to her but to all her people.
With a smile on her face, Rainera looked at Dalton – who, to her astonishment, suddenly reached out and gave her a hug right in front of everyone!
“Thanks, Rain,” he said thickly. “I owe you!”
“I never could have done it without you,” Rainera answered truthfully. And she blushed.
Then she remembered that everyone was still watching. Once more she laughed, as did Dalton, and again they waved.
“Well, don’t just stand there gawking,” she called encouragingly. “Come on over and say hello!”
The end