Aiyana hid in the bushes and watched as strange ships lined the horizon. Four men came off one of the larger ships, looking around. She frowned. These men looked completely different than the ones she was used to. They were extremely pale, one of the men having nearly white hair. There was the one with white hair and purple eyes, the one with spiky wheat colored hair and a bright smile, one who's stare made her stomach uneasy, and a shorter, yellowed hair man who seemed friendly with the scary one.
She frowned. There was another thing that made her on edge, aside from their sickly complexions. They had a strange aura about them, strong and powerful ones that both drew her to them and sent chills down her spine. "I must consult Mother about this. Something is wrong," she said, frowning as the direction of the wind changed as she did so. Aiyanna snuck backward, clutching her spear, and ran as fast as she could.
A few minutes later she came to a clearing with a small pond and long grass surrounding it. Aiyanna stood at the edge of the clearing and lowered her head respectfully. "Permission to enter your home Mother," she said quietly. The branches of the trees behind her gently pushed her in. "You know you don't need to ask for permission child. What is it that put you in such a glum mood?" said a cheerful voice coming from the pond.
Aiyanna sat down by the pond, looking in to see an ancient but youthful woman's face in the pond, Mother Earth. "Mother, strange men have appeared on the shores. They look incredibly sick but yet...they have a certain aura of power about them. It's nothing I've encountered before, she said. Mother Earth raised an eyebrow. "Sickly yet powerful? Aiyanna, I'm going to need more of an description though I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about," she said.
Aiyanna frowned but quickly described the four men. "I didn't hear them speak so I don't know if they know our language. Perhaps I should have asked them if they needed healing or medicine," she said before spotting the serious look on Mother Earth's face. "What is it Mother...Are they dangerous?" she asked. Mother Earth looked up at Aiyanna. "I knew this was going to happen, but it's so much sooner than I thought it would have. I must have lost track of time…" she said absentmindedly.
"Mom, who are these people…" Aiyanna's eyes widened. "Are they spirits? Like the one that's been following me?" she asked, leaning forward. Earth blinked and looked up. "Spirits? Aiyanna, you haven't told me about the spirits...What are they saying? You should have told me they were talking to you," she said. Aiyanna gave her mother a shy smile. "It was a few years ago, I forget how many. I was going to tell you about it, but I forgot when Chippewea needed me to help him bring in the harvest," she said.
Earth raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Tell me about these spirits. I hope this isn't the only odd thing you have told me about," she said. Aiyanna nodded. "There's a spirit that takes on the appearance of a little girl. At least, I believe it's a spirit. The girls is pale and has hair of wheat tied into braids and icey blue eyes. She is different from most of the spirits I have encountered, however.
"She appears to get a little older everytime I see her. When I first saw her, she appeared about five years old. The next time, she was only six, despite it being two years since I've seen her. She has a certain aura about her, though different. I feel drawn to her but not scared or threatened in anyway, though I am very weary of her. The girl feels very familiar. That is why I believe her to be a spirit of some sort, though after seeing those men...I'm not sure. Mother, who...what are they?" she asked.
"They are like you, daughter. They are representations of the land and its people," said Mother Earth simply. Aiyanna stared at her. "What? There are others?!" she asked. The lips of Mother Earth quirked. "Yes child. They are my children and grandchildren. These men, however, from what the animals and wind tells me, are children of my daughter Scandinavia. They represent lands across the ocean that you have never seen before. Norway, like his mother, has the Sight and magic. It's quite possible you two would get along," said her mother.
Aiyanna frowned. "How did they get here? The ocean is endless. You never spoke to me of other lands before. What is it that they want?" she asked. Mother Earth sighed. "Aiyanna, perhaps they just want to explore. This is the first time you've encountered outsiders. You should do your best at giving them the best impression possible. I'm sure they wish you no harm...You do not want to become enemies with them," said Earth.
Aiyanna narrowed her eyes at her mother. "Why is that? I am sure I can handle them. They're only four men. I'm sure I could separate them and take care of them that way...that is, unless you find favor with them mother…" she said. Mother Earth sighed, a branch bending forward to cause ripples as she rubbed her forehead. "Aiyanna, I favor no one, though know that I love you. There are few of my decendants that have as deep of a connection of me as you do. Unfortunately, the few that have existed are no longer," she said.
Aiyanna blinked. "No longer….but Mother, I can't-people like me cannot die so long as the land is alive. We cannot get old so long as our civilizations are in their prime. Even injuries, no matter how major or minor, effect us for too long. Time does not touch us," she said. Earth shook her head. "We are not gods Aiyanna. We may be frozen in time but that does not mean it cannot touch us. Even being frozen isn't guarenteed for we all grow and change. To not realize that would be foolish," she said.
Aiyanna sighed. "I'm sorry mother but I'm upset that you didn't inform me of this earlier. So it is possible that they could hurt me….or worse?" she asked. "Unfortunately, my dear, yes. That is why I wish for you to tread carefully. Contact the spirits before you make any foolhearty choices. I do not want you doing anything blindly. Also, burn the flames elsewhere, faraway from this place. I do not know if they will understand its significance. I'll meet you when you have found a place for the fire," said her mother.
Aiyanna nodded, starting to get up before she paused. "Mother...what is that girl? Is she a spirit or one of us….or a spirit of one of us?" she asked, shuddering at the idea of the ghost of a former landmass following her around for unknown reasons. Mother Earth frowned slightly, closing her eyes as she concentrated. "She feels like a decendant of Scandinavia...As for her name and why she is here, I believe the spirits will tell it best. Ask them your questions, but remember child, ask them carefully," she said.
Aiyanna nodded as she got up. "Yes mother. I'll meet you in the usual spot," she said before turning around and leaving the clearing. Once outside of the clearing, she whistled a low toon, hearing an animal cry in response. Within seconds, a large buffalo stood before her. "Let's go to the pit Cheveyo. We have spirits to call upon. Did you have fun grazing?" she asked. The buffalo nodded and knelt so she could climb on.
Aiyanna climbed the buffalo and pet his head. "Thank you for the ride. I'll be sure to find you some berries when we get home, alright?" she asked. Cheveyo gave a happy grunt before starting to walk forward. A good five minutes after they had left the clearning, Aiyanna spotted a flash of white hiding behind the trees. Aiyanna frowned. "Whoa Cheveyo," she said, placing a hand on the top of the animal's head. Aiyanna looked around.
"I know you're there. I know you're not a spirit. Come out child. I'm like you. I also represent the land," she announced, hoping the girl had not ran away though that rarely occurs. Usually, the girl would watch her for a few seconds before disappearing when Aiyanna had her back turned. The girl had not come out. "Child, I won't hurt you. I want to talk," she said. There was a hesitation and the girl stepped out from behind the tree, still partially hidden behind it.
Aiyanna looked over the girl. She had a thin, strange cloth on and waist long honey colored hair and eyes the color of violets. The girl tugged at a small braid hanging from the left side of her face. "Can you understand me girl?" she asked, using the language she spoke when she had several of her children with different languages in the same place. The girl hesitated once more before nodding.
"What is your name child? My name is Aiyanna, though I may also be called Native America," said Aiyanna, looking at the kid with a bit of shock. She is like me...but how is this possible? "M-My name is Dagny….b-but you could call me Vinland," said the girl quietly. The girl appeared to be about seven, which surprised Aiyanna. It had only been a year since she last seen the child. Perhaps the pale faces were more prone to aging like normal humans.
"Where do you live Vinland? Or do you prefer Dagny?" asked Aiyanna. Dagny pointed to the northeast. "Over there...and I like Dagny...I gave it to myself after I heard one of the women on the ship being called that. It sounds pretty," she said. Aiyanna nodded. "Do you know who those men are?" she asked. Dagny frowned. "What men?" she asked. Aiyanna gives her a confused look. "The men with the ships. The four men that look like you. From what Mother Earth told me, they are also representations of land, but of lands far away," she said.
The girl frowned. "Mother Earth...You mean the lady that sometimes talks to me in the brooks?" she asked. Aiyanna managed a smile. "Yes. That's why I call them babbling brooks, she loses focus a lot easier when she appears through them. But what do you know of those men?" she said. Dagny shrugged. "I don't know much about them...they scare me a little," she said, taking a step back to hide behind her tree.
Aiyanna frowned. "What do you mean? Have they threatened you?" she asked. Dagny shook her head, peaking out from behind the tree. "No...but the tall one looks scary. And they're different from the people I see here. I don't know if they're nice or not," she said. Aiyanna looked at the child. "You should go talk to them. From what Mother tells me, they are your siblings. I'm sure they'll help you," she said.
Dagny shook her head and looked at Aiyanna shyly. "You're less scary...and you're a girl too….You're also the first person like me that I've seen here since I woke up in the forest," she said. Aiyanna frowned. She was not about to take this child under her wing, not when there was still a strong possibility this girl posed a danger to her and her people. "I'm sure the scary one is nicer than he seems...Cheveyo here scared me at first but now we're good friends. Try to introduce yourself," she said. Cheveyo snorted as if to say 'that's a lie.' Aiyanna decided to ignore him.
Dagny gave Aiyanna a hopeful look. "You really think so? ….I suppose you're right. I'm going to go and talk to them! I'll let you know how it turns out! Bye Aiyanna!" said Dagny excitedly, making Aiyanna blink in surprise at the sudden change in personality. Dagny waved at her before turning around and running in the direction of where Aiyanna had last seen the four men. "...I hope that girl knows what she's doing. But she's not our problem. Come Cheveyo. Let's go talk to the spirits," she said before nudging the buffalo.
Cheveyo grunted at Aiyanna but moved forward nonetheless. After a few more minutes of travely, they reached a brook with a small fire pit next to it. "I already placed kindling in the pit for you dear. It should be enough for this. I hope you brought your powders with you," said Earth, her face appearing in the brook when Aiyanna grew closer. Aiyanna got off of Cheveyo and patted the ground below her.
"Thank you mother. May I please take some berries to feed Cheveyo. I promised him a reward for his help," she said. "Of course dear. How is Cheveyo doing? He's such a cute fuzzy little guy," said her mother, a branch of a nearby blueberry bush already reaching out to the buffalo. Cheveyo whinnied with happiness before starting to much on the berries. "He's doing good. Getting nice and fat for the upcoming winter," said Aiyanna teasingly. Cheveyo swatted at her with his tail but kept on munching.
Aiyanna smirked and made her way to the other side of the brooke before sitting on her legs before the fire. She piled the kindling and immediately used flint to start a fire. Once the fire was strong enough, Aiyanna pulled clear powder and poured it gently into the fire. She muttered an ancient chant under her breath, beckoning the spirits to come to her with advice. Once she started hearing their whispers, she stopped her chanting.
"Spirits, I ask you for guidance. Strange men appear on my shores and a pale girl follows me in the woods. I have been told that they are like me, representations of the land and its people. I need to know, for my sake and the sake of my people, are they threats? How should I interpret this new information? What will become of me and my people now that our paths have intersected," she said before pouring a blue powder into the flames.
Smoke started rising from the fire and she added another powder, causing the fire to crackle and light to flash within the smoke. After a few seconds, the face of a fox appeared in the smoke. "Child, this is dangerous knowledge. Are you sure you need to know? Your answer to this question will change the outcome," he said in a low growl. Aiyanna frowned, not sure whether this was a trick question. Deciding to answer the question truthfully, she said, "Yes, I need to know. It would help put my mind at ease."
The fox stared at her with bright yellow eyes before nodding. "So it shall be," he said, smoke coming out of his mouth, eyes glowing amber. "I will tell you this in the form of a prophecy. Listen closely, for this will set forth monumental changes in your destiny. Also, I will not be repeating it again. Are you ready to hear it?" he asked. Aiyanna looked at the brooke with minor concern in her eyes. "You already asked my dear. Now it is time to hear the answers to your questions," said Earth. Aiyanna sighed before nodding.
The fox's eyes glared and he opened his mouth, more smoke coming out of his mouth. The fire and light dimmed, causing chills to go down Aiyanna's pride. The spirit began to speak:
"The death of the vine forces fates to interwine.
Fear brings the end; Not to become friends.
The death of a mother brings the birth of brothers.
A fate inversed that cannot be reversed.
The ending of a beginning."
Aiyanna blinks, doing her best to memorize the prophecy. She tilted her head. "Forgive me, but that doesn't answer my question. Is the white man friend or foe?" she asked. The fox sighed, letting out a puff of smoke. "Aiyanna, I will give you these two pieces of advice for free. The first: In order for people to become friends, it takes to both parties to will it to happen. To become foes, it only takes one party to throw things into disaster. The second: You initiated what will now happen instead of what could hae happened," he said.
Aiyanna frowned but nodded her head. "Yes, I see. Thank you for your advice and the prophecy," she said. The fox frowned. "No, you don't see. But in a few years, you will. Take care of yourself Aiyanna. And don't forget my payment," said the spirit. Aiyanna sighed and pulled something out of another puch. She poured a handful of dried flowers into the fire. The fox took a deep breath. "Thank you. These are my favorite," he said before disappearing. The smoke instantly disappeared and the fire died out.
"Aiyanna, you need to be careful not to do anything rash," said Earth. Aiyanna frowned and glanced at the brooke. "Mother, what makes you think I would do something impulsive?" she asked. Mother Earth frowned. "Because I know you. You are planning something. I know that the prophecy sounded...well, gloomy. But you know these prophecies are always not as they seem! It could be that the men would be willing to be friends. And Dagny, Dagny is just a child. She is innocent of any wrong doing," she said.
Aiyanna frowned as she went through her pouches to make sure none of the powders had mixed. "Mother, I'll make you this promise to ease your mind. I will wait a two decades before I finalize my decision. I will stay away from the White Man as long as they stay away from me. As long as they don't instigate a conflict during that time, I will stay away from them," she said. Mother Earth frowned. "How can you get to know them if you stay away from them?" she asked. "Mother," said Aiyanna with a sigh.
Mother Earth sighed. "Well...if that's all I can hopefor, I suppose I'll take it. Just don't be overly harsh with the girl. She's just a babe. In fact, I would ask you to take her under your wing but I know that at this point that that's asking far too much," she said. Aiyanna sighed and patted the ground. "Mother, you're not guilting me into that. I already have plenty of children of my own to tend to. Speaking of which, I better go check on Sioux. It's been a while since I've visited her," she said.
Mother Earth sighed. "Fine, but take care of yourself daughter. I think I will watch how Scadinavia's sons react to having a sister. Ooh, this is going to be dramatic!" she said before her face disappeared from the brooke. Aiyanna rolled her eyes but smiled. "Come on Cheveyo. I'm sure Sioux carved you a new ball or something to play with," she said. Cheveyo whinnied and knelt, running off once she got on his back.
This story is going to be turned into a series that covers different theories of how the North American countries came to be and how they relate to their fellow countries. This story will contain background necessary to understand the following sequels on how America managed to hide his affinity to magic and slowly isolate himself from the rest of the world. Ayanna is Native America, and an ancient, Mother Earth is the personification of Earth, and Dagny is Vinland. Reviews appreciated!