Teá-
Teá was ten years old when the Shaman announced that he had a vision. He then sat the entire family down for a meeting. Her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and brothers sat in the ancient cedar longhouse. The longhouse was hidden from the rest of the world in old growth forests owned by the tribe.
He took Teá's hand and brought her to the center of the circle and placed both hands on her shoulders. She looked into his wise face, seamed with the lines of age and sun, and fell into his black eyes.
There was a rush of sound and light, then she was facing the Raven. He was a symbol of change for the Haida people. The Raven walked over to her and sat on the ground. It drew a picture of a man. It was very life like, almost like a portrait. The man was tall and had passed through time. Then he drew a baby who had grown to manhood without a father. The Raven used a wing and wiped the drawing away then it drew a small woman with unimaginable power.
'This woman will make you a slayer. You will follow her to your destiny.'
Then the Whale, the symbol of her tribe came to her.
'Remember who you are. Your people are of the sea, protect them. Your people are of the sand, protect them. Your people are of the mountains, forests and trees, protect them.'
Then Teá jerked awake and saw she was still standing in front of her Shaman. He smiled and faced her to the family.
"Teá had been chosen to be a Slayer. Her life path has been chosen. She will protect our people, not just the Haida, but the Navajo, the Paiute, the Tlingit, the Cherokee, the Osage. All of the Great Spirit's people. Support her and cherish her.
Everyone clapped and the family hugged Teá. As she grew various elders of her scattered tribe taught her. She spent one summer in Montana learning to live in the mountains. Another summer was spent in the desert outside of Phoenix, AZ, learning to call the spirits.
Her last summer had been spent on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio's hellmouth. She had watched and learned about the vampires and demons and what to expect.
On this day she was working with horses on her Uncle's ranch. She was standing in the middle of a ring filled with wild horses from the BLM when the power hit. She cried out her hands raised to the sky. The horses all stood still as she stood trembling, the power filling the cracks in her soul, fulfilling her destiny.
He uncle turned and saw her, mouth open in shock. She was reaching for the sky, the power enveloping her as obvious as the nose on his own face. Suddenly she dropped to her knees and her uncle vaulted the fence, pushing through the suddenly calm horses. When he reached his niece she looked up into his face and smiled.
"Uncle, I've been called." She whispered, her voice cracking. He just nodded and scooped her up carrying her into the house, shouting for his wife. Teá was bundled into blankets and fed strong tea with honey. The Shaman was called and when he walked in and looked into Teá's eyes and knew it was true.
Taking her cold trembling hand in his he smiled his wise smile, "So, it is time. A terrible man who has lived through time will take you for evil. The Slayer will find you and bring you into the light. Be not afraid."
Her eyes were huge in her face and she nodded.
She had been kidnapped soon after by the bad man. He had murdered other woman, their decaying bodies still in the warehouse that he had brought her to. She had been frightened but tried to remain positive. The Raven had told her what would happen, she would have to be patient.
She had watched wide eyed as an unconscious Buffy had been brought in and tied to the table. Then Buffy had awoken and freed her, then the man who lived through time rescued her, Angel. Her destiny awaited her.
She had gained a new family as well. The Slayers were her sisters, Duncan McLeod and Richie Ryan like brothers and Angel was the protector. It was worth the price.
