Chapter 12: Judgment
Robin, Cyborg and Beast Boy stumbled out of the gateway. It took several moments before their eyes adjusted. They were coming out of a dark forest into an open glen. It was twilight and a slight breeze brought the musty smell of the land to them. The clearing was several hundred yards wide. On the other side of the clearing the forest stretched hundreds of feet in the air. The trees were unbelievably tall and thick. Virgin stands that had disappeared from the continent generations ago. Cyborg looked down and was whole once more. The hair on his exposed upper body stood on end. Haltingly he raised his hands to run over his smooth face. The colors he saw, though dull we his own once more.
Beast Boy stood dumbfounded by his surroundings. The jungles he remembered as a kid rivaled these. He slowly walked forward into the tall grass of the glen. Robin noticed a woman in a white buckskin dress frantically searching through the grass on all fours in front of him.
"Um, excuse me," Robin started meekly unsure what had just happened.
"It's me Robin," Raven's voice replied slightly annoyed. Hadn't the boys ever seen her in a dress? "A little help here, we haven't got much time," she continued. The rest of the boys looked at her not knowing what they should do.
Starfire and Sullen Eagle crossed over. She released his hand, smiled then slowly made her way towards her friends. Sullen Eagle glanced around for a moment then took several steps to separate himself from the group.
"Got it!" Raven rose to her feet. She raised her hand and began her enchantment. "Percepio." Five small stones glowed in her hand signifying the spell's success. She turned to her friends. They all looked so different now. A sudden wave of relief welled up in her as she realized they were all together again. The boys were all dressed in buckskin pants with no shirts. Starfire had a long dress similar to hers. She could see the confusion in her friends' eyes. She hoped they would follow along; there was no time for explanations.
Each reached for a glowing stone and took theirs leaving one in Raven's hand. Robin popped his in his mouth and worked it into a comfortable spot. The taste of dirt and the feel of grit filled his mouth. He looked around at his friends who were visibly staring at him. "What's wrong with you guy's? Is there something on my face?" Robin quickly raised his hand.
"No Robin there's nothing on your face for a change." Cyborg replied. "Sorry, we're not used to seeing you without your mask, that's all."
"You look great Robin," Raven assured him. The others turned back to the clearing after placing their stones in there mouths. Starfire focused on Robin a bit longer yielding a slight smile to her friend.
"Here she comes," Raven announced. From across the field, a woman emerged from the tree line. She quickly made her way across the meadow towards them. "Everyone please be quiet and follow along," Raven quickly added.
"What's going on?" Beast Boy asked.
"There's no time to explain. Please just be quiet and let me do the talking," Raven replied in an annoyed hushed voice. Beast Boy shot an angry look at her. He was generally frustrated by the situation. The others seemed to know what was going on while he remained in the dark.
Raven stepped away from the boys as the woman approached the group. Starfire took a couple of steps forward and stood slightly behind Raven and to her right. Sullen Eagle remained apart from the group to the left of the girls.
The woman approached the group. She wore a buckskin dress and tall leather boots wrapped in cords that ran up almost to her knees. Her dress's neck and armholes were adorned with small pieces of white shell weaved into the fabric. Her face was slightly worn and her long black hair fell neatly on her shoulders. A large leather pouch hung around her neck and rested on her right hip. She stopped several yards in front of the group and removed her pouch. She knelt down and undid several strings and brought forth a large bleached shell. She stood up facing the group holding the shell in both hands near her waist.
"Welcome Titans to the ancient lands of the Lenape. I am Hannah the last of my people to live in the east. Raven, are you ready to begin?"
Before she could reply Raven cringed as Beast Boy's voice suddenly rose behind her.
"OK, will somebody please tell me what's going?" Hannah shot an angry stare and quickly raised her right hand. "How do you two..GACK." Beast Boy suddenly reached for his throat and collapsed to his knees. His head fell forward as he went down on all fours in a sudden coughing fit. After a few seconds the coughing stopped and Beast Boy slowly rose to his feet.
"I'm ok, just swallowed my stone." Beast boy cleared his throat one last time.
"Only those holding the shell may speak." Hannah coolly stared at Beast Boy to drive the point home. Beast Boy meekly nodded. Snickers erupted from the other boys. Those ceased quickly as Hannah shot icy stares at them.
When the group was recomposed she turned to Sullen Eagle. "Our people's law is clear. Sullen Eagle has taken a life. Those he has wronged must decide his fate." Sullen Eagle continued to look down in grudging acceptance. Hannah placed the shell on the ground and went back to the pouch. She pulled out two large stones from the bag. Both were smooth ovals; one black and one white. She took them to Raven and placed them in her hands. Hannah returned to the bag and picked up the shell.
Hannah then turned to Raven. "Raven, do you wish to say anything before you pass judgment?" Raven stared down at her hands that held Sullen Eagle's fate. From the corner of her eye she saw Starfire step forward. Starfire approached Hannah and held out her hands. "Starfire may speak," Hannah placed the shell in Starfire's hands. Starfire turned towards Sullen Eagle cradling the shell in her hands. She paused momentarily seeking the right words.
"While Sullen Eagle hurt my friend he only did so after we denied him what was rightfully his and his people's. We did not trust him because we did not know him. I believe he would have been our friend if we had been given more time." Starfire returned the shell back to Hannah and resumed her position.
Raven's eyes continued to focus on her hands during Starfire's talk. Her words were well chosen. They had been mistaken about the shaman. Raven had always been a bit envious of Starfire's ability to communicate so easily with others. She guessed that was one of the perks of royalty.
"Raven," Hannah's voice roused her from her thoughts, "it is time to make your decision." Raven nodded. She turned and approached Sullen Eagle. He looked much younger than their first meeting. Sullen Eagle felt her approach and raise his eyes to meet Raven's.
"Sullen Eagle, I'm the one who denied you what was rightfully yours," Raven said in an apologetic voice. The black stone fell to the ground with a soft thud. Raven then placed the white stone in Sullen Eagle's hand. "I will not deny you again."
"Sullen Eagle, the waiting time is over," Hannah quickly announced. "Your friends and family await your entrance into the spirit world."
Sullen Eagle's eyes glistened. He cradled the white rock in his hands still unsure that it was all over. Raven stepped back and felt the soft hand of Starfire on her neck. A light fluttering of wings startled the group as Amimi quickly darted onto Sullen Eagle's shoulder. The boy turned his head to his long serving companion. "Yes, it is good to see you to my loyal friend." He quietly spoke.
Amimi cocked his head and quickly fluttered into Starfire's awaiting hand. "Hello little one," she cooed, "I am glad you still live." Amimi quickly bowed his head and splayed his wings in a formal bow that cause her to giggle. Amimi then looked at Raven. She extended her left hand and the bird immediately fluttered to it. "I'm sorry," Raven said in a strained voice. The bird quickly began to gently rub its head on her thumb.
From across the clearing a great squawk erupted from the forest then a soft thud of wings followed. A large mass of birds emerged from the treetops and began blackening the skies above the canopy. Amimi quickly turned to it and felt the yearning to return to flight. The pigeon's head swiveled back to Raven. She gave a slight nod and with that Amimi quickly bounded from his perch and took flight to join the flock.
The girls watched as Amimi quickly disappeared. A loud cry erupted from the far side of the clearing. Silhouettes of people began to emerge from the forest. Sullen Eagle stepped towards Raven and grasped both of her hands. "I am sorry for hurting you. I should have been more patient seeking your help," he said apologetically. Raven nodded. "I thank you for ending my ordeal. It is time for me to join my ancestors. May the spirits guide you well," Sullen Eagle released Raven's hands and stepped away. "I will see you again," he said as he looked over the whole group.
Sullen Eagle turned and began making his way across the clearing. "Goodbye Sullen Eagle," Starfire quickly called to him. The Indian turned his head and shot a curious glance back to her.
"Lapich knewel," Cyborg quickly added. Sullen Eagle smiled slightly and nodded, then turned his head and continued across the field. He raised his hands slightly allowing them to pass through the grass tops. Hannah retrieved her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Farewell Titans." Hannah smiled, nodded to the group, tuned and followed Sullen Eagle across the field.
The other Titans quickly turned to Cyborg seeking an answer to what he had said to the shaman. Cyborg's eyes remain focused on the entire scene that lay before him. "We will see you again. The Lenape have no word for goodbye." The others silently acknowledged Cyborg's explanation.
The first rays of the morning sun shot above the horizon consuming the scene in a blinding halo. As the light dimmed, the Titans found themselves back in the clearing once more.