A Novel by Kawika A. Stafford

Chapter 30

Cyrus sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Dwayne had just called to let him know they got back from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, and would be home shortly. The two men had to stop by the store again to get more gas, ice, drinks, and more food. Dwayne would load up additional firewood before getting on the road. Cyrus sat down in the rocker that Dwayne had recently purchased for him. Cyrus was grateful, but thought it unnecessary considering he had so little time left to live.

Cyrus had felt his desire to live, slip away the last few weeks.

He had made a concerted effort to relate to Sonny Ray of some of the inner workings of the black eagle. It would not be easy though, because even Cyrus knew he did not have all the answers.

Through the years Cyrus had surmised that the Black Eagle Dream flew between two worlds, the spiritual one, and the physical one, which would include the subconscious dream world; much like mankind itself.

As the eyes of a person are the open windows to their soul; the Black Eagle Dream, was given access to fly through the eyes of a person’s dream.

For Cyrus it had been of the utmost importance to him to relate the story of Altair Ali to Sonny Ray. After all, it was Altair Ali, who was the man who had entrusted the Black Eagle Dream to Cyrus as he lie dying in a remote jungle in North Africa, during World War II .

Cyrus happened upon Altair while out on an unspecified one man reconnaissance. He found Altair as he lay mortally wounded on the jungle floor of a large pit filled with sharpened stakes. Cyrus had lowered himself into the abyss to do what he could for the dying man.

Cyrus was an exceptionally large native hawaiian man who possessed extraordinary strength. He had lifted the impaled man from off the sharpened stakes, with the minimal amount of effort. Altair would not eat, so Cyrus gave him sips of cool water, and warm tea. Cyrus had built a fire. After giving Altair the last of his morphine, Cyrus lay in the large pit next to the dying Altair, as the flames of the fire danced, ascending upward into the expanse of the dark star lit night, revealing the green and lush fauna that surrounded the large pit.

It was here that it was to be their earthen womb, on this warm and humid night in the theater of war that was North Africa.

The large black eagle sat upon the shrapnel filled coconut stump with attentive eyes, peering down into the pit observing the two men; as Cyrus continued to care for the dying man. Cyrus now lay flat on his back looking up into the stillness of night. Altair’s breath became more labored.

Before Altair died he told Cyrus he was from Morocco, and that this winged creature was the Black Eagle Dream. It was Altair’s life long companion. The black eagle possessed unusual longevity. Altair explained that the black eagle had been in his family since the time of his great grandfather’s youth.

Altair tried to tell him more about the origins of this magnificent creature, but grew weaker, and labored to say even a few words. Although Altair continued in struggling to speak, he remained insistent that Cyrus cremate him after he died.

He had related earlier in the night that the black eagle would not leave him, even after he died, and was buried. It had to be by fire before the Black Eagle Dream would take its leave.

Thus by the flame of life being extinguished, the vessel that was Altair Ali would return to the ground as ash and dust. Then, and only then would the window be closed from the living to the dead.

Altair Ali spoke of dreams, of his beloved wife and daughter and two sons….

The old man’s thoughts gradually began to shift to the present.

Cyrus had always desired to reveal himself to Sonny Ray, but it was his mother who would not agree to that, and had sworn she would never speak to him again if he did not relent to her wishes. Such was the selfish vanity and pride of this particular woman. She would only relent and allow Cyrus to contact Sonny Ray after Wendell was deceased.

Well that moment had finally arrived.

Prior to meeting Sonny Ray, Cyrus began to have nightly dreams of his son. Over time it occurred to Cyrus that these reoccurring dreams solidified his resolve to contact Sonny Ray to not only tell him who he was, but to ascertain if he would be willing to open the door and let the Black Eagle Dream make entryway into his life.

This was not going to be a hobby. It would without question play a prominent role in the young man’s life going forward. The fact that Sonny Ray hadn’t had the opportunity to wrap his mind around everything that had been placed upon him in such a small window of time was very disconcerting to Cyrus.

But
it was
about
time really.

Time.

Cyrus had run out of time.

Literally.

We all run out of it…

eventually.

Soon Cyrus would be at Shiprock Mountain to say his goodbyes, and
to watch
the
sunset,
one
last time.

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