LLM Part II Chapter 18

18.

The witch was thrown forward by the shots at the back. She flung across and lay on top of Tonto. Her face was facing the surprised Tonto who was still bounded to the wooden bed. It was that of surprise but the serpent had then struck. It was agitated by the sudden move that it bit into the witch’s left eye. The second shot took off the head of the serpent from its body. Tonto sighed and laid back in relief.

He was saved.

“Kemo-Sabe….” Tonto muttered but the person was not him. It was Red Horse holding the gun that was owned by the Lone Ranger. The other was dressed in the simple loin cloth and with the protection paints on his chest and limbs. He was once the proud warrior that he was before. He had a gun belt on and his right hand held the gun that killed the skin walker.

“How….” Tonto asked of the elderly man but the other was busy removing the witch and the dead serpent. He then looked at Tonto.

“I saw you carried away by the skin walker. I had it followed and came upon the doorway to the other realm. We are in the realm of the Spirits.” Red Horse explained while loosening the ropes. “I have with me the only thing that could kill them once more.”

Red Horse patted the gun belt that was once owned by the Lone Ranger.

“He lives within us for many years.” Red Horse spoke to Tonto. “The one who rode with Tonto and died.”

“Kemo-Sabe?” Tonto asked. Red Horse nodded.

“Kemo-Sabe was once our brother with the clans. He fought for us as well as the whites. He never saw the shade of the skins but the blood that runs within. He was for the righteous and we adopted him as the brother of the circle. He was killed when he hunted the demon. It was Tonto who carried him back to his home but his identity was carried back to us. We kept his mask and guns in the sacred ground. It have searched me when I came here as it was told by its master.”

“I do not understand, Red Horse. Are we dead too?” Tonto asked of the elderly man.

“We are not dead but we are carried to the realm of the Spirits. Your spirit conflicted with your belief. You have been to both side and yet you are given the gift of your people and yet you reject it for the other.”

“Tonto, be the one with the Great Spirit now for only then can you leave this place.” Red Horse told him. Tonto had dismounted from the wooden bed and looked around for anything that he could use. He was passed the tomahawk that was his.

“Your brother lived in there. He will guide you.” With that both of them stepped out. Tonto held back and then tore a section off the blanket he saw. He fashioned a loin cloth and a cloth belt where he tucked the tomahawk. He joined Red Horse at the doorway.

“The sight may not be you have seen before.” Red Horse cautioned him before the door was opened.

If there were words to describe the realm it was scenic. They stepped out into the prairie plains where the bison herds were seen grazing peace. The sky above was blue with spots of the cloud and breeze was refreshing to the skin. Tonto stepped next to Red Horse.

“Happy Hunting Ground?” Tonto asked.

“It’s what you want to see. It’s all in the mind.” Red Horse replied and then he called out in the native tongue to lift the veil of the land. The scene changed into the land of small islands among the flowing red lava. Each island was bridged by a narrow path and on each island, the multitude of souls were seen. Each of the souls were either seated or standing on the island with their eyes looking up. Tonto looked up and saw the hovering island above with its bottom covered with roots. The island above was another island but it was bigger and could be seen the yellow grass of the prairie.

“That is the real dimension which we are now. The underworld of the realm awaits here. We need to get up there and go back to where we belong.” Red Horse told him. “The path is unnatural and yet we have to cross it.”

Then they heard the eerie call from beyond. Red Horse did hesitate and ran towards the path leading to the next island. Tonto followed suit while the eerie sound resonated around them. He saw the souls on the islands have all cowed together and held their arms over each other head.

“Run, brother like you have never done before. The birds will come for us.” Just when Red Horse had sounded the warning, Tonto saw the flock of birds on the horizon. They were not any birds but vultures with the human head to guide them. The flock was approaching fast.

“How many bullets have you?” Tonto asked.

“Six in my belt and four in my gun.” Red Horse replied. “We cannot shoot them all but we can find salvation in the islands.”

Just then the vultures appeared and then swooped down at them. Tonto grabbed his tomahawk and swung it at the nearest one. He struck the head and broke the skull. The human head bird shrieked and flew off but it was replaced by another one. Red Horse shot it in the head and then turned to shoot at another one. There were many of them and the duo ran on.

“I am out.” Red Horse called out while he used the hilt of the gun to hit at the vulture talons. Tonto had killed three of the vultures but there were too many. He had run across three islands but the birds were still hovering over them. It looked like hopeless situation and he called out to the great Spirits.

“I called on thee, the Great Spirit. I am at your mercy.” Tonto called out while he fell to his knees with the right hand holding the tomahawk.