Page 10 of The Hummingbird’s Gift

Chapter 3

Tier

Tier watched Rohahen’s retreating back. His brawny shoulders filled the doorframe, but he looked small and discouraged.

This was Tier’s fault. He knew it. He just hadn’t been able to figure out what to say.

He had a duty to the tribe. That duty had always filled him with purpose and connection. But recently, when Rohahen came into his office every day with that shy smile, his obligations had felt heavy.

He gave so much of himself to the tribe, working long hours and rarely taking time off. Would it be too much to ask to have this small thing? If necessary, could he give up his role to be with the man who mattered most to him?

He was still lost in thought as he walked over to the clinic. The most important meetings were now held in the beautiful space that Rohahen had envisioned.

He opened the door from the west, quietly noticing the Elders who were walking clockwise through the medicine wheel inlaid in the floor. Some were already sitting, and some hadn’t arrived yet, but no one would hurry to start the meeting until they had all had time to walk around it. This was an important part of the meeting, seeking the wisdom of the Creator and Mother Earth, through the messengers of the Four Winds, before making decisions on behalf of the tribe.

Tier always found it meditative to move through the directions, but today he came to the circle seeking answers.

He started at the west, the direction of the setting sun whose winds brought thunder and rain. This direction represented the end of life, the necessary loss of the autumn that made way for new growth. Was it time for him to end some part of his life? Being the Chief to the People had been his identity for so long that he wasn’t sure who he would be without it. But he had been contemplating it for these last few days. Perhaps it was time to allow this part of himself to die, making way for some new Chief who could marry a heart-singer.

He walked counterclockwise, to the north of winter winds and hardship. This direction was about endurance, standing strong like the bison with their heads facing into the storm. Rohahen was always strong like that, the perfect embodiment of his other form. Tier had been, too. Pushing forward and waiting for so long. But the winter winds were also cleansing, bringing honesty and harsh truths. Tier wasn’t sure that he could continue being the Chief that the tribe needed when he was so divided inside. His distraction with Rohahen’s health during the raid on the kidnappers had only been a symbol of the daily tension that he carried.

He walked slowly toward the east, the direction from which the sun comes, the beginning of new life in the spring and the start of each fresh day. East brought the light of wisdom and understanding, the path toward knowing how to live a good life. He could see that life for himself, working side-by-side with Rohahen for the good of the tribe. He knew already that he would feel balanced and whole, serving as Chief with Rohahen as his mate.

With that vision before him, he continued his journey to the south, the direction of warmth and growing with the sun at its highest peak. It brought pleasant winds, but also the power to draw life from the Earth and nourish the People. The Chief was supposed to marry a heart-singer for the balance of the tribe, bringing health and prosperity both symbolically and through their work. But wasn’t that already what they had? While Tier had formal leadership, Rohahen worked behind the scenes, listening with an open heart, bringing people together, making quiet suggestions, and easing people’s minds. With Rohahen as his mate, not only would he be stronger, but he could see a path where the tribe would flourish as well.

Tier stood there for a long time, letting the wisdom of the four winds sink into him.

When he opened his eyes, he found all twelve of the Elders sitting on the cushioned benches that ringed the room. Unlike in past traditions, rather than a Council of Matriarchs making the decisions, there were now three strength-sharers, three heart-singers, three healers, and three who had only the gifts of their bodies and minds. Some were talking quietly, others merely waited, lost in their own thoughts. None of them seemed hurried, for which he was grateful.

He knew all of them as personal friends and advisors, but he didn’t know what they would say. Kayla was there, and he suspected he would have her support. His mother, who trained most of the young healers, sat beside her. His grandfather, the current Guide for the tribe, and one of the few male heart-singers, sat alone, watching him. What would all of them think?

Tier continued clockwise until he found a seat along the western wall, positioned where he could see everyone.

Tier’s grandfather, acting in his role as Guide, picked up his drum and started a low chant. He usually shared only the music, but today he chanted care and support as well, the emotions bringing a physical warmth to Tier’s chest. That was encouraging.

When the chant ended, the Guide looked to the Sentry Leader. “I believe that Kayla has the floor.”

Kayla picked up the notepad beside her. He already knew that whatever was written on it would be illegible. They’d gone over the agenda together, though, focusing on three or four issues of security, two new partnerships with tribes whose children they had rescued, and then hopefully getting to some of the topics that had been on the docket before the kidnapping, like the roof repairs for the school.

One of the other Elders opened a laptop, preparing to take minutes for the meeting.

Kayla stood for a moment. “I have a long agenda here, so we’ll try to move through it quickly.” That got a few chuckles. It never happened. “But I believe that the Chief has something more pressing. Chief?”

What? Now? He hadn’t planned on asking anything until the end of the meeting. Maybe even at the following meeting when he’d had more time to think.

Kayla winked at him, which didn’t help. She attacked everything head on, and probably wouldn’t understand why he needed to prepare his request, as well as preparing himself emotionally for whatever might come.

A respectful silence filled the room, and he realized that he would have to make himself ready.

He took a deep breath. “Leading the tribe has been an honor, one that I always hope that I am worthy of.”

He received many nods of approval.

“I think I have found… my balance. The person who will help me grow in wisdom and help the tribe thrive in harmony. He is a good man, an asset to our community and a friend to everyone who knows him. Perhaps he cannot be the next Guide. But… perhaps he can. Or some other accommodation can be made.

“If not, I… I do not know if I can continue in my role with that part of me missing. I am not trying to give an ultimatum. But I have difficulty seeing the right path forward. I seek your wisdom.”

Silence fell over the room again, and Tier kept his gaze focused on the center of the medicine wheel.

Finally, Kayla snorted. “Do you want to tell us his name?”

Tier felt his face burning. Hadn’t he mentioned it? His heart seemed to beat to his name. He looked up toward the Sentry Leader and his mother caught his eye. Her expression conveyed fondness for him and even pride. Maybe he could do this.

He meant to project his voice, but it came out as a whisper. “It’s Rohahen.”