Chapter 20
Salali stretches and wakes up. It's so peaceful here she is sure that Inola will approve of this spot. She looks around for Aisling but she cannot find her. Calling out her name. She gets no answer. Looking around she finds her sitting close to a tree just a short distance away. There is police tape around it. She is looking up trying to see what is there.
"Aisling come away from there. It may be dangerous. " She hears Salali come up from behind her.
" I'm fine I will not cross the police tape. I am just confused about how I did not know that there was someone living and hurting people on my property. Onacona always appears when there is danger. Why did he not show me that Daniel was here. He would warn me when Daniel would get to close to the house. Why not here. " her
" maybe he wasn't able to. We do not know what happened maybe we will know when Inola starts to cleanse the area effected." She takes her hands in hers and tries to comfort her.
" why don't we head back and see if they are back yet. I agree with you though this area will be perfect for what Inola will need. " they start to head back Aisling cleans up the blanket and carefully disposed of the contents in the bowls. Just as they are walking towards the house Inola and the commander pull up with John right behind them. Aisling goes inside to get some iced tea for everyone. When she comes out her uncles are talking about what they should do.
" think that we should have a prayer meeting here every night to give strength to those here. We may not agree on everything but we all agree that prayer works if we pray and rebuke what ever spirit that is there it will be ok. " John is adamant about having the elders come and pray over everyone.
" I have no objection. Aisling is Christian but she also is Cherokee you all are. There is no harm in melding the two. Your family is strong in faith that is what is needed to get rid of the evil spirit living on your land. Many of the rituals I will be performing. You can find similar ones in your bible. Like we will be fasting and stay in prayer until the moment we are sure that spirit is gone from that area. We will be asking for guidance and protection. Doesn't sound too different does it. I will gladly accept your strength and prayers. This is to help Aisling to protect her. To free her of any bad from happening to her. " Inola's pa.s.sion moves everyone's hearts and they decide that starting the day that the sweat lodge is complete they will start cleansing the area. They also decide that the elders who are able will go through the rituals with Inola of fasting, cleansing of the spirit as well as being in constant prayer while building the sweat lodge and through each step of the rituals until the land is freed. The elders that will be partic.i.p.ating will be staying in Aisling's house till all is complete. With the decision made everyone starts with John saying a blessing over the days work. Then they start unloading the supplies from the truck and begin carrying them to the creek. They work till just before night fall. Then head back to the house. When they arrive back at the house Astila is sitting on the back porch waiting. He sees them and he gets up half running to greet Aisling. His uncle greets him and fills him in on everything.
Astila decides since he cannot miss work and he will be a disruption to the process that he will go back to the city and stay. Only until his uncle gives the ok to come back.