Milo's Journey

Chapter 10

Milo sat outside on the porch and watched the sun come up. He had helped his mother back to bed but couldn’t sleep himself. So many questions were running around in his head. Adriana was a part of his family; part of him had felt the connection to her even the day they met. As he sat watching the sun rise, he heard a voice singing the greeting of the sun. He looked out into the yard to see Silent Hawk dancing the ritual steps to greet the new day. Before he could stop himself, he joined Silent Hawk in the dance, singing the words of greeting in the ancient Taíno language.

“Greetings, little horse,” Silent Hawk’s greeting came to Milo as he danced the ancient steps and sang the ancient words. The sun made its climb into the sky as Milo finished the ritual words. He stood there with his face turned up to the sky, eyes closed, appreciating the warmth of the morning sun.

“Greetings, honored chief—or should I call you Grandfather?” Milo thought as he turned to look at Silent Hawk. The old Indian’s eyes were serious.

“I am sorry, Guakarin. I know that I should have told you of our connection, but it was not time yet for you to know,” Silent Hawk said as he began to walk toward the barn, knowing Milo would soon have to feed the animals.

Milo thought about Silent Hawk using the word Guakarin, a word spoken by proud Taíno grandfathers when referring to their descendants. The word in ancient Taíno carried shadings of respect and pride in the family’s lineage. It also carried sentiments of responsibility and duty.

“Grandfather, I am sorry that you had to grow up without the love of your brother. I hope that we can reunite the two families and bring you and Jumping Wolf peace,” Milo thought, looking at the proud spirit of the Indian chief.

“It will be a long road, Milo. You and Adriana were meant to do great things. I will walk with you on this path, little horse. May Atabey guide you,” Silent Hawk said. He faded as a light breeze blew across the pasture.

Milo entered school with a lot on his mind. Jose walked up to him smiling, but as he got closer, he became concerned.

“Milo, mi amor, what’s wrong?” Jose said, taking Milo’s hand.

“Hey, querido,” Milo said, smiling at Jose. “Just a lot on my mind. I will tell you about it, but I don’t want to talk about it at school. Can you hang out today?” Milo said as they walked to class.

Jose smiled at the boy he realized he had always loved and said, “Absolutely.”

Milo looked at Jose and smiled, then his attention shifted over Jose’s left shoulder. He looked back at Jose and really took a moment to see him. It had only been a few days since Santiago had broken his heart, but the boy who stood before him was confident and even had a little swagger. Jose had known Milo long enough to know he had seen something.

“What did you see?” Jose whispered.

“Tell me—have you felt any different these past few days?” Milo said, stopping at the entrance of the classroom.

“Well, yes. I feel… I feel more confident. Even powerful. Does that make sense?” Jose said, struggling to express himself.

“Yes, querido, it does. You seem to have picked up another spirit for your court. A gypsy prince—he is quite powerful—and that confidence you feel is him. Campanita de Plata has taken a liking to him. They are now both protecting you,” Milo said, smiling.

“Wow. A gypsy prince,” Jose said, shaking his head.

Milo grabbed his arm and pulled him into class. “Come on, querido, before we’re late.”

The two boys sat down in the back, where Diego and Adriana were already waiting.

“Hey, you two. Glad you could join us,” Diego said, smiling.

“Hey, Adriana. Diego. How’s your day going?” Jose said, slapping Diego on the back.

“Not as good as yours,” Adriana said, smiling. “A gypsy prince, huh?”

Jose did a double take as Milo began laughing.

“Yes, Jose—she can see him too,” Milo said, sitting down beside him.

Jose leaned over and whispered, “I hope this is part of the things you have to tell me this afternoon.”

Milo looked over at Adriana and Diego. “Could you guys come to the farm and hang out today? I’ve got something I need to talk over with you.”

“Sure,” Diego and Adriana said in unison.

Jose passed out the pastelios that Milo’s mother had packed, along with the Maltas. Adriana and Diego were sitting together in the shade of the palo santo trees. Diego had his back against the tree trunk, with Adriana leaning back against him, his arm casually draped around her. Jose smiled. It seemed he was not the only one who had found someone worthy of his love.

Milo sat cross-legged on the grass, his eyes closed and his face turned up toward the sun. Jose sat down next to him and handed him a pastelio.

“Thank you, querido,” Milo said, taking a bite of the savory pastry.

“So, Milo,” Jose said, turning, “tell us what has you so preoccupied.”

“Adriana, what do you know about your Taíno ancestry?” Milo asked.

Adriana sat up and thought for a moment. “My mother always told us that we were descended from the great chief Sky Eagle through his first daughter, White Feather. Sky Eagle had two daughters, but the younger daughter, Falling Leaf, left the tribe with her husband, Singing Jaguar, and never returned. Our family histories never speak of why they left or what became of them. This has been passed down from mother to daughter for centuries. Why do you ask?”

“Your mother’s principal guide is the Blood Tiger, the royal shaman of the tribe. It was he who assisted Falling Leaf at the birth of White Feather’s two sons,” Milo said quietly.

“Milo, you must be mistaken. There was only one child. Jumping Wolf was the son of White Feather and Dancing Fox. He became chief of the tribe, and it is from him that my family descends,” Adriana said, shaking her head.

“No, Adriana. On that night, White Feather gave birth to twin boys. The second child was given into the care of Falling Leaf and her husband, Singing Jaguar, who took him and left the tribe that very night to fulfill the will of Atabey. The child’s name was Silent Hawk, and he is my ancestor—my sixth-great-grandfather,” Milo said, looking out over the pasture.

In that moment, Milo felt the spiritual energies shift around him. Looking up, he saw Silent Hawk standing by the pasture fence.

Adriana saw him as well and looked at Milo. Diego and Jose realized something significant was happening and remained silent. Adriana was about to speak when she caught sight of a wolf frolicking in the pasture.

Why aren’t the cows afraid? she wondered.

Then she realized the wolf was a spirit.

As the realization settled, the wolf looked up and caught her eye. It bounded over the fence and sat beside Silent Hawk.

In a moment, the figure transformed into a Taíno Indian chief. Silver hair cascaded down his shoulders, and his vibrant regalia glistened in the sunlight. His eyes held deep empathy, marked by the sorrowful history and struggles of the Taíno people.

Jumping Wolf walked over to Silent Hawk. They embraced, and then the deep bass of Jumping Wolf’s voice echoed in both Adriana’s and Milo’s minds.

“Greetings, brother. At last, the other half of my soul has returned.”

“It is good to be whole and to greet the other half of my heart,” Silent Hawk replied.

The two spirits turned their attention to Adriana and Milo.

“Greetings, blood of our blood,” they said in unison.

Milo stood and pulled Adriana to her feet. “Greetings, honored grandfathers,” he said quietly.

Jose leaned toward Diego. “What is happening right now?” he whispered.

“I think Milo and Adriana are speaking to their ancestors,” Diego replied softly. “And I think they’re related.”

Silent Hawk and Jumping Wolf glanced toward the two boys, smiled, and nodded.

Suddenly, Jose saw a shimmer—like sunlight reflecting off grass wet with morning dew. The shimmer intensified, forming into the apparitions of two Taíno chiefs standing by the pasture fence.

“Diego,” Jose whispered, “are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

“If you’re seeing two Indian chiefs that just appeared out of nowhere,” Diego said quietly, “then yes.”

“Guys,” Milo said with a smile, “meet my grandfather and uncle—Silent Hawk and Jumping Wolf.”