Milo's Journey

Chapter 15

Milo and Jose entered the house and heard laughter coming from the kitchen. When they stepped inside, they found Natalia and Elena standing by the stove. Natalia was flipping her famous bacalaitos, and Elena was commenting on the smell.

“Mama’s bacalaitos are legendary. In fact, they are probably the reason Jose is with me today. They always say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” Milo said, squeezing Jose’s hand and smiling at him.

“What can I say? Doña Natalia’s cooking is my second love, mi amor,” Jose said, hovering over the plate of bacalaitos that had just come out of the oil.

“Joseito! Those are for dinner. Go out with Milo and help set the table,” Natalia said, shooing the two boys out of the kitchen.

Milo and Jose went into the dining room to set the table. Milo glanced into the living room, where Adriana and Diego were sitting with Colonel Santana. Diego still looked a bit nervous, and Adriana was doing her best to support him and keep him calm, though he was clearly intimidated by her father.

Milo had to smile, because behind Colonel Santana stood Héctor and Heriberto, the spirits of the colonel’s uncles, watching Diego sternly. Behind Diego, seven Taíno braves returned the same stern gaze.

Milo sent his thought into the spirit world.

Honored guests, there will be no fighting here tonight. We are all here for the same reason—because this family must unite to face what lies ahead. Diego has been chosen to stand by Adriana’s side. It is the will of Atabey.

The spirits who moments before looked ready for war stopped and turned toward Milo. Behind him stood Silent Hawk and Jumping Wolf. The Taíno braves behind Diego looked apologetic, and Héctor and Heriberto appeared embarrassed. Adriana hid her sudden laughter behind a cough as she witnessed the scene unfold.

After setting the table, Milo and Jose joined the others in the living room. Milo sat beside Adriana and Diego, while Jose took a chair close to him.

“Colonel Santana, I know how precious Adriana is to you, and I want you to know that Diego and I have been friends since we were five years old. He is faithful, honorable, and a gentle soul. Adriana could not have a better boyfriend,” Milo said.

Diego looked at Milo with gratitude.

At that moment, Piyelito padded into the room and jumped into Jose’s lap. The little dog curled up, closed his eyes, and fell asleep. Jose gazed down at him with such love that Milo’s heart skipped a beat. He felt grateful that Jose—and Piyelito—had come into his life when he needed them most.

Everyone gathered at the table as Natalia and Elena brought out the food. Milo’s mother had outdone herself.

Bacalaitos, arroz con gandules, pernil from a pig slaughtered earlier in the year, tostones with garlic mojo, and avocado salad filled the table. Milo poured water and wine for the adults and iced tea for himself, Jose, Adriana, and Diego.

As the platters were passed, a comfortable silence settled over the table, broken only by soft murmurs of appreciation. Milo glanced at Jose and nearly laughed at the look of pure contentment on his face.

“Joseito, do you want me to pack some dinner for your mom and dad?” Natalia asked.

“Thank you, Doña Natalia, but I was hoping I could stay here tonight with Milo and Piyelito. Mama said she was okay with it,” Jose said, smiling at Milo.

“Of course, papito. But what about clothes for school tomorrow?” Natalia asked.

“I’ll borrow something from Milo. We’ve been wearing each other’s clothes since we were six,” Jose said, patting Milo’s leg.

Dinner continued quietly, punctuated by appreciative sounds as the meal disappeared. Even Piyelito seemed impressed, finishing his bowl of rice and pernil with enthusiasm.

“Rrrrf,” he barked.

“I’m glad you liked it, Piyelito,” Natalia said, smiling as the dog curled up at Jose’s feet.

After dinner, everyone returned to the living room for a more serious discussion. Once seated, Milo began.

“Doña Elena, how much do you know about your Taíno ancestry?”

Elena spoke softly. “Milo, every daughter in my family was required to memorize our lineage. Our history traces back to White Feather, daughter of Sky Eagle, and her husband, Dancing Fox, through their only child, Jumping Wolf.”

With care, Milo recounted the forgotten story of the twins and Atabey’s will, explaining how Falling Leaf and Singing Jaguar took Silent Hawk into exile. He revealed that their families were not merely acquaintances, but distant cousins descended from those two brothers.

Natalia listened quietly, tears shining in her eyes.

“Milo has told you the history, but not everything,” she said. “When I was born, my mother told me the muertos would need me for a great and dangerous task. My mother was a great spiritualist, but I feared the muertos and turned away from them.

“When Milo was born, I turned my back on the spirits because I knew he would be strong enough to fulfill their will. In recent days, Milo has experienced possession by Singing Jaguar, Falling Leaf’s husband and Silent Hawk’s foster father. Singing Jaguar was my principal protector. He came to tell us that the time has come.”

Natalia closed her eyes and sang the prophecy.

The soul once whole will become half.
The sons once joined will be parted.
The people once united will be split.

The Blood Tiger will guard the throne.
The Singing Jaguar will raise the Hawk.
Until the two come again to the land of the grandfathers.

“The Blood Tiger will guard the throne,” Elena whispered. “Our family also carries a prophecy. It seems to complete this one.”

She took a breath and sang.

Maboyas will rise to challenge the king.
From Yaya’s realm, chaos he brings.

A darkened moon will mark the demon’s quest,
To silence Atabey, disrupt her rest.

Yúcahu’s drums will cease to sound,
As crops wither on island ground.

But from the people, hope will gleam,
Heroes marked by the sun’s bright beam.

Guided by the Zemis’ grace,
Two souls reunited shall take their place.

The king must the heroes find,
A divine spark, a soul entwined.

A journey to the shadowed land,
Macquetuarie’s heart to restore,
Maboyas’ trials to withstand.

Ancestors’ spirits will arise,
Joining the living ’neath the skies.

Together the demon they will quell,
Returning darkness to its shell.

The skies will clear, the land will heal.
Maboyas’ fate they will seal.

The king will sit his throne once more,
Atabey’s beloved child restored.