Prophecy Rock by Rob MacGregor

Author:Rob MacGregor [MacGregor, Rob]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: detective, Indians, mystery, western
ISBN: 9780440227380
Google: FqNWPQAACAAJ
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 1998-01-15T22:12:14.520000+00:00

"We take off our boots and headbands out of reverence to Masau, who rules the earth and the underworld. The cave is a sacred place. When you’re inside, don’t say anything, no matter what happens."

"Are you sure it’s okay for me to go inside?"

"The powamu chief said that it was important that you did." With that, Lansa headed toward the cave carrying the pahos under his arm. Will stared after him, baffled, but also pleased by what his father had just told him. He stepped carefully over the rocks, trying to avoid inflicting further injury on his feet. He was so preoccupied with the matter that he nearly bumped into his father.

To Will’s surprise, Lansa shouted in the direction of the cave. Will couldn’t tell whether it was a greeting or a warning to its unseen inhabitants. Lansa reached into a bag at his side and sprinkled corn meal in a circle. He moved ahead a few more yards, stopped again, called out, sprinkled corn meal. Twice more he shouted and spread corn meal.

An overhang of rock formed the roof of the cave. The boulders surrounding the entrance were burnished red in the fading sunlight. Lansa approached the entrance, paused, and prayed aloud in Hopi for a couple of minutes.

Will started feeling uneasy. He didn’t know any Hopi prayers, and he didn’t think the Christian ones he knew were appropriate. In fact his father’s description of Masau sounded disturbingly like the devil.

Lansa disappeared into the cave. Will glanced back and saw Koottewa several steps behind him.

"Don’t look so worried, Will. You’ll do fine," Koottewa said in a soft, reassuring tone.

"I don’t know if I belong here, George."

"Listen, you and I have something in common. We both are mixed blood and grew up off the reservation. My adopted parents are white. I was twenty-six when I came to Hopi. The kachinas showed me the way."

Will nodded, not certain what Koottewa meant. Then Lansa emerged from the cave. Will searched his father’s face, but his expression was blank and his dark eyes offered no hint of what he should expect. He handed Will one of the pahos. A tiny bag was attached to it that contained a mixture of herbs and cornmeal. "Wait for your eyes to adjust to the dark before you go too far. Then let your mind go blank and concentrate on the paho. Where you place it is important. You’ll be guided to the right spot."

"Why is the spot important?"

"The paho is a manifestation of prayer. You’re delivering a message, and where you put it will determine the power and direction that it carries."

He wasn’t sure he understood, but he nodded anyhow.

"Once you put it in place, leave right away."

Don’t worry, he thought, and moved ahead. The cave was cool and smelled of an earthy dampness. The ground and walls were wet to his touch. Dim light oozed into the cavern, reflecting off a black pool of water. His feet felt numb, his hand clenched the paho. A cold heaviness seemed to press down on him from all sides.

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