To Bind Our Souls by Gold art by Zelempa

To Bind Our Souls by Gold

art by Zelempa

story by Alex McLeod

James Ellison, of Ellison Industries, had had enough of the problems at his mine in Peru. Another set of vehicles had been destroyed the night before; according to his men, by ghosts.  'Damn superstitious lot!' he thought. Pressing the intercom button, he told his secretary, Naomi, to find Simon, his right hand man.

Waiting as patiently as a man in his position can wait, Ellison was just about the hit the intercom again when Naomi announced the man. Simon knocked and then entered, sitting in the chair that Ellison gestured to.

“I don't understand why we can't stop this, Simon,” he said heatedly.

“I'm sorry. The men I've sent are supposedly the best at stopping these things from happening, but they can't seem to find the vandals. All of the incidents happen at night and the men can't find a track to follow...even when the sun's up. I don't know what else we can do. Maybe we should just heed the natives' warning.”

“Well, that's just it. The note was written in English...therefore someone there is civilized enough to understand what's at stake here. We need that gold to fill the defense contract.” Ellison paced behind his desk, before slamming his hand on the intercom button. “Naomi, get me the next flight to Peru and add two tickets in coach.”

Without waiting for a response, he looked up at the other man. “Get me the best two security officers we have. They're going with me.”

“But sir, you can't go down there. We can't guarantee your safety. Even with guards.” Simon felt sweat break out on his forehead, willing his employer to see the foolishness of his impetuous decision.

“Nothing's going to happen to me, except I'm going to stop this shit! Now, go find me guards.” Dismissing Simon with a wave of his hand, Ellison grabbed his briefcase before heading out of his office. He needed to go home and pack. As he walked by Naomi, he left instructions for the woman to call him with his flight information.

***

“Shaman?” Tatori inquired softly. She peered tentatively  around the flap of the tent to see the village's white shaman meditating on his mat. His head came up and he turned to smile at her. The young girl smiled hesitantly at him.

“Yes, Tatori?”

“It is time for the high meal, Shaman,” she replied, bowing her head.

“Thank you, I will be along in a minute,” he answered as he stood easily and stretched. After washing his hands and face, the shaman left his tent and headed for the chieftain’s fire. The elders were meeting  there to discuss the continued  rape of their land by the white men.

He sat down cross-legged, greeting the chieftain first, then the other elders in order. Tatori served their breakfast in order of rank and as soon as the young girl left them, the chieftain began to speak.

“Wise One, the gold-men are coming closer and closer to our village. The scouts report that more men are dying and more of the land is being poisoned by their liquids.” The chieftain looked at the other elders and sadly continued, “We will have to leave our land soon if they are not stopped. We will die along with the land if we do not.”

The Shaman nodded as he continued to eat his meal. The elders were quietly eating and trying to wait patiently for the Shaman's ideas. Finally laying his dish down, he spoke. “I dreamed last night of a white man coming. A powerful man. He will stop this desecration of our land.”

“Our men have tried to stop them. They have been killed as have men working for the gold-men. If this man is powerful, then he must be a gold-man.” The elders shook their heads, not understanding what their Shaman had meant.

The tribe had often wondered how this white man had come to be their Shaman. He had saved the chieftain's only daughter's life many years ago, had been adopted into the tribe and, after many prophesying dreams; had been made their tribe's shaman after their older shaman had died. He remembered none of his previous life except for his true name...Blair.

“Trust me, my Chief...”the Shaman replied.

***

“Mr. Ellison...Mr. Ellison...” Jim heard a voice calling to him, waking him from a very pleasant dream. He was walking through trees, bushes...like a forest or jungle. And he wasn't alone, there was a person next to him holding his hand, someone with brown hair that smelled of tropical flowers.

“What,” he spit out, regretting the intrusion. He sat up and blinked expectantly at the man. “What?”

“We're approaching the Lima Airport, sir...We have to refuel here, then we will continue to Cusco,” the other man said.

Jim nodded and then offhandedly said, “What's your name?”

“Rafe, sir. Brian Rafe,” he replied, surprised that Mr. Ellison would even ask.

“Thank you, Brian.”

“You're welcome, sir. I'll let you know when we're ready to take off again. Would you like something to eat or drink?” Rafe asked.

“No. Thank you. I'll get something myself.”

Rafe nodded and returned to the front section of the Lear jet, intending to tell his co-worker that Mr. Ellison must have lost his mind in the trip. When they embarked on the plane in Cascade, Ellison was gruff, impatient, and didn't give them a second glance. And now...now Rafe thought he should look for a pod. 

Soon, the jet was in the air, heading for the town of Cusco in southwestern Peru. Jim stared out the window trying to shake the feeling that the incidents at the company's gold mine weren’t  the most important thing that he was going to find.

Landing in Cusco at dusk, Jim knew that the safe thing would be to spend the night and set out for Soncco in the morning. His secretary had made reservations at the Hotel Monasterio in one of the Royal Suites for the night. He hoped that she had made suitable reservations for his bodyguards.

A private car was waiting for him and for some reason, Jim decided his guards would sit in back with him. Both men appeared highly uncomfortable at their boss' unconventional request. Jim gave a small smile to the two men and said to the other guard, “What's your name?”

“Henri Brown, Mr. Ellison.”

“Henri..good name. My grandfather was a Henry.” Jim held out his hand and after staring at it for a moment, Henri reached out and shook the other man's hand. Jim then shook hands with Rafe. “I appreciate you accompanying me on this trip.”

“Ah...you're welcome, sir,” Rafe answered, feeling the need to look for the pod again. This was not the man he had been warned about from Mr. Banks...that man was rude, curt, and had no time for people underneath his status. And now...

Arriving at the hotel, Henri exited the car and headed inside to clear the way for his boss. Rafe kept an eye on their surroundings as Jim got out of the car and walked inside. The way cleared for him, the three men headed up to the royal suite that Jim was in. They checked out the room for dangers as Jim waited at the doorway.

“Everything's fine, sir,” Henri announced as they came back into the entryway.

“Thank you, Henri, Brian. You both get some sleep, we have an early day and a long drive ahead of us tomorrow.” Having said that, he turned and walked to the doorway of his private courtyard and stared out into the night.

“Good night, sir,” Henri replied as the men let themselves out, locking the door behind them. Once they got into their room, Henri turned to Rafe and said, “I'm beginning to see your pod idea might be accurate.”

Rafe shook his head and laughed. “I rather like the pod person. At least he treats us nice...unlike the ogre we were warned about.”

Both men laughed and hoped the 'nice' Mr. Ellison would stay.

***

The next morning found the three men in front of the hotel waiting for their ride. The heat of the morning did not portend well for the day's trip. It was already too hot and Jim was sweating in his suit.

He was glad that he had thrown another change of clothes into his suit bag; he would need it to meet with the mine foreman.

A jeep pulled up, and the driver introduced himself as Jorge Montavo. He quickly tied their bags to the roof, and the men soon found themselves on their way. On the road winding out of town, they found the elevation growing with every mile. Admiring the scenery as they rode by, the men drank their bottled water to fight elevation sickness.

Midday, Jorge stopped the jeep on the side of the road and motioned the men to a shaded area. Climbing the jeep to remove a box from up top, he handed it down to Henri. Taking from the other man, Jorge brought it to the area where Jim was sitting and opened to reveal packages wrapped in foil. Jorge waved the men to help themselves, pulling out one and opening it to reveal a corn tortilla with some meat inside.

“Que es esto?” Jim asked and, for the benefit of the other men, added, “What is this?”

“Lengua. Lengua de res.” The other man smiled, showing small white teeth. He bit into the wrapped food and chewing lustily, he added, “Mi esposa les hizo.”

“His wife made them...beef tongue tacos,” Jim translated. He took one of the packages, unwrapped it, and took a bite. He smiled at the other men to let them know it was good.

Rafe had a skeptical look on his face but Henri grinned, grabbed a taco, unwrapped it, and took a huge bite. Chewing lustily, he nodded at Rafe, and said as he was chewing, “It's really good.” He took another one and handed it to his friend. “Eat.”

Jim was watching the younger man's face and saw the look of distaste. But when Rafe  opened the foil and took a bite, the distaste changed to wonder. Soon his guards were eating their second helping.

“Cuánto tiempo más hasta que lleguemos allí?” Jim asked.

“Tres quizás quatro  horas. Dependiendo de la carretera,” Jorge replied as he put the empty box back on to the roof of the jeep. He waved the men over to the vehicle. “Go...we go.”

Regretfully, the men left the shade of the trees and returned to the jeep. The sun was high in the sky and the heat was starting to make them sweat, although Jorge didn't appear to be affected in the least.

***

“Yes?” the chief asked, hearing the high pitched whistle that the tribe used to announce themselves.

“It is time, my Chief,” Blair said after he had done the polite thing and sat at the chief's offer.

“The white man is here and I must go prepare myself to meet him. You will know when we are victorious.”

“Very well, Shaman,” he replied. “I wish you much safety and may the gods watch over you.”

Blair nodded, smiling at the elder man, before taking the cup of tea he was offered. As quickly as politely possible, he finished the tea and respectfully left the tent. Gathering his satchel, he disappeared into the jungle.

Reaching the sacred cave that his predecessor had shown him long ago, Blair took a cup and some powder from his bag and sat down next to a clear blue pool of water. Pouring the powder into the cup, he took a flint, and set it on fire... Soon the cave was filled with a green smoke. Blair closed his eyes and breathed deeply to let the chemicals work their way into his system.  Time passed until he felt the air change. When Blair opened his eyes and looked into the pool, which was now green, he saw the man coming closer. Soon, he would arrive and then he would be in great danger.

***

As they approached, Jim noticed the lack of guards and noise. Soon they entered the camp and Jorge pulled up near a small shack. The camp appeared deserted except for a brindle dog nosing around the garbage pile behind one building.

“Where is everyone?” Rafe asked. Jim repeated the question to their driver.

Jorge shrugged, looking puzzled. “No se. He hablado con MÉndez por telÉfono satelital esta mañana.

“He talked to Mendez this morning. Well, Rafe you look over there,” Jim pointed at a building located at the edge of the jungle. “Henri, you look at the mine, and I'll check those buildings.”

He pointed at the buildings, one of which was labeled Gerente de la Mina...Mine Manager. “Jorge, te quedas aquí y velad.”  (Jorge, you stay here and watch.)

“Si, senor,” Jorge replied, nodding his head. “I watch.”

Each man started walking in the direction of their assignment. Jim reached the mine office first; knocking at the door and receiving no answer, he entered the small building. The heat trapped inside almost knocked him over. Opening the only window in the room to attempt to get some cooler air in, he then looked around the room. The desk was covered with papers; most written in Spanish but some were in another language, which he didn't recognize.

Under the desk, Jim found a smashed satellite phone and a empty revolver. 'What happened here?' he thought. He read the papers, one by one, and couldn't find anything that looked out of the ordinary. Basically, requisitions for supplies; food, dynamite, guns, and ammunition, and an accounting of the hours worked by the twenty-man crew.

Leaving the office, he searched the other buildings. One was obviously a cafeteria; plates were still on the table, some only half eaten. A door on the back of the building proved to be the kitchen area. Jim checked the pot of water on the stove; warm, with little bubbles in it, which told him it had been sitting there for awhile.

Going out the back door, he continued to the other two buildings. Finding nothing of any importance, he walked across to the edge of the mine. The miners had not being on the job long, but Jim shook his head in disgust. The mine should be deeper.

“Henri?” Jim called. Hearing no response, he walked down the small ramp and called again. “Henri?”

Dead silence met his calls. Looking around he didn't see any sign of the other man. Hurrying back up to the top, he jogged by the buildings. Coming around the corner of the mine office, he saw the vehicle, but no Jorge.

“Jorge...Jorge...Jorge, ¿dónde estás?

No answer. In fact, the only sound Jim could hear was the wind howling through the jungle.

Looking into the truck, he saw the keys dangling from the ignition. Turning completely around, he could see no sign of the driver. His eyes fell on the building which he sent Rafe. He quickly walked to the building and opening the door, called for the other man.

As with the others, Jim received no answer. He searched the building, finding forty bunks in various states of disarray. He dropped down on one of the bunks in shock. Completely alone. The men he came with were all gone along with all the employees of his mine.

Something caught his eyes and he got up, walking to the other side of the room. 'A white button,' he thought. Bending over to pick it up, he heard a shuffling sound behind him, but before he could turn, he was hit by something and fell to the ground, unconscious.

One of the men standing over Jim spit on him and said, “Tenemos que matarlo. Él que va a echarlo todo a perder, y no nos van a pagar.

“No podemos matarlo. Él es la persona de contacto. Vamos a llevarlo a la selva y dejarlo. Los animales se hará cargo de Éle,” the taller man replied, grinning with few teeth. His partner chuckled and nodded in agreement.

***

Blair watched this whole episode in the pool of water on which he had used his magic. Listening to the men, he translated in his mind.

'We need to kill him. He's going to ruin everything and they won't pay us.'

'We can't kill him... he is the company man. Let's just take him into the jungle and leave him...the animals will get him.'

Blair narrowed his eyes, then stood and gathered his bag. It was time to face his destiny.

***

The men carried Jim's limp body into the jungle, deciding they would leave it as far away from the mine as possible. One man stopped and pointed at the ground.

“No hay. Mira. excremento del jaguar. Vamos a dejarlo aquí.”  

(There. Look. Droppings of the jaguar. We will leave him here.)

Bueno que es pesada.

(Good, he is heavy.)

Shrugging his shoulders, the tall man dropped his burden on the ground and kicked him in the ribs. Laughing, the two men left the area, assured the American would be dead soon.

***

Blair headed toward the mine camp. His first mission was to get the bag that his destiny had left. After finding the correct path back by instinct, he took a circular route to where his heart was leading him. Around the shaman were animals; monkeys, snakes, insects, and carnivorous predators, but that did not detract him from his path.

Arriving at the clearing, Blair saw a large, black jaguar sitting by his destiny. The cat turned its head to balefully look in his direction before lowering its head to nuzzle Jim's face.

When the cat licked across his face, Jim turned his face away, attempting to escape from the rough contact. Moaning, he raised his head, eyes squinting because of the pain. The motion of the jaguar standing up made his eyes fly open and as he looked peripherally at the animal, the cat backed up and jumped at him. Jim screamed before it slammed into him. Suddenly, the pressure was gone. Jim opened his eyes and looked around carefully. No sign of the cat.

He sat there, panting, before spotting bare legs at the edge of the clearing. Jim decided to ask, “Who are you?”

“My name is Blair and you are Jim. You are a guardian and I am your guide.”

Jim looked at the young man and his heart told him that what Blair was telling him was true. “Why did that black cat disappear?”

“You and he are the same. He is the embodiment of your spirit...you are silent, proud, courageous, and deadly...as is the jaguar.”

“And you? Do you have one, too?” Jim asked as he stood up with the help of the other man.

“I do,” Blair replied. “It's intelligent, loyal, and imaginative...the wolf.”

Jim smiled and asked, “Is that my bag?”

“Yes, will you come with me?” Blair asked.

“Of course. Where are we going?”

“To the edge of jungle at the ceremonial caves. There we will pledge ourselves to each other. I have your bag here and you can watch at the waterfall.” Blair handed Jim the bag.

“Thank you. Lead on, I am right behind you.” Jim smiled as he watched the handsome man turn and start through the edge of the clearing. 'Wow', he thought to himself, 'I can't believe I found him.'

“You didn't find me, I found you,” Blair called back.

Jim stopped dead in his tracks and stood there with his mouth hanging open. Blair stopped and turned around. When he saw Jim, frozen in his track, Blair approached him.

“Jim, Jim...can you hear me?” Blair asked, raising his hand to the taller man's arm. He stroked down his face with his other hand until Jim finally blinked his eyes.

“What the hell happened?” Jim asked, shaking his head to try and relieve the sudden stiffness in his neck.

“You were distracted by my voice and blacked out...kind of a daze,” Blair smiled at him. “That is why you need me.”

“And why do you need ME?” Jim asked, looking at the other man's face.

“I need you because I do,” Blair laughed. “I can't explain it more than that. But I have been waiting for you...forever it seems. Come, we must hurry. The ceremony must be performed soon.”

“What ceremony? I don't have anything clean to wear.”

“Our binding ceremony. And you do. There's a clean suit in your bag. That's why I stopped at the camp.”

“The camp..oh, Rafe...Henri and Jorge! We have to find them.”

“I am sorry, my love. They are dead. The men that attacked you killed them,” Blair replied. “They are men from another tribe; they work for another mining company.”

“I have to stop them!”

“We will. But first, come.”

***

At the cave, Blair stripped his loin cloth and footwear off, encouraging Jim to do the same. Guiding him into the pool, Blair pushed him under the water, then grabbed a bag from his pack. Squeezing the contents in his hand, he washed himself, then Jim, making sure the substance reached every part of their skin.

Rising from the pool, Jim opened his bad and removed his black suit. Even though in his past he would have never worn a suit that was even slightly wrinkled, Jim put it on. Turning to look at Blair, he watched the other man braid his hair.

Blair dipped his fingers into the pots in front of him. First he drew a mask around his eyes, relying on the memory of what a raccoon mask looked like. Then he bound his arms with leather cords; keeping one back, and his wrists and ankles with blue ribbons.

“What do the ribbons signify?” Jim asked quietly.

“They were my mother's. To me...they mean faithfulness, love, eternity.” Blair looked up at Jim and smiled. He then took two necklaces from his bag and put them on. One bore a huge piece of turquoise; bigger than Jim's hand, the other red feathers and beads. Standing he held his hand out to the taller man. “Come. It is time.”

Jim walked beside his soon-to-be partner, marveling at the confidence and calmness of Blair. As they walked through the multitudes of flowers surrounding the entrance to the cave, Blair pulled a red flower off it's stalk. Turning to Jim, he placed in the button hole and smoothed his lapels down.

“Kneel here.” Blair instructed, pointing to the spot at his feet. Jim knelt at his feet, looking up into Blair's face expectantly. Blair smiled down at Jim and sank to his knees in front of him.

Taking the cord in his hand, he gave one end to Jim. Taking the end from Blair, Jim suddenly had the knowledge of what to do. He twisted his wrist one, then waited for Blair to do the same. Within five twists, they were tied together.

“I am yours, beloved, and you are mine,” Jim said softly, his eyes on Blair's shining face.

“And you are mine, beloved, and I am yours,” Blair answered just as softly.

Bound forever by fate and destiny, the two men freed the jungles from the men who where filled with lust for gold. Then they returned to the United States to live their lives in comfort, peace, and love.

 

FIN