Disclaimer: The characters in this story are copyrights of Paramount and Fireworks Productions. No infringement is intended. The story plot is original and copyright to the author, Maril Swan.

Author's Note: This vignette came from a challenge at the Queen of Swords Fanfic site wherein those who want to participate are challenged to write a short story that contains either three random items, or one of two quotes. This story is a Trio challenge. The three items were: Kachina doll, corset, pitchfork

Espiritu Sancto
by Maril Swan

The last rays of sunlight stretched across the horizon, painting the landscape with a roseate blush. The adobe buildings, the hills, the trees all glowed with the crimson radiance of the setting sun. Tessa paused in the doorway of her villa, her eyes filled with the wondrous beauty of her hacienda. A sense of peace pervaded her as she drew a deep breath, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the rose garden. Like a caressing breeze, she felt the land giving up its heat to the coming night. Behind her, Marta laid her hand on Tessa's shoulder and they watched as the last glow of sunlight touched the crosses on the hill like a benediction. Then the light was gone leaving a stillness that hovered over the land in the pause between day and night. For several minutes, they savoured the twilight, almost unwilling to break into the supernal silence with their mortal sounds.

At length, Tessa adjusted the guitar she had slung behind her shoulders and stepped off the verandah. She nearly stumbled over something on the ground, and stooped to pick it up.

"Look, Marta. One of the worker's children left her doll here. I'll take it with me to their camp."

Marta reached out for it. "May I see it?" When the doll touched her hand, Marta exclaimed sharply in surprise; her face became grave and her manner uneasy. For long seconds, she studied the colourful figurine. It was carved from cottonwood and painted with intricate designs. The doll was dressed in exotic clothes and feathers, and wearing a mask. Finally, she said, "This is no child's toy, Tessa. It has an aura of power contained within it. I don't know what it is, or why it was left here. Maybe it is a gift for you." With that, Marta handed the doll back to the younger woman as if glad to be rid of it.

"Do you think it's evil?" Tessa gasped, her eyes widening as she warily accepted the figurine.

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Then why are you giving it to me?" Tessa asked with a nervous laugh. Taking the doll in her unwilling hands, she moved away from the verandah. "Maybe one of the workers can explain what it is and who left it."

Tessa turned suddenly. Movement caught her eye as she passed the stable. One of the workers was replacing his pitchfork in the toolroom. It was Joachim, a worker whom the Queen had saved from death some months before. She had found him lying alone in the dark on the badlands, more dead than alive, from thirst and from beatings. Joachim had run away from a mission estancia where his people were driven like animals and treated worse. Marta had nursed him back to health and he had become their hardest worker.

She smiled at Joachim as he bowed deferentially to her. "Buenos noches, Joachim," she said pleasantly, and was rewarded with his wide grin and nod. Joachim was mute, but not deaf. She added, "Are you coming to the fiesta? We are celebrating that Marta's horse gave birth to a foal, a filly." She watched him nod again vigorously, then she continued on toward the glow of the campfire where the strains of "Cielto Lindo" wafted on the warm breeze.

Already, there were many gathered around the fire, including the children. They ran to Tessa, and she handed out the toffees that Marta had made for them earlier. She seated herself on a log and Marta squeezed in beside her. One of the workers was strumming another folk ballad and many joined in with the singing.

Later in the evening, after the children had gone to bed, Tessa brought out the colourful doll and held it up in the firelight for everyone to see. "Does anyone know what this is?" she asked, glancing around at the dark faces.

A man stood up. "Patrón," he began respectfully, "It is called a ka'china. The ka'china spirit brings good fortune to those they are given to. In the old days, a man of the tribe would dress as the ka'china and he would pretend to be one of the spirits who bring the rains and good crops. Now, of course, the ritual is forbidden by the Church, but the dolls are often given to children to remind them of the old ways."

"Does this ka'china belong to one of your children?" Tessa watched their faces as each person shook his or her head. Were they afraid they would be punished for having a pagan idol? "I respect your old ways," she said, " and if you want to keep these ka'chinas here on the hacienda, it is all right with me. Does anyone know how this ka'china came to be on my verandah?" Again, she met with blank looks and denial. She glanced at Marta who shrugged.

"Here, Marta, you hold onto the doll while I play a flamenco tune for the workers. They always enjoy the music so much. You should have brought your violin." Tessa teased as she handed the ka'china to Marta who handled it as if it were hot. What's wrong with her tonight, Tessa wondered, as she studied the frightened look in her friend's eyes. "Are you going to dance for us?"

"I don't feel like it tonight. Another time." In the firelight, Marta's eyes had a questing look, as if she was searching for something or someone. All evening, she had been quiet, introspective.

Tessa began the fiery flamenco tune. Soon, she forgot about Marta and lost herself in the music.

Marta clutched the doll tightly, and felt its power rising up slowly through her hands and into her body. She started to tremble and closed her eyes. A vision began to form and she saw a man's dark shape coming toward her out of a mist with his hands outstretched. He looked familiar. As he got closer, she suddenly knew him. Joachim! He spoke, "I was the shaman of my tribe, but I can be shaman no longer. I have no tribe. I dedicate my life to you, Marta, for you are the shaman of your tribe. The ka'china spirit will watch over you, and protect the woman who wears the black corset like a warrior in armour. I will defend you both with my life. This I pledge." She clasped his hand and a bond was created. She felt his mind touch hers gently, with love. "I am your brother," Joachim said, " and your guardian and your teacher. Since you saved my life, it belongs to you." He smiled and let go of her hand, stepping back into the misty darkness.

The vision ended and Marta realized Tessa had stopped playing and was looking at her with a worried expression. "Are you all right, Marta? You seemed to be in a trance for a while."

Across the campfire, Marta met Joachim's eyes and smiled. She saw there an ageless wisdom and knew she would seek him again in the otherworld to learn from him, whatever he was willing to teach her. Shaking herself, she said, "I'm fine. Just off in another world, I suppose."

THE END

©Espiritu Sancto - Maril Swan - March 2001

I'd love to hear what you thought of this story Maril Swan