Chapter 4 - A New Name

Jalen thought about what Runa had told her about obtaining her baby's name. She knew she had to make a decision soon. It was only a few days and the naming ceremony would take place. Naming her sons had been so easy. It was with her husbands help though that they were able to decide on names so easily. She wished he was here to help her with this naming. She missed him so much but she knew he would not be returning from the other side. She could still picture his face. That memory hadn't faded and she was glad she could still visualize him. She still loved him and knew she would never be able to replace him in her heart.

She sighed as she stood and started the fire in the hearth. She fed it more and more fuel so it would burn for a long time. She didn't know how long it would take her for her daughter's name to come to her. She looked at the large fire she had built and decided it would last for a long time. She walked over to the area she had chosen to rest and placed extra rushes down to make a more comfortable bed for her to relax on. Looking around, she found the hides that she had stored to make a good covering over the rushes that tended to poke her skin. She stood staring at the fire wondering why she was putting off the task before her. The fire had reached its zenith and she didn't have any more excuses. She turned and walked to her seating area.

The hearth fire was burning brightly. Jalen sat on her pillow of soft hides, watching the dancing flames, soaking in the warmth of the fire. Earlier, she’d fed her children, and tucked the boys into their hide-covered beds, and the baby into her blanketed, wooden crib; she could hear the occasional noises that babies make when they’re dreaming.

Jalen inhaled a deep breath; the smoke had the faint aroma of the bay leaves she had tossed into the flames. She took a sip of her tea; along with the bay leaves, she’d added some cranberry and dandelion leaves to the concoction. The scent was intoxicating to her, as she took a big sip. She watched the fire as it threw hypnotic flames into the air.

The hides she’d piled up behind her felt so soft and she leaned back against them; they cradled her much like she thought her baby might feel swaddled in her crib. She now felt so relaxed and her eyes began to close without her realizing it. Jalen then fell into a deep sleep…

She was walking along a lake shore. She knew this area as she had traveled there many times before when she was dreaming. She loved this area. It was was a real area that was close to her village and she visited every chance she got. It was now spring in her dream, and all of her favorite flowers were in bloom; their individual scents had intermingled, creating a new and amazing scent. She wanted to take in this beautiful, picturesque scene, but she sensed there was a very important purpose waiting for her. She was eager to find this purpose.

She knew a presence had been waiting patiently for her…and now she could sense the unseen presence close by. She was aware that this presence knew the information that she was seeking and was waiting for her.

She started in the direction she felt the presence was, and found herself walking down a fern lined path. Her hair was softly blowing in an unseen breeze. The trees and grasses were also affected by the breeze. Suddenly, she was bathed in a warm and beautiful glow that was almost too bright for her to keep her eyes on.

Jalen was finally able to focus and saw a large human shaped entity floating in front of her. She couldn’t tell if this entity was female or male, but it was beautiful to behold; its flowing white robes fluttering in the same unseen breeze.

The entity began to speak to her.

“Jalen,” it said, “I am here to disclose the name the gods have chosen for your child. You shall call her Astra…as she will be like a star in the sky and rival even the beauty of the gods. She will become a great warrior for the gods, one who slays the evil that invades the evil souls who cause pain and destruction on mankind. But you will not be able to take part in her greatness. She will be taken from her homeland on her fated journey through many different lands. Each country will have challenges that she must face and conquer. She will be fighting the worst evil that exists. Each challenge will be more evil than the previous. But take solace in the knowledge that you will have prepared her for the struggles that will befall her. She will be brave and courageous. She will be a Seer, a Healer and a Shaman to many, and all will respect her. You have birthed a very special baby, Jalen. Be proud of her and teach her well for she has greatness in her life journey.

The intense light faded. As Jalen opened her eyes and found herself in front of her hearth fire, she took a deep breath and shook her head to clear it.

“Astra. What a beautiful name. And so fitting, as she is so beautiful,” Jalen whispered to herself. She lay there thinking about all that had been revealed to her by the glowing entity. She stood up and stretched as her body had become stiff from laying the rushes. She looked towards her sleeping daughter and walked to the crib.

“Astra”, she said softly. What a beautiful name that had been bestowed on her by the God's. Looking down at her sleeping baby, she said the name again. At the spoken word, the child opened her eyes and stretched her arms out toward her mother. This time Jalen knew her baby was pleased with her name. She would be beautiful and shine like the stars in the sky.