Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf

by A. E. McCullough

  By nightfall, without the return of Tatianna or Black Arrow, Hawkeye was worried. Anasazi counseled him not to worry but that was as useless as asking a rooster not to crow at sunrise. However Hawkeye agreed to wait and watch. He knew that sometimes these challenges took days. He once had a challenge that took seven days to win. Forcing himself to relax, he tried to turn his attention back to his duties. He knew that if he failed now, then many of his people would die. For his mentor had taught him an old saying that he knew was true, ‘Tomorrow’s battle is won in today’s practice.’

  Tomorrow would be here soon enough and that would put them one day closer to the battle that they weren’t ready for and he knew that the nine days left before Yuletide would pass far too quickly for them to be truly ready.

  Walking around the village, Hawkeye was amazed at the buzz of activity still going on, it was almost midnight and probably half of the village was still hard at work. Even though the reason everyone was working hard was grim, his people weren’t. Everywhere he went, he saw smiles on their faces as they worked, some were even singing. They knew that this might be there last week on Terreth and instead of moping about, they were embracing life. Celebrating what short time they had left. It was then that Hawkeye realized how much he truly loved his people and it seemed they loved him. Whenever they saw him, they would stop working long enough to wave or nod their heads in his direction. Returning their wave or nod, Hawkeye continued his inspection of the village.

  Popping his head into the Lodge of the Moon, he was surprised to see half of the women and children of the village inside working on arrows. Moving up the ramp to the main entrance of Itasca, he discovered that that landing just past the main gate had gained a new wall. Nilrem’s crew had used a combination of snow, dirt and timbers to erect a wall ten feet high which was lined with sharpened spikes every few feet. No army could easily swarm that wall, especially with Highlander warriors defending its height.

  Hawkeye paused to watch Nilrem and about fifty warriors hard at work building another section. The warlord and his crew were extremely busy, so Hawkeye moved on. Aimlessly wandering around the village, he found himself in front of Tatianna’s tipi. Pausing briefly outside, he studied her totem pole. It didn’t hold many trophies but the ones that were there were priceless. The remnants of her tattered blue tunic flapped in the cold wind, bearing a grim testimony to her narrow escape from the clutches of the Black Wolf Pack. Two red feathers topped the totem pole, a gift from Red Crow before his tragic death.

  Not knowing why, Hawkeye entered Tatianna’s tent. It was dark since the fire was nothing but coals. Kneeling down, he threw a small handful of kindling on the fire and blew softly on the coals. After a moment, the fire roared to life as the flames began to consume the dry wood. That’s when he noticed the remnants of a blue scarf in the fire pit. Most of it had been consumed by the fire but not all of it. Fishing it out with his knife, Hawkeye glanced around. The tipi looked the same as the last time he was here but several things seemed to be out of place. First, there were several bowls with strange powders in them lying next to the fire and her eagle-head staff was lying on the sleeping furs. This was strange knowing how meticulous Tatianna was about her lodging.

  What really grabbed his attention was the black hawk sitting above the doorway, watching him. The hawk was as black as midnight and seemed not afraid or threatened by him. Dropping the burnt scarf on the sleeping furs, Hawkeye approached the hawk and spoke in an even tone. “Hello there. Are you a friend of Tatianna’s?”

  Nodding his head, Dûrdae the Shadowhawk chirped.

  Hawkeye didn’t understand the shadowhawk’s answer but was still encouraged by his response.

  “Do you know where she is?”

  Dûrdae turned his head to watch Hawkeye with one eye. Another chirp.

  Rubbing his chin, Hawkeye thought for a moment. He had heard stories about spell-weavers keeping a pet to watch over them. He knew that they were called familiars and they were extremely intelligent. They had some sort of bond with their master. He wondered if this strange hawk could be Tatianna’s familiar? He didn’t know but he was out of options. Hawkeye shrugged his shoulders and spoke to himself. “Besides what do I have to lose?”

  Looking the Shadowhawk in his eyes, Hawkeye kept his voice low. “I’m not sure if you can understand me but I fear that Tatianna is in danger. She should’ve returned hours ago but there has been no word. I am forbidden by customs to go look for her. It is her destiny and I am not allowed to interfere but you aren’t. If Tatianna means anything to you, then we must do what we can to aid her.”

  Dûrdae excitedly flapped his wings several times.

  Hawkeye took this as a good sign and continued talking. “Can you find her? If she’s in trouble, let me know and customs be damned, I’ll be there to aid her. Can you do that?”

  Squawking loudly, Dûrdae nodded his head and launched himself from his perch. Diving toward a large shadow at the foot of Tatianna’s sleeping furs; he disappeared without a sound.

  Hawkeye stared at the shadow for several minutes before shaking his head in amazement and stepped out into the cold night air.

  * * * * *

  Sitting astride Aquilo, Tatianna gazed down on the village from the heights of a nearby mountain. They had traveled in relative silence since her return from the strange room. Aquilo would not say where the room was or much about it, other than she would know in time. Realizing Aquilo could not or would not talk about it she let the subject drop.

  Almost immediately after her return, they set out for Itasca. Aquilo seemed to be in a hurry, he didn’t say why and she didn’t press him.

  Looking down on the barbarian village, she knew why…Blackfang.

  From all the activity and it was nearly midnight, she could only guess that reports had come in about the Dark Alliance marching on them. From her vantage point, she could pick out the hulking figure of Nilrem walking back and forth behind the barricade of the front gate.

  *Your beloved waits for you below. Never doubt that Hawkeye truly loves you!*

  With a crooked smile, Tatianna dismounted and said, “I know. It’s amazing. We’ve only known each other for several months but I feel like I’ve known him for an eternity.”

  *You have.* Aquilo turned his head to look her in the eyes.

  Shaking her head, “I don’t understand?”

  *It’s simple. You and Kamots Hawkeye are soulmates. Your souls have known each other since the beginning of time. They are in effect one soul, which has been split into two halves. Each is an independent and separate entity but neither is whole without the other half. That is why you two connected so easily, especially since both of you are stubborn, guarded and fiercely independent.*

  At first Tatianna didn’t know what to make of Aquilo’s opinion. It’s hard to think straight when the obvious has been right in front of you and you never realized the truth. Besides, she didn’t know how to take being called stubborn, guarded and fiercely independent in the same sentence.

  When she didn’t respond immediately, Aquilo went on.

  *I want you to know something else, yours and Hawkeye’s destiny lie down different paths. You two will travel together for a good portion of it but in the end, each of you must choose your own course. I do not envy you. You have a difficult road ahead, full of choices. Some will lead to joy, some to sorrow. There will be many surprises and a few betrayals. But never forget three things.*

  Pausing, the great white Unicorn looked back at Itasca. Waiting for a moment, Tatianna followed his gaze. Right then, Hawkeye came into view. He was dressed in his normal battle array, weapons at the ready and his wolf’s mantle worn proudly on his brow. Tatianna’s heart skipped several beats as he strode through the chaos, placing a calming hand or offering an encouraging word to the men and women who labored below.

  *First, your child must survive at all costs. He is the only one who can break the curse and rid the land of the Arachne. Second, be careful whom you tr
ust. Not everyone is who you think they are.*

  Looking back up, she met his gaze. “And the third?”

  *In the end, you can only save one*

  With that he turned back toward the north. *Goodbye Tatianna Amarth, Bladeweaver of Aurora, Red Eagle of the Highland Nation and mother of the Chosen One. We will not meet again… in this life.*

  Puzzled by his words and saddened by his departure, Tatianna felt cold tears running down her cheek. “Goodbye Aquilo, Master of the North Wind. Thank you for all your help and advice. I will remember what you have told me.”

  As the great white Unicorn raced off into the darkness, his voice came floating back once more on the north wind.

  *Trust your instincts, for they are guided by your heart not your head.*

  With those last words, Aquilo was gone and Tatianna was left alone on the mountainside. Just as she was about to begin her decent from the mountain, a large black hawk appeared out of the darkness with a loud screech.

  “Well, hello yourself Dûrdae. Have you missed me?”

  The large Shadowhawk began chirping and squawking.

  “What, Hawkeye sent you to find me? He was worried? Well, what has been going on since I’ve been away?”

  Dûrdae continued to chirp and squawk as the two made their way down the mountainside to the village.

  Chapter 26

  Once Anasazi left his nephew and walked out of the village, he made his way up the nearby mountain. The memory of the last time he had climbed this mountain came back to him. It was when he had found Hawkeye and Red Crow deep in conversation. His old friend was telling his nephew of their escapades when they were younger.

  A smile crept over his face, as he thought of his past. He was old. Older than most people would guess. Unbidden, the memories of him and his two best friends, Red Crow and Lakota, Hawkeye’s father, as they rampaged their way through the Highlands and the lands below them fighting for whatever cause they cared about at the time, came to mind. Righting the wrongs afflicted on the helpless, plowing their way through enemies, burying their fallen friends and celebrating the life of their children. All these thoughts and more raced through his mind as he reached the crest of the small mountain.

  Glancing around Lookout Point, as it was called, he spied Red Crow’s favorite perch. It was a large rock that sat near the edge of the cliff. From that vantage point, one could look out over the village and the vast landscape below. Sitting on Red Crow’s perch, he gazed at the sky above him. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was setting behind the Darkmoor Mountains in the distant west. Its fading light painted the sky a fiery red. Only a few gray clouds cluttering the evening sky, showing that tonight would be free of new snow. Yet, the air was cold and crisp. A slight breeze came from the northeast, bringing with it a promise of more snow.

  Anasazi couldn’t help but smile as two red tail hawks glided gracefully on the updrafts created by the mountainside. He silently watched the hawks dance and whirl in the breeze. After a few moments, Anasazi spoke to them as if one of them was Red Crow.

  “Well old friend, what do I do now? Your death has shaken all of us. Blackfang is sure to attack soon and although Hawkeye and Tatianna are doing a wonderful job, I don’t know if we will be ready. And even worse, I’ve lost my best friend. What do we do now?”

  He fell silent as the hawks flew lazily toward him. Anasazi watched in fascination and awe at the majestic beauty of the hawks in flight. The way a hawk shifts its slight weight in the currents, the way its pinfeathers twist in the wind, the way its tail feathers feel the air and move accordingly to steer it in flight. It was all this and more that fascinated Anasazi. He had always envied that part of Red Crow’s shape shifting ability. His own natural ability to shape shift into a wolf had its own advantages but to fly must be extremely exhilarating. They had always argued about the differences and similarities between spirit walking and flying. The things a person experiences when spirit walking is beyond description but to fly as a bird must also be beyond description. Anasazi knew there were some things you just cannot describe, you must experience them. Flying and spirit walking were two of those.

  Anasazi was brought out of his reverie by the sudden and unexpected landing of one of the hawks. It landed about two feet in front of him and seemed to be studying him. Tilting its head back and forth quickly, it chirped at him.

  “What is my little friend? Are you hungry?”

  Reaching into a small pouch, Anasazi tossed a piece of dried buffalo meat to the hawk. He watched in utter fascination as it pecked at it once. Then looking back at him and squawked loudly.

  “What is it? I don’t understand.”

  The hawk moved its head from side to side. Suddenly, the second red tailed hawk joined the first. However, it didn’t land as graceful as the first. Its legs buckling slightly with the impact of landing, causing it to slip and crash belly up on the snow covered rock. Standing up slowly, it shook its head slightly and then walked up behind the first hawk. The two birds began studying Anasazi.

  Gesturing slowly with his hands, Anasazi spoke softly. “Just a moment, I know a spell that will allow us to communicate.”

  He knew that the hawk didn’t understand his exact words but he hoped his tone, actions and emotions would convey his message. Reaching into his satchel, Anasazi slowly pulled forth a small bundle. Laying it down in front of him, he was slightly surprised to see that neither hawk backed away. Opening his medicine bundle, he found the magical charm he was looking for, an eagle’s wing. It was ancient, yet beautifully preserved. It had been his mentor’s and had been passed down to him when he joined the shamanic order along with the satchel that he always carried. Picking up the eagle’s wing, he passed it over his face and ears while chanting an ancient charm. When he was finished, he was able to speak and understand the language of the birds. The charm would only last for a few minutes but it should be long enough for him to find out what these two unusual hawks wanted.

  Looking down at them, he spoke to them again. This time his voice came out in a series of chirps, squawks and whistles. “Now my little friends, how can I be of service to you?”

  The color drained from Anasazi’s face as the first hawk answered him.

  “It’s about time you cast that spell. I was beginning to believe you had forgotten how.” It was the voice of Red Crow, his oldest friend and companion.

  “What… How?” Anasazi stammered.

  The first hawk, the one speaking with Red Crow’s voice continued. “There is not enough time to explain. Suffice to say these two hawks were friends of mine when I was alive. They were kind enough to lend us their bodies for a short time where we could contact you but we don’t have much time.”

  Anasazi asked, “Don’t have much time for what?”

  “For finding a suitable place to haunt. We are spirits now or what mortals call ghosts. We need to find a place to haunt for the rest of eternity.”

  “But why aren’t you in the realm of Luna?”

  The red tail hawk that was Red Crow became agitated. It wings flapped angrily and it hopped around on one foot. “Trust me, old friend. There will be time to explain all of this later. Right now we need a place to haunt that will help the Chosen One in his struggle against the enemy. Any suggestions?”

  Anasazi rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “What are the requirements?”

  Red Crow looked at the other hawk for a moment.

  When the other hawk replied, his voice was soft and had the undeniable accent of an elf. “As far as I know, there isn’t any. Red Crow insisted that we visit you first for any suggestions. But we only have an hour to choose our location before that choice is taken from us and we are sentenced to whatever location we are in when the time runs out.”

  The hawk that was Eldath looked at the sun. “That time is almost up. Judging from the sun, I would guess we have less than a quarter hour remaining.”

  “Any suggestions?” Red Crow asked. “We need someplace that we can as
sist the Chosen One in his coming battle.”

  Anasazi thought for a moment and then an idea hit him. “As far as you know, there are no restrictions?”

  Eldath shook his head. “With the exception of another living creature, no.”

  Reaching down, Anasazi pulled out his blood-brother’s satchel. “Then use this. It is a magical pouch given to me by Lakota, Hawkeye’s father, many years ago. As far as I know, it doesn’t have a limit in size. I can store an unknown amount of stuff in it and it never changes shape, size or weight. I believe it actually opens onto another dimension but I am not sure.”

  Red Crow cocked his head sideways. “How can that help the Chosen One?”

  Anasazi smiled. “Simple. When he is born I will give it to him and he will be able to take you with him no matter where he travels. It would be better than being anchored to one place on Terreth and him having to travel to see you.”

  The two possessed hawks looked at each other for a brief moment and then with a quick nod of their head they left their mortal host. A swirling gray mist flowed out of their beaks and into the satchel. The two hawks looked around for a brief moment before launching themselves into the sky.

  The ancient shaman watched as the majestic birds flew into the morning sky.

  For some reason, the fiery sky seemed less daunting and so did the future of the Highland Nation. Now, he knew what must be done to help the two lovers. Gathering his medicine bundle, he walked back down the mountainside with a spring in his step and a smile on his face.

  He had climbed the mountain looking for inspiration. Instead, he had found two things that were more important. Allies against the coming darkness in the form of two spirits but more importantly he had found hope. And that was the one thing they all needed the most, hope for the future. For without hope, all would be lost.