The Woodlander

by Kirk Watson

  “Yes, that same Ray. He slipped it to me back there on the mountain, just before we left.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he has a guilty conscience. Whatever the reason, this dagger could come in handy.” He reached for the cheesecloth to wrap it back up, but hesitated when he saw markings on the inside. He smoothed the cloth out on the ground.

  “Will you look at that,” Rollie said.

  The cheesecloth contained a crudely drawn map. At the top was an arrow labeled “North,” and in the lower right-hand corner was a large X drawn in red.

  “Do you think it’s a map of this place?” Violet asked.

  “It must be,” John said. “Look, here on the left.” He pointed to some crooked lines. “These must be the mountains we just came from.”

  “And we’re at the X?” Rollie asked.

  “I don’t think so. It looks too far from the mountains. I think we’re meant to go to the X.”

  “Meant to go there? By whom?”

  “It could be a trap,” Lisa said. “Remember what Alvíss said about tricks.”

  “Maybe,” John said, “but I don’t think so. Ray didn’t want the haakönen to know I had this. And he also told me to take the compass. What good is a compass without a map? For whatever reason, I think Ray wants us to head for the X.”

  “Ray works for the haakönen,” Lisa said. “He could be helping them catch us.”

  “Why?” John asked. “Not to be alarming, but when it comes to hunting, I doubt those haakönen need any help.”

  “Maybe Ray’s helping himself,” Rollie said.

  The other squirrels looked at him.

  “What do you mean?” John asked.

  “Well, if I were in Ray’s position, I’d place a bet on one of those haakönen, then I’d do everything I could to ensure sure that he won. Like giving us a map that would deliver us straight to his bird. It’s called a fix. I know a cheater when I see one.”

  “Like you knew that raccoon Lawrence was cheating you?” Violet asked.

  Billy chuckled. “What was it he dealt you, again, Rollie? A full house?”

  “That was different,” Rollie protested. “I was drunk and he caught me off guard. But I’m seeing clearly now. The fix is in, I’m telling you.”

  John scratched his head. “I don’t know, Rollie. Then why would Ray give me the dagger?”

  “The same reason Lawrence gave me the full house—to suck you in. I’m telling you, we can’t trust that bastard.”

  Lisa nodded in agreement. “We wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Ray.” She looked up at the sky. “In any case, we can’t stay here. There’s no cover, and it’s almost noon. The haakönen will be coming soon.”

  “Right,” John said. He pointed at the map. “Let’s head for these trees. It looks like there’s a stream ahead; we’ll need to find water soon.”

  “How far is it?” Billy asked.

  “I’m not sure. There’s no scale, but I’m guessing it’s a good hike. We’d better get moving.”

  John folded the map and tucked it in his jumpsuit. With the dagger in one paw and the compass in the other, he began walking towards the line of trees.

  “Do you even know how to read that compass, city boy?” Rollie asked.

  John ignored him and kept on walking. The other squirrels looked at each other for a moment. Rollie shrugged and chased after him. Lisa took Violet’s paw and followed, with Billy close behind.

  The squirrels were fifty yards from the trees when they heard a screech from the sky.

  “Run!” John shouted. He grabbed Violet’s other paw, and together they ran for the trees. Billy sprinted ahead of the group on his long legs.

  “Wait for me!” Rollie said, huffing as he fell behind.

  John didn’t look back until he had made it to the trees. From beneath their thick branches, he peered up at the sky. High above, the haakönen circled the meadow, looping and diving in precise patterns as they weaved amongst themselves. The other squirrels gathered around John behind the tree trunk.

  “I thought they always hunted alone,” Lisa whispered.

  “I don’t think they’re hunting,” John replied. “Not yet, anyway.”

  “Then what are they doing?” Billy asked.

  “It looks like they’re—dancing?”

  “Dancing?” Violet asked.

  “It must be some sort of opening ceremony,” John said. “Fortunately, I don’t think they’ve seen us.”

  They watched as the haakönen’s formations drew tighter. Their wings were nearly touching each other’s when they broke into a V-pattern. Skallagaan took the point as the birds flew straight up, performed a half-loop, then swooped back towards the ground.

  “Hide!” John shouted.

  The squirrels took cover behind the trees as the haakönen dived for the meadow. At the last moment, the haakönen pulled up just inches from the ground. They skimmed across the grass, heading straight for the squirrels. Skallagaan let out a mighty screech that shook the forest. Pine needles rained down on the squirrels from the branches overhead. John felt the sudden urge to run, a primal instinct from somewhere deep inside. He fought the impulse, gripping the tree tightly with his claws.

  “Hug the trees!” he called to the others. “Do not panic! Do not run!”

  As the haakönen drew near, Violet began to scream. Lisa clamped a paw over her sister’s mouth and covered her eyes with her tail. Billy scrambled up the tree and hid in the branches. Rollie attempted to follow, but only managed to lift himself a few inches off the ground. He closed his eyes, desperately clinging to the tree’s trunk.

  Before reaching their hiding spot, the haakönen fanned out, flying directly over the squirrels. Their screeches came together in a terrible harmony, reverberating through the trees and echoing throughout the meadow. The mighty birds of prey ascended into the clouds, and as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone. The meadow grew quiet. Several minutes passed before the squirrels gathered back around John.

  “What was that all about?” Rollie asked, looking up at the clouds.

  “I’m not sure,” John said, “but I think it was meant to scare us.”

  “Well, bravo,” Rollie said with a mock clap. “I think I just went number thirteen in my jumpsuit.”

  Chapter 14

  THE RUNNING OF THE SQUIRRELS

  Kingdoms fall, nations fall,

  Leaves fall, fortunes fall,

  Night falls, darkness falls,

  But hope falls last of all.

  John climbed to the top of a tree, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stream indicated on the map, but the dense forest stretched uninterrupted for miles. The squirrels decided to head east, further into the relative protection of the woods. At least, John thought it was east; he wasn’t sure the compass even worked, but it seemed to point in one direction steadily enough. The fallen pine needles covering the ground muffled their footsteps, but also left worrisome tracks in their wake. Occasionally they would come upon a break in the forest. They stopped to study the sky, carefully watching for any signs of the haakönen, then sprinted across the clearing, until once again, they were under the cover of the trees.

  The sun began to set, and John could see the group was exhausted. Especially Rollie, who looked as if he might collapse of a heart attack at any moment.

  “I don’t think we’ll reach the river today,” John said. “Let’s stop here and make camp.”

  “Maybe we should keep moving,” Lisa said. “You know, under the cover of darkness.”

  “I bet those haakönen can see better in the dark than we can,” John said. “Besides, I don’t think some of us can go much further.” He motioned towards Rollie, who had already collapsed at the base of a tree.

  “It’s this damn mountain air,” Rollie wheezed.

  Billy stretched his arms over his head and took a deep breath. “I don’t know; the air up here is thin, but quite refreshing.”

 
Lisa smirked. “I don’t think thin and Rollie mix.”

  “Now, listen here, missy,” Rollie said, trying to get back to his feet. Failing, he slumped back down to the ground. “Back in the day… I’d show you a thing or two…”

  “Sure you would, Rollie,” Lisa said. She turned to John. “We’ll need to eat. I’ll go see if I can find us some food.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Billy volunteered. Lisa smiled back at him shyly.

  “Good idea,” John said. “Never go off alone. And be careful out there. If you see any haakönen, don’t run; hide. Their eyes will be drawn to movement. No matter how hard it may be, you must keep your wits about you. They want us to behave like mindless animals, but we’ll show them we’re intelligent people. It could be the difference between life and death. That goes for all of us. Got it?”

  “Yes, dad,” Lisa said. John shook his head as the two disappeared into the trees.

  “Those two seem to be getting awfully friendly,” Rollie said. “You don’t think they’re—”

  “I believe they have more pressing matters to consider at the moment,” John said.

  Rollie laughed. “More pressing matters? Then you don’t remember what it’s like to be young, Johnny-boy. What could be more pressing to a teenager? I bet they’re off pressing each other’s matters, if you know what I mean.”

  John suppressed a chuckle. “Rollie, please. Violet can hear you.”

  “Oh, that’s all right. She doesn’t know what I’m talking about. Do you, sweetheart?”

  “I’m little, not stupid,” Violet said. “You’re talking about sex.” This time John had to laugh.

  Rollie squirmed uncomfortably. “Er… right. Sorry about that, Miss Violet.”

  “That’s okay,” Violet said. “I don’t mind. Hey, guess what, John?”

  “What?” John asked, fearful of the young squirrel’s reply.

  Violet knelt down to pick up a pawful of pine needles and sprinkled them on the ground. “I’ve never been camping before.” She sat down and began pushing the pine needles into a pile.

  John sighed in relief. “I haven’t been camping since I was a kid myself. My father used to take me.”

  “He did?” Violet asked, looking up from the pine needle playhouse she was constructing.

  “Yep. He always said the best things in life were free, but I don’t think this is what he had in mind.”

  Violet cleared a little path leading to the front door of her pine needle house. “Our father never took us anywhere.”

  “He must be very worried about you and your sister.”

  “I doubt it,” Violet said without looking up. She made a little pine needle hedge across the front yard of her playhouse. “He’s dead.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I’m not.”

  John and Rollie looked at each other.

  “How did he die?” John asked.

  Violet erased her pine needle playscape with a single brush of her paw. “Suddenly.”

  “Oh,” John said.

  Violet looked up at him. “Do you have any kids, John?”

  John shook his head and looked off into the distance.

  She pointed to his wedding band. “But you’re married.”

  “So?”

  “So, that’s where babies come from.”

  Rollie chuckled. “You hear that, John? That’s why I’m still single.”

  “Yeah,” John said, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure that’s the reason.”

  Rollie ignored him. “So, you know where babies come from, do you, Miss Violet?”

  “That’s right,” Violet said. “Lisa told me when a man and a woman love each other, they get married. And not long after that, a baby comes along. So, if you’re married, why don’t you have any babies, John?”

  John looked at the forest around them, absentmindedly twisting the ring on his finger. “I was married, Violet. Not any more.”

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “It ended,” John said.

  “How?”

  “Suddenly.”

  “Oh,” Violet said.

  They sat silently in the pine needles for several minutes. A rustling from the trees alerted them, and John jumped to his feet. “Who goes there?” he called out, holding the dagger in front of him.

  “Who goes there?” came Lisa’s reply from the woods. “Who talks like that?”

  “It’s us,” Billy said. He emerged from the trees, laughing with Lisa. They each held an armful of purple berries.

  “We found these growing on some bushes,” Lisa said. “Do you think they’re poisonous?”

  John took one of the berries and held it up in the fading sunlight; its translucent body was covered with red spots. He gave the berry a slight squeeze and sniffed the clear liquid that oozed out. “They certainly don’t grow berries like this in Langley,” he said. “Where did you—”

  “Hand it over, city boy,” Rollie said, grabbing the berry from John’s paw and popping it into his mouth.

  “Rollie, wait!”

  The plump squirrel smiled and smacked his lips. His smile soon turned to a grimace, however, and he grabbed at his throat. Falling to the ground, he kicked twice, sending pine needles scattering, then lay still.

  John rushed to his side. “Rollie!”

  Rollie opened his eyes and grinned. “Just fooling, Johnny-boy. But they are pretty tart.”

  John shook his head, though he couldn’t help but smile. “I swear, Rollie, if the haakönen don’t kill me, you will.”

  “You crazy bastard,” Billy said, laughing. He popped a berry in his mouth. “Hmm… it’s not the worst thing I’ve tasted.”

  “Oh?” Rollie asked, looking over at Lisa. “Had something sweeter recently?”

  Lisa and Billy blushed, quickly turning away from each other.

  “He’s talking about sex,” Violet whispered to Lisa.

  “Thanks, sis,” Lisa said with an eye roll. “Grow up, Rollie.”

  Rollie chuckled. “Come on, let’s eat.”

  Billy pulled the flint-and-steel kit from his pocket. “Should I start a fire?”

  “Better not,” John said. “A fire would be visible for miles. It would lead the haakönen right to us.”

  “Oh, right,” Billy said glumly, returning the kit to his pocket.

  The squirrels sat in the pine needles and divvied the food up. John was grateful for what little liquid the berries provided; they hadn’t seen a trace of water since entering the valley. The meager meal was quickly devoured, and as the group settled in for the night, John sat with his back to a tree, surveying their surroundings.

  At least we’re not leaving any tracks in the snow, he thought, but how far is it to the stream? He pulled out the map and studied it under the moonlight. The sound of giggling drew his attention.

  Billy and Lisa snuggled together under the tarp while Violet slept beside them. Billy whispered something in Lisa’s ear. She feigned shock and playfully slapped him away, then laughed again.

  “I tell you, Johnny-boy,” Rollie whispered, “something’s going on between those two.”

  “Well, these are pretty grim circumstances,” John said. “I guess you better take what happiness you can find out here.”

  Rollie grinned. “Would you like me to whisper sweet-nothings in your ear, John?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t, Rollie.”

  The two squirrels chuckled as they finished off the last of the berries.

  “Listen,” John said.

  “I don’t hear anything,” Rollie said. “You don’t think those two are—”

  Lisa threw a pinecone at him. “No, we’re not, Rollie!”

  “Not that,” John said. “Just listen.”

  “I still don’t hear anything,” Rollie said.

  “Exactly. I haven’t heard another living creature since we came here. How strange is that? It’s so quiet, it’s eerie.”

  “I imagine everyone’s been run off by the
haakönen,” Rollie said. He rolled over and closed his eyes. “Or maybe they’ve all been eaten. Well, good night.”

  “Thanks, Rollie,” Lisa said. “I’m sure we’ll all sleep better now.”

  John laughed. “You two should get some sleep, too. I’ll stay up and keep watch the next few hours, then wake one of you to relieve me.”

  As Lisa and Billy rolled over to get some sleep, John sat with his back to a tree, staring at the sky.

  It seems so quiet, so peaceful. But nothing could be further from the truth. We’re in so much danger.

  He studied the map again. Though he hadn’t told the others, he was determined they should make their way to the X. He plotted the course:

  First to the stream, then across to the X. But how far is it? Hours? Days? And what is this X, anyway? An exit? I don’t see how that’s possible; the entire region seems to be surrounded by these mountains. I guess we’ll find out when we get there…

  He folded the map and tucked it back into his jumpsuit. Just then, Rollie emitted a loud snore. John pulled out the dagger and looked up at the sky. That is, if we get there…

  A few hours later, he woke Lisa.

  “Your turn,” he said. “Then wake Billy in a few.”

  “Great,” Lisa said, rubbing her eyes. “What about Rollie? Shouldn’t he have to stand watch?”

  “What do you think?” They looked over at the plump squirrel snoring on his back.

  “Right,” Lisa said. “I’ll wake Billy.”

  John handed her the dagger and crawled under the tarp. It was surprisingly warm, and he soon fell asleep.

  John awoke with a start. The sun had come up, peeking over the trees and piercing through the early morning fog. Lisa and Violet were still asleep beside him. Billy and Rollie were warming themselves by the fire, roasting berries on the ends of sticks.

  The fire? John leapt to his feet.

  “Morning, John,” Rollie said as he chomped on a blackened berry.

  “Put that fire out, you idiots!” John shouted.

  But it was too late. With a screech, the red haakönen swooped down through the branches. Billy was facing the wrong way to see him coming—the haakönen’s talons ripped through his jumpsuit and embedded deep within his back, their dagger-like tips punching clear through his chest.