by Franks Busch
“My cousin,” said Little Grey Bear Boy, “this will be the night we earn our names. Together.” The two boys clasped arms and locked onto each other’s eyes.
Outside, people were yelling and arguing.
“It is time!” announced Singing Doe, poking her head into the lodge.
The young people looked at each other, drawing courage from their mutual determination. Flying Rabbit Boy grasped his bow and shouldered his quiver. He went to his bed roll and drew the magic arrow from its hiding place. Little Grey Bear Boy took out his turtleshell rattle. They walked out of the Bear Lodge to find all of the remaining people of Nisichawayasihk gathered in the middle of the village.
“What is the meaning of this?” shouted Red Sky Man. The Eagle twins stood on either side of him.
“My sisters!” boomed Walking Moon Woman to the Eagle twins. “Our people have been deceived by Red Sky Man. He is conspiring with the Red-Eyes to attack our village and may in fact be a follower. I accuse him and demand justice!”
The Nehiyawak gasped and the few remaining warriors eyed Red Sky Man suspiciously.
“My sister!” countered the elder Eagle Twin. Her voice was shrill. “On what grounds do you make such an accusation?”
“Little Grey Bear Boy found their camp two days from here,” explained Walking Moon Woman confidently. “And Water Lily Woman saw Red Sky Man talking to two of the Red-Eye’s warriors not far from where we stand now.”
“Tapwe? Is this true?” It was Drifting Butterfly Woman, matriarch of the Crane clan.
“Tapwe!” shouted the two Grey-Eyes confidently.
“How can you say such a thing?” shouted Red Sky Man. “I have only ever served the people of Nisichawayasihk! I do not deserve to be shamed in such a way by two children.”
Many of the people of Nisichawayasihk looked back at the Bear clan. The Nehiyawak would rather have believed the two young people were making mischief than to believe they were in great peril.
“My sisters,” said the elder Eagle twin. “Many of us have heard of the bad heart Little Grey Bear Boy holds towards the Eagle medicine carrier. Red Sky Man is a strict teacher, but that is no reason for a boy to make such an allegation without proof!”
An eagle in the sky above screeched suddenly. The Nehiyawak watched as it circled low toward them. Those with eagle bone whistles around their necks sounded them in honour of the omen.
The eagle circled lower and lower, its great wings blocking out the remaining light of the setting sun for a time. To their amazement, the eagle landed in the middle of their circle, its gold feathers glinting in the setting sun.
“Perhaps I can help,” the golden eagle said in a familiar voice. The people jumped back, some stumbling, as the eagle turned into Painted Turtle Man.
“What is this evil magic?” demanded Red Sky Man.
“Interesting question,” answered Painted Turtle Man. “Especially coming from you, Dark Cloud Man.”
The people of Nisichawayasihk fell silent as the pieces of truth gathered into one.
“What did you call me? Where do you—”
“I have come from Bonibonibee, the place where the water rises and dips. My grandson was kind enough to turn me into an eagle so I could make the long journey. That is the place where you said you came from, is it not?”
“Well, I am not…” mumbled Red Sky Man, looking around.
“I was amazed by what I saw there,” continued Painted Turtle Man. “Not just the fact that the water of the lake goes up and down throughout the day, but by the scars covering Mother Earth. I have not seen scars like that since Dark Cloud Man called down fire from the sky when he and his Red-Eye warriors attacked our village so many years ago. I was only a young boy, but every man remembers the day he earned his name.”
“You senile old fool.” Red Sky Man laughed. “How can you expect the Nehiyawak to believe such a story? I am half your age! You are a bigger liar than your grandson.” Red Sky Man continued to laugh, joined by some of his helpers. The rest of the Nehiyawak hung their heads, clearly ashamed of being fooled by the Bear clan’s wild story.
“I thought the same thing.” Painted Turtle Man was laughing now too. “But then I met an old woman there. She was ‘touched by the Spirits’ and was tending to her chores amongst the remains of her fallen villagers. She seemed to have been piling food next to them for years, as though she expected them to roll over and eat. I spoke with her and she told me an interesting tale. She said a medicine carrier had come to the village to teach their young Grey-Eye. His teachings were cruel but effective. After a time, the young boy’s eyes changed to dark brown and soon he knew only evil in his heart. The new medicine carrier had somehow taken control of the entire village, stripping the Circle of Clan Mothers of their power. When the matriarchs finally gathered some warriors to oppose this so-called medicine carrier, he called down a rain of fire and destroyed the village.”
“This still does not explain how Red Sky Man could be Dark Cloud Man,” said Talking Stone Woman.
“Tapwe,” said Painted Turtle Man. “But then she told me everyone in the village had started to grow older at an unnatural pace. I had noticed that my grandson began to gain in years when he started learning from Red Sky Man. At first I thought he was just beginning his manhood growth earlier than other boys. Then I recently noticed my former helper, Soaring Spear Man, too had gained years on his face after having served Red Sky Man for a time.”
All of the people of Nisichawayasihk looked at the eldest helper, who did seem old beyond his years.
“It seems when Dark Cloud Man is close to someone, he draws out their life energy. I remember when we captured the Red-Eye warrior—Flying Rabbit’s Boy’s attacker—he had a young face with old eyes.” Painted turtle Man ran his fingers across the crow’s feet at the edges of his own face.
Brown Shield Man shouted: “Tapwe! I took that man’s life. I will remember his face until the day I die. It seemed he had the face of a boy with the eyes of an old man.”
Others nodded in agreement. Even the Eagle twins were now looking at each other’s faces, realizing the years that had been added in the short time Red Sky Man had been with them. The Nehiyawak, including the Eagle twins, began to shuffle away from Red Sky Man.
Red Sky Man smiled and shook his head as he walked towards the middle of the village where the small centre fire was burning. “It would seem you are still just a nosey child, Brown Bear Boy!” said Red Sky Man.
“There are only a few of us left in this village who would remember Painted Turtle Man’s childhood name,” shouted Walking Moon Woman.
“So you remember his name, but you forget your own cousin?” Red Sky Man shouted back. “I once loved you and you rejected me for that fool, Rising Hawk Man. Can you remember the day I killed him?” The sky grew dark suddenly as heavy clouds rolled in at an unnatural speed. Red Sky Man was laughing a low growling laugh as he walked about the centre of the village. The people were scattering away from him as he came near. The few remaining warriors, including Brown Shield Man, had brandished their weapons.
“Fools! You are too late!” His eyes glowed red. At a wave of his hand, the centre fire exploded into the sky, creating a pillar of fire. “I have returned to claim that which is rightfully mine!”
Mothers scurried off with their children, screaming. “I will have dominion over Nisichawayasihk and control the destinies of all who live there. I am Dark Cloud Man, of the Eagle clan, son of Soaring Star Woman. I am the leader of this village by right of birth. No one will deny me that which is rightfully mine.”
A hard rain began to fall and the sky crackled with thunder and lightning. An eerie howl of coyotes came from the southwest.
“They are coming!” shouted Little Grey Bear Boy.
Brown Shield Man took his spear and hurled it at Dark Cloud Man. With the Red-Eye magic, Dark Cloud Man had created
a shield of fire around himself that deflected the spear.
“We must do something!” screamed Water Lily Woman as the people of Nisichawayasihk ran about, tripping over one another.
“The children—get them away,” yelled Little Grey Bear Boy. He began to run towards Dark Cloud Man, shaking his turtleshell rattle. Other warriors began shooting arrows and hurling spears and war axes, but none could penetrate the fire shield. Dark Cloud Man’s laugh echoed through the darkened sky.
Little Grey Bear Boy began to speak the ancient water chant. The raindrops began to swirl around his body. As he got closer and closer to Dark Cloud Man, he raised his arms and clapped in the direction of the fire shield. A great stream of water shot at Dark Cloud Man, who gasped and tried to strengthen the Red-Eye magic. He groaned loudly as the water began to weaken it. Finally, it overtook the shield, knocking him backwards.
“Ugh,” grunted Dark Cloud Man, rising to his feet. “So you were listening to my teachings after all.”
Brown Shield Man and Many Fish appeared at Little Grey Bear Boy’s side, weapons raised.
“You have betrayed the people of Nisichawayasihk,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “You will face the justice of the Circle of Clan Mothers for your misdeeds. I hope they are merciful…”
“AWAS!” Dark Cloud Man drew his buffalo horn rattle. “I don’t take orders from women. They are only slaves to me and my warriors.” His eyes glowed red. Three giant coyotes leaped out of the forest behind him, snarling and yapping. The yelling of the Red-Eye warriors could be heard behind the coyotes, approaching fast. Little Grey Bear Boy looked at his uncles, who were trying not to show their fear of the magic. He closed his eyes and shook his rattle, singing the Wolf song under his breath.
A strong vibration of the Grey-Eye magic took hold around him and he heard a deep snarling and growling on either side of him. As he opened his eyes, he saw he was now flanked not by men, but by two great wolves. Brown Shield Man howled. Many Fish joined in and the two beasts leapt at the coyotes. As they grappled, more coyotes came out of the forest while Red-Eye warrior-men ran out firing arrows and hurling spears.
Little Grey Bear Boy saw Dark Cloud Man heading back to the village, Red-Eye warriors protecting him on either side.
“Get the women,” he ordered, pointing his buffalo horn rattle at the Turtle lodge.
Little Grey Bear Boy ran after him, speaking the water chant again as the raindrops gathered in a great spiraling torrent. Dark Cloud Man noticed him just as he pushed the water with all of his force. Dark Cloud Man waved his hand, deflecting the water by speaking the same chant. The stream turned on Little Grey Bear Boy and the waters hit him hard, sending him flying into the Wolf lodge and knocking the lodge over.
Little Grey Bear Boy was dazed. All he could hear was the ringing laughter of Dark Cloud Man over the screams of women and children. He looked up to see Red-Eye warriors dragging women by the hair and clubbing old men who were trying to defend their grand-daughters.
“Are you all right?” Flying Rabbit Boy was by his side.
Before he could answer, a girl of no more than thirteen summers screamed as a Red-Eye warrior dragged her out of the Turtle lodge. Flying Rabbit Boy notched an arrow and aimed it at the Red-Eye warrior. His arm began to shake and he loosed the arrow too soon, missing the Red-Eye warrior’s face, but narrowly.
The man looked over at the two. His eyes were wide and unfocused as he raised his club and ran at them. Flying Rabbit Boy fumbled for another arrow while the Red-Eye warrior gained on them. Little Grey Bear Boy shook his rattle and sang the Mother Earth song, and a great pillar of earth shot up from under the Red-Eye’s feet, hurling him high up into the air.
“Tell everyone to make for the sundance grounds.”
“Hiy, hiy!” answered Flying Rabbit Boy, running off.
Little Grey Bear Boy got to his feet and saw the great coyotes running about the village, mauling whoever was near, mostly men and boys. He could make out embers in what used to be the firepit of the Wolf lodge. He shook his turtleshell rattle and sang the fire chant, sending flames at the Red-Eye warriors and coyotes. The attackers were rolling around in flames, but neither earth nor water would extinguish them. The smell of burning fur and flesh was filling the air.
Beside him, not far off, Painted Turtle Man fought with two Red-Eye warriors. They attacked with knife and spear while he defended with an Eagle staff. Out of instinct, Little Grey Bear Boy ran towards the old man, but by the time he was close enough to help, the old medicine carrier had bested his two younger foes with superior skill and technique.
“Moosum. Are you all right?”
“Do not worry about me. I am not afraid to die today. You must help the defenceless ones with all you have.”
“Tapwe, Moosum!”
“Find Water Lily Woman. The Grey-Eye magic might be stronger if you stay together!” Without another word, Painted Turtle Man ran over to the Marten lodge to assist the old matriarch, who had been knocked over by a Red-Eyed coyote and was bleeding from her cheek.
Little Grey Bear Boy ran back to the Bear lodge. All the hides had been torn off the poles. Water Lily Woman was using them as a floating shield to keep the Red-Eye warriors back. Five of them were pushing hard against her magic and cutting up the hides with their knives.
Little Grey Bear Boy shook his turtleshell rattle and sang the Mother Earth song as he ran towards the Red-Eyes. The earth moved around him, rumbling up into two great balls of dirt and rock that gouged the ground. With a wave of his arms, he sent the great mounds of earth rolling towards the men. The wet dirt and mud rolled over the warriors, hurling them into the forest, knocking over all the trees in their path.
“Get to the sundance grounds,” Little Grey Bear Boy shouted. “Come with me, Water Lily!” She took his hand and they ran back towards the centre of the village.
“Stand and fight!” screamed Dark Cloud Man as Red-Eye warriors began running away. Still many rallied around him. Little Grey Bear Boy saw his cousin fighting with a Red-Eye warrior. He ran over to help and saw it was Yellow Hawk Girl they were fighting over.
“Get away from my sister,” yelled Little Grey Bear Boy as he slammed his body against the Red-Eye warrior, knocking him back. The man got back up to his feet and picked up a spear sticking out of the ground nearby. He smiled and thrust the spear at the young people defending the little girl. He was joined by two of his fellow warriors, both brandishing spears of their own.
“You will not harm my children,” came a deep voice that startled even Little Grey Bear Boy. He looked behind him to see the tall muscular figure of Blue Elk Man.
“Father!”
“Get behind me!”
“I can help you, father!”
“Do so with your magic!” replied Blue Elk Man as he unraveled his rope and brandished his stake.
The three Red-Eyes had formed a line, each trying not to be the one in front. Blue Elk Man walked towards them and drove his wooden stake deep into the earth.
“I am Blue Elk Man of the Marten clan,” he announced to his enemies. “I am a warrior of the Dog Soldier Society. I will stand my ground even if it should cost me my life.”
The Red-Eye warriors all looked at each other. They knew this meant he was not allowed to kill. They came forward with their weapons, confident now. Little Grey Bear Boy began to shake his rattle but could not find a song to sing. He was too worried about his father to put the right words together. He began to panic as the three warriors set upon his father.
Blue Elk Man was a skilled and determined warrior with no fear in his heart. He easily bested the first man, breaking his jaw with a swipe of his spear. The second man dove at Blue Elk Man with a knife, stabbing wildly. Blue Elk Man side-stepped the sloppy attack and tripped the Red-Eye with his rope, flipping him over. He then plunged his spear right through the Red-Eye warrior’s thigh.
The third Red-Eye warrior was not as brave or foolish and he stayed out of reach. He called for re-enforcements and soon other Red-Eye warriors and two great coyotes joined him. The Red-Eye army was forming up to attack Blue Elk Man. The attackers wore the clothing of different nations. It seemed the only thing they had in common was the red paint streaming down their faces in the hard rain.
For some reason their appearance made Little Grey Bear Boy think of the Windigo-con song from the sundance. He shook his turtle shell rattle and began to sing. Water Lily Woman joined in, creating a strong vibration as the double power of the Grey-Eye magic took hold.
As they chanted, Blue Elk Man transformed into a great Windigo. He looked like a grizzly bear or sasquatch, but with great elk antlers sticking out of his head. He had four great and powerful arms and his roar shook Mother Earth. The coyotes snarled and leaped at him. The Red-Eye men fired arrows and threw spears. Blue Elk Man the Windigo swatted the coyotes out of the air with his great long arms and deflected arrows and spears with his mighty antlers.
Two great wolves, one of which was missing a leg, attacked the Red-Eye army from the rear. The Windigo beast threw the coyotes and men off, and the wolves attacked. Those who were able began to flee.
A weak scream arose from the edge of the village. Little Grey Bear Boy grabbed Water Lily Woman by the hand and pulled her away from the battle.
“What about your father and uncles?”
“They are fine by themselves,” he answered. “We must find Dark Cloud Man and end this.”
They found old Walking Moon Woman yelling at Dark Cloud Man outside the Bear lodge. “Awas! Leave them alone. They are your relations.” She pulled on his shoulder as he threw a girl to his warriors.
“Now they are my slaves,” he replied, shrugging off her hold. “You will forever regret not choosing me when you had the chance.” He pushed her hard with both hands, sending her sprawling to the wet ground.
“I only regret not allowing my husband to kill you when we were young,” she said through clenched teeth.