by James Hadman
The fair wind we were waiting for with a bonus of mild weather finally arrived with the waxing Halibut Moon. That was the opportunity I had been waiting for. It was time to head for Kasaan and start my mission of warning the people about the whiteface threat.
I was concerned about leaving Sky Shaker alone, but she scoffed at me and insisted that not only could she take care of herself she’d have Arrow and her family to keep her company.
Mother decided she wanted to return to Klawak in time for the herring spawning and to continue planning the potlatch to honour Father. Sky Shaker gave her a canoe and recruited paddlers to take her home. Sea Beaver provided me with eight husky young paddlers as he had promised.
May 6, 1778: Mother and I departed from Howkan on the same morning, but headed in opposite directions.
My big canoe had more than enough room for the paddlers, my helpers and me along with my shaman’s boxes. A separate box held presents, including two fine dance masks and a feast bowl in the shape of a crouching bear. When my lightly loaded canoe caught a fair breeze, I set the wind-wing and we fairly flew past the rugged coast. We rounded the grim headland I had been warned about in late afternoon and found a pleasant campsite to spend the night on its far side.
Watching the fond, but discreet interaction between Killer Whale Rider and Pearl Shell Woman tore at me, but I reminded myself–I had made my decision to become a shaman and couldn’t allow a silly thing like an affair of the heart to stand in the way.
May 7, 1778: After an uneventful night, we headed out in the morning. One of the paddlers who had been to Kasaan before assured me we would arrive there before dark. Late that afternoon, just as he promised, we coasted in toward the beach in front of a large village. Killer Whale Rider stood in the bow and scattered eagle down in a sign of peace. Their yitsati welcomed us ashore and the man I had come to see was easy to recognize. Skull Breaker towered over the yitsati and every other man on the beach. He was huge, the biggest man I had ever seen. Both men had welcoming smiles and within minutes we were all settled comfortably in a vacant house at the far end of the village. My assistants and I were invited to a welcoming feast but not my paddlers. Killer Whale Rider was nervous about being separated from them that evening, but I wasn’t concerned. We had come in peace.
After dark, a young warrior came for us and lighted our way to an immense house at the far end of the village where we were welcomed with all honours. I was seated between the yitsati and Skull Breaker. I needed to deliver my message to Skull Breaker in private where I would have his undivided attention and I couldn’t see how this occasion would permit that. I would just have to be patient and wait for an opportunity.
“We have never had a female shaman visit Kasaan before,” Skull Breaker said in his low rumbling voice as he leaned against me. He was sweating and wiped his brow repeatedly. I thought this was peculiar as the temperature in the house was comfortable.
“I hope I’m not a disappointment,” I said and both men laughed.
“I’m never disappointed when I meet an attractive woman like you,” Skull Breaker said, patting my shoulder. “Did you know that I met your father once?”
“I remember when he went to visit you,” I said.
“He and the yitsati from Howkan came here to talk about some raiding I had been doing to get slaves. I agreed not to raid their villages in exchange for a few gifts. Your father’s generosity persuaded me to focus my raids elsewhere.”
“He was pleased that you promised not to raid Howkan and Klawak and I am pleased that you haven’t raided those villages to this day.” I didn’t mention that Father had been furious when he returned from Kasaan saying that he had been blackmailed by Skull Breaker into giving him a huge amount of iron. He said he had paid a high price for peace, but if it worked, it was worth it.
Skull Breaker slapped his muscular thigh. “Hah, when I give my word, I keep it.”
The feast seemed to go on forever. I was trapped between those two sweaty men and becoming uncomfortably hot. Sitting next to Skull Breaker was like sitting too close to a fire. He continued sweating all through the evening. What was worse, I became aware that his meaty paw was touching my bottom. The first time or two I felt it, I pushed it away, but it kept coming back. I needed to deliver my message, so I decided to ignore it.
“We have heard that you are an accomplished dancer,” the yitsati said.
“I’d like to see you perform,” Skull Breaker said.
They looked so expectant I could see risk in not dancing for them. I wanted to succeed in delivering my message and Sky Shaker had told me to use any means necessary to accomplish that. I was also glad to have an excuse to escape from the sweaty bodies pressed against me. I sent Killer Whale Rider for my shaman’s box. When he returned, Pearl Shell Woman and I retreated behind the screen where she helped me change into the killer whale costume.
I performed the dance that had pleased my audiences in the past and this time was no different. By the time the dance ended, all the people were stamping and clapping. Skull Breaker was making me increasingly uneasy by openly leering at me during my performance. I desperately wanted this evening to be over, but I also needed to deliver my warning. After I resumed my seat, I decided to create an opportunity to do that.
“Honored Skull Breaker,” I said. “I have come to Kasaan to deliver a message about a looming threat to our people, but it is for your ears alone.” He quickly stood and extended his hand to help me to my feet. I glanced at my assistants who looked concerned, but I smiled at them and turned to follow Skull Breaker.
“Come with me” he said. “We’ll go to my house where it’s quiet and you can explain it all to me.” He had added panting to his sweating, but he still pulled me to my feet like I was a child. We left the feast and walked the short distance to his house. The entrance was through the mouth of the Sea Grizzly, a fierce totem animal that was fitting for this man. Skull Breaker led the way down to his smoldering fire pit and after throwing wood on the fire gestured for me to sit. The fire flared brightly and I was stunned to see feast bowls, masks and boxes piled high. Dance robes were everywhere, draped over screens and many of the piles. His house was crammed full. I wondered if all this was loot from his raids. I looked around as I sat down hoping to see someone else, but here was no one here but us. I was nervous about being alone with Skull Breaker, but I was a shaman and had a message to deliver.
“How do you like my art collection?” he asked as he plunked down beside me.
“It’s very impressive,” I said and then he confirmed my suspicions that he had stolen these things.
He laughed and said, “Many people have donated these treasures they will no longer need and their generosity has made me a wealthy man.” I was feeling sick listening to this monster brag about killing and stealing. I was close to giving up on recruiting him to help me when he said, “Now tell me all about this terrible threat, pretty shaman girl.” I began to explain about the whitefaces and the danger they posed, but he dismissed my warning with a wave of his hand.
“I have killed many people, many warriors, and these whitefaces will be no different,” he said, putting an arm around my waist. I tried again by describing their powerful weapons, but he just laughed and put a hand on my knee.
“I’ll show you a powerful weapon,” he said, pushing me flat on the floor. I tried to reach the knife around my neck, but the brute was unbelievably strong. I had wrestled with my brothers, so I knew how much stronger men were and how to defend myself, but Skull Breaker was an irresistible force. He was panting and blinking his eyes as he climbed on me and forced my legs apart. I tried to bite and claw him, but when one massive hand closed around my throat I quit struggling.
“Hold still or I’ll kill you,” he said. “You are about to enjoy my powerful weapon.”
His sweat was dripping on my face and his massive body was crushing me. Then I felt excruciating
pain as he thrust into me. I must have fainted and I have no idea how long it was before I regained my senses. When I did, I was aware Skull Breaker was still on me, but he was no longer choking me. Now he was the one gasping for breath. I managed to push his bulk off my hips and he rolled onto his back.
This was my chance to kill him and I pulled out my knife. I was going to stab him or cut his throat before he could recover and attack me again. I knew a female mink would sometimes kill the male after mating, and what he had just done to me made killing him seem like an excellent idea.
Then I realized Skull Breaker wasn’t trying to grab me again. In fact, he was barely moving at all. I got to my feet and looked down at him. Something was terribly wrong with the brute. He was looking back at me and one of his eyes was wide with panic, but the other was half-closed. His entire face was distorted, sagging on one side. He was trying to speak, but only guttural sounds came from his mouth.
He reached his powerful left arm toward me as if he wanted me to help him rise. I stepped back out of reach and could see that his right arm was useless. The leg on that side was also limp. His good arm fell back and his open eye stared up at me. The monster was helpless.
I had heard of people being afflicted like this, but I had never seen it in person. What could have happened to this animal? He had overpowered and forced me, and now he was a ruined man. Had my spirits come to my rescue? I didn’t know, but that was the best explanation I could come up with. It occurred to me that I wouldn’t need to have his blood on my hands. My spirits had already done him in for me.
I stood over him brandishing my knife. His good eye rolled, following every movement of my shiny blade. The vile creature was afraid and that pleased me. I considered cutting off his ‘powerful weapon’ and stuffing it in his mouth but rejected that. Doing that to him would likely kill him and I wanted him to live a long and miserable life.
Then I did what I should have done when he first attacked me. As loud as I could, I screamed, over and over again, pausing only long enough between screams to kick him between his legs. He couldn’t talk, but he did a fine job of adding his screams to mine. I put my knife away, kicked him again, and stepped back from the stench as he fouled himself.
Villagers poured through the door and surrounded Skull Breaker and me. Killer Whale Rider elbowed through the crowd with Pearl Shell Woman behind him. Without a word, he picked up my cloak and covered my nakedness. Pearl Shell Woman put an arm around me to try and calm me. I wasn’t ready to be calmed. I was furious.
“Look at your war chief, your mighty warrior,” I shouted, pointing down at Skull Breaker who was moaning and foaming at the mouth. The stunned villagers stared at the naked, wrecked man sprawled on the floor in his own crap and not one of them said a word.
“That animal attacked me and I took my revenge. I summoned my spirits and they destroyed him. If any of you dares to harm a single one of my people, this same fate will befall him.”
I let Killer Whale Rider take my arm and lead me through the ominously silent crowd with Pearl Shell Woman following. As I passed by him, I turned and spat on Skull Breaker. Then the three of us left that accursed house.
Chapter Nine
When we were outside, Killer Whale Rider said, “We have to get you out of here. This is a dangerous situation. Who knows what these people will do next? Pearl Shell Woman, take our shaman back to our quarters where the paddlers can protect her. While you’re doing that, I’ll go back to the yitsati’s house and retrieve our shaman’s box. With all the villagers packed into Skull Breaker’s house, that’ll be easy.”
“Hurry up,” Pearl Shell Woman said. “Those people are only wailing now, but they’ll soon be coming after us.”
Killer Whale Rider took off running. Then Pearl Shell Woman took my arm to steady me and we walked down the beach to where we were staying.
When we arrived, the paddlers were gathered by the fire gambling and eating. When they looked at us, one man asked, “What happened?”
Pearl Shell Woman didn’t pause. She merely looked over her shoulder and said, “Big trouble. Killer Whale Rider will tell you about it. I have to tend to our shaman.” She took me into her sleeping area and washed the blood and semen from my legs.
I was shaking from shock and fury and totally exhausted. She wrapped me in a warm cloak and said, “You lay down and try to rest while I get us ready to leave. When Killer Whale Rider gets back with our things, I’ll wake you.”
I must have dozed because it seemed that she returned only moments later. She wakened me gently and gave me a cup of tea.
“Not only did he get our shaman’s box,” she said. “He also got the masks and the feast bowl we brought along to give to them. He has told the paddlers what happened and they are standing guard outside. Give me your hand and I’ll help you up.” When I stood, I realized I was very sore, but I could walk.
“Killer Whale Rider says we must leave now. He says he can hear shouting, and he sees people with torches moving around down by the yitsati’s house.”
May 8, 1778: It was dark when I followed her outside into a windy and wet morning. Paddlers armed with spears, axes and knives immediately surrounded me. They escorted me down to the water’s edge where my loaded canoe was ready to shove off. Pearl Shell Woman helped me climb aboard and I wasted no time settling down under a warm cloak in my usual place in the stern.
“Will you be able to steer the canoe?” she asked.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be just fine,” I said, picking up my steering paddle.
After making sure everyone was aboard, Killer Whale Rider said, “I have one more thing to do.” He ran back into the house we had just left and stayed for a few moments. As soon as he returned and climbed into the canoe, we shoved off.
The torches at the far end of the village were moving quickly toward us, so I wasted no time in setting the wind-wing. The canoe leaped forward and we sped down the wind past the village of Kasaan. Firelight, much brighter than a few torches might cast, reflected on the low clouds behind us.
“I left them a little present to remember us by,” Killer Whale Rider said, pointing back at the village. Flames were erupting from the roof of the house we had been staying in. “The wind is blowing that fire right toward the rest of the village and they’ll be too busy fighting to save the rest of their houses to chase us.”
Even without Killer Whale Rider’s timely act of arson, my canoe was so fast I was sure we had enough of a head start to avoid having to deal with the Kasaan savages. I didn’t plan to stop until we were safely back in Howkan.
May 9, 1778: After sailing all that day and into the night, we fought our way around the dangerous cape just after dawn the next morning. The wind was still blowing and it was rough. Steep seas broke aboard several times and as the paddlers bailed, I was thankful we were so lightly loaded. This ill-fated trip, like others I had taken, consisted of long periods of boredom punctuated by intervals of terror. After we escaped from the tide rips off the cape, we had a fair wind and flew along the coast.
I had ample time to reflect on the unfortunate outcome of my attempt to warn the people of the danger they faced. Not only had I failed to give them my message, I had destroyed one of the most fearsome warriors in the land. Without his bloodthirsty talents, the future of my quest looked bleak.
For a moment or two, I almost regretted doing him in, but then the memory of how he had overpowered me and forced himself on me returned in a rush. That monster had violated me! I had no regrets about turning him into a slug. I hoped he would live a long time to savour my revenge.
After this shocking failure, I found myself wondering if the life of a shaman was right for me. In spite of having powerful spirits at my command, my first attempt to deliver Father’s message had gone terribly awry. I would need to sit down with Sky Shaker and talk about my future when I got back.
We sailed all that day and it
was dark when we landed on the beach at Howkan. The full Berries Blooming Moon was so bright I could see my shadow as I made my way to Sky Shaker’s house.
As soon as I entered, Lina came running toward me shouting and crying. “Come quick, Shaman. My poor Sky Shaker is in a bad way.”
I threw off my cloak and followed her to Sky Shaker’s sleeping place. When I saw her, I was stunned. She was curled into a ball and mouthing unintelligible words.
“What’s happened to her?”
“I don’t know. This morning, when I took her willow bark tea, I found her like this. The only change is when she has a fit.” To confirm what Lina had just told me, Sky Shaker moaned. Then she began shaking and howling. I was shocked. Had an evil spirit possessed my aunt?
“Has she said anything you could understand?”
“Not much. She has shouted, ‘Bear Claw,’ several times, but nothing else I could make out.” That wasn’t much of a clue, but it was a place to start. My assistants were standing behind me and they both looked as worried as I felt.
“Get a torch, Killer Whale Rider. We’re going to pay Bear Claw a visit.” Remembering his uncomfortable reaction to Kushdaka, I took her along. Keeping Bear Claw nervous about the otter could work to my advantage.
We walked down the beach and entered his house. I stood just inside the entrance and shattered the silence.
“Bear Claw,” I shouted as loudly as I could. “I need to talk to you. Now!” A few moments later he appeared from the shadows and replied.
“Is that you, Abraham’s Copper Spirit?”
“Of course it’s me. What have you done to my aunt?”
“My spirits told me you were coming,” he said, approaching me, “but they didn’t inform me that it would be in the middle of the night.” He recoiled as he realized I was holding Kushdaka.