Chapter IX
Flight
Humming Bird and Grey Wolf followed Kree of the Longfoot as he disappeared into the Green Wood. They had passed three sunrises since leaving the Valley of the Stone People pausing merely to rest and eat, spurring their horses forward, they jumped over fallen logs or rushed round deep thickets while being led by the giant strides of Kree who made sure their pace did not slacken. Kree was taking them via paths never before trod by humankind, secret ways that only the Longfoot knew. As they went he would often stop to taste the air until he felt the way was clear - there were things afoot in the Green Wood that gave it an unnatural breath and he knew that the Wendigo were out hunting like packs of ravenous wolves. At every snapped twig he would halt to see if anything had been alerted to their presence. And so it was that they moved hungrily between the trees, deeper into the gloom they went until Kree came to an abrupt stop; something strange had caught his attention. Ahead of them could be heard a scuffled rasping shuffling as though something were digging. Both Humming Bird and Grey Wolf dismounted and cautiously stood by Kree’s side. He gave a grunt, bent down, and with one of his long hardened fingers drew a picture of a Wendigo in the ground, then pointed in the direction where he sensed the creature was. Grey Wolf silently took down his bow and attached an arrow to it. He signalled for Kree and Humming Bird to remain where they were and slowly moved off.
He crept forward, stepping lightly between the trees, guided by the sounds ahead of him, stopping when something unknown was heard, and continuing on when it was safe to do so. Up ahead, as he peered through the trees he saw a Longfoot settlement and there at its heart, the Wendigo. He crouched down watching them; appalled at the site in front of him. Two Wendigo were holding down a Longfoot while a third held its head in its hands. The Longfoot writhed in agony as some liquid was poured into its open mouth, and suddenly an unnatural change came over it. Its body frantically contorted, as if it struggled with itself, the creatures eyes became veiled, its teeth elongated, as its mouth foamed uncontrollably. Grey Wolf had seen enough. He turned to make his way back when there was a sudden commotion in the settlement. He instinctively looked back, his heart pounding. There in front of him to his utter horror were being dragged Humming Bird and Kree. They had been discovered. Things were now grim, thought Grey Wolf through clenched teeth; what foolishness was it that had got them taken by the enemy? It was all he could do to control his simmering anger from exploding so loudly that he would have surely woken the mountains that slept well beyond the forest. He needed to get to a better vantage point before they were both turned to Wendigo. As he moved round he could see one of the Wendigo approach Humming Bird and begin speaking to her. He used the common tongue of the Shadow people; it was barely understandable but good enough to get the gist of what was being said. The Wendigo needed to know where others of her kin and the Longfoot were hiding, they especially wanted to hear if she knew whether there were any among her people who might have special gifts such as foresight or strength. He informed her he had once been of the Seneca but had been offered this great gift from the Manitou called Haldrago. He was willing to offer Humming Bird and Kree the same gift. Humming Bird looked at him, vigorously shaking her head, he had been lied to and he had believed the lie. Grey Wolf had by now circled round. There were now seven Wendigo altogether including the one that had recently been a Longfoot. He knew their hides were hard like the bark of trees, difficult to penetrate with his arrows. How then was he to free his companions? There was only one thing to do - wait for dusk and then strike. Unfortunately for him the lead Wendigo who had once been of the Reed Longfoot Clan was not willing to be so accommodating, he needed answers and quickly so that they could be on there way. He turned to Kree and speaking in his language offered to turn him into a Wendigo. Kree merely spat on the ground in disgust. The Wendigo grunted and gestured for the others to hold Kree down, they duly obliged, pushing him to the floor. They were again going to perform what they referred to as the holy rite of Conversion.
As he placed his hands on Kree, Grey Wolf knew he had to act. He stepped forward beyond the trees, his bow taut and ready to fire. The Wendigo looked up and on seeing him was about to call out, when an arrow flew straight into its mouth cutting its voice off; the creature slumped to the floor dead. The other Wendigo turned to face Grey Wolf with a roar. Kree, realising that the Wendigo that were holding him had loosened their grip, struggled free and taking hold of them he smashed their heads together with such force that they practically shattered. Another Wendigo turned on Humming Bird to find her dagger through its throat. Grey Wolf shot another through the eye; it screeched and fell lifeless to the floor. The ones left turned and fled into the forest.
The three watched as the Wendigo disappeared from sight. Kree gestured for them to follow him as he moved off in the opposite direction. They were quickly beneath the cover of the trees and this time they would be less careless. Their horses may have been lost but they were still fleet footed enough to maintain the steady pace that Kree set. Indeed now they were on foot Kree was taking them along a different path which meant they would not lose as much time as would have been expected without horses. Now they realised how important their mission to warn the other people’s had become, they would not stop to rest unless absolutely necessary. The Wendigo would give warning of their escape, which meant that the chase was truly on. The three of them rapidly darted between the trees. For such a large creature Kree moved tirelessly with the natural ease of a forest dweller. They stopped only for brief moments when Kree would bring them to a standstill and listen to the trees; he would point to a root, berry or mushroom and gesture for them to eat. Kree would often sniff the air and once satisfied that the direction they were going in was safe would lead them away. Soon a gloomy darkness crept over them. Grey Wolf could see that Humming Bird needed rest, also he was becoming uneasy that they had not escaped the confines of the trees. Kree sensed that his companions were tired and gestured for them to stop. It was obvious that they were not as hardy as the Longfoot and would need a short respite. Motioning to Grey Wolf Kree came to an abrupt stop. Grey Wolf got his bow and began to scratch out a picture. Kree rubbed out his depiction and in its stead he drew the sun as it rose over the horizon. He then stood upright like a statue as the darkness settled around them. Completely motionless he stared ahead, his eyes unflinching; it was as if he was asleep and yet Grey Wolf had a feeling that he was alert to the slightest danger. Humming Bird, realising that they were at last to rest, sat back against a tree while Grey Wolf crouched down next to her.
“I believe,” his whispered tones broke the murmurings that commanded the forest, “it will not be long before we are free of this place.”
“Yes,” replied Humming Bird, “but will we be free of the Wendigo?”
Grey Wolf gave out a long sigh - he knew Humming Bird was right, being free of the forest did not mean being free of the Wendigo. He took out some berries and nuts and passed them to his companion.
“And what of the Sky People?” continued Humming Bird grimly shaking her head and staring into the distance. “If they are lost - all maybe lost.”
“Something else fills you with unease, what’s wrong?” asked a concerned Grey Wolf.
“I lost my husband to Great Spirit and knew that that was the way of things, but now should I lose him to the enemies of Great Spirit, that would be twice the grief.”
Grey Wolf smiled softly, the first smile drawn on his face in an age, “I do not doubt that there was a special purpose for Great Spirit to choose you to be the companion of one of the Sky People, because of your gifts as a Shaman, a healer and much more.”
“Yes I understand that also, and even if it was only for a brief time, I had a lifetime of love with him, but that now is a long time past. When I am now in his company I feel empty, I feel sorrow, desperate almost for the past that was lost. He is more a stranger to me now. The man who held me tight, who loved me and cared for me, is no more.”
“I am a Shaman; my duty is to Great Spirit, my nation, and the first people, it’s just….”
“It’s just you still love a man who has the heightened spirit of one of the Sky People.”
“I was with child.”
“What!” cried Grey Wolf shocked by such a revelation, “What do you mean was?”
“I am a Shaman, I knew the right berries to take and now there will be no baby. I felt at the time it was the only choice available to me especially with the storm that was about to break.”
“You have sacrificed much indeed.”
“I think we have all sacrificed much, so that we can be free of the Shadow people.”
“Yes, I know you are right, but it does seem that this war like all wars affects even the lives of our unborn; let us hope things change when we reach the Dakota; up till now there’s only been ill tidings,” replied Grey Wolf. “You sleep, Humming Bird. I will remain awake to give warning should anything untoward occur.”
As the dark deepened Humming Bird’s breathing became shallow and finally her head too sagged as she was lost to the world. Grey Wolf sat motionless, resting against the tree. He stared up at the interwoven branches that embraced each other in the breeze appearing as though they were writhing snakes. Grey Wolf tried to see past these unwholesome limbs to the stars above. Rising slowly in the dead of night he slowly began to climb, looking for every small crook and cranny in the bark, before reaching out and taking hold of each branch in turn to climb up to the next. He then methodically began to move from bough to bough until he reached the highest point he could; resting a moment, back against the hard trunk of the tree, he looked out at the myriad number of stars that shone like rebel fires in the night sky. He sat there and was touched by a gentle breeze that he had not felt in the depths below. His mind wondered to his people and what was to become of them: would he ever know his old hunting grounds again or were they, like his people, lost? His wearied mind began to float and dream of wild wolves and nightmarish Wendigo before he collapsed into a deep sleep.
The sun began to rise and it was as though the world were anew. Echoes of woodland life spoke as the sky suddenly came to life. The dark vale that had so afflicted it was slowly forced back. As the light grew in strength, in the distance there could be heard a shrill, heart wrenching cry. Grey Wolf suddenly came alert as he felt a cold chill run down his spine. The sound was terrible to hear, ominous, foreboding, a testament of things to come. Something untoward was occurring far off in the depths of the forest. Quickly he descended to the forest floor where Humming Bird and Kree had been waiting for him. As he landed on the ground Kree gave a grunt and motioned for him to pick up his bow, which was still leaning up against the tree.
“Did you hear that strange sound?” asked Grey Wolf hesitantly.
“Yes, it woke both me and Kree from our slumber.” replied Humming Bird.
They hurriedly ate before setting off. Keeping to the pace set by the Longfoot they raced between the trees. The gloom was rapidly turning to filtered shafts of haloed light. It was only as the sun reached its height and they had passed many a bough and brush when finally one of them ventured to speak.
“When do you believe we will leave the Forest?” asked Grey Wolf.
“Soon” replied Humming Bird, “but that should not be what concerns us.”
“You mean,” said Grey Wolf quietly, “the Wendigo. It is surprising that they have yet to catch up with us.”
“It is,” replied Humming Bird, “more than surprising.”
She barely broke stride as she leapt over a large protruding moss covered boulder. There was a brooding silence about the forest. An uneasy feeling as though a storm were about to break or had broken. They all felt the forest was somehow troubled, which made their hearts pound all the more. Its disturbing, threatening mood was very real. Grey Wolf had sensed that ominous temper before, when his village had been destroyed. Kree’s head kept turning from side to side, alert to any danger that might present itself. At times he would lead them off a straighter track only to return to it later.
“If we keep to this path, we should leave the Forest soon,” said Humming Bird.
“Yes,” replied Grey Wolf, “let us hope, though, that the Forest is willing to let us go. Something bad has happened - I feel it. The Manitou are loose. I’m sure Kree understands this too. If he could speak our language he would warn us to take care.”
“He does speak a language we understand,” said Humming Bird. “You unfortunately have not listened properly to what has been said. When we earlier left the path it was because he sensed some danger ahead of us. And every time you saw his head move from side to side and saw him sniff the air it was to make sure we had not been spied by the enemy. For such a great scout as yourself I would have expected you to have read the signs better.”
Grey Wolf looked at Humming Bird uncomfortably. He had known exactly what those movements of Kree had meant.
“Humming Bird, the trees are beginning to thin out; we must be approaching the edge of the forest,” whispered Grey Wolf.
At last they were breaking free of the confines of the choking wood pile that had held them captive. Kree once more suddenly halted and turning to Grey Wolf gave out a grunt indicating that he should go forward. Grey Wolf crept warily on until he could look beyond the trees and out onto the open plain. The sun was once more dipping low toward the horizon; he quickly realised how long they had been travelling for. But now that he looked out that was not his main concern. He shook his head in disbelief at the sight in front of him. Stretched out on the grasslands were tepee after tepee belonging to the shadow people; and worse still, at the edge of the encampment, tall Viking guards walked with swords at their sides and fierce aspects to their weathered faces. No wonder, thought Grey Wolf, that the Wendigo had not caught up to them, they must have assumed that the prairie was impassable; which also meant that Lothos was on the march to the Ute. Grey Wolf gazed intently at the sight before him and quietly sunk back into the gloom, he would have to tell the others the only thing for it was to wait till the sun had set and then make their escape toward the Dakota; and to succeed at such a feat would require the cunning of a coyote.
As Grey Wolf crouched down next to Kree he picked up a long twig and began to scratch out a plan.
“We must wait till nightfall,” whispered Grey Wolf, “when the sun fails we shall slip past the big village.”
“When you say big,” asked Humming Bird, “How big?”
Pausing a moment Grey Wolf looked up “The tepees stretch as far as the eye can see.”
“What!” replied Humming Bird, “and we are meant to simply just creep past them unnoticed?”
“Yes.”
“And Kree, he doesn’t look like he could creep past anything secretly.”
Grey Wolf thought a moment, “He will have to remain behind, from here on, it’s just us.”
Kree seemed to understand and gave out a gruff growl.
“Kree,” said Grey Wolf who began once more to scratch something on the dead earth, “I know you are our guide and Chey said to lead us by paths unknown to the Dakota and Hopi but things have now changed; you must return to your clan, and tell Michael and Gabriel that the shadow people are on the march. This is very important, they must know what is going on, do you understand?”
Kree let out a rasping moan and with a swift movement that belied his size he turned and was gone.
“Do you think” asked Humming Bird, “he understood?”
“Yes,” replied Grey Wolf thoughtfully, “he understands more than we know.”
The two now settled as the gloom turned dark. The leaves above their heads rustled softly as if trying to calm their frayed nerves. When time came for them to move the suffocating air would not let them breathe; the stillness of the forest grasped at their bodies, unwilling to let them be free of their wooded cage.
They stole
out under cover of night and slowly made their way warily past tepee after tepee making sure not to be spied by any guard or sentry. Their passage appeared unnoticed for the most part except for a dog, who trotted gently over to them, sniffed them up and down and finding them unremarkable and not out of place, immediately rolled over and tried to encourage them to play. When they did not oblige the dog simply lay back, stared at them oddly, yawned sullenly and went back to the very important business of resting.
The two moved off; careful not to arouse any suspicions. They were like ghosts, shadows among the shadow people. The crystal hours past slowly and were ready to fade as they reached the far end of the encampment, then looking furtively around to make sure no one was aware of their presence they raced quietly into the night and were lost to the dark.
“If we are to get to the Dakota,” whispered Grey Wolf, “we must follow the long grasses until we get to the Missouri. From there we drive toward the Black Hills.”
“And while we are on our way north,” replied Humming Bird, “they will be on their way west.”
“At least,” said Grey Wolf, “their eye is westward rather than north. We will not be seen.”
“And for good reason,” replied Humming Bird, “what they seek is not in the north. It is with the Ute.”
“Then we had better make haste,” said Grey Wolf sighing deeply, “the sky people are not the only ones with much to lose should they fail.”
The two fled across the open plain, lush dewy grasses calming their tired feet as they went. Behind them glowing fires stretched out across the prairie. But those were not welcoming homely flames but ones with a menacing purpose to them. All too soon the veil of night lifted. Grey Wolf turned for the first time to look back and in the distance could only be seen wisps of smoke. He nodded to himself; at least they had now moved beyond the eye of the enemy. Ahead of them in the distance could be seen uplands, and beyond that the Missouri, and after that lay the Dakota.
Grey Wolf slowed a moment.
“What’s wrong?” asked Humming Bird.
“The airs wrong to me,” replied Grey Wolf. “I do not believe we have escaped unnoticed. There is some new danger afoot that I do not know, but I feel it.”
“But we were not seen,” replied Humming Bird.
“Were we not,” said Grey Wolf, “and what of the dog?”
“Yes but how…” Humming Bird’s voice trailed off as she remembered how Gabriel and Michael had communicated with the woodland creatures.
Grey Wolf turned to her and smiled grimly - they had made the mistake of letting the dog live.
“Come,” Grey Wolf eyed the uplands suspiciously, “there’s nothing we can do about that now, let us see what waits for us.”
They raced across glistening grasses that shone at the slightest touch of the sun.
Soon their flight took them over hill, across vale and upland until finally there in front of them the Missouri river rushed. It was at first difficult to see where they could cross, but some distance away they saw a bridge between the two banks: a large tree had fallen or been hauled across to the other side, they approached it cautiously. Tall reeds smacked against its thick trunk. It did appear that they were free from the shadow of the Shadow People, so with great excitement they stepped forward, but as they did so out of the bulrushes leapt the greatest wolf ever to walk the prairie. It stood preventing their crossing, and its eyes flashed with a fiery light. The creature howled, freezing their spines, as though it was in tortuous agony. Its fur bristled contemptuously and was so black that it looked like a fearful spirit indeed, not surely of the earth.
“Long tooth,” gasped Grey Wolf, immediately placing an arrow to his bow.
“What now?” cried Humming Bird who instinctively jumped back.
The Wolf howled once more as if tormented; its front legs thumped hard down on the tree hurling wooden splinters at them, then it braced itself as if ready to pounce.
Valour of the Spirit People Page 13