Beginning at the End (Moon Child Trilogy: Book One)

by Sandra Lang

  * * *

  During the time of the Great Hunt, the tribe prepares for their return. We never know when our tribesmen will return or if they will return successful. So in the meantime we can only prepare. Moving crates, boning knives, preparing canoes to help move the whale into the bay, everything we will need to carve the whale in the best manner possible. After the first quarter cycle has gone by, everything has been set up for the return of the warriors. Now all that is left to do is wait for them. Tribe life continues on as if the warriors were here.

  I walk through the village toward the path that would lead me to Natoak’s hut when I spot Reven sitting with the boys from Tall Grass. I frown at all of them and make my way to them.

  “Should you boys be off working?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest with a scowl.

  “Move along, Akari,” the leader of the group, Darik says, getting to his feet.

  “Reven, you need to get home and get back to work.”

  Reven looks at me then over at Darik who shakes his head. Reven sinks further into the grass he is sitting on and slumps his shoulders. Darik has a smirk of satisfaction on his face when he looks up at me.

  I frown and look at my cousin. “Your mother needs you at home, Reven.”

  “He is not going anywhere, Akari. Move along.” Darik stands to his full height. He is a couple inches taller than I am but he is still younger and I hold all the power here.

  “Sit down, Darik. This is none of your concern,” I warn. “Reven, this is the last time I am going to tell you. Go home.”

  Darik looks down on me and glares. “He is staying here.”

  “Was I talking to you?” I say, narrowing my eyes at the boy. “Sit down before we have a problem.” I look back down at my cousin. “Go home, Reven. Or Granny will drag you home by the ear.” I turn on my heel and then continue on my way to Natoak’s hut.

  As always, Natoak has a cup of tea ready for me when I enter the hut.

  “Good day, Akari,” he says, handing me the cup.

  “Having a good day, I hope?” I say before taking a sip.

  “As always. Do you feel that?” he says, looking out the open door flap.

  “Feel what?”

  He smiles at me. “There is a change in the wind. Good things are coming to us.”

  I want to ask him about it, but he would not tell me if I did. Instead, I say, “I have been having dreams of wolves.”

  “And what happens in these dreams, Akari?”

  “I am walking through the forest to the Sacred Glade. In the Glade, there are wolves sitting around the stones. One looks at me and just stares at me.”

  “Are you familiar with Spirit Guides?”

  I shake my head and wait for him to continue.

  “A Spirit Guide is an animal who attaches itself to a human. The Spirit Guide helps a person who is in need of guidance.”

  “So these wolves mean our village could be visited by one of these animals?”

  “Someone within the tribe is in need of guidance and comfort and the spirits have sent one of their trusted animals to help this person.”

  “And as Wise Woman, you want me to find this person?”

  “Not yet, Akari. We need to learn more. I will meditate on it. Go and enjoy your afternoon.”

  I look at him with so many questions circling my thoughts. Unfortunately, I recognize his dismissal as his way of saying I will have to figure the answers out on my own.