“Red Hawk, did you see Gray Wolf try to kill White Fox?” Clouds of Thunder, old bones moving slowly in the cool night air approached the two women. “Answer me woman, does White Fox speak the truth?” Red Hawk stared past Clouds of Thunder to the smug, cocky face of White Fox. She remained silent.
“It is obvious that she is protecting her grandson.” Sunflower walked into the circle, placing her hand on her son's shoulder in a sign of support. Everyone was talking at once; wood was piled on the fire. There would be no sleeping tonight. Black Rain and Gray Wolf returned to the camp. Cries of outrage led by Dancing Bear met them as they took their place in the circle. Sunflower and White Fox sat arrogant and defiant, watching the frenzy grow.
Black Rain knew that he had to take control of the situation quickly. Little Fawn and Red Hawk moved to his side as he began to speak. Little Fawn filling the empty place left by Snow Eagle in his absence. “White Fox has misinformed you,” Black Rain shouted. More jeers and demands for Gray Wolf's life drowned out his voice. Red Hawk stood to get their attention. Slowly the crowd quieted, the respect for the matron Red Hawk, winning out over the furor.
“White Fox is right. I did see Gray Wolf try to kill him.” She raised her hand to still the crowd who were reacting to her words. “However, what White Fox did not tell you is that he stole her from her bed and was trying to force himself on Frightened Deer. Luckily, Gray Wolf was on watch. It is White Fox that should be on trial here, not Gray Wolf.” Loud whispers made it apparent that the people were questioning what had happened but not convinced. Dancing Bear shouted that Gray Wolf was a liar. He waved his huge arms and stomped his feet.
“My son stopped Gray Wolf from running off with the captive, do not try to turn the situation around Red Hawk.” Sunflower shouted inciting the crowd to more jeering and fist waving. Black Rain called for silence once again.
“There is only one way to settle this. Red Hawk, bring Frightened Deer to the circle.” He watched as Gray Wolf prepared to object but his grandson surprised him when he remained silent. Perhaps there was hope for this young man. Gasps of surprise filled the night air. Sunflower and White Fox looked at each other knowingly. The woman did not speak. She was no threat.
Red Hawk escorted Frightened Deer to the center of the circle. The young woman was terrified. She kept her eyes downcast and hugged her arms to her chest. Black Rain rose and addressed the frightened woman. “It is up to you to decide the fate of these two young men. Tell the people what happened tonight.” He looked at Frightened Deer, his expression begging her to answer him but she remained silent. The silence of the night hung like a heavy black curtain as the people held their breath. Even the dull-witted Dancing Bear paused and waited.
“Well, if you will not speak then you must show us. Did one of these young men pull you from your sleep?” He repeated the question once again sternly. She looked into his eyes and hesitantly nodded her head in the affirmative. “Which one?” Black Rain was trying to be patient with her, knowing the importance of her answer but his patience was wearing thin. Red Hawk held her breath; Frightened Deer had been captured by Gray Wolf and taken from her home. This would be an ideal time to have her revenge. Slowly Frightened Deer raised her eyes and looked first toward Gray Wolf and then White Fox. Everyone watched in silent suspense, muscles tight in anticipation.
Sunflower took a step towards her. The intimidated young woman stepped back, bumping into Black Rain. “Sunflower, return to White Fox now,” Black Rain ordered. Reluctantly, Sunflower took a few steps back however the spell had been broken and Frightened Deer cast her eyes downward once more. Her arms, once again hugged tightly over her chest.
Little Fawn walked over to the frightened young woman and grasped her hand, “Please Frightened Deer, just point to the one that took you from your blankets,” her voice pleading. Frightened Deer once again raised her eyes. She cast her eyes first on Sunflower and then Gray Wolf. After several minutes, she hesitantly pointed to White Fox.
“She's lying, she is Gray Wolf's squaw. Of course, she would lie for him.” Sunflower was enraged, however the rest of the people were staring at White Fox.
“Did he try to hurt you?” Black Rain pressed on. The young woman nodded once again. “Did Gray Wolf come to save you?” She looked at Gray Wolf and nodded in the affirmative. A collective gasp rose from the group. Slowly Gray Wolf walked towards her, his eyes fixed on hers. Slowly he offered his hand to her. She hesitated but finally placed her hand in his. Red Hawk signaled the people; the crowd parted and the two walked from the circle. Red Hawk and Little Fawn were as surprised at the young woman's response to Gray Wolf as they were at the silent, mature way Gray Wolf had reacted to the situation. Black Rain watched his grandson with pride.
“White Fox you will come and face the council.” Raging Bull roared loudly, shades of his once powerful essence apparent to everyone. “Sunflower, step aside and allow the man to approach us.” Black Rain and Red Hawk returned to their place in the council circle as White Fox came forward, loudly protesting his innocence and shouting accusations at Gray Wolf. Dancing Bear ran into the circle yelling frantically for everyone to listen to White Fox. Most of the people ignored him, but Waving Pine took his arm and guided him back to the others outside of the circle. Dancing Bear was Waving Pine's grandson and the older man had raised the youngster since he was three. The slowwitted youngster's parents were killed in a raid. He went willingly with his grandfather but confusion showed on his face. Why didn't they believe his friend? Why was everyone angry at White Fox now?
Sunflower returned to take her place in the circle, aware that her son would be severely punished. Guilt filled her heart as she took her place but responsibility to the council, as always, won out and was foremost in her mind. The lone drum began to beat. The sound of a mournful pipe filled the night air from the outside of the circle.
Gray Wolf and Frightened Deer wandered to a secluded area overlooking the ice field. He held her hand as they sat staring at the vast white expanse before them. The next day the entire band would begin their trek across the frozen ice. “Thank you for what you did this evening. I know that you must hate me for taking you from your home.” Gray Wolf looked into her large eyes and felt himself drowning in her gaze. She did not speak but raised her palm to his cheek. She let her hand rest there as she stared into his eyes. A line had been crossed and she knew that now that he had saved her, her life belonged to him. She had no hope of seeing her people again, as custom dictated; she was now his woman.
“You are my woman and these are your people now. I mean you no harm, I will keep you safe.” The two young people returned their stare to the ice field and sat silently hand in hand for hours, each lost in their own thoughts. Later, Gray Wolf resisted the urges of his body and returned Frightened Deer to Red Hawk's sleeping blanket that night. Black Rain's words echoed in his mind. You must learn to be cunning.
Back at the camp a decision was reached. White Fox was bound and left tied to a tree under guard. The others all returned to their blankets in an attempt to gain a few hours sleep before the sun rose. The two warriors that were responsible for White Fox sat on either side of him, knives drawn. Burning Branch and Moon Man were two of the bravest warriors of the Tlingit tribe. He would not escape.
High in the mountains, the sun was barely visible in the orange morning sky when Snow Eagle emerged from his tiny cave. He had fasted for days and his body was weak from lack of food and excessive sweating in the steam filled cave. As was his custom whenever he was on his Spiritual quests, Snow Eagle would prepare the sweat and go without food for days in order to cleanse his body and open himself to receive the Great Spirit. He still had not found the answers he sought and frustration was growing in him. The night had been restless. He had dreams filled with warning, Evil has come, this is only the beginning. He knew he had to return to his people, they were in danger but from what, he did not know. Standing on the narrow ledge surveying the area and the beauty of the orange and red
sky, he observed a movement below. Backing against the ledge to remain unseen, he watched as a band of seven warriors ran through the valley. He recognized the thick Caribou pelts and he immediately knew who they were. The Caribou Hunters were stalking his people. They came to reclaim the woman. His chest tightened with panic. Weak from fasting and knowing he could not possibly warn his people in time, Snow Eagle returned to his cave and began to chant. He asked Kah-shu-gon-yah, to watch over his people and to give him the answers he sought. His mind kept wandering back to Little Fawn and Gray Wolf making his meditation impossible. Snow Eagle took some of the dried rabbit from his pack and began to eat. He filled his water bag from the water dripping down the side of the mountain and drank thirstily. If he could not get the answers he sought, then he must regain his strength and return to warn his people. Gray Wolf's impulsiveness had placed them all in jeopardy.
The seven men wearing three horizontal lines on their cheeks, ran swiftly through the grassy valley, attempting to make time before they began their slower ascent up the other side. Soon they would reach the ice fields; they knew that the travelers they followed would not make camp until they had crossed the ice. Once the Tlingit reached the rocky outcroppings on the other side of the ice, they would camp for several days. This is when the Caribou Hunters would strike. The quarry would be weak, tired and vulnerable. Above, Snow Eagle was also reaching this conclusion. He knew that he would have to travel quickly and this required taking the more dangerous mountain trail. He could reach the rocky outcropping on the other side of the ice before his people, if he could maneuver the steep cliffs and excessive heights that would take him there. He had taken the trail only once before, when he was a much younger man but now he had no choice. He had to get there before the Caribou Hunters, who would have to stay back in order to be hidden from sight while crossing the ice. This would give him some extra time for the treacherous climb. He chewed the rabbit slowly, letting the food dissolve slowly in his empty stomach. In his head the spirits warned, the evil grows.
First to rise back at the camp was Waving Pine. He relieved himself near the swaying trees, his tall silhouette blending with the early morning shadows. The dewy mist lay thick over the moss-covered ground, casting an eerie spell over the camp. He wandered towards the place were White Fox was tied. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, his body going stiff at the sight that greeted him. A piercing screech left his lips as he discovered Moon Man's bloody body slumped against the tree. A few feet away, Waving Pine's nephew, Burning Branch lay face down. There was no sign of White Fox. People began to arrive at the base of the huge tree, where Waving Pine stood holding a sliced rope. “Someone has released White Fox and killed these two warriors. We must hold council before we pack up. One of you go and fetch Gray Wolf.” Waving Pine rolled the blood soaked body of Burning Branch over, a deep sadness in his eyes. A gasp escaped his lips. “This man lives, quickly carry him to the fire.” Two of the men lifted the blood soaked warrior.
The group sat around a roaring fire, the Elders all seated solemnly as the council was called to order. Gray Wolf had been ordered to take some of the warriors and go in search of White Fox, with the explicit instructions to bring him back alive. Dancing Bear had insisted on riding with them, against the better judgment of Gray Wolf. Dancing Bear's size was an asset but his allegiance to White Fox was causing Gray Wolf great concern. However, taking some time to reconsider, he decided that Dancing Bear could be used to his best advantage and allowed him to accompany him.
Around the fire, Frightened Deer sat silently behind Red Hawk. Sunflower stared blankly into the flames. Raging Bull watched his daughter suspiciously from across the circle. One of the younger members of the tribe escorted Buffalo Woman to the fire. The old woman was wrapped in a buffalo robe and shivered in the early morning air. Her breath came in short gasps. The buffalo robe was her trademark. Although buffalo were not common in the higher elevations, Buffalo Woman had once lived in the plains much further south. “Now that Buffalo Woman is here, we shall begin. I do not want to think that one of our own people released White Fox but there is not much doubt. Now if the guilty party will come forward, we can be on our way across the ice field before mid day.” Black Rain's eyes scanned the circle and came to rest on Sunflower before he continued. “If Burning Branch lives, he may be able to tell us who has done this.”
“Why do you look at me like that Black Rain? I didn't set my son free and stab Moon Man and Burning Branch. I would never kill one of our own. I am an Elder of this tribe and my people's safety is my only concern.” Sunflower looked frantically at her people for any sign of support. No one would look at her. In her heart she wondered if White Fox might be Nukw-sati, one seeking evil power to use against others. No, she would not believe it.
CHAPTER FOUR
Snow Eagle rose early. His pack was light and he felt much stronger than he had the morning before. With silent determination, he started his trek toward the jagged top of the mountain. Nothing would stop him from trying to save the people he loved.
Back in the tiny Tlingit camp, Little Fawn awoke with a start. In her dreams she saw her husband high on a wall of rock, alone and precariously perched. He was in trouble. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she raised her hand to wipe the perspiration that dripped from her forehead. She looked around at the trees and moss that surrounded her, relieved that it was just a dream. Still the terrible feeling of doom would not leave her. Sending up a silent prayer to the Great Spirit, she rose to join the others. Everyone was in turmoil, when she reached the fire pit in the center of the camp.
“We must go over the ice field now. The weather can turn quickly and we could be trapped here for weeks. We will not arrive at the sea until Falling Leaf Moon as it is. I do not think we should wait any longer.” Buffalo Woman strongly made her feelings known to the others. In her own mind, she wondered if she would ever reach the sea again. Every moment was precious to her and she was anxious to be on her way. Some nodded in agreement but Black Rain was not so sure.
“We have just had White Fox escape, not to mention the death of Moon Man. Burning Branch is on the verge of death and Gray Wolf and the warriors have ridden out to find White Fox. Perhaps we should wait for a day or two.” Black Rain looked to Clouds of Thunder and Raging Bull for their opinions. Little Fawn sat beside Frightened Deer listening intently; the strange foreboding that Snow Eagle was in trouble, would not leave her. Frightened Deer was watching Little Fawn's hands with interest. Her fingers straightened the fringe on her sash, one beside the other perfectly aligned. It was an unconscious gesture but still her desire for perfection reigned. Frightened Deer gained great insight into the people around her by observation.
“Gray Wolf and the others will catch up with us. Hopefully he will find White Fox. We will handle that situation when we reach the rocky outcroppings on the other side.” Clouds of Thunder looked around the circle slowly, his eyes rested on the old woman. “We must move now. Buffalo Woman is right and she has made this journey more times than any of us. The ice field will take all of one day and one night to cross. We must move out.” Clouds of Thunder raised his walking stick as a sign of his conviction. Buffalo Woman's head bobbed up and down.
“We must consider the safety of the tribe and the weather could turn for the worse. I agree with Clouds of Thunder, we go now. We have already lost several hours of daylight.” Raging Bull rose from his seated position. Waving Pine agreed, instructing some of the young men to load his nephew, Burning Branch onto one of the travois. Sunflower rose to stand beside her father showing her agreement. She needed her people to believe she was trustworthy. Her son had escaped and in her heart she was glad but now she had to concern herself with the welfare of the tribe.
“It is so. We move now.” Black Rain and Red Hawk nodded and everyone moved at once. The fire was extinguished, packs and bedding were loaded and everyone pulled their fur boots over their moccasins. Little Fawn helped Frightened Deer pull on a pair of boots and again
, without a word, the two women joined the others. Little Fawn looked back over her shoulder towards the mountains beyond. She could not shake this feeling that Snow Eagle was in trouble. The Tlingit tribe moved out onto the ice field and began the long cold crossing.
Snow Eagle pushed himself across the miles. He reached the rock wall at high noon and stared at the towering precipice with trepidation. He would have to climb the almost vertical cliff in order to reach the trail above. Once he reached the summit, the trail was swift across the top of the mountain. After a few words to the Great Spirit, he started up the rock face.
Charging Elk and his band reached the Tlingits camp by nightfall. “They have not been gone long. We must stay back in order to avoid being seen.” His men settled in for the night, fire pits recently extinguished were brought back to life. “A few more days and we shall have Songbird back where she belongs. The rest of the Tlingits are to be disposed of, my friends. Enjoy yourselves.” Charging Elk laughed as he watched the faces of his warriors. He knew that finding young women to couple with would be first and foremost, after all of the others were killed. He himself was looking forward to Songbird's gratitude. The Tagish were not normally a violent tribe but the act of kidnapping the daughter of the chief had enraged them. Charging Elk's orders were to recover the woman and kill those that dared to take her. He had been eyeing Songbird for some time and this would give him great prestige. He would ask that she be his squaw and he was sure the chief would agree. His only hope was that Gray Wolf had not tainted her. He settled in his blankets for the night, dreaming of his future. High in the night sky, the silhouette of an eagle crossed in front of the round, brilliant glow of the moon.
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