Snow Eagle

by Shirley A. Roe

  “Because I have. I told you not to leave her alone. Come we must hurry.” Snow Eagle began to run towards the meadow with Charging Elk close behind. Walks with Fire and some of the others noticed them running and joined them. Soon the small band arrived at the edge of the meadow. Dove and Little Fawn were nowhere to be seen. The men began to spread out and search, calling to the women. Charging Elk was filled with guilt.

  “Over here.” Snow Eagle saw one of the men signaling to the others. He ran towards him. Lying on the ground with a large gash in her forehead was Dove. Snow Eagle lifted her head gently.

  “Dove, can you speak? Where is Little Fawn?” Dove was unconscious. “Pick the woman up and take her to the medicine hut. We must search for Little Fawn.” One of the men carried the limp body of Dove back towards the village. Snow Eagle was frantic. He screamed Little Fawn's name over and over as he ran through the forest. Branches scrapped and scratched him as he charged wildly through the trees. Charging Elk caught up to him.

  “Stop Snow Eagle, stop. We will all look for her but I need to send one of the men back to the village for more searchers. You have to calm down. Sit down and start praying.” Snow Eagle was panicking. The Shaman turned and stared at him blankly. Finally he fell to the ground sobbing. Charging Elk knew he had to take charge. It was disturbing for him to see such a strong man crumbling before his eyes.

  Soon there were dozens of men and women searching the meadow and forest for Little Fawn. Snow Eagle prayed hard as he searched. He berated himself for not believing she was in real danger. The search went on long after dark, until the people were exhausted. They all returned to the village, sad and dejected.

  Snow Eagle went to his mother. He took note of the wound on Dove's forehead. Walks Tall woman sat with her. She had been crying. Snow Eagle patted her shoulder. He observed that Moon had done a very good job of cleaning the wound, stitching the skin and applying Sitka pitch to it. Satisfied he could do no more for Dove, he sat with his mother. “I must find her, please tell me what you see.” Red Hawk looked at her son with great pity. He was such a gentle man; she knew his heart was breaking.

  “Let me close my eyes.” Slowly her wrinkled lids closed. Snow Eagle prayed for Kah-shu-gon-yah to bring sight to Red Hawk. Minutes seemed like hours as he watched his mother's closed lids.

  “She is in a dark cave. Sunflower is with her, but it is not the Sunflower that we know. Little Fawn is bound.” Red Hawk reached out and touched her son's arm. “Hurry and find her, there is not much time.” The old woman's eyes closed and she fell asleep. Snow Eagle stood, feeling a deep fear growing in his chest. He instructed Walks Tall Woman to send someone for him if Red Hawk or Dove needed anything. He left and went to find Black Rain.

  His father and the other elders were gathered in the meetinghouse. “We must find Sunflower. Red Hawk has seen Little Fawn in great danger. Sunflower has her in a cave.”

  The old men looked at Snow Eagle in surprise. Raging Bull's shoulders sagged at the news. First his grandson and now his daughter, such shame they have brought to his house. Prairie Flower sat in silence, she was overwhelmed with the council and now this.

  “Sit, we will decide what to do.” The meeting went on, long into the night.

  The next day the searchers went out again. This time they were looking for small caves in the cliffs at the forest's edge. Every small nook and cranny was explored, but still they did not find Little Fawn. Snow Eagle spoke with Burning Branch, “You must look everywhere. We must find her before it is too late.” Snow Eagle paced back and forth nervously. This was very uncharacteristic for a man that was usually so at peace.

  Burning Branch put his large hand on Snow Eagle's shoulder, “Stay calm, my brother. We will find her. Not long ago we searched for Salmon Catcher and Walks with Fire. We were too late for my brother, Salmon Catcher. We will not be late this time. I promise you that I will find Little Fawn alive.”

  Burning Branch and his warriors headed further inland to search the foothills. That night Snow Eagle prayed again to Kah-shu-gon-yah. Feeling totally helpless, prayer was all he had. His heart was breaking, he feared the worst.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Little Fawn struggled against her bindings. Her wrists were raw from her attempts to free herself. She could hear her own heart beating loudly in her chest. Sunflower had wandered out of the cave earlier in the day and had not returned. It has been days since Sunflower had brought her here. Little Fawn knew that her survival depended on getting herself free of the bindings and out of the cave before Sunflower returned. Strange thoughts went through her head. Perhaps a bear has eaten her, it will surely die of poison. That woman is mad. I must escape. Where is everyone, why hasn't Snow Eagle come for me? She had never seen the woman like this; she was truly insane. Sunflower's eyes were glazed and her expression, that of a madwoman. She refused Little Fawn water or food. Little Fawn knew the circumstances were desperate; her life was in danger.

  Fortunately the rain outside the cave was forming little rivulets on the walls of the cave; she positioned herself under one of them. She managed to take water as it dripped off the small ledge above her head. I will stay strong, she thought. Sunflower had dried codfish in a basket. Little Fawn managed to roll towards it and pull a small piece out with her teeth. She chewed the hard salty fish. It was difficult to keep the bile in her stomach from coming up. She chewed and chewed until she could swallow small pieces of fish. The heavy, salty taste sent her back to her water source. All this she accomplished by rolling her tiny, bound body on the hard rocky cave floor. Pain shot through her as she rolled on the hard ground.

  Little Fawn was becoming frustrated as the bindings held tight. Blood dripped from her wrist and fingers, where she had struggled to be free. The cave was cold and damp. She lay on the hard cold ground trembling with fear. Her eyes filled with tears, Snow Eagle, where are you? Please come and rescue me. How long can I stay alive?

  Walks Tall Woman brought food to Snow Eagle but he refused to eat. She left him alone and went to her sister. Dove was drifting in and out of consciousness. Red Hawk seemed a little better this morning, although she was very concerned for Little Fawn and her own son. Black Rain sat with her, spooning gruel into her hungry mouth.

  “You must find her, Black Rain. She will be killed. I know it.” Red Hawk wiped her mouth with the back of her wrinkled hand. “Our son is losing his strength and power with each passing day. He needs his wife.” Black Rain nodded in agreement. He had seen the quick decline in his son. Snow Eagle was one of the most well respected and powerful Shaman in the entire territory. He was a gentle soul but confident and courageous. People looked to him for leadership. The man Black Rain saw this morning was a shadow of his former self.

  “Snow Eagle must pray to Kah-shu-gon-yah for strength. He cannot let this defeat him. Little Fawn will be found.”

  “I think he is tired of praying. He gets no answers now. He is losing his faith. This is a bad omen for our people. It is all Sunflower's fault, she and her treacherous son.”

  “Now, now. Let's not place blame. We do not know Sunflower has Little Fawn. Dove has not been able to tell us anything. Perhaps Little Fawn was taken by a bear.” Black Rain knew better in his heart, but he tried to keep a clear perspective on things. His wife did not agree.

  “I tell you Sunflower has her and she will die. Do you question my visions after all these years?” He patted her hand. “Answer me. Do you question my visions?” Red Hawk was angry; she tried to raise herself up from the bed.

  “No of course not. I'm sorry for doubting you. If you see Little Fawn with Sunflower, then that is where she is. Although it does not make me feel any better. If our son can't cope with this, we may have to send a messenger to Gray Wolf. He will have to come and take charge of the village. We sent men to the Haida village to bring Brave Beaver back to the village but he and Swift Otter had already left for their own village far to the south. It would take much too long to go to find him. Gray Wolf is our only h
ope. Raging Bull is distraught over Sunflower and White Fox. Waving Pine is having trouble with Dancing Bear and the truth be told, we are all too old to be making serious decisions for our people. Burning Branch will be able to sit on the elder council in Waving Pine's place but we need more young blood. Prairie Flower is well taught but has little experience. Yes, I think I will send a messenger today. Gray Wolf can help Snow Eagle.” Red Hawk agreed.

  Walks Tall Woman could not help but overhear the conversation. She and Charging Elk were very worried about Snow Eagle as well as Little Fawn. She stroked her sister's brow. Moon arrived and Walks Tall Woman left to find her husband.

  “I tell you, Red Hawk insists that Sunflower has Little Fawn. I never liked that woman from the first day I was brought to the Tlingit village. She always treated slaves poorly. If she has Little Fawn something terrible is going to happen. I think she blames her for the death of White Fox. Her and her son were nothing but trouble.” Walks Tall Woman was very upset. Charging Elk tried to comfort her but he too thought Little Fawn was in grave danger.

  “Burning Branch and the men went out early again to search the cliffs. He will find her. He can track an animal better than any man I have every known. Did Snow Eagle eat the food you took to him this morning?”

  “No, he would not speak to me and he just pushed the food aside. I am very worried. He is such a strong man. This is not like him at all. Now Black Rain wants to send for Gray Wolf. This could affect Songbird and the baby. Oh, how did this happen? Everything was going so well.” She sat, wringing her hands. He put his arm around her shoulder.

  “I will go to him. You go back and sit with Dove. We need to ask her if she knows what happened to Little Fawn. As soon as she wakes up, ask her to tell you what she knows. It might help us find Little Fawn. Don't start worrying about the Tagish village. If Gray Wolf needs to be here with his people, then this is where he will be. Songbird will be fine with her father.” He found it very endearing that his wife was worried about the Tagish. Although she was Eyak, her loyalty obviously was with him. This pleased him very much. Charging Elk left the house and went to see Snow Eagle. He found him staring into the flames in the central fire of his house.

  “Snow Eagle, you must eat. We will go and search for Little Fawn right after you eat something.”

  “I must find her.” Snow Eagle did not move towards the bowl of food. Charging Elk put it in front of him.

  “Eat first, then I will go with you and we will search.” Snow Eagle looked up at Charging Elk with sad eyes. Charging Elk could see his soul was aching. “Eat.” Slowly Snow Eagle raised a few bites to his mouth. He rose to leave the house. “No, eat all of it. You have to stay strong for Little Fawn. What would she say if she was here? ‘Snow Eagle finish all of your food before you leave this house.' You know she would. She is the only person you take orders from.” Snow Eagle looked at his friend.

  The mention of Little Fawn made him pick up the bowl and eat a few more bites.

  “Now let's go and look for her.” Snow Eagle picked up a knife and a spear from the corner. Charging Elk found this very unusual, as Snow Eagle seldom, if ever, carried a weapon. He followed the Shaman through the small door. Charging Elk respected Snow Eagle more than any other man. He would fight with him to the death if necessary. Walks Tall Woman waved as they passed. Charging Elk waved back, thinking, I hope we do not both die before this day is over. He pushed the thought from his mind and hurried to catch up with Snow Eagle.

  Black Rain, Waving Pine, Prairie Flower, Clouds of Thunder and Raging Bull sent a messenger to the Tagish village. The weather in the mountains was treacherous and it would take many days for the best of their men to make such a journey. Three men were sent. The elders, feeling rather helpless, felt that they had done something to help the situation. Although Gray Wolf was not the leader his father was; it was up to him to lead the village if Snow Eagle was unable. Black Rain knew his grandson was a great warrior but he had much to learn about dealing with people and problems that would arise. Now that Sunflower was missing, and Snow Eagle was showing signs of losing his strength, the elders would have to start bringing some younger blood into the council. Just when a great coming together of the Tagish and Tlingit was beginning, calling Gray Wolf back may end the entire alliance. Black Rain did not know Giant Bear, or how he would react to the Tlingit breaking an agreement. Black Rain sent up his own prayer to Kah-shu-gon-yah.

  Life in the village was somber. Duties were performed but there was no singing or laughter to be heard. The cold wind blew off of the ocean. Rain fell often. Walks Tall Women carried a basket of seaweed to the house. On her head she wore a hat woven of Spruce root to keep off the rain. The large brim made it very effective. She would prepare a good meal for Charging Elk and Snow Eagle. She was very worried about the Shaman. Since she had been given to Charging Elk as his wife, her life had changed. No longer a slave she walked proudly amongst the Tlingit people. Now her sister Dove was with her and her life was complete. The thought of Dove made her change her plans. She dropped the basket near the central fire in her house, hung her hat on a post and headed back out into the cold air. The wind blew harshly from the sea and she pulled her fur cape tightly around her body. She lifted the hood over her head. A few minutes later she found Moon in the medicine hut tending the sick. Walks Tall Woman could not help thinking, Such a strange woman with a tattoo on the back of her hand.

  “How is the patient?” Moon turned towards the door at the sound of her voice.

  “Please, close the door quickly. I must keep them warm.” She moved to stoke the fire. Moon was not talkative.

  “Is my sister awake?” Walks Tall Woman did her best to start a conversation.

  “She stirred earlier, but she sleeps now.” Moon busied herself with her herbs, boiling water and preparing a strange colored brew.

  “I admire the tattoo on your hand. Do all Haida women have them?”

  “Yes.” Moon's short quips frustrated Walks Tall Woman.

  “I am Eyak. We do not tattoo our bodies. You must miss your family. I am much happier now that Dove is with me.”

  “No, I am happy with Walks with Fire. He is my husband now.”

  “He is a fine man. Charging Elk and he are best friends. They are Tagish. It seems the Tlingit are uniting many tribes together.”

  Moon continued stirring her concoction. Walks Tall Woman was thinking that it was very difficult to have a conversation with this strange young woman. Over the weeks, she had tried to make friends with Moon but it was not easy. They seemed to have nothing in common. Giving up, she moved to sit with Dove.

  Red Hawk snored loudly in the opposite end of the medicine hut. The hut soon filled with a strange aroma. Moon disappeared into the thick smoke.

  Dove began to stir. Her eyes opened slowly. A confused look filled her wide cheeked face. “Dove? Are you awake?”

  Dove looked toward Walks Tall Woman. “Yes, what happened?”

  “We found you alone in the forest. You have a very bad gash on your head. Can you tell me what happened? Where is Little Fawn?”

  “Little Fawn, is she missing?”

  “Yes, there has been no trace of her since we found you. Do you know who hit you?”

  “No, we were gathering roots. I was on my knees and suddenly I felt something heavy hit my head. I fell forward and that is all I remember.” Walks Tall Woman was disappointed that her sister couldn't give them more information, however she was very happy that Dove seemed to be recovering.

  “You rest, Moon is taking very good care of you. Moon ! Dove is awake.” The strange Haida woman appeared as if out of nowhere.

  “Does your head hurt?” Dove nodded. Moon disappeared in the smoke, returning with a concoction of Willow Bark and water. “This will help. Be sure she drinks all of it.” She handed the bowl to Walks Tall Woman. Again she disappeared like an apparition.

  Walks Tall Woman lifted Dove's head and helped her drink. “That woman is very strange. Sometimes I thin
k she is possessed by spirits.” Dove looked at her sister and smiled. Soon she was fast asleep. Walks Tall Woman left her sleeping and went to prepare a meal for the men.

  It was long past dark when Snow Eagle and Charging Elk returned to the village. Both were disheartened and tired. Snow Eagle refused Walks Tall Woman's offer of a meal. He wanted to be alone. He was used to fasting for days in order to commune with spirit, so hunger was not really an issue with him. Charging Elk and his wife watched as Snow Eagle, broken hearted, shoulders slumped, walked towards his own house.

  “Dove is awake, but unfortunately she knows nothing of what happened to Little Fawn.” Walks Tall Woman placed a steaming bowl in front of her tired husband. “You must find her, Snow Eagle is suffering and I fear Little Fawn will die out there.” She picked up her own bowl but did not eat. “You know the evil that lives in the Dark Forest.” Charging Elk looked at her. He, like the rest of the villagers believed that the Light spirits lived in the airy sea and the cool wind; the Dark spirits lived in the forest. A cold chill ran down his spine.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Gray Wolf stood beside the carcass of a large elk. The men had been hunting all day. It had been a great success. His long fur coat hung almost to the ground, a large hood covered his head. Unaccustomed to spending winter in the mountains, he found the experience new and exciting. His men learned well and were excellent hunters. They would be worthy warriors if the village were attacked. Gray Wolf had learned almost as much from the Tagish as they from him and the entire experience filled him with a new sense of pride. Songbird lumbered toward him, her body heavy with child. The deep snow was compacted by the many feet of the villagers but slippery in places. Each step was carefully placed. Songbird would not endanger her child. He smiled at her. How lovely she was. It seemed childbearing made her even more beautiful.