by K. R. Smith
“I fell into the river!” I snapped.
“How the hell did you do that?” he walked forwards whilst taking off his jacket to put about my cold, wet shoulders.
“I was washing mud off my hands and I guess I lost my balance.” I lied feebly.
“Bianca Grace Wisetail,” he laughingly shook his head, “you know that your Grandpa, Grandfather and I were only kidding about throwing you in the river. You didn’t have to throw yourself in as practice.”
“Very funny!” I said curtly.
I shivered uncontrollably as we began the long walk back. His laughter died down when he saw how badly I was shaking and then he looked about at the enclosing night which further chilled the already icy air. He stopped us momentarily, as he took his jacket off from my shoulders. I wondered what he was doing as he next stripped off his shirt and his t-shirt.
“Here, take off your wet top and put these on.” He ordered.
“No Dad, I’ll be alright.” I started to object as my teeth chattered.
“Do it!” he demanded and then he turned away to give me privacy to change.
I removed my wet sweater and t-shirt to put on Dad’s dry t-shirt, shirt and jacket. I walked back over to where he was standing, “OK, I’m changed.”
“I’ll carry you on my back and run us home.” He said, as he turned his back to indicate for me to hop up.
“No Dad, it’s OK. I can run myself home.”
“Your wet jeans and shoes will slow you up.” He said gruffly, before he morphed into his supernatural body before my eyes.
Dad turned his hardened, muscled back my way once more and waited for me to hop on. I sighed with resignation, tied my wet t-shirt and sweater around my waist and then I jumped up onto his back. As I wrapped my arms about his neck, he wrapped my legs around his waist before he turned his head to growl my way.
I think that was my father asking in Werewolf if I was ready? It’s strange, since my change I started to pick up the different meanings behind a Werewolf’s growls or the intonations behind them.
“Yep, I’m ready.” I said.
Then he took off running at 200km/h! Dad sprinted through the trees, easily leaping over log and rock before us. It reminded me when I was a little girl and I used to beg him to take me for rides like this, on his back. I found myself laughing just like I did when I was little, as he carried me like I weighed no more than a feather. My legs turned cold and numb from the cold air rushing through my wet jeans, but my top half was warm in his dry clothes.
It took us longer to get back, since we were running at Werewolf speed and not in Circulator speed, but it was a lot more fun this way. To show off, he even leapt over the large rocks we came across instead of simply steering around.
“Go Dad!” I cheered and I heard him lightly growl back, like he was laughing.
We arrived home ten minutes later as the stars peaked through the night sky. He piggy-backed me over to our veranda where he turned around and gently released my legs. I slid off his back but then my legs gave way because they were numb! I landed on my arse, sitting on the top step, before I laughed at myself.
Dad reverted back into his human body whilst he looked on in amusement. “Your legs aren’t working B? C’mon then.”
He pulled me up and helped me inside and as soon as we walked in through the front door, everyone went into an uproar!
Mum stood up from sitting on the couch,“what happened to YOU?”
“She fell into the river.” Dad told her.
“You FELL into the river?” Grandfather’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Best you get upstairs and have a nice long hot bath.” Gran organized, coming forwards.
“Best she has a shower instead to wash her hair tonight. We have to get her ready and start on her hair at 6 AM tomorrow.” Aunt Danika disagreed.
“Danika’s right, we need to do her hair tomorrow when it’s dry.” Great Grandma agreed whilst she still sat at the table, getting the beads ready.
Phoebe who was sitting at the table with her, was helping her group the different beads together when she looked up.
“You’ve got mud and leaves in your hair!” She pointed at my head.
“Hahaha! You’re wearing feathers! You’re wearing feathers!” Phoenix taunted as he pointed too.
“Phoenix!” Uncle Jules growled at his son, which silenced him.
Grandpa shook his head as he rolled his eyes to Nana, “I worry about the future of this tribe sometimes, Ling.”
“Why does your sweater have mud all over it?” Mum complained, untying it along with my wet t-shirt from my waist.
I continued to lie, “I fell over in the mud, which is why I tried to clean myself off in the river, when I -”
“When you fell in?” Grandfather frowned in disbelief.
The way the older Werewolves were looking on suspiciously, began to make me nervous. Even Aunt Danika and Phoebe – two telepaths – exchanged a knowing look.
“I’ll go have that shower now.” I quickly headed for the stairs before I could be cross-examined any further.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8
New Chapter
~ 8 ~
2nd October 2084
Yesterday morning, I was woken up at six o’clock on the dot by Mum coming into my room and shaking me awake.
“Rise and shine ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Today’s the day you marry your prince.” She joked.
“The wedding’s not for another four hours!” I griped as I pulled my pillow over my head.
“Nice try but sorry, no cigar.” She ripped the pillow off my head to toss away. “Get up and here, you can get dressed in your ‘wedding dress’. Your Great Grandma and Aunt Danika will be here shortly to start on your hair.”
Mum placed the box with the ‘skins’ on the end of my bed and then left the room to give me privacy to change.
“Your father is making you a cup of coffee.” She promised before she shut my bedroom door behind.
I yawned profusely as I tiredly sat up and looked at the cardboard box sitting next to my legs.
Frickin’ hell… today’s my ‘wedding’ day and I felt about as excited as if it were somebody else’s wedding instead. It’s not that I objected to marrying Grant because I didn’t like him. That was just it, he was a very nice person and I didn’t deserve him. I should be marrying a bastard who has no qualms about pouncing on me, insulting me and even throwing me into the river. Declan may treat me like crap but with my guilty conscience, I thought that I deserved to be treated like that. Then my chest hurt as I thought of the pain Derik must be in right now, because of Tribal Elders decision.
They were right, I couldn’t marry Declan because it would hurt his brother. I would cause a rift between them and I’ve already hurt Derik enough as it is. No, I’ll do the right thing. I’ll be joined to Grant and I’ll bite my tongue and I’ll banish my wicked thoughts that might stray towards another. I’ll be good and start by behaving myself and getting dressed for my Joining Ceremony to my appointed husband, Grant Elm.
Rock-hard determination filled me as I stood up with purpose. I busied myself with my first task of the day; I put on my ‘wedding dress’. Then amazingly, the rest of the morning began to fall into place. I dressed in the ‘skins’ and put on the matching suede slippers. I went downstairs to join my parents for a cup of coffee and a few slices of toast.
At 7 AM on the dot, Great Grandma and Aunt Danika arrived to do my hair. I sat in a chair at the dining table as the two women worked. Mum who was sitting at the table, watched with interest. Great Grandma knew exactly what to do as Aunt Danika read her mind so she knew too. The two women worked in unison, dividing my hair into three plaits, with beads woven through them. Then they tied the feathered leather hair bands at the ends.
At 7.30 AM Dad left the house to give Grandfather, Uncle Jules, Uncle Ian and Grant a hand at moving our new furniture into our future home. I was told V
ine and Hannah would also be at my new house, setting up the kitchen. They would oversee the delivery of my refrigerator to store some of the food and drinks for the Housewarming.
Around 8 AM, Vine and Hannah and their husbands arrived to pick up my suitcases and boxes of things to take to my new place of residence.
“You sure do look the part, B.” Vine smiled in approval over my appearance.
“They haven’t painted her face yet, but already B looks the part of a Lokoti woman from the past.” Hannah agreed.
Mum fussed about, making sure that I hadn’t forgotten anything and that everything was packed, including my toiletries.
“B! Where’s your toothbrush?” She called from the upstairs bathroom.
I had to remain in my seat as Great Grandma and Aunt Danika finished up my hair. I called back, “it’s in my toiletries bag!”
Pause…before Mum responded, “found it!”
She tearfully handed over my suitcases to the women as their husbands carried out the boxes to their trucks.
“Don’t get all emotional, Jess.” Vine patted her on the shoulder. “Bianca isn’t just a Riverclaw and a Wisetail, but today she’ll also become an Elm. We’ll take good care of her, I promise.”
“Hey, the girl’s marrying Grant.” Hannah joked. “We trained our little brother well. He’ll treat her like she was a precious jewel.”
“He’ll take good care of your little girl just as he did when he babysat her five years ago.” She ended.
“Thanks a lot you guys!” I laughed. “Now I know what a Lokoti Joining Ceremony is – a life long contract for an extremely long babysitting job!”
The room cracked up laughing at my way of putting it.
“You look good B.” Hannah gave a wave goodbye. “We’ll see you at the ceremony!”
“See you there!” I waved from my chair.
Once my hair was done, Great Grandma pulled out of her bag several small jars of paint which were handmade using natural ingredients from the land. She began to put the traditional colors of white, black, grey and red on my face in the ancient pattern; which looked like a long, colorful claw mark going down the right side of my face.
“This is the mark of our father the Lokoti Wolf.” She narrated as she worked. “Our tribe has worn this mark as a sign of respect for his sacrifice in creating the tribe’s protectors, the Lokoti Werewolves. We have worn this mark in battle as we have worn this in celebration. Today you wear the mark so he will bless your union to your promised one.”
Aunt Danika read my mind and she asked Great Grandma the questions that I wanted to, but I couldn’t move my mouth whilst I had to sit still.
“Will Grant also be wearing this mark?” She queried.
“He will,” Great Grandma answered, “and so will the Tribal Elders.”
She asked my next question, “when Uncle Finn married Aunt Georgia, what was on their faces?”
“Finn wore the mark of the Lokoti Wolf and Georgia wore the mark of the Lynx.” Great Grandma remembered.
At 9.30 AM Dad returned from his work as a removalist. Although he had to race to have a shower and change clothes; he stopped still as soon as he saw me. His eyes welled up with tears as he smiled on proudly.
“Bianca Grace Wisetail, you truly look like a Lokoti tribeswoman.” He beamed.
“Yeah yeah…our little girl is all grown up and her father is going to make us late for the Ceremony!” Mum started to push him towards the stairs.
“Jess!” He laughingly pulled his mate into his arms. “Look at her, look at our little girl that we brought into this world. Look at how mature she looks!”
Mum softened at Dad’s words as she lovingly caressed his cheek, before she started to push him up the stairs again.
“Move it, Hunter Wisetail! You have twenty minutes before you have to drive your daughter to the Holy Grounds for the Ceremony!” She barked.
He tickled her back before he bolted up the steps and disappeared into the bathroom.
At 9.50 AM, I was led out of the house with the paint barely dry on my face. I was in full traditional dress, with my long black hair plaited, beaded and feathered. Mum, Dad, Great Grandma and Aunt Danika, were dressed in their smart clothes.
“Where are our Australian and English relatives?” I asked as I climbed into Dad’s truck.
I sat in the middle of my parents as I always have done. Aunt Danika climbed inside of Great Grandma’s truck with her to drive in front of us.
“Your Gran instantaneously phased them here an hour ago, to her house. They’ll be down at the Holy Grounds now, along with the rest of the tribe.” Mum answered.
“OK, let’s go.” Dad slowly started the ignition to let Great Grandma reverse out our driveway first.
We drove down the hill and turned left at the intersection instead of right. Rather than driving towards the community centre, Dad drove towards the outskirts of our village. The Holy Grounds where the three Sacred Totems sat were in a picturesque, grassy glade by the side of the river.
Up until this point, I had felt calm and determined to go through with this. But as soon as I saw all of those parked vehicles and the size of the crowd that had gathered? My eyes widened as my heart sped up. I had heard even the general store was closed for the celebrations. I wasn’t afraid of marrying Grant as I was determined to do that. But to marry him with the WHOLE tribe watching? I got stage fright! My breath sucked in sharply as I grimaced at the sight of all of those people.
Dad drove through the large cluster of parked vehicles and into the awaiting car space, reserved for us up the front with Mr. Barley waving us in.
“You’ll be fine.” My parents accidentally said at the same time, as he turned off the engine.
“Just breathe.” Dad instructed, squeezing one hand.
“Just try to focus on the ceremony.” Mum squeezed my other.
“Right.” I tried not to blanch.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” He grinned. “Just remember, you’re a Lokoti Werewolf and there’s very little that scares us.”
“Just don’t instantaneously phase out of here because you’re also a Circulator.” She joked.
“Now THAT would scare us.” He chuckled.
My parents hopped out of the truck as I climbed out after Mum. I stood by her side feeling rather conspicuous, dressed and painted up as such, especially when everybody turned and craned their necks to get a good look. I could hear a drum beat as Dad walked around from the driver’s side of the truck. He took hold of my hand as she held onto my other and together they walked me forwards onto the Holy Grounds.
Gran and Grandfather joined us as did Great Grandma, Aunt Danika and Nana and they were all dressed formally.
“You look beautiful, B.” Grandfather smiled a little tearfully as he kissed the side of my face that wasn’t painted.
“Thank you.” I smiled nervously.
At that moment Grant appeared and he was dressed similar to me, with Uncle Ian walking beside him wearing jeans and a suit jacket and tie.
Grant wore the same coloured suede clothing, with a suede shirt, a suede jacket and suede pants. His long black hair wasn’t in three plaits like mine, but in three loose ponytails which were also tied by leather bands with feathers. He also had the painted claw mark on his face but it was on his left side. My eyes widened as I looked on impressed, as I thought that he looked very handsome and just like a Lokoti Warrior of old.
“Hi B.” He smiled softly.
“Hi Grant.” I smiled back shyly.
“I formally ask your permission Emanuel Riverclaw as the head of the Riverclaw family; for the hand of your beloved granddaughter, Bianca Grace Wisetail.” He spoke in a clear, concise voice to Grandfather.
I noticed the tribe suddenly turned quiet as they stood back to watch and listen. Oh was this apart of the ceremony?
“You have my permission, Grant Elm.” My grandfather stepped aside.
“I formally ask your permission Hunter Wiseta
il, as the father of Bianca Grace Wisetail, for the hand of your beloved daughter.” He next spoke to Dad.
“You have my permission, Grant Elm.” My father released my hand.
Then Mum let go of my other when he stepped forward and took hold of the hand that Dad let go. Grant turned me around to face Uncle Ian.
“Bianca Grace Wisetail, with the blessing of the Elders today; I formally acknowledge your entry into my family’s house. I call you from this day forth, Bianca Grace Elm.” My ‘uncle’ spoke loudly, so everyone could hear.
I could hear the tribe murmur in excitement and admiration, watching this ‘handing over’ to the beat of the drum.
Then Grant led me by the hand to walk through the crowd. Our tribe parted to allow us passage towards the assembled nine Tribal Elders. They stood also dressed in traditional attire, before the three Sacred Totems. Uncle Ian, Dad, Mum, Gran, Grandfather, Great Grandma and Nana all walked behind Grant and I through the parted crowd towards the Elders. Aunt Danika went to go and stand next to Uncle Jules and their children.
The Council of Elders moved to sit in a half circle before a fire, as Grant led me forwards to kneel on the ground before them. Then all of our families and the rest of the tribe also sat down on the ground, with the people up the back remaining on their feet so they could see what would happen.
Then the drum beat stopped, with Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Shallow Water lowering their instruments.
“You have the Tribal Elders convened here for you today. What do you ask of us?” Aunt Beth began.
“I have come to ask for the blessing of the Tribal Elders as the Guides of the Lokoti Wolf, to take this woman as my mate.” Grant spoke loudly.
I felt him squeeze my hand, which touched my heart.
“And do you have the permission of your family for this union?” Uncle Harry next asked as another one of the Elders.
“He does.” Uncle Ian answered.
“And do you have the permission of the woman’s family for this union?” Uncle Fred, another one of the Elders inquired.
“He does.” Grandfather answered.
“He does.” Dad answered.
