Grey Eyes (23 page)

Little Grey Bear Boy nodded and took a deep breath. He again launched himself backwards and ran as fast as his will would allow. He jumped back before he reached the end of the rope and landed just at the end of its reach. He leaned back hard on the heels of his feet. The skin of his chest stretched farther than any other sundancer, even those who were heavy. The
Nehiyawak
were cheering loudly, but Little Grey Bear Boy could not hear them. All he could hear was ringing in his ears and screaming in his flesh as the searing pain threatened to engulf him. The outer edges of his vision began to cloud and grow dark. He meant to heed Painted Turtle Man's instructions, but now he could not control his legs or arms. A firm slap on the back from the old man's eagle wing fan snapped him out of it.

He was taken back to the Tree of Life for the last time. Had his efforts been enough? He felt the ground shaking as all of the sundancers gathered behind him. They were dancing with their arms raised in the air, filling Little Grey Bear Boy with a feeling of brotherhood and unity.

“This is it,” said Painted Turtle Man. “No matter what happens, know that I love you and will stand by you. You are like the son I never had and you have given my life purpose and meaning. If ever there was a day when you discover the power of the Grey-Eye magic, I hope and pray that it is this day. If it is not the will of
Kitchi Manitou
, so be it. This will not end here!”

Little Grey Bear Boy squeezed the tree hard and gritted his teeth, pouring all of his mind, body, and soul into this one purpose as he launched himself backwards. Time seemed to move slower and he felt the vibrations of the earth on every step. Fat raindrops fell from the sky and the water splashed beneath his feet as he ran. When he got near the end of the length of rope he bent his knees deeply and jumped back high into the air, and hit the wall.

He did not crash to the ground as he had expected but remained hovering in the air just above Painted Turtle Man. The rope was pulled taunt and the tree of Life was bending towards him. He pulled hard with a force unknown, yet could not break free.

“I am Little Grey Bear Boy of the Bear clan!” he shouted in a voice so loud it shook both Mother Earth and Father Sky. Lighting flashed across the sky and the Thunderbirds roared.

“I will walk without fear upon the Earth. I serve
Kitchi Manitou
in all things. Make me worthy of You,
Kitchi Manitou
. I suffer myself for the good of the
Nehiyawak
. Hear my plea!”

The loudest eagle cry sounded. Two blue eagles burst forth from the rain clouds and dove at Little Grey Bear Boy. The sundancers on the ground below him ducked as the massive spectral eagles grabbed Little Grey Bear Boy's arms and pulled him backwards. The flap of the blue eagles' wings created such a force of wind that the people below were knocked over. Little Grey Bear Boy screamed so loud that the earth shook as the skin on his chest stretched and tore. The large pegs flew up as he broke free and the blue eagles disappeared in an instant.

The boy fell and his fellow sundancers reached up into the sky and caught him. The rain stopped and the wind died.

Painted Turtle Man picked the unconscious boy up in his arms and hurried down the hill, past the sundance campsite.

36
nistomitanaw nikotwāsosāp

T
he skin on Little Grey Bear Boy's chest had been torn wide open and bright red blood covered both the boy and the old man.

“Damn that old fool!” growled Painted Turtle Man as he and his helper tended to the wounds. Little Grey Bear Boy was unconscious but breathing.

“The skin is shredded,” said Painted Turtle Man. “There are no pieces large enough to sew together!”

“What will we do, Uncle?” the worried young helper asked.

“All we can do is clean the wounds and seal them with the red clover medicine. This is going to leave quite a scar.”

Blue Elk Man burst through the door flaps of the medicine lodge, wearing the same look he wore when the Red Eyed intruder had invaded the Bear lodge.

“He is going to be all right,” Painted Turtle Man said before Blue Elk Man could speak. “I am tending to him.”

Again the door flaps flew open. It was White Willow Woman and Singing Doe. Blue Elk Man tried to stop her before she saw the state of her son, but he was not fast enough. The sight was too much and she fainted. Blue Elk Man caught her and took her up in his arms just as Brown Shield Man burst in.

“Get them out!” barked Painted Turtle Man. “No one else is to enter the Bear medicine lodge!”

“
Hiy, hiy
!” said Brown Shield Man as the injured boy's family left the lodge.

A crowd had gathered in the centre of the village and was making its way closer and closer to the medicine lodge. Brown Shield Man stood staunch in front of the door flaps, his folded arms a challenge to those who would come closer. Still the crowd nudged forward, some trying to peer around or over Brown Shield Man. One man, not of
Nisichawayasihk,
got too close.

Brown Shield Man cleared his throat aggressively. “Ra-hem!”

“We wish to see the child!” said the man. Brown Shield Man stood firm, ignoring the statement.

“Did you not hear what I said?” pressed the man.

“Do not challenge him,” another visitor warned. “That is Brown Shield Man of the Wolf clan. He once killed a man in cold blood. He might kill again.”

The assembled crowd murmured and those nearby moved back a little. Still, Brown Shield Man did not acknowledge the crowd. It appeared the remaining sundance chiefs had ended the ceremony, since more people joined the crowd. Wearied sundancers, still in their ceremonial garb, began to arrive.

“Please, my brother,” said one of the sundancers falling to his knees before Brown Shield Man. “I must pay my respects to the Grey-Eyed one who is blessed by
Kitchi Manitou
.”

The crowd was murmuring and growing restless. They all wished to see the boy who had produced the miracle. Just as those near the Bear medicine lodge surged forward, several men armed with war spears and wearing white wolf skins over their head and shoulders quick-marched in and assembled behind the lone warrior. These were his brothers of the White Wolf Warrior Society.

“You will all respect the wishes of the keeper of the Bear medicine lodge, Painted Turtle Man of the Bear clan. Press your luck and you will come to know the true meaning of pain!” No one would challenge the senior warrior and the dozen fully armed and hard-faced warriors that stood with him. The crowd began to disperse and find their way back to their lodges or tents. The sundancers and the truly faithful remained, kneeling and quietly muttering chants or prayers.

Little Grey Bear Boy did not wake until the sun had begun to set. His chest had gone numb, thanks in part to Painted Turtle Man's medicine, but he could still feel a dull throbbing deep beneath the skin.

“
Moosum
…” he mumbled. “I am thirsty...”

“I thought you might be.” For the first time since he noticed the pegs in the boy's chest, Painted Turtle Man smiled.

The young helper held a birch bark bowl with clear water to Little Grey Bear Boy's lips. He drank a bit, but coughed and sputtered as he tried.

“Drink slow,” instructed Painted Turtle Man. “You are still recovering. Just let your mouth have the water, but do not swallow it yet.”

Little Grey Bear Boy knew it was best to listen to Painted Turtle Man. He wet his lips and tongue with the water and felt his dry mouth absorb it without having to swallow. He wanted more but he started to feel dizzy.

“Rest now, my boy.”

Little Grey Bear Boy slipped back into unconsciousness as Blue Elk Man and White Willow Woman entered the medicine lodge and knelt by their son.

“He is going to be all right, my girl,” said Painted Turtle Man to a teary-eyed White Willow Woman.

“You had better go,” said Blue Elk Man. “The man who pierced Little Grey Bear Boy is addressing the Circle of Clan Mothers.”

“What?” exclaimed Painted Turtle Man. “You mean he is still in the village?”

“
Tapwe
…” Blue Elk Man nodded as Painted Turtle Man stood up.

“Let the boy rest. If he wakes up give him some water. Do not make him talk about anything. He is still too exhausted from his ordeal.”

Painted Turtle Man walked out of the Bear medicine lodge and the White Wolf Warriors stood at attention. There was a large bonfire burning at the centre of the village and the
Nehiyawak
were gathered.

The Circle of Clan Mothers had apparently granted the sundance chief a special audience. Painted Turtle Man marched to Walking Moon Woman's side, followed closely on either side by two White Wolf Warriors.

“I am called Red Sky Man,” the sundance chief was saying. “I have travelled a very long way from the southeast,
Bonibonibee
, the place where the water rises and dips. I have long practiced the ways of our ancestors and have learned the secrets of the plant world. I would offer my services to the people of
Nisichawayasihk
to help the young Grey-eyed boy find his magic.”

“And how is it that you are knowledgeable in the ways of the Grey Eye magic?” inquired Walking Moon Woman.

“Amongst the people of
Bonibonibee
there was a young man who was gifted with the Grey-Eye magic,” Red Sky Man explained. “He was the only Grey-Eye among us and I helped him find the way. Under my humble guidance, he was able to find his magic and was then chosen by a woman of another village. Since my wife went on to the Spirit World and the Grey Eye found his way, there has been little use for me amongst my own people.”

Green Wing Woman of the Turtle clan stepped forward to speak. “My sisters,” she said. “The Grandmother Turtle would be well served if Little Grey Bear Boy was tutored by one who has experience in such matters.”

“My sister,” countered old Walking Moon Woman, “Little Grey Bear Boy is already well attended by my cousin, Painted Turtle Man.”

The assembled crowd looked over at Painted Turtle Man, who stood weary but firm.

“Mothers of the
Nehiyawak
,” interjected Red Sky Man, “I do not mean to intrude on the responsibilities of any of the people of
Nisichawayasihk
. I would, of course, merely add my knowledge to that of your own teachers.”

Painted Turtle Man cleared his throat.

“I would hear what Painted Turtle Man has to say on the matter,” said Walking Moon Woman.

“Mothers,” he began. “My Grey-Eye grandson lays upon his back, deeply wounded from the actions of the man who would be his teacher. This man used the wrong pegs and cut too deep into the boy's flesh.”

The crowd reeled at this revelation, talking and whispering for some time.

“
Tapwe
, people of
Nisichawayasihk
,” said Red Sky Man. “What he says is true, I do not deny it.”

The crowd was silent for a moment.

“But consider this,” he added. “Had it not been for my error, the
Nehiyawak
would not have been blessed with the miracle. I do not assume to know the will of
Kitchi Manitou
, I am just honoured Creator chose to act through me.”

Painted Turtle Man's eyes could not contain his fury at this convenient interpretation of Creator's will. The
Nehiyawak
considered Red Sky Man's words. Some were intrigued and some were offended. The people and the Circle of Clan Mothers were divided.

Drifting Butterfly Woman stepped forward for the Crane clan.

“My sisters,” she began. “It would seem there are many ways in which the miracle could be interpreted. How are we to proceed in the best interest of
Nisichawayasihk
?”

“Perhaps,” interjected Talking Stone Woman, matriarch of the Deer clan. “We should hear the thoughts of our leaders on this matter.”

All eyes turned to the Eagle twins. They had so wanted the honour of leading the Circle of Clan Mothers. Now they would have to prove they were prepared for the responsibility. The twins were having one of their silent debates through eye and head movements. With the people of
Nisichawayasihk
so obviously divided on the issue, taking a stance one way or the other was dangerous.

“My sisters,” began the elder Eagle twin, “we have given much thought and consideration to this situation…”

“Forgive my ignorance,” Red Sky Man said.

A string of gasps from the crowd. For a man to interrupt a matriarch, much less the leader of the Circle of Clan Mothers, was unheard of.

“Am I right in understanding that the people of
Nisichawayasihk
are led by two Eagle mothers?”

“What of it?” said the elder Eagle twin.

“Please forgive me,” begged Red Sky Man lowering his eyes. “Creator's message just became apparent to me.”

“And what message would that be?” asked Drifting Butterfly Woman.

“The miracle at the sundance,” said Red Sky Man matter-of-factly. “Do you not see? Twin eagles flew out of the sky to help the Grey-Eye child. Creator was choosing the Eagle clan to guide the boy. I was born of the Eagle in my homeland, but here, in
Nisichawayasihk
, the Eagle lodge must be very strong with the Grey-Eye magic.”

Painted Turtle Man was becoming tired of this man's readings of Creator's will. “That would seem a very convenient interpretation—one that would most benefit the Eagle clan.”

The Eagle warriors were in an uproar, shouting out and flipping their hands in the air towards the old man. Not only had Painted Turtle Man spoken without the permission of the clan mothers, he had also insulted the Eagle lodge. The Eagle twins looked to Drifting Butterfly Woman with raised eyebrows.

“My sister,” Drifting Butterfly Woman began, addressing Walking Moon Woman. “Please announce to the circle if you wish someone to speak on your behalf.”

“
Tapwe
, my sister,” replied Walking Moon Woman, maintaining eye contact with Painted Turtle Man as she spoke. “I will remember to do that.”

By this time, the crowd had considered Red Sky Man's interpretation of the day's events. They could not deny that the appearance of two eagles seemed to be a strong omen in favour of the Eagle lodge.

“My sisters. Since this man is new to
Nisichawayasihk
, it is reasonable to assume that he is not aware of my late grandmother, Soaring Star Woman. The power of her Grey-Eye magic blessed the Eagle lodge and all the people of
Nisichawayasihk
for many, many years. It would seem that my grandmother continues to bless and guide the
Nehiyawak
from the Spirit World.” The elder Eagle twin spoke with a new-found confidence.

“
Hiy, hiy
!” yelled the crowd in agreement.

“As Red Sky Man was born of the Eagle,” continued the elder twin, “we would welcome him into the Eagle lodge to serve the people of
Nisichawayasihk
.”