Grey Eyes (33 page)

The younger Eagle twin gasped loudly and her whole body shook as she covered her mouth with her hand.

“My sisters,” said the elder Eagle twin. “Perhaps it would be best if we…”

“
Tapwe
!” agreed Blue Lightning Woman of the Wolf clan. “That is a serious matter for another day. As far as this matter is concerned, I see no cause for further discussion.”

“Thank you, my sisters,” said Walking Moon Woman. “May the Grandmother Bear guide you in the ways of healing.
Ekosi
.” With that she stood up and left the Eagle lodge with her daughters. The Bear clan women returned to their lodge, heads held high.

53
niyānanomitanaw nīstosāp

W
hen the preparations were complete, the Bear clan gathered near the edge of the village to see Little Grey Bear Boy off.

Singing Doe presented her nephew with a new pair of moccasins to mark the occasion. “I was making them for Flying Rabbit Boy,” she explained. “It seems your need is greater.”

He now had new moccasins, his medicine bundle, a blanket, and a tent. He also took Flying Rabbit Boy's bow and quiver of arrows, which he noticed was without the magic arrow.

“Be careful with my bow. I will need it to earn my name.”

“Don't worry, cousin,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy. “You'll get it back…”

“Make sure you pray,” instructed Painted Turtle Man.

“
Tapwe
!” assured Little Grey Bear Boy. “Of course,
Moosum
.”

“And remember too…”

“In what direction will you go?” called Red Sky Man stepping out from behind the Deer lodge, cutting him off.

“Why do you ask?” inquired Painted Turtle Man.

“Is it not customary for a warrior to inform others of his plans before leaving the village?” asked Red Sky Man. “I was always taught to let people know where I go so that if anything happens, they will know where to look for me. What if he needs help?”

“You are right,” nodded Painted Turtle Man. “I am happy you are so concerned for my grandson. I will be instructing him to head east.”

“East? Is that where your ‘visions' have shown you?” The Eagle medicine carrier walked away laughing. Painted Turtle Man scowled at him as he left, then turned to his grandson.

“My boy,” he whispered, “I will tell everyone you are headed east, and you will go that way at first…You know the place where you collect driftwood?”

“Yes,
Moosum
,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy quietly.

“I will meet you there…”

“
Moosum
?”

“Trust me.”

Little Grey Bear Boy caught a hint of desperation in the old man's eyes. “
Tapwe
,” came his reply.

The family said their goodbyes, with Little Grey Bear Boy's mother reminding him to follow his teachings, his father warning him of the dangers of the forest, and his sister offering her prayers. Last, it was Walking Moon Woman's turn.

“Be careful,” was all she said.

“Yes,
Nookum
. And thank you for everything.”

“It is I who must thank you, for helping me remember who I am.”

Little Grey Bear Boy nodded and hugged her, taking in the familiar scent of wild peppermint and cook fire smoke. This hug was different from those they had shared before. As a child he would lean into her embrace, enjoying the soft warmth and resting his head on her shoulder. This time she leaned into him and he felt the warmth of her cheek on his shoulder. For the first time, he realized he was now taller.

He left the village, heading east as instructed, and made his way to the beach where he had collected the driftwood for the Eagle medicine lodge. The heavier autumn winds made the waves crash upon the shore harder than in the summer moons. The leaves of the birch and poplar trees were starting to change from lush green to orange and yellow. Although this was a familiar place, it seemed different. A tingle went up his spine. Feeling like he did not wish to be seen, Little Grey Bear Boy crouched down low next to a large jack pine and scanned the trees and bushes for signs of movement. Soon, he heard footsteps shuffling near him. It was Painted Turtle Man, looking this way and that, his features strained.

“
Moosum
!” whispered Little Grey Bear Boy. “Over here!”

The old man walked right to the boy but still looked around for him. “Where are you?” He leaned against the jack pine and whispered, though he was standing right next to the boy.

“I am right here!” shouted the boy, frightening the old man. Little Grey Bear Boy looked down and saw his legs were missing. He had not noticed the buzzing in the air. He stood up and closed his eyes, trying to calm his beating heart. He cleared his mind. The vibration in the air subsided after a time he was again visible.

“That was a good trick,” chuckled Painted Turtle Man, steadying himself on a firm branch.

“I am sorry, I did not even realize I had done it.”

“That does not matter,” said Painted Turtle Man. “What matters is that the magic works when necessary. Here, I brought you something.” The old man handed the boy a heavy satchel.

“What is it,
Moosum
?”

“It is food, my boy.”

“Food?”

“
Tapwe
! I know it is customary to fast on one's vision quest, but I want you to stay strong. I had a strange dream last night, and I fear something is about to happen.”

“You had a vision?” Little Grey Bear Boy helped his adopted grandfather sit against the trunk of the tree.

“I think so, my boy, but I must go and see that it is true. I must go far to the southeast.”

“I will go with you!”

“
Motch
, you travel a different path, but there is something you can do to help me.”

“Anything,
Moosum
.”

“I need you to turn me into a bird.”

Little Grey Bear Boy was taken aback. He was surprised to be asked to use the Grey-Eye magic and worried he could not fulfill this request.

“
Moosum
…”

“I know it will be difficult and I should not ask such a thing, but it must be done.”

“But
Moosum
, I do not know how,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“Yes, you do! You once turned me into a stag. You also turned your cousin into a turtle when it was needed. Now I need you to turn me into a bird so I can travel fast and far.”

“But how,
Moosum
?”

“I don't know. How do you think it will work?” Little Grey Bear Boy grabbed Painted Turtle Man's extended arm to help him up again. He brushed the dirt and fallen pine needles off the old man, playing for time. Little Grey Bear Boy was surprised by the question. With Red Sky Man, he tried to force the magic. The thought never occurred to him to think about how the Grey-Eye magic worked on its own.

“Well, the last time it happened the need was very great,
Moosum
.”

“I tell you, my boy, this may truly be a matter of life and death.”

The desperate look in the old man's eyes had returned. It was more than enough to convince Little Grey Bear Boy that he must do whatever he could to help.

“Okay,
Moosum
,” he said, “I will try my best…”

“That is all anyone can ask,” Painted Turtle Man said as he shifted from foot to foot and took some deep breaths to prepare himself.

Little Grey Bear Boy drew his turtle shell rattle out of his medicine bundle and began to shake it gently. He sang an Eagle song and concentrated hard on his purpose.

The Grey-Eye magic continued to elude him—there was no vibration in the air—and he was beginning to doubt himself. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind of all doubts and fears. He sang the song loud and passionately, beseeching the spirits of the ancestors for their blessing. He lost himself in the melody and began to feel warmth in his chest. Then—a vibration in the air. As he neared the end of the song and his voice became low, he was startled by the piercing cry of an eagle.

“Thank you, grandson!”

Little Grey Bear Boy opened his eyes and saw he was standing with a large golden eagle.

“
Moosum
?”

“You did it, I knew you could!” said the golden eagle. “Now I must go. You must journey north until midday and then head west. Continue west for another day and then go south. Travel south for a day and then return to the village heading northeast. If it is the will of
Kitchi Manitou
, I will return to the village at the same time. I will be able to decipher my vision then and, if you have been blessed, I will try to help you understand your vision.”

“What is the knowledge you are seeking,
Moosum
?”

“I have learned something terrible about someone in our village. But I cannot speak ill of another person until I have proof of the misdeeds. That is my teaching and I must stay true to my beliefs. I only hope my vision was wrong or that I will be able to address the problem before anyone is harmed.” The eagle tried to walk on the large roots of the jack pine with much difficulty. He held up his great wings to steady himself, rustling up the dried pine needles and dust at the base of the tree.

“I am afraid,
Moosum
…”

“There is no shame in being afraid, my boy,” explained the golden eagle. “There is only shame in allowing fear to prevent us from doing our duty.”

The golden eagle stretched and began to flap its unsteady wings, testing. As the eagle grew steady, it jumped up and perched itself upon a large branch of the jack pine.

“Remember, my boy. You must make an offering of tobacco for any dream, vision, or animal you see on your vision quest. Listen to your heart and to the spirits of the ancestors for guidance.”

“
Tapwe
,
Moosum
,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “Journey safely and return home!”

“And you also!” screeched the golden eagle. “May the grandmothers and grandfathers of the
Nehiyawak
guide and protect you on your vision quest!”

The golden eagle stretched out its wings and glided off the tree branch, rising higher and higher into the air to the southeast. Little Grey Bear Boy stood watching until it was no more than a speck on Father Sky.

When he was ready to begin his journey, Little Grey Bear Boy reached into his medicine pouch and pinched a wad of tobacco. He offered it to the four directions, then placed it at the base of the jack pine tree. He was ready.

54
niyānanomitanaw niyosāp

H
e started out north, as instructed, until midday, and then turned towards the west, travelling over rocks and moss, swamp and forest. He watched as Grandfather Sun passed across Father Sky, then began his descent. He had covered a lot of ground and found a suitable dry place to make camp for the night. He lit no fire, as he still had the feeling in his heart that someone was searching for him. He unrolled Many Fish's tent and ate some smoked fish from the satchel Painted Turtle Man had given him. He was alone in a strange land, far from any medicine-picking place or hunting grounds he knew.

Little Grey Bear Boy spent some time contemplating the next few days as Grandmother Moon shined her light upon him. He wondered what Painted Turtle Man was seeking. He thought about his family, his teachings with Red Sky Man, but most of all he thought about Water Lily Woman. The vision quest was a time and place for making decisions for the future. He smiled to himself, content in the realization that he would begin to determine his own destiny more and more. He would be guided in these decisions by signs from K
itchi Manitou
. It was a comforting thought that eased him to sleep.

He awoke early the next morning and decided this was the day his quest would really begin. He continued west over rough terrain, progressing slowly. He paid close attention to the land, water, and sky, searching for any sign or vision the spirits might offer. He worked his way around creeks, lakes, and rivers as well as patches of muskeg, being careful not to sink into the wet, spongy moss.

Late in the afternoon he came upon a small clearing and witnessed what he thought must be his first sign. Two grey timber wolves were playing with a small pup in the meadow. The pup yelped and chased its mother and then its father, nipping at their ears. The small wolf family seemed to be playing without a care in the world. Without warning, the two large timber wolves straightened suddenly, their ears perked up. The pup crouched down and disappeared into the grass.

Little Grey Bear Boy crouched down low as the wolves scoured the countryside for danger. He did not want to disturb them and noted the wind was blowing slightly from the north. He took out another wad of tobacco and placed it on the ground in front of him. Backing out slowly and quietly, he decided this would be a good time to begin his journey south, keeping downwind from the wolves.

He continued south until nightfall, then found another suitable place to make camp. It was a small crevice in a steep cliff face. Years of wind and rain had brought sand and gravel to the ground. The lack of moss and grass would provide some relief from insects.

He felt he was on the right path, having been given a sign. To see one of the seven sacred animals was a blessing. He felt more at ease now and built his fire next to his tent. He warmed up some dried meat with a willow branch sharpened at one end. It was strange to eat without the sounds of laughter, but there was something else in his heart: a great feeling of independence and the swelling of pride that comes with being able to survive alone. He went to sleep under the starry sky thinking about what he had witnessed this day. He could not wait to discuss the sign with Painted Turtle Man.