Grey Eyes (37 page)

“Ugh,” grunted Dark Cloud Man, rising to his feet. “So you were listening to my teachings after all.”

Brown Shield Man and Many Fish appeared at Little Grey Bear Boy's side, weapons raised.

“You have betrayed the people of
Nisichawayasihk
,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “You will face the justice of the Circle of Clan Mothers for your misdeeds. I hope they are merciful…”

“
AWAS
!” Dark Cloud Man drew his buffalo horn rattle. “I don't take orders from women. They are only slaves to me and my warriors.” His eyes glowed red. Three giant coyotes leaped out of the forest behind him, snarling and yapping. The yelling of the Red-Eye warriors could be heard behind the coyotes, approaching fast. Little Grey Bear Boy looked at his uncles, who were trying not to show their fear of the magic. He closed his eyes and shook his rattle, singing the Wolf song under his breath.

A strong vibration of the Grey-Eye magic took hold around him and he heard a deep snarling and growling on either side of him. As he opened his eyes, he saw he was now flanked not by men, but by two great wolves. Brown Shield Man howled. Many Fish joined in and the two beasts leapt at the coyotes. As they grappled, more coyotes came out of the forest while Red-Eye warrior-men ran out firing arrows and hurling spears.

Little Grey Bear Boy saw Dark Cloud Man heading back to the village, Red-Eye warriors protecting him on either side.

“Get the women,” he ordered, pointing his buffalo horn rattle at the Turtle lodge.

Little Grey Bear Boy ran after him, speaking the water chant again as the raindrops gathered in a great spiraling torrent. Dark Cloud Man noticed him just as he pushed the water with all of his force. Dark Cloud Man waved his hand, deflecting the water by speaking the same chant. The stream turned on Little Grey Bear Boy and the waters hit him hard, sending him flying into the Wolf lodge and knocking the lodge over.

Little Grey Bear Boy was dazed. All he could hear was the ringing laughter of Dark Cloud Man over the screams of women and children. He looked up to see Red-Eye warriors dragging women by the hair and clubbing old men who were trying to defend their grand-daughters.

“Are you all right?” Flying Rabbit Boy was by his side.

Before he could answer, a girl of no more than thirteen summers screamed as a Red-Eye warrior dragged her out of the Turtle lodge. Flying Rabbit Boy notched an arrow and aimed it at the Red-Eye warrior. His arm began to shake and he loosed the arrow too soon, missing the Red-Eye warrior's face, but narrowly.

The man looked over at the two. His eyes were wide and unfocused as he raised his club and ran at them. Flying Rabbit Boy fumbled for another arrow while the Red-Eye warrior gained on them. Little Grey Bear Boy shook his rattle and sang the Mother Earth song, and a great pillar of earth shot up from under the Red-Eye's feet, hurling him high up into the air.

“Tell everyone to make for the sundance grounds.”

“
Hiy, hiy
!” answered Flying Rabbit Boy, running off.

Little Grey Bear Boy got to his feet and saw the great coyotes running about the village, mauling whoever was near, mostly men and boys. He could make out embers in what used to be the firepit of the Wolf lodge. He shook his turtleshell rattle and sang the fire chant, sending flames at the Red-Eye warriors and coyotes. The attackers were rolling around in flames, but neither earth nor water would extinguish them. The smell of burning fur and flesh was filling the air.

Beside him, not far off, Painted Turtle Man fought with two Red-Eye warriors. They attacked with knife and spear while he defended with an Eagle staff. Out of instinct, Little Grey Bear Boy ran towards the old man, but by the time he was close enough to help, the old medicine carrier had bested his two younger foes with superior skill and technique.

“
Moosum
. Are you all right?”

“Do not worry about me. I am not afraid to die today. You must help the defenceless ones with all you have.”

“
Tapwe
,
Moosum
!”

“Find Water Lily Woman. The Grey-Eye magic might be stronger if you stay together!” Without another word, Painted Turtle Man ran over to the Marten lodge to assist the old matriarch, who had been knocked over by a Red-Eyed coyote and was bleeding from her cheek.

Little Grey Bear Boy ran back to the Bear lodge. All the hides had been torn off the poles. Water Lily Woman was using them as a floating shield to keep the Red-Eye warriors back. Five of them were pushing hard against her magic and cutting up the hides with their knives.

Little Grey Bear Boy shook his turtleshell rattle and sang the Mother Earth song as he ran towards the Red-Eyes. The earth moved around him, rumbling up into two great balls of dirt and rock that gouged the ground. With a wave of his arms, he sent the great mounds of earth rolling towards the men. The wet dirt and mud rolled over the warriors, hurling them into the forest, knocking over all the trees in their path.

“Get to the sundance grounds,” Little Grey Bear Boy shouted. “Come with me, Water Lily!” She took his hand and they ran back towards the centre of the village.

“Stand and fight!” screamed Dark Cloud Man as Red-Eye warriors began running away. Still many rallied around him. Little Grey Bear Boy saw his cousin fighting with a Red-Eye warrior. He ran over to help and saw it was Yellow Hawk Girl they were fighting over.

“Get away from my sister,” yelled Little Grey Bear Boy as he slammed his body against the Red-Eye warrior, knocking him back. The man got back up to his feet and picked up a spear sticking out of the ground nearby. He smiled and thrust the spear at the young people defending the little girl. He was joined by two of his fellow warriors, both brandishing spears of their own.

“You will not harm my children,” came a deep voice that startled even Little Grey Bear Boy. He looked behind him to see the tall muscular figure of Blue Elk Man.

“Father!”

“Get behind me!”

“I can help you, father!”

“Do so with your magic!” replied Blue Elk Man as he unraveled his rope and brandished his stake.

The three Red-Eyes had formed a line, each trying not to be the one in front. Blue Elk Man walked towards them and drove his wooden stake deep into the earth.

“I am Blue Elk Man of the Marten clan,” he announced to his enemies. “I am a warrior of the Dog Soldier Society. I will stand my ground even if it should cost me my life.”

The Red-Eye warriors all looked at each other. They knew this meant he was not allowed to kill. They came forward with their weapons, confident now. Little Grey Bear Boy began to shake his rattle but could not find a song to sing. He was too worried about his father to put the right words together. He began to panic as the three warriors set upon his father.

Blue Elk Man was a skilled and determined warrior with no fear in his heart. He easily bested the first man, breaking his jaw with a swipe of his spear. The second man dove at Blue Elk Man with a knife, stabbing wildly. Blue Elk Man side-stepped the sloppy attack and tripped the Red-Eye with his rope, flipping him over. He then plunged his spear right through the Red-Eye warrior's thigh.

The third Red-Eye warrior was not as brave or foolish and he stayed out of reach. He called for re-enforcements and soon other Red-Eye warriors and two great coyotes joined him. The Red-Eye army was forming up to attack Blue Elk Man. The attackers wore the clothing of different nations. It seemed the only thing they had in common was the red paint streaming down their faces in the hard rain.

For some reason their appearance made Little Grey Bear Boy think of the Windigo-con song from the sundance. He shook his turtle shell rattle and began to sing. Water Lily Woman joined in, creating a strong vibration as the double power of the Grey-Eye magic took hold.

As they chanted, Blue Elk Man transformed into a great Windigo. He looked like a grizzly bear or sasquatch, but with great elk antlers sticking out of his head. He had four great and powerful arms and his roar shook Mother Earth. The coyotes snarled and leaped at him. The Red-Eye men fired arrows and threw spears. Blue Elk Man the Windigo swatted the coyotes out of the air with his great long arms and deflected arrows and spears with his mighty antlers.

Two great wolves, one of which was missing a leg, attacked the Red-Eye army from the rear. The Windigo beast threw the coyotes and men off, and the wolves attacked. Those who were able began to flee.

A weak scream arose from the edge of the village. Little Grey Bear Boy grabbed Water Lily Woman by the hand and pulled her away from the battle.

“What about your father and uncles?”

“They are fine by themselves,” he answered. “We must find Dark Cloud Man and end this.”

They found old Walking Moon Woman yelling at Dark Cloud Man outside the Bear lodge. “
Awas
! Leave them alone. They are your relations.” She pulled on his shoulder as he threw a girl to his warriors.

“Now they are my slaves,” he replied, shrugging off her hold. “You will forever regret not choosing me when you had the chance.” He pushed her hard with both hands, sending her sprawling to the wet ground.

“I only regret not allowing my husband to kill you when we were young,” she said through clenched teeth.

From out of the Bear lodge two Red-Eye warriors were dragging White Willow Woman and Yellow Hawk Girl away. Flying Rabbit Boy and Singing Doe tried, in vain, to stop them. The Red-Eyes pushed them off with little effort.

“You will stop this!” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“What?” scoffed Dark Cloud Man. “Are you still alive?”

“You cannot kill me so easily.”

“Are you so sure of that? My army has taken the village. I am the master now.”

“Your so-called army is defeated! My father and uncles are finishing what is left of them now.”

Dark Cloud Man looked up at the village and for the first time noticed the warrior bodies strewn about.

“This cannot be. Cowards. You have betrayed your master!” His eyes glowed red and a great rumble came from the sky. “Very well. If I am not to rule here, no one shall.”

“Don't do this!” Walking Moon Woman ran towards him just as he raised his hands, a strange and horrible chant on his tongue. She grabbed him, trying to pull his hands down out of the air.

Dark Cloud Man slapped her hard, knocking her back onto the ground.

“
Nookum
!” Little Grey Bear Boy ran to the old woman's aid.

Walking Moon Woman got up onto her knees as a ball of fire broke through the cloudy sky. A hole had been punched through the clouds, making visible the stars of the night sky. The fireball came down to the earth and Dark Cloud Man pointed one of his arms at Walking Moon Woman. The fireball swerved and struck her directly, exploding the earth beneath her and knocking Little Grey Bear Boy backwards. Of the Bear clan matriarch, nothing was left.

58
niyānanomitanaw ayinānīwosāp

“N
ookum
!” Little Grey Bear Boy screamed.

Dark Cloud Man continued to chant, his eyes glowing red and tears of blood oozing from the sides. The Red-Eyed magic continued bringing fireballs down in a rain of fire upon
Nisichawayasihk
. The remaining villagers ran about in a panic, screaming and crashing into each other. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide from this curse. Fire ignited the trees in the forest and the remaining lodges.

Little Grey Bear Boy summoned the waters about him again, though it had stopped raining and there was less to be had. He raised his hands in the air and clapped them at the Red-Eye. The stream of water, small but powerful, fired at Dark Cloud Man, but was repelled by the shimmering dome of energy that surrounded him.

Water Lily Woman spoke a chant and raised the rock and boulders from the broken ground and hurled them at him. The rocks bounced off the dome. Flying Rabbit Boy fired an arrow at the Red-Eye, which shattered upon the dome as well.

“It is no use,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “We need to break his concentration.”

A fireball came hurtling towards them and they dove in different directions, the earth exploding where they had stood.

The fireball had struck nearest Little Grey Bear Boy. Dazed, he looked up to see the Eagle lodge tear in half as a fireball hit. The younger Eagle twin sat in a shower of smoke and debris. “Where is my sister?!” she screamed, panicked. “She was hiding right next to me. Where is my sister?”

Little Grey Bear Boy tried to regain his senses and speak clearly. “Auntie! The lodge is falling…”

The Eagle lodge, or what was left of it, began to tip over towards the woman. Little Grey Bear Boy got to his shaky feet and limped towards her, but he came crashing down. His leg was bleeding and there a shard of stone protruded from a deep wound. He watched helplessly as the lodge continued to tip, the broken ends of the support poles sharp as spears.

She saw the danger too late. As a scream rose in her throat, a grey-haired figure knocked her over, throwing his body on top of hers, the broken poles stabbing deep into his back.

“
MOTCH!
” screamed Little Grey Bear Boy, as he dragged himself towards the impaled body of his adopted grandfather.

The younger Eagle twin dragged herself out from underneath Painted Turtle Man, gasping. The old man coughed blood as one of his punctured lungs tried to breathe.

“
Moosum
!” she cried. “Why? After everything…”

“My girl,” choked Painted Turtle Man. “I never cared about anything you said or did to me. You are a woman of the people of
Nisichawayasihk
. I have always loved you as though you were my own daughter. You need to live and help the
Nehiyawak
rebuild their lives after all of this has passed.”

Little Grey Bear Boy dragged himself next to the old man, trying to keep the shard in his leg pointed upwards, while the younger Eagle twin wept.

“
Moosum
.”

“My boy. It is time for me to go. My beloved wants me by her side once more. You must take up my bundle and carry my peace pipe for the
Nehiyawak
. Will you do this?”

“I don't want your peace pipe!” sobbed Little Grey Bear Boy. “I want you to stay with me.”

“I know, my boy,” answered the dying man. “I want that too, but it is not meant to be. I will watch over you from the Spirit World. I will tell
Kitchi Manitou
about the man you have become…” Painted Turtle Man, medicine carrier of the Bear clan for the people of
Nisichawayasihk
, drew his last breath upon Mother Earth and his spirit left to join the Great Mystery beyond.

The rain of fire continued all around and Little Grey Bear Boy could hear Dark Cloud Man's maniacal laughter. Water Lily Woman came running to his side. “
Moosum
!” she cried when she saw the old man.

“He has left us,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“What will we do?”

“I don't know,” said Little Grey Bear Boy looking up into the sky. Through the holes in the clouds he saw a green flicker of light. “We have only one chance. The Spirits are dancing. We must ask your father to help us.”

“I do not feel him this night,” cried Water Lily Woman.

“Someone is dancing for me,” replied Little Grey Bear Boy. “I can feel it.” He looked down at his hand to see he was still clutching his turtle shell rattle. He began to shake it and sing the Dancing Spirits song. Water Lily Woman wept as she sang. The lone Eagle twin looked up at the sky and watched the clouds part to reveal the aurora in all its quiet magic. She knew the song they were singing and added her voice to it. From their hiding spots behind rocks and trees, the surviving people of
Nisichawayasihk
added their voices and sang in harmony.

The flickering lights in the sky began to take shape. Soaring Star Woman appeared, beside her a man none of the others recognized. Little Grey Bear Boy knew this was his great ancestor, Grey Bear, the last Grey-Eyed Bear before him.

“My son!” echoed the voice of Soaring Star Woman from the sky. “You have shamed and disgraced the Eagle clan. What have you done to the
Nehiyawak
?”

“Mother!” cried Dark Cloud Man. “It is you who shamed Grandmother Eagle. We are destined to rule the
Nehiyawak
, not to be their slaves. I have taken back what is rightfully ours.”

Now Grey Bear spoke. “Nothing is given that is not earned by our own efforts. You deserve nothing by virtue of your birth. You were brought into this world naked and alone. It was the
Nehiyawak
who took care of you and kept you alive when you were helpless. Is this how you now repay their kindness?”

“I will not serve the
Nehiyawak
!” screamed Dark Cloud Man. “It is they who must serve me.”

“Then you do not serve Grandmother Eagle,” roared Soaring Star Woman's spirit. “We Eagles do not command the
Nehiyawak
. We put ourselves in front of the others to protect them. We bear the blows and the hard words of our enemies to keep the
Nehiyawak
in harmony with those around them. That is the duty of the Eagle clan and it is no greater than the duty of any other. If you cannot live your life in service to the
Nehiyawak
, then you are no son of mine!”

The red faded from Dark Cloud Man's eyes as his mother's words wounded the remaining piece of humanity in his heart. The glowing energy dome around him faded.

The remaining lodges were broken, fallen, or in flames. What was once a circular village was now a flaming ruin. Sections of earth had been torn out and smoking craters where fireballs had struck pockmarked the ground. The dead bodies of friend and foe were strewn about in lifeless heaps. Children cried over dead parents and the survivors dragged the injured towards the cover of the forest.

From the opposite side of the remains of the village, Flying Rabbit Boy saw his opportunity. He drew the magic arrow from his quiver and notched it to his bow.

“My need is great and my heart is true…” he whispered as he aimed at Dark Cloud Man. The arrow flew high and far the length of the village. The arrow began to drop and Flying Rabbit Boy feared it would not make the distance.

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!” screamed Dark Cloud Man as the arrow plunged deep into his thigh.

////

The two Red-Eye warriors who had been standing with Dark Cloud Man looked back and saw Flying Rabbit Boy. They raised their weapons and charged after him, screaming wildly. With the instincts of a great hunter, Flying Rabbit Boy drew one arrow after another, firing them deep and true into the hearts of the attacking warriors. He notched another arrow and was ready to fire at anyone who threatened the people of
Nisichawayasihk
, but the last of the Red-Eye warriors were running or limping away. Dark Cloud Man pulled the arrow out of his thigh and broke it in half. He raised his hands in the air but could not make the Red-Eye magic work.

“You fools. You are too late to stop me. My servants are everywhere. I will have dominion over all the people of Turtle Island and there is nothing you can do!”

He spat on the ground and jumped up, turning into a crow and cawing loudly at the
Nehiyawak
as he flew away.

No one cheered or celebrated the end of the battle. What was there to celebrate? The land was destroyed, the lodges were burning, and the bodies of friend and foe covered the ground in pieces and lifeless heaps.

“We have to leave this place,” said Blue Elk Man, now returned to human form, as he pulled an arrow out of his shoulder.

“Where will we go, father?”

“I don't know, Little Grey Bear Boy. Mother Earth is beginning to flood. The rain of fire has upset the three rivers and the ground is drowning.”

Little Grey Bear Boy looked down at his feet and for the first time noticed the streams of water snaking across the ground, filling the great holes left by the Red-Eye's curse.

“We sent the
Nehiyawak
up to the sundance grounds,” said Water Lily Woman.

“That is higher ground,” said Blue Elk Man. “It will have to do for now. Gather the injured and get them there. Find any who are capable and have them return to help the survivors.”

“
Hiy, hiy
!” said the two Grey-Eyes obediently. Their eyes met for a moment and Little Grey Bear Boy felt like he wanted to smile at Water Lily Woman, but he could not find the joy in his heart. He nodded instead and limped off to help the injured.

“Use the lodge poles to make a travois!” Little Grey Bear Boy yelled at some boys. “Take everything you can carry to the sundance grounds!”

“
Tapwe
, Uncle!” they yelled.

Little Grey Bear Boy was shocked to be called ‘uncle' by boys not much younger than himself. He cleared his heart of pride and whispered his thanks to
Kitchi Manitou
for this blessing.

He went about the shattered village, barely able to remember where he was amidst the ruins. A familiar voice cried out from behind a great furrow of earth and clay.

Little Grey Bear Boy stopped as though held by deep roots at the sight of Brown Shield Man's broken body. There were arrows, spearheads, and jagged coyote-teeth tears all over his bloody body. Flying Rabbit Boy knelt over him.

“My boy. I am so proud of you. You have given me great honour this day. You will make a fine husband for…”

“Please, Father!” Flying Rabbit Boy held Brown Shield Man in his arms. “Stay with me…” But Brown Shield Man of the Wolf clan, husband of Singing Doe, had begun the journey into the Great Mystery.

Little Grey Bear Boy fell to his knees at the sight of his broken clan.

“Somebody help me!”

Little Grey Bear Boy and Flying Rabbit Boy looked over to see Water Lily Woman trying to lift the lodge poles off the Marten lodge.

“The matriarch is still alive!” she called.

Little Grey Bear Boy got up and wiped the tears from his eyes. He dragged himself over, cradling his injured leg, to what was left of the Marten Lodge. Gliding Heron Woman lay on her stomach, her feet sticking out at odd angles, legs pinned by what was left of the Marten lodge. She was moaning in agony.

Flying Rabbit Boy sat on the ground nearby. “They have killed my father!” he choked.

“I am sorry,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“Be sorry for the Red-Eyes,” sputtered Flying Rabbit Boy. “They will know my vengeance in time.”

Flying Rabbit Boy got to his feet and came to help the Grey-Eyes lift the lodge poles off the matriarch. They managed to lift it enough for Water Lily Woman to drag the matriarch out.

“My legs!” cried Gliding Heron Woman.