Snow Eagle (14 page)

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.

She raised her hand to her eyes, pointed at him and made the sign for her father. Over the past few months they had devised a very effective hand sign language. She was asking if he had seen Giant Bear. She approached, quickly snuggling close to him. His arm went about her shoulders protectively.

“He was just here congratulating us on our kill. This will feed the village for weeks to come. How are you feeling?”

She signaled that she was fine. Making the sign for council meeting she signed that she was too tired and wanted to stay home. She wanted to ask her father if it was all right with him.

“I will ask him, let's get you inside near a warm fire. It will feel good to get out of this heavy coat and these wet boots.” The two young people walked through the village, waving to others as they passed. Gray Wolf was accepted and well respected by the Tagish. “I must say I miss the milder climate of the seashore. Soon it will be Crow Moon and we can start thinking about moving to the Tlingit village in the valley. By Grass Moon all of the snow will be gone and travel will be easier. My people will be back and it will be wonderful to see them again.” She gave him a sad look. “I love living here with you and your people, you know that.” He placated her. She was moody these days and it seemed she was very sensitive to any comments he made. “I just mean it will be good to see my mother and father again also we will have a proper marriage ceremony.” She shook her head to the side indicating that they were married already. “Yes I know but we will have another bigger ceremony and you will be carried by six groomsmen on a platform. You will be the most beautiful Tlingit bride.” She smiled at him. She liked the way he complimented her. The Tagish ceremony was hastily done and she would like a big celebration. She was proud to be Gray Wolf's wife. He reached over and pulled her beside him. He held her tightly. She was his life; he loved her with all of his heart. He rubbed her swollen belly. The child would be a great symbol, responsible for the coming together of two great tribes.

“As much as I would like to stay here with you, I had better go and tell Giant Bear that you are tired and will not attend the council meeting tonight.” Gray Wolf pecked her cheek before leaving her in front of the cozy fire. She whistled a soft, bird like song while she rubbed her swollen belly. The child would know the sound of his mother before he was born. Gray Wolf smiled as he left the hut. He was happy with this new life.

It was one week later that his happy contented world began to crumble. The runners arrived with news from the Tlingit camp.

Giant Bear sat in council with the runners and Gray Wolf. Both men were greatly disturbed by the news. One of the runners gave Giant Bear the gifts sent by Black Rain. He assured him that the Tlingit were not breaking their promise. The unity of the Tagish and the Tlingit was secure. This runner had been told to make this point very clear. The safety of his people depended on it.

“So you want Gray Wolf to return with you now?” Giant Bear was tossing several scenarios over in his mind. “His father is not well you say?”

“Snow Eagle is very upset over the disappearance of Little Fawn, his wife and Gray Wolf's mother. The entire village has searched for days, we fear she is in great danger.” The mention of his mother in danger made up Gray Wolf's mind immediately.

“I must go. Songbird will not be able to travel and I will return as soon as I can. I know you will take good care of her Giant Bear.” He was praying silently that Giant Bear would not make an issue of this.

“I understand a son's concern for his mother, however these men said that you are needed to sit on the Elder council and make decisions for your people. This is not a small job. You will not be back for a long time.” The huge man rubbed his hand over is chin. “This changes things considerably.” Gray Wolf's mind was in turmoil. His people needed him. His mother was in grave danger, his father depressed and not functioning. Songbird was expecting his child. What should he do? His fingers tapped nervously against his leg. He waited for Giant Bear to speak. Could he disobey the man he had come to respect as much as his own father? The lead runner looked at him questioningly. This was the most important decision of his young life.

“My daughter can not travel, she will not leave her people. The child will come soon. This much I know.” Giant Bear watched Gray Wolf closely. He knew the young man's mind was wrestling with his heart.

“Black Rain said to assure you Giant Bear, the Tlingit will be returning to their mountain valley by Grass Moon. Gray Wolf will come for his family then and the Tlingit will have a large Potlach to celebrate the unity of the Tagish and Tlingit tribes.” The runner hoped he was being convincing but the tension was palpable.

Gray Wolf calculated the number of days until Grass Moon in his head; it was not that long. Perhaps Giant Bear would understand and let him go with the runners. He wanted to witness the birth of his child but his family needed him. He hoped Songbird would understand.

“Leave me now. I will have a decision for you in the morning. I must discuss this with the Elder Council. Gray Wolf, you will ask Songbird to come to me now.” The runners bowed to Giant Bear and left the hut. Gray Wolf started to say something, but thought better of it and left behind them. How was he going to explain all of this to Songbird in such a short time? Giant Bear would be waiting for her. As a council member she would make the decision along with the others. He walked slowly back to his hut but his mind was racing. How could he tell her?

She was asleep when he entered the hut. Slowly he took her in his arms and held her. She opened her eyes slowly and smiled up at him. His heart shattered in a thousand pieces. Instinctively she sensed something was wrong. She signaled to him, asking what was the matter.

“My people have sent runners from their camp by the sea. My mother has been taken and is in great danger. My father suffers from her loss and cannot function on the council. Black Rain, my grandfather has asked that I come to the camp by the sea to sit on the council. It is imperative that I go to my people. They need me.” He watched her face change; it showed such sadness. “You know I would stay with you if I could. My mother and father need me more than ever. She might be dead. I must go.”

The mention of his mother tugged at her heartstrings. She knew what he was going through but she did not want him to leave her. She did not know what to do.

“Your father has asked that you go and sit on the council. A decision will be made before morning. I will listen to whatever he decides but I am telling you, I must go to my people. I am sorry Songbird, but I must go.” Sadly, she pulled her fur around her body, kissed his mouth and left him alone. Tears fell from his eyes as he rocked his body back and forth in front of the fire. He stared into the flames and prayed for a solution that would work for all of them. He asked Kah-shu-gon-yah to keep his mother safe and to bring his father strength. He prayed that his son or daughter would be born strong and healthy. The thought of Songbird having the child without him brought great sorrow to his heart. He let the tears flow; he did not feel like a mighty warrior on this dark night.

Just as the sun began to rise over the mountaintops, Songbird returned to the hut. She looked exhausted. Gray Wolf reached for her and held her tight. Together they cried. She pointed towards the council hut. He knew a decision had been made. Before he left her, he made sure she was comfortable on her bed mat. He pulled the furs around her and kissed her cheek. She looked so sad.

Gray Wolf entered the council hut, just before the runners who had been summoned by Giant Bear's men. The older man looked almost as exhausted as Songbird. He signaled for them to sit. The silence was deafening. Gray Wolf could hear his own heart pounding in his chest. Finally Giant Bear spoke.

“Some of the council elders think that the Tlingit are trying to trick us. They do not want Gray Wolf to leave until the child is born. Snow Eagle gave his word and they insist the Tlingit keep it.” Gray Wolf just stared at the giant man; he didn't know what to say. This couldn't be happening. Giant Bear watched the torture on his face. “It was a long night and many discussions were made. Songbird has convinced all of the Elders that she will let you go, Gray Wolf. She is willing to bear her child alone so that you can go to your people. She has confidence that you will come back to us when Grass Moon rises.” Again Gray Wolf stared at Giant Bear. Perhaps there was hope, Gray Wolf waited patiently. His grandfather's words of wisdom rang in his ears, ‘
You must learn to be patient. You must be cunning not impulsive
.' He remained silent.

“The council has made a decision. You may go to your people. If you wish, we will send four of our best warriors with you to help find your mother.” Gray Wolf expelled the air that had been trapped in his lungs.

“Thank you Giant Bear. You will need the warriors here to protect our people. I have trained them well; you will not be in danger. I will return as soon as I can.” When Giant Bear heard Gray Wolf refer to the Tagish as “our” people, all of his misgivings disappeared. This young man was true to his word and to Songbird.

“Travel well, Gray Wolf. We will take care of your wife and child. Our people will anxiously await the great Tlingit Potlach when Grass Moon appears.” The runners waited until Giant Bear dismissed them, relieved that Gray Wolf would be going with them. Gray Wolf stayed to speak with Giant Bear in private before going to his wife. The next few hours were going to be very difficult.

It was a difficult good-bye, but Songbird stood bravely beside Giant Bear and watched Gray Wolf leave the village. Her hand went protectively to her belly. She would be brave and bring his child into the world alone. They would both be waiting for him to return. A single tear rolled down her cheek as he and the runners walked out of sight.

Little Fawn was weak. She had managed to keep hydrated from the rainwater, managing to steal some small morsels of food but she was growing weaker by the day. Sunflower refused her food, determined to let her die. Little Fawn's body was covered in bruises from rolling on the cave floor. Fortunately Sunflower left for several hours each day. At every opportunity, she ate what she could. Yesterday Little Fawn ate berries from the ground. The few that had spilled as Sunflower ate were hardly a mouthful but it kept her alive. She remembered Sunflower sitting at the fire the previous night, a rabbit roasting on the spit. The smell of food made Little Fawn's stomach wretch, she was slowly starving to death. Sunflower gloated as she ate in front of her, refusing her even a small morsel. The woman was cruel and heartless. Little Fawn recalled Sunflower's words, “I could not kill one of my own people, but you will die. A slow and painful death, just as you deserve.” It made her shiver with fear. There was no doubt Sunflower intended to keep her tied up and hidden in this cave until she was dead. The room she was held in was deep in the bowels of the cliff. There was no chance of escape. It was only Kah-shu-gon-yah sending the rains that kept Little Fawn alive. She was thankful it was the rainy season.

She looked around the cave from her prone position for any small morsel of food. The bones of the rabbit sat beside the fire. Slowly she rolled towards them. Her body was numb from the pain now. She barely felt her legs. Hungrily she gnawed at the few pieces of meat hanging to the bone.
I am like an animal
, she thought,
but I will not die. Snow Eagle will find me soon. I will not lose hope
.

Hours later Sunflower returned. Little Fawn was back in her place against the rock wall of the cave, asleep. Sunflower kicked her as she passed. Little Fawn stirred, turning to face her kidnapper. “Sunflower, please I need food.”

“No food for you. You should never have stolen Snow Eagle from me. We are promised. Now you will die and he will be mine.” Sunflower laughed a hideous evil laugh. Little Fawn realized that Sunflower was talking as if they were still young unmarried women.

“Sunflower, it has been many years that I have been Snow Eagle's wife, do you not remember? We both have grown sons.” She was trying to reason with a mad woman. The mention of their sons brought great rage to Sunflower's face. She stood, rushing at Little Fawn.

“Your son's are grown, my son is dead. Dead because of you.” With that she struck Little Fawn in the face. In her weakened state, Little Fawn collapsed, losing consciousness.

“You killed my son, now you will die.” Sunflower returned to her fire. “Snow Eagle is mine. They will find your lifeless body in the forest and know that you starved to death. I will not be to blame. Snow Eagle will take me as his wife at long last.” She stuffed her mouth greedily with berries. Little Fawn lay silent.

Slowly she tried to open her eyes but one eye was swollen shut. It may have been hours or even days since she was struck, Little Fawn did not know. Her mouth was dry and her throat parched. Her stomach convulsed against the emptiness. She looked around the cave; Sunflower was gone. Little Fawn could hear the rain beating outside. She moved under a small thin stream of water falling from the cave wall. She let the cool water splash her face, stopping to take small gulps of the cold clear liquid. Her eye began to open as the water washed the dried blood away. With her hands bound behind her, she could not check the damage.
I must get out of here, or soon I will die
.

Snow Eagle and the people of the village searched and searched for Sunflower's hiding place. Everyone was growing weary but they would not give up. Snow Eagle was out of his mind with worry. Charging Elk tried to keep him calm but it was becoming more difficult as days passed. Each passing day, hope of finding Little Fawn alive diminished. But then, as they combed the forest, his prayers were answered.

One of the villagers spotted Sunflower and ran quickly to fetch Snow Eagle and Charging Elk. The men picked up her trail, staying far enough back that she did not see them. Snow Eagle's heartbeat loudly in his chest, he wanted to grab her and choke the life out of her but he needed to find Little Fawn first. Carefully they followed Sunflower out of the forest and towards the cliffs. She walked for miles, seemingly taking a stroll on a sunny day. No one would guess she had kidnapped and possibly killed Little Fawn. She stopped to eat berries, watch an eagle soaring overhead and even bathed in the stream. Charging Elk had difficulty keeping Snow Eagle back. Patience was the only way they would find Little Fawn and Snow Eagle had little of that left. Charging Elk began to wonder if Sunflower knew they were tracking her. She seemed so relaxed and unhurried. But then he heard her talking to herself, the rantings of a mad woman and he knew. Sunflower had completely lost her mind.

Hours later she began her ascent. An old trail led far up the cliffs, hidden from view. No wonder they had not found her before. She had chosen wisely. Now they prayed Little Fawn was still alive. When Sunflower disappeared into the side of the cliff, the two men hesitated. Was it a trap? They stood for several minutes before approaching the opening. Sunflower was nowhere in sight. Slowly and carefully they entered the long winding opening, it seemed to go for miles into the deep bowels of the earth. Soon they were in total darkness. Up ahead they could see a light. Sunflower had lit a torch to light her way. They followed on silent feet. Soon they came to a large opening, both men squeezed into a narrow opening so as not to be seen. From their vantage point they could see Sunflower. She lit the fire in the center of the large room. As the flames leapt into the air, the eerie light began to fill the room. It was then that they saw a small bundle against the opposite wall. Snow Eagle, thinking this was his wife, instinctively moved to go to Little Fawn but Charging Elk restrained him. He signaled to Snow Eagle to wait. Against every fiber of his being, Snow Eagle stood still. He wanted to see if Little Fawn was alive, how long could he stay silent?

Charging Elk surveyed the room. It appeared to be a shrine to White Fox. The dead man's weapons were piled neatly, as were his clothing, travel pouch and drum. Everything was neatly piled as if he might appear any minute to reclaim them. It gave Charging Elk an eerie feeling. He began to wonder what was the state of Sunflower's mind.

When Sunflower stood facing the bundle, he made his move. He ran at her knocking her to the ground. Sunflower screeched like a banshee. Snow Eagle rushed to the bundle. It was only blankets. He fell to his knees, his hands over his face.

“Where is she? Where is Little Fawn?” he screamed at Sunflower. The anguish in his voice made Charging Elk shiver. How much more could his friend endure?

Snow Eagle stood slowly taking the torch from the wall, he searched the small cave. Little Fawn was not there. Again he screamed at Sunflower who cowered under the assault.

Charging Elk bound Sunflower's hands and forced her ahead of him. Holding the torch in one hand and the squirming woman in the other made moving through the dark tunnel very difficult. At the mouth of the cave, Charging Elk discarded the extinguished torch and grabbed Sunflower with both hands. “You are wicked, just like your son.” He barked in her face. She laughed at him, spitting on his chest. He gave her a shake. “This one is completely mad.”

“She is lucky I have not killed her. Little Fawn had better be alive. If she dies I will strangle Sunflower with my bare hands.” Snow Eagle was losing control. “Where is she?” He grabbed her roughly; Sunflower laughed in his face.

Back in the village, everyone was bustling about with news that Sunflower had been spotted. People gossiped about Snow Eagle and Charging Elk rushing off to follow her. Some speculated that Little Fawn was dead, others hopeful that they would find her in time. Raging Bull was worried about his daughter. Evil or not, she was still his child. He did not want to think what might happen to her. His friend Waving Pine tried to console him. “Life is getting too complicated for us. We are old, it is time to step down and leave the council to the young ones.” Waving Pine was sorry after the words left his mouth.

“I would have left my place to Sunflower, now she has disgraced me.” Waving Pine flinched; he wasn't helping. He simply placed his arm around his friend's bony shoulders and sat in silence. Suddenly a great uproar could be heard outside. “Could they have found Sunflower so soon?” Raging Bull lifted his aching body and headed for the door.

Outside everyone was excited, the runners had returned with Gray Wolf. Black Rain embraced his grandson. Red Hawk put her arms around Gray Wolf's waist and held him tight. They were relieved to see him at long last. “Where is my father?” Gray Wolf was anxious to hear any news of his mother.

“He and Charging Elk are out on the cliffs. Sunflower was spotted and they are following her. We don't know anymore than that.”

“Sunflower? What has she to do with this? Why did my mother go missing?”

“You have many questions, come we must eat. We will tell you what we can.” Gray Wolf was hesitant, he was anxious to go and search for his mother. Black Rain ushered him into their house. It would be a long night, but at least Gray Wolf was home.

Everyone slowly returned to their own houses and their chores, but there was much excitement in the village. The village buzzed like a beehive, with speculation in every corner of every house.