Chapter XV
Shadows of the Night
Crazy Coyote wheeled round cautiously, it had taken until the turn of the moon, but finally they had picked up the trail of the Shadow People - and frightening it was too. The ground beneath them ran as if a mighty buffalo herd had stretched far across the land, and ground it down.
Black Elk raced at the front of their party as Humming Bird caught up to him, light footed as ever, she was unperturbed by the struggles they had been through.
“We cannot slow such a host as this,” she said, her eyes following the heavy marks that cast a dark design across the prairie.
“We do not need to,” said Black Elk. “From what I understood from Gabriel he wants us to create confusion among them, draw some of them or all of them away from their main purpose for as long as we can, by making them think that there is a great host ready to attack them. They will no doubt send their best warriors to seek us out and when they do, we will be waiting for them. Of course their best will still be a stronger party than we have here. But that is of no consequence as before we left; the Sky People touched us with the great medicine claw. Since that moment I have never felt such a union to Great Spirit as I do now: it is a wonder indeed, as if I can see the spirits of the grasses, the trees, even the clouds above. I feel and see their power and take strength from them.”
“As do we all,” replied Humming Bird, “it is as though we have entered the Vision Realm. Everything seems brighter, more alive than ever before. I did not realise how much life there was. We can see the way things become renewed. That nothing dies - even fallen leaves shine with an energy for life. The trees that seem empty and barren are still alive. They all glow as though they are surrounded by light. There is so much that remained beyond our sight that we now see.”
“Yes,” responded Crazy Coyote, “and there is much more that we do not understand. It would take a hundred summers to learn a small part of what the Sky People know; they are the ones who are truly the deep mystery of life.”
Black Elk brought them to a halt. He slowly bent down and pawed over something curious; there were different tracks furrowed into the ground, all congealed together except for one set that stood out, large and embedded so deep that only a heavy, almost giant, unnatural creature could have made them; it was either the one called Fenrir or some other terrible creature. If it was Fenrir at least they knew he had not been unleashed as yet on their brothers. No doubt when he had been sent out it was specifically to seize or kill the Sky People but on their escape the task had become too difficult and so he had returned to his master.
“These tracks are only a few days old,” said Black Elk, “so from here on we take care - they will surely have scouts out to give warning of any that might be following them.”
“Also,” said Humming Bird pulling a piece of ochre from a medicine bundle, “Gabriel showed me how to protect ourselves from becoming Wendigo. We are to place markings on our faces which will protect us from the power of the one they call Haldrago. They will add to the strong medicine they used on us.”
“What do they mean?” asked Black Elk.
“I did not understand when he told me - he said before going into battle we should do this,” She rubbed markings over her face and legs.
“I see,” said Black Elk pausing a moment, “then we shall call these totems of the Sky People War Paint. And from this day forward, when the First People go out into danger we will use these markings to protect us against any harm there might be.”
They all agreed and copied Humming Bird as she placed jagged lines and fearsome shapes on herself and Crazy Coyote, and as the ochre was passed from one to the other slowly their faces changed, becoming intense, vibrant and fearsome. Once all were covered Black Elk raced away; now they felt less the prey and more like hunters.
“The day draws on, soon it will be sundown,” said Black Elk, “it is then that we will be close to the Shadow People. I want to overtake them in the night. Get them to find our tracks and lead them away from the Great Basin. But we must make sure that they will follow us. We do not want them realising that we are trying to delay their march.”
“Then let us try something daring,” replied Humming Bird, “what if some of us slip into their camp tonight and make sure they have no alternative but to come after us.”
“What do you propose?” asked Black Elk, his eyes unsure of the wisdom of such an act.
“We take something of theirs that has real value to them,” replied Humming Bird.
“Like what?” said Black Elk, shrugging his shoulders.
“Do not forget I lived as one of them for a while. I had time enough to watch their great father King Leif Erikson and understand the manner of Lothos. The King keeps on his person a necklace that carries a sacred charm - what Uziel called a pendant. It has what are known as runic symbols on it which have a similar power as the letters of the Sky People. There is some witchery to it though I know not what. I believe if we can get hold of that they will come after us.”
“It may be too dangerous,” said Black Elk quietly, “they may expect us to try something like that and what you seek will either be carried on him, or it will be well guarded.”
“It is a desperate thing to do but it is necessary if we are to succeed in slowing their approach to the Ute. We will act only if there is surety of success. And if we take it, it will give them pause to consider that they are not as strong as they think. And that might give some of them who are not enamoured by their design, reason enough to escape their bonds.”
“Would you know where to look?” responded Black Elk, “It’s a very big camp.”
“Their King has a particular Totem that is flown from above his tepee - we only need find that.”
“And what of the dark? How will you see it?” reminded Black Elk.
“They do not move in secret but like to reveal their whereabouts. The camp, though guarded, will be well lit by their fires.”
“In that case how will you move without being seen and stopped?” asked Black Elk.
“I walked among them in that big village of theirs. They do not live like us where everyone has a purpose and their place as one of the nation. It is normal for them not to know their brothers.”
“You will have to remove the war paint and will not be protected by it,” said Black Elk.
“There are other ways to protect ourselves,” replied Humming Bird. “I have my medicine bundle.” She removed it from around her belt and shook it in front of him.
“What of their Shaman and this Fenrir - I don’t suppose that small bundle will protect you from them.”
“It may not protect me from them but it may protect me from being seen by them.”
“You mustn’t go alone and we cannot spare the men.”
Black Elk turned to stare at the people. His rutted brow glistening, he crossed his arms tightly as if he could feel a chill in the air, but truly he felt the undertaking too difficult for any who would do it.
“I will not be alone, but neither will I need many more for this task - only maybe one or two others. Surprise will keep us secret, you believe they might expect us, I believe that their pride and arrogance will make them blind to what we intend.”
Black Elk finally relented, letting out a deep sigh, the cool air suddenly coming alive as if he were smoking a peace pipe although he felt the unease that any risky venture entailed. “Who will you take?”
“Crazy Coyote and Yellow Hand.”
Black Elk paused looking into Humming Birds dark eyes, before speaking his face took on a grim expression, “Very well, when the sun sets, you go.”
They followed the trail to a river that led into a wood with the reddish hue of sycamore and spruce. Fortunately trees that were evergreen gave comfort from prying eyes. There was a cry above their heads and a number of ravens took flight, casting their deep shadows over them. They trod carefully, as the tracks were now fresh - maybe a few hours old, so close were they that the tra
il of footfall and horse print had no longer time to harden. They realised by the smouldering fires that the shadow people had stopped there for a time. One of the Hopi gave out a cry and everyone quickly turned and rushed to him. It became apparent why the Shadow People had broken off their trek. In the ground poking out of the dirt were the heads of some poor unfortunates, they had at first from a distance appeared to be nothing more than earthen mounds. They had dark hollows within empty crevices where eyes should have been, hair hung as though it were matted tumbleweed giving cover to the horrific sight.
“Well,” said Black Elk, “you now know what will happen to you if you fail.”
“Then we shall not fail.” Humming Bird stared down at the remains of hapless flesh and grimaced.
“We will wait just beyond the trees,” Black Elk looked into the deepening gloom of the wood beyond the evergreen, his face stoic but not hard. “May Great Spirit be with you.”
“Expect us at first light,” Humming Bird turned to leave.
“Be watchful and remember they have dark spirits walking among them - you must not remove your medicine bundles.”
Black Elk led the rest of the host into the thicket as Humming Bird lightly raced away with Crazy Coyote and Yellow Hand at her side. The trail their enemy had left behind was easy enough to follow even in the faltering light. They crept along the tree line as best they could, advancing as though they were spectres, mere shadows that could not be touched.
“You know the Grey Beards better than most,” said Yellow Hand.
“Yes,” replied Humming Bird, “I know the Grey Beards. And what you have seen is just a small part of how savage they can be. They have strange beliefs; among our nation, when you get old you are thought wise and you pass on that wisdom to the children and so it is that we are taught about our ways and the stories of our ancestors. They do not have this; they consider it right that you die young with a long knife in your hand. They are a Warrior people unflinching, relentless, it was for that reason that they were drawn to Lothos.”
“They are like the Comanche then?” said Yellow Hand.
“They are nothing like the First People,” replied Humming Bird. “They do not make war because it is their nature to prove themselves brave, to show their courage so that they can stand before the father of their nation and be as one with the people; they do it so they can attain an afterlife in a place called Valhalla, which means they are willing to sacrifice this life for the next. Lothos told them that by following him he would bring them glory and through him they would reach the afterlife. He said that they would win great riches and that a thing known as Ragnarok was at hand, which meant the final battle was to be fought as it was the end of time; that they had to travel across the Great Lake to the ends of the earth where there was a distant mysterious land. And it was there that they would fulfil their destiny and reach Valhalla.”
“It seems a long way to come for the afterlife,” said Crazy Coyote.
“That is right,” responded Yellow Hand, “if they are so desperate to meet their ancestors why didn’t they just stay at home and fight among themselves; it would have made a shorter journey and they wouldn’t have had to cross the great lake.”
“I’m sure many of them did,” Humming Bird appeared to slow and motioned for them to make for the cover of the trees. “I think I can see something, fire and flame. Come, we need better cover and keep your eyes open for any scouting parties. From what I’ve seen of Lothos I’m sure many of these Grey Beards did not want to make the journey to Turtle Island and have already gone to Valhalla; he would have gone to them as friends and spoken with honey on his tongue and divided their people the way he has divided ours. Do not think all the Grey Beards are false - from what I heard from Uziel Lothos has been as crafty to them as he has been to us and many that listened to him fell under his spell. It was a simple matter for Lothos once he had poisoned the heart of the great father of their people - others of that nation simply followed him and those that didn’t either fled, were banished or were enslaved. That is the main difference between us and them, if the father of our people speaks and the talk is against the wellbeing of the nation, then in a council meeting we speak out and put everything in balance. They do not - they follow blindly what their great father says.”
“As,” said Yellow Hand, “have some of our people.”
“It is worse than that,” replied Humming Bird, “the Leaders and Fathers of some of the nations of Turtle Island joined with Lothos because of their greed and in full understanding that they were following a dark spirit.”
“I see,” said Yellow Hand.
“Do you see?” queried Humming Bird, “Tell me then which is worse to follow blindly and not question the evil you do because you do not understand it to be evil, or to know that what you are doing is evil but not to question it.”
Silently they crouched as low as they could and made their way through the trees, stopping every now and then to listen; until sure enough there was a definite glow in the distance as they approached. From behind broken thicket and straddling copse could be heard the crackle of burning embers and the murmur of voices. They slowed and peered at the scene, each took a sharp intake of breath. The magnitude of what they saw held them in awe. Even Humming Bird was shocked by the sight of it; the village of the Grey Beards had grown great, indeed it stretched beyond their sight in every direction; the hard smell of rancid meats reached out, almost choking them. People laughed and milled around drinking and making merry. All were self-assured within a wooden stockade that though well guarded by watchful eyes, had places in deep shadow where people could pass.
“Well,” asked Humming Bird, “What do you think?”
“Huh! A buffalo could walk into their camp without being seen,” scoffed Crazy Coyote, “I guess today is a good day to die.”
“If it is to be, then let it be.” murmured Yellow Hand, “At least we would have done right by our ancestors and Great Spirit. I do not fear what fate awaits us but I do think it’s time to mete out to them the knowledge that we are willing to risk much in this war that they have brought upon us from beyond the great lake.”
“I hope this Charm’s worth it,” whispered Crazy Coyote.
“It is,” replied Humming Bird, “if Uziel believes it has some power to it, then it must be something of much value, and the fact that it was a gift from Lothos to Leif Erikson makes me think it has more to it than we can guess at.”
When the guards passed by once more, they crept from behind the trees and quickly made up the short distance to the stockade, and hiding behind thick wooden timbers they waited quietly for their opportunity to slip into the camp. No one noticed three silhouetted figures glide between tents and tepees, they stopped by one and realising it was empty disappeared inside; the fire at its heart had cooled but for a few smouldering embers. The ground was dry and except for the thick buffalo hide and fur bedding in one corner it was quite barren.
“I cannot see any sign of this Leif Erikson,” said Crazy Coyote.
“He will be at the centre of the village,” replied Humming Bird.
“Should we remain here?” said Yellow Hand, “and then look again in the morning?”
“No,” replied Humming Bird anxiously staring toward the opening to the tepee, “I told Black Elk we would be back by first light - if we delay he will think we have failed. And besides we cannot stay here - it’s too dangerous. The longer we wait the greater the likelihood there will be of being found out. We must proceed.”
“Okay then,” said Yellow Hand, “but shouldn’t we then split up? It would be easier to discover the whereabouts of Leif Erikson that way.”
Humming Bird shook her head. “If we did that then how would we be able to contact one another when he’s found? And besides Black Elk wanted us to keep together and not get separated.”
Crazy Coyote looked at Yellow Hand and then back at Humming Bird, “we could split up and meet back here when the moon wanes.”
&nbs
p; “No, the occupier of the tepee may have returned by then. Look the more we talk the less time we have to seek out the charm and make our escape. We must go at once.”
The three sneaked out of the tent and steadily made their way further into the lair of Lothos. They were not stopped nor did any give them a second glance, as they quietly slipped past great carriages filled with food stuffs. Without anyone seeing Crazy Coyote even poked his hand into one of them and took some maize, while Yellow Hand quietly did the same with the salted meats. They ate heartily and rested briefly, trying to discover the best way forward before moving on again. As the fires around the camp diminished one by one they finally reached the large tent of King Leif Erikson, his standard flying high above it. The three crouched by a burning fire and watched the scene, their hearts sinking even as they feigned sleep. To the front, light streamed out of the opening and voices could be heard raised in anger. Guards stood on either side; Vikings with iron stares in burnished chain-mail that shone in the torch light had shields at their feet and great axes at their sides, ready to hew any would be intruder. Raised torches ran all the way round at a point that meant any approach could easily be seen. Slowly, one by one, they watched people leave the covered shelter until finally, to their horror, Fenrir appeared at the entrance. He was larger than they had initially thought, but worse still he stood up as tall as the mightiest bear and began sniffing the air. His eyes narrowed, as if he knew that something was not quite right. He peered through the dark to where the three impostors lay and walked toward them. As he did so they clutched hard at their medicine bundles and silently prayed. He moved closer as their hearts pounded so hard that they thought he might hear them. When he finally stood over them and they could smell the stench of his rotten breath, he faltered; he stretched out a long clawed hand, but before he touched Humming Bird a sharp shrill cry was heard in a distant part of the encampment. Fenrir’s head shot up, staring in the direction of the scream, then there was another scream harsher than the first, and this time without hesitation he leapt forward and was gone.
The strange unnatural sound had also brought a half-naked Leif Erikson out into the open. He quickly threw on a tunic grabbed his sword and strode off followed closely by his personal guard. If there had been another revolt he would deal with it more harshly than the first, where he had only put to death the leaders of the malcontents.
After he had left the three carefully got to their feet and seeing that the way was clear crept forward into the open now unprotected tent of the King. Inside, lit torches stood high above a carved table that had legs of twisted writhing wood.
“Did any of you notice,” asked Crazy Coyote, “whether he had the charm with him when he left?”
Humming Bird raced over to the table. “I think I was bit preoccupied at the time, I thought the creature Fenrir was about to eat me.”
“Right,” Crazy Coyote began looking inside a large chest which sat in the corner of the tent. “Unfortunately I had the fire in front of me so I could not see.”
“Well I could see,” Yellow Hand picked up a map of the lands of Turtle Island, “and he did not have the charm on him when he left. Look at this, I recognise some of these drawings - they are our holy places. How can they know so much?”
“Remember,” answered Humming Bird, “The enemies of the Sky People were once like them.” She took the map from Yellow Hand, “They have strange ways that we still do not understand. So this is probably some kind of magic we do not know about.”
“You two put that down and start looking for the Charm,” cried Crazy Coyote, “we do not know how long we’ve got before they come back.”
They threw the plans back down and began rummaging through parchments, clothes and even beneath the furs that lay on the bed, but all was to no avail.
“Over there,” cried Humming Bird pointing toward a chain mail coat that was laid out on a chair.
And sure enough, hanging over the helmet, was a golden chain and attached to it was unmistakably the runic pendant.
“Quick, take it and let’s be gone,” said Yellow Hand.
Humming Bird reached out, removed the necklace and placed it beneath her long buckskin dress. Yellow Hand was already at the entrance making sure the way was clear. He waved them forward, and quietly they slipped from behind the coverings of the tent. There were still some hours of night left. Some hours for which they needed to make their escape. The three moved so lightly that none noticed their passage from the heart of the compound to its edge. Soon they faced the stockade and as the guards passed them the three furtive figures stole by.
As they fled into the night, behind them could be heard the deep booming sound of a horn, which quickly echoed across the camp, and suddenly beacons flared up. The cry had gone out - someone had taken a kingly gift.