***
As Gabriel watched Michael leave he got down from his horse and gently caressed its mane. Uziel slowly dismounted also, a strange almost vacant look coming over his face. Gabriel did not notice Uziel, who with deliberate intent moved behind him, silently he removed his dagger and stepped close. He drew back his arm ready to plunge it deep into Gabriel’s back, when swift as the wind Grey Wolf was upon him; the two fell to the floor struggling with each other. Uziel pushed Grey Wolf away in one move, and with the next he flung him hard into a tree, but Grey Wolf, though shaken, was not to be so easily undone. In an almost catlike move he sprung lithely up from the ground and began circling, ready to strike. Gabriel, though taken by surprise, quickly recovered and turned to face this new danger. Humming Bird tried to but could not intervene as her horse had been startled by the tumult and it was all she could do to control him.
“Gabriel,” cried Humming Bird, “that is not Uziel! Some other spirit rules him.”
Gabriel nodded and shouted to Grey Wolf to step back. With that Uziel turned to face him.
“Who are you?” asked Gabriel.
“Uziel!”
“I know Uziel is there,” said Gabriel, “but who else is there?”
“It is I Gabriel, it is Moloch.”
“Moloch,” repeated Gabriel, “I wondered when you would show yourself - so the Dragon let Uziel escape The Pestilence. Knowing full well that with rebirth you could easily inhabit his body. Far better than killing him, you could use him to whatever end and Uziel would not even have known it. A typically treacherous move, though I am curious. How did you deceive a shaman like Humming Bird?”
“Gabriel, Gabriel.” cried Moloch contemptuously, his eyes darkening, “how long have we been at war, and you still do not understand the power of the Mages. It was a small matter. And as for the use of this body, do not the Angelos use bodies all the time, or is that your natural form? So don’t speak to me of treachery. Anyway I am impatient to tell Lothos that there’s a Ute village wherein resides the Codex we seek, and since to hinder me means you’ll be harming Uziel, I’ll simply be on my way.”
“So nice to have that confirmed, so it is a Codex you’re after. As if it could have been anything else,” replied Gabriel to himself, his eyes then fixed unwaveringly onto Moloch. “I’m afraid Uziel or not, I can’t let you leave, not like this.”
With that he leapt forward catching Moloch in the midriff with a kick. Moloch slumped back as Gabriel swung round with his other foot knocking him to the floor. He pounced once more but this time Moloch was ready: he thrust his foot forward into Gabriel’s chest knocking him back and then jumped to his feet. Gabriel, knocked off balance, rolled across the floor and sprung up twisting round to face him once more. Moloch stood his ground, his face an intense picture of concentration. He raised his hands and began to murmur some incantation. An orb of light appeared between them, it was as though he were drawing energy from the earth. His eyes were now firmly fixed on his prey, Gabriel. As Moloch was Lord of the Mages, he knew the secrets of Chakra, the spirit in all things; and although the power he was about to harness was not so strong as to break the Equilibrium it was enough to do damage; a lot of damage.
He drew on as much force as he could muster and was about to strike when from behind the trees rushed Michael. Realising immediately what was occurring he took some of the stones from his medicine bundle and in one fell swoop hurled them at Moloch. They struck the ball of energy within his hands which instantly erupted throwing him back and to the ground; he convulsed a moment and then fell still. Humming Bird leapt from her horse at once and ran to his stricken body.
“He is in the Vision Realm,” said Humming Bird holding Uziel’s head in her lap.
“What happened?” asked Michael.
“It was someone you call Moloch, he used Uziel to find out where the Codex they seek rests,” replied Humming Bird.
"And now he knows it's with the Ute," bemoaned Gabriel.
“I have seen this malady before," cried Humming Bird, "if we are to save Uziel, I must guide him back from the darkness he’s been sent to.”
Michael looked at his stricken body which appeared void of life. “What do you need?”
“We must build a sweat lodge,” said Humming Bird.
“So you intend a vision quest?” said Grey Wolf sceptically, “How do you know it is not Moloch you help? He did disguise himself from you before.”
“Maybe,” replied Humming Bird, “but I will take a totem with me - an owl’s feather, to lead me on the right path.”
“We cannot build the sweat lodge here - the smoke would be seen for leagues,” said Gabriel, gesturing to the small clearing they were in.
”Where do you suggest we build it?” asked Michael.
“We look to the Stone People,” said Grey Wolf, “in the sacred burial grounds of the Seneca.”
“Well that does sound perfect for the ritual.” replied Michael.
“The Stone People are not far, a day or two maybe more.” said Grey Wolf.
“Quick, help me lift him.”
They hauled Uziel onto one of the horses and set off. As they rode Grey Wolf became disturbed, his eyes alert to any movement.
“Will you relax?” said Michael.
Grey Wolf nodded, but still he remained unsettled.
“There is something else,” said Grey Wolf, “about the Stone People.”
Michael and Gabriel shot each other a quick glance.
“There always is,” said Michael.
“Go on,” said Gabriel, “let us guess, they are difficult if not impossible to get to.”
Grey Wolf shook his head.
“There are dangers between here and there that we must pass before we reach them,” said Gabriel.
Again Grey Wolf shook his head.
“There is some guardian we have to get past when we reach them,” said Michael slowly.
Grey Wolf nodded.
“It is said that the stone people are the eldest of all spirits and there is a great mystery that surrounds and protects them that comes from the Vision World,” said Grey Wolf.
“Okay, that’s nice to know, now lead on to the Stone People,” said Michael. "We must hurry, from what I saw our enemy is building an army with a single purpose in mind, to destroy the Ute."
“Then we have no time to waste: there is also a ceremony that must be carried out to ready oneself for the vision quest, but it will take a powerful sage to do it,” said Grey Wolf.
“Do not worry, Michael’s got that covered,” said Gabriel.
“You are a powerful sage?” asked Grey Wolf turning to Michael.
“Of sorts - we’re Sky People, remember,” replied Michael. “That means we are all powerful Sages.”
Grey Wolf nodded in understanding.
“We will find the stone people in the canyon of the grey mists,” said Humming Bird. “There I can open a door to the Vision Realm: it is a place of deep prayer and solicitude.”
“I would expect nothing less.” said Gabriel.
“I guess,” replied Michael, “that’s why The Enlightened one was sent here, humanity believes so much in celestial powers. They could achieve anything if properly guided.”
“You forget,” said Gabriel, “the malice they have toward each other, they can be so bad they even make the Dragon seem good.”
“No I don’t forget and that’s also why the Dragon wants them turned - they would make him a powerful ally,” replied Michael. “Think, Gabriel - in all the worlds and times we’ve travelled, have any that are so primitive understood so much? The Vision Quest that was taught to them long ago - how they grasped it with understanding and wisdom. An idea so advanced, it is remarkable that they so easily embraced the thought of it.”
“But that’s the key - humanity can achieve anything, as long as they are led to it. Have you ever known a creature other than humanity that talks of freewill, but actually has none?”
“Yes, they are always
subject to someone or something; they have a lot to learn. I hope they just get time to learn it.”
Humming Bird urged her horse forward and pointed to where the Canyon of the Grey Mists would be found; they would have to pass through the Black Wood before they reached their destination. Michael rode by her side quietly with Gabriel just behind. Grey Wolf kept watch at the rear, his eyes ever eager for any sign of danger.
At least their path took them away from any spies of the enemy. The once lush grasses beneath the hooves of the horses sagged drearily. The riders past over a wooded escarpment that crowned a deep incline that eventually led onto an open plain. The trees stood so tall it was not possible to see how far up they went. They appeared angered by the intrusion; the wind twisted, turned and clawed at blackened branches which attempted to strike the passers-by. The thick trunks were darkened and gnawed looking.
“These are the Dead Trees,” said Humming Bird, as she warily stared up at the overhanging menacing branches that as the wind wakened whipped up all around them.
“You don’t say,” said Gabriel.
“What happened here?” asked Michael.
“Long ago,” replied Humming Bird, “legend says that these trees thought themselves so mighty that they could reach out and touch Great Spirit and by doing so become mightiest of all Great Spirit’s children. This angered Great Spirit who sent an arrow of flame to destroy their pride.”
“Sounds like a familiar story,” whispered Michael in Gabriel’s ear.
Gabriel sighed imperceptibly, nodding at the shame of it.
One by one their eyes would look up to search the ominous branches above their heads and watch as they swayed and thrashed in every direction; the trees were becoming more threatening and uncertain, fortunately this disturbance ended as quickly as it had begun, and they found themselves free of the wood. Once on the open plain and with darkness fast approaching the silhouetted riders made good time. They felt comfortable enough to ease back the reins and let the horses move at a more relaxed pace. Gabriel passed food around and they moved at a more comfortable pace.
“How do you think Moloch was able to deceive you?” asked Michael, stroking the mane of his horse.
“It is possible,” replied Humming Bird with a shrug, “that he only appeared when I was not there and he would have been buried so deep and had been there for so long that Uziel, as you call him, did not know he was there. And if Moloch entered him as a baby or even as an infant he could not have possibly recognised the deception. But it explains some of the things I had always questioned.”
“Such as?” said Michael his eyes glistening in the dark.
“Why he was such an able Viking warrior,” replied Humming Bird with a deep sigh, “as to become part of the King’s inner circle.”
“Yes I had also wondered at that.” Michael became pensive. “But I thought it just part of the nature of the Vikings. Having said that there is a saying the Mages have – and Moloch is their lord; roughly translated it is ‘Wars can only be won from the shadows’. So it is a typical deception of The Mages and the Dragon for that matter, to use Uziel the way they have done.” Michael glanced around as they approached what looked to be a crop of forbidding trees. “The lands are slowly changing.”
“Yes, we must tread carefully, we are entering Longfoot country.” replied Humming Bird.
“Longfoot?” queried Michael, not recognising the name.
“It is said the Longfoot were the first born to these lands. In appearance they are like both man and beast,” replied Humming Bird. “They are cunning and dangerous; great hunters; no creature may pass through their domain unchallenged. We will be fortunate indeed if we do not encounter one.”
“First born you say, we do know of the Longfoot, just under a different name,” said Gabriel, “How large is their domain?”
“It covers the Deep Forest.” replied Humming Bird, “as far as the Seminole that live in the swamp lands and the Illinois on the Great Plains. We should move with care.”
“Indeed and when do we get to the Deep Forest, and once there how exactly are we going to avoid them?” asked Gabriel.
“We should be there soon enough and whether or not we are seen depends on Great Spirit,” replied Humming Bird.
“Indeed,” repeated Gabriel with a shake of the head.
The gloom now began to deepen. Dusk had turned to night as cold stars flickered above them. They trod with care as the dark that covered them could hide any number of unwelcoming creatures: especially the Longfoot. The breeze dropped and there was a sudden calmness to the air. The moon began to rise as though it were a mighty tombstone, an omen to ward them off. Wisps of cloud partially veiled it, making it look broken and worn. By the time the moon had reached its height they were approaching the Deep Forest. It was a dark impenetrable wall that stretched in all directions; a blackness that waited to consume them - and consume them it would.
Even Gabriel’s keen eyes could not pierce that shadow; his horse began to jostle uneasily as though the wall before him held some unseen menace to it.
“So the Canyon of the Grey Mists is in that?” asked Michael, his eyebrows raised with incredulity.
“Yes, the Canyon is a cavernous ravine which stretches serpent like through to the heart of the forest. That is where we will find the stone people,” replied Grey Wolf.
“And in the Forest we will find the Longfoot?” asked Gabriel.
“No Gabriel - they will find us,” replied Humming Bird.
“Well everyone, time to take a deep breath before the plunge,” said Michael determinedly.
Michael urged his horse forward, followed by Humming Bird and Gabriel. Grey Wolf took a last look back before entering. The darkness swallowed them up, it was a solid bog of tar with which the horses struggled. Michael and Gabriel whispered something in the ear of each horse to calm them. The travellers fell quiet, the forest became sullen in its solicitude of the new comers. The trees began to whisper to one another at their passing. Gabriel cocked one ear as if listening attentively to them. They had travelled quite a distance by dawn’s break, stopping only once to eat and rest, the darkness began to turn to pasty gloom; fortunately the trees were so large that there was space enough between them for light to pierce through in hollow shards.
“So Humming Bird - where do we go from here?” asked Michael, who had the distinct impression that they were lost.
Humming Bird jumped from her mount and stood still, her hands raised as if in prayer. It had been some time since she had sought the council of the Stone People. She placed her hands palms outward as though she were touching the air around her; it was as if she were reaching out for some connection with the forest that the others could not see or feel. Above their heads an eagle cried out, circled round and flew off.
“We must follow the flight of the eagle, the stone people are that way,” said Humming Bird.
She mounted her horse once more and pulled it close to Michael’s.
“We are being watched,” said Humming Bird quietly. “The Longfoot are near though I cannot say how many there are. I think we are surrounded.”
“We’re what?” said Michael incredulously.
“I think that she’s trying to tell us we have more problems on the way,” said Gabriel wryly.
“I know what she means,” said Michael with a little annoyance etched in his voice. “How did they get so close without us realising it? Anyway we’ll see what transpires. If they are who we think they are, then maybe it's for the best.”
At that there was a loud resonating roar answered by similar calls that came from every direction. The noise agitated the horses so much so that they almost threw their riders. The Forest then fell silent. In the distance from behind one of the trees stepped a Longfoot. It was taller than a horse, covered from head to foot in a matted bushy hair. Its eyes peered out intelligently and scanned the intruders without fear or malice. In fact it was more curious than anything to see the strangers, who but for t
he lack of hair were similar to it in appearance. Gabriel dismounted and stepped forward, recognising that the Longfoot had a language that could be understood.
Grey Wolf looked on astonished, he evidently thought that Gabriel intended to confront the creature.
“It is alright,” said Michael mischievously, “he can talk to the animals.”
Gabriel shot Michael a quizzical look as he past him. “I presume that has some 20th century reference that I know nothing about.”
Michael nodded, with half a smile etched on his face.
“Grey Wolf, Gabriel is also a powerful Shaman,” said Michael, “He has many incredible abilities given to him by Great Spirit. One of which is to be able to speak in many tongues.”
Grey Wolf nodded, accepting that with Great Spirit all things were possible.
Gabriel was now close enough to the Longfoot that if the creature had wanted to it could have reached out and touched him.
“My name is Gabriel, see me.”
The creature looked him up and down, realisation slowly dawning on his face, as if a veil were being lifted. When the sun broke through the cover of the trees its long golden hair glistened. Its deep hazel eyes returned his stare as if he were studying him.
“The memory of my Clan know you as High Spirit and your brother as Ancient Spirit; so the Old Ones have returned if that’s what you are, I am Chey’ Tanka of the Longfoot. You may call me Chey. Why are you here? We have not seen the Old Ones in an age and never in the Green Wood.”
“The Deep Forest,” said Gabriel, “as it is known to us is the keeper of the Stone People.”
“Yes,” growled Chey, “but for what purpose is it that you would disturb the people of stone?”
“So Humming Bird,” replied Gabriel pointing to the horse carrying Uziel, “can go on a Vision Quest to free a friend of ours - he also is an Old One. He is being held captive by a Dark Spirit, a Manitou.”
“We have fought those Pale Skins,” said Chey, gruffly pointing at Uziel, “Most have dark spirits anyway.”
“Not this one,” said Gabriel, “he is a great warrior among us and we need him.”
Chey grunted dubiously, then turned and began to walk away. He looked back at Gabriel, who gazed back at him, not knowing what to make of this.
“Come,” said Chey gesturing for them to follow him. “I will lead you to the Stone People and they will tell us if you are who you say you are. There are many Dark Spirits in the Green Wood these days and they have fooled us before, and though I see you as the Old Ones, the people of stone will know the truth of this.”
Chey gave out a long cry that was returned by a hollow hooting sound. Other Longfoot appeared from the cover of the trees only to turn and leave. Chey then led them through the Deep Forest, his long strides keeping to a steady pace. Deeper and deeper they went. Timbered columns like giant sentinels watched them pass, great branches swayed in the wind, it was as though they were indicating as to which direction the travellers should move in. Chey would stop every so often to smell the air or to pick up a twig and run it along his thick sticky tongue as if that would aid him in seeking out what he was looking for, but as he did so there was always a cunning shine to his eyes. He was Longfoot and needed no aid in finding what he was looking for. In the trees small eyes would stare out of little cubby-holes only to disappear back inside, startled by the sight of the strange creatures that walked by. As Chey past one tree there was a huge putrid smelling fungus growing at its base, in one movement he broke a bit off and began to chew on it.
“This will give you strength,” said Chey.
“I’m good, thanks,” said Gabriel with a grimace on his face.
“It is also powerful medicine.” said Chey with a glint of mischief in his eyes, “Try it.”
“Yes Gabriel,” said Michael, “go on, try it.”
Gabriel took a piece of the fungus and proceeded to chew upon it. He could barely disguise his disgust. The taste was as bad as the smell.
“It has,” said Gabriel, trying not to gag, “a unique flavour.”
“It should have,” said Chey, “it only grows in places where a creature of the forest has marked its territory.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened at the thought of it, quickly he spat out all that he could to the amusement of Chey and the others. Michael urged his horse forward to the side of Chey.
“You have to develop a taste for it,” said Chey, “but to many it is not to their liking.”
“I can’t imagine why,” replied Gabriel, still coughing the rest of the contents up.
“Tell me,” asked Michael, “who are the Dark Spirited ones you have met before?”
“Other than the pale skins, The Wendigo have crept back into the forest in great numbers,” said Chey. “In appearance they are Wolf like but in size they are our equals and they have an insatiable ravenous hunger that can never be satisfied. These are desperate times especially if you are the Old Ones.”
“Gabriel, did you hear that?” asked Michael.
“Yes, it sounds like Lothos has unleashed the Wold,” replied Gabriel.
“If he has,” replied Michael gazing uncertainly all around, “then what else has he done? And does that not break the Equilibrium.”
“No,” said Gabriel, “you heard Chey - they are their equal. Lothos has used the Equilibrium in his own deceitful way. Which means that creature that the Bear referred to which had led the hunt against its clan was maybe a Wold, maybe even Haldrago himself.”
“And what of the creature we saw in the Viking settlement next to the king?”
“We never really got a good enough look at it, but it certainly could have been a Wold.”
Chey put his hand up, he was only a short distance in front but something had clearly startled him. They brought their horses to a standstill. Ahead of them the forest was cold and dark, covered in an impenetrable mist, a veil that felt threatening. The horses once more appeared agitated, and were unwilling to go forward, they tried to back away.
“There is…” said Chey pausing to sniff the air, “something ahead I do not recognise.”
All immediately leapt from their horses; Gabriel and Grey Wolf attached arrows to their bows; the talk of the Wendigo had heightened the tension they felt, while Michael took hold of one of the swords Uziel had hidden away. Humming Bird drew her dagger. Eyes strained to penetrate the mist.
“Thor’s Fire?” asked Gabriel.
“Not yet,” whispered Michael with a shake of his head, “It will give too much away. Quiet - something comes.”
From behind the trees appeared a small racoon type creature. It looked up at them curiously, stood on its haunches and gave out a short high pitched screech then disappeared down a small hole beneath a large trunk. They all let out a collective sigh of relief except Chey who stood as if transfixed by the mist in front of him.
“So now we’re scared of small furry animals,” said Gabriel.
“The Wold still might be here,” replied Michael.
“Well that certainly wasn’t one of them,” said Gabriel.
There was suddenly in front of them a terrifying shriek as if some creature were crying out in agony. The shrillness of the cry chilled each of them to the bone. Chey stood statuesque but alert to whatever danger lay ahead. The sound stiffened his spine. Something moved in closer but still remained beyond their sight, it was so close that they could hear its heavy breathing; it began circling them.
There was a further harrowing cry which was this time answered in another part of the forest.
“The Wold are upon us,” cried Gabriel.
Out from the mist leapt the Wendigo, it charged Chey, a long sinewy monster, on its hands and long legs were razor sharp claws. Its snout was as long and as terrifying as a wolf’s. It had yellowish callous eyes and was covered from head to foot in a greyish matted fur. The two fell upon each other, the Wendigo trying to rip out the throat of Chey, but seeing the danger he took hold of its fur, forcing it away and taking
hold of its front leg - managed to get his feet into the midriff of the Wendigo before kicking it off. As the creature landed it turned once more to face Chey. As it did so Gabriel and Grey Wolf let fly their arrows. They struck the creature but barely slowed it down, instead it became more enraged. Its thick hide was more than enough protection against stone headed arrows. The Wold turned to face Gabriel and roared with contempt. Gabriel let loose another arrow straight into the creature’s cavernous mouth. The Wendigo collapsed to the floor, dead.
Gabriel looked around grimly, “Well that was an unfortunate meeting. Is anyone hurt?”
Chey, who was heavily panting from his brief encounter with the creature, waved everyone forward. There was a gash to his right thigh and matted fur lay all around him. The trail to find them would be easy to follow, if there were other Wendigo close by, so they needed to make their escape quickly.
Everyone rushed to mount their horses and they rapidly disappeared into the mist. Chey’s long strides through the forest meant they covered the ground swiftly. Light soon began to fade and the dark descended upon them, only Chey, who knew every tree, nook and cranny, kept them moving as they were forced to eat on the run.
“How far to the Stone People?” asked Michael.
“They are near - we will be there soon,” replied Chey.
Far behind them there was a shriek, followed by others in different parts of the forest. Chey gave out a defiant grunt as he led them further within the gloom.
“I believe they have found the Wendigo you killed,” said Chey with sullen amusement, “Quickly - we must get to the Deep Dale.”
The trees now took on ominous shapes, appearing twisted and unnatural. Each carefully watched them, as though they were living monstrous forms; they half expected something terrible to jump out at them. They travelled over rocky incline, the horses stumbling through close thickets as they made their way toward the Deep Dale as Chey called it. As they neared their destination the falling of rushing water could be heard; this was a place where a solitary river had carved a great gash into rocky earth many eons before. Finally they arrived in a valley with a yawning depression: the trees looked as though they were sucked into its base, tangled and uncompromising copses tested every sinew of their horses, trying to prevent their passage. When they reached the river they stopped to rest for a moment. Chey led them along its edge as it weaved its way through the Deep Dale. Soon they began the short climb into a part of the Forest where the trees were less thickly gathered together. Eventually entering a clearing, the fresh air tasted sweet and welcoming. They travelled hurriedly across the open ground. Tired worn damp grasses clung to them like leeches. At the edge of the clearing there was a ravine and below that the Stone People. The moon hovered softly above their heads. Cold stars flickered in the night, patient bright bejewelled glowing clusters of light that were forever suspended in their dark ceiling.
After checking to make sure they would not be seen by enemy eyes. Michael and Gabriel dug a small trench in the ground, built a small fire out of dead wood, and then quickly made some torches. Chey called them over to the edge of the ravine so that they might shed some light on the narrow broken pathway which lay just beneath them. From the shadowy light they could see that it was covered by thick mosses and stones of every size. Gabriel threw one of the torches down, and it flew spiralling in the air like a rotating fire ball, lighting up beneath them the trail they were to follow as it wound its way down into the hollow of the ravine. In parts they could just about make out that there were places where only one person could pass. They decided that it would prove too difficult to take the horses down such a narrow and hazardous looking passageway, especially in the dark, which meant that they had to decide who would stay behind to care for Uziel while the others made the treacherous journey into the abyss.
After a brief discussion which almost turned into a raging storm, it was decided that Grey Wolf remained with Chey to guard Uziel’s body while Gabriel, Michael and Humming Bird would make their way down into the ravine. They briefly rested and ate while they could, before the three with torches held high above their heads strode toward the abyss that awaited to devour them, and just as they were about to be lost to the dark, they were stopped by Chey.
“Beware - the people of stone are well guarded,” said Chey.
“We know, Grey Wolf told us earlier,” replied Michael.
“Yes, but you may not know that nothing may enter that sacred place without the authority of the guardian,” said Chey.
“How do we get that?” asked Gabriel.
“With a sacred offering,” replied Chey.
Michael thought a moment, then took the medicine pouch which had been strung to his leathered trousers and held it aloft. Chey nodded with satisfaction. Perhaps that would be sufficient for their safe passage. They also left the bag containing Thor’s blade with Grey Wolf, it would be a useful tool but now was not the time for it.
“At the bottom of the canyon there is a river that runs through it, follow it until you get to where there is a small island,” said Chey. “You will have to swim to the island. It is there that you will find the Stone People. May the Great Spirit protect you as you go.”
As if there was nothing further to be said, Chey turned and roughly hauled Uziel from his horse and laid him on the ground. Grey Wolf immediately set the horses to pasture and bid everyone a good journey. He was about to disappear into the forest to fetch some more wood for the fire, and to see if he could scavenge any more food when he was prevented from doing so by Chey, who told Gabriel that with the Wendigo about it would be best for him to stay close to camp, Grey Wolf, on being informed of why he had been restrained, acquiesced without too much trouble, apparently fighting one of those creatures on his own was not to his liking. With their final farewells complete, Humming Bird, Gabriel and Michael turned to face the danger that awaited them in the Canyon of the Grey Mists.