Snow Eagle by Shirley A. Roe Read Free Book Online

and open himself to receive the Great Spirit. He still had not found the answers he sought and frustration was growing in him. The night had been restless. He had dreams filled with warning, Evil has come, this is only the beginning . He knew he had to return to his people, they were in danger but from what, he did not know. Standing on the narrow ledge surveying the area and the beauty of the orange and red sky, he observed a movement below. Backing against the ledge to remain unseen, he watched as a band of seven warriors ran through the valley. He recognized the thick Caribou pelts and he immediately knew who they were. The Caribou Hunters were stalking his people. They came to reclaim the woman. His chest tightened with panic. Weak from fasting and knowing he could not possibly warn his people in time, Snow Eagle returned to his cave and began to chant. He asked Kah-shu-gon-yah, to watch over his people and to give him the answers he sought. His mind kept wandering back to Little Fawn and Gray Wolf making his meditation impossible. Snow Eagle took some of the dried rabbit from his pack and began to eat. He filled his water bag from the water dripping down the side of the mountain and drank thirstily. If he could not get the answers he sought, then he must regain his strength and return to warn his people. Gray Wolf's impulsiveness had placed them all in jeopardy.
    The seven men wearing three horizontal lines on their cheeks, ran swiftly through the grassy valley, attempting to make time before they began their slower ascent up the other side. Soon they would reach the ice fields; they knew that the travelers they followed would not make camp until they had crossed the ice. Once the Tlingit reached the rocky outcroppings on the other side of the ice, they would camp for several days. This is when the Caribou Hunters would strike. The quarry would be weak, tired and vulnerable. Above, Snow Eagle was also reaching this conclusion. He knew that he would have to travel quickly and this required taking the more dangerous mountain trail. He could reach the rocky outcropping on the other side of the ice before his people, if he could maneuver the steep cliffs and excessive heights that would take him there. He had taken the trail only once before, when he was a much younger man but now he had no choice. He had to get there before the Caribou Hunters, who would have to stay back in order to be hidden from sight while crossing the ice. This would give him some extra time for the treacherous climb. He chewed the rabbit slowly, letting the food dissolve slowly in his empty stomach. In his head the spirits warned, the evil grows.
    First to rise back at the camp was Waving Pine. He relieved himself near the swaying trees, his tall silhouette blending with the early morning shadows. The dewy mist lay thick over the moss-covered ground, casting an eerie spell over the camp. He wandered towards the place were White Fox was tied. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, his body going stiff at the sight that greeted him. A piercing screech left his lips as he discovered Moon Man's bloody body slumped against the tree. A few feet away, Waving Pine's nephew, Burning Branch lay face down. There was no sign of White Fox. People began to arrive at the base of the huge tree, where Waving Pine stood holding a sliced rope. “Someone has released White Fox and killed these two warriors. We must hold council before we pack up. One of you go and fetch Gray Wolf.” Waving Pine rolled the blood soaked body of Burning Branch over, a deep sadness in his eyes. A gasp escaped his lips. “This man lives, quickly carry him to the fire.” Two of the men lifted the blood soaked warrior.
    The group sat around a roaring fire, the Elders all seated solemnly as the council was called to order. Gray Wolf had been ordered to take some of the warriors and go in search of White Fox, with the explicit instructions to bring him back alive. Dancing Bear had insisted on