After another hand of time, he grew too tired to travel and sank to the floor. Pulling his cape tightly around his body, he closed his eyes. No one would miss him. Not for many days. And he would be able to think and pray.
Sleep came quickly … .
Faraway thunder—like giants walking—awakens me. I listen to the blackness. As the thunder rumbles closer, the Ice Giants shriek and groan. I try not to tremble.
I have found strange animals and plants in these tunnels. Once I tripped over the bones of a huge buffalo, twice the size of those outside, with horns more than two body lengths long. Supernatural buffalo, buffalo that have not existed in our world for many many summers—if they ever did. The shore of the fiery lake has even more peculiar things. A moon ago, I watched glowing fish swim through the gigantic spine of a monster that stretched for twenty body lengths.
I rise from the floor and feel my way farther down the tunnel.
When I notice that the darkness is not quite black, but has a faint glow, I know the sacred lake is ahead. The pastel luminescence increases until I can make out the shape of the ice tunnel. A little taller than my head, it has narrowed to barely the width of my shoulders.
As I round the curve, the tunnel opens to my Dreaming Cave. The ceiling soars into sheer blackness above me. I have been here tens of times since I was a boy. I know every sculpted curve and undulation in the floor. This is my secret place. No other human comes here, or ever has that I can—
A dark form passes to my left. The faint glow ripples.
I spin around, breathless.
He always startles me, frightens me.
A Spirit in the shape of a man, his black body has a shimmer, as though his jet feathers catch the light.
“I knew you’d come.”
“You’re never alone,” the Spirit says in a voice that sounds like the soft beating of wings. “I’ll always be here when you truly need me.”
“Since that night above the Nine Pipes camp when you first came to me, I’ve known you watch over me.”
“Why have you called?”
“Nashat tells me that Sunpath warriors have destroyed several of our villages. Tens of tens are homeless and hungry. Even now, they cry for food out in the forests. I—”
“Don’t concern yourself, Ti-Bish. They will have food. I will make sure of it.”
Gratitude floods my fevered body like cool water. “I thank you.”
“I sense there’s more.”
My eyes trace the shape of the lighter darkness around Raven Hunter. Though I’ve never seen the Spirit’s face, I know he is very beautiful.
“We can’t find Skimmer. Nashat brought the wrong woman. I know if I could only talk with her, pray with her for a few days, she’d understand you.”
“You want to pray with her after she plotted to kill you?”
“Yes, she’s a good woman. She gave me food once. I can do this for her … bring her to you.”
Raven Hunter’s soft laughter sounds like rustling wings. “And what would you tell her?”
The darkness shifts as though being blown about by Wind Woman. I can’t see Raven Hunter as clearly now.
“I’d tell her of your goodness and Power. I’d explain to her the wickedness of Wolf Dreamer. I’d show her—”
“She won’t believe you.”
“But why?”
“Old ways die hard. Especially old Spirits. But we will win this battle in the end.”
The blackness flutters closer, and I feel a light touch on my face. The warmth sends a tingle through me, making me feel better.
“Kakala’s warriors will finally bring her to you.”
“They will?” I say in surprise, and steel myself. I feel a strange attraction toward the woman. Just thinking about her sends a flush through me, even though a part of me also hates her for the suffering she has caused.
“I want you to give her something. Hold out your hands.”
I extend my hands, and he places a small leather bundle in them. “What is this?”
“You must never open it. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
I feel it with my fingers. “What’s it for?”
“It’s a bundle for Skimmer.”
“But I don’t under—”
“For her and no one else. A gift.”
The bag feels light. “When will Kakala bring her to me?”
The dark air pulses again, as though touched by fluttering wings.
“Soon. If you can keep Nashat from putting him in a pole cage. It’s very important that you follow my instructions exactly.”
“You know I will. Please tell me what I must do?”
“Skimmer is the source. When she arrives, you must listen to her very carefully. She will say things you don’t want to hear.”