For Evening Star, the ceremony came as a relief. The dog’s corpse was swollen, leaking brown liquid, and downright putrid.
How odd that a child’s grief can hold an adult’s common sense hostage.
It had been Rides-the-Wind who had had the courage to insist that Tsauz bury the rotting puppy. Fearing the boy might change his mind, Rain Bear had wasted no time preparing a cordon of guards to see them out of Sandy Point Village. People in the surrounding camps had watched in disbelief as the processional wound through their ragged camps. And for what? The burial of a puppy?
To Evening Star’s mind, it was either the stuff of legends, or a most ridiculous comedy. She looked around the grassy meadow Rides-the-Wind had picked. Alders, pine, and a ring of birch surrounded the opening.
“How much will I owe you, Elder?” Tsauz asked as he laid the limp corpse on a rock that the Soul Keeper had led him to. I—I don’t have anything here with me, but when I get home, I give you my oath I will send you—”
“I don’t wish to be paid, Tsauz. I’m just happy you asked me to help you.”
Crying, Tsauz said, “I promised him, Elder. I told him I would find someone to Sing his soul to the afterlife.” He wiped his cheeks on his sleeve. “Thank you, Elder.”
The gratitude in the boy’s voice was wrenching. “Let’s get started so Runner can be on his way.”
Sunlight glimmered on Rides-the-Wind’s gnarled hands as he reached into his ritual pack. He pulled out a small white bag and poured powdered seaweed into his palm. It shimmered a pale green.
Rides-the-Wind touched the boy’s shoulder. “Can you help me Sing him to the House of Air?”
Tsauz choked out, “Yes.”
Rides-the-Wind lifted his voice in the Death Song, and after a few moments, Tsauz’s voice, and then Evening Star’s, joined his:
In a sacred manner, we send a voice. We send a voice.
The path of Gutginsa is our strength.
The path of Gutginsa is our hope. A praise we are making. A praise we are sending.
In a sacred manner, we send a voice.
Hear us, our North Wind ancestors. Come and lead this puppy’s soul to the entry to the Above Worlds.
In a sacred manner we are sending a voice. Come, Blessed Ancestors, take this puppy’s soul to the House of Air.
The guards sifted through the trees around the meadow, quiet, alert, watching them. It was, perhaps, the first time any of them had heard the North Wind Death Song.
Rides-the-Wind lifted his hands. “The ancestors will find him here, Tsauz, and take his soul flying to the House of Air. Tonight he will be watching over you from high above.”
Tsauz looked blankly up at the cloud-packed morning sky where ravens flapped lazily toward the sea, cawing to each other.
“Is it true, Elder, that the dead can fly down to earth and make rainbows?”
Rides-the-Wind smiled and followed Tsauz’s gaze. The sky had started turning a deep shade of amber. “I think it’s true. They can bring rain and call the Thunderbirds … and make rainbows. Why do you ask?”
Tsauz chewed his lip. “I’ll be looking for Runner’s rainbow, that’s all.”
Evening Star watched them, her heart heavy. How would a blind boy see a rainbow? She thought of her daughter, and all that the little girl would miss in life. Love, grief, smiles, and laughter. She would never enjoy that lift that came with a young man’s smile, or feel the tingle in her pelvis as she shared a man’s body. No life would be conceived to grow in her womb, and the tearing pain of childbirth would never be hers. So much was lost when a child died.
Rides-the-Wind stroked Tsauz’s dark hair. “You’ll see Runner’s rainbow. Someday soon, I imagine.”
The guards shifted. Several whispered to each other and squinted at their back trail.
Evening Star could feel something happening out there. “Let’s go back and eat breakfast. Soul Keeper, would you join us? Rain Bear promised to come for tea once he’s finished meeting with the other chiefs.”
“I would like that very much.” The old man looked at her with a knowing gaze.
At that moment, a warrior loped in from the forest, breathing hard, and called, “Where’s Chief Rain Bear?”
“The Council Lodge,” Evening Star’s guard Hornet answered. “What’s happened?”
“We caught one of Ecan’s assassins sneaking up on the village!”
Evening Star stiffened. “Elder, please make sure you get the boy back safely.”
“What about you?” Rides-the-Wind asked.
A cold shiver went through her. “I know some of the Wolf Tails. Perhaps I can name this one.”