[29] Thunder Bear

Notes:

1. First, I want to apologize to the readers for delays in the chapters. I spend a bit more time polishing them sometimes and/or life has been busy. Mostly life is busy (I started drawing again. :) )

2. I referred to the Mountain Men as dwarves earlier, please disregard that. Sorry. :P I have since flushed out that faction of people.

3. The meaning of 'Lequoia' is not 100% confirmed from the site I got it but I'm rollin' with it. I am trying to be as accurate as I can but my research is basically limited to internet and we all know how accurate the internet is. :P

Thunder Bear and Asku were traveling west through the autumn plains toward the Last Mountain at the edge of the mountain range that Thunder Bear had known since before the Crash. Jenny has asked him to speak with the Red Mine, a group of Mountain Men that had settled in the vase caverns under the mountains. The Mountain Men themselves was a rather complex group of people that were as diverse as the number of species of creatures on the ARK. Some prefered the snowy mountains, others ventured near the edge, and others lived in great caverns. They all answered, in various degrees, to the Council of Seven which consisted of the seven leaders of each major tribe. Many of the leaders had been on the ARK before the Crash while a few had washed up on shore afterward. Only Magnar, the leader of the Red Mines, was a relatively new leader in the Council, and one that Thunder Bear knew little about. Other than he had a temper and Jenny had warned him that her letter would probably be ill received.

Jenny had taken his news rather well, he thought, given that he had come to tell her that the tribe leader was dead. In truth, Richard really wasn't the tribe leader but he was a very important, respected figure among the other researchers in the Tower. Jenny was perhaps second in charge. They had talked for hours after that and she had simply listened while he told of the stories he had been hearing and of Hannah's own tale. She had asked about Jaxon's condition and Thunder Bear had only been able to tell her that he had sent for Maha from River Sand. Jenny had only nodded at this, seeming suddenly distracted.

The talk then turned to simpler things but Thunder Bear had sensed that there was something else on Jenny's mind. She was nervous, twitchy, and her eyes kept darting to a dark part of the room though he could not see what was hidden in the shadows that would captivate her attention. Eventually he had been taken to a room to rest for the night and in the morning she had asked him to deliver a missive to Magnar at the Red Mine. He didn't ask why but she had told him to give it to the man and go straight home. "There is a Darkness coming...and you will serve your people better with them. Give this to Magnar then go home. And Machkeme...don't go near the Artifacts."

He had blinked at her, holding the letter in his hand. "Why?" The items that had caused all the fuss during the Tribe Wars had never been a thing he had desired. He had kept to his own, built his tribe and a new way of life during that time, avoiding most of the conflict when he could. Her warning seemed pointless. Everyone knew possessing even one Artifact could paint a target on your back and anyone associated with you. Thunder Bear had never even seen one but he had heard about them and only had a vague idea as to what they looked like. The rumors of what they did varied. None of them seemed plausible to Thunder Bear who was content with a simple life and who's only magic he needed came from the Spirits.

Jenny had closed her eyes at his question, looking more tired than he had ever seen her. It seemed the older woman had aged years in the span of seconds. "They are dangerous, more so than I thought. Richard kept much from me but now..." Again her eyes glanced to the shadowy wall where she kept no lights. "Magnar may not listen but I'm hoping my words will reach the ears of the other leaders and Jolmar in particular, or that one of the other Seven will understand my warning in the least."

Thunder Bear and Asku had left not long after that. His heart was troubled. As the first snows started to fall around them, he pulled up his fur hood and had spent most of the trip across the wide open green plains contemplating everything. He was a man that prefered to know little, not caring about the troubles of others unless they affected himself or his people. Most times, the other tribes didn't bother them unless one of the younger braves got a bit restless and tried to stir up trouble. They had escaped the Tribe Wars and kept to the great redwood forests his tribe now called home. The called themselves the Lequoia, or People of the Redwood, and most in the surrounding areas knew them by this name as well. It fit, even if it wasn't Thunder Bear's native tongue. His tribe was a mix of many tribes of the Old World. Hopi, Chyanne, Sioux, and many others not even of Native American tribes. They had found a way to live and survive together which was what Thunder Bear had hoped for.

It was near midday when he came up to the ridge with a winding, rocky road leading down into the gully that ran along the edge of the Last Mountain. It was from here that much of the stone used to build the mines had originally been taken, as well as much that was being used to build the Mountain City of Dordrumel in the south. Thunder Bear had heard it would be a great city and Jolmar had told him that the hope was to unite the Mountain Tribes into one great Tribe. It was a lofty dream but Thunder Bear had not the heart to tell the man that getting all the tribes to lay aside their quarrels, old and new, would be no easy task.

What disturbed him was the smoke rising from the mountain side where the great gate into the mines should be. The gate had been huge, large enough to easily allow the largest of ARK's creatures through it. Asku growled. The earth beneath the bear's paws seemed to tremble as if in response to Asku's restlessness. Thunder Bear felt uneasy suddenly, feeling like a great beast was waking from slumber. "Come, Asku," he said, urging his mount forward while unlatching his spear and losing the hunting knife at his side. "Be alert. I don't like this."

Asku snorted in agreement then moved slowly down the slope toward the entrance to the Mines. Several times the earth shook, as if the unseen beast was thrashing about within the belly of the mountain. It was only then that Thunder Bear noticed there were no animals. The forests were quite and the air seemed to be holding its breath. As the pair came around a rocky bend Thunder Bear quickly told Asku to halt.

The gate was smashed in. Water was pooling around the pile of carved stone and reinforced wood. Steam and smoke was billowing up into the sky and even from where they stood Thunder Bear could see the red and orange glow of fires burning deep within the mines. Asku's growl was echoed deep within the mountain and Thunder Bear felt his companion shudder and tense up, preparing to run.

For a time, Thunder Bear watched that cavernous maw, waiting for a terrifying beast to come chase him off but nothing came. The mountain trembled, the fires billowed within and the steam and smoke rose higher into the air. He could not hear the shouts of people from within, or the cries of trapped animals so everyone was either dead or had fled. There was no way he was going to be able to go in there to figure out what happened and if anyone survived.

A cool breeze drifted from the mountains and Thunder Bear turned to look at the road. It was rocky with little that he could see at a glance. Dismounting Asku, Thunder Bear started movin up the ravine back the way he came, searching the ground until his suspicions were confirmed. The people of the mines used spiked wheels on most of their wagons for in the mines and to traverse the steep path that lead to their home. Some of the marks from these wheels could be seen on the stone road and, moving up the path, he found deeper ruts within the softer earth. Asku padded besides him, sniffing the ground and snorting softly. There was no telling if this was from before or after the events that caused the gate to collapse without searching the ruins below. Given the tremors in the earth and his general unease about the situation, Thunder Bear beckoned to Asku and started off on the trail left behind by the wagons.

It didn't take long to find an easy path to follow once he had entered the thicker underbrush just before the mountains. The tracks were relatively fresh, just barely dusted with the falling snow that was starting to fall in thicker batches that was blown around by the cold wind. It was nearing dusk when Asku growled softly. Looking up from his tracking, Thunder Bear soon noticed what had caught his companion's attention. Lights flickered dimly amid the falling snow and the sound of men and women laughing could be heard. Thunder Bear frowned. Why were these people laughing? Had they blown up their own mine? Surly refugees who had lived through such an attack were not cheerful about it. Moving closer he saw the wagons arranged in a semi circle in a clearing. A few tents had been erected but for the most part it seemed people were sheltering in their wagons with makeshift covers. As he drew closer it was apparent that, despite the gay ruckus coming from the encampment, most of the people here had escaped with what they could. And it wasn't much.

"Halt!" a gruff voice called out as Thunder Bear and Asku stepped into the open. "Who goes there?" The man held a spear, glinting in the flickering firelight behind him of polished steel. He wore a metal helmet and some armor as well, ornate and decorated as was common of the Red Mine's work.

"Machkeme Thunder Bear and Asku... of the Laquoia Tribe. I am a friend."

Slowly, the man shuffled toward him, seeming unbalanced in the deep snow but sturdy enough to easy lose his balance. "What proof?" he asked.

"Where is Magnar? I need to speak with him."

"Not until I see proof of..."

Thunder Bear glared at the man silently. He then pulled out his hunting knife and tossed it to the man. "Bring that to Magnar." If he's still alive, he thought. It was possible the man was dead. "Or to whomever is in charge."

The man glanced at the blade but looked blank at what meaning it could hold to prove that the man before him was who he said he was, and why he shouldn't just kill him on spot. Asku growled and it was enough to make the sentry remember his task and he muttered a "Wait here," before making his way to the camp.

Thunder Bear and Asku waited patiently until the man returned, this time with another dressed in well made furs and armor underneath. He was a younger man than Jolmar or the other Tribe Leaders of the Mountain Men. He had a bright autumn shaded beard ornamented with gold, copper, and a few bands inlaid with gemstones. But it was his bright blue eyes that captured Thunder Bear's attention. There was a fire burning just below the surface, one of rage and anger that he someone surmised wasn't meant for him.

Magnar tossed the hunting blade back at him with a grunt. "Didn't expect to see you in the mountains this close to winter," he said, his voice lighter than his appearance portrayed. "What business do you have with me?"

From Asku's saddle Thunder Bear pulled out Jenny's letter and handed it to him. Magnar looked at it, front and back, then glanced curiously at Thunder BEar. "The Tower? What the fuck do they want from us now?"

"It's a warning," Thunder Bear said, then glanced at the sentry who was standing nearby, shifting from one foot to the next as if he was uncomfortable. "Perhaps we can discuss a few things over a fire and a meal?"

"Fire I can give you. A meal will have to wait till you return to your people," Magnar said, his tone rising anger that was quickly suppressed. He beckoned to Thunder Bear. "The bear stays here. Don't need to scare my folk any more than they are...you. Back to your post." The Sentry nodded and quickly shuffled off to his spot amid the thick pines where he was out of the wind but could still watch the forests. Thunder Bear signed Asku to stay and the bear snorted, finding a place to lay down and wait.

The camp had many fires going, many with groups of people huddled together. The ruckus laughter that Thunder Bear had heard previously had seemed to quite now. Whether it was because of Thunder Bear's appearance or simply that what he had heard earlier had simply been a random act amid the tired and cold people here. Most were women, children, and a few elderly. Thunder Bear noted that there were few among them that looked to be miners or workers. A few guards, or those that were dressed like guards, sat with families. As he was passing a few campfires on the way to Magnar's tent, he caught the whimpers and sobs of women being comforted. "What happened?" Thunder Bear asked, his voice tight. The man leading him glanced back, eyes hard and cold but he said nothing.

Magnar's tent was sparse, consisting of very few belongings but had a fire in the center. Furs were lain out on the side. Several of these had figures curled up and snoring but Magnar paid them no heed.

"You're lucky that sentry didn't kill you on site," Magnar said, taking a seat while Thunder Bear sat cross legged on the other side. "After what my people have gone through I expect them to shot at anything that moves."

"What happened?" Thunder Bear asked again, hoping to get an answer this time.

Magnar studied him a moment before the anger seemed to dim from his eyes. "A dragon."

Thunder Bear blinked. "A dragon? Like one of the beasts fought long ago to..." He honestly didn't remember why the three beasts were fought. He remembered them as stories told by Richard and the others when he had visited before the Crash. One had been a giant spider, another a white ape, and the last a dragon. The only way to reach them had been through the Obelisks but after the Crash no amount of tributes would open the gates to these places where the beasts lay waiting. Nor could they truthfully be killed. Thunder Bear had heard stories of tribes killing them, taking a trophy and returning triumphant, but somehow the beasts kept returning.

"That is what a few that remember those days claim. Or claimed before it's hell fire took them. I have no idea how it got in. Nothing could breach our gate...no...the beast came from the inside. From the depths of the mines." Magnar snorted. "Not that it matters. It struck at night, chasing us from the mines and out into the mountains. How many it killed down the shafts I don't know...but we could not go back for them. Those you see here had enough time to harness bests to wagons before the gate was smashed in."

"Did you actually see the dragon?" Thunder Bear asked.

Magnar's eyes flashed. "Course I did...why else would I be telling you it was a dragon?"

Because frightened minds can play tricks unto itself, Thunder Bear thought. "I just ask, I do not doubt you."

"Aye, I saw it. Maw red with fire, scales red and gold, and wings so large it could barely open them in our caverns." The man sighed and leaned back. "We got out though...us few. And we will head to Jolmar and his folk. Never wanted to take up his offer in his fancy city but with winter coming...what choice do we have."

"If there is a way I can help..."

"No, Chief of the Redwoods. Stay to your own and mind it as well. We know our trading routes as well as you and will make it to Dordrundel before the onset of winter. We took what food and provisions we could and can hunt on the way." He gave Thunder Bear a large, savage looking smile. "I do not think the others will like our news and it won't be long till we come back to chase that scaly lizard out of our mines."

Thunder Bear smiled grimly at that. He did not doubt that the other Mountain Leaders were going to take the fall of the mine lightly. After all, it was where most of their metal came from, not to mention precious gems and rare metals that some of the tribes loved for their metal work. But to take on a dragon would be a task that would kill hundreds in the attempt. Thunder Bear had never seen this beast, but from the tales he had heard he didn't want to. "I don't doubt it," he said, letting the man dream of his victory as if it was an assured thing. He reached into the deer skin pouch at his side and pulled out the letter. "I was told to bring you this," he said, handing Magnar the letter. He watched as the man took it after a brief look of confusion.

"The Tower?" he asked, almost in a growl. "Now what do they want?"

Magnar ripped open the seal and read it. At first his eyes went wide and paled before dissolving quickly into red-faced rage. The letter was thrown angrily into the fire. Thunder Bear stared at the burning parchment, watching the flames lick at Jenny's words. When he finally looked up at Magnar he saw that the man was muttering to himself, clearly pissed. "Were her words that upsetting?"

"Meddlesome...always meddlesome. She has no business telling me what to do with my things. Let her worry like an old hen." The man took out a pipe and filled it with a bag of smoking weed without looking at his suddenly uncertain guest.

Thunder Bear wanted to ask what it said, even though he knew its general contents after his own conversation with Jenny before leaving. But he held his tongue. Something was not right. Magnar's reaction in combination with Jenny's warning was giving him a nagging feeling that he should not be here. "There are rumors," Thunder Bear finally said, his voice quiet and cautious, "of foul creatures in the south. Jolmar told me on his way home from the Mines weeks ago."

"Foul creatures?" Magnar snorted at that, not pulling the pipe away from his mouth. "Lad, those are more than rumors now. That be a fact. You know of that little village on the plateau...High Rock I think?"

"I've heard of it." He had been told of it by Einar Wolfsbane while the man had lived with him for a time. The way that Einar had spoke of Kenneth Monroe and his Sky Rangers had made Thunder Bear curious as to the place and its people but never enough to bring him out of his mountains or the Red Woods. Despite his words about the Sky Rangers, Einar's tone had implied a deep respect for Kenneth.

"Well, it's gone."

"Gone?"

"Yep. We got folk all around, and just before that damn dragon attacked. Heard the rest later. It seems some darkness came up and wiped them Rangers out. I heard it was some big, black demon wolf that those warriors at Vatnby released." Thunder Bear narrowed his eyes, his heart skipping a beat. That was Einar's village. "The fools. Wolf killed them all, too."

"All...of them?" Einar's face in a rare smile as he played with the young wolf pups came to his mind. He had hoped Einar would stay with him even after he had found Dyani and the children, but Einar had insisted he go home to his people. Thunder Bear suddenly regretted letting the man go home without trying harder to make him stay.

"That's what I was told. Rangers found them all dead and that wolf followed them and attacked at night with an army of demon creatures. Said there was a woman and giant beasts like the rexes at her side. But...what is more peculiar was what stopped the people from High Rock all dyin' like the Vikings did." Thunder Bear glanced at him from the fire. Part of him didn't care about what saved a village he knew nothing of. Einar was dead and that news had hurt. "A great eagle rose up, golden and shining like the sun. Those creatures didn't like that light and took off with their tails between their legs. That was the last my man had seen. He had run off the moment he could to make it back here but he's shaken. Didn't help that he got back just in time to see that dragon rise from the depths of the mines and start spewing fire over everything and everyone..."

Thunder Bear let Magnar's voice fade after that as she stared at the fire. He didn't care to much about the dragon's attack, not as much as the golden eagle had. His folk, back on the Old World, believed in the thunderbird, master of the sky and the mortal world. It protected the people from the creatures of the underworld and the more Magnar had spoke about what happened at High Rock and to the Vikings the more he had felt his heart racing. Could it be that the thunderbirds, at least one, was here? If it was, that meant these dark creatures were from the underworld and had come to kill the people. Perhaps instead of an underwater panther, had the deity of the underworld come forth as a black wolf?

"What do you know..." Thunder bear started, waiting until his interupation was noticed by magnar who stared at him, a little annoyed that his grand fight and escape from the red dragon was being halted. "What do you know about the Artifacts?"

Magnar glared for a long time and Thunder Bear got the feeling he was being judged for asking that question. "Jenny told me to stay away from them. That they were dangerous. More so than anticipated."

"Perhaps..." Magnar said slowly, guarded. "In the wrong hands that is."

He has one, Thunder Bear thought. That is why Jenny wanted to warn him, and the other Mountain Tribe Leaders. Magnar, however, was making it crystal clear that he wasn't about to conform or deny it. "Did the other villages?"

"I don't know." Magnar shrugged. "Rumors, yes. Havadr was a greedy man and I know during the Tribe Wars he wanted one. Whether or not Kenneth had one well...that was just a rumor started I think because he was so strong and his birds and riders the best in the land. No one denied that. But if he had one...well the man was a fool to keep it. No, I don't think Monroe had one, but I know Havadr had one...the Pack I think. Stole it from one of our tribes before he wiped them out. Ironic that he used that Beastmaster of his, that wolf-man, to take it."

"Einar Wolfsbane?" Thunder Bear frowned. "Einar attacked a village with his wolves." That had not been the life he wanted for his friend and to hear he had returned to his old life was disturbing.

"Was that his name?" Magnar stroked his beard a moment before shrugging it off. "Either way, they're dead, and so is Kenneth I hear. So that's two powerful tribes out of our way...Oh, don't worry, Thunder Bear. The Mountain Men will not forget your kindness and help after all these years. Once we take back the Mines and unite the Tribes as Jolmar wishes then...then you'll see. A power will rise up in the mountains and we'll bring peace back to this land. Dragon first, wolf and it's black army next. No one stands a chance if the Mountain Tribes unite."

Apparently the part about uniting tribes had been mentioned while Thunder Bear was thinking about thunderbirds. Or perhaps Mangar assumed it was common knowledge given his tribe's close relations with other Mountain Tribes. Thunder Bear did not doubt the strength of the Mountain Tribes should they unite and, as long as they held to their truce and left his people a lone he didn't mind.

Outside the tent a wolf howled.

"Bloody hell," Magnar cursed, jumping up and reaching for his crossbow.

Thunder Bear stood with the man. "It was a long way off," he said as Magnar pushed passed him. The Mountain man had gone pale but his eyes were dark with fury and fear. "Magnar, it was nothing but..."

Magnar did not listen and pushed past Thunder Bear into the camp, muttering to himself. "It's coming...just like the others. Just like the damn dragon..." He fumbled for a bolt for his bow and was shouting to his warriors.

Thunder Bear stood at the entrance to the makeshift tent, watching Magnar move away with the summoned guards and fighters that had survived the dragon attack, ordering more men at the perimeter and more campfires built. Telling the man that it was most likely nothing but a lone wolf or a hunter calling the pack would fall on deaf ears at this point. Despite his knowledge of the wolf packs in the region he shuddered as another howl went up, this time closer and...different. Mournful. It was answered by a chorus from several directions. Thunder Bear found himself moving toward the edge of the camp, his heart racing. Everything inside him told him to get back to his tribe. Whatever was going on in the world would not ignore him long, he was sure, and even before he reached Asku he had an idea of what he would need to do to protect his people.

Asku was nervous, which was not like the bear, but he was not growling or looking to the trees expecting several packs of wolves to come out and attack them. He swung up on Asku's back and was about to turn the bear home when he heard voices, angry and quite, coming from behind him.

"...and you're sure it's secure? They're coming, Thonir...coming for..."

Magnar reached for the man he had dragged away from the caravan but Thonir shoved him roughly away, nearly causing Magnar to stumble. "You don't trust me? Of course it is."

"Trust you?" Magnar asked, growling. "That beast is coming...did you hear that? All the wolves of the mountain are answering to him now. How much longer do you think until..."

"You worry about the people, Magnar. I'll worry about the Massive." Thonir shoved passed Magnar and returned to the camp. Thunder Bear did not move until Magnar had disappeared as well.

"He's gone mad," a voice said behind him. It was Thonir. Asku growled even as Thunder Bear spun around, spear in hand. Thonir was said to be one of the Leaders of the Mountain Men though which tribe was never truly known as he was almost a peace keeper of sort. "Even before the dragon attacked he's been...edgy."

"You have one of them."

"Several Tribes do, but which ones I will not say. I was listening to your conversation with Magnar through the tent...Jolmar wants an eye kept on him more so than usual and now I think I am understanding why."

"You believe his story? About the wolf?" Thunder Bear did not. He would rather believe that Einar could still be alive and that High Rock still stood. There had been truth to Magnar's words sadly and despite the loss he still felt knowing that his friend was dead.

"I believe that there is truth to it," Thonir replied, stepping closer toward Thunder Bear even though Asku growled at him. "But how much I believe I cannot say." Thunder BEar nodded at this but did not move. "Go home, Thunder Bear of the Laquoia. Our fate is our own but your people will need you sooner than you know. Go. Protect your own and no one else."

With that Thonir turned and left Thunder Bear standing in the falling snow.

Presently, Thunder Bear and Asku left the camp and headed swiftly toward the Red Woods on well known paths that he knew well from years of travel. He felt old suddenly, as if the weight of all these years were finally catching up to him. He didn't look it, as many who lived before the Crash did, but he was starting to feel it. It was his one fear that had prevented him from taking Dyani as his wife until she had convinced him to do so. Dyani would grow old and die. As would her children that he cared for as if they were his own. But Thunder Bear would continue on, as young and strong as the day he washed up on the beaches of the great Red Woods he now called home. It was a curse, one he nor the Spirits could explain.

The mountain was relentless but it was near midnight that Asku lumbered down the snowy plains into the Red Woods. The winter wind was still cold and bitter though visibility was better without the thick snow falling around him. Thunder Bear shook his hood of the snow and looked down into the peaceful forest. It was easy to forget the events of the day here. But they lurked at the edge of his mind.

A wolf howled again and Asku growled this time.

In truth, it was not the wolf that had Thunder Bear's stomach in knots. If anything of Magnar's words were true, then it was the golden eagle that had come to High Rock to chase away the demons. If a thunderbird had indeed come to the ARK then it was not a good omen for it meant that Jenny was right; a darkness was coming and with it the demons of the underworld.