Chapter 34
Wolf and Fortifications
As the good natured Kahotoe tribe were making ready their arms and fortifications and the bloodletting Sawatii sharpened their weapons of war, Telekna darted his way through inhospitable terrain beyond their reach, for he had but one more acquaintance he wished to request to ranks. His plight put him before a grotto not too afar off from the town of Lesko, say three days journey northeast.
The black beast sat before the mouth awaiting his presence to be acknowledged. Alas his wish was granted but to the avail of his apprehension, for the creature he called upon did not want to be disturbed. In the blackness of the hollow brandished two menacing orbs of shiny gold making their way through the darkness. It was, as presumed, another great wolf cloaked in fur of sooty black save his under belly which was dominated by silver whiteness that worked its way up his under jaw which produced a scar from the nose all the way past the eye.
Telekna bowed to adorn the customs of salutations, "Shaska, my friend."
This beast anew, who the reader may recall as the decorated statue of gold next to Nazani's in Valenfurt, whom the pagans revered as the god of ore, had even an icier reception with the death wolf than that of Amliki and D'nesh.
Breathing our his trembling chops with animosity towards the one who broke his peace, he creased his brows and starred at Telekna as though he would no sooner strike him down once spoken to.
With a little more care in regards his preservation, the wolf who called upon him reimposed his welcome, "Hello my friend."
Shaska who was already annoyed, answered as if stricken, "Friend? By what grand delusion have you to encroach upon my land and address me as 'friend?'"
Telekna lowered his head as a submissive pup, "An opportunity to at last enact your revenge."
Shaska's ears slid back, "You have but moments to explain yourself, use them wisely."
The god of death with all his foul cunning, which he diverted to pay homage to his better spoke, "Do you recall that terrible conflict regarding the great fall?"
Shaska's face slumped then bristled, "I am the one who revealed them to you when you were but a pup and I was there the day Yoites fell."
"Yes, yes I do recall, and was there not a vendetta you had upon the head of Nazani?"
Dully the god of ore replied, "We have come to a truce, there is not much treachery available for him to commit to rekindle that passion."
"He has given solace to the final link of Helushka's blood line."
Shaska creased his brows then huffed, "A welcome home to the child of my dead enemy rouses nothing."
"Chugiak as well."
Appearing a bit more agitated but quick to dismiss, the great wolf replied with an air equaled to his apathy, "Then Nazani, his runts and Holo can reap the fruits of his company." he began to withdraw upon this affirmation.
Becoming more desperate, Telekna conceded to this, "Shenu assisted them."
The thundering paws that beat upon the tired earth ceased immediately.
"What did you say?"
Licking his chops to appear all the more innocent he replied, "Shenu, your old mate. Nazani is taken with her and convinced her lot to be cast on his side of the border."
The crotchety old wolf portrayed a prolonged sense of vulnerability that was up and coming in contrast with the maddening sense of betrayal. His eyes lightened, his chops fluttered and heaved. To Telekna's devious pleasure, his little lie seemed to be working.
"You have seen this?" he gasped in despair.
"Shaska,' feigned the cunning wolf, 'I had an opportunity to slay both Holo and Chugiak but Shenu's blizzard impeded me on every account, and upon the final attempt, Nazani was there."
Becoming ever more enraged he lunged forth putting Telekna upon the ground while savagely roaring, "You dare lie to me!"
Gasping and yelping, the god of death pled, "Why would I lie to the one closest to my father?"
This softened Shaska's reproach.
"You and my father cared so deeply for the welfare of Yoites even to the undoing of the hierarchy if necessary. Remember you not the treachery of Helushka and his cahoots with Chugiak? All you desired was to ensure a more capable leader, was that such a crime? Was this the Yoites you wanted, one that remains divided and helmed by an over zealous shaman who had you exiled and keeps the opposing faction downtrodden? You can fulfill the legacy you and my father set out to create all those years ago, but you must take action now or you can let Helushka's treachery forever stain this once great nation."
With a bark to silence him that sent globs of froth spewing forth, Shaska said, "Enough! Very well, but heed this, I do it not for your sake but for Yoites."
Telekna found himself unpressed and therefore rolled around to his feet. He bowed his head to express humble submission and replied, "Come find me near the Kahotoe village, and from there you shall endeavor the actions that will put Yoites in your debt."
Shaska but only sneered followed by a low growl to dismiss the tyrant then, once no vulnerability could be displayed in the presence of another, cried to himself, "Shenu…."
In tandem with this scene, was another of a more righteous nature happening within the modest Kahotoe village. Nikiski had what remained of his troupe within the borders of a more peaceful people but much to the chagrin of Jethro, Doc, Ottis and all the others who shall remained unnamed, who, unlike their leader were bewildered upon being granted immunity from the typical hostilities they had witnessed from the inuit people.
It was under the wise counsel of Naluk to have them temporarily disarmed and moved to the great hall to where they could recover strength and be consoled by Nazani, who tended to have a more gentler approach to one's alarming questioning and distrust, for it was upon the minds of all if not many as to why these people in particular were not their enemy.
They were treated rather modestly by their hosts who departed of blankets and food to succor the weary travelers. And, when they were ready, Nazani entered and, to even greater confusion, was intercepted by Nikiski who embraced one another as old time friends. Jethro arbitrated for the confounded group of frontiersmen and mercenaries with a modest, "Just what in the hell is going on here?"
The wolf shaman inclined his head towards their leader who, as always according to his disability, communicated approval with a nod of the head. Nazani raised his hands to calm the masses then began to address them.
"Be at peace friends, no one here seeks you harm. I understand there is much confusion and for that I am sorry, but do know that I and the rest of these people are not your enemies."
Jethro interjected, "But you and Nikiski know each other!"
The rest of the group joined in the here-say.
"Indeed we do,' remarked the shaman, 'it may also surprise each of you to hear that the raids you have been performing upon the inuit lands has been a great benefit to the Kahotoe tribe."
This put a stop to the rapid and encouragable thinkings that had been passing through everyone's minds.
"You see, just as the people of the southern lands divide into sects, each with a differing set of values and ideals, so too have the inuits here in the north. The ones who have caused you grief are also sworn enemies to this tribe. By waging war against the Sawatii you were able to strain their resources so that they could not wholly bring their might upon the Kahotoe. And many of them are so ever grateful for your sacrifices."
"So you are saying that the whole purpose of these expeditions was to actually provide defense for your tribe?" flabbergasted Jethro.
Nazani sought to calm him, "No, the purpose of the expeditions was to preserve your way of life in the face of the Sawatii threat, it is more fair to say the Kahotoe people shared a mutual interest in your goals."
Mckinley began to tremble greatly, "And what have they done in return upon this interest?"
"You must understand my friend, these people are not a war-faring people. They lack the army to match that of their brethren and could not risk a full scale war as they are. For it is in their minds to seek diplomacy and ingenuity, and it is within their hearts, peace."
Jethro's face swelled red and his veins protruded forth his skin like lighting bolts, "No, it is you who must understand…something could have been done, anything! Each of us here has fallen victim to this savage tyranny. Homes, land…wives…and children…' a tear developed from the only eye uncovered, 'my wife and children may still be alive if we had more help! You could have reached out to us, perhaps an alliance could have been formed, perhaps things could have been different! Instead you carried on merrily while we bled and died so you can toil like beasts of the field!"
That remark forced Nikiski right into the man's face and said with a harrowing squint, "Too far."
Jethro's rage, fueled by grief, was far from extinguished. He put his finger to the eyes of his leader and muttered, "You could have done more too!"
He broke past the human barricade and out the great hall with Nikiski simply sighing in agitation. Nazani let off a slight breath while Naluk looked down and took the justice of that reproach.
At this time Holo and Agatha removed themselves from the men and were making idle within the abode Holo was granted to stay in. The two brought each other up to speed on their own outings ending with Holo's final account of when she saw her companion last and the events that led up to falling out.
Agatha held aloft an expression more frightful than when men see Holo's true form for the first time, "Ye mean he be more than a thousand years old?"
"Aye, though I have met others like myself be it sheep, stag, fowl or hare, I still considered them like unto my ilk. But he…I know not where to put him."
"And he claims the feet of putting one of ye down?"
"The old one, Nazani, gave witness to the fact that he was once a great terror to these lands known as Chugiak the shadow demon."
Nothing more could have instilled greater terror in Agatha, "Jenny-Mac, I've heard the old tale, thought naught of it but a bushel of rubbish. Have ye seen this yerself?"
Silently shaking her head Holo resounded, "Nay, but I have quarreled with a trio of half breeds of his kind, and I had nearly perished."
"Where be they now?"
"One was slain, but not without great cost. I know not where the other two have gone to roost."
Agatha placed a hand on her fist and pondered.
"That is not all…"
"Eh?"
Holo scrunched her lips as her face betook the countenance of the increasing press of their burdens, "They have a new weapon, one I have never seen in all my years. A small little pouch that unlocks the fury of fire and thunder, one blast had nearly been my undoing."
"Ye think it a creation of savages?"
"No, I believe the Sawatii people have been granted weapons of greater makers than themselves."
"By whom?"
"None other than Jurgen, he must be close."
"So that is…' Agatha trailed off then quickly came back to earth, "Sorry, we had noticed that the Sawatii brandished weapons like our own. At first we thought they picked em' off the dead, but now it be more likely they had been supplied by the villain ye speak. This puts a lot of things in perspective."
"Perhaps Lord De Buhr used them as a type of deterrent, to keep others away from his place of sanctuary."
Agatha appeared defeated, "The man knows no limit to treachery."
She suddenly noticed Holo's lip quivering, and maneuvered to console, "There, there, have faith lass."
"It is not that, I fear now that whatever course brings me to Jurgen and finding my husband, I will do it alone…"
"Ye think the masked one set sail for good eh?"
"I know not, but I do know he does not want to be found."
Agatha was suddenly drawn to the door when overhearing a vehement shouting match ensuing outside. Carefully unhinging the door to unveil the source of this commotion she found Jethro departing from the great hall and raising hell with Doc who chased him down and demanded satisfaction for his want of courtesy.
Eventually they departed from each other on foul terms with a tired and worn out Holo say un-endearingly, "Humph, let the foolish males persist in their follies."
Agatha would have been more or less inclined to agree with her but she raised a finger then exited after the man. Holo, though never one to simply offer help of her own merit, chose to follow suit to dispel this commotion. When she at last joined them, Jethro was at the mouth of the camp and Agatha had him stayed.
"Is it yer intent to rile up what allies we have left against us Mr. Mckinley?" Agatha ridiculed.
Jethro remained absolute, "Has the whole world turned against me?!"
"What on earth are ye going off about?"
Snapping his finger from a stiffened arm he ranted, "You and Nikiski lied to us! This whole time I thought we were fighting for ourselves, but on the contrary we fought for those too lazy to do for themselves and look what it cost!"
Agatha tried to calm him, "No one lied to you ye scalawag. Yes we had known about their plight but the savages needed beatn' back on the south border regardless. All that ye hoped to win back on these expeditions would still happen were you victorious."
Holo, displeased with his conduct put a hand on her hip and replied, "What an inane stance to take. Honestly all you males must conclude to whatever satisfies your anger!"
Despite having but one eye, Jethro shot a profoundly penetrating gaze on her that nearly evaporated her veins, "You, despite all the power and wisdom you posses you abandoned us when we needed you most. You were in the greatest position to help us last night but you were no where to be found. And when I express grievance of my soul you dismiss it as inane on the basis of my manhood?!"
"I hardly find these revelations as justification for your childish outburst." defended Holo.
Becoming red in the face and yelling to the point of spit ejecting from his purple lips Jethro bellowed, "My wife died in my arms you impulsive little shrew! Know you nothing?! You could have done something, they could have done something! All you gods are the same, apathetic to the down trodden, and cowardly benign in the face of adversity. You know the reason you still live when the moon hunting bear attacked your village? Because you were elsewhere when needed, just like all the other pagan gods! Maybe if you had shown the courage as the rest of us imputative mortals my Gowda would still be alive! And I do declare that due justice for your impulsiveness would be for you to be just too late to save the one you love!"
These words, like arrow after arrow shot through Holo's heart until her eyes reddened and she gritted in pure pain while Agatha slapped him across the face hard enough to leave a mark. Jethro alas seemed to fully reconcile the impact of his comments. He was not well in mind or spirit and began to cry.
Holo replied stunned, "I…I had no idea you were too late to save your wife…" she had been absent during that scene.
Jethro turned and walked away while saying, "And it is too late to save myself."
The air was tender and quiet, as though too delicate for more to be said. Agatha raised a hand to Holo and said, "He's mourning and not himself lil' lass, I know he didn't mean what he said."
As she walked after him, Holo said to herself, "Humans always mean it."
Tracking Mckinley down was a simple feet, follow the tracks he left in the snow. At length, when moving through some trees she came to a clearing and found his backside, kneeling, haunched and weeping in his hands. When he detected her oncoming he attempted to arise and leave but Agatha intercepted him to prevent it.
He fought against her and somewhere during the struggle Agatha coaxed, "No, no, Shhh-shhh." then wrapped his arms around him and gave him a consoling embrace. Jethro's body remained taut but suddenly, overcome with it all, hugged back and fell back to his knees with the woman coming down with him as well.
He pressed his eyes into her shoulder and wept, "She is gone Agatha, she is go-o-one!"
Mcdubbland stroked his back and continued to hush him, "Shhh-shhh-shhh, I know…It's
alright…"
…
Dusk became apparent sooner than expected. The volunteer army of young men were being trained by the most seasoned of warriors under the direction of Naluk and Petuwaq. Nazani was with Soldotna and Talkeetna making ready for the inevitable casualties to come from war.
There was a knock at the door but Nazani already sensed who was on the other side and bid Holo to appear. Before she spoke, she took a moment to collect the tasks they were performing. Upon the tables were bowls and vials filled with herbs and roots being crushed into fine pastes. The familiar stench of that remedy filled the air and Holo could see a few vials filled with the blue elixir.
"Ah so that is were it comes from." said she aloud which raised the inquiry of the siblings.
Talkeetna passed a bowl of ground herb to his father who, to Holo's astonishment, spat repeatedly into it then mixed it around until the concoctions swirled and dissolved into the blue liquid we are familiarized with.
"A key ingredient to this remedy is your saliva?" she gasped while cupping her mouth and holding her stomach.
Nazani funneled the fresh batch into a few vials, "Wolves lick their wounds because our saliva has healing properties as you already know. Mine as a greater potency to be used to a higher effect."
Holo clenched her fists and gnashed her teeth, "I…Have…Swallowed…It!"
The shaman was dismissive of her discomfort, "It is what it is.' then looking around changed topics with an inquiry, 'I must report to you that a box containing my most volatile mixtures has gone missing and ask if you perhaps have seen them?"
"Seeing how I know not what this box may have looked like I cannot say. What did you say was in them?"
He held an elixir to his eyes to vet its clarity, "A more potent combination in doses high enough to create adverse and untoward effects. That which can sustain life, in too great amounts, can take it away."
"You mean this box contained…?"
Soldatna answered for them both, "Someone has taken Father's box of poisons."
"If you are a preserver of life, why contain that which is the antithesis to your work?" admonished Holo.
Nazani flexed his brows and replied cautiously, "Why must a wolf learn to quarrel with another wolf if they run in packs?"
Holo sighed, "Touche."
Her attitude would not permit this disquisition to lie where it landed but all four Kenrou unanimously shot their faces to the door. Another wolf was descending upon the village. Holo at first was the most alarmed, yet when witnessing the comportments of the latter three to be more at ease she too stood down. The siblings autonomously let their father exit first who departed next followed by Holo.
The citizens gathered round a spectacled artifact perfusing around the hemisphere. A great tempest committed a sudden onset of swirling snow and howling winds that collected and began building a figure. The whirl pooling blizzard created the image of a pure white wolf as large as Holo but exceedingly fairer and noble. Kahotoe villagers kneeled and remained silent giving Nazani a greater emphasis in her presence.
Sitting with gentle pride the white wolf looked down upon the shaman from her breast with magnificent eyes of sapphire that captured the essence of the frozen north. Nazani remained humble and greeted her with profound reverence.
Even the siblings bore a manner of piety greater than Holo would anticipate and asked of Talkeetna, "Who is that?"
Whispering so gently as if the fabric of the universe lay in the balance he said, "It is Shenu, the frost mother."
The shaman put his head to the level of the earth and said, "Kind one, what business have you with these people?"
Shenu took a step forward with her massive paw but the snow laden ground was met with a human foot as now an extraordinary woman exhibiting pure radiance stood in the wolf's place. Her hair was an unadulterated white with a few braids descending to her breast and her tale gave Holo and Soldotna nothing to boast of. She was a god among gods.
The frost mother was presented with a robe by Anaksuq who took it kindly and clothed herself with it. Shene and Nazani walked along side each towards his hut but she stopped, turned to Holo and changed course.
Holo backed away shyly, but the elegant face of the frost mother stilled her frame. She reached up and placed both hands on her cheeks and appeared lost in another time.
"You have your mother's face, and your father's eyes…"
Holo, realizing the voice, clasped onto the wrists which were pressed upon her and gasped, "Your voice…T'was your voice that spoke to me in the breath of the wind."
Shenu nodded as though grateful to be recognized, "Ever since you returned I was ever so watchful."
The hands upon Holos face slid away graciously whilst she who owned them replied, "It was a most precious desire to once again see the remnants of the chieftain. What a proud wolf you would have made him."
This made Holo's heart tender and yearn more, "I wish I could remember them but most memories of this place has far departed me."
Shenu smiled to ease her melancholy, "Hundreds of years can do great things to ones mind, were it not for having kindred friends to speak with regarding the old times, I too would have lost many precious memories."
Nazani intervened for the interest of time, "And kindred I shall remain, however rarely you come upon your human frame unless situations are most dire."
Turning to him the frost mother said, "Indeed so, as you would already assume I have witnessed all the events within the shroud of snowfall. The outrage of the Sawatii cannot be understated. So much so that Chief Yanaguski himself has chosen to personally oversee the destruction of the Kahotoe people in the absence of his war lord."
Naluk gasped in near relief, "Korihan has descended to the world below?"
Turning to him she said, "By the hand of the shadow demon."
Holo suddenly wished to speak but quickly fell silent.
"Inola heads the chinua, Yanaguski, the full armies and Telekna has found the two savage ones and rallied them to his side."
Holo shuddered, "He wishes to use them against us wolves."
Shenu concurred, "He seeks the grieved and harrow minded. And has now convinced Shaska to help."
Nazani's ears perked, "What loyalty has he to the god of death?"
"He proclaimed tidings that you and I conspire in secret consort."
Holo stammered her frustrations, "Does his lying treachery know no bounds?"
Shenu disregarded it, "It matters not, Shaska's rage is seldom tempered. As his former mate I can declare with all certainty that he shall stop at nothing to slay Nazani, his kin and any other of the like league."
"Could you talk no sense into him upon discovering the lie Telekna told him?" respired the shaman.
"Has he ever been one to reason when his mind is convinced of that which tortures him?"
"Perhaps not but still."
"I chose in the moment to make way here instead of confronting him for I know not when they plan to attack. And I cannot approach him now for I durst not leave this village. For I fear for your well being this very moment."
Nazani became unsettlingly petrified which was noted by Holo's soft eyes. He paced and pondered then revealed, "If you are willing to reinforce us Shenu, then that must mean the situation is hopeless."
"There are others who seek to aid you." said she.
"What the mercenaries? Yourself? I will gladly accept all help but it is not enough and you know it."
"I do not speak of them or myself." replied the frost mother who looked to Holo and gave an assuring nod that slit her heart with a ray of hope.
Nazani appeared defeated, "Let is discuss what efforts can be exhausted with Nikiski and Naluk."
"Lead and I shall follow."
As they passed, Shenu took a moment to regard Holo and whispered, "You are not alone young one."
She fiddled her wrists and contemplated what was to come, bloodshed. She took a moment to gaze upon the villagers, each making preparations of survival, the most soul crushing was seeing a caravan of small children being led away so they may be preserved. She always mused at human warfare considering it a thing of trinkets and ideology. Now a new light was cast upon it and it revealed the greater suffering that it brings.
Twilight was sparkling and she decided to walk about the village. Admiring the simple lifestyle of the people, feeling thankful for what help they could provide and wondering how quick it should end. Her return home was not at all what was dreamt of until stopping to realize this was no longer her home. Her home was at the side of Lawrence, raising a family and building a life together. A sparkle of relief filled her soul, as if unchained by the burdens of it all. A home was not a mere desired place of residence or a scrap of land used to birth oneself. A home was where one truly belonged.
The wind kicked up snowdrift and played with the hems of Holo's skirt while she looked out to the sky brimming with darkness and diamonds. Panning her eyes around she noticed something rather odd in the thicket. Squinting and setting focus she found an anomaly just beyond the forest fence.
Approaching with caution she discovered this specter to be a wagon, but nothing of the Inuit make. Carefully she removed herself outside the borders all the village keeping her keen senses intensely intact. Her sense of smell invoked a learned response to fear when whiffing its contents.
Opening a barrel housed within she found black powder. She knew well this substance, when properly weaponized it had brought much pain and misery upon her wolf form.
There was evidence of struggle in obtaining the wagon. Whomever delivered it must have had quite a fight to obtain it from the Sawatii. A dagger held fast a note to the driver seat. Unplugging it she read what appeared to be instructions to operate the black powder.
Overcome with joy she bolted while calling for anyone to meet her. Petuwaq happened to be within ear shot while overseeing the fortifications with Helamek who rushed to intercept her.
Guiding them back to the wagon, Petuwaq inquired, "What is this?"
Holo, slightly giddy informed, "A weapon that can be used to great advantage. Read here how to arm it!"
While he did so the stripling brave Helamek asked, "This is the craftsmanship of the outlanders. How came it here?"
"The Sawatii were given this by an outlander, someone must have stolen it and delivered it into your hands."
"But who?"
Holo looked off into the beyond, "I think I may know."
