AN:
Paul/OC
Little Bird (OC): Running Wolf's imprint
Running Wolf (Paul Lahote): Little Bird's protector
Giant Paw: Little Bird's Father
Speaks to the Sky: Little Bird's Mother
Dull Knife: Little Bird's Younger Brother
Stands Tall (Sam): Running Wolf's friend and Older Brother Figure
Black Water (Billy): Chief of the Quileute tribe.
Broken Lance (Jared): Running Wolf's best friend and Sisters Husband
Mountain Flower (Kim): Running Wolf's sister
Jumping Fox: Stands Tall's Son
Deer Woman (Emily): Stands Tall's Women
Fire Wolf (Jacob): Chief Black Water's Son
Quiet Hawk (Embry): Wolf worrier that takes Dull Knife under his wing
Grinning Bear (Quil): Husband of Crying Owl
Crying Owl (Leah): Giant Paw's niece and wife of Grinning Bear
Little Walks Tall (Seth): Giant Paw's nephew and friend of Dull knife
Rain Song (OC): Fire Wolf's imprint
Chapter 1
Little Bird's POV
My mother had a vision in the night. It had been many years since The Spirit had given a dream of meaning, and my brother was eager to hear of it. A young warrior, barely of age, my brother was naïve in the ways of fate; but I knew nothing good could come of it. My father had been deep in thought since waking to console my mother in the still dark night. He was not a talkative man, but his current silence made an anxious feeling settle in my heart. His brow remained furrowed through the morning meal, and he would glance at my mother every so often with a look I could not place. Yes, I was very troubled.
It was early summer now, with a gentle breeze flowing along the riverbank. We had set our longhouse in the glove just beyond the hill, among the trees. It had been our home for many years, ever since the Seer of my father's village had sent us into the wilderness. Our horses were at the edge of the river drinking while I washed the bowls used earlier that morning. To distract my troubled heart, I mentally catalogued the herbs I had stored in the beautifully beaded medicine bag Mother had sewn for me last winter. I would need to hike up the mountain soon to get some more mullein leaves before this winter and some yarrow from the field to the east.
A splash suddenly drenched me as I heard stressful whinnies take over the once calm riverbank. My brother had attempted to jump onto his horse and had not quite made the leap. The startled horses splashed around to get away from my overeager young brother and now I was soaked through. My hair was matted to the sides of my face, moccasins filled with water, and a look of shock laid over my features; I looked affright.
Dull Knife's laughter rang out amongst the sound of hoof beats as I gave him a glare. Now I would have to change before hiking the mountain. Let him laugh now, but I will tell our mother where I am headed, and he will have to travel with me. I told him, so and his laughter came to a halt; his face scrunched up in annoyance. Before he could protest or even apologize in the hopes of changing my mind, I turned to trudge back up the hill.
When I reach the door of our home however, my father's expression silenced my resolve. He had made his decision, one that would affect us all. It wouldn't have been unheard of for our father to respond to a vision without referring to his family, so the probability of this vision requiring the action of at least one of his children, or his entire family, was very high.
"Come sit Little Bird and bring your brother." He turned back to the fire he was tending as my mother stirred the stew that boiled over it. I turned to see Dull Knife lumbering up the hill. At the look that was surely darkening my face, his own became stoic and his pace quickened. When we sat down across from our parents, we both felt the heaviness of the air. Something was about to change in our lives forever.
My father stayed thoughtful as he sat back from the fire. He did not look up as he spoke. "We are heading back to the Quileute village." When he paused, all in the hut knew to stay silent, even as our hearts began a drum beet in our chests. My palms began to sweat as I waited for my father to begin again. Moving back to the village would mean interacting with people we had not seen in over 12 years; young worriers to avoid, young maidens to force smiles for, and elders to make proud. I had become use to the solitude and enjoyed the freedom I had, to learn and ramble. Now I will be confined to a village with hundreds of people.
My Father had told me of the powwows, the dancing, the celebrating; all things that he remembered with joy in his eyes. He had also told me of his brothers. The warriors who became one with the wolf. I knew that one day my own brother would join those who took the form of the wolf and become a protector just as my father had been. But the thought of other men my own age, having to keep the beast at bay to protect us against The Cold Ones, was somewhat terrifying.
I had only seen my father's wolf once in my life. It was also the first and only time I had ever seen a Cold One. My mother's visions had kept us safe by being the means to warn my father when one came too close. But that time, there had been no warning. The quickness of his change and the fierceness of his power gave a level of respect and fear to the man that had held me so gently as a child. To be surrounded by warriors with the same capabilities would not speak safety to my heart. If they were anything like my brother, I would stay clear of them all.
My father finally turned to face us and looked straight into my waiting eyes. "There is a child that needs the medicine of The Spirit. You will need to replenish your medicine bag before we leave. We will travel south as soon as you are ready." I tried not to let the apprehension bleed onto my face, but I am sure I failed; For soon after he finished, my mother touched my arm in reassurance. I nodded to my father to tell him that I understood and sent a silent prayer of thanks to The Spirit for preparing me to answer quickly. "I will have to journey up the mountain for a few herbs, but it will not take long."
He nodded as he turned to my brother. "You will go with Little Bird and come back quickly. We will have all that we need packed away when you return." That was all that was said that night. Our family was silent as we ate and remained silent as we readied for bed, but our thoughts were loud and fast as we became consumed with this unknown future.
Two Days Later
My brother's exuberance for the village had weaned somewhat as we grew closer. His excitement for all things new had caused him to overlook the possible struggles he would encounter as a young warrior; integrating into a village he was born in, but never knew. His expression mirrored his thoughts, and I could almost hear them, as he came to the gradual realization of what we could potentially be riding towards. Twelve was the age just before his spirit journey would take place. He would receive a new name and his own hut. He would go on hunts with the older warriors and whale hunting out on rough waters. All this, while learning how to interact with young men his own age; to trust them as he, himself, proves his own trustworthiness. I did not envy his position.
My own worries were put aside as I listened to The Spirit, communing with me concerning the boy. He was young though I did not know his exact age. There was an issue within the lungs that was causing the fire in his blood to boil. I understood from the spirits that we would make it in time, but just barely. This would make the pain great, and the recovery long. As we drew closer to the village of my birth, I mentally ran through the contents of my medicine bag. Inside I carried five different herbs that could be either burned or boiled as tea to help the child clear whatever sickness challenged his lungs. I would not know which ones to use or the exact prayer to chant until I had seen him myself.
The Spirit was not always so forthcoming. I would receive words or images as instructions when dealing with sickness. It was not a conversation so much as a puzzle that had to be worked out. When I was younger and learning on my own, The Spirit would send an animal to cross my path. While I would observe the animal, I would receive understanding about a particular ailment the creature was experiencing, and then watch as the animal demonstrated the natural herbs used to combat it. As I grew more experienced The Spirit began encouraging me to interact with the animals, as a way of familiarizing myself with the symptoms they showed. It had taken years to learn how to listen without doubt and to act upon that understanding, in full trust.
I looked to my father as he road ahead of us. My mother's horse just beside the flanks of his own. They made a beautiful vision, contrasting colors and expressions. My father was serious and focused in his countenance as he rode atop an all-black stallion; long, sleek black hair flowing down his back. My Mother, however, wore a serene yet thoughtful expression, blonde hair braided with my father's Eagle feather hanging from it. Her pony was cream colored and strong yet slim. They moved as one entity, without conscious thought or communication. I believe in my heart there is not two people made more as one than they.
My father began to pick up pace as we left the dense forest, and the village came into view. The number of longhouses were too numerous to count and I knew there were more I could not see. My breath began to quicken as I caught site of large masses moving quickly alongside us, hidden by the trees. I knew from questioning my father in the past, that the wolf worriers guarded the village constantly. They must be keeping watch on the new arrivals.
This village was to be my new home and as I caught sight of all the faces turn toward us, I had to control my outward expression, even as I shook with fear on the inside. I made sure to keep my gaze trained on my parents, head held high and shoulders back; this was the first of many interactions with the people of my father's village and I refused to shame him. Our gate slowed as we made our way to the main meeting house. That is where the elders would be, and we were required to show our respect by letting them know of our arrival and subsequent stay. My father jumped down from his horse and stepped forward as the chief came out.
Chief Black Water had been a wolf worrier with my father when they had been young. Still many years older, they had been close at one time. My father had told me that Chief Black Water had saved his life when he was still a boy and had looked up to him as he grew into the worrier he would become. The long-awaited reunion was not a happy one, however.
"Giant Paw, it has been many winters." The chief had a serious look in his eye that spoke of tension. His eyes scanned the three of us still atop our horses before turning back to my father. "Vision woman said you would come. This way. You may leave your woman with my wife; she is eager to see Speaks to the Sky again." He said the last words with a slight upturn to his lips, though the tension never left his body. My brother got down from his horse and waited for our mother to do the same. He took the reins of both horses and silently followed the young worrier that had waited beside them. I was surprised to see how well Dull Knife had read the situation and done as he ought. It was not always the case.
I climbed off my own horse and handed the reins to another young warrior before following my father. As we walked, I could feel the curious glances we received from the people of the village. I wasn't the least bit surprised, as it was unusual for the daughter to follow and not the son. I did not look around me but kept my eyes on my father's back. I did not care to see the looks the worriers gave nor the maidens that whispered. I was here for a purpose, and I reminded myself that my father had not said we would stay. I knew that it was unlikely that we would go back to our haven in the mountains, but I needed that hope in that moment. I would deal with said hope later, after it was dashed.
We came to one of the larger huts set closer to the forest. A woman was sitting outside the door with a pipe in her hand and eyes squinted to the sun. She was very old and rather large with a hunched upper back and shaky hands. When she tilted her head toward my towering father, she smiled. "It has been too long boy. I see you are well." She turned her eyes to me, and a look passed her features that I did not understand. "And have raised a wise one I see." Her eyes remained on me for a moment as if waiting for something. Then I understood. She spoke to The Spirit as I did. I felt a smile start to form, though I hid it well, as I looked back at her. Her lips widened to a grin before she spoke again. "Yes. Very wise."
The chief moved forward then and asked of the child. Her face turned grim as she answered. "The night was hard" she said as her eyes come to rest on me again, "but he will live." I knew she spoke this as a test of my own confidence. I knew then that this woman was the one who had sent my father to find my mother in the east; the woman who had received the vision that had sent our family to live away from the village, a vision of my spirit's future as well as my brother's. This was Vision Woman, and I would not faulter in the challenge.
"Yes. He will." I said with as much confidence as I could muster. I knew my role and I knew who guided me. As I stepped forward to enter the hut, I saw the chief raise a brow. It was time to prove to all, that my parents did what was asked of them, and had pleased The Spirit in their quest to raise the future Medicine Woman of this village. I was ready and the child was waiting.
