Chapter 16.
The Shaman
Virginia had finished telling the tale of her adventures in the 9 Kingdoms and sat back in the chair now, momentarily drained. It had taken several hours and there hadn't been one single interuption. Her small audience also sat back, each lost in their thoughts for a time as they digested the news. They all believed her in one way or another. They had lived side by side with the nature spirits, the spirit workers, mediums and the like, all their lives, so many of the wider concepts were not that new to them. The idea of parallel universes, or alternative realities was easy to accept and the thought that they were actually talking to someone who had been to one and returned (with a native from another dimension, no less) was powerfully stimulating.
Evelyn stirred herself from her reverie, going to the communal kitchen and preparing food and drink for the small groups' lunch. She returned with plates of sandwiches and juice. Talking and pondering was heavy work, she knew. After the meal they relaxed once more, occasionally nodding and waving to the many clan members who had found an excuse to visit to lodge that day. Word had spread that Evelyn had brought a stranger home from the city and everyone knew that Evelyn didn't just pick up any waif off the streets. Something was going on and they were dying of curiousity to know what it was.
The elders eventually shooed away the onlookers. Becca was the oldest of them and so it fell to her to make the first comment.
"Firstly, you must know that we believe you, Virginia, though I must add that many would not, of course" she said with a wink and a nod. The others joined her in voicing their belief in her, and Virginia felt a great weight lift from her shoulders.
"Now, what to do, what to do" murmured Ivy.
"We need Shaman, of course" pointed out Evelyn, though they all knew that was obvious.
"Who is that?" asked Virginia.
"Oh, she is the wisest of all our clan, very experienced in tracking and searching" replied Evelyn.
"But Wolf could be anywhere. How can she find him if we don't even know where to start looking? Virginia said, trying to keep the desperation out of her voice.
"The starting point is the easiest place to find" said another, strange, voice behind them.
Virginia startled badly. She hadn't even heard the newcomer approach, yet she was standing directly behind her chair. She looked up into the most wizened face she had even seen. This woman was ancient, even by her tribes' standards and she stood only four feet high in her moccasins. Yet she was not stooped and her grip on the back on Virginia's chair was firm. Her eyes were dark and wise, and Virginia fancied she could see stars wheeling in them for a moment. She bent forward slightly to touch Virginia on the forehead, and the young woman recoiled involuntarily when she saw, hanging around the woman's neck, a long braided cord on which were hung several teeth and claws of wolves.
The old woman saw Virginia looking at the necklace and read her reaction. She smiled and patted the girl on the head.
"No fear, child. They are but gifts only, freely given from those who no longer need them" She waggled the teeth in Virginia's face, an impish grin stealing over her worn features. Evelyn tut tutted in the background, with affection.
"Stop scaring the girl! She's had enough to worry about" she added.
"She's not scared, are you, little mother?" the old lady said to Virginia.
"No, not really" Virginia had to admit, though the sight of the claws and fangs, however they had been gotten, still made her spine tingle a bit.
"Are you Shaman? Do you really know where to start looking?" she asked the woman.
"Yes and yes. I am Shaman. It's what everyone has called me since I forgot my real name, years ago. And the place to start looking for your mate is right here, of course" she said, tapping Virginia on the chest, over her heart.
"You are strongly bonded with this, man, and we can follow that trail wherever it leads"
"How?" asked Virginia, hoping she wasn't sounding rude. The old Shaman cackled again.
"Oh, you will see, you will see" With that cryptic reply, she strode off to greet the many clan members who had followed her inside.
Virginia turned back to the others. They had equally cryptic looks on their faces. She sighed and settled down to wait.