
forced recognition
"You know how your mother and the tribe feel about this
," he said. "And you know the legends."
"I know, Grayskies. Trust me, I know how my mother
feels about you and me recognizing. But that does not
mean that I have to go along with it."
They lay curled together under the sleeping furs. The
frost season was soon coming and all of the tribe
could feel the start of a chill in their bones. Her
hand on his chest, Nightflier could feel his heart
beating slowly.
"Listen to me, my love. It might not even work. But
the possibility that it could, that we could, . . ."
Grayskies' thought was interrupted by an open sending.
**Council meeting, now!**
The tribe gathered quickly at the circle. When all
were present Firestar spoke.
"The frost season comes early this year. Tonight I
want to send out a hunting party. We need the meat
and skins before the frost sets in, and the beasts
have already begun to travel. Tonight Nightflier,
Nightblinker, Grayskies. Go and bring us back a
thunderhoof, before they leave us."
"Mother! We need more than three to hunt," Nightflier
exclaimed.
*Why the healer mother? Why do I suspect other motives behind your choice?*
"Do not question me, daughter." Firestar stood, and left the circle.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nightblinker looked from Firestar to Nightflier and shook her head. The cheiftess could have made it a little less obvious could she? Nightblinker had never hunted and everybody in the tribe knew that. And the thought of having to drag herself across the cold mountain plateau after the two lovebirds didn't sounded too exciting either. At least they could take somebody with them. Nightblinker looked for Firestar and when their eyes met the healer sent:
*My Cheiftess, forgive the question but could somebody else come with us, too. Like Airtiger. Just in case the shadows decide to show up. I am no fighter, you know that.*
Firestar turned away sharply without answering Nightblinker's pleas.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Grayskies, grab two riders and five spears-lengths of hiderope. Meet me outside the holt. Nightblinker, bring your healing kit. I have a feeling we might need it." Nightflier hurried off to the weapons den to pick out her spears.
*Father?*
"Yes child?"
Startled by his voice she whirled around to see
Stormlynx laughing, leaning against the den's door.
*Send with me father, I do not want Mother to overhear*
Stormlynx stopped smiling.
*I do not like secrets Nightflier*
*It is a surprise father, not a secret. And I have a favor to ask of you*
*A surprise? What kind of surprise needs three spears?*
*I would rather not tell you now. But please follow half a night behind us father. We will need you. And if she asks, tell her you are worried. I can see that you are*
*Be wise my daughter* Stormlynx stepped out of the doorway and was gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Nightflier..." Nightblinker began.
**I will not speak of it** She sent back with some anger, and soared off joining Delis in the sky to watch for shadows, and to get away from those on the ground. The chilly air cooled her off, relaxing her body. She could smell the dying grass below her.
The party traveled quickly; Nightflier wanted to stay well ahead of her father. The fast pace was easier when they made it to the plains. Swooping down to grab two of the spears, Nightflier sent to them.
**I see the herd. I shall be right back**
Gliding high above the herd Nightflier spotted the beast she needed. The thunderhooves grazed peacefully unaware of her. The beast pawed at the ground, loosening the dying blades of grass. His matted brown fur ruffled in the wind. Circling above them she spiraled downwards, spears poised. Nightflier had chosen the largest bull in the herd. Suddenly she struck, hurdling the spear and piercing his back legs. He bellowed in pain; the herd scattered.
*What have you done child?*
*Nightblinker! Quickly, your healing kit!*
And from farther away..
*Daughter? What has happened? Is that smoke I see?*
No reply came to his sending, and so Stormlynx picked
up his pace. "What is that child of mine up to?" he
wondered, "I hope she knows her business."
And back in the midst of the stampede, the wounded
thunderhoof fell to the ground, crippled. He thrashed
mightily, sending tremors through the ground.
*Nightblinker! What takes you so long? He will die!*
*Nightflier, lovemate, we were sent here to kill one, there is no need for Nightblinker's majik*
She was angry now! They questioned her! The future cheiftess!
**We were sent here to bring back meat for the frost season! Do not question what I tell you**
Reluctantly Nightblinker and Grayskies hurried to the wounded beast. Tugging hard, they removed the spears, dodging his kicks. Nightblinker sat cross-legged beside the animal and began her majik. Concentrating on letting the energy flow from the crystals embedded in her palms, she placed her hands over a wound and closed her eyes, forcing his blood flow faster. Dimly the air around her shimmered, electrified through her will. Slowly the rift in his leg began pulling itself shut. The bull screamed in pain, but made no effort to escape her touch. Nightflier and Grayskies had other preparations and left her to her work.
*Father? How close are you? We need you soon!*
"Grayskies dear, help me with these rides" He looked at her with questions burning in his eyes. Cocking his head to the side he looked at her, but said nothing. Using a spears-length of hiderope they laced the two sleds together doubling its size.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Daughter? I am here. Now can you explain to me what
this surprise is?" She threw her arms around his neck,
kissing him.
"You are just in time! Nightblinker is just now
finished." Stormlynx turned to study the healer.
"Why is it that she heals a beast? Did your mother
not send you to fell one?"
"Father this is how I need your help," Nightflier
began, "I want you to send with the thunderhoof and
make him our friend. Tell him that we need his help
and that we will not harm him more."
Confused yet willing to help, Stormlynx knelt beside
the animal, placed his hands on its neck and sent to
it, concentrating. For minutes nothing happened.
"These are stupid creatures. All I can get
from him is emotion. Fear!" Stormlynx shook his head,
I will keep trying thought child."
Nightflier flew back out over the herd, once again
grazing peacefully, having forgotten their momentary
terror.
**The old and the sick, Grayskies, none other**
She swooped down an old grandmother thunderhoof grazed
off to the side. Nightflier came in slowly, angling
her weapon to strike her. She twitched briefly, and
was dead. The hunt was very quickly over, and
preparations to depart were made.
"Have you befriended him father? It is time to go
home," Stormlynx was sitting atop the thunderhoof,
scratching behind its massive ears. "I take it you
have! Good, now harness the beast to the rides, he
will help us on our journey home. And Grayskies my
love, I need you to shape yourself into a thunderhoof,
not until we have all our kill together but."
"Daughter, this will not work. This animal cannot
pull three of his own." For the first time Stormlynx
doubted his daughter's judgement.
"I agree father. That is why Grayskies is going to
shape change and help. With two thunderhooves pulling,
this ride will be heavy, but pullable. And you and
Nightblinker and I will walk, making sure the ride
goes smoothly, which it will. Help me harness
Grayskies to the ride.
Skeptical and doubting, Stormlynx and Nightblinker
looped the hide rope over the changed form of
Grayskies. Soon the little hunting party was trudging
slowly back to the Skyholt.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
**Mother! We have returned from the hunt!**
Sleepy heads popped out of dens; those already awake
were already heading towards the returned party, and
at the front was Firestar. Wanting to get the kill
prepared before the sunrise, the cheiftess nearly
broke into a run.
"What in the. . .," she stopped mid-sentence and
mid-stride. "A live thunderhoof? Child, I told you
to bring us back a thunderhoof! But I meant a kill!
And here you bring two live ones!"
The gathered tribe looked at the hunting party.
**Not quite cheiftess** sent Grayskies as he began his transformation back.
The tribe set upon the thunderhooves. Bond-beasts
gave up thanks for the honorable kill. Pyramid-
runners growled their appreciation. Birds circled
overhead crying out to the heavens.
Stormlynx wrapped a leather cord around the bulls neck
and released him from the hide- rope harness. He
sent and image of peace and prodded him on his way.
Firestar glared at her daughter; Nightflier turned
away from her, but she could still feel her mother's
eyes burning into her. Calling Delis, Nightflier
floated up to her den. Wrapped in her sleeping furs,
she slept.
She slept fitfully, and a dream crept into her head.
***Delis circled the moonlit sky. Gracefully dipping and gliding, he scanned the tree-line above. Through his eyes I watched for shadows. Suddenly he was soaring over the trees, away from the holt. Above him the sly was filled with stars falling from the heavens. The ground shook below him. Mighty trees toppled over until the forest lay flattened. The smell of smoke filled the air. Beyond the forest lay the Pyramid Mountain. Its peak gleamed brightly in the night. As Delis flew closer, the air around him trembled; the Pyramid Mountain crackled with energy. Rock fell from its faces, crashing to the ground below. Slowly the Pyramid tore loose of the mountain and rose into the air. ***
She awoke from the dream with a start. Outside the moon had set and risen again. In the pale light of the moon she could see the forest still standing. Nightflier leapt off the ledge of her den and floated above the canyon's top. Soaring above the trees she heads towards the Pyramid Mountain. The wind whipped her braids around her head and chilled her bare arms. Clouds covered the stars in the sky. In the distance Nightflier could see the tip of the pyramid gleaming in the dark.
*Daughter, I wish to have council*
Firestar called to her daughter. Circling around she
glanced wistfully again at the pyramid.
Setting down outside her mother's den, Nightflier felt
her presence, she was alone. She sat on a stool
facing away from the door. Nightflier sat down on her
sleeping furs. Nothing was said for quite some time.
"Cheiftess? You wish a council with us?"
Grayskies and Nightblinker rounded the corner and
entered the den. Seeing Nightflier, they froze in
their tracks.
*My love, you have agreed?*
Nightflier turned away from them, facing the walls. She felt a soft hand on her shoulder.
*Choose, daughter*
And she was left alone with Grayskies and Nightblinker.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The three stood uncomfortablly, not wanting to look at each other. Nightflier headed for the door.
*Nightflier, for the good of the holt, at least consider it*
"I know its what you want Grayskies. And I know how Mother feels about it. But neither of you have considered how i feel about it. The legend says that you and I can have a child who will be able to control the palace and lead us away from here. But will a forced recognition bring us that child? And why do we want to leave anyhow. This is our home. It may not be perfect, its a hard life sometimes. But this is home." Nightflier tried to hold back the tears. She thought to herself that they couldn't possibly understand how she felt about this. "you don't know what you are asking me to do. i'm just a child myself. If I were ready to bring another child into this world we would recognise. I don't want to force it."
"Its a chance Nightflier. A chance at freedom from the Shadows. We could go look for another place to live. Make a new home. Where maybe we won't have to worry about Shadows. At least consider it, my love. Think. Please. If not for the tribe, then for the children you will have later on."
Nightblinker didn't say anything.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Firestar sat in the circle. The moon hung low in the sky, barely peaking up from above the tree tops. Half the tribe had already settled into their furs for the night. The others were beginning to stir around her. The thunderhoofs had to be skinned and prepared for the frost season, their hides softened and stored, the meat cut into strips and smoked. But her mind was not on the coming frost season. The tribe knew how to prepare without her instructions. They had survived the frost for seven generations before her. Now her thoughts were on the tribe. Their numbers had been falling. In her Mothers time so many had been lost to the Shadows. Treedancer had been lost to the Shadows too, trying to protect her tribe.
But Firestar didn't want to think of that now. She could think about that later. Right now she wanted to think about the future. A child, she thought, Nightflier needs to agree to this.
Stormlynx sat silently watching his mate. He knew how important this was to her, but wondered to himself if forcing his daughter to recognize was the best way to go.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *