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Escape From Manitou Island: Part 29 |
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Water Battle THE LAKE BEGAN to bubble, then roil, then toss, and two spires of gleaming copper emerged, followed by a black scaly head, and a spined neck which went up and up and up. Everyone gathered on the shore followed its progress as it revealed a giant catlike face, its great green eyes glittering and water dripping from its teeth. Its muzzle wrinkled as it grinned from ear to ear, looming over the tiny people on the beach. "Oh," said Manabozho, rubbing thoughtfully at his head. "Now I remember." Charmian turned around like a robot, her eyes wide and goggling. "N--n--now you remember...?" she managed to get out, her voice as thin as reeds. Everyone gasped and took a step back when the Underwater Lynx let out a rasping hiss, droplets of water spraying down over them; they shielded their heads. Wazhashkooquae whimpered and threw her arms around Manabozho again, chattering. "MANABOZHO," the Lynx hissed, and its voice sounded like pieces of gravel rubbing together. "I KNEW WE WOULD MEET AGAIN!" Manabozho scowled, grasping Wazhashkooquae's arm. Charmian scuttled to stand beside him; even Moon Wolf was holding his hand aloft, flames perched atop his fingers, and Francois had his gun drawn. "A--a Mishupishu!" she whispered, needlessly. Manabozho's scowl grew and he pulled Wazhashkooquae aside. The Underwater Lynx lowered its head slightly and its eyes narrowed, its breath steaming out over them. "I PROMISED YOU I WOULD NEVER LET YOU DEFEAT ME AGAIN," it rasped. "NOW THE TIME HAS COME TO MEET YOUR END!" Charmian blinked. "You--you defeated this thing--?" Wazhashkooquae nodded adamantly, wringing her hands. "I told you he saved us!" "This hideous creature first appeared before us long ago," Wazhashkooquae's father said. "It threatened us before Manabozho came and defeated it! He barely even had to try!" "I AM MUCH STRONGER NOW THAN I WAS THEN," the Mishupishu hissed, "AND SO A SECOND VICTORY WILL HARDLY BE OCCURRING FOR YOU TODAY!" Its tail lashed out of the water and its whiskers bristled. "AND SO, MANABOZHO? WILL YOU STAND UP TO FACE ME ONCE MORE AS YOU PROMISED, OR FLEE LIKE A COWARD?" "You already know the answer to this," Manabozho muttered. "I made a promise and I'll hardly back down now." The Mishupishu grinned again. "THEN PREPARE TO DIE, FOOLISH RABBIT!" Charmian hastened to step up beside Manabozho again, holding her hand up, but he merely reached out and nudged her back. She furrowed her brow but he shook his head. "I can do this on my own," he said, not looking back at her. Charmian blinked. "Are--are you sure--?" When he nodded she chewed her lip but reluctantly stepped back. "Well...okay...but be careful!" "Manabozho will hardly even have to fight," Wazhashkooquae said matter-of-factly, clasping her hands together. "I always KNEW he'd be back to protect us from this beast!" Somebody grasped Charmian's arm and she was pulled back by Moon Wolf. "I think we'd best stand back a bit," he warned, and she noticed just how close the gigantic creature really was, and nodded and obeyed. "MANABOZHO," the Underwater Lynx hissed, "YOU HAVE HUMILIATED ME FOR THE LAST TIME. PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR END!" "Are you going to spout words, or actually do something of merit?" Manabozho retorted. The giant Lynx let out a searing hiss and came descending toward him, its spines flaring; Charmian gasped and jumped back even further when its neck crashed into the ground, splitting open the shore so that those few remaining went running. Charmian tripped and fell, Thomas reaching out to help her back up; she glanced over her shoulder to see that Manabozho and the Lynx were already battling, the Mishupishu spitting and whipping at Manabozho and the former hurling wind at the gigantic beast. Several times the Lynx made the mistake of snapping at Manabozho, always resulting in a stinging nose; it lifted its head and tossed it from side to side with a snarl. It tried hitting Manabozho with its tail and missed; Manabozho grabbed onto it instead and glanced back at the others. "You'd best head back to your wigwams," he cautioned. "Just in case. Though I vowed I would defeat him, so you won't have to hide away for lo--" His words were cut off when the Lynx pulled its tail free and smacked it straight into him, his eyes going wide before he toppled into the lake. Everybody gasped, surging forward a step, Charmian and Wazhashkooquae not least among them; the water tossed and roiled a bit, then the Lynx's head popped up, Manabozho clinging to its horns as it hissed and spat in a rage. He shook the water from his feathers and gave them a wide-eyed look. "Don't worry about me!" he exclaimed. "Just stay here in the camp...I'll lead him into the river...and take care of him there!" They promptly plunged into the water again and started heading up the river and away from the lake. Everyone watched them in awe, not daring to follow. They jumped a little again when the Mishupishu's head emerged some distance away, Manabozho leaping off and whirling around to face it, the two of them seeming to engage in an argument. They were too far away for any words to be heard, though Charmian grasped at her chest, her heart thudding wildly. "Be careful, Manabozho," she urged under her breath. "He doesn't NEED to be careful," Wazhashkooquae breathed. "He's Manabozho, the Great Rabbit! He has never been defeated YET!" Charmian glanced at her from the corner of her eye, almost ready to retort, but the look on the woman's face was such that she knew the words would be lost on her. Instead she turned back to watch the proceedings, crossing her fingers just in case Wazhashkooquae's faith was misplaced. The Underwater Lynx's head plunged up out of the water, Manabozho leaping from between its horns and landing on the bank, sputtering for breath. He whirled around, gasping and panting, and clenched his fists as the two of them glared at each other venomously. There was a pause, then he stepped toward the Mishupishu and grasped onto its whiskers so that it squealed. He dragged its head forward and glared into its eyes. "Did you have to hit me so hard?!" he hissed under his breath. The Lynx blinked a few times and then grimaced. "I didn't mean it! But the last time you said to make it look realistic! I was just--" "Trying to DROWN me?" Manabozho tugged on the creature's whiskers again, and its eyes filled with tears. "Listen, you! Make it look real, but DON'T HURT ME! If you do then I'll pull your whiskers straight off!! Do you see that red-haired girl over there--?" He wrenched the Lynx's head around and they both looked toward Charmian, still standing on the edge of the lake and staring after them with wide eyes. "If there's anybody who'll see through any part of this it's HER! Do you WANT to end up messing up this deal--?" "I'm sorry," the Mishupishu sniffled. "You've just been gone so long, and I've gotten all out of shape, and I really wasn't expecting you to come back so abruptly--" "No excuses!!" Manabozho hissed, cutting it off. He yanked on its whiskers so that they were eye to eye. "ONE more chance," he snarled under his breath. "We come out fighting, and I win, but most of all, you make it look CONVINCING! GOT that--?" He let go of the Mishupishu's whiskers and bared his teeth. "CONVINCING! Is that SO much to ask--?" The Underwater Lynx sniffled and shook its head. "N-no, all right--I'll do better. I promise." "Good." Manabozho took a step back and glared at it once more. "Remember. Convincing!" It nodded and he did the same; peering toward the lake, he saw the others still watching, then waved at the Lynx. "Right where we left off. You remember?" The Mishupishu nodded. "You were on my head, and I was trying to drown you. Pretending," it corrected itself immediately, and Manabozho responded by leaping onto its head, and they plunged back into the water. Further along the shore, everyone gasped and watched the proceedings in awe. Charmian put her hands to her mouth and Wazhashkooquae quailed; the Mishupishu raised its head from the middle of the river and flailed it around, roaring, Manabozho again clinging to its horns and striking it on the forehead with his fist. The creature bellowed and splashed into the water; when it popped up out of the lake, everybody dashed back, except for Charmian, who was frozen watching the fight with wide eyes. Manabozho noticed her, and sliced his hand through the air. "Go on!" he yelled. "I'll take care of thi--" He gawked when the Mishupishu started flinging its head from left to right, and with a yelp he grabbed onto its left horn and held on for dear life. Charmian's eyes goggled as he flew through the air, back and forth; she held up her hand and tried aiming, but couldn't get a good fix on it and hope to spare Manabozho, even if she knew that she could call up a manitou. DUH! she thought. Don't AIM for the head! "Right," she muttered under her breath, feeling foolish. She lowered her hand to aim at its neck, and bit her lip hard. "I know I'm not from here, and you aren't required to give me anything," she murmured, "but I'd really appreciate some FIRE right now!" At first she felt nothing, but then a faint tingling arose in her hand and her heart rose. She focused her attention on the Lynx's neck, thanked whatever manitou had decided to help her, then flung her hand forward. "Fire!" she hissed; a bolt of flame shot from her fingers and was sent slamming straight into the Underwater Lynx's neck. "Gaahhhk--!!" The Lynx's eyes goggled and all of its teeth showed; it froze in place, stiffening as if it had just been electrocuted. Manabozho landed against its cheek and blinked a few times; seeing Charmian standing with her arm raised, his eyes grew, then he turned to the Mishupishu and, with a great yell, slammed his fist down on top of its head. Its eyes crossed and without further incident it went plunging straight down into the water, Manabozho hurriedly leaping from it and landing stumbling on the shore. He whirled around on one heel to watch it disappear beneath the waves, a terrific splash cascading over the shore and soaking even those who stood further away. They shielded their eyes but by now there was nothing left to see but the remaining ripples still dying on the water. They stared in silence for a moment or two, then Manabozho brushed a few drops from his arms, glared at the water, and let out a great snort. He kicked a small rock into the water and it splashed. "Just as I told you!" he yelled. "Nobody defeats me, especially not a piddling WATER LYNX!" The ripples on the lake's surface died and silence filled the air. Charmian jumped when it was almost immediately broken by wild cheers, and Thomas quickly pulled her out of the way when Wazhashkooquae and all of the other members of the camp went racing toward Manabozho, waving their arms and yelling with glee. Charmian was nearly knocked over in the rush, and blinked at the rest of them as they ran past, surrounding Manabozho and grabbing onto him. He was hustled back toward the camp, the men shaking their hatchets and the women letting out high-pitched cries. Wazhashkooquae clung to his arm the whole time, beaming as if she'd already picked out her wedding dress. "This is MY husband!" she gushed as they headed toward the main wigwam. "I'm going to be HIS wife!" Charmian caught the panicked look that entered Manabozho's eyes again, and bit off a sigh when she realized that while taking on a Mishupishu might be easy enough for him, such a thing as this might not. She hurried to follow, glancing back to make sure that at least Thomas was following. Marten hopped onto her shoulder as they went. "Such a day as this we knew would come," the old man was saying, gesturing with his hands, "yet we had no fear for we knew that you would keep your promise, Elder Brother! And thus we keep our promise to you. Wazhashkooquae will be yours, and we will give the greatest feast we can manage, to seal this agreement once and for all. What a glorious day that your wedding should coincide with such an outstanding victory!" "Glorious day!" several others yelled. Charmian and Thomas slowed down as they got close to the entryway of the biggest wigwam, a lodge at least three times as long as the others. The old man opened the doorflap and gestured them inside. "Everyone is welcome!" he exclaimed, and Charmian turned her head to see the others being escorted forward as well, small cheers every so often escaping the members of the tribe. "Food and drink and bed for everyone! A glorious day such as this deserves to be remembered as was the first!" Manabozho was practically shoved into the entryway, Wazhashkooquae hurrying in after him; Charmian had to wait until the old man and a few of his relations had gone in before following. "Marten," she whispered to the Mikumwesu under her breath, "if it comes down to it, change into an elk or an eagle or something, the better to carry us out of here. I get a feeling it might not go well." Marten nodded, eyes wide. "Gotcha!" A fire was already lit inside the lodge and everyone was gathering around it, chattering excitedly and mimicking the Underwater Lynx's actions with their hands. Charmian peered at Manabozho, who sat in a position of honor with Wazhashkooquae clinging to his arm and smiling away; he looked as miserable as a stormcloud. She felt a pang of pity for him, but couldn't help suspecting that there was something odd about the entire situation. Sure, she'd been told that Mishupishus were weak. But that one had been even weaker than her medicine, and she'd only just asked for some strange manitou's help; she knew that firebolt had been pathetic compared to ones she'd called up on the Island. And so why had it taken only that and one punch from Manabozho to do the Lynx in...? They live under the water, she reminded herself as she sat down next to a pair of chattering tribemates. Don't be surprised if that wasn't the end of it, after all. It did already come back once, didn't it...? She fiddled her fingers a bit anxiously. She was grateful for the commotion as no one noticed when she blushed and hurriedly passed on the pipe that was offered her without smoking from it, and she kept her eyes on Manabozho and Wazhashkooquae. She scowled at the way that the woman giggled and bubbled while Manabozho looked miserable. "What does she see in him?" she muttered, Marten and Thomas looking at her. "He named his kid Turtle, for crying out loud. And what does he see in her? 'Wazhashkooquae'? What kind of name is that, anyway? You can barely even say it. Waaazhaaashkoooooquaaaae." Marten stared at her, brow furrowed. "It means Muskrat Woman," he said. "I think it's a nice name! I mean, she could be named Moose Hoof or something..." Thomas frowned and tilted his head. "You're not jealous, are you, Charmian...?" Charmian's face went scarlet. "I'm NOT jealous!!" she hissed, making him jump. "Just shut up!" She glared again at Manabozho. "I just know that SOMETHING'S up here, but I'm not sure what! That thing with the Underwater Lynx was just way too easy!" "You didn't see how they were fighting each other--?" Marten cried, and waved his arms. "Wham! Whoosh! Ka-pow!" "It looked convincing enough to me," Thomas added. Charmian shook her head. "There's just something...hinky about this whole thing. Just promise to keep your eyes open at least, all right--?" She cut herself off when the old man seated himself at Manabozho's other side, and Manabozho looked even worse. "At last we are all together again!" the old man exclaimed, beaming. "Just as was promised long ago. And today, yet another promise will be kept!" Manabozho grimaced. Charmian glanced at the others with them before focusing her stare on Peepaukawiss; he blinked at her, eyes shifting from left to right; when she shifted her own eyes toward Manabozho and Wazhashkooquae and back again a few times, he seemed to catch her point, and coughed and lifted himself a bit, drawing everyone's attention. He blushed and fiddled with a few of his feathers. "Ah...Grandfather, and others," he said hastily, feathers fluttering. "I hope it wouldn't be too forward of me to ask for the story behind this promise! I'm certain all of us newcomers are dying to hear this tale!" Manabozho's eyes went blue and he looked ready to murder him. Puka quickly reseated himself and the old man bobbed his head in agreement. "I fully understand your curiosity! Welcomed newcomers! Forgive us for forgetting that this tale is not known to all. We have simply heard it and told it so many times that it takes the presence of our Elder Brother himself to remind us not to take it for granted!" He cleared his throat. "What happened was thus. Very long ago, our elder brother Manabozho happened to pass through our camp when we were being assailed by a great Underwater Lynx, the very same one you just saw, I'm afraid! We had no idea what to do! For you see, we had never dealt with such a hideous beast before then! It simply appeared in the lake as if out of nowhere, but also as if out of nowhere, our Elder Brother appeared, already prepared to fight it. Apparently he had discovered its presence through mystical means, for he merely asked us to point him the way to the beast, so that he might destroy it for himself! Awed by his bravery yet not quite sure that it could be done as he'd said--for we'd done everything within our power to defeat this creature already--we pointed him to the lake, and he strode for it as if he could see the beast itself. And see it he did, as soon as it reared its hideous head high over him! Horrendous creature! We were certain his brains would be dashed upon the rocks! But he fought the beast and quickly subdued it, although the fight was awful! The creature plunged deep beneath the water as you just saw yourself and we never saw it more. The grandest feast then was given our hero and I promised him my daughter's hand in exchange for all he had done for us! For we are but a tiny camp, and never could have defeated that beast on our own. Unfortunately, our Elder Brother had to take his leave of us then, and so I promised that my Wazhashkooquae would be awaiting him whenever he should return. And he vowed that should that Mishupishu give us trouble again, he would return! Lo and behold!--the moment the creature comes back, so does our hero, and we are saved again! Thus shall our Elder Brother become my honored son-in-law, and he and Wazhashkooquae will have many brave children together!" Puka clasped his hands together and aaawwwwwed with joy. Most of the members of the camp present inside the lodge nodded in agreement. Charmian's eyes shifted toward Manabozho and she paused on seeing the cringe on his face. "You never faced a Mishupishu before then and not again until now, huh?" she said aloud, and his eyes popped open abruptly, fixing on hers. The old man shook his head. "Not before or since! As I said, it is as if he has magical powers to tell when this creature shall return--the manitous look down over him favorably!" And he patted Manabozho's shoulder so hard that he grimaced again. "Really," Charmian said, then drew her hands into her lap and fell silent, though she still gave Manabozho one of the most menacing stares she could muster. "Just as if he were sent by the manitous themselves!" Wazhashkooquae cooed, clinging to his arm like there was no tomorrow. "Oh! Father! Do you think we might have the wedding tonight?" Manabozho's eyes grew to an unnatural size and his face just about went white. The others in Charmian's group noticed the change but the other members of the camp all started nodding and murmuring in agreement. The old man rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well...it is a bit of a hurry...but seeing as you've been waiting for his return for quite a while...I can see why you would be impatient..." Manabozho's teeth started chattering and his eyes flitted from side to side. "Oh, Father, megwetch!" Wazhashkooquae cried, hugging Manabozho's arm tight enough to make him wince. "I know the perfect place, too! Right on the shore of the lake! Right where your victories were claimed! Wouldn't you enjoy this, Husband-To-Be--?" "Ah--" Manabozho shot to his feet, feathers flaring; everyone stared up at him. "I think I just heard something! Something outside!" He jumped into the middle of the lodge and ran for the entryway. "I think perhaps that Lynx has come back already! Don't worry--I'll make CERTAIN this time that he's dealt with properly!" Everybody started standing up. "It's--it's back--?" Wazhashkooquae cried, and everybody began a stampede toward the entry. Charmian's brow furrowed and she again had to avoid being run over. The lodge fairly shook in the onslaught. "Is it just me or is this PERFECT timing--?" she had to yell. "'I think I heard something'? What sort of utter junk--" "The creature's back!" a voice cried from outside, and she cut herself off, her mouth falling open. "It's come back again! Elder Brother will have to save us a THIRD time!!" "It really is back--?" Charmian got out, before the few people remaining in the lodge pushed Thomas and her out of the entry, Marten still clinging to her shoulder; as soon as they were shoved outside into the cooling air, she glanced toward the lake--and sure enough, the great black neck of the Mishupishu was present again, and it was scowling down at those already upon the shore, teeth dripping. She couldn't quite get over her surprise that Manabozho hadn't been lying, when Thomas pulled her behind one of the wigwams and they stared out at the creature as it scanned the shore with livid eyes. "SILLY RABBIT!" it bellowed. "TRICKS ARE FOR CHILDREN! YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME SO EASILY AND WITH SUCH A PUNY ATTACK--?" Everyone was again gathering around the lake, staring up at it with wide eyes. It scoured the crowd until it spotted Manabozho running straight toward it, and grinned from ear to ear. Its eyes flashed. "THERE YOU ARE! COME FACE ME LIKE A MANITOU! YOU THOUGHT I WAS TOUGH BEFORE? NOW I'LL TRULY SHOW YOU THE MEANING OF PAIN!" "Oh! Be careful, sweet 'Bozho!" Wazhashkooquae cried, clasping her hands to her breast. Charmian had to struggle not to roll her eyes. "This is like a Spanish soap opera with sea serpents!" Manabozho halted on the shore and clenched his fists at his sides. "STUPID LYNX!! What did I tell you about interrupting me on the eve of my wedding?!" Everybody murmured in awe. Charmian crept out from behind the wigwam although Thomas hissed at her not to and Marten dug his claws into her shoulder. She furrowed her brow a little when she thought she saw Manabozho's hands shaking--was he afraid--? Well, it wouldn't be the first time! she thought as she crept forward. It's just like him to feign bravery...but usually he just runs and hides! If he doesn't want to wed Wazhashkooquae--and I'd have to be REALLY stupid not to notice that--then why does he keep fighting this thing--? She halted behind the long lodge. Manabozho was tossing insults at the Underwater Lynx and it hissed back at him, spines flaring. It swung its great head from side to side and its eyes flashed. "LOTS OF BIG WORDS FROM SUCH A TINY LITTLE MANITOU!" it challenged. "WHY DON'T YOU PUT YOUR WAMPUM WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS? COME AND PROVE WHAT SORT YOU ARE BY FACING ME ONCE AND FOR ALL!" Manabozho's feathers flared to the sides. "GLADLY! I was just waiting for YOU to pick the place, but since you're so reluctant--!" Charmian's heart shot up into her throat when he leapt up into the air, the Mishupishu opening its mouth to catch him; he grasped onto one of its whiskers and vaulted himself over its muzzle, then scrambled up between its copper horns and grabbed hold of them. The Lynx hissed and tossed its head; he struck it between the eyes and it suddenly plunged into the water again. Everyone ooh'ed and ahh'ed when its serpentine form splashed beneath the water, sending up a fine spray and roiling the surface as it worked its way toward the river. Charmian's eyes goggled. "M--MANABOZHO!!" she screamed, and went racing after them. Marten fell from her shoulder but she didn't even notice; her feet flew over the grass and she raced along the river, following it as it curved around the side and back toward the woods at the edge of the great meadow. She heard Thomas and the others calling faintly after her, but ignored them. Wabasso--Wabasso died in a river--being chased by bad spirits--the Shadow Wolves-- How can Manabozho be so foolish?! He's going to get himself KILLED just trying to look BRAVE--! "Manabozho!" she cried, before she couldn't yell anymore, having to conserve her breath for the run which was making her lungs hurt now. She jumped over a rock and scanned the river as she ran alongside it; but the water here was still, aside from its inexorable flow toward the lake. She heard a splashing noise, but it was far ahead, where the trees seemed to grow thicker; she bit her lip and pumped her legs as fast as she could. She'd had to retrieve Wabasso from the Spirit Road in the land of the dead. She didn't exactly relish the thought of having to do that again. "Manabozho--!" she tried again, but her voice came out as just a croak. The splashing noise came again, then a voice, Manabozho's voice, yelling-- "Are you TRYING to make me look stupid--?!" "Manabozho--!" Charmian croaked again, and sailed out into the clearing. Manabozho--standing beside the river--whirled his head around to look at her, eyes wide and surprised; he was dripping from head to foot, but otherwise looked all right. The Mishupishu rose right before him in the river, its own eyes wide. Charmian gritted her teeth and threw up her arms. "I'll get his head and you get his neck!" she cried. Manabozho's own eyes goggled, then he threw up his own hands. "WAIT--!!" The Underwater Lynx reared its head and hissed, whiskers standing out straight and bright green eyes flashing wildly. Charmian didn't give it the chance to attack. "Fire PLEASE!" she yelled, and a fireball accordingly flew from her hands, straight at the creature's forehead. It started to duck down toward the water, but the fireball struck before it could, and it let out a hideous screeching noise that made her ears ring. Manabozho clapped his hands over his own ears. "Manabozho!" Charmian yelled, getting his attention. "FINISH IT OFF already!!" He blinked. Then hastily held up his hands and scowled as if getting ready to attack the creature, doubtlessly with some sort of wind or earth medicine, as that was what sort of manitou he was. And so when another voice--not hers, and not his--broke out of the haze of steam which the fire and water had created, Charmian blinked, not having expected it in the least. "S-STOP!! I GIVE UP! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!!" |