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Escape From Manitou Island: Part 137 |
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(DISCLAIMER: This part, and all parts hereafter, are works in progress (WIPs) and have not been proofread or checked for plot inconsistencies. I've decided to present them "as is" for now, as there is a significant amount of unfinished material; yet this story has been on hiatus for a long while, I've forgotten certain details, and I have no plans to resume work on it any time soon. Please keep in mind while reading that details may change in the future. Should you spot an inconsistency, however, please feel free to point it out to me for possible correction.)
UNDER THE TREES EVEN THE CHILL of Kabebonikka's blustery wind hadn't seemed to seep entirely into this, the deepest part of the pine forest, and so Charmian's hands weren't kept quite as busy rubbing at her arms to keep them warm. She no longer had to hold her fire aloft either, as the Pukwudjininees who now accompanied them carried tiny torches to light the way, and she supposed that these might be helping to warm the place as well. She'd never been in a forest quite like this one. The trees were well spaced, so the walking was easy, but there was next to no undergrowth, no light of any kind filtered in from above, and she could look from left to right and see the tall bare trunks rising at least ten feet or so before any branches started, and the firelight didn't reach very far at all. It was almost like walking through some strange columned temple made entirely of wood. She shivered again despite herself. "I've never been in woods like these before," she murmured aloud. "Like what?" Winter Born asked, giving her a curious look. Charmian waved. "Like these." Winter Born's brow furrowed. "You mean, like with trees...?" If it had been anyone else she would have assumed that it was a snide comment, but Charmian just sighed and brushed it off. "How much further to...wherever it is that we're going?" she asked the lead Pukwudjininee, hating to be a pain but feeling tired and hungry nonetheless. The Pukwudjininee waved its spear and squeaked. Not far at all! We have already sent the word for a feast to be prepared to allay the raging hunger of our unexpected but esteemed guests. And then, pallets for sleep to be attained upon shall be prepared as well if needed! "I really hope they don't give toasts," Charmian grumbled, and Thomas patted her arm. "Come on now, they're being friendly, so the least we can do is tolerate some of their...well..." He rubbed his head. "Bombasticness." He made a face. "I think you just made up a word," Charmian said, then lifted her head. "I think I see something. I wonder if there are any magical trees they live in here...?" "Let me see!" Winter Born dug in her pouch and pulled out the pinecone that Charmian had given her earlier; Charmian was a bit surprised that she'd forgotten about giving it to her, until now. Winter Born balanced the little object on her palm and concentrated for a moment or two, then frowned and shook her head. "It's not doing anything...does that mean no strange trees...?" "Well..." Charmian craned her neck to see what was ahead, and furrowed her brow. "No magic trees, no...but as for strange..." The others looked as well. The section of forest they were walking into now consisted of pines much larger than those they'd previously been passing, and Charmian could tell that she wouldn't have been able to fit her arms around one. The one ahead of them, however, was massive. The only bigger tree she'd ever seen so far was the Sky Tree; the trunk of this tree looked to be only half the size of Geezhigo-Quae's, but that was still impressive enough. An opening had been dug out between two twisted roots, and firelight flickered from within; Charmian wondered how the Pukwudjininees managed all this without burning the entire forest down, but decided not to ask. In addition various shiny objects dangled from high branches here and there, the firelight reflecting off of them and bouncing all over the boughs in twinkles of various colors. Charmian tried looking up into the branches as they approached, but there was no way to even get near seeing the top, and she had to lower her head before the dizziness made her fall over. "How is this not a magic tree...?" she asked, perplexed, as more Pukwudjininees began pouring from the opening, all chittering and squeaking. Great legends have been told of our majestic tree! the lead Pukwudjininee said, gesturing them forward. The foremost among them being that this is the very tree once used when the world flooded... "Hold on--'flooded'?" Charmian halted in the entryway to frown at the little person. "What do you mean, used? How?" The Pukwudjininee shook its spear and cheeped. Some say that those few beings who survived this massive devastation did so by seeking shelter within the branches of this very tree! Its height is such that it was the only of its kind to reach above the waters, and then, only its very tip! Charmian looked up again for a moment. "That much water...?" she murmured, before Thomas nudged her gently in the back and she stooped to crawl inside. She'd been expecting a hollowed-out section of tree, much like the Sky Tree, which was why when she was confronted instead by a tunnel leading downwards it surprised her so much. She had to keep her head low and walk in a crouch, but at least the tunnel was big enough to do that, when the Pukwudjininees could have made it much smaller. She kept her hands against the earthen walls as she went, peering at her surroundings. Little glowing crystals were set in tiny niches dug out of the walls at irregular intervals. "I wonder if there are giant spiders that make all these funky crystals?" Charmian said. "They're about as common as Weaver webs, from what I've seen." Supposedly, these crystals detached and floated away from the Great Turtle Island, the beloved creation of Gitchi Manitou, which also succumbed to the flood. The lead Pukwudjininee looked over its shoulder at her. We have heard word, from afar, of strange people who allege to have come from the successor of this very Island! Is this who you are--? "Pretty much," Charmian said. "You mean all these crystals came from the first Manitou Island...?" When the Pukwudjininee nodded she furrowed her brow. "But...they're all over. How could they have gotten so far away from the Island...?" "Remember some say that this flood covered everywhere," Manabozho called out from behind her somewhere. "The entire land! North, south, east and west." "You can't mean to say that this flood is something that really did happen...?" Singing Cedars asked with a frown. "How else did the first Island get destroyed?" Charmian countered. "Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it didn't happen. You said yourself that in your story, a woman fell from the sky, and landed on a giant turtle. Like the Islanders tell it, Geezhigo-Quae came from the sky, and still watches over the Great Turtle." She rubbed her head. "Not that I'm sure I believe Manitou Island is really a giant turtle..." "Shh," Stick-In-The-Dirt whispered, putting a finger to his mouth. "It is unwise to speak ill of Michinimakinak!" "Either way," Manabozho said loftily, "I highly doubt that this tree withstood that flood. There are no trees quite THAT old." The Pukwudjininee shook its spear and squeaked. Nonbeliever! May Gitchi Manitou show you wisdom one day! There are trees quite old, even closer to this Island of which we speak, trees with a great many more powers. May they never hear the unkind words you speak of them! "Bla, bla, bla." Manabozho rolled his eyes. "I don't find it so hard to believe," Charmian said. "Just look at where we are!" She ducked her head a bit more on seeing an ending to the tunnel ahead. "I've been meaning to ask. Do you guys have any connection to underwater tunnels down here?" A shake. No, to do so would be quite unwise indeed! The Nebanaubae might gain admittance to our tunnels then. The Pukwudjininee gestured. This tunnel and those stemming from it, like branches stemming from the great tree, were carved out by our brothers, the Mizauwabeekum. Normally, we ourselves keep to the treetops, but for when danger approaches on silent wings, in which case we hightail it for cover--um--we seek refuge within the bosom of the earth. "Still, can you sense water tunnels? We have a few friends who are going west ahead of us, and if we're going to be holed up here any amount of time, I'd really like them to know..." Well...I suppose this is within our means, the Pukwudjininee said reluctantly. Though we do our best not to deal with such affairs! Why is it, pray tell, that you have companions currently traveling beneath the water? "Long story," Charmian sighed. "But I'd appreciate getting a message through to them." We will speak with our jessakid when we arrive, the Pukwudjininee promised, and raised its spear as if leading a marching band. Charmian looked puzzled. "You mean they have those here, too...?" The Pukwudjininees ahead of her vanished out of the tunnel and she braced herself for whatever might be ahead. "I'm starting to kind of miss Marten and his shortcuts," she admitted. "I bet he would love it here." She managed to stretch one leg out in front of herself and stuck it into the tunnel opening, letting out a yelp when she lost her balance and fell. It turned out that the fall was only a short slide and then about a foot or so down, but she landed hard on her tailbone and winced, then let out another yell when someone's feet kicked her in the back and sent her sprawling forward. The Pukwudjininees scattered out of her way, the lead one waving and squeaking at her to move; she did so, scurrying forward on hands and knees, just in time for Thomas to fall into the room even more awkwardly than she had. She was about to reprimand him when Winter Born popped out and kicked him in the head, then decided that that was reprimand enough. The two of them moved aside and the others began crawling in in a somewhat more orderly fashion. Charmian rubbed her back. "They could make it a bit roomier," she said, then thought to glance to the side and her eyes widened. She looked to the other side as well. "Okay...they could make it a bit wider!" The room they now sat within was only about four feet high, and perhaps five or six feet wide, and dug out of solid earth, twisting roots holding everything in place; but she couldn't even tell how long it was. It extended several more feet to her left, but to her right it seemed unending. The crystals in here had been woven into tiny "cages" made of fibers--she supposed for decorative effect--and kept the place well lit in mostly warm tones, similar to Shawondassee's mountain tunnel. What looked to be hundreds of Pukwudjininees and Mizauwabeekum were scurrying back and forth, most of them looking at the newcomers in great interest and squeaking and chirping amongst themselves. Even with the face necklace, there was a constant buzz of unintelligible chatter, and Charmian had the distinct feeling that they were being talked about. She blushed a little and pushed herself over to crawl forward on hands and knees, since walking would have been uncomfortable with the low ceiling. "'Scuse me," she had to say several times, feeling rather like Gulliver as she made her way along. At least none of them tried to tie her down. "I get the feeling they're kind of jazzed to see us," she murmured, glancing from side to side. She had to duck her head to avoid a root. The lead Pukwudjininee came back into view--she recognized it only by its speech, as soon as it talked to her, since most of them looked roughly alike. As we said, none such as yourselves have ever been seen within our forest. But this is not the entire matter. Word has spread of the eventful happenings up above! For it seems that the season has taken a turn for the worse, and if it gets yet more dire, we may need to nest down here with our stone brothers until it should pass over. "You mean the snow?" Charmian asked; it nodded and she let out a breath. "That's just Kabebonikka--the North Wind. I kind of made this deal with him..." the chatter grew louder "...and basically he's going to throw snow at us until we reach the great plains to the west. Sorry to get you guys involved in this mess..." You have spoken with the great Wintermaker yourself? the leader asked, and this time she nodded. Most amazing! The great Wintermaker hardly deigns to speak with mere humans at all! "Well, we've got his nephew in our company, though..." The chatter grew louder and the Pukwudjininees and Mizauwabeekum went scurrying past her. Er...I apologize most profusely for their rudeness! the leader said sheepishly, rubbing its head as Charmian looked over her shoulder to see them now gathering around Winter Born and hopping up and down. But you must admit that yours is a most unusual party... "Winter Born--?" Charmian called out; the little girl's head popped up and she looked at her with wide eyes. "What is it?" Winter Born shrugged. "I don't know! They seem to be excited about something!" Charmian cupped the necklace in her hand and listened for a moment. She frowned and stared at Winter Born, then her eyes grew a bit. "They're saying how much you look like Geezhigo-Quae," she said in surprise, and saw the same look come to Winter Born's face. "They're even wondering if you two are related...no, they're not," she said to the leader. "Just a coincidence. Though I can't believe I never noticed it myself already," she added in a murmur, perplexed, and let the necklace drop back to her chest. The lead Pukwudjininee let out a breath. Thank Gitchi! All is right in the world then, for it would be bad news indeed to harbor a sky person beneath the ground! The others saw Pakwa and Augwak now and the chatter turned into screeching; the two GeeBees had just enough time to blink before they were covered in swarming little folk, Pakwa gasping and Augwak letting out a screech of his own. Within seconds they were lost from sight and Charmian could have sworn that they'd been turned into fur and rock. "Hey--!" she exclaimed, turning and hitting her head on the ceiling. "Ow!" She winced and pointed. "They're with us! You don't need to treat them like that, their medicine won't do anything!" You travel with WENDIGOES?! the leader squeaked, and shook its spear wildly. In THIS environment?! Are all of you absurdly MAD?! "I take objection to being called absurd!" Walks-On-The-Shore, still crouching somewhere back in the tunnel, called out. "Well...yeah," Charmian said, brow furrowing again. "They've been with us all along and haven't caused any trouble! I hardly think they'll do so now. One doesn't eat people and the other one, well, he's a wuss right now." "HEY!" Augwak's voice, somewhere beneath the pile of little furry bodies, yelled. The lead Pukwudjininee chewed its lip and shifted from foot to foot uneasily. Well...they are in your company? And under your command...? When Charmian nodded it seemed to hesitate. They won't attempt to consume us when we least expect it...? "I promise they won't," Charmian said. "Honest!" Well... The leader sighed at last. All right then...but you cannot fault us for remaining thoroughly on our guard! It turned, waving. Come this way. Believe it or not--there was once a time, in the distant, hazy past, when beings greater in stature than ourselves would occasionally pass through, and partake of a repast with us... "I think he means bigger people would come down here and eat," Charmian whispered to the others, Thomas rolling his eyes in response. ...And thus, you may find yourselves more accustomed to these surroundings. It went scurrying off among the crowd, and Charmian had to both try to keep her eye on its spear, and be careful of where she was crawling, so she wouldn't trample on any of them. Fortunately the little people seemed quite adept at getting out of the way, and they flowed around her and the others like a furry and stony wave, chattering constantly and looking everyone over. Charmian sighed to herself. At least they were friendly; she hated to imagine what it would be like if they weren't. "Oh! This is nice!" she exclaimed in surprise when, after crawling along for what seemed to be at least ten or fifteen minutes, they passed through an uncomfortably tiny doorway and into a den even bigger than the one they'd just exited. It was roughly rounded out of the earth and pine boughs covered the floor, contributing a nice scent; the crystals were set into the wall at intervals, and Charmian noticed a little patch of light shining from above. She blinked in surprise to see little windows set into the ceiling. Upon closer examination she saw that they were little spaces dug out between the roots, with more crystals set outside shining their light through, and the panes were made of something shimmery and diaphanous. Charmian gingerly poked at one. It felt like Niskigwun's wings, only frailer. Whenever an esteemed dragonfly dies, we ask permission of its relations to take possession of its wings and utilize them for perpetuity, the lead Pukwudjininee explained. The dragonfly folk are most accommodating and see our requests as an honor to the memory of their loved ones. We use their beautiful wings to provide illumination to the outside world! For when we must take refuge in the bosom of the earth, yet wish to see our arboreal home without. "Wow," Charmian said, pulling her hand away. When she put her eye very close, she could see the blurry images of a few pine trees just barely lit up by the little crystals. It was a surreal scene, yet strangely beautiful as well, fit to rival anything on the Island. As soon as she thought this a wave of homesickness swept over her and she sighed and pulled away. Thomas caught the look on her face and frowned, Winter Born tilting her head curiously, but Charmian didn't explain. "Think we can send a message to our friends?" she asked the leader instead, and it nodded and whistled at the entryway. I have called upon our esteemed jessakid. He will speak with the manitous and discover the whereabouts of your friends! "I'd call them myself," Charmian explained to the others, "but with how pissed off Mishosha was back there, I kind of get the feeling he might be trying to spy on us. He must've done something to Wisakedjak to reach us here. Wisakedjak is a powerful manitou! I hate the thought of what else he might be able to do, if he could defeat him...oh!" She turned around--the ceiling was somewhat higher in here, but she stayed on her knees, as the taller ones among them still had to squat or kneel as well--and looked at the others. "That's right! Should we tell Marten to come back? He has that doll--I should've told him to destroy it!" She glanced over her shoulder at the leader. "Can we tell the jessakid that--?" "No!" The yell came from both Little Wind and Stick-In-The-Dirt at once; they looked at each other in surprise, then both blushed and averted their eyes. Charmian furrowed her brow. "Well...why not?" she asked. "I thought that was what we wanted!" She paused in thought. "I saw Mudroot turn a Wendigo into a cinder--maybe burning it would be--" "NO!!" the two yelled again, making everyone jump. Stick-In-The-Dirt clambered into the room and halted before her, waving his hands pleadingly. "Have you lost your mind?!" he cried. "That's not the way to dispose of a medicine doll!!" "But I thought--" "If you want to destroy it like that," Little Wind called out from the entryway, "then you may as well just kill your teacher! Is that really what you want--?" Charmian blinked. "Kill?" Her eyes shifted toward Moon Wolf, who was still back in the first hall, somewhat behind and to the side of Little Wind. "You mean...even if we destroy that thing it STILL kills him--?" "Yes!" Stick-In-The-Dirt and Little Wind both nodded. Charmian's mouth fell open but no words came out. Even more than this startling fact, the fact that Moon Wolf himself hadn't protested her idea baffled her. "Why...why didn't you tell me?!" she exclaimed to him; he just scowled a little but said nothing. "You would've let me destroy that thing and KILL you?!" She turned to Stick-In-The-Dirt. "Then how does one dispose of it? We can hardly just keep carrying it around! What if Mishosha gets it back--?" "There are very specific ways of disposing of a bad medicine doll," Stick-In-The-Dirt said. "Whatever it is that connects the doll to its target has to be carefully severed from it before the doll itself can be destroyed, or else you end up killing him!" "So you mean we just cut his hair off of it--?" "Well--yes," he said, rubbing his head awkwardly. "But we don't do it. The person who CREATED it does it!" Charmian's eyes nearly fell out of her head. "MISHOSHA?!" she yelled, making them flinch. Moon Wolf opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. Little jingling noises came from behind him and he turned his head to peer into the hall before moving aside a little. The others cleared a way as a small gray Pukwudjininee came trotting into the room, carrying a tiny stick lined with tinkling cones. It shook this as it came, a tiny bird's skull atop its head, and halted not far from the middle of the room. It let out a very important-sounding squeak. Behold! the lead Pukwudjininee exclaimed, waving its spear. Our esteemed jessakid! He who communes with the manitous, who sees afar, who finds what has been lost! "Just the Pukwudjininee I wanted to see," Charmian hastened to say before the leader could go on. She ignored its dirty look and leaned toward the jessakid. "We have a few friends who are traveling west," she explained. "One's an Underwater Lynx and one's a demon, and they're both in an underwater tunnel. The other is a Mikumwesu--um--a little person, kind of like you guys--and he's flying as a bird and carrying a medicine doll. We told them we'd meet up with them, but they don't know we're going to be detained for a bit. Do you think you can get in touch and tell them?" The jessakid rubbed his chin, then shook the rattle so that it jingled. This is but a small task for my immense powers! I will seek them out and alert them at once! He turned and started trotting back toward the entryway. But first I must construct a shaking tent! Charmian dropped her head with a gusty sigh. "And how long does that take...?" she grumbled to no one in particular. "You mean he doesn't come with one already prepared...?" The duties of a jessakid are immense and far ranging yet time consuming as well! the leader protested. Be patient. He will be ready anon! "Does anon mean never...?" Winter Born asked curiously. "Can't he just shake his rattle thingie and call them up?" Charmian said. "I mean, they're everywhere, aren't they--?" A loud squeak made her jump and she saw the jessakid halt, then come scurrying back into the room. He waved his arms wildly while hopping up and down, chirping and popping like mad, and Charmian furrowed her brow a little and tapped the necklace to get it working again. Maybe the little creature was overloading it. Fool child! the jessakid yelled. The manitous are not to be spoken of so lightly! A jessakid's job is hard work! You would have me rush my duties and minimize my chances of success--? "Oh, come off it!" Charmian snapped. "I could contact them myself if there wasn't this jerk wabano breathing down my neck!" Another squeak. UNLIKELY STORY! Mere children are not allowed to become jessakids! Charmian clenched her fists. "WATCH WHO YOU'RE CALLING A CHILD, BUDDY!" The jessakid stopped hopping, making a very nasty face and pointing his rattle upward. You think you possess such immense powers as I? he chirped. Then behold! We shall engage in a duel of skills! Whoever the manitous decide to answer is the TRUE jessakid here! He ignored the way that Charmian rolled her eyes and shook his rattle. I shall call upon them FIRST--! The cones tinkled like little bells. Charmian stared at the creature for a second, then started to smirk before the little window directly over her head gave way and a gout of snow fell atop her with a noisy plop. Winter Born, Stick-In-The-Dirt, and Little Wind all gasped. Thomas's eyes went wide. Charmian blinked the blur from her eyes to see the Puwkudjininees and Mizauwabeekum staring up at her, and she ground her teeth and got ready to yell before noticing how surprised they looked, as well. The jessakid's mouth fell open and she could tell that he hadn't quite intended for that to happen. She scowled anyway and glanced up at the broken window. "What the hell was that all about--?" A commotion came from behind Moon Wolf and again he backed out of the way, looking rather annoyed by now. A gaggle of Pukwudjininees, all dripping wet and chattering, came scrambling into the den, rubbing their arms. Charmian saw the tiny icicles melting from their spears and frowned, confused. There hadn't been any snow in the forest when they'd entered. "What's going on?" she asked as they began talking quickly to the leader. The leader frowned, tilted its head, then waved its hands to try to silence the chatter. Apparently--the great gales which bluster without our forest are now making their way within! They say the snow is piling upon the ground in great drifts deep enough to make a manitou stagger! Such news is ridiculous--our forest has NEVER been overcome by snow! "I think maybe they're not lying," Winter Born said. She had crawled further into the room and was now craning her neck to look out of one of the other windows. Charmian and the Pukwudjininees moved to look outside as well. At first Charmian saw nothing--then realized that there was nothing to see. The windows had been thoroughly covered with snow. She gently tapped one with her finger, but the snow didn't fall away from it. "These windows are above ground level," she said. "And this one's set at an angle. If the wind's still coming from the north, that means the snow either drifted this way or--it's PILED that deep!" Stick-In-The-Dirt rubbed his neck uneasily. "But how could this have happened so quickly--?" "Kabebonikka must be upping the stakes," Charmian said under her breath, not caring whether he understood or not. She pulled away from the window. "Have your jessakid send his message," she said to the leader. "In the meantime, you might want to call all the other Pukwudjininees back in. There--" The Pukwudjininees already in the room squeaked and went running as soon as the other windows popped, the dragonfly wings fluttering uselessly to the floor as snow started flying in. Charmian shielded her face from the icy sting and hurriedly backed away. She turned to the others and shrugged helplessly. "We can't stay here! Kabebonikka's whole deal is with us. If we stay here, then the Pukwudjininees are going to get it too!" "You're suggesting we head back out into the snow--?" Moon Wolf said. Another shrug. "I can't think of any other ideas! Besides--the longer we stay here, the longer Megissogwun thinks we're stalling. At least if we're moving, we stand a chance against him." "But what about Mishosha?" Thomas asked. "Mishosha's just interested in a few of us," Charmian said. "As long as ONE of us makes it west, Kabebonikka calls off his storm, and we'll meet Megissogwun's end of the deal." She gave them a pleading look. "Guys! I don't like it either! But can you think of anything else--?" "Suppose not," Thomas said somewhat skeptically. He shrugged. "I have nothing against the cold. It might be hard walking, though!" "I lost my snowshoes pretty far back," Charmian admitted. "But it's better than waiting around and letting the little guys take all the heat--um--cold." She bobbed her head at the lead Pukwudjininee. "Sorry to bail out so soon--but if we don't, this snow's going to bury you guys alive!" The leader shook its spear. Behold the gracious large beings! Fleeing our hospitality and leaving their own comfort behind for the sake of us, their tiny comrades! Squeaking cheering noises came from back in the hall where the rest of them had fled to. Charmian winced and waved. "C'mon...before they start giving speeches!!" She turned and awkwardly clambered into the hall, the others moving to let her through. The little furry sea of Pukwudjininees and Mizauwabeekum led the way back to the tunnel up and she started clambering into it, when something poked her foot and she pulled her head out to look back. The jessakid had apparently followed them. He waved his little rattle and cocked his head with a squeak. I must impart important information before you depart! Impart? Depart? Charmian thought, but made a face and waved him forward. "What is it?" The little Pukwudjininee hopped up into the tunnel mouth and gestured for her to lean closer, which she did. He put his mouth close to her ear and let out such tiny cheeps that the necklace barely caught them. The manitous have a bad feeling about this storm! Best to keep on your guard always. You never know what calamities might occur! Charmian frowned a little but nodded. "Sure, okay. Whatever the manitous say." She climbed into the tunnel again and began picking her way along it, thinking that that was perhaps the vaguest warning she'd ever been given. "What'd he say, Charmian...?" Winter Born asked, falling into place behind her. The crystals lit them up in colors which were strangely warm compared to the cold breeze now wafting in from below. Charmian tried her best to shrug in the small space. "Nothing much. Just what we already know." When she sensed confusion she glanced over her shoulder. "That Kabebonikka's an ass!" Winter Born tilted her head. Stick-In-The-Dirt winced and looked like he wanted to start shaking his own rattle, but the tunnel space was too small to permit it. Charmian promptly put the comment out of her mind, focusing instead on what they would have to do once they reached the outside again. |