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Escape From Manitou Island: Part 138 |
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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.)
PARANOIA WOLVES GREETED THEM when they exited the strange tree in the middle of the Pukwudjininees' woods, and Charmian was surprised to realize that Manabozho's wolves hadn't followed them underground. They were so omnipresent yet unassuming that they were easy to forget. She let them sniff her hands when she came out, so they knew who she was, and as soon as Manabozho came out a few began whimpering and wagging their tails. He scratched their heads but frowned as he did so. "Are they talking?" Charmian asked. Manabozho nodded. "What else would they be doing?" He ignored her dirty look. "They say the waters are freezing over. All except the fastest rivers. I guess the one we came from should be fine for now, but you're the one who talked with Kabebonikka--just how far does he plan to go?" "I kind of get a bad feeling about that," Charmian admitted, rubbing her neck. "He pretty much promised to make it practically impossible for us." "I thought you made a deal with him!" Manabozho exclaimed. "Well, that WAS the deal!" Charmian snapped back. "Survive that and Winter Born doesn't have to go and stay with him!" "What?" She flinched and shrank in on herself when thudding sounds came in the snow and Black Elk Horn pushed several of the others aside so roughly that they nearly fell over. The only reason why he didn't halt right in her face was because Francois held up one hand and pressed it against his chest to stop him, keeping an oddly neutral look on his face; Charmian felt that if any of the others had dared try that, he would have ripped their arm off. "What is this deal?" Black Elk Horn barked, making her flinch again. "Winter Born? YOU TRIED TRADING WINTER BORN?" Only in the BEST way... Charmian thought, but didn't dare say it aloud. Instead she welcomed it when Stick-In-The-Dirt stepped in front of her and Francois raised his free hand. "I don't think we have time enough to argue about this right now," the voyageur said; the ogimah gave him a livid look but said nothing. "Perhaps once we figure out the best way to get going, there will be time for arguments." "I never got to ask the Pukwudjininees for directions," Charmian lamented. "My wolves are for more than just hunting," Manabozho said, looking them over as they panted and wagged their tails. "Surely they've been busy while we've been occupied underground...?" He leaned toward them and started making weird little growling noises, which the wolves answered; Charmian wanted to roll her eyes, but they actually seemed to understand each other. After a few moments of this Manabozho pointed west, and some of the wolves turned and went running. The rest of them parted and went northwest and southwest, scattering throughout the woods. "Where are they going?" Winter Born asked. "To see which is the safest and easiest way to these 'great plains,'" Manabozho replied. "Yeah?" Charmian crossed her arms. "Well, in the meantime, what do we do?" He shrugged at her, giving her a sulky look. "Keep going west?" "We don't know how far these woods go," Francois said. "Without the Pukwudjininees, we'll likely get lost." "I don't want to draw them back into things!" Charmian protested. She chewed her lip. "So you're suggesting we head east--out of the woods? But Mishosha's that way..." "I think we rather have an advantage over the old fellow, don't we?" Lieutenant Barrington asked. "Seeing as he doesn't have that doll thingamabob anymore?" "You won't stand ANY chance against him!" Little Wind cried suddenly, and everyone looked at him. He clasped his hands together and looked at Charmian. "You've seen what he does. And I know exactly how he works. How can you possibly think any of you stand a chance? He's the most powerful wabano who's ever lived!" Charmian frowned. "Well...doesn't that kind of help us?" When he blinked in surprise she shrugged. "You knowing him so well. Seeing as you're with us now, don't you think that could just work in our favor?" "What--? Me?" Little Wind's mouth fell open. "You want ME to help you against him--?" He began shaking his head and backing away. "You ARE all mad! He's my grandfather--I'll never turn against him--!" "You already have," Moon Wolf interrupted, and that effectively silenced him. When the younger wabano gawked at him he nearly scowled. "Or what would you call what you did back at the river? Helping him?" Little Wind blinked again, then dismay and misery settled on his face. "The only way we hold out against Mishosha and Makwaquae is if we ALL stick together," Charmian warned. "And we have to be REALLY careful not to let them get hold of any part of any of us! Hair, blood, skin, anything like that." "Which means we can't even get wounded?" Baptiste asked, and looked just as miserable as Little Wind. "I should have stayed back on Gitchi-Gami!" "Easier said than done," Moon Wolf said. "He's more likely to use trickery to reach his ends." "I've handled all kinds of trickery!" Charmian protested. "I did walk the Spirit Road, didn't I?" She shouldered her pack. "Well--Megissogwun's got to be getting impatient. We have to at least look like we're headed somewhere!" She started walking east. "May as well get it over with!" She tried to keep her voice confident, but in truth dreaded heading out of the relative sanctuary of the woods. Even the wind gusting through the boughs, and the snow slowly piling up around the trunks, didn't bother her nearly as much as the prospect of what awaited them outside. She'd heard the scream that Mishosha had let out as they'd fled. He'd been pissed. She shut her eyes briefly and tried calling on Apakwaanaajiin, but couldn't sense the two wabanos, and didn't expect to. If they were being pursued, it only stood to reason that they would hide themselves. She chewed on her lip and stared at the snow settling around them as they walked. How do you keep tabs on somebody you can't even see...? She paused in thought, then shut her eyes again, feeling incredibly awkward. Um...Red Swan...? Even more than the thought of heading out of the forest, the thought of facing the Red Swan after their last parting filled her with greater dread...yet she'd said earlier that she could see into the past, and could see things far away. She wouldn't be able to see what exactly was happening now, but maybe she would be able to tell them what Mishosha had been doing, prior to now. That is, if she was in a helpful mood at all... Charmian cast about a bit but couldn't pinpoint her, and began to despair--had she chased her off after all? Red Swan? she thought again, a bit more insistently, and hoped that Mishosha couldn't hear her. When a voice finally responded she gasped and jumped a little, making the others frown, since it wasn't the Red Swan's voice. Are you so certain you want to be talking to her again--? Chakenapok! Charmian exclaimed, as an image of him formed before her mind's eye. He frowned at her as she let out her breath in relief. "I thought I might not hear from you again!" "Really." He crossed his arms, seeming rather peeved. "Uh-huh." She nodded. "The Red Swan wasn't in a really good mood the last time we talked..." "Perhaps that's because I got loose," Chakenapok said sourly. Charmian furrowed her brow. "Huh--?" When he just gave her that irritated look she rubbed at her head. "She said that you made her disappear, and you kind of did..." "At least I left her where she belongs," Chakenapok snapped. "And SHE didn't have to go looking all over just to find her stupid way BACK!" Charmian felt a headache coming on. "You mean...she made you disappear...?" "Why else do you think I couldn't answer you?" he fumed. "That stupid wench made me reappear in the BORDERLANDS!" "The Borderlands--?" Charmian echoed stupidly. "YES!" Chakenapok gave her a very foul look. "If it had not been for that Nathali I never would have even made my way back out. And you consider speaking with this creature again--? Knowing her powers and what she's willing to do? I don't believe it's much of a stretch to think she might be able to do the same thing to you." Charmian opened her mouth to protest, then slowly shut it, feeling unease creeping up inside her. I saw his memories--I know what he tried to do to you! How can you even trust him in the least after he tried to take over your spirit so many times--? You think he would even hesitate before trying anything else--? He made me disappear so he could be the only one in touch with you. Does that sound like he's helping either of us? Does that kind of behavior sound like you should trust him...? The Red Swan's words echoed in her head, sounding eerily like Chakenapok's. She didn't have time to hide the look on her face before he saw it, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "What?" he said; when she said nothing he looked even more steamed. "You talked to her, didn't you? And she said the exact opposite--?" "Well..." Charmian cringed. "Not quite...but she did put the emphasis on what you did..." Chakenapok's eyes widened, then grew dark--at least, as dark as glowing yellow eyes could go. "I won't tell you to trust me," he said in a grating voice. "But at the same time, do you really think you should be trusting her? Exactly how often is it wise to trust somebody who insists you can do so?" "I'm not going to be all paranoid!" Charmian retorted. "And this is your problem," Chakenapok replied shortly. "Look." She made herself take a breath and let it out. "I'm not going to get in the middle of a pissing match between you guys! For all I know I don't have reason to trust EITHER of you telling me not to trust the OTHER! CRIPES! My HEAD hurts!!" She grabbed at her skull and made a face. "All I ask is that you two just TRY to work together, or, barring that, you just please stop fighting each other in my head?! Please? Because in case you haven't noticed I'm trying to help the ISLAND!" She could almost hear the word Island echo in her head. Chakenapok waited a moment before saying, "And do you believe she has the same goal in mind?"...and the next thing she knew, she was staring at the snowy ground again. She blinked. "CRIPES!!" she yelled, the word bouncing off the trees and making everyone around her jump or gasp or both. A dollop of snow smacked Peepaukawiss atop the head and he shrieked. "Um...Charmian..." She started gnawing on her tongue and fuming when Thomas took her arm and moved close to whisper in her ear. "You might reconsider yelling if you want us to try to sneak past Mishosha!" "Sorry!" Charmian hissed. "It's just that the voices in my head aren't being particularly helpful right now!" If you wanted to know what that Makwamosa is up to, Chakenapok's voice suddenly said, and now she gasped, he and that female Bearwalker turned somewhat southwest a little while ago. They are not headed into the woods. From what I can best tell, they're heading for the nearest lake. "Lake...?" Charmian frowned, then gasped. "Lake! The nearest body of water! If it's to the west then that river might branch into it!" She looked upwards as if to see Chakenapok there. "Is he going after Mishu and X'aaru--?" I could not say, Chakenapok replied. Just that this is what they are doing at the moment. Charmian waved frantically at the others. "Come on! Chakenapok says Mishosha's not headed for here--he's headed toward a lake to the southwest. I think he might've sensed X'aaru or Mishu and is going after them instead, if they take a tunnel that way!" "But what would be his goal in going after them?" Thomas asked, perplexed. "I don't know," Charmian admitted. "But if he finds them he finds Marten too--and maybe THAT'S what he's really after! In any case," she said, making sure her pack was on tight, "we have to get going, and hopefully get to them first. Plan's changed--now we have to find Mishosha, and keep him from getting them." She started jogging, hearing the others follow suit. "One last question," Thomas panted as he jogged at her side. "Do you really think you should trust what Chakenapok says...?" Charmian just bit her lip and didn't answer. By now, she really had no idea. "I begin to think this was a poor decision, Husband," Makwaquae grumbled, her mouth and nose very nearly tucked into the collar of her robe. Although well dressed, they hadn't prepared for the apparent dead of winter, and so she was shivering already as they tramped through the piling snow. Mishosha kept his head ducked slightly as the wind tore at them seemingly from all angles, his eyes narrowed to mere slivers against the gale. It was obvious that he was in a bad mood but she decided to speak up anyway. "That Lynx and that wolf demon were no longer in their company," he muttered in return, shrugging to try to snuggle into his own robe more. "They were the ones in the water. Hence they continued on ahead. I have a strong feeling that flying rat went after them, seeing as they're all supposed to meet up in the west." He glanced southward. "Before they were killed my Lynxes stated that there was another tunnel headed further this way. This is where we are likeliest to find that little Lynx, and that little rat that stole my medicine." "Is it really worth such an effort...?" Makwaquae jogged a bit to tramp along beside him. "Face it, Husband, that wabano is much weaker than you. Not even worth the time! Surely he'll just end up killed along with all the rest, as soon as Megissogwun comes back." "This is what concerns me," Mishosha replied, eyes slivering again. Makwaquae frowned. "Huh...?" She leaned forward to try to look him in the face, growing perplexed. "What do you mean?" "I haven't heard from him practically since this all started," Mishosha said shortly. "Who's to even say that he's involved anymore? For all I know, once we finally uphold our end of the bargain, he'll be nowhere in sight to finish it." Makwaquae's eyes went wide. "Husband!" She waved at him and made a hissing noise. "Watch what you say! How can you speak against him so? After all he's done for us?" "'All he's done'...pff." Mishosha's look grew peeved. "If he's so concerned about how well we do, then where is he? Babysitting that little brat? He guaranteed us ultimate power as manitous. He doesn't seem too willing to come through on this." Makwaquae hissed even louder, looking nearly panicked. "A manitou always upholds his word! This cold is making you think crazy!!" "If I were you, perhaps I would learn to listen to the woman for once." Mishosha and Makwaquae both immediately halted, eyes going wide. Their heads jerked up to see something glowing in midair; after a moment it began to assume form, and they sucked in their breath and took a step back when Megissogwun's bland blue eyes stared back at them. He seemed to be floating in the air, but his feet weren't visible, and it was obvious that he wasn't truly there with them; still, he could see them, and that was what counted. Mishosha blinked before he and his wife ducked their heads to stare at the ground. "Forgiveness!!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking as Makwaquae bobbed her head frantically. "I did not know you could see!" "Not the best excuse to offer," Megissogwun said. Mishosha cringed and began bobbing his own head. "Please forgive us, Great Manitou!" Makwaquae hurried to add. "It's just that the snow and cold weary us--and the enemy has lately made off with some of our medicine. We go to seek them now!" "What is irritating me right now is what is good luck for you," Megissogwun said, crossing his arms. "Your 'enemy' has been holed up in the forest north of here, but apparently they have changed their plans. I can only assume they come looking for you. Which is just as well, seeing as I was considering leveling that forest if they stayed much longer." Mishosha dared to finally lift his head a fraction, peering up at the manitou. Megissogwun just stared down at him boredly--but Mishosha had seen that bored look before, right before the manitou had obliterated camps and effortlessly destroyed other powerful manitous. He lowered his head again, cringing abjectly and scuffing his feet in the snow. "Please forgive my tongue, Great Pearl Feather," he apologized. "I won't do it again. I simply sting from the loss of my Lynxes--the Lynxes you gave me--and this damned storm hardly helps matters any--" "I did not come seeking excuses," Megissogwun said, and the two wabanos began grimacing again. "And I hardly need apologies. If the two of you are not strong enough to fulfill this task, perhaps I'd best complete it on my own." Makwaquae began whining and Mishosha hurried to drop to his knees and press his head to the snow. It sounded like a generous offer, but he knew what "on my own" really meant. "N-no, Pearl Feather! Please! We have the power to complete this task. It just--it might take just a bit longer, is all--but I promise you we'll do it!" There was silence for a moment, and he opened one eye to peer reluctantly upward. Megissogwun still stared at him, and he bit his tongue and shut his eyes tight again, fingers digging into the snow and stinging from cold; after another moment he heard the manitou snort a little, and the sound made him let out a breath. "I must admit," Megissogwun said from above, "that this storm grates on my nerves as well." He paused. "Do not tell me that that winter manitou has decided to assist them." "Ap-apparently this is so, Great Pearl Feather," Mishosha replied shakily. "For it was only after a visit with him that they seemed to gain an advantage. But it's only a small one, I assure you, and we'll track them down in no time." "Still, I believe that manitou deserves to be spoken with." Mishosha's and Makwaquae's eyes popped open and before they could think twice their heads popped up in surprise. Megissogwun was staring northward with a frown; after a pause he lifted one hand and waved it in a vaguely circular motion. "I wish to know exactly what it is that would convince the Wintermaker to help mere humans." "G-Great Pearl Feather...?" Mishosha managed to get out, before the air started screaming and he and Makwaquae yelled and covered their heads with their arms. Megissogwun alone remained unfazed, staring northward as the wind shrieked around him; although he was only an image, his feathers whipped around as if really caught in the gale. The two wabanos peered out, chattering, from between their fingers but all that could be seen was a wall of white. After a moment, however, the wind began to die slightly, and another glow appeared off to their side. When two blue eyes emerged from the blizzard they ducked their heads again, shaking like aspens. Megissogwun's look remained impassive as Kabebonikka faded into view, his white robes appearing to be part of the storm itself. The North Wind gave him a slight chilly smile and tucked his hands into his sleeves as if they were cold. "So," he said, his voice just as calm as Megissogwun's. "The almighty Pearl Feather deigns to call the poor meek Wintermaker to an audience." Megissogwun's eye twitched, just slightly, the only sign of his irritation. "I wish to know what it is that you hope to gain by aiding humans," he said. Kabebonikka arched an eyebrow. "And someone such as yourself worries about this...? What's wrong, Pearl Feather...? You defeated even me in the past; I find it difficult to believe that some little humans could bother you so." "They do not bother me in the least," Megissogwun replied. "Though as for why someone such as yourself aids them, I find this matter puzzling." Kabebonikka's mouth twitched. "I should think you would consider them too beneath you to even show interest, but let's just say I have my own vested interest in one of them." "Only one?" A nod. "This is all. The rest are amusing, but none of my concern." "I assume the fire-haired girl holds your interest," Megissogwun said. "On the contrary," Kabebonikka corrected him. "The winter-haired girl is the one I find most intriguing...and the one you would do well to worry about." Now Megissogwun raised an eyebrow. Mishosha and Makwaquae remained cowering on the ground, but listened in fascination. "Oh? Tell me why a pathetic scrap of a girl should rouse my concern at all." "I won't," Kabebonikka replied. "Let's just leave that for you to figure out on your own. But you wished to know what my position is in all of this, did you not?" When Megissogwun said nothing he smiled again. "Should she and the others make it through this task of yours alive, I plan on paying her a visit sometime in the future. I think it would be good of me to show up in one of her dreams...or maybe one of her visions." Mishosha sat upright so abruptly that Makwaquae flinched. She reached out to grab his sleeve and pull him back down, and he obeyed, but his eyes were wide and remained fixed on the North Wind. "I see," Megissogwun said. "You plan to name yourself her manitou. Tell me what it is in such a little girl that interests you so much that you would lower yourself to such a level. As I remember it, you used to be a worthy opponent." "Ah. So we turn to insults now," Kabebonikka said, his smile growing even as his eyes narrowed. "No matter. I haven't 'lowered myself,' as you so kindly put it. Far from it. Why it is that you cannot seem to sense her power, I have no idea. Perhaps you are the one growing soft...?" Megissogwun's eyes narrowed a fraction and glowed a bit brighter. The wabanos pressed their heads into the snow again, shivering. "You should think before insulting," he said. "I defeated you once, and could easily do so again." "I doubt you would waste your time and energy on me," Kabebonikka replied coolly. "Especially seeing as you have some little girls to worry about." At last Megissogwun's mouth twitched a bit into the start of a scowl, and he waved his hand. Kabebonikka executed a mock bow before fading away into snow again, and the blizzard resumed around them, stronger than before. Megissogwun hovered in silence for a moment or two, staring off into space while Mishosha and Makwaquae fidgeted a bit, trying not to freeze. "Up," the manitou said at last, and they hastily rose, meekly dusting snow from their robes. "You had plans for when you run into them again," Megissogwun said, and Mishosha nodded. "There is one with them who is part Wendigo," he said. "I think this might be to our advantage." "Just keep in mind what your true goal is," Megissogwun said, "and do not let me down, else I will make certain that the two of you never arise as well when I destroy this world again." The two wabanos paled but nodded. "Yes, Pearl Feather," they said in unison, and the manitou's image faded away just as Kabebonikka's had. Only once it was completely gone did they let out their breath, Makwaquae nearly sinking to the ground before Mishosha caught her arm to hold her up. "I thought he was going to murder us!" she exclaimed in a wavery voice, and wiped her brow. "Have you ever seen him so angry?" "He promised we would become manitous," Mishosha said, "and just like you said, manitous always keep their word." He began to scowl a little. "I just wish he would have let that blustery windbag talk a bit more before letting him go! I knew there was something strange about that girl, but what exactly is it?" "Do you suppose she has something to do with the Red Swan herself?" Makwaquae asked with a frown. Mishosha shook his head, though the gesture was uncertain. "She couldn't," he murmured. "But I do wonder if she's as much of a concern as the Red Swan is." "Don't tell me you believe all that drivel he spouted!" "Keewadin would never tout the abilities of a mere human, and a girl at that," Mishosha said as he started walking southwest again, Makwaquae following. "Not without good reason. And you've seen and felt her power as well. She killed my best manitou without even a blow. That alone is reason to make sure she doesn't call upon that power again." His eyes narrowed. "Hopefully we'll find some way to deal with that when we find them. If she weren't a pathetic little girl...I would have twisted her head off myself by now." Makwaquae looked like she wanted to make a comment in response, but the look on her husband's face prompted her to remain silent. She instead tucked her hands back into her sleeves and they burrowed into their robes, tramping onward through the snow. But I do wonder if she's as much of a concern as the Red Swan is... The words echoed faintly in the cave. Turtle, seated in the pile of furs in the corner, listened to them but didn't know what they meant. The way that the big manitou stood and stared at the wall, however, made her feel uneasy. "'Red Swan,'" Megissogwun repeated under his breath, and though she couldn't see his face, his eyes glowed sapphire as they narrowed to slits. "I knew you were holding something back from me." The snow swirled in the image superimposed on the wall. Turtle strained her eyes until she at last saw the little figures moving through it, but for some reason, the sight didn't comfort her, and she shivered and pulled the furs up around herself like a fort. |