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Escape From Manitou Island: Part 142 |
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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.)
ON THIN ICE THE WIND SHRIEKED and buffeted against the flimsy little lodge, threatening to tear it apart and send it scattering out over the frozen lake. Somehow, that didn't happen, and what members of the group had managed to make it back inside before the brunt of the storm hit now huddled against its walls, covering their heads and chattering as the wood creaked and the coverings scraped, nearly tearing loose. Outside it sounded as if a hundred Lynxes were roaring, and Stick-In-The-Dirt shook his rattle accordingly--either that, or he was just shaking, period. "Wh-wh-where did this big ol' storm come from?!" Marten cried, his arms looped around Kwemoo's and Maang's necks. "It s-s-seemed nice enough b-b-before!" "It must be Kabebonikka!" Thomas shouted, teeth clenched. He was clinging to one of the coverings which had almost pulled loose from the outside of the wigwam, keeping it in place. "This must be his idea of fun!" "If that's so, then we must be getting close to the west," Moon Wolf replied. He crouched near the entryway, keeping the doorflap shut. Frost was lining the opening and a fine scattering of snow had made its way across the floor despite their best efforts. "I w-w-wish it would STOP!" Peepaukawiss cried, clinging to X'aaru's neck as if to strangle him. "It might be a while yet," Francois started to say, before the roaring abruptly died to a soft hiss, and everyone stared at each other with wide eyes and ringing ears. The silence was so loud that it hurt, and several of them peered in disbelief at the entryway. Even Moon Wolf looked bewildered. "Did...did I do that...?" Puka whispered, mouth falling open. No one answered him. Instead they all stood in silence, straining their ears for any more sounds and not hearing any. "Don't tell me that's it," Thomas ventured after a while, at which Moon Wolf gingerly lifted the doorflap to peer outside. He said nothing for a moment, then pulled his head back in and frowned at them in confusion. "The storm seems to have abated," he said, perplexed. "You're sure...?" Baptiste asked nervously. Francois made his way forward and looked outside as well, then nodded at them over his shoulder. "It seems to be clearing up a little bit...the wind's not as bad, at least. I can see the trees from here." He got to his feet, dusting himself off. "How many of us are missing--?" Several of them started doing a head count, looking each other over. "Charmian's gone," Thomas said first, anxiety forming on his face. "I had hold of her right before the storm came up," Moon Wolf said, looking like he wanted to punish himself. "She was right with me." "Anyone else?" "The red man is gone," Stick-In-The-Dirt said with a frown. When they gave him puzzled looks he formed his hands into a triangle over his head, and Thomas looked at Francois. "Barrington." "That's two of us," Francois said, then hurried to move aside when Black Elk Horn rushed forward, tore the covering aside, and disappeared out of the wigwam. The voyageur blinked a few times and opened his mouth before Kenu shot to his feet and waved his arms. "The little girl! SHE'S gone, too!" "Winter Born--?" They did another head count, then Francois frowned as well. "Three of us," he said, sounding vaguely uneasy. "Do you suppose they got lost together...?" Singing Cedars asked. "The red man wasn't anywhere near me when I lost sight of Charmian," Moon Wolf said. "I do not know where Winter Born was." "Wherever she is, I rather think he's going to find her first," Thomas said, jerking his head toward the entryway where Black Elk Horn had vanished. "Should...shouldn't we do something?" Stick-In-The-Dirt asked, wringing his hands. "I mean--what if they fell somewhere, or hurt themselves...?" Mani whistled. Red Land One not hurt...not yet. "Well, that's encouraging," Thomas muttered. He stood and made his way toward Francois. "We can't just leave them out there." "I agree, but first--" the voyageur put out one arm and blocked his path "--we have to think up a plan. If that North Wind is playing a game, it'd do us well not to play ourselves right into his hands. Plus those two wabanos are still out there, as well as the grandfather of all bears." "But--" Thomas began to protest, but Kenu quickly grabbed his hand and started straining to tug him back into the wigwam. He sat down with a thud near the fire, glaring at Francois but biting his lip. Trust Mani, the manitou said to Thomas, bobbing his head but having to be careful that he didn't take out the roof with his antlers. Red Land One safe so far. Will know when she's not. "By which time it'll be too late," Thomas muttered, but offered no further argument as Francois moved to the middle of the lodge. "I take it Black Elk Horn is seeking his girl and possibly the Redcoat," he said. "Hopefully they are not both in the same place. I'm betting they're attempting to make their way back here. Charmian is another story." "What do you mean?" Manabozho asked, brow furrowing. "Why wouldn't she be heading back here, too--?" "She and Winter Born are the ones likeliest to catch the wabanos' attention," Francois said. "And I doubt Winter Born would figure it out that she's being followed, and to thus keep away from us. Charmian would think of the safety of the group first, and head further away." Moon Wolf clenched his fists. "Is she COMPLETELY stupid--?" "She is when she's not thinking of herself first," Thomas said, and got up again. "Well--? Shouldn't we be trying to find her then, since she's likely getting lost--?" "If we head out without a plan, the wabanos will come straight toward us, or straight toward her," Francois said. "Do you want that?" "That's what she wants, isn't it?" "He's right," Moon Wolf said, and the other two looked at him. He was nearly scowling. "As much as I hate to say it," he said, "Charmian's plan is what's best for the group...and even if we look for her, we can't expect to get past Mishosha so easily. Not when he has Mishimakwa willing to help him." "That's just it," Manabozho cut in, gesturing to get their attention. "What if he doesn't have Mishimakwa willing to help him? Noko used to tell me stories about that bear. He defends his territory, but he's not a mitchi manitou! Mishosha must be compelling him somehow--using some of his medicine on him. That's the only way that manitou would do anything for a wabano like him." "So you believe that giant bear isn't really a threat--?" Francois asked, looking rather skeptical himself. "He's just a ghost," Manabozho replied. "He can't physically hurt us, either way!" He stood up. "I say we start looking. It's only two petty wabanos and their manitous. I can easily take on the latter." "And the former--?" "My medicine isn't enough for them," Moon Wolf interjected. "Going out without a plan is foolish!" "Well--shouldn't we decide something?" Singing Cedars asked. "The way that chief went running out, I don't think that red man will stand a chance if he finds him!" "We'll have to split up," Francois said at last. "I know she hates this idea...but it's the only one I can think of, right now." "Who will go where...?" asked Stick-In-The-Dirt. Francois opened his mouth to reply, when something thudded hard against the side of the wigwam, making it shake. Everyone jumped and glanced at it as if to see something there. "Come out, come out!" a voice called in singsong. "It appears we've caught up and need to be introduced all over again!" Francois's hand went for his gun, but Moon Wolf stood up, shaking his head. "Weapons will not work on these two," he said under his breath. "Let me speak to him. At least it might buy us time." Francois frowned but nodded. Moon Wolf lifted the flap and exited, several of the others following. Outside in the drifts of snow stood the two wabanos and several of their mitchi manitous, Mishosha's arms crossed and his mouth twitching in a sneer. Makwaquae also smirked though she seemed rather peeved as well. "You know," Mishosha said conversationally, "I would have found it great fun to tell you how I captured that fire-haired girl, hung her upside-down from a tree, and tore her insides out, if only I didn't already know she's shared her spirit with that manitou you have traveling amongst you." He nodded at Mani. "Oh well. It would have been only a momentary pleasure anyway." Mani bristled but Moon Wolf held up his hand to stay him. "She's not here," he said. Mishosha rolled his eyes. "Rather obvious, aren't we? Who says I was even looking for her right now? I still want to resume our little exchange. You can't be much of a wabano, hiding behind a little girl and refusing to fight me." "This is because I have better things to do with my time," Moon Wolf said, as Mishosha pulled something from one of his pouches and made quite a show of looking it over. Moon Wolf frowned. "What is that?" he demanded. "You thought to make another doll to control me...?" "Not you," Mishosha replied, holding the little doll between thumb and forefinger and giving it a critical look. "As for who? You'll just have to wait and see. It could be...any...one...of you." He pointed at one of them after another, then smiled, pretending to shoot from his finger as if it were a gun, his aim ending up on Little Wind. Stick-In-The-Dirt began shaking again while Little Wind swallowed hard and began edging back. "I heard that girl use some sort of song while she was busy getting separated from the rest of you, and that might sum this situation up nicely. Eeny, meeny, miney, mo--now which one of you do you suppose I have in the palm of my hand?" "I say we just obliterate them all and eat them," Makwaquae suggested, crooking her fingers. "Now now," Mishosha chided. "We still have a few more little things to do. Don't worry though, if I'm still in a giving mood once this is over, I'll let you take the heads." Anyone, Francois thought, and several of the others shifted their eyes toward him without moving. Does anyone think they can snatch that doll away from him? Too dangerous, Moon Wolf thought, before anyone else could answer. Even if he hasn't the chance to command one of us, he can always destroy it in an instant and kill whoever it represents. Have any of you given away a part of yourselves--? Hair, skin, blood, something--? Not that I'm aware of, Francois thought, and peered at the others, who shook their heads a little. Mishosha let out a gusty sigh and lowered the doll. "What was it I was saying about obvious? Don't think that just because I can't tell what you're thinking, I must have no clue what's going on. I have my ways of getting things settled. Besides, this is a different sort of doll from the last one." He took a tiny object out of another pouch and pressed it into the little hollow in the doll's chest. "What sort is it? You'll just have to wait and see." He glanced skyward. "I do rather wish that wind would pick back up...and snow and ice and everything." Singing Cedars frowned at Francois. "Has he just lost his mind...?" "I haven't," Mishosha replied, "but soon enough one of you will. You're interested in finding the fire-haired girl?" He took a step back and gestured toward the woods. "Last I knew, she'd gone off that way...but I do believe she lost the trail. Seeing as I lost her. Not to worry though, Mishimakwa was keeping her company, so she won't be lonely. Imagine, if you will, a mainlander girl wandering about in this weather, all alone and unable to fend for herself. You, manitou, will probably be able to feel it as she weakens from hunger and finally gives out. That is, if none of you go searching for her first." He tucked the doll away. "I think I'll save this for when I'm safely away from here, because I'm just not sure what you'll do once I get it started!" "If you came here to talk nonsense," Moon Wolf said, "then find someone else to tell it to." "I can take out those mitchi manitous easily," Manabozho offered, lifting his hand. Mishosha made a tut-tut noise. "Remember who watches us right now, half-manitou, and who has your little daughter in his hands. I'd think twice before trying anything that other little girl tried. And besides, I doubt that you're even powerful enough." The blood drained from Manabozho's face. Then it came roaring back and his fingers curled into fists. A second later, the wolves were surrounding Mishosha and Makwaquae, growling and bristling. The two wabanos looked at them as if greatly curious. "Mangy dogs...?" Mishosha queried, then snorted. "This is your defense?" "They don't attack you only because I command them," Manabozho threatened. "But if you keep talking the way you are, who knows what they'll do?" "Mishosha, may I take care of this?" Makwaquae asked. "And let you deal with the rest of this riffraff?" "Very well," Mishosha said, "since you asked so nicely for once. I'll get you started, though." He looked over everyone in the group, then flung his arm forward. A startled yell came from among them, and everyone gasped and turned to see Remy fly up into the air, then go sailing out toward the frozen lake. Francois spun around on one heel and started running after him. A rope of fire wrapped around his ankle and he slammed to the ground with an awful thud, wincing when Makwaquae tugged on it and then let it go. "I said this was my little affair," she said, and waved at the mitchi manitous. "Go ahead! He's just a little scrap, no big loss." The mitchi manitous whistled and went dashing toward the lake. Francois started scrabbling to get to his feet, only to flinch when something went racing past him. Everyone gawked at Manabozho as he ran faster than they'd ever seen him run, flying out onto the ice and trying to keep from slipping and sliding every which way. It would have been almost comical if the situation hadn't been so dire. Remy halted abruptly in midair, jerking to a stop, and his motions made it clear that some sort of invisible force was holding him aloft. He kicked and flailed, staring at the ice below with huge eyes. "Can't Mishu help him--?" Kenu cried. Singing Cedars gave him a venomous look. "If he does he'll smash up all the ice!! Do you want EVERYBODY falling in--?" Manabozho slipped and fell, landing on his behind and skittering across the ice. He glanced around himself, up at Remy, then down at the mitchi manitous. A dark shape was visible swimming around just below the ice, two yellow-green dots glowing up at him, but he waved at it to stay down and put his fingers to his mouth to whistle. The wolves' ears pricked, then they went racing toward the lake themselves. "Oh, fun!" Makwaquae exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Now everybody's getting involved!" "Use your heads a moment," Mishosha called out over the ruckus. "While you're wasting your time on that pathetic scrap, that other pathetic scrap is out there somewhere where she can't find you. Don't you have better things to do?" "We should go looking for Charmian!" Thomas exclaimed. Moon Wolf whirled to glare at him. "She's fine on her OWN! We should worry about--" He cut himself off abruptly, but Mishosha had apparently noticed, for he lowered his hand and frowned, eyes narrowing slightly, then looked over the group again as if counting everyone. "Someone else is missing," he said after a moment, then understanding came across his face. "I see...that little winter girl! So you lost two of them--?" He started laughing. "Well, what luck is that for you then? Two in one blow! Maybe Keewadin's not such a soft manitou after all!" He jerked a hand at Makwaquae. "Come along, Makwa-dear! We have bigger things to go after!" "Aww!" Makwaquae pouted, swinging her hands so that Remy swung through the air. "And I was just having fun, too!" She turned to follow her husband, flicking her wrist almost dismissively, and Remy yelled again and went plummeting toward the lake. "Remy!" Francois yelled, scrambling to his feet and racing toward the ice. Everyone still standing on land gawked. The manitous, wolves, and Manabozho all went running in the same direction. Manabozho halted first and threw out his arms. A gust of wind sailed over his head, hitting Remy and then appearing to capture him in midair; he let out a startled yelp and turned upside-down, but at least his fall seemed to have been broken, and he began descending more slowly, glancing around himself with wide eyes. Manabozho stood waiting for him to reach him, and Francois let out a breath, sinking to the snow. Marten puffed up and began hopping up and down. "Manabozho! LOOK OUT!" Manabozho turned his head, then--"Oof!"--collapsed onto the ice when Remy landed atop him. They sat there shaking their heads for a moment when scuffling thudding noises made them look again, to see the mitchi manitous resuming their awkward gallop toward them. They snorted and lowered their antlers, eyes flashing. Manabozho let out an odd sound and, shoving Remy under his arm, got to his feet and started trying to run. He skidded and slid every which way, looking like he was trying to dance. "LOOK OUT!" Marten and Kenu both shouted this time, waving their arms. One of the mitchi manitous stopped running and started skidding right at them, antler aimed sideways at Manabozho's back. Manabozho ducked and just missed getting trampled when it tried lifting a hoof to kick at him. He got up and began sliding the other way, the dark shadow under the ice following him around like a moth following a flame. He managed to hurl a gust of wind at another one, deflecting it and sending it skittering toward the shore; a third one took a swing at him and ended up flat on its back, legs sticking out every which way. Manabozho at last regained his balance and got the right idea, propelling himself across the ice like a speed skater, still clutching Remy under his arm. The others on shore began yelling and waving, stretching out their arms in encouragement, then the yelling grew even louder and they started pointing frantically. Manabozho slowed down and frowned at them in confusion before thinking to look back. The first manitou came skating at him, snorting, antlers lowered. It was so close that all that Manabozho could do was yelp and cover Remy's head with his arms, bracing himself. Then--the manitou was skidding sideways, one of the wolves seemingly attached to its neck. The wolf growled and dug its teeth in deeper the more that the manitou whistled and tried shaking it off, its hooves clacking against the ice. "Hurry up!!" Thomas and Singing Cedars both yelled. Manabozho whistled and the rest of the wolves turned and began running back toward land. "HEY! You too!!" he shouted at the remaining wolf, just as a horrific CRACK sound came, and an instant later all four of them vanished from sight. Everyone on shore yelled inarticulately, some calling out one name, some another. Another splash came from the water and Manabozho's head popped out; he launched himself back up onto the ice, sputtering and chattering, and turned in time to see the manitou's head pop back up as well. He raised his hand to attack it when the wolf reappeared, sank its teeth into the manitou's muzzle, and they both went under again. The water pitched and roiled in the little black space and Manabozho hovered over it, hand extended, eyes wide and panicked. "Remy!" Francois shouted. "BROTHER!!" Peepaukawiss cried. "Get out of there!!" "I can't leave them behind!" Manabozho exclaimed, and leaned over the water as far as he dared. He even dunked his hands back into the water, then his head, looking around but having to pull himself out a moment later, shaking and cold. The ice began cracking again and he at last reluctantly abandoned the hole, scuttling back toward shore, misery on his face. "The ice is all breaking up!" he cried. "How are we supposed to get them out--?" "I can go look!" Marten exclaimed, and little wings popped out of his back and he went fluttering over the water. Niskigwun looked ready to hit himself, then spread his own wings and rose into the air. They flew out over the lake, looking around at the cracking ice but not landing or spotting anything. Francois got up and went running down toward the shore; Moon Wolf and Stick-In-The-Dirt looked like they wanted to stop him, but neither dared. Apparently the voyageur realized that running out onto the ice would be futile, for he stopped right at the water's edge and cupped his hands to his mouth, shouting as loudly as he could. "REMY!" Marten halted toward the far side of the lake, hovering and pointing down at the ice. "I think I see something!" he yelled, and Niskigwun flew over to join him. Francois turned and went running around the shore, then without a word the rest started following. "Is it them--?" Thomas shouted. "There's no break in the ice over here!" Stick-In-The-Dirt cried. "How are they to get out--?" Marten halted and pointed down again. "I don't see them!" he exclaimed. "I see--" His words were drowned out then, as the ice shattered and water came surging up into the air in a seeming geyser, everyone on shore having to cover their heads to avoid the fallout. |