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Escape From Manitou Island: Part 158 |
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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.)
BROKEN SHIELD ISHKODE-AANAKWAD TURNED TO Silver Eagle Feather. "Have we come at a bad time--?" he asked, but she was already running inside Tal Natha's cave to see what was going on. Awful snarling, choking noises were coming from within, interspersed with Red Bird's voice crying out in alarm. It sounded like something was smacking against the cave walls as well, and Silver Eagle Feather had to check herself as she entered the main room of the cave so that she wouldn't go barrelling straight into whatever lay within. She raised one hand, half expecting to see the cave's occupants fighting off some sort of intruder...which was why she had to blink in confusion when she saw that Tal Natha himself seemed to be the main problem. The demon was lying on the sandy floor, thrashing about as if being attacked by invisible enemies, his eyes shut tightly and his teeth and claws bared. Red Bird was fretting around him, trying to reach out to him without getting clawed or hit by his flailing wings. She spotted Silver Eagle Feather in the entryway and gave her an aggrieved look. "S-Sister! I think he's having a nightmare and he won't wake up!!" Silver Eagle Feather's brow furrowed--since when would a nightmare be such a trouble to the Dreamspinner?--but stepped inside, attempting to grab his arm or shoulder, with just about as much success as Red Bird was having. She considered changing into her own Ocryx form, but knew that that would probably end up making matters even worse, else Red Bird herself would have attempted it. She ended up grasping Red Bird's arm instead and pulling her back before she could get hit, and they both stared at Tal Natha as he snarled and clawed at the cave floor, twisting about like a dying snake. "We can't just leave him like this," Red Bird cried. "I think it's that dream that the others are all having! He started making these choking noises like he couldn't breathe!" "The vision again--?" Silver Eagle Feather managed to ask, before a shadow off to her right caught her attention and they both turned to see Ishkode-Aanakwad stalk past. Red Bird's eyes grew huge and she cast Silver Eagle Feather a confused look but Ishkode was already leaning down toward the demon before they could speak. He placed his hand right on Tal Natha's forehead, and after a particularly angry-sounding snarl, Tal Natha's tensed features began to relax, and he sank to the ground. The two women let out their breath. "He's--he's calming down now!" Red Bird exclaimed, needlessly, and knelt down beside him to touch his shoulder. She looked up at Ishkode, who was still touching his forehead. "You calmed him--?" "No," the Animiki said, frowning. "Something else is getting through to him." He pulled his hand back, rubbing at it a bit as if it stung. He looked at Silver Eagle Feather. "What is this about a dream that everyone else is having--? Explain." "Something Tal Natha told me a little while ago," Silver Eagle Feather said as Red Bird gently shook at her mate's shoulder. "It seems many upon the Island are experiencing what seems to be the same or a similar dream, involving having difficulty breathing. Tal Natha says he is not sending these dreams, and I believe him." "Who then would send them if he is the only Dreamspinner?" "He told me he was informed that the Island itself sends these dreams." Ishkode's frown grew. "The Island sending dreams...?" he echoed somewhat skeptically, as Tal Natha began grumbling and shifting slightly. "I think he's waking up!" Red Bird said with relief. She glanced up at the two of them again, then bit her lip. "Sister...?" she said, then looked again at Ishkode. "He was sent by Charmian and the others to come ask after the Island," Silver Eagle Feather said, simply. Even Ishkode gave her an odd look at the bare-bones explanation, and Red Bird's confusion only seemed to grow. "But...his eyes are..." She bit her lip and apparently decided not to ask, turning back to Tal Natha as the demon at last dragged his eyes open groggily. He blinked a few times and rubbed at them, then winced and rubbed his head. "Tal Natha!" Red Bird exclaimed, and threw her arms around his neck. "Are you all right--? You were dreaming! We couldn't wake you up!" I am glad...you did not wake me up...sooner, Tal Natha muttered, still wincing in the light. He started easing himself to his feet as Red Bird drew away to give him room, and shook his head a bit. Otherwise it might not have been pleasant. "Was it the dream about the blue?" Red Bird asked. "And not being able to breathe--? You were making choking noises, and thrashing about..." It seemed to be two dreams, he said as he recovered. That was the first one but then... He at last looked up and saw their visitors, and his eyes grew. Sister? he said with a blink, then looked at Ishkode and seemed even more confused. "This is Ishkode-Aanakwad," Silver Eagle Feather said, gesturing at him. "He was sent by Charmian and the others to see how the Island is doing." "You say there is a dream which the Island itself sends?" Ishkode said. "Explain." Tal Natha blinked again, then his fur bristled slightly. I explain when it comes to that point, he said, and turned to Silver Eagle Feather as if to ignore him completely. Silver Eagle Feather saw the Animiki's own eyes widen and then the color rise in his face as he barely kept himself from huffing indignantly. I spoke with Winter Born, Tal Natha said. She is the one who snapped me out of the first dream. Instantly all thoughts of Ishkode's ire fled Silver Eagle Feather's mind, and she took a quick step forward. "She is all right--?" she asked, a bit abruptly; Red Bird and Tal Natha frowned a little at the out-of-character reaction, but the demon nodded and she felt her tensed muscles relax. Yes...from what I could tell. In fact they seem more worried about the Island than anything... "Hold--these ones traveling in the north made contact with this place somehow--?" Ishkode cut in, and this time looked at Silver Eagle Feather. "Explain!" Tal Natha's bristling grew considerably more pronounced. I will explain--to any who do not demand it! This time Ishkode seemed more surprised than anything and didn't speak up. She was asking about a dream I earlier sent to Charmian, Tal Natha said to Silver Eagle Feather. A dream I was asked to send by Chakenapok. It concerns a being known as the Red Swan. Silver Eagle Feather blinked when she felt a prickling in the air, and could tell that it was coming from Ishkode. A surreptitious glance at him showed her that he was doing his best not to interrupt them again, so she gave Tal Natha a meaningful look and the demon scowled a bit before standing down. She gestured at Ishkode. "The Red Swan--?" he blurted out instantly. "What knowledge do you have of the Red Swan? Ex--" He bit his lip hard and appeared to steam a little. "Please elaborate." She is a Dreamspinner who is helping to keep Charmian and the others in touch with the Island, Tal Natha said. From the sound of it, they must be having second thoughts... he trailed off for a moment as if uncertain of whether he should continue, then finished, ...about trusting her so implicitly. "They have told you what they plan to do with this Red Swan once they find her?" Ishkode asked; then before Tal Natha could answer, he turned to Silver Eagle Feather. "The Red Swan is an incredibly powerful manitou who was entrapped countless moons ago to keep the world safe. Your friend with the fire hair has plans to free her somehow. If I were either of you, I would heed this 'Winter Born's' doubts, and not trust her." "You think she could be trying to hurt them--?" Red Bird asked, brow furrowing in worry. "Perhaps not as long as she is imprisoned," Ishkode replied. "But freeing her is another story. I hoped to dissuade them from this plan, but it seems I've failed!" He turned to Silver Eagle Feather again. "My men and I were asked to keep watch over the Island and protect it from any Lynxes that may appear." There are no Lynxes here, Tal Natha said curtly. Ishkode gave him a look. "You are certain of that--?" When the demon blinked and let his mouth fall open, Ishkode addressed the medicine woman once more. "We have better means of sensing such beings than anyone else on this Island, I'm certain. With your permission, we will try sounding them out if any are hiding. One of their favorite methods is to tunnel beneath places..." Tal Natha's hackles rose and he flared his wings, Red Bird reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. With her permission--? he exclaimed in a remarkably offended voice. What makes you assume that she is in charge of this Island? There is NO one person who rules this place, in case you were unaware! But when you are in MY cave you should speak to ME! Ishkode's eyes started glowing and Red Bird slowly crept back behind the demon. "I have to tell you he is right," Silver Eagle Feather said, and Ishkode gave her a look of surprise. "If anyone should be addressed right now, it is him, as he is Guardian of the Island as well as the Dreamspinner." The Animiki blinked a few times, and then flushed, this time apparently in embarrassment. "Ap...apologies, then," he said, as if the words tasted bitter in his mouth. "But we are not used to taking commands from..." And he trailed off, looking quite unsettled. From WHAT? Tal Natha snapped. Ishkode nearly grimaced. "I was going to say--from humans!" Instantly the demon's anger seemed to diffuse, and he blinked once more, surprised. "Ishkode-Aanakwad and his men flew here from the north," Silver Eagle Feather explained, "in the thunderstorm you hear outside. The stories say they are very good at flushing out snakes and water spirits, so if this is all right with you, they'll see to examining the place for Mishupishus." Red Bird's mouth opened wide and she pointed at Ishkode as if none of them could see him. "An Animiki!" she exclaimed, and hopped up and down. "I knew there was something funny about him!" Ishkode steamed. "I trust word of our presence won't be spread much further than this!" he groused, looking to Silver Eagle Feather, but jumped a little when Tal Natha brushed past him and toward the cave opening. The demon glanced at them over his shoulder as he went. We will not tell anyone, he said. And if you want the best place to start looking for Lynxes, then I will point it out to you myself, because we Ocryxes know the underside of this Island better than anyone. And he stepped out onto the ledge, spread his wings, and went flying off. Silver Eagle Feather and Ishkode watched him go, then Ishkode turned back to her. He rubbed at his neck, still looking a bit ruffled. "I apologize for my rudeness," he grumbled. "But where we come from..." She shook her head. "Go and follow him, before he gets too far ahead," she advised. "And we'll make certain that word doesn't spread, if we can help it." He let out a breath, feathers settling, and gave a curt nod. He exited and leapt from the cave ledge as well, vanishing from sight, though there was a distinct darkness which spread out over the trees, and a growl of thunder followed behind it. Red Bird jostled Silver Eagle Feather in the entryway and they both watched the dark clouds fly off after the vanished demon. "An Animiki!" Red Bird breathed in awe. "I've never seen one before. And to have one in our own cave--!" "Just remember not to spread word about this if possible," Silver Eagle Feather said. "They'll have enough troubles to deal with, if Lynxes do happen to be here." "Oh. Of course!" Red Bird nodded vigorously, then gave her an odd look. "Sister...am I wrong in thinking that he seemed to rather like you?" Silver Eagle Feather's eyes grew just a little, and she was thankful for the flash of lightning which distracted Red Bird from seeing the slight blush rise in her cheeks. "And so those two were hiding something from me, after all." Winter Born's eyes popped open as the strange deep voice filled her ears, and she felt the skin on the back of her neck prickle. Ahead of her she saw mostly darkness...but she was standing upon the stone floor of a cave, and she recognized it as the Red Swan's. So she was back in the right place--but who was that who had just spoken--? Not really wishing to know, she made herself turn around anyway, and a chill crept over her when she saw the large shadowy form with glowing blue eyes, its massive hand wrapped around the Red Swan's throat. The Red Swan was much smaller than it was and her feet were dangling far above the floor, but Winter Born could tell that she could still breathe--so far. When she took a step forward she knew who it was she must be looking at. "Me...Megissogwun...?" she said in a faint voice. The big manitou didn't even seem to notice her. "I thought my own wabanos were keeping something hidden," he said, staring at the Red Swan, who stared back at him with terror-filled eyes. "And look what it turns out to be." His own eyes narrowed. "Tell me how it is that you are here when you are also elsewhere--?" The Red Swan started to struggle feebly, then suddenly pulled one hand away from his own and flung it out at him. Winter Born braced herself for what felt like an immense gathering of power--but Megissogwun simply held up his free hand and it evaporated as if it had been nothing. A trace of disgust came to his face on seeing her confusion and he snorted. "Your medicine seems different, as well. Has relying on that Tree made you soft--?" Winter Born's brow furrowed in confusion, then she shook herself out of it and ran at them. "HEY!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and at last the big manitou turned his head a little to see her. She halted and clenched her fists. "Let her go! This isn't your dream!" Megissogwun arched an eyebrow. "So you are here too. Interesting." He relaxed his hold on the Red Swan's neck somewhat and she sucked in a breath. "Interesting, that I should find her here with you, when she seems to be the one you are grooming to take your place as most powerful." "She--she has n-nothing to do with this!" the Red Swan gasped. "You were never a convincing liar," Megissogwun said. "HEY!" Winter Born shouted again, stamping her foot. "Let her go! I'm the one you're interested in, anyway!" When he looked at her again she pointed to her chest. "The one with all that power! Right? Why do you want her? She's stuck in a cave all the time, right? I bet I could've gotten out a long time ago, I'm so much more powerful than her!!" "If this is so, small girl," Megissogwun said, "then why don't you prove it?" Winter Born blinked and let out a breath. She looked at her hands, but couldn't notice anything different about them. She didn't see any glow like Charmian and the others kept talking about--in fact, she never had. She shook them as if to spark it to life, but of course nothing happened. "Just as I thought," Megissogwun said. "You can't seem to control that power of yours unless practically out of your head." His fingers tightened again and the Red Swan started to choke. "What if I give you some incentive...?" He met the Red Swan's eyes. "After all," he said, as if to her alone, "it's not as if I haven't defeated you before." "HEY!" Winter Born yelled, then, out of desperation, "Red Swan! WAKE UP! It's a dream! HE CAN'T HURT YOU IN A DREAM!!" "I beg to differ," Megissogwun said, ignoring how the Red Swan's fingernails gouged into his hand. "She rather looks like she's in pain, doesn't she?" He looked at Winter Born. "Well? Where is that power of yours, small girl?" "WAKE UP! WAKE UP!!" Winter Born screamed; then, unable to think of anything else--"CHAKENAPOK!! HELP!!" Megissogwun frowned. An instant later, he was enveloped in fire which somehow avoided touching the Red Swan, who fell to the ground as soon as he let her go. He looked himself over as if in puzzlement as the fire swirled around him, and even lifted a hand to stare at the flames dancing over his fingers. His frown grew. "This isn't your medicine," he said, before something appeared behind him, and Winter Born's eyes grew when she saw Chakenapok, looking like he was on fire himself, throw his hand forward, eyes livid. A second wave of fire swept over Megissogwun, and with that, he faded away from sight, taking the fire with him. Winter Born had to rub her eyes for a moment in the sudden dimness, then gasped and hurried over to the Red Swan, who had pushed herself half upright and was rubbing at her throat. "Red Swan!" Winter Born gasped, dropping down beside her. "Are you okay--?" The Red Swan managed a weak nod, staring at the spot that Megissogwun had vacated, eyes wide and face pale. "He--he--how--?" she whispered hoarsely, and started shaking. "That's what I was going to ask," another voice grated, and they both turned to see Chakenapok. He was pushing himself up from the floor of the cave, and came shambling their way as if every bone in his body hurt. He grimaced as he rubbed at his shoulder, his breath coming hard, and halted several paces away. Winter Born's brow furrowed on seeing how exhausted he looked. "That attack took every bit of medicine I have," he said, as if reading her thoughts, and glowered at the Red Swan. "Up until now, the Pearl Feather has never shown any propensity for entering or manipulating dreams. And so how is it that he finally does so now when he's had a million better opportunities before?" The Red Swan shook her head, trembling so hard that Winter Born took her hand. "I...I don't know! I...I thought I was safe from him here!" "Interesting that he shows up only when she's in here, when she's the very one he wants left alive," Chakenapok said, pointing at Winter Born. His eyes narrowed. "You're certain you don't want to revise your story--?" The Red Swan's fingers clenched around Winter Born's. "I think she means it, Chakenapok," Winter Born said, and he looked at her. "She was just as surprised as anything when he showed up! And she helped me out before when I got lost out in the snow. She's been helping us all along. Maybe Megissogwun just got this power somewhere--?" "People do not just get power unless they know what they're looking for," Chakenapok said. "Which means he was looking for one of you, and seeing as you are both incredibly vulnerable right now, he had good reason to come looking right now." His fingers curled into fists. "I was attempting to shield both of you from his sight, like I've been attempting to do all along with you--not that I have any understanding WHY!" He glared at the Red Swan, who recoiled a little. "Did you lead him here--?" "What?" The Red Swan pressed on Winter Born's hand as she struggled to her feet. "I--how can you suggest such a thing!! I was protecting her too! Some job YOU were doing! Showing up only once he's practically ready to KILL us!" "I showed up because I was called," Chakenapok replied mildly. "How you expect me to show up when you are blocking me, I have no clue." The Red Swan's eyes grew huge. Winter Born looked up at her in confusion. "Red Swan," she said. "Is that true...?" The Red Swan blinked a few times, then the color rose in her face. "I was only trying to protect her!" she snapped. "Who knows what YOU would have been trying to do!" "That's right," Chakenapok said. "Saving BOTH of you when things mess up! What an awful thought, I won't go doing it again!" He turned to Winter Born. "Winter Born. I won't go trying to poison you against the mainlander or any others in your company, because it's my full belief that they're trustworthy--when not under the influence of THIS creature!" When the Red Swan began steaming he held up his hand. "All she has offered you so far is empty warnings. I can offer you something more concrete than that." "You have NOTHING on me!" the Red Swan shouted. "No I don't," Chakenapok said. "You have it on yourself." His hand started glowing and the other two gasped and took a step back, half expecting an attack. When a glow appeared at the Red Swan's chest, she gave a little hop and glanced down at it, patting at it frantically as if trying to put out a fire. Winter Born's brow furrowed, however, and she took a step closer to see it better. It wasn't fire, but she thought she could see something emerging under the Red Swan's quickly moving hands. "What are you doing?" the Red Swan cried in a panic. "What are you trying to do to me?" "I am only trying to show her the truth," Chakenapok replied. He nodded at Winter Born. "Take a closer look, and tell me if this is someone you would trust with your life." Winter Born gave him a confused look, then turned back to the Red Swan, who looked ready to cry. She reached up and gently pulled one of her hands away from her chest, and took in a breath when she saw the glow of a spirit stone emerging. Her eyes widened in awe--then grew even more when swirls of black wrapped themselves around it like ugly talons, nearly obscuring the soft bluish glow from sight. She gasped and jumped back, hands flying to her mouth. "Your spirit stone--!!" she exclaimed. She whirled to Chakenapok. "Is--is this just the dream or is it--?" "That is really how it is," Chakenapok said, arms crossed, "unless she's conjuring this all up, too. And seeing as how she's been trying so hard to get into your good favor, I doubt she would pull such a stunt." They both looked at her. The Red Swan was staring at her own spirit stone, eyes wide and mouth open; after a moment, her hands began to shake and all of the blood fled her face. She slowly lifted her head to meet Chakenapok's eyes, and Winter Born saw how a frown of perplexity made its way to his face as he lowered his arms. She couldn't understand why he would look so confused right now. "You..." The Red Swan's voice came out in a harsh croak. "You did this." Energy started to crackle around her and she flung up one hand, her eyes lighting up brilliant blue and a blinding glow enveloping her fingers. "YOU DID THIS!!" The massive power flaring around her hand burst loose, and hurled itself straight toward Chakenapok. Winter Born had enough time to see his eyes go wide in disbelief before she shut her own, fists clenching, and screamed, "WAKE UP!!" |