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Back to Wesoomi's Archives The Legend of Wesoomi: Twelve, The Journey: May 20, 2002: For Spirit Guide, the visit of the Bandar Warrior had brought to mind his mother and her ordeal. He often though of her, but this was a new way. Now, his mother and the Bandar were bound together in his head. The thoughts troubled him. His heart pained and struggled with the thinking of it. Finally, he knew he must learn more to have his peace. He spoke to Gentlehand. "Father, I must needs make a journey," he said. "To what end?" asked Gentlehand. "For my own peace, Father. I must needs learn more of the Bandar and of my mother." "Is it your plan then to visit the Bandar?" "I know not Father. I know only that I must follow my mother's path." "That path be near twelve summers old, my son. How would you follow such a trail?" "My heart tells me that Grey knows the way." "These many summers, she still knows?" "Aye, Father. This I believe. The Great Spirit charged her to guard my mother and bring her here." "It could be true," reflected Gentlehand. "I so believe." "And so I must needs follow that path, with Grey," said Spirit Guide. "Would you have me with you?" "Nay, Father. This thing, I must do alone. My heart so tells me." "I believe this thing, my son. Yet I fear for you." "I am not without my own fear, Father. Yet, I must trust the Great Spirit. I have come through much. Still I live." "This be true, Spirit Guide. I too must trust and entreat the Great Spirit." "Thank you, Father." "When will you leave, my son." "At first light I will go." "So soon?" "It is decided. Delay will avail nothing." "You speak true. How long do you think?" "I know not. I believe not more that ten days going and returning." "You must take food for ten days then." "Aye, Father." So, at first light, Gentlehand went with Spirit Guide to the spot where he first saw Snowflower, lying on the trail. There he left him and returned to the gardens. His heart did not return. It stayed with Spirit Guide and it pained for him. When Gentlehand was gone, Spirit Guide sat down on the earth where his mother had fallen. Grey sat beside him. Spirit Guide let the sense of the place flow into him until he felt the power of it, and a bit of peace came into his heart. Then it was time to travel on. Grey lead him over the wandering trail where Snowflower had staggered onward in delirium. The tracking took much of one day. Many times they crossed the stream and Spirit Guide understood what had happened. His heart grieved for her pain. They arrived at the place where Snowflower has slept after consuming the hare. Grey pawed and scratched at the earth where she had lain. Spirit Guide sat upon the earth and opened his heart to the sense of the place. Finally, he lay his head down and slept. In his dream, he saw how his mother had been at this place. He saw how Grey had brought the hare and he saw her eat it. When he awoke, he understood. Then he put his arm around Grey and wept into her fur. Spirit Guide continued his journey. Grey led him over the trail slowly. Many times he would pause and Spirit Guide would stand quietly and open his heart to the place. At days end, they arrived at the tree where she had slept while Grey guarded her. Spirit Guide sat down by the tree and pondered. "Yes," he said. "She was at this place." He touched the tree and knew. "She slept here in this tree," he said. "She knew the end was near. She fell here in the morn." Then Spirit Guide slept too. Come morn, they continued the journey. Grey took him to the place where the streams joined and to the place where she had freed her from the hunter's snare. In this way, they traveled back over Snowflower's path. Grey lead and Spirit Guide followed. At each place of peril, Spirit Guide would stay until his heart knew the truth. Then he would put his arm around Grey and say, "Yes, I know she was here. She was at this place. She sat in that tree. She faced peril here." Sometimes he would weep for her pain, and for his own. Spirit Guide shed many tears in that way. On the fourth day, they came to the tree where Snowflower spent her first night of exile in terror. There Spirit Guide spent another night pondering the ordeal of his mother and marveling at her strength. In the morning, they followed the trail to the Bandar village. Spirit Guide looked upon the village from the forest and sensed evil there. Grey bristled beside him. Her teeth were bared. Spirit Guide knew his mother had been there and had been used there. He knew his blood father was there too. Then he had a sudden knowing of the heart. These were not the evil beings who were foreign to him as he had thought of them. He was of these people. He had their blood in him. They were his people. He felt a sickness in his heart. It grew though his body. Then he knew that he must go into that village and face this thing. He knew he must come to peace with it. To go into the village was only a first thing, but one that must be done. "Stay," he said to Grey. Then he turned and walked boldly toward the village. Grey sat and watched. As Spirt Guide approached a warrior notice him and came to meet him. "Greetings young traveler," he said. "Greetings," said Spirit Guide. "I be Spirit Guide. What be your name?" "I be Swift Hawk," said the warrior. "Come, I will take you to our chief." So, Spirit Guide came face to face with Crazy Wolf. Just in meeting, he felt the power of the man. It showed in his very manner. "Be you the Spirit Guide of the tales and songs?" asked Crazy Wolf. "I know not of that," laughed Spirit Guide. "I be of the Quiet Folk." "Then you be the one," remarked Crazy Wolf. "The tales of you are legend. It is said you have powers." "If that be true, I have yet to learn of them," laughed Spirit Guide. "Perhaps. We know only of the tales," agreed Crazy Wolf. "You seem but a cub in age." "You speak true, Chief. I be but eleven summers." "I wonder," said Crazy Wolf, "that one so young could have the wisdom and power that is celebrated in the songs. Yet you speak with the voice of a man, not a cub." "I know not Chief. I seek no power except over myself." "Ha! You do speak like a man; a true warrior; a warrior with wisdom. In this village, we would honor that." I thank you, Chief. The honor belongs to my people. All I know and all I be I have learnt from Elder Strong Oak and the Quiet Folk. We live in service of the Great Spirit. We believe all wisdom and power flows from him." "Then we need not fear you," grinned Crazy Wolf. "I am told that those in the service of the Great Spirit live in peace." "Indeed, Chief. We do serve in peace," agreed Spirit Guide. "Do you travel of a purpose?" "Only to see and learn," answered Spirit Guide. "Then you must join us at meal ere you travel on. You can learn of the Bandar." "I am honored Chief." Crazy Wolf took Spirit Guide to the longhouse and sent for food and drink. There were several warriors in the long house. One stepped forward when Spirit Guide entered. "This be Little Warrior," said Crazy Wolf. " I slew his father. Now he is in my keep and he is my aide who will one day take my place." "Greetings," said Spirit Guide. Little Warrior nodded. "We are honored by the visit of the one of legend," he said, but his eyes said else wise. They spoke of a quiet contained anger, like a snake coiled within. Further back, even behind that anger, was something else. Spirt Guide thought he saw a shadow of true power. "The honor is mine," he answered. Little Warrior smiled wryly. The food was brought by the women of the Bandar. "Come, partake," urged Crazy Wolf. Spirit Guide sat and partook with the chief, Little Warrior, and others of his warriors. He listened as he ate. There was no need for questions. The Chief was full of himself and of his exploits. He told of how he had come to power. He explained in detail of the raids on the neighboring villages and of the tributes paid. He boasted proudly of full storehouses and plenty for his people. He told of the many women he had and of the slave girls his warriors used. Spirit Guide knew that one of those slave girls had been his mother, but he kept his peace. The time to act, if at all, comes after the learning and the pondering. While the Chief boasted, Spirit Guide notice other things. Around the Chief were young warriors and some who were older. The youngest were of firm and strong body. This was not so with the older ones. They showed a fullness of belly and softness of flesh which spoke of careless habits. He notice how all except Little Warrior partook in abundance and knew even the youngest would be lacking in power and will. Easy plunder had weakened the Bandar. Yet, it had not weakened Little Warrior. He was one to ponder on. When the feast was done Crazy Wolf invited Spirit Guide to stay for a few days. "You may come to like us," he said. "You are wise. You are strong of back and arm. You could become a great warrior." Spirit Guide stifled the shudder in his inner spirit. "I thank you for this honor, Chief. Yet, I feel the need to travel on. I feel that I have much to learn and ponder." "Good travel then," added Little Warrior. "Perhaps we will meet again." Spirit Guide took his leave and left the village on the opposite side from which he had entered. He walked straight away. As he had expected, a young warrior trailed him with poor stealth. After a short time, the warrior left him to report back to Crazy Wolf. Then Spirit Guide began to circle around the Bandar Village. Grey, who had been near all of the time, joined him. After a while, Spirit Guide began an easy trot. It was time to go home and no reason to tarry. He was happy to quit the Bandar. He longed to see his own Village and the Quiet Folk. He wished the counsel of his father and the Elders. There was much to ponder. There was much to come to peace with. The visit to the Bandar village had troubled him indeed. He knew his father was there, though he knew not which of them was he. He realized that he was of those people. He especially felt that kinship with Little Warrior. That one, it appeared, was also a victim of Crazy Wolf. There was much to ponder. This was a struggle which grew in him. These people had done evil deeds, but he was of them. He needed to face and deal with this thing, for, if there be evil in them, there also be evil in himself. He could no longer think of himself as all of good. Back to Wesoomi's Archives
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