hither and yon
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Hither and Yon
An introduction to the World-under-the-Flesh
by PD Allen
Fiddlesticks PressHand-Crafted Fiction
http://pdallen.wordpress.com
This adventure is continued in the novel Fiddlesticks.
This book is a work of fiction. Names characters places and incidents are
products of the author!s ima"ination or are used fictitiousl#. $n#resemblance to actual events or locales or persons livin" or dead is entirel#coincidental.
Cop#ri"ht % &'() b# P* $llen
$ll ri"hts reserved.
Also by PD Allen
Post-Quantum Meditations
Fiction
+on" of ,istence
Poetry
uantum editations0 1ook 2neuantum editations0 1ook Two
uantum meditations0 1ook Three
uantum editations0 1ook Four
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uantum editations0 1ook Five
uantum editation 3& (ebook)uantum editation 3) (ebook)
uantum editation 34 (ebook)
uantum editations 35 (ebook)
uantum editations 36 (ebook)
uantum editations 37 (ebook)
uantum editations 38 (ebook)
uantum editations 39 (ebook)
uantum editations 3(' (ebook)
Experimental Narrative
$wakenin" *ra"on0 an +hamanic $dventure
Pre-Quantum Meditations
Fiction
1lood oon Tales of da ;oopernatural
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Contents
he Ode"imaa Ba#!a$i
Part I Hither and Yon(. %a&b'oooo and the orr&ption o* the %orld Under the Flesh
&. %a&b'oooo comes o&t o* +idin#). %a&b'oooo and ramliche -&n a -ace
4.-ene Follo!s the .&sic
5.-ene hases the .&sic6.-ene, the .is*it
/0-ene .akes a 1on# 2o&rney
30 he +orned One %elcomes an Unexpected &est
40 heka&bae!iss Says oodbye to ity 1i*e
5601ilith has ompany at Break*ast
550 Stephen .eets a 1e#end
570 ramliche has a Bad 8ay
@lossar#
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*edicated in lovin" memor# of m# "randmother Ahea Feldpausch
(9'7-&'((
The Odeimaa Ba!a"i
The brid"e in the Borld of the Flesh cast a shadow spannin"
@ichi"ami to touch the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. The anitou
knew when this brid"e was completed the trolls and o"res and all theCorrupted Hordes would rush across to invade their sanctuar#. There
was no wa# the anitou could stop the humans from buildin" this
brid"e. $ll the# could do was prepare to defend themselves.
The Corrupted 2nes were drawn to the brid"e b# the scent offresh meat and the promise of new treasure. $nd when the brid"e was
finished the# raced across to meet the marshaled forces of the
anitou. The numberless horde was held back b# the stron" and thepowerful whose man# acts of heroism remain unsun". The anitou
fou"ht while the weaker amon" them fled man# of them retreatin" to
distant lands be#ond this world where the Corrupted Hordes wouldnever tread far be#ond the touch of humans.
The heroes of the anitou fou"ht valiantl# and prevailed for a
time. ;et in the end their efforts were doomed. The numbers of theanitou had dwindled since humans first set foot in the New Borld
while the ranks of the Corrupted 2nes were swollen inversel#. Theconclusion of this battle was fore"one when the first troll set foot in
the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. The defenses were overrun and theinvasion of the last refu"e of the anitou be"an in earnest.
$s the defenses crumbled the =ad# $ki-ikwe called Baub-
oooo who was neither stron" nor powerful out of hidin" and madehim swear to preserve the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. +tandin" onl# two and a
half feet tall his dark skin covered with a fine fur Baub-oooo was
the most furtive of the little anitou. He passed his life withoutleavin" an# si"n of its passa"e sta#in" hidden in the secret places onl#
he knew ever alert for trouble with his bu" e#es round furr# ears and
his fine sense of smell.Few had ever seen Baub-oooo and onl# one person knew his
true name the =ad# $ki-ikwe who knew ever#ones true name. $nd
knowin" his true name she could call him to her and place upon him
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the dut# of keepin" the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi safe. Baub-oooo was
terrified of takin" on so important a char"e but he could refuse the=ad# $ki-ikwe nothin".+he called him to her "ardens lush with eotic blossoms tended
b# butterflies and hummin"birds. Baub-oooo had never been so
close to the =ad# $ki-ikwe before. +he was a vision of beaut# softradiant and li"ht. Her lon" hair was a rich red the color of the ,arth
and the "ood red path and her skin was the color of pale ivor#. +he
was dressed in white flowin" robes and between her breasts shone awarm healin" li"ht.
GBaub-ooooG she said to him G#ou must hide the 2deDimaa
1a"waEi where it will never be found b# the Horde. +o lon" as it is
safe the# can never completel# destro# this land.G+ome of us will survive in the shadows and the remote places.
$nd there will be hope that our world will one da# be restored. ;ou
must keep the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi safe until that da#.GG will tr# m=ad#G Baub-oooos e#es popped lar"e with
concern. He politel# held his cap before him in "narled hands. G1ut
how will know when that da# has come.G=ad# $ki-ikwe had the "ift of distant si"ht. Gt is for a human to
restore our world.G
G$ human m=ad#IG Baub-oooo Juailed at the ver# thou"ht.G$re #ou sureIG
GThe humans have taken this world from usG =ad# $ki-ikwe said
in a distant voice. Gt is for a human bein" to return it to us.G
G$s #ou sa#G Baub-oooo still had his doubts Gbut humans areso shortsi"htedKG
G2ne da# there will come a child of the first peopleG the =ad#
$ki-ikwe proclaimed. G+he will be lookin" for her voice and #ou willknow her b# her son". The 2deDimaa 1a"waEi will respond to her and
#our dut# will be fulfilled.G
G;es m=ad#G Baub-oooo bowed before her.G$rise Baub-oooo and take #our char"eG the =ad# $ki-ikwe
clasped her hands over her chest and drew them awa# openin" them
before Baub-oooo to disclose the li"ht that had shone between her
breasts.Baub-oooo held up a hand to shade his e#es so bri"ht was the
li"ht. =ookin" at what she held he saw a lar"e "lowin" cr#stal. $s he
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watched it was transformed first to a shinin" white blossom and then
to a lar"e acorn.GTake itG the =ad# $ki-ikwe ur"ed him.Baub-oooo wiped his hands on his vest and reached out to take
the seed. n his hands it became a lar"e piece of black obsidian warm
to the touch. Baub-oooo worried his unworth# "rasp had dama"ed it.Gt chan"es form dependin" on its surroundin"s and who is
holdin" it.G The =ad# set his fears to rest. GThat should aid #ou in
hidin" it. 1ut do not take chances. *ont let an#one see it.GThe sounds of battle drew close to the "arden. The =ad#s
attendants were a"itated. t re"istered with Baub-oooo that the =ad#
$ki-ikwe sounded wear# and she had lost her former "low.
GPut it awa#G she told him. G>eep it close to #ou until #ou havefound the ri"ht hidin" place and "uard it with #our life.G
The battle spilled into the "arden as defenders sou"ht with their
last breath to hold back the invadin" hordes.GNow "o Baub-ooooG the =ad# $ki-ikwe ur"ed him. GFleeKG
Baub-oooo hid the Heart of the Bild inside his vest net to his
own heart. G will not fail #ou m=ad#G he promised as he vanishedinto the under"rowth.
GFarewell Baub-ooooG the =ad# $ki-ikwe whispered behind
him. G$ll our hopes "o with #ou.G$t the ed"e of the "arden he paused pretendin" to be a dead stick
and looked back on the =ad# $ki-ikwe. The =ad# dismissed her court
and stood to face the oncomin" attackers. $ lar"e o"re reached her
first. He held her with one hand while he brou"ht a war club down ontop of her head smashin" her skull open. Baub-oooo stood froen in
horror as the o"re ate the =ad#s brains. Then he was "one fleein" for
his life and the future of his people.
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Part #
Hither and Yon
(. %a&b'oooo and the orr&ption o* the %orld Under the Flesh
Baub-oooo had lon" dreaded this da#. He should never havebeen chosen as the "uardian of their most sacred treasure. There were
others well noted for their prowess their intelli"ence their wisdom or
their in"enuit#. Baub-oooo possessed none of these "ifts. He wasweak of bod# and mind and fearful of his own shadow.
His onl# skill which had spared him all these #ears while others
more worth# fou"ht and were defeated was the art of concealment. He
knew ever# secret place in the =and 1etween the +k# Baters $kkiNisawa# @ichi"ami. He could hide so well onl# those who knew his
true name could ever find him. Baub-oooo was his common name
meanin" little rabbit or the white-tailed one. That he knew of onl# onebein" knew his true name and she died after placin" the 2deDimaa
1a"waEi in his hands. Baub-oooo had been in hidin" ever since.
That is precisel# wh# he was chosen to be the "uardian of the2deDimaa 1a"waEi. $s lon" as the 2deDimaa survived their world
could not be completel# overrun. $nd woe to all worlds should the
2deDimaa ever fall into the wron" hands.t had been fift# #ears as humans told time since the =and
1etween the +k# Baters was invaded. n all those #ears the landresisted defilement because the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi was safe. $nd in allthese #ears the Horde minions of corruption had hunted for the
2deDimaa without ever findin" a trace of it.
The 2deDimaa 1a"waEi had been safe in his care for so lon" he
had "rown la. The hidin" place he chose was in a remote area of the=and 1etween the +k# Baters an inaccessible "len hidden amon"
ston# hills nearl# as old as time itself. This was a mountainous re"ion
where the land had never Juite solidified into realit# the LnfinishedHills. 2ut here it was eas# to pass from one world to another without
even bein" aware of it. This unfinished creation leaked ma"ic and it
was Baub-oooos thou"ht that this leakin" power would help to cloakthe 2deDimaa.
This it had done. For fift# #ears no minion of corruption had
come near the Lnfinished Hills. From hidin" he saw them scour the
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=and 1etween the +k# Baters #et the# alwa#s steered clear of these
mountains. ,ven the dimmest o"re and the "reediest troll knew awron" turn in these hills would transport it to some other world perhaps even the land of the Beendi"o with no wa# back. 2r
worse #et an unwittin" bumbler mi"ht stumble throu"h a portal to
find itself unmade.Lntil now the search for the 2deDimaa had been unor"anied. The
Corrupted Hordes the defiled ones knew it was somewhere in the
=and 1etween the +k# Baters simpl# because that land continued toeist. The trolls craved it as a treasure the# could horde the o"res as a
tast# morsel the# could devour and the "oblins as a trinket that would
brin" them presti"e. ;et the# lacked an# more sophisticated
motivation and their searches were uncoordinated. +uch had alwa#sbeen the wa# with these beasts0 it was one of the few thin"s the
anitou had in their favor.
The Corrupted 2nes were undirected and difficult to or"anie.2nce in a while someone would happen alon" who was powerful
enou"h to draw them to"ether and lead them but it never lasted. 2"res
and "iants were too dim-witted the# were content simpl# to defiledevour and destro#. Trolls on the other hand were too "reed#. The#
were apt to seie on some small treasure or propert# and then spend
the a"es "uardin" it. =astl# "oblins were too clannish. The various"oblin clans fou"ht amon" themselves. The onl# thin" all the clans
a"reed on was that o"res and trolls were to be thorou"hl# reviled.
$t one time these creatures were confined to the land across the
waters Baasawekami". n those da#s the =and 1etween the +k#Baters was a blessed realm and a sanctuar# for all the anitou. The#
roamed freel# throu"hout this world sharin" its beaut# and riches. 1ut
then the Horde appeared foulin" the land and murderin" the anitouas the# spread throu"hout the world.
No one knew where the# came from but the wise elder
Nwanaehaus said the# followed the humans. Humans were thecreatures of $kiin Bii#aasa" the Borld of the Flesh which was
closel# linked to this world $kiin $naamin" Bii#aasa" the Borld
Lnder the Flesh. The# were weak natured blind and short lived but
the# were capable of "reat thin"s and the# thrived. The humans"reatest failin" was their inabilit# to see their environment as it trul#
was. The# were alone havin" lost their connection to the communit#
of life around them.
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Nwanaehaus contended the Corrupted 2nes the o"res and trolls
and "oblins were nature spirits as were the inhabitants of the =and1etween the +k# Baters. The# came from the Borld of the Flesh andremained tied to the humans. The blindness of the humans had driven
them mad. +evered from the source of their true bein" the# were
transformed into monsters that sou"ht onl# to defile ever#thin" aroundthem.
Bhether or not this was true it was plain the Horde in this world
followed the humans in the Borld of the Flesh. Bhen the humans firsttraveled to the New Borld the# were soon followed b# the Corrupted
2nes who invaded $kiin *aawinan the land of the anitou.
@ranted there were human bein"s alread# in the New Borld. 1ut
those people were different0 the# were not blind as were thenewcomers. The# respected nature and the# were at peace with the
anitou. 1ut these newcomers sou"ht onl# to conJuer and destro#.
The human world and the world of the anitou are closel# tiedto"ether. Bhatever humans do in $kiin Bii#aasa" has its reflection in
$kiin $naamin" Bii#aasa". +o as the humans tamed the wilderness
the# opened the Borld Lnder the Flesh to the Horde who spreadacross the land destro#in" and desecratin".
Bhere the humans went in the Borld of the Flesh the 1li"ht
spread throu"h this world befoulin" the land and destro#in"ever#thin" it touched. 2nl# the Corrupted 2nes could survive in this
corrupted land. t was said the 1li"ht came from Baasawekami" the
distant land far across the ishi"amiin" 2cean. Now the bli"ht had
spread throu"hout the realm of the anitou ever#where ecept the=and 1etween the +k# Baters.
anitou were pushed back to remote areas until the# retreated to
the =and 1etween the +k# Baters leavin" the rest of the world to theo"re the troll the "iant and the "oblins and to monsters much worse
than these. The +k# Baters held powerful ma"ic and it was believed
the Horde would never be able to cross them. $nd so it was untilnearl# fift# #ears a"o when humans at last conJuered even the +k#
Baters.
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&. %a&b'oooo comes o&t o* +idin#
The Corrupted 2nes "athered in an open valle# south of theLnfinished Hills. $nd so it was to this valle# that Baub-oooo
ventured under cover of darkness. He sat at the ed"e of the woods for
a lon" time near a hidden doorwa# leadin" to the Borld of the Flesh.
t was a doorwa# he had used often before its eistence somehowmasked from ever#one but him. He was familiar with the wide valle#
before him havin" freJuented it in his fora"in". Never had he met so
much as another anitoussiwuk in these meadows. +tud#in" the campbefore him Baub-oooo could not believe what he saw.
There must have been thousands of o"res and "oblins and
hundreds of trolls assembled in the valle#. The# sat in "roups aroundcampfires or la# sleepin" on the "round. $mon" them were also
fierce hill "iants. The lar"est "iant Baub-oooo had ever seen la# on
the ed"e of the meadow. This one "iant covered an area full# the sieof the entire camp. Fl#in" overhead were the dreaded Pau"uk the
fl#in" skeletons who sent shivers down his spine with their "hostl#
shrieks. Bith Pau"uk patrollin" the air Baub-oooo would have to be
etra careful to remain undetected. He almost "ave up sp#in" on theHorde and fled for his life. 1ut he could not abandon his char"e.
Bho was fearsome enou"h to command the Corrupted 2nes and
demand their obedienceI $nd what did this demon want with the
Heart of the BildI Baub-oooo had to answer these Juestions beforehe could determine what must be done.
n the ver# center of the camp was a lar"e tent "uarded b# two hill"iants. Trolls "oblins and a few o"res came and went no doubt "ivin"
reports and takin" orders. nside the tent must be the commander of
the Horde. Bhatever manner of creature it was it never ventured out
where Baub-oooo could "et a look at it. f he wanted to find out whatkind of bein" this was and perhaps learn its intentions he would have
to sneak close to this tent.
Furtivel# with "reat trepidation Baub-oooo crept into the camp.He moved with utmost caution stickin" to the shadows as much as
possible careful to sta# concealed whenever one of the corruptedturned his wa# pa#in" particular attention to the Pau"uk fl#in"overhead.
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He was makin" his wa# alon" the side of the lar"est of "iants
when another of its clan approached. Bith not a moment to spareBaub-oooo hid in a leather pouch l#in" net to the "iant.Gishi-naubaeKG The approachin" "iant stood onl# half as bi" as
the behemoth to which he was talkin". GThe 2"imauh has a Eob for
#ou.G@rumblin" ishi-naubae rose from his bed. He "rabbed his
pouch and hun" it b# its strap over his shoulder. nside the pouch
Baub-oooo was Eostled amid loose tobacco a stone pipe bi" enou"hto serve him as a canoe some sharp pieces of flint and a few strips of
dried meat. He had to be careful not to cut himself on the flints.
G am "oin"G ishi-naubae "rumbled in his low bass voice.
Baub-oooo clun" to the inside of the pouch as the "iant lopedacross the camp. The "iant reached his "oal in two strides. Must as
Baub-oooo thou"ht the rou"h ride was over the pouch lurched and
hit the "round hard almost spillin" him out alon" with its contents. fBaub-oooo had not been holdin" onto the sides of the ba" he would
have tumbled out beside the bowin" "iant ri"ht at the feet of a robed
man. Baub-oooo peaked out of the pouch astonished to see this hu"e"iant prostratin" himself on the "round in a show of obeisance to a
pun# human.
Thou"h dwarfed b# the respectful "iant the man was man# timesBaub-oooos hei"ht and he carried himself in a superior manner.
The man was dressed in some sort of dark robe with the hood thrown
back. His hair was dark and he had a thick beard. His cheekbones were
hi"h and pronounced as was his nose. $nd his e#es were cruel andhard.
This man must be a sorcerer. Baub-oooo could feel the power
radiatin" from him. $nd he was ver# dan"erous. There was somethin"feral about him. Thou"h the "iant ishi-naubae could easil# have
crushed him underfoot he was afraid of this man.
Gishi-naubaeG the man spoke in a stron" harsh voice Gthe1urned +kull band of "oblins has not returned. Hunt them down and
kill them.G
G;es 2"imauhKG The "iant was pleased with his instructions. He
rose part wa# from the "round trailin" his pouch. Ga# eat themIGG;ou can dr# them out and smoke them in #our pipe for all
care.G The man "lared at him GBhether the# are rene"ades or
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incompetents will tolerate neither. Find them and kill them.G The
man turned awa# to reenter his tent.ishi-naubae rose ea"erl# to undertake his task. +eein" hischance Baub-oooo slipped out of the pouch and into the tent on the
mans heels.
$s Baub-oooo entered the tent his hackles rose and he knew hehad passed throu"h some kind of ward. However it was too late to do
an#thin" about it. The inside of the tent was lit b# an oil lantern. t
held a cot a foldin" table and chair and several lar"e trunks. Baub-oooo hid behind one of the latter.
The 2"imauh kept his back to Baub-oooo. He was stud#in" a
map that la# spread over the table top. *ue to the hei"ht of the table
there was no wa# Baub-oooo could "et a look at the map short ofclimbin" up. Baub-oooo ducked behind the chest as someone
scratched at the tent entrance.
GCome in.G The 2"imauh turned to face the entrance as a trollentered. The troll had the diseased "reenish cast normal to its species
with black splotches. t was lon" of limb as were all trolls with lon"
clutchin" fin"ers that terminated in nast# sharp claws. t was dressedin a loin clothe which was the common attire of both trolls and o"res.
2"res had differin" features but trolls all looked alike to Baub-
oooos e#es.2"res were brawn# brutes with hair# ash-colored skin. For all
their hair their heads were usuall# bald and beardless thou"h not
alwa#s. Baub-oooo could not tell if the hairless pates were due to
fashion or nature. The# had point# ears and pronounced e#e rid"es.The# lacked noses havin" lar"e nostrils set flush to the face. $nd their
mouths were eJuipped with a nast# set of tarnished fan"s. 2"res were
ver# muscular with powerful arms and hands. For all their mass2"res usuall# stood at least a head shorter than trolls.
The third race of the Corrupted 2nes "oblins were a small hi"h-
strun" bunch. The# were brown-skinned with ill-formed facialfeatures. Their coal black e#es were offset and sometimes seemed to
sa" in their faces. Their voices were hi"h-pitched and "rated on Baub-
oooos ears. @oblins were better clothed than the other species of the
Horde. This did little to make up for their half-formed appearance. Notwo "oblin faces were the same but all had the appearance of bein"
poured from a well-shaken Ear.
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@iants like Pau"uk were not trul# creatures of the Horde. The#
were an elder race and had been in this land as lon" as the anitoucould remember thou"h the# had been rare until the 1li"ht came tothis continent. The# were twice as tall as the bi""est troll and looked
like lar"e muscular humans dressed in rou"h hides. For all their sie
"iants were dim-witted. This was their maEor weakness.The creature that entered the tent was tall even for a troll. He had
to bow low to make it throu"h the entrance. 2nce inside he stooped to
avoid brushin" the roof of the tent.G$h @ramlicheG the 2"imauh said as the troll Eoined him b# the
table. G;ou are the last to report. How did #ou fareIG
The troll etended a lon" clawed fin"er and pointed to a spot on
the map. GBe searched from hereG he moved his fin"er alon" the mapto another point Gto here. There was no si"n of it but felt the
2deimaa.G Trolls could feel treasure nearb#. Gt is there somewhere.G
G;esG the 2"imauh verified. Gt is here and we will recover it.*id #ou search for secret passa"ewa#sIG
G;esG the troll answered. GBe found several but none led to
what we seek. Be lost two o"res.GGHmG the 2"imauh "runted. GBell there are plent# more.G
GThe others are stationed on overlooks throu"hout the area as #ou
wanted.GG@ood.G The 2"imauh turned awa# from the map to stud# the
troll. GTell me @ramliche what do #ou detectIG
Gt is tou"h to "et the feel of it in the Lnfinished Hills but there is
somethin" powerful to the north.GGThen that is where we will continue our search.G
GThe land "ets rou"her as we travel northG the troll told him.
GThe hills "row more numerous and more difficult to scale. There arelots of low passes between them swamp# areas thick with trees. $nd
we must move slower because each step could take us throu"h a secret
passa"e with no wa# back.GGHowever lon" it takes.G The 2"imauh did not want to hear about
these difficulties. GBe have to find it. Be cannot proceed until have
the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.G
GBith it we will finall# establish full dominion over this worldGthe troll said.
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G$nd othersG the 2"imauh amended. G1ut let us not talk of that
now. For the moment we must focus on findin" it if we have tosacrifice ever#one in this camp to do so.GG*o not worr#G the troll assured him. G will find it for #ou.G
Gf an#one @ramliche believe #ou can. $nd once #ou brin" me
the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi will "ive #ou a place at m# side.GThe 2"imauh led the troll back to the door of the tent. GAest
toni"ht. $t first li"ht head back to where #ou left off. Take another
score of o"res with #ou and will assi"n the Tattered ,ar band of"oblins to work with #ou. Proceed Eust as #ou did toda#.G
G;es 2"imauh.G The troll bowed and started to leave the tent.
G@ramliche.G The 2"imauh stepped over b# the entrance close to
where Baub-oooo was hidden. G*o wait a moment.GBithout an# warnin" the 2"imauh reached behind the chest laid
hold of Baub-oooos vest and hauled him up. Baub-oooo stru""led
as he dan"led in midair held in the 2"imauhs firm "rip. Cau"ht b#surprise Baub-oooo chan"ed form adoptin" the appearance of his
namesake. GBhat have we here a sp#IG
G$ little rabbit.G @ramliche chuckled as he backed into the tent.His e#es bu""in" out with fri"ht Baub-oooo sou"ht an innocent
eplanation for his presence. GBhatI No sp# m=ord. m merel# a
harmless rabbit who once had m# burrow in this valle#. ;our troopscau"ht me off "uard and was desperate for someplace to hide when
spied this tent. am ver# sorr# intruded on #our privac# m=ord.G
G@ive him to meG @ramliche offered Gand will find him a place
in m# cook pot.GGNo little rabbit would trip m# ward.G The 2"imauh saw ri"ht
throu"h the subterfu"e. GThat ward is desi"ned to react to anitou.G
G$h.G The troll looked at Baub-oooo more closel#. Gt is aanitoussiwuk.G
G+o which is itIG The 2"imauh offered a choice G$re #ou a sp#
or will #ou "o into @ramliches stewpotIGG am no sp#G Baub-oooo insisted.
G
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GHmm.G The 2"imauh considered. G$ anitoussiwuk who spies
but is no sp#. Bho sent #ou hereIGGNo one m=ord.GThe 2"imauh "rabbed Baub-oooo b# the throat and e#ed him.
Baub-oooo was afraid the sorcerer would choke him to death. The
2"imauh turned the little anitous face so @ramliche could see himbetter.
G*oes not this little anitou resemble NanabooooIG
Baub-oooo blanched at the mention of his relative the famoustrickster.
G;esG the troll a"reed. GHe is a little rabbit.G
G*id Nanaboooo send #ouIG The 2"imauh "rew ver# fierce.
GNo m=ordKG Baub-oooo protested his innocence. His relativema# be powerful but he was nothin" but trouble. Baub-oooo had no
desire to be linked to Nanaboooo. G came here on m# own
m=ordKGThe 2"imauh clasped his hands behind his back as he re"arded
the little anitou. GBh# would a timid little rabbit sneak into the
midst of the Horde and venture into m# tent to hear what is said hereIGBaub-oooo tried to maintain his innocent act thou"h it was
difficult to do so in @ramliches clutches with the troll droolin" over
him.The 2"imauh bent down to brin" his face close lookin" Baub-
oooo in the e#e GBhat have #ou to do with the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG
Baub-oooo shrank awa# as best he could in the trolls stron"
"rasp. He stuttered GN-nothin" m=ordKGThe 2"imauh sneered at him. G;ou lie. t is rumored the =ad#
$ki-ikwe "ave the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi to a anitoussiwuk even as the
Horde was invadin" the =and 1etween the +k# Baters.GThe 2"imauh looked off to the north. GBhat better place to hide
the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi than in the Lnfinished HillsIG
n spite of himself Baub-oooo whimpered.2f a sudden the 2"imauh pounced on Baub-oooo a"ain. GBhat
did #ou do with the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG
G lost itKG Baub-oooo spoke before he knew what he was
sa#in".G;ou lost itKG the 2"imauh was incredulous.
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G lost it in the Lnfinished HillsG Baub-oooo whined. GThat is
the truthK t was beside me one ni"ht when went to sleep and in themornin" it was "one.GG;ou lost itIG the 2"imauh still did not believe him.
Gve been searchin" for it ever sinceG Baub-oooo insisted.
G+hould tear off one of his armsIG @ramliche "rabbed his leftarm and wrenched it.
Baub-oooo cried out.
G;ou know eactl# where the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi isG the2"imauh told him brookin" no ar"ument Gand #ou will lead us to it.
f not then will feed #ou to @ramliche and his men piece b# piece.G
To emphasie this threat @ramliche transferred his "rip to the
back of Baub-oooos neck and bit off one of his ears.Baub-oooo screamed. 1lood flowed wet down the side of his
head.
@ramliche chewed and swallowed. GThis rabbit is ver# tast#. want another bite.G He menaced Baub-oooo with his sharp teeth.
G2ka#KG Baub-oooo pleaded. G will do as #ou askKG
GBhere is the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG the 2"imauh demanded.Baub-oooo knew better than to "ive them the location. The#
would have the 2deDimaa and there would be no need to keep him
alive. Gt is hiddenK ;ou will never find it on #our own not even if "ive #ou directions.G
The 2"imauh scowled a"ain. @ramliche "nashed his teeth.
G can take #ou thereKG Baub-oooo offered. G can take #ou to
itKGG+o #ou shallG the 2"imauh said. G$nd #ou better not tr# to trick
us. @ramliches crew has an even bi""er appetite than he does.G
@ramliche chuckled.G>eep a close e#e on this anitoussiwukG the 2"imauh ordered.
GTomorrow he will lead us to the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.G
G;es 2"imauh.G
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). %a&b'oooo and ramliche -&n a -ace
G2nce we have the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi nothin" will stop us. Firstwe will unite the entire Horde and then we will overrun
Baawi#ekami". $ll the treasures of the universe will be ours.G
@ramliche was seated before a campfire. First thin" after leavin"
the 2"imauhs tent he found a stout leather cord to tie around Baub-oooos neck. 1# this leash the troll dra""ed Baub-oooo about the
camp the latter stru""lin" to keep up so the leash would not a""ravate
his wounded ear causin" it to bleed a"ain.The net stop was a lar"e communit# cook pot that reeked of
overcooked meat and nobod# knew what else. @ramliche "or"ed
himself on this stew eatin" a prodi"ious amount. He threw a fewscraps on the "round for Baub-oooo but the anitoussiwuk would
not have eaten them even if the# had been served on a plate instead of
the trampled soil. Baub-oooo was a strict ve"etarian0 his di"estives#stem would not handle meat even if he felt a desire to eat dead flesh.
$fter feastin" @ramliche appropriated a skin full of alcohol from
some o"res and found himself a seat at a fire. Bhile he drank he kept
a ti"ht hold on Baub-oooos leash makin" him sit like a pet at thetrolls smell# feet occasionall# reachin" down to "ive his head a pat.
The alcohol loosened his ton"ue. He called Baub-oooo his pet
and talked of how his pet would soon make him rich. Baub-oooo
listened and looked for a wa# to win his freedom while i"norin" therancid odor of the monsters feet and the pain at the side of his head
where once his ear had been.@ramliche held up the half empt# skin and spread his arms to take
in the stars in the sk# overhead. G will be the treasurer of all the
worldsK That will make me the richest troll that ever lived. $ll others
will bow before meKGGs that what the 2"imauh promised: to make #ou his treasurer.G
Baub-oooo tested the trolls lo#alt#. GBhat makes #ou think he will
keep his wordIGGFoolish petG @ramliche aimed a kick at Baub-oooo Eust
missin" the wounded side of his head as Baub-oooo scurried out ofthe wa#. The troll reeled him back in. GThe 2"imauh knows howvaluable @ramliche is. have served him ver# well. Bithout me he
would have no followers.G
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@ramliche lifted his le". Baub-oooo prepared to dod"e another
kick. nstead the troll blasted a foul fart that nearl# caused theanitoussiwuk to pass out. @ramliche lau"hed as his pet choked onthe noious fumes.
G;ou know nothin"G @ramliche admonished his pet. G@ramliche
was the most powerful troll in Baasawekami".G He beat his chest. Gamassed a mountain of "oldK ore than an# troll ever dreamed of.
kept it in a cave where no one could touch it.G
GHow come #ou arent at #our cave ri"ht now "uardin" all that"oldIG Baub-oooo probed GHow do #ou know it is still safeIG
GThe 2"imauh is keepin" it safe for meG @ramliche swore as
much to assure himself as his pet.
G never heard of a troll "ivin" his treasure to someone else tokeep it safe for him. ;ou dont sound all that powerful to me.G
@ramliche #anked on the leash chokin" Baub-oooo and causin"
his wound to sur"e with pain. GFoolish petK ;ou must learn #ourplace.G
The troll drank some more. =owerin" the skin he wiped his
mouth with the back of his hand and "aed at the fire. $fter a momenthe allowed Gt is true the 2"imauh tricked me when first we met. 1ut
we have done "reat thin"s to"ether.G
GTricked #ou. HowIG@ramliche leered at the memor#. GHe made all m# "old vanish.G
G seeG Baub-oooo ventured. GThen he blackmailed #ou.G
Gt is no blackmailG @ramliche insisted. G# treasure is safe. He
will return it with tenfold more when we have the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.$nd we will have it soon now that we have #ou.G @ramliche chuckled
and tu""ed on the leash.
Baub-oooo thou"ht he saw a wa# out of his captivit#. GHowlon" has it been since he spirited awa# #our treasureI ll bet #ou are
achin" to "et it back.G
Gt has been a lon" timeG @ramliche allowed. Gt has taken #earsto draw to"ether the Horde. 1ut will have m# treasure tomorrow.
$nd much much more.G
GTomorrowIG Baub-oooo baited his trap. GBh# wait for
tomorrow when #ou could have it toni"htIGGTomorrow we will "ather forces to make the Eourne#.G
@ramliche drank from the skin nearl# empt#in" it.
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G;ou dont need o"res and "oblins and #ou dont need to wait
until tomorrow. ;ou and could fetch it within the hour.GGBhat do #ou meanIG @ramliche "lared at Baub-oooo. Hisvoice held doubt but there was "reed in his e#es.
GThere is a doorwa# in the woods outside of this campG Baub-
oooo told the troll. Gt is a two-wa# door that leads to the 2deDimaa1a"waEi and back a"ain.
@ramliche leapt up and tottered around for a moment as he found
his balance. He seemed to sniff at the air. G sense no doorwa#KGGt is hidden but it is thereG Baub-oooo insisted. GHow do #ou
think reached this camp without runnin" afoul of #our sentriesIG
@ramliche considered. n the end his drunken "reed won out.
GTake me to this doorwa#.GGf #ou insist.G nwardl# Baub-oooo patted himself on the back.
$ drunken troll was an eas# creature to manipulate.
Baub-oooo led @ramliche throu"h the camp. Careenin"drunkenl# the troll had a tendenc# to tu" on the leash chokin" the
anitoussiwuk and provokin" a fresh wave of pain from his wound.
Baub-oooo also had to be war# least the other creatures crowdedto"ether in the valle# most of them much bi""er than he should
trod him underfoot. Fortunatel# he mana"ed to avoid bein" flattened
and the# soon left the camp climbin" out of the valle# to the ed"e ofthe forest.
GThe leak lies this wa#.G Baub-oooo pointed and altered course.
He was brou"ht up short on the end of the leash chokin" as he was
almost pulled off his feet.GBait a minuteKG @ramliche "rumbled. The troll drew aside his
loincloth. @raspin" his "ruesome member he started urinatin" aimin"
a steamin" stream at the unsuspectin" anitoussiwuk.The urine stun" where it hit him. Baub-oooo sJuawked and
hastened to step out of the shower. @ramliche lau"hed as he made a
sport of chasin" Baub-oooo with his stream of urine. $s the trollheld the leash ti"ht in one hand while aimin" his stream with the other
Baub-oooo could onl# run in a circle around the monster. This he did
with such speed the intoicated troll could not keep up with him.
n short order Baub-oooo had the leash wrapped around thetrolls le"s. *i# from spinnin" around @ramliche tumbled to the
"round pissin" on himself. He let "o of the leash as he fell.
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The anitoussiwuk turned a somersault and landed on his feet
runnin". He reeled in the leash as he ran so it would not be cau"ht ona branch. 1ein" much smaller than the troll he cut throu"h theunderbrush usin" his sie to his advanta"e.
@ramliche re"ained his feet with a howl and took off after theanitoussiwuk. +hould his pet make "ood his escape @ramliche
would be in bi" trouble. The 2"imauh would not return his treasure.
He mi"ht suffer even worse punishment. He had seen what the2"imauh did to servants who failed him and @ramliche was not about
to meet that a"oniin" end.
He tore his wa# strai"ht throu"h the brush and trees pa#in" noheed when he was whipped b# branches or cut b# thorns. The
anitoussiwuk had a "ood lead on him and the little creature had an
advanta"e in these woods but @ramliche mana"ed to keep him withinsi"ht.
The anitoussiwuk led him throu"h the woods until it bolted
across a small clearin". Here @ramliche was able to close the "ap
makin" bi" strides with his lon" le"s brin"in" him closer to the smallrabbit.
$s the# neared the far side of the clearin" it looked like
@ramliche would catch his Juarr#. Must a couple more strides and he
would be able to reach out and snatch his pre#. The anitoussiwukput on a last burst of speed in its effort to escape. @ramliche increased
his own pace to overtake the creature. He reached out to "rab hold ofhis defiant pet and the anitoussiwuk was "one.
@ramliche halted so suddenl# he nearl# fell over. Bhere had the
anitoussiwuk "oneI @ramliche doubted it had the abilit# to become
invisible thou"h he could not completel# discount the possibilit#. Helooked all around him shoutin" GBhere are #ou m# petI That was a
nice little "ame. ;ou beat old @ramliche. Now show #ourselfKG
There was no response. The woods were Juiet. The onl# noisecame from the camp.
@ramliche studied the spot where the anitoussiwuk disappeared.He could see nothin" there. Could the little anitou have been tellin"the truth about the doorwa#I Could it be here in front of him thou"h
he saw nothin"I
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His head still cloud# with alcohol @ramliche tried to think this
throu"h. f there was a doorwa# here it mi"ht not lead to the2deDimaa 1a"waEi as the anitoussiwuk had said but it was unlikel#it led to an#place dan"erous or the anitoussiwuk would not have
used it. @ramliche could not end his pursuit until he cau"ht the little
anitou. He could not return to the camp without it.,mboldened b# these thou"hts @ramliche took a step. Nothin"
happened. He was still standin" in the woods over the valle# the noise
of the camp echoin" to him.He took two more steps and then the world around him vanished.
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4.-ene Follo!s the .&sic
@randma Aena had ur"ed Aene to take up her fiddle and hold afront porch session Eust a couple da#s a"o. Aene was downcast read#
to "ive up the fiddle. +he had auditioned for a local rock band but
found her old time fiddle st#le did not work with the sort of music the#
pla#ed. The lead "uitarist poked fun at her for pla#in" Gthat old shitGand she had been lau"hed out of the rehearsal. Aene fled to her
"randmothers cabin and set the fiddle in a corner where she
attempted to for"et it.+he left it there when she returned home late that evenin". 1ut she
came back earl# the net da# and the first thin" she did was look to
make sure the fiddle was ri"ht where she left it. $lthou"h it wasalwa#s on her mind she did not touch it throu"hout the da#.
+he kept bus# doin" chores for @randma Aena. $fter dinner
@randma Aena took down her drum and tried to lead Aene into ashamanic trance. The# were no more successful than on an# of their
previous attempts. n fact this time the fiddlin" in Aenes head was so
loud it practicall# drowned out the drummin". Aene broke down in
frustration. GBhats da useI m sorr# "randma but Eust cant do dis.m no shaman.G
GNonsenseG @randma Aena told her. G;ou have da power widin
#ou. can feel it. Perhaps da time Eust aint ri"ht #et eh.G This did not
make Aene feel much better. Gt is stuff# in here. =ets sit on da porcheh.G
Aene held the door open for her "randmother and followed herout. Aena sat back in her wattle rocker and Aene sat on the porch
steps han"in" her head and mopin".
GBheres #er fiddleIG @randma Aena asked her.
GnsideG Aene answered not wantin" to think about it thou"h itwas all she could think about.
G@et it.G
G$w "randmaG Aene protested.G wanna hear some fiddle musicG @randma Aena demanded.
G2ka#G Aene went into the house and soon returned bearin" herfiddle. +he started pla#in" The =ampli"hters Hornpipe. $t first shepla#ed half-heartedl#. 1efore she knew it however she was immersed
in her fiddle pla#in". Those dumb kids didnt know what the# were
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talkin" about. Aene would show them these old fiddle tunes were
eternal.@randma Aena rocked as her "randdau"hter pla#ed. +heremembered other Otis fiddlers she had known dances and socials.
ostl# she remembered her son sittin" on this porch pla#in" man# of
these ver# tunes. +he felt her son drawn b# his "randdau"htersfiddlin". The music seemed to flow around his presence makin" him
palpable. For the first time @randma Aena appreciated the ma"ic of
her "randdau"hters fiddle pla#in".G2f courseKG she eclaimed as she stomped her foot. +tartled
Aene screeched to a sudden halt and looked over to see if her
"randmother was alri"ht.
G$ hundred #ears still makes a foolKG @randma Aena cursedherself. To Aene she said GChild we been "oin about dis all wron".
been tr#in to teach #ou wid da old wa#s but #er part of a new
"eneration and #ou "ot #our own wa# to power eh. For"et about dadrum #ou have da fiddle.G
GHuhIG Aene was not Juite sure she understood.
GBhere does #er mind "o when #ou pla# da fiddleIGG dunno. nto da music "uess.G
G*oes #er mind empt# out but for da musicIG
G;eah.GGAeneG her "randmother said Gwe was wron" tr#in ta chase dat
music outta #er head cu dats how #ou meditate eh. ;ou need ta
follow dat music en empt# #er mind of ever#tin" else. Tr# itKG
Aene tucked the fiddle under her chin and held the bow over thestrin"s. +he hesitated for a moment waitin" for the commotion in her
head to settle down. That it did and soon she heard a melod#. $t first
it was @aspOs Aeel that she heard. +he pla#ed followin" wherever themelod# in her head mi"ht lead. @aspOs Aeel "ave wa# to somethin"
different somethin" she had never heard before.
1efore she knew it she was improvisin" freel# producin" newmelodies. The music she pla#ed resembled old time fiddle tunes but it
wandered at will outside of the normal fiddle tune forms. n a wa#
what she pla#ed now was purer than the fiddle tunes from which it
was derived. t lacked an# be"innin" or end0 one melod# simpl# ledinto another the rh#thm of her pla#in" modif#in" and chan"in" as she
went alon".
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+he closed her e#es as she pla#ed and the world around her faded
awa# alon" with all her cares and worries. There was Eust her and herfiddle "ivin" epression to the moment. Then the boundaries betweenher and her fiddle fell awa#. +he was her fiddle and as one the# were
the epression of the ever chan"in" moment.
There was onl# eistence and eistence was the son" she san".,istence resided within the note as she uttered it and throu"h that
note was epressed the entire s#mphon# of eistence. +he was the
son" of the world and throu"h this son" she was linked to ever#thin"that eisted ever#thin" that had ever eisted and ever#thin" that ever
would eist.
The music bent back on itself in a delicate displa# of color and
motion. Flittin" about the music took form and Aene almost "aspedas she reco"nied that form. t was a butterfl# a lar"e and beautiful
butterfl#. Aene had alwa#s felt some connection to butterflies. To her
the# were creatures of Eo# and friendship. $nd now she was deli"htedto have the butterfl# dancin" to her music.
Aene opened her e#es and there it was the butterfl# fl#in" circles
about her head. Aene stopped pla#in" the fiddle as she watched theephemeral creature. t li"hted on her fiddle scroll and seemed to sit
there for a moment re"ardin" her. Then it flew off and vanished into
the twili"ht.Aene lowered her fiddle. G@randma did Ea see datIG
G;es did.G
GBhat sort a butterfl# was dat hehIG Aene had not felt such open-
e#ed wonder since she was a little child.G*at was no butterfl#G @randma Aena told her. G*at was a
1a"waEinini a nature spirit.G @randma Aena seemed Juite impressed
b# the encounter and a little humbled. +he "ot up from the rockin"chair and laid hold of a braid of sweet "rass that hun" down from the
porch awnin" where it was dr#in".
G am a foolish old woman eh. Here been tr#in ta help #ou reachda inner world when #a been Eourne#in dere all alon". Now #ou "ot a
spirit "uide.G
+he handed the sweet "rass to Aene. GHere burn some a dis to
tank da 1a"waEinini. ll "et some tobacco so #ou can make a properpresent.G From the folds of her dress she fetched out a pack of
matches and passed them to Aene. Then she went into the cabin.
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t took Aene three matches before she was able to li"ht the sweet
"rass braid on fire. The sweet smoke was wafted awa# b# a la#breee that seemed to carr# it the same direction into which thebutterfl# disappeared.
Aene thou"ht of what had Eust happened. @randma Aena was
ri"ht0 she made a similar Eourne# ever# time she pla#ed the fiddle. ;etnormall# when she was practicin" tunes she Eust scratched the surface
whereas toni"ht she had plumbed the depths.
@randma Aena soon returned with a twist of ndian tobacco and asharp knife. Aene carved off some of the tobacco and placed it on the
top step of the porch as an offerin" to the butterfl# spirit.
@randma Aena re"arded her solemnl# as Aene recounted
ever#thin" she felt durin" her trance. G;ou alread# found da pathwiddin dat connects #ou to da rest a da world. $nd #ou have a
powerful spirit "uide. Be been dra""in our feet when we should be
runnin. ts time for #ou to Eourne# to da spirit world.GAene was filled with wonder and not a little fear. GHowIG
G;er music will take #ou and #er spirit "uide will lead da wa#
eh.G
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G
5.-ene hases the .&sic
Aene would make her Eourne# on +aturda# ni"ht. @randma Aenawould tell her no more. Aene was not even sure if the Eourne# would
be spiritual or ph#sical thou"h she suspected the former.
+he looked forward to the eperience with some trepidation. t
would be an adventure. Finall# she had found a wa# to follow in@randma Aenas spiritual footsteps. $nd to think the means had been
as close at hand as her own fiddlestick. +he looked at her fiddle and
bow in a new li"ht and she pla#ed with a new respect for the powercontained in this old music.
Thou"h she kept an e#e out for it especiall# while she was
fiddlin" she did not see the lar"e butterfl# a"ain. +omethin" about ittickled at her memor# and with a little effort she remembered the
make-believe friend she either ima"ined or dreamed ma#be both.
Aene had not thou"ht of the little "irl in #ears0 the child had fadedfrom her mind as she "rew up. Now that she thou"ht of her however
the memor# was too vivid to be an illusion. Funn# what was her
nameI eme or somethin" like that.
+he and eme had man# "rand adventures to"ether. How couldshe have for"ottenI ,cept it had onl# been her ima"ination. +he was
Eust a lonel# little "irl who needed a friend so bad she made one up.
$h but the# had some "rand adventures to"ether. eme would take
her to a fair#land where the# could pla# for hours. $nd when the timecame to sa# "oodb#e eme would transform herself into a lar"e
butterfl# and fl# awa#.Aene seemed to remember one time in particular when the# were
pla#in" in the fair#land. Aene must have been about seven #ears old
and her visits with eme were "rowin" less freJuent. n fact this ma#
have been the last time she ima"ined her pla#mate.2n this occasion eme was showin" her how to pla# a blade of
"rass. eme was forever teachin" her thin"s. For an ima"inar# friend
she held a surprisin" wealth of knowled"e and wisdom. eme wouldhold a blade of "rass between her thumbs and blow on it.
From this blade of "rass she could produce a sound somewhatlike a trumpet. 1# manipulatin" the blade of "rass and the sie of thespace between her thumbs she could chan"e the pitch. Bith this
primitive wind instrument eme pla#ed simple melodies.
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Aene wanted to learn this skill. +he thou"ht there was nothin" she
wanted to do in this life so much as to make music like her friend.eme tried to show her how to do it but Aene could not "et the knackof it. The harder she tried the more impossible it became. Finall#
Aene threw awa# the blade of "rass she was usin" cr#in" in
frustration.eme comforted her soothin" her hurt spirits until she stopped
cr#in". $s she wiped awa# her last tears Aene heard music eJuisite
music fillin" the air. t was a Eo#ful bubblin" melod# that made herfor"et her ill spirits of a moment before.
G*o #ou hear datIG she asked her friend.
G;es.G The infectious melod# seemed to invade their bodies and
made them move of their own accord. GCome lets danceKGeme took Aenes hands and the two "irls danced in circles
lau"hin" and skippin". The# danced around and around until the#
were di# and ehausted. +till the music continued.GBheres it comin fromIG Aene wondered. GBhos makin" dis
musicIG
G*o #ou not knowIG eme asked.GNo.G Aene needed to find out. GCome lets follow itKG
Aene ran across the field in the direction from which the music
was comin". $fter a while she stopped and listened a"ain. +he turnedall the wa# around puled as to the source of the music. t seemed to
be comin" from all around her.
+he looked at eme.
GAeneG eme told her Gthe music is comin" from #ou.GGHow could itIG
G;ou are makin" it.G ,ven as eme said so Aene knew it was
true. GThis is #our music. t is #our "ift and someda# #ou will learnhow to brin" out this "ift so the whole world can share in it.G
+o this was where Aene first discovered her musical talent lon"
before she picked up the fiddle. Those old fiddle tunes were a part ofher before she heard an#one else perform them. How could she have
for"otten this incident even if it was onl# a dreamI
There was somethin" about eme more si"nificant than Eust an
ima"inar# friend. ;et Aene had no clue as to what that si"nificancewas. +he thou"ht about eme often over the net few da#s
particularl# when she was pla#in" the fiddle.
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6.-ene, the .is*it
f onl# her real friends were as supportive. +hawna =aswellshowed up at the *eClaire house on +aturda#. Aene was pla#in" the
fiddle in her room when her friend walked in unannounced.
G been tr#in to call #a all da# hehG +hawna said as she flopped
down on the bed. GHow come #er cell phones offIGGm out a minutesG Aene told her as she put her fiddle awa#.
GMill Harrisons havin" a bi" part# toni"htG +hawna informed her.
GHer parents are out-a-town. ;ou wanna "oIGGNo.G
GBh# notIG +hawna could not believe Aene would decline a
part#. GMustins band will be pla#in dere.GG2h and dats supposed to "ive me an incentive to "oIG
GAeneG her friend confronted her. G*e# liked #er pla#in Mustin
told me so himself. ts Eust dat old stuff #ou pla# heh. f #ou wouldtr# sometin else.G
Gm not interested in an#tin else.G
G@od Aene #ou can be so stubborn.G +hawna rolled her e#es.
G@o to da part# and tr# to familiarie #erself wid what de# pla# heh.GG*a stuff de# pla# has no soul.G Aene sat on the ed"e of her
dresser.
G,n dat dead old stuff #ou listen to doesI ;ou "ot talent "irl but
#er wastin it on dat old crap.GGt is not crapG Aene was "rowin" an"r#. G$n#wa# told m#
"randmother d help her toni"ht.GGCanchu help her anudder ni"htI *is could be da part# of da
summer. ;ou don wanna miss it.G
Gm not "oin.G
+hawna "ave her a look as thou"h she had some "rotesJue socialdisease. G;ou can be a real bitch.G
G+o can #ouG Aene replied. +he went to the door of her room and
held it open. GNow if #oull hurr# off ta #er part# wanna "et back tom# drear# old fiddle tunes.G
GFineG +hawna headed for the door. G*ont bother puttin moreminutes on #er phone cu sure wont be callin #a.G
GBhateverG Aene tried to pretend +hawnas remark did not hurt.
G1e sure to "ive Mustin m# re"ards.G
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GBill do.G +hawna left and Aene closed the door behind her.
Aene took out her fiddle and started pla#in" a"ain. 1efore sheknew it she was sittin" on the bed with the fiddle in her lap cr#in".+he had thou"ht +hawna would at least respect her individualit#. 1ut
no even +hawna was chasin" after conformit# in her own wa#. Bould
she never have a true friend outside of her ima"inationIThere was a knock at the door. Then she heard her mothers voice.
G+hawna didn sta# lon". ;ou alri"htIG
Aene tried to compose herself as her mother opened the door. Tr#thou"h she mi"ht it was impossible to hide her tears from her mother.
Mud# came into the room and sat beside her on the bed. +he
hu""ed her dau"hter. GBhats wron"IG
GNobod# understands meG Aene blurted out. +he amended GNoone but #ou and "randma. Bhats wron" wid meI Bh# don fit inIG
GAene hone#.G Her mother rocked her and she cried with her head
on her mothers shoulder. G*is white mans world doesnt have an#place in it for artists. ;er an artist an ndian and a woman. *ats three
strikes "ainst #ou in dis world.
G;er a ver# special person en sometimes don even understand#ouG Mud# admitted. G1utcha "otta be true to #erself eh. ;ou be
#erself en #er "onna shine child. +hine bri"ht as #ou can en da world
will come to #ou eh.GGMa.G Aene forced a smile. G*ats watchu alwa#s tell us. dunno.
a#be was born a hunnerd #ears too late.G
GNow don talk like datG Mud# counseled. G;ou Eus lecherself
shine. ;ou li"ht up dat music en people will take notice. ;ou Eust aintfound da ri"ht audience #et.G
Mud# considered a moment. GBhat about dat blue"rass festival
net monthI Be been "oin to dat for #ears now and #ou aint everbrou"ht #er fiddle eh. ;er "ood enou"h. *on #a tink its time #a
didIG
GMaG Aene a"reed. +he had avoided takin" her fiddle alon"because she did not pla# blue"rass. +he fiddled in the old Otis
tradition. Not that she could not pla# blue"rass if she wanted. a#be it
was time to tr#. Her st#le of fiddlin" had more in common with
blue"rass than with the commercial hard rock pla#ed b# Mustins band.t mi"ht be nice to Eoin in some of the campfire Eams at the blue"rass
festival.
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GPetes takin me to Ha"art#s dis evenin.G Mohn Ha"art#s Pub was
one of the most popular ni"ht spots in arJuette. Gll talk ta Mohn andsee if #a can pla# dere sometime.GGTanks mom.G Aene cheered up a little.
GNaw.G Her mother waved awa# her "ratitude. Gts time #a started
earnin a little mone#. f #er so intent on bein a fiddler den #a "ottamake dat fiddle work for #a eh.G
Aene smiled. That was her mom alwa#s miin" a health# dose of
practicalit# with her idealism.G*ats better.G Her mom smiled back at her. G;er "oin over to
@randma Aenas toni"htIG Aene nodded. G;a want me to run #a over
dereIG
GPlease.GG2ka# den. =es "o.G
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/0 -ene .akes a 1on# 2o&rney
@randma Aena purified Aene and her fiddle with sweet "rass andcedar smoke. 1efore takin" her to the place where she would work
ma"ic @randma Aena had a little talk with her.
G+ome people tr# all der lives to visit da +pirit Borld. t took me
three #ears before made it dere eh. ;ou mi"ht not succeed toni"htbut it wouldnt surprise me if #ou did.
GFor dose who been to da +pirit Borld its eas# to tell when
someone else has been dere. *eres a feel aboucha dat #er no lon"ercompletel# of dis world eh. ;ou can tell.
GAene knew when #ou were Eust a little "irl dat #oud alread#
visited da +pirit Borld. t was on #ou stron". +o stron" wondered if#ou were a 1a"waEinini dat took human form. *at happens sometimes
eh. been watchin #ou close ever since to make sure #er safe.
G*a +pirit Borld is full a wonders but its also full a dan"er eh.*ere are evil bein"s dat would seek out a human if de# cau"ht scent a
one. +ome would make a meal of #a but some will tr# to imprison #er
soul en take #er form. ;ou have to be ver# careful in da +pirit Borld.G
@randma Aena reached into a pocket at her side and drew out asmall suede pouch on a rawhide strap. +he handed the pouch to Aene.
GPut dis over #er neck. >eep it on at all times.G
Aene accepted the pouch. t was plump thou"h ver# li"ht. $s she
put it on she noted it had a pleasant odor of herbs.G*is will cover #er scent in da +pirit Borld makin #a hard to
track. t will not hide #a completel#. $n evil bein" will know #erhuman b# si"ht en dis sachet will not prevent dem from la#in hold a
#a. ;ou must be ver# careful in da +pirit Borld.G
G willG Aene vowed.
G*a first time #a visit da +pirit Borld its eas# to tink its a dreamor a vision. 1ut da +pirit Borld is Eust as real as dis world. ;ou can
"et hurt dere en #ou can die. ,n what happens to #a dere happens to
#a here eh.GAene nodded her head.
GNow dat ve put a scare in #a lemme tell #a da +pirit Borldsfull a wonders. ost a da anitou dere are "ood en de# like humans.@ood anitou will help #a. *e# can aid #a in man# wa#s. +ome a da
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1a"waEinini are full a mischief but even de# mean #a no harm eh.
*e# Eus like a "ood Eoke is all.G;ou watch out for Nanaboooo now. Hes ver# powerful buthes alwa#s "ettin into trouble. ;er not likel# to meet him but if #a do
watch out. Hes "ood at heart but hes almost as much trouble as da
evil ones.G@randma Aena fell silent for a moment. Aene wondered if she
was done. +he had alread# said more than she told Aene in the past
#ear. However Aene sta#ed silent waitin" for @randma Aena to lether know when she was finished.
Presentl# the elder spoke a"ain. Gt used to be #ou could "o to da
+pirit Borld widout worr#in bout trouble. visited da anitou for
#ears before first saw a Beendi"o or a Pau"uk. *ere were stories ofevil ones what da anitou called da 1i"ishkanad $wi#a":
Corrupted 2nes. 1ut de# was alwa#s Eus stories about distant lands
and da spirit world visited was peaceful as ever.G*en about fift# #ears a"o it all chan"ed. For a while none a us
shamans could even "o to da spirit world no matter how hard we
tried. Bhen we finall# did "et dere it was different. *a anitou werehidden awa# en da land was full a sorrow. ,n #a had to watch out for
da evil ones.
G spent man# #ears seekin out da anitou tr#in to find out whathappened. *e# told me da Horde invaded der land en killed man# a da
more powerful anitou. an# a da anitou dat survived fled to
distant worlds. *a ones dat didn mostl# da 1a"waEinini sta# hidden.
*e# would all be doomed should da 2deDimaa 1a"waEi ever fall intoda hands a da evil ones.G
GBhat is dis 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG Aene interrupted.
G dunnoG @randma Aena answered. GNo one would tell me.$pparentl# when da Horde came it was hidden awa#. *a anitou
dont even know where it is but de# know its safe cu if da evil ones
had it all would be lost.G*e# sa# da evil ones en da invasions tied to da white men en us.
,n a few a dem sa# someda# a human bein" who is pure of heart en
well connected to da world will come to claim da 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.
,n den da spirit world will be restored en da evil ones will bedefeated.G
Gt sounds like sometin" out of a bookG Aene eclaimed.
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G*ont mistake it for a stor#. 1e ver# careful when #ou visit da
spirit world. f #ou "o dere toni"ht dont sta# lon". Take a Juick lookaround en come ri"ht back. f #ou succeed #er spirit "uide will bewaitin for #a. Talk to it en alwa#s heed its advice.G
@randma Aena stood up. GNow it is time. Take #er fiddle en
follow me.G@randma Aena led alon" a pathwa# up the side of the rid"e to the
southeast of her cabin. t was a strenuous climb strenuous enou"h that
when the# reached the top Aene was out of breath. t shamed her thatwhile she had to fi"ht to catch her breath her "reat "randmother
somewhere over a hundred #ears old hardl# showed the eertion.
Aene made a mental note to be"in a new eercise re"imen.
Bhile her "reat "randdau"hter cau"ht her breath @randma Aenalooked out at the darkenin" mesas and talked about the Huron
ountains. G told #a dere are rifts in dese mountains. an# times
told #a to be careful bout pla#in #er fiddle out here eh.GAene nodded her head as she stru""led for breath.
GBell toni"ht is differentG @randma Aena said. GBhen we "et
where were "oin wancha to pla# dat fiddle for all #er worth eh.G+he looked west at the settin" sun. GCome on. wanna "et down
off a here before it "ets too dark.G
Bith a last "asp for breath Aene followed her "randmother acrossthe top of the rid"e. +he led her to a clearin" on the northeast side of
the mesa lookin" out over the Hurons and =ake +uperior.
GHeres da placeG @randma Aena announced. Aene found a
boulder to sit on.G*eres a rift here used man# times to reach da spirit world.
open dis rift b# pla#in da drum and sin"in. m "uessin #ou could open
it wid dat fiddle too eh.GAene sat the fiddle case at her feet.
Gt can take a while. First #a "otta put cherself in a deep trance.
2nce #a start don ever stop pla#in dat fiddle. 1uild up a "ood rh#thmen keep dose notes sin"in out. Can #a pla# dat tin" all ni"ht widout
stoppinIG
G suppose soG Aene said. Gve never tried it.G
GBell nows #er chance ehG @randma Aena cackled. GPla# dattin" til #a feel #erself travel over to da spirit world or til da sun comes
up.G
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@randma Aena found a stick and used it to trace a circle around
the boulder where Aene was sittin". uch of the circle was drawnover bare rock where it made no imprint.G+it or stand it makes no difference but sta# inside dat circle. *is
rift is different from most. +o lon" as #er in dis circle da rift will brin"
#a back from da spirit world. 1ut if #a leave da circle #a "otta findanother wa# back.G
G will sta# hereG Aene confirmed.
G*en ll see #a in da mornin. ;ou can climb down off damountain at first li"ht.G
@randma Aena took her leave. G;ou be careful child. ll send out
blessin"s to keep #a from harm.G
Bith these words @randma Aena set off to return to her cabin.G@oodb#e "randmotherG Aene called after her. Gll see #a in da
mornin.G
Then she was alone in the wilderness preparin" to activate somekind of portal. $ part of her felt like chasin" after @randma Aena and
sa#in" 91et9s $&st *or#et da !hole t9in#091ut she sta#ed ri"ht where she
was.=oneliness moved in with the darkness loneliness and
vulnerabilit#. The darkness and the solitude left her feelin" spooked.
Aenes foot tapped the violin case. There was one wa# to chaseher fears awa#. 1est to "et down to business. Aene opened up the
fiddle case and took out the fiddle and the bow. +he ti"htened the hairs
on the bow and checked to make sure her fiddle was in tune and then
she started pla#in".+he be"an with an old fiddle tune called The Cherokee +huffle
also known as The =ost ndian. t was one of her favorite fiddle tunes.
+he hoped the second name was not too apt "iven her circumstances.$s she fiddled she thou"ht about ever#thin" her "randmother told
her this evenin". The spirit world had been invaded. Bho woulda
thunk. $nd it was all due to mankinds i"norance. Now thatshe couldappreciate. 1ut if the anitou were waitin" for a pure human bein" to
save them the# would have a lon" wait. There were no pure human
bein"s not in this world.
@randma Aena had to be the onl# pure human bein" left. Therewas her brother livin" out in these mountains somewhere. ;et even he
had a past not to mention what happened to him in raJ. Aene could
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think of no one else who was an#where near pure certainl# not
herself. Not that she was happ# with the wa# the world was.There was somethin" wron" with all this mass consumption notto mention the monetar# basis of societ#. @ime "ime "ime. This
"reed and "ross "lutton# would be the death of us. Human bein"s
wanted to horde all of creation and not share an# of it not even theirrefuse. The# did not respect an#thin" and so the# were lackin" in
respect themselves.
There was somethin" fundamentall# wron" with a world where#our abilit# to enEo# even the basic necessities depended on #our
monetar# worth. No one should be able to stomach their own affluence
while another person is starvin". $nd where that affluence and over-
consumption is supported b# the economic enslavement of others thatis obscene.
$s she pla#ed Aene thou"ht about this world she inhabited. Be
are a societ# of corpulent sociopathic arie $ntoinettes. $nd we areso lost in our consumer lifest#les we cant see that we are wallowin" in
our own filth. Be are so addicted to our techno-to#s that without them
we would perish. Be are so bus# consumin" we cannot evenappreciate the products upon which we en"or"e ourselves not for
lon".
2ur brains are so over-stimulated and our attention spans are soatrophied we cannot think for ourselves an#more. Be have lost our
abilit# to appreciate the simple thin"s in life. $nd in losin" that we
lose our abilit# to appreciate and cherish life itself.
Aenes music took on a dark ed"e mirrorin" her thou"hts. Nowthat darkness was transformed to a bitter sadness almost pathetic.
=istenin" to herself pla# she thou"ht she would never reach her "oal
with her current tonal patterns. +he tried to lose herself in her music#et she wound up thinkin" about her music her ar"ument with
+hawna and her reEection b# Mustins band.
Perhaps that was wh# no one else in her "eneration seemed toappreciate her music. The# did not appreciate life an#more unable to
eperience it throu"h the noise of commercial culture. $nd the simple
fiddle tunes she pla#ed were the son"s of life. +imple thou"h the#
mi"ht be the# were imbued with all the subtle beaut# and power oflife. +omehow she had to communicate that beaut# and power to
others.
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Her pla#in" must be immersed in the raw wonder of life. ,ver#
note must be so full of life it could not be i"nored. 2nce she achievedthat the people around her could not help but listen to her. $nd whenthe# listened perhaps her music would help them to see thin"s as the#
reall# were. f her music awakened somethin" in them the# mi"ht not
be able to "o back to sleep once she was done pla#in". +leepersawakened mi"ht become a force for positive chan"e helpin" to heal
the ills of this world and also the spirit world.
First she must make ever# note she pla#ed ever# fin"erin" anddraw of bow resonate with life. $s Aene lost herself in the music the
rift opened and the world around her vanished. +he entered into the
spirit world without even realiin" it. +he put her heart into the music
makin" ever# note count. $nd she succeeded.Her music was full of life. t was full of Eo# and sadness vital and
ephemeral. ,ach note breathed with power #et ever# note #ielded this
power to the melod# makin" a livin" thin" that moved throu"h timeand marked the world with its passa"e.
The performance was so astonishin" Aene had to stop pla#in".
$nd as she stopped she realied she had her e#es closed. 2penin"them she was astonished to find herself in a different world. +he was
still sittin" on a boulder atop a rid"e but ever#thin" around her had
chan"ed the landscape and the ve"etation. $nd somethin" aboutthis world felt different thou"h before she could Eud"e what it was
she was cau"ht b# another surprise.
G1ravoKG +omeone close b# cheered with deli"ht.
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30 he +orned One %elcomes an Unexpected &est
The 1uck of ulli"an Plains was out surve#in" his domain. Hewas a handsome sta" with a broad powerful chest and a ma"nificent
rack. He was the =ord of the ulli"an Plains and as such he had no
fear of predators or hunters. He was protected b# the power of the
wilderness around him. He would not be taken until his time hadcome and then he would pass his mantle alon" to the capable #oun"
hunter who took him. 1ut that would not be for man# lon" #ears #et.
The life he lived as the man named Henr# >incaid was a dimmemor#. Henr# had been weak and incomplete. $ll his life he had
striven to be at one with the wilderness a desire that was onl# fulfilled
when he hunted down the previous buck of ulli"an Plains and madethe ritual echan"e. He had done this intuitivel# without actuall#
knowin" what was happenin". ;et had he been "iven a conscious
choice he would not have chosen otherwise.f he had one re"ret it was for leavin" behind the woman =ilith
@ordon. Not that he had completel# left her behind. The# still saw
each other often enou"h. Certainl# their relationship had lost
somethin" of its ph#sical intimac# since he became a sta". ;et the#remained close thou"h in a different wa#. The# were tied to"ether
somehow each receivin" a "limmer of the others feelin"s. He alwa#s
knew when she needed him and he alwa#s came. Bhen the# were
to"ether the# communicated throu"h empath#0 no words werenecessar#. 1ut the relationship the# shared as a man and a woman was
lost.That was the closest he came to a re"ret and it was mediated b#
their continued friendship. 1e#ond that his life as the =ord of the
ulli"an Plains left him fulfilled be#ond his wildest dreams.
$s a human he was considered a capable woodsman. 1ut he hadbeen an amateur compared to now. $s the =ord of the ulli"an Plains
he was tied to the wilderness in wa#s he would never have considered
possible. Never mind the enhanced sensor# acuit#. He was linked tothe land around him as full# as he was linked to this bod#.
He was the conscious focus of this wilderness eperiencin" itself.Not a leaf fell an#where in his domain not an ant moved a "rain ofsand without his bein" aware of it. He eperienced life as a s#mphon#
of eistence all around him and he appreciated ever# turn of melod#
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and ever# chan"in" color of orchestration in that s#mphon#. He rode
hi"h on the harmonious "estalt of nature it was the nearest thin" toheaven. t was nirvana d#namic and varie"ated while at the same timeblissfull# empt#.
He could even sense the etension of nature into other worlds
other levels of eistence. This provided the shadin" behind the worldin which he lived the harmonics that built up the basic tones of this
s#mphon#. He knew there were places in his domain where these
various worlds bled into each other. He could hear them as dronin"chords.
Bhile he knew of their eistence he never tried to pass throu"h
one of these connections. His place was here in this world. ;et he was
aware of them and he knew how the# provided a tonal back"round tothe wilderness around him.
=atel# he had sensed a chan"e in the call of these connections
a whine of ur"enc# as thou"h the# were strainin" to make themselvesheard. He noted that all the other animals livin" in his domain were
retreatin" from the area surroundin" these bleed-throu"hs. $nd he had
taken it upon himself to patrol his domain travelin" from one bleed-throu"h to another in a constant circle.
There was somethin" wron" with these connections. +omethin"
malevolent was poised on the other side of man# of them read# tocome throu"h into this world. He could feel it emanatin" from the
world of the anitou the world closest to this one. There was some
infection spreadin" throu"h the spirit worlds some mali"nanc# that
threatened the health of all the worlds.Toni"ht the =ord of the ulli"an Plains felt this ur"enc# increase
in pitch. t felt like the bleed-throu"hs would burst open at an#
moment vomitin" some foul disease into this world. He had meant tosleep in the lon" "rasses of the plain midwa# between one connection
and the net but he could not rest with this insistant alarm pressin" on
his awareness. nstead he spent the ni"ht "allopin" from one bleed-throu"h to another pausin" Eust lon" enou"h to assure himself nothin"
had emer"ed.
n the hours before dawn he paused at #et another connection.
This one seemed taut to the point of burstin" whinin" with the effortto contain realit# on either side of its passa"e. Thou"h he was tired
the =ord of the ulli"an Plains re"arded this bleed-throu"h with a
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"rowin" sense of dread. +omethin" was about to happen ri"ht here he
was sure of it.The =ord of the Plains heard a sJueal. He looked at the tall"rasses Eust a foot awa# from the bleed-throu"h. He strolled over and
lowered his head into the "rasses to investi"ate. There was a bab#
raccoon not much more than si weeks old. t was l#in" on its backchewin" on "rass and its forele"s. $s the =ord of the Plains sniffed the
little ball of mischief it bit his nose and lau"hed. ts intentions ma#
have been pla#ful but those little teeth were like a mouthful ofneedles. The sta" shook free of the little one and backed awa# a step
or two. He wi""led his nose and snorted. The tin# puncture wounds on
his nose bled sli"htl#.
Must then mama raccoon scurried out of the woods. here yo&are, yo& nahty thin# yo&0
+he wrestled her cub down. Notin" the blood on the =ord of the
Plains nose she deduced what happened.%hy yo& scamp: +he "ave the #oun" one a swat that made him
whine. +he apolo"ied for her child.;9m sorry, m91ord0 his little
scamp is al!ays #ettin# into tro&ble0 +e doesn9t kno! yet ho! m&chthose teeth o* his h&rt0 +he bit the cubs ear which caused him to #owl
in pain.
No harm done0 The =ord of the Plains told her. He did not like tosee the lad punished for bein" true to his nature.
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he would have done so despite his sore nose. Now therewas one thin"
he did miss from bein" human: the abilit# to lau"h out loud.1efore he knew what was happenin" somethin" rolled out of thebleed-throu"h and ran smack into his le"s. The =ord of the Plains
made a small Eump to the side. He covered his fri"ht embarrassed to
be so easil# surprised.=ookin" down at what had come out of the bleed-throu"h he
discovered it was a little brown furr# man dressed in trousers a vest
and a "reen cap. The little man had a lon" leather thon" tied aroundhis neck like a leash and collar. The buck smelled fresh blood from a
half-scabbed wound on the side of the little mans head where his ear
had been. He was more fri"htened than was the =ord of the Plains. His
e#es were bu""in" out and his nose and lips were aJuiver. His wholebod# was tremblin".
*espite his panic he la# on his back and took a "ood look at the
=ord of the Plains.GPardon me m=ordG the little man said hastil# Gbut am fleein"
for m# life and the salvation of m# world.G
%ho are yo&= The =ord of the Plains asked.>nd !hat ishappenin# in the %orld Under the Flesh=
G am Baub-oooo.G The little man spran" to his feet lookin"
back at the bleed-throu"h. GThere is a "reat deal wron" with the BorldLnder the Flesh but m afraid cannot eplain now. There is a troll
pursuin" me.G
> troll: The =ord of the Bild turned his head to look at the bleed-
throu"h. He did so Eust in time to see a lar"e u"l# troll emer"e.GThere #ou are m# bad petG the troll "rowled. GFor pla#in" this
trick on me am "oin" to tear off one of #our le"s and eat it. That
ou"ht to prevent #ou from runnin" awa# a"ain.G The troll paid littlemind to the lar"e sta" standin" nearb#. He sJuatted down to "rab hold
of Baub-oooo
G+ave meKG the little anitou cried as it turned to flee. The trollstepped on the leather thon" trappin" him.
The =ord of the Bild leapt into action. He spran" up on his hind
feet and lashed out with his sharp front hooves. He cau"ht the troll in
the forehead with a blow that would have killed a human. The trollwas saved b# his thick skull. 1ut the blow did la# him on his back
with a nast# "ash on his forehead.
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Baub-oooo started to run but the =ord of the Plains "rasped the
leather thon" in his mouth. %ait a min&te0
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in the least. These wounds had to be washed and treated as soon as
possible or the line of the =ord of the ulli"an Plains would end here.
@ramliche recovered from the blow to his chest but the Horned
2ne was "one. No matter. He could track the sta" easil# enou"h0 it
would not "et far. He had clawed it "ood. The anitoussiwuk wouldnot escape and the buck would be his as well. The antlers of a Horned
2ne held a "reat store of ma"ic that would "ive him power over
ever#thin" that lived in the Horned 2nes domain.The rack would be a valuable addition to his treasure trove. $nd it
was a troph# of which he would not allow the 2"imauh to trick him.
He would brin" back the anitoussiwuk for the 2"imauh but theantlers were his.
@ramliche set out followin" the Horned 2nes trail.
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40 heka&bae!iss Says oodbye to ity 1i*e
Mack shifted in his cardboard shelter. He had been livin" on thestreets of arJuette for man# lon" #ears. uch lon"er than most
people would "ive him credit for. He was a fiture in this cit#0 often
seen pushin" his rust# shoppin" cart around collectin" empt# bottles
and who knew what else a bearded little Aip
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=atel# he had been thinkin" it was time for him to move on. He
had lived in this cit# far too lon". ,ven with a "lamour he waspushin" his luck. 2ne da# it would dawn on someone that he had beenlivin" on the streets for an impossibl# lon" time and then he would be
luck# if he could flee without blowin" his cover drawin" the attention
of the anitou even "iven how preoccupied the# were with theircurrent troubles. f the# discovered Chekaubaewiss escaped
imprisonment the# would drop what the# were doin" and hunt him
down.*espite his diminutive sie Chekaubaewiss had been a hero
amon" his people. He was a noted "iant killer and his darin" feats
became le"ends passed down b# the people from "eneration to
"eneration. Aene *eClaire heard these stories from her "reat"randmother when she was little more than a bab#. That was wh# she
had been able to identif# him.
Chekaubaewisss fatal error had been hubris. There was nothin" offlesh and blood that could best him. His tra"ic fall came when he
sou"ht to challen"e the anitou. Bhen he was onl# a small child his
parents were devoured b# "iant bear anitou. From that da# on hewas determined to have reven"e.
$fter Chekaubaewiss cleared the land of "iants he stalked into
the world of the anitou read# to deal with the murderers of hisparents. The anitou watched him proceed. Thou"h the# were
indi"nant that he even presumed to challen"e their kind the# left it to
the "iant bears to deal with him. The bears knew he was comin" and
nothin" of flesh and blood could stand up to a anitou.Chekaubaewiss not onl# stood up to the bears he defeated them.
The anitou were shocked. This little man was a threat to all of them.
The# "athered for war and chased Chekaubaewiss back to his villa"e.There the# captured him and his sister and transformed them into
blocks of stone.
Chekaubaewiss was imprisoned in that stone for man# centuries.He passed into le"end and the location of his prison was for"otten b#
all but a few of the most powerful anitou. *urin" this time
Chekaubaewiss and his sister were aware of ever#thin" that went on
around them.2ne da# a sorcerer set up camp net to their pillars. He felt the
power comin" from them and settled where he could make use of this
power. The sorcerer practiced his arts between the stone pillars. He
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was a powerful shaman thou"h not entirel# honorable. He practiced
both the li"ht and the dark arts.+tandin" net to him as he worked Chekaubaewiss was able tolearn much from the shaman. $nd he was able to absorb a little of the
power with which the shaman worked storin" it and addin" to it
whenever he could.The sorcerer had a spell for callin" up anitou and *emons. He
would call them forth and bind them. Then he would etract all of
their knowled"e and power from them until there was nothin" left butan empt# cheeb#uk a "host. The sorcerer had started with the
sli"htest nature spirits workin" up to more powerful bein"s as he "rew
stron"er.
Chekaubaewiss "athered his own stren"th and he watched andwaited. He tried several times to communicate with his sister but she
had lon" a"o surrendered to her fate and "iven up her awareness to the
awareness of rock. +he did not respond to her brother. +he had almostbecome cheeb#uk herself.
The da# came when the shaman felt stron" enou"h to summon
one of the bi""er anitou. He summoned an $uttissookaun a musefrom one of the four corners of the ,arth and bound the anitou
within a circle between the two pillars. The $uttissookaun was
outra"ed. t tried to break free of its bonds but found it could not. thowled in an"er and threw itself at the circle.
The sorcerer lau"hed. G;ou "o ahead. Tr# #our best #ou will not
escape.G His words onl# caused the anitou to ra"e all the more. $fter
watchin" the anitou a little while lon"er the shaman said G2nce#ou have tired #ourself out then we can set to work.G Bith this he
went into his hut and busied himself inside while waitin" for the
$uttissookaun to ehaust itself and settle down.Chekaubaewiss called to the anitou. $t first it did not hear him
so lost was it in its fit of an"er. ,ventuall# when the anitou paused
in its futile assault upon the ma"ic circle it did hear him callin". GBhohas come to torment me nowIG
; am another prisoner like yo&,Chekaubaewiss said.
G+how #ourselfG the use demanded.
; cannot.; am imprisoned in the stone pillar to yo&r le*t0The $uttissookaun addressed the pillar. GBhat manner of creature
are #ouIG
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; am a small Ba#!a$inini, the spirit o* the *orest trilli&m,
Chekaubaewiss lied. his !arlock imprisoned me many years a#o,alon# !ith my sister0 +e&ses &s to s&mmon others, s&ch as yo&0 .ysister !as m&ch !eaker than me? she *aded into her pillar over time0 ;
re*&se to #ive &p0
G;ou are brave little one. This warlock must be punished forwhat he has done to us.G The $uttissookaun assaulted the circle a"ain
thou"h it achieved nothin".
; can *ree yo& *rom the circle,Chekaubaewiss offered i* yo& canrelease me *rom this pillar0
GHow can do thatIG
%ith yo&r #reat po!ers, O noble .anito&0 ll yo& need do is speak the tr&e name o* this stone0 %hen yo&call this pillar it !ill expel me as somethin# *orei#n to its nat&re0
G;es that will workG the use a"reed. G$nd how will #ou free
me.G
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Chekaubaewiss snuck up behind the anitou and erased a part of
the circle. GThere #ou are freed.GG@oodG the $uttissookaun said as it kept an e#e on the hut. GNowhide and leave the rest to me. think he is comin"KG
Chekaubaewiss disappeared into the woods and never looked
back. He heard a commotion in the camp but did not stop to find outwhat was happenin". He ran for much of that da# tr#in" to put as
much distance as possible between him and the place of his
imprisonment. He did feel bad about leavin" his sister behind. ;eteven if he had "ained her release from her stone prison there was so
little left of her that she would be nothin" more than a cheeb#uk. He
vowed someda# he would free her and restore her to her full self.
That had been centuries a"o. Chekaubaewiss had learned muchfrom the sorcerer and not all of it was dark ma"ic. Bhat he learned
had kept him alive all this time alive and free. The "lamours that
chan"ed his appearance and made people overlook him were amon"the thin"s he learned from the warlock.
For a lon" time he led an eas# life livin" in the woods b# himself.
Then the white men came and the world chan"ed. He could haveEourne#ed to the spirit worlds but the chance was too "reat he would
be discovered there. $nd so he inhabited the cities livin" on the
streets amon" the for"otten outcasts of the white mans world.Hundreds of #ears had passed since his escape from the stone
pillar and he still had no cl
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