Stones: Shining Light's Saga, #3

River Song crouched on top the low bluff. Several unknown mustangs appeared in the distance, and men became visible on them as they neared the opening of the canyon. Four riders approached and lay off to the sides of their animals to give the illusion of there being only mustangs, but a human head bounced into sight and gave them away.

Small stones pressed into her knees and she moved to find a better spot. She turned to make sure where her son, Singing Stone, and her mother, Listens To Wind hid. One wrong movement, one sound, one simple mistake, and one of them may never see another sunrise. Her mother sat on her mustang behind the bluff, out of sight. Her son... her stubborn son! The hunters would soon notice her son.

She waved her arm. Singing Stone, they approach. Lower yourself out of sight. Stay put this time! Listen well to me. I do not need to worry where you are. Do they hide from the mustangs, or do they know we are here and hide from us? Why would they fear two women and a boy?

He crouched low, but not behind the boulder. He scooted next to her. I am good with a bow when we hunt. I can protect the Mustangs, as well as you and Grandmother.

I need your silence now. I know you are good with a bow, but do as I say. Remember well what happened last moon. Her glare did not lower him to the ground.

He raised his head higher despite her warning. I only wished to help that sunrise. The stones did not sing, but vibrated. You know when they vibrate, danger approaches... as now. He sat on his knees, crossed his arms and glared at her, his long dark hair falling behind his shoulders. He leaned past her, his dark eyes squinting.

She raised herself to her knees and cradled his face in her hands. We will speak more of this when we camp. She dropped her hands and returned to the place near the edge of the bluff.

The warm breeze filled her nostrils with the smells of dirt, new grass, and the sweet scent of the mustangs. Nine animals grazed but a few paces from where they crouched. Their calm breathing swelled their sides in an even rhythm. She nudged several stones down the path with the back of her hand. The tumbling stones smacked into each other and created enough clatter that they alerted the lead dun-colored female.

The lead female’s body tensed, her skin quivered, and her ears swiveled as she tossed her head into the air. Her nostrils flared as if she tried to pick up the smell of danger. She cocked one ear toward River Song, while the other pointed toward the sound of approaching hunters. After snorting and pawing the ground with her front hooves, she trotted around the small herd to alert the male. The rest of the females and their young ones raised their heads, stopped grazing, and pointed their ears forward.

They are not as alert as they should be. Perhaps they have grown too used to us?

River Song edged forward on short leggings she had made for ease of movement.

Every time, I see the scars. The hairy-faces use their spinning spikes tied to the back of their footwear to gouge the mustangs’ sides, and use snapping sticks to slash at their shoulders and rumps, forcing them to run faster. Most of our people show great respect toward all living beings, and even ask before we use them to pull our drags. Never would we beat them! So why do these warriors hunt them and try to capture the males?

Heat rose to her face and anger filled her heart.

The dark brownish-red male, with four matching white legs, raised his head at the snorting and pacing of the lead female. The male’s body grew tall with tension as he snorted, stomped, and trotted down from his small hill and passed beneath the bluff where River Song crouched. Most of the females had young ones two or three moons old. They were born with an alertness inherited from their mothers, but they were slower, easier prey. Many times the mothers turned to fight, to protect their young, but they could not defend their young against this kind of hunter.

River Song raised her head as the babies trotted to the safety of their mothers’ sides. The first human cry sounded. Arrows whizzed past, and one young one squealed but ran on. The lead female circled the herd, her young one at her side as they raced out onto the grasslands, then veered toward the canyons. The male galloped behind the herd, moving from side to side, pushing the slower ones by nipping their backsides.

Once the mustangs were out of danger, River Song’s little family would seek the security of the high red-orange walls along the bluffs, where they could watch more easily for peril. Sometimes the mustangs beat them back to their hideaway, and glanced up from their grazing as if to say, ‘What took you Humans so long?’ This time she would make sure they were there quickly, to see if the young one took an arrow.

She turned her head at her mother’s bird whistle, which she used to call for help. She hurried to the edge of the bluff where it was not quite so steep, and peered down to where Listens To Wind held the ropes of two mustangs while the one she sat on pranced backwards.

A warrior fast approached her on his animal.

River Song’s heart pounded at the man’s whooping scream. She fumbled for an arrow. Mother— She spun around on her heels and with deadly calm, raised her bow and set the arrow.

Unaware of her, the man pulled his own bow taut, arrow ready to fly at Listens To Wind.

River Song’s arrow flew and found its mark first, piercing the back of the warrior’s shoulder.

Off balance, he clutched the animal’s neck hair as the mustang reared and whirled. The rider barely hung on, bouncing from side to side like a hide bag whose ties had let loose as the mustang raced away.

She turned her head in time to see her mother urge her mustang behind a large boulder. River Song dropped to the ground, ducked behind a smaller boulder on the edge of the bluff, and readied another shafted bone arrow.

A second warrior shouted and started toward where her mother hid. As he raced closer, she leapt to her feet and let another arrow fly. The arrow bit deep into the man’s thigh, and he jerked his head up, spotting her. He dug his heels into the sides of his mustang and forced the animal up a narrow deer trail that led to the bluff. Legs tight around his animal, he drew his bowstring taut and let the arrow fly toward her.

She ducked, rolled and came up, bow ready as the arrow bounced off a group of large stones next to her. She whooped and the man hesitated—the last mistake he ever made. She whirled around at the sound of hooves, and only dust remained of the third warrior galloping toward the grasslands. Behind her stood her son, arrow drawn.

So, you were the reason he hesitated. I thought my yell surprised him. You saved both our lives, Singing Stone, who is growing into a man. She rested an arm across his shoulder. This was very brave for you to do.

Listens To Wind called and waved to her from below.

River Song and her son moved forward, closer to the edge of the bluff to wave back. Sister Wind teased at her mother’s thick, nearly knee-length hair that darkness had blessed with its own color. My mother, a strong, brave woman!

She slung her bow over her shoulder, and slid down the trail toward the man her arrow had stopped. The mustang suffered no harm and was able to turn without falling. At the side of the bluff, too steep to reach the fallen warrior, she knelt on the trail. A large branch sticking out of the side of the bluff had caught him. He was her age, probably a father.

Her son put his hand on her shoulder as she spoke. Creator, forgive this child if I do wrong. I only wish to protect the most beautiful animals I have ever known. To have been gifted with one as a companion is more than I can ever thank you for.

She would leave the man where he fell, untouched. Even if the bluff side were not so steep, she would never send another to the campfires mangled, as some did. She was not so vengeful that she would ruin someone’s afterlife. To take another’s life pierced her heart enough.

A tear escaped and slid down one cheek as emotions evoked by the attack collided with memories. She longed to know her father’s comfort again, her man’s caresses, but they sat at their campfire together in the sky.

She raised her head and searched the cloudless, turquoise sky. Father, and man of mine, the two of you taught me well. You both must be proud to see us protecting these animals as both of you once did.

She reached for her son’s hand. Singing Stone has passed his tenth winter. He, too, loves the mustangs, and helps protect them. Father, please help us care for him as we do this, as you once protected me. Man of mine, your son grows more into a man each sunrise.

She stood, still holding her son’s hand, and lifted her other hand to her raised brows.

In the distance, mustangs had left a dust cloud. The pawing of the man’s mustang at the base of the bluff caught her attention. A light brown, female mustang with black neck hair stood before them. The animal tossed her head and pawed the red ground.

Singing Stone slid down to the animal, and took off the mustang’s nose rope. The female tossed her head, trotted a short ways before she kicked her heels in joy, and raced across the land after the herd.

The boy ran around the bluff to a well-used trail and climbed back up beside River Song.

She stood on top the hill, scanning the few large orange stones scattered across the grasslands. Uneasiness crept over her. It was time to turn around, to go into the canyons, the only place they had ever known. As she replaced the arrow she held in the quiver that seldom left her shoulder, worry pressed hard on her mind. They might still be attacked; she did not know where two of the riders had gone. She touched the bow that hung over her shoulder and motioned to her son.

Her mother waited with their mustangs, and they scooted down the larger deer trail, and went around to where she hid. Blood stained the lower edge of her mother’s tunic and her mustang’s shoulder.

River Song slid down the bluff, her son nearly on top of her. Mother, you are hurt! Please, allow us to help you down—

Listens To Wind raised a hand as a thin smile crept across her face. Daughter, I am fine. Look beyond me... the blood is not mine. She nodded toward a warrior who lay on the ground. My knife caught him across his chest, and stopped him from pulling me from my animal. I am not so helpless.

She brushed her hair from her face. The movement revealed a scar that ran from the corner of one eye to her chin. Once, she had not been so fortunate in avoiding a knife.

Listens To Wind slipped off her animal. The man still breathes.

His bloodied chest, partly covered by his hair, made it hard to see how badly she had wounded him.

She walked over to the man on the ground, knelt beside him, and pulled the hair from his face. Young, so young. He... he has a growth of hair on his chin! He is part hairy-face. He will live. The wound on his face is not so bad, caused by the stone he hit his head on. Where I cut him is shallow. He sleeps the sleep of one who has hit his head. It is not good to stay here. His people will come for him. I think they are the Likes To Fight people. She frowned. Perhaps some of the hairy-faces may have joined their band.

Singing Stone knelt beside her. Grandmother, you are skilled and I hope one day to—

She stood and pulled him away as the warrior coughed. Never allow harming another to become easy, little one. It bruises the Soul, leaves darkness there that cannot ever be washed away, and cannot be covered up by good deeds. Listen well to me.

She clutched the tunic at his shoulder. We do not know why they hunt these mustangs, capture the males. This season has brought many humpbacks, deer and elk. There is no reason to hunt the mustangs. They ride them as we do, yet do not respect them.

Her mother shook a finger in River Song’s direction. You must remember your son and keep him in your mind as you do this with me. He can hunt, set fish traps, and has much knowledge about surviving on his own. Still, we must think of his safety. He rose when he should not have.

Listens To Wind hugged her grandson, and brushed the back of her hand across his cheek. You look much like my oldest brother. He was the best in our band, brave enough to sneak in and set the mustangs free from the hairy-faces. The stories my brother told me of the cruelty stays in my mind like a bad storm filled with lightning. Everyday, as others followed the herds of the great humpbacks, our band followed the mustangs.

River Song motioned her mother and Singing Stone to jump on their mustangs. Mother, I will trot ahead and be sure our path is clear.

***

They headed back to the canyons at a trot. They needed to hurry away from the hunter’s people, who might come to find the wounded young man.

Listens To Wind tapped her animal so the mustang would come up next to her grandson. She continued her story. We only took the mustangs we needed to ride, to help us pull our drags. Before long they became used to us and followed willingly wherever we traveled.

She lowered her head for a short span, and twirled her fingers around her necklace made of braided mustang hair and hand-made stone beads, which were woven in.

She began speaking again as she raised her head. Your mother knows of this, but never have I told you. I speak of this so you know your blood is strong. One night, when I was about twelve winters old, hooves thundered through our camp. Everyone was asleep, as we never had a reason to have men guard the camp. I woke to loud voices and ran outside. We scattered in all directions into the darkness. My mother and my brothers were fighting, and I ran toward them, but a rider scooped me up. I bit and scratched him, but no matter. I was captured by the Likes To Fight People when I was about your age.

She pointed to her head. I was smart. I let them think I trusted them, liked them. That took two full cycles of seasons. They stopped watching me. I went for water and kept going. Our people taught the girls, along with the boys, to hunt, so I survived.

She twisted his way and tapped her animal. "We must hurry. The young mustang may need our help.

You show no fear. This is good. You show the strength of your mind. As I am, you are one who will live long. You are keeping the herd safe, doing what we must. That is good, to not show fear, but you must learn caution.

He gripped the off-white neck hairs of his mustang and fidgeted on her back. I am no longer afraid as when I was only a boy. I am much older now. He spoke on, proving his lack of concern. Tell me more, Grandmother! I wish to hear more about our family. Did you find your mother and brothers when you escaped? Did you become a band again? Where are they now?

She shook her head, jumped down, and stepped over loose stones too big for the mustangs to trot through. Then she jumped back on.

Singing Stone mimicked her actions.

Perhaps this night when we sit and rest, I will tell you more. I cannot say the names of my mother, or my brothers, as I never saw any of them after the attack, so I do not know if they left their names behind or took them as they crossed over... if they did. I went back to our old camp. Nothing was left but scattered burnt wood we used to make our homes. We did not use the humpback hides as we do now. There was no trail for me to follow, so I wandered for a long span. I met your grandfather as he hunted. He too, was alone. I was young, but a woman, so we became mates.

Her daughter stopped ahead and waited for them to catch up.

Never tell me you are old. River Song's mustang pranced in a circle. You have a motion as if Sister Wind helps you to fly where you need to go. The grace of your thirty-eight winters... I can only wish I, too, will have the same ease of motions that you have.

"Daughter, you will soon know what it is to look through my eyes and wonder why you thought me old!"

She leaned over her mustang and muttered words about young people thinking only they had ease of motion, and pushed her mustang to pick up the pace.

***

Silent as a stilled blade of grass, River Song flattened herself to the ground. The herd had circled back into the canyon where the grass was at its best. While the others grazed, the lead female stood stiff with her head hung over her young one.

Singing Stone breathed next to her, and she reached out to squeeze his hand. Be still.

Her low voice caught the attention of the lead female and her young one—the young one they hoped to catch. An arrow flopped from his white and grey spotted flank, and blood seeped from the wound and ran down his leg.

The boy slid backward in the grass and moved away from his mother. His independence frustrated her and she scooted back to grab him, but he was not there.

Son, the male is protective, and with the young, the females are very cautious! You know this. She tried in vain to call out quietly, but the sound alerted the male and he tossed his head and started to move their way. Do not simply walk among them. They may know us by sight, and allow us to walk up to them, but the wounded baby may make the male and the mother act differently. Her heart torn, she raised her bow.

Get back! The mother turns your way! A raspy, high pitch replaced her whisper.

Singing Stone’s voice rose on the wind, carrying a soft melody. He sang to the mother and young one—a song she could not understand, birdlike, but also like a mustang’s calming nicker call. He opened the pouch of healing salve that should have been in her pack. The baby held still as he worked the arrow shaft out of his flank then smeared the medicine in the wound.

My son has fast hands for me not to see him take the medicine from my pack. What is this singing he does? The mother mustang turned and blocked River Song’s view.

Listens To Wind, on the other side of the herd, rose on one knee too fast, causing panic to pound in River Song’s head. I cannot see her well enough to know what she does! Before she could react, the mother mustang moved away exposing her son and the young one.

Singing Stone held the arrow and its shaft in his hand. Several other mustangs moved his way and sniffed the shaft and the young one’s wound. His song still carried on Sister Wind as he reached for the muzzle of an off-white animal who lowered her head.

The male made no move from the small hill where he stood. He bobbed his head up and down, watchful.

Her son spoke in a soft tone. You see, Mother? They know us well and know we would never cause them harm. How many times have we slept on the edge of their herd? Not once have we been stepped on. They know us better than you understand. Many times we have walked among them. They even allow us to pet them, and they knew the young one needed help... our help.

The boy dropped the arrow, inspected the wound and rubbed in more salve. He moved along beside the young one, and rubbed his grey-white back as he made his way to the mustang’s head.

I have never seen one of your colors. He nodded toward the watchful lead male. He has grey on his shoulders and in his neck hair, but not as dark as yours, and you have white spots where he is painted in splotches of darker grey. He ran his hands through the young one’s short neck hair. Your neck hair shines white as snow, and your eyes.... I can see deep into them and see forever. How is this so?

Eagles calling to one another caused him to lift his head. The Spirits mean for us to be companions. I can feel it!

The lead male whinnied, and the young one’s mother called back, sending the herd trotting away.

Singing Stone held up a few small, white hairs in-between his fingers. One day, one day... I will ride on your back. I call you Spirit Eyes.

***

Listens To Wind pushed her lightly star-dusted hair from her face, and walked away from her family and the mustangs as Father Sun woke. For more than a moon, Sister Wind had whispered warnings to her. She climbed up high on the old steps where some long ago people had carved images along the walls of the stone. The path, pounded by hundreds of footprints, remained even after the long passage of many cycles of seasons. She admired the faint carvings of long ago animals that another Peoples had left.

Once on top, an old camp came into view. The Peoples who occupied the area many winters ago had left most of their lodge poles. Fish People, I think they were called.

She turned away to look out over the canyons. The waters wound through the mysterious paths in the red-orange gullies, appearing and disappearing from sight. Greens of many shades followed alongside the river, where the land widened into colorful valleys of silvery Sacred Sage and flowering yellow rabbit brush, which stood out among the other plants.

Her mind drifted from the beauty below as chill bumps rose on her arms. Tears threatened to fall as she lifted her arms, reaching upward to the turquoise sky. Spirits, I ask for protection for my little family. With my man and my daughter’s man taken in battle with the mixed Peoples of the Likes To Fight and hairy-faces, I have much fear. I know we must decide soon about the mustangs, if we can keep protecting them....

Turtle Dove lay still in her robe as her father slipped out from under the humpback hide he and her mother shared on the other side of their lodge. The fire sat toward the back and center of the lodge, sending up tiny sparks that the stones protectively kept inside the pit dug below the ring. They gave only enough light to see shadows.

Shining Light grabbed his pack and a spare smoked deerskin, and stepped over Turtle Dove as he made his way from the lodge.

Her mother slept a deep sleep this night and did not stir, but Turtle Dove only pretended to sleep.

After her father vanished into the darkness, she covered herself and followed. White Paws stretched and followed, leaving his mate and wolf pups who slept outside the lodge on a spare humpback robe. With the night air only mildly chilled, the four pups lay on the ground next to it. The rest of the pack hunted this night.

Her bare feet made no sound as she crossed the damp grass. The smell of the night flowers wafted past her. If anyone wakes, they will make me go back. Sister Moon is full of Power this night, and Father is always restless when she is so big. I wish to see why he leaves after Mother sleeps.

Above her, a flock of birds called to each other as they winged their way across the darkness. Three deer bounced away through shrubs, sending other birds flying for another cover. Sister Moon exposed their silvery wings as they vanished into the safety of tall trees. She smiled at the distant, soft laughter of a couple.

As she and White Paws approached her father, the waters from above the cliff splashed into the river below. The rushing water gave her the cover she needed to move faster. She crouched behind white flowering shrubs and peered through them in anticipation. White Paws lay beside her, nosing her hand.

Shining Light knelt and pulled out his Sacred items: the pipe that his grandfather had made him, unwrapped from the feathers gifted to him from birds as they dropped them when he walked, small shells and bits of fur—items that only held meaning to him. He placed them on the robe next to him, and then raised his arms.

It was not right to watch another seeking guidance, but she needed to know why her father sought to be alone so many nights instead of sleeping. She moved the shrubs to get a better look, but as she did the wolf used his teeth on her robe, pulling her back. Flower dust floated past and tickled her nose. She cupped her hand over her nose, but not before she sneezed.

Dove, I can hear you. And you too, Wolf! You must come and tell me why you follow. Shining Light turned and motioned for her, then packed his items away.

With head bowed and arms crossed, she approached him. Father, I am sorry. She sat next to him, but looked down still, her arms folded across her waist.

White Paws pushed his way in between them, and put his head on Shining Light’s lap. The wolf poked at his arm with a paw.

He lowered his arm and scratched the wolf. "White Paws, why are you here? Do you also need to know why I am here? You understand things before I do, Wolf Brother."

Her father reached past White Paws and pulled her onto his lap, rubbing her nose with his. You are too young to worry where I go, but I will try to explain why I do this. He gathered her in his arms and stared ahead as he spoke.

"Daughter, no one can go through life without some kind of guidance. Those who try, their lives are as a wild wind with no direction. No one can live that way and be happy. All we need to do is ask Creator, the Spirits, or even a stone for help. Trees hold answers, if we listen. Watch an animal, and see how they react to things.

"It was Fox who saved my mother, grandmother and me from a bad flood. Everything in Nature has messages if you only open up to them.

We have more than our ears to hear with. Our hearts hear also. We can feel answers if we try. Sometimes a vision or a dream speaks through us, maybe not in words, but as paintings, like the ones Falling Rainbow puts on her hides. We do not always understand as quickly as we wish, but the answers will come.

He squeezed her tighter and rested his chin on top of her head. When I was but six winters old, dreams started to frighten me. I told no one. When I was seven winters, they became stronger. I would leave our lodge and climb to the top of a canyon to be alone. I thought I was clever to have sneaked away, but when I crawled into my Sacred place, my grandmother felt near. It gave me the courage to reach out, to allow the dreams to wash over me, just as the falling waters before us splash over the stones.

He reached down and worked his hand into White Paws’ thick, furry neck. Those dreams, with the guidance of Creator, the Spirits, and some very special people, taught me who I could become.

He moved his head back and stared into her eyes. I have seen the blue glow in your eyes since you were born. At eight winters, it is stronger now. The glow holds the mystery of the Spirit Land, and everyone whose eyes carry it becomes a Healer. I wonder who you will become.

He raised his hand and lifted her chin. "Now, tell me why you followed.

She bit the inside of her cheek before nodding. "I had a dream this night, Father, which I do not understand. Someone called Blue Night Sky stood in a place of.... It was all misty and full of blue swirling something. She smiled at me and said I had your eyes, and then she became part of the blue colors. Then I saw mustangs and people who lived together as one band. There is a boy, a special boy I wish to meet. He says we will be mates. What is a canyon? Is it really the color of a sunset?

Father, why do you stare at me with big eyes? And why do you squeeze me so tight? You are scaring me! She shivered when he took in air and forced it out of his mouth.

He released his hold. Dove, my little one, Blue Night Sky was a special ancestor of ours who held much Power. She helped me the most as I explored who I was. I did not mean to scare you so.

He untangled his arms. Why do you ask the color of the canyons? I know it has been a long time, but stories of the canyons are in our talks so we do not forget where we come from. I was born in those canyons of beauty. Many bluffs are tall with flat tops, some connect and make long pathways with small streams, and plants grow along their edges, in the mud. Dark blue birds with long, split tails made nests from that mud and somehow, the mud clung to the walls. Some canyons have paths that weave back and forth as if maybe waters from long ago raced through them.

He reached high above as if trying to touch Sister Moon. They grow from our Mother’s body and shoot straight up in colors of oranges, reds, and the color of light-tanned deer hides. Before Father Sun woke, I would go sit on a smaller bluff that overlooked our camp, and I would watch the colors as they changed with the sunrise.

He pulled her gently this time, and cuddled her. First, when Father Sun would wake, they would look like the spiked purple flowers that grow in the grasslands. As Father Sun moved across the sky, the canyon walls changed to warm orange-reds. You remember the flowers I sometimes bring back with me when I leave the forest for a few sunrises?

She nodded, turned and brushed the long hair from his face. "I remember the happy face on Mother when you handed her some. You were good to bring them back to her. She did not care if they were no longer awake. She made dye from them. She is so smart! Someday I will be smart, too, and I will make dye, and learn how to paint and