,*APT] #b 
,OB5ABI'S ,GR&MO!RS 

#aihhaihh 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,FR$Y ,P]LMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,YAHATASE'S *ILDR5 

  

,I F9D MYSELF LEAN+ ON ! R\NDI% ROCK BY ! ,/RAIT'S $GE1 WOND]+ IF ?IS IS ! SAME MOONLESS NI<T1 OR ! SIX? S9CE MY J\RNEY BEGAN4 ,! %AD[Y FIGURE BE=E ME GIVES ME AN >RO:EAD & A BLI/]$ MASK4 ,! MASK BURNS MY FACE & ,I TRY FRANTICALLY TO REMOVE IT4 ,BUT MY >MS FLY WILDLY 9 FRONT ( ME & REA* = ! >RO:EAD A Y\NG HUNT] EXT5DS TO ME4 ,MY M9D FLOODS ) MEMORIES4 

,I %UDD] REMEMB]+ ! CORN] :]E ,I HUDDL$ ) MY BABY SI/]1 MY EMBRAC+ >MS PROTECT+ H] FROM ! SPECTACLE ON ! LON<\SE FLOOR1 ! FRI<TFUL DANCE SO DIFF]5T FROM ANY ,I HAD SE5 BE=E1 ALTOGE!R LACK+ ! JOY & MIR? ,I SO LOV$ 9 ! PLANT+ & /RAWB]RY FE/IVAL DANCES4 

,SI/] TREMBL$ & BURI$ H] FACE 9 MY NECK1 BUT ,I LOOK$ FE>LESSLY1 ATT5TIVELY1 AT M\?S TWI/+ 9TO ! GRIMACES ( FALSE FACES & VOMIT+ BLACK S&4 ,I KNEW ?AT1 AFT] ! DANCE1 AUNTS & GR&MO!RS W\LD TELL ME :Y !IR BODIES HAD WRI!D1 :Y !IR GRO9S HAD TURN$ BLACK1 :Y !IR M\?S HAD DIS*>G$ S&2 !Y W\LD TELL ME :AT P>T ( E>? WAS R5EW$ & MADE BEAUTIFUL BY ?IS DANCE4 ,& ,I W\LD HAVE TO REMEMB]1 = ONE DAY ,I W\LD HAVE TO R5EW E>?'S BEAUTY = ! O!RS4 

,:5 ! WRI?+ & VOMIT+ & GROAN+ /OPP$1 TWO <O/S 9 LONG BLACK ROBES 5T]$ ! LON<\SE4 ,ONE TOOK MY SI/]2 ! O!R (F]$ ME HIS H&4 ,I UND]/OOD ! C]EMONY WASN'T OV]4 

,\TSIDE1 PEOPLE ( O!R LON<\SES LAY MOTIONLESS ON ! GR\ND4 

,C>RION BIRDS HOV]$ ABOVE ! VILLAGE1 !IR EXCIT$ CRIES REPLAC+ ! GROANS & %\TS ( ! /ILL$ VILLAG]S4 ,I MADE \T ! FIGURE ( A MAN REMOV+ CLOAKS1 CUTT+ P5DANTS1 TAK+ E>R+S4 

,I PULL$ MY H& FREE1 RAN BACK TO \R LODGE & SCREAM$ TO WAKE MY MO!R1 UNCLES & GR&FA!RS1 BUT NONE /IRR$4 ,MY SCREAM WAS ANSW]$ ONLY BY AN E*O ?AT S\ND$ LIKE LAU<T] COM+ FROM ! C>RION BIRDS OR ! SCAV5G+ MAN4 

,VOMIT+ ON ! LON<\SE FLOOR1 ,I WI%$ E>? :O'D PU%$ ME UP W\LD SWALL[ ME1 BUT ! ROB$ <O/ RETURN$ = ME & C>RI$ ME F> FROM MY LON<\SE & MY VILLAGE4 ,HOOD$ <O/S ) CROSSES CAME & W5T DUR+ MY 9T]M9ABLE NI<T ( A*+ & VOMIT+4 ,!Y DIDN'T TELL ME :Y !Y HAD >RANG$ ! FE>FUL C]EMONY ,I HAD SE54 

,:5 ,I /OPP$ VOMIT+1 ! BLACKROB$ <O/S NAM$ ME ,ANNE & TOOK ME TO ANO!R P>T ( ! /ONE CAVE4 ,H]E GIRLS ) COV]$ BODIES SANG 9 ! TONGUE ( ! <O/S & REPEAT$LY CROSS$ !MSELVES4 

,I KEPT ON ASK+ ,:Y8 ,I REFUS$ TO EAT UNTIL !Y TOLD ME ?AT ,LE ,DIEU1 ! GR&FA!R ( ALL ! ,BLACKROBES1 HAD >RANG$ ! DEA? DANCE1 BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE ! SONGS OR FEA/S OR C]EMONIES ( ! LON<\SE PEOPLE1 & !Y SAID HE W\LD MAKE ME VOMIT S& IF ,I DIDN'T CROSS MYSELF & S+ & B[ TO HIS MO!R1 ,LA ,SA9TE ,M>IE4 

,!Y ALSO TOLD ME ?AT ,LE ,DIEU MADE ALL ! DECISIONS 9 ! C\NCILS 9 ! SKY JU/ AS \R GR&FA!RS DID 9 \R LON<\SE C\NCILS4 ,BUT ,I KNEW ?AT LON<\SE GR&MO!RS MADE ! DECISIONS1 SO ,I KNEW IT WAS ,LA ,SA9TE ,M>IE :O HAD KILL$ ! PEOPLE 9 \R LON<\SES4 ,I REFUS$ TO S+ TO H]4 

,! ,ROBES ALWAYS WAT*$ US4 ,!Y NAM$ MY SI/] ,M>IE & FRI<T5$ H] 9TO S++ !IR SONGS4 ,I W5T ON S++ ! LON<\SE SONGS & !Y CALL$ ME A *ILD ( ,SATAN4 ,:5 ,I CALL$ !M DISEASE-BR+]S1 ! ,ROBES SAID W> HAD KILL$ ! PEOPLE ( MY LON<\SE1 & !Y SPOKE ( EA/]N 5EMIES :OM !Y NAM$ ,S]P5TS & ,WOLFPACKS4 

,BUT !RE W]E DAYS :5 !Y ADMITT$ KILL+ MY PEOPLE ) ! PLAGUE4 ,ON ?OSE DAYS !Y'D SAY ! PLAGUE WAS A BANE ONLY TO ! *ILDR5 ( ,SATAN BUT A BOON TO ! *ILDR5 ( ,DIEU & ,SA9TE ,M>IE4 ,I KNEW :AT !Y MEANT4 ,! PLAGUE LEFT CLOAKS & P5DANTS = SCAV5G]S ( ?+S1 LIKE ! ONE ,I'D SE51 & IT LEFT K9LESS ,ANNES & ,M>IES = ! SCAV5G]S ( S\LS4 

,:5 ! ,ROBES ?\<T WE HAD =GOTT5 ! PEOPLE ( \R VILLAGE1 !Y TOLD US ! PLAGUE C\LD NOT HAVE KILL$ =TY ( \R PEOPLE TO EV]Y ONE ( !IRS4 ,S9CE ONLY A FEW ( !IR PEOPLE HAD DI$1 ALL ! PEOPLE ,I REMEMB]$ C\LDN'T HAVE EXI/$4 ,I GREW UP D\BT+ !RE WAS ANY TRU? 9 !IR ,WORD4 

,BUT MY SI/] GREW UP BELIEV+ !IR TRU?1 BELIEV+ ?AT !IR ,WORD CAME FIR/4 ,%E GREW UP =GETT+ ?AT FIR/ CAME ! E>? & ! SUN & ! SKY1 ?AT NEXT CAME ! SE$ FROM :I* CAME PLANTS & FL[]S & PEOPLE & !IR ,WORD1 ?AT ! *ILDR5 ( ! M>RIAGE ( E>? ) SKY1 ! *ILDR5 ( ! SE$1 CAME LA/4 

,:5 WE W]5'T WAT*$1 ,I TOOK MY SI/] TO ! G>D5 OR TO ! $GE ( ! =E/ :]E IT WAS ALL SO PLA9 TO SEE4 ,%E LOOK$1 BUT %E DIDN'T SEE4 ,%E RETURN$ TO ! /ONE CAVE TO B[ TO CROSSES1 KNEEL TO /ATUES & S+ TO ! BR+]S ( PLAGUE4 

,:5 ,I WAS WAT*$1 ,I TOO B[$ & KNEEL$ & MOV$ MY LIPS4 ,I TOO LE>N$ ! ,ROBES' LANGUAGES1 ! ONE !Y SPOKE TO EA* O!R & ! ONE !Y SPOKE TO !IR /ATUES4 ,I TOO W\LD HAVE GR[N UP =GETT+4 

,BUT :5 ,I WAS ) ! PELT DRESS]S1 ,I /AY$ CLOSE TO A WOMAN :O REMEMB]$ ! DREAMS ( ! ORIG9AL PEOPLE4 ,! ,ROBES CALL$ H] A WIT*4 

,%E TOLD ME3 ,I WASN'T A WIT* BE=E ,I CAME TO ! MISSION1 AL?\< ,I HAD KN[N SEV]AL WIT*ES 9 MY VILLAGE4 ,MY C\S9 HAD LE>N$ FROM A ,TELLEGWI H[ TO SPEAK TO A DEAD ANCE/OR :O ASK$ = GIFTS ! E>? WANT$4 ,MY AUNT DREAM$ ( ?+S TO COME1 & !N WE HAD TO MAKE !M COME1 JU/ LIKE ! ,TALAMATUN4 ,MY ,NE%NABEK GR&MO!RS DREAM$ ( ANIMALS & W]E GUID$ BY !M4 ,I WANT$ TO BE A WIT*4 ,I FA/$4 ,BUT ,I C\LDN'T CONC5TRATE BECAUSE ,I WAS AFRAID4 ,MY FE> CAME FROM MY UNCLES :O C>RI$ DRESS$ PELTS TO ! ,LONGBE>DS ( ,/ADACONA & RETURN$ TO \R VILLAGE ) METAL POTS1 HAT*ETS1 KNIVES1 CROSSES & SOMETIMES RIFLES4 ,ONLY ?OSE :O LE>N$ ,HOLY ,M>Y SONGS W]E GIV5 RIFLES4 ,MANY LE>N$ ! SONGS SO AS TO BE GIV5 RIFLES4 ,?OSE :O RETURN$ ) RIFLES CALL$ MY FA/+ C\S91 AUNT & GR&MO!RS WIT*ES & SAID ! WRA? ( ,GOD /RUCK D[N VILLAGES ) WIT*ES 9 !M4 ,:AT MY UNCLES =ESAW CAME TO PASS4 ,TALAMATUN FROM ACROSS ! RIV] BURN$ \R LODGES & C>RI$ (F MY C\S9S1 AUNTS & GR&MO!RS4 ,! WIT*CRAFT HAD PROVOK$ ! RAID1 ,I !N BELIEV$1 & ,I LET MY UNCLES BR+ ME TO ,/ADACONA :]E ,I'D BE SAFE FROM RAIDS & WIT*ES4 ,I /ILL WANT$ TO SPEAK TO A DEAD ANCE/OR OR DREAM ( ?+S TO COME OR HAVE AN ANIMAL GUIDE1 BUT ! ,ROBES SAID DREAMS ?AT W]5'T 9 !IR ,BOOK W]E FALSE1 SO ,I /OPP$ FA/+4 ,I WAS AFRAID ( ,GOD'S WRA?4 ,MY FE> MADE ME LI/5 'C>EFULLY TO EV]Y?+ ! ,ROBES TOKFME3 ! E>? :]E MY ANCE/ORS LAY WAS HELL1 ! =E/ WAS ! ,DEVIL'S LODG+ & ANIMALS W]E HIS CREATURES1 FE/IVALS TO REG5]ATE ! E>? W]E ORGIES2 5JOYM5T ( E>?'S FRUIT WAS EVIL1 WE ORIG9AT$ 9 S91 \R LIVES W]E A PA9FUL BURD51 \R SALVATION WAS DEA?1 & AFT] DEA? WE W\LD BE REG5]AT$1 BUT NOT ALL ( US1 ONLY ?OSE :O HAD BELIEV$ ! ,WORD--?AT'S :Y WE HAD TO SEEK GUIDANCE ONLY FROM ! C>RI]S ( ! ,WORD1 ! ,BLACKROBES4 ,! YE> ( ! PLAGUE1 :5 Y\ & ,MANI CAME1 ,I LI/5$ EV5 MORE 9T5TLY TO ! ,ROBES1 & ,I ALSO LI/5$ TO ! *ILDR5 & TO AN OLD ,TURTLEWOMAN4 ,& !N ,I FA/$4 ,I LE>N$ WIT*CRAFT BY MYSELF 9 A CORN] ( ! ,BLACKROBES' LODGE4 ,AFT] SEV]AL DAYS ( FA/+1 A BE> CAME = ME4 ,TAK+ L>GE /RIDES1 HE C>RI$ ME TO ! \TSKIRTS ( A ,TALAMATUN VILLAGE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! RIV]4 ,I HE>D %OTS4 ,M5 :O HAD BE5 REPAIR+ LON<\SES1 WOM5 :O HAD BE5 H>VE/+ CORN1 FELL TO ! GR\ND4 ,I HE>D A ,LONGBE>D URG+ MY UNCLES TO %OOT AGA94 ,I SAW :AT HAD PROVOK$ ! WRA? ?AT HAD DE/ROY$ MY VILLAGE4 ,! ROB$ & BE>D$ M5 HAD IMPLICAT$ US 9 !IR FEUDS4 ,IT WAS !IR DREAMS ?AT W]E EVIL4 ,FROM ?AT DAY1 :5EV] ! ,ROBES SPEAK TO ME ( ,SATAN1 S9 OR EVIL1 ,I FA/1 = N[ ,I KN[ ?AT MY DREAMS COME FROM ! SAME DEP?S FROM :I* E>?1 LIFE & JOY EM]G$4 

,I LI/5$ TO ! WOMAN 9 ! PELT LODGE1 BUT ,I DIDN'T WANT TO DREAM2 ,I WANT$ TO PUT SE$S 9TO E>? & SEE CORN PLANTS GR[1 AS MY GR&MO!RS HAD4 

,I JO9$ ! SE$ PLANT]S & CLUNG TO AN OLD WOMAN :O SECRETLY SANG ! LON<\SE PEOPLE'S PLANT+ FE/IVAL SONGS4 ,! ,ROBES CALL$ H] A SORC]ESS BECAUSE %E SANG ( A TIME !Y WANT$ US TO =GET1 A TIME :5 !RE WAS NO MISSION OR TRAD+ PO/ 9 ,/ADACONA1 A TIME :5 BO? BANKS ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV] W]E SOLID GRE5 ) CORNGOLD OP5+S4 ,& %E SANG ( ! TIME :5 IT ALL 5D$3 

,WE LODG$ & F$ ! LONGBE>D$ M5 :O DISEMB>K$ FROM ! %IPS1 & !N WE LODG$ & F$ ! PLAGUE ?AT DISEMB>K$ ) !M4 ,WE W]E CRIPPL$ BY ! PLAGUE1 YET WE PROTECT$ \R GUE/S FROM ! FURY ( ?OSE AMONG \R K9 :O DID NOT FEEL ! OBLIGATIONS ( HO/S T[>D ! PLAGUE-BR+]S4 ,SOON WE W]E FEUD+ AMONG \RSELVES4 ,PEACEMAK]S W5T FROM LODGE TO LODGE TO REPAIR ! BREA*4 ,\R ROB$ GUE/S GAVE RIFLES TO !IR PROTECTORS4 ,! C>NAGE ?AT FOLL[$ MADE ! BREA* IRREP>ABLE4 ,PEOPLE ( A S+LE TONGUE :O HAD BE5 SP>$ BY ! PLAGUE ATTACK$ EA* O!R & SEP>AT$4 ,?OSE :O REFUS$ TO BE HOSPITABLE TO ! ROB$ /RANG]S W5T 9TO ! =E/S S\? ( ! RIV]4 ,! RE/ ( US W5T WE/ TO JO9 PEOPLE ( \R TONGUE ON ! ISL& CALL$ ,MORN+L& BY ! PEOPLE ( ! ,LAKES4 ,! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]'S AB&ON$ FIELDS & VILLAGES FILL$ ) BE>D$ & ROB$ /RANG]S4 ,TWO ,ROBES FOLL[$ US TO ,MORN+L&1 GA!R$ *ILDR5 DEPRIV$ ( LODGE & K9 BY PLAGUE1 & TAU<T !M TO S+ ( ,SA9TE ,M>IE & TO SPEAK ( \R EA/]N K9 AS FI]CE ,S]P5TS4 ,Y\? :O GREW HOT & FE>FUL AT ! ?\<T ( S]P5TS W]E GIV5 RIFLES1 & ! FEUD SP$ OV] ! DI/ANCE ?AT SEP>AT$ US FROM \R K94 ,EA* RAID WAS FOLL[$ BY A C\NT]-RAID4 ,PEACEFUL EMISS>IES FROM BO? SIDES ELOQU5TLY D5\NC$ ! FRATRICIDE1 BUT TO NO AVAIL4 ,! EA/]N]S NAM$ \R Y\? ,HOLY ,M>YS & SAID ?AT US]S ( ! ALI5 KILL+-/ICKS W]E NEI!R GOOD HUNT]S NOR BRAVE RAID]S1 BUT W]E M9DLESS DE/ROY]S ( ! TREE ( LIFE4 ,!Y W>N$ ?AT WE1 A M]E BRAN*1 W\LD FALL IF ! TREE FELL4 ,! EA/]N BRAN*ES GA!R$ AT A GREAT C\NCIL & PUT AN 5D TO FEUDS AMONG !MSELVES4 ,!Y S5T EMISS>IES TO BEG US TO BURY \R CROSSES & JO9 !M UND] ! %ADE ( !IR LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 ,WE S5T PEACEMAK]S1 BUT EV5 AS \R EMISS>IES C\N- CIL$ ) ! O!R BRAN*ES REUNIT$ >\ND ! TREE1 \R FIRESPITT+ ,HOLY ,M>YS ATTACK$ ! C\NCIL & PUT AN 5D TO ALL TALK ( RECONCILIATION4 ,! ,ROBES' CONV]TS DID NOT ATTACK ! EA/]N]S TO ADOPT !M UND] \R TREE1 = WE W]5'T NURS+ A TREE1 NOR TO AV5GE DEAD K91 = ?AT WAS S9FUL1 BUT TO VANQUI% PAGANISM4 ,! RE/ ( US ?\<T ( ! EA/]N]S' W>N+ & />T$ TO NURSE A TREE4 ,WE C\NCIL$ ) ! ,EHRYE PEOPLE ( SIMIL> LANGUAGE :O LIV$ 9 ! VALLEYS ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]4 ,!Y HAD 9H]IT$ A FE/IVAL FROM GR&FA!RS ( DIFF]5T SPEE*4 ,WE BEGG$ !M TO >RANGE ?IS FE/IVAL 9 ,MORN+L&4 ,WE 9VIT$ ALL ! PEOPLE ( ! LAKES & VALLEYS TO BURY ! BONES ( !IR DEAD 9 A COMMON GRAVE1 & TO EMBRACE EA* O!R AS *ILDR5 ( COMMON ANCE/ORS4 ,BLACK- ROBES CAME & BR\<T ! PLAGUE ) !M4 ,WE & \R ,EHRYE NEI<BORS W]E DEVA/AT$4 ,\R TREE WAS /ILLBORN4 

,! OLD WOMAN'S EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4 ,I TOLD H] ,I WAS BOM 9 ! VILLAGE :]E ?AT FE/IVAL WAS HELD1 & ASK$ :Y %E HAD FOLL[$ ! PLAGUE-BR+]S TO ,/ADACONA4 ,%E SAID ! ,ROBES TOOK ! *ILDR5 TO MAKE !M =GET4 ,%E WANT$ ! *ILDR5 TO REMEMB]4 ,%E GAVE ME A GRA9 ( CORN & TAU<T ME TO S+ ( ! GREAT TURTLE1 ( ! WOMAN :O FELL FROM ! SKY & ( H] TW9S4 

,I SANG ( E>? MAT+ ) SUN & SKY TO MAKE SE$S G5]ATE FOOD1 LIFE & JOY1 & ,I TRANSLAT$ 9TO ! ,ROBES' LANGUAGE SO AS TO HE> !M RAIL AGA9/ ORGIES1 SODOMY1 EVIL & S94 

,I HAD BE5 9 ! MISSION = SIX W9T]S & WAS READY TO LEAVE1 IF ONLY MY SI/] LEFT ) ME4 ,BUT MY SI/] ?\<T !RE WAS NO?+ BUT PLAGUE \TSIDE ! MISSION1 & ! PLAGUE WAS ,HELL4 ,:5 ,I TOOK H] TO ! PELT LODGE1 %E SMIL$ AT ! NOR!RN WOMAN'S PRON\NC+ H] NAME ,MANI1 BUT HE>D NO?+ ELSE4 ,AFT] LI/5+ TO ! OLD SE$ PLANT]1 %E RAN TO CROSS H]SELF BE=E A /ATUE4 

,ONE DAY NEW ,BLACKROBES VISIT$ ! MISSION4 ,A FEW DAYS LAT] ,I HE>D GROANS ( PA9 FROM EV]Y DIRECTION4 ,!N ! PELT DRESS] CALL$ MY SI/] & ME4 ,%E %\T$ TO US NOT TO 5T] ! LODGE3 ,MANI6 ,ON ! %ORES ( ,KI*IGAMI Y\'LL LOSE Y\R ?IR/ = ! ,ROBES' ,P>ADISE4 

,TO ME1 %E SAID3 ,ANKWE6 ,KEEP S++ Y\R SONGS2 LIFE IS UNLIVABLE )\T !M4 

,MY EYES W]E SO FULL ( TE>S ,I C\LD B>ELY SEE ! SWELL+S1 ! OOZ+ BLI/]S ON SO MANY BODIES4 ,ROBES PULL$ US AWAY AS !Y HAD E>LI]1 BUT ,I FRE$ MYSELF & ,MANI FROM !IR GRASP & BECAME ! SORC]ESS !Y ?\<T ME3 ,DE/ROY]S ( SE$S6 ,I %\T$ AT !M1 ,MAY ALL Y\ REAP POISON & DE/ROY Y\6 

,!Y :O DISFIGUR$ \R BODIES ) !IR PLAGUES & \R SPIRITS ) !IR SONGS RESPOND$ )3 ,H]ETIC6 ,SAVAGE6 

,MANI & ,I RAN \T ( ! MISSION4 ,%E NO LONG] FE>$ ! ,HELL \TSIDE4 ,IT WAS ,HELL 9SIDE4 

,WE F\ND ! OLD SE$ PLANT] GA!R+ O!RS :O RAN \T4 ,%E GA!R$ 5\< ( US TO FILL A LON<\SE & TOOK US PA/ ,/ADACONA'S SQU>E LODGES TO ! H>BOR1 :]E WE SAW BE>D$ M5 C>RY BAGS FROM %IPS TO %ORE4 ,%E HAD ME ASK A B& ( NOR!RN M51 FUR C>RI]S1 TO TAKE US TO ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,:ITE ,S&S 9 ,MORN+L&4 

,MAM TREMBL$ FROM FE> ( A PAGAN PLACE BUT ,I WAS HAPPY ) ANTICIPATION4 ,I WAS AT LA/ LEAV+ ,HELL & TRAVEL+ TO ! C5T] ( ! WORLD4 

,BUT MY HE>T BROKE :5 WE REA*$ \R DE/9ATION4 ,! DISEASE HADN'T ONLY VISIT$ ! ,/ADACONA MISSION1 IT HAD ALMO/ DEPOPULAT$ ,MORN+L&'S REMA9+ VILLAGES4 ,WE JO9$ PEOPLE FROM L>GE VILLAGES ) MANY LODGES 9 A SMALL VILLAGE ) A FEW LODGES4 

,! OLD WOMAN WANT$ TO GO EA/ & BE ADOPT$ BY ! PEOPLE NURS+ ! LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 ,MANI PAL$ AT ! ?\<T4 ,%E KNEW ! EA/]N]S LOV$ CROSSWE>]S AS DE>LY AS ! ,ROBES LOV$ FI]CE ,S]P5TS1 & %E KNEW ! EA/]N]S DID NOT ?9K IT S9FUL TO AV5GE DEAD K94 

,I TOLD ! OLD WOMAN ?AT ,MANI & ,I WANT$ TO />T \R NEW LIVES 9 ,MORN+L&1 & ,I W5T TO SEEK A DREAM BY A /REAM NE> ! $GE ( ! VILLAGE ON A NI<T :5 ! MOON WAS FULL4 

,I HAD BE5 FA/+ S9CE ! DAY ! FUR DRESS] HAD GIV5 H] LIFE4 ,I SAT BY ! /REAM & WAIT$4 ,SOON A BEAV] CAME TO ME & TOLD ME HE WAS GO+ TO DR[N ! WORLD4 ,HE RAIS$ A DAM SO HI< ?AT ! WAT] SWALL[$ ! VILLAGE & ! =E/4 ,:5 ,I SAW ! BEAV] AGA9 HE WAS C>RY+ MUD TO A TURTLE'S BACK4 ,HE W9K$ AT ME & ! MUD BECAME A FIELD :]E LAU<+ *ILDR5 RAN AMONG /ALKS ( YELL[ CORN C>ESS$ BY SUN & W9D4 

,I TOLD ! OLD WOMAN MY DREAM & %E SCOLD$ ME4 ,%E CALL$ ME ,YAHATASE1 S]P5T :O *ANGES H] SK93 ,Y\ W]E BORN A LON<\SE GR&DAU<T]4 ,!N Y\ SPOKE LIKE A ,HOLY ,M>Y4 ,Y\'VE JU/ BEGUN TO S+ LIKE A SE$KEEP]4 ,YET N[ Y\ DREAM LIKE A NOR!RN] ( DIFF]5T SPEE* & REJECT Y\R [N PEOPLE4 

,IT OCCURR$ TO ME ?AT A S]P5T %$S AN UGLY OLD SK9 & GR[S A BEAUTIFUL NEW ONE1 UNLIKE ! ,ROBES :O NEV] *ANGE !IR SK9S4 ,ANNE WAS DR[N$ BY A BEAV]4 ,YAHATASE BE IT6 ,I LIK$ MY NEW SK94 

,SOME ( \R PEOPLE :O HAD GONE EA/ RETURN$ AS EMISS>IES ( ! EA/]N LEAGUE & TOLD US TO BURY \R CROSSES1 /OP S++ TO LIFE-HAT+ SPIRITS1 & JO9 ! BRAN*ES SURR\ND+ ! LIV+ TREE4 ,A FEW RIFLE->M$ Y\?1 9C5S$ BY ! PRES5CE ( FI]CE ,S]P5TS 9 \R MID/1 MURD]$ ! EMISS>IES4 

,SOON AFT] ?IS DE$1 ! FUR C>RI]S :O HAD BR\<T US TO ,MORN+L& CAME TO W>N US ?AT A L>GE B& ( EA/]N]S WAS HEAD+ T[>D US & ?AT !SE ,S]P5TS FROM ! SUNRISE W]E >M$ ) RIFLES GIV5 TO !M BY ,OCEAN%ORE /RANG]S :OM ! ,ROBES CONSID]$ MORE EVIL ?AN PAGANS4 ,! OLD WOMAN 9SI/$ ON /AY+ 9 ! VILLAGE1 ?9K+ ! W>RIORS W]E RU%+ T[>D US TO ADOPT US4 

,I WAS CONV9C$ !Y HAD GOOD REASON TO KILL US ALL4 ,I FL$ ) ,MANI TO ! =E/4 ,9 A FEW DAYS WE W]E LO/1 HUNGRY & COLD4 ,I UND]/OOD :Y ,LONGBE>DS & ,BLACKROBES FE>$ ! =E/3 !Y DIDN'T KN[ H[ TO 5JOY E>?'S GIFTS ANY BETT] ?AN MY SI/] OR ,I DID4 

,WE SMELL$ ROA/+ MEAT & ?\<T WE W]E 9 ,P>ADISE4 ,WE FOLL[$ ! SMELL TO :]E ! NOR!RN FUR C>RI]S W]E CAMP$4 ,WE OV]FL[$ ) GRATITUDE1 EV5 :5 !Y TOLD US !Y HADN'T LO/ SI<T ( US S9CE WE HAD LEFT \R LON<\SE1 & ?AT WE HAD CONFIRM$ :AT !Y'D HE>D AB\T ! P[]S ( MISSION PEOPLE 9 ! =E/4 

,:5 ! C>RI]S TOLD US ! W> WAS OV]1 WE FOLL[$ !M ?R\< ! =E/ PA/ A NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE :I* WAS COMPLETELY DESOLATE4 ,MANI CRI$4 ,I RU%$ FROM AB&ON$ R\NDLODGES TO AB&ON$ LON<\SES1 !N TO A SPOT :]E A SQU>E LODGE HAD /OOD4 ,! ,ROBES' LODGE WAS BURN$ TO ! GR\ND4 ,BUT !RE W]E NO CORPSES4 

,MANI CLUNG TO ME & TREMBL$ :5 WE GLIMPS$ \R VILLAGE4 ,NO?+ & NO ONE REMA9$4 ,EV]Y LODGE WAS A M\ND ( A%ES2 EV5 \R FIELDS W]E BURN$4 

,SUDD5LY ! OLD WOMAN WALK$ T[>D US FROM A B>K LODGE BY =E/'S $GE4 ,%E TOLD US \R VILLAGE HAD BE5 ATTACK$ BY *ILDR5 ( PEOPLE :O HAD LIV$ 9 ,MORN+L&3 ,! EA/]N]S BEGG$ US TO JO9 !M BY !IR TREE1 BUT \R ,HOLY ,M>YS RESPOND$ TO ! 9VITATION BY PO9T+ !IR RIFLES4 ,!N ! EA/]N]S PULL$ HIDD5 RIFLES FROM CLOAKS & BUNDLES1 MORE RIFLES ?AN !RE W]E 9 ALL ,MORN+L&4 ,EV]YONE W5T EA/4 

,\R CROSSWE>]S & GUN C>RI]S W5T B\ND1 TI$ TO EA* O!R LIKE DOGS TO A TRAVOIS4 

,! OLD WOMAN1 :O SO LONG$ = ! SONGS & DANCES1 ! NAMES & MEAN+S ( ! LON<\SE FE/IVALS1 HAD /AY$ & WAIT$ = \R RETURN1 KN[+ ?AT ,MANI W\LD NOT HAVE BE5 ADOPT$4 

,! FUR C>RI]S (F]$ TO TAKE US TO A DI/ANT ISL& 9 A BEAUTIFUL GRE5 BAY :]E NEI!R PLAGUES NOR RAID+ ,S]P5TS W\LD REA* US4 ,?9K+ ( MY DREAM1 & ( :AT ! FUR DRESS] HAD TOLD ,MANI1 ,I C\LDN'T WAIT TO /EP FROM A CANOE TO ! %ORE ( ?AT BEAUTIFUL ISL&4 ,BUT ! OLD WOMAN DIDN'T WANT TO BE ADOPT$ BY PEOPLE ( DIFF]5T SPEE* & WAYS4 ,%E WANT$ ,MANI TO BURY H] CROSS1 LE>N ! LON<\SE SONGS1 & GO TO :]E ! LEAVES & BRAN*ES W]E CONNECT$ TO A LIV+ TREE4 

,MANI W\LDN'T P>T ) H] CROSS1 & ,I WAS TOO F> REMOV$ FROM \R MO!R'S WAYS TO LET MYSELF BE GUID$ BY ! LON<\SE GR&MO!R4 ,! OLD WOMAN TALK$ 9 SIGNS TO ONE ( ! C>RI]S2 %E REJECT$ MY (F] TO TRANSLATE4 ,AT LA/ %E TOLD US WE W\LD GO TOGE!R TO A GRE5 BAY1 TO A LAKE CALL$ ,MI%IGAMI4 

,DUR+ ! J\RNEY1 ,MANI & ,I W]E SPEE*LESS4 ,WE HADN'T IMAG9$ !RE WAS SO MU* BEAUTY 9 ! WORLD4 ,BUT :5 WE REA*$ \R DE/9ATION1 ,I WAS DISAPPO9T$ & FELT BETRAY$4 ,I DIDN'T SEE ! PLAYFUL & VIGOR\S PEOPLE ! FUR DRESS] HAD L$ ME TO EXPECT1 NOR ! GORGE\S FIELD MY DREAM'S BEAV] HAD PROMIS$4 ,I SAW ! SAME ?+ ,I HAD SE5 S9CE MY FIF? SPR+3 A GA!R+ ( PLAGUE'S SURVIVORS4 ,!SE HAD FL$ FROM A PLACE !Y NAM$ ) \R TONGUE1 ,TIOSA ,RONDION2 P]HAPS ?AT WAS ! BEAV] VILLAGE ( MY DREAM4 

,! P]SON :O ADOPT$ US WAS ! C>RI] ,I LIK$ LEA/ ( ! 5TIRE B&1 A SOMB]1 IRRITABLE MAN :O C\<$ & %IV]$ EV5 ?\< HE KEPT HIS POCKM>K$ SK9 COV]$ ) FUR4 ,HE MADE ME ?9K ( ! MAN :O HAD MOV$ AMONG ! CORPSES ( MY FIR/ VILLAGE REMOV+ CLOAKS & P5DANTS4 ,I WAS SURE HE NEV] DREAM$4 ,HE SPOKE MA9LY ( ! ,LONGBE>DS ( ,/ADACONA1 & HE SPOKE ( !M ) ! SAME MIXTURE ( PRIDE & REV]5T HUMILITY ) :I* MY SI/] SPOKE ( ,LA ,SA9TE ,M>IE4 

,?IS MAN & HIS TWO NEPHEWS LIV$ 9 A SQU>E LODGE ON ! FR+E ( ! ISL& VILLAGE4 ,!Y HELP$ US RAISE A SMALL LON<\SE4 ,! MAN BR\<T MEAT TO ! OLD WOMAN4 ,! Y\NG] NEPHEW BR\<T BEADS & QUILLS TO ,MANI4 ,! OLD] NEPHEW KEPT HIS DI/ANCE FROM US & SAID NO?+2 HE SEEM$ HO/ILE TO \R PRES5CE 9 HIS VILLAGE4 

,MY DISAPPO9TM5T GAVE WAY TO HOPE 9 SPR+1 :5 SEV]AL M5 CLE>$ A FIELD1 & WOM5 ) CORN1 SQUA% & BEAN SE$S JO9$ US 9 A PLANT+ C]EMONY4 ,WE W]E 5*ANT$ ?AT WOM5 ( NOR!RN SPEE* W]E FAMILI> ) ! SONGS & DANCES ( ,TURTLEFOLK1 AS !Y CALL$ US4 ,:ILE ,I DANC$1 ,I FELT ! SE$S G]M9AT+ 9 E>?1 ! PLANTS PU%+ ?R\<1 & ,I KNEW ! SE$S G]M9AT+ 9 ME W\LD ALSO PU% ?R\<4 

,BUT MY HOPES DIDN'T LA/ A SEASON4 ,! CANOE C>AVAN RETURN$ FROM ! EA/ ) ! TROPHIES GOTT5 = ! SCAV5G$ FURS4 ,! C>RI] CAME TO \R LODGE1 DELIB]ATELY AVOID$ ! OLD WOMAN1 & ) AN UGLY SMILE FROZ5 ACROSS HIS FACE1 H&$ ME BEADS1 CLO?1 A POT1 A KNIFE & MEAT4 

,SOME?+ 9 MY HEAD BUR/4 ,I DUMP$ ! GIFTS 9TO ! POT & ?REW ! 5TIRE (F]+ AT ! MAN'S FACE4 ,I REMEMB]$ ! OLD WOMAN TALK+ TO ?IS MAN ) SIGNS4 ,I C\LD ALMO/ HE> !M3 %E WANT$ TO COMPLETE H] LON<\SE ) A MAN :O W\LD BR+ MEAT & FA!R *ILDR51 EV5 IF HE SPOKE DIFF]5TLY4 ,HE WANT$ TO SWELL HIS P[] BUNDLE ) A MANY- TONGU$ COMPANION :O W\LD HELP HIM SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ! ,LONGBE>DS1 EV5 IF %E *ANG$ H] SK9 LIKE A S]P5T4 ,P]HAPS HE WANT$ ! ,LONGBE>DS TO NAME HIM LE *EF DES G5S DU LAC4 ,I %\T$ TO HIM3 ,TAKE ! OLD WOMAN & FA!R H] *ILDR56 ,& MAY Y\R *ILDR5 SCAV5GE Y\R GRAVE & FIL* Y\R BONES = TROPHIES6 

,I FL$ TO A SPOT ON ! %ORE & LOOK$ \T ON ! BAY4 ,! OLD WOMAN W\LD HAVE TO MAKE DO )\T MEAT4 ,I FELT SORRY = H]4 ,:5 ,I RETURN$ TO \R LODGE1 ,MANI EMBRAC$ ME2 %E WAS PR\D ( MY *A/ITY6 ,I WI%$ %E'D HAD ! M9D & HE>T TO EMBRACE ! OLD WOMAN 9/EAD4 

,I RAN DAILY TO MY SPOT ON %ORE4 ,SOON ,I BECAME AW>E ?AT SOMEONE WAS SPY+ ON ME4 ,ONE DAY A CANOE FLOAT$ 9TO MY VIEW4 ,! OLD] NEPHEW /OOD 9 IT ) HIS BACK TO ME & SPE>$ FI%4 ,SOME DAYS LAT] ,I F\ND ! CANOE AB&ON$ NE> MY SPOT2 ! SPE> WAS 9 IT4 ,I PADDL$ \T1 TRI$ TO SPE> FI%1 & AT LA/ SUCCE$$4 ,I S5S$ ?AT MY :OLE P]=MANCE WAS WAT*$4 ,BUT ,I US$ ! CANOE :5EV] ,I F\ND IT1 & DANC$ BACK TO \R LODGE ) ! FI% ,I SPE>$4 

,!N ,I F\ND A B[ & SEV]AL >R[S4 ,I S5T >R[S T[>D LEAVES & BRAN*ES UNTIL ,I LO/ !M ALL4 ,! NEXT DAY ! >R[S W]E ALL RETRIEV$ & ,I %OT !M AGA91 A LITTLE MORE ACCURATELY4 ,ONE DAY ,I SAW A DE]4 ,I AIM$4 ,! DE] FELL TO ! GR\ND4 ,I RAN T[>DS IT & FROZE4 ,I CRI$ 9 ! FACE ( ! BEAUTIFUL LIFE ,I HAD TAK54 ,I TURN$ TO WALK AWAY4 ,AT ?AT MOM5T ! Y\?1 ! HO/ILE OLD] NEPHEW1 APPE>$ FROM NO:]E1 WALK$ PA/ ME & KNELT BY ! DE]4 ,HE REMOV$ ! >R[ & BROKE (F ! /EM4 

,HE GIVES ME ! >RO:EAD4 ,HIS GIFT1 HIS %YNESS1 HIS WAY ( PROVID+ \R LODGE ) MEAT1 MAKE ME CRY H>D]4 ,HE C>RIES ! DE] TO MY LODGE1 WALK+ SEV]AL /EPS BEH9D ME4 ,I TURN & ASK ,:Y8 

,W$ASI 

  

,:Y WAS HE SO HO/ILE :5 WE FIR/ CAME8 ,:Y IS HE SO G5]\S N[8 ,! Y\? PLACES ! DE] AT ! 5TRANCE TO MY LODGE & LEAVES1 ANSW]+ NO QUE/IONS4 

,N[ IT'S ,I :O FOLL[ HIM1 ONE DAY TO A =E/ OP5+1 ANO!R TO ! $GE ( A /REAM1 !N TO ! ISL&'S %ORE1 AT LA/ TO ! SPOT :]E ,I FIR/ S5S$ HIM WAT*+ ME4 

,HE TELLS ME GRADUALLY1 NOT ALL AT ONCE1 ! ?+S HE'S NEV] BE=E TOLD ANYONE4 

,HIS GR&MO!R NAM$ HIM ,W$ASI1 W>RIOR1 BUT HE DOESN'T KN[ :AT FEATS %E EXPECT$ ( HIM4 ,HIS FIR/ MEMORY IS ( RETURN+ TO HIS VILLAGE ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 ( HIS K9 ON %ORE %\T+ & WAV+ !IR >MS1 & ( HIS FA!R PADDL+ FURI\SLY AWAY FROM HIS VILLAGE4 ,HE TELLS ME ! CANOE DIDN'T /OP UNTIL IT REA*$ ?IS ISL& 9 ! GRE5 BAY :]E MORE PEOPLE W]E GA!R$ ?AN HE ?\<T EXI/$4 ,HE SAYS HE DIDN'T KN[ H[ FEW !Y W]E4 

,AS A BOY ( FIVE SPR+S1 HE DIDN'T KN[ :Y HIS PEOPLE HAD LEFT ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 HE DIDN'T UND]/& ! TALK ( A PLAGUE ?AT HAD VISIT$ HIS ,P59SULA4 

,HE SAID HE (T5 FOLL[$ HIS MO!R TO ! =E/ :5 %E GA!R$ H]BS4 ,%E SANG ( ,TELLEGWI K9 & ( GREAT ,S]P5TS ?AT DESC5D$ FROM ! NOR?4 ,%E MIX$ H]BS 9 C]TA9 COMB9ATIONS BUT ,W$ASI WAS TOO DI/RACT$ BY ! S\NDS ( BIRDS & ! MOTIONS ( ANIMALS TO CONC5TRATE ON ! *>ACT]I/ICS ( ! H]BS OR ! MEAN+ ( ! SONGS4 

,! ?IRD W9T] 9 ,GRE5BAY1 ,W$ASI'S FA!R GAVE HIM A B[ & TOOK HIM ALONG :5 HE W5T 9TO ! =E/4 ,! Y\?'S FA!R (T5 SANG ( HIS MO!R1 ,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R1 ! KEEP] ( ! ,TALAMATUN FIRE 9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION4 ,:5 ,W$ASI ASK$ IF %E WAS /ILL !RE1 TE>S FILL$ HIS FA!R'S EYES4 

,W$ASI WAS T5 :5 HIS BRO!R ,NANGISI WAS BORN4 ,HE TELLS ME3 ,GR&MO!R LET ME HELP >RANGE ! NAM+ C]EMONY4 ,WE HAD VISITORS FROM EV]Y QU>T]4 ,H] OLD] SON1 MY MO!R'S BRO!R1 HAD COME FROM ! EA/ ) CANOES FULL ( GIFTS2 & ,NE%NABEK AS WELL AS ,TELLEGWI FROM ! ,GRE5BAY %ORES HAD COME TO SMOKE AT \R FIRES & SEE ! GIFTS4 ,GR&MO!R CALL$ MY UNCLE A SCAV5G] & A PIT-M>K$ SPIRIT2 %E SAID HE GAVE SK9S ( UNEAT5 & UNBURI$ ANIMALS TO M5 :O GAVE HIM OBJECTS HE DIDN'T NE$4 ,%E TOLD ME ! ,GRE5BAY ,TELLEGWI :O C\NCIL$ AT H] FIRE W]E PEOPLE :OSE MEMORIES HAD BE5 WA%$ AWAY BY ! PLAGUE1 & ?AT'S :Y !Y HOV]$ >\ND ,UNCLE'S GIFTS4 ,%E %[$ ME ! SCROLLS FROM :I* %E NEV] P>T$1 BUT ,I WAS DI/RACT$ BY ! OBJECTS ,I RECOGNIZ$3 ! %ELLS1 BIRDS1 TREES1 & !Y W]E ALL ,I SAW4 ,:5 %E SANG ( F\R AGES1 A L& ( ICE1 A FEUD BETWE5 ,NE%NABEK1 ,TELLEGWI & ,TALAMATUN1 ,I HE>D ONLY WORDS4 ,I TOLD ,GR&MO!R NONE ( IT MEANT ANY?+ TO ME1 & ASK$ IF MY MEMORY WAS WA%$ AWAY OR MY SPIRIT PIT-M>K$4 ,%E SAID ,I'D REMEMB] EV]Y?+ AFT] ! C]EMONY1 :5 ,I FA/$ 9 MY DREAM LODGE4 

,BUT BE=E ! C]EMONY 5D$1 ,W$ASI'S UNCLE SPOKE ( A BONE FE/IVAL TO BE CELEBRAT$ BY MY MO!R'S & GR&MO!R'S PEOPLE 9 MY [N VILLAGE 9 ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S 9 ,MORN+L&4 ,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R NO LONG] SPOKE ( HIS DREAM LODGE4 ,%E SANG ( ! ?REE FIRES & ( ! F\R? AGE & ( AN OTT] :O W\LD COME FROM ! SEA & BR+ ! DEAD BACK TO LIFE BY ?R[+ %ELLS ON !IR BONES4 

,9 ,MORN+L&1 ,W$ASI WAS FILL$ ) WOND] BY ! NUMB] ( PEOPLE GA!R$1 BY ! EXT5T ( \R CORN FIELDS1 BY ! BISON HEADS WORN & ! SKELETONS C>RI$ BY ! ,EHRYE PEOPLE ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]'S VALLEYS4 ,HE TELLS ME HIS FA!R SEEM$ ANG]$ BY ! ,TALAMATUN :O WORE CROSSES & MUTT]$1 BY ! BLACKROB$ FIGURES :O HOV]$ ON ! FR+ES LIKE SIL5T CR[S1 & BY ! BE>D$ M5 ) COV]$ BODIES TO :OM HIS UNCLE GAVE !IR PELTS4 

,SOON AFT] !Y >RIV$1 HIS FA!R RU%$ HIM & HIS BRO!R FROM ! FE/IVAL GR\ND & SET UP A T5T DEEP 9 ! =E/4 ,W$ASI WANT$ TO BE ) HIS GR&MO!R :O HAD /AY$ AT ! FE/IVAL2 HE WANT$ TO SEE ! ?REE FIRES & ! OTT] :O BR\<T SKELETONS TO LIFE4 

,:5 HIS FA!R LEFT ! T5T AT NI<T1 ?9K+ ! Y\?S W]E ASLEEP1 ,W$ASI FOLL[$ HIM TO A C\NCILGR\ND :]E ONE FIRE BURN$4 ,HE SAYS HE LO/ SI<T ( HIM 9 ! MULTITUDE GA!R$ >\ND ! FIRE4 ,A BISON-HEAD$ ,EHRYE /OOD 9 ! C5T] & TOLD ?AT A SPIRIT HAD VISIT$ HIS DREAM & W>N$ ?AT ! ,BLACKROBES TRAVEL+ TWO BY TWO ?R\< ! L& W]E C>RY+ ! PLAGUE TO ALL ! VILLAGES4 ,!N HE HE>D HIS FA!R SAY ! /RANG]S' V]Y GIFTS WEAK5$ ?OSE :O T\*$ !M1 KILL$ ! HEAL?Y1 & TURN$ ! SICKLY 9TO SUBMISSIVE1 *ANT+ SCAV5G]S4 

,AT ?AT PO9T1 PEOPLE BEGAN TO MOVE AB\T1 GRUMBL+ ANGRILY4 ,AFRAID HE'D BE DISCOV]$1 ,W$ASI RAN BACK TO ! T5T4 ,BUT HIS FA!R DIDN'T RETURN4 ,HIS MO!R SAID NO?+2 H] EYES BEGG$ ,W$ASI TO /AY BY H] SIDE4 ,BUT HE KNEW SOME?+ WAS AB\T TO HAPP52 HE RETURN$ TO ! C\NCILGR\ND4 ,SEV]AL ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] PEOPLE W]E VOMIT+4 ,!Y TOLD HIM TO /AY AWAY FROM ! CURS$ PLACE4 

,HE W5T 9TO ! VILLAGE4 ,9 EV]Y LODGE HE F\ND PEOPLE WRI?+ FROM PA94 ,HE F\ND HIS FA!R1 :O WAS ANGRY :5 HE SAW ,W$ASI & TOLD HIM NOT TO 5T] BUT TO RUN1 LIKE ! PEOPLE ON ,TIOSA ,RONDION'S %ORE :O HAD WAV$ AT !IR RETURN+ CANOE SEV5 YE>S E>LI]4 

,:5 HE RAN BACK TO ! T5T1 HE WAS T]RIFI$4 ,HE ?\<T ,BLACKROBES1 ,LONGBE>DS & CROSSWE>]S W]E RUNN+ AFT] HIM4 ,HE F\ND HIS MO!R >GU+ ) H] BRO!R4 ,HIS UNCLE WAS URG+ H] TO LEAVE ,MORN+L&1 SAY+ ,W$ASI'S FA!R & GR&MO!R W\LD COME LAT]4 ,BUT HIS MO!R ALREADY KNEW SOME?+ T]RIBLE HAD HAPP5$4 

,C>RY+ ,NANGISI1 %E HAD ,W$ASI GUIDE H] TO ! FE/IVAL GR\ND4 ,BE=E REA*+ ! LODGE :]E HIS FA!R LAY1 ! Y\?'S GR&MO!R WALK$ T[>D !M4 ,%E SEEM$ OLD & WI!R$2 %E VOMIT$ S&Y BLOOD4 ,%E SAID ,W$ASI'S FA!R WAS DEAD4 ,%E GAVE HIS MO!R ! SCROLLS FROM :I* %E'D NEV] P>T$ & TOLD !M TO FLEE4 

,W$ASI'S UNCLE1 HIS BUNDLE FILL$ ) NEW GIFTS1 PADDL$ HIS SI/] & H] *ILDR5 TO !IR ,GRE5BAY ISL&1 P]HAPS AT ! V]Y MOM5T :5 TWO ,BLACKROBES TOOK ,MANI & ME FROM A CORPSE-FILL$ LON<\SE TO ! MISSION 9 ,/ADACONA4 ,W$ASI TELLS ME ?AT DUR+ ! J\RNEY HIS MO!R WAS AS SIL5T AS A /ONE4 ,HIS UNCLE KEPT REPEAT+ ?AT ! Y\?'S FA!R & GR&MO!R W\LD COME LAT] UNTIL ,W$ASI TOLD HIM HE KNEW !Y HAD DI$ ( ! PLAGUE BR\<T BY ! ,BLACKROBES4 ,HIS UNCLE GREW ANGRY4 ,HE SAID BEAV]S1 RACCOONS & DE] HAD BR\<T ! PLAGUE4 ,HE SAID ! ,LONGBE>DS LAU<$ AT US = LOV+ ANIMALS & WANT+ TO SPEAK TO !M 9 DREAMS4 ,HE SAID ! ,LONGBE>DS SPOKE TO ANIMALS ) FIRE/ICKS1 & LOV$ ONLY DEAD ANIMALS4 

,SOON AFT] ,W$ASI'S PEOPLE & O!R SURVIVORS HAD RETURN$ TO ,GRE5BAY1 HIS MO!R TOLD HIM TO TAKE ,NANGISI & GO ELSE:]E4 ,%E TRI$ TO SCATT] ! PEOPLE HIS GR&MO!R HAD GA!R$ ON ?IS ISL& DUR+ H] LA/ YE>S4 ,HIS MO!R LOOK$ AS WI!R$ AS HIS GR&MO!R HAD LOOK$ 9 ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S4 ,%E GAVE HIM EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS H]S3 H] H]B BUNDLE1 ! P5DANT HIS FA!R HAD GIV5 H]1 HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS1 ALL )\T C]EMONY4 ,%E SAID NO?+2 H] EYES BEGG$ HIM TO LEAVE H] ALONE4 

,! PLAGUE WAS ON ?IS ISL&4 ,SOME PEOPLE RAN FROM SWEAT LODGES TO ! BAY'S WAT] TO HEAL BUT !Y NEV] CAME UP4 ,W$ASI W5T TO ! =E/ & UNTI$ HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS1 HOP+ !Y W\LD HELP HIM UND]/&4 ,BUT ALL HE SAW WAS ! SAME %ELLS & BIRDS & FIGURES HE HAD SE5 BE=E1 & HE C\LDN'T REMEMB] ! SONGS4 ,HE TELLS ME HE HAD BE5 DI/RACT$ & TOO Y\NG TO CONC5TRATE4 ,HE HADN'T KN[N HE'D 9H]IT ! SCROLLS4 ,HE ROLL$ HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS ) HIS TE>S 9SIDE1 & TI$ !M4 

,:5 HE GOT BACK TO !IR LODGE1 HIS UNCLE WAS C>RY+ HIS MO!R'S WA/$ BODY TO A BURIAL SPOT 9 ! =E/4 ,HE PLAC$ ! H]B BUNDLE & HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS ALONGSIDE HIS MO!R1 KEEP+ A B>K FRAGM5T ?AT BROKE (F2 !N HE HELP$ HIS UNCLE COV] H] BODY ) E>?4 ,HE SAYS HIS 9SIDES W]E DEAD4 

,W$ASI'S UNCLE WAS %UNN$ BY ! SURVIV+ VILLAG]S1 MANY ( :OM FE>$ HIS GIFTS4 ,HE BUILT A SQU>E LODGE = HIMSELF & HIS NEPHEWS ON ! \T] FR+E ( ! VILLAGE ( R\NDLODGES4 

,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R HAD TRI$ TO MAKE A :OLE \T ( FRAGM5TS4 ,HIS UNCLE TOOK FRAGM5TS \T ( ! :OLE4 ,! PLAGUE LEFT MANY Y\? )\T K91 )\T NAMES1 )\T DREAMS1 )\T GUIDES1 & SOME ( !SE Y\? ACCOMPANI$ ! C>RI] & ADMIR+LY CALL$ HIM ,WISKE ! GIFT-GIV]4 

,! Y\?'S UNCLE TAU<T HIM TO USE HIS FIRE/ICK & TO HUNT ANIMALS NOT = EAT+ BUT = ! C>AVANS ?AT TOOK DRESS$ SK9S TO ,B[ET+1 :]E ,LONGBE>DS HAD SET UP A PO/4 ,! C>RI] SAID HIS NEPHEW WAS WELL NAM$ BECAUSE HIS AIM WAS GOOD1 & HE GAVE ,W$ASI A FIRE/ICK4 ,= A TIME1 ,W$ASI WAS PR\D ( HIS P[]S1 LIKE ! O!R C>RI]S4 ,HE NO LONG] FELT EMPTY4 ,HE HAD A QUALITY3 GOOD AIM4 ,HE FELT /RONG] ?AN ! ANIMALS :O CR+$ FROM HIM2 HIS FIRE/ICK HAD GREAT] P[]S ?AN ! DANCES & H]BS & O!R M$IC9ES4 

,ONE DAY HE TRACK$ A MOOSE DEEP 9TO ! =E/2 HE BECAME DI/RACT$ & KEPT FOLL[+ ! L>GE ANIMAL LONG AFT] HE SI<T$ IT1 WAT*+ :]E IT /OPP$ & :AT IT DID4 ,HE GOT SO CLOSE HE C\LD T\* IT4 ,! MOOSE TURN$ TO LOOK AT HIM1 & !N W5T BACK TO EAT+ FL[]S4 ,W$ASI RAIS$ HIS FIRE/ICK & WAIT$4 ,! MOOSE TURN$ AGA9 & LOOK$ 9TO ! Y\NG HUNT]'S EYES1 TRU/+1 UNAFRAID1 & !N PR\DLY WALK$ AWAY4 ,IT WAS ,W$ASI :O CR+$4 ,HE DIDN'T FEEL /RONG OR BRAVE1 BUT WEAK & C[>DLY & /UPID2 HIS P[]S W]E NOT LODG$ 9 HIMSELF BUT 9 A CONTRIVANCE HE HAD NOT MADE4 

,W$ASI BURI$ HIS FIRE/ICK BEH9D HIS UNCLE'S LODGE2 HE HUNT$ ) HIS B[1 BUT ONLY :5 HE WAS HUNGRY1 & HE TOOK C>E TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE TO ! PR\D & G5]\S ANIMALS HE HUNT$4 

,ONE DAY HE RETURN$ TO ! SPOT :]E ! MOOSE HAD LOOK$ AT HIM & HE BUILT A FA/+ LODGE4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ :AT TO EXPECT4 ,?OSE :O C\LD HAVE PREP>$ HIM W]E DEAD4 ,HE HOP$ ! TRU/+ MOOSE W\LD COME & HELP HIM4 ,9/EAD1 A BE> CAME1 LOOK$ AT HIM & W5T ON4 ,A WOLF WALK$ NE> HIS LODGE 9DIFF]5TLY1 NOT ONCE LOOK+ UP1 ?\< HE MU/ HAVE SMELL$ HIM4 

,AFT] A FEW DAYS HE FELT SICK & WEAK1 BUT /ILL NO?+ CAME1 NEI!R A SPIRIT NOR A MOOSE4 ,HE />T$ ?9K+ ( ! BONE FE/IVAL :]E HIS FA!R & GR&MO!R HAD DI$4 ,HE C\LDN'T GET IT \T ( HIS M9D4 ,HE ?\<T ( ! ,EHRYE W>RIOR SAY+ ?AT ,BLACKROBES C>RI$ ! PLAGUE TO ! VILLAGES1 & ( HIS FA!R SAY+ ?AT EV5 ! GIFTS ( ! /RANG]S WEAK5$ & KILL$ ! ,ROOTK94 

,W$ASI WOND]$ :Y HIS FA!R HAD SAID ?AT S9CE ,W$ASI'S UNCLE HAD C>RI$ ?OSE GIFTS TO EV]Y CORN] ( ! ,P59SULA4 ,& SUDD5LY HE UND]/OOD4 ,HE UND]/OOD HIS MO!R'S SIL5CE & HIS FA!R'S ANG]4 ,HE REMEMB]$ !IR LA/ DAY 9 ,TIOSA ,RONDION4 ,!Y HAD LEFT TO GO ) ,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R TO ! FI% FEA/ 9 ,B[ET+ ! SAME DAY HIS UNCLE & ! C>AVAN HAD LEFT TO TAKE !IR FUR BUNDLES TO ! EA/4 

,:5 !Y RETURN$ TO ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 HIS FA!R'S MO!R & O!RS W]E SPITT+ S&Y BLOOD & DY+4 ,W$ASI'S UNCLE MU/ HAVE KN[N ?AT !Y HAD ALL FL$ TO ,GRE5BAY1 BUT HE DIDN'T %[ HIS FACE H]E = SEV5 YE>S4 ,:5 AT LA/ HE CAME1 IT WAS TO 9VITE !M TO RESUME !IR K9%IP ) ,TALAMATUN C\S9S4 ,! C>RI]'S 9VITATION MADE ! Y\?'S FA!R DREAM ( SITT+ AT A FIRE ) HIS MO!R'S ANCE/ORS2 IT MADE HIS GR&MO!R DREAM ( RESUM+ LIFE AS IT HAD BE5 BE=E ! PLAGUE1 & IT MADE ,W$ASI DREAM ( AN OTT] :O W\LD REVIVE PEOPLE ) %ELLS4 

,W$ASI ?9KS IT MU/ HAVE BECOME CLE> TO HIS FA!R AS SOON AS !Y >RIV$ AT ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S ?AT HIS UNCLE'S SOLE AIM HAD BE5 TO LURE ! ,GRE5BAY FURS EA/W>D & TO LURE ! ,LONGBE>DS' GIFTS WE/W>D4 ,EV5 MORE MU/ HAVE BECOME CLE> TO HIS FA!R4 ,SOME SURVIVORS MU/ HAVE REMEMB]$ ?AT A PLAGUE HAD RAVAG$ ,MORN+L& SEV5 YE>S E>LI] :5 ,W$ASI'S UNCLE HAD GONE EA/ TO FILL HIS CANOES & !N RETURN$ TO ,TIOSA ,RONDION BE=E !M2 HE HAD C>RI$ HIS GIFT TO EV]Y CORN] ( ! ,P59SULA4 

,9 HIS DREAM LODGE1 ,W$ASI SAW ?AT HIS UNCLE WAS AS HE$LESS ( CONSEQU5CES AS ! MAK]S ( FIRE/ICKS4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT DISMAL BE+S 9 D>K CAVES DEVIS$ KILL+-/ICKS !Y DIDN'T !MSELVES WIELD2 & SAID NO H]B COLLECTOR GA!RS POISONS TO MURD] DI/ANT /RANG]S :O NEV] WRONG$ HIM1 :OM HE DOESN'T CONFRONT1 :OSE DEA? HE DOESN'T SEE1 = A REV5GE HE DOESN'T SEEK4 

,W$ASI ?ANKS ! E>? & TREES & ANIMALS = HELP+ HIM SEE CLE>LY4 ,HE SAW SOME?+ HIS GR&MO!R HAD CALL$ ,DIG[91 SOME?+ ?AT SCAV5GES1 SOME?+ ?AT SWALL[S LIFE )\T 9T5D+ TO1 SOME?+ ?AT'S /UPID BUT PR\D ( /R5G? & 9TELLIG5CE :I* >E NOT & NEV] BECOME ITS [N4 ,HE SAW ?AT ! M5 CALL$ ,LONGBE>DS WIELD$ HIS UNCLE ! WAY ! C>RI] WIELDS A FIRE/ICK1 & ?AT ! COLORFUL CLO? & ! POTS & HAT*ETS >E :AT HIS FA!R ?\<T !Y W]E1 OBJECTS ?AT WEAK5 & KILL4 

,MANI & ,I & ! OLD WOMAN >RIV$ 9 A CANOE LAD5 ) POTS1 HAT*ETS1 KNIVES & CLO?2 A CROSS HUNG FROM ,MANFS NECK1 & %E MUTT]$ LIKE PEOPLE ,W$ASI HAD SE5 AT ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S4 ,W$ASI DIDN'T WELCOME US2 HE ?\<T WE W]E HIS UNCLE'S1 OR EV5 ! PLAGUE'S1 ACCOMPLICES4 

,BUT :5 HE SAW ME ?R[ HIS UNCLE'S GIFTS 9 HIS FACE1 ,W$ASI SAW ?AT HE HAD MADE A BAD MI/AKE3 ,) ?AT S+LE ACT1 Y\ DID MORE ?AN ,I'VE KN[N H[ TO DO S9CE ,I'VE LIV$ 9 UNCLE ,WISKE'S LODGE4 ,I FOLL[$ Y\ TO Y\R CLE>+ TO REPAIR MY MI/AKE4 

,I ASK HIM :Y HE *OSE SU* A /RANGE WAY TO GIVE ME FI% & MEAT4 

,LOOK+ AT ! >RO:EAD ,I C>RY >\ND MY NECK1 HE TELLS ME IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS SURE ,I W\LDN'T ACCEPT ?OSE GIFTS FROM ! H& ( ?AT MAN'S NEPHEW4 ,BUT :5 HE GAVE ME ! >RO:EAD1 ,I LOOK$ AT HIM ) EYES AS TRU/+ & UNAFRAID AS ! MOOSE'S1 & SAW ?AT HE HAD MADE ANO!R MI/AKE4 ,HE LAU<S %YLY4 

,I WANT HIM TO SAY MORE1 BUT ,I KN[ HE WON'T1 = HE'S TOLD ME ALL4 ,I KN[ ?AT ! TRU/ 9 MY EYES REM9DS HIM ( ! TRU/1 NOT 9 ! MOOSE'S1 BUT 9 HIS GR&MO!R'S EYES4 ,I KN[ HIS GR&MO!R EXPECT$ SOME?+ FROM HIM1 & AL?\< HE DOESN'T KN[ :AT IT IS1 IT'S :AT HE WANTS TO GIVE ME1 AS IF ,I TOO EXPECT$ IT FROM HIM4 ,H[ CAN ,I MAKE HIM /OP SEE+ HIS GR&MO!R'S EXPECTANT EYES BEH9D MY LOV+ EYES8 

,I KN[ H[4 ,BY BR++ AB\T :AT HIS GR&MO!R EXPECT$ FROM HIM4 ,!N ,I'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE HIM :AT HE'D LIKE TO GIVE ME4 ,:AT HIS GR&MO!R WANT$ IS AS CLE> TO ME AS IF %E'D TOLD ME H]SELF4 ,I MAY NOT KN[ ALL ! RI<T WORDS OR MELODIES1 BUT NEI!R DOES ,W$ASI NOR ANYONE ALIVE4 

,UNTIL N[ ,I'VE AVOID$ ! PEOPLE :O HAVE VISIT$ \R ISL& 9 ! GRE5 BAY4 ,N[ ,I HAVE REASON TO M+LE ) ! NEWLY >RIV$ LON<\SE PEOPLE :O HAVE BE5 TO ! ,SUNSET ,M\NTA9S4 ,I BEG !M TO /AY ) US1 = MY SAKE1 = ! SAKE ( ,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R1 & = ! SAKE ( ! OLD WOMAN :O WAS =C$ TO ?IS ISL& BY ,MANFS & MY UNWILL+NESS TO JO9 ! PEOPLE ( ! LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 

,\R GUE/S SAY !Y >E GLAD TO RE/ AFT] HAV+ W&]$ TO EV]Y CORN] ( ! WORLD4 ,!Y TELL US !Y W]E /ILL NUM]\S 5\< TO FILL A L>GE VILLAGE AFT] ! PLAGUE R$UC$ !M ON ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]4 ,!Y FL$ TO ,MORN+L& & S\<T PROTECTION 9 ! ,BLACKROBES' CROSSES & *ANTS4 ,DIS5*ANT$ BY ! ,ROBES' P[]S AFT] BE+ FUR!R R$UC$ BY A SECOND PLAGUE1 ! SURVIVORS RETURN$ EA/W>D & S\<T ADOPTION AMONG ! PEOPLE ( ! LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 

,BUT !Y W\LD NOT AB&ON BRO!RS & C\S9S :O REFUS$ TO BURY !IR CROSSES1 JU/ AS ,I HAD REFUS$ TO AB&ON ,MANI1 & SO HAD TO FLEE FROM ?OSE :OSE REFUGE !Y HAD S\<T4 ,%UNN$ BY ONE SIDE = /UBBORNNESS & BY ! O!R = 9CON/ANCY1 !Y !N RETRAC$ ! ORIG9AL MIGRATION ( ! LON<\SE PEOPLE1 FOLL[+ ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV] TO :]E IT FL[S 9TO ! ,LONG ,RIV] ( ! SUNSET4 

,!Y CONT9U$ WE/W>D OV] PRAIRIES & PLA9S UNTIL !IR PA? WAS BLOCK$ BY M\NTA9S ) CRAT]S & VOLCANOS4 ,RETURN+ EA/W>D TO DRY PLA9S1 !Y F\ND NO FAMILI> B]RIES1 ROOTS OR FRUIT1 & HUNG] KILL$ MANY MORE4 ,!Y GAVE E>? SE$S1 BUT !IR HALF-GR[N CORN WAS DE/ROY$ BY /AMP$+ BISON & !IR CAMP WAS ATTACK$ BY BISON HUNT]S :O RODE ANIMALS SIMIL> TO ! ,LONGBE>DS' HORSES4 ,! SURVIVORS ?\<T !IR LA/ R$UCTION WAS AN OM5 & !Y RETURN$ T[>D ! SUNRISE1 = !IR REMEMB]]S SAID HORSELIKE ANIMALS DID NOT EXI/ 9 ! WE/]N PLA9S4 

,:ILE ,MANI *ANTS ) ! CROSSWE>]S AMONG ! GUE/S1 ! OLD WOMAN & ,I & ,W$ASI LI/5 TO :AT ! W&]]S TELL US ( ! EA/]N LON<\SE PEOPLE LEAGU$ >\ND ! LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 ,W$ASI ASKS IF IT'S TRUE ?AT ! EA/]N]S USE ,WISKE'S WEAPONS TO RECON/ITUTE !IR TREE4 ,\R GUE/S TELL US ! EA/]N]S DO USE FIRE/ICKS1 BUT ONLY AGA9/ ,HOLY ,M>YS1 & NOT ALWAYS AGA9/ !M1 = ! CONC]N ( !IR LON<\SE GR&MO!RS IS TO REG5]ATE ! WORLD1 NOT TO DEPOPULATE IT4 ,!MSELVES R$UC$ BY PLAGUE & H>ASS$ BY ,NOR!RN ,RIV] ,LONGBE>DS & ,OCEAN%ORE ,9VAD]S1 ! EA/]N]S HAVE FILL$ !IR LON<\SES & VILLAGES BY ADOPT+ PEOPLE ( ELEV5 DIFF]5T TONGUES1 AMONG :OM >E CAPTUR$ *ILDR5 ( ?REE TONGUES SPOK5 BY ! ,9VAD]S FROM ! SEA1 & ALL ( ! ADOPT$ BE> ANCE/RAL NAMES1 WE> MASKS 9 ! FE/IVALS1 S+ ! SONGS & UND]/& ! MEAN+S4 

,\R GUE/S' WORDS BR+ TE>S TO ! OLD WOMAN'S EYES1 = %E CONTRA/S :AT %E HE>S ) ! 9COMPLET5ESS ( \R LIVES4 ,BUT !IR WORDS FILL ME ) HOPE & CL>IFY MY TASK4 

,AL?\< ! W&]]S >E B>ELY NUM]\S 5\< TO FILL A S+LE LON<\SE1 ON MY 9SI/5CE WE RAISE TWO NEW LON<\SES1 LEAV+ SPACE = VISITORS ( DIFF]5T TONGUES1 & WE HELP \R NEW K9 CLE> A FIELD1 ,W$ASI ALONGSIDE ME1 HIS BRO!R ,NANGISI ALONGSIDE ,MANI4 

,SOON MORE GUE/S >RIVE1 PEOPLE FROM ,W$ASI'S ,P59SULA :O HAD FL$ S\?W>D TO ! VALLEY ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]1 :]E !Y W]E ATTACK$ & R$UC$ BY ! PLAGUE ?AT DEVA/AT$ ! ,EHRYES4 ,! NEWCOM]S /AY4 ,! OLD WOMAN IS TAK5 UP ) ADOPTION C]EMONIES1 9/RUCT+ ME 9 ! >RANGEM5TS1 TEA*+ ,P59SULA PEOPLE & NOR!RN]S ! RHY?MS & MELODIES ( LON<\SE DANCES1 LI/5+ ATT5TIVELY :5 OLD NOR!RN]S S+ ( !IR ORIG9S4 ,%E SEEMS Y\NG]4 

,I TOO FEEL LI<T 9SIDE AS ,I HOP FROM A NAM+ C]EMONY TO A PLANT+ FE/IVAL4 ,PEOPLE ( FIVE LANGUAGES1 SOME ) CROSSES1 =M A CIRCLE >\ND A C\NCILGR\ND SURR\ND$ BY LONG & R\ND LODGES4 ,AT ! C5T] ,W$ASI HAS DRAWN A TRIANGLE & LIT A FIRE AT EA* ( ITS PO9TS4 

,9 ! FIELD ( \R ?REE PLANT SI/]S1 ! TALL YELL[ COM - EMBRAC$ BY 9T]TW9+ BEAN V9ES & ADOR$ BY HEAVY SQUA%ES %AKES ITS HAIR 9 ! W9D & G5]\SLY (F]S ITS FRUIT TO US4 ,! RHY?M ( FEA/S & FE/IVALS IS UNDO+ ! RAVAGES WE'VE UND]GONE4 ,! W\NDS >E HEAL+ )\T ! AID ( FIRE/ICKS OR B&S ( W>RIORS OR A LEAGUE COV5ANT OR EV5 A C\NCIL ( GR&MO!RS4 

,P59SULA PEOPLE >E DANC+ >\ND A NEWBORN *ILD & S++ ( ! TIME :5 !IR ANCE/ORS FIR/ CAME TO ! %ORES ( ! ,GREAT ,LAKES4 ,IT'S ! ?IRD SUMM] S9CE WE HELP$ RAISE ! NEW LODGES1 & ! *ILD NEWLY NAM$ ,*ACAPWE IS SURR\ND$ BY TREES ) /RONG BRAN*ES2 ! ISL& LOOKS MORE & MORE LIKE ! L& A BEAV] ONCE PROMIS$ ME 9 A DREAM4 

,MY EYES SEEK ,W$ASI'S4 ,I KN[ ?IS VILLAGE IS A BEG9N+ T[>D :AT HIS GR&MO!R WANT$1 & ,I WI% HE'D ATTA* HIMSELF TO IT & LET HIMSELF BE SUPPORT$ BY IT2 ,I WI% HE'D RISE ) ME \T ( HIS ANGUI% AS ! CORN RISES \T ( ! GR\ND1 AS \R NEW LODGES ROSE UP4 ,BUT ! EYES ?AT GREET M9E >E NOT FILL$ ) JOYFUL CELEBRATION ( ! PLANTS ?AT GREW FROM ! SE$S WE PLANT$4 

,W$ASI'S EYES >E SAD1 ALMO/ MOROSE2 !Y'RE SE>*+ = SOME?+1 ANXI\SLY1 AS IF HIS LIFE DEP5D$ ON IT4 ,I WOND] IF HE'S CONTRA/+ MY FULFILLM5T ( MY DREAM ) HIS [N1 AS IF WE'D BE5 RAC+4 ,I WOND] IF HE'S REPROA*+ HIMSELF = HAV+ FAIL$ TO GRASP ! MESSAGE ( HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS1 = HAV+ FAIL$ TO GRASP :AT HIS GR&MO!R HAD WANT$ HIM TO RECON/ITUTE4 

,I TAKE TO SPY+ ON HIM TO SEE IF ,I CAN LEAVE A HELPFUL CANOE SOME:]E ON HIS PA?1 AS HE DID = ME4 ,I SOON LE>N ?AT HE DEVOTES ALL HIS 5]GY TO A V]Y SMALL FIELD3 HIS UNCLE'S LODGE2 & ?AT1 IF HE MAKES CONTRA/S1 HE SURELY CONTRA/S ! RE/ ( ! VILLAGE ) ! SQU>E LODGE ?AT /&S ON ITS FR+E1 ! LODGE FROM :I* HIS UNCLE LEADS A RIFLE->M$ B& TO MURD] \R FURRY =E/ NEI<BORS4 

,P]HAPS ,W$ASI FEELS ?AT :ATEV] HE RETA9$ FROM HIS GR&MO!R IS NE$$ MO/ 9 ?IS LODGE4 ,HE TAKES HIS F\RTE5-SPR+ BRO!R ,NANGISI TO ! =E/ ) A B[ & >R[S2 HE TELLS ,NANGISI ?AT ! ORIG9AL PEOPLE KILL$ !IR ANIMAL K9 ONLY TO SATISFY HUNG]1 NOT TO FILL !IR UNCLE'S EA/B\ND CANOES4 ,HE %[S HIS BRO!R ?AT NEI!R BE>S NOR WOLVES CONSPIRE TO EXT]M9ATE WEAK] ANIMALS2 HE URGES ,NANGISI TO FA/ & BUILDS HIM A DREAM LODGE DEEP 9 ! =E/4 ,NANGISI WANTS TO BE LIK$ BY HIS OLD] BRO!R4 ,HE USES EV]Y OCCASION TO EXPRESS HIS LOVE & GRATITUDE TO ,W$ASI1 EXCEPT :5 !IR UNCLE'S CANOES RETURN FROM ! SUNRISE4 ,!N HE'S ! FIR/ P]SON ON ! L&+PLACE4 

,I REALIZE ,I CAN'T HELP ,W$ASI WEAN HIS BRO!R AWAY FROM HIS UNCLE4 ,I WI% HE'D LEAVE ,NANGISI 9 HIS UNCLE'S LODGE & COME TO MY LON<\SE4 ,I PREP>E TO TELL HIM ?AT HE'S DI/RACT$ AGA91 ?AT HE'S WA/+ HIMSELF TO NO PURPOSE1 ?AT A BEAUTIFUL FL[] GR[S ON A HEAL?Y BU% OR \T ( F]TILE SOIL & NOT 9 ISOLATION OR \T ( S&1 ?AT HIS UNCLE'S LODGE IS AS ISOLAT$ FROM ! O!R LODGES AS ! B& ( C>RI]S IS FROM ! LIFE ( ! VILLAGE1 ?AT HIS GR&MO!R HAD DEVOT$ H]SELF TO PEOPLE :O C\LD GR[ TO A F\R? AGE & NOT TO ?OSE /UNT$ 9 A SECOND OR ?IRD AGE1 ?AT A POISON\S PLANT CAN S]VE AS SOIL = HEAL?Y PLANTS BUT CAN'T ITSELF BE MADE HEAL?Y4 

,MY LOVE = ,W$ASI FE$S MY RES5TM5T ( ,NANGISI & BL9DS ME TO A SPELL ?AT ORIG9ATES 9 ! CORE ( MY [N LODGE1 A SPELL ?AT B9DS & TWI/S ,W$ASI'S BRO!R ,NANGISI \T ( %APE4 

,MY FIR/ GLIMM] COMES ON ! DAY ,NANGISI RETURNS FROM HIS DREAM LODGE4 ,MANI & ,I >E 9 ! FIELD4 ,KN[+ HE'S TRI$ BE=E1 ,MANI ASKS HIM IF HE SAW ANY?+ ?IS TIME4 

,NANGISI1 ASSUM+ ,I'M 9 ON ! SECRET1 ANSW]S H]3 ,EXACTLY :AT Y\ SAID4 ,:5 ,I GOT TIR$ & HUNGRY1 ,I SAW LOTS ( ANIMALS4 ,!Y ALL SPOKE TO ME4 ,?AT %\LD MAKE ,W$ASI HAPPY4 

,R\S$ BY ?IS EX*ANGE1 ,I SEEK MY SI/]'S EYES & ASK3 ,DID Y\ TELL HIM ?AT IS :AT HE'D SEE1 ,MANI8 

,! WORLD'S MO/ 9NOC5T EYES1 A *ILD'S EYES1 LOOK BACK AT ME4 ,%E ?9KS ,I SUSPECT H] *A/ITY6 ,SILLY SI/]6 ,! :OLE VILLAGE LAU<S AT ! *A/ITY ?AT LOVES ALL EQUALLY BUT CAN'T SEE ! ONE :O WANTS ! LOVE4 ,MY ANG] MELTS4 

,I RUN FROM ,MANI TO ! CLE>+ TO :I* ,I RAN FROM ! UNCLE'S GIFTS4 ,W$ASI IS !RE BE=E ME4 ,HE ALREADY KN[S H[ ,NANGISI DREAM$1 :AT GUIDANCE HE F\ND4 

,I SIT NEXT TO ,W$ASI BUT SAY NO?+2 ALL ,I'D PREP>$ TO TELL HIM IS AS DEAD AS LA/ YE>'S LEAVES4 ,DID ,W$ASI KN[ :AT ,I'M JU/ />T+ TO UND]/&8 ,W\LD ,I HAVE BELIEV$ HIM IF HE'D TOLD ME8 

,I KN[ :Y ,I'VE BE5 SO BL9D4 ,9NOC5T1 LOVABLE ,MANI IS SO GOOD1 SO G5]\S TO EV]YONE1 ESPECIALLY TO ! CROSSWE>]S1 ALWAYS %>+ !IR WOES & TEA*+ !IR *ILDR5 TO %>E !M4 ,I'VE NEV] LI/5$1 BUT ,I KN[ :AT WOES %E %>ES & TEA*ES4 

,I TOO WAS TAU<T TO WAIL HE>TR5D+LY ( \R DEPOPULATION BY ! FI]CE ,S]P5TS1 ! ,WOLFPACKS :O B&$ TOGE!R AGA9/ HELPLESS RABBITS4 ,I TOO WAS TAU<T TO ?9K LITTLE & SPEAK LESS ( PLAGUES1 YET TO ?ANK ,DIEU = S5D+ A BOON TO HIS *ILDR5 & A BANE TO ! S]P5T9E PAGANS :O TRI$ TO RECON/ITUTE !IR VILLAGES )\T HIS ,WORD4 ,I TOO WAS TAU<T ?AT ! ,LORD :O SUBJECT$ ?IS WORLD & ITS CREATURES TO HIS WILL WAS NOT ( ?IS WORLD1 ?AT ,I WAS HIS SI/] & NOT ! SI/] ( DE] OR BEAV] OR TREES OR LAKES OR E>? OR SUN = MY SPIRIT WAS LIKE UNTO HIS1 ?AT MY RESPECT = E>? WAS SUBMISSION TO ! ,DEVIL & MY GRATITUDE TO ANIMALS WAS IDOLATRY1 ?AT IT WAS MY TASK TO SUBJECT MYSELF & E>? & ALL H] CREATURES TO HIS WILL4 

,NO WOND] ! CROSSWE>]S TO :OM ,MANI IS SO GOOD >E ! C>RI]'S MO/ RELIABLE HUNT]S4 ,NO WOND] ! *ILDR5 ) :OM %E *ANTS >E ON ! L&+PLACE BESIDE ,NANGISI :5 ! CANOES RETURN ) !IR TROPHIES4 ,NO WOND] ,NANGISI CAN AGREE ) ,W$ASI ?AT BEAV] >E NOT HO/ILE TO PEOPLE1 ?AT /RONG ANIMALS DON'T SP5D !IR LIVES KILL+ WEAK ONES1 ?AT !IR UNCLE'S REASONS = SLAU<T]+ BEAV] >E S5SELESS4 

,MANI HELPS ,NANGISI AGREE ) EV]Y?+ ,W$ASI TELLS HIM1 & TO /& ,W$ASI ON HIS HEAD EV5 :ILE AGREE+1 BY GIV+ ,NANGISI F> BETT] REASONS ?AN HIS UNCLE'S = ! SLAU<T]4 ,MANI IS HELP+ ,NANGISI BECOME EV]Y?+ ,W$ASI OPPOSES4 ,%E'S HELP+ ,NANGISI SEE HIMSELF AS A PR\D FIRE/ICK1 AS A LOCAL 9C>NATION ( ! \TSIDE P[] ?AT SUBJUGATES ! WORLD'S CREATURES TO ITS WILL1 AS A BANE TO ! ,DEVIL'S K9 & A BOON TO ! K9 ( ! ,LORD1 AS A FOE TO FI]CE ,S]P5TS & AN ALLY TO ! PLAGUE4 

,NANGISI 

  

,W$ASI WANTS HIS BRO!R TO KN[ ( !IR GR&MO!R2 HE WANTS ,NANGISI TO KN[ ( ?REE FIRES >\ND :I* F\R PEOPLES GA!R$ & BEGAN TO LIVE !IR F\R? AGE4 

,NANGISI SMILES LIKE ONE :OSE MEMORY HAS BE5 WA%$ AWAY BY PLAGUE4 ,HE NODS LIKE ONE :OSE SPIRIT IS PITM>K$2 AFT] SMIL+ & NODD+1 HE JO9S HUNT]S :O W> AGA9/ ! =E/'S FURRY 9HABITANTS4 

,YET ,W$ASI P]SI/S4 ,HE BLAMES HIMSELF = FAIL+ TO GIVE HIS BRO!R :AT !IR GR&MO!R HAD GIV5 ,W$ASI4 ,I UND]/& :Y ,W$ASI P]SI/S4 ,NANGISI IS NOT LIKE !IR UNCLE4 ,HE'S NOT \TW>DLY PITM>K$2 HE'S NEI!R SOMB] NOR IRRITABLE4 ,NANGISI IS HEAL?Y1 OP5 & +RATIAT+2 HE *OOSES HIS EV]Y MOVE ) O!RS 9 VIEW1 LIKE ?OSE ,MANI CALLS SA9TS4 

,NANGISI TAKES P>T 9 ! VILLAGE FE/IVALS1 HE KN[S ! WORDS ( ! SONGS & ! /EPS ( ! DANCES4 ,HE HUNTS ) A B[ & %[S RESPECT = ! BONES ( ANIMALS4 ,& HE DOES IT ALL ! SAME WAY ?AT HE DREAM$1 SEE+ NO?+ & FEEL+ NO?+1 BUT CONC]N$ ?AT HIS GE/URE MAKE ,W$ASI OR ,MANR OR SOMEONE ELSE HAPPY4 

,:5 ,NANGISI LEAVES ) HIS UNCLE'S C>AVAN TO TAKE FURS TO ! ,LONGBE>DS 9 ,B[ET+1 IT'S NOT BECAUSE HE HAS AT LA/ REJECT$ ! GR&MO!R'S WAY & *OS5 ! UNCLE'S1 BUT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO 5HANCE HIS GR&MO!R'S WAY ) ! GIFTS HE BR+S4 

,W$ASI1 ALONE 9 HIS CANOE1 TAKES FREQU5T J\RNEYS AWAY FROM ! ISL&4 ,! FEW TIMES ,I SEE HIM1 ,I REM9D HIM !RE'S A PLACE 9 ! LON<\SE 9T5D$ = HIM4 ,P>T ( HIM WANTS TO COME1 ,I KN[2 BUT ANO!R P>T IS A%AM$1 AS IF HE W]E TO BLAME = HIS BRO!R'S *OICES4 

,W$ASI WAITS4 ,AT LA/1 :AT HE'S WAIT+ = SEEMS TO >RIVE4 ,NANGISI & O!R C>RI]S RETURN 9 EMPTY CANOES4 ,NANGISI'S UNCLE IS DEAD4 ,! C>RI] B& BREAKS UP4 ,W$ASI HOPES HIS BRO!R WILL IMM]SE HIMSELF 9 ! LIFE ( ! VILLAGE & GR[ TO HIS F\R? AGE4 ,BUT AFT] QUE/ION+ O!R C>RI]S1 ,W$ASI & ,I ANTICIPATE ,NANGISI'S IMM]SION ) TREPIDATION4 

,! UNCLE FELL ILL AT A PLACE CALL$ ,%EQUAMEGON 9 A BAY ( ,KI*IGAMI1 ! GREAT NOR!RN LAKE4 ,ON HIS DEA?B$1 ?IS DEPOPULATOR ( =E/S URG$ HIS B& TO KILL )\T RE/RA9T & GA!R A V]ITABLE M\ND ( FURS4 ,HE S5T WORD TO ! ,LONGBE>DS ( ,B[ET+ ?AT HE W\LD P>T ) HIS FUR LOAD IF !Y W>D$ (F HIS DEA?1 AS IF LIFE W]E A GIFT CONF]R$ BY A TRAD+ PO/ = A L>GE 5\< LOAD ( FURS4 ,HE ?\<T DEA? KILL$ ONLY HIS S++1 DREAM+1 B[->M$ K92 HE ?\<T RIFLE-WIELD]S :O BURN$ ANIMAL BONES & C>RI$ FURS TO ,LONGBE>DS W\LD LIVE =EV]4 ,HE CLUT*$ HIS RIFLE TO ! V]Y 5D4 ,BELIEV+ HIMSELF 9VULN]ABLE1 HE *OSE NO HEIR4 

,AS SOON AS HIS UNCLE WAS DEAD1 ,NANGISI %[$ HIS RESPECT BY >RANG+ AN UNUSUAL C]EMONY4 ,HE URG$ ! C>RI]S TO GO TO !IR VILLAGES & RETURN ) ! BONES ( DEAD K94 ,HE S5T WORD TO ! ,B[ET+ ,LONGBE>DS TO CONT9UE !IR WE/W>D J\RNEY4 

,9 ,%EQUAMEGON1 ,NANGISI HAD ! C>RI]S 5ACT A FE/IVAL ( BONES LIKE ?OSE ,W$ASI HAD DESCRIB$ TO HIM1 B9D+ ! C>RI]S 9 K9%IP ) EA* O!R1 ) ! UNCLE1 & ) ! NEPHEW4 ,NANGISI B\ND ! VISIT+ ,LONGBE>DS TO HIMSELF & TO ! B& BY GIV+ !M ! 5TIRE M\ND ( FURS GA!R$ TO MAKE ! UNCLE DEA?LESS4 

,W$ASI & ,I KN[ ?AT ,NANGISI HAS NOT RETURN$ TO IMM]SE HIMSELF 9 VILLAGE FE/IVALS & NAM+ C]EMONIES2 WE KN[ ?AT ,NANGISI IS ONLY WAIT+ = ! SN[ TO MELT4 

,:5 ! SN[ DOES MELT1 ,NANGISI & ! O!R C>RI]S HEAD T[>D ,%EQUAMEGON TO REJO9 ! B&4 

,! C>RI]S RETURN DUR+ H>VE/ MOON ) A FULLY RECON/ITUT$ C>AVAN4 ,NANGISI IS 9 ! C5TRAL CANOE1 WAV+ HIS UNCLE'S RIFLE4 ,A GIRL WE>+ ,/ADACONA CLO? IS BESIDE HIM4 ,TWO ,LONGBE>DS DISEMB>K FROM ! LA/ CANOE4 ,! VILLAGE *ILDR5 & Y\? CAN'T DECIDE :I* TO IDOLIZE3 ! GIRL 9 CLO?1 ! ,LONGBE>DS1 OR C\S9 ,NANGISI4 ,AT LA/ !Y CIRCLE LIKE FLIES >\ND ,NANGISI1 = HE'S EV]Y?+ ,MANI TOLD !M AB\T AN E>?LY BE+ :O 9C>NATES O!RWORLDLY P[]S4 

,! GIRL ,NANGISI CALLS ,B9ESIKWE1 BIRDWOMAN1 IS AS PR(ICI5T AS ,MANI OR ,I 9 ! ,LONGBE>DS' TONGUE4 ,NANGISI NO D\BT EXPECTS H] TO DO = HIM :AT ,I REFUS$ TO DO = HIS UNCLE4 ,A CROSS DANGLES FROM H] NECK 9 MEMORY ( ! ,BLACKROBES :O HELP$ H] =GET ! K9 !IR PLAGUE C>RI$ (F4 

,! CROSS %\LD DELI<T MY SI/]4 ,BUT ,I SEE ?AT ,MANI IS 9 TE>S & FLEES FROM MY GLANCE4 ,MANI IS JEAL\S2 %E WANT$ TO BE ,NANGISI'S COMPANION4 ,%E HID H] LOVE1 EV5 FROM H]SELF1 = TOO LONG4 

,NANGISI 9VITES ALL ! VILLAG]S TO A C]EMONY1 SOME?+ HIS ISOLAT$ UNCLE NEV] DID4 ,HE EV5 S5DS RUNN]S TO 9VITE ! K9 ( ALL ! BEAV]KILL]S ALONG ! GRE5 BAY'S %ORES4 

,I RUN TO MY CLE>+ BE=E ! C]EMONY BEG9S4 ,IF ,MANI HAS REASONS = NOT LOOK+ AT ! GIFTS BR\<T BY ,NANGISI1 ,I HAVE REASONS = NOT LOOK+ AT :AT ,NANGISI IS DO+ TO \R VILLAGE4 

,W$ASI COMES TO TELL ME :AT'S HAPP5+1 :I* ,I DON'T WANT TO HE>2 HE DOESN'T TELL ME :AT HE WILL DO AB\T IT1 :I* IS ALL ,I WANT TO HE>4 ,HE TELLS ME ! C]EMONY IS TAK+ PLACE1 NOT ON ! C\NCILGR\ND 9 ! C5T] ( ! VILLAGE1 BUT BY ! SQU>E LODGE ON ! FR+E4 ,LONGBE>DS & C>RI]S >E ! C5T]1 VILLAG]S ! FR+E4 ,NANGISI %[$ ! DEP? ( HIS GRATITUDE & UND]/&+ BY ?R[+ TOBACCO TO ! E>? SPIRIT :O PROVIDES BEAV]1 & BY BL[+ SMOKE TO ! WAT] SPIRIT :O ?REAT5S ,NE%NABEK FUR C>RI]S ) DR[N+4 

,!N ,NANGISI P>ODI$ ! CALUMET C]EMONY BY PASS+ A PIPE TO ! OLD] ,LONGBE>D4 ,VILLAG]S *UCKL$1 KN[+ ?AT ,NANGISI C\LD COMMIT & IMP]SONATE NO ONE BUT HIMSELF4 ,NANGISI WANT$ ! ,LONGBE>DS TO ?9K ?AT BY SMOK+ ) HIM1 !Y W]E =M+ A BOND ) ! 5TIRE VILLAGE4 ,?IS WAS ,NANGISI'S SELF-NAM+ C]EMONY2 HE NAM$ HIMSELF1 9 ! ,LONGBE>DS' EYES1 LE *EF ( \R VILLAGE4 

,W$ASI TELLS ME ! C>RI]S >RANG$ !MSELVES >\ND ?REE FIRES4 ,NANGISI L$ ! ,LONGBE>DS TO ! C5T] ( ! TRIANGLE4 ,B9ESIKWE TRANSLAT$ ,NANGISI'S EXPLANATION ( ! PROCE$+S4 

,NANGISI SPOKE ( ! ,FIREKEEP]S1 ! ,P59SULA PEOPLE :O WELCOM$ !IR K9 FROM ! F\R QU>T]S1 & HE PO9T$ TO HIS UNCLE'S ORIG9AL C>RI]S1 ! K9LESS1 DREAMLESS M5 :O HAD TAK5 ! PLAGUE TO ! ,P59SULA4 ,HE SPOKE ( ,NE%NABEK & PO9T$ TO ! AX & BEAD SEEK]S HE HAD GA!R$ AT ,%EQUAMEGON4 ,HE SPOKE ( ,TELLEGWI & PO9T$ TO ! BAY%ORE PEOPLE :OSE MEMORIES W]E WA%$ AWAY BY PLAGUE4 ,HE SPOKE ( ,TALAMATUN & PO9T$ TO ! CROSSWE>+ Y\?S :OM ,MANI HAD TAU<T TO *ANT4 

,W$ASI BITES HIS LIP ) FRU/RATION2 HE N[ KN[S ?AT ,NANGISI HE>D & ABSORB$ EV]Y?+ ,W$ASI TOLD HIM1 = HE N[ SEES ,NANGISI PUTT+ IT ALL TO USE & PROBABLY ?9K+ ,W$ASI IS HAPPILY PR\D ( HIM4 ,NANGISI HE>D ( F\R PEOPLES & ?REE FIRES ) ! SAME E>S ) :I* HE HE>D ( DREAMS & BONE RITUALS4 ,SEV]$ FROM ON5ESS ) E>?1 ANIMALS & K9 BY MY SI/]'S WISDOM1 HE LE>N$ FROM HIS UNCLE ?AT ANIMALS GIVE !MSELVES TO HIS RIFLES :5 HE P]=MS A BONE RITUAL & ALSO :5 HE DOESN'T4 

,NANGISI LE>N$ ON HIS [N ?AT VILLAG]S ACCEPT HIM & MAKE MU* ( HIM :5 HE DOES P]=M A BONE RITUAL1 & :5 HE LI<TS ?REE FIRES & S+S ( F\R PEOPLES4 

,NANGISI DIDN'T TELL ! ,LONGBE>DS :I* ( ! F\R PEOPLES HE SPOKE =4 ,HE HAD ! ,LONGBE>DS SEE HIM AT ! C5T]2 HE HAD !M SEE ! WORLD LIT UP BY ! FIRES1 NOT ! D>K WORLD ( AMUS$1 SURPRIS$ OR ANGRY VILLAG]S WAT*+ FROM ! FR+ES4 ,! ,LONGBE>DS MU/ HAVE BE5 CONFID5T ?AT ,NANGISI WAS %[+ !M \R WORLD1 = !Y SAW IT ) !IR [N EYES4 

,9 ! ,/ADACONA MISSION ,I HAD WOND]$ H[ ! ,BLACK- ROBES HAD ACQUIR$ !IR SELF-CONFID5T UND]/&+ ( LE G\V]NEM5T P>MI LES SAUVAGES1 ) ITS *EFS & C\NCILS ( M54 ,N[ ,I KN[4 ,IF ! ,ROBES W]E H]E N[1 !Y W\LD BE C\NCIL+ ) LE GR& *EF DES PEUPLES DU LAC4 

,W$ASI BITES HIS LIP1 BUT ,I TAKE HIS H& & RU% BACK TO ! VILLAGE ) HIM1 DET]M9$ TO ACT4 

,:5 WE REA* ! PLACE ( ! ?REE FIRES1 *ILDR5 ALREADY 5CIRCLE ! IRON KNIVES1 AXES KETTLES1 CLO?1 BEADS & METAL >RO:EADS ! ,LONGBE>DS C>RI$ FROM !IR CANOE4 ,I KN[ ?AT ! ,LONGBE>DS DIDN'T COME FROM ,B[ET+ TO MAKE *ILDR5 HAPPY ANY MORE ?AN TO SEE ,NANGISI'S P>ODY ( ! C]EMONY ( ?REE FIRES4 ,!SE >E PEOPLE :O DI/RIBUTE GIFTS SO AS TO CREATE OBLIGATIONS4 ,!Y VIEW \R Y\?S ! WAY TRAVEL]S W\LD VIEW A PACK ( DOGS3 TO DET]M9E IF !Y'RE /RONG 5\< TO PULL A TRAVOIS4 

,W$ASI'S GR&MO!R MADE A :OLE \T ( FRAGM5TS2 H] SON PULL$ FRAGM5TS \T ( ! :OLE & PUT !M 9TO HIS P[] BUNDLE2 ,I WON'T LET H] GR&SON ,NANGISI REPEAT H] SON'S FEAT4 ,I RU% ) ,W$ASI 9TO ! LON<\SE4 ,! OLD WOMAN IS CONSOL+ ,MANI BY SCOLD+ H]4 ,I TELL ! OLD WOMAN WE SEEK H] ADVICE AB\T ! TWO ,LONGBE>DS 9 \R VILLAGE4 

,MANI SAYS %E'LL GO HELP ,*ACAPWE'S MO!R BIR? H] SECOND *ILD2 MY SI/] LOOKS AT ME ) FE> AS %E LEAVES1 PROBABLY GUESS+ :AT ADVICE ,I'VE COME TO SEEK4 ,IT'S ! FIR/ TIME ,I'VE S\<T ! OLD WOMAN'S ADVICE4 ,I ASK H] TO REMEMB] ! DAY :5 ! LON<\SE PEOPLE ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV] BEGAN FEUD+ OV] :E!R TO LODGE OR DISLODGE ! /RANG]S4 

,%E S5DS ,W$ASI TO GA!R ALL ! REMEMB]]S HE CAN F9D ON BO? %ORES ( ! BAY4 ,%E S5DS ME TO ALL ! LON<\SES & R\NDLODGES ON \R ISL&4 

,LATE ?AT NI<T1 :ILE ,NANGISI & ! ,LONGBE>DS >E /ILL DI/RIBUT+ GIFTS BY ! SQU>E LODGE ON ! FR+E1 ! OLD WOMAN SPEAKS TO ! F\RSCORE T5SE PEOPLE GA!R$ 9 \R LON<\SE4 ,%E SAYS ?AT = ?REE G5]ATIONS ! SEASONS HAVE BE5 GOOD TO C>RION BIRDS1 & IT'S NOT DUE TO ! BIRDS4 ,%E REM9DS H] LI/5]S :Y WE'RE ALL H]E1 9 A GRE5 BAY ON ! SUNSET %ORE ( ,MI%IGAMI3 ,/RANG]S CAME ?R\< \R L& TWO BY TWO1 9 ! GUISE ( GIFT-GIV]S4 ,:]EV] ! /RANG]S W5T1 ! 9HABITANTS DI$4 ,%E ASKS3 ,:]E >E ! ELK & BEAV] :O W]E ONCE AS NUM]\S AS S&S ON A BEA*8 ,:]E >E ! PEOPLE ( ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]1 ( ! ,BEAUTIFUL ,RIV]1 ( ! ,MORN+L&1 ( ! ,P59SULA8 

,! GA!R$ PEOPLE BECOME AGITAT$4 ,AN OLD HUNT] TELLS ?AT ! ELK W]E ABLE TO DEF5D !MSELVES FROM PR$ATORY WOLV]9ES BY RUNN+ TO WAT]1 BUT ?AT NO?+ PROTECTS ! ELK FROM ! P[] ( ! ,LONGBE>DS4 ,A LON<\SE WOMAN SAYS SU* P[] IS A POISON$ MU%ROOM ?AT GR[S ON DUNG4 ,ANO!R ADDS ?AT ! GIFT-GIV]S %\LD MORE PROP]LY BE NAM$ LIFE-TAK]S OR WORLDEAT]S4 

,! OLD WOMAN !N SAYS ?AT !RE W]E SOME AMONG \R K9 :O DID NOT FEEL ! OBLIGATIONS ( HO/S T[>D ! PLAGUE- BR+]S4 

,EV]YONE IS SIL5T4 ,! SAME ?\<T MU/ BE ON EV]YONE'S M9D1 JU/ AS IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ON EV]YONE'S M9D AT ! C\NCIL 9 ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S TO :I* ,W$ASI FOLL[$ HIS FA!R4 

,! FOLL[+ NI<T1 ,NANGISI & ! ,LONGBE>DS WAIT BY ! FIRES :ILE ! C>RI]S & !IR K9 BR+ ALL !IR FURS1 EV5 !IR WORN CLOAKS = :I* ! ,LONGBE>DS HAVE A SPECIAL LIK+4 ,! D>KNESS SURR\ND+ ! ?REE FIRES GR[S L>G] AS ! GRE5 BAY'S O!R FIRES >E EXT+UI%$4 ,! D>K CIRCLE CLOSES 9 ON ! LIT TRIANGLE1 :I* DIM9I%ES AS ! PRUD5T SLIP \T ( ! LI<T4 

,DRUMS & HUNDR$S ( MURMURS G5]ATE A RUMBLE ?AT SEEMS TO COME FROM UND] ! E>?1 & ! LIT-UP FACES APPE> TO BE LOOK+ 9TO ! CRAT] ( A VOLCANO4 ,! ,LONGBE>DS SEEK AN EXPLANATION FROM ! TRANSLATOR4 

,NANGISI1 UNDAUNT$1 TELLS !M HIS BRO!R HAS PREP>$ A SPECIAL C]EMONY = !IR B5EFIT4 

,N[ ,W$ASI LEAPS 9TO ! C5T] & ASKS ,B9ESIKWE TO TRANSLATE HIS WORDS3 ,! RUMBLE IS ! VOICE ( ALL ! PLAGUE'S VICTIMS4 ,TURN+ TO ,NANGISI HE ADDS3 ,! VOICE ( \R GR&MO!RS1 \R MO!R & FA!R1 \R K9 ( ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 \R C\S9S ( ! ,P59SULA4 

,NANGISI HAS ,B9ESIKWE TELL ! ,LONGBE>DS ?AT ! C]EMONY IS A CELEBRATION ( A GIFT-GIV+ H]O :O SAV$ ! ORIG9AL PEOPLE BY SLAY+ A MON/] CALL$ ,DIG[94 

,EI!R ,NANGISI IS FE>LESS & UNCANNILY CLEV]1 OR ELSE ?IS IS NOT ! FIR/ TIME HE'S BE5 ?REAT5$ BY HIS BRO!R1 & HE KN[S H[ ,W$ASI C>RIES \T ?REATS4 

,IT DAWNS ON ME ?AT ,W$ASI1 MISNAM$ W>RIOR1 AS FI]CE AS A MOOSE1 LE>N$ FROM HIS GR&MO!R H[ TO EXPEL A MON/]1 :E!R IT BE A WORLDEAT] OR A TRICK/]4 

,W$ASI RAISES HIS >MS & PO/PONES ! DE$ DECID$ BY LA/ NI<T'S C\NCIL4 ,HE RU%ES TO ! SQU>E LODGE & REEM]GES ) HIS BUNDLE1 HIS B[ & A CAPTIVE H>E4 ,HE WALKS ?R\< ! \T] CIRCLE1 !N PA/ ! LIT FIGURES1 TO ! C5T]4 

,W$ASI HOLDS ! H>E & WAITS4 ,HE'S WAIT+ = ME6 ,HE'S HOLD+ ! GIFT ,I'VE BE5 WAIT+ =1 ! GIFT HE'S WANT$ TO GIVE ME = T5 YE>S4 ,I WI% HE HADN'T *OS5 ?IS MOM5T4 ,MY M9D RACES1 MY HE>T ?UMPS4 

,MY HEAD TELLS ME NOT TO SACRIFICE ! WELLBE+ ( ! VILLAGE1 NOT TO GO TO ! MAN :O =CES ?IS *OICE ON ME4 ,MY HEAD TELLS ME ,I'M A *ILD ( A LON<\SE1 & LA/ NI<T ! LON<\SE C\NCIL DECID$1 SO !RE'S NO GO+ BACK4 ,MY HEAD TELLS ME ! POISON\S MU%ROOMS %\LD BE BURI$ DEEP 9 ! GR\ND1 ! MU%ROOMS & DUNG %\LD M]GE ) E>? & WAT] & %\LD N\RI% SE$S1 PROTECT %OOTS1 EMBRACE ROOTS ( HEAL?Y PLANTS1 SU/A9 A TREE ) /RONG BRAN*ES & LONG LEAVES4 

,BUT MY HE>T TELLS ME ! WORLD IS REG5]AT$ BY LOVE1 BY ! UNION ( E>? ) SKY4 ,MY HE>T GOES \T TO ! MAN ( ,TIOSA ,RONDION1 ! GR&*ILD ( PEACEMAK]S1 ! HUNT] :O BURI$ HIS FIRE/ICK AFT] LOOK+ 9TO ! EYES ( A MOOSE4 

,! DRUMM+ DEAF5S ME4 ,UNABLE TO HOLD BACK MY TE>S1 ,I LEAVE ! \T] CIRCLE & WALK PA/ ! C>RI]S1 PA/ ,NANGISI & ! ,LONGBE>DS1 T[>D ,W$ASI'S GIFT4 ,I TAKE ! H>E1 KNEEL1 & HOLD ! ANIMAL ON ! GR\ND4 ,W$ASI'S KNIFE BEHEADS ! CREATURE2 ITS LA/ CONVULSIONS REV]B]ATE ?R\< ! 9N] & \T] CIRCLES4 

,SUDD5LY ! T5SION VANI%ES4 ,! DRUMM+ /OPS4 ,! RUMBLE 5DS4 ,! CIRCLES DISP]SE4 

,W$ASI WAITS = ME TO RAISE UP ! ANIMAL & WALK BESIDE HIM4 ,HE BECKONS ! ,LONGBE>DS TO ACCOMPANY HIM4 ,HE AB&ONS HIS BRO!R'S LODGE & GUIDES ! /RANG]S TO ! LON<\SE :]E !IR DEA? WAS DECID$1 BUT :]E NO H>M CAN REA* !M N[4 

,! OLD WOMAN COOKS ! MON/] & FE$S IT TO ! ,LONGBE>DS4 ,WISKE IS EXPELL$4 ,DIG[9 IS EAT54 

,I ASK ,W$ASI IF HE'S SATISFI$4 ,I ASK HIM IF ?IS IS ! W$D+ FEA/ HE WANT$4 ,HE TELLS ME ?AT ! DEA? ( !SE TWO BE>D$ M5 W\LD NOT REVIVE ! DEAD1 NOR HEAL ! LAME1 NOR RE/ORE ! F\R? AGE4 

,W$ASI'S ADOPTION ( ! BE>D$ M5 DOES NOT ADD P]MAN5T LEAVES TO \R TREE1 = ! ,LONGBE>DS DON'T /AY ! NI<T4 ,MANI GUIDES !M TO ,NANGISI1 & ,NANGISI HA/ILY PADDLES !M & ALL ! FURS AWAY FROM ! ISL& 9 ! GRE5 BAY4 

,MY E>S FILL ) A DRUMM+ & A RUMBLE :5EV] ,I ?9K ( ! CRUEL M5 :O GIVE TROPHIES TO *ILDR5 :O SCAV5GE & TO Y\?S :O SLAU<T] \R =E/ NEI<BORS1 :O JU/IFY ! SLAU<T] BY SAY+ ! ANIMALS >E ( ! FLE% BUT !IR HUNT]S ( ! SPIRIT1 :O PU% HUNT]S TO MURD] UNCONV]T$ K9 BECAUSE SU* PEOPLE >E1 LIKE ! ANIMALS1 ( ! FLE%4 

,YET ! NOR!RN]S W]E SATISFI$ ?AT ! ,LONGBE>DS W]E EXPELL$1 & ! OLD WOMAN W\LD EV5 HAVE ADOPT$ !M 9TO \R LON<\SE4 

,I WOND] IF MY HATR$ IS EXCESSIVE1 IF IT COMES FROM ! ,BLACKROBES' MISSION1 IF IT'S A *ILD ( !IR DESIRE TO PURIFY ! WORLD ( EVIL4 

,I ACCEPT ,W$ASI'S LOVE & GIVE HIM M9E4 ,BUT ,I DON'T FEEL \R LOVE REFLECT$ 9 ! WORLD >\ND US4 ,?IS IS NO LONG] ! VILLAGE HIS GR&MO!R HOP$ HE'D RECON/ITUTE4 

,NANGISI HASN'T BR\<T ANY MORE ,LONGBE>DS S9CE ! H>E WAS SLA91 BUT ! ,LONGBE>DS' GIFTS HAVE P5ETRAT$ 9TO EV]Y LODGE4 ,N[ ALL ! VILLAGE *ILDR51 & NOT ONLY ! CROSSWE>]S1 LOOK = ! RETURN ( ,NANGISI'S GIFT-BE>+ CANOES1 & TOO MANY Y\?S >E WILL+ TO SCAV5GE AMONG CORPSES = WORN FUR CLOAKS4 

,MY E>S HE> ! DRUMM+ :5EV] ,I CROSS PA?S ) ,NANGISI'S LITTLE BIRDWOMAN1 ,B9ESIKWE4 ,%E WAS BORN 9 ,B[ET+ SOON AFT] ,LONGBE>DS SET UP A FUR PO/ & ,BLACKROBES A MISSION4 ,H] K9 DI$ ! YE> ,MANI & ,I LEFT ,/ADACONA1 ( ! SAME DISEASE ?AT KILL$ ! FUR DRESS]4 ,%E WAS ONLY TWO1 Y\NG] ?AN ,MANI HAD BE5 :5 ! ,BLACKROBES TOOK H] TO !IR MISSION4 ,%E WAS GIV5 A CROSS TO HANG FROM H] NECK & TAU<T TO =GET H] PA/1 H] SONGS1 & H] PEOPLE4 ,%E SAW ,BLACKROBES TURN *ILDR5 & Y\? AGA9/ !IR [N K94 ,%E SAW ,LONGBE>DS FE$ PEOPLE A POISON$ WAT] ?AT MADE !M LA% \T AT EA* O!R LIKE SICK DOGS4 ,BUT %E EXPRESSES NO HATR$4 ,%E ?9KS KILL]S & DECEIV]S :O WE> CROSSES >E SAV$4 ,%E SEWS !IR BRI<TLY-COLOR$ BEADS 9TO BIRD PATT]NS ON H] CLO? SKIRT )\T A ?\<T1 OR MAYBE ?9K+ ! GIFTS COME FROM A CLO?-BE>+ TREE & A BEAD BU%4 

,%E GR[S BIG ) ,NANGISI'S *ILD1 YET HOPS >\ND AS LI<TLY AS IF %E W]E ONE ( ! BEAD$ BIRDS ON H] SKIRT1 ) NO ?\<T ( ! GR\ND ON :I* %E'LL LAY H] BURD5 D[N4 

,I C>RY ,W$ASI'S *ILD ) ALL MY ?\<TS ON ! GR\ND4 ,I KN[ ! GR\ND IS POISON$4 ,IT'S ! SAME GR\ND ON :I* MY FIR/ LON<\SE /OOD1 ! GR\ND ON :I* ,I SAW A %AD[Y FIGURE SCAV5G+1 REMOV+ SCABS FROM DEAD BODIES4 ,I CAN'T HOP4 ,MY *ILD IS TOO HEAVY4 ,I HOBBLE 9 SE>* ( GR\ND ON :I* A HEAL?Y PLANT CAN GR[ TO FULL /ATURE & BE> ALL ITS FRUIT4 

,! PA9S GR[ MORE FREQU5T4 ,I C>RY ! *ILD TO A MAT 9 A LON<\SE ON AN ISL& ?AT RE/S ON A GREAT TURTLE'S BACK1 BUT ! TURTLE IS ILL4 ,DISEASE IS SAPP+ ! TURTLE'S /R5G? & %E CAN NO LONG] SUPPORT H] LOAD4 ,%E'S LET ! CREATURES ON ! EA/]N P>T ( H] %ELL SLIP 9TO ! SEA2 %E'S DY+4 ,H] %ELL IS BLI/]$1 IT'S AS FULL ( HOLES AS A ROTT+ FALL5 TREE TRUNK4 

,MY *ILD WANTS LIFE1 BL9DLY CONFID5T ?AT ITS BEG9N+ IS ! WORLD'S BEG9N+1 ?AT ITS EM]G5CE WILL REVIVE ! DY+ TURTLE4 

,MY K9D SI/] RUBS ME2 %E'S PA9$ BY MY PA91 RELIEV$ BY MY RELIEF4 ,%E'S UND]GO+ H] ?IRD BIR?4 ,ON ! NI<T ( ! LON<\SE C\NCIL %E SUFF]$ ?R\< ! LONG & PA9FUL BIR? ( ,*ACAPWE'S BRO!R ,NOP%+A4 ,A MOON AGO %E RUBB$ ,B9ESIKWE UNTIL ,NANGISI'S DAU<T] ,KUKAMIGOKWE EM]G$ FROM UND] ! BIRD-DECORAT$ SKIRT4 ,?RICE A MO!R & /ILL VIRG91 ,MANI SEEMS RECONCIL$ TO H] LONESOME *A/ITY & TO ,NANGISI'S CROSSWE>+ BRIDE1 TO :OM %E GLADLY GIVES REFUGE FROM MY HO/ILITY4 

,W$ASI BEAMS AFT] MY PA9S 5D1 BUT NEI!R MY SON NOR ,I BEAM BACK4 ,I SEE MY *ILD'S EYES ASK+3 ,:AT MASK HAS MY FA!R C>V$ = ME8 ,! MASK ( A SCAV5G]1 OR A BEAV]- KILL]1 OR A MANHUNT]1 OR A BEAD$ BIRD ) A LONG BE>D8 ,DO Y\ EXPECT ME TO REG5]ATE ! WORLD BETT] ?AN MY MO!R OR FA!R HAVE8 

,AT MY SON'S NAM+1 !RE'S JOY EV]Y:]E EXCEPT 9 ME4 ,:AT AM ,I TURN+ 9TO8 ,! DANC]S AVOID ME4 ,NONE D>E NAME MY SON4 ,!Y SEE ! RAGE 9 MY EYES4 ,I1 ,YAHATASE1 ! HAPPIE/ ( ! LON<\SE S+]S & SE$KEEP]S1 HAVE *ANG$ MY SK9 AGA94 ,EV] S9CE ,W$ASI SAV$ ! LIVES ( ! ,LONGBE>DS1 ,I'VE BE5 ! BITT]E/ P]SON ON ! ISL&4 ,I ?9K ONLY ( ,NANGISI1 :O IS 9 ,B[ET+ AGA9 ) HIS LOAD ( SCAV5G$ FURS4 ,I'M AFRAID HE'LL GR[ A BE>D ON MY SON & TURN HIM 9TO A SCAV5G]4 ,I %[ MY FE> BY %UNN+ HIS BIRDWOMAN & BY CURS+ H] MOON-OLD ,KUKAMIGOKWE4 ,I SEEM UNABLE TO REMOVE MY RATTL+ SK9 EV5 LONG 5\< TO SMILE TO A *ILD4 

,YET ,B9ESIKWE IS ! ONE :O D>ES (F] A NAME TO MY SON4 ,%E :ISP]S3 ,*EBANSI1 DUCKL+1 ! NAME AS MEEK AS ! VOICE ?AT (F]S IT4 

,I SNAP3 ,NAD[E1 FI]CE S]P5T4 ,I TRY TO DR[N \T ! MEEK :ISP]4 ,I ACCEPT :AT ,I'M AFFIRM+3 BLOOD FEUD1 5DLESS W>1 SACRIFICE IF NECESS>Y TO R5EW ?IS POISON$ GR\ND4 

,BUT ! OLD WOM5 HE> ,*EBANSI & RESUME ! DANCE4 ,I WOND] IF MY SON IS BETT] NAM$ ?AN HIS W>RIOR FA!R1 ?AN ,I1 ?AN HIS AUNT1 ! MO!R ( ,GOD4 ,I WOND] IF HE'LL BE ,*EBANSI1 A BIRD LIKE HIS NAM]1 BUT AWKW>D1 TOO HEAVY = HIS FEET1 FLY+ ONLY RELUCTANTLY1 PREF]R+ TO SIT ON WAT]'S SURFACE LETT+ WAVES RAISE & L[] HIM4 ,BUT ! DUCKL+'S FA!R ALREADY EXPECTS ! *ILD TO SO> LIKE AN EAGLE4 

,W$ASI HELPS CLE> FIELDS1 HE REPAIRS LODGES1 & HE LEAVES ON LONESOME J\RNEYS TO PREP>E A GIFT ?AT WILL HELP HIS SON SEE :AT ! FA!R C\LDN'T SEE 9 HIS GR&MO!R'S GIFT4 

,HE J\RNEYS UPRIV] & D[N1 HE GOES NOR? & S\? ALONG ,MI%IGAMI'S COA/ SEEK+ /ORYTELL]S1 SCROLLKEEP]S1 M$IC9E WOM51 REMEMB]]S4 ,HE RETURNS ) NEATLY TI$ SCROLLS & ) DIS9TEGRAT+ B>K FRAGM5TS4 ,HE SPREADS ! FRAGM5TS BE=E HIM1 HIS EYES FILL$ ) HOPE & ANTICIPATION4 ,HE COMP>ES ! FRAGM5TS ) O!RS GA!R$ ON E>LI] J\RNEYS1 & BE=E LONG HIS EYES HAVE ! SAME TORTUR$ EXPRESSION !Y HAD :5 HE TOLD ( HIS 9ABILITY TO UND]/& HIS GR&MO!R'S SCROLLS4 ,HE >RANGES & RE>RANGES ! FRAGM5TS1 HE GAZES AT ! FIGURES ON !M LONG & 9T5TLY1 BUT HE SEES NO MORE ?AN HE ALREADY KN[S2 HE SEES FIGURES ?AT DESCRIBE A BEG9N+ FOLL[$ BY ?REE AGES & AN 9T]RUPT$ F\R?1 :5 EV5TS TOOK PLACE :I* >E NO LONG] POSSIBLE4 ,BUT HE DOESN'T SEE ! SEQUEL1 ! /RANG]S FROM ! SEA1 ! PLAGUES1 ! SCAV5G]S4 ,! ONLY SEQUEL HE SEES IS ?AT ! SCROLLS DESCRIB+ ! F\R AGES >E DIS9TEGRAT+ 9TO FRAGM5TS4 

,GA!R+ UP & /OR+ ! FRAGM5TS1 HE !N UNTIES & EXAM9ES ! COMPLETE SCROLLS1 BUT CURSORILY1 )\T PATI5CE OR 9T]E/1 AS IF HE'D RA!R NOT SEE !M1 AS IF HE WANT$ TO DE/ROY !M4 ,!SE SCROLLS %[ :AT'S LACK+ ON ! FRAGM5TS4 ,!Y %[ ! PA? ( DISEASE FROM ! SEA%ELL COA/ TO ! SUNSET1 BUT !Y'RE NOT CONT9U\S ) ! E>LI]1 DIS9TEGRAT+ SCROLLS4 ,!Y DON'T %[ A F\R? OR ANY O!R AGE4 ,!RE'S A BREA*4 ,! TWO SETS ( SCROLLS SEEM TO BE MADE BY BE+S AS DIFF]5T FROM EA* O!R AS BEAV]S FROM PEOPLE1 & LIKE BEAV]S & PEOPLE1 !Y'RE NO LONG] ABLE TO SPEAK TO EA* O!R4 

,I TRY TO %>E ,W$ASI'S 9T]E/ & HIS ANGUI%1 BUT ON ! DAY :5 ,NANGISI RETURNS FROM ,B[ET+ SPEAK+ ( FI]CE ,S]P5TS 9FE/+ ! NOR!RN ,WOODL&S1 ! S\ND ( DRUMM+ RETURNS TO MY E>S & ,I LOSE ALL PATI5CE ) ! SCROLLS4 

,:ILE ,W$ASI HAS BE5 TRY+ TO RECON/ITUTE BIR* FRAGM5TS1 \R VILLAGE ( ADOPT$ K9 HAS BE5 DIS9TEGRAT+4 ,:ILE HE'S BE5 SEEK+ ! MEMORY ( LIFE1 \R LIV+ & SEEM+LY HEAL?Y TREE ) /RONG BRAN*ES & GR[+ LEAVES HAS BE5 S5D+ ITS ROOTS EV] DEEP] 9TO S&4 

,NANGISI & HIS C>RI]S >E ! C5T] ( ! GA!R+ BY ! SQU>E LODGE ?AT WAS ONCE ! VILLAGE'S %UNN$ FR+E4 ,!Y SPEAK ( EA/]N ,WOLFPACKS :O SLIPP$ PA/ ! ,B[ET+ CAT>ACT & N[ SL9K HUNGRILY T[>D ,%EQUAMEGON4 ,ALL ! VILLAGE CROSSWE>]S & ALL ! %ORT-MEMORI$1 HEAD$ BY ,MANI & ,B9ESIKWE1 BEG ! RIFLE->M$ C>RI]S & BEAV]- KILL]S TO TURN 9TO MANHUNT]S & PROTECT US FROM ! ,WOLFPACKS4 

,W$ASI'S BRO!R ,WISKE BEAMS ) PRIDE1 EAG] TO FILL HOLL[ RE$S ) HIS W9D1 EAG] TO EMBROIL ,NE%NABEK 9 W> AGA9/ ! MON/] ,DIG[94 

,B9ESIKWE 

  

,5RAG$ ?AT MEMORIES CAN BE SO %ORT1 5RAG$ ?AT \R C5T] IS SO EASILY DISLODG$1 ,I %\T ?AT ,WOLFPACKS & FI]CE ,S]P5TS >E ! NAMES ,BLACKROBES GIVE MY K91 ,MANF S K91 \R EA/]N C\S9S1 ! LON<\SE PEOPLE ( ! LONG-LEAF$ TREE4 ,BUT MY VOICE IS DR[N$ BY ! NOISE ( ! EXCIT$ Y\?S >\ND ,NANGISI & BY ! WAILS ( ! CROSSWE>]S4 

,I RUN T[>D MY CLE>+ BY ! %ORE1 BL9D TO :]E ,I'M /EPP+4 ,I /UMBLE2 MY HEAD CRA%ES AGA9/ A TREE4 

,I F9D MYSELF SITT+ 9 A %ALL[ POND ) AN ISL& 9 ITS C5T]2 A T9Y LON<\SE /&S ON ! ISL&4 ,A LITTLE FIGURE WAVES TO ME FROM ! LON<\SE 5TRANCE2 ,I RECOGNIZE ! FIGURE AS MY SON ( TWO SPR+S1 ,*EBANSI4 ,! POND EMPTIES1 ! LON<\SE TURNS 9TO A BEAV]LODGE & ! FIGURE AT ! 5TRANCE IS A BEAV] ,I'VE SE5 BE=E4 ,HE WAVES TO ME1 BUT SADLY1 AS IF HE W]E PLEAD+1 BEGG+ = SOME?+4 ,SUDD5LY !RE'S MOVEM5T ALL >\ND ME4 ,RIFLE->M$ M5 RUN T[>D ! LODGE1 POKE !IR /ICKS 9 & %OOT 9TO IT4 ,! BEAV] LEAPS FROM HIS LODGE 9TO ! DRY POND4 ,%OTS R+ \T FROM EV]Y DIRECTION4 

,W$ASI KNEELS BESIDE ME ON ! GR\ND ( MY CLE>+4 ,HE PLACES LEAVES ON MY BLE$+ HEAD4 ,HE C>RIES ME BACK TO ! VILLAGE & CALLS = A C\NCIL4 ,HE HAS ME TELL MY DREAM4 ,AN OLD LON<\SE MAN1 ONE ( ! PEOPLE :O RETURN$ FROM ! ,SUNSET ,M\NTA9S1 SAYS HE'LL GO SC\T+ TO ! NOR? TO DET]M9E IF ! ,WOLFPACKS >E 9DE$ \R K94 ,I 9SI/ ON GO+ ) ! OLD MAN1 EV5 ?\< ,I'M C>RY+ MY SECOND *ILD & MY HEAD BLE$S4 

,W$ASI1 KN[+ HE CAN'T DISSUADE ME1 DECIDES TO ACCOMPANY ME4 ,:5 ,MANI LE>NS ( ! SC\T+ P>TY1 %E TOO 9SI/S ON GO+4 ,%E SAYS %E KN[S ?AT ! PEOPLE %E LOVES MO/ >E GO+ TO !IR DEA?1 & %E DOESN'T WANT !M TO DIE UNR$EEM$4 

,! F\R ( US LEAVE ,GRE5BAY AS QUICKLY AS ! CANOE WILL TAKE US1 PADDLE UP ! RIV] ?AT TRAV]SES ! NOR!RN L&1 RUN ACROSS ! C>RY+ PLACES1 & TURN EA/W>D :5 WE REA* ! ,KI*IGAMI %ORE4 ,A HUNT] TELLS US :]E TO F9D NOT ONE1 BUT TWO B&S ( WALK+ EA/]N]S1 ONE PURSU+ ! O!R4 

,WE BANK \R CANOE1 BUT JU/ AS WE TURN TO BEG9 \R SE>*1 WE F9D \RSELVES SURR\ND$ BY RIFLE->M$ Y\?S :O WE> CROSSES4 ,! Y\?S LEAD US TO ! C5T] ( !IR CAMP1 FACE TO FACE ) SEV]AL GR&FA!RS & TWO ,BLACKROBES4 

,MANI'S NECKLACE & H] 5DLESS CROSS+S & MUMBL+ SAVE US FROM H>M4 ,! ,BLACKROBES & !IR CONV]TS >E DELI<T$ TO LE>N WE'RE FROM ,GRE5BAY4 ,!Y'VE ALREADY MET ,NANGISI :OM !Y TAKE1 NO D\BT FROM HIS [N CLAIM1 = A CROSSWE>+ REFUGEE FROM A ,MORN+L& LON<\SE4 

,I LOOK >\ND ! CAMP UNTIL ,I SPOT A ONE->M$ W>RIOR :O WE>S NO CROSS4 ,I APPROA* HIM & ASK IF HE'S AFRAID TO TALK TO A GR\P ( PAGANS4 ,HE TELLS ME HE REC5TLY ?REW HIS CROSS 9TO ! LAKE TO BE RID ( ITS WEI<T4 ,I TAKE ,W$ASI & ! OLD MAN TO ! W>RIOR & ASK IF ! ,BLACKROBES & !IR CONV]TS HAVE LONG E>S4 ,HE ASSURES US !Y'RE TOO OCCUPI$ LOOK+ = ,S]P5TS TO PAY ANY MORE ATT5TION TO US4 

,AFT] HE>+ :Y WE'VE COME1 ! ONE->M$ W>RIOR TELLS US3 ,WE1 AS WELL AS \R PURSU]S1 W]E ONCE A L>GE VILLAGE ( ,ROBE-L$ PLAGUE SURVIVORS 9 C5TRAL ,MORN+L&4 ,WE FREQU5TLY RAID$ ! LON<\SE PEOPLE ( ! SUNRISE BECAUSE ! ,ROBES CONV9C$ US ! EA/]N ,S]P5TS 9T5D$ TO DE/ROY US4 ,! ,S]P5TS CAPTUR$ ONE ( \R RAID+ P>TIES2 WE =M$ NEW P>TIES & W5T ON RAID+4 ,?IS SPR+ MANY ( ! CAPTUR$ RAID]S RETURN$ ) GIFTS1 TOLD US !Y'D BE5 ADOPT$ BY ! EA/]N]S1 & URG$ US TO KILL ! ,ROBES :O LI$ TO US4 ,!Y TOLD US DISEASE WAS RAVAG+ ! EA/]N VILLAGES1 & !Y W]E DET]M9$ TO 5D \R FRATRICIDAL RAIDS4 ,MO/ ( \R PEOPLE ACCEPT$ ! EA/]N]S' GIFTS1 BUT A HUNDR$ ( US SLIPP$ PA/ \R 5CIRCL]S ) ! ,ROBES & FL$ 9 SE>* ( CROSSWE>+ LON<\SE K9 :O1 ! ,ROBES ASSUR$ US1 W]E V]Y NUM]\S 9 ! L& ( ! ,SUNSET ,LAKES4 ,MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ ( \R K9 SET \T AFT] US1 SO ?AT WE GREW DIZZY FROM CON/ANTLY LOOK+ AHEAD :ILE LOOK+ BEH9D4 ,\R PURSU]S C\LD EASILY HAVE CAPTUR$ US1 BUT DISEASE R$UC$ !M AT ! V]Y \TSET1 ALL[+ US TO 9CREASE \R DI/ANCE FROM !M4 ,WE FL$ PA/ ! CAT>ACT4 ,\R K9 W]E /ILL AFT] US1 BUT \R SC\TS SAW ?AT !Y HAD BE5 R$UC$ TO TWO HUNDR$ & W]E /ILL DECL9+4 ,! ,ROBES SPOKE ( ! DISEASE AS A /ROKE ( HEAV5 & SAID IT WAS REAP+ AN ABUNDANT H>VE/ = ET]NITY4 ,MANY ( US BEGAN TO HAVE D\BTS AB\T ET]NITY4 ,BUT AT ?IS PO9T ! ,ROBES MADE CONTACT ) Y\R K9SMAN ,NANGISI1 :O PROMIS$ TO S5D A W> P>TY AGA9/ \R PURSU]S4 ,WE SAW ?AT \R NEW ALLIES W]E NEI!R NUM]\S NOR LON<\SE K94 ,& !N DISEASE BROKE \T AMONG US4 ,SOME ( US1 DECEIV$ ONCE OR TWICE TOO (T51 >E READY TO S5D A PEACE P>TY TO \R PURSU]S4 ,:AT KEEPS US FROM DO+ ?IS IS ! KN[L$GE ?AT ! ,ROBES W\LD NOT HESITATE TO URGE Y\R K9SMAN ,NANGISI TO ATTACK \R PURSU]S :ILE WE SIT ) !M C\NCIL+ = PEACE4 

,W$ASI & ! OLD MAN1 YELL[ AS AUTUMN LEAVES FROM ! TALE1 ASSURE ! ONE->M$ W>RIOR WE WILL NOT PAUSE UNTIL WE CUT (F ,NANGISI'S W> P>TY4 

,I GRAB ,MANI1 & ! F\R ( US RU% UNOB/RUCT$ TO \R CANOE4 ,!RE'S NO TIME = ,MANI TO NURSE ! ILL OR PRAY = ! DY+2 !RE'S NO TIME = ! OLD MAN TO BUILD A SWEAT LODGE 9 :I* WE CAN PURIFY \RSELVES2 !RE'S NO TIME TO SLEEP4 

,AS SOON AS WE REA* ! CANOE1 ,I SLIP TO ITS BOTTOM FROM EXHAU/ION4 

,I SEE MY BEAV] /&+ AT HIS LODGE 5TRANCE VOMIT+ BLACK S&4 ,RIFLE->M$ W>RIORS RU% PA/ ME1 %OOT1 PULL (F ! SK91 & !N EAT ! DISEAS$ FLE% ( ! BEAV] :O ONCE %[$ ME A FIELD :]E LAU<+ *ILDR5 RAN AMONG /ALKS ( YELL[ CORN C>ESS$ BY SUN & W9D4 

,W$ASI HELPS ME FROM ! CANOE TO ! LON<\SE4 ,HE CRIES :5 ,I TELL HIM MY DREAM1 BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE ME TELL ! O!RS4 ,IT'S TOO LATE4 ,! OLD WOMAN & ,B9ESIKWE TRI$ TO RE/RA9 ,NANGISI'S W>RIORS4 ,BUT ! W>RIORS PA9T$ !MSELVES & !Y DANC$ & !Y W\LD NOT LET ,NANGISI WAIT = ! RETURN ( \R SC\T+ P>TY4 

,MY *ILD GR[S HEAVY 9SIDE ME & ,I'M EXHAU/$ ALL ! TIME1 BUT AFT] MY LONG SLEEP 9 ! CANOE1 ,I'M UNABLE TO EI!R SLEEP OR WAKE4 ,I HE> A CON/ANT DRUMM+4 

,ONE DAY ! E>? %AKES1 TREES FALL ON EA* O!R & SLIDE 9TO ! BAY2 A M\ND ( /ONES FLATT5S1 A /REAM *ANGES C\RSE & FL[S TO ! OPPOSITE %ORE ( ! ISL&1 & A BURN+ /> FLIES ACROSS ! SKY4 

,! DAY AFT] ! %AK+ E>?1 ! W>RIORS RETURN FROM !IR VICTORY OV] ! MON/]4 ,!Y & !IR ,%EQUAMEGON ALLIES KILL$ TWO HUNDR$ FI]CE ,S]P5TS4 ,!Y MU/ HAVE AMBU%$ ,S]P5TS :O W]E SITT+ AT A PEACE C\NCIL ) CROSSWE>+ K91 BUT ,NANGISI'S W>RIORS >E AS PR\D ( !IR DE$ AS DOGS :O DEFEAT$ A RABBIT1 !IR TAILS HI< 9 ! AIR4 

,I W&] 9TO !IR MID/ & AIM ,W$ASI'S >RO:EAD AT ,NANGISI AS IF IT W]E A SPE>4 ,I EXPECT TO SEE HIS M\? BLOODY & F\L FROM DEV\R+ ! FLE% ( MY K94 ,I WANT TO %\T3 ,:O IS ! ,DIG[9 WE NE$ PROTECTION FROM IF NOT ?IS BOA/]8 

,BUT MY %\T GAGS 9 MY ?ROAT :5 ,I SEE ONE ( ! MANHUNT]S FALL TO ! GR\ND1 HIS FACE CONTORT$ ) PA91 HIS SK9 COV]$ ) BLI/]S4 ,I REEL & VOMIT AT ! SI<T & FEEL MYSELF S9K+ TO ! GR\ND4 ,?\<TS WRI! 9SIDE MY HEAD LIKE COPULAT+ SNAKES4 

,SUDD5LY ! :OLE WORLD BECOMES SIL5T4 ,I FALL ?R\< A HOLE & ,I KEEP FALL+ & FALL+1 BUT ! ABYSS HAS NO BOTTOM1 !RE'S NO E>?1 ! GREAT TURTLE IS DEAD1 %E WAS EXHAU/$ BY TOO MANY CORPSES FROM TOO MANY PLAGUES4 

,I KEEP FALL+ DUR+ AN 9T]M9ABLE NI<T ( A*+ & VOMIT+ LONG] ?AN ! NI<T AFT] ! PLAGUE ?AT EMPTI$ MY FIR/ LON<\SE4 

,:5 AT LA/ ,I /OP FALL+1 ,I F9D MYSELF 9 A M9IATURE LODGE NEXT TO A M9IATURE *ILD4 ,SURELY %E'S ,%UTAHA1 ! GIRL- *ILD :O LODG$ ! WOMAN :O FELL FROM ! SKY1 ,%UTAHA ! PLAGUE'S *ILD1 ,%UTAHA ! NEW BEG9N+4 ,I S+ TO ,%UTAHA ( ! DE/RUCTION ( ! OLD ?AT PREC$ES ! BIR? ( ! NEW4 ,I REMEMB] ONE :O SAID3 ,ANKWE1 KEEP S++ Y\R SONGS1 LIFE IS UNLIVABLE )\T !M4 

,I CRAWL (F MY MAT TO SEE ! SKY1 BUT A C>RION BIRD TRIES TO /OP ME1 A BIRD ) A CROSS DANGL+ FROM ITS NECK1 A BIRD :OSE CLAW RAIS$ A SPOON TO MY M\? :ILE ,I FELL4 ,I PU% MY H& 9TO ! BIRD'S BEAK & CRAWL \T ( ! T9Y LODGE4 ,I WADE ?R\< MUD & ,I LOOK4 ,!RE'S NO LON<\SE1 NO VILLAGE1 NO ISL&4 ,! WORLD 5D$4 ,! BEAUTIFUL FIELD ! BEAV] GAVE ME P]I%$ ) HIM4 

,?IS MU/ BE ! O!R %ORE1 ! ONE ?AT SURVIV$4 ,IT MU/ BE RE/+ ON ANO!R TURTLE1 ONE :O SURVIV$4 ,& ?OSE />+ FACES--!Y MU/ BE ! PEOPLE :O SURVIV$4 ,!Y'RE BUILD+ LODGES1 SMALL ONES1 !RE'S NO NE$ = LON<\SES4 

,I RECOGNIZE TWO ( ! SURVIVORS1 ! BRO!RS1 ! BAD TW9 :O HIDES FROM ME & ! GOOD TW9 ) ! ANGUI%$ EYES :O RUNS T[>D ME TO RAISE ME \T ( ! MUD4 ,I S+ TO HIM ( ,%UTAHA ! NEW BEG9N+4 

,HIS TE>S S+ TO ME ( ALL ?OSE :O DI$4 ,!Y DIDN'T VOMIT S&Y BLOOD1 AS 9 MY DREAM2 NO1 !IR LIVES OOZ$ \T ?R\< BLI/]S4 

,! MAN FROM ,TIOSA ,RONDION RETURNS ME TO ! SIDE ( MY DAU<T] 9 ! M9IATURE LODGE4 

,! PEACEFUL MAN'S >RO:EAD HANGS FROM MY NECK AGA91 AS IT DID BE=E4 ,HE DIDN'T PUT IT BACK2 %E DID1 ! C>RION BIRD ) DANGL+ CROSS :O SPOONS POTIONS T[>D MY M\?4 

,I KNOCK ! SPOON \T ( ! BIRD'S CLAW & S+ TO H] ( ! PEOPLE ,I ONCE LODG$ ON AN ISL&4 ,I S+ TO H] ( LON<\SE PEOPLE :O HAD BE5 TO ! ,SUNSET ,M\NTA9S & ,P59SULA PEOPLE :O HAD BE5 9 A ,BEAUTIFUL ,VALLEY1 ALL ( :OM ,I HAD 9VIT$ TO MY ISL&4 ,I S+ ( AN OLD WOMAN :O LONG$ TO GO TO ! SUNRISE1 :OM ,I PULL$ TO ! SUNSET SO ?AT %E C\LD DIE NURS+ MY SI/]4 ,I S+ ( MY BLI/]$ ,MANI :O W5T ) ME TO ! %ORE ( ,KI*IGAMI BECAUSE %E ?\<T ,I W\LD DIE1 MY K9D1 DEAD SI/] :O C\LDN'T SEE WELL BECAUSE A CROSS BLOCK$ H] VIEW4 ,I HE> ! BIRD SOB FA9TLY1 BUT ! S\ND ( DRUMM+ DR[NS ! SOB & ,I RETURN TO NI<T4 

,! GR\ND IS H>D :5 ,I LEAVE ! M9IATURE LODGE ON MY FEET4 ,I REJECT ! BIRD'S CLAW & F9D SUPPORT ON ! %\LD] ( A Y\NG WOMAN :O ONLY YE/]DAY WAS A *ILD1 ! ,P59SULA PEOPLE'S DAU<T] ,*ACAPWE1 :O GUIDES H] LITTLE BRO!R ,NOP- %+A ) ONE H& & MY ,%UTAHA ) ! O!R4 

,:O >E ! O!RS1 ! />+ ONES :OSE EYES TURN TO ! GR\ND :5 M9E SEEK !M8 ,!Y'RE SURVIVORS FROM ELSE:]E4 ,I LE>N ?AT ,W$ASI 9VIT$ !M TO /AY4 ,SO HE'S /ILL GA!R+ FRAGM5TS1 ! MAN ) ! ANGUI%$ EYES1 ,*ACAPWE'S ONLY SURVIV+ ,P59SULA UNCLE4 ,! LODGE TO :I* %E GUIDES ME IS SMALL & R\ND1 BUT ! PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL & ! LODGE WILL )/& E>?'S %AK+4 ,I MU/ REMEMB] TO S+ ( ?IS LODGE TO UNCLE ,W$ASI4 

,I'M ABLE TO WALK UNSUPPORT$ AMONG ! R\NDLODGES ( ! SMALL VILLAGE ON ! BAY'S %ORE4 ,I CAN EV5 REA* ! SMALL FIELD & GIVE E>? A SE$4 

,*ACAPWE COMES TO TELL ME H] DREAM4 ,! O!RS HAVE ALREADY HE>D & SPOK51 BUT %E WANTS ME1 H] AUNT ,YAHATASE1 TO HE> H] DREAM & S+ TO H]4 ,%E DREAM$ ( A BEAV]LODGE4 ,I S+ TO H] ( A PLACE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! WORLD :]E !RE >E /ILL BEAV]LODGES1 A PLACE ,I DREAM$ ( CALL$ ,TIOSA ,RONDION4 

,MY SON ,*EBANSI COMES TO ME4 ,HE WANTS TO %[ ME HIS GAME4 ,HE'S AWKW>D1 BIG = HIS AGE4 ,LOOK+ 9TO HIS EYES1 ,I S+ TO HIM ( A MOOSE1 & ,I REMOVE ! >RO:EAD FROM MY NECK & PLACE IT ON HIS4 ,HE HAS A TRICK/]'S EYES4 ,HE GUIDES ME TO ! %ADE ( A TALL1 BROAD TREE & BIDS ME SIT BY HIS WIDE-EY$ SI/] ,%UTAHA & H] LIFE-5AMOR$ C\S9 ,MIOGWEWE4 

,*EBANSI RUNS (F TO HIDE BEH9D A SQU>E LODGE :OSE OCCUPANT IS AWAY4 ,GIRLS GA!R TWIGS & PLACE !M 9 ?REE M\NDS1 >\ND :I* !Y =M A CIRCLE2 ,I RECOGNIZE ! VILLAGE4 ,BOYS EM]GE FROM BEH9D ! SQU>E LODGE DO+ PADDL+ MOTIONS ) /ICKS1 SOME C>RY+ /ONES2 ,I RECOGNIZE ! GIFT C>AVAN4 ,9 ! C5T] ( ! C>AVAN ,*EBANSI IMP]SONATES HIS UNCLE ) UNCANNY ACCURACY1 WAV+ ! /ICK ABOVE HIS HEAD & %\T+ VICTORI\SLY4 

,! %\T DEAF5S ME & ! S\ND ( DRUMM+ RETURNS TO MY E>S4 ,I CRAWL T[>D HIM 9T5D+ TO %RIEK3 ,MAY ALL Y\ REAP DE/ROY Y\6 ,BUT ,I SEE ?AT HE'S NOT ! O!R1 HE'S NOT BE>D$1 HE'S ! DUCKL+1 MY SON4 

,MY VISION BLURS4 ,A GIRL LI<TS ! FIRES4 ,%E GLANCES T[>D ME ) HATR$2 %E'S ,WISKE'S FIR/BORN1 ,KUKAMIGOKWE4 ,I FEEL SOME?+ PULL+ ME BACK4 ,IT'S ,%UTAHA HANG+ ON TO MY SKIRT4 ,I CRAWL T[>D A BOY C>RY+ GIFTS1 GRAB ! /ONES FROM HIS H&S & HURL !M ) ALL MY /R5G? AT ! SQU>E LODGE4 

,SUDD5LY ! SUN BURNS ITSELF \T & IT'S NI<T1 YET ,I /ILL HE> ! CRACKL+ FIRES1 ,I HE> ! BOYS DANC+1 ,*EBANSI AT !IR HEAD4 ,I HE> ,KUKAMIGOKWE C>RY+ SCREAM+ ,%UTAHA 9TO ! ?IRD FIRE4 ,I FEEL A CLAW ON MY >M TRY+ TO RAISE ME (F ! GR\ND4 ,I FI<T ! BIRD ) ALL MY /R5G?4 

,TWO H&S PULL ME BY ! HAIR4 ,A VOICE %RIEKS3 ,CRAZY1 UNGRATEFUL ,S]P5T WIT*1 Y\'RE HURT+ MY MO!R6 ,IF ONLY ! PLAGUE HAD DEV\R$ Y\6 

,! RASPY1 CUTT+1 HATE-FILL$ VOICE ( ! BIRD'S FIR/BORN ,KUKAMIGOKWE PI]CES MY HEAD4 

,I VOMIT & MY HEAD CLE>S4 ,I SIT UP4 ,! SUN HASN'T BURNT ITSELF \T4 ,! M\NDS ( /ICKS >E NOT LIT4 ,MY DAU<T] IS NOT ON FIRE4 ,%E SOBS NE> MY FEET & BURIES H] FACE 9 MY BRI<TLY COLOR$ BIRD-PATT]N$ SKIRT4 ,B9ESIKWE'S Y\NG] DAU<T] ,MIOGWEWE /ROKES ,%UTAHA'S HAIR ) ONE H& & H] MO!R'S ) ! O!R 

,B9ESIKWE LIES NEXT TO ME1 TREMBL+ & SOBB+4 ,NO CROSS DANGLES FROM H] NECK4 ,I RAISE H] H& TO MY LIPS TO TELL H] ,I KN[ IT'S NOT A CLAW1 TO TELL H] ,I HE>D H] DUR+ MY 9T]M9ABLE NI<T1 TO TELL H] ,I KN[ %E TRI$ TO PROPITIATE MY RAGE ) ! TWO MO/ PRECI\S GIFTS %E C\LD BR+ ME4 ,I KN[ %E AB&ON$ ,NANGISI'S SQU>E LODGE & CAME TO M9E TO REPLACE MY BLI/]$ SI/]1 ,I KN[ %E GAVE ME H] JOY-SPREAD+ SECOND-BORN TO REPLACE MY W&]+ SON1 ,I KN[ %E BURI$ H] CROSS :5 %E SAW IT MADE ME VOMIT1 ,I KN[ %E'S NOT A C>RION BIRD BUT A CLAWLESS1 S(T1 HELPLESS LITTLE WOMAN :O LOVES ME ) NO GOOD REASON4 

,I TRY TO %$ ! SK9 ( ! UNGRATEFUL S]P5T4 ,I TRY NOT TO HE> ! DRUMM+4 ,I SEE ?AT FL[]S BUD & BLOOM1 NEW %OOTS SPR+ FROM ! GR\ND1 RIV]S FL[4 ,I TRY NOT TO SEE BEYOND4 ,I TRY TO KEEP MYSELF FROM S++ ! LON<\SE SONGS1 ! SONGS NO WOM5 9 ! VILLAGE REMEMB]4 ,I GIVE E>? SE$S ( LIFE-SU/A9+ CORN & SEE ! /ALKS COME UP /RAI<T & /RONG )\T A PLANT+ FE/IVAL4 

,I TRY TO SMILE TO ! WOMAN :O GAVE UP H] LODGE1 HUSB&1 DAU<T] & CROSS = ME1 BUT MY M\? ONLY /RET*ES TO ! SIDE & GIVES ME ! TWI/$ GR9 ( A FALSE-FACE4 ,B9ESIKWE SMILES TO ME ) TE>S 9 H] EYES2 MAYBE %E KN[S ,I'M TRY+4 

,MY SON IS AWAY ON A J\RNEY4 ,I TRY NOT TO ?9K ( ! POISON ?AT WEAK5S HIM4 ,I TRY TO =GET ! SCAV5G] ,I SAW MOV+ AMONG CORPSES PICK+ (F CLOAKS & P5DANTS4 

,I LOOK 9TO MY DAU<T]'S WIDE EYES & SEE ?AT %E'LL GR[ /RAI<T & /RONG4 ,I SEE H] EYES P5ETRATE ?R\< M9E TO MY GN>L$ ?\<TS SEEK+ :ATEV] /R5G!NS & COMPLETES2 %E LOVES ! MOON & ! /RAI<T TREE1 ! S]P5T & ! PHALLUS2 ,J%E LOVES :ATEV] N\RI%ES LIFE6 

,9 H] C\S9 ,MIOGWEWE'S S*EM+ EYES ,I SEE A P[] ?AT WILL PLOT & 9TRIGUE TO KEEP LIFE'S CIRCLE FROM BREAK+4 ,I TRY NOT TO ?9K H[ SMALL ?AT CIRCLE HAS BECOME4 

,BUT ! NOISES ?AT MAKE ME REEL & VOMIT DON'T ALL COME FROM 9SIDE MY HEAD4 ,A PI]C+ %\T REA*ES \R CORNFIELD4 ,IT'S ,KUKAMIGOKWE'S 9TRUSIVE1 MOCK+1 CUTT+ VOICE ANN\NC+ ! >RIVAL ( ! GIFT C>AVAN4 ,! WOM5 & *ILDR5 RUN T[>D IT4 ,I WALK T[>D ! VILLAGE SL[LY2 ,B9ESIKWE /AYS BEH9D ) ME4 

,:5 WE >RIVE1 ! C>RI]S >E ALREADY UNLOAD+ !IR GIFTS4 ,! MOCK ?REE FIRES >E BE+ PREP>$4 ,W$ASI & ,B9ESIKWE URGE ME TO RE/ 9 MY LODGE OR RETURN TO ! FIELD1 BUT ,I 9SI/ ON SEE+ ! C>RI]S' DO+S2 ,I FEEL MYSELF /RONG 5\<4 ,I ALREADY KN[ ?AT ,NANGISI'S P>ODY ( HIS GR&MO!R'S C]EMONY IS ! ONLY C5T] ( ?IS VILLAGE ON ! WORLD'S FR+E1 & ,I DON'T EXPECT TO LE>N ANY?+ WORSE4 

,NANGISI /&S AT ! C5T] ( ! FIRES & BOA/S ( ! UNPREC$5T$ SIZE ( ! C>AVAN & L5G? ( ! J\RNEY4 ,?IRTY CANOES BYPASS$ ,B[ET+ & MADE !IR WAY TO ,HO*ELAGA ON ! ,NOR!RN ,RIV]1 ! NEWE/ GA!R+PLACE ( ,LONGBE>DS & ,BLACKROBES & FUR C>RI]S :O DON'T KN[ ( ,HO*ELAGA AS AN ANCI5T PLACE ( LON<\SES & FIELDS4 

,NANGISI SMIRKS AS HE LAYS \T POTS & AXES1 KNIVES & CLO?4 ,I WOND] IF ! SAME SMIRK WAS ON ! FACES ( ! ,BLACKROBES :O BR\<T ! ,WORD & ITS COMPANION TO MY FIR/ VILLAGE4 

,N[ ! Y\?S1 MY ,*EBANSI & ,*ACAPWE'S BRO!R ,NOP%+A =EMO/ AMONG !M1 BEG9 TO RE5ACT ! VOYAGE SO AS TO IMMORTALIZE IT 9 !IR & \R MEMORIES4 

,! *ANT+ BOYS EMULATE ! SWOO% ( ?IRTY PADDLES PU%+ ON ONE SIDE1 !N ?IRTY ON ! O!R1 !IR BODIES ROCK+ LIKE TREES B5D+ & /RAI<T5+ 9 ! W9D4 ,!IR SNAKELIKE PROCESSION W9DS ACROSS ! C\NCILGR\ND AS !Y S+ ( GLID+ PA/ ! CAT>ACT T[>D ! ,BAY ( ,ROLL+ ,S&S1 OV] RIV]S & C>RY+PLACES1 TO !IR DI/ANT DE/9ATION4 

,! MOM5T ! BOYS PRET5D TO DISEMB>K & WALK UP ! EMBANKM5T1 ,*EBANSI & O!RS1 ) MASKS & COV]+S1 >RANGE !MSELVES 9TO ! SQU>ES & CIRCLES ?AT CON/ITUTE ,HO*ELAGA4 ,!IR POSES1 MOTIONS & COV]+S REM9D ME ( ! ,/ADACONA :]E ,MANI & ,I SP5T ! YE>S ( \R *ILDHOOD4 

,! C5SITAIRES ON ROAD-BUILD+ CORVEE >E MORE RAGG$ ?AN ,I REMEMB] !M1 ! CLO?- & FRILL-CLAD HABITANTS MORE O/5TATI\S1 ! UNI=M$ SOLDI]S MORE AGGRESSIVE1 BUT ! BLACK-HOOD$ FIGURES >E EXACTLY AS ,I REMEMB] !M1 HOV]+ ON ! \T] $GE LIKE BIRDS ( PREY OV] C>RION4 

,AT ! V]Y C5T]1 ,*EBANSI 9 A PLUM$ HAT ) CORDS & RIBBONS DANGL+ FROM HIS BRILLIANT UNI=M & SURR\ND$ BY HIS C\RT ( SIMIL>LY CLAD BOYS1 IMP]SONATES LE *EF ( ,HO*ELAGA1 ! ,SEIGNEUR1 ! M9D & WILL ( ! ,LONGBE>DS4 

,N[ ,NOP%+A1 IMP]SONAT+ ,NANGISI1 LEADS ! C>RI]S T[>D LE *EF1 & ! RIFLE->M$ UNI=M$ M5 /IFF51 READY TO KILL AT LE *EF'S COMM&4 ,! C5SITAIRES DROP ! AXES ) :I* !Y W]E SC>R+ ! =E/1 ! SMIRK+ HABITANTS LEAVE (F C>ESS+ ! FURS BR\<T BY ! C>RI]S1 & ,I IMAG9E ! HABITANTS' WOM5 GRE$ILY PE]+ ?R\< ! SLI<TLY OP5$ DOORS ( !IR PO/ & CLAY LODGES4 

,LE *EF RAISES HIS >M & ! :OLE CR[D ( ,LONGBE>DS MOVE 9 RESPONSE1 AS IF !Y W]E HIS LIMBS4 

,*EBANSI W9KS TO ME4 ,HIS GE/URE REM9DS ME ( A BEAV] ,I SAW 9 A DREAM4 ,HE WANTS ME TO WAT* ATT5TIVELY4 ,HE WANTS ME TO KN[ HE'S NOT :AT ,I ?9K HIM4 ,I FEEL MY FACE SMILE = ! FIR/ TIME 9 MANY SEASONS4 ,I REALIZE HE'S MOCK+ :AT HE'S IMP]SONAT+4 

,*EBANSI AS LE *EF ACCEPTS ,NOP%+A'S BELT & HA/ILY PUFFS ! (F]$ PIPE :ILE ! C>RI]S DEPOSIT ! FURS AT LE *EFS FEET4 ,TWI/+ HIS FACE 9TO A MASK ( GRE$ :I* MAKES ALL ( US LAU<1 ,*EBANSI TELLS ,NOP%+A & ! C>RI]S3 ,LE ROI CANNOT GIVE Y\ ALL ! GIFTS Y\ ASK =1 BECAUSE LE ROI ALREADY HAS TOO MANY FURS4 

,PAUS+ TO ADJU/ HIS SMIRK1 ,*EBANSI !N SAYS37,IS ?IS ALL Y\ BR\<T8 ,?IS IS NOT 5\<4 ,LE ROI NE$S TWICE1 ?RICE AS MANY PELTS4 ,TELL Y\R HUNT]S !Y MU/ CEASE HUNT+ = FOOD1 !Y MU/ HUNT ONLY = L'ETAT & = \R SUN1 LE ROI4 ,!Y MU/ DEVOTE !MSELVES 5TIRELY TO HIS GR[?1 !Y MU/ NOT BE DI/RACT$ BY ANIMALS1 LAZY K9SM5 OR DREAMS1 !Y MU/ LEAM TO SUBDUE ALL OB/ACLES ?AT TURN !M FROM ?IS SUPREME GOAL4 

,*EBANSI PREP>$ ALL ?IS = ME6 ,HE HAS HE>D NOT ONLY HIS UNCLE'S & MY SI/]'S SONGS1 BUT ALSO ,W$ASI'S & M9E6 ,AS ! VILLAG]S RE>RANGE !MSELVES >\ND ! FIRES = ,NANGISI'S GIFT-GIV+ C]EMONY1 /ORM CL\DS MOVE ACROSS ! SKY4 

,I RUN T[>D MY SON TO TELL HIM ( MY DELI<T FROM HIS BEAUTIFUL GIFT4 ,BUT BE=E ,I REA* HIM1 ,I HE> SEV]AL %RIEKS & SEE A CIRCLE ?AT IS NOT P>T ( ! C]EMONY4 ,RUNN+ T[>DS IT1 ,I SEE ,B9ESIKWE RAIS+ UP A MAN COV]$ BY UGLY LUMPS4 

,B9ESIKWE %\TS TO ,W$ASI TO TAKE ME & ! *ILDR5 TO ! =E/2 !N %E %\TS TO ,NANGISI1 :O RU%ES AWAY ) ,KUKAMIGOKWE & ,MIOGWEWE4 ,I HELP H] SUPPORT & HALF-C>RY ! DY+ MAN TO ! LODGE FUR!/ FROM ! C\NCILGR\ND4 ,:5 WE RETURN WE F9D ANO!R1 & WE REMOVE HIM4 ,BUT !N WE SEE YET ANO!R4 

,! PEOPLE GA!R$ >\ND ! FIRES DISP]SE 9 EV]Y DIRECTION1 T[>D LODGES1 T[>D ! FIELD1 T[>D ! WAT]4 ,ONLY ?OSE UNABLE TO MOVE REMA9 9 ! CIRCLES4 

,*EBANSI & ,%UTAHA RUN T[>D ME4 ,B9ESIKWE & ,I SCREAM TO !M TO /OP4 ,WE TURN & RUN T[>D ! LODGE ) ! DISEAS$ M54 ,:5 ,I LOOK \T1 ,I SEE ,W$ASI PULL+ MY *ILDR5 SL[LY AWAY FROM ?IS VILLAGE HE RAIS$ ON ! FR+E ( ! WORLD4 

,:5 !Y'RE GONE1 ,I SEEK 9 ! D>KNESS ( ! LODGE & SEE ?AT ! WOMAN 9 ! BRI<TLY COLOR$ BIRD-PATT]N$ SKIRT IS NO LONG] ABLE TO RAISE ME UP FROM MUD4 ,H] LIPS MOVE4 ,PUTT+ MY E> TO !M ,I HE> %E'S S++ LON<\SE SONGS4 ,%E MU/ HAVE LE>N$ !M FROM ME DUR+ MY LONG NI<T ( A*+ & VOMIT+4 ,%E LEFT H] LODGE & BURI$ H] CROSS SO AS TO S+ ALONGSIDE ME4 ,& %E MU/ HAVE SUNG MY SONGS TO ,*EBANSI1 %E :OM ,I SUSPECT$ ( FILL+ MY SON ) ,MANFS & ,NANGISI'S W9D4 

,I TAKE H] 9 MY >MS & S+ ) H]4 ,MY SPEAK+ VOICE RETURNS TO ME3 ,I DON'T FE> Y\ OR HATE Y\1 ,B9ESIKWE1 ,I TRU/ Y\4 

,SURELY %E KN[S N[4 ,%E LOOKS JU/ LIKE MY SI/]1 ALL BLI/] & OOZE4 ,I LEAVE H] = A :ILE4 

,! /ORM HAS TURN$ \R VILLAGE 9TO A MUD POND4 ,EV]YONE IS GONE EXCEPT ! CORPSES4 ,MY FEET SLIP ON ! MUDDY GR\ND4 ,!RE'S NO ONE LEFT TO RAISE ME UP4 

,E>? IS %$D+ TE>S4 ,%E'S CRY+ FROM PA94 ,%E'S BE+ VIOLAT$ & TORTUR$4 ,I HAVE NO SE$S TO GIVE H]1 BUT ONE4 ,I GIVE MYSELF4 ,I SLIDE 9TO ! MUD1 LETT+ H] :O PU%$ ME UP SWALL[ ME3 ,?UND]SPE>1 SPLIT MY SKULL1 NOT ! /RONG- BRAN*$ TREE6 ,MUDDY E>?1 SWALL[ ME1 NOT LIFE6 

,MY H& %AKES :5 ,I REMOVE ! BEAUTIFUL BUT BLI/]$ MASK ?AT /ILL OOZES AFT] ,I SET IT ON ! GR\ND4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aihg 3 ,*APT] #b -- ,PUBLICATION4 
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