Page 38 of The Last Warrior

Eleven

It was too cold for the clouds to be making thunder. Yet thunder loomed above him, its grumbling so vigorous that were it not the dead of winter, one might have been fooled into thinking it was the prelude to a summer shower. Above him, black and gray clouds raced across the midday sky, as though they were chased by some unforeseen element of nature. However, there was little if any wind this day to cause their speed.

Small hailstones spit around Black Lion from those clouds, some hitting him full in the face. Ofttimes they hurt, for Black Lion had come before the Great Spirit as naked as a young babe.

He was cold. He was discouraged, but Black Lion would not be swayed from his task. He had come to this place, high in the mountains, to pray and to seek counsel with his spirit protector. He would have this counsel with his Creator.

With smoldering sage in hand, he sang out:

“Mountain lioness, spirit protector

Hear my plea.

I have been gone from here, my country, it is true,

But I am home now, and I need seek your advice.

I did as you asked, and I sought the song

Across the seas.

I did not find it.

I did as you asked again,

I searched for it while traveling here and there.

I did not find it. I still have not found it.

But, spirit protector, something new has happened.

I have married, and the voice that sings the sacred

Song to me each night is she who is my wife.

Is she the one who has it?

May I sing it to her? Or if I sing it,

And she does not know it,

Will I forever have failed the Clan?

Mountain lioness, spirit protector, hear me.

I have not forgotten my people;

I have not laid their plight to rest.

Mountain lioness, protector I would ask your help.”

“Ha! Ha!”

Had the sound come from above him? What was it?

“Ha!”

There it was again. Hau! It was above him, in the clouds.