Written in the Stars Chapter Five

Chapter Five
         
    On the morning that the new women returned to the village from their seclusion in the huts of blood, there was activity everywhere they looked. The time of the gathering was almost upon them. There was much to be done before the tribe would be ready to make the long northward trek to the mountain of power. Each fall the gathering was held at the foot of this sacred mountain. It was a good place, far enough away from the nearest village as to not deplete their natural resources with the yearly influx of so many other tribes. Since the gathering lasted only half a moon, the area had time to recover from the drain of its numerous visitors before the next gathering the following year.

    Many of the men were busy working outside their huts. Some worked on tools and weapons. Others were counting the wares they would take to trade. Still other men were busy repairing the tents and tent poles that would make their homes during the trek to the gathering and back. Most of the women were also busy preparing for the journey. They were putting the finishing touches on their baskets and bags. Some were busy sewing designs onto the clothes that they would take to trade at the gathering. Still others were struggling to pack all that they would have to carry into neat manageable bundles.

    Summer sat outside of the spirit hut thoughtfully considering the dozen or so small packages that lay before her. Each pouch held a different herb or root that she would need to make her medicines and potions. The pouches were each tied with a complicated series of knots that told her what they held. A stone bowl and grinding stone lay to her side. Summer was trying to decide if she should go ahead and grind her paints now or if she should take them along to do it at the gathering. Now that she had come of age, Summer knew that she would have to prove herself among the other mystics and hunters at the gathering. She would have much to carry on the long trek and so could not take all of her weapons or her magical tools. She needed to choose.

    Picking up the stone bowl she set it firmly between her legs to steady it. Next she picked up the clump of dried red river mud. Using the grinding stone gripped tightly in her right hand she began to work the mud into a fine powder in the bowl. This was when Luna walked over to kneel beside her. "What are you doing?" Luna asked.

    "I'm grinding up the powder to make my paints. I want to take them along to the gathering," Summer answered without looking up.

    "Oh…what are these?" Luna asked as she reached out to pick up one of the pouches arranged on the ground before the Starchild.

    "They are my medicines. Do not touch them," Summer said. Luna was hurt by the dismissive tone in Summer's voice. Still she wasn't ready to give up yet.

    "I have thought much about you these past three days," Luna said. Summer nodded but said nothing. "Have you not thought about me?" Luna asked.

    "I have been very busy preparing for the gathering," Summer lied. "Have you seen your father yet?" Summer asked.

    Luna was surprised by the question. "No. I wanted to see you first," Luna admitted.

    "You should return to your hut. Your mother will have need of your help," Summer said without looking up. Wordlessly Luna got to her feet. She stood staring down at Summer trying to understand why she was acting this way. When Summer refused to look up at her, Luna turned and stormed off in a huff of anger. Summer wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and continued to work on grinding her paints.

    The gathering was far to the north of the people's village. It would take them nearly half a moon just to make the journey to the base of the mountain. Only a handful of people would remain behind. Those too old or weak to make the trip would stay and wait for the others to return. It would be one full moon of traveling plus another half a moon at the gathering. By the time the others returned the first winter snows would be falling. It was not a journey for the weak of body or spirit.

    It was just before sunrise when the tribe began to gather in the village circle. Every man, woman and child carried heavy packs upon their backs. The men carried their spears loosely in their right hands, ready to defend the tribe from prowling animals along the way. Even Wolf had a harness tied about his back to help carry part of the load. Burdened, as they were, the people made slow progress as they began the long journey northward. The women and children walked in the center of the group as the hunters strolled along at the outer edges. Howling Moon and Black Hawk walked at the very front of the group. They would lead the way as well as choose the spots where they would camp each night.

    On this journey Summer Rain was but another newly initiated hunter. She would guard the women and children as well as hunt for fresh meat for their evening meals along with the other men. There would be nothing more asked of her by the tribe until they reached the gathering. For this Summer was grateful. She needed time to think to prepare her self for what she knew lied ahead.

    The Spirit Masters of the other tribes had long questioned the wisdom of allowing a girl to learn to hunt. They thought it unlikely that she would be able to keep up with the other hunters, that she would be too weak. Now she was a full hunter of the tribe she would be expected to prove her self against the other hunters at the gathering. Summer knew that there were those who would take great pleasure in seeing her fail. They would not make things easy for her. She would have to compete with the other hunters. Some of which had been hunting and tracking since before she was born. If this thought was not enough to make her nervous, she must also prove her skill as a mystic to the council of Spirit Masters. They would test her knowledge of medicine and potions. They would test her on the proper ways to perform certain ceremonies and on her ability to summon the spirits. What Summer Rain was dreading most about this gathering though was the thought that Howling Moon would make a match for his eldest daughter Luna. Luna would be given a mate and there was nothing that Summer could do to stop it.

    Anger, jealousy and remorse mixed together in a swirl of conflicting thoughts. Summer did want Luna to be happy but she hated the thought that she might find that happiness in the arms of another. Summer tried to hide these feeling from the others. Jealousy was a powerful emotion. One that could lead to envy and even hate if she was not careful. Such emotions had been known to drive people to do some terrible things, even to kill. That was why the people had always looked so unfavorably at anyone displaying such strong negative emotions. Summer was the Starchild, the chosen one of her people. She could not afford to display such childish self-pity. She was still young but she was also an adult, a hunter and the next Spirit Master. She had to be above such emotions. At least that is what she thought people expected of her.

    Trying to keep such strong emotions under control was beginning to take a toll on Summer Rain. She wasn't eating. She barely slept. When she did sleep she was plagued by dreams of death and destruction. She always awoke with an overpowering feeling of dread. Summer knew the dreams were a warning of some great evil that was coming. She just couldn't remember enough of the dreams to be able to decipher what form that evil would take.

    Meanwhile Luna was barely speaking to Summer Rain. Summer had been harsh and dismissive to the Chief's oldest daughter ever since she returned from the huts of blood. Luna thought that Summer Rain's feeling for her had changed since they had lain together at the piercing ceremony. She was hurt, embarrassed and very angry that Summer could treat her this way. She thought Summer loved her. How could she just push her away like this? Luna thought that now that she had been initiated into adulthood that they could finally be together. She thought that Summer would ask her father for her hand at the gathering. Now she wasn't so sure what to think.

    Luna found herself plagued by feelings of inadequacies. She thought that Summer had in some way been displeased with her. She thought that maybe she wasn't pretty enough to compare to the other young women in Summer's eyes. She had no way of knowing how deeply distraught the Starchild was over the thought of loosing her. It seemed like Summer no longer cared but something inside of Luna could not fully believe this. "Even if Summer is interested in another woman I can't accept that I mean nothing to her," Luna told herself. Meanwhile as Summer was busy avoiding Luna there were several other hunters who saw this as their opportunity to get closer to the Chief's daughter. Luna was now a woman of the people in every way. It was no longer forbidden for any man to approach her and try to win her favor.

    Luna had grown into a very lovely young woman over the years. She had caught the eye of many of the hunters with her long raven hair and shapely figure. Of course there were those to whom it did not hurt that her father was the Chief. They knew the man she married would be Chief after Howling Moon. They saw winning her hand as a way to ensure they would be the next leader of the people. With the Starchild's seeming lack of interest the men felt free to pursue Luna more aggressively. None among them wished to butt heads with the Starchild over something as meaningless as a woman. After all there was always another pretty woman to be had. Having the Starchild as an enemy though was something everyone in the tribe feared. She was too powerful a mystic for anyone to dare cross. They had all seen glimpses of her powers and it was enough to scare even the bravest of them.

    Summer found herself the object of some unwanted admiration as well. One of the young women she had blessed at the piercing ceremony had become quit interested in pursuing the Starchild. Jade had begun following Summer around ever since she returned from her time in seclusion. She brought Summer special treats she had cooked herself. She was there each morning to light the cooking fire outside of Summer's tent for her. When Summer accidentally got a rip in her buckskin shirt Jade was there offering to mend it for her. Summer had never paid particular interest to the young woman before. To Summer, Jade was just another girl in the village. They had rarely even spoken before the coming of age ceremony. Now every time she turned around Jade was there fawning over her. She had not asked for all this attention and she did not want it but she would not be rude to the young woman.

    Jade's attempts to win the favor of the Starchild were not lost on the others of the tribe. There were a few men who had intended to ask for her at the gathering as their wife. They were not at all pleased to see how she now seemed to prefer Summer to them. Luna noticed all the attention that Jade was now paying to Summer as well. Anger and jealousy swelled within her. Luna could not believe that Summer would leave her for Jade. She could not believe it but she feared it might be true. How else could she explain the sudden change in the way Summer treated her? Luna feared that maybe Jade had pleased Summer Rain in a way that she had not at the ceremony. Perhaps Summer found Jade to be better between the bed furs that she was. Maybe that was why things had changed between them. If that were so, then perhaps Luna would not be able to please another hunter in bed either. Was there something wrong with her, she wondered?

    Meanwhile somewhere far to the north…

    Large Elk strode confidently through the tall grass of the plains. His band of hunters trotted wearily behind him. They had been away from the village for half a moon following the herds. It had been a long and tiresome journey but Large Elk was anxious to return to his family.

    As Large Elk crested the final hill he stopped suddenly in his tracks. Large Elk looked down on the burnt ruins of his village in disbelief. Sees Far jogged over to join his life long friend at the crest. "Mother above! What happened here?" Sees Far cried as he fell to his knees. The rest of their hunting party ran over to join them. Large Elk slowly began to walk down into the remains of the village. His eyes scanned the ground, taking note of all the signs of battle. This was no accident or lightening strike. This was a massacre. There were slain bodies everywhere, some with broken spear tips still lodged in their chests and backs.

    Large Elk searched through the murdered bodies of his friends and tribesmen. He was both hoping to find his family and terrified that he would. One way or the other he needed to know what happened to them. The anguished cries of the hunting party echoed out across the plains as they found the bodies of friends and family in the burnt ashes of their village.

    Large Elk didn't say a word as he stood over the slain body of his father. A cold rage settled in the pit of his stomach as his mind screamed out for vengeance. He gripped his spear so tightly in his right hand that his knuckles were white with the strain. Slowly Large Elk reached up and took his talisman in his left hand. " I swear before the great mother and all the spirits of my ancestors I will find the monsters who did this and make them pay for it with their lives," Large Elk said through gritted teeth.

    Sees Far approached his friend still in shock. "What do we do now Large Elk?" he asked.

    "First we honor the dead. Then we go after the people who did this," Large Elk answered.  Solemnly Sees Far nodded his head. He could not bring himself to look at Large Elk nor any of the other men. His heart was too full of sadness. With as little talk as possible the men began the backbreaking task of collecting the bodies of the dead for burial. In some cases all that remained was a severed arm or head. They could not find the whole bodies to bury.

Farther to the south…

    Summer Rain was struck by a sudden overpowering wave of pain in her chest. She collapsed to the ground on her knees. A sharp pain in her head was followed by a wave of nausea. She vomited up the contents of her stomach as sweat poured off her skin like the swiftly running stream over a stone. Summer raised her hands to cover her ears against the deafening screams of the murdered villagers.

    "Summer, Summer what is it my child?" Black Hawk asked as her kneeled down beside her.

    "I don't know. The pain…the sadness…it's too much," Summer said breathlessly.
    "I don't understand," Black Hawk said.

    "It's too much…too much. I can't…" Summer began but could not go on. Howling Moon ordered the people to set up camp for the night. It was still early but they could not go on with the Starchild so ill. They would wait until morning before going any farther. Nobody complained of the delay. They had been traveling steadily Northward for over a week now. They could all use the extra rest.

    Black Hawk had a couple of the men set up Summer Rain's tent and bring wood for a fire. Carefully they carried the unconscious woman to her bed. Spring Flower came to undress her daughter and care for her while the Spirit Master tried to figure out what was causing Summer to be in such pain.

    Luna was busy setting up the cooking fire in front of her father's tent when she heard the news about Summer falling ill. "What happened to her? Is she okay?" Luna asked the man called Little Crow she had heard talking about it.

    "I do not know. The Spirit Master is with her now," Little Crow told her.

    "Mother I must go to be with Summer," Luna said.

    "No, you will stay here and tend your chores," Soft cloud said.

    "But mother…" Luna began to protest.

    "Black Hawk is with her and her mother Spring Flower as well. You would only get in the way. Stay here," Soft Cloud told her.

  Luna had never before openly disobeyed her mother. She had always been the dutiful daughter, never complaining and always doing as her parents had said. Now she could not. Luna's need to be with the Starchild was too great to ignore. "I'm sorry mother," She said as she laid aside the firewood in her hands. Without another word Luna ran off towards the tent of her love.

    Gathered around in front of Summer's tent waiting for word was Howling Moon, Stone, Gray Fox, Spotted Fawn and the young woman who had become so enamored with Summer Rain, Jade. Luna looked at Jade with disgust and barely concealed hatred. "What are you doing here?" Luna asked the young woman.

    "I came to be near Summer, to do whatever I can to help her feel better," Jade said.

    "I just bet you did," Luna said. "Get out of my way," Luna hissed as she pushed past Jade into the tent.

    Howling Moon followed his daughter inside with the intent of dragging her out by her hair of need be. "Luna good. I am glad that you are here. Come closer my dear," Black Hawk said as he saw the girl. Luna glanced back at her father then went to kneel beside the Spirit Master. Black Hawk looked at his son and nodded towards the tent flap for him to leave. Howling Moon snorted through his nose but did as he was told without question. Luna glanced across the body of the Starchild to Spring Flower. Spring Flower had a very concerned expression on her face but said nothing.

    Outside the tent Soft Cloud could be heard arguing with her husband to make Luna return to their tent. "Black Hawk says she stays, so she stays. Return to your work and leave me in peace woman," Howling Moon said angrily.

    "The visions have overpowered her mind. She cannot block them out. They have become too painful for her to bear. We must draw her mind back to her body or it will become lost forever in the land of the spirits," Black Hawk said.

    "Master what can I do?" Luna asked.

    "You can be her anchor. If I am to find Summer's soul it must want to be found. She will return if she knows that you are here waiting for her. Of this I am sure," Black Hawk said as he patted Luna's shoulder affectionately. "Let your heart speak to hers. If it is truthful and your desire for her to return strong enough she will come back to us," Black Hawk said.

    "Perhaps you should choose another to call to her heart. I no longer have a place there," Luna said sadly.

    "Do not speak such foolishness. You have always had a special place within the heart and mind of the Starchild. Do not allow you're hurt feelings and wounded pride to stand in the way of what you know to be true. Of all the people, it is you that Summer holds most dear. If her soul were to listen to anyone else's it would be yours. Believe in yourself and in the love you feel for Summer Rain. If it is pure and true she will know," Black Hawk said. Luna took a long deep breath to steady the hammering of her heart then nodded her head.

    "I must gather some things for my journey to the spirit world. Stay with the Starchild and keep her comfortable," Black Hawk said.  Black Hawk left the two women alone in the tent as he went to gather the tools he would need to help him find Summer Rain's wondering soul. Spring Flower looked at the young woman across from her. "It is good that you came. My father is right when he says that you have always been special to my daughter. I see it when she looks at you. In truth, I have not always been at ease with this fact. I wanted her to have a husband, children and a home of her own. I know now that will never be. She is not like other women. The gods have chosen another path for her. This is not always easy for her father and I to accept," Spring Flower said.

    "She will return to us. The gods would not take her from us before she could fulfill her destiny," Luna said.

    Spring Flower nodded. "I hope that you are right Luna. I do not wish to loose my daughter."

    "You won't, not if there is anything I can do about it," Luna said. Nervously she reached out to rest her hand on top of Spring Flower's by Summer's side. The older woman smiled slightly in response.

    Black Hawk returned and set about the work of setting his spirit free to search out the soul of the Starchild. He ate the mushrooms and took up the drum. He chanted as he beat out a steady rhythm and prayed to the gods to guide him in his quest. Luna reached over and took one of Summer's hands in her own. "Please Summer, come back to me," she whispered as she wiped the Starchild's fevered brow with a cold cloth. Slowly the hours passed and darkness fell on the camp. Black Hawk remained in his trance as he continued to search for the spirit of the Starchild. Spring Flower and Luna prayed as they sat watching over Summer's unmoving body.

    Suddenly Black Hawk sat straight up and covered his ears against the piercing cries that only he could hear. "Call to her child! Her spirit is close," Black Hawk said.
    Luna pleaded with Summer to return to her body. She professed her undying love as she cried over the body of the Starchild. "Please Summer you must come back. I need you. I love you,” Luna cried. Slowly Luna sat up and looked down at her hand. At first she was not sure but then she saw Summer's fingers move against her own. Luna raised the hand to her lips and kissed it as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

    When Summer Rain awoke she remembered nothing of what had happened to her. All she knew was that Luna was there holding her hand and crying. Black Hawk lowered his hands as the tortured screams faded away. Sweat was running down the sides of his face as he looked at the Starchild in wonder. If she had been hearing the same screams he had it was no wonder she had fallen into such a deep sleep. Black Hawk got to his feet still shaking from the experience. He called out to his son Howling Moon. "Help me back to my tent son. I fear I cannot make it that far alone," Black Hawk said.

    Concerned Howling Moon rushed to his father's side to support him. Looking over his shoulder he asked, "What of the Starchild?"

    "She has returned to us safely. Allow your daughter to remain by her side this night to watch over her," Black Hawk said before nearly collapsing to his knees again. Howling Moon half lifted his aging father so that he was carrying the bulk of the old man's weight as they left the tent.

    Spring Flower bent over to kiss her daughter's cheek and stroked her hair. "I will go now. I am glad that you have returned to us my daughter," Spring Flower said before getting up to leave.

    "Thank you mother," Summer said although she was not sure what her mother had meant by that.

    Once alone Luna stretched out to lye beside Summer Rain on the bed furs. She was exhausted from the long night of worrying and praying. Summer wrapped her arm around Luna as the young woman snuggled up close to her side. "Don't ever leave me like that again. I would die without you," Luna said tiredly. Summer opened her mouth to speak but she was too overwhelmed by emotion. Instead she simply bent her head so that she could kiss Luna's cheek as she pulled her even closer into her embrace. They drifted off into a dreamless slumber safe in one another's arms.



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