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| Why The Wind Howls by � coondogk9 Part 1 His movements swift and silent as he moved across the plains. Yesterday he�d searched the mountains and foothills. The day before was along the rivers and valleys of pine, still he never rested. He was on a mission. His foe wary and just as cunning. The tracks were fresher now. he was getting nearer to his quarry. Slower now he traveled. Not for lack of strength but for awareness. He didn�t want to end up on the evil ones totem. Noan-did-shay was a hunter. He had hunted all his life. Some for spoils, some for sport although even that was used to provide. Now he hunted the most ruthless killer known to man. This cruel inhuman species prided himself in being notoriously feared. He used that fear against others. When they saw him approach they almost fell into his waiting arms knowing the end was already there for them. Then he heard a noise! Was it him? Was it the evil one? Quietly and still Noan waited. Yes, it was the evil one. He�d heard that sound a thousand times in his nightmares. The spirits sent them in his dreams to taunt and tantalize like children. How many times he wanted to rip out his mind and bury it to rid the awful visions. Now maybe he could rest. Either the evil one would kill him and rid himself of the dreaded dreams or he would overcome. Stealth now was his main concern. He must have the absolute upper hand or he would suffer the same demise all others before him had suffered. Noan was just one of many who�d tried to defeat the evil one over the centuries. Their bones were scattered to the 7 winds spreading even more fear, for they were the best of the best when it came to battle. Slipping from tree to tree unnoticed Noan crept silently closer. He could hear the sounds of the evil ones laughter. This was good yet not so good. His laughter humored him and perhaps he would be less likely to spot Noan and he�d have his chance of surprise. Not good because his laughter more than likely meant another had ceased his existence here on earth and was already on his way to the spirit world. Closer and closer Noan crawled. Now he could see the evil one. His back to him Noan slowly fitted an arrow to his bow desperately trying not to make a sound. The evil one tossed a bone aside into a pile. Noan glanced and saw the bone and shell necklace of a brother warrior amidst the pile of bones. He tried to put it out of his mind but the image was too great. His trembling fingers could hardly keep the arrow from dropping or clattering against his bow. Just then the evil one rose and turned. Noan, Noan, NOAN!!!!!!!!!! NOW, his mind screamed. In the blink of an eye the shaft rang true. Noan saw the fletching on the arrow protruding from the evil ones throat. The evil one gurgled as he grasped his throat. Noan fitted another arrow and quickly let it fly as well as another, and another. Stumbling now the evil one let loose a howling scream that literally shook the very ground. He ranted as he swung his arms blindly snatching empty air all around. Arrows embedded in his chest would have taken the life of even a spirit rock but still the evil one swore as he pulled the arrows one by one and broke them, strewing the broken shafts across the small glen. The evil one roared and his mighty voice rang out. his bearskin loincloth filthy, his thick black mat of hair covered his chest like the creatures of the forest. His eyes large and the pupils almost coal black now from the previous slited ones reminding Noan of a crocodile. His ears large and cupped round to take full advantage of the slightest sound. Long stringy tangled dirty hair mingled with twigs and leaves hung like moss from a moose�s antlers down past his shoulders. The bulging muscles on his arms like an oak tree. His taunt thighs larger than an elks quarters. Power surged from every sinew in his body. Callused feet grew hard thick pads that knew no pain or feeling. Noan knew now why others feared him so. He was the most vile, corrupt, uncaring being he�d ever seen. How could you kill a thing with no conscience? It should not be alive to begin with. Perhaps the evil one wasn�t alive. Perhaps he was a spirit and came to him in his dreams tormenting him, wanting him to come witness his own death. Noan was not waiting to find out. he turned and ran like the wind. The trees were a blur, as he passed each one quickly vanished to appear behind him. the leaves whirled at his feet as he raced on. The water was but a whisper even after he�d crossed then behind him were the splashes appearing. Noan was outrunning time its self. Looking over his shoulder he could see the evil one grinning as he effortlessly matched him stride for stride. Noan continued knowing even taking an extra breath would let the evil one gain ground and Noan couldn�t afford to lose any of his short lead. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Part 2 Across the valleys they ran. Over meadows filled with flowers in bloom they ran leaving bare stems bending in their wake. Noan had seen a tornado before and this is what it looked like. The swirling debris left hanging in the air. The clean path it left behind. the rushing winds cast from its force. Nolen cleared his mind as he sought refuge. As he ran he saw before him tall snowcapped mountains in the distance. Perhaps he could escape the evil one there. Maybe the evil one could not climb or was not as agile as Noan was. noan was like a goat. He was raised running and leaping like a deer and he was strong. They reached the foothill and Noan felt the climate change as the mountain air brisk and clean cooled the rivulets of sweat now dripping from his tireless efforts. Higher they went. Now steep rocky crags appeared before them. The evil one seemed to enjoy the climb. Faced with an almost vertical wall Noan sprang and grabbed an outcrop raising himself upwards. He placed his fingers in sharp cracks as he scaled the face. Above he could see a dark opening. If he could reach that he may have a chance of disappearing. It may have many tunnels and a maze he could hide in. Noan saw he was gaining precious momentum and a scant further ahead than he had been as the evil one slowed, dodging falling stones and rocks loosened in Noans ascent. Noan found more losse stones he tossed down at the evil one but he couldn�t linger playing games. He must hurry. At last he reached the ledge in front of the cave. Without hesitation he entered into the almost pitch black interior. Quickly closing his eyes to adjust to the sudden change in light he opened them and saw a split in the cavern. A tunnel led off to his right and another directly in front of him. he knew from seeing the evil ones slitted eyes he would have an advantage here in the dark confines of low to nil light. Noan chose the tunnel in front of him and proceeded as he saw no sign of the evil one as yet. Swiftly he ran a short distance then scaled the wall just above the dirt floor heading back the way he�d come. Hoping his backtracking would lead the evil one away for a short time giving him a bigger lead and possibly escape. He managed to exit the tunnel without leaving any tracks leading out as he rounded the turn into the second tunnel. He thought he heard the noises of the evil one enter the cavern as he passed out of sight knowing he had some chance now. the evil one stood in thought scratching his stubbled face. Hmm, he thought. This mere mortal would not stop and hesitate. He would blindly follow the quickest path so he chose the first one in front of him. after examining the floor he saw Noans tracks. Satisfied he was right he quickly ran ahead in the dark tunnel like a cat in the night unfaltering. Noan now hat to slow down. Sounds echoed through the tunnel every time he stumbled or fell. He dared not cry out in pain or it would be his last. His heart racing and almost beating out of his chest he groped on. Far ahead he thought he saw a feint glow of light. as he got nearer he could see he was right. Now he could see ahead. He neared the light as it got brighter and saw a turn in the tunnel. As he stepped around the corner his foot touched thin air. Grasping desperately he clung to a shard regaining his balance. He peered over the edge. There before him was a sheer drop far far below. Everything was white and blue. Ice and snow covered everything. It was now only a matter of time before the evil one caught on to his deceit and would find him. Noan knew for certain he would never survive the leap to the bottom and the outside walls were covered in thick ice making it impossible to climb down. It was hopeless. He could now hear the distant echoes of the evil ones footsteps as his hard feet met the tunnel floor. Noan suddenly had an idea but he must work quickly for it to work. He stripped his blouse and breeches off as well as his shawl and took loose laces and tied them together. It was not as neat as a blanket but it would do he was sure. He reached and wedged the edges of the makeshift cover into cracks along the top over the exit. Then the sides. Now he was standing in pitch black and not a moment too soon. He heard the clear and distinct steps now as the evil one neared. Noan naked now stepped back around the corner, he stood in plain view in total darkness. He reached in his quiver and drew an arrow. He fitted it to his bow and adjusted the arc to shoot straight down the tunnel about chest high. He loosened the tip and the shaft sang as it whistled down the tunnel. Reaching for another as soon as he heard the soft thud he let go another. Now he heard the running footsteps as the evil one raced to him. Noan stepped around the corner and started stamping his feet like he was running. Then he softened the stomps to appear he was getting further away. now he could hear the evil one breathing. Softer now he stomped the floor. Then in a blinding flash the exit lit up as the evil one sailed off into space flailing his arms in the empty air. Noan stood relaxed as he watched the evil ones descent toward the ice and snow packed floor of the hidden valley. The evil ones roaring yells rang across the hardpack and bounced off the cliff over and over. Finally he hit the bottom and bounced off the rock protrusions then rolled and disappeared into a crack in the ice. Noan had seen cracks like this before and knew in his mind the evil one had come to rest. This would be his home now until eternity. The walls of the crack were smooth as glass and nowhere was a hand hold to climb out and it was quite deep also. Noan stayed a time and listened to the howling of the evil one that never seemed to cease. After a time he left the tunnel and climbed down from the mountain. On his way home he found deer to fill his empty belly and provide him with clothing now. he returned home in triumph telling all of his deeds. They of course had already heard of it from drum beaters and travelers he�d met before making it home. His notoriety had preceded him by days. There were great feasts all along the trail home when other discovered the warrior who had beaten the evil one was coming and after he got home he was heaped with gifts and offers of marriage. For days and days the celebration continued. He was tired from his long journey and even after a long rest the festivities were still ongoing. Now when he lay bundled up in his buffalo robe and the cold Blue Northers blew in and the dark clouds brought the heavy snow, he could hear the evil ones roar as the wind carried his voice from his icy depths. He could not be killed but his solitary containment was just as good as dead. He was no longer a threat to man in his new home below the ice. And the wind blew, the snow fell, and the evil ones howling continued into the night bringing a smile to Noans face as he drifted off to sleep. Vision Quest � 2002 T Lovett |