FAITH
FAITH (after an idea by Nesciri)
The riders stood below and instinct told them they
were face to face with the woman that was causing them so much trouble. She
truly was a remarkable sight. Her skin was leathery and wrinkled. Her long black
hair blew stiffly in the wind, but perhaps the most chilling of all was her
nose. It was heavily scarred and disfigured her face, giving her the look of
a shrunken apple that was missing a piece. She raised an arm and pointed a finger
at Buck. She screamed, a loud shrieking wordless cry that sent chills through
everyone. Was she insane?
"Running Buck, son of Snow Wreath, brother
of Red Bear, you should not have been created. When you were born to this earth,
you should have been drowned so that your foul presence would not contaminate
our people. Instead, a weak woman and a spineless brother gave you protection
while I was cast out. It is my turn now, Running Buck. Your spirit will be the
one cast out and I will rejoice your death." Yellow Crane raised both arms
in the air and began to chant.
While she chanted she moved her arms in wide sweeping
motions that included all the riders in their reach. She pointed dramatically
at each one and called them by name. How did she know who they were? "Friends
in life, friends in death," she called in English. The woman held something
out in her hand. Everyone was puzzled but then she blew a powder at them. It
didn't go far and the wind swiftly scattered the dust. Even though it blew away,
Buck could swear he felt it land on his skin. She then continued to sing in
Kiowa.
The others were stunned. Jimmy wanted to turn and
walk away from this nonsense but he couldn't move. He nervously fingered the
Colt that was hanging in its holster and wished he knew a prayer. This woman
seemed to be possessed with some otherworldly force that could do them all harm.
He wanted to run over and knock her down, anything to stop the awful chanting
that was going on. Cody swallowed hard and held his place. He thought it was
better just to let her have her way and then be gone. Kid grasped Lou's hand
in a tight uncomfortable embrace. Lou squeezed back just as hard and felt her
stomach drop. She had never seen anything like this before. Tears began to stream
down her face and she could not stop them. Ike supported Buck who looked as
if he were going to faint. His knees buckled under him and Ike struggled to
keep him upright. Sensing that his friend was nearing an emotional breakdown,
Ike took Buck's hand and placed it over his medicine pouch. Buck's fingers fumbled
for the bag but did not grasp it.
The chanting finally stopped and Yellow Crane looked powerful standing on the hill towering above them. Her cry shattered the night as she yelled into the wind, "Red Bear, I have your brother's spirit." She threw back her head and walked away from the chaos she had caused, laughing all the way.
