LJI 12 Native RedBird

[dmousey]

The small girl in her buckskins was barely noticeable. She had fallen asleep under a huckleberry bush. Her buckets were full, as well as her stomach, and there were two hares in her deerskin pouch. The berries, and venison jerky she ate along with it, her excuse for needing the nap. A knife tucked into her waistband lent a measure of comfort and safety, along with the bow, and its quiver full of arrows sitting nestled between her shoulders.

As she slept, the veil between present and future came asunder. Her unconscious awareness rose from her sleeping body and continued until it reached the buffalo plains of the elders. Someone (it could of been her) chanted, while other voices sung the prayers for divination, and power flowed and ebbed through and around her.

Delicately wrapping Red Bird's spirit with a cushion of air, the Ancestors blew her through tunnels created in time. At reaching her destination, the Elders instructed her to wake, and gaze into the future.

"Red Bird look. Open your inner eye, and understand the danger that is coming to our world ." Red Bird's eyes sprung open.

She stood on the top of dunes, where beaches met a green sea far off on the other side of The People's vast lands. A westerly wind was blowing, and some distance out in the water, sat a great wooden craft. Death stood at its helm. And Death was not alone.

He and his companions came disguised as men, but they were unlike any men she'd ever known. Their canoe-like long boats landed along the shoreline, and Red Bird's gift of sight stripped their masks away. She gasped as she saw these vessels had come helmed by Pestilence and Famine, Sorrow and War.

She felt immediate fear for her people. She had to warn them. With her connection to the vision fading, Red Bird hurriedly asked the Elders. "Dearest Ancestors, how long do The People have before this future comes to pass?"

The Elders replied. "Before two handfuls of generations pass, you need to gather Our People; As many as will follow the buffalo to their northern breeding grounds. Go far beyond these Blackhills and valleys of Six Pillar Mountain. You will find rest by the "Waters of the Spirit" and there will be others to help you."

"Now awaken Red Bird, and tell your grandmother, Medicine Hat what you have seen."

*****

Her hands trembled as she accepted the ceremonial totem from her grandmother's hand. Medicine Hat nodded and squeezed Red Bird's arm slightly in reassurance. Red Bird drew her shoulders straight, sucked in a breath, and with a strength of voice belying her eleven years, she began to speak.

Comments

[adoptedwriter]

I'm looking forward to the next chapter, assuming this is a continuing story. Love the name "Red Bird" and all that cardinal birds symbolize.

[dmousey]

Thank you. Again it depends on topic. Seems I'm into fire or autumn colors this month! Plus thank you for reading almost as soon as I post.

Please feel free to concrit to! 🎡💙💟✌😊

[rayaso]

I loved the image of the great wooden craft with Death at its helm. I'm glad you were able to get this in. If you do decide to expand this in future entries, it will be interesting to see what you do with Red Bird.

[dmousey]

Thank you! Red Bird may be around. I'm surprised I actually got this in! And am very happy you'd like more! ✌😊

[bleodswean]

*weeps*

Yes.

[dmousey]

Aww, I didn't mean to make you cry, but I suspect you caught what I was attempting to say here.(Y/N?) How only the whiteman could deface a natural wonder with the faces of men who actually did bring death by stepping onto its shores. (no offense to anyone!)

Now, lets think happy thoughts! ***hugs*** 😊✌💜 ~~~D

[bleodswean]

Yes! I don't think you need to apologize for this! It's beautifully written. I think the monument is a complicated mess. Why deface the mountain yet the work is astonishing. Ultimately, it seems pointless and destructive.

[jenwithapen]

Truly interesting read! Thank you! =D

[dmousey]

Hi Jen! Glad to see you! Thank you for the compliment! And thank you for reading! 💕✌😊

[meridian_rose]

A great read!

[dmousey]

Thank you very much!! And thank you for reading! 💕✌😊

[the_eternal_overthinker]

Ah! This was an interesting read and I got sucked right into this world. I am hoping and looking forward to the next installment. I loved the description of death. Amazing work! Kudos!

[dmousey]

Thank you! The recent "Columubus Day" celebrations brought this to mind. There really isn't anything for the First People to be celebrating. 💕✌😊

[fausts_dream]

Splendid stuff...very on point and knowing.

[dmousey]

Thank you! I appreciate your popping in and reading! And your compliment means a lot to me.😊✌ ~~~d

[bewize]

Poor child. I hope they believed her.

[dmousey]

I do too! I'm sure her grandmother helped her. 😉 Thank you for popping in reading! ✌😊

[bsgsix]

Oh my. This made me shiver, but in a good way. How compelling and moving.

[dmousey]

Thank you! Shiver worthy? I'll take that! Thank you for reading and commenting! ✌😊~~~d

[nayanawrites]

This was different - fresh !!!

Loved the names - Red Bird ( young and full of life ) and Medicine Hat ( experienced with solutions to life's problems ) ... My interpretation ofcourse.

Loved it....

[dmousey]

I can go along with your interpretations! Thank you foryour compliments! They are greatly appreciated! ✌😊~~~d

[sorchawench]

Hopefully we'll hear more from Red Bird?

Great entry!

[dmousey]

I checked with magic 8-Ball, and she says "you might!" Thanks for popping in and reading! ✌😊

[megatronix]

Beautifully done! The U.S.A.'s history is terribly sad, and it's awful that so much horror came to its Native people, with repercussions that still haunt them today.

I enjoyed the surprise of Red Bird being much younger than I'd thought!

[halfshellvenus]

There was lovely imagery in this, and sadness in knowing that all of this came to be. It was a truly terrible fate for all the early people of these lands. :(

[flipflop_diva]

This is so sad. But I love it all the same. And I too hope to see more of Red Bird!

[murielle]

Beautiful! Every word and image is a gift! It's also terrifying, and powerful.

Brava! Brava!