Chapter 14: Snow Storm

Ralph sat on the top of the hill keeping watch of the cabin below. He watched the children follow the silly crow lead them to the cabin. He laughed as he watched the silly bird dance across the snow as he led the children through the valley. He watched the crone greet the children and smiled as he smelt the clove laced tobacco loft up through the air from her pipe. Ralph watched them walk into the cabin and sat in amazement as the dark cloudy day transformed into a bright sunny day. After a moment, he watched the door open and watched the ghostlike figures depart from the cabin. He smiled as the children safely emerged and walked to their cabin. All was safe.

The sun glistened off the snow and Ralph shifted his vision to the horizon. Over the westward hill, he could see the dark clouds were gathering again. Churning dark clouds were forming and the wind began to rise. Snowflakes were blowing in on the wind and the smell of stench lingered on the breeze. He scoffed and searched the tree line for any hint of danger. Nothing unusual was visible but he stayed alert and settled into the null in which he sat.

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The darkness settled in on the cabin and Sarah sat in her room. The vision of her mother taunted her mind as she sat with the memory of her. She listened through the walls as Markus came into the house talking about a storm heading towards them. She shrugged, and returned to her thoughts of the day she was taken from her parents. She grew angry as she remembered being carried away by Jacque because she could see her parents being overcome by men and women. Anger rose as she remembered being hit with branches. As her anger grew, so did the storm.

Sarah's dreams were tormented as she relived the long drive she endured to get to the school. She remembered the fear she had experienced as people sneared at her through the door of her cage. She visited the dark cellar where she spent nearly a year in darkness. She woke and shook off the nightmares and sat at the side of her bed. Sleep was not going to be her friend tonight.

She wandered to the kitchen to get a drink of water when she heard the crow nocking at the window. Sarah set her glass down on the table and walked over to greet the bird. Snow settled on its body and he shook off the snow and looked at Sarah and cawed. Snow was swirling around the bird but it stayed steady and knocked on the window when Sarah turned from him. The crow tapped on the window again and fluffed the snow off its body as if he was determined not to give up.

Once again Sarah turned to look at the bird. A bright light off in the distance cast a light around the bird's body. The glow was so great as light refracted off the fresh falling snow and filled the valley that encased the valley. Sarah looked out the window again to see the light was settled near the crone's cabin and lingered. She watched Shining Sun exit her cabin and kneel with her head bowed low. Sarah grabbed her winter gear and opened the door to meet the crow at the door.

The snow's furry grounded the crow and Sarah picked him up and wrapped him into her jacket. The snow grew deep as she slept and walking was difficult but she trudged through the snow to the light. A howl came from the hills and a gut wrenching shrill rang off in the distance. Yet, the draw of the light pulled Sarah in the direction of the crone's house.

The wind pushed at Sarah's clothes and dragged her body off course. Yet, she kept her eyes on the light adjusting her path according to the wind. The old crone Yelled, "Stop Sarah, calm the wind."

Sarah's paused and considered the storm but did not stop. Flashes of light began to flare all around the valley. Jamison landed next to the crone and instantly lowered his eyes and fell to his knees. Sarah persisted to trudge through the snow determined to get the crow to the crone. Step by step she pushed through the snow not releasing her gaze on the light.

"Control the wind Sarah. Use it to protect you." Yelled Jamison.

Sarah paused a moment and felt the snow hit her face and the wind bit at her nose. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of cold air and began to feel the energy around her. The snow swirled and Sarah began to circle herself and the wind began to form a protective shield around her. She concentrated her movement more diligently and soon the wind built a shield around her and she stood protected by the wind. She walked the distance in complete protection from the snow and wind.

The light before her began to surge in intensity. Flashing lights grew heavy around the protective barrier. The wind carried howls and the snarl of the Wendigo to Sarah's ears. A shiver covered her body but she fixed her eyes on her destination. A loud crack occurred by the cabin and the frame of Dragonfly appeared. Lights turned on in the cabin and Markus and Mary were exiting out of the cabin with their wands in their hand. A company of wizards landed their brooms inside the protective circle and stood guard for what was coming. A surge of light vibrated through the valley blinding all who were there.

Sarah's eyes adjusted to see a white buffalo standing there waiting for her. The crow wiggled his way from her coat and flew to the kneeling crone and Jamison. Sarah walked directly towards the buffalo and kneeled like everyone else. Another surge of light occurred and a beautiful white lady appeared. The glow of her beauty was enticing, and the men wanted her for their own. They desired her so much that they approached her with lust and they exploded in flames and laid in a black pile on the snow. Sarah watched wizard after wizard burn but she remained strong and walked firmly towards the woman.

Another howl came from the hills and a second, third, and fourth howl came sounding through woods. The hairs on everyone's body stood at end as the symphony of the wind, the howls of the Yeti's, and the screeching of the Wendigo had everyone at edge. Yet, they all stood strong kneeling and with their eyes lowered out of respect for the White Buffalo Woman. They listened and glanced up to watch Sarah as she approached the white woman.

"Come little one. Come to me." said the White Buffalo lady. Her voice was musical to Sarah's ears and Sarah did not fear the request.

Sarah walked closer and kneeled in front of the lady. "I am sorry, I do not know you."

Dragonfly sided up to to Sarah, "She is the White Buffalo Lady. She is from the old ways and old beliefs." He whispered into her ear. "Listen to her carefully." With bowed stance he backed away slowly leaving Sarah to her guest.

"You have been sent here at this time to prepare for the end of days. My little wind witch, you need to learn many things before the end of days. The lady walked up to her and leaned over and placed a black arrow in front of her. "Ralph is on his way down the hill. You must not fear him. Take the arrow with you. He is coming, so don't be afraid." The White Buffalo Woman left the scene with a loud crack echoing through the woods. Darkness filled the valley as the light faded from the lady's visit.

Howls sounded and screeches answered them. White forms emerged from the woods and narrowed in on the Wendigo. A white wall of fur surrounded the beast as it hacked and slashed at their fur. White chunks of fur clung in its claws but no harm was done to the Yeti's that fought the beast. Ralph ran through the protective barrier and rushed to Sarah. Sarah grabbed the arrow just in time for Ralph to scoop her up and he made a mad dash for safety.

Sarah clung to the beast's fur as his heavy footsteps crunched through the snow. She felt as if she was a baby doll all wrapped in his large arms. Sarah listened to his heavy laden breathing as he made his way through the woods. The storm raged on and Ralph wasn't bothered by anything the north wind threw at him. Snow began to cling on his fur and ice clung to strains of his hair from Sarah's breathing. Sarah clung on tightly as the beast ran on to morning.

With a sudden downward slide, Sarah could feel Ralph's body skid down a hill and into a ravine. With a sudden stop, he placed Sarah on the ground in front of a cave and directed her to follow him inside. Sarah's eyes adjusted to the lack of light and she followed him into the half lit cave. Ralph sat down, took a moment to look at the child and her possession with awe.

"Well, now," a gruffled deep voice growled. "I was not expecting this turn of events." he stopped and leaned back on the cave wall. "The White Buffalo Woman gave you that arrow. You little one, must be important for the Lady to appear with such a gift for you." His eyes fixed onto Sarah as his heavy chest heaved with exhaustion. "I guess I have no choice but to take you to our hovel. It is a day's travel but I think I better take you to see the elders." His eyes grew tired as he pondered what to do next. "Here," he lifted his massive arm, "crawl in here to keep warm so we can get some sleep."

Sarah crawled into the crook of his arm and settled in. With the arrow tucked in her hand and drawn up to her chest, combined the warmth of the beast's body and his rhythmic breathing soon she was soothed into a deep sleep.