Wind Witch Chapter 4

Wind witch by Sheila Chingwa

Chapter 4

The four men sat themselves down around the table. They seemed comfortable sitting at the Victorian style table. Jack slung his bag off his back and drew out his sage, tobacco, and little metal skillet. He rolled a ball of sage in between his hands and placed it in the pan and placed it in the middle of the table and lit it. The smoke rolled up into the air to cleanse it. Jack stood up and grabbed his eagle feather from his bag and began to cleanse the feather in the midst of the lofting smoke. He proceeded to move from person to person in the room so each could cleanse themselves before they continued the conversation of the boy’s fate. Jack paused in front of Pete and paused for a moment of recognition. The older man bent over the boy’s body and began to smudge him. The boys lifeless body laid so still except for the rise and fall of his chest as his breathing became steadier as the smoke removed the negative energies from the night's events.

“This boy was marked last time I had seen him.” Said Jack. “He pointed to a blank spot on the boy’s lower back. Just above the butt cheeks.”

“Steve sent his boy to the boarding school. He thought the boy would be safer there. The problem is the boy keeps sneaking out and running away back to his father.” Robert, a business looking man shook his head in disbelief. “The boy did not stay where he was told to. He ran back to his parents three times already. We were notified too late to apprehend him this time.” He walked to the boy and called Dragonfly to his side. “Dragonfly, the obsidian arrow will confirm his mark if you hold it over the spot.” Dragonfly, still crouching next to the fire, looked over his shoulder and acknowledged the command.

Verna rolled the boy onto his side to face the back of the couch. The boy wiggled and started to struggle. She pulled a small vile from her pocket and held the lavender oil below his nose and she whispered into his ear, “Be still, you will not be harmed. We must have a look at your mark, if there is one.”

Dragonfly’s limp was one of showing age as he scuffed across the floor to Peter’s side. Dragonfly drew the arrow out of its quiver and brought it close to Peter’s skin and said, “Reveal”. His lips pursed together and then they parted into a smile and a hiss drew through his lips as the black obsidian tip began to glow. A warm white light could be felt by those nearby. They gathered around closer to the couch watching and waiting for the results. The area of his skin grew red in the warmth of the glow. The warmth of the arrow continued to grow and all could see Peter’s mark slowly appear. A small blue mark appeared in the shape of a birch tree leaf.” An audible gasp could be heard through the room as the evidence of a mark became clearer.

“Birch leaf.” said Hermes. “Earth magic.”

Lyra looked around the room, “Earth magic. His father was fire magic. He wouldn’t be able to train him appropriately.”

“Robert, he can’t go back to the school now. They will be looking for him.” Verna’s eyes were wide with concern. “I am sure the men at the burning will tell everyone they know of his talent. He will be highly sought after.”

Silence and breathing were all that could be heard from the assembly. The clock on the wall chimed ten times. “It is getting late. We must have a talk with others to see what can be done with this boy. He’s already a ripe age for training. We need proper placement for him.” Robert took a pad of paper out of his pocket to make a note of Peter’s skill. “Joseph, Sarah needs to be released from the school as well. They both need placement.”

Joseph’s thin body rose out of his chair. “I know Robert. Finding a foster home is the difficult part.”

The light dimmed in the scrying bowl and Lyra’s attention turned to the group. “May I make a suggestion?” Startled, the men pulled themselves back from their ponderings and nodded permission. “Marcus and Mary would be a good place. The boy would have to cross Lake Michigan or traverse the upper peninsula to get back home. Also, there is a rumored Fire Magic Maiden located in a small town in the upper peninsula. She doesn’t know she is fire magic for she has been too assimilated into society. She knows some about fire but I do not know how much magic she knows. I do know the Thunderbird did present its self to her. That is a sign she is more than she thinks she is. I will send a wizard in to her work place to assess her skills as the boy heals.”

Jacque sat in an oversized chair near the fire. He looked around the edge of his chair and said, “I want to be the one to go and get Sarah. Those people at the school will not know that I was protecting her years ago.” He hoisted his large frame up and stood to his full height. The light from fire caught the man’s scared face. The night he tried to save Sarah; a butt of a gun tore the skin on his face leaving a gash that ran from the corner of his eye to the corner of his lip. His loud thudding boots roamed across the floor to stop next to Jack. “If I am allowed to go and rescue her, seeing me may be the comfort she needs to escape peacefully.”

“Thank you for volunteering for this mission Jacque. I know you are aching to see her again.” Joseph looked to the men who sat stiffly in their chair. Their eyes searched Joseph’s face for hints of ill intent. “Men, I believe Jacque would be the best person for Sarah to see. She did not know that he survived the assault the night of her capture.” He walked up to the old lumberjack and held out his hand in agreement. “Jacque, you would have to be a farmer who is in need of help to tend to the kids and garden.” Jacque pulled at his suspenders and scuffed his feet, “I can do that. After all, being a lumberjack is not in style anymore.”

Lyra stopped scrying for a moment and looked at Jacque, “My friend, I can alert Jade to prepare Sarah for the meeting. Sarah will not be able to react when she sees you. If she shows recognition at all, the nuns will become suspicious.” Lyra turned back to her bowl. She swirled her finger into the water. Light shone up from its surface and cascaded into the corner where it sat. “It’s too late at night Joseph, I am sure Jade is in bed. She really works hard there. I will contact her one way or another. Just leave that part of the plan to me.”

“Everyone works hard there.” Said Michael. “Children slaves all in the name of a God.” said Michael. Michael was a man of very few words. His demeanor was one filled with anger and he always seemed upset at the world.

“Sarah has been helping Jade for five years now. I am sure that Jade will help her to understand what she must do.” said Lyra.

Michael’s small frame shifted in its wooden chair. He never reached the height of five foot and his feet barely touched the floor. In his arm he carried a pipe, and he pulled himself closer to the table and the chair screeched across the wooden floor. “Just knowing where they are makes me sick.” he said. He laid the pipe out in his hand and cupped the bowl carefully to hold it still. He reached over, and took a manageable pinch of tobacco from Jack’s medicines on the table. He began to whisper a silent prayer as he worked. His hand lowered the medicine into the pipe and began to pack the bowl with love and positive prayer. “Yet, that place was better than what they are doing to the medicine men and our people. Look at our boy there, that is what they are willing to do. A person’s life for land. Burn out the village so they could take the land. Sad turn of events tonight.”

“How do we know we can get her out of there? They already know that she is marked.” said Jacque.

With a deep sigh, Joseph sat himself back down at the table. “We can only hope that the nuns have forgotten that she was marked. It’s been many years and her mark were covered by Jade four years ago. Perhaps they have forgotten. One can only hope.” Joseph rubbed his tired eyes and looked up to Jack. “I believe it is time, Jack, to consider foster families of our sorts.”

“You mean, you want our kids adopted into wizard families?” As Robert rose to his feet his belly bumped the table upsetting the smudging bowl spilling ashes all over the papers. The table top was covered with lists of wizards who are friends with the Indians. “Is that what all these lists are for? People who would be willing to adopt these kids?”

Joseph quickly turned to face Robert. “No, my friend. Not adopt. We agreed long ago that adoption is not a part of helping the Indians. Sarah can be purchased for $10. Adoption is not necessary. People request a purchase, then they go pick a kid. Adoption may be given later if Sarah wants it.”

“Purchase? What do you mean purchase?” Robert’s stern eyes turned toward the tall lanky man. His gaze was direct and intent to flash burning anger.

Joseph walked over the Robert and laid a hand on the man’s shoulder, “The place where Sarah is, they sell the children to those who are willing to pay. Disgusting practice, but I know they use it to support the facility. With your permission, I will pen a letter and send the request right away.”

The four men looked at each other and gathered for a moment to discuss the issue. Do they trust Joseph enough to make this agreement? The four men discussed the pros and cons of the plans and finally gave in to the request. “Enh, we agree to this.” Said Robert.

Jacque clapped his hands together as a silent cheer. “Poor kid doesn’t have parents. She may want to be adopted. I will have to tell her about Redbird and Painted Turtle, I suppose. I am sure she already knows their fate.” Jacque walked over to Verna, “I would like some calming herbs to give Sarah if she gets upset.”

Robert picked up a sheet of names from the table and began to review its contents. “Jacobs, live too near to the burned village. Peter would run back to his family and get caught. The Ranger family are nice people too. They have many little kids. Perhaps Lori and Seth could use a babysitter and farm help?”

"Possible I suppose, but sending two children to the home at one time is difficult." Joseph leaned in over the table to view possible foster parents. "I can send some financial support but two children at once may be difficult."

The men in the group kept reviewing the contents on the table and discussed the pros and cons of each family. “City families were too closely watched and usually the women never kept secrets. The kids would not be safe in the city. They all agreed that a more rural life would be better for placement.

“Do they need to go together? I mean, their magic is different and we do not know of their people who could teach them what they need to know.” Lyra was looking at their guest for answers. The men's blank stares was her answer. The four men sat and pondered the question for a moment and no response came.

Michael considers Lyra for a moment. His dark eyes seemed so much darker in the lighting of the room. “We have novice teachers. Too many of the elders have begun their journey and haven't had the chance to teach them. Many of the young have little training. The crisis keeps growing as more of the language is gone and not taught. The language is the key to their magic.”

Joseph nodded in understanding, “The schools don’t allow the children to speak their Native tongue. The kids need to learn their language in order to gain their skills.” He lifted a paper from the table and squinted his tired eyes and said, “Seth and Lori would be the best fit for Sarah, I believe.”

“Robert, we are not sending Sarah into hard labor. I just won’t have it! She must learn how to master her wind magic.” said Jack as he scooped up the ashes from the smudge bowl and placed them into a pouch that hung around his neck.

Hermes sat quietly for a moment considering the names laid in front of himself. “Lori and Seth are good people. They require chores, but they understand that training must be done.” Hermes turned and looked out the window. “You know, Lori will take care of Sarah as well as any of her kids.” He turned and looked at Peter laying on the couch, “Peter needs to go to a place with a little distance. He needs time to grieve the loss of his dad. Any suggestions?”

“Markus and Mary will do for the boy’s healing period.” Said Joseph.

“That is a good call." said Verna. "Mary after all is well aware of earth magic. Her apothecary will be good for tending his wounds. Once Mary had time to make some up for use, she can replace our store. I already have some medicines on my shelf to send with the boy.”

Joseph’s deep voice began to speak, “Dragonfly, please go and see if Markus and Mary will be willing to take Peter until he is better. We need time for the boy to heal. Explain to them what has happened to the boy.” With a nod, Dragonfly disappeared with a loud crack. Jacque then turned his gaze to Verna. “Verna, Markus and Mary will need the right medicines to use on the boy. Could you get those together for us?”

As if Joseph commanded her, Verna rose to her feet. “Bear grease is needed. I am sure she won’t have that in her apothecary. If it wasn’t for these four men, we wouldn’t have it either. I have enough to send with the boy. She turned to Hermes, “Once again, I need to ask you to risk your life for some bear fat.”

“Its about that time to hunt. I will look for a fattened one. Perhaps, it would be wise to make a large batch and keep the medicine at hand for a while.” He turned and smiled at Verna, “I will even help you complete the task.” Verna blushed, smiled and walked from the room.

“We need a wife to go with Jacque. Lyra, would you be willing to be a part of the rescue mission?” Said Joseph.

Lyra’s eyes sparkled with delight, “I would love to go and rescue her. She knows me as well and says hello once in awhile when Jade talks with me.”

“It shall be done then. If you men agree.” Said joseph.

“Enh, we agree” said Jack “light the pipe.”

Michael held out a match stick into the candle’s flame and watched the end ignite into fire. With a prayer and a pipe ritual, the pipe was ready to share. “We have made an agreement for the care of these two children.” He spoke. Michael drew on the pipe. Smoke danced into the air as he offered the pipe in four directions. A low whisper was being said as he greeted each direction and ancestors. One by one he presented the pipe to each individual. Each person drew a few puffs of smoke from the pipe and sent their agreement into the air.

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