Hither and Yon

An introduction to the World-under-the-Flesh by PD Allen

Fiddlesticks Press
Hand-Crafted Fiction

http://pdallen.wordpress.com

This adventure is continued in the novel Fiddlesticks.

This book is a work of fiction. Names characters places and incidents are products of the author!s ima"ination or are used fictitiousl#. $n# resemblance to actual events or locales or persons livin" or dead is entirel# D coincidental. Cop#ri"ht % &'() b# P* $llen

$ll ri"hts reserved.

Also by PD Allen Post-Quantum Meditations Fiction +on" of ,-istence Poetry .uantum /editations0 1ook 2ne .uantum /editations0 1ook Two .uantum meditations0 1ook Three .uantum /editations0 1ook Four

.uantum /editations0 1ook Five .uantum /editation 3& (ebook) .uantum /editation 3) (ebook) .uantum /editation 34 (ebook) .uantum /editations 35 (ebook) .uantum /editations 36 (ebook) .uantum /editations 37 (ebook) .uantum /editations 38 (ebook) .uantum /editations 39 (ebook) .uantum /editations 3(' (ebook) Experimental Narrative $wakenin" *ra"on0 an +hamanic $dventure Pre-Quantum Meditations Fiction 1lood /oon : Tales of da ;oopernatural <olume ( ) The +ecret =ife of Trees : Tales of da ;oopernatural <olume & $fraid of the *ark : Tales of da ;oopernatural <olume ) $ >iller!s Pride : Tales of da ;oopernatural <olume 4 Complete Tales of da ;oopernatural +tran"e $ttractors Fiddlesticks /urderer!s +k# (Under Shattered Skies, Book One) *?mon +k# (Under Shattered Skies, Book !o) /ournin" +k# (Under Shattered Skies, Book hree)

Contents
he Ode"imaa Ba#!a$i Part I Hither and Yon (. %a&b'oo(oo and the )orr&ption o* the %orld Under the Flesh &. %a&b'oo(oo comes o&t o* +idin# ). %a&b'oo(oo and ,ramliche -&n a -ace 4. -ene Follo!s the .&sic 5. -ene )hases the .&sic 6. -ene, the .is*it /0 -ene .akes a 1on# 2o&rney 30 he +orned One %elcomes an Unexpected ,&est 40 )heka&bae!iss Says ,oodbye to )ity 1i*e 560 1ilith has )ompany at Break*ast 550 Stephen .eets a 1e#end ) 570 ,ramliche has a Bad 8ay @lossar#

*edicated in lovin" memor# of m# "randmother Ahea Feldpausch (9'7-&'((

The Odeimaa Ba !a"i The brid"e in the Borld of the Flesh cast a shadow spannin" @ichi"ami to touch the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. The /anitou knew when this brid"e was completed the trolls and o"res and all the Corrupted Hordes would rush across to invade their sanctuar#. There was no wa# the /anitou could stop the humans from buildin" this brid"e. $ll the# could do was prepare to defend themselves. The Corrupted 2nes were drawn to the brid"e b# the scent of fresh meat and the promise of new treasure. $nd when the brid"e was finished the# raced across to meet the marshaled forces of the /anitou. The numberless horde was held back b# the stron" and the powerful whose man# acts of heroism remain unsun". The /anitou fou"ht while the weaker amon" them fled man# of them retreatin" to distant lands be#ond this world where ) the Corrupted Hordes would never tread far be#ond the touch of humans. The heroes of the /anitou fou"ht valiantl# and prevailed for a time. ;et in the end their efforts were doomed. The numbers of the /anitou had dwindled since humans first set foot in the New Borld while the ranks of the Corrupted 2nes were swollen inversel#. The conclusion of this battle was fore"one when the first troll set foot in the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. The defenses were overrun and the invasion of the last refu"e of the /anitou be"an in earnest. $s the defenses crumbled the =ad# $ki-ikwe called BaubooCoo who was neither stron" nor powerful out of hidin" and made him swear to preserve the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. +tandin" onl# two and a half feet tall his dark skin covered with a fine fur Baub-ooCoo was the most furtive of the little /anitou. He passed his life without leavin" an# si"n of its passa"e sta#in" hidden in the secret places onl# he knew ever alert for trouble with his bu" e#es round furr# ears and his fine sense of smell. Few had ever seen Baub-ooCoo and onl# one person knew his true name the =ad# $ki-ikwe who knew ever#oneFs true name. $nd knowin" his true name she could call him to her and place upon him

the dut# of keepin" the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi safe. Baub-ooCoo was terrified of takin" on so important a char"e but he could refuse the =ad# $ki-ikwe nothin". +he called him to her "ardens lush with e-otic blossoms tended b# butterflies and hummin"birds. Baub-ooCoo had never been so close to the =ad# $ki-ikwe before. +he was a vision of beaut# soft radiant and li"ht. Her lon" hair was a rich red the color of the ,arth and the "ood red path and her skin was the color of pale ivor#. +he was dressed in white flowin" robes and between her breasts shone a warm healin" li"ht. GBaub-ooCoo G she said to him G#ou must hide the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi where it will never be found b# the Horde. +o lon" as it is safe the# can never completel# destro# this land. G+ome of us will survive in the shadows and the remote places. $nd there will be hope that our world will one da# be restored. ;ou must keep the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi safe until that da#.G GH will tr# mF=ad# G Baub-ooCooFs e#es popped lar"e with concern. He politel# held his cap before him in "narled hands. G1ut how will H know when that da# has come.G ) =ad# $ki-ikwe had the "ift of distant si"ht. GHt is for a human to restore our world.G G$ human mF=ad#IG Baub-ooCoo Juailed at the ver# thou"ht. G$re #ou sureIG GThe humans have taken this world from us G =ad# $ki-ikwe said in a distant voice. GHt is for a human bein" to return it to us.G G$s #ou sa# G Baub-ooCoo still had his doubts Gbut humans are so shortsi"htedKG G2ne da# there will come a child of the first people G the =ad# $ki-ikwe proclaimed. G+he will be lookin" for her voice and #ou will know her b# her son". The 2deDimaa 1a"waEi will respond to her and #our dut# will be fulfilled.G G;es mF=ad# G Baub-ooCoo bowed before her. G$rise Baub-ooCoo and take #our char"e G the =ad# $ki-ikwe clasped her hands over her chest and drew them awa# openin" them before Baub-ooCoo to disclose the li"ht that had shone between her breasts. Baub-ooCoo held up a hand to shade his e#es so bri"ht was the li"ht. =ookin" at what she held he saw a lar"e "lowin" cr#stal. $s he

watched it was transformed first to a shinin" white blossom and then to a lar"e acorn. GTake it G the =ad# $ki-ikwe ur"ed him. Baub-ooCoo wiped his hands on his vest and reached out to take the seed. Hn his hands it became a lar"e piece of black obsidian warm to the touch. Baub-ooCoo worried his unworth# "rasp had dama"ed it. GHt chan"es form dependin" on its surroundin"s and who is holdin" it.G The =ad# set his fears to rest. GThat should aid #ou in hidin" it. 1ut do not take chances. *onFt let an#one see it.G The sounds of battle drew close to the "arden. The =ad#Fs attendants were a"itated. Ht re"istered with Baub-ooCoo that the =ad# $ki-ikwe sounded wear# and she had lost her former "low. GPut it awa# G she told him. G>eep it close to #ou until #ou have found the ri"ht hidin" place and "uard it with #our life.G The battle spilled into the "arden as defenders sou"ht with their last breath to hold back the invadin" hordes. GNow "o Baub-ooCoo G the =ad# $ki-ikwe ur"ed him. GFleeKG Baub-ooCoo hid the Heart of the Bild inside his vest ne-t to his own heart. GH will not fail #ou mF=ad# G he promised as he vanished ) into the under"rowth. GFarewell Baub-ooCoo G the =ad# $ki-ikwe whispered behind him. G$ll our hopes "o with #ou.G $t the ed"e of the "arden he paused pretendin" to be a dead stick and looked back on the =ad# $ki-ikwe. The =ad# dismissed her court and stood to face the oncomin" attackers. $ lar"e o"re reached her first. He held her with one hand while he brou"ht a war club down on top of her head smashin" her skull open. Baub-ooCoo stood froCen in horror as the o"re ate the =ad#Fs brains. Then he was "one fleein" for his life and the future of his people.

Part # Hither and Yon (. %a&b'oo(oo and the )orr&ption o* the %orld Under the Flesh Baub-ooCoo had lon" dreaded this da#. He should never have been chosen as the "uardian of their most sacred treasure. There were others well noted for their prowess their intelli"ence their wisdom or their in"enuit#. Baub-ooCoo possessed none of these "ifts. He was weak of bod# and mind and fearful of his own shadow. His onl# skill which had spared him all these #ears while others more worth# fou"ht and were defeated was the art of concealment. He knew ever# secret place in the =and 1etween the +k# Baters : $kki Nisawa# @ichi"ami. He could hide so well onl# those who knew his true name could ever find him. Baub-ooCoo was his common name meanin" little rabbit or the white-tailed one. That he knew of onl# one bein" knew his true name and she died after placin" the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi in his hands. Baub-ooCoo had been in hidin" ever since. That is precisel# wh# he was chosen to be the "uardian of the ) 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. $s lon" as the 2deDimaa survived their world could not be completel# overrun. $nd woe to all worlds should the 2deDimaa ever fall into the wron" hands. Ht had been fift# #ears as humans told time since the =and 1etween the +k# Baters was invaded. Hn all those #ears the land resisted defilement because the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi was safe. $nd in all these #ears the Horde minions of corruption had hunted for the 2deDimaa without ever findin" a trace of it. The 2deDimaa 1a"waEi had been safe in his care for so lon" he had "rown la-. The hidin" place he chose was in a remote area of the =and 1etween the +k# Baters an inaccessible "len hidden amon" ston# hills nearl# as old as time itself. This was a mountainous re"ion where the land had never Juite solidified into realit# the Lnfinished Hills. 2ut here it was eas# to pass from one world to another without even bein" aware of it. This unfinished creation leaked ma"ic and it was Baub-ooCooFs thou"ht that this leakin" power would help to cloak the 2deDimaa. This it had done. For fift# #ears no minion of corruption had come near the Lnfinished Hills. From hidin" he saw them scour the

=and 1etween the +k# Baters #et the# alwa#s steered clear of these mountains. ,ven the dimmest o"re and the "reediest troll knew a wron" turn in these hills would transport it to some other world : perhaps even the land of the Beendi"o : with no wa# back. 2r worse #et an unwittin" bumbler mi"ht stumble throu"h a portal to find itself unmade. Lntil now the search for the 2deDimaa had been unor"aniCed. The Corrupted Hordes the defiled ones knew it was somewhere in the =and 1etween the +k# Baters simpl# because that land continued to e-ist. The trolls craved it as a treasure the# could horde the o"res as a tast# morsel the# could devour and the "oblins as a trinket that would brin" them presti"e. ;et the# lacked an# more sophisticated motivation and their searches were uncoordinated. +uch had alwa#s been the wa# with these beasts0 it was one of the few thin"s the /anitou had in their favor. The Corrupted 2nes were undirected and difficult to or"aniCe. 2nce in a while someone would happen alon" who was powerful enou"h to draw them to"ether and lead them but it never lasted. 2"res and "iants were too dim-witted the# were content simpl# to defile ) devour and destro#. Trolls on the other hand were too "reed#. The# were apt to seiCe on some small treasure or propert# and then spend the a"es "uardin" it. =astl# "oblins were too clannish. The various "oblin clans fou"ht amon" themselves. The onl# thin" all the clans a"reed on was that o"res and trolls were to be thorou"hl# reviled. $t one time these creatures were confined to the land across the waters Baasawekami". Hn those da#s the =and 1etween the +k# Baters was a blessed realm and a sanctuar# for all the /anitou. The# roamed freel# throu"hout this world sharin" its beaut# and riches. 1ut then the Horde appeared foulin" the land and murderin" the /anitou as the# spread throu"hout the world. No one knew where the# came from but the wise elder Nwanaehaus said the# followed the humans. Humans were the creatures of $kiin Bii#aasa" the Borld of the Flesh which was closel# linked to this world $kiin $naamin" Bii#aasa" the Borld Lnder the Flesh. The# were weak natured blind and short lived but the# were capable of "reat thin"s and the# thrived. The humansF "reatest failin" was their inabilit# to see their environment as it trul# was. The# were alone havin" lost their connection to the communit# of life around them.

Nwanaehaus contended the Corrupted 2nes the o"res and trolls and "oblins were nature spirits as were the inhabitants of the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. The# came from the Borld of the Flesh and remained tied to the humans. The blindness of the humans had driven them mad. +evered from the source of their true bein" the# were transformed into monsters that sou"ht onl# to defile ever#thin" around them. Bhether or not this was true it was plain the Horde in this world followed the humans in the Borld of the Flesh. Bhen the humans first traveled to the New Borld the# were soon followed b# the Corrupted 2nes who invaded $kiin *aawinan the land of the /anitou. @ranted there were human bein"s alread# in the New Borld. 1ut those people were different0 the# were not blind as were the newcomers. The# respected nature and the# were at peace with the /anitou. 1ut these newcomers sou"ht onl# to conJuer and destro#. The human world and the world of the /anitou are closel# tied to"ether. Bhatever humans do in $kiin Bii#aasa" has its reflection in $kiin $naamin" Bii#aasa". +o as the humans tamed the wilderness the# opened the Borld Lnder the Flesh to the Horde who spread ) across the land destro#in" and desecratin". Bhere the humans went in the Borld of the Flesh the 1li"ht spread throu"h this world befoulin" the land and destro#in" ever#thin" it touched. 2nl# the Corrupted 2nes could survive in this corrupted land. Ht was said the 1li"ht came from Baasawekami" the distant land far across the /ishi"amiin" 2cean. Now the bli"ht had spread throu"hout the realm of the /anitou ever#where e-cept the =and 1etween the +k# Baters. /anitou were pushed back to remote areas until the# retreated to the =and 1etween the +k# Baters leavin" the rest of the world to the o"re the troll the "iant and the "oblins and to monsters much worse than these. The +k# Baters held powerful ma"ic and it was believed the Horde would never be able to cross them. $nd so it was until nearl# fift# #ears a"o when humans at last conJuered even the +k# Baters.

&. %a&b'oo(oo comes o&t o* +idin# The Corrupted 2nes "athered in an open valle# south of the Lnfinished Hills. $nd so it was to this valle# that Baub-ooCoo ventured under cover of darkness. He sat at the ed"e of the woods for a lon" time near a hidden doorwa# leadin" to the Borld of the Flesh. Ht was a doorwa# he had used often before its e-istence somehow masked from ever#one but him. He was familiar with the wide valle# before him havin" freJuented it in his fora"in". Never had he met so much as another /anitoussiwuk in these meadows. +tud#in" the camp before him Baub-ooCoo could not believe what he saw. There must have been thousands of o"res and "oblins and hundreds of trolls assembled in the valle#. The# sat in "roups around campfires or la# sleepin" on the "round. $mon" them were also fierce hill "iants. The lar"est "iant Baub-ooCoo had ever seen la# on the ed"e of the meadow. This one "iant covered an area full# the siCe of the entire camp. Fl#in" overhead were the dreaded Pau"uk the fl#in" skeletons who sent shivers down his spine with their "hostl# shrieks. Bith Pau"uk patrollin" the) air Baub-ooCoo would have to be e-tra careful to remain undetected. He almost "ave up sp#in" on the Horde and fled for his life. 1ut he could not abandon his char"e. Bho was fearsome enou"h to command the Corrupted 2nes and demand their obedienceI $nd what did this demon want with the Heart of the BildI Baub-ooCoo had to answer these Juestions before he could determine what must be done. Hn the ver# center of the camp was a lar"e tent "uarded b# two hill "iants. Trolls "oblins and a few o"res came and went no doubt "ivin" reports and takin" orders. Hnside the tent must be the commander of the Horde. Bhatever manner of creature it was it never ventured out where Baub-ooCoo could "et a look at it. Hf he wanted to find out what kind of bein" this was and perhaps learn its intentions he would have to sneak close to this tent. Furtivel# with "reat trepidation Baub-ooCoo crept into the camp. He moved with utmost caution stickin" to the shadows as much as possible careful to sta# concealed whenever one of the corrupted turned his wa# pa#in" particular attention to the Pau"uk fl#in" overhead.

He was makin" his wa# alon" the side of the lar"est of "iants when another of its clan approached. Bith not a moment to spare Baub-ooCoo hid in a leather pouch l#in" ne-t to the "iant. G/ishi-naubaeKG The approachin" "iant stood onl# half as bi" as the behemoth to which he was talkin". GThe 2"imauh has a Eob for #ou.G @rumblin" /ishi-naubae rose from his bed. He "rabbed his pouch and hun" it b# its strap over his shoulder. Hnside the pouch Baub-ooCoo was Eostled amid loose tobacco a stone pipe bi" enou"h to serve him as a canoe some sharp pieces of flint and a few strips of dried meat. He had to be careful not to cut himself on the flints. GH am "oin" G /ishi-naubae "rumbled in his low bass voice. Baub-ooCoo clun" to the inside of the pouch as the "iant loped across the camp. The "iant reached his "oal in two strides. Must as Baub-ooCoo thou"ht the rou"h ride was over the pouch lurched and hit the "round hard almost spillin" him out alon" with its contents. Hf Baub-ooCoo had not been holdin" onto the sides of the ba" he would have tumbled out beside the bowin" "iant ri"ht at the feet of a robed man. Baub-ooCoo peaked out of the pouch astonished to see this hu"e ) "iant prostratin" himself on the "round in a show of obeisance to a pun# human. Thou"h dwarfed b# the respectful "iant the man was man# times Baub-ooCooFs hei"ht and he carried himself in a superior manner. The man was dressed in some sort of dark robe with the hood thrown back. His hair was dark and he had a thick beard. His cheekbones were hi"h and pronounced as was his nose. $nd his e#es were cruel and hard. This man must be a sorcerer. Baub-ooCoo could feel the power radiatin" from him. $nd he was ver# dan"erous. There was somethin" feral about him. Thou"h the "iant /ishi-naubae could easil# have crushed him underfoot he was afraid of this man. G/ishi-naubae G the man spoke in a stron" harsh voice Gthe 1urned +kull band of "oblins has not returned. Hunt them down and kill them.G G;es 2"imauhKG The "iant was pleased with his instructions. He rose part wa# from the "round trailin" his pouch. G/a# H eat themIG G;ou can dr# them out and smoke them in #our pipe for all H care.G The man "lared at him GBhether the# are rene"ades or

incompetents H will tolerate neither. Find them and kill them.G The man turned awa# to reenter his tent. /ishi-naubae rose ea"erl# to undertake his task. +eein" his chance Baub-ooCoo slipped out of the pouch and into the tent on the manFs heels. $s Baub-ooCoo entered the tent his hackles rose and he knew he had passed throu"h some kind of ward. However it was too late to do an#thin" about it. The inside of the tent was lit b# an oil lantern. Ht held a cot a foldin" table and chair and several lar"e trunks. BaubooCoo hid behind one of the latter. The 2"imauh kept his back to Baub-ooCoo. He was stud#in" a map that la# spread over the table top. *ue to the hei"ht of the table there was no wa# Baub-ooCoo could "et a look at the map short of climbin" up. Baub-ooCoo ducked behind the chest as someone scratched at the tent entrance. GCome in.G The 2"imauh turned to face the entrance as a troll entered. The troll had the diseased "reenish cast normal to its species with black splotches. Ht was lon" of limb as were all trolls with lon" clutchin" fin"ers that terminated in nast# sharp claws. Ht was dressed ) in a loin clothe which was the common attire of both trolls and o"res. 2"res had differin" features but trolls all looked alike to BaubooCooFs e#es. 2"res were brawn# brutes with hair# ash-colored skin. For all their hair their heads were usuall# bald and beardless thou"h not alwa#s. Baub-ooCoo could not tell if the hairless pates were due to fashion or nature. The# had point# ears and pronounced e#e rid"es. The# lacked noses havin" lar"e nostrils set flush to the face. $nd their mouths were eJuipped with a nast# set of tarnished fan"s. 2"res were ver# muscular with powerful arms and hands. For all their mass 2"res usuall# stood at least a head shorter than trolls. The third race of the Corrupted 2nes "oblins were a small hi"hstrun" bunch. The# were brown-skinned with ill-formed facial features. Their coal black e#es were offset and sometimes seemed to sa" in their faces. Their voices were hi"h-pitched and "rated on BaubooCooFs ears. @oblins were better clothed than the other species of the Horde. This did little to make up for their half-formed appearance. No two "oblin faces were the same but all had the appearance of bein" poured from a well-shaken Ear.

@iants like Pau"uk were not trul# creatures of the Horde. The# were an elder race and had been in this land as lon" as the /anitou could remember thou"h the# had been rare until the 1li"ht came to this continent. The# were twice as tall as the bi""est troll and looked like lar"e muscular humans dressed in rou"h hides. For all their siCe "iants were dim-witted. This was their maEor weakness. The creature that entered the tent was tall even for a troll. He had to bow low to make it throu"h the entrance. 2nce inside he stooped to avoid brushin" the roof of the tent. G$h @ramliche G the 2"imauh said as the troll Eoined him b# the table. G;ou are the last to report. How did #ou fareIG The troll e-tended a lon" clawed fin"er and pointed to a spot on the map. GBe searched from here G he moved his fin"er alon" the map to another point Gto here. There was no si"n of it but H felt the 2deFimaa.G Trolls could feel treasure nearb#. GHt is there somewhere.G G;es G the 2"imauh verified. GHt is here and we will recover it. *id #ou search for secret passa"ewa#sIG G;es G the troll answered. GBe found several but none led to what we seek. Be lost two o"res.G ) GHm G the 2"imauh "runted. GBell there are plent# more.G GThe others are stationed on overlooks throu"hout the area as #ou wanted.G G@ood.G The 2"imauh turned awa# from the map to stud# the troll. GTell me @ramliche what do #ou detectIG GHt is tou"h to "et the feel of it in the Lnfinished Hills but there is somethin" powerful to the north.G GThen that is where we will continue our search.G GThe land "ets rou"her as we travel north G the troll told him. GThe hills "row more numerous and more difficult to scale. There are lots of low passes between them swamp# areas thick with trees. $nd we must move slower because each step could take us throu"h a secret passa"e with no wa# back.G GHowever lon" it takes.G The 2"imauh did not want to hear about these difficulties. GBe have to find it. Be cannot proceed until H have the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.G GBith it we will finall# establish full dominion over this world G the troll said.

G$nd others G the 2"imauh amended. G1ut let us not talk of that now. For the moment we must focus on findin" it if we have to sacrifice ever#one in this camp to do so.G G*o not worr# G the troll assured him. GH will find it for #ou.G GHf an#one @ramliche H believe #ou can. $nd once #ou brin" me the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi H will "ive #ou a place at m# side.G The 2"imauh led the troll back to the door of the tent. GAest toni"ht. $t first li"ht head back to where #ou left off. Take another score of o"res with #ou and H will assi"n the Tattered ,ar band of "oblins to work with #ou. Proceed Eust as #ou did toda#.G G;es 2"imauh.G The troll bowed and started to leave the tent. G@ramliche.G The 2"imauh stepped over b# the entrance close to where Baub-ooCoo was hidden. G*o wait a moment.G Bithout an# warnin" the 2"imauh reached behind the chest laid hold of Baub-ooCooFs vest and hauled him up. Baub-ooCoo stru""led as he dan"led in midair held in the 2"imauhFs firm "rip. Cau"ht b# surprise Baub-ooCoo chan"ed form adoptin" the appearance of his namesake. GBhat have we here a sp#IG G$ little rabbit.G @ramliche chuckled as he backed into the tent. His e#es bu""in" out with fri"ht Baub-ooCoo sou"ht an innocent e-planation for his presence. GBhatI No sp# mF=ord. HFm merel# a harmless rabbit who once had m# burrow in this valle#. ;our troops cau"ht me off "uard and H was desperate for someplace to hide when H spied this tent. H am ver# sorr# H intruded on #our privac# mF=ord.G G@ive him to me G @ramliche offered Gand H will find him a place in m# cook pot.G GNo little rabbit would trip m# ward.G The 2"imauh saw ri"ht throu"h the subterfu"e. GThat ward is desi"ned to react to /anitou.G G$h.G The troll looked at Baub-ooCoo more closel#. GHt is a /anitoussiwuk.G G+o which is itIG The 2"imauh offered a choice G$re #ou a sp# or will #ou "o into @ramlicheFs stewpotIG GH am no sp# G Baub-ooCoo insisted. G<er# well.G The 2"imauh passed him alon" to the troll who held him b# his lon" ears read# to eat him then and there without botherin" to cook him. GNo mF=ord.G Baub-ooCoo pleaded. GH did sneak in to listen to #our plans but H am no sp#.G

GHmm.G The 2"imauh considered. G$ /anitoussiwuk who spies but is no sp#. Bho sent #ou hereIG GNo one mF=ord.G The 2"imauh "rabbed Baub-ooCoo b# the throat and e#ed him. Baub-ooCoo was afraid the sorcerer would choke him to death. The 2"imauh turned the little /anitouFs face so @ramliche could see him better. G*oes not this little /anitou resemble NanaFbFooCooIG Baub-ooCoo blanched at the mention of his relative the famous trickster. G;es G the troll a"reed. GHe is a little rabbit.G G*id NanaFbFooCoo send #ouIG The 2"imauh "rew ver# fierce. GNo mF=ordKG Baub-ooCoo protested his innocence. His relative ma# be powerful but he was nothin" but trouble. Baub-ooCoo had no desire to be linked to NanaFbFooCoo. GH came here on m# own mF=ordKG The 2"imauh clasped his hands behind his back as he re"arded the little /anitou. GBh# would a timid little rabbit sneak into the midst of the Horde and venture into m# tent to hear what is said hereIG ) Baub-ooCoo tried to maintain his innocent act thou"h it was difficult to do so in @ramlicheFs clutches with the troll droolin" over him. The 2"imauh bent down to brin" his face close lookin" BaubooCoo in the e#e GBhat have #ou to do with the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG Baub-ooCoo shrank awa# as best he could in the trollFs stron" "rasp. He stuttered GN-nothin" mF=ordKG The 2"imauh sneered at him. G;ou lie. Ht is rumored the =ad# $ki-ikwe "ave the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi to a /anitoussiwuk even as the Horde was invadin" the =and 1etween the +k# Baters.G The 2"imauh looked off to the north. GBhat better place to hide the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi than in the Lnfinished HillsIG Hn spite of himself Baub-ooCoo whimpered. 2f a sudden the 2"imauh pounced on Baub-ooCoo a"ain. GBhat did #ou do with the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG GH lost itKG Baub-ooCoo spoke before he knew what he was sa#in". G;ou lost itKG the 2"imauh was incredulous.

GH lost it in the Lnfinished Hills G Baub-ooCoo whined. GThat is the truthK Ht was beside me one ni"ht when H went to sleep and in the mornin" it was "one.G G;ou lost itIG the 2"imauh still did not believe him. GHFve been searchin" for it ever since G Baub-ooCoo insisted. G+hould H tear off one of his armsIG @ramliche "rabbed his left arm and wrenched it. Baub-ooCoo cried out. G;ou know e-actl# where the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi is G the 2"imauh told him brookin" no ar"ument Gand #ou will lead us to it. Hf not then H will feed #ou to @ramliche and his men piece b# piece.G To emphasiCe this threat @ramliche transferred his "rip to the back of Baub-ooCooFs neck and bit off one of his ears. Baub-ooCoo screamed. 1lood flowed wet down the side of his head. @ramliche chewed and swallowed. GThis rabbit is ver# tast#. H want another bite.G He menaced Baub-ooCoo with his sharp teeth. G2ka#KG Baub-ooCoo pleaded. GH will do as #ou askKG GBhere is the 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG the 2"imauh demanded. Baub-ooCoo knew better than ) to "ive them the location. The# would have the 2deDimaa and there would be no need to keep him alive. GHt is hiddenK ;ou will never find it on #our own not even if H "ive #ou directions.G The 2"imauh scowled a"ain. @ramliche "nashed his teeth. GH can take #ou thereKG Baub-ooCoo offered. GH can take #ou to itKG G+o #ou shall G the 2"imauh said. G$nd #ou better not tr# to trick us. @ramlicheFs crew has an even bi""er appetite than he does.G @ramliche chuckled. G>eep a close e#e on this /anitoussiwuk G the 2"imauh ordered. GTomorrow he will lead us to the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi.G G;es 2"imauh.G

). %a&b'oo(oo and ,ramliche -&n a -ace G2nce we have the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi nothin" will stop us. First we will unite the entire Horde and then we will overrun Baawi#ekami". $ll the treasures of the universe will be ours.G @ramliche was seated before a campfire. First thin" after leavin" the 2"imauhFs tent he found a stout leather cord to tie around BaubooCooFs neck. 1# this leash the troll dra""ed Baub-ooCoo about the camp the latter stru""lin" to keep up so the leash would not a""ravate his wounded ear causin" it to bleed a"ain. The ne-t stop was a lar"e communit# cook pot that reeked of overcooked meat and nobod# knew what else. @ramliche "or"ed himself on this stew eatin" a prodi"ious amount. He threw a few scraps on the "round for Baub-ooCoo but the /anitoussiwuk would not have eaten them even if the# had been served on a plate instead of the trampled soil. Baub-ooCoo was a strict ve"etarian0 his di"estive s#stem would not handle meat even if he felt a desire to eat dead flesh. $fter feastin" @ramliche appropriated a skin full of alcohol from some o"res and found himself a seat ) at a fire. Bhile he drank he kept a ti"ht hold on Baub-ooCooFs leash makin" him sit like a pet at the trollFs smell# feet occasionall# reachin" down to "ive his head a pat. The alcohol loosened his ton"ue. He called Baub-ooCoo his pet and talked of how his pet would soon make him rich. Baub-ooCoo listened and looked for a wa# to win his freedom while i"norin" the rancid odor of the monsterFs feet and the pain at the side of his head where once his ear had been. @ramliche held up the half empt# skin and spread his arms to take in the stars in the sk# overhead. GH will be the treasurer of all the worldsK That will make me the richest troll that ever lived. $ll others will bow before meKG GHs that what the 2"imauh promised: to make #ou his treasurer.G Baub-ooCoo tested the trollFs lo#alt#. GBhat makes #ou think he will keep his wordIG GFoolish pet G @ramliche aimed a kick at Baub-ooCoo Eust missin" the wounded side of his head as Baub-ooCoo scurried out of the wa#. The troll reeled him back in. GThe 2"imauh knows how valuable @ramliche is. H have served him ver# well. Bithout me he would have no followers.G

@ramliche lifted his le". Baub-ooCoo prepared to dod"e another kick. Hnstead the troll blasted a foul fart that nearl# caused the /anitoussiwuk to pass out. @ramliche lau"hed as his pet choked on the no-ious fumes. G;ou know nothin" G @ramliche admonished his pet. G@ramliche was the most powerful troll in Baasawekami".G He beat his chest. GH amassed a mountain of "oldK /ore than an# troll ever dreamed of. H kept it in a cave where no one could touch it.G GHow come #ou arenFt at #our cave ri"ht now "uardin" all that "oldIG Baub-ooCoo probed GHow do #ou know it is still safeIG GThe 2"imauh is keepin" it safe for me G @ramliche swore as much to assure himself as his pet. GH never heard of a troll "ivin" his treasure to someone else to keep it safe for him. ;ou donFt sound all that powerful to me.G @ramliche #anked on the leash chokin" Baub-ooCoo and causin" his wound to sur"e with pain. GFoolish petK ;ou must learn #our place.G The troll drank some more. =owerin" the skin he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and "aCed at the fire. $fter a moment he allowed GHt is true the 2"imauh) tricked me when first we met. 1ut we have done "reat thin"s to"ether.G GTricked #ou. HowIG @ramliche leered at the memor#. GHe made all m# "old vanish.G GH see G Baub-ooCoo ventured. GThen he blackmailed #ou.G GHt is no blackmail G @ramliche insisted. G/# treasure is safe. He will return it with tenfold more when we have the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. $nd we will have it soon now that we have #ou.G @ramliche chuckled and tu""ed on the leash. Baub-ooCoo thou"ht he saw a wa# out of his captivit#. GHow lon" has it been since he spirited awa# #our treasureI HFll bet #ou are achin" to "et it back.G GHt has been a lon" time G @ramliche allowed. GHt has taken #ears to draw to"ether the Horde. 1ut H will have m# treasure tomorrow. $nd much much more.G GTomorrowIG Baub-ooCoo baited his trap. GBh# wait for tomorrow when #ou could have it toni"htIG GTomorrow we will "ather forces to make the Eourne#.G @ramliche drank from the skin nearl# empt#in" it.

G;ou donFt need o"res and "oblins and #ou donFt need to wait until tomorrow. ;ou and H could fetch it within the hour.G GBhat do #ou meanIG @ramliche "lared at Baub-ooCoo. His voice held doubt but there was "reed in his e#es. GThere is a doorwa# in the woods outside of this camp G BaubooCoo told the troll. GHt is a two-wa# door that leads to the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi and back a"ain. @ramliche leapt up and tottered around for a moment as he found his balance. He seemed to sniff at the air. GH sense no doorwa#KG GHt is hidden but it is there G Baub-ooCoo insisted. GHow do #ou think H reached this camp without runnin" afoul of #our sentriesIG @ramliche considered. Hn the end his drunken "reed won out. GTake me to this doorwa#.G GHf #ou insist.G Hnwardl# Baub-ooCoo patted himself on the back. $ drunken troll was an eas# creature to manipulate. Baub-ooCoo led @ramliche throu"h the camp. Careenin" drunkenl# the troll had a tendenc# to tu" on the leash chokin" the /anitoussiwuk and provokin" a fresh wave of pain from his wound. Baub-ooCoo also had to be war# least the other creatures crowded ) to"ether in the valle# : most of them much bi""er than he : should trod him underfoot. Fortunatel# he mana"ed to avoid bein" flattened and the# soon left the camp climbin" out of the valle# to the ed"e of the forest. GThe leak lies this wa#.G Baub-ooCoo pointed and altered course. He was brou"ht up short on the end of the leash chokin" as he was almost pulled off his feet. GBait a minuteKG @ramliche "rumbled. The troll drew aside his loincloth. @raspin" his "ruesome member he started urinatin" aimin" a steamin" stream at the unsuspectin" /anitoussiwuk. The urine stun" where it hit him. Baub-ooCoo sJuawked and hastened to step out of the shower. @ramliche lau"hed as he made a sport of chasin" Baub-ooCoo with his stream of urine. $s the troll held the leash ti"ht in one hand while aimin" his stream with the other Baub-ooCoo could onl# run in a circle around the monster. This he did with such speed the into-icated troll could not keep up with him. Hn short order Baub-ooCoo had the leash wrapped around the trollFs le"s. *iCC# from spinnin" around @ramliche tumbled to the "round pissin" on himself. He let "o of the leash as he fell.

The /anitoussiwuk turned a somersault and landed on his feet runnin". He reeled in the leash as he ran so it would not be cau"ht on a branch. 1ein" much smaller than the troll he cut throu"h the underbrush usin" his siCe to his advanta"e. NNN @ramliche re"ained his feet with a howl and took off after the /anitoussiwuk. +hould his pet make "ood his escape @ramliche would be in bi" trouble. The 2"imauh would not return his treasure. He mi"ht suffer even worse punishment. He had seen what the 2"imauh did to servants who failed him and @ramliche was not about to meet that a"oniCin" end. He tore his wa# strai"ht throu"h the brush and trees pa#in" no heed when he was whipped b# branches or cut b# thorns. The /anitoussiwuk had a "ood lead on him and the little creature had an advanta"e in these woods but @ramliche mana"ed to keep him within si"ht. The /anitoussiwuk led him throu"h the woods until it bolted across a small clearin". Here @ramliche was able to close the "ap makin" bi" strides with his lon" le"s brin"in" him closer to the small rabbit. $s the# neared the far side of the clearin" it looked like @ramliche would catch his Juarr#. Must a couple more strides and he would be able to reach out and snatch his pre#. The /anitoussiwuk put on a last burst of speed in its effort to escape. @ramliche increased his own pace to overtake the creature. He reached out to "rab hold of his defiant pet and the /anitoussiwuk was "one. @ramliche halted so suddenl# he nearl# fell over. Bhere had the /anitoussiwuk "oneI @ramliche doubted it had the abilit# to become invisible thou"h he could not completel# discount the possibilit#. He looked all around him shoutin" GBhere are #ou m# petI That was a nice little "ame. ;ou beat old @ramliche. Now show #ourselfKG There was no response. The woods were Juiet. The onl# noise came from the camp. @ramliche studied the spot where the /anitoussiwuk disappeared. He could see nothin" there. Could the little /anitou have been tellin" the truth about the doorwa#I Could it be here in front of him thou"h he saw nothin"I

His head still cloud# with alcohol @ramliche tried to think this throu"h. Hf there was a doorwa# here it mi"ht not lead to the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi as the /anitoussiwuk had said but it was unlikel# it led to an#place dan"erous or the /anitoussiwuk would not have used it. @ramliche could not end his pursuit until he cau"ht the little /anitou. He could not return to the camp without it. ,mboldened b# these thou"hts @ramliche took a step. Nothin" happened. He was still standin" in the woods over the valle# the noise of the camp echoin" to him. He took two more steps and then the world around him vanished.

4. -ene Follo!s the .&sic @randma Aena had ur"ed Aene to take up her fiddle and hold a front porch session Eust a couple da#s a"o. Aene was downcast read# to "ive up the fiddle. +he had auditioned for a local rock band but found her old time fiddle st#le did not work with the sort of music the# pla#ed. The lead "uitarist poked fun at her for pla#in" Gthat old shit G and she had been lau"hed out of the rehearsal. Aene fled to her "randmotherFs cabin and set the fiddle in a corner where she attempted to for"et it. +he left it there when she returned home late that evenin". 1ut she came back earl# the ne-t da# and the first thin" she did was look to make sure the fiddle was ri"ht where she left it. $lthou"h it was alwa#s on her mind she did not touch it throu"hout the da#. +he kept bus# doin" chores for @randma Aena. $fter dinner @randma Aena took down her drum and tried to lead Aene into a shamanic trance. The# were no more successful than on an# of their previous attempts. Hn fact this time the fiddlin" in AeneFs head was so loud it practicall# drowned out the drummin". Aene broke down in frustration. GBhatFs da useI HFm sorr# "randma but H Eust canFt do dis. HFm no shaman.G GNonsense G @randma Aena told her. G;ou have da power widin #ou. H can feel it. Perhaps da time Eust ainFt ri"ht #et eh.G This did not make Aene feel much better. GHt is stuff# in here. =etFs sit on da porch eh.G Aene held the door open for her "randmother and followed her out. Aena sat back in her wattle rocker and Aene sat on the porch steps han"in" her head and mopin". GBhereFs #er fiddleIG @randma Aena asked her. GHnside G Aene answered not wantin" to think about it thou"h it was all she could think about. G@et it.G G$w "randma G Aene protested. GH wanna hear some fiddle music G @randma Aena demanded. G2ka# G Aene went into the house and soon returned bearin" her fiddle. +he started pla#in" The =ampli"hterFs Hornpipe. $t first she pla#ed half-heartedl#. 1efore she knew it however she was immersed in her fiddle pla#in". Those dumb kids didnFt know what the# were

talkin" about. Aene would show them these old fiddle tunes were eternal. @randma Aena rocked as her "randdau"hter pla#ed. +he remembered other /Otis fiddlers she had known dances and socials. /ostl# she remembered her son sittin" on this porch pla#in" man# of these ver# tunes. +he felt her son drawn b# his "randdau"hterFs fiddlin". The music seemed to flow around his presence makin" him palpable. For the first time @randma Aena appreciated the ma"ic of her "randdau"hterFs fiddle pla#in". G2f courseKG she e-claimed as she stomped her foot. +tartled Aene screeched to a sudden halt and looked over to see if her "randmother was alri"ht. G$ hundred #ears still makes a foolKG @randma Aena cursed herself. To Aene she said GChild we been "oin about dis all wron". H been tr#in to teach #ou wid da old wa#s but #er part of a new "eneration and #ou "ot #our own wa# to power eh. For"et about da drum #ou have da fiddle.G GHuhIG Aene was not Juite sure she understood. GBhere does #er mind "o when #ou pla# da fiddleIG GH dunno. Hnto da music H "uess.G G*oes #er mind empt# out but for da musicIG G;eah.G GAene G her "randmother said Gwe was wron" tr#in ta chase dat music outta #er head cuC datFs how #ou meditate eh. ;ou need ta follow dat music en empt# #er mind of ever#tFin" else. Tr# itKG Aene tucked the fiddle under her chin and held the bow over the strin"s. +he hesitated for a moment waitin" for the commotion in her head to settle down. That it did and soon she heard a melod#. $t first it was @aspOFs Aeel that she heard. +he pla#ed followin" wherever the melod# in her head mi"ht lead. @aspOFs Aeel "ave wa# to somethin" different somethin" she had never heard before. 1efore she knew it she was improvisin" freel# producin" new melodies. The music she pla#ed resembled old time fiddle tunes but it wandered at will outside of the normal fiddle tune forms. Hn a wa# what she pla#ed now was purer than the fiddle tunes from which it was derived. Ht lacked an# be"innin" or end0 one melod# simpl# led into another the rh#thm of her pla#in" modif#in" and chan"in" as she went alon".

+he closed her e#es as she pla#ed and the world around her faded awa# alon" with all her cares and worries. There was Eust her and her fiddle "ivin" e-pression to the moment. Then the boundaries between her and her fiddle fell awa#. +he was her fiddle and as one the# were the e-pression of the ever chan"in" moment. There was onl# e-istence and e-istence was the son" she san". ,-istence resided within the note as she uttered it and throu"h that note was e-pressed the entire s#mphon# of e-istence. +he was the son" of the world and throu"h this son" she was linked to ever#thin" that e-isted ever#thin" that had ever e-isted and ever#thin" that ever would e-ist. The music bent back on itself in a delicate displa# of color and motion. Flittin" about the music took form and Aene almost "asped as she reco"niCed that form. Ht was a butterfl# a lar"e and beautiful butterfl#. Aene had alwa#s felt some connection to butterflies. To her the# were creatures of Eo# and friendship. $nd now she was deli"hted to have the butterfl# dancin" to her music. Aene opened her e#es and there it was the butterfl# fl#in" circles about her head. Aene stopped pla#in" the fiddle as she watched the ephemeral creature. Ht li"hted on her fiddle scroll and seemed to sit there for a moment re"ardin" her. Then it flew off and vanished into the twili"ht. Aene lowered her fiddle. G@randma did Ea see datIG G;es H did.G GBhat sort a butterfl# was dat hehIG Aene had not felt such opene#ed wonder since she was a little child. G*at was no butterfl# G @randma Aena told her. G*at was a 1a"waEinini a nature spirit.G @randma Aena seemed Juite impressed b# the encounter and a little humbled. +he "ot up from the rockin" chair and laid hold of a braid of sweet "rass that hun" down from the porch awnin" where it was dr#in". GH am a foolish old woman eh. Here H been tr#in ta help #ou reach da inner world when #a been Eourne#in dere all alon". Now #ou "ot a spirit "uide.G +he handed the sweet "rass to Aene. GHere burn some a dis to tFank da 1a"waEinini. HFll "et some tobacco so #ou can make a proper present.G From the folds of her dress she fetched out a pack of matches and passed them to Aene. Then she went into the cabin.

Ht took Aene three matches before she was able to li"ht the sweet "rass braid on fire. The sweet smoke was wafted awa# b# a laC# breeCe that seemed to carr# it the same direction into which the butterfl# disappeared. Aene thou"ht of what had Eust happened. @randma Aena was ri"ht0 she made a similar Eourne# ever# time she pla#ed the fiddle. ;et normall# when she was practicin" tunes she Eust scratched the surface whereas toni"ht she had plumbed the depths. @randma Aena soon returned with a twist of Hndian tobacco and a sharp knife. Aene carved off some of the tobacco and placed it on the top step of the porch as an offerin" to the butterfl# spirit. @randma Aena re"arded her solemnl# as Aene recounted ever#thin" she felt durin" her trance. G;ou alread# found da path widdin dat connects #ou to da rest a da world. $nd #ou have a powerful spirit "uide. Be been dra""in our feet when we should be runnin. HtFs time for #ou to Eourne# to da spirit world.G Aene was filled with wonder and not a little fear. GHowIG G;er music will take #ou and #er spirit "uide will lead da wa# eh.G

5. -ene )hases the .&sic Aene would make her Eourne# on +aturda# ni"ht. @randma Aena would tell her no more. Aene was not even sure if the Eourne# would be spiritual or ph#sical thou"h she suspected the former. +he looked forward to the e-perience with some trepidation. Ht would be an adventure. Finall# she had found a wa# to follow in @randma AenaFs spiritual footsteps. $nd to think the means had been as close at hand as her own fiddlestick. +he looked at her fiddle and bow in a new li"ht and she pla#ed with a new respect for the power contained in this old music. Thou"h she kept an e#e out for it especiall# while she was fiddlin" she did not see the lar"e butterfl# a"ain. +omethin" about it tickled at her memor# and with a little effort she remembered the make-believe friend she either ima"ined or dreamed : ma#be both. Aene had not thou"ht of the little "irl in #ears0 the child had faded from her mind as she "rew up. Now that she thou"ht of her however the memor# was too vivid to be an illusion. Funn# what was her nameI /eme or somethin" like that. G +he and /eme had man# "rand adventures to"ether. How could she have for"ottenI ,-cept it had onl# been her ima"ination. +he was Eust a lonel# little "irl who needed a friend so bad she made one up. $h but the# had some "rand adventures to"ether. /eme would take her to a fair#land where the# could pla# for hours. $nd when the time came to sa# "oodb#e /eme would transform herself into a lar"e butterfl# and fl# awa#. Aene seemed to remember one time in particular when the# were pla#in" in the fair#land. Aene must have been about seven #ears old and her visits with /eme were "rowin" less freJuent. Hn fact this ma# have been the last time she ima"ined her pla#mate. 2n this occasion /eme was showin" her how to pla# a blade of "rass. /eme was forever teachin" her thin"s. For an ima"inar# friend she held a surprisin" wealth of knowled"e and wisdom. /eme would hold a blade of "rass between her thumbs and blow on it. From this blade of "rass she could produce a sound somewhat like a trumpet. 1# manipulatin" the blade of "rass and the siCe of the space between her thumbs she could chan"e the pitch. Bith this primitive wind instrument /eme pla#ed simple melodies.

Aene wanted to learn this skill. +he thou"ht there was nothin" she wanted to do in this life so much as to make music like her friend. /eme tried to show her how to do it but Aene could not "et the knack of it. The harder she tried the more impossible it became. Finall# Aene threw awa# the blade of "rass she was usin" cr#in" in frustration. /eme comforted her soothin" her hurt spirits until she stopped cr#in". $s she wiped awa# her last tears Aene heard music e-Juisite music fillin" the air. Ht was a Eo#ful bubblin" melod# that made her for"et her ill spirits of a moment before. G*o #ou hear datIG she asked her friend. G;es.G The infectious melod# seemed to invade their bodies and made them move of their own accord. GCome letFs danceKG /eme took AeneFs hands and the two "irls danced in circles lau"hin" and skippin". The# danced around and around until the# were diCC# and e-hausted. +till the music continued. GBhereFs it comin fromIG Aene wondered. GBhoFs makin" dis musicIG G*o #ou not knowIG /eme asked. GNo.G Aene needed to find out. GCome letFs follow itKG Aene ran across the field in the direction from which the music was comin". $fter a while she stopped and listened a"ain. +he turned all the wa# around puCCled as to the source of the music. Ht seemed to be comin" from all around her. +he looked at /eme. GAene G /eme told her Gthe music is comin" from #ou.G GHow could itIG G;ou are makin" it.G ,ven as /eme said so Aene knew it was true. GThis is #our music. Ht is #our "ift and someda# #ou will learn how to brin" out this "ift so the whole world can share in it.G +o this was where Aene first discovered her musical talent lon" before she picked up the fiddle. Those old fiddle tunes were a part of her before she heard an#one else perform them. How could she have for"otten this incident even if it was onl# a dreamI There was somethin" about /eme more si"nificant than Eust an ima"inar# friend. ;et Aene had no clue as to what that si"nificance was. +he thou"ht about /eme often over the ne-t few da#s particularl# when she was pla#in" the fiddle.

6. -ene, the .is*it Hf onl# her real friends were as supportive. +hawna =aswell showed up at the *eClaire house on +aturda#. Aene was pla#in" the fiddle in her room when her friend walked in unannounced. GH been tr#in to call #a all da# heh G +hawna said as she flopped down on the bed. GHow come #er cell phoneFs offIG GHFm out a minutes G Aene told her as she put her fiddle awa#. GMill HarrisonFs havin" a bi" part# toni"ht G +hawna informed her. GHer parents are out-a-town. ;ou wanna "oIG GNo.G GBh# notIG +hawna could not believe Aene would decline a part#. GMustinFs band will be pla#in dere.G G2h and datFs supposed to "ive me an incentive to "oIG GAene G her friend confronted her. G*e# liked #er pla#in Mustin told me so himself. HtFs Eust dat old stuff #ou pla# heh. Hf #ou would tr# sometFin else.G GHFm not interested in an#tFin else.G G@od Aene #ou can be so stubborn.G +hawna rolled her e#es. G@o to da part# and tr# to familiariCe #erself wid what de# pla# heh.G G*a stuff de# pla# has no soul.G Aene sat on the ed"e of her dresser. G,n dat dead old stuff #ou listen to doesI ;ou "ot talent "irl but #er wastin it on dat old crap.G GHt is not crap G Aene was "rowin" an"r#. G$n#wa# H told m# "randmother HFd help her toni"ht.G GCanFchu help her anudder ni"htI *is could be da part# of da summer. ;ou donF wanna miss it.G GHFm not "oin.G +hawna "ave her a look as thou"h she had some "rotesJue social disease. G;ou can be a real bitch.G G+o can #ou G Aene replied. +he went to the door of her room and held it open. GNow if #ouFll hurr# off ta #er part# H wanna "et back to m# drear# old fiddle tunes.G GFine G +hawna headed for the door. G*onFt bother puttin more minutes on #er phone cuC H sure wonFt be callin #a.G GBhatever G Aene tried to pretend +hawnaFs remark did not hurt. G1e sure to "ive Mustin m# re"ards.G

GBill do.G +hawna left and Aene closed the door behind her. Aene took out her fiddle and started pla#in" a"ain. 1efore she knew it she was sittin" on the bed with the fiddle in her lap cr#in". +he had thou"ht +hawna would at least respect her individualit#. 1ut no even +hawna was chasin" after conformit# in her own wa#. Bould she never have a true friend outside of her ima"inationI There was a knock at the door. Then she heard her motherFs voice. G+hawna didnF sta# lon". ;ou alri"htIG Aene tried to compose herself as her mother opened the door. Tr# thou"h she mi"ht it was impossible to hide her tears from her mother. Mud# came into the room and sat beside her on the bed. +he hu""ed her dau"hter. GBhatFs wron"IG GNobod# understands me G Aene blurted out. +he amended GNo one but #ou and "randma. BhatFs wron" wid meI Bh# donF H fit inIG GAene hone#.G Her mother rocked her and she cried with her head on her motherFs shoulder. G*is white manFs world doesnFt have an# place in it for artists. ;er an artist an Hndian and a woman. *atFs three strikes F"ainst #ou in dis world. G;er a ver# special person en sometimes H donF even understand #ou G Mud# admitted. G1utcha "otta be true to #erself eh. ;ou be #erself en #er "onna shine child. +hine bri"ht as #ou can en da world will come to #ou eh.G GMa.G Aene forced a smile. G*atFs watchu alwa#s tell us. H dunno. /a#be H was born a hunnerd #ears too late.G GNow donF talk like dat G Mud# counseled. G;ou Eus leFcherself shine. ;ou li"ht up dat music en people will take notice. ;ou Eust ainFt found da ri"ht audience #et.G Mud# considered a moment. GBhat about dat blue"rass festival ne-t monthI Be been "oin to dat for #ears now and #ou ainFt ever brou"ht #er fiddle eh. ;er "ood enou"h. *onF #a tFink itFs time #a didIG GMa G Aene a"reed. +he had avoided takin" her fiddle alon" because she did not pla# blue"rass. +he fiddled in the old /Otis tradition. Not that she could not pla# blue"rass if she wanted. /a#be it was time to tr#. Her st#le of fiddlin" had more in common with blue"rass than with the commercial hard rock pla#ed b# MustinFs band. Ht mi"ht be nice to Eoin in some of the campfire Eams at the blue"rass festival.

GPeteFs takin me to Ha"art#Fs dis evenin.G Mohn Ha"art#Fs Pub was one of the most popular ni"ht spots in /arJuette. GHFll talk ta Mohn and see if #a can pla# dere sometime.G GTFanks mom.G Aene cheered up a little. GNaw.G Her mother waved awa# her "ratitude. GHtFs time #a started earnin a little mone#. Hf #er so intent on bein a fiddler den #a "otta make dat fiddle work for #a eh.G Aene smiled. That was her mom alwa#s mi-in" a health# dose of practicalit# with her idealism. G*atFs better.G Her mom smiled back at her. G;er "oin over to @randma AenaFs toni"htIG Aene nodded. G;a want me to run #a over dereIG GPlease.G G2ka# den. =eFs "o.G

/0 -ene .akes a 1on# 2o&rney @randma Aena purified Aene and her fiddle with sweet "rass and cedar smoke. 1efore takin" her to the place where she would work ma"ic @randma Aena had a little talk with her. G+ome people tr# all der lives to visit da +pirit Borld. Ht took me three #ears before H made it dere eh. ;ou mi"ht not succeed toni"ht but it wouldnFt surprise me if #ou did. GFor dose who been to da +pirit Borld itFs eas# to tell when someone else has been dere. *ereFs a feel abouFcha dat #er no lon"er completel# of dis world eh. ;ou can tell. GAene H knew when #ou were Eust a little "irl dat #ouFd alread# visited da +pirit Borld. Ht was on #ou stron". +o stron" H wondered if #ou were a 1a"waEinini dat took human form. *at happens sometimes eh. H been watchin #ou close ever since to make sure #er safe. G*a +pirit Borld is full a wonders but itFs also full a dan"er eh. *ere are evil bein"s dat would seek out a human if de# cau"ht scent a one. +ome would make a meal of #a but some will tr# to imprison #er soul en take #er form. ;ou have to be ver# careful in da +pirit Borld.G @randma Aena reached into a pocket at her side and drew out a small suede pouch on a rawhide strap. +he handed the pouch to Aene. GPut dis over #er neck. >eep it on at all times.G Aene accepted the pouch. Ht was plump thou"h ver# li"ht. $s she put it on she noted it had a pleasant odor of herbs. G*is will cover #er scent in da +pirit Borld makin #a hard to track. Ht will not hide #a completel#. $n evil bein" will know #er human b# si"ht en dis sachet will not prevent dem from la#in hold a #a. ;ou must be ver# careful in da +pirit Borld.G GH will G Aene vowed. G*a first time #a visit da +pirit Borld itFs eas# to tFink itFs a dream or a vision. 1ut da +pirit Borld is Eust as real as dis world. ;ou can "et hurt dere en #ou can die. ,n what happens to #a dere happens to #a here eh.G Aene nodded her head. GNow dat HFve put a scare in #a lemme tell #a da +pirit BorldFs full a wonders. /ost a da /anitou dere are "ood en de# like humans. @ood /anitou will help #a. *e# can aid #a in man# wa#s. +ome a da

1a"waEinini are full a mischief but even de# mean #a no harm eh. *e# Eus like a "ood Eoke is all. G;ou watch out for NanaFbFooCoo now. HeFs ver# powerful but heFs alwa#s "ettin into trouble. ;er not likel# to meet him but if #a do watch out. HeFs "ood at heart but heFs almost as much trouble as da evil ones.G @randma Aena fell silent for a moment. Aene wondered if she was done. +he had alread# said more than she told Aene in the past #ear. However Aene sta#ed silent waitin" for @randma Aena to let her know when she was finished. Presentl# the elder spoke a"ain. GHt used to be #ou could "o to da +pirit Borld widout worr#in Fbout trouble. H visited da /anitou for #ears before H first saw a Beendi"o or a Pau"uk. *ere were stories of evil ones : what da /anitou called da 1i"ishkanad $wi#a": Corrupted 2nes. 1ut de# was alwa#s Eus stories about distant lands and da spirit world H visited was peaceful as ever. G*en about fift# #ears a"o it all chan"ed. For a while none a us shamans could even "o to da spirit world no matter how hard we tried. Bhen we finall# did "et dere it was different. *a /anitou were hidden awa# en da land was full a sorrow. ,n #a had to watch out for da evil ones. GH spent man# #ears seekin out da /anitou tr#in to find out what happened. *e# told me da Horde invaded der land en killed man# a da more powerful /anitou. /an# a da /anitou dat survived fled to distant worlds. *a ones dat didnF mostl# da 1a"waEinini sta# hidden. *e# would all be doomed should da 2deDimaa 1a"waEi ever fall into da hands a da evil ones.G GBhat is dis 2deDimaa 1a"waEiIG Aene interrupted. GH dunno G @randma Aena answered. GNo one would tell me. $pparentl# when da Horde came it was hidden awa#. *a /anitou donFt even know where it is but de# know itFs safe cuC if da evil ones had it all would be lost. G*e# sa# da evil ones en da invasionFs tied to da white men en us. ,n a few a dem sa# someda# a human bein" who is pure of heart en well connected to da world will come to claim da 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. ,n den da spirit world will be restored en da evil ones will be defeated.G GHt sounds like sometFin" out of a book G Aene e-claimed.

G*onFt mistake it for a stor#. 1e ver# careful when #ou visit da spirit world. Hf #ou "o dere toni"ht donFt sta# lon". Take a Juick look around en come ri"ht back. Hf #ou succeed #er spirit "uide will be waitin for #a. Talk to it en alwa#s heed itFs advice.G @randma Aena stood up. GNow it is time. Take #er fiddle en follow me.G @randma Aena led alon" a pathwa# up the side of the rid"e to the southeast of her cabin. Ht was a strenuous climb strenuous enou"h that when the# reached the top Aene was out of breath. Ht shamed her that while she had to fi"ht to catch her breath her "reat "randmother : somewhere over a hundred #ears old : hardl# showed the e-ertion. Aene made a mental note to be"in a new e-ercise re"imen. Bhile her "reat "randdau"hter cau"ht her breath @randma Aena looked out at the darkenin" mesas and talked about the Huron /ountains. GH told #a dere are rifts in dese mountains. /an# times H told #a to be careful Fbout pla#in #er fiddle out here eh.G Aene nodded her head as she stru""led for breath. GBell toni"ht is different G @randma Aena said. GBhen we "et where weFre "oin H wanFcha to pla# dat fiddle for all #er worth eh.G +he looked west at the settin" sun. GCome on. H wanna "et down off a here before it "ets too dark.G Bith a last "asp for breath Aene followed her "randmother across the top of the rid"e. +he led her to a clearin" on the northeast side of the mesa lookin" out over the Hurons and =ake +uperior. GHereFs da place G @randma Aena announced. Aene found a boulder to sit on. G*ereFs a rift here H used man# times to reach da spirit world. H open dis rift b# pla#in da drum and sin"in. HFm "uessin #ou could open it wid dat fiddle too eh.G Aene sat the fiddle case at her feet. GHt can take a while. First #a "otta put cherself in a deep trance. 2nce #a start donF ever stop pla#in dat fiddle. 1uild up a "ood rh#thm en keep dose notes sin"in out. Can #a pla# dat tFin" all ni"ht widout stoppinIG GH suppose so G Aene said. GHFve never tried it.G GBell nowFs #er chance eh G @randma Aena cackled. GPla# dat tFin" til #a feel #erself travel over to da spirit world or til da sun comes up.G

@randma Aena found a stick and used it to trace a circle around the boulder where Aene was sittin". /uch of the circle was drawn over bare rock where it made no imprint. G+it or stand it makes no difference but sta# inside dat circle. *is rift is different from most. +o lon" as #er in dis circle da rift will brin" #a back from da spirit world. 1ut if #a leave da circle #a "otta find another wa# back.G GH will sta# here G Aene confirmed. G*en HFll see #a in da mornin. ;ou can climb down off da mountain at first li"ht.G @randma Aena took her leave. G;ou be careful child. HFll send out blessin"s to keep #a from harm.G Bith these words @randma Aena set off to return to her cabin. G@oodb#e "randmother G Aene called after her. GHFll see #a in da mornin.G Then she was alone in the wilderness preparin" to activate some kind of portal. $ part of her felt like chasin" after @randma Aena and sa#in" 91et9s $&st *or#et da !hole t9in#09 1ut she sta#ed ri"ht where she was. =oneliness moved in with the darkness loneliness and vulnerabilit#. The darkness and the solitude left her feelin" spooked. AeneFs foot tapped the violin case. There was one wa# to chase her fears awa#. 1est to "et down to business. Aene opened up the fiddle case and took out the fiddle and the bow. +he ti"htened the hairs on the bow and checked to make sure her fiddle was in tune and then she started pla#in". +he be"an with an old fiddle tune called The Cherokee +huffle also known as The =ost Hndian. Ht was one of her favorite fiddle tunes. +he hoped the second name was not too apt "iven her circumstances. $s she fiddled she thou"ht about ever#thin" her "randmother told her this evenin". The spirit world had been invaded. Bho woulda thunk. $nd it was all due to mankindFs i"norance. Now that she could appreciate. 1ut if the /anitou were waitin" for a pure human bein" to save them the# would have a lon" wait. There were no pure human bein"s not in this world. @randma Aena had to be the onl# pure human bein" left. There was her brother livin" out in these mountains somewhere. ;et even he had a past : not to mention what happened to him in HraJ. Aene could

think of no one else who was an#where near pure : certainl# not herself. Not that she was happ# with the wa# the world was. There was somethin" wron" with all this mass consumption not to mention the monetar# basis of societ#. @iFme "iFme "iFme. This "reed and "ross "lutton# would be the death of us. Human bein"s wanted to horde all of creation and not share an# of it not even their refuse. The# did not respect an#thin" and so the# were lackin" in respect themselves. There was somethin" fundamentall# wron" with a world where #our abilit# to enEo# even the basic necessities depended on #our monetar# worth. No one should be able to stomach their own affluence while another person is starvin". $nd where that affluence and overconsumption is supported b# the economic enslavement of others that is obscene. $s she pla#ed Aene thou"ht about this world she inhabited. Be are a societ# of corpulent sociopathic /arie $ntoinettes. $nd we are so lost in our consumer lifest#les we canFt see that we are wallowin" in our own filth. Be are so addicted to our techno-to#s that without them we would perish. Be are so bus# consumin" we cannot even appreciate the products upon which we en"or"e ourselves : not for lon". 2ur brains are so over-stimulated and our attention spans are so atrophied we cannot think for ourselves an#more. Be have lost our abilit# to appreciate the simple thin"s in life. $nd in losin" that we lose our abilit# to appreciate and cherish life itself. AeneFs music took on a dark ed"e mirrorin" her thou"hts. Now that darkness was transformed to a bitter sadness almost pathetic. =istenin" to herself pla# she thou"ht she would never reach her "oal with her current tonal patterns. +he tried to lose herself in her music #et she wound up thinkin" about her music her ar"ument with +hawna and her reEection b# MustinFs band. Perhaps that was wh# no one else in her "eneration seemed to appreciate her music. The# did not appreciate life an#more unable to e-perience it throu"h the noise of commercial culture. $nd the simple fiddle tunes she pla#ed were the son"s of life. +imple thou"h the# mi"ht be the# were imbued with all the subtle beaut# and power of life. +omehow she had to communicate that beaut# and power to others.

Her pla#in" must be immersed in the raw wonder of life. ,ver# note must be so full of life it could not be i"nored. 2nce she achieved that the people around her could not help but listen to her. $nd when the# listened perhaps her music would help them to see thin"s as the# reall# were. Hf her music awakened somethin" in them the# mi"ht not be able to "o back to sleep once she was done pla#in". +leepers awakened mi"ht become a force for positive chan"e helpin" to heal the ills of this world and also the spirit world. First she must make ever# note she pla#ed ever# fin"erin" and draw of bow resonate with life. $s Aene lost herself in the music the rift opened and the world around her vanished. +he entered into the spirit world without even realiCin" it. +he put her heart into the music makin" ever# note count. $nd she succeeded. Her music was full of life. Ht was full of Eo# and sadness vital and ephemeral. ,ach note breathed with power #et ever# note #ielded this power to the melod# makin" a livin" thin" that moved throu"h time and marked the world with its passa"e. The performance was so astonishin" Aene had to stop pla#in". $nd as she stopped she realiCed she had her e#es closed. 2penin" them she was astonished to find herself in a different world. +he was still sittin" on a boulder atop a rid"e but ever#thin" around her had chan"ed : the landscape and the ve"etation. $nd somethin" about this world felt different thou"h before she could Eud"e what it was she was cau"ht b# another surprise. G1ravoKG +omeone close b# cheered with deli"ht.

30 he +orned One %elcomes an Unexpected ,&est The 1uck of /ulli"an Plains was out surve#in" his domain. He was a handsome sta" with a broad powerful chest and a ma"nificent rack. He was the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains and as such he had no fear of predators or hunters. He was protected b# the power of the wilderness around him. He would not be taken until his time had come and then he would pass his mantle alon" to the capable #oun" hunter who took him. 1ut that would not be for man# lon" #ears #et. The life he lived as the man named Henr# >incaid was a dim memor#. Henr# had been weak and incomplete. $ll his life he had striven to be at one with the wilderness a desire that was onl# fulfilled when he hunted down the previous buck of /ulli"an Plains and made the ritual e-chan"e. He had done this intuitivel# without actuall# knowin" what was happenin". ;et had he been "iven a conscious choice he would not have chosen otherwise. Hf he had one re"ret it was for leavin" behind the woman =ilith @ordon. Not that he had completel# left her behind. The# still saw each other often enou"h. Certainl# relationship had lost their somethin" of its ph#sical intimac# since he became a sta". ;et the# remained close thou"h in a different wa#. The# were tied to"ether somehow each receivin" a "limmer of the otherFs feelin"s. He alwa#s knew when she needed him and he alwa#s came. Bhen the# were to"ether the# communicated throu"h empath#0 no words were necessar#. 1ut the relationship the# shared as a man and a woman was lost. That was the closest he came to a re"ret and it was mediated b# their continued friendship. 1e#ond that his life as the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains left him fulfilled be#ond his wildest dreams. $s a human he was considered a capable woodsman. 1ut he had been an amateur compared to now. $s the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains he was tied to the wilderness in wa#s he would never have considered possible. Never mind the enhanced sensor# acuit#. He was linked to the land around him as full# as he was linked to this bod#. He was the conscious focus of this wilderness e-periencin" itself. Not a leaf fell an#where in his domain not an ant moved a "rain of sand without his bein" aware of it. He e-perienced life as a s#mphon# of e-istence all around him and he appreciated ever# turn of melod#

and ever# chan"in" color of orchestration in that s#mphon#. He rode hi"h on the harmonious "estalt of nature : it was the nearest thin" to heaven. Ht was nirvana d#namic and varie"ated while at the same time blissfull# empt#. He could even sense the e-tension of nature into other worlds : other levels of e-istence. This provided the shadin" behind the world in which he lived : the harmonics that built up the basic tones of this s#mphon#. He knew there were places in his domain where these various worlds bled into each other. He could hear them as dronin" chords. Bhile he knew of their e-istence he never tried to pass throu"h one of these connections. His place was here in this world. ;et he was aware of them and he knew how the# provided a tonal back"round to the wilderness around him. =atel# he had sensed a chan"e in the call of these connections : a whine of ur"enc# as thou"h the# were strainin" to make themselves heard. He noted that all the other animals livin" in his domain were retreatin" from the area surroundin" these bleed-throu"hs. $nd he had taken it upon himself to patrol his domain travelin" from one bleed throu"h to another in a constant circle. There was somethin" wron" with these connections. +omethin" malevolent was poised on the other side of man# of them read# to come throu"h into this world. He could feel it emanatin" from the world of the /anitou : the world closest to this one. There was some infection spreadin" throu"h the spirit worlds some mali"nanc# that threatened the health of all the worlds. Toni"ht the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains felt this ur"enc# increase in pitch. Ht felt like the bleed-throu"hs would burst open at an# moment vomitin" some foul disease into this world. He had meant to sleep in the lon" "rasses of the plain midwa# between one connection and the ne-t but he could not rest with this insistant alarm pressin" on his awareness. Hnstead he spent the ni"ht "allopin" from one bleedthrou"h to another pausin" Eust lon" enou"h to assure himself nothin" had emer"ed. Hn the hours before dawn he paused at #et another connection. This one seemed taut to the point of burstin" whinin" with the effort to contain realit# on either side of its passa"e. Thou"h he was tired the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains re"arded this bleed-throu"h with a

"rowin" sense of dread. +omethin" was about to happen ri"ht here he was sure of it. The =ord of the Plains heard a sJueal. He looked at the tall "rasses Eust a foot awa# from the bleed-throu"h. He strolled over and lowered his head into the "rasses to investi"ate. There was a bab# raccoon not much more than si- weeks old. Ht was l#in" on its back chewin" on "rass and its forele"s. $s the =ord of the Plains sniffed the little ball of mischief it bit his nose and lau"hed. Hts intentions ma# have been pla#ful but those little teeth were like a mouthful of needles. The sta" shook free of the little one and backed awa# a step or two. He wi""led his nose and snorted. The tin# puncture wounds on his nose bled sli"htl#. Must then mama raccoon scurried out of the woods. here yo& are, yo& na&#hty thin# yo&0 +he wrestled her cub down. Notin" the blood on the =ord of the PlainsF nose she deduced what happened. %hy yo& scamp: +he "ave the #oun" one a swat that made him whine. +he apolo"iCed for her child. ;9m sorry, m91ord0 his little scamp is al!ays #ettin# into tro&ble0 +e doesn9t kno! yet ho! m&ch those teeth o* his h&rt0 +he bit the cubFs ear which caused him to #owl in pain. No harm done0 The =ord of the Plains told her. He did not like to see the lad punished for bein" true to his nature. <o& sho&ld #et him o&t o* here ri#ht a!ay0 here is somethin# !ron# !ith this bleed' thro&#h0 <es, the mother raccoon a"reed. ; made my b&rro! &nder that *allen lo# over there0 ; don9t kno! !hat ; !as thinkin#, b&ildin# my nest so close to that thin#0 B&t there !as nothin# !ron# !ith it back then0 ; moved my babies *arther into the !oods a *e! days a#o0 B&t this one keeps !anderin# back0 +he reached out and knocked the cub down as he tried to sneak awa#. <o& had best #et him o&t o* here ri#ht no!, the =ord of the Plains said. <es, Sir0 hat ; !ill0 +he "rabbed the adventurous cub b# the scruff of the neck and carried him into the forest shakin" him about and admonishin" him as she lumbered alon". The lad sJuealed in protest. The =ord of the Plains watched them disappear from si"ht. He could still hear her lecturin" her errant son. Hf he could have lau"hed

he would have done so despite his sore nose. Now there was one thin" he did miss from bein" human: the abilit# to lau"h out loud. 1efore he knew what was happenin" somethin" rolled out of the bleed-throu"h and ran smack into his le"s. The =ord of the Plains made a small Eump to the side. He covered his fri"ht embarrassed to be so easil# surprised. =ookin" down at what had come out of the bleed-throu"h he discovered it was a little brown furr# man dressed in trousers a vest and a "reen cap. The little man had a lon" leather thon" tied around his neck like a leash and collar. The buck smelled fresh blood from a half-scabbed wound on the side of the little manFs head where his ear had been. He was more fri"htened than was the =ord of the Plains. His e#es were bu""in" out and his nose and lips were aJuiver. His whole bod# was tremblin". *espite his panic he la# on his back and took a "ood look at the =ord of the Plains. GPardon me mF=ord G the little man said hastil# Gbut H am fleein" for m# life and the salvation of m# world.G %ho are yo&= The =ord of the Plains asked. >nd !hat is happenin# in the %orld Under the Flesh= GH am Baub-ooCoo.G The little man spran" to his feet lookin" back at the bleed-throu"h. GThere is a "reat deal wron" with the Borld Lnder the Flesh but HFm afraid H cannot e-plain now. There is a troll pursuin" me.G > troll: The =ord of the Bild turned his head to look at the bleedthrou"h. He did so Eust in time to see a lar"e u"l# troll emer"e. GThere #ou are m# bad pet G the troll "rowled. GFor pla#in" this trick on me H am "oin" to tear off one of #our le"s and eat it. That ou"ht to prevent #ou from runnin" awa# a"ain.G The troll paid little mind to the lar"e sta" standin" nearb#. He sJuatted down to "rab hold of Baub-ooCoo G+ave meKG the little /anitou cried as it turned to flee. The troll stepped on the leather thon" trappin" him. The =ord of the Bild leapt into action. He spran" up on his hind feet and lashed out with his sharp front hooves. He cau"ht the troll in the forehead with a blow that would have killed a human. The troll was saved b# his thick skull. 1ut the blow did la# him on his back with a nast# "ash on his forehead.

Baub-ooCoo started to run but the =ord of the Plains "rasped the leather thon" in his mouth. %ait a min&te0 <o& are comin# !ith me0 GFine but letFs be off G the /anitoussiwuk whimpered. 2&mp on my back0 The =ord of the Plains knelt down on his front le"s. Baub-ooCoo "lanced at the troll who let out a "roan. G$s #ou sa#.G He leapt with his powerful le"s Eumpin" on the sta"Fs back where he clun" to the animalFs fur. The =ord of the Plains turned and prepared to dash awa# far faster than an# troll could run. GNo #ou donFtKG The troll was on his feet a"ain reachin" out to "rab Baub-ooCooFs leash. The =ord of the Plains spun around puttin" the leash out of reach. He lowered his head to point his antlers at the monster. Baub-ooCoo moaned and clun" ti"ht to his back. GHorned 2ne G the troll told him Gthis does not concern #ou.G The =ord of the Plains pawed the "round and Eabbed at the troll with his antlers makin" it plain he would not back down. G<er# well then G the troll said GH will add #our rack to m# S treasure.G The troll reached out to "rab hold of the =ord of the Bild and the buck struck. Bith a turn of his powerful neck he avoided the trollFs "rasp and slashed open his arm from shoulder to elbow. @ramliche howled. Bith his other arm he lashed out his claws di""in" deep furrows down the sta"Fs side. +tron" as he was the =ord of the Plains knew he was no match for a troll. The trollFs claws were so filth# as to be venomous. $lread# his side stun" and be"an to swell where he was clawed. Hf the wounds were not tended to these scratches would kill him. He swun" around showin" his rump to the troll. To Baub-ooCoo he said +old on: G2h noKG the /anitoussiwuk moaned as he clun" to the sta"Fs back. $s he had hoped the troll char"ed him. The =ord of the Bild bucked onto his front le"s and delivered a powerful kick with both hind le"s to the trollFs chest. The troll flew throu"h the air and landed on his back senseless. ,ven before the troll landed the =ord of the Plains was boundin" over the fields as fast as he could "o. The /anitoussiwuk barel# mana"ed to hold on. The buck could not allow himself to slow down

in the least. These wounds had to be washed and treated as soon as possible or the line of the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains would end here. NNN @ramliche recovered from the blow to his chest but the Horned 2ne was "one. No matter. He could track the sta" easil# enou"h0 it would not "et far. He had clawed it "ood. The /anitoussiwuk would not escape and the buck would be his as well. The antlers of a Horned 2ne held a "reat store of ma"ic that would "ive him power over ever#thin" that lived in the Horned 2neFs domain. The rack would be a valuable addition to his treasure trove. $nd it was a troph# of which he would not allow the 2"imauh to trick him. He would brin" back the /anitoussiwuk for the 2"imauh but the antlers were his. @ramliche set out followin" the Horned 2neFs trail.

40 )heka&bae!iss Says ,oodbye to )ity 1i*e Mack shifted in his cardboard shelter. He had been livin" on the streets of /arJuette for man# lon" #ears. /uch lon"er than most people would "ive him credit for. He was a fi-ture in this cit#0 often seen pushin" his rust# shoppin" cart around collectin" empt# bottles and who knew what else a bearded little Aip <an Binkle dressed in ratt# little bo# clothes. Mack was what the people around here called a mid"et. Thou"h he barel# stood three feet tall his siCe belied his "reat stren"th and a"ilit#. $nd his "eneral demeanor belied his mental acuit#. The truth was that he had been hidin" in this cit# for nearl# a hundred #ears. Thou"h man# people saw him da# to da# few ever "ave him a momentFs thou"ht. The# were so bus# with their own lives it never occurred to them this little man had been hobblin" around town since the# were children thou"h the# had "rown up and he had not chan"ed at all. Nor did it occur to them this same little man was hobblin" around town when their parents were children and even their "randparents. Had the# realiCed this S the# would have been forced to stop and think about it. There was a "lamour around this little man that prevented people from takin" notice of him. 2nl# two people knew his real name. 2ne was an old shaman ever#one called @randma Aena. +he lived in a cabin nestled in the foothills of the Huron /ountains and never came to town. @randma Aena was a powerful shaman0 there was no wa# Mack could hide his true identit# from her. Bhich was oka# because his secret was safe with her. @randma Aena was his onl# true friend in this whole world. The other person who knew his real identit# was @randma AenaFs "reat "randdau"hter Aene *eClaire. Aene had "uessed his identit# when she was a little child no taller than him. Lnlike man# #oun" children would have done Aene kept his secret. Then as she "rew up she be"an to doubt until she simpl# for"ot. Aene was a special child and Mack had taken it as his dut# to watch over her from afar makin" sure nothin" bad befell her. Now that she was "rowin" into an adult and comin" into her own Mack had relinJuished his "uardianship.

=atel# he had been thinkin" it was time for him to move on. He had lived in this cit# far too lon". ,ven with a "lamour he was pushin" his luck. 2ne da# it would dawn on someone that he had been livin" on the streets for an impossibl# lon" time and then he would be luck# if he could flee without blowin" his cover drawin" the attention of the /anitou even "iven how preoccupied the# were with their current troubles. Hf the# discovered Chekaubaewiss escaped imprisonment the# would drop what the# were doin" and hunt him down. *espite his diminutive siCe Chekaubaewiss had been a hero amon" his people. He was a noted "iant killer and his darin" feats became le"ends passed down b# the people from "eneration to "eneration. Aene *eClaire heard these stories from her "reat "randmother when she was little more than a bab#. That was wh# she had been able to identif# him. ChekaubaewissFs fatal error had been hubris. There was nothin" of flesh and blood that could best him. His tra"ic fall came when he sou"ht to challen"e the /anitou. Bhen he was onl# a small child his parents were devoured b# "iant bear /anitou. From that da# on he was determined to have reven"e. $fter Chekaubaewiss cleared the land of "iants he stalked into the world of the /anitou read# to deal with the murderers of his parents. The /anitou watched him proceed. Thou"h the# were indi"nant that he even presumed to challen"e their kind the# left it to the "iant bears to deal with him. The bears knew he was comin" and nothin" of flesh and blood could stand up to a /anitou. Chekaubaewiss not onl# stood up to the bears he defeated them. The /anitou were shocked. This little man was a threat to all of them. The# "athered for war and chased Chekaubaewiss back to his villa"e. There the# captured him and his sister and transformed them into blocks of stone. Chekaubaewiss was imprisoned in that stone for man# centuries. He passed into le"end and the location of his prison was for"otten b# all but a few of the most powerful /anitou. *urin" this time Chekaubaewiss and his sister were aware of ever#thin" that went on around them. 2ne da# a sorcerer set up camp ne-t to their pillars. He felt the power comin" from them and settled where he could make use of this power. The sorcerer practiced his arts between the stone pillars. He

was a powerful shaman thou"h not entirel# honorable. He practiced both the li"ht and the dark arts. +tandin" ne-t to him as he worked Chekaubaewiss was able to learn much from the shaman. $nd he was able to absorb a little of the power with which the shaman worked storin" it and addin" to it whenever he could. The sorcerer had a spell for callin" up /anitou and *emons. He would call them forth and bind them. Then he would e-tract all of their knowled"e and power from them until there was nothin" left but an empt# cheeb#uk : a "host. The sorcerer had started with the sli"htest nature spirits workin" up to more powerful bein"s as he "rew stron"er. Chekaubaewiss "athered his own stren"th and he watched and waited. He tried several times to communicate with his sister but she had lon" a"o surrendered to her fate and "iven up her awareness to the awareness of rock. +he did not respond to her brother. +he had almost become cheeb#uk herself. The da# came when the shaman felt stron" enou"h to summon one of the bi""er /anitou. He summoned an $uttissookaun a muse from one of the four corners of the S ,arth and bound the /anitou within a circle between the two pillars. The $uttissookaun was outra"ed. Ht tried to break free of its bonds but found it could not. Ht howled in an"er and threw itself at the circle. The sorcerer lau"hed. G;ou "o ahead. Tr# #our best #ou will not escape.G His words onl# caused the /anitou to ra"e all the more. $fter watchin" the /anitou a little while lon"er the shaman said G2nce #ou have tired #ourself out then we can set to work.G Bith this he went into his hut and busied himself inside while waitin" for the $uttissookaun to e-haust itself and settle down. Chekaubaewiss called to the /anitou. $t first it did not hear him so lost was it in its fit of an"er. ,ventuall# when the /anitou paused in its futile assault upon the ma"ic circle it did hear him callin". GBho has come to torment me nowIG ; am another prisoner like yo&, Chekaubaewiss said. G+how #ourself G the /use demanded. ; cannot. ; am imprisoned in the stone pillar to yo&r le*t0 The $uttissookaun addressed the pillar. GBhat manner of creature are #ouIG

; am a small Ba#!a$inini, the spirit o* the *orest trilli&m, Chekaubaewiss lied. his !arlock imprisoned me many years a#o, alon# !ith my sister0 +e &ses &s to s&mmon others, s&ch as yo&0 .y sister !as m&ch !eaker than me? she *aded into her pillar over time0 ; re*&se to #ive &p0 G;ou are brave little one. This warlock must be punished for what he has done to us.G The $uttissookaun assaulted the circle a"ain thou"h it achieved nothin". ; can *ree yo& *rom the circle, Chekaubaewiss offered i* yo& can release me *rom this pillar0 GHow can H do thatIG %ith yo&r #reat po!ers, O noble .anito&0 <o& have the po!er o* !ords0 >ll yo& need do is speak the tr&e name o* this stone0 %hen yo& call this pillar it !ill expel me as somethin# *orei#n to its nat&re0 G;es that will work G the /use a"reed. G$nd how will #ou free me.G <o& cannot break thro&#h the circle0 B&t ; can erase a part o* the circle *rom the o&tside, and then yo& !ill be *ree0 GHt will work G the $uttissookaun a"reed. Ht prepared to speak the true name of the stone pillar. %ait: Chekaubaewiss said. %e !ant this sorcerer to be p&nished, do !e not= G;es G the $uttissookaun could not wait to la# hold of the warlock. hen !e m&st take him by s&rprise or he mi#ht #et a!ay0 Chekaubaewiss plotted ; !ill erase a portion o* the circle in the back, !here he is &nlikely to see0 <o& keep !atch on his h&t0 hen ; !ill hide so he does not see me0 <o& stay in the circle0 o do as he intends, he m&st kneel in *ront o* yo&0 %hen he does so, strike !itho&t !orryin# that he !ill #et a!ay0 GThis is a "ood plan G the $uttissookaun a"reed. G=etFs do it.G The /use spoke the true name of the pillar and Chekaubaewiss felt himself eEected from the stone. He was free after so man# #ears. >eepin" watch on the hut the /anitou did not see him or it would have known it had been tricked. Chekaubaewiss was ea"er to make "ood his escape but first he had to fulfill his promise to the /use. Ht was not Eust a matter of keepin" his word. The shaman needed to be stopped and punished for what he had done to all of the others.

Chekaubaewiss snuck up behind the /anitou and erased a part of the circle. GThere #ou are freed.G G@ood G the $uttissookaun said as it kept an e#e on the hut. GNow hide and leave the rest to me. H think he is comin"KG Chekaubaewiss disappeared into the woods and never looked back. He heard a commotion in the camp but did not stop to find out what was happenin". He ran for much of that da# tr#in" to put as much distance as possible between him and the place of his imprisonment. He did feel bad about leavin" his sister behind. ;et even if he had "ained her release from her stone prison there was so little left of her that she would be nothin" more than a cheeb#uk. He vowed someda# he would free her and restore her to her full self. That had been centuries a"o. Chekaubaewiss had learned much from the sorcerer and not all of it was dark ma"ic. Bhat he learned had kept him alive all this time alive and free. The "lamours that chan"ed his appearance and made people overlook him were amon" the thin"s he learned from the warlock. For a lon" time he led an eas# life livin" in the woods b# himself. Then the white men came and the world chan"ed. He could have S chance was too "reat he would Eourne#ed to the spirit worlds but the be discovered there. $nd so he inhabited the cities livin" on the streets amon" the for"otten outcasts of the white manFs world. Hundreds of #ears had passed since his escape from the stone pillar and he still had no clue how to help his sister. Hn fact after more than a centur# of livin" with the white man he almost envied his sister. These people were an i"norant and selfish lot with no respect for the other inhabitants of this planet or even for each other. $nd their i"norance was conta"ious spreadin" to all the people with whom the# came into contact. CiviliCation was a disease that transformed /other ,arth into a commodit# at best an adversar# at worst. Ht tau"ht humans the# were superior to ever#thin" else even as it robbed them of their humanit#. The# became thin"s: workers soldiers policemen en"ineers law#ers politicians sales clerks. $nd those who could not adapt became outcasts livin" on the charit# and refuse of societ#. CiviliCation was a cancer that spread too Juickl# throu"h this world. Hn civiliCation people assembled in numbers too "reat to be supported b# the local land base. The# must draw their resources from elsewhere drainin" the entire planet until soon all that would be left

was a depleted and impoverished world. The final sta"e of this cancer was now upon the world and Chekaubaewiss had no desire to see how it would end. He stuck around as lon" as he did because there were tasks for him here. 2ccasionall# a "iant or some other foul creature would invade this world. Chekaubaewiss alwa#s sensed their arrival and he would find some wa# to deal with them before the# could do much harm to these foolish human bein"s. 1ut he could find no wa# to deal with the monster that was civiliCation. Thirteen #ears a"o he was read# to leave this world when he encountered a little "irl of Hndian descent. +he had a spark in her and Chekaubaewiss knew she would be important to the future of this world and the spirit worlds as well. +o he sta#ed and took on the task of watchin" over her to make sure she was safe. Now she was old enou"h to take care of herself and Chekaubaewiss was free to leave. He would venture to the Borld Lnder the Flesh which had chan"ed a "reat deal since he first went into hidin". The /anitou were in e-ile from their home world havin" fled to the inner realms to escape the invasion of the Corrupted Hordes. Chekaubaewiss could he was careful. $s lon" as he live in the Borld Lnder the Flesh if encountered the Horde in no more than "roups of four or five the# would be no match for him. $nd who knew perhaps he would learn of their ori"in and discover a wa# to drive them out of the Borld Lnder the Flesh. He had tarried lon" enou"h0 it was time to be off. 1ut first he must make his "oodb#es which were few enou"h. There were a few other homeless folks in town he must look in on. $nd then he would have a lon" talk with @randma Aena. Chekaubaewiss left his cardboard shelter in the earl# mornin". He found *ustbin 1ernie livin" nearb# in a pile of newspapers sleepin" off the bottle of /addo" he drank last ni"ht after panhandlin" all da#. He roused 1ernie enou"h to move him into the cardboard shelter. G;ou sleep here now G he told him. GHFm leavin" town.G G;Fare G 1ernie mana"ed to mumble. GF$vFa nice trip eh.G Chekaubaewiss drew out his rust# shoppin" cart from behind the cardboard shelter and wheeled it out of the alle#. He was takin" it to $nnie 1ah"wum : 1a"lad# $nnie as she was commonl# known. $nnie had been a "ood friend. +he alread# had a shoppin" cart of her

own with plastic ba"s tied all around the outside but her cart was fallin" apart and his : thou"h rust# : was in much better shape. $s he traveled throu"h the predawn cit# streets Chekaubaewiss felt irritated0 an unknown sensation pricked at the back of his mind. There was somethin" wron" but he told himself ever#thin" was wron" here : which was a bi" part of the reason wh# he was leavin". He found $nnie under the stairwell outside the old tenements where she made her summer home. +he had built a shelter b# attachin" wooden flats and cardboard to the frame of the stairwell. Chekaubaewiss had helped her build it. Hnside the pavement was covered b# an old mattress. There was Eust room enou"h for her to lie down or sit up. Chekaubaewiss heard $nnie "roanin" in her shelter as he approached. $t first he thou"ht she mi"ht be sick or inEured but she was havin" a ni"htmare. He crawled inside and tried to wake her to no avail0 she was lost in some kind of trance. Chekaubaewiss knew she was ver# sensitive so he listened to what she said as she thrashed around in her trance state. G,eiaKG she cried. GHt is openin"K $n evil one comesK Aun and S hideK ,eiaKG Chekaubaewiss sat back in alarm. The uneas# pricklin" in the back of his mind burst into a full blown premonition. He knew some monster of the spirit worlds had mana"ed to find its wa# into the Borld of the Flesh. He could even point to it somewhere west and sli"htl# north of the cit# onl# miles awa#. G$nnie G he asked the homeless woman as she writhed about in her trance Gis dis evil one hereI Hs it in dis worldIG G2nl# its minion come to serve. *a evil one G she "roaned. +he "rabbed Chekaubaewiss b# the collar in stron" hands and pulled herself up until her face was inches from his. Thou"h her e#es were wide open Chekaubaewiss knew she could not see him in her delirium. +he warned him GHe must not touch da heartKG G*onFt worr# G Chekaubaewiss told her. GHe wonFt touch da heart if H have an#tFin" to sa# about it.G $nnie fell back on her mattress limp. Her e#es were closed and she slept more peaceful now thou"h she was moanin". G+leep wise one G Chekaubaewiss told her Gand do not worr#.G

He crawled out of her shelter and stood with his back to the dawn lookin" westward. +omethin" wicked had come to this land #et somethin" that was onl# a harbin"er of a "reater evil to come. Chekaubaewiss hurried throu"h the alle#wa#s and backstreets of the cit#. 2nce he reached the woodlands he picked up his pace until he ran as swift as an# deer. +camperin" up the nearest rid"e he raced over the top and leapt across the distance to the ne-t promontor#. The monster was still in the wilderness and at this pace he would reach it in a matter of minutes. $s he approached @randma AenaFs cabin he felt her callin" to him. +omethin" was wron" and somehow Aene was involved. The detour would not take him out of his wa# and he could monitor the monsterFs pro"ress as he looked in on @randma Aena. He had wanted to visit her before leavin" an#wa#.

560 1ilith has )ompany at Break*ast =ilith @ordon awoke with an uneas# feelin". Thou"h she could not remember it she knew she had dreamed a"ain about her #oun" dau"hter $marilla and the accident that claimed her life. The tra"ed# still haunted her after so man# #ears. +he had nearl# made her peace with it until she lost Henr# >incaid. That brou"ht it all back. The loss of the child became fresh a"ain with the loss of her lover. +omehow she blamed herself for both. +he should have been there for her dau"hter that mornin" instead of hun"over in bed while the child wandered outside to pla# in the bus# street. $nd she should have been there for Henr# even thou"h he wanted to "o huntin" b# himself. Had she been a little Juicker at acknowled"in" her intuition she ma# have saved him from his fate. =ilith told herself this thou"h she knew how preposterous it was. Ht was Henr#Fs fate to "o huntin" that mornin" and to assume the mantle of the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains. Ht was what he had wanted all his life. $nd what happened to her dau"hter was lon" past0 she had to stop blamin" herself and "et on with her life. $wakin" to discern S the old "uilt and the familiar pain of loss =ilith realiCed there was somethin" more troublin" her somethin" that had served to spark her dream and the an-ieties that woke her. Her intuitions told her the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains was in trouble. He was wounded and he was bein" hunted. +he assumed a poacher shot him which was somethin" she alwa#s feared despite his reassurances it would never happen. +he for"ot about the paintin" she was workin" on. <er# Juickl# she washed up and dressed in a lon" "reen-patterned skirt and muslin blouse. Ht took a little while to brush her thick red hair. Then she went to her medicine cabinet and brou"ht out an assortment of first aid supplies : antibiotic cream tincture of iodine #arrow Palso known as woundwart for its abilit# to help stop bleedin"Q cotton and a roll of "auCe for banda"es and clothe for poultices. Bith her arms full of these supplies she slipped into her favorite pair of sandals kicked open the back door and stepped out into the cool mornin" air to la# the first aid supplies out on a dew-covered picnic table in her back #ard. +he returned to the house drawin" a bowl of hot water at the kitchen sink. +teppin" back outside she set

down the bowl and added the tincture of iodine to the water and then she threw some wash clothes into the mi-ture. Thou"h she had lived in this cabin north of the town of Na"aunee and west of /arJuette for a decade and a half most of the locals still considered her an outsider. +he was well-liked despite the rumor that she was a witch. Her eas# friendl# nature and captivatin" "ood looks had a wa# of disarmin" all but her most adamant : read that reli"ious : detractors. Ht did not hurt that as a successful painter she was somewhat of a local celebrit#. Ht was her relationship with Henr# >incaid as much as an#thin" that brou"ht her acceptance. Henr# had been admired as a hunter and sportsman. /an# who knew him had e-pected someda# Henr# and =ilith would wed. Then there came his tra"ic disappearance a couple #ears back while he was huntin" on the /ulli"an Plains. The# found his bow han"in" on a branch at the ed"e of a thick cedar copse. +ome of his clothes were found around the copse and others on the bank of /ulli"an Creek. 1ut his bod# was never recovered. No one knew what fatal accident had befallen him but ever#one was sure he was dead. Hn the e#es of the locals =ilith was considered his widow. Ht was plain to see she did "rieve for him. Bhat was not known to the communit# was that Henr# had not left her completel#. Bhile the man she loved was "one his place was at least partiall# filled b# the buck of the /ulli"an Plains. $side from bein" a landscape painter of no small repute =ilith was a skilled herbalist and midwife. $nd thou"h she kept it to herself she was a practitioner of Bicca of the sort commonl# called a solitar# witch. Ht could be said the buck of the /ulli"an Plains was her familiar thou"h he was more than Eust a familiar. The buck was the =ord of his domain with his own duties to the wilderness he oversaw. He could never be a simple familiar and =ilith would not have wanted it so. He was more like a peer and a partner in matters of nature and ma"ic. The# were bonded to"ether empathicall#. $nd while the# had their own lives the# met often and each would drop what the# were doin" to come to the aid of the other. =ilith loved the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains almost as much as the man she lost thou"h in a different wa#. =ilith considered whether she should take her supplies and "o to the buck. +he could feel him "rowin" weaker debilitated b# his wounds. He was not far awa# now thou"h movin" slower. Aeachin"

out with her mind she asked if she should come to him. The buck responded tellin" her to sta# where she was and wait. The buck warned her that he was still bein" pursued. No poacher would follow his pre# this close to town. +he sensed the buck was terrified of its foe and she picked up the impression this foe was not human. =ilith went back into the house to fetch more tinctures and herbs and a lar"e pot in which to mi- them. Hn the back#ard brick-lined fire pit she built a fire. 2nce it was burnin" well she laid the metal "rill over it and sat another pot of water atop the "rill. Bhile waitin" for the water to boil she added various herbs to the fire herbs and resins that soon filled the air with their incense. $s she did this she pra#ed to the @oddess of nature and life and then she emplo#ed a special mantra to brin" herself to another frame of mind. 2nce the water started to boil she added herbs to the pot. +ome were common herbs such as fennel and ber"amot. 2thers were special items she procured from distant connections that took care to harvest and prepare them in the correct manner. These were herbs such as mandrake and henbane herbs with special powers that must be respected and used carefull#. Finall# workin" herself up to this part of S the recipe and then actin" without "ivin" herself time to think of what she was doin" she took a sharp knife and cut her left thumb sJueeCin" blood into the boilin" stew. 1# the time she had applied some of the antiseptic salve and bound the wound with "auCe the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains appeared limpin" slowl# out of the surroundin" forest. +he was Juite surprised b# the si"ht that "reeted her. The =ord of the Plains still held himself maEesticall# despite lookin" worn out. $lon" his side deep claw marks had stopped bleedin". The wounds were puffed up and were alread# be"innin" to drip pus. /ost surprisin" of all he was not alone. Perched on his back was a little fellow who ver# clearl# was not of this world. The fellow could not have stood taller than ei"hteen inches. He was dressed in "reen pants and vest with a matchin" "reen cap. His face was so thick with a tan"le of dark hair and beard it could be said that his entire face was fur-covered. His unshod feet were also Juite furr#. Hn fact most of his e-posed skin was covered in a short dense dark brown fur e-ceptin" a narrow patch of his face around his e#es and nose and the palms of his hands. Here his skin was black and rou"h with somewhat the appearance of tree bark.

1ut the stran"est thin" of all was the little manFs behavior when he cau"ht si"ht of =ilith. His lar"e round e#es popped out of his head. Hn an instant he leapt from the =ord of the PlainsF back and was "rovelin" at =ilithFs feet. G/F=ad#KG He spoke a lan"ua"e with which she was not familiar thou"h she understood it. GH should have known #ou would be the one returnin" in human form.G GBhatIG was all =ilith could mana"e. G=ad# $ki-ikweKG The little man was beside himself. G;ou have returned Eust in time to reclaim the 2deDimaaKG GBhat are #ou talkin" aboutIG Thou"h she understood his lan"ua"e : how she could not sa# : it was another matter tr#in" to make sense of it. GHt is H #our faithful servant Baub-ooCoo G the little man sou"ht to remind her. G;ou "ave me the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi to hold safe when the Horde invaded. 2h it was horrible when that o"re smashed in #our skullK H thou"ht #ou were "one forever.G Baub-ooCoo had risen to his knees and spoke in an e-cited patter Eumpin" from subEect to subEect. GH should have known better. 2h but does it hurt to be humanI H hid the 2deDimaa awa# safel# and watched over it. 1ut now ever#thin" is in dan"erK The 2"imauh will find the 2deDimaa if we do not move Juickl#KG G=ad# $ki-ikweIG =ilith stammered. GThe 2deDimaaI H donFt know what #ou are talkin" about. /# name is =ilith @ordon.G G$h H should have known.G Baub-ooCoo whined in e-asperation. G;ou lost #our memories when #ou were born in human formKG $ sudden thou"ht consoled him. GH am sure it will all come back to #ou when #ou hold the 2deDimaa to #our breast a"ain. 1ut we must move Juickl#. First we need to find a doorwa#.G GBhat is he talkin" aboutIG =ilith turned to the =ord of the Plains for help. He had been for"otten in Baub-ooCooFs commotion. =ilith looked to him Eust in time to see him topple over. G2h dearKG Baub-ooCoo cried out as he leapt to his feet. He and =ilith were at the buckFs side in a moment. =ilith winced as she e-amined the infected wounds. GHow did he come b# theseIG GHe fou"ht with @ramliche to save me G Baub-ooCoo told her. G@ramliche is a troll. Their claws inflict an unwholesome wound.G

=ilith took the bowl of tinctured water and "entl# washed the sta"Fs wounds. He flinched in pain as she did so. G=a# back m# friend G she soothed him. GH will take care of #ou.G The =ord of the Plains laid his head back down and allowed =ilith to administer to his inEuries. +he washed them and then coated them with antibiotic ointment. +he had Eust enou"h ointment to do the Eob. Then she banda"ed his wounds as best she could with "auCe dampened in the tincture. Bhile she worked Baub-ooCoo tried to e-plain thin"s to her. $s =ilith understood it Baub-ooCoo believed she was a reincarnation of this $ki-ikwe who had been a powerful /anitou of the spirit worlds. ,ither $ki-ikwe held a ma"ic "em called the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi or it had been her own heart. This point was unclear and Baub-ooCoo seemed uncertain about the distinction himself. 1ut he was emphatic on the importance of the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. Hn the ri"ht hands it would allow the Borld Lnder the Flesh to flourish. ;et in the wron" hands it would brin" ruin to all the worlds. $ dark invasion of the Borld Lnder the Flesh paralleled the ,uropean conJuest of the New Borld. The =and 1etween the +k# Baters was a final refu"e of the /anitou. $nd somehow the buildin" of the /ackinaw 1rid"e in this world allowed the Corrupted Hordes to breach the =and 1etween the +k# Baters in the Borld Lnder the Flesh. Hn all Baub-ooCooFs stor# made an interestin" tale. =ilith was not sure she would have believed it but for the stor#teller himself. $s for the stor#tellerFs conviction she was the reincarnation of the /anitou $ki-ikwe =ilith could not credit it. True she had alwa#s felt a little otherworldl# and displaced but that was a common enou"h feelin" amon" the inhabitants of modern societ#. The name $ki-ikwe the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi the =and 1etween the +k# Baters and the rest of Baub-ooCooFs tale none of this ran" an# bells for her. This much was clear: the spirit worlds were in trouble BaubooCoo needed help and this 2deDimaa 1a"waEi must be protected. Bhether or not she was a reincarnation of the =ad# $ki-ikwe : which =ilith doubted : she decided she should do what she could to help.

$s she finished banda"in" the =ord of the PlainsF wounds BaubooCoo related his escape from @ramliche and his chance meetin" with the =ord of the /ulli"an Plains. G;ou are certain he is still followin" #ouIG she asked. G;es mF=ad# $ki-ikwe.G G;ou must call me =ilith G she corrected him. G;es mF=ad#.G G$nd drop the honorifics G she stipulated. G+impl# call me =ilith and stop treatin" me like some Jueen.G G;es mF=ad#.G =ilith frowned but she let it pass for the moment. GHow much time do we have before this @ramliche arrivesIG GHe will be upon us at an# moment mF=ad# G Baub-ooCoo answered. GThen we must act Juickl#.G The =ord of the Plains alread# feelin" the infection leavin" his wounds started to clamber back to his feet. GNo G =ilith told him. G;ou rest and leave this to me.G He la# back down and did as she said. =ilith threw a handful of cedar sa"e and sweet"rass onto the fire. +oon the area was thick with the purif#in" and protective smoke. Bith a walkin" stick of driftwood =ilith drew a circle in the dirt a lar"e circle encompassin" all of them the picnic table and the fire pit. Then she walked around this entire circle seedin" it with sea salt poured from a container. +he finished Eust in time. +omethin" bi" emer"ed from the woods. <a"uel# humanoid it could onl# be the troll @ramliche. =ilith was taken aback at first si"ht of it. G/# #ou are a bi" u"l# beast arenFt #ouIG @ramliche char"ed them with a snarl. The =ord of the Plains stood to meet him. Baub-ooCoo clun" to =ilithFs le"s. ,ven =ilith braced herself and prepared for the worst. ;et the circle proved effective: the troll was rebuffed. The protective barrier cau"ht him so off "uard it knocked him backwards leavin" him sprawled on the "round. Bith a howl of ra"e he re"ained his feet and renewed the assault. GH fear that will not hold him for lon" G =ilith observed. GBe must move fast.G +he stepped over to her brewin" pot.

GBhere will he not follow usIG Baub-ooCoo trailed behind her while keepin" an e#e on the troll. GBe need to find another leak.G G$nd where mi"ht the nearest leak beIG Bith her walkin" staff she stirred the potion boilin" in the pot. GBe need another wa# to travel to the Borld Lnder the Flesh.G Baub-ooCoo shifted his attention to the brewin" pot. GBhat is this stewI H detect it has some power to it.G GHtFs a travelin" potion G =ilith told him Gbut it usuall# works over short distances : a doCen miles or so. ;ou put it on #our forehead and focus on where #ou want to "o. HtFs effective0 #ouFll "et there thou"h #ouFll have a bad headache for #our troubles. HFm hopin" ma#be with a little modification and #our participation itFll take us to the Borld Lnder the Flesh. 1ut first H need somethin" from #ou.G +he reached for his hand which he held up to her. For Baub-ooCoo her abilit# to brew this ma"ic potion was further proof she was the =ad# $ki-ikwe. GBhat do #ou reJuire mF=ad#.G G;our blood.G He drew back his hand. GHt wonFt take much G =ilith coa-ed. G2nl# a prick to the thumb S mine.G +he showed her and a few drops. H have alread# added banda"ed thumb but the /anitoussiwuk onl# shrank back another step. The =ord of the /ulli"an Plains stood beside him. >s ; !ill add mine0 GThat would be wise G =ilith a"reed. The buck stepped closer as she produced a sharp knife. +he made a small cut on his breast and then he leaned his chest over the pot. =ilith pressed at the cut with her fin"ers so it bled into the pot. @rabbin" one of the tinctured wash ra"s from the table she swabbed the wound until the onl# si"n left was a sli"ht discoloration where the blood stained his white chest. The# both turned to face Baub-ooCoo. hat !as nothin#, the sta" told him. G$nd now it is #our turn G =ilith held out her hand. +till Baub-ooCoo hun" back. %o&ld yo& rather *ace the troll alone !hile the t!o o* &s travel sa*ely a!ay= The =ord of the Plains asked him. Baub-ooCoo "lanced at the troll who had paused in his assault on the protective circle to see what the# were doin". @ramliche "rinned at him cruell# showin" his #ellowed fan"s.

G$t worst G =ilith told him Git will place some distance between us and the troll so we can find a portal.G G$nd at bestIG Baub-ooCoo wanted reassurance. GBith #our blood and #our concentration G =ilith "ave him what assurance she could Git ma# take us to the spirit world.G G<er# well G Baub-ooCoo offered his hand with some trepidation. @ramliche "rowled. =ilith took Baub-ooCooFs hand and cut his thumb. He winced. +he held the wound over the pot and sJueeCed it until some of his blood was added to the potion. @ramliche roared and struck at the barrier. He mana"ed to penetrate it with one arm and sou"ht to force his wa# throu"h this small breach. =ilith "rabbed a handful of incense from the table and threw it on the fire. +moke of cedar sa"e and sweet"rass billowed out to fill the circle. The troll was repulsed. =ilith "ave Baub-ooCoo a len"th of "auCe soaked in tincture. He took his thumb out of his mouth and wrapped the "auCe around it. @ramliche was ra"in" at the circle a"ain. them. GBe must be Juick about G1oth of #ou sit G =ilith directed this.G Baub-ooCoo and the =ord of the Plains seated themselves on the "round side b# side. =ilith stirred the pot and then she drew the staff out and approached them. Lsin" the end of the walkin"stick she anointed their foreheads first the sta" and then the /anitoussiwuk. Turnin" the len"th of driftwood around she anointed her own forehead. Then she laid aside the staff and sat on the "round facin" Baub-ooCoo and the buck. Baub-ooCoo alread# felt somethin" at work on him drawin" him awa# as thou"h down a lon" dark tunnel. =ilith took his hand and placed her other hand on the sta"Fs shoulder. GBe must Eoin in a circle G she said. Baub-ooCoo reached out and placed a hand on the sta"Fs le". GNow Baub-ooCoo #ou must concentrate on the spirit world to the e-clusion of all else. $nd we will concentrate on #ou.G G+top m# petKG @ramliche commanded. G;ou will "o nowhere without meKG GH"nore him G =ilith told the little /anitou.

Baub-ooCoo tried hard. He closed his e#es and concentrated on the Borld Lnder the Flesh. He could hear the troll cursin" him and stru""lin" to break throu"h the circle but the potion made this a distant concern. He was speedin" throu"h a tunnel rocketin" toward the spirit world so fast it hurt. Then he was eEected from the tunnel into the Borld Lnder the Flesh with such force he let "o of the lad# and the sta" and rolled onto his back. He la# there awhile lookin" up at the bri"ht sk#. His bod# felt like it was swin"in" back and forth spinnin" as it did so. He "roaned as he reached up and touched his sore head. Hn a moment the diCCiness passed and he sat up to see where the# were. He knew this place. The =ad#Fs potion worked. The# were near a lake south of the Lnfinished Hills and close to the valle# where the 2"imauh marshaled his forces. GHt worked mF=ad#KG He almost for"ot his headache in the e-citement. =ookin" at the =ad# he noted she was starin" across from her froCen with her mouth a"ape. Baub-ooCoo followed her "aCe. Bhere he e-pected to find the =ord of the Plains ne-t to him there was a man laid out on his side with his e#es closed. GHenr#IG =ilith spoke in disbelief. $t the sound of her voice the man opened his e#es and started to raise his head Juickl# at first then more cautious as he was struck b# a massive headache. His skull ran" with pain. Ht felt like somethin" heav# was wei"hin" down the top of his head. He could feel the strain into his neck. He was in human form as he knew he would be in the spirit world. Here his ph#sical form was more fluid0 he could be either human or sta". ;et in both forms he would wear his crown. He reached up a hand wincin" as the motion pulled at the deep scratches on his side. He raised his hand and touched the antlers atop his head. GHorned 2neKG Baub-ooCoo e-claimed.

550 Stephen .eets a 1e#end G+he had not returned when H checked this mornin" G @randma Aena spoke in 2Eibwa. +he told Chekaubaewiss how Aene had e-celled since the# realiCed her path to shamanism la# throu"h music. GBith all the trouble in the =and 1etween the +k# Baters these da#s G Chekaubaewiss spoke in the old ton"ue Gdo #ou think it was wise to send the "irl aloneIG GHf she is ever to "ain confidence in her own abilities G @randma Aena defended herself Gthen she has to take these first steps alone. H warned her not to leave the circle H traced on the stone.G GThis does complicate thin"s G Chekaubaewiss said. He was skilled enou"h to open the pathwa# atop the rid"e even in broad da#li"ht. GH will have to "o after her without dela# but H cannot allow the troll to rampa"e throu"h this world.G The monster was approachin" the town of Na"aunee and Chekaubaewiss could not let it ra"e throu"h the cit#. $bout the time he reached @randma AenaFs cabin the foul one halted a couple miles north of town and had not moved since. This "ave Chekaubaewiss a S little time to stop at @randma AenaFs. Hopefull# the troll was not makin" sport with outl#in" residents. G;es we do have our hands full G Aena a"reed. GH tried to contact the @uardian. 1ut he has not responded. Nor has his lad# friend =ilith. This demon must be ver# close to her home. 1ut H did mana"e to reach m# "randson.G $s if on cue there was a knock at her front door. GThat would be him now.G @randma Aena rose to answer the door. $s she did so Chekaubaewiss assumed his "lamour and became the old homeless man known as Mack. Bhile he had never met AeneFs brother face to face he had watched both children "row up. $nd @randma Aena had filled him in on her "randsonFs recent histor#. AeneFs older brother returned from HraJ a dama"ed and haunted #oun" man. He was dama"ed b# what he had done in that countr# and b# what had been done to him. He was haunted b# the memories of war and b# somethin" worse. The bo# was touched b# a powerful demon the 1east of Bar the ,ater of +ouls. This demon fed on death and violence. Ht dined on the ener"# released in a violent death and it took "reat deli"ht in brutalit# and murder.

AenaFs "randson refused to serve this demon. He returned to the old wa#s of his people to escape the mark of the beast that touched to some e-tent or another ever# facet of the dominant civiliCation. <er# few had turned their backs on the 1east the wa# AenaFs "randson had. That Chekaubaewiss knew of none had succeeded so well as this #oun" man at freein" himself from the 1eastFs "rasp. ;et the #oun" man must remain ever vi"ilant for the 1east was ea"er to reclaim him or : failin" that : to feast on his death. @randma Aena opened the door. GCome in +tephen.G GH came as soon as H received #our messa"e G +tephen *eClaire also spoke 2Eibwa. GBhat is wron"IG He entered the cabin a fit #oun" man dressed in the traditional buckskin "arb of his people. He looked somewhat like his sister thou"h where her features were soft with the beaut# of the woodlands on him these same features took on the rock# stren"th of the mountains. There was about him a sense of the harmon# of nature thou"h if #ou probed deeper #ou would find a sorrow and a pain that were still fresh and unhealed. +tephen stopped speakin" when he noted the presence of Mack the well-known street character of /arJuette. Bhile it was not surprisin" to see that his "randmother knew Mack +tephen thou"ht the homeless mid"et never left the alle#wa#s of /arJuette. G2h drop the dis"uise G @randma Aena said. The ima"e shimmered. Then before +tephenFs e#es the familiar homeless man vanished to be replaced b# a short #et stron"l#-built Hndian who appeared ver# alert of mind and bod#. G+tephen G @randma Aena made introductions Gthis is Chekaubaewiss.G GChekaubaewissIG +tephen thou"ht hard as he re"arded the man before him. The name was familiar. Then he remembered the tales his "randmother told him when he was a #oun" child. G1ut that is a le"end.G G$ll le"ends have a basis in fact G Chekaubaewiss assured him. G$nd H am the real thin".G G,-planations will have to wait for another time G @randma Aena sat down beside Chekaubaewiss. GThis is the man of the stories. ;ou will have to take m# word on that. H alwa#s told #ou those stories were true.G

G;eah G +tephen sat down across the table re"ardin" both his "randmother and Chekaubaewiss Gbut #ou told us a lot of thin"s #ou said were true.G GH do not lie child G @randma Aena snapped. G*o #ou not know that b# nowIG +tephen had no choice but to believe her. GHf this is Chekaubaewiss then there must be a "iant around here somewhere.G GNot a "iant G Chekaubaewiss corrected him. G$ troll.G G2h a troll.G GHave #our own e-periences with /anitou and *emons not tau"ht #ou to accept the realit# of these thin"sIG Aena Juestioned. G@ive me a moment please. This is a lot to swallow.G He sat back and considered. GThat would e-plain wh# the forests are in such a commotion.G +tephen decided to accept what the# told him at least for the time bein". G+o where is this trollIG @randma Aena looked at Chekaubaewiss. GHt is on the move a"ain G he said Gheadin" north awa# from the town.G GThat is "ood G @randma Aena nodded her head. help #ou hunt it downIG +tephen G$nd H suppose #ou want me to asked. GPerhaps G @randma Aena told him. G1ut we have another problem. ;our sister Eourne#ed to the spirit world last ni"ht and she had not returned.G GThe spirit worldI 2h "reatKG +tephen e-claimed. GH suppose ne-t #ou will tell me m# mom was abducted b# aliens.G GThere are no aliens here G @randma Aena missed the sarcasm. G;our mother is at home.G G=isten bo# G Chekaubaewiss spoke up Gthis is serious business. Be must save #our sister and send this troll back where it came from.G GHFm sorr# G +tephen apolo"iCed. GH meant no disrespect.G He took a deep breath. GBhat is "oin" on hereIG The# filled him in. The tale the# told him was Juite amaCin" but he had to believe it with his "randmother attestin" to its veracit#. +he had proven herself reliable over the #ears and she had pla#ed a vital role in leadin" him out of his own dilemma. GBith this thin" G he could not brin" himself to call it a troll Gloose and Aene lost in the spirit world we will have to split up.G

GNot necessaril# G Chekaubaewiss said. GThe troll has chan"ed direction and now H believe it is headin" for us. /a#be it is lookin" for a wa# back to its world.G G$nd the nearest pathwa# is the one Aene passed throu"h G @randma Aena added. GThis could work out ver# much in our favor G Chekaubaewiss smiled. GHow soIG +tephen asked. GTrolls are supposed to be "ood trackers G Chekaubaewiss e-plained. G,ver#one knows the# can locate treasures and areas of power but few know their sense of smell is better than a blood do".G G+o we mi"ht use the troll to help us find AeneIG GHf we can capture it and press it into service G Chekaubaewiss concluded. GHt is a bold plan G @randma Aena approved. G$nd H know how to make it work.G

570 ,ramliche has a Bad 8ay The little /anitoussiwuk had escaped him with the help of the Horned 2ne and the sorceress. $fter the# vanished @ramliche mana"ed to break throu"h the circle that kept him at ba#. He could not sense the /anitoussiwuk in this world and so the# must have returned to the Borld Lnder the Flesh. Hf @ramliche could follow after he mi"ht still have a chance to catch them. He would kill the witch sla# the Horned 2ne and claim his antlers and take the /anitoussiwuk back to the 2"imauh : minus his le"s so he would not be able to escape a"ain. @ramliche dipped a claw into the boilin" potion and smeared it on his forehead as the# had done. He sat down on the "round and waited focusin" on followin" them to the Borld Lnder the Flesh. Nothin" happened e-cept that he became ver# diCC# and he threw up on the "round. The potion would not work for him. Bhat was more when he stood up a sharp pain shot throu"h his head and lod"ed there beatin" at his skull. @ramliche ran amok. He tipped over the cauldron into the fire pit. The fumes burned his e#es and nostrils and made his headache worse. He roared at his frustration turnin" over the picnic table with a swipe of one hand. +eein" an a-e with its head buried in a stump he snatched it free. Bith one swin" of the blade he demolished the overturned picnic table. Lsin" the a-e as a club he smashed the brick fire pit scatterin" burnin" embers about the #ard. Then he turned and char"ed the cabin. +win"in" overhead with both hands he buried the entire head of the a-e in the lo" walls. G+top or HFll shootKG someone called out. @ramliche could not see the person but he could hear the fear in his voice and the intent. He sou"ht to pull the a-e loose and use it to attack this challen"er but he had buried it too deepl# for even him to pull it free. Bith a "rowl he turned to face this new adversar# with claws and fan"s. $ "un dischar"ed. 1uckshot peppered his ri"ht shoulder. 2ne pellet tore into his cheek. @ramliche howled and rose up to his full hei"ht. G+hoot him a"ain ,mmettKG a fri"htened voice cried out. 1efore another shot could be fired @ramliche turned and ran leavin" two fri"htened locals behind him. 1# the time the police

arrived the locals had persuaded themselves it was a meth addict the# had faced the bi""est and u"liest one the# had ever seen. @ramliche ran blindl# headin" back in the direction from which he had come. He ran from the stin"in" pellets buried in his shoulder and face and he ran from his own failure. +ince followin" the /anitoussiwuk to this world ever#thin" had been a disaster. The air here smelled bad and the sun sou"ht to roast him alive. He needed to "et back. $s his frenC# abated @ramliche slowed his pace. Finall# he halted and cau"ht his breath. Bith his claws he probed the wound on his cheek and drew out a round pebble of metal. $fter "ivin" it a cursor# look and a sniff he flicked it awa# and set about pickin" more of the nast# metal pebbles out of his shoulder. /an# were buried too deep for him to reach and the# stun". H"norin" the pain he opened his senses and used them to e-plore the alien land around him. $t one time trolls made their home in this human world but the# vanished lon" a"o. 2nce in a while a troll mi"ht venture to this world in search of treasure or for some other purpose but mostl# the# avoided it. @ramliche could understand wh#0 at all. However he needed to find he did not like the feel of this world another doorwa# that would take him back to his world so he e-tended his senses over this land. There it was a doorwa# off to his ri"ht in the direction of the risin" sun and not too distant. Hf he hurried @ramliche could reach this leak in less than an hour. $s he ran @ramliche thou"ht about what he would do once he returned to his world. He had failed the 2"imauh and that was somethin" his master could not tolerate. He would forfeit his treasure if he returned without the /anitoussiwuk and likel# his life as well. He could head out on his own choosin" someplace to live where the 2"imauh would never find him. That would be difficult0 the 2"imauh would make a point of huntin" him down. Hn the meantime he would have to live in total dis"race a troll without his treasure. No his onl# course was to recapture the /anitoussiwuk. 1e#ond that he must make up for his error in allowin" the /anitoussiwuk to escape in the first place. 1# now the 2"imauh must have some idea of what happened. ,ven should @ramliche return with the /anitoussiwuk the 2"imauh would still be irate with him.

The onl# wa# to find for"iveness would be to present the 2"imauh with the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi. @ramliche would have to recapture the little /anitou and make it take him to the 2deDimaa. Then he would have no need of the little /anitou an# more0 he would bear to his master the troph# he so desired. Hn the back of his mind @ramliche did wonder wh# once in possession he should relinJuish the 2deDimaa 1a"waEi to the 2"imauh. The 2deDimaa was the most powerful treasure in e-istence. Bith it in his possession @ramliche could overthrow the 2"imauh and take his place. This scenario was much more to his likin". Bhile he was not read# to admit this was his intention the idea had hatched in the back of his mind and there it was "rowin". @ramliche was so wrapped up in these desi"ns he did not see the white wolf until he was upon it. The animal spran" up from where it la# under a lar"e hemlock and ran out in front of the troll makin" for a narrow path. The si"ht of it reminded @ramliche of how hun"r# he was. Hf there was one "ood thin" about the human world it was that all the animals here were tastier than the creatures of the spirit worlds. S meats of the spirit worlds. Bolf Their meat was more substantial than was a rare treat and it had been a lon" time since he ate an#thin" but camp "ruel. @ramliche set out after the wolf his mouth droolin" at the thou"ht of fresh meat and all other considerations for"otten. The wolf led him on a merr# chase. $ couple of times he lost si"ht of the animal in the woods. No matter he could still follow its scent. $nd sure enou"h he would find it sittin" on the trail ahead catchin" its breath. Then the wolf would be off a"ain. @ramliche be"an to think this was too eas#. +urel# the wolf had better survival skills than this. $s thou"h the animal knew what he was thinkin" it dod"ed under some thick brush and went to "round. @ramliche could no lon"er smell the animal onl# its trail. Ht must have a burrow somewhere in these woods. Foolish animal no burrow would save it. The troll passed throu"h the brush as Juietl# as possible. He crawled on all fours the better to sniff out the animalFs trail. +ure enou"h the wolf was hidin" in a burrow. Bith his lar"e hands and claws @ramliche du" at the burrow chucklin" to himself as he did so. $ thick tree root slowed him down and he worked up even more of an

appetite tearin" at it. He was so bus# attackin" this root he almost missed the wolf when it spran" out of another burrow close b#. 2ut of the corner of his e#e @ramliche cau"ht a "limpse of white fur. His Juarr# was about to "et awa#. Lsin" all four limbs he pounced on the wolf tacklin" it. He had the animal pinned avoidin" its snappin" teeth. Then somethin" struck him on the back of the head. @ramliche looked around and discovered he was bein" dive-bombed b# a lar"e raven. He let "o of the wolf with one of his hands and tried to swipe the bird out of the air as it flew at him a"ain. This was all the advanta"e the wolf needed. Ht mana"ed to turn its head and bite down on his other arm the same arm the Horned 2ne had cut open earlier. @ramliche howled and the wolf was able to throw him off. The chase was renewed but now the troll was onl# a few paces behind the wolf. His arm was bleedin". His hun"er was supplanted b# an"er. He would tear this wolf to pieces and then eat it. @ramliche pursued the wolf into a clearin" where he was able to len"then his strides closin" the "ap. $s he knelt down and reached out to "rab the wolf it looked back at him. Hts ton"ue was lollin" out and it almost appeared to be lau"hin". Then it put on another burst of speed and was "one. Feelin" like someone was watchin" him @ramliche stopped and looked about. +o intent was he on capturin" the wolf he had not noticed the cabin in the clearin" until now. There was an old woman sittin" in a rockin" chair on the porch. +he was one of the ancient people and when @ramliche looked at her she be"an talkin" in an old ton"ue he did not know but which hurt his ears. @ramliche tried to raise his hands to cover his ears but found he could not move. Bhatever the woman was sa#in" had him mesmeriCed. 2ut of the corner of his e#e he saw a #oun" man come runnin" at him shoulder bracin" for impact. The man hit him in the le"s bowlin" him over. 1ein" tackled broke the spell that held him. 1efore he could do an#thin" however somethin" hit him in the back of the head with a loud crack that nearl# split his skull. @ramliche lost consciousness. NNN

Bhen he came to he was l#in" on his side. The old woman and the #oun" man stood before him alon" with a small man. The# were all three of the ancient peoples. Thou"h the other man was short he was stron". @ramliche would have taken him for a dwarf : the first he had seen since leavin" the distant lands to follow the 1li"ht across the ocean : but that he lacked a lon" beard and his features and skin tone were that of the ancient peoples. @ramlicheFs le"s were bound as were his hands behind his back. Bhoever fettered him knew what he was doin" as fid"etin" onl# seemed to draw the ropes ti"hter. The old woman spoke to him in the ,n"lish ton"ue he understood. GBe captured #ou eh. Now #ou must serve us.G GH serve onl# the 2"imauh. ;ou H will eat.G GH told #a G the dwarf-like one said as he drew a lon" sharp huntin" knife from his belt. G1etter to slit his throat and be on our wa#.G He stepped behind @ramliche and held the blade to his throat. The metal stun" his skin and the blade was so sharp onl# a little pressure would be necessar# to penetrate even his thick hide. The woman spoke in the old ton"ue and the dwarf-like one stopped. +he took a step closer to @ramliche and spoke in ,n"lish G;ou must vow to serve us or weFll kill #ou eh. +erve us well en ma#be weFll "ive #a #er freedom when weFre done.G @ramliche thou"ht about it. +hould he refuse to serve them he knew the dwarf-like one would end his life this moment. Hf he swore to serve them he could bide his time until the opportunit# came for him to escape or turn the tables on them. He could tell none of them were normal humans0 the# were all three powerful in their different wa#s. $lmost he thou"ht the dwarf-like one mi"ht be a /anitou. $nd he could feel the "ichi-manidoo" the power flowin" throu"h the woman. The silent #oun" man was perhaps the most dan"erous of the three. There was a darkness in his shadow that made even @ramliche ill at ease. Aeall# there was no choice. GH vow to serve #ou.G G*atFs no "ood.G The dwarf pressed the knife a little deeper. @ramliche could feel it cuttin" throu"h his thick hide. GPromise on #er treasure.G @ramliche shot a dark look at the dwarf. This one knew somethin" of trollFs. $ vow on #our own treasure could not be as easil# broken. G1# m# own treasure H promise to serve #ou.G

G*atFs a little better but it still donFt mean much G the dwarf told the other two. He eased the pressure on the knife Eust a little. G;ou "ot a nameIG the old woman asked. @ramliche hesitated and the dwarf reapplied the knife. GFor"ettin #er vow so Juickl#I $nswer her.G G@ramliche G he said. GH am @ramliche.G The old woman knelt before him and spoke in the old ton"ue. @ramliche could feel the power boilin" in her. +he reached out her hand and touched his forehead thou"h he tried to avoid the contact. The power "ripped him as she spoke weavin" his name in with the old ton"ue. @ramliche felt the power reachin" deep within him bindin" him in wa#s no rope ever could. The old woman finished speakin" and the #oun" man helped her back to her feet. @ramliche stopped stru""lin" and looked at her in horror. He felt neutered. G*ere.G The old woman looked down at him satisfied with her handiwork. GHf #a tr# to harm an# of us or even disobe# us #ouFll fall violentl# ill.G S had been brou"ht so low b# these @ramliche could not believe he humans. He felt the last of his self-respect leakin" awa#. G$ll da same G the dwarf said GH tFink one of us should keep a weapon trained on him.G The #oun" man nodded a"reement. GCut loose his le"s so he can walk G the old woman said. The dwarf did so. The knife slid throu"h the ropes. He stood back a couple steps behind @ramliche and ordered G+tand upKG GBhat about m# handsIG @ramliche asked. GH tFink weFll leave #our hands as de# are for da time bein. @et upKG @ramliche was be"innin" to hate the dwarf. He considered what he would like to do to the short man. $t the thou"ht of it his throat be"an to constrict and he felt a sickenin" blow to his stomach. Bhat had the woman done to himI ,rasin" the thou"hts eased the s#mptoms. He stru""led to "et his feet beneath him without the use of his arms. Then he stood head and shoulders above even the #oun" man who he Eud"ed to be tall for a human. @ramliche stretched his le"s and

back. He started to move his arms but the dwarf "ave a sharp tu" on a len"th of rope tied to the bindin"s on his wrists. The humans made him climb to the top of the rid"e with them. Ht was difficult to do with his hands tied behind his back. He complained at ever# opportunit# but the# i"nored him. +everal times he slipped and one time he almost fell to his death. He was ed"in" around a lar"e boulder that blocked the path. The humans had made it past the boulder without a problem but then the# were smaller than @ramliche : and the# had the use of their hands. @ramlicheFs feet were much wider than the ed"e of the pathwa# skirtin" around the boulder. Nor could he "rab hold of the boulder and climb over it. He teetered and unable to "ain his balance with his hands tied behind him he fell. The dwarf cursed and ti"htened his "rip on the rope tied to @ramlicheFs bound wrists. @ramliche almost took some "rim satisfaction in the knowled"e his "reater wei"ht would pull the short man down with him. 1ut the dwarf du" in his heels and held firm. He stopped @ramlicheFs fall thou"h not without causin" the troll a "reat deal of pain. over an open cliff face with a @ramliche swun" from the rope drop of fift# feet below him. Not that he cared about the drop at the moment. The rope had #anked his arms backwards over his head in a most unnatural and painful fashion. @ramliche screamed as he felt his arms bein" ripped out of their sockets. G2h hush upKG the dwarf "runted as he be"an haulin" on the line. 1obbin" at the end of the rope @ramliche #elled back spittle fl#in" from his mouth G;ou hush up dwarfK @et me out of hereKG He kicked at the cliff face which Eerked the rope makin" his pain worse. G+ettle down G the dwarf told him Gor H ma# lose m# hold eh.G GNo G @ramliche screamed. GPull me upKG The #oun" man Eoined the dwarven one and offered to help. GHf H canFt mana"e a little troll den H mi"ht as well "ive it up G the dwarf declined the offer. He hauled @ramliche up. The #oun" man "uided the troll over the ed"e of the cliff onto the wide led"e where the# stood. @ramliche la# on the led"e pantin" and "nashin" his teeth. The dwarf pulled on the rope one last time sendin" another wave of pain throu"h @ramlicheFs wrists arms and shoulders. G$hKG @ramliche cried out. G=et "o of the ropeKG

G+ettle downKG the dwarf ordered. G2r HFll knock #a on da head a"ain.G @ramliche Juieted. The old woman came over and e-amined him for inEuries. GHis arms donF appear dislocated G she said. G1ut da ropes cut deep into his wrists.G +he produced a knife from a skirt pocket and cut the bindin"s. @ramliche si"hed at the relief and brou"ht his arms around in front of him to rub his numb hands and his burned and bleedin" wrists. GNot a wise tFin" to do G the dwarf criticiCed. GHeFll not harm us G the old woman answered. Chancin" the sickness it brou"ht on @ramliche shot a dark look at the dwarven one. Then he turned to the old woman. GThank #ou. *onFt worr# @ramliche will obe#.G GHFm not worried. ;ou donF have an# choice in da matter.G The old woman resumed her climb. GNow leFs "et on wid dis. /# "randau"hterFs missin" and timeFs wastin.G The# were able to move much faster now that @ramlicheFs arms were free. The dwarf took the rear "uard position. He kept an e#e on knife in hand read# to use at a the troll at all times and held his lon" momentFs notice. @ramliche could have told him there was no need to be so war#. He intended to be compliant at least until he could find a wa# to circumvent the old womanFs bindin" spell. 1esides he had a feelin" the# were takin" him ri"ht where he wanted to "o. The# were drawin" near the doorwa# to the Borld Lnder the Flesh. The old woman steered them strai"ht to it. @ramliche understood the# meant to use this leak. 2nce throu"h it @ramliche hoped he would be able to escape from them. 2r better #et turn on them all particularl# the dwarf. The# halted at a clearin" atop the rid"e. GHere it is G the old woman said. GHereFs whatIG the #oun" man asked. He seemed to be havin" a hard time with this entire e-perience. G*a portal G the dwarf answered. G*is is where it opens up.G @ramliche could tell the doorwa# had been used recentl#. His sense of smell told him a #oun" woman had been here and he assumed this was the "irl that the otherFs sou"ht. Bishin" to prove himself useful he said G+omeone was here not lon" a"o.G He sniffed

the air. G$ #oun" woman. +he went throu"h the doorwa#.G He sniffed a"ain. G$nd there is a stron" odor of pine pitch.G G*at would be rosin G the old woman said. G+he used her fiddle to open da portal. Can #ou find her in da spirit worldIG G;es G @ramliche spoke with assurance and a touch of pride. GHt will be eas# to follow her scent.G G$h G the old woman said. G*en #ou three had best "et at it.G $ll three of them looked up at this. G;er not cominIG the #oun" one asked. G+omeone has to handle tFin"s on dis end G the old woman e-plained. G2nce #a leave da pathwa# on da other side #ou wonF be able to open it a"ain. +tartin toni"ht HFll open it tFrou"h a ni"ht. Hopefull# #ouFll be waitin" da first time. Hf not HFll continue till #a come back.G G$nd what if more a his sort are on da udder side waitin to come tFrou"hIG the dwarven one pointed out. G*ere are plent# of udder portals eh. 1etter we find anudder wa# back.G G$nd what if Aene wanders back here while #er lookin for herIG the old woman posed. GHFll keep openin dis pathwa# until #ou return. *onF worr# H can handle his kind.G @ramliche had no doubt she could. GH will find this "irl for #ou. Then #ou will release me.G G/a#be G the old woman Jualified. GHf #ou serve us well.G G;ou EusF keep #er mouth shut and find her G the dwarf said. GHFd feel better if #ou were wid us G the #oun" man said. G;er mudderFs probFl# wonderin where #er sister is. H can alla# her fears. 1ut if she finds me "one too sheFs apt to panic eh.G The #oun" man had to a"ree. G@o find #er sister G his "randmother told him. GMa "ranmudder.G The #oun" man accepted the orders of his elder without further ar"ument. The old woman stepped back a few paces and then stood lookin" at the rest of them. G@o now Chekaubaewiss. Find m# "randdau"hter.G @ramlicheFs e#es opened wide as the name re"istered. No wonder the dwarven one was so stron". Hf Chekaubaewiss escaped his captivit# to venture to the spirit worlds the# were all in bi" trouble. @ramliche looked at the short man with new fear in his e#es. G;ou "ot sometFin to sa#IG Chekaubaewiss puffed out his chest.

GNo.G @ramliche knew that if he wanted to "o on livin" he must escape from the le"endar# "iant killer. Chekaubaewiss picked up a stick and traced a circle around the three of them. Then he be"an a son" of the old people a loud rh#thmic cr#in". $s he added intensit# to his sin"in" @ramliche covered his ears. The music of this world offended him and the sin"in" of Chekaubaewiss in particular. Chekaubaewiss went on with his son" until @ramliche thou"ht he could stand it no more. The old woman and the world outside the circle fell awa#. The doorwa# opened and the# were in the Borld Lnder the Flesh. Ne-t to the troll the #oun" man "asped. He looked like he was about to lose his stomach. @ramliche knew how he felt.

To find out what happens ne-t to Aene +tephen Chekaubaewiss =ilith Henr# and Baub-ooCoo #ou will find the rest of this stor# in the novel Fiddlesticks.

$lossary A%i-i%!e: Earth !oman. The /anitou who watches over the =and between the +k# Baters. A%iin Anaamin Wiiyaasa : %orld &nder the Flesh. The spirit world that is most closel# tied to the ph#sical world. This world is ph#sicall# oriented but spirit and mind are able to directl# imprint themselves in this world. This world was the first refu"e of the /anitou as humans took over the Borld of the Flesh. A%iin Daa!inan: he land o* the .anito&. The landmass in the Borld under the Flesh that corresponds to the North $merican continent in the Borld of the Flesh. =iterall# homeland. A%iin Wiiyaasa : %orld o* the Flesh. The ph#sical world the human world. This world is the most ph#sical manifestation of e-istence. $s such what happens here echoes throu"h all the other worlds in particular the Borld under the Flesh. A%ii!inan &a amonan: Son# o* Existence. The music of the spheres the tonal notes that underlie all e-istence. A%%i &isa!ay $ichi ami: 1and bet!een the Sky %aters. $ refu"e of the /anitou as the NishiwanaadiCi spread throu"hout the Borld under the Flesh. The NishiwanaadiCi and the 1i"ishkanad $wi#a" were unable to reach this refu"e across the sk# waters until the waters were brid"ed. This is a province of the Borld under the Flesh analo"ous to /ichi"anFs Lpper Peninsula. Auttissoo%aun: The muses that dwell in the ,arthFs four cardinal points. The# inspire creativit# in artists. Ba !a"inini: Nat&re spirits. These are /anitoussiwuk that e-ist as the archet#pal spirit of plants animals forests and places. +ome can be mischievous but the# are "enerall# "ood natured bein"s. 1a"waEinini tend to be tied to a certain area or place. The# are unable

to flee the 1i"ishkanad $wi#a" and the NishiwanaadiCi. 1a"waEinini tend to be timid allowin" the hi"her /anitou to call the shots. Bi ish%anad A!iya : )orr&pted Ones, he +orde the minions of corruption the defiled ones. This is the /anitou name for the Horde thou"h it has been widel# adopted b# the Horde throu"hout $kiin *aawinan. The 1i"ishkanad $wi#a" consists of o"res "oblins and trolls. $ll of these races share a common thou"h clouded ori"in and all are closel# tied to the NishiwanaadiCi. +ometimes the Horde even refer to themselves NishiwanaadiCi $sabinoonEii" R Children of the 1li"ht. Bhile "iants are an ancient race that has e-isted since the be"innin" of time the# also have come to be accepted as members of the Horde. =ikewise the fl#in" skeletal Pau"uk. Bi'heu-inini: 1ynx man. $ /anitoussiwuk with the head and retractable claws of a l#n- and the bod# of a man. B!aa- ii'hi-!a"i!an: Un*inished +ills PmountainsQ. 2ne of the first "eolo"ical formations to become ph#sical. Ht is claimed that the S Lnfinished Hills were never completed. $s such the Lnfinished Hills are riddled with Hshkwaandeman : portals leadin" to other worlds. Cheebyu%: @host soul of the dead. Cheeby-aub-oo'oo: The third of four /anitou brothers. Cheeb#-aubooCoo was the first musician. He was also first to make chants and poetr#. $ll his life he was preoccupied with the supernatural. $fter death he became a =ord of the Lnderworld. Che%aubae!iss: =iterall# poked in the e#e. Chekaubaewiss was a dwarf who became a renowned "iant killer. $fter he slew the bear /anitou that killed his parents he was himself slain b# the /anitou for his rashness. Daebaud"imoot: $ stor#teller. Dibi%-$ii'is: he moon. This is a ver# powerful and influential /anitou. +he is ver# m#stical and m#sterious. *ibik-@iiCis is the

mother of time. +he has power over the seasons water and women. +he is hi"hl# respected b# all the 1a"waEinini. (sh%ana -inini: he +orned One. ,shkana"-inini are the lords of nature in the Borld of the Flesh. Their awareness e-tends throu"hout their particular province. The title is passed on in a ritualiCed hunt when a suitable hunter passes a series of tests and then hunts down and kills the previous Horned 2ne assumin" the title. $ll abilities and attributes are passed alon" with the title. (siban-inini: Aaccoon man. $a!aundu%: +pruce "uardian. The protector of small 1a"waEinini. $ichi-manidoo : "reat power "reat spirit. The hi"her /anitou are all @ichi-manidoo". $ichi ami: =ake +uperior the +k# Baters. $oo%oo%o)oo: 2wl

Ish%!aandeman: *oorwa#. Portal that allow passa"e from one world to another. There are man# t#pes of doorwa#s. +ome onl# allow passa"e one wa#. /an# are unstable. Ish%!aandan A%andoo!inan: ,atekeepers. $ societ# of bein"s that watch over the doorwa#s between worlds. The# sta# vi"ilant to prevent the Beendi"o from invadin" other worlds and to keep the universe in balance. *aemae a!auhnse: 1utterfl#. *a)iin an: %olves. The /aFiin"an alwa#s travel in a pack. The# are "reat hunters and are amon" the more powerful 1a"waEinini. *a"i-manidoo : *?mon

*a%adeshi an: Lnderworld. The place of the dead underl#in" the realit# of all the worlds. *anitou: +pirit supernatural entit# "od deit# essence anima. *anitoussi!u%: 1ittle .anito&. The lesser /anitou includin" but not limited to the 1a"waEinini. *aud"ee-%a!iss: The first of four brothers. He is a "reat warrior and hunter. *a!%a-inini: 1ear man. *edae!ae!in: +haman. *ishi-bi'heu: The @iant dra"on l#n- that dwells at the bottom of @ichi"ami and draws people down to their deaths. @reatl# feared b# man# it can also cause floods. *ishi-naubae: @iant.

*ishi amiin : The ocean between $kiin *aawinan and Baasawekami". Corresponds to the $tlantic 2cean in the Borld of the Flesh. *i'au!abee%um: /anitou of metal ores and other rare minerals. $mon" the oldest of /anitou. 2ften considered evil b# humans and other /anitou. &)o%omiss: @randmother of the four brothers /audEee-kawiss Pukawiss Cheeb#-aub-ooCoo and NanaFbFooCoo. Aevered and honored amon" /anitou. &ana)b)oo'oo: The #oun"est of four brothers. $n archet#pal fool or trickster. Bhile his intentions are "ood NanaFbFooCoo too often "ives in to inner weaknesses. His name literall# means Tremblin" Tail reflectin" weakness of character and cowardice.

&ebaunaubae: /ermen livin" at the bottom of the lakes and rivers. These bein"s worship /ishi-biCheu. &ebaunaubae+uae: /ermaid. &ishi!anaadi'i: he Bli#ht Pdestro#edQ. $n infection spreadin" throu"h The Borld under the Flesh that causes the land to become barren and the waters to become tainted. This bli"ht be"an in Baasawekami" across the ocean but now covers most of $kiin *aawinan as well. The 1i"ishkanad $wi#a" follow the bli"ht and onl# the# can live in it. &!anaehaus: $ wise elder of the /anitoussiwuk in The =and between the +k# Baters. Ode,imaa Ba !a"i: he +eart o* the %ild0 The 2deFimaa was held b# the =ad# $ki-ikwe. +ome sa# it was her own heart. Bith it she protected the =and between the +k# Baters. The 2deFimaa is said to be a sort of amplifier amplif#in" an# input out into all the worlds. Ht is S believed to direct power from the most spiritual of the worlds to the Borld of the Flesh. O imauh: The foremost leader. O"ichaa Wiisini: Eater o* So&ls, the Beast o* Babylon, the Beast o* %ar. $n archd?mon that e-ists multi-dimensionall# across time and space. The ,ater of +ouls feeds on sufferin" and wron"ful death caused throu"h i"norance particularl# in war. Omash%oo'-inini: /oose man. Pau-eehnse: /anitoussiwuk that dwell alon" shores and emer"e at ni"ht to warn humans of /ishi-biCheu. Pau u%: Fl#in" skeletal monsters. Waa osh-inini: Fo- man. $ /anitou with the head of a fo- and the bod# of a man.

Waasa A%iin: Nether!orlds. The far worlds that are the distant retreat of the /anitou. These are intan"ible worlds be#ond the Borld under the Flesh. The reach from the Borld of the Flesh to these worlds is increasin"l# tenuous. Waasa!e%ami : distant land. $ far continent in the Borld under the Flesh correspondin" to ,urasia in the Borld of the Flesh. Waa!iye%ami : all the worlds the universe. Waub-oo'oo: Aabbit. $ minor 1a"waEinini with a talent for stealth. Weendi o: Cannibalistic /anitou with a cravin" for human flesh. The# have an unassua"able hun"er that onl# "rows more acute the more the# eat. The more the# eat the bi""er the# "row and the stron"er their cravin". We!ebaano!eni: Ba""in" Tail

About the Author

P* $llen lives in a cabin in a remote section of the Porcupine /ountains in /ichi"anFs Lpper Peninsula with a fe# spirit that answers to the human name of ,liCabeth. Their cabin is eJuipped with a hand pump to draw water. ,lectricit# is provided b# a bic#cle hooked to a small "enerator. He spends his da#s huntin" fishin" and fora"in". He travels around the LP a "reat deal "atherin" folklore and e-plorin" various m#steries. He also practices shamanism and can sometimes be seen travelin" throu"h the wilderness fl#in" from treetop to treetop. 2ccasionall# he assumes the form of a black panther a lar"e red foor a hawk. 2n clear ni"hts when there is a full moon locals sa# #ou can hear him pla#in" his fiddle hi"h up in the mountains. The Hndians sa# he pla#s for the little /anitou which come out to dance and caper. $t least once per week he travels twent#-five miles on foot to the nearest c#bercafe : BaltFs 1ait and C#bercafe. There he updates his blo" : 2f 2ur 2wn *esi"n.

;ma#e by Eli(abeth >nne P*ei**er

Hn an alternate universe P* $llen is a novelist a poet a musician and a "eolo"ist. He is a writer of hi"h Por trueQ ima"ination metaph#sical fiction alchem# and new thou"ht. He is also a student of enli"htenment inchin" his wa# alon" the path as it is revealed to him.

Currentl# he divides his time between /ichi"an and +outhern Hndiana livin" with his lovel# wife ,liCabeth.