Chapter 12: The Council.

Marcus and Lyra met Jamison and Jacob in the hallway of the council chamber. They arrived early so they settled down in the hallway to discuss the night’s events. Their story must be shared accurately so there would be possible assistance with the care of the kids. However, they did not call the council, the agency did so they all sat there with concern.

The large door opened to the chamber and a short man opened the door and invited them in. There was only a small group of wizards and witches seated at the table. Jamison greeted each one and the four of them sat in the ornate chairs provided for them.

“We have called you here to inform you that the wendigo is on the move to Markus’ cabin.” said counselor Rowen. “The beast still has about thirty days travel so you will have to move soon.”

Mistess Raven straightened her robe as she said, “Most of the wendigos travel to their home place, most Priest come from Europe regions because of migration. Father Unis was from southern Michigan so, he first headed there but now he is off course and heading your way.”

Jamison unfolded a map and laid it in front of him on the table. “Where was the last sighting of the beast?“

Mistress Raven lowered her spectacles and leaned over the map. “Here, just at the Indiana border heading towards Illinois.”

Counselor Rowen leaned forward and met Joseph’s gaze. “That horrid creature ate two of our own last night.”

Lyra gasped, “It ate two of us?”

Mistress Raven waved her wand and placed the scrying bowl in front of the group. Lyra leaned to view the memory of one of the men who followed the beast:

The water began to churn in the bowl. Swirling colors began to show the boarding school at the moment where the beast broke through the window. The creature crouched low behind a bush growing next to the wooded area. As soon as the truck began to move the beast ran just outside the view of the travelers. It ran on all fours across like an ape and just as limber swinging from tree to tree. The growing distance between the truck and he increased and so did his speed.

The storm was raging and the wizards had difficulties staying on their brooms as they flew guard over the truck. Rain, wind, and at one point hail battered the broom riders and some were forced to land short of its destination. Their drenched forms ran to the safety of the barn and stood undercover of a lean to near by. With wands at the ready they stood guard.

Lyra watched the truck pull into safety and the wizards took guard around the barn. The storm drummed the rain against the side of the building. Lightning sounded in the distance. Yet, the men stood on guard despite of the rain. In the darkness of the woods, Lyra could hear the familiar cry of the Wendigo and shivered with the memory of the moment.

The team gathered together so they could look over her shoulder. Their expressions changed at the moment when one man screamed as he was pulled into the woods. Lyra listened to the man’s screams and everyone could hear the bones cracking. They mourned the poor man’s demise. A moment later, a wizard was throwing spells at the beast as it advanced upon him. With a swipe of its large claws, it struck down the man and jumped upon him tearing at his neck. The animal seemed to revel in the moment’s feast.

As the bowl darkened, Lyra and the team looked up from the bowl. They all sat down and looked around the table. The stoic expression of the room showed the magnitude of the beast ability. With a gentle push of the bowl Lyra sat back wearily in her chair.

“Joseph, I think we are in trouble.” Lyra said in an exasperated tone.

”The Natives have told us about these beast but we have not come into exposure to one.” said Jamison.

Jamison was a half-breed between a Wizard and the Natives. He knew some of the lore of his people. Jack was his brother and he heard the tales that Jack told to on listeners.

“Jack told us last night that these things can’t be killed. They only way they can be killed is knowing their name at the moment they were killed.” Jamison took a deep breath, “Jade herself fought the beast and found no effective spell to use against it.”

Joseph cleared his throat, “When I got to the barn, that beast was ready to break into the barn. We got out just as the beast burst through the door. Seeing that we had an escapee, we took everyone to the cabin where Peter has been placed. Once there, Peter was able to show us what had happened by combining Sarah’s and Chavo’s memory of the event. It is clear, this beast is something we cannot battle.”

“There is more.” said Joseph. “Jack, the medicine man, called upon the ancestors after the children went to bed. We found out that the church is hunting the children who are marked or are show magic. The government supported the destruction of Native children and the church wanted the Native culture destroyed. The government just wanted them destroyed and they are willing to pay the church to do so.”

Jamison hit his hand on the table, “They are stopping us from growing in numbers. Their treaties, cost them a lot of fraud money to keep these schools active. If they kill us off or make us independent, they will not have to uphold the treaties. The schools struggle to feed the kids. For Father Unis, he had to eat human flesh. I wonder how that came to be.”

The council’s expression turned grim. Finally, Mistress Raven spoke, “He ate human flesh? How awful.”

“Even more so, he had betrayed the Native society, sealing his dark fate.” said Jamison.

Joseph coughed and slouched in his chair, “Dragonfly has an obsidian arrow and has pledged to look after the kids. So, we left the kids with Markus and Mary.”

”Supplies will be short.” said Markus. “We were not prepared to take on two additional children. We need food and clothes for the children.”

Lyra swirled the water, once again, forms appeared at the condition of the children. Mistress Raven looked over her shoulder. She could see that they had shoes that were overly worn. Sarah’s dress was presentable but not a dress of warmth. Chavo’s pants shown wear and tear in the knees and his shirt was grossly over sized. Peter’s clothes were torn in spots from limbs and bushes during his escape.

“I don’t know why you think we should take care of them at this time.” Mistress Raven scoffed off to her chair and sat down in a huff.

“There is one more thing, Sarah’s mark is not like the others. Her mark is a birthmark of the wind. The ancestors called her, ‘Wind witch’. Apparently, she is one who can wield all the types of wind. There hasn’t been a ‘Wind Witch’ for many years. We have no idea what that means.” said Joseph.

Silence fell once again as the council reviewed their lessons. No one came up with an answer to the meaning of this news. This was a new territory in their experience.

“I suggest we support the care of these children. We do not know what the meanings of these events are. We ask for food, clothing, protection and training of these children.” Joseph pleaded. “Verna is staying on with the kids for a few days but she will have to return home soon. Her replacement will be needed. Markus and Mary never had kids.” He stood and walked over to the window, “What ever assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.”

After an two hour deliberation, the council approved assistance for the care of the children. The four wizard and witches retreated back to the cabin. Exhausted, they shared the conversation with Mary and Verna. The assured that protection was being provided and supplies would soon be delivered to the house. With a loud crack, the visitors were gone and life in the cabin continued.