To The Smoke That Rose

The ice was the quickest way around when the cold months hit. As much as the horses and carriages had ice spikes attached to avoid the slippage, skating was a prized alternative.

Most children knew how to glide across the ice before they were properly walking on land. The motions coursed through their blood like a fish who instinctively knew how to swim without sinking to the bottom. And since they were all such naturals, traders would often employ them for deliveries for the communities hidden amongst the trees.

Once the ice thickened enough, the frozen pond was swamped with youth gliding across with packages strapped tightly to their backs. Anything from sugar and flour, to shiny trinkets like bullets and gin would be loaded onto the youth. In return, the traders would receive furs of all kind: beaver, wolf, rabbit, and even the odd moose hides. Often times, the bigger hides would have to be carried by two or three children, but they were eager to feel useful and receive some candy as payment.

If you’re wondering why it was the children doing all the leg work, well it was because usually the adults were out hunting. Majority of the men were out on their trap lines, checking and maintaining the crucial-for-survival system. The women would be in the homes cleaning, skinning, and scrapping away to tan the hides properly. Many would also be mending any clothing that had come undone or needed tightening for both the children and the hunters.

For as long as Sage could remember, she wanted to be one of the delivery children. She wanted to skate across the frozen pond, twirl, and race with the others. Unfortunately, her birth had been complicated and she developed serious breathing problems and a paralysis in her legs right after exiting the warm safe womb of her mother. The community had been frightful for her survival, but an elder kept white sage burning throughout the whole labor, and for the following few weeks. The sacred medicine seemed to fill her lungs enough to provide her with the oxygen needed to maintain life, hence her name. Since then, it was common for her to be brought by a small sled over to the elder’s home to receive more of the sacred medicine.

Though Sage was grateful to the Creator and to the elder for providing her with the breath of life and medicines, she longed to use her legs and follow the other children across the ice. She was not alienated by others, but it was a lot easier to have her assist her family in their home with the preparations of food and skins than pulling her around on the sled.

Yet Sage longed to feel the icy wind whip across her bundled face as she skated across the land.

~

When she was little, her older brother would take her out to play, pulling Sage the Huntress towards the catch. But as they got older, her brother was given more responsibilities and needed to join the others on the traplines.

Now Sage felt the loneliness of the animal hide walls around her.

Her mother and aunt both tried to keep her busy and teach her sewing and cooking skills, but with each passing year, she became quieter and more reserved. Her smile was rare, while her laughter was a distant memory.

Sage longed to be out among the trees freely, as well as on the ice gliding with ease, but she felt selfish at the same time. It was a lot of work to get her mobile outdoors, especially for long distances and she did not want to be a burden more than she felt she already was. So she gave up on yet another season of wintery bliss.

~

When her older brother returned from a few weeks of moose hunting and out on the traplines, he noticed that Sage had barely looked up at him as he entered their home. When he was outdoors, he felt the community brimming with life and laughter enjoying the autumn colours. Yet when he saw his little sister, he only sensed misery and death. At first, this worried him greatly, as he thought that the childhood sickness had returned and would soon claim her. When he brought up the subject with his mother she had just sighed deeply and explained the situation.

"As needed as she may be with us, her mind and spirit are far away on the ice, regardless of the time of day or year."

The brother felt his heart sink as he realized why his sister barely greeted him. He had full mobility and had explored the land with ease and grace, while she was basically imprisoned to their home. He knew that if something wasn't done before the next snow fall then his little sister would soon disappear into the ground completely.

~

Another season was coming to an end and the snow had fallen heavily, covering everything in sight. Kids all over sharpened their skates daily, excitedly awaiting the traders that were due to show up on the ice at any moment. While those around her shrieked with glee and raced around the camp, Sage could only close her eyes and dream. She was creeping up towards teenage-hood, and the freedom of travel would soon disappear completely as responsibilities would be added. She didn't know if she could take it, or even if she wanted to anymore for that matter.

She let out a deep sigh as quiet as the snow hitting the ground.

~

The first group of children burst into the camp declaring the arrival of the traders along with new goods and treats. They bounced through the animal hide doors showing off their packages along with their new knowledge of the outer world. There was a great deal of noise outdoors.

Though no one would burst through Sage's home anytime soon, the opening of the flap door did little to stir her curiosity. It would be definitely worse if a child would boast their finds in front of her.

But it was only her older brother who had come through, maybe to collect some furs for the others to trade for their family. Instead, her brother reached out towards her and ever so delicately lifted her into his arms.

She only stared up at him in confusion.

"There is something here for you." He whispered so only she could hear, her mother and aunt looking up at them suspiciously. He smelled of the sacred white sage and there was a buzz of energy around him and in his brown eyes.

There was a static in the air as Sage and her brother emerged from their home.

There awaited them a small pack of unfamiliar looking wolves all hooked up together to a big looking sled made out of very clean looking wood. This strange contraption brought with it most of the camp members, as they curiously gathered around. The children cautiously approached the wolves who seemed too calm. At the sled stood her brother's friend, who had always been kind to Sage, though she rarely saw him in the last few seasons.

Sage peered up at her brother again, raising an eyebrow. "Wolves?"

"They are like wolves, but they are called sled dogs. Their job is to pull people on this big sled." He explained as he gently placed her in the front area on the wooden frame. "You say some words and they will run for you."

With that, her brother's friend called out "Mush!" and the sled lurched forward with little force. They shot out of the camp and towards the trails leading to the frozen pond. Sage squealed with excitement and felt her whole being fill to the brim with joy. She could hear the shouts of family behind her, but she never once dared to look back. She worried that if she did the dogs might turn around!

They swiftly reached the ice and slid across gracefully, as if what was happening was no big deal for the contraption. She slid past children on skates who had to double-take, and arrived by a group of traders within a few short moments. The dogs must have come from one of the traders as they nuzzled up to a specific trader who had his own similar styled sled.

"So girl, what do you think of my sled dogs?" He spoke with a weird accent but she could understand him more-or-less.

"They are the best thing I've ever seen!" She replied with renewed strength. She looked quickly back at her brother's friend and asked if they had to give the dogs back. Unfortunately, he nodded his head and Sage felt her heart sink instantaneously.

The trader noticed the exchanged interaction and quickly interrupted, "I take three dogs. Your friend here buy two dogs, I give him male an' female, they have puppies for you. Sled, you keep."

Sage understood the man and hope was reignited in her. She would take care of those two dogs, and the ones to come. Even though it would be difficult, she knew two dogs could pull her easily. And she was eternally grateful to those who helped her finally experience the icy wind nipping at her now-rosy cheeks.

~

When they finally returned to the camp, everyone crowded around her once again, asking questions and if they could also have a ride. All the children who used to be busy with their skates, were now busy with her. She felt important, and that her life actually mattered for once.

She finally felt that she had some real use in the camp, and she internally vowed to make sure there would always be enough dogs to help those who couldn’t get around by themselves. Sage was finally free thanks to the sled dogs, and she made sure that no one would ever feel the same way that she had before.

The White Sage rose in celebration of life once again.