Wind Witch C2

Dragonfly, stooped low to the ground as to avoid being seen. He tucked himself away between two trees that was joined and formed a “Y”. Dragonfly could barely be seen except his ears and eyes that peeked out from behind the tree. His large eyes were sensitive to light and the brightness of the fires hurt for him to peer at. Houses were ablaze, children were crying, parents were yelling as spouses were taken for fighting back. Another Indian village burned. Another Medicine Man murdered. Dragonfly could hear his friend's wife’s crying wail of grief yelling out his name, Steve. Grief stricken, Dragonfly fell to his knees and wept. “I was not in time. I was not in time.”

Down by the water, men began to quarrel. Silhouettes of four men surrounded Steve’s son. Pete was a short and square boy with a strong body. Dragonfly stood and watched with mixed feelings of the scene that unfolded before his eyes. In anger, Pete charged one of the men. They laughed at the 12 year old boy and pushed him to the ground. "Pete is in trouble. He has the same blood as Steve so I must save him." The men laughed as they tossed him, teasing him calling him names like: "Little Savage, Dumb Indian, Redskin, grave fertilizer. With valiant effort, the boy resisted but the power of the men overtook him. His hands were tied behind his back and the humid air clung to his skin. Each breath he took was fierce like a raging bull. As far as Dragonfly could see, the boy was breathing hard which caused puffs of mist to gather and take form. A woman's form began to appear. Dragonfly watched her danced up into the air. He knew in that instance the boy must be saved. He readied his bow and grabbed the a black arrow from his quiver and watched from afar.

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One of the men nudged his partner and pointed to look at Peter. The woman danced as the wisp of vapor flowed around her. The light from the vapors and the light of the fire flittered across the dew drops that weighed heavy on the grass. The men smiled and nodded in agreement that Peter was indeed a medicine man in the making. “String him!“ yelled the Father. Father Unic grinned at the boy as the men wrapped the noose around his neck. The men worked diligently to raise the boy upon crates. The four men stood back to revel in the moment. The snear on their face showed pleasure that in one moment, there would be yet another dead Indian.

A crowd began to gather. Some were there to celebrate while others were there to grieve. The other men who were there were gloating that their mission was a success. Peter could see them standing around him with glaring eyes in search for death. Then, darkness, his eyes were covered with a cloth ripped from the dress of one of the dead. The men began to chant, “Dead Injun, Dead Injun, Dead Injun.” The first crate was removed from the stack. Peter’s toes could still touch. The tightening rope began to bite his neck yet he could breath. “Dead Injun, Dead Injun, Dead Injun” grew in intensity. Peter’s body, stiff with strain, waited for the final blow. His feet began to feel the men pulling at the crate and he took his last breath. “Dead Injun, Dead Injun, Dead Injun,” rang through his ears as he slowly died.

Dragonfly notched his arrow and drew the string back. His hand was nestled in the crook of a grayish cheekbone. His large goblin like ears was folded back over his hairless head to stay out of the way. Dragonfly lowered the tip of the arrow until he was on target. “Mother moon, I call thee now!” With the release, the arrow burned bright. The moon’s energy released and the shaft and point grew white hot. Through the air flew the arrow straight and true to severe the rope. At the moment of impact a great flash radiated into the crowd and blinded them. Dragonfly apparated to Peter, grabbed him and got him out.

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A loud crack alerted Joseph of an arrival of a wizard friend. A knock on the door and Dragonfly’s graveled voice yelled out for help. Joseph ran to the door to find a boy laying face down on the stoop of the door.

“He was hung, is he still alive?” said Dragonfly with a deeper groveling voice. Dragonfly paced with anticipation as Joesph checked Peter’s breathing.

“Yes, he is breathing. I am surprised that he is for the bruising on his neck.” The two of them lowered themselves down to examine the bruise. Deep dark Knot Magic, I am certain of it.” Joseph. “You must have been on time or his blood would have been filled with dark magic before dying. He would have become a monster for the darkness brewing.” He grabbed the boy’s arm and hoisted him up onto his shoulder and carried him to the couch. “He will be out for hours I suppose.” Joseph turned and called in his friends.

Lyra, Verna Jacque and Jamison entered the room. The large sitting room was soon filled by those who entered and their curiosity. The boy didn’t seem to be anything special and no mark was visible. “Verna, let’s clean him up and put him to rest in the side room.”, said Lyra. “But first, Dragonfly, why did you save him?”

Two ears rose from over the arm of the couch and two eyes peered over to look at Lyra. “He’s magic I tell you. He made shapes with his breath. The more he struggled he showed the crowd ghostly outlines of people. I knew they would kill him if I didn’t rescue him.” He walked around to the front of the couch and peered down at the boy. “They are hunting medicine men you know. His father was next and I didn’t make it there on time to save my friend. I know, he did not make it out alive. Oh his poor screaming wife. I am sure he is dead. This young man is a medicine man I tell ya. He needed to be saved.” Dragonfly stomped off across the room and perched himself next to the fire to listen to his friends.

Joseph walked over to Dragonfly and laid a hand on his shoulder. “The boy needs protection. We cannot take him into the school. We have an agreement with the local tribes that their children must be raised and trained by their medicine men.” Joseph glanced at Lyra, “is there a safe place we can send this boy when he wakes?” Lyra walked to her scrying bowl and began to contact others.

Verna worked diligently applying salve to Peter’s wounds. She wrapped warm cloth around his neck to assist in his healing. His eyes opened to see Verna’s dark eyes looking at him. “Dragonfly brought you here for safe keeping.” She smiled a warm smile and Dragonfly slinked up beside her. A corner of Peter's lip raised in a thankful acknowledgement and acceptance of help and he fell back to sleep.” Verna began to check for a mark, but none could be found.

Four loud cracks came from outside. “Ah, they are arriving, Thank you Lyra and Verna once again for your help.”, said Joseph. Four stout men, browned by the sun came into the room. Their hair was kept shorter in order to travel in society easier. They sat down at the table and listened to the tale that Dragonfly had to share. The men listened to the tale with great interest. Their faces shown with disbelief that Dragonfly had a obsidian arrow. Dragonfly drew himself up to stand on the chair and he reached over his shoulder and pulled out the arrow and laid it on the table.

“There were ten of them made. I have this one because it was handed down to me from my tribe. We have an agreement that we are to watch out for the medicine men we know. I was honored to know Steve. He was good man. His father and I went hunting and gathering all the time. He was a good man who loved his son.” He placed the arrow back into his quiver with reverence, he whispered, "Thank you."

The men gaped at him for a moment for an individual to carry one of those arrows must be one of great esteem among peers. To be chosen to carry that arrow, one must have shown great skill in their hunting. Dragonfly turned away from their gaze and said, “Gentlemen, I know your ways. I will uphold the agreement to protect this young man where ever you send him.” He looked around the room at everyone present, “I agree to protect Peter.” With an accepting nod each wizard acknowledge this agreement. They knew he was one to hold true to his words. With a sigh, Dragonfly turned and walked away as he listened to the men discuss the fate of Peter and himself.

Thank you for reading! If you want to read previous chapters, they are listed below.