Page 93 of Red Hawk's Woman

And the sea dog continued:

“Four golden images

You both alone must seek.

When at last they are together

The spirits shall meet.”

With a splash, the creature was gone.

Effie and Red Hawk stood silent for a moment, both lost for words.

Effie shivered, and Red Hawk took her in his arms. But once she started shaking, she seemed unable to stop.

Cradling her in his arms, Red Hawk led her into the cavern, then gradually he fell to his knees, where he proceeded to run his fingers through her hair, up and down her back, as though by friction alone he would restore warmth to her.

“I’m cold,” she sobbed, “and I’m frightened by that…that…creature whom you call a protector. It…it was a snake.” She drew in a deep breath. “Why did you bring me here?”

“Because this is where you will find the artifacts. Forgive me. I did not know my spirit protector would be here, and I did not know it would speak to us this night. I meant only to show you what I have found. It has been an exciting day for me, because I have been looking for this place since we have arrived here.”

“But you told me you have been visiting relatives.”

“Aa, I have done this, as I told you, and have accomplished another matter of some importance. But all the relatives I have here are adopted, and so the time with them was short. What I have been doing is swimming in these waters for many days, along with the other matter that takes a great deal of my time. I have been in the Big River itself, in our little pool, in every outlet of the river I could find. It was my spirit protector who led me here; it is my spirit protector who will help you find the things you seek.”

“Your spirit protector? Led you here? Your people? You go too fast. And I…I still don’t understand.”

“Have you forgotten I am of the Lost Clan?”

“No, of course not. It’s only that…I love you. I have fallen in love with you…and since that time, I have been distracted by you, by our love. I think of you as…well, as you… And I… Maybe once, I might have thought purely of nothing but extracting information from you because of who you are, but…”

“I understand.” He held her, bringing her in even closer to him. “Love can change people in many ways, and all are good. So now let me bring more understanding to you. Let me begin at the beginning…”

Red Hawk had changed positions, settling them both into a comfortable location there in the cave. At present, he sat with his back against the cavern wall, while he held Effie in his arms. Her backside was against him, and his legs were around her, engulfing hers.

“Let us begin with a spirit protector.” He drew in a deep breath, then, “When a man reaches a certain age, his mind often turns to war and to making a name for himself. A warrior will seek a vision and a helper from the animal kingdom to aid him in attaining his goals, for he would strive to have power over his enemies. Since the Creator does not take sides, one must seek the goodwill of a spirit helper to ensure his success. Most often these helpers take the form of an animal.”

“Oh, I see. Thus a spirit protector?”

“Aa. Now, my helper has not long been aiding me—not until recently has he visited me. I had thought I had no vision, no protector, and might never have a vision. But the problem was that I was seeking my dreams in the wrong places. It was not until I looked for my vision in the water that I came face-to-face with my helper. It was you, the memory of you, who led me to the water. It was my spirit protector who brought me to you, the water being.”

“Water being?”

“This is what the sea dog calls you.”

“Really? Water being… I like it.”

“As do I. Now, the poem you heard tonight, ‘Four golden images, when all in a row. Slaves, his people will be, no more,’ is the same verse that was given to me within my first vision. Though I did not understand it at first, I have now come to embrace it. There are four artifacts. But these are not merely images in stone. These are the children of the Thunder Being. Somehow—although I do not grasp exactly how—when these stones are at last together, my people will go free.”

“I see. It’s interesting because my father told me a similar story. He said the images in the stone were not carved, but were in reality the Thunderer’s children.”

“It is so.”

“I have never believed it though.”

“And now?”

“I don’t know what to think because even after all that has happened tonight, I still find it hard to believe.” She paused, then, “Is this why it was easy for me to convince you to help me?”