SONG OF THE WOLF STAR

[Okwes]

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR

A story of a young mans journey into the spirit world in search of peace
and his true identity.

With the help of his Native American friend, he finds much more.

Native American Characters

Chi'TCho'tk (“Chi” “Tea” “Chook”)

Na’k’ta Shee’ka (“Knock “ “tah” “Sheik” ‘a’)

T’ky’t (“Tea” “Kite”)

Wikt’T (“Wick” “it” “Tea”)

Cu’Ky (“Coo” “Kie” - as in kite)

Na’k’to Ko’T’mee (“Knock “ “Toe Coe” “Tea” “Me”)

Mot’T’ky (“Mote” “Tea” “Kie” - as in kite)

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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Those who follow the way of Wolf are highly honored and respected
by my people. The wolf is a powerful spiritual symbol, respected for his
prowess as a hunter, his dedication to family and to the pack. The stories
that are taught to our children, of a time when the man-animal first came
to live upon this Earth, say that it is Wolf who taught them the ways of
living in harmony.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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This book is dedicated to,
The many friends who supported my efforts
Marcine for her wonderful talent and encouragement
My wife, Pam for her patience and understanding, because of the long
hours I spent on the computer
My sister “Charley” for proof reading
And a very, very, special thank you to my in-laws
Dr. and Mrs. Jim Richstad for their wonderful editing

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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About the Author: C. E. Scott
Cliff was born in November of 1954,
number five of six children. He spent the first
16 years of his life in Spokane, Washington.
Then moved to a little town called Chewelah,
49 miles North of Spokane in 1970. Living on
120 acres on top of a mountain, for the first
year, he lived in a one-room cabin built from
lumber salvaged from an old barn.

Cliff comes from a family of outdoorsmen. Spending many days in the
forests of Washington, camping, hunting, and fishing. His father was one
of nine children and was adopted from an orphanage at the age of eleven.
His mother was Irish, German, and Canadian.

Cliff loves Native American music and feels this is why he writes
Native American legends/myths. He has also learned to brain tan hides,
make rawhide drums; spin yarn out of dog hair, and other primitive forms
of survival. “If I live long enough, I’m going to go on a vision quest and
hopefully earn an Indian name.”
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The illustrations are prints of the original art.
These and other works are available for purchase online at
www.marcinequenzer.com

About the Artist: Marcine Quenzer

Marcine's early years growing up in South
Western Idaho, and living on the farm, instilled
in her a deep and enduring appreciation for the
relationship between man and nature.

Marcine takes her inspiration from the
traditions and legends of the Native Americans
amongst whom she has lived the last 15 years.
Learning the Native American Life Ways has
been the most exciting journey of all. Being
able to share it through her art is one of the
greatest delights of her life.

Marcine's work instills the desire to create a
lasting Peace among all mankind. She says: "Peace is the result of
celebrating and enjoying our differences while recognizing our oneness.
We are all on this planet together. Let's share and protect it, by being
the
brothers and sisters we truly are. There is only one Creator by whatever
name we call Him and we all are his children."
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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Copy Rights to these prints are the sole property of
Marcine Quenzer

Printed with permission in order of appearance

Front Cover - Kennesatah: Visionary

Page 5 - Leon Shennedoah: Tadadaho

Page 8 - The Great Council

Page 9 - Timber Wolf

Page 10 - Family

Page 14 - Wolf Star

Page 16 - Lance

Page 19 - Sarah and the Wolves

Page 22 - Unsuccessful Hunt

Page 23 - Hayenwentha's Condolence

Page 25 - Sacred Hoop - We are all Brothers

Back Cover - Oti and Gigahgo Dedication
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
1
Chapter 1
The Awakening

The pounding of the skin drum, his blind fury, his hunger, his thirst for
blood, consumed all rational thought. Running, ever faster through the
thick fog, half blind. The sounds of the pounding drum, the trees, the
rocks, even the ground, draw him closer. There is something here,
something he must do. What? The strange sound of his own voice calling
out "Na'k'ta Shee'ka! Wahay-hanNa Kay? Na'k'ta Shee'ka"! Crashing
through the brush he sees a man-animal; who is pounding the drum. He’s
about to sink his teeth into the mans thick neck when the man-animal
stops beating the drum and looks up into his face...

“AAAHHH!” Jason bolts upright in bed.

He is cold and shivering, his body is wet. The terrorizing images are
vividly fresh in his mind. He can still smell the pine trees, the feel
of the
grass under his feet, and the metallic flavor of blood in his mouth. He
reaches for the alarm clock on the nightstand. It’s 3 a.m. and for the
third
time this week, a nightmare has stolen another night’s rest. He has always
had nightmares, but a month ago this recurring one has haunted him every
other night. Becoming more terrifyingly real each time. Reality and
dream seamlessly meld making it impossible to know the difference.
Going back to sleep is impossible, so he gets up to start his daily
routine.

Jason stares at the ragged face in the mirror just to make sure his eyes
are open, a good indication that he is awake. He’s made that mistake
before. His eyes glance down looking for that all to familiar brown bottle
that follows him everywhere. Will this time be any different? Not seeing
the bottle, his eyes shoot back to the reflection. The eyes gazing back are
different. Void of any emotion other than sorrow, menacingly they begin
to glow bright red. The pounding of his heart fills his ears like the
pounding of a skin drum, as the terror returns. He knows it’s going to
happen again. The reflected world around the eyes transform into a
different place as they spring forward from the mirror, riding on a
screaming rush of wind, sending Jason backwards across the toilet.

Jason looks at the mirror; a small trickle of blood is running down his
face from a cut on his forehead. Strange, he doesn’t remember hitting his
head on anything. He picks up a tissue and places it on the wound with
one hand and takes a drink from the now empty bottle of rum with the
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
2
other. His hands are shaking so he decides to just let his beard grow. His
commute to work is uneventfully long, hot, and frustrating.

"I've got to get the air conditioner fixed," he thinks, flipping off
another
driver.

When Jason gets to work, all his problems fade. He likes his work.
Construction keeps him in good shape and he likes the crew he’s working
with. He’s the only non-Native American member of the high-tower
crew. Most of the upper level workers in this city are Native Americans.
They have a knack for working at great heights without fear. High altitude
work doesn't bother Jason. There is something about standing 4,000 feet
above the ground, with the wind blowing on his face, looking at the
mountains in the distance that gives him peace of mind. Not even the
stench from the street far below could reach this high.

Jason likes getting to work early so he can stand on the top beam with
his coffee cup and watch the sunrise. He looks down at his empty cup,
and with a sigh of dismay, he decides its time to catch up on the
construction schedule.

The crew shack is only three stories down so he didn’t have far to go.
Soon he is sitting at the table with fresh coffee reading the blueprints
for
the day’s work. He’s about to take a swallow when something all but
knocks him down.

"UGH! White man look like monkey! Too much fire water last night?"
The foremen said as he slaps Jason on the back, followed by a bellowing
laugh.

The foremen's name is Chi'TCho'tk but most of the non-Indians just
call him Chutchu. That’s as close as they could pronounce it. He's built
like a steam locomotive. If Jason put his hand on a table next to
Chi’TCho’tk’s, Chi'TCho'tk's would be at least four times larger. This is a
man you don't want to insult. One of the laborers discovered this when
Chi'TCho'tk tossed a half-cup of coffee into a hole, not knowing some
men were working in it.

"Watch what your doing ya cock suck'n redneck injin!" One of them
yelled up.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
3
With one hand, Chi'TCho'tk reaches down, grabs this guy by the face,
and picks him up out of the hole.

"Who do you think you’re call'n a redneck, BOY!”

Jason thought the guy was going to pee his pants right there. Come to
think of it, he never did see that guy again. With all of the Indians
working here, he hoped that all the guy got was fired.

Chi'TCho'tk took a liking to Jason. He said it’s because Jason’s eyes
could laugh at everything and there’s an Indian spirit about him. Jason
would be the first to admit he liked a good prank and he loved Indian
music. Chi'TCho'tk liked to play the dumb Indian game with Jason. In
reality, he has a degree in engineering and speaks six languages.

Chi'TCho'tk is the chief of the Py'ooK Indian tribe and had just come
back from Arizona where he officiated over a big Powwow. This is no
dumb Indian. Jason spent a lot of time with Chi’TCho’tk. He can sit for
hours listening to Chi’TCho’tk tell story’s about Indian life as a boy.
He’s
like the brother Jason never had. Well, that Jason knew of having,
anyway. He never did remember much about his life or family before
waking up in the hospital five years ago. He knew that his first name is
Jason and that he was born in November. He couldn’t tell you the day or
the year, and the hospital couldn’t find any record of a Jason. They didn’t
even know why he was in the hospital in the first place. There weren’t
any admission papers. They just told him that his memory should return
in time, but Jason couldn’t see it ever happening.

Recovering from the slap on the back, Jason greets his old friend in the
typical commuter fashion, with a flip of a finger. Whenever Jason talked
to Chi'TCho'tk he couldn't help but look into his eyes. His dark brown
eyes had a gentleness that made Jason feel uneasy. You can't lie to those
eyes. Jason knew this, because he has tried. As Chi’TCho’tk sat down
across from Jason, the first words out of his mouth made Jason sick inside.

“Nightmares again?” Chi’TCho’tk asks as he picks up Jason’s coffee
cup and sniffs its contents.

Chi’TCho’tk knows of Jason’s drinking problem but didn’t know why
he drank.

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“Relax, Chutchu. Its just cream and sugar in that coffee, nothing more.
You know I don’t drink in the daytime, especially on the job.” Jason said,
"What I want to know is how you know that my drinking has anything to
do with nightmares?”

“By your own admission. You said you only drink at night so you can
sleep. Drinking can stop you from dreaming, so I figured you didn’t want
to dream. Drinking isn’t the answer you know, and sometimes dreams can
be good for you, Jason. You should listen to them.”

“No, thank you.” Jason said. “I can live without dreams that keep
coming back night after night.”

“Recurring dreams result from the annoying ways of Tuknük, the crow.
He is a persistent messenger spirit. He can’t be ignored, Jason. If you
want to sleep at night, then you must listen to him and learn his message.
If you don’t want to know, then tell me. Maybe I can understand what he
is trying to say to you.”

As Chi'TCho'tk listens, his eyes grow wide with terror, his huge body
shudders and his face turns pale.

"What's wrong with you, man?” Jason said, “You look like you're about
to pass out."

"Don’t say anything about your dream to any other person here, Jason.
The things you speak of are Taboo! Tonight, after work, I want you to
come with me to the lodge house. You must speak with the Shaman. He
will know what this dream means, but you must not speak of this dream
with anyone else. We can’t even talk anymore about it here. Someone
may overhear us."

[Okwes]

The ride is long, with a very silent Chi'TCho'tk. Jason didn't want to
drive so he rode with Chi'TCho'tk. Silence isn't one of Chi'TCho'tk’s
traits
so Jason knew this is something of great importance to him. His silence
scares the hell out of Jason. He trusts Chi'TCho'tk, but that doesn't
change
the fact that he saw terror in him. Jason has never seen him like this. He
thought nothing could scare Chi'TCho'tk.

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The lodge house isn't at all what Jason had expected it to be. Instead of
animal hides and dried bones, it’s a modern day office building right out
of downtown Seattle.

"Chi'TCho'tk's right, I watch too much TV," Jason thought as they walk
through a large meeting hall to a small office behind the stage.

There they wait. A half hour later, in walk
two young men with a third who must be well
over a hundred years old. Jason watches as the
men help the old man to a chair and leave.
He’s dressed in traditional clothing not much
different then what Jason has seen on TV and
in magazines. The first thing about him Jason
notices is though his face is gray and wrinkled,
his eyes sparkle with youth. A cold shiver
cascades through Jason’s body as the old man
just stares at him with those eyes. Something
about them made his blood run cold. He has
never met this man before but he knows he’s
seen those eyes before. If they had glowed, he’d have fainted dead away
right there. The old man shows no emotion on his face, he just sits there.

"Jason, this is our tribal Shaman,” Chi’TCho’tk said. “He doesn't
speak English but I want you to tell him everything that you can remember
about the dream."

"If he doesn’t know any English how is he going to know what I'm
saying?"

"Just tell him everything you can remember. He will understand the
important part."

So for the second time today, Jason has to recall in detail the nightmare
that has plagued him for weeks. The old man just sits there. Jason
couldn't even see him breathing. When he’d finished, the old man said
nothing. He simply nods to Chi'TCho'tk, gets up and walks out.

"OK, Chutchu. What's this all about? Am I about to be scalped or
something?"

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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Chi'TCho'tk doesn't show any emotion, this strange behavior of his
frightens Jason.

"This is a very serious matter, Jason. There are things in this world that
people do not want to understand. Listen carefully; there are things you
must learn before we leave. The Powwow I attended wasn't for recreation
only. I attended a very important ceremony there. I've been training to
become a Shaman for the past two years. This year I was introduced into
the spirit world of the Shaman.

As you know, I speak six languages. There's one more. It's the
language of the animal spirits that only the Shaman can speak and
understand. This is why you’ve been summoned here. Only a Shaman is
allowed to speak this language and only then to other Shaman, so it's
impossible for you to have ever heard any words spoken in this language.
No white man has ever heard it spoken. Yet, the words you spoke in your
dream, ‘Wahay-hanNa Kay’, are in this language. Roughly translated it
means, ‘Where are you?’ That's why it doesn't matter that the Shaman
can't understand English. He would know the story to be true by hearing
you say, ‘Na'k'ta Shee'ka Wahay-hanNa Kay?’

Na'k'ta Shee'ka is the name of a legendary white she-wolf. This is why
you must tell no one else of this dream, Jason. Na’k’ta Shee’ka means
Mother of Humans. Wa-hya or Wa-ya, the wolf, is a powerful spiritual
symbol to my people. Wolf acts as a guide for anyone seeking the spirit
world. He is also considered to be a messenger from the Great Creator
because it is believed that he travels the Path from Heaven. This is the
band of stars you know as The Milky Way. The howl of wolves at night is
their song to the Wolf Star. The one you call Sirius.”

"A wolf, the mother of humans?” Jason asked. “What happened to the
Great Creator you talk about?"

"The man-animal is of the Great Creator. The term human, in the spirit
world, refers to the children of the forest, who sing to the Wolf Star. The
Shaman and I believe that Na'k'ta Shee'ka is trying to send us a message
through your animal spirit guide. It’s your animal spirit guide that
controls your dreams."

"My animal spirit guide?” Jason asks. “I didn't know I had one. What
is it? A horse? After all, I was born under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius,

[Okwes]

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
7
half-man half-horse, and in the Chinese calendar, I was born in the year of
the horse. Does that make my animal spirit guide a horse?"

"Na'k'ta Shee'ka would not summon such a spirit, unless she was
hungry. There is more that you must know. As I traveled deeper into the
world of spirits, a dark shadow followed. Never coming close enough to
see its face. I found myself sitting in a clear meadow singing to Earth
Mother when through the fog a wolf, with fur whiter then the virgin snow
of winter, came to me. I thought this is not possible! Wolves had been
extinct from this land for generations. The only man alive today that has
ever seen a real wolf is the Shaman. It was Na'k'ta Shee'ka. She came so
close I could feel her breath on my neck. With death only inches away I
hear her speak to me in the language of the spirit world. ‘Help find my
mate! You must find him before it's too late!’ As she turned away, my
spirit returned to this world."

A cold shiver passes over Jason’s body. Somehow, Chi'TCho'tk and he
have shared the same vision. Only the point of view is different. Jason
knew what had scared Chi'TCho'tk when he told him of his nightmare.

"We leave soon for the cleansing ceremony." Chi'TCho'tk's voice
snaps Jason out of his trance.

"Cleansing? This isn’t one of those Indian pain ceremony’s where I
have to put wooden pegs in my tits is it?" This time Jason is greeted with
that familiar roar of laughter.

"Jason, you watch too much TV! Don’t worry; you will do fine at the
cleansing. Come, we must pack. It will take several hours to climb to the
sacred grounds."

As they hike through the wilderness, Chi'TCho'tk tells Jason what the
ceremony is and what to expect as best as his knowledge of Indian culture
could understand. There are six people going on this trip, Chi'TCho'tk,
three tribal elders, the old Shaman and Jason. They have all of the
necessary supplies for the trip except food and water. Apparently this
ceremony included three nights without food or water. Jason feels the
need for water as soon as the trail gets steeper. By nightfall they are
climbing a steep, rugged trail up the side of the mountain. They reach the
first peak long after midnight and setup camp. Apparently, the trail is too
dangerous to continue in the dark. Jason is impressed by the agility of the
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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Shaman. He isn't as feeble as he leads others to believe. By first light
they're back on the trail. Jason’s mouth is so full of cotton he
couldn't spit
if his life depended on it.

By mid day they reach the rim of a long gone volcano. As they walk,
Chi’TCho’tk points out two rock formations that look like giant walking
sticks that have been stuck into the ground. He calls them “Tomah
Makita”, Sisters that sing. In the early morning and evening when the
wind blows, they produce sounds that vary in pitch. There’s no other way
to get into or out of the valley so they are considered to be the gateway
into the holy grounds of the Py’ooK people. Two hours later they arrive at
the base of the gateway. Jason thought they had arrived at the location
where the ceremony would take place.

Chi’TCho’tk told him this is a place to speak with the spirits before
entering the sacred valley where the actual cleansing ceremony will be
performed.

“Jason, no white man has ever set foot
through this gateway. The Py'ooK nation
is the only one in the United States that
still walk the lands of their ancestors.
Centuries ago, a counsel of Shaman
foresaw the threat of the English invaders.
They decided to avoid a war by
negotiating with the then young
government to purchase the land long
before the first reservation was established. Their insight preserved our
culture and our land for all generations to follow. Because of this, we
must stop and ask the ancestral spirits for permission to allow you into
the
holy grounds.

You can see below the gateway is a large circle made up of small
stones. It’s called a medicine wheel. The circle is evenly divided with
four larger rocks, one to the North, South, East, and West. In the
center of
the circle is a fire pit. The fire represents life, the center of our
universe.
All things revolve around it. Even the Sky People have the great campfire
you call Polaris, the North Star. The first women sits on one side and
first
man sits on the other. You know them as the constellations Cassiopeia
and Cepheus.”

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
9
As Chi’TCho’tk explains the medicine wheel to Jason, the Shaman
enters the circle from the East and ritually lights the fire.

“There are six directions, you know the common four, there is also up
and down. These three elders were chosen for this trip because of their
animal spirit guides, T’ky’t the badger, will sit to the South/West of the
fire, he is down representing Mother Earth, Wikt’T the coyote, will sit to
the South, representing wisdom, Cu’Ky the eagle, will sit to the
North/East of the fire, he is up representing the Sky People. Mine is the
black bear, I represent healing. I will sit to the North. The Shaman is the
mountain lion and will sit to the East, representing leadership.

Jason, you seem to have a connection to
the wolf. The wolf is very sacred to our
people because this valley once was the
home to many generations of the timber
wolf.

Years ago, they slowly dwindled down
and finally disappeared. We don’t know why
this has happened. Hunting them is
forbidden. Because of your connection, the
Shaman feels you should sit to the West.”

“I don’t know anything about spirits or
animal guides, I wouldn’t know what to do,” Jason said.

“There isn’t anything you must do but wait. Your animal spirit guide
will come to you when it is ready too. We all must wait. If you want to
pray, then pray. If you get cold, sit closer to the fire. If you need to
relieve yourself, always enter and exit the circle from the East. We do
this
because the ancestral spirits travel with the Sun, East to West.

If you want to sleep, sleep. When they come, they will tell us if and
when we can pass through the gateway.”

“Sleep! You must be kidding.” Jason said.

“Not without a bottle, the nightmares come every other night.”

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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“You will not need the bottle, Jason. Your dream brought you here. I
believe you will never see it again.”

Jason wants to believe Chi’TCho’tk, but the thought of having the
nightmare without the dulling affect of the rum worries him. He follows
Chi’TCho’tk into the circle and takes his place to the West. He watches as
Chi’TCho’tk lays out a small blanket. From a small red bag, he places
several objects on top of it. Jason looks around the circle at the others,
they too have objects placed in front of them. Feeling a little out of
place
but wanting to take part, Jason reaches into his pocket and pulls out the
only things he can find. He has a quarter, two pennies, and a pocketknife,
which he places on the ground like the others. He looks over at
Chi’TCho’tk expecting a scolding. Chi’TCho’tk only smiles, nods his
head in approval, and begins his own ritual.

As time passes, blistering heat from the mid-day sun increases Jason’s
thirst, yet the Shaman continues to add wood to the fire. Jason doesn’t
know what to do next so he decides to close his eyes and think about the
stories Chi’TCho’tk has told him about the Sky People, the wolf, and the
other spirit animals.

“Jingle bells? I hear jingle bells.” Jason
opens his eyes. He sees a carriage coming up
the road past the meadow he is laying in. As
it gets closer he can see a man, a women, and
a small girl sitting in the back seat. Along the
horses reins are small bells ringing to the
rhythm of the horses gait. The girl looks
directly at him and cries out to the man. Her
voice is strange. It sounds like wind blowing
in the trees only it changes tone. The carriage
stops, there is a loud explosion with a flash of
light, then blackness.

Terror grips at Jason’s chest as he realizes that he must have dozed off.
He tries to open his eyes but finds them glued shut. He tries to shout, but
hears only silence at first. Then another flash of light followed by a loud
explosion tells him his eyes are open. He can see the others all still
sitting
by the fire. It has grown dark and the sky has filled with thunderclouds.
When the Shaman looks over at Jason, his eyes glow red. It’s still
happening. Terrified, Jason braces himself for what is to come next.
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
11
“Jason, are you OK?” Chi’TCho’tk’s voice nearly made him wet
himself.

His eyes shoot back at the Shaman. The light from the fire is what
made the Shaman’s eyes glow and the wind blowing on the shaft that he
uses to call the spirits, with its three rows of bells made a jingling
sound.
The Tomah Makita’s sing.

“Did the dream return, Jason?” Chi’TCho’tk asks.

“No,” Jason lied. “I’m fine. It was just the thunder from the storm.”

Suddenly the night becomes silent. Even the Sisters have stopped in
mid song. The Shaman gets to his feet and stares into the night sky. For
three minutes, there isn’t a sound. Then far away, the lone call of a wolf
can be heard. The Shaman looks at Jason, turns, and heads strait for the
gateway. This is the sign that they have been waiting for.

Two miles beyond the gateway in the center of the crater they reach a
clear meadow with a small dwelling. It’s fashioned together with a
wooden frame and covered with animal hides. Inside the lodge is a stone
altar that looks like it has been carved from the volcanic rock floor.
It has
a shallow bowl carved into the top and firewood has been piled around it.

Jason asked Chi'TCho'tk what this altar was for, thinking about how the
Amazons had used one for human sacrifices. He was relieved to hear that
the altar is referred to as the “Breast of Earth Mother” and the bowl would
hold “Breast Milk” to feed the spirits. As thirsty as Jason is, if he can
drink it, he didn't care what was put into it.

Once all had been prepared, they stripped and entered the sweat lodge.
The fire is roaring nicely, raising the temperature to a point Jason can
hardly breathe. The tribal elders start to beat on drums; the old Shaman
starts to sing. It doesn't take long for Jason to start swaying with the
music. When he closes his eyes he can almost see the words. Had he
known them, he would’ve joined the others in song. His skin seems to
tingle. That's when he tasted it. Steam! There is steam rising up from the
volcanic rock. Jason knew they hadn't brought any water along so no one
could have poured any onto it. It had to have come from the rock itself.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
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Jason opens his mouth wide to breath in the moisture from the steam.
He is so thirsty it feels cool and tastes sweet. How long they have been in
the sweat lodge Jason didn’t know. Time is only a notion. It could have
been hours, days, or weeks even.

All he knew is his hunger, thirst, the thick fog, blistering heat, the
singing, and the drums. The drums! That’s it. Jason’s eyes shoot wide
open. The steam looks like fog, the drums, his hunger, and the thirst. He
feels numb; the hunger pains in his gut tear at him from inside. It's all
here, every detail of the nightmare. It's all here. The thirst is too much
for him to endure; he couldn’t tolerate it any longer. The shallow bowl on
top of the rock altar is filled with a blood-red liquid. If it's animal
blood,
he doesn't care. If it's human blood, he doesn't care. He jumps for it,
eagerly lapping it up. Each lap of his tongue fulfilling his needs; his
thirst
satisfied, strangely enough so is his hunger. Jason leans back, licking the
remnants from his muzzle; he thinks for a moment that he may have
burned his hands when he put them on the rock. Looking down, he
discovers that they are gone! There are paws where his hands should be.
He brings his paws up to his face. He has a muzzle; he can feel the long
sharp canine teeth.

"What? What's happening to me?" Panic. Drums. Dense fog. Numbing
fear fills Jason’s consciousness.

He hears a voice coming from the figure sitting across from him. He
moves forward to see who the figure is. As the steam clears from his eyes,
he is gazing into the face of a mountain lion. Its fur is gray and
matted; its
human eyes sparkle with youth! Falling backward in a sheer panic he
lands in the arms of a big black bear. It, too, has human eyes, brown and
gentle. The heat is unbearable. He bolts through the door and out into the
cool of night. Running. Running. From who, what? He doesn't know,
doesn't care, he just needs to run. He runs for what seems like miles
before his energy gave out, panting with his head down, tongue nearly
touching the ground. If he could cry, he would.

This is when he hears her soft sweet voice for the first time. He looks
up. Standing before him is the most beautiful Indian women that he has
ever seen. Her slender figure perfectly curved as his eyes follow it down
to her hips, legs, and feet. It isn't that she is naked, or that her long,
braided snow-white hair reaches the ground, or that her breasts are full,
that catch his attention. It’s her eyes. They are as blue as the sky on a
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
13
summer day and have a glow about them that comforts him, as did the
sunrise while standing on top of the new construction. Her skin smells of
herbs and honey sending waves of desire surging through his body. Her
singing voice is hypnotic, her words as pleasing to his ears as her body is
to his eyes.

"I have waited long for your return Na'k'to Ko’T’mee, I am Na'k'ta
Shee'ka, your mate."
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
14
Chapter 2
The Healing

Chi'TCho'tk has been here before, still, the change is disorienting. The
only difference is the absence of fear. His song to Earth Mother grows
more intense as his voice becomes deeper. He can feel his heart pounding
in perfect rhythm with the drums. The first time, his hunger had gnawed
at him, this time he pays little attention. He knows Earth Mother will feed
him. He opens his mouth wide, sucking in the breath of Earth Mother.
Through the dense fog he looks for the shadow with no face, that followed
him the last time to the spirit world, but sees none. He bends down over
the breast of Earth Mother and starts to eat the golden honey that she has
provided for him. When he finishes eating, a very old mountain lion
bends down and eagerly laps at what appears to be an empty bowl.
Chi'TCho'tk wonders what delicate treat Earth Mother has provided for
such a creature.
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
15
Soon, others follow, T'ky't the badger, Wikt'T the coyote, and Cu'Ky
the eagle. Only one, his friend Jason, has yet to eat from Earth Mother's
breast. Chi'TCho'tk, the black bear, can smell his friend's fear mixed with
the breath of Earth Mother. Time is running short. Why is he waiting?
From his right side, suddenly, a powerful beast, the shadow from his first
journey, springs to Earth Mother's breast, diving into the breast milk
as if
he can bath in it. Now the shadow has a face; it is the legendary wolf,
Na’k’to Ko’T’mee, Father of Humans.

Chi'TCho'tk watches as Na’k’to Ko’T’mee brings his feet to his face.
A cry bursts from the wolf's throat as if he is in pain. He appears to
panic
as the Shaman begins to speak.

Screaming, howling, clawing to get away. Chi'TCho'tk reaches out,
embracing Na’k’to Ko’T’mee in an effort to calm him. As the wolf turns
and looks into the eyes of Chi'TCho'tk, there is a flash of recognition,
then
panic. The wolf springs from his grasp and bolts out the door. In spite of
his strength, Chi'TCho'tk feels helpless. He starts to follow his friend
but
is stopped by the Shaman.

"No, Chi’TCho’tk, let him run," the old mountain lion says as he looks
longingly into the empty bowl for some forgotten morsel.

"But, Shaman, he's not wise to the dangers of the spirit world. He is
alone, lost in a world that he has no knowledge of. Without a guide, how
will he find his way back?"

The old mountain lion simply licks his paw and preens himself,
seemingly indifferent to Chi'TCho'tk's concerns.

"I do not think he will be alone for long, Chi'TCho'tk. You forget that
it is Na'k'ta Shee'ka, who calls for him. It’s Na'k'ta Shee'ka's time.
If she
doesn't find him, he will find her."

Na'k'ta Shee'ka draws water from a nearby spring. She kneels down
next to Na’k’to Ko’T’mee and places his head into her lap, and with a soft
hide begins to clean his wounds. The closeness of her makes the scent of
herbs and honey stronger. As he inhales deeper, Na’k’to Ko’T’mee's
world starts to spin and dance as that of a drunkard. Unlike a drunkard,
his mind is clear. Crystal clear. The powerful aroma makes him realize
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
16
who he is, what he is, and what is expected of him. Na’k’to Ko’T’mee
takes her as he should, and Na'k'ta Shee'ka gives herself to him willingly.

The gentle rain falling on Jason’s face slowly
brings him to consciousness. He’s chilled, and his
body hurts. He can feel the rain on his back. Jason
sits up and quickly discovers that his ribs are sore
and bruised, his arms and legs are covered with
scratches from his flight through the thorny
underbrush and he has hands again.

"Na'k'ta Shee'ka! Wahay-hanNa Kay? Na'k'ta
Shee'ka!” He calls out. The words flow as
effortlessly off his tongue as his own name. The
beautiful woman is nowhere to be seen. His mind
floods with the events of the night before. In
dismay, he sits down and lays his head in his hands.

“These nightmares are going to drive me crazy,” Jason says out loud.
“I finally meet the girl of my dreams and she is only a fabrication of my
nightmare.”

Jason hears a rustling of leaves. Hoping its Na’k’ta Shee’ka, he raises
his head and calls out her name.

“Na’k’ta Shee’ka?”

To his horror he is staring into the eyes of a large white wolf. If it
hadn't been for the wolf's beautiful sky blue eyes, he would have bolted
for freedom. Wondering if he is still dreaming, he asks in disbelief, as if
the wolf is going to answer him.

“Na’k’ta Shee’ka?”

The wolf says nothing. It just sits down and watches Jason.

“This can’t be happening.”

Painfully, Jason stands up to get some idea what direction he needs to
go. He’s an experienced hiker with a good sense of direction, but he
doesn’t know which direction he needed to return to camp. He can hear
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
17
the Singing Sisters far off. Now he wishes that he had paid more attention
to the direction he traveled. How was he to know he would be running off
into the wilderness in the middle of the night?

Na'k'ta Shee'ka, suddenly alert, both ears scanning in opposite
directions listening. Jason holds his breath. He can hear it too. A faint
whisper on the wind, matching the rhythm the rain made as it strikes his
face. The sound of a distant drum!

Chi'TCho'tk is afraid for his friend. It’s mid-day and there hasn't been
any sign of him.

"The valley is wide Chi'TCho'tk, but the drums can carry their message
far." The old Shaman says.

So Chi'TCho'tk plays his drum loudly, as if he can force the sound to its
destination.

Cu'Ky is the first to sound the alarm. As Jason walks up the slope into
camp all eyes are looking toward him. It isn't, however, the bruised and
bloodied naked man that has captured the gaze of the others, it’s what
walks at his side that holds them mesmerized.

The aroma in the air overwhelms Jason, his eyes become glassy, and
his heart races. He becomes delirious with desire, passion, and animal
lust. He no longer needs the drum for guidance. Jason can smell food!
Falling to his knees, he crawls the last ten feet to the fire pit. It’s
a modest
meal of rabbit, pheasant, and a pail of wild berries, but to Jason it is a
feast. He pounces upon it as if it is his prey, snarling at any animal that
may try to take one morsel-save one. With Na'k'ta Shee'ka, he shares his
bounty willingly. Chi'TCho'tk's laughter scarcely registers with Jason, as
he too is giddy. He leans back; at last, his hunger is truly satisfied.

"It's a good thing T'ky't is a skilled hunter or we may have awakened
half eaten!" Chi'TCho'tk says as he examines a bone that has been bitten
off at both ends and selfishly sucked dry.

Jason gives his friend a flip of a finger, closes his eyes and fades off to
sleep. For the first time in weeks, Jason sleeps in peace. When he
awakes, there is a furry blanket surrounding him. Chi'TCho'tk has even
placed another one under his head. The warm presence at his side tells

[Okwes]

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
18
him that Na'k'ta Shee'ka is still with him. The sun is shining bright and
high in the sky, the rain has passed on.

"So, the dead do walk again." Chi'TCho'tk says as he hands Jason a
bowl of stew.

Jason looks up at the blue sky. "At least it stopped raining,” he says,
rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"The rain stopped late yesterday afternoon, Jason.” Chi’TCho’tk said.

“Yesterday!” Jason said, jumping to his feet.

It’s a good thing that Jason is still covered by the blanket. Had he not
been, he would’ve had to add burns to the list of injuries to his still
naked
body. Na’k’ta Shee’ka finished the forgotten stew.

“Don’t panic Jason, I made arrangements at work before we left Friday,
knowing we'd be here longer than the three day weekend. As soon as you
are ready, we'll start our way back to the village."

“Chi’TCho’tk, I need to talk to you about the other night.” Jason said,
not realizing that he called him by his real name.

“These dreams are getting so real I can’t tell if I’m awake or not. Even
now I’m not certain. I must have dozed off when we were inside the
medicine wheel back at the gateway. I had a different dream this time. I
thought it was a vision of my death at first, but it couldn’t have been
because the people and carriage in it were from a time before cars. When
we were in the sweat lodge I dreamt that you and the others had been
transformed into animals that you said were your spirit guides, including
myself as a wolf. I knew it had to be a dream because you told me about
the Sky People and animal spirits just before I dozed off at the
gateway. It
was so real. I could hear, taste, and feel everything. I had to run away.
When I stopped running, I must have still been dreaming because I met
and instantly fell in love with a beautiful Indian woman. She said her
name was Na’k’ta Shee’ka and that I was her mate. We made love next to
a small stream and when I woke up, only this wolf was there.

I don’t understand, why me, Chi’TCho’tk?” Jason says with tears in
his eyes. “I’m not Indian. Hell, I don’t have any idea who or what I am
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
19
now. I can’t remember anything past five years ago. No family, friends,
homes, nothing. I don’t know what’s real anymore and it scares the hell
out of me.”

“I don’t have all the answers, Jason, I’m not a Shaman yet, and I, too,
have questions. The spirit world is just as real as the world we live in,
Jason. The only difference is our world is full of deceptions and lies.
Truth can be hidden from us in this world. In the spirit world, truth can’t
be hidden. If this wolf is indeed the legendary Na’k’ta Shee’ka, then she
came to you in a way that you would understand and could believe. She
has given you a wonderful gift, Jason. Your love for her is just as real
now in this world as it is in the spirit world. The Shaman may have
knowledge of what is happening but he is keeping it to himself. I do know
this; the path of Wolf is a difficult one.

The Shaman was right, when he said your animal spirit guide is Wolf.
Wolf has made it clear to all of us that he has chosen you. You can’t
choose your animal spirit guide it must choose you. Wolf would not have
chosen you if he felt you were not worthy to walk his path.

Those who follow the way of Wolf are highly honored and respected
by my people. The wolf is a powerful spiritual symbol, respected for his
prowess as a hunter, his dedication to family and to the pack. The stories
that are taught to our children, of a time when the man-animal first came
to live upon this Earth, say that it is Wolf who taught them the ways of
living in harmony. Wolves have an amazing ability to survive
environmental change. Something happened here long ago that altered
that ability to survive.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
20
The Shaman and I believe your connection to the wolf is key to their
return to this sacred place. Your role in all of this hasn’t been revealed
yet. Take a lesson from Wolf, Jason, have patience. You will find the
truth in what you are seeking.”

They have a long discussion about Na'k'ta Shee'ka. Jason doesn't want
to leave her but knew she will be in danger if she follows him into town.
Besides, his landlord doesn't allow pets, let alone a wolf. Before
returning
to the village, they decided that if she does follow them back, a place
would be made for her to stay with Chi'TCho'tk. The decision is hers.

Several times Jason feared that she might have returned to the valley
only to see her scouting ahead of the group.

A mile from the village they caught up to Na'k'ta Shee'ka standing on a
log at full alert. Her low quiet growl stops them. They listen. Hurried
footfalls can be heard as a boy in his early teens comes up the trail.
Jason
puts his arm around Na'k'ta Shee'ka so she wouldn't attack the boy. She
senses that he is a member of the pack and relaxes. Jason keeps one arm
around her just the same.

"Chi'TCho'tk! Chi'TCho'tk!" The boy calls out when he could see the
chief standing on the path, "Mot'T'ky has called an emergency tribal
counsel. He is angry because you have brought an outsider into the sacred
grounds. Chiefs and Shaman are arriving from all over the Nation. Many
angry people are arguing about it at the lodge house."

The urgency of his message makes the boy totally unaware that he is
standing less then ten feet from an animal that he has never seen outside
of his history class. Having said what he came to say, the boy looked at
Jason, the object of all the arguing back home. With a choking gasp, the
boy falls backward over a rock.

Jason notices a trickle of blood from a small cut on the boy’s forehead.
He touches the bandage on his forehead and for a moment considers
removing it.

A chuckling, Chi'TCho'tk helps the boy to his feet. "Do not fear, Little
Pony, if the wolf was hungry, you would have been giving me your
message from the spirit world!"

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
21
Jason couldn’t understand the words but he knew that something is
happening back at the village and that he is at the core of it. The pace
quickens, Chi'TCho'tk tells Jason about the confrontation that they were
going to face.

"Mot'T'ky is nothing but a troublemaker. He's never liked the fact that
I'm Chief and is always looking for ways to discredit me. Particularly
now that he wasn't chosen to become a Shaman. A Shaman may not be
the top leader of a tribe, but he does have a high status and can demand
respect from all tribal members. I was chosen over him so now he hates
me even more. If we can't convince the tribal council that what we have
done is in the best interest of the Nation, then he may have found the
weapon that finally gets him the power that he craves. I'm glad that
Na'k'ta Shee'ka has decided to join us."

Chi'TCho'tk and the Shaman had anticipated such a reception upon
their return. News of what they planned to do would travel fast among his
people. Although he has confidence in the preparations the crafty old lion
has made, it troubles him. The route back is different than the one they
had taken while leaving the village. The Shaman wants to slip into the
lodge house unseen. The sun had set hours ago so this helped as they
entered through a back doorway and slipped behind the stage. Loud
voices and angry words could be heard from the grand hall. When
Chi'TCho'tk stepped from behind the screen a thunderous roar of shouting
erupts.

Back stage, the Shaman tugs at Jason’s shirt. Wikt’T, the elder, tells
him that the Shaman wants him to remove it. Upon doing so, the Shaman
places a talisman of some sort around Jason’s neck. Then he moves the
thick fur around Na'k'ta Shee'ka’s neck and reveals an identical one that
Jason hadn’t seen. He has her sit on a platform with her back to a screen
that has a painting of a wolf on it. Jason couldn't help the feeling
that the
Shaman and Na'k'ta Shee'ka are somehow old friends. It’s like she knew
what he has planned, and knew what is expected of her.

As the Shaman steps onto the stage, his very presence demands
attention. The roar dies down to an eerie silence. Jason waits in the wings
with one of the elders who, as the Shaman begins his speech, translates for
him.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
22
"Years ago when I was a small boy, I
wandered into the forest and was lost for
many hours. I was cold, hungry, and
frightened when two towering white wolves
found me. As they circled me, I could hear
them speak one to the other.

‘What's this fine morsel of food? Hardly
worth the energy to chew it up, don't you
think?’ the female said.

‘Yes my love, but a tasty treat it is,’ the
male said jumping to within inches of my throat.

“I was looking directly into a face that had eyes that were not the eyes
of a hungry beast but that of a jokester,” the Shaman said. “They were
filled with laughter so I was not afraid.”

‘A brave one this,’ the male wolf said. ‘Fear does not show itself on
the face of this foolish little kitten my love. Should we send it back from
which it came?’

‘Yes, beloved, return him to his mother.’

"Before my own eyes,” the Shaman finished, “the wolf transformed
into a man. He lifted me upon his shoulders and carried me back to the
village."

"What do the babblings of an old man have to do with the crime he has
committed?" Screams Mot'T'ky among a chorus of protests.

"Shut your mouth long enough and you will hear the truth, Mot'T'ky!"
Chi'TCho'tk breaks in.

After a brief pause to let the crowd calm down, the Shaman, drags
Jason by the arm and places him on a platform that is on the opposite side
of the screen where Na'k'ta Shee'ka is waiting. He could see that this side
of the screen has the same painting on it. Jason now, is without the
benefit
of someone nearby to translate as the Shaman reaches down, takes the
talisman in his hand, and continues with the story.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
23
"When I made my first journey into the spirit
world. A woman came to me with this totem.
Her tears filled my heart with great sorrow. She
said, ‘my name is, Na'k'ta Shee'ka; it was my
mate Na’k’to Ko’T’mee that had carried you to
your mother as a small kitten. Now it is Na’k’to
Ko’T’mee that is in need of your help.

When the pale strangers started to kill our
children and cut down our trees, he went to fight
them in the form of a man. During this time of
struggle, he was shot and his totem was lost, trapping him in the form of a
man and taking away his memories. Without him our children will not
learn how to survive the changes made by the pale ones, and will die. The
world of man is too dangerous for me to search for him,’ she said. She
told me that I must find him and return the totem to him. Only then could
he become his true self.

When Chi'TCho'tk brought news of this man's dream, my heart soared
with the Eagle. I had to meet with him. I could see that his heart was full
of great sorrow, but laugher danced in his eyes. I knew that this was the
man who carried me on his shoulders as a child. I knew he is Na’k’to
Ko’T’mee. We took him to the sacred land to seek the spirit of Na'k'ta
Shee'ka, to show her that we have found her mate."

The Shaman finishes his story and drums start to beat. The old Shaman
starts to sing and dance. From Jason’s viewpoint he can see the Shaman
toss something into a firebox on the stage, hidden from the assembly floor.
Instantly there is a blinding flash of light and a bellowing cloud of
smoke.
Jason covers his eyes, momentarily blinded by the flash. For a second he
looses his balance and feels as if he is going to fall over. When his eyes
could see again, he is no longer facing the angry crowd. Somehow the
Shaman has made the platform turn giving the illusion that Jason has
magically become the wolf that now stands in his place. He nearly
laughed out loud, he knew he couldn't make any noise or try to see what is
happening on the stage because he might be seen, destroying the illusion.

Jason has to hand it to the old guy. He truly is a master of his craft. Oh
how he wants to see the look on everyone's face. The hall is silent save
the long, low howl of a lone wolf.

SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
24
Chi'TCho'tk's chest swells with pride being the student of such a clever
Shaman. The master illusionist might just pull this off yet. Jason can hear
the nervous mutterings slowly starting to flow as people recover from the
shock of such great magic. However, the moment is shattered as
Mot'T'ky, jumps before the crowd and starts screaming.

"Don't let the parlor tricks of this old fool,” he says shaking his finger
at the Shaman, “scare you into believing the lies of Chi'TCho'tk."

Chi'TCho'tk's heart fell. Showing that a man could become a wolf is
the easy part. Convincing them is another matter. Had Na'k'ta Shee'ka not
been in season, no one would have known that the wolf, which
transformed from a man, is female. Of all the people in the room, it had to
be Mot'T'ky.

"Hold your tongue Mot'T'ky! Lest you have it torn from your throat."
As mad as Chi'TCho'tk is, he could do it.

"Both of you,” Mot'T'ky continues,” have committed this crime against
our people and our beliefs. This is no spirit wolf. Take this mangy,
pathetic excuse of an animal back to the Zoo from which it came. Better
yet, let me put it out of its misery here and now."

Just as Mot'T'ky drew his knife and steps forward, a horrifying growl
echoes from every corner of the great hall. Mot'T'ky merely sees a white
blur as he is knocked to the floor. All he can see now is cold dark eyes,
blood mixed with spittle as it drips from the snarling teeth. He can't
move.
He didn't dare to. Tightly clenched in the teeth of the wolf is a tongue.
His tongue! The slightest move and the creature could swallow it.
Mot'T'ky never notices the stench from his own waste.

Chi'TCho'tk knew his time had come. He needed to show his people
that he was a powerful leader, much stronger then the fearsome wolf.
With his mighty arms wrapped around the white wolf, Chi'TCho'tk could
feel the powerful muscles relax and the wolf instantly releases Mot'T'ky's
tongue. When Mot'T'ky realized that his tongue is still in his head, he
cries out through the pain and blood from his broken lip, "Look at the
painting! This wolf has come from the spirit world!”

Looking over his shoulder, Chi'TCho'tk can plainly see Na'k'ta Shee'ka,
calmly sitting on the platform from which she had not moved. A large
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
25
hole is in the screen behind her, where once the lifeless image of a wolf
had been. Never before had his people seen magic like this. Looking
down at the giant white wolf that laid contently in his arms, Chi'TCho'tk
was staring directly into the laughing eyes of his best friend. He took a
glance at the Shaman, and his bellowing laugh filled the room.

The Shaman knew! The old mountain lion knew from the very
beginning! He releases Na’k’to Ko’T’mee and Mot'T'ky nearly soils
himself again as he leaps to the floor joined by Na'k'ta Shee'ka. Side by
side, they walk through the crowd, followed by Chi'TCho'tk, then the
Shaman. Not one person dared to step into their path. Never again would
Mot'T'ky pose a threat to Chi'TCho'tk. As they walk, Chi'TCho'tk and the
Shaman sing the song of joy to Earth Mother. The entire tribe joins in as
they parade behind the two great white wolves.

At the edge of the woods, Na’k’to Ko’T’mee pauses and looks back at
Chi'TCho'tk. Tears are streaming down the face of his brother bear.
Na’k’to Ko’T’mee cocks his head as if he were asking a question.
Chi'TCho'tk kneels down; now that Na’k’to Ko’T’mee has transformed to
his true self with all of his memories, Chi'TCho'tk knows that he is
looking into the eyes of his friend for the last time.

"My right eye cries tears of sorrow,” Chi’TCho’tk said, “for tonight I
have lost a friend. My left eye cries tears of great joy, for soon
children of
the Earth Mother will again sing to her under the light of the Sister."

Na’k’to Ko’T’mee jumps up and puts his
paws on two proud, broad shoulders. He licks
the tears dry from the right side of Chi'TCho'tk's
face telling him that he will forever be his
friend. He turns towards the Shaman, and in the
language of the spirit world, tells him he will be
rewarded. Then, with his mate at his side,
disappears into the night.

"This is a good day to die!" came a voice
from behind.

Chi'TCho'tk turned, facing the Shaman, confused that he would call out
the prayer for death on a day that should be celebrated with song and
dance.
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
26
When he looks into the Shaman’s face he understands.

Even as a child, growing up on the reservation, Chi'TCho'tk, has never
seen the Shaman smile!
SONG OF THE WOLF STAR
27

Dedicated in loving memory of OTI.

My name is Othahyu'nf. It means, "Wolf".
One would pronounce it "O-ty-you-nee".
My people call me Oti.

K^tsyako, is the love of my life.
It is pronounced Ji-gah-go (sounds like Chicago)
And means "Ancient One."

She came to live with me just after the first of the year in January of
1999.
She was snow white with gold eyes that her spirit spoke from.
For the first time in a long time,
I was in love with the most beautiful creature on earth.
You can read about our lives at

www.adventuresofoti.gedart.com/WolfAdventures_Love.htm

"Ona'-Ki'-Wah" (until we meet again)