Golden Fox walked around the fire that blazed in the center of camp. Since the day she had ridden into camp with Dances In Storms and Long Sun, many had come to her asking if the Holy Woman would join their band. Not able to answer such questions, she had sent the people to her grandfather and Dances In Storms.

After a few sunrises, Eagle Thunder called for a gathering of the people. Even those still sick from the poisoned water joined the circle around the fire, helped by others if needed.

On the other side of Sky Bird, the wounded girl leaned against her mother. For many sunrises, Golden Fox had applied salve made by her mother, and wrapped the child’s deep cut in fresh moss. The arm showed much improvement, but it had not been until the Holy Woman worked on the girl that she once again spoke and her eyes came alive.

Across the fire from Golden Fox, Long Sun patted a drum held in one hand. On the face of the drum, painted mustangs raced across open grassland. Beside him sat Eagle Thunder and Stands His Ground. The elder, Sun Rising, rested on the other side of Stands His Ground, his woman leaning on his shoulder.

With head bent back, Golden Fox stared up at the campfires in the sky. They shone with added brilliance that blessed this gathering.

All murmuring drifted into silence as the Holy Woman danced from behind the lodges for the sick and the injured. Shaking a turtle rattle, she danced and sang. Her hair, tightly wrapped into a single braid, bounced as her feet pounded the ground to the beat of the drum. She danced in and out of the firelight as she circled the gathered people, touching each person with the rattle. Each time the turtle rattle touched one of the people, Dances In Storms stooped low and whispered a blessing into their ear before moving onto the next person.

She stopped when she reached the same point from which she had entered, completing the circle. All eyes rested on her. “Five sunrises have passed since I came. Many of you are better, yet even when the poisoned water weakened your body and blackened your Spirit, you remained a part of the Sacred Circle of Life.”

As she gazed around the circle, she let her eyes linger on each person. “From birth to young one to adult to elder to death, and then onto new life—such is the Sacred Circle. All living beings follow this circle. We grow, we learn, and we pass on knowledge to those who will one day take our place.” She nodded toward a woman with a swollen belly.

“Though the Great Mystery created the Sacred Circle, each one is given the choice of how they will walk this path.” She spread her hands to include everyone. “Some will walk this path with crooked feet, and stumble this way and that way. Some will walk with eyes squeezed tight, tripping over even the smallest of stones. These people walk a broken path, made so by their own choices. They make the path of life more difficult for themselves and for the ones who care for them, yet even a broken path will teach us much, each time we fall and crawl back up on our feet. It is up to us how long we take to learn the lessons of the broken path.”

Dances In Storms pointed toward the wrapped bundles tied high in the stronger trees, a short distance from camp. “Trees where once we rested have become the last home of the bodies of those stolen away by the poisoned water. They walked a broken path, one broken by the fire water.”

Though darkness cloaked them from sight, Golden Fox could see those bundles in her mind and with her heart, especially the bundle that was once her cradleboard sister, Running Girl.

“Did Eagle Woman come for them? Do they now sit with their relations at the campfires in the sky?” Dances In Storms dropped her head for a short span. When she lifted her face, tracks of moisture glistened in the firelight. “I cannot say. Only Eagle Woman can judge the darkness that stains their Spirits. Unless they come to us in dreams or visions and tell us where their Spirits live, we can never know. We can only sing the songs for their Spirit’s journey, and pray to Great Mystery that Eagle Woman sees past the black streaks on their Spirits.”

The Holy Woman’s eyes locked on Golden Fox’s face. “Some may become trapped on this side, tied to our Mother, unwelcomed by Eagle Woman. They will remain until they find a way to guide others away from the very path they took. Listen well to them, not only for the sake of their Spirits, but for your own.

“A few may be given a chance to wash their Spirits clean, to complete their journey and sit next to their relations around the campfires in the sky. These restless ones will come to those they harmed, and ask forgiveness. It is up to each person to decide if they find forgiveness in their hearts or not. Forgiveness can help heal a broken path.”

The wood in the fire snapped and sparks flew up above the Holy Woman’s waist, then lazily swirled back down to the greedy flames. “Whether you have dreams of those who walked the broken path of the poisoned water, know those Spirits surround you. Open your ears and hear their cries to you, their relatives. Do not follow my broken path! Do not let the poisoned water darken your Spirit! This is what they would say to you.”

Her voice rose and became as growling thunder. “Only false dreams, false visions, come from the deadly fire water. True Power is found within us. Your mind is strong. Your Spirit is brave! Turn a deaf ear to the evil whispers and the lies of the poisoned water.

“Fling off the dark robe the poisoned water tosses upon your spirit! You are the People of our Mother. You are the children of the Great Mystery!” Dances In Storms threw her fist high above her head. “We are one in this battle! We are not alone... not ever!”

The Holy Woman turned and made her way into the night.

Those who could not stand alone were helped by others, as all around the circle, the people locked arms and swayed to Long Sun’s drum. An owl hooted from somewhere near, and coyotes yipped, their song blending with the quiet beat.

***

Tired, Golden Fox slipped away and headed to the spot her family called their own. Once she laid her sleeping robe a little ways from her mother’s, she stretched out and closed her eyes. The sound of the drum and the singing of the people floated on the warm air, wrapped around her in the same way it did when she was a child. Slowly, her eyelids sank lower.

In that half-asleep land, a white man’s camp formed. Men and women of the Peoples squatted in front of wooden lodges, and laughed with the high-pitched sound of those with much poisoned water in their bellies. A strange object passed from hand to hand. Each person put the small, round end against their mouths and drank. One of the men yelled at the woman holding it. “Pass that bottle over here!”

The warmth of Dog pressed hard against her side, pulling her from that half-asleep state. Her arm flopped onto the thick-furred body. Without opening her eyes, she murmured, “Dog with no name... must give you....” Sleep closed over her head and she sank beneath it.

***

A faint voice, much like Sister Wind’s on a hot season day, whispered Golden Fox awake. She rose from her sleeping robe while Sister Moon stood at the top of the sky, shedding silver light on a faint path not far from Golden Fox.

I don’t remember that path.

Head cocked, she listened.

Voices. Should I wake Mother or Grandfather? No, they need to rest. I will blend into the night like Fox, and see who comes so near our camp. I must see if an enemy creeps upon us. If I need to, I can always come back or yell to awaken the others.

A few steps from camp, fog made it hard to see the path. Only a little of Sister Moon’s silver light leaked through the dense forest. Rich smells of pine rode heavy on the air, And she breathed deeply of the pleasant scent. Somewhere not far ahead, the steady rhythm of a drum called to her. A tree with heavy boughs dragging the ground spread across the path. Even if all the people of her camp linked arms, they could not encircle the tree’s large body. The insistent beat of the drum pulled at her, and she eased around the tree.

The fog had disappeared, leaving the tall, slender man standing in the middle of the trail easy to see. Golden Fox’s stomach knotted and her heart thundered loud in her ears. Her legs half-turned to race back the way she had come, but something kept her planted where she stood.

A gentle voice filled her head. “Do not fear, Golden Fox. I am Shining Light of the Wolf People. I called you here.”

Golden Fox found her voice after clearing her throat three times. “Where is here?” She raised her arms wide, palms up. “There is no forest close to our camp.” Shrubs crowded around the bases of the large trees scattered through the woods.

A tiny mouse sat on Shining Light’s shoulder. The fringes on his white, deer-hide tunic, and the ones down the sides of his leggings, danced in a wind that Golden Fox could not feel. On each side of him, a wolf sat—much like the painting on the front of his tunic.

The snort of a mustang drew her eyes past the man. A golden yellow animal pawed the ground behind him and nickered. When her eyes dropped back to the man, a white bear and her cub lay at his feet. A blue glow surrounded the animals and the man, creating a circle in the dark forest.

Golden Fox jerked back a step. The bears were not here a heartbeat ago!

Her voice raised in pitch until she nearly screeched, as she finally remembered what he had called himself. “Wolf People? Are you the Great Holy Man my grandfather spoke of? But... but... you disappeared many cycles of seasons ago. Why do you stand before me now? How did you get here? Why did you come?” A shiver shook her and she clasped her arms around her small breast.

Shining Light chuckled, a warm comforting sound. “Words spill from your mouth, but you will not wait for an answer. Ah, Little Cousin, you sound much like me when I was young.”

“Cousin?” Her voice rose even higher. “We are cousins?”

Shining Light’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, Young One, we are cousins. If you will let me answer your questions...”

When Golden Fox quietly waited, a laugh spilled from Shining Light.

“Ah, my grandmother will like you. It took her many, many moons to get me to be quiet and to listen. Now, to answer you—I chose to come and to stand before you because you need me, Little Cousin. Just as you need me, others need you. One of those who needs you is Yellow Moon.”

Yellow Moon hovered behind Shining Light, her bloody hands outstretched. Her eyes pleaded with Golden Fox.

Golden Fox’s words tangled as they leapt from her mouth. “I... I forgave her! What other need does she have of me? I do not understand. And... and what need do I have of you, Great Holy Man? Help me understand, Cousin.”

“In the coming sunrises, you will have much to learn, and much to do. You must be brave, and you must be strong, but do not fear. Fear will only pull you away from where you must go. You are not alone. Your people will join with Dances in Storms’ people. Listen to the Holy Woman, for her heart has a place in it for you.

“Keep your knife ready, and carry the bow your grandfather made for you. There are those who hunt you and your people.

“All things become clear as sunrises pass into sunsets. This can only happen if you walk with a clear mind. Though you do not understand yet, you have Power, much Power. True Power can only be used if your mind, your body, and your Spirit are clean.”

The blue light that swirled around him and the animals spread toward her. Her eyes grew wide and her breaths became pants as the blue light surrounded her. It tightened around her, and a tingling ran across her skin as it sank into every place it touched. When the blue light had been drunk by her body, she raised her eyes.

The Great Holy Man began to fade.

“Shining Light, wait! You speak words I understand with my ears, yet do not understand in my mind. Wait, I have much to ask... Cousin.”

***

Golden Fox lay on damp grass. The swish of Dog’s tail in her face tickled her partly awake. She rolled to her side and plopped her arm over her companion, snuggling her face into the long, brown- and white-speckled fur.

A hand on her shoulder shook her and a soft voice called her name. Really wishing to remain asleep, Golden Fox pried her eyes open.

Dark eyes, lit with kindness, stared down at her. Behind the round face of the Holy Woman, campfires burned thick in the sky. A few sparkled more brightly than the others through her hair.

Golden Fox shoved herself to a crouch and gazed around. “Why am I lying here in the grass, away from camp?” She rubbed her forehead with one hand. “I remember putting my sleeping robe only a little ways from mother’s robe and lying down. Now, I wake up out here.” Suspicion clawed at her chest. “Why are you here? Did you bring me out here?” She clutched Dog tight against her.

Moving slowly, Dances In Storms held a water bladder out to her. “Drink, Little Sister. You have made a long journey to the Spirit Land to meet Shining Light and his wolves. You are blessed.”

With narrowed eyes, Golden Fox studied her. “How did you know I spoke with Shining Light? Was that a real Dream or only a child’s imagining?”

Dog squirmed and sat on the ground next to Golden Fox.

With the animal no longer in her arms, Golden Fox accepted the water bladder, sat down, and crossed her legs. As she drank, she eyed the Holy Woman.

“I knew where you were because Shining Light told me.”

“Told you?”

Dances In Storms tightened her lips, then pushed out her breath. “Will you repeat the words I say, or do you choose to listen?”

Nostrils flaring at the sharpness in the older woman’s voice, Golden Fox glared for a moment before giving an abrupt nod. “I will listen.”

“Shining Light, Great Holy Man of the Wolf People, once lived in the Land of Tall Trees. He spoke of that forest as a magical place, where people never know death as we know it.”

“What is this you speak of? No one escapes death! And you talk as if you knew him. You are not so old as to have known Shining Light. Even Grandfather only heard stories of the Great Holy Man.”

A crooked smile tugged at Dances in Storms’ mouth.

With a stiff finger, Golden Fox pointed at her. “I see by your face that you tease me!”

“I do not tease. And, you are right. I am only nine cycles of seasons older than you.” She shifted slightly and settled again. “A woman called Dove was the daughter of Shining Light. A child of Dove’s was one of my long-ago relatives. I am a Holy Woman who carries the blood of Shining Light’s people. There are times when Shining Light visits me in dreams or visions.”

“Why did Shining Light call me cousin? Are you and I related?”

The Holy Woman moved around until she rested her legs to one side and leaned on her hand. “Listen well to my story, so you may pass it on to your children. This is a story of love and of sadness. If we never know sorrow, we cannot fully know love.”

She waited while Golden Fox squirmed into a more comfortable position. “Shining Light’s two wolves had been with him since he was a child. It is said that the wolves, after living far beyond the life spans of normal wolves, made it known they wished to pass over. They longed to be with their own kind and to share a campfire in the sky with Shining Light’s ancestors.

“Though he would miss his wolves terribly, he honored their wish and moved away from the Land of Tall Trees with the wolves and his family. Once away from that magical land, the wolves and the people aged much, as anyone does. Before long, the wolves let it be known that their time had come to leave. Shining Light shed many tears as he gave them his blessing. His woman, Animal Speaks Woman, and he missed the wolves with a deep ache inside of them. If they wanted to be with the wolves again, they could not return to live in the Land of Tall Trees.

“After his wolves traveled to the campfires in the sky, many cycles of seasons passed. Only once did Shining Light return to visit his relations who still lived in the Land of Tall Trees. After that, he chose to stay in the canyons and the grasslands.”

Chills raced over Golden Fox’s arms and she rubbed them with her hands.

“Stardust filled Shining Light’s hair as age bent the Great Holy Man’s back. His voice grew softer with the passing seasons. Animal Speaks Woman chose to speak to no one, except Shining Light. When her hair became pure stardust, the people honored her wish. Their band knew Animal Speaks Woman felt the pain, the fear that hunted animals feel, so they no longer asked her to call the animals to be hunted for meat.”

Dances In Storms looked beyond the grasslands and into some faraway place. “Their band fared well and, over time, Dove and her man, Singing Stone, took the place of Dove’s parents as leaders of the Wolf People. The band revered Shining Light and Animal Speaks Woman as great elders, but they let the two live without worries.

“One sunrise, Dove noticed that the flap of her parents’ lodge remained tied. Concerned that they might need something, she hurried over to untie the flap. When the flap opened, peace filled Dove’s heart. In the dim light of the lodge, she crept close to the hides where Shining Light and Animal Speaks Woman lay in a tight embrace. In the night, they had quietly traveled from this land. At last, Shining Light would be reunited with his much-loved wolves.”

Dances In Storms pulled on a leather strand around her neck. A wolf carved from grey stone dangled on the thong. “It is said that when the Wolf People sang Shining Light and Animal Speaks Woman to the campfires in the sky, the whole land—canyons and grasslands and forests—rang with the howling of wolves.”

She held the thong so that the carved wolf hung freely in the space before her. “Shining Light carved this wolf for his daughter, Dove. Since that time, it has been handed from mother to daughter to granddaughter when they became a Holy Woman.”

“Does your band have wolves living with you?” Golden Fox leaned toward the Holy Woman, trembling with excitement. “Are we related?”

“Of course, we are related. Everyone is related. As for wolves... we have no wolves living with us. Yet, I have had dreams of wolves sharing lodges with the Sister Wolf People.”

“Why do you call yourselves the Sister Wolf People?”

“Shining Light’s people were the Wolf People. We are related, yet apart from them, as a sister is related yet apart from her brother.”

“Do you know where the Wolf People are now?”

Dances In Storms shrugged. “No one knows. Perhaps, after Dove journeyed to the campfires in the sky, her people returned to the Land of Tall Trees. Or perhaps, out on the grasslands they still follow and protect their mustangs and live among their wolves.”

Golden Fox pushed to her hands and knees and leaned closer to Dances In Storms. “Your eyes... they are dark, yet they shine with a blue light. How can this be? Why have I not noticed this before?”

“Ah, Young One, you cannot see what a valley looks like until you have journeyed through it. Golden Fox, you begin your journey this night.”

Awe filled her as she sat back and stared at the Holy Woman. “Who are you? Why have you come?”

“You are filled with questions, Golden Fox, but not all questions will be answered when you first ask them.” She jumped to her feet and looked down, meeting Golden Fox’s eyes. “It has been foretold that our journeys—your journey and mine—will become braided together like the strongest of rope. For now, know this—all things will become clear as sunrises pass into sunsets.”She started to walk away, but turned. “My people come. I must make ready for our bands to meet.”

***

Golden Fox stared after her until she could no longer see the Holy Woman. Dog followed behind her for a short distance, then returned to Golden Fox and sat in front of her.

“Have you Powers, too?” She rubbed Dog’s fur. “Hmm, brown speckles are mixed with your long, white hairs. Maybe there is your name, Dog?” She placed her hand beneath the dog’s chin and raised the animal’s face. “You have such beautiful brown eyes....” She leaned closer. “Your eyes shine blue, like Shining Light’s eyes.”

The blue in Dog’s eyes intensified.

“Where are you from, Dog? I do not remember ever seeing you until after we left the Sun People. Have the Spirits sent you to me for a reason, too?”

Dog whined low in her throat and wiggled all over. Her tongue lashed out and licked Golden Fox’s face.

“You are more than just a dog, Dog.” Golden Fox laughed. “That is it! Blue Spirit Dog. This is your name. Not many will understand, for they will not see the blue that shines from your eyes, but it does not matter what others see or do not see.”