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The small group slowed to admire the land. Canyons showed off tall orange-red stones reaching for the turquoise sky. Some disappeared into dense clouds. The ground now carried a deeper cast of orange. Many pedaled white flowers with dark yellow centers, spread everywhere, and spikes with small yellow flowers grew along the sides of hills. Smaller reddish ones came up in groups alongside animal trails, and occasional blue and purple blossoms jutted up from the shorter grasses to compete for sun. Silver shrubs, and light green shrubs heavy with ripening purple berries, grew near the dark green pine trees that mingled on the rolling grassy hills as they entered the beginning of the canyons.

Familiar wild spinach grew everywhere. Wild lettuce, still blooming tiny yellow flowers, attracted the small winged ones, who were far too busy to pay attention to any distractions. The large sandstone boulders surrounded them in yellows, oranges, and deeper reds. White streaks ran through some of them like small rivers.

Will they want my people? Many had minds still not right from the drink, when the larger part of the band moved on. And the wolves! What will they say?

Deeper into the canyon, the waters became wider, and thick growths of cattails hid the river’s edges. Berries on low-growing shrubs along the same waters had changed to deep red. As Father Sun lowered, soft pink and orange splashed across the few clouds that drifted by.

No one mentioned need for a lodge this night. With a mostly clear sky, everyone chose a place near the fire. They pressed the shorter grass down, to make walking around the camp easier, and to expose any hidden snakes. Two large water snakes slithered toward the waters.

The wolf vanished before anyone noticed, but I know where he went. Emptiness filled the Energy in Golden Fox’s being. Soon everyone will sleep....

She pulled the grass around the fire circle to make the ground bare and safe from sparks. Like everyone else, she then used the pulled grass to rub down her mustang, and returned to her robe, which she shared with Blue Spirit dog and the pups.

Eagle Thunder lay on the extra robe Deer Woman had given him. The night air, warmer now, meant no need for robes to use as covers.

Golden Fox yawned and closed her eyes. She rolled over, faced the other way, and pretended to breathe an even rhythm.

Clouds drifted by, half-covering the now smaller moon. Nearby, mustangs moved about as they grazed. At sunrise, the group would eat cold food and ready to leave before sunrise. Within a short span, they would catch up to the main part of the band, which would be home by now.

What will they say about the wolf pups? My new adult wolf companion? No matter. They are part of my Soul.

She rolled off the robe, and reached to be sure her knife rested securely inside its sheath. Blue Spirit Dog stretched out and took up the room she left on the robe. With her footwear still on—she had never removed them—she crept away from the low burning fire.

Dances In Storms does not sleep. I feel her watching me. She turned around and found the Holy Woman sitting up.

She slipped away and wandered out onto the new land. Sandstone boulders were large enough that she had to walk around them.

So many sandstones, and much less open grassland. We walk across the last of these tall grasses. We will never know if the mountains are blue and purple.

She ran her hands across the rough texture of the smaller stone next to her, as she used a stick to wave across the ground in front of her.

Ha! Grandfather says I do not know sneaky. I do now. I am Sneaky Golden Fox. He did not stir, and.... I feel Wolf! I knew he followed close.

Her voice low, she called for him. “Wolf? Father Wolf, I know you are near me.” She sat in the clumpy grass, leaned against a boulder, and pulled her legs to the side of her body. She half-whispered a song.

“Wolf of my being, I am here.

I am here. I have no fear.

Wolf who I feel in my heart,

I am here. I am here.

I wait for you, Wolf.

Wolf of my being, we connect.”

“What is this?” She scooted up and pressed against the boulder. “I have never seen this before.” She stood the rest of the way and turned to run.

“Shining Light? I have not fasted for a vision. Are... are you really there?” She reached for her skinning knife.

“Ha! Mountain Lion would laugh at your small knife... right before she ate you.”

“Mountain Lion is near?” A tremble ran through her body as her eyes darted here and there.

“Mountain Lion is not near, but you, Golden Fox, must let your mind grow to be like a warrior’s mind. Always consider what you do before you do it. Only a child runs into the darkness with only a small knife.”

Head bowed, she said, “Forgive me, Great Holy Man, for acting in such a foolish way again.”

“You have brought no great harm to your people, but there are many ways in which a person might bring harm to their people without meaning to do this. Sometimes, it happens when the person ignores what a Holy Person sees in a vision. Not even Holy People can always say why the Spirits show certain things. We must walk the path shown and make choices as the Spirits will it.”

“You are truly blessed, Golden Fox. It has been a long time since Wolf has chosen one to share his pack.” His wolves appeared beside him. “This is White Paws.” He scratched the wolf’s head.

White Paws came out from behind Shining Light. Head cocked, ears up, he studied her, and then sauntered out and touched his nose to her outstretched hand. After a lick on the back of her hand, he ambled back to Shining Light’s side.

“You are where you choose to be. One day you will understand.” He reached down and scratched the wolf on his other side. “This is Moon Face. She has always been shy to touch another. Know she always backed up her mate. One day, you will do the same for your mate, as he will do for you.” He raised a hand when she opened her mouth to speak.

“Let us speak of the frosted one. My companions are his ancestors. He will walk beside you until it is his time to join White Paws and Moon Face. Treat him and his pups as your blood relations. Remember, all strands in Spider’s web are interwoven.”

The blue surrounding him and the wolves glowed brighter. “All is connected. One being cannot exist without the other. When a strand of the web is broken, it affects every living being. If one becomes no more, waves will slowly rip apart the web, and all will die.” He hugged White Paws and Moon Face close to his side.

“Every living being depends on the other. If one vanishes from our Mother, another will vanish, and another, until the Peoples themselves cannot survive and will vanish also. Far into the future, Humans dig deep into our Mother’s body to search for treasures. The hunger for these treasures takes over, and the People’s Spirits become blackened until they hunger only for such treasures, even if when it means great harm to the Mother and to the Web of Life. They forget who they are.” He stopped speaking and stared at her.

“A black thick substance deep in the ground will cause wars among Peoples, both here and far across the salty waters. Greed for it will bring much bloodshed. The waters needed to live will become poisoned, and many creatures will die. Many of the medicine plants, and plants needed to feed our four-legged relatives, will be torn up and thrown away. In their place, Humans will put plants that poison the animals, plants that belong in other places, and for as far as can be seen will be plants that easily sicken and die, leaving even the Humans with nothing to eat.

“The web weakens each time we destroy what is not ours to kill. The weaker the web becomes, the less it can hold. Humans will be given a chance to heal the Mother. If they do not work together to heal her, all will die. Listen to my words and pass them on. These things our Peoples have known since the first time Father Sun rose above our Mother. A long, long time ago, a Great Holy Woman, Blue Night Sky, made this my purpose—to pass this knowledge on to those who come after us.

“Listen well and remember... remember. Pass on my words, Young One. Many will not hear, as they cannot see beyond what is in front of their eyes. Their clouded minds will make all of their body blind and uncaring. You must find the Land Of Tall Trees to save those who will follow you.” Shining Light and his wolves faded into the mist.

“Shining Light?” She spun and looked all around. “I will listen to your words and pass them on to others. Always, I will do this.”

Where is the wolf? Did he not call to me in my mind to come out here? Or was it Shining Light?

Was I not here just as Father Sun woke? The Spirit Land... I was there, not here. Ahhh... everything stops.

The last of the night’s crickets chirred to the beat of her heart. She danced in a circle and tapped her feet to the sound.

She swirled until the blue became part of her, the bright blue she knew to be the Spirit Light—her Soul. Drums joined in from somewhere and rattles kept the rhythm. She danced until Father Sun spilled across land.

How long did we speak? Was I in the Spirit Land, or Shining Light in this land? What do I hear?

“Wolf!” She sheathed her knife, took one slow step forward, another, and another, until she stood before him. She knelt and reached out her hand.

He leaned forward and smelled her, her hand close enough to scratch his nose. Then he scooted closer and lay across her lap.

“Wolf, you and I are one. Shining Light said so. We are going to be companions. Frost. I will call you by that name.”

He sat still while she ran her hands over his head, ears, and down his neck. He allowed her to hug him. “Such fur I have never felt, so thick around your neck that I must dig my fingers in to touch your skin. Your amber-gold eyes peer deep into mine. You do not look away as a dog.”

“So, here is the golden-red-haired girl. We have found you alone with a weak wolf. What wolf goes near a human? Your father wishes to see you.” The man who spoke dressed as her people.

Another stood behind him, dressed the same way but with a lighter skin color. He pulled out a long knife and aimed it at Frost. “Gifts are promised to us for you.” He reached for her.

The wolf gave no more warning. He lunged and grabbed the stranger’s arm, and pulled him down.

The man screamed and dropped his knife. He tried to protect himself with his good arm, but to no avail. The struggle ended quickly, as Frost silenced him with one quick bite to his neck.

The other man held his knife in front of himself as he backed off. He then whirled away and ran.

Before the man could scream twice, the wolf jumped on his back and shook him until he lay still.

“Wolf, Frost, you saved my life!” She ran and hugged him in spite of his blood-coated fur. “Who... What—”

Golden Fox scooted over to be in-between them, but Blue Spirit Dog moved around her and wriggled her body. Frost repeated the same motion, and inched his way toward the dog and sniffed her nose. Satisfied, Frost moved away.

“Golden Fox!” Dances In Storms jumped off her mustang and ran to Golden Fox’s side, saw the wolf, and backed away as he growled. She scanned the bloody ground. “I knew Shining Light wished to speak to you, but I did not see the men!”

The Holy Woman nodded. “They had no chance to ready themselves. Your wolf knew what to do. This I why I did not see the men. Your wolf proved himself well. Never will I feel as if you are not safe.”

Golden Fox hugged Frost tighter. “I wanted to see Frost so much. I did not pay heed to anything else. I have much to learn. Shining Light proved that.”

“You call him Frost? Shining Light? What is this you say?” Dances In Storms turned.

Sky Bird had eased off her mustang and slowly walked closer to her daughter and the wolf. “Daughter, I wish to know who this new person in our family is.”

Though Sky Bird stood tall, Golden Fox noted the quaver in her mother’s voice. “Come closer, Mother, but do not look him in the eyes.” When her mother was close enough to touch the wolf, Golden Fox gave more instructions. “Kneel on the ground and put you hand out, so he can sniff you.”

Sky Bird twisted her head around and eyed the fallen men. “Daughter, tell your wolf that I need both hands to cook food.” Though her words teased, her voice betrayed her fear.

A light laugh made its way from Golden Fox. “Mother, he has does not want to eat you. You are much too old and too tough.”

She made a squished face and laughed. “He slobbers more than Blue Spirit Dog.”

The wolf turned his back and sat down on her legs, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.

“Aiiee! Wolf, you are too heavy to sit on my lap like a small child.” She pushed at him until he finally moved.

Frost plopped down next to her, rolled onto his back, and kicked his feet up in the air.

Her mother’s hand also glided through his hair. “His fur is so soft, almost as soft as the fur of his children.” Sky Bird eyed the fallen men. “Sweet Mother! How did they know where to find you?”

Dances in Storms walked to where the men lay. She circled them and came back. “I do not know them. So foolish I have become. Wanting to hurry home, I asked no one to watch this night. They could have found us all sleeping.” She smacked her head.

Eagle Thunder and White elk rode up. Both jumped off their mustangs and walked around to the two dead men.

White Elk walked up behind Eagle Thunder. “This night, I too was foolish. I slept.”

Dances In Storms nodded toward Eagle Thunder. “Leave them where they lie. Eagle Woman will fly down from the campfires and deal with them. She will decide where they are worth taking to, and I am sure it is not the Spirit Land.”

White Elk gave Golden Fox a hand up on his mustang, and he urged the animal toward their camp.