Child of Land and Sky

Chapter 3

Good to his word, Uncle Gull didn’t go to town for a month.  He had informed their neighbors, who sent word to their family members in town. For the first week after the incident, Aunt Chickadee and Uncle Gull were nervous, keeping our child with them at all times. This meant that Sparrow got to spend a lot of time with her uncle as Aunt Chickadee kept Dove glued to her hip.  Sparrow didn’t mind, though. She loved working on the ranch with her uncle.

As the weeks passed, Aunt Chickadee and Uncle Gull began to relax.  None of the neighbors has seen any Gi, and no one on their ranch had either. Convincing herself it was a mere fluke, Aunt Chickadee began loosening the reigns on her daughter and niece. Before they knew a second month had passed and still no sign of any Gi.

Unfortunately, spring was finishing its tour of their area in a nasty way.  While the season had started mild, it was ending on a terrible note, with heavy rains and radical changes in temperature daily.  Soon cloud cough began spreading. 

Cloud cough was a severe illness, but one the Ouranos were accustomed to. After generations, they had built a strong resistance to the disease, which caused fevers and the condensing of water in the person’s throat and lungs.  This condensing of water mixed with the high temperature resulted in the ill cough small clouds.  While this may sound amusing, it was a serious issue when a person began coughing clouds.  Whatever water was not coughed out often ended up in the victim’s lungs.

Aunt Chickadee caught a mild case of the illness, but luckily no one else did.  Unable to leave her or the girls, Uncle Gull had to postpone his much-needed trip to town.

However, once Aunt Chickadee was better, Uncle Gull has no choice but to return to town. Not only did they need some medicinal and textile supplies, but Uncle Gull had also received several letters begging for his help.  Cloud cough has stricken several residents of the town who owned essential businesses.  As a result, their businesses were forced to close, and people were struggling.

“Chickadee,” Uncle Gull said the morning of his departure. “I am sorry I must go so soon after you have recovered.”

“I know, my dear,” Aunt Chickadee sighed.

The sun had only just begun to rise, and the girls were not yet awake.

“But I also know our friends and the town need you right now. Not to mention, I am almost out of cloth for the new dressed the girls need.  They are both growing like nimbus vines,” she forced a smile.

“I will be gone for over a week,” he hesitated.

“You have been gone long before. We will manage.”

“I know, but I still worry.”

“Good, that just means you will come home as soon as possible.”

With that, she gave him and kiss and shooed him out of the house.  If he delayed any longer, Aunt Chickadee knew she would convince him to stay instead. Keeping herself busy, Aunt Chickadee made breakfast then woke the girls. Both were disappointed at missing Uncle Gull leave, but soon they were too busy with the daily chores to even notice he was gone. 

It was on the third day since Uncle Gull’s departure that the cattle hand sent a note of his illness. He had caught cloud cough from his sister and mother.  Not wishing to bring it back into their house, the cattle hand informed Aunt Chickadee that he could not come to work. Annoyed, but understanding his position, Aunt Chickadee sent a reply that it was okay, and he should just focus on recovering. That being said, Aunt Chickadee didn’t know who would watch the cattle. 

“I can do it,” Sparrow offered quickly upon hearing the news.

“You, Sparrow?” Aunt Chickadee asked, not really surprised.

Aunt Chickadee swore that girl would do anything to get out of housework.

“Yes, Aunt,” Sparrow smiled. “You know I am good with the cattle, and I don’t mind being outside all day.”

“Alright, but you better not get your dress filthy.”

“Can’t I change into uncle’s old trousers?”

“Pateras, no!  You are a young lady, Sparrow.  You must remember that.  You will be thirteen soon.”

Grumbling under her breath, Sparrow resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Handling the cattle in the layers skirts her aunt made her wear was a hassle.  They also attracted dirt like a magnet.  No matter how hard Sparrow tried, her skirts always ended up covered in dust and mud.

“Yes, ma’am,” she agreed.

“Go on then,” Aunt Chickadee scowled. “I will send Dove out later with some lunch.”

Not needing any further encouragement, Sparrow scampered from the kitchen to the cattle pastors.  Taking a deep breath, Sparrow felt the dense, moist air enter her lungs, and she smiled.  She didn’t mind the smell of the cattle or the damp earth.  It was better than sowing and mending all morning like Dove would be doing.

With practiced skills, Sparrow herded the cattle out to the fields then made her way to the fence. Climbing up as she always did, Sparrow watched the cattle wander and graze.  Tending the cattle was a lazy job.  The only reason the cattle needed someone to watch them was because of predatory animals or cattle thieves.  The cattle themselves were low maintenance animals. Their woolly fur had already been sheared off for spring, so they glistened strawberry red and carrot orange in the sun.  Their massive rectangular heads swung back and forth slowly as the lowed at each other.

The morning was uneventful.  Sparrow allowed her mind to wander as the cattle grazed.

By lunchtime, she was starving and a little bored.  It was a relief to see Dove trudging through the fields, her skirts in one hand, and a basket of food in the other.  Beaming, Sparrow waved at Dove, who grinned back, her hands too full to wave. 

They spent a nice lunch together, talking about their days and guessing about how long the cloud cough would last in their area.

Dove made a few jokes at Sparrow’s expense about Heron coming back to his farm. With the cloud cough so bad in town, his mother thought it best that Heron returned to the farm.  Heron had been home a few times over the last two and a half months, but not as often as he used to be.  Heron, who was already thirteen, was being trained by his father in business.  Therefore, he had to accompany his father more often than before.

“It is unfair,” Sparrow complained. “Why does he have to be trained by his dad? Why can’t he just work the farm like his mother and sisters?”

“Heron is the oldest son,” Dove said wisely. “He must follow in his father’s footsteps.  And it is good for him to know a trade. He is getting close to adulthood, Sparrow.”

“No, he isn’t!” Sparrow snapped.

Smiling sweetly, Dove giggled.

“Yes, he is, and you are too. You will be thirteen in another month.  I know that being an adult isn’t as fun as being a child, but you will like it too, Sparrow, in a different way.”

“I just want to hang out with Heron.”

Pouting, Sparrow took the last bite of her Crispin Fruit. Tossing the core to a nearby cattle, Sparrow continued to feel sorry for herself until Dove stood.

“You can still hang out with Heron, but you need to realize that one day Heron is going to want more than just your friendship, Sparrow.”

“Nuh-uh,” Sparrow frowned.

“Just wait and see.  Finch and I used to be just like you and Heron.”

Finch was the boy in town Dove was crazy about.

It was true they had been childhood friends, but they hadn’t been as close as Heron and Sparrow were. Finch lived in town, so he and Dove only saw each other once a month growing up.  They still only saw each other once a month.  Of course, now, when they saw each other, Dove and Finch flirted and teased.  It always made Sparrow want to puke.  She hoped she never acted like that. 

“I must be getting back to mama,” Dove said.

Her tone mimicked her mother’s when her mother was talking to Sparrow.  Narrowing her eyes, Sparrow hated when Dove tried to act like she was that much older and more mature.  Opening her mother to make a smart comment, Sparrow saw something out of the corner of her eye.  Turning, Sparrow saw movement in the trees.

“Dove,” she said slowly.

“What?” Dove asked absently as she packed up the leftover food and trash.

“There is something in the woods,” Sparrow said.

Straightening, Dove squinted at the woods.  The trees and underbrush were rustling as if something big was coming their way.  Grabbing Sparrow’s hand, Dove quickly pulled Sparrow behind her. Jogging towards the house, Dove kept her eyes glued on the trees.  The more the trees rustled, the faster Dove walked.  Sparrow tried to keep up as she too watched the trees.  They were only a quarter of the way back when six figures burst through the tree line.  Even at a distance, Dove and Sparrow knew they were Gi on horseback. 

“Mama!” Dove yelled. “Mama!”

A small figure appeared in the distance from the kitchen door.  Sparrow knew it was her aunt.

“Mama!” Dove yelled again.

This time Dove ran, dropping the basket and forgetting her skirts. She yanked Sparrow behind her, who ran as well, although her eyes stayed transfixed on the horsed Gi.  Seeing the riders in the distance, Aunt Chickadee bolted towards his girls.  The Gi urged their horses forward, easily vaulting over the field’s fence.  The cattle didn’t even seem to notice as the six horses galloped through their midst.

Aunt Chickadee miraculously reached the girls first. She pushed them both in front of her, praying to Pateras that they could all make it to the house. Yet whether her prayers never reached Pateras or He chose to ignore them, the three women barely made it more than six yards before the Gi were upon them.

Yelling and cheering, the Gi encircled the three quickly, cutting off their path to the house.  Aunt Chickadee held Sparrow and Dove protectively behind her as the Gi circled them.

Wolfe sat directly in front of Aunt Chickadee on his horse.  It was a magnificent creature.  Nine hands tall, the horse had fur the color and texture of winter moss.  Its long tail swished back and forth like a velvet snake as its long face tilted down, eyeing the grass at its feet.  Long wooly fur coated its front half while short, glossy fur covered its back half.  The horse stood on four pointed feet, perfectly balanced and nimble.  Its long triangular ears lay sideways on top of its head, twitching at every sound as its purple eyes stayed focused on the grass. The four Gis that circle the three women yipped and feigned lunges, enjoying their palpable fear.  A sixth Gi, older than the rest, sat on his horse to the right of Wolfe.  His horse was the colored of warm amber with a rippled mane that he stroked calmly. He appeared at ease and calculating as he studied the Ouranos women. 

“We come for your daughter,” Wolfe said.

Calmly, he pointed at Dove, who cried.  Going pale, Aunt Chickadee moved her body in front of Dove, so she was shielded entirely, exposing Sparrow. 

“You cannot have my daughter.  I will not let you Gi take her,” Aunt Chickadee said.

Despite her best efforts to sound brave, her voice shook.  Smiling, Wolfe laughed softly.  His comrades hooted and whistled.  Sparrow watched them in growing anger.  They were purposely scaring Aunt Chickadee and Dove.  They were just playing with them.  Clenching her fists, Sparrow glared at Wolfe.  She glared so intently that she did not notice the older Gi watching her. 

“We take her, or we take you,” Wolfe sneered.

Aunt Chickadee went even paler but did not move.

“My husband will be back any time now, and you will not be happy to meet him,” Aunt Chickadee blustered.

“Your man gone early to town.  Not return for days,” Wolfe waved off Aunt Chickadee’s threat. “We watch for a long time.  We know his trail.”

Blanching at the idea that Gi had been watching her family, Aunt Chickadee faltered.  Dove began to sob into Aunt Chickadee’s dress.   Sparrow could see Aunt Chickadee’s mind racing for an escape.  The Gi just laughed.  It made Sparrow’s blood boil.  Swiftly, she scooped a rock and slung it at Wolfe.  The rock smacked him above the left eye, creating a small cut.

Stunned, no one made a sound.

Carefully, Wolfe touched the wound, staring at the blood. 

“You are just a bully!” Sparrow shouted.  “You are just trying to scare us!  I am not scared of you!”

“Sparrow, no!” Aunt Chickadee gasped.

Grabbing Sparrow’s arm, Aunt Chickadee pulled her back towards her.  Wolfe glowered at Sparrow, the humor gone from his eyes.  His friends snarled, except for the older Gi.  The older Gi now smiled at Sparrow.

“Sparrow is not nice,” Wolfe growled.

“You are not nice!” Sparrow retorted.  “Go back to your tribe and leave us alone!”

“We go with our woman,” Wolfe barked.

Jumping off his horse, he grabbed Dove and yanked her from behind Aunt Chickadee.  Aunt Chickadee screamed and grabbed at her daughter.  One of the Gi, who was still on horseback, grabbed Aunt Chickadee by the hair, pulling her backward.  Crying out, Aunt Chickadee fell to the ground as Wolfe dragged Dove to his horse. 

“No! Please, no!” Aunt Chickadee cried out.

Struggling with her skirts, Aunt Chickadee tried to stand but kept tripping over herself. Mildly annoyed at her aunt’s continual insistence on such elaborate fashionable dresses, Sparrow scooped up more stones and threw them as hard as she could at Wolfe.  Growling, Wolfe covered his face as her stones hit him again and again. With his hands occupied, Dove ran back to her mother, crying terribly.  Sparrow felt her face heat with anger and fear.

She was so blinded by her anger and fear, Sparrow did not see or hear the other Gi approaching from behind.

The Gi scooped her up, pulling her tight to his chest.  Screeching, Sparrow fought his hold, wiggling and squirming.  Her captor cursed and wrapped her tight in both arms, pinning her arms to her side and limiting her movement.  Thrashing as best she could, Sparrow shrieked like a wild animal. 

“Sparrow!” Dove sobbed.  “Stop!”

Her cousin’s voice made Sparrow stop.

Staring wide-eyed at Dove, Sparrow did not understand why her cousin was telling her stop.  Dove and Aunt Chickadee huddled together, hugging each other tightly.  Both were crying and shaking.  Wolfe quickly approached Sparrow and her captor, back on his horse again.  His eyes flashed angrily as he brought his horse right up next to his comrades.

“Bad child,” he hissed.

His hand snaked out and grabbed Sparrow’s chin.

She tried to bite him. 

“She is more earth than Ouranos,” the older Gi chuckled.

“Animal child,” another agreed. 

“You hurt me, Sparrow,” Wolfe said venomously.

“Don’t touch me!  Don’t touch my cousin!  Don’t touch my aunt!” Sparrow shouted. 

Sparrow’s captor tightened his hold, and she squeaked in pain.  He was crushing her ribs. 

“Maybe you need lesson,” Wolfe said to Sparrow.

“Then, take her!” Aunt Chickadee said.

Everyone fell silent.  All eyes turned to Aunt Chickadee, who once again stood in front of Dove.

“What?” Wolfe sneered.

“Take Sparrow,” Aunt Chickadee said.

“Mama, no!” Dove gasped.

“Shush, Dove,” Aunt Chickadee snapped.

Sparrow stared at her aunt in stunned silence.

“What?” Wolfe repeated.

“Take Sparrow instead of my daughter. If you need a girl, then take her,” Aunt Chickadee said.

Although Aunt Chickadee’s eyes were hard and fixed, her hands shook.

“I need woman.  Not child,” Wolfe scowled. 

“Sparrow is twelve.  In three more years, she will be a woman.  That is not very long,” Aunt Chickadee said. 

“I do not bed child.  I am not an Ouranos man. I want woman now.”

Aunt Chickadee blushed.  She knew that Wolfe was referring to the tradition of powerful and wealthy Ouranos men who married young girls to mold them into the type of women they wanted.  It ensured that those men had virginal wives who learned how to please their husbands from a very young age.

“Please, take Sparrow instead.  She is stronger than my Dove.  She will be able to survive, and my Dove will not.”

“Mama, stop this!” Dove begged.

Sparrow couldn’t take her eyes off her aunt as she felt as if her heart was being ripped out. 

“No…” Wolfe shook his head. 

“I do not want you to take any of my girls, but, if you must, please take Sparrow,” Aunt Chickadee wept. 

The Gi all looked at Sparrow and then Wolfe.  He now appeared uncomfortable.  The older one clicked his tongue, and his horse trotted forward.  Approaching Sparrow and her captor, he studied Sparrow carefully.

“She has a better spirit, Wolfe,” he smiled kindly.

“Barely a child.”

His Pouli was much better than Wolfe’s.  By his language, Sparrow could tell the older Gi has some schooling in Pouli.

“Too young, Runner,” White Wolf frowned.

“Yes, but soon she will be a woman. Earth spirit is strong in her,” Runner said sagely. “Better for you than Bird Woman.”

Runner nodded his head in Dove’s direction. 

“Bird Women are flighty and flirty,” he continued. 

“This one has her eye on big rooster in town.  I have seen them together.  Why try to cage a bird when a wolf is easier to tame?”

Frowning, Wolfe drew up next to Runner.  His gaze fell upon Sparrow, and his frown deepened.

“She is too young,” Wolfe repeated.

“Wait then.  Few more years.  You are young.  I can keep an eye on her while you are out hunting.  I stay near town for tribal business,” Runner said. 

“I not know,” Wolfe said.

Shifting uncomfortably in his saddle, Wolfe appeared unsure of what to do.  This clearly was not how he pictured events transpiring. 

“Don’t let this happen, mama,” Dove begged.

“Shush,” her mother hissed.

To the Gi, Aunt Chickadee said, “If you will keep peace with our ranch, and not let any harm come to us, we will promise you Sparrow when she is fifteen.”

“Aunt Chickadee!” Sparrow cried.

Her aunt ignored her. 

“I will make sure she is educated the best I can in being a wife and in house affairs,” Aunt Chickadee continued.  “And when she turns fifteen, you may marry her, uh, Wolfe.”

“I not know,” Wolfe frowned. 

“You will get her dowry as a proper husband should,” Aunt Chickadee continued.

“Mama!” Dove shuddered.

“She has a nice dowry.  A couple far acres of our land and a small sum from her late parents.”

“She will be good woman, Wolfe,” Runner encouraged.

“But she has green eyes,” one of the other Gi hissed.

Runner and Wolfe snapped their eyes at the man who fell silent. The Gi holding Sparrow adjusted her so he could use one hand to stroke her hair.

“She is soft like a pup,” her captor chuckled.

“I will take if you do not want, Wolfe. And I like the strange green eyes.”

Eyes flashing, Wolfe grabbed Sparrow and pulled her on to his saddle. 

“No,” he barked.  “Earth child is mine, Ryder.”

A low growl escaped the Gi who had been holding Sparrow.  Wolfe leaned over Sparrow and growled back.  Neither looked away for a long moment, but finally, Ryder conceded.  Helping Sparrow sit up properly, Wolfe studied her with sad eyes.  Struggling, Sparrow did her best not to cry.  The tears burned the back of her eyes, yet she refused to cry in front of the Gis.  

“It is deal,” Wolfe nodded.  “I will take Sparrow for my woman.  Runner will watch her until I return. No man can have her.”

His eyes flashed towards Ryder, who sneered but said nothing.