Standing just outside the doorflap, Ziibi listened as Noko continued to scold Miinan. “I try to keep you from harm, but you wander off alone, and you flirt with a boy who can not speak.”

“I was not flirting.”

“Yes you were. If your father hears of this Ajijaak will suffer and so will you.”

Miinan remained silent.

Ziibi knew Noko felt some sympathy for Ajijaak, but not enough to encourage his friendship with her granddaughters. She also knew that when Miinan went out alone, she made sure Ajijaak saw her leave. It was cruel of Miinan to do this and that is why Ziibi had told on her. Told on her was not accurate. What she had done was ask Noko, “Where did you send Miinan?”

Noko’s eyes had narrowed. “She is not with you?”

Innocently she had shaken her head.

Noko had taken the pot off the fire, and placed it on the ground. “It is a fine day. I know where your sister has gone to.”

Though not invited Ziibi had followed Noko to the Great Sea. Though she could not see Ajijaak behind the cedar, she felt his presence. She had an awareness of all creatures with beating hearts. If a deer was close by, she could sense it before she saw it. If a beaver was swimming under water she would know it. Even the smallest squirrel or bird did not escape her attention. She had known a bear was near when they went up the path. When she saw her sister, she had felt the beat of Ajijaak’s heart keeping time with Miinan’s. He believed he could keep Miinan safe from harm. He could not. He hoped to win her love. He would not.

Noko expression changed as she caressed Miinan’s cheek. “Too soon you will be a woman. If you keep wandering off one of our enemies might kidnap you and make you his partner. Do you want that?”

“No.”

“Then do as I say.”

In the shadow of the door flap, Ziibi awaited her sister’s reply.

Noko shouted at the silent Miinan, “You will do as I say!”

Miinan nodded. Her face registered instant grief. Ziibi knew why. Now Miinan must keep her word, though she had not spoken it, she had promised in gesture and it was just as binding. Lying was a grievous sin, and one that should always be avoided. What would Miinan do, now that she could not longer visit her favorite spirit? What would Ajijaak do? Ziibi had done this, but she was not sorry. It was bad of Miinan to do what she did. She was hurting Ajijaak, and it must stop. His heart would heal in time. At least Ziibi hoped it would.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

*

Smudge fires of damp moss and bark, kept the insects away. A large fragrant fire of cedar burned. Around it sat the most revered of their people. Bibigwan lifted his reed flute to his lips while Jishigwan rattled his gourds. A young man stood, it was Ajijaak. On his deerskin pants were sewn little rows of small shells. The shells clattered together like water falling against stones. The drum remained silent; this was a dance for entertainment not ceremony. The rattle of the gourd shivered inside of Ziibi. Her body began to softly sway as she watched Ajijaak. She saw him glance at her sister. His eyes were wide and bright. He looked away from her and stretched his fingertips to the night sky. One bare foot and then the other counted time, even his toes kept time. The shells on pants began to rattle like dead leaves on a tree. Their shiny surface caught wavering firelight. Ajijaak was a skilled dancer. He could tell the old tales with his body, the way the old women told stories with their tongues. He began to dance the story of Giizhig-ikwe, Sky Woman. This dance was for Miinan. Ziibi looked at her father beside the fire, he was among revered ones. His eyes focused on Ajijaak. She saw his jaw tighten. It was not a good sign. Fear thrummed in Ziibi’s heart. She turned her eyes back to the dance.

Ajijaak stretched out his long brown arms. He rippled his bare chest muscles like the ripples of the Great Sea. The flex and movement entranced Ziibi. She did not know how he did this. His slender body moved in the rhythm of waves. She could almost hear them crash against the shore. He mimicked the small creatures. He fluffed his tail like the squirrel, dug like a mole and hopped like a rabbit. He began to tremble as the gourd made the sound of the rain. Spiraling, he danced around the fire. The water rose higher and higher. It was about to choke him. Abruptly he stopped. He rose to his full height, bowed his arms over his stomach, he was Giizhig-ikwe, heavy with child. She was tired and had no place to rest because the earth was covered with water. Ajijaak, dropped his arms, and swam like the Giant Turtle. He stopped and became the pregnant woman again. How he waddled as he climbed onto the turtle’s back. With one hand he called out silently for Aki to rebuild the world destroyed by flood. He became the muskrat and swam down through the deep waters to the earth. He scooped out a paw full mud and swam quickly to the surface. Panting he gave the soil to the Sky. Giizhig-ikwe spread it around the edge of a turtles back. And then, she performed her greatest act; she breathed life and growth into the wet earth. She was the symbol of nurturing, life bringing woman. With his fingers Ajijaak created small shoots of plants rising from the mud. He spread his arms and danced in an every widening circle as the earth grew and grew on the old turtle’s back. He did not look at Miinan, but everyone knew he was dancing for her.

Fearfully Ziibi glanced at her father. His face was a still as stone. His eyes flashed with fire and anger. Had someone told him about Miinan flirting with Ajijaak? Had he finally divined that she let the mute boy follow her where ever she went? Her father knew many things. Ziibi did not want him to direct any ill will toward Ajijaak, his mother or his noko. In her mind Ziibi pleaded with Ajijaak to stop his dancing. Her thoughts reached out to him. His eyes lit on her. He read her face and danced out of the circle of light.

To Miinan she said softly, “He danced for you.”

“He did not. He just likes that story.”

“He likes that story because of you.”

“Ziibi, stop it.”

Aggravated by her sister’s insensitivity she said, “I wish he watched me the way he watches you.”

Miinan turned to her small sister. She frowned at her. “You are too young for such thoughts. Ajijaak is just my friend. He knows that. I have done nothing to encourage him.”

“You have done nothing? You invite him to follow you all the time with your eyes. I see it.”

A strange smile spread over Miinan’s face.

Angrily, Ziibi said, “I would capture his heart if he would let me.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. She had not meant to say that. It was her secret. It was bad to tell one’s secrets to anyone, even her sister. She saw laughter catch in Miinan’s throat. She coughed to suppress it. She said, “What you must watch is your tongue, little sister. Noko might hear you. Do you want to be scolded tonight?”

She did not care. Still angry she said, “Noko enjoys scolding me that is why I give her so many chances to do it. It is her gift and I was born to help her grow it.”

“What if Father hears you?”

Father. The relationship was not a good one. “Father does not listen to me, so I do not have to worry.” She rose from her place and slipped beyond the light of the fire.