Since she was not family, Ziibi was not allowed to help with the preparation of Ajijaak’s body. Instead she was left to attend his unnamed child. She had taken him to Ajijaak’s corn patch. The long stalks caught the wind and whispered of a bountiful harvest. Others would pick this corn, others would eat it, not Ajijaak. Her heart ached and she felt so powerless. For many seasons she had been learning the arts of healing power and yet she had failed Ajijaak. The baby squirmed in her arms. One chubby fist grabbed her hair. He tugged hard. She looked down into his dimpled face. His eyes, were Ajijaak’s eyes. Would this little boy fair any better than his father or grandfather, or was he too destined for an early grave? Ziibi did not know. What she did know was that she would do all in her power to make sure this baby became a man.

The sisters came to the corn patch. They squatted down beside her for along while before Mitigokin asked, “So you are returning to your village?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Ziibi dropped her eyes to the face of the baby. With him securely in her vision she was able to say, “My place is with Ajijaak’s family. Wabisi will need my help with the baby and support in her grief. I have learned much in my time with you, but my time with you has come to an end, and my life is taking a new path.”

Mitigokin said, “Or an old one. You have to follow your own destiny. We cannot do that for you. Still, we grieve that you have tied yourself to a dead man. You have great power Ziibi, and there is still so much for you to learn.”

“I know.” There were also things she did not want to learn, like how to use the bear claw medicine and how to break sacred rules and defy the boundaries of other Midewiwin. She also did not want to be tied to the family of the man who murdered her best loved.

Mitigomin spoke as if reading Ziibi’s mind, “You think you are so wise, girl. You have much to learn about the compromises that healing will call you to.”

Ziibi looked at the sister and said, “Perhaps that is the way of your family, but it is not the way of mine.” With Ajijaak’s son pressed close in her arms, she turned away from the sisters. Her conversation with them was over.

Each sister grunted, the grunt of contempt, and then Ziibi heard them walk away. Ajijaak’s noko came to the corn patch. She said, “You can go in now my love.” She took the baby from Ziibi.

In her chest Ziibi felt her heart begin to beat like an erratic drum. She handed the baby over to his great grandmother. Suddenly she was very afraid. With slow reluctant steps she made her way from the corn patch to the door flap. Moving from the bright light of day into the dimly lit house made her eyes sting. The shaft of light from the open door flap slashed across Ajijaak’s still body. He was laid out in his best dancing clothes. One of his drums was beside him, as was a food pouch. His hair was combed into tight black braids. The wounds across his chest were not as red and swollen as they had been. For a brief instant she thought she saw him take in a breath of air. She dropped the door flap and was plunged into darkness. The keening wail of Wabisi filled the small enclosure. Ziibi groped her way to Ajijaak’s body and knelt down beside him. She laid her ear against his lips and nostrils. There was no breath. Only wishful thinking on her part. She sat up and took his fine long fingered hand in hers. Through dance, signs, and his drums he had communicated much with his hands. In the land of Souls he would play, and dance, if he were not dancing there already. Ajijaak was swift. He would arrive quickly. The only thing that would slow him down was Wiinizik. Would he find her or would he wander through eternity looking for her?

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

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Ajijaak was buried on the island beside the body of his wife and her grandfather. Wabisi said it was what her son would have wanted. It was true. Ziibi knew this. She was thankful that Wabisi had not held onto a grudge and denied her son the resting place he would most desire, but then Wabisi had never been a vengeful woman. After the burial ceremony was completed, Mikinak, Ziibi, Zhede, Ajijaak’s noko, Wabisi and the baby got into their canoes and headed home.

At dusk they camped beside the Great Sea. As they ate their meal in silence, Wabisi nudged her man. Zhede cleared his throat and asked Ziibi’s father, “Mikinak, my woman and I would like for you to name Ajijaak’s son.”

This was an honor. Ziibi watched her father’s face closely. She could see a faint light dance deep within them. Softly he said, “I will. As soon as I know his name, I will give it to him.” There was no way of knowing how long it would take before a name did come. Mikinak did not know that Wiinizik’s uncle, Makade-amik had dreamed a name for this child, because he had not shared it.

“Thank you,” Zhede said. He looked at his weary woman and added, “I think we will sleep now. Tomorrow it will be good to be back in our own village.”

Mikinak nodded his agreement.

The baby, already slept. Though Wabisi wanted to keep the child with her, Ziibi said, “Please, let me watch over him and feed him tonight. You are so very tired. I will tend to him well.”

Wabisi cupped Ziibi’s face in her hands just as Ajijaak had in her dream. “Thank you. I am soul weary.”

The men cut spruce bows to throw their skins over for pallets. The spicy smell of spruce the air. Overhead the stars were bright pricks of white light. The half moon would rise in time. The night creatures were moving about in the darkness, going about their nightly business. Ziibi lay down on the pallet her father had made for her and the baby. The child slept in the crook of her arm. In a sealed container she had his rice milk and rice gruel. His skin was so very soft. In sleep he did not look so much like Ajijaak, but when he was awake, his eyes held his father’s spirit and seemed to call out an over all likeness to Ajijaak.

Ziibi rolled on her side to face the baby. Her movement cause the spruce beneath her to send out fresh fragrance. It wrapped around her comforting her tired mind and body. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she saw a female wolf pass by. The wolf did not turn and look at the sleeping humans. Her eyes were focused ahead. Immediately alert, Ziibi watched. The wolf was tracking something, something she would most likely take to her pups. She disappeared into the forest. Close behind her was a male wolf, the wolf looked so much like Mikwam that Ziibi almost called out to him, but caught herself in time. How magnificent was this living creature. The moon was just rising casting silver light upon the him. He turned to Ziibi. Their eyes met. In silence he transferred some of his strength to her and his blessing. The wolf cocked his head and then turned his attention back to the trail his mate followed. Ziibi watched him until he too was out of sight. She closed her eyes and drifted gently into the land of dreams.