Porcupine Mask
The low hanging sun above the horizon shown pale through a haze that appeared late in the day. From the far surface of the ocean a layer of fog gathered before the sunset and reached the shores of Klauck like a burst of steam from a fire stone -- only silent and cold. The mist followed paths up between totem poles into the main village, covering the houses and penetrated into the trees of the forest beyond.
The fog made the darkness come early and soon Hayoqwis could was unable to see more than a stones throw in front of him through the blinding presence that came to gently blow its other worldly white breath upon the beach and village. He climbed into the stern of Half Moon, planning to sleep under a warm elk hide that night as protection against the thick dampness settling around him. The tide had come up almost to where the canoe was tied and waves were lapping near by. He much preferred the quiet of a foggy beach to the distraction and enticements of the games of a people unworthy of trust.
He brushed off sawdust from the heron carving and stowed it carefully with the other supplies, then looked up toward Badger House. Looking up with curiosity he heard talking and laughter in the distance, but none of he lights from the fires of the houses along the shoreline could penetrate the dark. The chilling blanket of fog made it appear as if he were alone on a wild island and instead of resting close to hundreds of people now gathering for family meals, evening activities and a night's sleep in their lodges a short walk away. Soon he began to hear drums beating up the hill. The festivities were beginning with out him.
After a day of meeting old friends and bartering for goods as was expected, the Kaw-Seth party of Spe-eth, Tokwish, Kalis, Wountie and Tis'ka were lead into Badger House for the feast and bone games. They moved through the foggy darkness with heightened emotion, anticipating the excitement of the games. Once inside the warm lodge, the first thing that they noticed -- besides drummers performing near the fire -- was the wide eyes of Shaman Mowa'kek staring at them suspiciously from the corner.
His thin face was tight with what looked like an expression of anger or even hatred -- watching the Kaw-Seth braves as if he had spied a band of demons sneaking into the house. He held a rattle shaped as a fat bird and shook it continuously and appeared to be singing silently to himself. Was he trying to cast some kind of spell against them? Tokwish kept his right hand on his obsidian-blade knife under his tunic, thinking that at any moment the wild-man might spring up to attack. It was not unheard of for strange guests to walk into a brawl and be killed.
The Selawik men noticed Mowa'kek's expressions and a few wondered if there might be something supernatural about the visitors after all. But, most of the men, following the manner of the grandfather chief, treated the Kaw-Seth braves like any of the other guests from the southern regions who visited Klauck throughout the year to trade or take part in mushroom rituals famed for imparting visions. Strangers were common for them, even if the far north Kaw-Seth rarely showed their red faces. Each mid summer the Selawik hosted a potlatch and invited representatives from all of the large villages and tribes within a day or so journey to join them for sporting and gambling matches. Island Home was at least ten days away to the north.
Everyone knew that Klauck was the most exciting place of all the Selawik villages to experience the pleasures of the Raven People -- as long as visitors came prepared with enough wealth to impress the others during the matches. Winners of final matches obtained status and were permitted to take part in special late night feasts and celebrations that lasted for days and nights. It was then that Selawick shaman presided over the power rituals and handed out samples of the intoxicating mushrooms.
Continued
The fog made the darkness come early and soon Hayoqwis could was unable to see more than a stones throw in front of him through the blinding presence that came to gently blow its other worldly white breath upon the beach and village. He climbed into the stern of Half Moon, planning to sleep under a warm elk hide that night as protection against the thick dampness settling around him. The tide had come up almost to where the canoe was tied and waves were lapping near by. He much preferred the quiet of a foggy beach to the distraction and enticements of the games of a people unworthy of trust.
He brushed off sawdust from the heron carving and stowed it carefully with the other supplies, then looked up toward Badger House. Looking up with curiosity he heard talking and laughter in the distance, but none of he lights from the fires of the houses along the shoreline could penetrate the dark. The chilling blanket of fog made it appear as if he were alone on a wild island and instead of resting close to hundreds of people now gathering for family meals, evening activities and a night's sleep in their lodges a short walk away. Soon he began to hear drums beating up the hill. The festivities were beginning with out him.
After a day of meeting old friends and bartering for goods as was expected, the Kaw-Seth party of Spe-eth, Tokwish, Kalis, Wountie and Tis'ka were lead into Badger House for the feast and bone games. They moved through the foggy darkness with heightened emotion, anticipating the excitement of the games. Once inside the warm lodge, the first thing that they noticed -- besides drummers performing near the fire -- was the wide eyes of Shaman Mowa'kek staring at them suspiciously from the corner.
His thin face was tight with what looked like an expression of anger or even hatred -- watching the Kaw-Seth braves as if he had spied a band of demons sneaking into the house. He held a rattle shaped as a fat bird and shook it continuously and appeared to be singing silently to himself. Was he trying to cast some kind of spell against them? Tokwish kept his right hand on his obsidian-blade knife under his tunic, thinking that at any moment the wild-man might spring up to attack. It was not unheard of for strange guests to walk into a brawl and be killed.
The Selawik men noticed Mowa'kek's expressions and a few wondered if there might be something supernatural about the visitors after all. But, most of the men, following the manner of the grandfather chief, treated the Kaw-Seth braves like any of the other guests from the southern regions who visited Klauck throughout the year to trade or take part in mushroom rituals famed for imparting visions. Strangers were common for them, even if the far north Kaw-Seth rarely showed their red faces. Each mid summer the Selawik hosted a potlatch and invited representatives from all of the large villages and tribes within a day or so journey to join them for sporting and gambling matches. Island Home was at least ten days away to the north.
Everyone knew that Klauck was the most exciting place of all the Selawik villages to experience the pleasures of the Raven People -- as long as visitors came prepared with enough wealth to impress the others during the matches. Winners of final matches obtained status and were permitted to take part in special late night feasts and celebrations that lasted for days and nights. It was then that Selawick shaman presided over the power rituals and handed out samples of the intoxicating mushrooms.
Continued
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