StrangeOwl Chapter 2
Chapter 2
I sat there on my knees in the dust, shivering as the wind blew across my body. I did not understand what had happened to me. I stared at my hands...or rather my claws that were in place of my hands. I willed the claws to withdraw and slowly they did and once again I had hands. The people murmured at this and began to whisper to their neighbors. Their voices were angry for they were frightened at what they had seen.
"Be Still!" commanded the Shaman. The people grew quiet. The Chief then took a step forward. "Listen to me!" he said firmly. The Chief stretched out his hands and said to the people, "You have witnessed the birth of a new creature of the Great Spirit!" The people marveled at this and began speaking all at once. A new creature? How can this be so? Is she not a shape shifter? Are we in danger asked others, still with fright and anger in their hearts. "Be not afraid of what you have witnessed!" said the Chief.
I still sat there on my heels and felt the wind drying my new wings. I could feel the strength from Mother Earth soak into me from the soil. The full moon broke out from the clouds and bathed me in its light. I felt like a spot light was upon me and tried to hide. In doing so, my wings moved and enclosed me. This movement caused the people to cry out and once again the warriors raised their weapons to me.
"Put down your weapons." said the Shaman loudly. "This is your sister and friend whom you have known since infancy. " The shaman reached out his hand and gently placed it upon my head. "Do you raise your weapons to her now because of this new body she has grown? "Stand up, Strange Owl." said the Shaman quietly. Then he withdrew from my side.
For a few minutes I sat there gathering my courage and my strength. With my wings still covering me, I shakily brought my right leg up and placed my hands upon it. Then with a gentle push I stood up and placed my left leg up and then stood there. "Good!" said the Shaman. "Now, show yourself to the people."
I slowly unfurled my new wings and extended them outwards and faced the people. I felt achy. My stomach burned liked a fire was lit inside. I brought my head up and stared out at the people. "I am Strange Owl I said weakly." "I am still me." The Chief nodded in satisfaction at my proclamation and then turned once more to the people. "There is a Chapter to add to tonight's story and I want you, witnesses, to hear what I say." "YOU will be teaching it to future generations. You children, remember and hold to your hearts what you hear."
The people sat down until the only ones standing was the Shaman, the Chief and me. So many questions were flying through my mind. What am I? Who am I? What had happened? I knew to keep quiet for the Chief was about to begin the story of my beginning.
Once upon a Summer Solstice when the Hunters were out on the Hunt, a Snowy Owl, as you all know, showed the Hunters to the hidden glen. What you don't know, is that a young warrior was among them, having not decided whether he wanted to be apprentice to the old Shaman or stay a hunter. The people looked upon the Shaman in surprise. Shrugging as if it was no big deal, he gestured back to the Chief with a jerk of his head.
The young warrior took the child wrapped in the blanket of feathers and brought her to the Old Shaman. As he carried her, the baby started to cry in hunger and as she did, she reached out from the blanket and her little hand changed into a talon and she caught the young man on the chin and having done so, marked him as her Guardian. The people again looked at the Shaman and at his chin with the scar. A young boy, barely into his manhood spoke out. "I thought you said a bird of prey scratched you as you rescued....his voice faded off as he got the connection. The Shaman again just shrugged like it was no big deal, but his cheeks flamed the truth. The Chief continued on with his story. The Old Shaman knew this baby was special for he, himself had seen a full grown adult male of this type. The young man became the apprentice who is now our Shaman. In his trust is Strange Owls keeping until the appointed time came. Today you all witnessed that appointed time. The birth of a new Bird Woman is at hand.
Again the young man spoke out. "So?" "If Strange Owl is not a shape shifter but a Bird Woman, what is to happen now?" The people began all talking at once until the Chief raised his hands again for their silence.
I felt a sense of dread when the Chief and the Shaman both turned to look at me. "You, Strange Owl, must leave the people." said the Chief gravely.