“Thanks, Tiko. What does everyone think about first lifting the curse and freeing the lost tribe, then going after Élivágar?”
“Wendy, I shall be straightforward. As admirable as the goal of cleansing this area from the taint of Élivágar, I originally signed up for this excursion when Kyle and you first approached me and briefly mentioned this lost tribe. I felt an obligation to come and help if I am able. I agree to freeing the tribe first before tackling Élivágar.”
“I think we need more time to prepare for Élivágar. Now that we know of its poisonous breath and poison ice spears, I think we need to analyze its effects. I still believe it affects the blood and maybe now we have permission to collect samples. I think it’s something that we need to work on together, Wendy, you as a healer and me with my Blood Sage abilities. Might as well take care of the tribe now then handle Élivágar after further analysis.”
“I can lay the tribe to rest after Vito conducts Tewow to speak with them. We are both fresh not having used our abilities much yet.”
“I agree that now is an ideal time to take care of the tribe. It will take time for me to untangle the threads that both the Jo-gä-oh and Élivágar have hooked into the weather. We’ll want to cut that support from Élivágar before we confront it.”
Maddie and Vito have no objections to handling the lost tribe first, though Maddie requests to stay with some of the Ga-hon-ga to see if she can save more of the dying plants.
“Okay, so we’re in agreement. We’ll take care of the curse and the lost tribe now, then tomorrow Élivágar. As curses are a witch’s specialty, I’ll work with the Ga-hon-ga on this. Vito will take Tewow to meet with the lost tribe, then Tiko will lay them to rest. With the news of other bodies, we’ll need to alert Sheriff Ulate. Diego, can you stay here to help defrost the water for the police? Also, Libby, can you stay and see if you are able to discreetly get some samples from the bodies? You’re right, we need more information about the poison Élivágar kills with. Maybe the Ga-hon-ga can help with that, including any viable samples from the dead animals they mentioned.”
Hogun is pleased by their response and some Jo-gä-oh stay to help Diego with the water and Maddie with the plants. The remainder will guide Wendy and the rest to the lost tribe. She goes to speak with Sully and Sheriff Ulate about their plans. Both the ranger and the sheriff agree to stay with the streamside crew and oversee the recovery of the bodies while Sepulveda and Sully join the group going to lay the spirits to rest. Diego turns his attention to the stream and begins to work with the Ga-hon-ga as Wendy and the rest leave the area, following the birds that Hogun asked to lead the way. Feeling the extent of the frozen water, Diego settles in for a taxing concerted effort.
CHAPTER SEVEN - Wendy
Wendy and the group follow Tewow, who is the most attuned to the birds, while the rest of her attention focuses inwards. She’s evaluating the curse seeped in the land, trying to find a fingerhold to leverage into a wider gap. Sepulveda walks closely beside Tewow, speaking with him in quiet tones. Vito and Tiko are next in line, walking abreast as they confer on their upcoming tasks. Wendy is last, Sully keeping step on her right and Hogun on her left. Other Ga-hon-ga range around them, keeping them on an invisible path.
Turning to Hogun, Wendy asks, “You mentioned the Oh-do-was that dwell in the ground. Can they tell us how far down the curse goes? Maybe my powers can come from underneath and unmoor the curse ties. I don’t sense an object that the curse is anchored to, but the land is infused with it. As such, the plants and trees that grow from the ground and the animals that eat the plants are also affected. Usually, running water can deflect or limit a curse, but you indicated the water is not immune. Why is that?”
“I have asked a representative of the Oh-do-was to meet us where the spirits of the lost tribe dwell. I shall ask them your question when we arrive as I do not know if they will respond to humans. As for the water, the shaman sealed the curse with the lifeblood of the tribe, though not with ritual sacrifice if that is what you are thinking. During conflicts, their blood was spilled on the land and in the water and their bodies were dedicated to mounds in the earth. As you know, lifeblood is one of the most powerful bonds for oaths as well as curses. Multiply that by the thousands who died in a short matter of time, just decades. When the shaman made the blood binding with the earth, it also covered the water that runs over and in the earth. Even the winds that flow over this area do not rage unless allowed to and fire’s destruction is guided. The curse does not cover a wide area, but it is deep and true. Are you not affected by the curse?”
“I’ve got enough charms with me to neutralize the curse, for now. I just took stock and about a third of my charms have been rendered inert keeping the curse from affecting me. Once we get to the destination, Tiko’s bone wards can help stretch my supply out.”
“We shall be there soon, we have been walking along the Quesahanough Run for the past few minutes. The lost tribe gravitates to the Run, the sound of the flowing water soothes them. We have only
