The Wolf Tree by John Claude Bemis

Author:John Claude Bemis [Bemis, John Claude]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-375-89311-7
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2010-03-19T16:00:00+00:00

14

OMPHALOSA

“I DON’T SEE THE POINT,” REDFEATHER ARGUED. “Besides, it sounds dangerous.”

Ray licked the end of the string and threaded it through a needle to finish sewing the last of two pouches. “We can handle ourselves. I’m not planning on drawing a lot of attention in Omphalosa. We just need to look around.”

A lantern cast warm yellow light around Redfeather’s small cabin. Javidos was coiled in Marisol’s lap. She stroked his thick back and shifted uncomfortably.

“But you heard Water Spider,” Redfeather said. “It’s not the town that’s causing the Darkness, but the fact that the Wolf Tree has disappeared.”

“We can’t go looking for this Tree,” Ray asked.

“We have to, Ray! Didn’t you hear Water Spider? The Wolf Tree can help the Cherokee. It can help all the tribes. These rougarou can lead people to a world where the old ways are respected. I want to help them. I want to help them reach this place of peace.”

Marisol leaned forward. “Look, I made a promise to Nel. Ray and I are supposed to investigate Omphalosa and return to Shuckstack to tell him what we’ve discovered. Not solve lost Indian legends.”

“This is no legend!” Redfeather shouted. “You don’t believe Water Spider.”

Javidos hissed from her lap, but Redfeather ignored his threats.

“I believe he met these rougarou,” she said. “But that was a long time ago. There could be a million other reasons they’ve disappeared. And how do we know they have anything to do with the Darkness?”

Redfeather said, “Because Water Spider said—”

“Look,” Ray interrupted. “Water Spider might be right. There might be a connection. Let’s go to Omphalosa first. It might help us understand what’s happened to the Wolf Tree.”

“But Nel said for us to return afterward,” Marisol argued.

Ray frowned as he tied off the last stitch. He tossed the small pouch—no bigger than a coin purse—to Marisol. It had a long cord for her to wear Nel’s protective charm as a necklace. Ray gave the second to Redfeather, and slipped the last back into his red flannel toby.

Redfeather leaned forward, speaking urgently to Ray. “If we don’t discover the source of the Darkness in Omphalosa, will you go with me?”

“We promised Nel,” Marisol said.

Redfeather snapped at her, “You go back to Shuckstack! We don’t need you.” And then he said to Ray, “Why did you bring her anyway?”

Marisol flung Javidos onto her shoulder and stormed out of the cabin. Ray watched the door slam. “What’s the problem with you two?”

“There’s no problem.”

Ray raised his eyebrows.

“You know how she is,” Redfeather said. “She’s spoiled. She thinks everyone is beneath her.”

“She’s not like that … not anymore. We have to work together.”

Redfeather rolled his eyes. “If I try to be nice to her, will you help me find the Wolf Tree?”

Ray looked down at his toby. It felt so empty without the weight of the rabbit’s foot. He had to find the source of the Darkness if he was going to at last track down the Gog’s Machine.

“I’ll help you. But first we go to Omphalosa.

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