Wild and Wicked Ways by Leia Howard

Author:Leia Howard [Howard, Leia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX – Diego

“The water tells me I need to speak with Ga-hon-ga. Please, come join me and my companions on the other side of the stream. I assure you, we just wish to speak with you. I believe we’re the help that you’ve been waiting for.”

Diego feels a sharpening of the watching gaze and the air tells him his words were heard by the observer. While the focus remains on him, Diego returns to the original side of the stream then dissolves the air bridge he created. “I think we may have someone join us soon. They aren’t hostile, or so the water says.”

Minutes pass before the wind becomes stronger and begins swirling the sparse winter foliage lying about the ground. In the midst of the dance of dead leaves, small people-shaped individuals begin to materialize. Within minutes, several dozen inhabit the clearing. Sheriff Ulate, Ranger Brunner, and Sepulveda keep their sidearms holstered while Sully continues to hold his rifle at the ready. Sully’s only concession is to keep most of his focus outside the clearing, continuing to monitor for the dark entity.

The small people are perfectly proportioned between two and three feet. The males wear long fringed deerskin shirts down past their hips with thigh-length leather band-laced leggings underneath. Many have their hair shaved bald on the front, sides, and underneath leaving a scalp lock with feathers or plumage entwined. Others have their hair pulled back in knots or different designs shaved in their hair. Some faces are adorned in various markings of red and black paint and bone or wood piercings. The females are more uniform with ankle-length dresses over leggings with knee-length porcupine quill embroidered skirts. Their variety came from the colors of white, purple, blue, and violet hewed dresses and skirts. While looking around the clearing, Diego notices the eyes of the police officers not focusing on the people inhabiting it.

“Sully, what do you see?”

“Just a bunch of fog at the center of the clearing. I can see outside the circle just fine, but inside is hazy.”

“Yes, me too,” Sheriff Ulate confirms. “I suspect we won’t be able to hear whatever is being said, at least by the visitors. I’m assuming the fog is masking whoever you warned us about from our sight.”

The number of individuals appearing abates and Diego can see everyone looking at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. Diego feels obligated to get the ball rolling,

“Hello, I am Diego. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. The water mentioned that you may have some information about the strange dark entity that haunts this forest. But first, will our police companions be able to hear or see what you do? Then what questions do you have for us?”

“I am Hogun, speaker of the Ga-hon-ga. We will communicate with those of you marked as other. The rest will not be harmed by our concealment. You are strangers to this land, explain your presence.” Hogun’s voice is deep, despite his short stature and he is unexpectedly without accent as he speaks English.

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