Bone Walker: A Native American Historical Mystery Series (The Anasazi Mysteries Book 5) by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Author:W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear [Gear, W. Michael]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781639778287
Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
Published: 2023-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

As he walked, Browser sniffed the west wind blowing down from the high country. The scents of wood smoke and frozen earth seemed to hang in the still air. It had just started to snow again, and tiny flakes tapped his cheeks. Muffled figures lined out behind him. Catkin followed with a spring in her long legs. Stone Ghost walked beside Obsidian, and Jackrabbit and Straighthorn brought up the rear. Their moccasined feet whispered on the fresh snow as they entered the gap in the wall and headed diagonally toward the Great North Road.

Browser followed it south, across the terraces and down to the river. As they neared the water, Browser slowed. The bank would be slick and treacherous, especially for Stone Ghost.

“Nephew?” Stone Ghost called from behind. “May we wait here a moment?”

Browser turned, peering back into the predawn darkness. “Of course, Uncle. Let me help you.” He started back.

“No, I’m fine, Nephew. I’m not certain, but I hope that we—”

“Hello!” an accented voice called from the darkness, and nine shadowy figures rose from the riverbank.

Browser cried, “Get down!” and swung his war club up, ready to charge.

Stone Ghost grabbed his arm. “Wait, Nephew! These are not enemies. They come as friends.”

Breathing hard, prepared for battle, Browser looked at him dumbly. “Friends? Who are they?”

To his left, he saw Catkin silently move away, ready to flank the small party that approached.

“Uncle?” Browser repeated.

“It’s the Mogollon,” Stone Ghost said. “Forgive me for not telling you sooner, Nephew, but their elder, White Cone, asked me not to. He feared that if anyone else knew, they would be murdered in their sleep. As their prophet was.”

“Why are they here?”

“They have elected to accompany us to the south. They have no more reason to stay here—and plenty to join us.”

As the Mogollon appeared out of the darkness, Stone Ghost stepped forward and clasped the white-haired elder’s hand. “You are welcome among us, White Cone. But time is short. Come, let us be off.”

“The sooner the better,” White Cone agreed. “I doubt Matron Blue Corn will be pleased by the hole we cut in her south wall. Wrath seems to be her constant companion.”

“Nephew,” Stone Ghost turned to Browser, “let us proceed.”

Browser gripped his uncle by the arm, as though helping him down the steep bank, and leaned close enough to whisper, “I thought this journey was a secret. How many others have you invited to join us?”

Stone Ghost patted Browser’s hand. “No more than necessary.”

Browser stopped at the edge of the water and motioned to Catkin. “Take Straighthorn and scout the opposite bank. Let me know if it is safe.”

She nodded and waved Straighthorn forward. Once they entered the water, they became almost invisible.

Browser surveyed the Mogollon. They stood five paces behind him, speaking softly to each other. Their elder, White Cone, watched Catkin and Straighthorn like a hawk with fat mice in sight.

Curious. Yesterday, he’d looked like a slave. Today, though sadness strained his features, he had an air of command. He stood tall and straight, and wary.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.