The Ghost Child of Dead Oak Creek page 1

 The Ghost Child of Dead Oak Creek

A Halloween Story

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With the holidays just around the corner and Halloween less than a week away ten year old Penny James still hadn't decided on her costume just yet and she flatly refused for the third time to go as a chicken suggested by her older brother Mark. Living on a cattle ranch in Montana Penny's nearest neighbors were miles away meaning holidays like Halloween were held in town at the High School gym. With a population of less than a thousand and most of those were ranchers, cowboys and God loving folks there wasn't anything anyone didn't know about you even before it even happened. Penny still got teased about last years costume after Mark dressed her up as a two headed woodchuck convincing her she could carry two trick or treat bags meaning twice the candy? Mark continued to poke fun at his sister suggesting a three headed porcupine would be more appealing this year if she didn't want to be a chicken? Penny had heard enough taking refuge in her room and spoke to Nelly the families five year old Golden Retriever who always listened quietly and never interrupted because she was always polite.

Penny made a frown at Marks picture on her dresser telling herself she would never allow her brother anywhere near the costume of her choosing. I'm old enough to decide for myself she thought while still feeling the embarrassment from last year's costume. Nelly seemed to understand and remembered the two headed woodchuck from last year even-though it frightened her a little at first but she always knew it was Penny behind of those two heads. So what would it be this time Nelly girl, a Ghost, a Zombie, a Wicket Witch or the Montana Prairie Princess? That evening after dinner Penny asked her mother if she would help her with her costume prompting Mark to immediately offer to help with a huge grim across his face. Penny couldn't recall seeing anyone at last years Halloween party dressed as the Prairie Princess and Nelly could go as her trusted steed on a leash of course. Mark was the first to say, “No way”, reminding Penny of their towns early history and the legend of Dead Oak Creek. When Montana was still a territory only the brave and the fearless dared to settle where the town now stood but the story of a missing gold miners daughter and the tragic death of her father still had the locals talking to this day. In those early times children were a blessing with so many succumbing to disease and other hardships of everyday life and living on the trail. Jacob Davis was a miner from California who moved to Montana just after the gold ran out in the golden state. He traveled with his wife and their adventurous daughter Jenny but somewhere between here and there life got worse for Jacob Davis.  His wife of twelve years and mother of his child stopped loving and caring about anything that meant something good.

Just before winter set in she ran off with a fancy Buffalo soldier on one very cold and lonely night leaving them both he and Jenny to fend for themselves? They nearly starved to death until Davis discovered gold in a nearby creek with some nuggets the size of pigeon eggs making him instantly rich. Davis kept the find a secret and never told anyone especially Jenny fearing it would only bring them real trouble as if they hadn't had enough. Even as the gold piled up Davis kept it hidden and continued to live in the same old shack he started from even when the town began to grow all around them. Children back then enjoyed Halloween just as much as they do today but without all the extra sugar, chips and sodas? Back then apples were prized as well as nuts and even books if you could read. What few kids were around painted their faces with white grease paint and mud, made hats out of twigs and tree bark and even wore long braided wigs and beards woven from wild prairie flowers of all shapes and sizes.  Just at sunset on that Halloween night it became deadly cold in the hills of Montana having snowed six inches when Jenny stepped out into that dark October night. With a flour sack across her shoulder to hold any treats and a face smeared with red clay and blue flowers stuck to it she declared herself Montana's first Lady Prairie Princess and disappeared into the darkness. Sadly the few children in town were kept indoors that night leaving Jenny on her own on this night of all saints eve. Hours past and Jenny was no were to be found having never returned to her fathers rickety sack. The whole town formed a search party and discovered just one set to footprints leading to an old oak tree just outside of town. It was Jenny's footprints for sure and they stopped directly in front of the tree that had been dead for years as it towered over the banks of a rocky creek below. It was almost at the exact spot where Davis had made his discovery and it was that fact that may have haunted him to death?. Jenny had never been found along with most of her fathers hidden gold as wild rumors told of ther second disappearance of Jacob Davis who became mad with grief over the loss of his daughter. He too had ever been found causing most of the town folk to fear the towering oak adding to the mystery?

Both Enapay and Kangee turned toward each other

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Both Enapay and Kangee turned toward each other and hugged one another as tears ran down both their faces never having experienced a true life threatening event in their young lives. They both hadn’t realized that the White Spirit was now gone and only the bodies of the dead wolves remained. It was then the sound of hoof beats broke the silence as their Indian ponies galloped toward them and stopped. But their ponies weren’t alone and they were followed by a pair of chestnut stallions with two mares and their colts. As Enapay and Kangee rode out of the hidden canyon with their prized herd in tow the White Spirit bid them farewell from a high mountain top never to be seen again.

The End

Enapay and Kangee climbed a sloping hill

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Enapay and Kangee climbed a sloping hill that partially hid them from the watchful eye’s of the White Spirit or so they thought and crawled on their bellies blending into the tall grass that surrounded them. Enapay counted fifty in the herd while several foals chased each other across a flat meadow while their mothers grazed nearby. Suddenly the White Spirit lifted his head pointing his nose in their direction and began to snort and whinny tapping his front hoof as two young chestnut stallions raced toward him. Almost instantly they joined the White Spirit who galloped full speed toward the hidden pair circling their two ponies forcing them into the grazing herd. Enapay and Kangee dare not move as they watched the two chestnut stallions nip at their ponies hindquarters while the rest of the herd ran to inspect the herds two new members. The White Spirit stood motionless almost taunting the two to show themselves and he screamed and flattened his ears and shook his head in disapproval. Kangee suddenly stood up and faced the White Spirit from her hiding place while the mighty white horse didn’t move almost insisting that Enapay show himself also.

Now it was Enapay’s turn so he quickly stood up from the tall green grass and slowly walked toward his sister wondering if these would be their last moments on earth. As if on trial the two stood silent facing a legend they had heard about their entire lives when suddenly from nowhere a pack of grey timber wolves appeared and began to circle the White Spirit. Kangee ran to the bottom of the small hill and quickly picked up Enapay’s spear but as she reached for her brothers bow and arrows she was knocked off her feet by a black colored wolf. The black wolf spun around her it’s hackles glistening in the fading sunlight with it’s white fangs snapping wildly just missing her arms and  legs. Enapay ran to his sisters aid drawing his knife and charging the black wolf now joined by another but before he could reach her the shadow of the White Spirit blocked out the sun momentarily. The white stallion jumped completely over the young Indian brave and landed instantly on the back of one the wolves making a loud crackling sound. Enapay grabbed his sisters hand and helped her up and at the same time drew back his bow and arrow.

One wolf lay dead while the others began to close in on the White Spirit who placed himself between the young Indians and the attacking wolves. Enapay fired his bow striking a gray wolf in the hind leg causing the animal to turn tail and run but there were still four left. The White Spirit again turned and the faced a charging wolf while another buried it’s fangs into the white stallion’s back leg only to receive a kick to the chest killing it instantly. Kangee threw her brothers spear at one of the three remaining wolves but missed her mark causing the largest of the wolves to refocus it’s attention on her. But the White Spirit grabbed the large wolf by the tail and flung it aside like a leaf in a wind storm. The wolves now having lost two of their own and one injured had enough of the fight on this day and just as quickly as they had appeared the ran off into the timber with all three howling in defeat.

The sun was beginning to set

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The sun was beginning to set as Enapay prepared a rabbit he shot with his bow near a stand of dogwood trees while Kangee tied down their ponies who happily grazed on some sweet grass nearby. It was now almost a full day that they had become separated from the hunting party and it appeared that no help from the men would be coming. As the rabbit roasted over a opened fire Kangee told Enapay she believed it wouldn’t be long before they caught up with the White Spirit and his herd. As the two shared dinner a lone wolf howled far off into the distance and it wasn’t much longer before another one answered. The wolves know were here Kangee told her brother and they will kill us if we interfere with their hunt. After the meal Enapay searched for the straightest dogwood limb he could find with just moments of the remaining sunlight and sharpened one end to a needle point. Kangee made her own but it was shorter and looked more like a club then a spear and she swung it over her head and yelled out with the vengeance of a war chief.

The two took turns that night guarding their horses and Kangee already used her new club across Enapay’s backside after she discovered him sleeping on his first watch. But now it was morning and the two set out into the early morning sunrise and followed the tracks of the White Spirits herd. They were nearing the base of the blue mountains and some of the highest peaks where still snow capped. Stands of timber dotted the mountain side but the path of the herd lead deep into a small narrow gorge that almost disappeared into a hillside. The two continued stopping only to rest their horses along the way but the horses began to sense something that made them uneasy and Kangee felt it too. Once again a lone wolf howled far off from a distance mountain and Kangee pointed skyward to her brother at a dozen or some vultures circling just ahead of them. As they made their way deeper into the gorge they came across the body of grey timber wolf. His skull had be crushed and all around his body where large hoof prints made by a single horse.

Enapay knew the wolf pack would take revenge on the killer of one of their pack but there was no turning back now and besides he had a sister to protect. They left the body of the wolf to he vultures and moved on further into the narrow gorge that in some places only allowed them single file. And hour of daylight had passed until the narrow gorge opened up into a magnificent vastness of rolling hills and tree lined meadows. Elk bugled  across the valley as Enapay and Kangee sat motionless atop their horses not expecting  the beauty that lay before them. And then he appeared like a flash of lightning across the sky it was the White Spirit and he bolted across the valley floor with his head held high and his tail ripping in the wind like a royal flag. He hadn’t seen the two young Indians who watched him join his herd bowing his head up and down as if giving orders and commands but it wouldn’t be long before the two would be discovered because they where being watched.

As the sun from the following morning

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As the sun from the following morning began to rise a group of the tribes finest horsemen assembled near the edge of the village. The women and children gathered and together they gave blessings for a successful hunt and a safe return and they all were silent for it was bad luck to boast or make predications especially when wild horses were concerned. Enapay watched from the entrance of the village lodge as the men rode passed him in single file until the last rider stopped and handed him the reins of a painted pony. Within a instant he was aboard and with a gentle nudge from his heels they joined the party and headed toward the river. Hours passed as the group worked their way through a rocky gorge stopping only to water and rest their horses while others walked the area searching for any tracks that may have been left by the White Spirit and his herd. A lone eagle soared overhead which indicated a good sign in the eyes of the Sioux people making many on the trip less fearful. Enapay lead his pony to opened meadow and watched a dragon fly hover over a bed of yellow wildflowers and then chased away by a angry prairie dog.

All the men mounted their horses and met at the meadow where Enapay and his painted pony stood which was a vast stretch of endless miles of green grass and yellow flowers. By now it was noon and Trinapa the leader of the group told everyone to spread about a mile apart and move north toward a range of  low rolling blue green mountains. It was a cloudless sky overhead as Enapay worked his way across the meadow when he suddenly stopped his pony and looked down at the body of a dead horse. The animal was young and tracks that circled the half eaten carcass where that of wolves. The wolf tracks lead away from the body and Enapay followed them straight to the tracks of the White Spirits herd. Enapay rode as fast as he could to tell the others but they were gone, nowhere to be found and the sun was beginning to shine hotter with each step he and his pony made. Enapay climbed off his pony and walked northward toward the mountains hoping to pick up the groups tracks but he found nothing.

He began to become desperate and wondered if he misunderstood what directions the others had gone when he noticed a mounted figure rapidly moving toward him. As the figure grew nearer Enapay could hardly believe his eyes because it as Kangee his sister and she brought food and water. Enapay hugged his sister and then scolded her for leaving the village and she looked away knowing a woman’s place was not to search for horses with the men. Together they sat and ate while their horses grazed and Enapay told Kangee that he though they were lost. They both knew that the entire village would be out looking for them if they didn’t return but Enapay could never live down the though of becoming lost on his first hunt for wild horses. Enapay told Kangee about the dead horse he found the wolf tracks and most importantly the direction the wild herd was going. Kangee sat and listened and climb on top of her pony and with a swat of the reins she galloped off heading north toward the blue green mountains and the wolf tracks as Enapay rode quickly behind her.

The playful voices of the tribal children

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The playful voices of the tribal children playing near the waters edge echoed throughout a narrow canyon that lead to a slow moving river. Enapay watched as some of the woman constructed a drying rack made from long birch branches and then ran to help his sister fill their basket with a very large fish.  A large glistening salmon flopped back and forth and nearly out of the basket until it reached the cleaning station and then Kangee ran for another while Enapay scanned the horizon for any signs of wild horses. The entire day was very successful for the tribe with racks of fresh salmon drying in the sun and Enapay volunteered to guard their prized catch from any predators overnight looking for a quick meal. As the sun began to set the young brave started a fire and listened to the slow moving river while salmon fed on insects that floated passed deep holes of still water. The light of Enapay’s fire danced across the surface of the river making strange faces and shadows changing only when Enapay placed more wood on the fire. Coyote’s began to serenade the night skies as they readied for an evening hunt causing Enapay to count his arrows just in case of trouble.

Enapay rested his back against a large rounded rock now heated by his fire and drifted off into sleep dreaming of the White Spirit until he felt someone touch his shoulder. It was Kangee who brought some dried buffalo and cooked salmon and stayed with him until morning. Enapay stretched while he opened his eyes the following day as the woman had begun to set up for that days catch while several men placed their fish traps further down the river. Kangee was already knee deep in the water struggling with another salmon when suddenly the thundering sound of hoof beats roared across the canyon. Enapay looked up just in time to see a flash of brilliant white and then a scream from a white horse who appeared angry with it’s nostrils flared and its ears flattened back. Was it the White Spirit, Enapay thought to himself as the entire group stopped and watched as the white horse lead a herd of fifty horses to the rivers edge for water. A huge cloud of reddish dust drifted across most of the herd but when it settled down out emerged the White Spirit and he whinnied to the herd to drink.

He was more magnificent when Enapay had ever imagined and he stood as a guardian over the herd full aware of the tribes present. It’s as if he knows he’s invincible Enapay said out loud will the others stood spellbound. Some of the younger horses kicked and splashed in the water until the White Spirit snorted no and then they were off just as quickly as they had arrived and everyone present just watched as the herd disappeared deep into a endless canyon with only a line veil of dust trailing behind them. That evening all the elder members of the tribe gathered and the village pulsed with excitement over the sighting of the White Spirit. The men planned to pursue the herd the following morning in hopes of catching much needed horses but they also knew the dangers that they would face and every man prepared himself for that moment. Enapay wondered if he would be chosen to go on the great round up but so far no word had come. a slow moving river. Enapay watched as some of the woman constructed a drying rack made from long birch branches and then ran to help his sister fill their basket with a very large fish.  A large glistening salmon flopped back and forth and nearly out of the basket until it reached the cleaning station and then Kangee ran for another while Enapay scanned the horizon for any signs of wild horses. The entire day was very successful for the tribe with racks of fresh salmon drying in the sun and Enapay volunteered to guard their prized catch from any predators overnight looking for a quick meal. As the sun began to set the young brave started a fire and listened to the slow moving river while salmon fed on insects that floated passed deep holes of still water. The light of Enapay’s fire danced across the surface of the river making strange faces and shadows changing only when Enapay placed more wood on the fire. Coyote’s began to serenade the night skies as they readied for an evening hunt causing Enapay to count his arrows just in case of trouble.

Enapay rested his back against a large rounded rock now heated by his fire and drifted off into sleep dreaming of the White Spirit until he felt someone touch his shoulder. It was Kangee who brought some dried buffalo and cooked salmon and stayed with him until morning. Enapay stretched while he opened his eyes the following day as the woman had begun to set up for that days catch while several men placed their fish traps further down the river. Kangee was already knee deep in the water struggling with another salmon when suddenly the thundering sound of hoof beats roared across the canyon. Enapay looked up just in time to see a flash of brilliant white and then a scream from a white horse who appeared angry with it’s nostrils flared and its ears flattened back. Was it the White Spirit, Enapay thought to himself as the entire group stopped and watched as the white horse lead a herd of fifty horses to the rivers edge for water. A huge cloud of reddish dust drifted across most of the herd but when it settled down out emerged the White Spirit and he whinnied to the herd to drink.

He was more magnificent when Enapay had ever imagined and he stood as a guardian over the herd full aware of the tribes present. It’s as if he knows he’s invincible Enapay said out loud will the others stood spellbound. Some of the younger horses kicked and splashed in the water until the White Spirit snorted no and then they were off just as quickly as they had arrived and everyone present just watched as the herd disappeared deep into a endless canyon with only a line veil of dust trailing behind them. That evening all the elder members of the tribe gathered and the village pulsed with excitement over the sighting of the White Spirit. The men planned to pursue the herd the following morning in hopes of catching much needed horses but they also knew the dangers that they would face and every man prepared himself for that moment. Enapay wondered if he would be chosen to go on the great round up but so far no word had come.

A Wild Horse

A Wild Horse

By Larry J. Dellinges

     Long before the white man brought his wagons across the plains of the Dakota’s and his armies to protect them in search for the yellow gold in the sacred black hills there lived a horse like no other horse that ever lived before. His name was Wanageesha the Lakota Sioux name for White Spirit or the one who gallops to the stars. He stood tall for a stallion with eye’s black as coal and he was the color of the clouds a brilliant white and it was even said he could fly across the skies when he wished to. Many tried to capture this horse who was often seen standing alone overlooking a mountainous mesa or from the skyline of a towering plateau. It seemed those foolish enough to try quickly gave up while others died in their quest but the White Spirit would never be caught or broken. Skirmish’s broke out between neighboring tribes over who was brave enough to capture such a animal and stories of those who did are sometimes told even today but the white horse of the chaparral was a free spirit who feared nothing especially man.

Stories about the white horse were repeated over and over until some facts mixed with myths  became legends and the thought of being the one who captured the White Spirit never left the mind of a young Sioux boy named Enapay meaning The Brave one. Enapay grew up listening to the stories told by the elders about Wanageesha and he dreamed of bringing honor to himself and his people if he were to be the one who rode the White Spirit into battle. As Enapay grew into a young brave the stories of the White Spirit continued and there was always someone from a visiting tribe with new tales about the white stallion. One brave spoke of seeing the white horse kill a grizzly bear with one kick after it attempted to attack a mare and her young foal while a pack of hungry wolves watched from a stand of timber.

Another old woman told a group of young Sioux girls that Wanageesha was the spirit of their ancestors and just to look into his eyes would ensure a good husband and many children. The young girls laughed at these stories told by the old woman who claimed she looked into the eye’s of Wanageesha as a young girl resulting in several husbands over her lifetime but they all secretly believed the stories were true. But now the seasons were changing and with the beginning of spring the Sioux people had moved to the river to fish and hunt. This also meant the men would be out capturing wild horses to sell and to trade something that Enapay wasn’t now old enough until now but that was up to his father. But now armed with his bow and quiver full of arrows he walked with his younger sister Kangee meaning raven named for her cries as an infant that sounded like a angry bird. Kangee carried a large woven basket wedged against her hip and together she and Enapay made their way to the river while the elders were already checking their fish traps.

The Princess now trapped

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The Princess now trapped gripped one of the withered branches from inside her oak tree dungeon and watched Dazerack parade around her claiming another victory. “O, yes he will come”, he called out, but surly he will first sent out scouts to test the strength of my powers and the true dangers it possesses”. Dazerack continued on, “ your fathers love for his daughter is stronger than life itself, but enough idle talk of kings and daughters and forgotten kingdoms for I am needed elsewhere”. Dazerack stood back from the black oak tree and directed the still swirling mass of his army of black winged creatures back into their hidden lair of the base of the dead tree. He glance toward the Princess and without saying a word his disappeared into the forest without making a sound. A thick smokey fog drifted quietly through a large opened field of small gray stones and soft brown earth. Overhead a bright orange sun painted the sky a faded blue and all around was very still. Reaching toward the sky around the perimeter of the field stood a boundary line of waist high nettles, their thorny fingers ever ready to grasp anything within reach.

The distant song of a nightingale could faintly be heard from deep within a far off valley. Suddenly a narrow section of earth began to move as some small rocks rolled a few inches from the movement. Peering out of the half moon shaped hole blinked two deep blue eyes. “Is it clear?’, a voice spoke as the blue eyes blinked again and raised themselves a little further from the opening. “Be still”, the blue eyes whispered, “ we have to be sure”. Cautiously the blue eyed figure raised itself chin high and gazed across the rocky field. “ Is it clear”, a second voice nervously whispered from behind, “ or is that keeper of Fir Wood Row merely playing his clever game of hide and death?”. “Quite, my Prince”, the blue eyed voice spoke softly, “ we must be sure no one is watching as our kingdom and freedom are in our hands. The blue eyed voice continued, “ we must not fail or allow ourselves to be plucked from the ground and flow off to some distant cliff and be picked apart by that black hearted watchman of the skies the raven of Fir Wood Row.

Quietly the other elf began to stir and his light green eyes sparkled like flashing minnows in a deep clear pond. Pulling himself out of their darken cave Sir Maxwell stood motionless and took a deep breath as his keen eyes once more canvassed their surroundings. “ Here take my hand”, said Sir Maxwell as he reached down for Prince Bowman who sat in though with a single tear running down his face. We must hurry whispered the blue eyed elf pulling Prince Bowman to the surface and patting his back in a comforting way for he knew his dear friends sorrow. Sir Maxwell spoke in a reassuring tone and looked directly into the eyes of the young Prince. “Take heed my Prince of the Golden Silver Wings”, he said, “ our quest if is one of life and the life after and unless we stop the evils of Dazerack and clip the wings of his black raven army we will never restore our forest and kingdom to it’s once beauty and everlasting peace.

Suddenly black and silver winged creatures

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Suddenly black and silver winged creatures erupted from a fallen oak and began to spiral skyward twisting like whirlwinds in pursuit of the fleeing Princess. Screeching cries filled the darkening skies like a tremendous thunderstorm and the spiraling bird like creatures gathered together in a huge black mass of killing chaos. Princess Adeeras spoke softly to her silken guardian who readied itself for the fast approaching danger. “Fly my black hearted ravens and fly with your brothers of hate and death”, shouted Dazerack who stood watching patiently as his black winged army drew closer to the Princess and the silken cape. Heading toward that beckoning star homeward the darkness from the forest below began to fade but sharp beaks and ear piercing screeches engulfed the Princess like a whirlpool. The Princess and her guardian robe began to funnel downward directly back into the heart of Dazerack’s black forest. As if trapped within a space with no direction or time the Princess was pulled into a whirling black funnel cloud assembled with screaming black birds and snapping beaks but the cloak that encased the Princess took on a new shape.

Whirling like a tornado it erupted with all it’s strength within inches of the outstretched arms of Dazerack but it was to late as the branches of one of the withered black oaks shot out like a spiders web trapping the Princess and her protective cloak in a inescapable prison on entangled branches. Dazerack laughed as the iron like branches ensnared Princess Adeeras as if being swallowed by a hungry serpent. The guardian cloak glowed red with anger as the Princess whispered a command, “Fly my dearest friend and return to Fir Wood Row and alert our King of this evil place”. The cloak draped itself over the Princess sensing its power weakening as the seconds passed. Turning a deeper shade of red as if bidding a reluctant farewell to its master the silken cloak touched the cheek of the Princess and instantly slid through the oak tree prison as if it wasn’t there. Dazerack screamed out to his black winged army that continued to whirled around them believing their job was done. “Stop that Fir Wood floor mat and bring it to me”, he shouted out as his eyes sparkled  and flashed green with hatred and death.

Suddenly the glowing cloak tightly spun itself into a long narrow shaft resembling a sleek ebony spear and instantly rocketed itself into the darkened sky. Dazerack and his winged henchmen could only watch as the silken cloak disappeared into the heavens above them and blended into the surrounding universe of sparkling stars. “But you remain my caged little sparrow”, laughed Dazerack shifting his attention to the Princess Adeeras. “Bring help you charred blackened rag”, spoke Dazerack, “ actually that’s what I wanted you fool of fools”. Anyone foolish enough to come to your rescue will join your fate in my prison of black death. You are my bait my Princess of the Golden Silver Wings now let your Father decide who will join you here for I and my army will be patient and wait. Princess Adeeras looked out into the darkening forest that lay before her and called out to Dazerack who remained looking skyward. “Do you think my Father would fall into your trap you cowardly wizard of deceit”.

If only Prince Bowman had known later

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If only Prince Bowman had known later that evening his sister had followed those faint cries for help that beckoned her unknowingly entering the lands of Dazerack’s domain while lost in the darkness. She now stood almost defenseless at the mercy of this unknown opponent. “Now that my sword is gone and I am helpless these lands reek of death”, spoke the Princess. Her eyes remained fixed on the hooded figure who pointed his sworn directly at her heart. “ This forest is mine and always will be”, replied the figure in a tone of defiance that echoed with evil. “I knew the goodness in you would answer my worried cries for help like a lost lamb to it’s mother but instead it’s a hungry wolf you have found”, spoke the eerie figure. “Long before your father drove me from this paradise of darkness I ruled with a iron hand”, continued the hooded man. “ You have made this an evil place Dazerack”, spoke the golden haired Princess who now knew her attacker, “ even the sun has refused to shine it’s light in this forbidden forest which once lived but now has long since died”.

Dazerack lifted the hood from his blackened face and yelled out, “ enough of your meaningless preaching my royal trapped sparrow, here in my forest your words as well as your powers are worthless”. Dazerack continued, “ your father has taught you well my young Princess but will now know the terrible grief of a loss love ”, as he inched forward tightening his gloved hands tighter around his golden sword. “But now I must leave you here to wither like the trees around you and die like the rest of the creatures who lived in this forest long ago”.  Raising his sword above his head he lashed out like a striking serpent but suddenly the silken robe that lay at the feet of the Princess instantly covered it’s master like a stone fortress. The striking sword struck the robe and shattered like a crystal challis as sparkling fragments slowly sprinkled to the ground. The sparkling fragments resembled shooting stars fell to earth but quickly smothered and extinguished in the soft blacked moss the covered the dark forest floor.

The silken robe now embrace the Princess like a babe in it’s mothers arms and spread it’s woven fabric outright and lifted off the forest floor.  The two became one and now soared above the darkness below and headed toward a flickering star that seemed to beckon them back to the safety of Fir Wood Row. Dazerack cursed loudly as the Princess looked down from the wings of her silken falcon at the evil below her. “Your father has once again saved your worthless existence”, barked Dazerack as he watched the escaping Princess soar higher and higher sailing further away. Dazerack again began to scream, “ do you believe your fathers toys have saved your life young Princess of the Golden Silver Wings, you will not escape my power so easily for it lives and breathes within my forest of darkness”. Dazerack would not allow a mere cloth woven from the silk of Fir Wood Row to flutter away like a bird from it’s cage. He quickly turned toward a large withered oak with its branches twisted and turned upright but long since dead. Lifting his arms above his head he called out in a commanding voice, “ birds of my forest awaken and rise now pluck this prey from my darkest skies”.

King Avar was a handsome and courageous elf

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King Avar was a handsome and courageous elf and in the time of the forgotten days during the black winged sharp tailed spider wars he risked his own life to save his kingdom from certain annihilation saving his people from the venomous fangs and sticky webbed coffins with a grip of death. Queen Amber was a beautiful royal elfin maiden with fierier red hair and alluring brown eyes she was a princess in her own family and often wore a tiara woven from threads of gold and silver. Blood red rubies also adorned her royal tiara and at certain times it glowed like the rings of Saturn. Her wit was quick but her tongue was sharper and nothing escaped her will. No one dared to deceive Queen Amber when it came to certain matters within Fir Wood Row and when teamed with her lifelong  friend empress Lady Nicole these two royal elves where invincible. King Avar often took refuge and isolation from the two royal lady elves who spoke for hours over a myriad of subjects and very often shared the same opinions.

These strong traits where passed on to Queen Ambers children and they built everlasting respect and character in her children. The royal elfin family where honored and cherished throughout the Row and known for their kindness and love for all. Their word was their bond and they were a decisive people when action or force became necessary. It was a heavenly place if there ever could be such a place but the lands outside of Fir Wood Row did not always share the same beauty or the love. In those forbidding lands lived creatures that preferred death to life and enjoyed inflicting pain and sorrow to anyone and anything outside of their own kind. One such evil monster lived and thrived in this land of senseless cruelty and even produced a offspring to continue his tradition of hatred and a legacy of destruction. His name was Dazerack and his son was Razzis and together they ruled the darkness and the lands within their borders.

Dazerack was not always an instrument of hatred and death and he once ruled a land very similar to that of Fir Wood Row. Known as the Kingdom of the Silver Cliff Caverns this mountainous terrain formed a natural boundary between the two kingdoms where they both lived together in harmony. This was all to come to a terrible end when the birth of Razzis took his mothers life then the Princess Sabrina. Before her death Dazerack had summoned help from his neighboring Kingdom and King Avar quickly sent his physicians to help but they arrived to late and Princess Sabrina was dead. Sickened with grief and agony Dazerack blamed King Avar and accused him of sending help to slowly even as his own physicians could do nothing to save the princess. Now enraged with the loss of his beloved wife he threatened to have King Avar’s physicians put to death, instead he resorted to the darker side of his elvin powers and transformed the assisting physicians to slow moving tortoises. Dazerack cried out in a quivering voice, “ Now my useless doctors of death return to your lands of the Fir Wood Row just as quickly as you have arrived”.

The Raven of Fir Wood Row

 The Raven of Fir Wood Row

By

Larry J. Dellinges

A very long time ago in a far off distant land was a place known to all living creatures as the Kingdom of Fir Wood Row. Nestled deep within the heart and soul of a hidden redwood forest was a castle known to the elves who lived and sometimes died there as the Fir Wood Row. Hollowed out from the middle of a giant redwood tree centuries old it towered a hundred feet above the ground providing a panoramic view of the lands below as well as providing safety for the elves that lived there. The surrounding redwoods acted as a natural camouflage protecting the towering castle but elven eyes were very watchful and nothing was left unseen or unguarded. Elves were the masters of this domain but they were givers of joy and happiness and ruled by the law of love and kindness. They were also great warriors and defenders of their people and lands and they possessed magical powers and used powerful spells and potions.

These elves exercised their magical powers when called upon while patrolling and hunting the hills and forests as well as the skies above them. Green rolling valleys dotted with stands of redwoods, golden oaks and silver pines were endless. Fields of golden poppies their favorite flower and flowers of all varieties filled the air with enchanting fragrances and beauty. Opened vista’s and deep gorges, rocky deserts with gigantic boulders and bottomless canyons all added their own diversity and beauty to this land. Rivers, lakes and streams ran sparkling waters of life giving nourishment in every direction and the sound of babbling brooks and skyline waterfalls were said to be that of the lands own pulsing heart beating strongly from within. A spectacular lake hidden in the blue mountains near a elfin shrine called Shawnee Byrd Pass had waters the color of shimmering emeralds and was often called their sacred pilgrimage by the elves of Fir Wood Row.

To the north snow capped mountains reached up toward the heavens and they went on as far as your eyes could see. Light blue and green clouds streaked across the skies as if painted by giants with a sun surrounded by a hue of reddish gold. Over one thousand elves of all shapes and sizes claimed this place their home and many families and clans worked the same lands for hundreds of years because it was said that these elves lived forever. The wild creatures that inhabited the lands were honored and revered by the elves and they tented to their needs and could understand their thoughts and moods. Fir Wood Row was ruled and governed by King Avar and guarded by a small force of Royal Elvin soldiers. The Elvin King shared his throne with his beautiful wife Queen Amber and their two children Princess Adeeras and the young Prince Bowman. Both heirs to the throne of the Golden Silver Wings they where accomplished warriors in their own right mastering the sword, bow and dagger, but the most valuable and dangerous weapon in any elves arsenal was the power of their own mind.

It wasn’t long before the island was secured

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It wasn’t long before the island was secured by our troops and the gold in the cave was returned to it’s rightful owners but it took a surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and four more years of death and destruction in Europe and Africa before it was all over but I’m getting ahead of myself. For me it ended when the Marines landed and before I knew it I was walking the streets of Scotland again but this time Smokey, Brian and Mr. Roberts were by my side as I lead them to the Grey House and they ordered four pints of the houses finest dark ale and for me a kidney pie with bacon all to myself. Mr. McCain could barely contain himself when he rang up the Jameson farm and invited the family to a reunion of sorts telling John there was someone here he needed to see. And when they arrived the tears and the joy and the wonder of it all was retold by those brave men not forgetting the ones who lost their lives on my journey that all started on that faithful day while searching for my best friend.

The end

We had no way of knowing

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We had no way of knowing that Brian’s radio message had been intercepted by that passing ship we had seen earlier and they forwarded the transmission on to our Military forces in the area. United States Marines had already landed just outside of our view in a hidden cove just below us and were making their way to our location at this very moment. Miguel raised the binoculars to his eye’s for a closing look of our surroundings when suddenly a shot ran out striking him up above his left shoulder.  The force of the rifle shot spun him around and passed through his body and that same bullet nearly struck Smokey who stood just behind him. We immediately took cover back inside the cave as a barrage of gunfire bursts peppered all around us causing bullets to ricochet deep into the blackened cave.  I could hear a large number of Japanese soldiers climbing the face of the mountain and knew it would be only minutes before they would be on top of us. Mr. Roberts crouched down beside me and scribbled a note down on from his pad and tied it under my collar with a strip of clothe.

Smokey held two sticks of dynamite in each hand while Brian inserted the fuses until several sticks were ready. Mr. Roberts looked me in the eye’s and said, “ Maxwell, lives depend on this message getting through to our men”. The Japanese continued to fire on us in volley’s and my ears rang like it did when our ship exploded. I watched Smokey holding a bandage to Miguel’s shoulder wound as he winced in pain while Mr. Roberts threw a lit stick of dynamite deep into the jungle below us. Trees shook when the dynamite exploded and screams from the Japanese soldier indicated a direct hit. It was then I took my final look at the men I learned to love and instantly I bolted from the cave just as the shooting started up again. Bullets whistle and snapped over my head while others struck the ground all around me but I twisted and turned and bounded from sharp boulders to steep run offs. I finally made it to a sheer cliffside that overlooked the hidden lagoon were the Marines had landed and that’s when I felt a sharp pain in my side.

I looked over the ledge and saw at least thirty Marines crawling toward me as two more sticks of dynamite exploded near the mouth of the cave. Somewhat light headed I took a deep breath and sprang forward losing my balance and sliding down a gravel slope until caught in the arms by three Marines. “He’s be hit” yelled out one of the Marines who’s hands were now covered in my blood while other called out for a medic. One of the men quickly removed the note from my collar and I was carried back to the beach and treated. The fight continued until noon when the shooting stopped completely and I could hear several Marines cheering as they saw their comrades in arms entered the mouth of the cave. Before I know it Mr. Roberts was the first to rush by my side just after a large bandage was wrapped around my body but it was hard for me to stand. Tears filled his eye’s as Smokey, Brian and Miguel surrounded me and all together we boarded and small boat and transferred to a larger vessel. I was just fine with the care I received from the Marines but Mr. Roberts had a top notch military veterinarian patch me up as good as new. I heard some of the men say the war was over for a dog like me and that I was going home.