Billy Buckhorn and the War of Worlds, page 7
Snake-Eye relaxed his fist, and Two Bears began to breathe more easily. He loosened his shirt collar, blew out a breath, and changed his tone.
“I apologize for my ignorant attitude earlier. It was uncalled for.” He grabbed a cloth napkin from the conference table and wiped the sweat from his brow. “So where does your medicine come from?” he asked in a more friendly manner.
“From Maya and Aztec sorcerers in Mexico and Central America,” Snake-Eye replied, also in a friendly tone. “My research revealed that much of the North American Mound Builders’ culture seems to have come north from Mexico when maize—what you call corn—was brought this way.”
“That’s a concept I’ve never heard,” Two Bears said. “Do you—”
“Look, Thomas,” his host interrupted, clenching his fist again. “I didn’t invite you here to get a third-degree interrogation! Have you forgotten the reason you’re here—so we can once and for all seal the deal on a renewed alliance between the Owls and the Snakes?”
The one-eyed man began to pace the length of the conference room, getting angrier and slowly tightening his fist once again.
“Our organizations are after the same thing: to make the colonizers pay for what they did to our Indigenous peoples,” he said in a gravelly whisper. “Tecumseh tried and failed to unite the North American tribes against the invaders, but now, more than any other time in our history, we have the power and ability to turn the tables and reset the balance.”
Quickly, Snake-Eye returned to stand before Two Bears. He lifted his eye patch, revealing the hideous hole where an eyeball used to be. He stuck a finger in the hole and scratched a spot in the back of the empty eye socket that itched.
“So, what’s it going to be?” he asked as he scratched. “Are we doing this or not?”
He replaced the patch and glared at the Cheyenne man with one cyclopean eye.
“Okay, okay. No need to get all riled up.” The head of the Owl Clan took a swallow of water from the glass on the table and tried to compose himself. He realized he was no match for this sorcerer and that he’d probably lose if ever they were to go at each other at the supernatural level. “It’s just that I’ve been in sole control of the Underworld retribution plans for so long. It’s hard for me to trust anyone else enough to delegate any of the responsibility.”
“The Snakes are only going to do what your Night Seers have already agreed to,” Snake-Eye replied, losing patience again. “You began the campaign right on schedule with the well-placed storms, and we’ll take the next step, also on schedule. I’m not going to rehash what our separate tasks are again. Been there, done that!”
“Right, right,” Two Bears said, standing up. “We need each other for sure. Let’s do this!”
He extended his hand, and the snake man shook it. Then, at the same time, each sorcerer pulled out a length of deerskin they’d brought with them for the occasion. Each section of hide had a beaded image in the middle and one fringed end. They resembled the ancient traditional wampum belts that tribes in the Northeast created to represent intertribal agreements and treaties.
Each piece visually represented each man’s organization. The beaded pattern on Two Bears’s strip formed the image of an owl. The image on Snake-Eye’s was the same image that appeared on the Serpentine Foundation’s logo, a circular snake about to bite its own tail.
“Now we join our ancient orders back together once again,” the snake man said.
The two men laid their leather strips side by side on the conference table, so the fringed areas were closest to one another. Then each placed one hand on top of his piece. In unison, the Owl and the Snake generated an internal electrical energy charge that passed through their bodies, into their arms, and down into the leather pieces.
The supernatural charges worked their magic on the separate lengths of leather, causing their fringed edges to intertwine and meld. Within a few seconds, the two hides became one— unified in purpose.
“The ancient alliance is renewed in the way the ancient treaties were ratified among our medicine peoples,” Snake-Eye declared, holding up the newly created physical symbol of the joint agreement.
“The Owls and the Snakes in solidarity again,” Two Bears confirmed.
“The Society of Serpents will be pleased to see this united emblem when we next convene in these council chambers to continue our work,” the snake man commented.
“The first of May is our target date for the incarnation conjuring,” Two Bears said. “The veil between physical and supernatural begins thinning then, as you know.”
“So be it,” the one-eyed man said with a nod of his head. He hit a button on the nearby wall-mounted intercom and spoke. “Layla, please come to the conference room and escort Mr. Two Bears on a tour of the compound. I want him to have a complete picture of our resources and capabilities.”
“Yes, sir,” a female voice replied. “Right away.”
Snake-Eye turned to Two Bears. “I’d give you the tour myself,” he said apologetically, “but I have much work to do in preparation for the upcoming arrival of the other eight Serpents.”
“I’ll pass on the guided tour,” Two Bears replied. “I’ve got to keep moving if I’m going to have time to check on the progress being made by the other Night Seers.”
“It must be hard to keep thirteen medicine makers in line,” Snake-Eye said. “I’m glad there’s only nine of us Serpents to contend with.”
“Just before I got here, I was busy tracking down a possible new member of the Owl Clan to replace one that died,” the Night Seer said.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that you lost one. My condolences,” the snake man offered. “What was her name again?”
“Most of her life she was known as Night Wolf, but more recently she used the alias Carmelita Tuckaleechee.”
“I’m very familiar with the use of aliases,” Snake-Eye said. “They have served me well. But you really underestimated the powers and abilities of that Buckhorn boy, didn’t you?”
“Now the Owls and Snakes can deal with him and his so-called Medicine Council together,” Two Bears said as Snake-Eye’s assistant arrived at the conference room.
“Our guest is leaving,” the snake man told her. “Would you see that Mr. Two Bears doesn’t get lost on his way out?”
“Until next time,” Two Bears said and followed the woman out.
Snake-Eye made sure the Night Seer was on the elevator before trotting over to an elaborately carved wooden desk that sat in the back corner of the conference room. He opened the desk’s top drawer and pushed one of several buttons on a keyboard concealed there.
The button automatically connected him to eight cell phones belonging to the other members of his Society of Serpents. He typed a message that would be texted to the eight phones: The alliance is renewed. Begin the second phase of the operation.
He hit the Send button and waited to see that all eight of the other members of his secret society acknowledged his message. The next all-important personal step he’d take would be to contact Monkata, the ancient Snake Priest, down in Level Nine of the Underworld to let him know the deal between the Owls and Snakes had been completed.
The snake man knew it was unusual for the dark soul of a previous earth dweller to reside in the ninth level. Most ended up in the third level, the Shadow Zone. But, having served as the Snake Priest for the Winged One during his earthly existence, Monkata had proven himself worthy of residing in the land of the Underworld serpents.
Of course, all previous earth-dwelling Snake Priests before and after him had also earned the right to live in that world. Over the centuries, competition between them had become fierce, each striving to be the Winged One’s favorite.
It was Monkata who had shown the current Snake Priest how to free the Horned Serpent from the crystal cave, and it was Monkata who had taught the Society of Serpents how to guide the creature down the Arkansas River and back to the original serpent cave.
And it would be Monkata who accompanied the Winged One when he materialized in the flesh during the Grand Thinning of the Veil. That would be a glorious day!
than and Cecil arrived early for a planned meeting with Augustus, who said he was finalizing their spring break expedition. Over the past few weeks and months, the Buckhorn and Lookout families had become very close, so knocking before entering the Buckhorn home was a formality no longer needed.
“Hello, is anyone home?” Ethan called after stepping into the front room.
“Up here,” Billy answered from the upstairs office.
The Lookouts headed upstairs, where they found Billy observing weather patterns on one computer screen and watching a news report streaming live on another.
“You’ve got to see this,” Billy said. “It’s the wildest thing.”
They all focused on an on-screen TV reporter.
“Reports are pouring in from all over the country,” the young man said. He held a microphone in one hand and an umbrella in the other. A steady rain fell all around him. On-screen titles read Live Report from Norfolk Tennessee. “Here’s what a few local folks are saying about it.”
The reporter held out his microphone as the camera panned over to reveal a middle-aged white woman, also holding an umbrella.
“It liked to scare us to death,” she explained. “Every kind of snake you can imagine was gliding along the road just as pretty as you please.”
As the reporter and the woman continued to talk, video footage showed several snakes moving along a rain-drenched paved road.
“They didn’t pay no mind to any people nearby them,” the woman continued. “They acted like they were glad to be out in the open.”
The camera panned back to the reporter.
“Back to you in the studio,” he said.
The view changed to a man and woman sitting behind a news desk with the KTUL-TV Tulsa logo in front. Behind the pair were several screens depicting snakes inching along roadways, racing across riverbanks, swimming in shallow lake waters, and coming out of caves.
“What would you call this?” the anchorwoman asked jokingly. “A serpent apocalypse?”
“Maybe snake-aggedon,” the anchorman joked back.
As the pair chuckled to themselves, Billy turned down the volume.
“I can see how the continued rain, and now the flooding, would force all types of reptiles to flee to higher ground,” Ethan said.
“I think it’s more than that,” Billy countered. “Snakes usually try to keep clear of people, hide out, and avoid interaction if at all possible.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“These snakes are on the attack,” Billy said. “Charging at people out in the open. Pursuing and biting, showing no fear at all.”
They continued to watch the news for a couple of minutes, and then Billy came to a conclusion.
“First the storms and now the snakes,” he said with a worried look. “These aren’t natural events. I didn’t realize the Owls were powerful enough to create such large-scale troubles. I guess I was wrong.”
A knock on the front door drew their attention away, and the three trotted downstairs to meet with Augustus. The archaeologist spread a new map out on the living room coffee table.
“I’ve mapped out our trip, starting at the Spiral Mounds site near the crystal cave,” Augustus said. “Once we finish there, we get back up to Interstate 40 to head for Clarksville, Arkansas. Luckily, the mound site is not too far from the highway. Then we’ll head through Little Rock to the next mound site, and our fourth stop will be at the mounds just outside of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. These mound structures all run parallel to the Arkansas River.”
“How long will we need to be at each site?” Billy asked.
“I think we’ll need a full day,” Stevens said. “Plus travel time between sites.”
“Chigger’s spring break only lasts nine days start to finish,” Billy said. “We won’t make it to all nine sites in that time—especially when you add travel time. And we’ll be rushing, so each stop won’t allow for a thorough inspection.”
Stevens thought about that for a moment. So did Billy.
“I have a feeling it might be important to check the Three Rivers site, the one that’s farthest from us,” Billy concluded. “And I’m not sure why, but Chigger should be there too.”
“Well, it’s not that far away,” Cecil said, looking at the map. “We could go check out the Oklahoma site first, go see the Clarksville site next, and then head straight for the Louisiana site on the Mississippi River down south. We can work our way back, and since we’ll have more than one vehicle, someone could drive Chigger back to Tahlequah when the time comes.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Augustus said with a smile as he stood to leave. “I’m excited,” he added, sounding like a kid who was having a hard time waiting to open his birthday presents. “Now I’ve got to make some cheap hotel arrangements and check my departmental budget to make sure the university can afford this trip.”
Meanwhile, Raelynn and Lisa had begun their drive from Tahlequah to the Texarkana federal prison, which would take about five hours according to Little Shield’s calculations. With the Lookout teen as her traveling companion, the time passed quickly. They, it turned out, had a lot to talk about.
For Lisa, it was such a breath of fresh air to experience a little quality girl time. For weeks, she’d been surrounded by—no, absolutely drowning in—male energy. Her father, grandfather, Billy, Billy’s father, and now Chigger and Augustus Stevens made the testosterone levels around her too much to handle.
For Raelynn, it was like talking to a younger version of herself. Ah, to hear the hopes and dreams of a Native girl about to step into the rest of her life. The two had similar interests in powwow dancing, tribal traditions, contemporary music, and the latest in high-tech gadgets.
Most importantly to both of them, the drive gave Raelynn the opportunity to hear the whole story of the ancient Native prophecy, the Lookout family’s role in that prophecy, and the incredible journey that Billy as Thunder Child had been on. Finally, Lisa spelled out why it was crucially important right now to find the Sun Chief’s remains, his cape and staff, and the missing piece of the Sky Stone.
“Dr. Hughes at the Osage Nation Historic Preservation Office has been so supportive in this,” Lisa added.
“You’re right,” Raelynn said. “When it comes to NAGPRA issues, tribes usually want complete control over efforts to repatriate remains and burial artifacts.”
“Hughes immediately gave us the green light as a family to participate in the investigation and take possession of the articles,” Lisa said.
The pair finally arrived at the Budget Inn at the edge of Texarkana, and Raelynn apologized for the accommodations.
“Sorry for the two-star amenities,” she said. “My department’s travel budget only allows for low-budget travel, if you get what I’m saying.”
“No problem,” Lisa replied. “Whenever I travel with my dad, he always books the oldest, cheapest places he can find. He says it prepares you to step back in time for an archaeological dig, but we both know that’s baloney. He’s just cheap.”
They chuckled and made light of the situation, and then Raelynn went over her plans to interrogate the Reverend Dr. Samuel Miller the following morning. Lisa spoke to Billy on the phone before turning in, and the couple apologized to each other for their earlier argument.
“I’m sorry for accusing you of pulling back from me,” Lisa said. “I know you’re under a lot of pressure and have the whole world on your shoulders. I’ll give you some space for now.”
“What a relief to hear you say that!” Billy replied, letting out a breath of air. “If and when this battle is behind us, I hope we can have normal lives and a normal relationship.”
“Whatever that might be like,” Lisa said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
After that issue was out of the way, Lisa confirmed that they’d be talking to Miller around nine o’clock the next morning. Billy said he’d try to eavesdrop on the conversation via spirit travel.
“Let me know you’re in the room if you can,” Lisa said.
“I’ll give you a kiss on the cheek,” Billy replied.
Lisa remembered how Billy had signaled his presence the same way when he rescued her from the attack of the ghost wolves near Tahlequah several weeks before.
“Can’t wait,” she said before ending the call and turning out the light.
“It’s highly unusual for a civilian to be involved in an investigation like this,” Little Shield told Lisa the next morning on their way to the federal correctional facility. “But out of all the NAGPRA cases I’ve reviewed, yours is the most unusual, so I’m making an allowance. Plus, I really like you and your family.”
At nine sharp, the two arrived at the prison and were admitted to a secure interview room that contained three chairs and a table bolted to the floor. They sat down at the table and waited.
At that same time back in Park Hill, Billy lay down in his bed and then rolled out of his body. It had become so easy for him to do now. He pictured Lisa in his mind and was immediately taken to the prison interview room where she sat. He floated down beside his girlfriend and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
Feeling a sudden chill on one spot on her cheek, Lisa knew Billy was checking in with her. She smiled and touched that spot, trying not to alert Raelynn that anything unusual was happening.
In a few minutes, a guard escorted Miller, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit, into the room. The seventy-year-old white man did not look well at all, with sunken eyes and very pale skin. His thinning white hair was unkempt, and red sores dotted some areas of exposed skin.
As he entered the interview room, a loud noise was heard from outside, which caused Miller to cower and try to hide in a corner of the room. The guard grabbed the man and sat him down hard in a chair across from the two interviewers and handcuffed him to a metal loop in the middle of the table. Afterward, the guard took up a position near the door.
