Young Writers Society

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Iistengel opened his eyes and looked around. It had to be dawn. He always woke at dawn. Then why am I so tired? He thought, rubbing his eyes irritably. He turned his gaze to Briind. Of course, he thought. Just like a rock. He smiled despite his annoyance. It had been very fun to break the ice with Briind. The lad stood and stretched. No use lying around when there were chores to do, he thought with a sigh.

He clothed himself quickly and grabbed his large pot, walking out of his tent to cram it with snow. He returned to see Briind still sleeping soundly. The boy shook his head. It was amazing how that fool could sleep. He turned to the fire pit and lit some coals, setting the pot down on top.

Briind awoke just as Iistengel finished making breakfast. The boy smiled at his friend and brought some stew over to him. Iistengel ate quickly, eager to leave as soon as possible. He hadn’t seen Beihhou around very much, and he was starting to get worried. As soon as they finished, Iistengel took both bowls and set them aside to be washed.

“Man, you are a good cook.”

The boy merely blinked at his words, his thoughts wandering up the mountain. The Beihhou hadn't eaten for days. Briind glanced at him uneasily and kept speaking.

“Yeah, sometimes, I think your kind of… strange…”

Iistengel just stared at his friend. He had to check his traps midmorning, and ask Eisen to help him set the ones on his wall. Briind smacked Iistengel’s shoulder, laughing.

“Go on Wrhaden. I won’t stop you.”

Iistengel smiled and jerked on his caribou parka. He flew out of the tent into the blaze of sunshine.

The boy sat atop the small peak, gazing down at the melting valley. The raven glided past him, landing a foot behind him. Iistengel turned to look at him, a small smile on his face.

“Good morning Beihhou. I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier. Breakfast you know.”

The raven cocked his now sleek head. Iistengel bit his lip, feeling the heat rise in his face. What a lame excuse! The raven was smart, and could fly a little, but he was still too young to provide for himself.

“I should have thought of you more. I’m sorry.”

The Beihhou let out a squawk, his eyes fixed in one direction. Iistengel followed his gaze out to the huge world before him, the untouched beauty filling him with wonder. The valley spread so that the soaring mountains looked like white tents on the horizon. The fine braided river weaved it’s way through the valley plummeted down a cliff in the distance. He only knew that because he had been there, on one wild adventure with Briind.

Iistengel shivered with delight as the high wind blew in his face. This was the place where he found refuge from all the troubles that he faced. The peace of the tranquil silence made him forget all his worries.

There was a small nibble on his arm. Iistengel smiled and turned to the half ebony bird. It was said that the Beihhou would bring misfortune and greed to whomever it encountered. Iistengel on the other hand, found that the Beihhou was a pretty clever bird. Considering how hard it worked to get food, and avoid getting massacred by the villagers. We are more similar than I thought. A small peck woke him from his musings. The boy turned and smiled at his friend.

“Yes, I am thinking about you.” The boy gazed at him for a second, then looked back out over the land. The worries he could forget so easily were needling the back of his mind.

“Sometimes- I don’t feel like I really belong here Beihhou. I know Briind will always be there for me, but I keep getting this sinking feeling, as if I am going to leave, or one of my friends is going to leave.”

The raven responded by picking the boys pockets. Iistengel laughed at that. Trust the Beihhou to put survival first.

Iistengel shook his head and gave him some rabbit meat from his other pocket. The bird began to gobble it down as fast as possible. The boy was glad to see this, since he had not eaten for nearly three days.

A black swarm on the tundra caught Iistengel’s eye, making him groan. The gathering of the spring Milin’yay. How he hated it at this time of year. Especially since they were just turned loose with the wild ones, just for the variety of the coats. “Well Beihhou,” the lad sighed, “It looks like duty calls.”

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