The Long Trail Home
by Donna L Martin
Snow glistened all around as Lone Wolf's pony took slow crackling steps up the next ridge. Worry hardened his face as he searched the distant trees for some sign of Red Eagle. So far this winter had been harsh and many of the elders would no longer sit at tribal council. That left Lone Wolf to decide what was right for the people of his village. What would be best? Stay and pray Mother Earth would be kind to them or go in search of another land to call home?
Food was becoming harder to find ever since the pale faces stormed the valley and the children were paying the price as they tried to ignore the cries of a hungry belly. Red Eagle was their last hope. He had been gone for two moons, now Lone Wolf waited on the ridge for some sign of the warrior's return.
Just as the morning sun crested the far mountaintop, Lone Wolf saw something break through a stand of snow covered trees and slowly make its way to the river. Was it Red Eagle? Lone Wolf felt the icy air race deep into his lungs as his breath quickened. What news did he bring?
***Okay, it's your turn! Does Red Eagle bring news to save the village? Or will the harshness of winter still blow across the valley and Lone Wolf's people? Put your creative cap on and add a sentence or add a paragraph. Continue my story or start one of your own. Join the fun and see where this picture prompt takes us!***
Red Eagle's craggy, weathered face came into view. A smile danced on Lone Wolf's lips when he thought of the many hours the pair had spent wading through this same frigid stream fishing for trout that would never bite.
ReplyDelete"It's your ugly nose that keeps them away," Lone Wolf had chided only a few months ago. To which Red Eagle had replied, "Maybe. Or perhaps your smelly feet have tainted the water and sent them upstream."
Even now, sitting above earth that had been packed solid with cold for many weeks, the ghostly echoes of the laughter they'd shared warmed Lone Wolf. But the brilliant red droplets trailing on the white blanket of snow behind Red Eagle froze his heart. Lone Wolf drove his heels into the pony's sides with a yelp. His friend was injured!
:)
Red Eagle was slouched on his giant horse, Fast Trot, and Swift Wing, his red eagle (hence the name), circled him. A hole was in his back. Deep in.
Delete"Red Eagle! What happened?" Lone Wolf fretted, and saw that the wound went through his chest, close to the heart.
Red Eagle groaned out "white men... magic spears... try hit deer... hit me... tried to help... They can be the-" and the light in Red Eagle's eyes dimmed, and his spirit drifted out his mouth.
'The WHAT?' Lone Wolf thought.
***
I love these! :D
Hi E.J.! Oh, how I LOVE the twist you gave to this flash fiction piece. I wasn't thinking Red Eagle was hurt at all and now you have all kind endings to this story...;~)
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Awww, Erik! WHAT? What WHAT??? ;~)
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As the rider came closer he saw his friend, slumped on his horse as if he was asleep. When they crossed the stream Lone Wolf saw the faint smile on his friends near frozen face. "I found them,"Red Eagle said. "The herd, big herd of buffalo, but we have a long trek to get to them. I've brought what I could carry for the trek back to the herd."
ReplyDeleteLone Wolf caught his tired cold friend as he slid from the back of his tired horse. He put him over the saddle on his horse and led them back to camp and called. "Red Eagle found food. Get ready to break camp as soon as he wakes. Warm him, give him food and drink. He has brought us life."
Hi Gladys! THIS was more along the lines of what I was expecting as an ending to this story...;~)
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Wow, they are two great endings. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane! I also love when someone comes along and adds to my stories...a fresh viewpoint and an exciting ending!
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Gladys gets my vote - it's Christmas - good news is needed!
ReplyDeleteThanks again Donna for a great flash fiction challenge and read!
Merry Christmas!
Hi Yolanda! Merry Christmas to you as well!
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Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteDid you receive my e-mail?
Hi JP! Yes, I received your lovely email and will pursue tomorrow. I was doing Christmas crafts with my best friend's daughter all day so I just got home. Thank you again and Merry Christmas!
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!