The Tale of The Red Spirit

{Coyote Messengers}

                                                                                      {Chapter 3}

           The moment that Denali and Niabi shared was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Petaluma, Denali's younger sister. Petaluma burst onto the scene like a whirlwind, practically launching herself at Denali. She enveloped her sister in a bear hug that was so tight it felt almost suffocating. "L-Luma, I need to breathe," Denali gasped, her voice muffled as she struggled to pry herself free from her sister's fierce embrace. Watching this unfold, Niabi's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly signed to Petaluma, calling her a "Wild girl" in an affectionate yet teasing manner.

With a dramatic sigh that could rival any actress, Petaluma finally relented, loosening her grip just enough to let Denali breathe again, but she still maintained a firm hold on Denali's hand, a gesture full of youthful affection. With an earnest expression, Petaluma looked up at Denali and asked in their native tongue, "Hatlvno gesvgi nihi?" *"(Where were you?)"* Her big, curious eyes locked onto Denali's mismatched ones, making it clear that she was genuinely concerned. Denali glanced at Niabi, who was smiling knowingly, and then turned her attention back to Petaluma. "I got yelled at by Father and then I slept in Yoki's hut... Vtla gohusdi itse," *("Nothing new")* she replied, Niabi couldn't help but smile wider at Denali's response, clearly amused by the predictability of their family dynamics. Meanwhile, Niabi took a small section of Denali's long hair and began to braid it gently, her fingers expertly weaving the strands together. Petaluma settled down next to Denali, nudging her playfully a few times to get her attention. "Did you see anything amazing?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement and curiosity. Just as Denali was about to respond, Niabi jumped in, signing about the shots that Denali had heard earlier. Petaluma's expression shifted to one of concern as she looked back and forth between her sisters. "Shots? So close to the territory?" she questioned, her brows furrowing in worry. Denali nodded in response, her expression serious. "I wanted to search the area, but Taabe, of course, had to bring me back," she explained, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone. The conversation lingered in the air, filled with a mix of sisterly love, concern, and the ever-present tension of their surroundings. Luma wore a playful smirk as she spoke, "Taabe is at the moment taken from his duties." Her teasing tone was directed at Niabi and Denali, the two sisters sitting nearby. Niabi's expression quickly shifted to one of confusion, and she signed, "Taken by who?" Denali, initially unsure, mirrored her sister's curiosity with a nod of her head. However, realization dawned on her, and a sigh escaped her lips, almost turning into a chuckle. "Is he still trying to woo Catori?" she asked with exaggerated disbelief, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Petaluma couldn't hold back her laughter either; she found the whole situation delightful and nodded in agreement. "He has been at it since this morning," she added, her voice still laced with humor. "He even talked with her father and everything to gain some favor." The sisters exchanged glances, balancing between incredulity and laughter, as they processed the lengths Taabe was going to in an effort to win Catori's heart. Denali watched with a fond smile as her sister shared a moment with their friends, the laughter and chatter filling the air like music. However, this joyful exchange was abruptly interrupted by Isqesis, who approached with a gentle, purposeful demeanor. With a soft smile, Isqesis turned to Luma and Niabi, addressing them directly. "Grandmother Sakhyo is asking for you two," she communicated, her tone warm and inviting. Denali could see the girls exchanging glances, a silent conversation passing between them, and it brought a mixture of affection and nostalgia to her heart. Following Isqesis's request, Luma and Niabi quickly scurried away from the shore, eager to heed the call of their grandmother. As they hurried off, Denali took a moment to reflect on the bond shared between them—all of it encapsulated in that fleeting exchange. She smiled softly at the girls, her heart swelling with pride, but that smile dimmed slightly when her gaze met Isqesis's. There was an understanding in Isqesis's eyes, a silent message that urged Denali to join her. Nodding her head in response, Isqesis signaled for Denali to follow her. Denali felt a flicker of curiosity as she moved to keep pace with Isqesis, wondering what task lay ahead that required her assistance. The air was charged with an unspoken purpose as the two women began to walk side by side, leaving the laughter of the shoreline behind. After a brief stroll down a worn path lined with wildflowers, Denali and Isqesis finally arrived at the cozy family hut that served as Denali's home. The air was filled with the lighthearted sounds of nature, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. As they approached, a small figure emerged from the doorway, her little legs moving in a hurried waddle. It was Mowanza, Denali's younger sister, and the sight of her brought an instant and radiant smile to Denali's face. "Momo..." she called out affectionately, her voice dripping with love. Denali quickly scooped Mowanza up into her arms, cradling the toddler close. She peppered her sister's cheeks with playful kisses, each one eliciting a fit of giggles and delighted squeals from the little girl. Mowanza, at just two years old, was the youngest of Denali's siblings, and her lively spirit captivated everyone around her. Many in the family circle affectionately claimed that Mowanza was the apple of Denali's eye. Denali would wholeheartedly agree, as the bond between the sisters was undeniably strong. Isqesis watched the joyful scene unfold with a soft smile playing on her lips. There was something heartwarming about witnessing Denali's affection toward Mowanza. "She asked for you, you know?" Isqesis remarked gently, breaking the moment of pure joy. "She kept asking where Lili went." Denali nudged her nose tenderly against Mowanza's soft cheek, her affection evident in the way she held her sister close. "I would count on it," Denali replied with a playful laugh. "She sleeps on me every time." The shared laughter between the sisters echoed softly, an intimate moment of love and connection before Denali set Mowanza back down on the ground. The toddler immediately took off, her tiny feet running along with joyful abandon, a ball of energy headed for the flowered garden nearby. Isqesis glanced over her shoulder at Denali, her expression firm yet inviting. "Sit down," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I wanted your help to sew some of those." With a gesture towards the pile of colorful fabrics strewn about next to their hut, she emphasized the task ahead. Denali let out a long, heavy sigh, a sound of reluctance mixed with resignation, but she complied and settled herself opposite her mother, ready to dive into the work before them. For a while, the rhythmic sound of needles piercing fabric filled the air as they both focused on the task at hand. The quiet was comforting, each woman absorbed in her own stitching, yet the atmosphere was thick with unspoken concerns. Finally, it was Isqesis who broke the stillness, her voice steady but laced with worry. "How badly are you hurt?" she asked, her gaze intent as she locked eyes with Denali, who looked back at her, eyes slightly widened in surprise. "Ma..." Denali began, her voice trailing off as she searched for the right words, the concern in her mother's eyes making it difficult to dismiss the topic. But Isqesis wasn't having any of it; she shot her a silencing glare that conveyed the urgency and seriousness of the matter. "I know about the bruise on your face and the busted lip, even if you decided to hide it" she stated, her voice firm but edged with a mother's love. The atmosphere shifted, the work forgotten for a moment as the focus turned to the deeper concern lying just beneath the surface."Becouse I see them, but what I do not see is other wounds, so you better tell me...how badly are you hurt?" Denali took a moment to exhale slowly, her gaze dropping to the ground as if the weight of her mother's concern was pressing down on her. "My back and side are bruised and have some cuts on them," she finally admitted, her voice steady but lacking the confidence she usually projected. "The arm was stitched by Yoki...ma, I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about." She continued to methodically sew the pieces together, each stitch a silent dismissal of her mother's worries, as if her hands could weave away the concern that hung heavy in the air. Isqesis, however, paused her own work, feeling a tightness in her chest. She turned her full attention to Denali, her jaw clenched in a mix of frustration and worry. "Denali," she said, her tone firm but laced with care, "this is not the first time that you've gotten hurt because you feel the need to protect everyone around you." Each word hung in the air, a reminder of the patterns that had become all too familiar. Isqesis could not shake off the concern that had become a constant companion, knowing that the girl frequently put herself in harm's way for the sake of others. The cycle seemed relentless, and Isqesis wished for a moment that her daughter would see the value in taking care of herself as well. Denali focused intently on the task at hand, her hands moving with practiced precision as she worked, deliberately avoiding making eye contact with her mother. "That's the only way I will be of use here," she said, her voice tinged with a bitterness that was hard to ignore. "My duty is to protect the people... and that's what I'm doing." Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her resolve. Isqesis who had been engrossed in her own work just moments before, abruptly stopped. The sound of her breath became more labored, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to contain her emotions. "Denali, stop this," she said, her voice rising in volume, infused with an urgency that revealed just how deeply the situation affected her. There was a tremor in her tone that spoke to the fragility of her feelings, a mix of desperation and heartache. "You are needed here as much as anyone else. I'm so tired of seeing my daughter in pain. I can't bear it any longer... you don't need to prove anything to your father either." Her words were both a plea and a command, filled with the kind of love that demanded understanding but was, at the same time, heavy with the burden of expectations. The girl gazed at her mother with eyes glistening with unshed tears, a silent testament to the turmoil she felt inside. However, she quickly brushed aside her emotions, not wanting to burden her mother with pity or concern that she was already all too familiar with. Determined to redirect the conversation away from her feelings, she asked, "Have you seen Kanza anywhere?" Isqesis let out a soft, understanding breath, fully aware that her daughter was not ready to share what was truly weighing on her heart. She replied gently, "I haven't seen her... she must be nearby; you know how she is." Denali frowned, shaking her head in disbelief. "It's strange. She has never been gone for this long. It's just... not like her." Isqesis caught the tone of worry in her daughter's voice and paused for a moment, recognizing the depth of the concern etched on Denali's face. "Did you feel her presence anywhere?" she inquired softly, searching for a clue. Denali shook her head slowly, her expression growing more anxious. "No, and that's what truly worries me." The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken fears and the weight of an unsettling absence. They both knew that Kanza's disappearance was out of character, deepening the bond of concern that united them in this moment of uncertainty.