Ancient Forces Collection Read Online Free Page B

“But maybe God just used the eagle to answer Buffalo Cry’s prayer for peace.”
    “What’s the difference?” Little Creek asked. “Whether God commanded the eagle or the spirit of the brave entered the eagle, it’s all the same. Buffalo Cry’s eagle brought peace between the tribes.”
    “I don’t know,” Scott said, shaking his head. “I just can’t buy the idea of a person’s spirit entering some animal. The Bible says when we die we go to face God, not hang out inside some eagle.”
    “I think it’s kinda cool,” Ryan said. “Just because it’s different from the way we grew up doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”
    Before Scott could disagree, Little Creek continued, “It’s the heart of shamanism. Shamans believe that by chanting and using certain herbs they can become one with the souls of animals, particularly the eagle, the wolf, and the lizard.”
    Again Scott shook his head. “Sorry, it’s too weird for me.”
    Ryan didn’t respond, but to Scott his silence said tons.
    A moment later Ryan shouted, “Hey, check it out!” Scott and Little Creek turned, but Ryan was already hurrying down the hill.
    Scott looked to the bottom and saw a bunch of stones carefully laid out in some sort of pattern, almost as if they were spelling out words or forming crude stick figures. Intrigued, Scott also started down the hill.
    “Wait,” Little Creek called to them as he followed after Scott. “Be careful not to upset the stones. This is one of Dark Bear’s holy places.”
    But Scott had already reached the bottom and began hopping on the stones, jumping from one to the other. “I’m not hurting them,” he said. “I won’t mess them up.”
    “Scott,” Ryan said, “you should really show more respect. I mean, what if somebody saw you?”
    “Oh, all right,” Scott sighed. “If it’s that big of a deal, I’ll get off.”
    He’d barely hopped off when they heard a loud cracking sound toward the top of the mountain. All three spun around to see a huge cloud of dust and debris billowing down the slope — directly toward them.
    “It’s an avalanche!” Little Creek cried. “Run!”
    No one had to be told twice, but it was too close and coming too fast. In a matter of seconds the first of the boulders descended upon them.
    Ryan was the first to be hit. A boulder the size of a basketball grazed his thigh. He let out a cry but continued running.
    Scott was luckier. He dodged an even bigger rock that crashed into the ground immediately beside him. Soon rock and sand and dust surrounded the three. Through the thick, hazy cloud, Scott saw another boulder, several times larger than any other that had fallen. He leaped out of the way just as the two-ton rock bounced past, missing him by inches.
    It ended almost as quickly as it had begun. Except for their coughing and gasping for breath, everything grew quiet.
    “Everyone all right?” Little Creek called.
    “Yeah,” Scott answered, choking.
    “We’re okay,” Ryan coughed.
    The guys climbed out of the gravel and rocks, then looked back at where they had been standing. It was covered in rock. Coincidence? Maybe.
    After a few moments, Ryan said, “Well, I guess we should probably be heading back.”
    “Yes.” Little Creek’s agreement was quick. “I’m afraid we’ve offended the spirits. It would not be safe to continue.”
    “ ‘Offended the spirits,’ ” Scott scoffed. “You don’t really believe that.”
    But Little Creek said nothing. Nor did Ryan. Instead, they turned and started climbing back up to the path. As they walked, Ryan turned around several times and looked back down at the pile of rocks. Scott couldn’t be certain, but Ryan seemed strangely drawn to the place. Over the months the two of them had become good friends. And, like most good friends, each could often tell what the other was thinking. It was becoming more and more obvious to Scott that Ryan was getting caught up in the Indian myths and legends. And, while Scott