An enormous being, a thunderbird known by some as, “Wakinyan Tanka,” became part of my life twelve years ago. Our telepathic connection was the entire reason I met my wife, Secora, who recently brought our son, Steve, into the world. We couldn’t be happier.
As Wakinyan Tanka lay dying on the rugged Armenian mountain, she asked telepathically, if I was willing to connect with one of her offspring.
Now we owe our lives to another Argentavis Magnificens, “White Feather”, one of Wakinyan’s last daughters. She, along with my nephew, Kyah, saved us that night. But, finding out about the pregnancy was interesting…
******
My wife, Secora, had been in an automobile accident, and we were in the Jackson Hole hospital. I tried to rouse her. She groaned in response, tried to open her eyes, and attempted to sit up.
“Ow.”
“Just stay down for now. Can you see anything?”
“A little, but Gideon, it’s dark. Are we still in the cave?”
I was puzzled at first, and then asked her “Do you mean the
cave in Africa where our friend, Mosa, was killed by the scimitar-toothed cat?”
“No, the one Destiny sent me to, today.”
“Sorry, that was three days ago. Secora, you’re in a hospital. You’ve been kept asleep to let the swelling in your brain diminish before you start moving around.”
Our adopted daughter, Monta, interrupted, announcing, “Guess what Mom, I’m going to have a baby brother.”
“Gideon, what is she saying?” “She’s been telling me that for the last hour.”
Secora didn’t respond, she’d closed her eyes and looked as though she was thinking.
“Mom, did you hear me?”
She winced and said, “I did dear. That’s wonderful, but it’s a little more than I can handle at the moment.”
Monta, was undeterred and continued, “He likes the name,
Steve – in case you are wondering.”
Secora did a double take, focusing on Monta’s words, until
the physician arrived.
Before he had a chance to speak Monta emphasized, “Don’t forget, Mom, STEVE.”
*****
The day didn’t start as a tragedy. Secora and I had been showing a listed property in the Plains area West of the Flathead Reservation. It seemed like a good idea for us to go on this outing together, to get Secora away from her stresses and worries.
In the fading sunset, the client waved goodbye. With a strange look on her face, Secora turned to me and said, “Gideon, I think my water just broke.” We hurried into the truck and followed an access road to the highway that would take us to Missoula.
Although it was evening and we were miles from the hospital, she was beginning to feel excited about becoming a mom. But things turned ugly on the access road when we had a blowout in the right rear tire. It was tough to retain control of the vehicle on the old, cracked pavement.
I knew the tires were practically new and that something was off. The moon had yet to rise, and it was pitch dark as I pulled over and cut the engine. Suddenly, we heard the roar of another truck, and headlights closing in quickly from behind. Then a shot rang out.
“Get out Secora. We have to leave, NOW!” I dashed over to open the door and led her off into the darkened
brush toward an obscured ravine on our right. A deer trail took us away from the lights. We stumbled along as quickly as we could.
Secora moaned, “Oh my God,”
Behind us we heard the other truck leave the road, and lights indicated it was headed in our direction. Three squeaky doors opened and then slammed.
Moving as quickly as possible over to the edge of a ravine, we dropped more than three hundred feet, in a series of layers. My eyes strained to focus as we jogged along one fork of a path that wandered along the top of a gully. We stopped to catch our breath and I dialed my nephew, Kyah, who was a part of the search and rescue team, and quietly let him know we needed emergent assistance. I asked him to bring his search dog, “Penny”, then I gave him the coordinates for our rescue from my Satfon.
Secora and I were now dodging unseen bullets fired over the rim in our general direction. We moved from bush to bush, running for our lives in the pitch-dark night. She was hurting with regular contractions and I was panicked. Hiding behind the tumbleweeds wouldn’t be good enough. Eventually, our pursuers would catch up.
Out of desperation, I tried to get her to climb a small hill. There might be places to hide up there. Then, the thought of a pack of dogs treeing a mountain lion came to my mind. When the cat runs out of rocks to climb, it sometimes climbs a tree on the top – it has nowhere else to go. The dogs and the hunters find an easy target in the end.
I turned back to check Secora’s progress. She had stopped about ten feet back. I tried to coax her but she didn’t look good. She was doubled over, and when she looked up, I saw that her lips were blue.
“Honey, we can’t stop here. At the very least we need to reach those rocks about fifty feet away. Maybe we could hide from these wild bullets.”
She moaned through gritted teeth in response, “Can’t move… contraction….”
“Let me try to carry you.”
Lightning danced across the road as thunder rumbled. Secora growled and fell to her knees. “No… can’t believe this is happening here. Please go, Gideon, one of us should live.”
At a complete loss, I knelt beside her and made sure she focused on her breathing. I was pretty sure she already was, but I didn’t know how else to help. Things became even more uncomfortable when rain began to blow in sheets.
In some ways it seemed refreshing, but it was cold. Even worse, I could no longer hear how close our pursuers were.
I began to quietly chant. “He-a-hey, hey-a-hey. Grandfather, I offer up everything to you. You are the Source…You are the end. We thank you for all you have given us. We thank you for this child. We will care for it as long as we can, then ask that You take him tenderly into Your care when the time comes.”
Suddenly, I heard something else: Heyoka, the nestling is coming. So am I.
“I have to push… it hurts.”
“Concentrate…focus.”
“O.K.A.Y.Y.Y.”
I thought I heard another gunshot and bent lower as lightning pirouetted with the ground. Thunder roared and rumbled. It was then I felt the presence of White Feather, who’d agreed to keep the connection after the ancient bird’s passing.
A predator is close to you. That one is mine to take.
My heart sank at the thought a killer was already so close, and also, because of the impending loss of life.
Thank you, great protector.
To Secora, I said, “White Feather says there are only two attackers left.”
Secora screamed as she pushed with all her strength. “Ahhh…” She set her jaw and pushed again. I caught Steve on his way into the world, protecting his head and tiny body from the dirt, scratchy sagebrush debris, and the windy-cold rain. It must have been a shock for the newly entered being, because he cried out – daring the rain or anything else to stop his entrance.
“Grandfather thank you for the birth of this precious child.”
Secora weakly, added, “Thank you, Source of all beings. Welcome, Steve.”
The siren of a Deputy’s vehicle was shocking. I held my breath as I anticipated the approach of running boots and heard two voices only fifteen feet to our left.
“Are you kidding!”
“How’d they find us?”
They weren’t voices we knew.
From the dark, Kyah bellowed, “Drop your weapons and hit the ground!”
Two bodies thudded into the brush, and Kyah called the deputies to cuff the suspects.
Secora and I were both shivering, but somehow, we had to keep the baby warm. I cuddled Steve inside my coat.
“I love you Gideon Yellow Thunder.”
“I know.” My tears joined the rain.
There was sudden movement right beside us and Secora yelped despite herself. Our fear faded slightly as Kyah’s Rescue dog, Penny, sniffed our faces. She barked twice, signaling my nephew to our position. At that moment, two other sirens could be heard coming in our general direction – way too close.
Secora asked, “What if they don’t stop and run over us?”
How could I respond? It was tough for me to move because the wet clothing clung to my cold skin. I struggled to wave, then brought my arm back to encircle her. Together, the three of us made the best of the circumstance.
I was still mumbling prayers, but I could feel Kyah was nearby. I grabbed his hand. He immediately bent down and hugged me. I love my nephew like a son. Steve seemed curious when the paramedics arrived to help. Within fifteen minutes we were all on the way to Community Hospital in Missoula, grateful, but shivering from the ordeal.
*****
Within the week of his birth, Steve was able to save his mother’s life with a timely howl that diverted her from opening the front door for an unlikely assassin; Mosa’s enraged sister screamed as the bullets entered the wood, “You killed my brother in the Ennedi cave, then made up a story blaming an imaginary beast, a scimitar-toothed cat.
I am here to avenge my brother. I am your death, cave monster.”
After the fight with brutal cave hyenas that had attacked Secora and Gideon in the remote, rugged mountains of Armenia; the age-old thunderbird, Wakinyan Tanka, rose aloft with a second bird that flashed white chest feathers. Together, they landed on the ridgetop thirty yards above the humans... By Diane Olsen Author.
*****************
Ignoring the lightning and thunder crashing around them, Gideon and Secora clambered over the ragged incline to be near the old bird. When they arrived at the divot between two rocky outcrops, they found the ancient one huddled with one wing partially outstretched for balance, the other folded beneath her. Weak and broken, her beak sagged open.
Their guide, Kheridan, tentatively approached and squatted near Secora, but Seamus, who disliked birds, called out from below, “I’m good here.”
The second bird perched on a higher boulder, anxiously raising her magnificent crest of red, black, and white quills; and alternating her weight from foot to foot. Twisting her head in various positions, she observed the humans with those piercing eyes. Besides the blaze of white feathers on her chest, she had white speckles on her wings.
Even though her body, not counting the enormous tail, was over six feet long, Wakinyan looked weak and broken. Lightening cracked the sky open and rain blew in sheets soaking everything. Wakinyan Tanka’s head drooped, beak resting on the ground and breathing through her mouth.
Secora gave into her tears but heard a sound behind her. As she glanced over her shoulder, she noticed that despite his fear, Seamus had joined them. A thought came to Gideon, oddly Secora felt it too. He said to the others, “The old one’s day of quiet is here. She wants us to bond with this daughter.”
One last time Wakinyan Tanka raised her glorious crest and turned her red-gold eye seated in blue-tinted skin toward Gideon and Secora. As she lifted her grizzly bear-sized head, they noticed blood oozing from her leg and chest feathers. Without speaking, they removed their coats and spread them over the old bird, hoping to give her the feeling of being a protected nestling. The two other men followed suit, then shivered beside the noble creature, in awe of the event.
It wasn’t long before the downpour moved off to the south and the imminent threat of lightning passed. So too, had Wakinyan Tanka. Gideon, his head pressed on top of his mentor’s crest, was sobbing openly. Seamus captured some of the epic situations on video.
Suddenly, they felt Kheridan hands on their shoulders. “Let’s think about this another time. We are a long way from safety, and I’m sure those giant cave hyenas weren’t the only dangers in this area.”
The young bird that would from now on be referred to as, “White Feather,” spread her wings and rose quietly, circling the currents until she was barely visible, and following the pattern of her mother, two piercing shrieks signaled her departure.
The storm moved on, and the petrichor fragrance of the grateful earth was redolent and calming. . .
If you enjoyed this short story, I invite you to read “the rest of the story” in my novel series, “Rising Wind,” Book Four: “Like Feathers to a Wing.” This book is filled with action, adventure, and mystery, celebrating Native American culture while exploring diverse cultures worldwide. It would make a fantastic holiday gift for the avid readers on your Christmas list and may be purchased from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01LWDB4K7/allbooks
Tarkio hollered from outside. “I think I see something out there – in the meadow.”
Secora and Gideon hustled over. The boy, one of Secora’s grad students, was shading his eyes with his hand. Following his gaze, they noticed a sow bear with cubs was gnawing on a cow carcass.
Tarkio asked, “Maybe that’s what has been bothering Bill’s family’s livestock?” Secora was hesitant. “Could be, I suppose. But we have to remember Bill is one of my paleontology students. Hopefully, he would know if they were seeing a bear with cubs.”
Suddenly, a large dark blur raced from the woods into the field and swatted the sow’s head, flipping her entire body and efficiently breaking her neck. She lay still where she fell. Gideon drew up the rifle and prepared to shoot.
Secora grabbed his arm, distracting him. “What if there are two of those things? We need to get away from here right now. My path has crossed with dangerous beasts before. The outcome of such interactions is murky. Not everyone who meets these creatures makes it out alive. Survival – that’s a bonus.”
Secora woke early the next morning at the farm where her student Bill and his family had been harassed by a deadly beast. She heard her grad student and office mate, Tarkio, creep over awake, and excited. She rose and they exited the house to sit on the patio quietly listening to a late cricket and a few frogs while Secora combed her hair.
“In a parental sense, I’m very much against you staying here without us while we look for that carcass over at Sam’s place today. “Secora, I am old enough to make my own decisions, and besides, I will be with two well-armed game wardens.”
Gideon joined his wife and Tarkio, rubbing both eyes with his knuckles. “Secora, you should give him your sat phone. Tarkio, my number is programmed into it. Call me if there’s the slightest problem.” He sat on the step and stretched. “We’ll be looking for the carcass of the beast that was shot on the neighbor’s property.” He yawned and blinked, waiting for Tarkio to nod.
Soon they noticed Bill’s mother, Elena, at the door, inviting them in for scrambled eggs and sausage, home fries, and biscuits. They followed her in as the delightful aromas lured them to the dining room. They dug into a wonderful breakfast that, for a moment, allayed Secora’s concerns that this was likely to be an ominous day.
When the dishes were dried and put away, Secora wandered through the dining and living rooms, fascinated by lovely photos that had been blown up and hung as wall art. There was a series of deciduous tree panels showing close-ups of leaves in the full range of fall colors, which any child would wish to capture in her hand as she walked down an autumn street. The collage of purple, maroon, several shades of reds and orange, green, gold, and yellow hues made her smile.
Next, she noticed some evening horizon shots of black rocks against a layered blue-purple sky, featuring stars and a meteor. In the hall, on the way to the restroom, she stopped at a black and white photo that captured a team of Belgian horses plowing a field, and inside the bathroom, she found a dramatic photo of white bear grass plumes shooting up from a super-steep green slope, surrounded by clouded mountains that took her breath away. She asked Bill, “Are these your handiwork?” “Yes,” he answered shyly.
They heard a knock at the door, and Elena ushered the game wardens inside. Introductions were brief, as the wardens shook hands with the family. Gideon and Secora hugged Tarkio, who by then felt like he was part of their family. The senior warden, James, smirked, and said, “Don’t worry ma’am, we handle wolves and bears for breakfast.” “I’m not worried about them. I’m afraid this is something far more dangerous.” “Like Bigfoot.” They both laughed. “More like a tiger. It may hunt you. Just be careful.”
Both James and Frank, the other warden, chuckled again. Perhaps there was a slight edge to the laughter this time. Tarkio said goodbye and followed them out the door, promising he’d give them a blow-by-blow account of the excursion. Secora sighed from her heart but smiled weakly. It was time to let the crew move out. When they left, Secora hollered after Bill, “You have bear spray on you, right?” “Yes, mom. Two cans.”
Gideon added, “Okay, use the Satfon to keep in touch, Tarkio. Secora and I will be only a few miles away.” A few yards down the lane, Gideon turned their vehicle around and then stopped. “Was there something, just there… at the edge of the woods?” Secora rolled her eyes. “Oh, I imagine there was.” He sighed. “I hate to leave. Didn’t you say that thing probably wouldn’t be back? I don’t feel so sure about it now.”
While the Fish and Game vehicle was heading across the meadow toward the forest fence line Secora said, “I understand. But being with them probably won’t change the outcome. This way, we can be available to help if we’re needed.” As they left, they noticed that Bill and his family were already in their pickup, crawling down the two-track road toward town.
* * * * *
When Tarkio and the wardens climbed over the old wooden fence everything seemed normal enough. Birds were singing and Tarkio noticed a purple butterfly flapping erratically past their faces. The wardens walked ahead at a good pace, occasionally bending over to look at imprints in the pine needles. Frank commented, “Looks like a grizzly paw print.” If it weren’t for the remnants of the cow carcass that had been dragged out of the meadow and over or through the rail fence, they would have found very little else.
At one point, Tarkio collected a sample of two-inch dark fur caught in tree bark. He wondered about where this thing had been taking the carcass. Did it have a den? Could it be a female with cubs? What kind of den would such a creature have? Den choices in the open pine forest were, of course, limited. He thought about coyotes, then bears. They go underground, but that doesn’t mean this girl would. Pumas and other big cats might den up in the rocks.
The men he was with had almost twenty years on him. They were puffing and took a break in a thick patch of conifers. The surrounding air turned chilly. Tarkio thought it strange that he could see his breath as he sat on a rock. He pushed his hands into his pockets and pressed his elbows toward his ribs to conserve heat. That wasn’t enough, so he pulled his coat tightly around him.
The part of the forest they were passing through had become so thick and dark, that the penetration of sunlight was limited. Finally, he said, “Guys, I’m feeling eerie, and cold all of a sudden.” James agreed, “Yeah, me too. Frank, maybe we should call it a day.” Frank smiled. “I have a 30.06 that says you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Tarkio continued, “Listen, this beast could easily be a female with cubs. Why else would she be dragging that cow around?” “We don’t want to be around a hungry sow with cubs, do we Frank?” “Okay, James. What say we take the rest of the day to explore closer to the ranch area?” James slowly rose up, unholstering his pistol. Relieved, he whispered, “Yeah that sounds sensible.”
At that moment Tarkio felt an utter dread. Had he seen eyes flashing between twigs? James whispered in a harsh whisper, “Frank, get up and walk behind us with your rifle ready. We are going to need eyes in the backs of our heads.” “What are you talking about?” James whispered, “We’re being hunted.”
“Why are you whispering – talking is better with bears.” They moved out towards what they felt would be the direction of the vehicle and the ranch. An unfamiliar snarl snagged their immediate attention. Tarkio popped the cap on the bear spray. Then he remembered the GPS on Secora’s Satfon.
As a precaution he dialed Gideon. “We’re in a pickle here and heading back toward the vehicle at the ranch.” “Keep sharp.” “I have the bear mace.”“Maybe you should spray a little of it around you and on your pant legs and boots. Hold your breath.” “Good idea. If it doesn’t like the smell, maybe it will back off long enough for us to make it.” “Hope so.”
Tarkio could hear Gideon tell Secora to grab her coat and head for the car. He heard her answer that she was dialing 911 on her cell. The young man sprayed the pant legs and boots of his companions. When he finished and could speak, he said, “Okay, I think we are safe to breathe.” Frank’s bravado had fled and he was noticeably shaken as they went forward. “I’ve listened to YouTube Bigfoot stories for years. This feeling of being watched, and everything going too quiet could apply to this thing as well.
Even the air is still – breathless.”
Another snarl came from their right. It was all Tarkio could do, to keep from running full out like a crazy man. Frank asked, “Don’t they have stories of wolf men or some other large wolf creature that can stand on its hind legs and be seven to twelve feet tall?” James said, “You don’t think this thing can be that big.” “I don’t want to, but the lady was right.
How many animals can drag off a cow carcass rather than eat it where it falls?” “Frank, get a grip. This is the last time we’ll take a civilian into the field.” “Okay James, maybe so. But would you still be out here if you were alone?” James’s breathing became a little ragged as he began to jog. “Hell no!” Tarkio was nervous. “Now, there’s something off to our left, too!” “Whoa, what is that stink?” “James, I think I shit my pants.” “Me too.”
The snarl changed to a guttural growl down to their right. Then a deep roar with a subsonic tone erupted from the hillside to their left. Tarkio’s head whiplashed from one side to the other. Gideon said to Tarkio, “I’ve noted your location. You are only two and a half miles in a direct line from the ranch. We’ll be there soon.” “That’s good.” He relayed the information to the others. Then suddenly Tarkio was hit from behind. As he fell, he heard both the pistol and the rifle fire.
****
Tarkio felt groggy. His sleep had been disturbed. Now he felt like he was being dragged off his bed, and there were the muffled noises. No, they must be voices around him. He didn’t want to open his eyes. He was afraid to open them. Instead, he called, “Frank?” Then after a pause, “James?” There might have been a groan.
Tarkio was still lying on his back, and couldn’t open his eyes. Without warning he was picked up and carried off – not by puncturing jaws he was relieved to discover, but like a potato sack. The air reeked. He was uncomfortable bouncing along. Darkness overtook his agitation.
****
“Hurry, they’re under attack,” Gideon yelled as he joined Secora in the vehicle. Secora hit the gas. Sam’s ranch was ten minutes from the meadow. “I hope the sheriff is closer and arrives before we get there.” As if by magic they heard a siren crescendo. Secora saw the lights and pulled over for the cruiser to pass. Gideon told her that he’d heard a roar on the phone and a scream for “Help.”
Then three shots were fired before the Satfon went quiet.
Moments later, the university van pulled up to the forest fence but Secora and Gideon couldn’t see any people – just the vehicles, the cruiser with its lights still on and doors left wide open. Secora sniffed the air. “I smell a faint pungent odor.” “Me too.” Gideon passed through the gate, his rifle at the ready. There were no other sounds. “Everything is too quiet.” They followed the path of bent grasses when they could. Occasionally, there was a partial heel indent.
Gideon stopped to look at the sat phone’s GPS. “We seem to be heading in the right direction. We’re about a mile out from where the phone landed, and I last heard Tarkio with the game wardens.” There was no mistaking the warning they heard off to their left. “Almost sounds like a bear,” noted Secora, as she whirled to face that direction. Gideon stopped with her. Then they crept toward the noise, all their senses alert.
“Honey, I’m seeing drops of wet blood on the grass. I’m going to collect a sample for DNA testing.” She took off her backpack and put on a pair of gloves to swab a sample, while Gideon hollered, “Tarkio. Tarkio, where are you.” There was no response for a second, and then they heard a call from the direction of the game wardens’ path. Gideon jogged toward the noise while Secora noted where and when she had collected the sample and followed after him.
Suddenly, someone was shouting from behind her. She turned again and squinted back toward the fence. It was Bill, running full out toward her and yelling, “I heard the sirens and knew there was trouble. I took the pickup and came back as quickly as I could.” Puffing anxiously, he demanded, “What… what happened?” He puffed again. “Is anyone hurt?” “Gideon is up ahead. Let’s catch up and see. Be aware, Bill, I think there’s a large animal off to our left. It growled a warning for us to stay away.”
“G-r-e-a-t, no problem. I don’t have a weapon.” “Me neither.” Secora smelled the dry pine needles as they crunched their way through the brush. It was about three minutes before they could see Gideon through the shrubs. He was standing near a clump of trees with the deputies. Secora couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she took a careful 360-degree look around before approaching them. Bill looked terrified. “What’s that horrible smell?”
Secora shook her head but said nothing. The deputies looked them over and asked them to identify themselves. They showed their IDs and Gideon vouched for both of them while handing Secora her Satfon. Secora bent down to examine the evidence. Bill pinched his nose and said, “That’s a crazy amount of excrement.”
One deputy asked, “How many men did you say were here?” Gideon replied, “Three. Two game wardens and a paleontologist from the university.” “And at least one Bigfoot.” Secora looked up when no one made a comment. “I think the excrement was a weapon to deter the animal which originally attacked the men.” “Okay, ma’am, do you understand how ridiculous that sounds?” “I do. You got something better?” Bill said, “That would explain some of this… but where are the guys?”
“We’ve called dispatch for a search team and dogs. Until then, they are officially missing. There have already been several disappearances in this county and across into Canada this spring.” The other deputy said, “That’s none of their business.” Secora took a step toward him. “Well, it kinda is. The university expects Tarkio to teach classes on Monday, and I’ll need to call his wife and son. Surely the game wardens also have families.”
Bill advised, “I think Secora and Gideon should go on ahead while we wait for the search team.” Gideon sensed a hesitation with the deputies, so he pushed a bit further. “It would be like having a tracker go in before the search teams.” “We can’t let you do that. You could ruin the trace evidence.” Three knocks rang out as if someone was sending a signal by whacking a tree with a chunk of wood.
Secora said, “One or more of them might be alive. In that direction. We could check it out without messing up the evidence. You can direct the search from here.” Bill said, “By the way, your dogs might want to check out the blood drops on the grass about a mile back and to the south.” A deputy said, “That’s probably from the cow carcass.” Secora asked, “Do dead cows snarl? I heard a warning growl off to my left at that position, and the blood was wet.”
The deputies made faces registering disgust and possibly a little fear. One said to Gideon, “Hey, use your Satfon and keep us updated.” Then the two of them headed back toward the farm. Secora asked Bill to photograph the attack site, while she and Gideon took samples of excrement and blood, marking their positions at the scene. She pointed out deep claw marks on a nearby tree to Bill, who photographed them, while Secora took a swab from the fresh scratches.
They headed uphill toward the west-northwest, toward the knocks. The trail was fairly easy to follow as there were occasional deep impressions of a large human foot, along with bent-down grass and other signs. It became clear there was more than one creature passing through. Gideon sniffed the lingering pungent odors in the air. Secora wasn’t the only one who noticed. They stopped to listen. Things were perfectly silent until Bill snapped a photo of a rare Indian Pipe orchid. She smiled and said, “Send me a copy of that, will you?”
Another set of three knocks came from several miles away. However, they continued to follow the tracks and the scent. When they arrived at the base of a hill to the north, Secora thought she could smell blood. “Wait. Just a moment.” She closed her eyes and tried to use telepathy to let everyone know these three humans meant no harm. Please let us help our friends and any who live. There was a single knock above their position.
They arrived at the biggest tree in the area and found two bodies surrounded by a circle of urine and feces. Gideon explained,” To ward off dangerous intruders,” He bent down and checked for signs of life. One warden and Tarkio were alive but unconscious. “No sign of the third man. I should call the deputies to bring medics.
Secora, why don’t you two leave offerings and a prayer up a hundred yards or so.” She took a PB&J and a baggie of dried apricots out of her backpack and gave them to Bill. Gideon handed over a sandwich and raisins from his lunch, and they left. The Lakota dialed the number they had been given, then spoke with the deputies, He heard Secora and Tarkio climbing over rocks and fallen trees above, with their gifts and their gratitude.
It took the rescue crew a half-hour to arrive. By then the warden, James, had regained consciousness on site. He had nothing to say about what happened. Gideon and Secora found out later that Tarkio roused on the way to the hospital. The search dog found the third man partially devoured. Frank lay with his head knocked away from his body in the area where Secora had heard the growl.
Nothing further was noted about the attack or any of the unseen creatures in the official record. . .
*******
If you enjoyed reading this short story from my novel “Like Feathers of a Wing” in the ‘Rising Wind’ series, all my novels are available now from Amazon in Kindles and Paperback formats to read the full stories…
Celebrating National Kayak Day In honor of Native American Heritage Month.
Today we celebrate ‘National Kayak Day’ and the history of the kayak, a narrow watercraft originally created by Arctic tribes 5,000 years ago,and the role it played in their everyday lives.
(Let’s learn morecourtesy of Google Doodle& (Image courtesy of NOAA Fisheries)
These small and narrow watercraft were created thousands of years ago for hunting, fishing, and transportation. Kayaking has since evolved into a widely popular recreational activity and competitive sport.
Native American communities in arctic regions are to thank for these paddle-powered boats. Kayaks were originally invented by Northern tribes including Inuit, Aleut, Inupiat, and Yup’ik, and made with animal skins, bones, and driftwood to help traverse cold waters. These boats offered hunters the stealth and mobility to successfully catch fish, seals, whales, and more in even the most treacherous waters.
Image Below Credit: Smithsonian Institution
The best weapons to use in a kayak were darts and harpoons. Bows were easily damaged when wet and were best left for hunting on land. Many harpoons included a throwing stick that increased the range and force. At the end of the line was often an inflated bladder that kept the line afloat and tired the targeted animal.
It’s only fitting that theword kayak means “hunter’s boat” in Inuit.
Qajaq, the etymological form of the word, stems from one of the 14 dialects of the Inuit-Yupik-Unangan family of languages. Each Qajaqwas customized and hand-built by the hunter to account for their own size and weight and thought of as an extension of the self rather than just a tool.
Kayaking has since evolved into a sport and recreational hobby that welcomes all who enjoy time out on the water. From leisurely rides across still lakes to competitions over treacherous white waters, kayaking is now worldwide. We have the Northern tribes to thank for this sporting advancement.
(Below is an Inuit family in front of a ‘Tupiq; (a tent made of animal skins and used in the warmer months) at Pond Inlet in 1906 before Canada drove them out.)
I hope you have enjoyed reading about artic native history of the kayak and the native people. In my next post soon, I’ll be sharing a new captivating short story.
Welcome, everyone, to my new official author website and writing corner of the world!
I am happy and excited to announce I am back to blogging and eager to delight my readers in new ways. After taking a break from publishing books, I have been writing actively and sharing some of my fascinating and popular shard stories, poems, short stories, and other book titles published and unpublished.
My purpose is to engage with you and all who visit on a personal level while sharing captivating tales filled with mystery, thrilling suspense, and action. I aim to take you on global cultural adventures!
I look forward to sharing these stories and experiences with you and everyone who visits. I am proud of the books I have written and published thus far and have enjoyed hearing readers’ feedback through the years with exceptional book reviews for all my books they graciously took the time to read.
As autumn is in full swing and with Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, I wanted to remind you that all of my books would make fantastic gifts for the avid readers on your holiday shopping list! With a wide selection to choose from, you can stack a few together, gift-wrapped, and place them under the Christmas tree.
They are sure to delight anyone who enjoys gripping mystery and global action adventure reads.
Make sure to visit my books page here on my website and learn about all my award-winning books or you may visit my Amazon Author page https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01LWDB4K7/allbooks for purchasing and read the book reviews and the editorial media reviews too!
As I begin this new chapter of writing and sharing my stories, don’t be shy to leave me your thoughts or feedback in the “comment” section of each new post. I thank you for stopping by and visiting my literary corner of the world avid readers! 📚✍🏻🥳
Cat can custom build a plan for any DIY Author an amazing well-rounded marketing plan around any marketing budget. She shares everywhere you need to be set on and where and how to promote your books. I have begun working my plan and I wanted to share one the places I got an exceptional 5-star awarded book review and the free press release from Readers Favorite. So without delay, here it is!
I sure all my reader and visitor friends enjoy book two of my RISING WIND Series and Ice and Bone and will leave a review for me on Amazon and Goodreads. It would be much appreciated and will help get this book to readers who will enjoy it. Grab your copy today!
~Diane Olsen, Author
For immediate release:
Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Adventure book “Rising Wind: Ice and Bone” by Diane Olsen, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09447YQ7F.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
“Reviewed By Scott Cahan for Readers’ Favorite
Ice and Bone by Diane Olsen is part two in the Rising Wind series. You could read this book as a stand-alone without reading the first one as the author does a decent job of bringing her readers up to speed, but my recommendation is to read part 1, The Thunder Beings, first if possible. The story is somewhat complex with lots of characters and it could get confusing if your first introduction to the series is Ice and Bone.
The best way I can think of to describe the Rising Wind series is as something akin to the Indiana Jones movies with a stronger emphasis on the science behind the archaeology, a female lead, and a bunch of spirituality thrown into the mix. In Ice and Bone, the discovery of ancient human remains, in a place where science and history say they shouldn’t be, sets off a chain of events that pull our heroes, Secora and Gideon, into all kinds of new dangers. Will they and their budding romance survive? And what will become of Secora’s newly adopted baby, Monta? Secora is forced to bring her child along as she and her friends trek through the jungles of South America, trying to stay one step ahead of those who will stop at nothing to prevent the new archaeological discovery from being made public.
Rising Wind: Ice and Bone is a gripping thrill ride full of action and colorful characters. Author Diane Olsen does a great job of balancing the fast-moving plot with interesting interactions between her characters. The science behind the discoveries in the book is also handled very well and expertly woven into the story to make it all feel very believable. Fans of archaeology fiction based on real science are sure to enjoy Ice and Bone as well as its predecessor, The Thunder Beings. Step aside, Indiana Jones; a new hero, Secora James, has arrived to dig up controversial discoveries and protect them from the evil forces who want to steal them and use them for evil. I highly recommend Rising Wind: Ice and Bone.”
You can learn more about Diane Olsen and “Rising Wind: Ice and Bone” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/rising-wind-ice-and-bone where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Readers’ Favorite LLC Media Relations Louisville, KY 40202 800-RF-REVIEW support@readersfavorite.com https://readersfavorite.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-Winning Author Diane Olsen
Diane Olsen is the prolific writer & award-winning author of her debut book titled; “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion,” a Bronze Medal Winner awarded by Christian Illumination Book Awards and released in 2016. Diane’s debut release of “Ancient Ways” is a thought-provoking informative look at the development and evolution of religion throughout time and a well-considered concept – the idea of a connective thread of monotheistic faith throughout history from the birth of human creation.
Diane now shares her book series titled; RISING WIND with book one released titled “The Thunder Beings” in 2018. Now she has released book two titled ICE and BONE of the Rising Wind Series. Adapted from an original screenplay Diane wrote several years ago, she has now written it within a three-part book series for her readers and fans to enjoy. It is an excellent multi-cultural light Christian-themed action-adventure mystery thrill ride like no other book series.
Diane was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Washington. She is an undergrad at Colorado State University Ft. Collins: Pre-vet med, Anthropology, then attended and received her BA and MA at the University of Montana, Missoula: Anthropology, Archaeology, and Paleontology.
She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years. Diane enjoys writing, reading good books, spending time with her family and grandkids, animals, and loves cooking. A few of her favorite books are ‘The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan), The Upanishads, and The Great Initiates.’
It has been a very long while since I have posted on blog and I do apologize as I have been feverishly writing after I released RISING WIND: The Thunder Beings. It seems GOD had other plans for me to continue the story of Sercora and Gideon and now it has become a three book series!
Especially after this nasty COVID and pandemic, I decided to go for it and began writing the next books. Well, the writing and work is done for the rest of this series. If you have not had a chance to dive into book one, The Thunder Beings of Rising Wind, below I am sharing some exciting NEWS…
Even though Thunder Beings is already out and released? My publicist and I submitted all three books to the series through a literary influencer, Readers Favorite to get a feel of how good or bad (LOL) the manuscripts were. Below is the answers!
I really do hope you will grab a copy of Book One and begin the exciting journey of this series. It is packed with action and adventure, with a native American feel, and a multicultural mystery and throughout the essence of HOPE like no other book you have read. I am almost ready to release book two titled Ice and Bone, and then book three the finale.
I am today sharing the reviews I have gotten and I am so pleased with the results and reviews! ENJOY!
~Diane Olsen, Author
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Rising Wind: The Thunder Beings
The Thunder Beings (The Rising Wind Series) by Diane Olsen Fiction – Adventure 253 Pages Reviewed on 02/24/2021
Rising Wind: The Thunder Beings (Book One) by Diane Olsen is a story of adventure and spirituality. The story follows a man and a woman who don’t know each other at first but they are drawn together by a mysterious thunderbird that is supposed to be extinct. Secora is a paleontologist who goes to South America to track another animal that was also thought to be extinct, a giant sloth. In the process of finding the sloth, she stirs up all kinds of trouble and soon finds a group of assassins after her.
Meanwhile, Gideon, a native American Indian who has left the ways and beliefs of his heritage behind, keeps having visions. A thunderbird is appearing to him and leading him to step out of his comfort zone and go to South America to help a woman he’s never met to fulfill a mysterious mission.
Rising Wind is an effective mixture of science, spirituality, and adventure. There is just enough science present in the story to make the giant sloth and a small race of people called the Duendes seem like they could be real. The book is also filled with lots of spirituality involving beliefs from several different religions. The most prevalent is from Native Americans which is how the thunderbird is explained. I’ve already mentioned the adventure aspect, but I’ll add that the story moves at a good pace, making every scene intriguing and at times exciting.
This book has a good cast of characters, all with unique and relatable personalities. Rising Wind by Diane Olsen is the first book in a series. It will be interesting to see more of the thunderbirds and other strange creatures as the series unfolds. I highly suggest this read! https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/rising-wind
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Temp Cover For Ice and Bone
Reviewed By: Scott Cahan
Review Rating: Rising Wind: Ice and Bone (Book Two Unpublished – Series)
5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review!
Ice and Bone by Diane Olsen is part two in the Rising Wind series.You could read this book as a stand-alone without reading the first one as the author does a decent job of bringing her readers up to speed, but my recommendation is to read part 1, The Thunder Beings, first if possible. The story is somewhat complex with lots of characters and it could get confusing if your first introduction to the series is Ice and Bone.
The best way I can think of to describe the Rising Wind series is as something akin to the Indiana Jones movies with a stronger emphasis on the science behind the archaeology, a female lead, and a bunch of spirituality thrown into the mix. In Ice and Bone, the discovery of ancient human remains, in a place where science and history say they shouldn’t be, sets off a chain of events that pull our heroes, Secora and Gideon, into all kinds of new dangers. Will they and their budding romance survive?
And what will become of Secora’s newly adopted baby, Monta? Secora is forced to bring her child along as she and her friends trek through the jungles of South America, trying to stay one step ahead of those who will stop at nothing to prevent the new archaeological discovery from being made public.
Rising Wind: Ice and Bone is a gripping thrill ride full of action and colorful characters. Author Diane Olsen does a great job of balancing the fast-moving plot with interesting interactions between her characters. The science behind the discoveries in the book is also handled very well and expertly woven into the story to make it all feel very believable.
Fans of archaeology fiction based on real science are sure to enjoy Ice and Bone as well as its predecessor, The Thunder Beings. Step aside, Indiana Jones; a new hero, Secora James, has arrived to dig up controversial discoveries and protect them from the evil forces who want to steal them and use them for evil.
I highly recommend Rising Wind: Ice and Bone.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Award-winning Author, Diane Olsen, is the prolific writer and award-winning author of her debut book titled; “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion,” a bronze medal winner given by Illumination Book Awards.
Ancient Ways is thought-provoking and an informative look at the development and evolution of religion throughout time and a well-considered concept – the idea of a connective thread of monotheistic faith throughout history from the birth of human creation.
Now comes her new release titled; “RISING WIND: The Thunder Beings” (Book One a Series.) Adapted from an original screenplay Diane wrote several years ago, she has now written it for all her readers to enjoy as an amazing Fiction, Action-Adventure, with Super Natural and Mystery elements.
Diane was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and she now lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the State of Washington. Diane was an Undergrad at Colorado State University Ft. Collins: Pre-vet med, Anthropology, then attended and received her BA and MA at the University of Montana, Missoula: Anthropology, Archaeology, and Paleontology. She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years.
Diane enjoys writing, reading good books, spending time with her grandkids, and loves cooking. A few of her favorite books are ‘The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan), The Upanishads, and The Great Initiates.’ She resides in the Pacific Northwest in WA. State.
Book Two – Unpublished of Rising Wind: “Ice and Bone” Won a 5-Star Review
ABOUT READERS FAVORITE: Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
Jim Carrey sports his Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal.
Diane Olsen Award Winning Author 