Shepherd's First Winter; Episode 8, Settlling In

This is the Eigth episode of the novel Shepherd's First Winter. It is available in paperback or Kindle format on Amazon.

Settling In 

The next day, Daniel pulled up to Shepherd’s cabin in his snow machine. Shepherd greeted him at the door and they visited over coffee. They spoke little of the events the night before.

Daniel rose from the dining room chair. “I wanted to check on you and tell you thanks for seeing Nan home safely. She can take care of herself, but things can happen.”

“She is a beautiful daughter,” Shepherd said. “You and your wife are blessed.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Daniel said. “Now that you know where I live, come, stay anytime.”

“And the same goes for me,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd thought highly of Daniel, his family, and his people. They were the peaceful ones of the American natives. They did not want to quibble or fight over hunting grounds and territory but rather chose the worst of environments certain no one would dispute with them over the land. “And here I am,” Shepherd said. “He treats me like a brother, but history tells him I am a competitor; an episode of a social structure that will consume him and his way of life as sure as the legend of Amoruk.

Life there was a struggle, especially for families. In New York life revolved around how to entertain and amuse yourself. Shepherd’s short time with Daniel’s family brought him to the realization that everything revolved around survival and food. They were a part of the food chain in a very real way, not in the abstract.

Shepherd did not have such worries. His pantry and larder were full. He had enough money to last a lifetime. He could not imagine gutting an elk or moose. He cleaned fish with an uncle when he was a boy and it made him vomit. He knew the day would come when he’d have to do it.

Pal was playful and eager to please. Shepherd taught him a wide range of voice commands and hand signals. The experience was good for both of them, especially

Shepherd; it took the edge from his New York impatience.

Shepherd and Pal spent days full of wonderment; Shepherd, his first winter in the wilderness, and Pal the first year of life. Behind Shepherd’s wonderment was imagination. At times he haunted him at night; imagination that was built and nurtured on experience and reality. What secrets did the cold and dark hold? Did Pal already know them? Both became comfortable as wind, cold, and snow fashioned the landscape and imagination.

“I really like it here, Pal,” Shepherd said petting him with long strokes. “I’m breathing again.”

Shepherd's First Winter; Episode 7, The Council

This is the seventh episode of the novel Shepherd's First Winter. It is available in paperback or Kindle format on Amazon.

The Council

They came to a stop at Daniel’s house. It was a log home, slightly larger than Shepherd’s place. They shut off the engines.

“Make sure your family is safe,” Shepherd said.

Nan went inside the home for a moment and came back out. “Everyone is fine," she said, "but Father is long overdue.”

“The river leads to Ruby?” Shepherd said.

“Yes,” Nan said.

“Is that the way your Father would come back?” Shepherd said.

He handed Pal to Nan, started the machine, and headed on the trail toward Ruby.

Shepherd figured the drive would be two hours. It was a clear half-moon sky, and the trail was easy to follow. The cold was not unbearable, yet it was uncomfortable. He heard earlier from his shortwave radio temperatures would be below zero Fahrenheit.

There were snowmachine tracks leading to Ruby, but none returned. He expected to meet Daniel along the way, but after nearly two hours there was no trace of him.

He saw several lights ahead of him. It was Ruby. It looked as if everyone was inside.

Shepherd stopped at the first house and knocked at the door. A young man came to the door and stared.

“I’m looking for my friend, Daniel,” Shepherd said. “He came to town several hours ago and didn't return to his family. They are worried about him. He lives east, maybe 20 miles on the river.”

“There is a tribal council meeting tonight,” the young man said. “Maybe he is there. Keep driving it will be the building with all the snow machines.”

“Thanks,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd drove for no more than three hundred yards until he saw a well-lit large log building with at least twenty snow machines parked outside.

Shepherd walked into a small foyer. He stomped his feet and entered a hallway that led to a room with the door open. Inside were men in a half-circle. Three men sat in front of them. Shepherd entered the room.

One man rose from the three. “This is a closed meeting. It’s tribal.”

“I just wanted to check on my friend,” Shepherd said. “His family is worried. Do you know him?”

“I am fine, Shepherd,” Daniel said, rising from the other men. “This is the man I told you about who lives near me.”

“I’m sorry for interrupting,” Shepherd said. “I just wanted to make certain Daniel was safe. I’ll wait outside.”

Shepherd took a step away and turned back. “Does this meeting have anything to do with Daniel’s dog?”

“Yes,” said one of the three.

“Nan, Daniel’s daughter, and I saw something strange about halfway between my cabin and the river, and several days ago something large in the distance moved slowly toward my cabin.”

“Tell more,” the man said.

Shepherd related all the events that happened with him and Nan and also the night at the cabin, even the strange behavior of Pal.

They spoke in their native tongue to each other. It was all respectful and organized. As the conversation became more intense Shepherd slowly moved to the exit.

“Do not go,” the man said. “We would like to hear if you have an opinion.”

Shepherd moved closer to the men.

“I cannot be sure what the first thing I saw was,” Shepherd said. “I’m certain it was taller than an average man. What Nan and I saw was definitely a man and I base that upon the fact it hid motionless behind a tree; an animal would not do that.”

A man from the group said, “But we are not dealing with a man or an animal.”

“Thank you, Shepherd,” the man of the three said. He addressed the group. “Let’s go home now and be vigilant.”

Daniel introduced Shepherd to several men, all natives. There was some light conversation, a few more questions.

They drove back to Daniel’s home where he was introduced to his wife, Maggie, his 15-year-old son, Ben, and his 17-year-old son Izzy.

“Stay with us tonight,” Maggie pleaded.

“I’m really concerned about my cabin,” Shepherd said.

“It may be dangerous,” Daniel said. “Can I send one of my sons with you?”

“No,” Shepherd said. “I will be fine.”

Shepherd drove back to his cabin with Pal in his box. The ride was uneventful. The cabin was undisturbed.

Shepherd's First Winter; Episode 6, Some Thing or Someone

This is the sixth episode of the novel Shepherd's First Winter. It is available in paperback or Kindle format on Amazon.

Some Thing or Someone

Shepherd quickly got ready.

On the rear of his snowmachine, he placed a box for Pal. In fifteen minutes Shepherd and Nan were skimming across the snowed plain on their snow machines. They drove on the frozen stream that cut a gully and led to a forest. Shepherd followed closely. On both sides a wall of white. Standing high over them were pines laden with snow.

Nan maneuvered the machine like she knew every bend in the stream and every rock protruding above the ice.

Her tail lights came on. She stopped. They cut their engines. Nan hopped from her machine and walked ahead. Shepherd grabbed his rifle and caught up with her.

“A tree across the stream,” Nan said. “It was not there when I came this way earlier.”

“Perhaps heavy with snow,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd climbed to the top of the stream bank and ran his hand across a rough-cut pine. He quickly slid back down the bank.

“It’s been cut,” Shepherd said. “Someone wanted you to stop here.”

Shepherd brought his rifle to his shoulder and aimed at the trees above and fired off three rounds. “If someone is out there that will speak volumes.”

Shepherd and Nan listened and looked overhead.

“You know how to handle a rifle?” Shepherd said.

Nan grabbed a rifle from her machine. “Never leave home without it.”

“Go up the bank over here,” Shepherd said, pointing to the south bank, “And I’ll go up on the other side. Take a good look.”

They crawled to the top of the bank and scanned through the trees.

Shepherd strained his eyes. Deep into the trees, something large and dark moved behind a tree.

“Nan!” Shepherd whispered loudly.

Nan slid down the bank, crawled up the other, and lay next to Shepherd. “Do you see something?”

Shepherd pushed his rifle firm in the snow and aimed it toward the tree. “Come, take a look at the tree I aimed at. There is someone behind it.”

Shepherd moved out of the way and Nan looked down the sights of the rifle. “It is someone or…”

“It is someone,” Shepherd said. “Somethings don’t conceal themselves.”

“Keep an eye on him,” Shepherd said.

“What are you going to do?” Nam said.

“Move the tree,” Shepherd said.

“How?” Nan said.

“I came prepared,” Shepherd said. He slid down the bank and untied a small chainsaw from his machine. He tugged it a couple of times and cut the fallen tree from their path.

Soon they were on their way until the steam bed rose where they could see over the banks. They reached the point where the stream joined the river. A small bridge across the stream marked the path to Daniel’s home.

Shepherd's Winter, Episode 5; A Pleasant Visitor

This is the fifth episode of the novel Shepherd's First Winter. It is available in paperback or Kindle format on Amazon.

A Pleasant Visitor

Shepherd endured two days without sleep. It was reminiscent of New York City; unable to sleep because of sirens, arguing neighbors, and fear of robbery.

“I have trained myself to be afraid,” Shepherd said. “I cannot live without it. It is fear. Fear stokes the imagination.”

Shepherd crawled into his bed and curled under the blankets with his rifle close. He slept for twelve hours and was awakened by Pal standing with his front paws on the bed and a puppy whimper.

“Are you hungry, Pal?” Shepherd said.

Shepherd swung out of bed and pulled on his pants and stretched into his shirt. He walked out into the living room. He grabbed some kindling to toss into the fireplace, but the fire was burning.

“I started the fire for you.” It was a female voice.

Shepherd jerked.

On the bench next to the window was a young woman.

“I fed, Pal,” she said. “My native name is Illuak, but my legal name is Nancy, Everyone calls me Nan.”

Shepherd stared at her puzzled. She was pleasantly and calmly beautiful with a strong sharp face, a raw untainted beauty born from naturalness. She was healthy and strong.

“I am Daniel’s daughter,” Nan smiled and stood.

Shepherd buttoned his shirt and still seemed confused.

“Father wanted me to check on you,” Nan said.

“It’s dangerous out there,” Shepherd said.

“This is my home,” Nan said. “I’m used to it.”

“How did you get here?” Shepherd said.

“Snowmachine,” Nan said.

“Let me get you some coffee,” Shepherd said.

“It’s all ready for you,” Nan said.

Shepherd rubbed his eyes and stumbled to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, Nan,” Shepherd said. “I had a couple of sleepless nights, and I’ve been sleeping for a long time.” He removed two tin cups from the cupboard. He leaned into the living room and rubbed his eyes again. “Are you real?”

“I think I am,” Nan said. “Perhaps I should pour the coffee.”

“No, no,” Shepherd said. “I’ll get it, just got to get the cobwebs out.”

“My father wanted to check on you,” Nan said. “He had to drive into Ruby and report one of our dogs was killed.”

“How?” Shepherd said.

“It broke loose and Father found it,” Nan said. “It was mauled to death.”

“Mauled?” Shepherd said. “Is that common?

“No,” Nan said. “That’s why Father reported it. The animal was only killed. It was not eaten.”

“What does Daniel think?” Shepherd said.

“Father was quiet,” Nan said. “He does not believe in old tales told by old men who drink too much and old women who only want to talk.”

“What are the old tales?” Shepherd said. He poured two coffees and sat the cups on the table.

Shepherd and Nan sat at the table.

“Are you sure you want to hear about these things?” Nan said.

“Yes,” Shepherd said. “I’m interested.”

“There are legends and myths,” Nan said.

Shepherd interrupted, “Like Amarok.”

“Yes,” Nan said, looking quite serious. “You have heard of it?”

“Before coming here I read as much as I could about your people and their culture,” Shepherd said.

“Father says that the stories of Amarok are only meant to keep foolish men from hunting alone,” Nan said. “It is not animals that must be feared; it is the cold, and it is thin ice, or becoming lost. Such legends keep our people safe.”

“If these are only legends and myths how do dogs get mauled without being eaten and why does your Father go a long distance to report it?” Shepherd said. “And why does he send you to warn me?”

“You know why if you had read about to our people,” Nan said.

“Amarok will not go near virgins,” Shepherd said.

Nan smiled, “I think that was made up by protective fathers.”

“Amarok will seek vengeance on a man who takes a woman not promised,” Shepherd said.

They sipped coffee for a half hour. Shepherd told Nan about some of his background and she told him a little about herself.

She glanced out the window. “It will be dark before long. I must hurry home.” She stood, slipped on her parka, and flipped the hood over her head.

“I’m not letting you go alone,” Shepherd said.

“I will be safe,” Nan said.

“I don’t believe in myths,” Shepherd said. “Only man kills something and does nothing with it. I’ll follow you in my snow machine until you are safely home.”