NYR page 11

I did not hesitate but began running down the path to the right. The eagle looked at me disinterestedly as I ran past. I could not afford doubt, however. I had lost too much time. Somewhere ahead of me Running Bear might already be fighting for his life.

My feet pounded the path as I ran at a frenetic pace that reeked of desperation. Indeed, there was desperation in my heart. Ever since the storm that resulted in my being cast up on the shores of this far-away land,  I had been lost in a world I was unfamiliar with. 

Here I was just another person, not the guiding force in the lives of the peasants. Gone were the familiar routines, the vicious yet understandable ways of the political infighting, the steady, normal routines of treaty-making. In their place was raw, earthy living.

There were none of the niceties of society here. There were no formal dinners with well-dressed and coiffed people mingling together, speaking in hushed tones. There were no balls with music and dancing, no carriage rides in the crisp autumn air.

For the first time in my life things were not under my control. Things were occurring which were beyond my comprehension. It did leave me a little desperate to regain the control I had lost. At least in battle I was comfortable. There was comfort in the thrust of a rapier, the slash designed to injure the opponent, the kill or be killed action.

I ran until my breath was ragged, my sides heaving with exertion and my body covered with sweat but Running Bear had too large a head start on me if this was indeed the path he had taken. 

I finally had to halt, bending over, hands on hips, struggling to regain the ability to breathe. Suddenly the ludicrous nature of the situation hit me. I was running blindly down a path made by some unknown creature or people, heading somewhere I knew not where, and the path I had chosen was chosen not by dint of my own knowledge or that of a trusted guide, but rather by trusting that an eagle had landed on the path I was to take. 

I began laughing. It was a loud, hysterical uproarious laugh, the likes of which had never escaped my lips before. Laughter was not part of my life, yet this situation was so out of control that I could not help it.

I forgot everything for a moment. I forgot my need to return to Lahana. I forgot the need to rescue Spring Salmon. I forgot the need to catch up to Running Bear. I forgot the need to consider the words of Wise Owl and simply let the laughter flow. 

It flowed until my belly shook and tears ran out of my eyes. It seemed it would never cease as I laughed beyond what I thought my capacity to laugh could have ever been.

Finally the last few chortles faded away and my vision cleared. I looked up and to my surprise saw the eagle.

Once more we locked gazes and once more he peered into my soul. This time I looked back, unafraid. 

My gaze was drawn into his presence. Fire exploded in my head as I circled deep, deep within his consciousness. My thoughts became his, my comprehensions widened. 

I felt the glorious freedom of flight, of soaring high above the earth below, of seeing the pageantry of the patchwork lands below me. Here I saw a squirrel run through the branches of a mighty oak tree, chittering angrily at the birds landing near its hidden stash of nuts. There I saw a mouse, ever wary of my presence high above, begin a terrifying dash across the fields.

I felt my mighty warrior's heart roar to life as my prey ran and I knew he was mine to take. I felt the power as the mighty wings beat together, driving me earthward at a fantastic pace. I felt the rush of the wind past my face, the body of the mouse pinwheel as my stout claws crushed its ribs. 

I watched in regal calmness as lesser birds fought for my leftovers, as numerous beasts below lived, fought, mated, died, and were born.

I knew the the thrill of flight and the hunt, the pure joy of being alive and being powerful. 

Yet I also saw the little dramas unfold below that would seem tragic tom some. That mouse  had been the only provider for his family which would now likely perish because of my actions. He had done nothing wrong, he had simply been part of the cycle of life. 

All of us were involved. The mouse was no more important than I, the lordly eagle. Yet it was no less important, either Had there been no mouse for the eagle to eat then the eagle would have itself died yet at the same time, if the population of the mice was not kept down they could overrun the fields and steal food from other animals. 

Suddenly the eagle turned his gaze and I was ripped unceremoniously from his consciousness. I returned to my own mind, and I was changed forever.