Snippet #2593616

The stars shone like diamonds. Peppering the inky blackness of the night sky, the distant points of light were like beacons or campfires viewed from a long ways off. Canowicakte reclined against the rock outcrop, arm behind his head. He loved the night sky. If you were lucky, you might catch the glimpse of a shooting star, or see far off the fabled aurora. Up here in the mountains all was peaceful. The quiet was only broken by the heavy breathing of his hulking companion, Enapay. The great bear was seated on his hind legs beside the man, his head also turned skywards.

"What do you think they are, two-legs?"

This was a well-versed conversation. Often in their youth the pair had discussed the origins of the stars and moon, what they were, or meant. Sometimes they would find an answer. Other times they would not.

"What makes you think I know? They are too far off for us to fathom. Besides, what would you do with the information?"

The bear was silent, pondering. Eventually he stretched himself out on his back, looking at his human.

"I would do nothing with the information. I would simply keep it to myself. Wolf would think little of it. Fox would only laugh and claim it for himself. Hawk would say it was what kept him flying. In my mind, the stars are just there. Always have been, always will be."

Canowicakte chuckled. He enjoyed these talks. They reminded him of when he was young. In all his years of chiefdom, he had never found a wiser companion. The bear was his best friend, his brother. His confidante. They knew eachother as well as each knew himself, and more.

"The hunt has gone poorly this season. We will have need of food before the winter is over."

This fact had been weighing on both their minds greatly the last few months. The herds of deer and bison had moved away, or simply not arrived during the late summer. The Shapshifters were likely to go hungry. The bear uttered a low, coarse growl, which Canowicakte had by now understood was a sigh.

"Perhaps it might be prudent to ask the Air tribe for a share of their stores? They are outsiders, to be sure, but they are farmers also. Their stores must be great. Trade them furs and knapped obsidian. I am sure they will enjoy these comforts and offer food in return?"

Canowicakte laughed softly.

"Ever the diplomat. You are becoming less fierce in your old age, brother bear. When we were cubs you would have opted to raid them for food."

Enapay sat up, shaking his shaggy head in laughter.

"Perhaps! But now I think it is best we don't go to war for scraps! We need food. The rivers are fish-less, the plains scarce of food. The Air Tribe lie to our south-east on the border. We have had differences in the past, to be sure, but never so bad as to warrant a deficit of aid. Do not forget the aid we lent to them when last their lands were threatened."

The bear pushed himself to his feet and turned away, heading towards the mountains. He called out over his shoulder as he went.

"Remember, you must do the utmost to save your people! It would be bad for all of us if we do not find the food we need!"

Then he was gone.

Canowicakte sat a while, deep in thought. Eventually he turned his gaze towards home. The fires of Northpass burnt fiercely against the darkness of the night, a small bastion of humanity. Perhaps the last. The other tribes were warlike and expansionist. Ever more their hunters encroached on Shapeshifter lands. The chief frowned. Perhaps the Earth Tribe would give food. They owed their long-time friends for the aid lent in the last war. The Air Tribe also. Yes. Enapay was right. Delegates would be sent the next morning to both peoples, with news of the dire circumstances. One could only hope they would be met with favourable words and deeds.

"Perhaps it is indeed time that we made ourselves known as a people worth mention again."

Pushing himself to his feet, Canowicakte, chief of the Shapeshifter Tribe, made his way back down towards his village. He would summon the elders on his return and tell them of his plan.