Elders First Council Meeting

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For once in his life, Humphrey thought, the folk would look at him with the respect he deserved.  He smiled a satisfying smile to himself. 

The Grand Council of all four Clan Elders was to meet just after sunset in the Great Lodge around a warm hearth fire. All were welcome to witness any meeting of the Elders.  In fact, often members of the audience were called on as witnesses, or for their expertise.  A large crowd had already filled the smoky room.

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Columbine stood tall in the Elders Circle, scanning the crowd to count the Elders as they arrived, her tall felted hat of office upon her head. The rest strode in individually or in pairs; Hawk and Mallow of the Bog Clan, then the erect, confident figure of their Clan mate Bak arrived. He was followed by the rotund Humphrey, his legs chugging along as fast as was possible.  He wiped his brow of sweat from the exertion.  But it was a self-important Humphrey who entered this day, a folded cloth of cedar held under his arm.

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Next came the hunched but charismatic figure of the oldest and much respected Elder, Ocean of the Skeena Clan. He was worried about the lateness of the traders’ expedition and it showed on the lines of his face. Fern hoped the worry would not worsen his heart condition.  Oceans’ eighteen year old granddaughter was very pregnant and her husband Shale was part of the missing party. His colleague Pine followed, one hand held reassuringly on Oceans shoulder. Sphagnum of the Bog entered hurriedly with a furrowed brow as his son Cranberry was with the lost traders group. Bob of the Limpets and Fern of the Bog came in together looking quite pleased with themselves and each other, causing tongues to wag.

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Old friends Owl and Sage of the Bog Clan dawdled in together, mumbling to each other in grating and rasping voices as was usual in their long, gruff friendship.  Douglas and Fir of the Skeena followed, finding a place next to Fern.  On their heels came Lily and Barley, the remaining Cedar Clan Elders present, all wearing their tall hats of office. Barnacle of the Limpet slipped in quickly after them. It was not until they were all settled that Raven chose to make his grand entrance, head held high, sweeping aside a door flap as if he were flourishing the cape of a mythical hero.  Many sighs of resignation were heard around the Elders circle. Ravens arrogance was legendary.  He usually seized control of the meetings with his belligerent pushiness as easily as a garter snake slithers between jagged beach rocks, but that would not be the case today. Columbine had teamed up with Bak, Fern and Ocean to be sure that didn’t happen at this meeting.

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Columbine stood, even before Raven had reached the circle, holding her dignity around her like a cloak.  Her voice projected with ease as she welcomed the Elders of all Clans to the meeting, followed by a general welcome to the crowd.  Raven lowered his head and fixed cold eyes of fury on this mere woman for taking such liberties.  Ignoring him Columbine looked around the circle at the familiar faces lit by firelight, then raised her head to acknowledge the onlookers sitting beyond the circle of Elders.  Her voice carried throughout the room easily above the bustle of settling bodies.  “I wish I was here just to greet you, but as most of you are aware, our party of traders is long overdue.  I think the time for ‘just waiting for them’ is over.  We will of course send out a search party; but first, I think Elder Humphrey has found something that may help with our search.”  She turned to look at him.  Humphrey?” and she took a seat.

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Humphrey rolled rather than rose to his feet, his face wattles and stomach rolls taking a moment to settle. A smile tugged at the corner of Douglas' lips. However, Humphrey still projected a sort of dignity as he cleared his throat and held out the piece of cedar woven tarp he had found for all to see.  His voice trembled with pride. “I found this when I fell into the Skeena four days ago near the Skeena Village.” There were titters amongst the audience as the image of a near naked Humphrey came into their heads.  The story had spread like wildfire.  Reddening slightly, Humphrey stood as tall as he was able and continued. “I have spoken to all cedar weavers here and I am assured that this piece of cloth was from a tarp covering Cranberry’s skiff.”

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Standing slowly and aggressively, Raven glowered at Humphrey and broke in, licking his lips as if he could taste every word. “I don’t see how anybody can be so sure just by looking at that weather-beaten rag!” There might have been just a touch of insincerity in his voice.

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Rys, the wife of Elder Sphagnum, sitting just behind the Elders rose, straightened her posture as her eyes blazing and looked at Raven with the baleful countenance of a disturbed Grizzly.  She held up another piece of cedar weaving.  “I wove this cloth as tightly as was possible to ensure it was waterproof to keep my son Cranberry dry when he needed it.”  She tried unsuccessfully to control her naked fury. “I weave in a pattern that distinguishes my work, as do all weavers.  That piece was woven by me for Cranberry.  No doubt!  And it would not rip easily." Each of her words  dripped with sincerity.   "You may check Columbine.” and she passed the weaving up, bypassing Ravens’ outstretched hand, placing it in Columbines hands.

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Columbine studied the tarp closely then rose with authority.  “I am satisfied. “She passed on the two pieces for all the Elders to see. “I am satisfied with Rhys statement.  Do we all agree?” She looked around the circle and all nodded their heads except, of course, for Raven who stood there simmering, his arms crossed over his chest.  “If this was found four days ago, then they should be here by now.  The ripping is very recent and so they have to have lost it on their return.  At least now we know they have made it this far.  At least we have a starting place for our search party.”

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Just then the door flap opened and the healer Sol Seal burst into the lodge. “Shale just stumbled into camp.  He has a broken ankle and head injury.  I’ve got him at the healer’s hut.”  He stopped to catch his breath.

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Columbine rose in alarm, her eyes wide.  “Please Sol, come over and tell us all you know!” and she stepped aside as the shocked crowd parted to make room for him.

  Sol complied, trying to regain his composure. “I’ve got him at the healers hut with his wife and Ferns apprentice Poppy.  He fell when he arrived and is unconscious.  We won’t know his story until he regains consciousness.  But it’s just him alone.”

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Fern rose, distressed. “I must go to him immediately” and she took her leave.  Sol excused himself and followed her.

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 Raven, still standing, sneered at Columbine and with unmistakeable sarcasm said. “Well now there’s need for a search party.  The others’ bodies will probably wash up on shore any day now. "His lips twisted into a belligerent grin.

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Bak rose in anger.  His chin stuck out, he locked eyes with Ravens, then growled with fury “Raven – enough!”  He tried with some difficulty to rein in his anger. He leaned back and spoke in an abrupt voice. “We have no information that would lead us to that eventuality.  If we can speak to Shale in the morning we will.  Either way, Columbine is right.  We need a search party.” He looked around the Great Lodge. “ Any trackers, you fishermen who know the currents hereabouts, anyone who thinks they can help, please stay after the meeting and we’ll pick a search party.”

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Raven paced, his arms crossed, beaked nose in the air.  He leaned towards the Elders, a cold smile on his lips, he lowered his voice, dragging each word out slowly “Perhaps I should choose the search party.  The waters where the Skeena meets the ocean are indeed dangerous.  Bob, tell them!” Raven ordered, glaring at Bob, who he had chosen to be a fellow Elder.  Bob crewed on Ravens’ ship and his thought had been that Bob would always vote with him.

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Poor Bob had never been comfortable in this public role and his reddened face and neck heightened his awkwardness as he rose and readied himself to address the now muttering crowd. Fern squeezed his hand in silent support. He rose, took a deep breath and started; “There are some tricky tides at the mouth of the Skeena.  On a flood tide especially, the ocean fights the outgoin’ river currents an’ the waters are very unpredictable.  They could even have been pushed to the Southern shore of the Skeena if they made it that far.”  There was a collective gasp as the crowd took in the consequences of such an outcome.  Traders who landed on the southern shore had a tendency to disappear.

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“Thank you Bob” said Columbine, nodding her sincere thanks to him.  She turned to Raven and spoke with borrowed reserve. “Raven, your expertise and efficiency  will of course be taken into account.”  She turned and looked at Ocean who nodded his agreement. “Thank you for coming everyone.  Any search party volunteers please stay behind.  We will meet with the search party tomorrow morning after breakfast.  They should be able to head out shortly afterwards”

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Without another word, she turned to the other Elders and sat, waiting for the volunteers to come forward.  The crowd parted, the sound of many different conversations mingled together.  Some left; others came forward to offer their services as volunteers.  It was clear a seasoned search party would be formed tonight.