Snow Chasers

By Charlotte Reid

Snow Chasers is a spiritual fiction set in a future time for children ages 9 and up. Two young teens, Ekio and Chi-ko, from a post glacial period are chosen to save the sacred words and objects of their faith, left long ago by the Ancient Ones. They must leave their village, Riza, near the great snow rivers and travel south towards the land of the Ancients Spirit. Ekio and Chi-ko endure glaciers, deserts, floods, abduction and much more with the help of their Spirit faith, hope and prayer.

This book is filled with the wonders, miracles and affirmation of seeking the wisdom, love and understanding of the Christian faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 17, 2005
• ISBN: 9781463456580

Charlotte Reid

Charlotte Reid, a special education teacher and former educational consultant has worked with children in the field of reading through out her professional career. Charlotte works and lives in Colorado with her husband David, their dog Dudley, cat Patch and horse Bitte.

Book preview

Snow Chasers

By

Charlotte Reid

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© 2005 Charlotte Reid. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 06/14/05

ISBN: 1-4184-8954-9 (sc)

ISBN: 9781463456580 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004099453

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Dedication

I wish to thank my husband David, and my two sons Aaron and Robin for all their support and assistance. God bless them.

Introduction

In the beginning, the Ancient Ones, who came before, covered our world with ice and snow. The winds blew and the snows fell. The earth stood still and frozen. All life stopped … and cried to the heavens. But the cold ice and snow would not stop. It snowed forever, covering everyone and everything. The Ancients knelt and prayed, hoping the Spirit would hear their cries. Young children grew to be old, and for generations the snow continued to fall. The Ancients called this time the Dark Kar Borogans, or dark snow storms. At last the sun came forth, and life went out to view this new world. Tall sheets of ice stretched out far to the horizon, casting down cold shadows upon the people. No Ancient Ones were alive to pass their wisdom on to others. All life began again at the beginning of this new time … a time of frozen lakes and rivers, a time of cold, long Kar winters, and a time of sweet, short summers.Time passed and the world grew warmer. The springs became longer and the summers became hotter. Forests grew, deer and elk returned to roam the new grasslands. Into this new time, man stepped forward to reclaim the land. Villages appeared, garden and crops were planted, and families grew old together. Life was simple and good. The time of the Ancient Ones had passed. The great snowy winters were gone.All, who were to the north of this world became known now and forever as SNOW CHASERS. They carried their name proudly, for they were the closest tribes to the giant rivers of Kar. Legends told of how they hunted and fought near and on the great rivers of snow. Songs were sung of their powers to chase the snows away and warm the earth. The Snow Chasers were a proud people, with much courage and faith. A faith that had not failed them, even in the darkest of times when the world was cold and frozen. Their faith came from a time before the Ancients, when life was simple like theirs, a time of slaves and kings and sacrifice and war. For many generations this faith had been a spiritual guide to all Snow Chasers in their frozen world.

Now the time had come for two young Snow Chasers to be called by the Spirit of their faith. They were to carry forth to others the light within their hearts and to share the ancient words of their faith. It is at this time that the Great Spirit would shine its light of wisdom and love upon them, these new lands, and their people.

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter One

The Beginning

Chapter Two

The Journey

Chapter Three

The Knowledge and Fear

Chapter Four

The Starting of the Journey

Chapter Five

The Journey from the North

Chapter Six

The Missing

Chapter Seven

The Decision

Chapter Eight

The Flood

Chapter Nine

The New Beginning

Chapter Ten

The Taken

Chapter Eleven

The New Lands

Chapter Twelve

The Searching

Chapter Thirteen

The Discovery

Chapter Fourteen

The New Masters

Chapter Fifteen

The Plan

Chapter Sixteen

The Rescue

Chapter Seventeen

The Coming Together

Chapter Eighteen

The Leaving

Chapter One

The Beginning

Dawn came slowly to the snow-covered flatlands of the Snow Chasers. Great rivers of ice and snow towered in the distance above the small village of Riza, casting their shadows down upon the landscape. Mighty as the Kar rivers were, they had been receding for generations, leaving the villagers with new lands to farm and feed their livestock. On this fine morning, the sun sparkled on the roofs of the village’s stone cottages and the distant snow rivers beyond. The air was crisp and still held a winter’s bite.

Ekio peered out from a pile of bear furs; her heart was pounding with excitement as she remembered what this day of good sun would bring … her first day as Learner of the Spirit.

Feet almost touching a cold stone beneath her resting swing, she slid down and hurried to dress. A sense of pride came over her as she remembered her grandmother’s words the night she was chosen.

All Snow Chasers know of the Spirit … but you will learn the Spirit’s ways and share your joy with others. You come from a long line of Spirit Keepers, Ekio. It is in your heart to hear the Spirit and learn of its wisdom and joy. Ekio knew this to be true … but until today, the first day of her Keeper Learning, she had never asked about her duties. Face cleaned, tunic and pants on, Ekio dashed to find Grandmother.

NeNa? NeNa? she softly called, not wishing to wake her cousins, who lay sleeping by the kitchen fire.

I see you did not forget, Ekio, Grandmother whispered back, as she continued to stir the morning meal over the fire pit.

NeNa, what should I wear today for my first Learning? Ekio asked, her large brown eyes sparkling with expectation.

I think you are dressed well for now, Grandmother said in a soft, raspy voice.

She straightened up slowly, for her back bones were arched from the passing of time. Her eyes were gentle and showed a wisdom not often found in others from their village. Her long hair, the color of snow, was neatly braided into one braid which fell to her waist.

Looking at Ekio she added, But don’t forget to take extra leathers along, for we must walk a long way.

Ekio quickly raced back to her sleeping area and gathered up her leather bottoms for her fur boots and placed a warm tunic in her pack. The days of early thaw were known to be cold, wet, and at times even dangerous with the sudden high winds from the snow rivers. Her tall but slender frame would need the extra warmth.

Ekio, orphaned at eight, was a strong and determined young Snow Chaser.

Helping her grandmother to care for two young boys had brought maturity and wisdom beyond her twelve beginnings. She quickly brushed her long black hair once more and placed a deerskin strip into a small tunic pocket.

Ready, NeNa, called Ekio, as she ran back into the cooking area.

Be patient, my child. Sit. Eat your breakfast. The Spirit will wait for us, Grandmother said, smiling, as she handed Ekio a bowl of hot morning fish soup.

Thank you, replied Ekio as she took the bowl and sat down by the fire. She noticed how peaceful her cousins Uska and Turk appeared while sleeping. They were good boys, helpful and mindful to the only mother they had known, NeNa. If only their parents and her parents had not gone on the great hunt many sun risings ago. How different might her life be today? Would she still be chosen to follow the Spirit?

You look deep in thought little one, Grandmother said, sensing Ekio’s troubled heart.

Do not worry. All your life there will be questions about the Spirit. You cannot hurry what you cannot see. Only listen with your heart and in time you will hear and feel the Spirit.

Ekio looked up, smiling. Her grandmother was wise and loving. The great Kar winters had been difficult for her, leaving the marks of time on her face, but her spirit had remained faithful. She felt a sudden peace in her heart but still a puzzlement in her head.

I have so many questions, NeNa. When can we start? she asked.

Wait here, replied Grandmother. "I must go and ask our neighbor to watch the boys.

They are too young to make the trip. It will be long and hard."

Ekio smiled and continued to drink her soup. Where do we go? Why not do the Spirit Words here in the village? Wasn’t the Spirit always with us?" Suddenly a shadow appeared in the kitchen doorway.

I’m ready, Ekio, whispered NeNa. But first we must stop at the Spirit’s sun stone for the scared objects.

Ekio made a final check of Uska and Turk and turned to follow her grandmother outside. She knew their journey today would not be over until the setting of the sun.

Though the village sun stone was just a short distance away, Ekio knew that it was the start of the long and difficult journey.

Heart pounding, feet softly landing on the half-frozen ground, Ekio fell in behind her grandmother. They headed up the village pathway as it twisted and turned up a hill toward the Spirit’s sun stone. The small, cozy mud and stone cottages still appeared in sleep as the early morning sun made its way into their windows. Spring birds sang above, and small furry rabbits scurried across the stone pathways that connected the village of Riza with its people.

Her long, dark hair blowing in the cold breeze of the early morning, Ekio struggled to keep pace with NeNa. Even at the young age of twelve beginnings, she had sensed a change in her grandmother. NeNa’s step was quicker than before, and she had a soft, strange smile on her face. Grandmother was right about today, mused Ekio. It would be the first day of her new Learnings with the Spirit.

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Chapter Two

The Journey

N eNa, what will we take with us and where are we going? questioned Ekio as they approached the sun stone. The dark granite stone towered above them, causing an early morning shadow that engulfed Ekio and NeNa.

We will carry what we must, my child, NeNa said, smiling, and we go to where the sun waits straight up over the snow.

Is it far?

No, but it is a hard climb, over many rocks and streams. We must keep walking once we begin the journey.

Grandmother suddenly stopped. Ekio could see the huge sun stone clearly ahead, as it stood tall and upright near the edge of the village. It appeared as if it were meant to be just there, as if the sun itself had placed the rock in the ground for all the village to see.

NeNa approached with head bowed and knelt down in front of the stone. She motioned to Ekio to do the same. Her lips were quietly moving. Ekio strained to hear the words she spoke, but the wind blew the ancient words away toward the great snow rivers.

Grandmother’s hands gently dug in the soft dirt and retrieved a small worn pouch made of deerskin. Ekio watched with wonder as she took the Spirit objects from the pouch and placed them on the ground for her to see.

Today, Ekio, we will take only two candles and these sacred ancient words, announced Grandmother. Come, we must begin our journey.

As the sun continued to rise, Ekio felt the warmth against her face. How wonderful it was to be walking this snow trail with NeNa. Below them, the village was growing smaller and smaller. The journey was hard and at times treacherous, even though the ascent was gradual. Rocks both large and small and rushing water from melting snows were all around them. The many rocks and boulders made travel slow.

Ekio, like all the village children, had been told about the dangers near the giant Kar rivers.

Watch your step, Ekio, warned Grandmother as she continued to walk. Not many sun risings ago a young boy from another village lost his footing and fell on large boulders below this very path.

As the morning sun continued its climb, Ekio’s hands and feet became very cold and she grew tired. But NeNa continued to walk ahead with the energy of a younger woman.

"NeNa, when can we stop