Da'gat: Every Ending Has a Beginning

By John Rooney

Da'Gat is a tale of two lives interwoven together in time. It start's with three Bio engineer's making an unbelievable discovery.

What they found has given them a very dangerous, very secret knowledge, and that secret is now worth their lives.

The secret of eternal youth, eternal life! Though this secret also has a dark side. The lust for eternal youth and power, has done the unthinkable and unleashed the Grim Reeper. God help us Armageddon has come.

Though it is still Earth those that live here have changed. Mind powers are no longer just laughed about in polite company, they are oh so very real and those few that survived the time of death have changed, their DNA being forever altered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456728007

John Rooney

John Oliver Rooney was born in February of 1959 in Portland Oregon and his family moved shortly there after to the little town of Ridgefield Washington, Where he grew up on a working Dairy farm though it was more farm than Dairy. He doesn't have a long line of collage degrees to impress you with. Has never won any awards great or small or written hundreds of books. He's just an average American living his life as best as he can and trying to raise his children to become worthwhile citizens. All his life he had people telling him to pull his head out of the clouds and to get his feet grounded, work hard and make a life. Well he did that for 30 years until one day he asked himself. Why are you doing this, your not happy doing this! So what will make you happy? Well telling stories has always been fun, why not write some of them down and see where it takes you. So this is his first attempt to see if someone else besides his friends and family will like where his head in the clouds attitude can take them. We hope you have as much fun reading it was we did writing it.

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© 2011 John Rooney. 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 02/5/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2802-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2801-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2800-7 (e)

Library of Congress Number: 2011901537

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Miracle in the Valley

David’s story!

Just for the Sin of it!

End of the Old Ways

The Beginning of the End

Quarantined

A Merry Ol’ Life at Sea!

Fish Hold

The Hunt

The chase is on.

Pier’s Landing

It’s in the Water!

Homecoming

Our Messiah Has Come!

The Farm

Clean Up.

Questions, Questions

Pier’s Acceptance!

Leaving Home

The White Witch

Foiled Again!

A Mask Removed.

Bad News Clara!

Discovery!

Oh, Captain?

Lover!

Soul Mate!

Daddy! I’ll be good!

The Charge is Mutiny!

Meeting with the Unbelievers

I am so out’ta here!

Night of Terror!

Where’s the King?

Alliance!

Our Queen has returned!

A Time of Discovery!

The King is dead! Long Live the King!

We See You!

Demons from Down Under!

New Friends

Daddy’s Home!

Dream Child!

New Arrivals!

Victory?

A Night to Remember!

Unseen Enemy!

Bloody Hell!

Won’t You Just Die?

Greetings, Land Lubber!

A New Beginning!

The Ending Always Has a Beginning

Prologue

David Hawk’s daily journals! June 8th 1985!

Book one, Page one, Entry 1

Eight years have passed since I walked through the doors of this school, now it’s on to the rest of my life. I just graduated second in my class of two hundred. Not bad you say. Not bad indeed and I busted my butt getting here.

Nevertheless, I was still disappointed not to be first in class! The margin between first, second, and third was so small a percentage, that it was hardly worth mentioning, but there had to be a number one and it wasn’t me.

It gets better though, because the woman that beat me out of number one, Miss Michelle Campbell, the woman of my dreams, beautiful blonde hair, emerald green eyes, 36-24-35 WOW … I still can’t believe it! She has agreed to … Shit, I can’t believe it! She agreed to marry me! She actually said, Yes! Were getting married! Oh man, someone pinch me! What a day! What a day!

Book one, Page one, Entry 2

God, it seems I was wrong! I thought the day couldn’t possibly get any better. Wow, I was so wrong! We just returned from an unscheduled meeting at the dean‘s office; we being the top 15 students in our graduating class. We were just heading out to the big graduation party at Pier’s house; you know, saying our goodbye’s to the school and our classmates, going out with a bang as it were. After climbing out of our gowns, we were getting ready to leave campus, when we were paged to the Deans office, which until now had never been a good thing for any of us.

We were ushered into a conference room and met by a man, well actually three men, who were forming a company named Bio Tech Advancement Corp.

Dude, we haven’t even left the school yet, and we were just hired all fifteen of us and get this: eighty thousand dollars a year starting salary! This day just keeps getting better and better.

Book two, Page 23, Entry 1

Well we’re finally unpacked and settled into our first new home as Mr. and Mrs. David Hawks. I’m still trying to get used to the sound of that! We also received our first work assignment today; man, these guys don’t mess around.

It’s really astounding and I am not really sure how legal it is, but it’s for the government, so I guess it’s ok, I hope. They want us to create a whole new animal species by combining two or more animal’s DNA to make a totally new species with unbelievable characteristics. They want it to be extremely smart for an animal, and extremely loyal; also large enough to protect its handler, without it being so large as to create transport problems. (No pressure there!) Oh well, Hawks shut up and get to work!

Book six, Page 24, Entry 22

Avian/ Simian did not work at all: total failure. Pier’s idea, you know, from the movie Wizard of Oz. (no flying monkeys for Uncle Sam!) Well, anyway doesn’t work.

Book Ten, Page 498, Entry 15

Believe it or not! We finally found a compatible pair of DNA strands and it only took three years! Well, so far they’re compatible. Further testing will determine the What if’s! So far, so good! It’s just hard to keep a straight face when thinking about it because the owners of these particular genomes have been rivals and down right enemies throughout mankind’s history. (We should get the Nobel peace prize. The only problem with that is that all of this is totally above top secret! If you even think too loudly about this shit, you go to jail for a very long time.)

The future will hold the greatest armistices the world has ever known. Dogs and cats worldwide will now have to stop fighting, because they are now going to be one single being.

D O G AND CAT =

D G A A T = DA’ GAT. World meet Da’Gat! Michelle’s idea, as the rest of us didn’t have a clue as to what to call the thing!

We were just notified that we are moving to a brand new state-of-the-art lab - all underground. It seems that we were not the only Bio research Lab on the payroll for the creation of this new animal. Evidently one of the other test animals isn’t quite what they were looking for. It escaped and has made a mess of things and has killed a couple dogs and scared the living daylights out of a few people. So we are being locked down. Typical!

Chapter 1

Miracle in the Valley

As the first scarlet rays of sunlight struck the uppermost branches of a pine tree, which had been old when the world was young, the smaller tips on the very upper branches shimmered red and appeared ready to burst into flame with the sun’s first gentle kiss.

A young man stands there, beneath the huge old limbs. The chill autumn air of this frosty morning is causing a light shroud of steam to slowly encircle him. Sweat glistening faintly on his body like thousands of tiny diamonds fastened to his skin reflecting the fire light, his chest heaving from his exertion as he finishes his newest prayer song and its accompanying dance, he watches as the valley below him slowly unfolds its daylight face as the darkened mantle of night grudgingly releases its chill embrace.

As its golden light slowly slides down the hillside to warm the chill earth, it fills him with wonder as the valley begins to fill rapidly with the white breath of the world. The fog rolls in and around the silent rocky sentinels who have guarded this place and paid homage to the ancient tree’s valley. The sight of this misty blanket, being gently pulled into place, makes the valley seem alive, a place of Magic where all things are possible.

Michel Hawksfeather smiles as he raises his arms again to the heavens. However, this time it is not in an asking prayer to the Allfather, but in a welcoming to the new day; a thank you to the Sun, as it once again lights the eastern sky. Michel sang out his welcoming song and thanked the Allfather for telling it to rise once more, and to the sun telling it of his intense joy in seeing it come once again. As his song ends, he drops back down on his knees, once more calling upon the Allfather asking him to hear his words!

Allfather! If we have angered you, I offer myself to you to appease your anger. If some other clan has angered you, show me who they are so that we may deliver your justice. Let us be your hand of vengeance. Though I am of little worth, I offer this.

As if in answer to his final words, the sun’s fiery breath broke over the top of the highest peak on Heaven’s Ridge, a single shaft of light arrowed down, to anoint his naked body with its golden embrace. A shout of pure joy sprang from his heart and leapt to his lips. As he gave voice to his excitement, he danced in wild abandon, letting the whole world know of the joy he felt, his shouts echoing across the valley from peak to peak.

At the first touch of the golden light, warmth had spread through him touching his very soul. He felt new hope surge through his body as he danced to show the Allfather of his joy as he held up his hunting weapons high above his head so that the Allfather could see them better as his dance continued. He held his grandfather’s great bow: the best and oldest bow in the whole clan. This bow could still shoot an arrow farther and faster than any other bow that Michel knew of. Besides being the only one of its kind in Wind River, the bow had survived from the time of the old ones. No one in the nine clans could ever remember another bow like it (Except maybe for Ah‘ma.) and try as they might, no one had been able to make another like it. The wood they used always failed and broke.

The legends say that a bear made it, and that this Bear was named Fred. This was known to be true! Because on the bow’s riser near the handgrip, there could still be seen the brass picture of the bear, though badly worn, it was still there for all to see. Who knows why anyone would name a bear Fred? It was a strange name for a bear. For that matter, how a bear could make a bow in the first place was beyond him. Who could say why the old ones had done anything. They had had very strange ways! Still this Fred Bear had made a very good bow.

Allfather! Michel cried out towards the heavens as he dropped to his knees If I have pleased you, and you deem me worthy then bless these weapons.

He carefully laid the weapon and his quiver of arrows on the prayer mound; Michel lifted his face towards the heavens again and started humming.

However, his voice faded into silence as the new day dawned. Its light filled the valley. His eyes grew misty with wonder at the beauty that was contained here in this valley. Allfather Michel whispered in awe, Thank you for my eyes! So that I may see the beauty that you have created!

The morning breeze shifted directions suddenly as a gentle rustling sound rose up the ridge from the valley below. It gently whispered its own good morning, to the dawn of this new day. The sound, filtering through the dew-wet leaves that lined the hillside, created its own special music that no man could ever hope to duplicate.

A pair of small birds sat on a low branch in front of him and sang a morning welcome to the sun with their own special song. This brought a twinge of guilt to Michel and he felt ashamed that these little birds were singing the morning in better than he had. The birds were right to tease him though, for the way that he had just rushed through his morning song so that he could get back to his prayers. Hopefully the morning had not been too offended by the way that he had rushed through his welcoming of it to this new day! He promised himself and the morning to come that he would give it a proper welcome tomorrow - plus a little extra.

Michel’s head snapped up and his heart skipped a beat as the morning calm was suddenly and violently shattered by a pair of squirrels who had been playing on the lower branches of the Allfather’s tree! Michel smiled to himself, not sure who had startled who more. They’re suddenly noticing that he was here and scolding him for sneaking up and scaring them so badly by his sudden appearance or him, for letting his mind wander like that, when he had an obligation to fulfill for his people.

Michel raised his face and his voice toward the heavens once again. Bless me with your courage, Allfather, so that I will not despair! Bless me with the wisdom to know where to look, so that I may find food for my people! Please Allfather! Grant me a sign that I may know that you have heard my words.

For two days and nights, Michel had stayed here on the prayer mound. The only things that had past his lips were the words of prayer and praise, the songs of love and of life, and the shaman’s bitter prayer water. Though, try as he might this morning, Michel’s thoughts would not stay still. They kept drifting off to the past.

The new shaman, Sweet William, or Bill had given him the prayer water so that he would be better prepared if the Allfather were to bless him with his presence. (Of course, when you are given something of great value, it is only good manners to give something of equal value in return!) In this case, he had given the last of his family’s beef-a-lo meat in return for the gift of the prayer water! The prayer water, guaranteed to cleanse his body and to make him ready to receive the Allfather’s spirit if he was to be so blessed.

Cleanse! Ya, it had cleansed him all right! He had stayed right next to the privy the whole day before he had started his prayers. Ol Billy Boy, Michel thought to himself, you had best hope that something really remarkable happens or we might just have need of another new Shaman! Because Michel was one hundred and ten percent sure that His best buddy Ol Billy!" had spiced up this batch of prayer water just a little. That he had put just a pinch more of this or an extra pinch more of that and maybe even a little something in there that wasn’t actually needed to get the job done.

Bill was known to be something of a prankster from his earliest childhood days until now! Even though his father had punished him repeatedly for teasing others, he still did it. It was as if he just couldn’t help himself.

Michel did think that some of Slow Otter’s stories about Billy were somewhat funny. For instance, Slow Otter, Bill’s father, had told him about one of Bill’s pranks. The funny part wasn’t about the prank itself, which Billy had played on the blind Elk cow that his family had kept as a pack animal!

Bill’s father had caught him feeding her a small carrot that he had tied to a string. The carrot, being way too small to be chewed, was just swallowed. And of course Bill, being the kind of person that he is, was having great fun at the cow’s expense. Every time that she would swallow it, he would pull the sting and the carrot would come back up. The poor animal would get the most disconcerted look on her face and she would roll her blind eyes around wildly and stamp her front feet at him. Of course that would send Billy into another fit of laughter.

Bill’s father had followed the sound of his son‘s laughter, knowing in his heart that anything his son Bill thought was that funny probably wasn’t funny at all, to the person or whatever the object of his mirth was aimed at.

Slow Otter had been so upset by the whole thing, that he had come to the chief’s council dragging his so, by his ear across the entire village for an answer to his problem. Mainly the question was what to do with his son; to find a punishment that would fit the crime.

After a few hours of debate, the council of elders had decided that sweet William should apologize to the Elk cow. In front of the whole tribe and, as part of the apologies since the cow wouldn’t understand his words, he was to bathe and groom her to the satisfaction of everyone assembled. In addition, since he had teased her with food, he would have to give her food; her favorite food which was sweet grain.

Slow Otter said that William had thought that it was funny and that it served him right. That his father would have to pay for the way that he had humiliated him like this. Now he would have to pay for bringing him here. That is, Slow Otter said, a grin coming to his lips as he remembered back. That is, until Michel’s father had told William no. His father was not to pay anything for the crimes his son had committed. That in fact the money to pay for the grain would come from the sale of Williams personal things and that as soon as all of the villagers could be assembled and all of Williams’s things had been brought out, an auction would be held. All of the sale’s proceeds would be given to the miller, and he would make as much sweet grain as he thought it would buy.

Slow Otter had smiled broadly as he related the story of how his son’s mouth had dropped open with shock at the news. William’s apology to the Elk cow had taken the better part of two weeks. It seemed that almost all of the people around had been on the receiving end of one of Billy’s jokes and had something to say about the way that the Elk looked. The miller was instructed to use the best he had and since the best cost more, it took every bit of Bill’s money. The cow had received the sweet grain three times a day for the better part of a month.

Michel’s head jerked up and back so quickly that he almost fell over; he shook himself trying desperately to clear his mind so that he could settle down for another day of prayer. He was tired, so very tired and his mind kept wandering, refusing to stay focused. He couldn’t afford to let sleep come over him though. If the Allfather did grant him a sign and he was asleep, he would miss it, and there wouldn’t be another one.

A feeling of unease stirred at the back of his mind. As the hair on the back of Michel’s neck suddenly stood straight up on end, a cold shiver ran up his spine. He tensed slightly, knowing that something was wrong; someone or something was trying to sneak up on him. All of his thoughts of sleep evaporated like the thinning mist in the valley below him.

A soft, muffled thump on the ground behind him made him tense. It had made very little noise and was more felt than heard, but it had alerted him. Michel tensed a little more, waiting for just the right moment when suddenly and without warning he whirled to the right, his hunting knife appearing as if it had grown out of his hand! Then he rolled to his left, in an unexpected feint, coming smoothly to his feet in the easy practiced movement of an experienced knife fighter even though his legs were stiff from kneeling.

A huge sigh of relief hissed passed his teeth and escaped through his lips. Wapato! Just what the…! Damn it! . You did that on purpose! The only sign that she was satisfied with the effect that she had just created was the slight flick of her long silky tail and the unashamed way she sauntered up to him and rubbed her side against his leg. She sat down next to him on the prayer altar and started washing away some nonexistent dirt from the back of one paw. Wapato was a DA’GAT, one of the creations from the time of the old ones; whose beginnings came before the time of Death!

The plague of 2042 had run rampant for ten years over the entire planet and in the end caused the death of almost everyone in the world! Except for those very few animals that had already been genetically altered in some way who were spared this horrible cleansing of the world. However, there were a few people and animals that were just so isolated or lucky enough to be at sea where the chance of contacting a carrier was slim to none.

It seems that there had been a rash of what was called DNA experimentation and something else called gene splicing in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. The old ones had misused this gift from the Allfather to create a completely new world of plants and animals. They had been able to somehow combine the DNA of two or more completely different creatures, or to add or subtract different qualities in the plant’s or animal’s to make them do whatever they wanted.

Who could know the ways or whys of the Allfather? After all, he let most of the things that were die, and had kept alive those things that the old ones had made. It was baffling to Michel; he doubted that he would ever truly understand, but that was the beginning of his world.

According to history, the Da’Gat was created from such a bonding of creatures: half dog and half cat, created by using the DNA of a Russian wolf hound and bonding it with the DNA of the North American Cougar. Michel had seen pictures of the two different animals before the merging and the Da’Gat looked more like the cougar than the wolfhound, though much larger than either of its parent creatures, though the resemblance was closer to that of the cougar. But if he hadn’t known they had a common ancestry, he would have never guessed it.

Then there was the all-important Beef-a-lo which was a lot easier to understand the reason they were created, since they were so closely related to one another. Half North American Bison and half Black Angus Bovine. The Bison had almost died out in the late 20th century and that was the only way they had of keeping the animals alive as a species. The resulting animal was much more adapted to the land and the hard to digest scrub grass of the Midwest, and, as far as Michel was concerned, the meat tasted much better than either one of the two, though to find a pure blood of either one of the other two now was a hard hunt.

The list of the alterations goes on and on, with a few of the nastier ones taking the top of the list. However, there were some of the old ones’ plants that were really a good thing. Those plants were designed to grow and make food with little or no water, or those that the bugs didn‘t like because of the smell or the taste and those that would grow very fast with little attention! However, most of them were just strange and terrible creatures that had been designed for one specific purpose in life. Though they did what they were designed to do very well. That was killing.

The old ones had seemed to really enjoy war. At least those that didn’t have to fight in them themselves had seemed to enjoy it. Those who just sat back in their comfortable overstuffed leather chairs telling someone else to go out to fight and die.

Though Michel wondered how eager they would have been to go to war if they had to live with the laws of his world, where the first to fight and die was the chief of those who they ruled over.

Sometimes their wars (the old ones) seemed to have had no more justification than as an excuse to do another live test on one of their new Super weapons. Just to see how much damage, it could do. How many people one of their new bombs could Kill, then study it, to learn how to make it destroy even better and they made their new animal weapons the same way.

As a result, these animals were designed with that one purpose in mind. They lived to breed, to Kill, and to survive! (Though the best of these genetic creations, at least in Michel’s opinion of course, was the Da’Gat.) From that mind set, came the onerous beginnings of the Da’Gat, but as with so many of man’s greatest discoveries it had been the unexpected result that had been shoved in their faces when they tripped over it. Oh look, aren’t I the clever one! Look what I discovered! Wow! Damn, I’m good! These so called discoveries weren’t revised simply because it was more beneficial not to do so.

In the case of the Da’Gat, there had been an anomaly. Well, several actually. There turned out to be not one, but three different kinds of the same animal. The first animal was thought to be an utter failure, the thing was totally docile showing interest only in males of the same species and in her offspring, later named as Breeders.

The next had been aptly named as a Hellcat, for obvious reasons. This animal’s only purpose in life is to kill. It hates everything, including itself, and has to be caged. From the moment its eyes open, it is muzzled and booted as long as it lives. Otherwise, it will attack its siblings and when they are all dead, it will then bite and scratch itself until it bleeds to death. (You must never let this animal taste blood! All of its food has to be cooked thoroughly! Once it has tasted blood, the animal goes into a killing frenzy and has to be destroyed.) Which is, I would imagine, the main reason why it is so very hard to find someone crazy enough to be a caretaker for them, because it is usually their blood that gets tasted! Even muzzled and booted, they are still a vicious animal and can do serious damage to their handlers.

The only reason that these animals are kept alive at all is as a weapon of last resort. If your village has lost a battle defending itself and it has no other choice, you gather everyone that is still alive into the village meeting hall. This building has been specially reinforced for that reason. When everyone has been gathered there, you release the Hellcats. Once they get a taste of blood, they are all but unstoppable. The only good thing about it is that after the enemy is dead, you don’t have to worry about any of the Hellcats getting loose and hurting someone because they will then turn upon each other until there is just one left and it is usually so badly injured that it dies quickly. The only bad part about using them is that it will take many years and a small fortune to replace them. However, they are worth the expense, as usually just the knowledge that a village has them is enough to keep you from being attacked.

The best, as far as Michel was concerned, was the Companion. The Companions are one of the most valuable things in this world; well worth the life of a man to possess one.

Although you cannot steal one; the attempt in itself would be worthless. If the bond mate did not kill you, The Da’Gat you stole surely would at the first opportunity! As for trying to steal a kitten, well that in itself would normally be fatal. The male Da’Gat would tear apart anyone that tried to get near the female or his kittens except for his bond mate or at a bonding ceremony, where the male is sedated. Before the kitten’s eyes open, they are totally dependent on their mother and the mothers are totally dependent on the males. But, unlike their wild cousins, the male protects both mother and kittens. He brings the mother food and water, both of which he carries in his mouth. To the casual observer it looks like they are kissing. Besides you wouldn’t be able to tell if you were getting a Companion or not. At least that is until their eyes open, and then they will do one of three things. It will either bond with you, or it will pointedly ignore you, or you are attacked!

When bonded with a Da’Gat, the bond is for life. Maybe that was why the priests changed the wedding vows from until death do we part, to until we part.

Because when you are bonded with a Da’Gat, the bond is for life! Giving real meaning to the phrase, until death do we part! It’s just not some words that are parroted in response to the ministers prompting! If a Da’Gat’s bond mate dies, it will lie there guarding him or her until the poor thing dies of starvation or it is simply killed out of mercy …

BUMP! Suddenly Michel’s train of thought was disrupted as he was pushed forward. Wapato, what are you doing? Knock it off! Michel idly swatted at her. BUMP! She hit him in the side with her head again, only harder this time.

Wapato! I said stop it! His hand darted out with the speed of a striking cobra, intent on giving her a quick lesson. Wapato playfully caught his hand in her mouth as it darted out and she gave the lesson with a quick nip on his wrist.

Wapato … Michel’s head snapped up and around to her. Just what are…? he started to scold her for the nip on the wrist. His voice trailed off as his mind cleared. He realized that he had been falling asleep in his musings. Thanks, Wapato. You are indeed my truest friend. Michel leaned over, intent on giving her a quick hug of thanks

Only to receive another nip, this time drawing small point’s blood on his outstretched hand. Michel snatched his hand back with a startled oath. Wapato! Damn it! Can‘t you see that I‘m awake? She dropped her head and growled low in her throat at him, frustration sounding very clearly in her tone. She looked up at him as if he should understand her and she was irritated at him because he didn‘t. Her very expressive tail was twitching back and forth rapidly in agitation with him. As their eyes met, he had the feeling that there was something else; something that she wanted him to do that he was still missing.

Suddenly Wapato turned around and pointedly looked to the top of the ridge just above the sun that had risen during his musings and was now fully above the ridge crest. Michel’s eyes followed her gaze; he couldn’t see anything but the blinding light at first. The sunlight was so intense; it was painful to follow her gaze. As he was lowering his eyes, he saw something or at least he thought so! He didn’t know for sure, it could be just simply a speck of dust in his eyes.

He rubbed them both briskly with the backs of his hands and looked again. It was still there: a dot of movement in the brightly glowing light of the morning sun! Michel raised his hand to shade his eyes as he squinted between his fingers trying hard to see what it was that Wapato was trying to show him. At first, there was nothing, just a tiny black dot in the yellow white glare of the morning sunlight. He strained his eyes, trying hard to see what it was and, as he stared at the dot, it rapidly grew larger.

Michel watched this growing dot with ever-increasing fascination! It slowly began taking on more the outline of a bug. Then the shape of a small bird, maybe a sparrow, but, as he watched, the sparrow expanded remarkably. Becoming not just any bird but a Gauss Hawk his family’s totem and the symbol which gave his name power!

Thank you Allfather! Michel cried, and whooped loudly as he spun dancing in tight circles! Thank you for this sign that you have heard my prayers! His happy words of praise fading rapidly, coldly dying even as they came to his lips! The words started taking on the bitter taste of fear. Was this bird a gift of the Allfather or something else? Staring upwards, not believing where his thoughts were going, Michel continued to watch this hawk. He was becoming very, very nervous! Something wasn’t right here! In fact, he felt that something was very seriously wrong. Already this hawk was twice the size it should be and, as Michel watched with unbelieving eyes, it was still getting bigger.

Allfather Michel whispered under his breath. Am I the one you are angered with? What have I done to anger you? The hawk was now the size of a small pony and still it grew. As Michel stood watching it with unbelieving eyes, the hawk’s wings pulled back against its sides as the bird went into a stoop. Straight at him! All Michel could do was drop to his knees in total disbelief. He had done something to anger the Allfather and was about to be taken for it! Well, so be it then, Michel said to himself after all he had offered himself to appease the Allfather‘s wrath.

If this is your will Allfather, then take me! I give myself willingly to remove your anger from my people. Michel, still on his knees, spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the sharp needle-like talons that flashed out as the hawk flared his wings to slow its descent.

Suddenly and without warning, Michel was slammed face first onto the short grass surrounding the prayer mound. Wapato had used Michel for a launching pad, her front paws hitting on his shoulders, followed a fraction of a second later by her hind legs. As she catapulted herself upwards to meet this descending bird.

She screamed out her fierce battle cry as she leapt upward at this would be attacker. Her cry, full of indignation and fury that this bird was trying to hurt her Michel, she slammed head first into it, her teeth and claws leading the way. The full force of her three hundred pounds of unleashed anger soared upwards into the descending hawk.

The mighty impact startled an indigent squawk from the bird. As her teeth and claws slashed and ripped at it, her front legs and claws locked onto its shoulders as she raked at its belly with her hind feet as they fell, feathers and chunks of flesh being ripped loose from its body

Michel quickly arose from the ground, No Wapato, don‘t! he cried out, his voice fading. He watched as both Bird and Da’Gat crashed to the ground; his cry going out too late. In a tangle of flying fur and feathers, the two rolled over and around biting and scratching at each other. However, ever-loyal Wapato released the wing, where she was about to snap it. She was very confused! Why did her one want her to stop? This big pile of feathers would make a fine breakfast? However, even though she didn’t understand it, she backed off growling out her frustration and spitting out wads of feathers; the fur on the nape of her neck still standing straight up and her ears flattened tight against her head.

She paced menacingly back and forth in front of Michel. Small lines of blood were forming on her side, where she had been raked by one of the big bird’s talons! Her head held low where she spit out anger like the feathers a moment before, her irritation showing in her every movement. She hissed and then growled at Michel as he tried to get her to stop protecting him. A constant low rumbling growl filled the clearing, as if daring this big bird to make a stupid move. The very tip of her tail twitching rapidly back and forth as the whole thing whipped side to side, she stayed there in front of this arrogant bird.

Wapato would not be moved, and she slapped Michel’s leg as he tried to get around her. She didn’t know why Michel had told her no, but since his mind was gone, she was not about to let him get in front of her and her protection of him and since he would not protect himself from this walking pile of feathers, she would.

The hawk had already regained its feet and was intently inspecting its feathers and its wounded belly. Then, without warning, the hawk suddenly swept its wings in and forward. Wapato dropped down into a crouch and roared an ear shattering scream at the bird that echoed throughout the valley she hissed menacingly, bearing her teeth in warning at this birds suddenly threatening movement.

The wind from his fanned wings formed small twin dust devils in front of him. He used the wind to gather up all of the feathers that she had torn loose in their brief battle. The wind sent them flying skyward to circle around the big bird’s head.

Michel stood there, his mouth agape watching in total fascination. Then, one after another, the loose feathers shot down one at a time to find its exact place among the rest of the feathers and re-attach itself, falling neatly back into place as if it had never been torn loose.

Though Michel was completely sure he was about to die, he felt no fear of this huge bird. The hawk, its inspection and reconstruction complete, shook itself and mantled its feathers to settle them back into their respective places. Then the bird cocked its head to the side so that it regarded Michel with one large golden eye. It studied him for a few seconds.

Then it did the one thing no other bird could ever do; it smiled a very toothy smile at him! Michel’s mouth dropped open even farther and he stared in total disbelief. The hawk threw back its head and laughed a full rich laugh.

‘What did you expect Michel? the hawk asked him, still chuckling. A burning bush? Or would you prefer a loud booming voice that rattles the leaves? His voice then rose in volume to the point where it caused Michel to clap his hands to his head. That has already been done. The hawk said as its voice dropped back to normal. It would get boring to keep doing the same thing over and over, and I do so hate repetition. Besides, this way I get to spread my wings a little; though I must admit to being totally surprised by your guardian. As for the rest, yes, Michel, Allfather is indeed pleased with you, the hawk said. However, why do you ask for foolish things, things that you already possess? He has already blessed you with a strong healthy body; you have the courage of your fathers. In addition, it would seem that what you lack in wisdom, your friend here is more than willing to share with you."

With that said, the hawk extended a wing towards Wapato and tickled the end of her nose. Michel started to object to that movement. Again, his voice came out a moment too late to matter. That insult was more than Wapato could take from this bird and she pounced on the offending wing and tore out several mouths full of feathers before Michel could say no!

Michel’s head dropped in shame. What are you doing Wapato? Michel whispered. Before Michel could say anything, his thoughts had spoken clearly enough to his avian visitor.

There is no reason to be ashamed for your friend Michel! Laughter boomed out across the valley and through his mind as well. She was doing exactly what I wanted her to do! Just as you did earlier when I tested your soul, to see if your words and heart were true! I wanted to see if you really were here for the benefit of your people, and not just for yourself! If you had tried to run instead of accepting your fate, as you did, you would be dead right now!

Well… the hawk said, laughter sounding in his voice, since you have asked for foolish things that you already possess, if you do truly wish the Allfather’s help for your people, then accept these things that the Allfather is offering to you. He has granted you two things that you should have asked for.

First, he said, take what was just taken from me, by your ‘wisdom’, he said with a chuckle. Fletch your arrows with them so that you may shoot and never miss.

Secondly, the hawk said, as he gently fanned his wings and a small downy feather lifted off the ground and landed on Michel’s open hand. The second it touched his hand, it began to glow and then it sent a sharp snapping tingle throughout Michel’s body. Tie this feather to your grandfather’s bow, which, by the way, the hawk said to Michel, the Allfather had already blessed when your Grandfather was a young man. It will never break or fail you in time of need.

This small feather will be your guide when you cannot find your way. It will help you when you are in need and guide you for the things to come. He will help you find the truth where you least expect it; he will help whenever you are in need, he said with a grin. Sometimes whether you want it or not! It will help you to find that for which you seek, and it sounded more like he was talking to the feather than he was to Michel.

This was said with a small chuckle and a smile. It was very strange to watch a hawk smile and he had no idea how the bird was doing it. Most importantly, though, Michel, if you would save your people, you must go to the Southwest, where the land and the water meet. There, in that land of sin, you will look for a glowing golden E that sits on the water in the city that was and is no more. You will need to retrace your family’s steps to where this journey all began and finish that which your ancestors started. This is where it has its beginnings and this is where the circle will be completed.

Your family’s story has been long in the making, Michel and once you find the E, it will be time to close the circle! There you will wait!

Wait? Michel asked, Wait for what? He had never been the patient waiting kind of man that was good at that sort of thing!

Yes, Michel, you will wait! The hawk said, amusement sounding in his voice!

For what, Michel asked him again, irritation sounding in his voice.

You will wait there for your other half; you will wait for your mind child, the child in your dreams of course. Long in the making has your family’s story been evolving, and unfolding so that when you and all those who you will need would be in place and waiting for you if you have the wisdom to know who they are!

You will need to learn patience and perseverance, Michel. With her and her people’s help, you and she will bring your two peoples together and heal a split that was never meant to be! Only then will you have a chance to win through to bring about the answer to your prayer!

What is a mind child? Michel asked him.

Patience, Michel! The hawk said smiling. Think on it! The large avian said to him. Think on it and, after you have rested, the answers will come to you! If you can do this thing that the Allfather is asking of you, your two peoples will have the blessings of the Allfather, and your combined children will have a land of plenty to live in.

With that said the Hawk spread his wings and took to the air. Farewell Michel! May you find that for which you seek. With each mighty wing beat, the ground shook and the hawk’s image grew thinner and thinner still until slowly it became that of a winged man, then thinner still, and was finally gone.

However, the shaking continued and became more persistent. Michel sat up so quickly that he hit his head on Wapato’s nose. He had fallen asleep! Oh no! he groaned softly to himself and said sorry Wapato, as he gently rubbed her nose where his head had hit it.

He groaned to himself again. Had the whole thing been only a dream? Michel shook his head and rubbed at the bump that was rising there; he was having a real hard time believing that it had happened. More likely, it was just a dream. He groaned as he realized that he had slept most of the day away. Surely, if this was just a dream, the sign he had been hoping for had come and gone.

So to stay there any longer would be pointless. Michel dressed hurriedly as the air had gone cold without the heat of the sun and his prayer fire had burned itself out long since. He was depressed and disgusted with himself for falling asleep during his vigil. As he reached for his quiver of arrows, Michel froze, his hand stopping just inches above it! All the color drained from his face and his hand started shaking as a line of sweat sprang forth upon his brow.

For right there, lying on the prayer alter before him, was a neatly placed pile of feathers. No longer torn nor chewed, but straight and supple as if Wapato had not torn them loose from their owner’s wing. They lay there waiting for him, shimmering in the evening light and there sitting on top of the pile, looking for all the world like it was a little king of the mountain, was that downy little golden feather that was still glowing softly. In fact, the whole pile was actually glowing!

In a voice no louder than a passing thought. Pick me up Michel! Well pick me up! Michel’s hand was trembling so badly that for a moment he just stood there looking at the precious pile of feathers.

How had… Why had… the Allfather picked him? He was nothing special! There were many people more deserving than he was. Hey Bozo Michel looked around to see who was talking to him. Hey! Ya! You I’m down here; remember me?

Huh. Michel said still amazed by it all. Oh! Ya sorry! What the… Michel jerked his hand away from the little pile of feathers as if they were on fire, and he started backing away from them!

What are you doing now? The voice demanded. I really wish that you would make up your mind! First, you ask for us well sort of, now you don’t want us. Oh, for heavens sake, man, make up your mind would you? Well, what’s it going to be nimrod? Do we hang around here all day waiting for you to stop being scared by the little pile of mean Ol’ feathers?

Or do you just pick us up so that we can do what we were asked to do. Or do we just pack it up and take a hike back home. I vote for that one personally.

Michel just stood there looking dumb-founded. This rude little feather was just sitting there, looking like a little king of the mountain and somehow it looked like the damn thing was laughing at him. Michel gently picked up the precious gift.

WHAT? The voice sounded insulted. Do you think that you can break us? Not a chance!"

Michel was starting to be seriously affronted by the way the Allfather was speaking to him.

The Allfather Boy, that’s rich! Buddy, he doesn’t have the time to hang around here all day!

If not the Allfather than who are you?

You really are a slow witted chump aren’t you?

Who are you? Michel snapped. And what is a chump?" Michel snarled through his teeth. He might not know what the word meant, but knew that he had just been insulted.

All right nimrod let’s take it from the top, shall we! You asked the Allfather for his help right? Okay, he agrees and sends us to help you do that. Now you’re confused and are asking me who I am! Let me see if I remember, oh yes, I am your guide and teacher on this little jaunt.

Man! How can a fella get transferred out of this chicken shit outfit? The glowing feather said in a very arrogant tone of voice. Oh Ya, Right! Davie Ol’ boy an easy one. Not much of a challenge at all for someone of your intelligence. Well I certainly hope that you’re getting a real good laugh out of this.

Michel’s temper was starting to flare and he was really getting angry, gift or no gift. He didn’t have to take this crap. Are you talking to me, Mr. Little chicken feather? I don’t see anything funny about this at all, so why would I get a good laugh from it? Michel snapped?

That’s because I wasn’t talking to you nimrod, the little feather replied testily. If you are going to eavesdrop, at least have the curtsey to pay attention. That’s it, Michel snarled as he scooped up the pile of the feathers and carefully placed them into his wallet. Michel turned around, determined to leave this irritating feather thing where he found it. As he turned, he skidded to a halt. He couldn’t believe his eyes! Just in front of him floating ever so gently on the evening breeze and now hovering just below his nose was that irritating little golden feather!

Michel spun back to where he had just dropped the feather, then back to face the feather again.

Did you forget something nimrod? Like maybe, me!

No! I did not forget anything! Michel snarled again. He was getting really tired of this floating fuzz ball. He stepped to the side determined to go around it. He took another step, but that rude little feather was still there in front of him!

Either you leave me now, or explain yourself. Michel snapped! Or I…

Or you will do! What? The feather made a rude noise at him. Please, it chuckled arrogantly. Why should I do that, this is way more fun.

Or I will let Wapato eat you, Michel replied and Wapato growled menacingly at the feather, as if to say she would be more than happy to oblige.

The little feather stopped for a moment as if thinking about it. Okay, it said at last. Go ahead let your little kitty eat me it can’t hurt me!

Michel got a mischievous look in his eyes, Well you asked for it. Being eaten might not hurt you, but it will shut you up for a couple of days. And it will be amusing to, see how well you glow when you get out.

What do you mean, shut me up… Oh I see… was the feather’s only reply.

Ya, Michel grinned, one way in, one way out. Get it, got it, Good! Go ahead Wapato, have fun.

Wapato sprang forward, her jaws snapping shut where the feather had just been and then again and again in a series of quick snaps as the feather dodged to the left and right going up all the while.

Wapato whirled, madly following it’s erratic motion as it ascended, her jaws getting closer to it each time until it seemed it was too high for her snapping jaws to reach.

Well that plan didn’t work out so well… The feather’s next words never came out. Just as it was thinking it was safe from her, Wapato dropped down and leapt skyward arrowing straight toward this frustrating thing, her front paws slapped shut on the feather. Her tail lashing to and fro as she landed, you could see satisfaction in her every movement.

All right, all right! Hey don’t blow a gasket! Let me out and I‘ll try to explain. Why should I believe you? Michel asked, still very irritated at this obnoxious thing.

The feather gave a very resigned sigh of defeat. Alright Michel, I give you my word of honor that I will do as you ask and explain as best as I can, alright?

Michel was silent for a moment as he thought about it and then looked down at his friend. Wapato looked up at Michel, as if saying: you mean I have to let it go? It’s all right Wapato, if he smarts off just once more I promise, Michel told her, you can eat him as many times as you like, but for now let it go.

Wapato! Michel said more sternly, let it go.

Wapato looked up at him from where she lay on the sandy ground in front of the prayer mound. Her ears dropped down flat against her head and she hissed out her frustration at Michel for ordering her to let the nasty little thing go. Her rapidly twitching tail suddenly stopped as her ears came up, looking incredibly evil.

Wapato, I know that devilish look, Michel said to her, what are you up to? As he said this, she hissed at him again, pulled her extended paws up under her chin as if she were going ignore his request and opened her mouth.

Wapato! Michel started to say… However, she opened her paws and the feather shot out of its prison like a lighting bolt reaching for the heavens.

The only problem was that Wapato’s open mouth was waiting just above them, and the feather shot straight up into her waiting jaws. Her jaws snapped shut, and her cheeks bulged back and forth, as she chewed slowly for several moments before she opened her mouth again at Michel’s repeated requests, though he wasn’t all that insistent about it.

When she finally did as he asked of her, a very soggy and not so cocky feather came floating out of her mouth.

All right, I get the point, it said, to Michel. What do you want to know?

Well for a start, you will apologize to Wapato and then me for your earlier rudeness.

I will not…

Wapato snapped her jaws shut several time’s in quick successions.

All right, all right! He said, backing away from her very quickly. I am extremely sorry for my rudeness and my inexcusable behavior earlier to you both. Can you ever forgive me?

No, but it’s a start, Michel said. If you were alive, feather man, and you had spoken to me that way, I would have killed you.

You might have tried, the feather said, but I think you might have found that to be more of a chore than you think.

Maybe so, Michel replied, but either way, you would have died.

Think so, do you? The feather asked him.

Michel just smiled. Know so, Mr. Feather man. He hooked his thumb at Wapato. The second that she sensed that I was in mortal danger, she would have killed you! Michel went on, "and I have never met any man that could go up against a Da’Gat and live to tell about it. Even booted and muzzled, I would bet on the Da’Gat.

Well I won’t argue with you on that point! Dave replied.

Well, little feather man, I am waiting to hear your story and the reason why I should not have her eat you over and over.

Other than making, her very sick you mean! The feather snapped at him. That would be the dumbest thing for you ever to do~ Michel jumped up from the rock where he had been sitting. His voice had gone frigid and his piercing blue eyes had turned into icy daggers. For I would follow you into death to exact my revenge upon you!

No! The feather shouted, You must never even think that. You would damn us both to hell for all eternity! You, for taking your own life, and I for causing you to despair enough to end your own life yourself! Plus, there is no vengeance in Hell. There is nothing but the hopelessness of the damned, which is the total absence of god’s presence. The only thing that you know for certain is that it will never end.

Well then, Michel’s words came out sounding very much like Wapato’s most menacing hiss: I would say to you that you never do anything to ever hurt her. Michel said between clenched teeth, Because for her taking you to Hell would be revenge enough for me.

The Feather swayed back and forth before him for several seconds. When it finally spoke again it’s tone held total disbelief and what sounded like respect. I believe you would actually do just that.

Count of it! Michel snapped. Now for the last time, you will explain yourself or you will leave me!

Chapter 2.

David’s story!

Michel’s anger was still there, but now there was curiosity as well! It would help, Michel said, if you were to speak plainly. I have not spoken in the dead language of the old ones for a long time.

Well then, what other language would you like me to speak? The only other one I know is French!

I don’t know of this French that you speak of, but Amer’indian would be best, Michel replied, so that all who hear you may know of what you speak, instead of this old dead language that we learn only so that we may read their books and their other writings.

Buddy, I would be more than happy to, Dave quipped, if I had the slightest clue as to what in the world you were talking about! What is Amer’indian?

Michel just stood there dumbfounded, with his mouth agape. What do you mean? Michel asked him after a moment of stunned silence. Amer’indian is the voice in which all the people in this land speak. How can you be from the Allfather and not know his language?

Oh boy! Dave sighed. I think it would have been easier to stay in Limbo, than here playing nursemaid with this dimwit. For one, this Amer whatever is not his language, it’s yours. Secondly, he" knows all the languages, not I. Okay, I can see right now that this is going to be a real long day! Since it seems that, this is going to take a while, you might as