Taelo: The Journey of Discovery

By Ron Mueller

Taelo lived more than thirty thousand years ago in the US northwest.

The Early Years are stories of Taelo and Golden Hawk in their early years

In

• Language: English
• Publisher: Around the World Publishing LLC
• Release date: Jun 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781682232941

Ron Mueller

About the Author Ronald E. Mueller [e-mail] Ron grew up in what is now Flint River State Park in Southeast Iowa. The 170-year-old house Ron lived in is built into a hillside. It faces a 125-foot-high cliff towering over the little Flint River. The house and the land talked to him about; the passing of time, the struggle to conquer the land, the struggles people faced and the wonder of nature. He climbed the cliffs, crawled into the caves, dove from the swimming rock, collected clams from the bottom of the pond, gigged and skinned frogs for their legs. He trapped muskrats for fur, hunted raccoon in the dead of night, and with only a stick hunted rabbits in the dead of winter. His young life was outdoors, and nature tested him. He walked to a one room stone schoolhouse uphill both ways. A stern but warm-hearted teacher, Mrs. Henry was instrumental in shaping his character as she shepherded him from the fourth to the eighth grade. A Montessori before its time. It was a great way to grow up. His experiences inter-twined with snippets of fantasy lend themselves to the adventures he leads the reader through.

Book preview

1

Salt and Preparation

The far cliff tops at the far end of the valley, blurred and hidden at the top by the mist from the water making its long descent to the river pool below, glowed red, yellow, and orange as the sun rose above the towering white snow-covered mountains to the east.

The dark green sentinel pines in their rigid rows formed a green skirt from midway on the mountains down to the valley floor. The valley was an almost long perfect oval with the pool at the base of the falls at its far end.

The river ran toward the Clan lodge along the foot of the cliffs that slowly descended to the left side of the valley.

Taelo and his mate Quiet Rabbit stood together enjoying the quiet of the morning and listening as the valley creatures awakened. This was always an enjoyable peaceful moment.

This was the valley where long ago the original Elk Clan was established. The Elk Clan had abandoned the Valley hundreds of years ago as the cold made living harder. The history of that time had become no more than stories parents and grandparents told to children.

Taelo and his team, Golden Hawk and Busy Bee, Little Otter and Talking Wren, Burley Bear and Meadow Flower, Feather-In-the-Wind had rediscovered the Valley, built a unique and remarkable warm water heated lodge, populated the new Northern Elk Clan with two different groups of people rescued from the edge of peril.

This team developed the new people and took them to the annual Elk Clan gathering. There, Taelo guided the exchange of families to smoothly integrate Northern Elk Clan families into the other Elk sub clans. Taelo secretly and successfully pushed for his mother White Swan to become the leader of the Northern Elk Clan.

Wise Council was now her lead hunter.

She relied heavily on her mate, Grey Fox Running for guidance on how the clan should be managed. Until her selection to lead the Northern Elk Clan, he had been the leader of the main and original Elk sub-clan. He had chosen to retire and become an elder to support her in her role as the first woman leading one of the Elk sub-clans.

It was early winter, and the snows were once again beginning to cover the mountains in white.

This was the day Taelo would take White Swan, Grey Fox Running, Quiet Rabbit, Golden Hawk and Busy Bee to the ancient salt mine to the Northwest of the Valley.

Up to this time he had been the only one to visit the salt mine.

It took most of the sun cycle for the three sleds pulled by their trained wolves to cross the valley and pull up the slope to the ridge running almost due west.

The group spent the evening enjoying roasted rabbit for dinner and engaging in the normal family chatter.

The next day they reached the cliff where the Talley Stone marked a sharp turn toward another ridge. It was at this point where Taelo stopped to show everyone the Talley Stone and all the marking on it.

This is the Talley Stone in the story you told me as a child, Taelo said to Grey Fox Running, as he pointed to the scratches on the stone.

These marks account for all the salt brought up from the salt mine. The last four marks are mine, he continued.

The stories were told to me by my Father. I never really knew if they were true. A deep emotional feeling that I don’t know how to describe is going through me as we stand here, Grey Fox Running replied as he let his hand slide gently down the row of scratch marks.

He was quietly remembering his mother and father who had passed just a few seasons ago. He wished they could have known the truth in the stories they told.

White Swan came over and touched the marks as well. She too had listened to her parents tell the stories.

Everyone in all the Elk Clans had heard the stories at some time since they were stories that were told at in almost every fall gathering.

The group stood around the rock absorbing the ghosts of all the ancient salt gatherers that had left their mark on the stone.

Is there really a small fishing lake to test the salt gatherer’s physical condition, White Swan inquired.

She had heard all the stories and was now amazed to find out they were true. She was taken back to the stories she had listened to as she grew up.

"We will stop by the lake for the night and all of us can take a turn standing on the fishing stone to determine if you are fit to gather salt.

Lasher will gather the fish that get tossed to shore," Taelo said with a chuckle as he scratched Lasher, his wolf companion behind his ears.

Taelo, put Lasher back in harness at the lead position of the team of sled wolves and proceeded down the ridge toward the lake.

The ridge joined a small, high, flat valley formed by two co-joined mountains. The lake took up most of the valley area. Windblown, scraggily pine gave the valley the appearance of slopping toward the West when in fact it was almost perfectly flat.

So, this is the fishing lake where each salt gatherer had to prove he was still fit, Busy Bee commented as the group set up camp.

It was still early afternoon, and they were all eager to try their hand at spearing a fish.

Remember the lesson on spearing fish in the water, Taelo counseled as the group prepared to try their hand.

It’s not even a challenge for you, White Swan commented as Grey Fox Running flipped his fish onto the bank. We will let you carry the most salt.

Taelo sat at the center of camp and dutifully gutted the fish Lasher carried over to him. Everyone had speared a fish.

A short time later they all sat around the fire roasting their fish.

Well, we all qualify to gather salt, Grey Fox Running commented.

He was again thinking of his father and the stories he told him about the spearing of the fish.

"Tomorrow you will all be put to the test to see if you can find the salt mine. You told Golden Hawk and me the story of how to find it.

Tomorrow you can tell the story again and see who is first to understand it. I will tell you it took me a full morning to finally remember the words of the story and take the right action," Taelo commented.

He remembered how difficult it had been for him to take the right action based on his memory of the story Grey Fox Running had told.

I can’t wait. I want to see if I understood the story right, Golden Hawk said as he ate his fish.

No, I told all of you how I finally solved the problem, Taelo said as he pointed his roasting stick at Busy Bee, Quiet Rabbit, and Golden Hawk.

White Swan and Grey Fox Running get to solve the riddle by themselves," Taelo countered as he smiled at his parents.

The trail away from the valley with the lake was barely visible in the early morning light as the two sleds went down the trail toward the west.

The sun was almost at its zenith when they stopped at a small merrily gurgling stream where the water fell merrily down into a small pool.

This is where we are to turn left and proceed to the spear rock, Grey Fox Running said as he recognized the scenery from the stories his father had told him and he in turn had told Taelo.

You’ve got it. I doubted myself all the way. It seemed too easy, Taelo replied

After a cold meal, the two sleds turned and went up stream on the ancient path now almost overrun by nature but periodically still visible as a well-used path.

Not much later Grey Fox Running called for a stop as the black Spear Rock stood out in stark contrast to the light blue sky behind it.

And here is the Spear Rock just as my father described it, Grey Fox Running said as he walked toward it.

He commented on the shiver that had just run through his body as he thought back to the time when he as a small boy had listened to the stories his father had told him.

He reached out and gave White Swan a hug. She in turn pulled Taelo to her side.

I too listened to this story many times, White Swan said as she gave both of them a hug.

She had always wondered if any of the stories were true.

Now here she stood in front of the Spear Rock.

It took Grey Fox Running and White Swan almost as long as it had taken Taelo to solve the mystery of where the salt mine was located.

They voiced the words of the ditty numerous times.

Hold your spear vertically at your arms full reach. Spear tip to spear tip. Equal distance left and equal distance right. Six paces forward, six to your right,

The two were entertaining to watch. Taelo, Quiet Rabbit, Golden Hawk and Busy Bee sat around enjoying White Swan and Grey Fox Running discuss and argue about what the story meant.

Grey Fox Running finally held his spear at arm’s length and positioned himself to look over his spear tip and aligned it with the tip of stone needle pointing into the sky.

He took the steps as directed and stood looking. He looked at a long crack in the face of the stone. He walked forward and into the crack.

A cheer went up when the riddle of spear tip to spear tip, eye to the sky, equal distance left and equal distance to right, six paces forward, six to your right was finally solved.

They gathered the salt as it had been done for centuries before them. There was a long stick with a sharp stone at one end and a crook on the other end.

The holes were repeatedly drilled back into the salt. The salt drilled out of the hole was put into leather bags. The holes were drilled close together all the way around the block. When the walls between the holes along the bottom of the block were broken, the entire block broke loose.

It took me a while to figure out how this was done, and I had to stop to make some bags to hold the loose salt, Taelo admitted.

Each of the two sleds carried two large salt blocks. Taelo had brought back four on his previous trip, but this time enough room was needed in the sleds for people to ride.

It is better to gather salt in the winter using the sled and a team of wolves. I can only imagine the effort it took to carry the blocks back up by hand, Taelo commented as they traveled back toward the lake in the valley above them.

Two sun cycles later the team stood at the top of the cliff overlooking the valley.

We will stop and spend the night at the original Elk Clan Ceremonial Cave. This is where I brought the survivors who had escaped their cannibal captors. Golden Hawk and I found the cave when we climbed the face of the cliff on each side of the waterfall, Taelo commented as he removed the entrance stones.

It was evident that no one had been to the cave since they had last closed it up a few moon cycles ago.

Let me show you the drawings I discovered when we first came in, Quiet Rabbit said as she held her torch to the drawings on the cave’s wall.

Everyone gathered around and studied the drawings.

All the stories my father told me were true. I can’t believe I have been given this chance to rediscover the past history of our Elk Clan, Grey Fox Running said as he took in the cave.

Does it have hot water rain from above, he asked as he walked around the cave.

Golden Hawk removed the stones blocking the hot water spring and the water followed the groove to the pool. Once it had filled, he put the hollowed log into place and the water was diverted to create the hot water rain from above the pool.

I find it hard to believe that you were able to solve all these riddles and to return the clan to the point the Elk Clan began their journey, White Swan said as she stood beneath the hot water falling down from above.

She instinctively knew Taelo had been guided by the ancestors.

I guess this is a good time to let you know about our next journey, Taelo replied after they had all enjoyed a warm shower and were sitting around the fire looking out of the cave and into the star filled night sky.

Yes, tell us about your plans and who you are planning to take along, White Swan replied.

We are planning a trip to the East. This one may take longer than our trip to the South," Taelo began.

He shared the vision Broken Spear had told him and the fact that the ancestors were calling for him.

We were thinking of leaving once we return from this salt gathering, Quiet Rabbit continued. Feather-in-the-Wind would like to travel with us.

Running Stag also wants to travel with us, Taelo continued.

Busy Bee and I are planning to go, Golden Hawk spoke up next.

Well, it sounds like this will be another journey of adventure and discovery. Do your parents know of this journey, Grey Fox Running asked in reply as he looked at Golden Hawk.

Not specifically. At the end of the Elk Clan gathering, they invited us to come back to the Valley of Plenty. We declined because we were planning a new trip. They wished us well on our next adventure, Golden Hawk replied.

My grandmother told me to have fun and enjoy the trip, Quiet Rabbit added.

Her grandmother had raised her, and they shared a very close relationship.

Follow your dream, had been her advice.

In the last year, the two had become closer than they had ever been before. Quiet Rabbit was following a path in life similar to her grandmother who had left her original clan to be mate to the one she loved.

My parents really have changed. They have been impressed with what our team has accomplished, Have fun but be careful were their parting words," Busy Bee continued.

Well as usual, you are not asking permission but politely letting us know your plans, White Swan said with smile. I am sure the entire Northern Elk Clan will want to help you. Please don’t take them all with you.

She would have loved to have Taelo stay but she knew he was already on his next adventure.

It took the team longer than they expected to get ready. A moon cycle later the team stood outside the lodge next to their sleds. Taelo, Quiet Rabbit and Running Stag were by one sled and Golden Hawk, Busy Bee and Feather-in-the-Wind were by the other sled. Their wolves knew something new was about to happen and were eager to go.

The entire lodge was out to wish the travelers well.

An eagle was flying silent circles overhead. Then it let out a loud scream and flew down the valley away from the waterfalls.

It was time to go.

Golden Hawk talked to his wolf team and took the lead. Taelo and his team followed. Soon they were traveling between the twin Marker Mountains on the way to the cave of the Others.

I must stop and meet with Broken Spear before we go East, Taelo had informed the rest of the team.

He had heard the Seer, Broken Spear in his mind requesting that he come by.

They stayed to the ridge as they approached the cave of the Others.

Up ahead of them they spied a member of the Others.

Welcome, Saber Scar said as he stood in the path before them.

The Clan has been expecting you. I am to escort you in.

It is good to see you again, Quite Rabbit replied.

She had sewn up the tiger scars across Saber Scar’s chest.

He had been beside her in the battle against the cannibals. They were now close friends. He greeted Quiet Rabbit with special attention. He was forever in her debt.

The entire Clan greeted them at the valley entrance to their cave.

Burley Bear’s mother came out and gave Taelo a big hug.

Burley Bear and Meadow Flower gave everyone a hug and escorted them into the cave.

I told her you were jealous of me always getting a hug from her and that this time she should give you one, Burly Bear said as he enjoyed the scene.

I am really jealous of this new trip you are taking without me, Burley Bear continued in Taelo’s language.

And I will miss you greatly, Taelo replied in the language of the Others.

Burley Bear was more like an older brother, certainly more than just a friend. They had trekked together to become warriors and had brought their two clans together.

Burley Bear and Meadow Flower were on the team that had trekked south in the journey of the heart. They were more like family than friends.

Later I will talk to you about some additional members for your team, Burley Bear said quietly so only Taelo, and Quiet Rabbit could hear him.

After you have had a chance to bathe, eat and relax, Broken Spear would like to spend time with you this evening. He seems more excited about this trip than he was about the last. He has invited Quiet Rabbit, Golden Hawk and Busy Bee. I invited myself and Meadow Flower and was surprised when he agreed, Burley Bear shared in one of his lengthier exchanges.

I can’t wait to hear what he has to say. I am pleased he felt comfortable enough to invite everyone, Taelo replied.

Yes, you are all invited, Taelo said as he sat in the hot spring talking to Quiet Rabbit, Golden Hawk and Busy Bee.

Wow, I would love to listen in on what Broken Spear will tell them, Feather-in-the-Wind said to Running Stag as the two sat on the other side with their feet in the pool.

I feel so lucky that we were allowed to come along that I really don’t mind, Running Stag replied.

Yes, I agree. But Broken Spear seems to know so much. How does he do it? How does he see what will happen, Feather-in-the-Wind continued quietly?

I don’t know how I do it, a quiet voice said from behind them.

The two turned and went quiet when they realized Broken Spear was sitting behind them.

When and how had he gotten there, flashed through Feather-in-the-Winds mind?

I am pleased that the two of you are going on this journey. You will see and learn a great many things. You will contribute and be very valuable members of the team. In time you will lead a clan back to those far shores. Pay close attention and learn all you can. This is for you only to know. So now you have talked to Broken Spear and have received his message, Broken Spear said and then went silent as if he was asleep.

A few minutes later he was helped back to his personal area by two older women.

Can you believe what just happened, Feather-in-the-Wind said as she held Running Stag by the arm. She was shaking as she thought about the message, he had given them.

He came and talked to us. This is unbelievable, Running Stag said as a shiver ran down his back.

Did you just see what happened across the pool, Taelo asked Quiet Rabbit.

No, I was talking with Busy Bee, Quiet Rabbit replied.

I saw it. It seems our two young companions just got some guidance from Broken Spear, Golden Hawk replied. They seem stunned, he continued.

I would be if Broken Spear came and talked to me, both Quiet Rabbit and Busy Bee spoke up almost in unison.

They had never talked to Broken Spear directly.

A short while later they all sat around Broken Spear.

I am pleased that you have stopped by to talk and listen to this old man, Broken Spear began.

No reply was expected, and all remained silent.

"I have flown with the eagle on many parts of your coming journey. This will be a journey of wonder. There will be danger, but you will work together to outwit or overcome your adversaries.

On the other side of the Mountains in the area of the Grazing Elk Clan you will find a river going east. Follow the river east, southeast until you reach a giant river running south. Follow the giant river only a short distance and then follow the other big river to the east into the eastern mountains.

Follow the mountains north, northeast until you reach the ocean. Once you reach the ocean and rest for a brief period you should turn south and seek the warmth.

What you find and how you use what you find will make your trip much faster than you expect it to be.

Leave your sled wolves with the Grazing Elk Clan. You can collect them on your return.

I know each of you have your own personal wolves. Take them with you. They are not only your companions but guards against danger. They will tell you when to run or when to fight.

Burley Bear thinks he is asking a favor for a pair of Others to join you on your journey. I insist they go. They will make the difference in the battle of the river monster. Burley Bear please introduce our team members," Broken Spear spoke, and each word and phrase was given time to float and be absorbed by the listeners.

Saber Scar and his mate have been training for months. I have personally made them a sled and they have trained their wolves to pull it. I have made them the flat weapon with sharks teeth. They have learned to use the sling. I am sure Feather-in-the-Wind will be able to improve their ability. They are strong and they are fast. No wings on their feet but they will keep up," Burley Bear said quietly.

I am so pleased it is Saber Scar, Quiet Rabbit replied. Who is his mate?

She is Marigold, sister of Meadow Flower, Burley Bear replied

We are pleased to have them along. Saber Scar was a key warrior when we defeated the cannibals. He gave me my wolf sled team, Taelo said as a good feeling came to him about the arrangement.

The trip east would have a diverse team. The two were also powerful people to have on the team.

This, Taelo thought, is good.

He knew how tough the people of the Others were. To have them along would make their trip safer.

"They are indeed welcome. I know they