Shadunka The Outcast

By John J. Law

Shadunka looked quite strange. He seemed like some deformed string puppet that was out of proportion, or a giant dog that did not know it was so large. Shadunka had long flowing red hair with large, piercing eyes. He should have been handsome and imposing and perhaps he would have been in another time. He was unusually tall for any man, standing at a little under seven feet. This was quite exceptional for the time that Shadunka lived in, and he could almost be considered a giant in white men or Piute, or any native tribe's eyes

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Jan 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224064861

Book preview

Chapter One: The Final Battle with the Sai-Dukka'a

Shadunka walked through the Piute camp with his head down and his shoulders slouched. He felt the weight of everyone's eyes fall upon him. It had always been this way since his youth. For as long as he could remember Shadunka felt as if all eyes of the tribe were upon him, and all of them looked at him with contempt. It was a heavy burden that Shadunka had gotten used to carrying.

With his shoulders slouched, his head bowed and his stride pronounced, Shadunka looked quite strange. He seemed like some deformed string puppet that was out of proportion, or a giant dog that did not know it was so large. Shadunka had long flowing red hair with large, piercing eyes. He should have been handsome and imposing and perhaps he would have been in another time. He was unusually tall for any man, standing at a little under seven feet. This was quite exceptional for the time that Shadunka lived in, and he could almost be considered a giant in white men or Piute, or any native tribe's eyes. This only served to alienate and isolate Shadunka even more.

Each step he took was heavy. It was as if he were carrying the weight of the entire tribe's shame upon him, while wading through mud. Shadunka could not stand it, but this was how he had lived his life, for as long as he could remember. Shadunka had always felt as if he were not welcome with the Piutes. The Indians did not treat him as their own and in fact treated him like an outcast of sorts. Perhaps it was his large frame, and his red hair. Or perhaps it was because his skin was paler than usual, resembling more the complexion of the hated white men then a typical Piute. Perhaps it was all these and more that served to make Shadunka something of a pariah in the tribe. Either way, he could not stand it anymore. He had endured this kind of treatment for all the years he could remember, and it was time to get to the bottom of it. That was why Shadunka was headed to the old Shaman's tent. He was a man looking for answers and understanding.

Shadunka crouched as he entered the shaman's tent. It was hard for a large man like himself to squeeze in, but somehow, he managed. The inside of the tent was filled with wisps of smoke everywhere. It was like stepping into a boiling kettle. The tent had kept all the heat inside and circulated it in the small space. It was difficult to see through the smoke, and there was a strange smell inside. Shadunka was not sure what kind of scent it was. The old shaman was known to tinker and experiment with all sorts of things from this world and sometimes from beyond. Stepping into the tent was almost like stepping into the shaman's own