*background, a short 4000 word story I wrote for a contest last fall (2019) I'm quite proud of this one. Hope you like.
The Forest Council
Deep in the forest of the Rocky Mountains, long ago and far away from any store, town, or road, before park services or guided tours, trails or urban sprawl; a clearing lies. A sacred and peaceful clearing at the base of a mountain; a place with history as old as the land itself, a place that embodies harmony, of understanding and compromise; no two-legged man has ever walked here, this is a place for animals. Even the native tribes respected it, they stayed away, a magic resides here beyond any of man’s making or understanding.
From between sycamore trees that formed the clearing’s circle, Puma raised his tawny head, stepping into the well trampled clearing. He sniffed the air, rain moving off, away from the range, a cool breeze bringing chilly air down the mountain, and… The Problem. He could smell it even from here, two miles away; the stench permeated his delicate feline senses. He blinked in the afternoon light, brown eyes observing the empty clearing, nocturnal vision probing the shadows under the trees. Everyone should be along soon he surmised. Chickadee and her cousins had flown off three hours past, spreading the word: An immediate Forest Council was needed.
Puma was six winters old, not particularly old for a mountain lion, but no youngster either. He’d been a leader of many Forest Council meetings in his five mature years; as his father before him, as his cub would one day. The Forest Council was as old as the forest, the creatures of the mountains and plains had gathered here for generations to work out problems or exchange information. Meetings happened every season change, unless other matters forced a meeting sooner. Every season’s regular meeting would work out territory changes, migrations for grazing herbivores, discussions of water rations in draught years, how best to preserve resources when Mother Nature was generous and various other minor matters.
Non-Seasonal meetings were called over the years for one reason or another. Any creature could call a meeting, herbivore or carnivore, great or small; on this sacred land all animals are brothers and sisters. Blood has never been shed on the council ground here at the base of the mountain. No living animal knew why this spot was chosen. The air itself was peaceful and the animals felt something unexplained and enchanting here. Regardless of the reason all animals respected it, for any other option was beyond their control.
As he waited Puma recalled past meetings; various “Non-Seasonal” meetings, as they were referred, had happened during his time on the Council, most resolved with only the animals involved present. Species-wide gatherings were saved for Seasonal Meetings and occasional issues that involved the entire territory. Rarely were all animal representatives called to a meeting. Not this time though, he thought, whiskers twitching in the shifting wind, this time was different.
Although Puma could not speak for prior generations, the most difficult problem Council had dealt with in his lifetime was Wolf’s uncontrollable half-brother. Wolf had been a Council leader as long as Puma, the same age, the two had practiced hunting together, sharing kills since cubs. Wolf’s jealous half-brother thought he should be on The Council too. Sharing a father, Wolf’s half-brother was only a year younger, giving him the right, in his mind, to have a high seat at Council.
In a fit of rage and jealousy, Wolf’s half-brother had scorned The Council and its refusal to allow him seat alongside his half-brother in Seasonal Discussions or vote in Final Say. The Council felt pity for Wolf’s half-brother, but they knew he possessed neither the discipline nor patience for a Council seat, discussion was closed. Wolf’s half-brother, angry and hurt, formed a band of six others, cousins and cast outs, outlaws who would gladly follow blind fury.
For a season they hunted out of territory, killed for fun, and refused to follow hunting patterns set forth at Seasonal Meeting. They were cruel and dangerous to the fragile ecosystem The Council had been tasked for so long to protect. An emergency meeting was called, a plan formed, action taken. Wolf’s half-brother and his band of ruffians were executed. Puma and Black Bear’s brothers and sisters helped, refusing to let Wolf take part in fratricide, a shameful thing. A short battle ensued; the only injuries: Black Bear’s brother, a badly scratched nose and Puma’s sister, a wounded paw. It was over in minutes, but two years later the needless killing still left a bitter taste in Puma’s mouth. He didn’t like to see a friend suffer the loss of a brother, nor did he like when animals fought and killed for pointless reasons.
He sniffed again, turning his head towards the sycamores; he could smell Black Bear and Moose approaching. Black Bear and Moose were his equals in Council; with the exception of Great Owl and Eagle, carnivores and larger animals always made up leading members of Council. Great Owl was older than any creature in the forest, no one knew quiet how old, and he’d been on The Council as long as anyone could remember. Keeper of lore and knowledge, Great Owl was important to any discussion or decision, big or small. Eagle, also not really considered a large animal, was a bird of prey and capable of long flight, making him a key member of The Council.
Although smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles could speak at Council and bring problems forward without fear of gnashing teeth and sharp claws; Final Say was always granted to those bigger and more powerful. That was the way it always had been; things were settled peacefully here, but Mother Nature’s natural order was respected and followed.
He could hear Black Bear and Moose now; he wondered what they’d say when they realized he’d called not only Council, but all animal representatives to this emergency meeting. He licked his paw absently in thought, when they heard about The Problem; they would understand his decision. Every animal should be informed and have say in something like this.
Moose’s giant antlers arrived before he did, emerging through the sycamores, his boney headgear was nothing if not impressive. The largest and oldest Bull Moose, he’d been on The Council since Puma was a cub. Well over seven feet tall with a total of eighteen points to his velvet-coated antlers; Moose had terrified Puma when he was small, until he learned what an intelligent and kind animal he was.
Black Bear followed Moose through the trees into the clearing. Although not as intimidating as Moose, Black Bear’s claws and sharp teeth made him one of the best fighters in the forest. Although he preferred honey and sleeping to fighting and killing, Black Bear had showed his skill and courage in stopping Wolf’s half-brother.
“What is it Puma?” Moose asked.
“Yes, what’s wrong, Chickadee implied it was urgent.” Black Bear looked concerned, in the five years Puma had been part of The Council he’d never called a “Non-Seasonal” meeting.
“Let’s wait for the others, this matter is important, I don’t want to exclude anyone.” Puma replied.
Any comment Black Bear or Moose may have had to that was drowned out by the arrival of four other lead Council members: Bison, Lynx, Elk and Eagle. Lynx trotted up, nuzzling Puma in warm greeting. Eagle swooped in and landed lightly on a sycamore branch, nodding to them. Bison and Elk went to Moose first, hailing him affectionately, a brotherhood all its own between cloven-hoofed animals.
The lead Council was always and had always been made up of ten animals, each one having an equivalent, to keep the balance across species, two halves to a whole. Puma and Lynx represented the felines and large predators, Black Bear and Wolf, the forest hunters, Moose and Elk, large forest grazers, Bison and Big-Horned Sheep, the plains and mountains herbivores, and finally Eagle and Owl, representing creatures of flight and feather.
After sniffing and purring in friendly welcome, Lynx began to ask Puma what all this was about, Puma was saved from answering by the arrival of the remaining Council members. And not just leaders, a few moments later many animal representatives began joining them in the clearing. Puma caught a questioning look from Moose, he was, as Puma knew he would be, surprised. But everyone would know soon how serious this matter was if they didn’t already suspect by the volume of creatures arriving.
As more animals appeared, Puma brushed off questions and listened to conversations. Most were in good spirits, only questioning what would bring them together today. Excitement was in the air with an undercurrent of concern for the unknown cause.
A short time later all animal representatives and Council were present, idle chatter a rumbling noise that echoed off the mountain and around the clearing. Elk caught his eye, Puma nodded slightly in response, a barely perceptible twitch, Elk understood though. A moment later he tipped his muscular neck back and let out a mighty bellow, a chilling sound, but one that silenced the creatures of the forest immediately. The rest of Council stepped back, giving Puma ground. He moved to the clearing center slowly and gracefully, tan coat almost golden in the afternoon sun. He quietly waited for everyone’s attention, when he had it; he growled to clear his throat and addressed them.
“Thank you all for coming today. I bring forward a serious matter that concerns us all.” He looked around the circle, silence, every eye and ear turned his way, he continued. “On my hunt today, I went around the east side of the bluff; near the deep ground mouth. When I did, I heard horse hooves and smelled two-legger, but it was different, similar to the Native Two-Leggers on the plains; but this was off somehow” He paused again, assuring himself of their interest.
“What I saw frightened me… yes me, even with my large claws and sharp teeth, but he smelled…wrong… what amazed me most, is even with that smell, the horse was more frightened of me than of what it was carrying. It was a two-legger, but none like I’ve ever seen, covered in strange hides and furs, and a piece of tanned, shaped leather upon his head. He leveled a great silver stick at me and I felt fear like none I’ve ever felt before.” The crowd gasped and murmurs rippled for few moments before Wolf howled for attention.
“Thank you,” he dipped his head to Wolf and continued. “I’ll admit, I was scared, I growled, showed my teeth, and the horse spooked even as I tried hailing its attention. It reared and dumped the two-legger into the ground mouth, and took off for the plains. I lingered long enough to know the two-legger is still alive down there, if any of you have noses half as good as mine, you can probably smell the strange scent from here.” The group sniffed collectively, those creatures blessed with good olfactory senses caught the smell and began to discuss amongst themselves. Wolf howled for quite again, nodding at Puma to finish.
“I called this meeting for input, discussion, and hopefully solution. Should we leave him? Will that bring others like him, with frightening silver sticks? Should we help him? If it was a Native two-legger I would not hesitate, they’re kind, respectful, and I’ve never felt fear when they are close. But this was different I must tell you, that silver stick reeked of destruction and chaos.” Puma backed up, his account finished, conversation began immediately; The Council would let free discussion go on for a few minutes before they called order. It was up to the great minds of the forest to work together, only together could they find a solution and keep each other, and their home, safe from unknown dangers.
***
Two miles away, down the bluff, inside an old spring hole, Samuel coughed, filling his dry lungs deep with air. He hurt, everywhere. Dragging himself to a sitting position, he looked around, steep cliffs jutted up on either side; he was in a deep fissure, many like it dotted the mountains and bluffs. It seemed miles to clear blue sky at the top. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog and piece together what’d happened.
He’d set out this morning on a long ride, he’d been searching for buffalo herds. If he found a large one, he was going to ride back and get the boys and wagon. Buffalo pelts and meat were fetching a pretty penny thanks to the Union Pacific Rail Company working their line through the mountains, maybe enough money for another head of cattle for his outfit. But Samuel’s luck had gone downhill from the moment he stepped in the saddle.
It started out fine, a nice day, a small rain shower around noon, but it kept the sun from being too hot. After he’d started up the mountain pass, grumbling at having to use it at all because of unexpected Indian hunting camps on the plains, his horse, Rosie, had stepped on a rock, laming her slightly and slowing their pace. The lack of buffalo disheartened him further and he’d been about to turn back when he’d spotted the cougar. A beautiful tawny male, a gorgeous rug he could make for his wife, but something had stayed his hand a moment too long, maybe the majesty of the creature, or the fact it would be a needless killing, just for a rug, cougar meat wasn’t good eating, so why should he really? Bragging rights? It just didn’t feel proper to him. That moment’s hesitation had cost him though, the cougar growled and Rosie had spooked, she’d reared from under him and that was the last thing he remembered before waking up here.
An elk’s chilling bugle interrupted his recollection and sent chills down his spine. It was getting late, he had no food, just his canteen, and he wasn’t sure where his rifle had ended up either. He was done for unless one of the boys realized he hadn’t come back, and still, with no rifle he didn’t stand a chance against wild animals. He felt along the smoothed sides of the hole, no toe holds or ledges; there was no discernible way out. A wolf howled long and low and Samuel fought down a wave of panic, feeling more alone than he’d felt in his life.
***
Puma nodded, Wolf howled again, discussion was going nowhere and time was being wasted. Once again the animals quieted down. Puma began to speak but before he could, Great Owl swopped down from his perch atop a tall sycamore, he hadn’t said a word the entire meeting, now he commanded the attention of every animal present with just one look of his large yellow eyes.
“Brothers, Sisters” he began turning his head one-hundred eighty degrees to address the entire crowd. “All I’ve heard is bickering, indecision, reluctance. This is our home, you know in your hearts what must be done, the silver stick is evil, Puma has told you, and Bison, you know of these silver sticks and their power over life.” Bison nodded, he knew, many of his brothers and sisters had been lost, life torn away, by these silver sticks and the two-leggers who wielded them. They were killed mercilessly, slaughtered, bodies left to rot after pelts and flanks were removed, disrespectful and cruel. Bison told the group as much, agreeing with Great Owl and warning of very real dangers.
“Creatures, the choice is easy, we must dispose of this man, and any others who come to our home and threaten our life.” Great Owl continued, not stopping now that he’d started. “These two-leggers so different than the Native ones, shouldn’t be here, the Native two-leggers know it, and I have seen already, they try to push them out, drive them away, we must help. All that’s left now is to decide the method.”
“Wait, what if,” Puma began “instead of answering killing with more killing, what if we tried something different. This is a peaceful mountain right? It disapproves of bloodshed,”
“What are you saying?” Great Owl interrupted, yellow eyes questioning.
“I’m saying, what if we help the two–legger, show him kindness, that animals are more than things to torture and destroy.” He paused in thought “Also what if we leave him or kill him, what if that should bring others like him here? What then?” Puma looked around pleading for impartiality for the two-legger who hadn’t actually tried to kill him, when he thought back on it, even through all his fear; he’d looked the two-legger in the eyes, for just a moment, but in that moment something passed between them; understanding, knowledge of life’s fragility, or maybe just the common will to survive that all living creatures feel. Puma wasn’t sure, but he knew, even if the horse hadn’t spooked, the man would not have harmed him.
“Maybe you are right, what if the disappearance of the two-legger brings others? And why should it not? We would go searching for one of our own.” Great Owl commented thoughtfully, the animals had calmed; everyone listened to Great Owl’s opinions. “The only thing that concerns me is the fear you mentioned, the silver stick, does he still have it? That could be a problem, dangerous even, if we tried helping him. The two-legger could be scared, use his stick in self-defense and harm one of us, even if he doesn’t mean to.”
The animals began to murmur quietly about this, it was decided, Eagle would fly over the hole, see if he could locate the silver stick. If the two-legger didn’t have it, they would help him, if he did, they would discuss further options regarding safety. Eagle flew off, and deep down, Puma hoped the two-legger didn’t have his silver stick, he wanted to help, give chance for the two-legger to see animals could be kind, helpful, and that all of the creatures great and small were needed, they had roles and rules to keep things in balance.
***
The sound of flapping wings startled Samuel out of his daydream, he’d been thinking of his wife and young son, and last Sunday’s picnic in Boulder they’d hired a stagecoach to take them to. It felt so real; he could hear his son’s squeaky, child voice and feel his wife’s soft skin brush against him as they thumped down the dusty road, his son wiggling with excitement at his first stagecoach ride. Wings beat again and this time Samuel looked up. A magnificent eagle floated lazily over, riding the air current. It really was a beautiful creature; in that instant, he promised himself, while appreciating the eagle’s graceful beauty, if he got out of this godforsaken hole, he would never kill another animal needlessly, he would acquire only what was essential for his family to survive and be happy. He would make sure to teach his son the same; he wanted his son to be a good man, honorable and respectful. He meant it, every word, he just had to get out of here and make good.
***
Eagle returned shortly with conformation: the two-legger did not have the silver stick; it was about fifteen yards away from the ground mouth. He’d seemed scared and lonely, Eagle felt sorry for him, no creature liked being trapped.
“What shall we do?” Big-Horned Sheep asked, “How can we help him?”
“I think the best thing to do would be to remove the silver stick far away, just in case.” Great Owl suggested.
“I will take Wolf and Wolverine, and we shall dump the silver stick in the river, it should have no power there, water always overcomes fire and destruction.” Lynx volunteered; Wolf and Wolverine stepped forward, agreeing with her plan.
“Alright, best take care of that now,” before Great Owl could even finish his statement the stealthy three had disappeared into the sycamores. “Now then, we need a way to get this two-legger from the ground mouth.”
“What if we used a log?” Black Bear suggested, quiet most of the meeting, he was eager to help now a final decision was made.
“It might work, but we would need a large one, find the longest you can, take Moose it will probably take two of you to move, then meet us at the ground mouth.” Great Owl recommended, and then Moose and Black Bear also disappeared.
“I believe only Council members should go, he will be as frightened of us as we are of him” Big-Horned Sheep offered, Puma agreed with this, the less scared he was the less chance of accident.
So it was decided, the other animals stayed behind in the clearing to wait as the remaining Council members set off for the hole, Puma wondered what would happen, and felt it could change the whole future of the mountain.
***
Samuel heard noises in the darkening light, the sun had passed over the lip of the hole, most of it now in shadow. The noise moved away from the opening, and all went quiet. He started to doze, when something startled him a little later, he couldn’t put his finger on it, didn’t matter, he couldn’t put his finger on a trigger to defend himself anyway. When he looked up into the mouth of the hole he saw eyes, brilliant green eyes, glowing like a ghost. It took a moment for his mind to register, but when it did he went cold, it was the cougar, he was back to claim his meal.
Puma peered into the hole; the two-legger peered back. He tried to convey a sense of calm, let him know they wanted to help. Moose and Black Bear arrived with the log, the group helped shift it into the hole, careful not to hit the two-legger who was looking up, rather dazed-like at his band of rescuers. The log was short a few feet, Samuel couldn’t reach the top; dismayed, he sat down in the dirt.
Puma knew what to do, he wasn’t afraid anymore; he’d seen something familiar in the two-legger’s eyes. He climbed down the log into the hole and padded right up to him, nudging his hand, beckoning him to follow. It took Samuel a minute to overcome his fear and figure out what exactly the cougar wanted of him. There was only one way out and Samuel took it, he wrapped his arms around the big cat’s soft furry neck and clung for dear life. A few powerful bounds up the log later and they were out, Samuel collapsed on the ground with relief.
Finally, noticing the other animals around him, he began to laugh, the irony of it all, he wasn’t scared, he wasn’t dead, he was grateful, they’d saved his life, he would never kill one of God’s wonderful creatures needlessly again, he would keep his promise. He stood up, the animals were disappearing into the forest, all but the cougar; he’d stopped at the tree line.
“Thank you.” He said, running a hand one last time down his silky back, “You saved my life, my family and I are forever grateful; go live a long happy life, make lots of little ones, prosper, there will be no trouble from me or my men, this is a special place, and cowboys respect that.”
The cougar seemed to nod at him, as if he understood, then he melted into the forest as well. A feeling of peace fell over Samuel as he made his way carefully down the bluff, the moon was bright, and everything seemed alright with the world. Just across the plain he could see some of his men, riding out to look for him, boy would they get a surprise when saw Rosie had dumped him. As for the rest, well he thought he’d keep that part to himself.
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