The Ode'imaa Bagwaji – Excerpt from Fiddlesticks
The bridge in the World of the Flesh cast a shadow spanning Gichigami to touch the Land Between the Sky Waters. The Manitou knew when this bridge was completed the trolls and ogres and all the Corrupted Hordes would rush across to invade their sanctuary. There was no way the Manitou could stop the humans from building this bridge. All they could do was prepare to defend themselves.
The Corrupted Ones were drawn to the bridge by the scent of fresh meat and the promise of new treasure. And when the bridge was finished, they raced across to meet the marshaled forces of the Manitou. The numberless horde was held back by the strong and the powerful, whose many acts of heroism remain unsung. The Manitou fought while the weaker among them fled, many of them retreating to distant lands beyond this world where the Corrupted Hordes would never tread, far beyond the touch of humans.
The heroes of the Manitou fought valiantly and prevailed for a time. Yet in the end their efforts were doomed. The numbers of the Manitou had dwindled since humans first set foot in the New World, while the ranks of the Corrupted Ones were swollen inversely. The conclusion of this battle was foregone when the first troll set foot in the Land Between the Sky Waters. The defenses were overrun, and the invasion of the last refuge of the Manitou began in earnest.
As the defenses crumbled, the Lady Aki-ikwe called Waub-oozoo, who was neither strong nor powerful, out of hiding and made him swear to preserve the Ode`imaa Bagwaji. Standing only two and a half feet tall, his dark skin covered with a fine fur, Waub-oozoo was the most furtive of the little Manitou. He passed his life without leaving any sign of its passage, staying hidden in the secret places only he knew, ever alert for trouble with his bug eyes, round furry ears and his fine sense of smell.
Few had ever seen Waub-oozoo, and only one person knew his true name, the Lady Aki-ikwe, who knew everyone's true name. And, knowing his true name, she could call him to her and place upon him the duty of keeping the Ode`imaa Bagwaji safe. Waub-oozoo was terrified of taking on so important a charge, but he could refuse the Lady Aki-ikwe nothing.
She called him to her gardens, lush with exotic blossoms, tended by butterflies and hummingbirds. Waub-oozoo had never been so close to the Lady Aki-ikwe before. She was a vision of beauty, soft, radiant and light. Her long hair was a rich red, the color of the Earth and the good red path, and her skin was the color of pale ivory. She was dressed in white flowing robes, and between her breasts shone a warm, healing light.
"Waub-oozoo," she said to him, "you must hide the Ode`imaa Bagwaji where it will never be found by the Horde. So long as it is safe, they can never completely destroy this land.
"Some of us will survive in the shadows and the remote places. And there will be hope that our world will one day be restored. You must keep the Ode`imaa Bagwaji safe until that day."
"I will try, m'Lady," Waub-oozoo's eyes popped large with concern. He politely held his cap before him in gnarled hands. "But how will I know when that day has come."
Lady Aki-ikwe had the gift of distant sight. "It is for a human to restore our world."
"A human, m'Lady?" Waub-oozoo quailed at the very thought. "Are you sure?"
"The humans have taken this world from us," Lady Aki-ikwe said in a distant voice. "It is for a human being to return it to us."
"As you say," Waub-oozoo still had his doubts, "but humans are so shortsighted!"
"One day there will come a child of the first people," the Lady Aki-ikwe proclaimed. "She will be looking for her voice, and you will know her by her song. The Ode`imaa Bagwaji will respond to her, and your duty will be fulfilled."
"Yes, m'Lady," Waub-oozoo bowed before her.
"Arise, Waub-oozoo, and take your charge," the Lady Aki-ikwe clasped her hands over her chest and drew them away, opening them before Waub-oozoo to disclose the light that had shone between her breasts.
Waub-oozoo held up a hand to shade his eyes, so bright was the light. Looking at what she held, he saw a large glowing crystal. As he watched, it was transformed first to a shining white blossom, and then to a large acorn.
"Take it," the Lady Aki-ikwe urged him.
Waub-oozoo wiped his hands on his vest and reached out to take the seed. In his hands, it became a large piece of black obsidian, warm to the touch. Waub-oozoo worried his unworthy grasp had damaged it.
"It changes form depending on its surroundings and who is holding it." The Lady set his fears to rest. "That should aid you in hiding it. But do not take chances. Don't let anyone see it."
The sounds of battle drew close to the garden. The Lady's attendants were agitated. It registered with Waub-oozoo that the Lady Aki-ikwe sounded weary, and she had lost her former glow.
"Put it away," she told him. "Keep it close to you until you have found the right hiding place, and guard it with your life."
The battle spilled into the garden, as defenders sought with their last breath to hold back the invading hordes.
"Now go, Waub-oozoo," the Lady Aki-ikwe urged him. "Flee!"
Waub-oozoo hid the Heart of the Wild inside his vest, next to his own heart. "I will not fail you, m'Lady," he promised as he vanished into the undergrowth.
"Farewell, Waub-oozoo," the Lady Aki-ikwe whispered behind him. "All our hopes go with you."
At the edge of the garden he paused, pretending to be a dead stick, and looked back on the Lady Aki-ikwe. The Lady dismissed her court and stood to face the oncoming attackers. A large ogre reached her first. He held her with one hand while he brought a war club down on top of her head, smashing her skull open. Waub-oozoo stood frozen in horror as the ogre ate the Lady's brains. Then he was gone, fleeing for his life and the future of his people.
