"Kathleen O' Neal & Michael W. Gear - People 3 - People Of The Earth" - читать интересную книгу автора (O'Neal Kathleen)

Sage Ghost slipped closer, careful to keep downwind, knowing that all
could be lost if the camp dogs got his scent. Most of the animals
appeared to be old, although he'd seen one healthy bitch with a litter
of puppies earlier in the day.

Better to take this terrible chance than to live with the grief. In
misery, he'd gone to Old Falcon, the White Clay Soul Flier, and asked
for help, explaining that Bright Moon's bleeding had ceased, that she
needed to conceive one more child.

"Take this. This is Mouse's helper," Old Falcon had said . with a
grin, handing him a mouse skin stuffed with grass. "Call on Mouse, who
is always fertile. Do not eat or drink for four days and nights. Sing
each day, and place Mouse's helper under your bed on the fourth night.
Power will come to you."

As Old Falcon had promised, Power came--only it wasn't Mouse. Rather,
a mysterious, handsome youth had appeared out of the sun-struck clouds
and smiled. "I've heard your Singing and seen your Dancing and felt
your purification as you cleansed your soul. Bright Moon has passed
her time to bear children. You can do nothing. No Power will restore
her fertility. "

Sage Ghost's soul had twisted and cried out as he lifted trembling
hands to the handsome young man. "What can I
do? Look at her. Feel her grief. She says she'll die--that she
can't live knowing all of her children are dead."

And the handsome man had smiled. "And what would you give for another
child?"

"Anything!"

"Then journey south, far beyond where you've been before. Cross the
Dangerous River, cross the mountains. Continue south until you see my
Spirit Helper, the Black Wolf. There you "II find a camp of people.
There you "II find a young girl who needs to be loved. She "II be
afraid at first. Her family will kill you if they catch you; but if
you're strong, and if you're cunning and take good care of her, she "II
come to love you. If you're worthy, she "II be a great and powerful
Dreamer for the People. "

"On my honor before Thunderbird, who might not take my soul to the
World of the Dead, and on my honor before you, I will be worthy. I'll
do anything to see my Bright Moon's face light up again."

The young man had smiled then, and flames had appeared to swirl around
him as he rose like fire into the sky.