Eclipse-Part06

"In the beginning, the tribe settled in this harbor and became skilled ship builders and
fishermen. But the tribe was small, and the harbor was rich in fish. There were others who
coveted our land, and we were too small to hold it. A larger tribe moved against us, and we
took to our ships to escape them.
"Kaheleha was not the first spirit warrior, but we do not remember the stories that came
before his. We do not remember who was the first to discover this power, or how it had been
used before this crisis. Kahelehawas the first great Spirit Chief in our history. In this
emergency, Kaheleha used the magic to defend our land.
"He and all his warriors left the ship - not their bodies, but their spirits. Their women
watched over the bodies and the waves, and the men took their spirits back to our harbor.
"They could not physically touch the enemy tribe, but they had other ways. The stories tell us
that they could blow fierce winds into their enemy's camps; they could make a great
screaming in the wind that terrified their foes. The stories also tell us that the animals could
see the spirit warriors and understand them; the animals would do their bidding.
"Kaheleha took his spirit army and wreaked havoc on the intruders. This invading tribe had
packs of big, thick-furred dogs that they used to pull their sleds in the frozen north. The spirit
warriors turned the dogs against their masters and then brought a mighty infestation of bats
up from the cliff caverns. They used the screaming wind to aid the dogs in confusing the
men. The dogs and bats won. The survivors scattered, calling our harbor a cursed place. The
dogs ran wild when the spirit warriors released them. The Quileutes returned to their bodies
and their wives, victorious.
"The other nearby tribes, the Hohs and the Makahs, made treaties with the Quileutes. They
wanted nothing to do with our magic. We lived in peace with them. When an enemy came
against us, the spirit warriors would drive them off.
"Generations passed. Then came the last great Spirit Chief, Taha Aki. He was known for his
wisdom, and for being a man of peace. The people lived well and content in his care.
"But there was one man, Utlapa, who was not content."
A low hiss ran around the fire. I was too slow to see where it came from. Billy ignored it and
went on with the legend.
"Utlapa was one of Chief Taha Aki's strongest spirit warriors - a powerful man, but a
grasping man, too. He thought the people should use their magic to expand their lands, to
enslave the Hohs and the Makahs and build an empire.
"Now, when the warriors were their spirit selves, they knew each other's thoughts. Taha Aki
saw what Utlapa dreamed, and was angry with Utlapa. Utlapa was commanded to leave the
people, and never use his spirit self again. Utlapa was a strong man, but the chief's warriors
outnumbered him. He had no choice but to leave. The furious outcast hid in the forest
nearby, waiting for a chance to get revenge against the chief.
"Even in times of peace, the Spirit Chief was vigilant in protecting his people. Often, he
would go to a sacred, secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and
sweep down through the forests and along the coast, making sure no threat approached.
"One day when Taha Aki left to perform this duty, Utlapa followed. At first, Utlapa simply
planned to kill the chief, but this plan had its drawbacks. Surely the spirit warriors would