Читать книгу My Ottawa Eagle - Virginie T. - Страница 4

 Chapter 1Apenimon

I return from work in no hurry, driving on the winding path through the mountain on autopilot. It's the same thing every day. My job with the island's police is rewarding, but somewhat monotonous. In Manitoulin, there is no crime or traffic. Only petty theft among tourists or accidents that require an investigation to find out the circumstances, which are usually closed quickly.

Manitoulin is a small island with a limited number of inhabitants year-round, so everyone knows everyone. This phenomenon is reinforced by the fact that 90% of the natives belong to one of the six clans of the Ottawa tribe led by Tyee Pontiac, reinforcing my impression of being frozen in time.

My clan has always lived away from the others, at the top of the mountains, where the air is pure and where you are not likely to be disturbed by your neighbors. Our totem animal needs space and height, with an unobstructed view and thousands of fir trees. So, the mountains are the place to be. This had never bothered me before and allowed me to have an intimacy almost impossible to obtain in the valley. I am the descendant of a long line of warriors, hence my profession as a man of order, and our people have been at peace for a long time, which gave my solitude an escape from boredom. But lately, even the majestic landscape of trees bending in the gusts of wind is no longer enough to soothe my spirit. I feel like those trees that eventually crack and break down through hardship, without the protection of those around them. My heart is empty, on the verge of breaking, and my friends can do nothing for me. On the contrary, their presence only amplifies my malaise. They don't understand me. At just thirty years old, most of them only think about having fun and enjoying life, But I don't. I'm not a person who can do anything for myself. I'm looking for something deeper and infinitely more lasting.

Since our shaman, Achak, has found his soul mate, the sweet Isabelle, I pray to the Great Spirit to grant me this blessing as well. I have been waiting for this happiness for so long, since I was old enough to understand the importance of a soul mate. I heatedly wish it as I have been preparing myself for it for months, having already made room at home for the one created for me. I have also understood that destiny is playful. My wife is probably not part of the tribe, is not even Amerindian, just like Isabelle. As a security manager, I have attended every Pow Wow since I was old enough to drink, I have met all the members of the Pontiac tribe and all those from clans a little further away and more tourists than I can count. Yet my bride never showed up, she never showed up on the island. I would have met her a long time ago otherwise. So, I must change my tactics and stop standing still. It is also time for us to change our vision of life to embrace our destiny if we want to continue to prosper. Because, let's be honest. If we've always welcomed tourists with open arms, it's only out of self-interest. After all, they are the lifeblood of most Manitoulin Islanders, and while we are grateful, we remain wary of outsiders who wish to settle here, which is why there is so little diversity in the origins of our people. Like Achak, who refused to hire a foreign nanny for the chief's daughter. I remember his thoughts. He was convinced that her coming would bring misfortune to the tribe. A nanny who, ironically, eventually turned out to be his half. As for misfortune, Isabelle's arrival represented the biggest upheaval in his life and his happiness every day since they bonded. I must therefore be open-minded in my turn. I think it's high time for me to get out of my comfort zone and explore the surroundings around the island to try my luck. I'm heading to my boss, Tyee, to inform him of this, and I'm heading to his beautiful house next to Blue Jay Creek Park, which he manages as a tourist attraction.

I run into Isabelle and Aiyanna playing together in the garden. Our chief's daughter looks more and more like her mother, Aquene. Beautiful mischievous blue eyes and jet-black hair shining in the sun. She will make a magnificent lynx, all in finesse, which will make the most seasoned Ottawas crack in a few years from now with a simple glance. At the age of four, she cannot yet take on her animal form, we only get there around our tenth anniversary, and that's preferable, because this little tornado is already difficult to hold when she's on two legs, I can't imagine the mischief she'll show on all fours. Tyee's got a lot to worry about. I'm also noticing something that gives me a twinge, as it always does. Isabelle's belly is getting rounder every day. The announcement of her pregnancy on the day of the Pow Wow took us all by surprise, including Achak, who didn't know anything about it and had a hard time containing his joy. The French origins of our shaman's wife are betrayed by her skin as pale as ivory, but her place among us is no longer to be proven. She accepted our rites and customs without the slightest hesitation and I hope my companion will be as tolerant. Isabelle is part of the Ottawa tribe just like me and the tribe will welcome a baby lynx in the coming months. It will be a great moment for all of us and a great celebration will take place to celebrate this event. I ardently wish to experience the joy of fatherhood in my turn and I hope to go to this ceremony with my soul mate on my arm. This would be a major step forward in my dream of starting a family.

When you think of the lynx. There's Achak coming out of the huge family home, followed closely by his brother Tyee, our leader.

— Hello, Apenimon. You're looking well. It's good to see you, you hadn't left your mountains to visit us for too long. We only see you from afar during your patrols. What can we do for you?

— Hey, guys. How did you know I wanted something? Can't I come to you for the pleasure of your company?

Achak laughs as he takes his companion in his arms, placing his hands on her navel in a possessive gesture. Isabelle snuggles up against him, laying her hands on his. There is an obvious osmosis between them. I want to know the same alchemy with the one destined for me.

— The door will always be open to you and you know it. But you forget that the spirits speak to me, my friend. And you will not make me believe that you came down into the valley just to see our faces.

Tyee watches me observe the couple with a desire that I can't hide because it's so intense. I too want to hug the woman of my life and look at her rounded belly, irrefutable proof of our love.

— I figured you'd be coming to see me soon. I'm even surprised it didn't happen sooner. Well, I know you. We grew up together, don't forget that. You've wanted a companion for a long time, and Achak's union with his soul mate only rekindled your desire to find your true love, didn't it?

Yes, he does know me well. We made a lot of mistakes together as kids. And even more so as a teenager. Have you ever seen a bobcat fly? You couldn't? No, not when it's carried through the air by my pet. But don't be nostalgic.

— That's right. I also believe that my soul mate is not on the island. If you'll both allow me, I'd like to go away for a while and try to find her. We're in a slow tourist season, so my colleagues will do fine without me.

The two brothers look at each other and communicate silently, only by looking at each other. They often do that. It's confusing and frustrating. How can you counter their arguments if you don't hear them? It is Achak who takes the floor again.

— You're probably right. Your soul mate is not among us, you would have discovered it by now with all the people you come across all day long. Besides, the fox clan hasn't taken any reprisals since Takhi's death. Her family has accepted the fact that she acted badly and knew her well enough to know that she died because she refused to submit. So you can go exploring quietly. We can get along just fine without you for a while. You're not as indispensable as you think you are!

Despite what she says, her sparkling eyes prove to me that I matter to them as much as they matter to me. His joke helps me relax. I didn't realize until that moment that the idea of this confrontation had gotten on my nerves. It would have been very bad for me if they had refused.

— Where do you plan to go?

— The Great Spirit remains vague in spite of my prayers. All I know is that I have to go to the northwest, which remains vague.

Achak nods his head. He knows something I don't know, no doubt about it. Logically, he communicates with all spirits without exception. Our shaman is very powerful and close to the totem spirits.

— Head for Kipawa Lake, but be very careful. You will find the object of your quest, but you will have to prove your worth to get it.

Ah, that's right. Spirits love riddles and mysteries. They keep us on our toes, but they never give us all the answers. It's up to us to decide which path we'll take to reach our goal, because after all, the path is as important as the destination. I didn't expect it to be. I have their blessings, which is very important to me, and most importantly, a clue as to where I will find the love of my life. For the first time, I'm touching my dream with my fingertips and I don't plan to miss it. It's up to me to do everything I can to make it happen now and I won't back down from any obstacle.

— I'm sorry I can't give you more details. I know it's not a lot of information.

— Don't worry about it. I wouldn't expect so much, so thank you. I could really use your help. Thanks to you, I'm not going in blind. My pet should be able to do the rest. He's as impatient as I am and will do everything in his power to find the one that belongs to us. I'll see you soon. I'll come and introduce you to my wife as soon as I get back.

— See you soon, Apenimon. And don't hesitate to call us if you need any help. We're here for you, even from afar. Bring your soul mate home.

I'm going back to my house to pack while I think about the shaman's warning. I should prove my worth. What did the spirits mean? I am a warrior, my strength and loyalty are no secret to anyone. Not from any ottawa, anyway. My soul mate is certainly outside this world, and as a matter of fact, my name will tell him nothing about me, I'll be just another man in those eyes. And value certainly doesn't depend only on physical strength, it takes more than that to impress a woman. I set off as soon as my travel bag is ready and loaded into the car, my head full of hope and questions. I can't wait to meet the woman who will fill my soul and that of my pet. I am ready to do anything to seduce her and keep her close to me.