THE HARVEST

CHAPTER THREE: TWO GHOSTS, PART ONE THE GATHERING STORM        p. 16 

Chief Nuknuk walked outside in the early dawn to meet with the two Mounties, Inspector Mat Trembley and Alex Landry of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Mounties had given him a call a few days ago, stating they wanted to talk to him about something unspecified. Even the K'punaka knew that good friends were not always to be trusted. The relationship between the K'punaka Nation and Canada was good; they didn't bother them, and the K'punaka people tried not to bother them. The Chief rounded up Kuzih to tag along; he had a strong feeling this was about the Sky Spirits' daughters, but he did not bother Angela; she had enough worry on her mind with the transformation and preparations for the coming battle. Perhaps someone was spying on the K'punaka people and told the authorities the nation was preparing for war. That would get the government's attention. He knocked on the shaman's door. Kuzih was already in a deep trance, communing with the spirits, and he didn't move. The chief walked on into Kuzih's home. "Kuzih, I hate to disturb you, but I will need you. I am meeting with two Mounties in a few minutes. I think you will be of help."

Kuzih raised his head and spoke, "The spirits have told me. They come to inquire of the two Princesses of the Sky Spirit. I can tell them nothing, but I will be by your side to guide your answers, Chief."

"Good, that is all I ask. Frankly, I was concerned they may have noticed we are preparing for a war."

Kuzih replied, "They know; the camera in the sky tells them all things." We often do war exercises; it's not anything to worry about, Chief. They do not see with their mind's eye, so they have no understanding of what is coming. It will be safe for our fellow Canucks until the very end of the Great Harvest. They come, and my guide tells me we should greet them. Come, Chief. Let us put on a show for them."

Sergeant Major Alex Landry was his normal chatty self as they neared the K'punaka settlement. "...and then my brother-in-law fell flat on his face. I swear he is the worst hockey player in Canada. His face was keeping up with the puck as it slid into the net. There was a penalty called, so he didn't touch the puck, so here's our goalie not knowing what to do, whack the puck or just get out of the way, eh? So, my dumb brother-in-law rolls out of the way, and the puck just goes into the net, and they win the game. It's the damnedest thing I've witnessed." The Inspector had heard this story hundreds of times and politely laughed.

"Listen, Alex. I don't want any more 'lubricate the rod' stories here. The K'punaka Nation is in its annual war exercises, and they may not understand that particular metaphor or take it as an insult, and then we might not get out of there."

"You're fucking kidding me." I didn't know that any First Nations tribes practiced war games. What's up with that?"

"The K'punaka people are proud and have almost no one who is an alcoholic. War games give them strength. Many of them served in the Expeditionary Forces in World War One and in World War Two. Their fighting is spiritually led, and they present a formidable force to anyone. This is not the time of year to fuck with them, so keep your mind out of the gutter for once. Geez, Alex. I can't believe you were giving sexual metaphors to FBI agents, but you're a damn good officer; you just have to learn when to not say things."

"Eh, but you have to admit that female officer is one hot woman."

"Like that...Alex, that would've been a good time to shut up. Stick with the family stories from now on." They pulled into the K'punaka reservation, and the chief and Kuzih were waiting for them.

Chief Nuknuk greeted the two men when they got out of the unmarked vehicle. "I welcome you to our nation, the K'punaka First Nation, but we will do business over there at our visitor's building. The blood is running hot among our people at the moment, and it is best you remain unnoticed. This is Kuzih, my medicine man, you might call him. He is our spirit-walker, and I have invited him to watch over the spirit as we sit in a powwow. Any other time of year, we would invite you to the sweat lodge for this, but the visitor building will have to do."

Inspector Trembley introduced himself and the Sergeant Major: "This is a pleasure to meet you, Chief Nuknuk and Kuzih. I am Mat Trembley, and this is Alex Landry, officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We will keep our questions short and limit our immediate concerns. To put your minds at ease, this has nothing to do with your war exercises, and we are not here to interfere with your government. We are here to tell you, in friendship, we have two 'ghosts' for the Americans who come to ask you questions. My superiors believe it is about Levi Jackson's daughter, Ariel. She was spotted here, and then the news spread to Washington, D.C. The Americans want us to introduce you to these spies. They are in Radium Hot Springs as we speak, and I will gather them to meet with you, if that is okay. We do not want any trouble with your people and the Americans. They are very good agents, Chief, so they will get their answers, one way or another, so I suggest you get ahead of this and guide them to the answers in your way."

Kuzih pulled the chief over to him and whispered. "We should have taken them to the sweat lodge; this whole thing stinks." The chief nodded.

Chief Nuknuk spoke to the Mounties, "We will meet with the two ghosts. The Sky Spirit will tell us what to say."

Trembley replied, "Then I will bring them to you, and we should have them here by mid-afternoon." Good day." The two men returned to Divisional Operation, where Landry was to report to the captain in charge, who ordered him to give a direct report. Meanwhile, Inspector Trembley set out to find Anderson and Harvison to escort them to Chief Nuknuk.

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