The Warrior's Last Song

Prologue

In a time long ago, a Northwest Indian tribe betrayed the god of thunder.

When the men of the tribe sought to kill more game than was needed, the children of the Thunder god thought to intercede on the animals’ behalf.

Because the tribe’s greed had turned to lust, the men—who were cheered on by the women—killed the Thunderer’s children, every one.

In retaliation, the Thunderer sought to destroy every member of the clan, all bands. It would have been accomplished, too, if not for the Creator, who intervened.

“Nay, these people shall not die,” the Creator decreed. Instead He sent the people into the mist. There, they would live a half existence, neither alive nor dead.

But once a generation, each tribal band would be charged with the responsibility to summon a boy to become their champion. Armed only with the knowledge that he must show kindness to an enemy, this boy would become real and go out into the world, entrusted with the duty to break the spell.

In 1875, there is but one tribal band left imprisoned in the mist. Black Lion, a lad of twelve, has been chosen by the medicine man, White Claw, to represent this last band, the Black Fire band.

Venturing forth into the world, Black Lion has grown to full manhood within the Hunkpapa band of the Lakota Sioux. Many times he has confronted the enemy, and in each instance, he has shown kindness and understanding. Yet the spell remains intact. Because of this, Black Lion has become desperate.

Meanwhile, the Thunderer’s heart has become harsher, blacker.

In his possession now are four stone nuggets, each containing the image of one of his children.

However owning these stones has not healed the Thunderer’s thirst for revenge.

In fact, it is the opposite. Because of the images in the stones, he can see his children, but never can he be with them.

Thus, he has sworn eternal revenge, making it his task to prevent this last of the tribes from ever going free. To this end, the Thunderer follows Black Lion, not intruding on him, at least not yet, but always is the Thunderer awaiting the right time and the right place to work his evil deed.