As for now, I was free as a bird. I chuckled to myself at my own joke, while swiping a tear from my eye. While checking on the fire, I caught something shiny in my periphery and went to the front window near the Christmas tree. Outside the window I saw a small pile of odds and ends and shiny things. There were several pieces of multicolored string and ribbons, a broken silver-tone chain, pieces of metal and several coins. Glancing around the front porch I saw the flock of local ravens perched on my car, on the porch railing and on the nearby tree branches. The welcoming committee had arrived.
Not feeling quite so alone as I had moments before, I stepped out on the front porch and made a grand show of admiring each and every item. As a thank you for each one, I placed cookies, crackers and deer jerky, all certified wildlife safe, in the spot they'd placed the trinkets, then brought all the gifts inside. Almost immediately when I saw what they had brought, I knew what I'd do with them. I plugged in the tree, turned on the multicolor function, then made sure the birds could see me start to decorate the tree with their treasures. If they weren't sure how much I liked them before, I hoped they knew how much I treasured them and their gifts now.
After I fashioned the strings on the branches, then placed the coins under the tree on the tree skirt I made out of one of thecabin’s plaid blankets, I admired my handiwork. The tree glowed with the colors from the incandescent lights. I had specifically requested absolutely no LED lights. Not only were they cold and uncomfortable to look at, but they were equally uncomfortable to look at for the wildlife. With the softer lights and the few shiny ornaments, the tree was already looking festive.
I fussed with the placement of the blanket tree skirt after getting the few trinkets just so, but then noticed the quiet observers outside had started shuffling and getting restless. They were telling me I'd delayed our fun long enough. The cookies and snacks were long devoured, and our flight was overdue. I knew I was correct, when, as soon as I walked on the front porch and took my coat off preparing to shift, the flock spoke up in calls and caws of welcome. The cabin was lovely and the area was beautiful, but this was the real reason I kept coming back. I shook my head and let the shift take over, embracing the feathers and beak and claws that replaced my human form. I shook my head again, but this time it was the quirky side to side of my raven eyeing the world through wild eyes.
The handsome leader of the flock flew over and perched next to me, eyeing my raven form up and down before nodding his head and bobbing his body up and down with a hop, “ Let’s go, let's go!”
I didn't recognize this voice. He had learned these words from someone else at some point, but the context was correct and he absolutely knew what it meant. I bobbed my head in response and using my raven vocal chords, I mimicked my own human voice. “Let’s fly, guys and gals.” With that, I spread my wings, let my raven take over completely and lost myself in the beauty of the world around me. For a short time, I wasn’t Ragnar Scott, widower, I was one of the flock with nothing to worry about but the wind currents rising over the mountain peaks.
It would end soon enough, but while they allowed me to join them, it was bliss.
3
RYAN
The flight from Vegas to Portland had been easy, but as soon as I'd landed I realized I'd packed incorrectly for the weather. Vegas was cool at night, being in the desert, but I hadn't packed for mountains and the possibility of snow. As I picked up my luggage I realized I was already feeling the chill in the air differently. I gave a little shudder as I walked to the taxi stand. My taxi driver, Tommy, was a handsome kid, maybe 20 at the most with the wiry build of a runner. As we got my things in the back of his SUV, I asked him if he could take me to the nearest outdoors store.
‘I know the perfect place for you. Trust me, it’s not the fanciest, but it's the best quality money can buy in this area.”
As we drove I learned he was a rock climber in his off hours and Frank’s was the only place he and any of his fellow climbers would buy their gear. He took me right to a cute unassuming store in a nondescript building off the highway heading out of town. The place wasn't huge from the outside, but seemed to expand into an outdoor wonderland once you came through the doors. I had worried the selections would be slim, but they had so much to choose from it was almost overwhelming. I feltanother chill run through me and went right to the fleece and flannel racks. I didn't care how much I spent, I was getting all the warm clothes I might need for the next few weeks.
Walking in had been like taking a step back in time. Not much fancy electronics or tech, just racks of wool and flannel and rows of rope, rigging and camping gear. Even the old man behind the counter looked like he'd been there since the Andy Griffith show had first aired on TV. His red and black Buffalo plaid shirt and khaki pants could have been from the 60s or last week they were so timeless, but even though his wrinkles and white hair showed his age, his eyes were still sharp as they eyed me quickly, then flicked over to Tommy.
“Hey there Tommy, my boy. Haven't seen you in a few weeks, how's the training going? Ahhh, and who's your friend? You got a new climber?”
I knew he could tell with that initial look I was no climber, but appreciated the benefit of the doubt anyway. I was built for strength, not agility or speed. That was a nice way of saying I was beefy, not fast.
“Nope, Mr. Landry, just picked him up at the airport. He's staying at the lodge and didn't pack warm enough. I told him you could get him fixed up better than any big box store.”
The smile that spread across the old man's face took 20 years off his age. He practically sparkled with excitement.
“You're absolutely right. I'll get you fixed up in a lickety split. You're lucky you decided to stop in and get some things. The weather looks to turn colder in the next few days. Depending on where your cabin is on the mountain, you might get snowed in if we have a heavy fall.”
While he was talking about the weather and the turn in temps he was expecting, he showed me over to some other racks near the back I hadn't seen before. These were better quality things he had in my size including some soft virgin wool and afew cashmere pieces. He left me to pick what I liked, and while I browsed, he shuffled back to the front counter and chatted with Tommy.
“Yep, Mr. Landry, I've been watching the skies and they do look to be making a change soon. Not good climbing weather for sure.”
“You're right there, son. Glad I've taught you a thing or two over the years. So how is you mom and dad? I heard your dad got a big buck a few weeks ago, bet that filled the freezer for the winter for you.”
As I browsed the aisles, I listened to the two converse about the weather and the possibility of snow soon and the meat they had added to their freezers for winter. I drifted out of the conversation while I chose a few warm flannels, some of the wool and cashmere pieces, lined pants and some warm fuzzy slippers. I debated on a pair of fleece pajamas, and finally decided to splurge as something I heard drew me back into the conversation. This sounded much more interesting.
“I've been watching that area up the South side of the peak the last few months and I swear you were right, Mr. Landry, those ravens are definitely doing what you said.”
“I been telling everyone. I don't know what they're doing up there, but all the people, human or not, should leave them be.” He lowered his voice to a whisper but I could still hear him clear enough. “The wolves up there are involved somehow. I think there's somebody studying them, so maybe we'll find out something. I've heard of these things happening in other areas of the world, but not around these parts.”
“Heard about what happening, Mr. Landry?”
I was nearly hanging over the edge of the rack of flannel pjs I was pretending to look at, waiting for an answer along with Tommy. I wanted to know what the ravens and wolves weregetting up to like it was the hottest gossip from a housewives show.
He settled the cap on his head, then leaned on the glass top counter right over the hunting knives display, but just as he was about to answer, the bell over the door jingled and a sweet voice called from the front of the store.
“Frank, I've got your lunch dear. Come eat before it gets cold.”
Snapping to attention and immediately forgetting the topic of conversation, Mr. Landry shuffled to the front door, took the Tupperware from the little lady who had just entered and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Martha, just in time. I was so hungry I'd have wasted away any second.”
