Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit
Chapter 33: the Newest Elder

Windago called for the Elders to gather.

“We have something of great importance to discuss,” said Windago. “Everyone. Pamela and Kimberly, you too.”

Everyone wandered to the Circle as the Elders seated themselves. Pamela and Kimberly sat in their positions at the foot of the Circle, and Windago, Aurora, and Nakani at the head. All eyes fell on Windago.

“Elders, we have something of grave importance to discuss,” began Windago. “Today, a Skunk Ape named Zolfo used a Sprite to invade the Five Brothers. How he did this, and how the Sprite knew where to go, I do not know.”

“Perhaps I can help,” said Aurora. “Sprites are given destinations either to a place, or to a Person. If a Skunk Ape Wizard summoned a Sprite for Zolfo and commanded it to bring him to, say, Ocklawaha, it would bring him to Ocklawaha.”

Okie stepped from the crowd and approached the Circle.

“Yes Okie?” asked Windago.

“If I, or the Falling Water Tribe, are a danger to the Panther and Lower Wolfjaw, it would be best if we leave,” said Okie.

Aurora raised her hand. “No. I will not hear of such talk.”

“No,” added Windago. “You are here at our invitation, and while here, shall enjoy the company and protection of our Tribes.”

“Yes,” said Nakani. “We shall deal with this new threat together as a common enemy.”

“None of us is as smart as all of us,” said Pamela in a low voice.

“Pardon, Pamela?” asked Windago.

“None of us is as smart as all of us,” said Pamela louder. “David had a sign that said that in his computer store.”

“David?” asked Windago in astonishment. “But that sounds... wise.”

Windago looked at David, as many in the audience tittered.

“David, step forward,” commanded Windago.

David stepped towards the Circle nervously, but still with his head bowed.

“You actually had this thing called a ‘sign’ with those words inscribed on it?” asked Windago.

“Yes I did,” said David.

“Did you create that saying?” asked Windago.

“No, I saw it someplace,” said David.

“I do not understand,” said Windago.

“Let me explain,” said Pamela. “David is your classic nerdy researcher. He has this unusual compelling need to delve into things, to learn all he can about various subjects. Especially things he does not understand. He tries to comprehend all sides of an issue, why others feel the way they do. He also tries to learn all the facts he can on a topic, even minor things that don’t matter to anyone else. He can’t explain why he does it. It is just who he is. It was David who researched Forest People and then regaled me with fact after fact after fact about you.”

“I see,” said Windago, as he looked at David as his eyes narrowed and he stroked his chin beard. “I am calling for an Elder conference. Everyone please leave us. I shall send messengers when we shall reconvene.”

David did not know what an Elder conference was, and so stood there stupidly. I approached him and tugged on his arm, and he then understood that he was to leave. Well OK, yanked on his arm.

“Madu, what was all that?” asked David.

“We do not question our Elders,” I answered.

“Why not?” asked David naively.

“Because we do not,” I stated flatly. “Some things we simply accept.”

“Why?”

“Why do you question everything?” I asked in frustration.

“Because that is how we learn,” said David. “Question everything.”

“Never question an Elder,” I answered. “That is why we have Elders.”

David looked at me with a sense of doubt and said nothing.

After a time, messengers came to gather the People. We all wandered back to the Circle. When we had all assembled, Windago looked about.

“David, please approach the Circle,” said Windago.

David did as requested, with his head bowed.

“David, please be seated,” said Windago.

David’s head snapped up. There, between Pamela and Kimberly, was a spot for him. The crowd muttered. He stood there like a stump. The Elders looked at each other, bewildered.

“David Michael!” whisper-yelled Pamela, as Puyallup and I giggled.

Still, he just stood there. I walked up behind him and nudged him. OK, shoved is more accurate. David stumbled forward, turned and glared at me. My eyes narrowed. David turned and looked at where he was to sit.

“David Michael!” Pamela whisper-shouted. “Sit! Now!”

David walked slowly forward and sat next to Pamela. He looked at Windago.

“David, I assume you wonder why you’re here?” asked Windago.

“Well... to be honest...” said David in a low voice.

“Pamela says you are her Nerdy Researcher. We have discussed this in our Elder Conference, and we believe that if Pamela relies on you to research for her, your Tribes should as well.”

“My... tribes?” asked David.

“David, do you understand that you are a member of both the Panther and Lower Wolfjaw Tribes?” asked Windago.

“Well, I know Pamela is...” stammered David.

“And so too are you!” said Windago. My Earth Mother, he thought, so this is what Pamela has to live with?

“What do you need me to do?” asked David.

“David, there are some things that neither the Tribes nor Pamela and Kimberly understand. Things that are unknown to us. Things such as Skunk Apes,” said Windago. “We need you to nerdy research this for us.”

“There isn’t much known about Skunk Apes,” answered David.

“But you can learn what little there is that is known?” asked Windago, “and impart that knowledge to us?”

“Yes, I’d certainly try,” answered David. “I’d do my best. Be the job big or small, do it well or not at all.”

“Interesting. Did you read that saying in your nerdy research?” asked Aurora.

“No. My Irish Grandma Gibson used to say that,” said David.

“Irish Grandma Gibson sounds like she would be a very wise Elder,” smiled Aurora.

“She would, if you could sit her down in your circle long enough,” laughed David.

“What do you mean?” asked Aurora.

“Grandma Gibson’s maiden name was O’Malley. She was a descendant of Grace O’Malley, the Irish Pirate Queen. Grace was... uh... feisty and defiant, and answered to no one, not even the Queen of England.” said David. “She even used her Pirate Ships to attack both British and Spanish galleons.”

All of the Elders nodded in approval, not understanding the words, but recognizing the greatness of this Female Irish Grandma Gibson O’Malley Pirate Queen.

“You are to be the Tribe’s Nerdy Researcher, the Learner of All Things, knowledge that you will impart to others,” said Windago.

“I need the internet,” said David.

The Elders looked at each other in wonder.

“I need to get online,” said David. “I can either drive to Caroga Lake everyday, or get satellite internet so I can work from here. Or, I need to get a cell receiver high enough so I can pick up Caroga’s cell signal.”

More looks of confusion from the Elders.

“Look,” said David, “let me work on this first. I suspect I know the answer. I’m headed to Vrooman’s with my laptop.”

“We’re coming,” said Pamela. “Kimberly and I. We never miss a chance for wings!”

Windago looked at the other Elders and shrugged. “The ways of Little People are often strange,” said Windago. “Go, off with you on your mission of wings!”

Pamela, Kimberly, and David scampered off, followed by Puyallup and me.

“We shall escort you,” I said.

“OK, but only as far as our cars. We’ll drive in from there,” said Pamela.

Our troupe proceeded to Chase Lake and down the Little People trail to the conveyances. One opened its portals and all of the Little People entered. Soon they were gone down the black trail.

“Such odd creatures,” said Puyallup.

The conveyance soon stopped at the place called Vrooman’s and everyone was ejected from it. They entered the front portal and made their way to the eating area, seating themselves.

“Hi folks!” said Angie cheerily.

“Hi Angie!” said everyone.

“Beer for David and I,” said Pamela, “and I suspect Kimberly would like a Coke.”

Kimberly nodded her head up and down.

“Wings. Hot for David, medium for me,” said Pamela.

“Mild for me,” said Kim.

“Coming up,” said Angie. “Where’s your big hairy friends?”

“We left them behind,” said Pamela.

“Too bad, they were good for business!” said Angie with a smile.

“Exactly!” said Pamela. “We can’t afford to take them out!”

Angie laughed as she made her way to the kitchen.

David had his gaze fixed on his light emitting device and tapped away furiously at it, sometimes scowling.

“So lover, what are you thinking?” asked Pamela.

“Well, with our heavy duty truck battery, solar panel array, and inverter ,we’d have enough power for at least a few hours every day. I’m looking at an external dual band signal booster but we’d need to get its antenna up high. That would feed a wireless base unit, enabling us all to send and receive cell signals. You could use your cell phone, and I could reactivate our Verizon Jetpack to access the internet via cell signal. Something like that.”

Pamela and Kimberly looked at each other and giggled, of course.

“What?” said David.

“How much is it?” asked Pamela.

“Two hundred dollars,” said David. “Luckily, we have the battery, solar panels, and inverter already.”

“That will do it?” asked Pamela.

“Yes, it should,” replied David.

“Order it. Wait, where will we have it delivered to? I doubt UPS delivers to the Five Brothers,” said Pamela.

“Deliver it to Danny and put my name on it,” said Kim. Just get a delivery date and we’ll go pick it up.”

“OK!” said David. “Ordering!”

David began tapping away on his device and didn’t even stop to eat his wing food until he closed the top on it. David then began enjoying his wing food and conversing with his mate Pamela and friend Kimberly.