Page 82 of Forbidden Moon
Katrine let out the breath she’d been holding, hand around her throat.
“Thank you! Your opinion means so much. I hope your people will feel the same way.”
“I’ve no doubt they will, but youmustagree to attend the opening—even if only to shake hands and smile for the photographers. You owe it to yourself to see and hear the response in person. Please say yes.”
She and Mandy both smiled, nodding in agreement.
“We’ll come. Mandy and I talked about it last night. Send me the date, and we’ll make the arrangements.”
Walter beamed.
“Excellent! The museum board will be thrilled to hear it. I suspect a great number of people will wish to purchase original works or even signed art posters. We have a lot to do between now and August, but my staff will take care of all the details and leave you to focus on your art.”
The other commissioned pieces featured the wolves for which she was known. The remainder were stand-alones containing Navajo symbols or wolves in southwestern settings. Walter scrutinized these, asking questions and heaping more praise on a red-faced Katrine.
The sound of a horn alerted them of the truck’s arrival, and they went out to guide the driver into the desired space. Three men exited the cab to join the waiting group. The two drivers were approaching mid-life, on the heavy side, and wearing smiles. The third man, however, was a study in contrasts; young, tall, slim, and with long hair gathered up in a ponytail. While not exactly somber, his handsome face reflected a depth of character not often found in youth.
Walter greeted them all and asked about their journey. When the two drivers excused themselves to open the truck, Walter proudly brought the tall man forward and introduced him.
“This is my grandson, Gray Claw. Gray, this is Jack, William, Katrine, and Mandy.”
Polite and quiet, Gray shook hands all around.
“It is a pleasure to meet the people my grandfather has spoken of so highly. I wonder, Katrine if I might see Gray Feather’s portrait before we begin?”
Gray followed the others inside to the studio, standing beside Walter as he gazed at the likeness of his famous ancestor and namesake. The young man trembled, eyes wide with wonder and reverence. Walter leaned closer, uttering a few Navajo words.
“Acheii biyol, aoo’?”(Grandfather spirit, yes?)
Gray nodded in assent.
“Aoo’.”
Gray then turned to Katrine.
“You honor our people with your talent. I think it would have pleased Gray Feather.”
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THE WORK BEGAN IMMEDIATELY, as the team planned to head home without unnecessary delay. Jack, William, Katrine, and Mandy stayed on the sidelines unless needed, while the others placed the paintings in specially prepared padded crates. From there, they were taken to the climate-controlled truck and secured to prevent movement, jostling, or excessive vibration.
By the time they’d loaded everything, William had returned with lunch. The drivers chose to eat outside while keeping an eye on the truck, leaving Gray to join Walter and the others in the shop’s breakroom. William led the table chitchat with pointed questions for Gray on carefully selected topics. As a retired attorney and avid conversationalist, he excelled at friendly grilling, designed to reveal more than the hapless victim intended.
Neither Katrine nor Mandy suspected that Jack put him up to it and did so with Walter’s blessing. While Jack wasn’t opposed to revealing their true nature to Gray, he wouldn’t commit to it without spending time with the young man—time they did not have on this brief visit. Jack proposed a bit of surreptitious True Elder snooping to acquire an accurate read while William engaged him in conversation. Gray would never know his thoughts, attitudes, and motivations were laid bare to the stranger across the table.
The meal came to an end, and Gray stood to say goodbye to Walter. Jack caught his eye and winked, signaling that he needed some time alone with the young man. While William and the ladies cleaned up, Jack followed Walter and Gray out into the shop.
“I am glad to have met you, Gray. I see now why Walter finds you a kindred spirit. I hope someday soon we meet again.”
Jack extended his hand, reaching deeper into the youngster’s mind the moment they touched. Gray gasped as Jack’s dark eyes turned a warm amber, unable to move or look away. With a rumbling growl, Jack spoke the two Navajo words Walter taught him the night before.
“Ma'iitsoh atsilí”(wolf brother).
Jack waited several seconds longer until his eyes returned to normal and then withdrew from Gray’s mind while still shaking his hand. The young man blinked several times, and Jack stepped back.
“I wish you a safe journey home and trust you will watch over Walter in my stead.”
Slightly dazed, Gray smiled and replied.
