The Dead Man's Doll Read Free

the flashes of light that lead to the Land of the Dead? Do you want to die?”
    â€œIs that what your people believe? The soul follows flashes of light to the afterworld? My people believe we follow a Songtrail. But death isn’t a bad thing, Gausep. It’s just a link between worlds. At some point, we are each called, not to do something, but to be somewhere. Masks People believe that the soul runs through the sunset, called by animal friends, then trots on through the night. Finally, at dawn, the dead person runs straight onto the bridge. Memories come, come fast upon him, and he sees all things as if from above. He understands, at last—”
    â€œBut…” The boy paused to wet his lips. He looked troubled. “What’s on the other side? Do you know?”
    â€œOh, there’s a big camp. It’s a beautiful sunny day. The children are playing, splashing and swimming in the river, running races with barking dogs. As soon as the People see the dead person walking toward them, they call to him, begging him to join them. ‘Come down, brother, aunt, father,’ whatever relation he is. He knows everyone in the camp, and loves them all. He runs toward them in joy.”
    Gausep wiped his hands on his red leather leggings, as though his palms had started to sweat in the winter cold. “He follows footprints to get there. Ghosts leave footprints.”
    The old chestnut crackled. Asson glanced up at the skeletal limbs and saw them quake. Images of a young man and an older woman flitted through the forest. Asson had no idea who they were or what it meant. The unknown warrior, a tall man with quartz crystal eyes, came to Madyrut’s tree every day and placed his hand gently upon the ground at the base of the tree.
I’m waiting for you, Madyrut.
    â€œWhere have you seen ghost footprints?”
    â€œIn the forest. I’ve tracked them. Usually they wear sandals, not moccasins, because it’s warmer where they are.”
    â€œIs it?”
    Gausep gave him an askance look, probably surmising again that Asson wasn’t very smart for an elder. The boy’s Spirit sight went far beyond anything Asson was capable of. Gausep reached out to smooth his fingers over the largest, hafted stone scraper. “Can I use this white scraper to dig up ghost footprints?”
    â€œYou may.”
    â€œDo you know what ghost footprints look like?” It was a test.
    â€œNo. Tell me.”
    â€œLike sandal prints.”
    â€œAh, I see.” Asson smiled. “Well, let’s get started. If we do our work well, perhaps Madyrut can start her journey by nightfall, and we—” His voice died when Gausep suddenly jerked his head up and stared out at the vast ocean as though he’d seen something in the distance. His breathing quickened.
    â€œGrandfather Day Maker’s children are coming. Their hair is sunshine. The ghost is standing guard, waiting for them.”
    â€œJust as she would guard her village if the Masks People cut her down and made her part of a palisade?” Asson tipped his head back and took a long look at the towering chestnut. As clouds moved in, the branches looked dark. “Are you still protecting your people, Madyrut? I think you can turn that duty over to other warriors now. They—”
    â€œSee them?”
    Asson’s gaze returned to Gausep; then he followed the boy’s extended arm out to the glittering ocean, where seabirds soared and dove, hunting the water. As the afternoon waned, the fog grew thicker and darker, turning the shade of a mourning dove’s wings. After a few moments, Asson said, “No, I don’t.”
    â€œAre you blind? They’re right there.”
    Asson handed Gausep the hafted white scraper. “I’m sure they are. But I think we should forget about them, and start digging. It will be dark soon.”

Nine Days Ago
    Cover your eyes. Cover your eyes…
    Madyrut listened. The