Aimée Thurlo

Restless Wind

The second book in the Brotherhood of Warriors series, 2007

Prologue

Ranger Blueeyes sat with the small gathering of brother warriors inside the cave of secrets, a natural recess in a sandstone cliff high above the tree line of the forest. This site, nearly at the center of the vast Colorado Plateau region of the southwest, had been the Brotherhood of Warriors’ gathering place for over a hundred years.

The Brotherhood of Warriors had been established during the time of Kit Carson. Undercover warriors bound by loyalty and traditions, they stood between the tribe and its enemies-an unbroken line of defense. Never seen but always felt, they’d each been hand-selected and tested to the breaking point until only the best of the best remained. The Brotherhood of Warriors existed for one purpose only-so the Diné, the Navajo People, could go about their lives in peace and safety.

Tonight, something bad was going down. Ranger could feel the tension in the air. Even the pitch-filled piñon wood fire in the center couldn’t push back the chill in the cave. That penetrating cold had more to do with the reason they were here than with the temperature.

Ranger had known the medicine man, Hastiin Sani,

“Old Man” in Navajo, for many years. Hastiin Sani was their leader and also a very gifted crystal gazer, a seer who could foretell the future with uncanny accuracy.

The fact that Hastiin Dííl, “Tall Man” in Navajo, was also here tonight told him that his instincts were right on the mark-trouble was heading their way…or had already arrived. Security measures passed down through generations of warriors dictated that their leader and his second were never to be in the same place at the same time unless there was a dire crisis that demanded it.

Hastiin Dííl would be Hastiin Sani’s successor someday. There were no secrets kept from Hastiin Sani’s second-except one. Only the leader of the Brotherhood of Warriors knew the identities of all the warriors, who also never assembled at the same place and time. In case of an emergency that left Hastiin Sani incapable of passing on the names, there was another secure, but lengthier, process in place. In the Brotherhood of Warriors’ long history, it had never been necessary to use that alternate method of verification.

Ranger glanced across the way and saw his fraternal twin brother, Hunter, take a seat to the left of Hastiin Sani. Hunter now served as HTO, Head of Tactics and Operations.

Hastiin Sani stood and faced those gathered there. “I’ve seen something deeply disturbing,” he began, his voice low and commanding in the nearly total silence inside the cave. “Soon, we’ll all be tested…and some of us will fail. Our resources will be taxed to the limit, and our faith in this brotherhood pushed to the breaking point. You’re the leaders of our special units so I’ve called you tonight to prepare you. Although no specific images came to me, just impressions, I can tell you this-the danger I speak of is almost here.”

Hunter Blueeyes stood up as the medicine man sat down. “Look, listen, and reach out with your other senses to search for any signs of trouble. I’ll be ready to help anyone who encounters a situation. You know how to reach me. I’ll be available round the clock until the crisis has passed.”

Ranger looked at the light and dark shadows that played on the warriors’ faces. He could feel their readiness for action and their desire to fight this new threat.

Hastiin Dííl stood up next. “You’re the tribe’s protectors-the last line of defense. You’ve all trained hard and have special skills. Wind, you’ve been chosen to lead this fight because you excel in unclear situations,” he said, looking at Ranger and using his code name only. “Your many lessons at the side of one of our most respected medicine men has heightened your intuitive skills and gives you certain advantages. Prepare yourself, because you’ll need to be ready at a moment’s notice.”

“Just say the word,” Ranger answered.

Hastiin Sani brought out four leather pouches, fastened at the top with drawstrings. “These bundles contain medicine from Bears’ Ears,” he said, referring to a well-known rock formation associated with power and protection. “They’ll help protect you against lies, and treachery.” He came around the fire to join Ranger, who’d stood to accept the bundle.

“Wind, you bear the name of the guardian of The People. Stay alert. Your beliefs in everything-including yourself-will be challenged.”

Ranger nodded somberly. Evil was in the air. He’d sensed that himself at dawn this morning when he’d stood on top of the mesa and listened to the Wind People. Wind carried messages to those who had ears to hear. Wind had warned Youngest Brother of the approach of danger. It would do the same for him.

Once the medicine man left the antechamber, the four remaining warriors nodded to each other then, one by one, left the cave of secrets. No words were exchanged between them. What more was there to say?

Before Ranger could begin the climb down, his brother signaled him. Ranger followed Hunter into one of the smaller caverns.

“I envy you,” Hunter said once they were alone. “I miss being out in the field in the middle of the action. Want to flip for this assignment?” Hunter added with a quick half grin, reaching into his pocket.

Before his fingertips touched the coin, Ranger swept his outside leg into Hunter’s inside knees, then with a quick hook of the neck, flipped his brother onto the ground. “Tails, I win. Marriage’s making you soft,” he said with a grin.

Hunter scrambled up, ready to continue the challenge, but Hastiin Sani suddenly appeared at the entrance to the side passage. He cleared his throat and, once he had their attention, looked at Hunter. “I need you at council,” he said, then disappeared from view.

Hunter grumbled softly, “We should pick this up again sometime.” His gaze locked with his brother’s. “Be careful, be smart, and if you need me for anything, I’ll be there.”

“I know.”

Ranger left the cave, climbing down the ladder to the piñon-juniper forest below. The threat of imminent danger stirred his restless spirit. Pausing to zip up his jacket, he gazed at the eagle soaring above him against the backdrop of a gathering thundercloud. Using the supporting power of Wind, the fourth guardian of Sun’s house, the eagle’s flight was unhampered by the violent currents.

Ranger took the eagle fetish he wore around his neck and slipped it inside the medicine pouch. During a mission he always kept the stone carving out of sight in order to safeguard it. Eagle was his spiritual brother. He gazed upward, lost in thought. The eagle, now soaring between the strong up-and-down drafts, had faced his challenge and won. Ranger wondered how he’d fare when his time came. Although he’d been on dangerous missions before, he’d never been pushed to the limits of his skills and endurance.

That would change soon. Many weeks had passed since his brother had led the battle to bring down those who’d stolen a unique antiquity of power, the obsidian dagger, from the Diné. Yet, Ranger had sensed that parts of that struggle weren’t quite over.

Of course he had no proof-except vague rumors…and the whispers of Wind.