His crows flew ahead, checking the valley for intruders, as Atnas made his way to the fox den. This red fox (or Reinars, as the Nubbins call them*) lived in a den just north of the old field once farmed by the tall ones; and the animal would often accompany Atnas upon his walks, sharing with the crows the role of surveillance, given his ability to catch the scent of the giants. Reinars are easily trained by the Nubbins and are known for their trickery and tenacious nature. The variety of barks and wines of the fox are among the first animal calls learned by younger Nubbins.
This day in the deep snow, Atnas would follow the fox along his hunting path which went into the dense thickets of the swamp. Here even the small Nubbin had to bend over to make his way through the low hanging snow-covered branches and vines. Their destination was the Acceptance Wall, moved to this almost forsaken place about seventeen full sun cycles before, when fear arose among the Nubbins that the giants would see no purpose in the assemblage of stones and destroy it. The wall had been moved once before, but even the elder Atnas did not know of its original location. About eighteen feet in length and four feet wide, the wall consisted of both round and rectangular stones. Among the rocks were the more unusual stones of the elders, those chosen many suns ago and who had accepted the wish of the great one to join him in his world. Each of these stones bore the mark of the elder, a mark which would go unnoticed by the casual observer. Given the nature of its content, the wall had a special power and could accept unto itself the spirit of the elders, and they would then find comfort in the house of the great one.
This day in the deep snow, Atnas would follow the fox along his hunting path which went into the dense thickets of the swamp. Here even the small Nubbin had to bend over to make his way through the low hanging snow-covered branches and vines. Their destination was the Acceptance Wall, moved to this almost forsaken place about seventeen full sun cycles before, when fear arose among the Nubbins that the giants would see no purpose in the assemblage of stones and destroy it. The wall had been moved once before, but even the elder Atnas did not know of its original location. About eighteen feet in length and four feet wide, the wall consisted of both round and rectangular stones. Among the rocks were the more unusual stones of the elders, those chosen many suns ago and who had accepted the wish of the great one to join him in his world. Each of these stones bore the mark of the elder, a mark which would go unnoticed by the casual observer. Given the nature of its content, the wall had a special power and could accept unto itself the spirit of the elders, and they would then find comfort in the house of the great one.
When the fox and Atnas reached the wall, the little man stood at the north end, as he had done every new moon since meeting with the spring eagle. He raised his hands in the air and spoke aloud.
Atnas then walked around the perimeter of the wall, as was the custom, and knelt where he began. The crows flew in and sat on the four corners cawing away and the old fox gave out its contact call of wow-wow-wow!
Then all were silent and nothing was heard, but the rustle of branches, and the snow falling from them, as the wind began to pick up. Atnas stood, picked up his staff and headed back to the lodge. Another moon had come, and his place was still set in this time. He was now well prepared for the journey and accepted both the unknowing of when and the gift of more time, for it was known to be so. Rarely does the Great Spirit give notice, but simply comes at the precise time so destined, and leads you away.
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*The Nubbin term Reinars for red fox is of interest. European folklore relates the tales of a red fox named Reynard, a symbol of trickery and deceit (see, as example, Aesop's The Fox and the Crow). In a poem dating back to 1150, a fox named Reinardus appeared in verse entitled Ysengrimus. See also: Ysengrimus.
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