In the early days of Minnesota, the first settlers were the river men who tamed the far north. There were trappers, farmers and some who made their living in the dark of night. There were men who bought and sold as slaves, women, stolen from all over the globe. The descendents of these stolen women are still living in the far north of the state.
A large herd of caribou meandered slowly across the face of Gitche Manitou’s creation, searching for lichens and small willow brush to sustain themselves. Once in a while, the lead bull would abruptly stop and raise his head looking for anything that might be a threat to himself or his herd. His large black nose drew in the surrounding air searching for the scent of wolves. His status in this group meant that he was expected to keep an ever watchful eye out for danger. For several days this great herd of Caribou had traversed the land, seeking a place suitable for calving.
Off in the distance, a small pack of wolves angled toward the herd, making them gather speed, moving them at a faster pace. To the lead bull, they were no more than specks on the tapestry of the open land. He could see what was happening, but it was too far away to concern him. The wolf pack picked out a small cow and tried over and over to separate her from the rest of the herd. When they at last succeeded, there was little she could do but run and run hard. If she faltered even for a moment, she would be in serious trouble.
The wolves took turns running along side her and it appeared that she was about to be overtaken by the pack. In reality, they were doing nothing more than making her expend her energy. This continued for many minutes, the wolves playing out their most successful method of hunting. Her eyes bulged wide in fear and her mouth gaped open, trying desperately to take in as much air as her lungs could hold. She stumbled for just a second and the ever watchful pack saw the moment of weakness and were spurred on to continue the chase. Then another stumble, her flanks heaving hard; gasping for air. This was the signal to the pack that their long awaited meal was at hand. The lead wolf ran up close and grabbed a mouth full of flank and hair, holding on, slowing her up. The rest of the pack was there in an instant and what happened to her next passed in a flurry of pain and snarling wolves. She was down on the ground with many animals tearing at her flesh.
Fourth Book in the Southern Swallow Series finds the Academician Li K'ai-men in exile on Hai-nan Island. China has a new invasion threat. A showdown between ingenuity and technology explodes as the Sung Dynasty tries to preserve itself.
The Six Bells of Madame Lin is the first book in The Witch of Marigold Hall Trilogy, a fictionalized account of the struggles of Lin Mang, a blind woman who manages to navigate the world during the Mongol conquest of China in the 13th Century. Withou
