a flinch of his finger, and the arrow would fly to its mark.
“Don't shoot! It's me, Jesse.”
Iondaee lowered the arrow just a fraction. “Jesse? Where are you? I can't see you.”
“Towards the river and behind the bushes. I need to talk to you. It's important. Don't let your people go any further. Stop them here!”
Iondaee took a step towards him, unsure. “How do I know it's you? Show yourself.”
“I don't want to start another riot with your people. Look, I'm right here, see?”
Jesse poked his head around the side of the bush. Iondaee's face immediately lit up in joy.
“It is you!”
“Shhhh!” begged Jesse. “Just get your people to stop! Don't let them go any further!”
Iondaee whistled to Asitari. Getting his attention, he hand-signalled a halt. Silently, Asitari brought the procession to a stop. The children thankfully sat down. The mothers, worried by the sudden order, did their best to quiet the children. Everyone feared that the enemy was near. Iondaee signalled for Asitari to stay with the village. He nodded but looked confused. Iondaee ignored him and disappeared into the bushes.
Iondaee grinned. “It's good to see you, my friend.”
“How close are we to Taenhatenaron?” asked Jesse.
“It is just around the next river bend.”
“That was too close,” whispered Jesse to himself.
“We all ask your forgiveness for what we did to you,” replied Iondaee. “The whole village is devastated by your injury. We thought you had abandoned us.”
“No, of course not. I had to go for other reasons. Someone else needed my help,” Jesse lied.
“That is good to know,” sighed Iondaee. “My people will be very happy to hear that news.”
Jesse looked around nervously. “They won't be happy to hear my news.”
Iondaee sensed Jesse's edginess. “What is it?”
“The Iroquois will attack the entire Wendat nation very soon.”
Iondaee stiffened. “Then we must hurry to Taenhatenaron for protection. Asitari and I will meet with the other returning men, and we will counter-attack! ”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Because Taenhatenaron will be captured by a huge force of Iroquois. Not only that, but Ste. Marie will also be destroyed! The Jesuits themselves will burn it to the ground! After hearing of the fall of Taenhatenaron, they will decide to destroy their own fort rather than have it fall into the hands of the Iroquois. And once Ste. Marie is gone, it will be the beginning of the end for your people.”
Iondaee hesitated, then locked eyes upon Jesse. “How can you be sure?”
“Trust me. I've seen the future. If you go to Taenhatenaron, you will lead not only yourself into capture or death by the Iroquois, but also your entire family and everyone else in your village.”
Iondaee looked over his shoulder at his people, then nodded solemnly. “You are a spirit of the forest. I do not doubt what you say.”
“Good!” Jesse exclaimed, as he stomped his hoof impatiently. “Then let's get your people out of here before they get hurt!”
“Wait.” Iondaee held up a hand. “I cannot simply walk away from my brothers and sisters at Taenhatenaron. If what you say is true, then we must do something to help them.”
“How can you change the future?” asked Jesse.
“You may have seen the future if we had continued to Taenhatenaron. Are you so sure the future will not change now that we have decided not to go?”
“No,” Jesse admitted. “But is it possible to change the future?”
“Since a spirit does not know the answer to my question, then I am at least willing to try and help the rest of my people.” Iondaee thought for a moment. “I will send Asitari on to Taenhatenaron. He can warn our people of the impending danger. Perhaps with warning, our people may be able to prepare themselves better and, in turn, save their lives. Perhaps your warning was not only meant for the people of my village, but for all Wendat people.”
Jesse didn't know whether it was possible to change history. Could it be that he might have completely different history books when he headed back to school in the autumn? It was hard to imagine that he was capable of changing the future.
“You do whatever you feel is right, Iondaee. But do it quickly. All I want us to do now is get out of here.”
Iondaee nodded and ran back to the villagers who were still murmuring in fear. A collective sigh could be heard when Iondaee waved him out of the bushes. They gathered around Jesse, but without the excitement and squeals of their first meeting. The mentioned doom of their people created a sombre mood in everyone. A little girl toddled up to him. Jesse lowered his head to her. She gently cupped his face with her tiny hands and rubbed her cheek against his soft nose. He gave her a half smile as she scurried back to her mother's side.
Jesse's heart thumped as he looked into the little girl's eyes. Was he doing the right thing by chasing down these people and telling them of their future? Or was he only making matters worse for them? Perhaps they would now end their lives in a far more horrific way because of his interference. Had he now brought even more pain into their lives? Jesse tried to clear his mind of such thoughts. These people were about to walk to their deaths. What could possibly be worse than that? No, death was not an option. He had to at least try and do something to save their lives.
The village waited quietly as Iondaee, Asitari and Jesse walked a few steps away and spoke in whispers.
“You must try to get through to Taenhatenaron and warn our brothers and sisters of this terrible news. Jesse has told me that if we do nothing, the Iroquois will destroy our nation.”
Asitari answered without hesitation. “I will go.”
Iondaee clasped Asitari's shoulders. “You are a true warrior, my friend.”
Asitari turned to the deer, but he could not look into Jesse's eyes. “I know you could never forgive me for injuring you, spirit of the forest. I have shamed both myself and my people.”
Jesse felt for the brave warrior. “It was not your fault, Asitari. You were only trying to protect your village. Please, look at me. I forgive you.”
Iondaee translated. Asitari nodded thanks, only briefly glancing up at the spirit. He turned back to Iondaee.
“I will make our people proud.”
“I know you will.”
“If we at Taenhatenaron should prevail, where shall I find you?”
Iondaee looked at Jesse. Jesse thought for a moment, his eyes going up to the
