I heard a collective groan from the hunters as the shot missed. Just second later another KABAM! This time followed by a cheer. Neither Freck or me felt much like cheerin'. We were grossed out, so we jumped back into the mind-meld. Gee was already there waitin'. He was hangin' his head. I saw that Freck was crying. We should'a been happy. Two bowheads would be delivered to the Amorak as promised. This would end the threat on the town and people of Nuuk.

We should have been overjoyed, but we warn't. I never-ever wanted to go on a whale hunt again.

"Oh, Gee," Freck mind-wept, "the whale looked me right in the eye before it was harpooned. I'm sure it mind-spoke to me. It sent just one word—why?"

◽️◽️◽️

For myself I didn't hear no whale speak, but I saw its lifeless eye. I tried ta reason it was necessary. It was, but I was shocked at the brutality. We all knew that comin' back empty handed would cause more loss of life. Is it right ta take two lives ta save many more? My head said we did the right thing, but my heart was fightin'.

Gee perked up and asked Freck, "You heard it mind-speak?"

"I did."

"I believe you have a rare cigam talent, Freck."

"I do?"

"Yes. All Cigam Masters can send communications to other species, but few can hold a real conversation. You were the first of us to hear the Amorak, and because you did, you opened a channel for us. You are what we call an Initiator. I can think of only two others with that special ability."

"Wow!" Freck exclaimed.

"That goes double for me." I said. "Wow, wow, and wow! Okay that's three, so it goes triple for me!"

Freck pursed her lips and looked down. "My ability didn't save the whale."

"It could have," Gee told her. "Had we known that you are an Initiator we would have taken an entirely different approach. We would have gone out the night before the hunt to where the krill are. You would have called out to them. I am certain they would have responded to your mind-call. Whales are reportedly quite intelligent. If they knew the word 'why' you could have initiated a conversation. Then Wishes and I could join in. If we had just explained our predicament, as intelligent beings they could have helped us with a solution. Maybe two older whales would beach themselves for our purposes instead of suffering the pain of exploding harpoons."

Freck said, "Even if they decided to sacrifice themselves they would still haft'a be killed. Right?"

"Of course, but the Inuit would prayerfully give thanks for the gift. Instead of a grenade harpoon, they would use a lance. Gently slipping a lance into the brain is much less painful. Dying would be a spiritual experience, instead of an act of excruciating violence."

Ya could tell Freck was feelin' a crushin' sadness, and red-faced shame at the same time. She plopped ta her knees in the cloudy mind-mesh, hung her head, put her hands on her face, and sobbed. Gee and I did our level best to console her. We tried, but 'cuz we felt the same way, it warn't easy. All three of us was broken up about sumpin' beyond our control. Even a cigam master cain't make time go backwards. At least Gee couldn't. What if there's a Master with the ability ta reverse time? Is there a limit to Cigam?

◽️◽️◽️

When I returned from the mind-mesh I was still in bed. Freck was sittin' meditation style on a mostly red, native-patterned rug, and Gee was lyin' on the floor b'side the bed. Apparently what we experienced in our minds was felt in our bodies too. I got up. I didn't know if I felt so drained by the powerful emotions or from the hypothermia. Either way I sat right back down. Freck still in her pj's moved her head side ta side ta loosin' her neck, rolled her shoulders, arched her back, extended her legs, placed her palms on the floor, then looked 'round the room ta get her bearin's. I was sittin' up with my legs danglin'. We made eye contact. I managed a weak tremblin' smile. Freck did the same. The heartbreak was too fresh for a happy one.

She looked pitiful, like she was slapped by a burlap bag full of sorrow sticks. I'm purty sure I looked the same. Gee was lying on his belly. His giant salamander head drooped over outstretched front legs. He didn't move. He just rolled his eyes around to take a look-see. Not a word was spoken. Even the wind was still. The room was so quiet I swear I could hear my own heartbeatin'. Ya could call it a pity party, but it sure didn't feel like no party ta me. This kinda party don't get any better until it's over.

◽️◽️◽️

It warn't long b'fore Nini, the crew of Ol' Grizz, Mr. Raven, various Inuits, whalers, and townspeople crashed loudly through the front door. It was time for celebration and by-golly they were goin' ta party 'til the cows came home. You could hear Nini over the din shoutin', "Welcome to my home! Drinks and food are on me!" That brought a cheer so raucous it shook the rafters.

The kitchen staff and Cookie were whippin' up a feast. It was the fine smells waftin' upstairs that shook me from my sadness. Jubilation is only one sure cure for the blues.

The town was saved. The Amorak were happy. They could return to their far away settlement with plenty for all. Only me, Freck, and Gee knew about the whale mind-speak and we warn't tellin' no one. No balloon puncturin' from us. No sir!

They couldn't help rejoicin', and we couldn't stop ourselves from joinin' in. Soon we got ourselves carried away in the merriment. I've gotta say, this was the mother of all parties. It put Mardi Gras ta shame.

The liquor poured like an ever-flowing fountain for the grownups. The long table was continually refreshed with delectables. Neither Freck nor I paced ourselves. We sampled ever'thin' on the table, and some particularly yummy things twice. This was way better'n Thanksgivin'. It was the very definition of joy. After givin' inta it, I was as blissful as a muddy pig in the sunshine. If'n I died right now, I would be the happiest boy in heaven.

By the look on Freck's face I knew she was right there with me. No mind reading required.

◽️◽️◽️

It took awhile to fall asleep. My stomach felt like I'd swallowed a prize watermelon—whole. I looked like it too, all stretched out and all.

◽️◽️◽️

It was understood the next mornin' we wouldn't be resumin' our journey that day. Ol' Grizz needed another flight inspection, and refuelin'. None of its crew looked like they could even see straight. They padded around softly, and winced at every sound. Nope. They weren't in any shape ta fly and we would've been scared ta death if they tried.We was grounded 'til tomorrow, and that was A-okay with me. We all needed time ta gather our thoughts.

It's a funny thing, last night I ate myself near ta explodin', but today I was hungry all over again. The thought of food when I went to bed, made me want to upchuck. I didn't believe I would ever eat again. Now here I was wonderin' when was breakfast.

I told Freck what I was thinkin'. She nodded, "I knows what ya mean. You'd think that after all we ate, food would be the last thing we would ever want."

I asked her, "Freck, do ya miss Burns?"

"Where did that come from?" She tilted her head and squenched her eyebrows. "All the time. Why?"

"Oh it just struck me. Me and Daddy would get up on weekends, get dressed, and head over to Whizzy's Diner for breakfast. Nellie would pour Daddy a steaming cup of coffee in one of those clunky white mugs, and ask with a smile big as a quarter moon, 'What'll it be, boys?' Then I had to choose between the hot, straight out of the oven biscuits with huckleberry jam oozing outta the sides, or a heapin' plate of blueberry pancakes with plenty of creamy butter, and real maple syrup. In those days what ta order was the most difficult decision I had ta make."

"Yer talkin' like it was years, and years ago. The last time you went to the diner you were what . . . twelve?"

"Yeah, almost thirteen," I agreed.

"We are only thirteen and a half now."

"Don't it seem like a lifetime ago? So much has happened so fast that it feels like we've scrunched ten years inta a year."

"I know," she said twistin' a strand of reddish brown hair, "We're goin' ta be old b'fore we grows up."

Gee was lyin' on the rug by the fireplace. I thought he was sleepin', but I guess he warn't. He'd been in a mind-mesh with Grandma Chrys, and the Keeper's High Council.

"Why did they call you into a mind-mesh?" I asked.

"They wanted a status report. I explained the reason for our delay in Greenland. They were fascinated by the Amoraks. I am sure they will send out field operators to observe for signs of undiscovered knowledge. I also told them about Freck's ability ta hear Amoraks mind-talk, and open communication. They asked if she was an Initiator."

"That is an excellent question," I told them. "Events unfolded too quickly to give it any thought. After she repeated the ability with a whale—I knew that she was."

"Freck, you have the entire council—how do you say it? Oh yes—buzzing is the word." He smiled at her like a proud father on graduation day. "Like I told you, true Initiators are very rare."

Before when Gee let us know about her cigam ability, she was too upset to take it in. Now she was wide eyed and questionin', "What does that mean, and why are the Keepers so interested?"

Gee seemed surprised at the question, then thoughtfully responded. "There are other sentient beings Topside, in the Kingdoms, and in other in-worlds with whom we may wish to converse. Our Gardner-given purpose, as you know, is the collection and preservation of knowledge. We take our responsibility solemnly. Mankind is a fountain of information, but man is not the only source. Every once in a while an Initiator appears and creates bridges of understanding between species. Your ability, Freck, is already in high demand."

She gulped hard, then squeaked out, "It sounds like I'm goin' ta be pulled every which-a-way."

"No they are not!" Gee insisted. "You and Wishes are under the personal protection of me and the High Keeper. Not only that, but you and your parents have to approve too. You never have to accept an assignment, unless you want to do it. Then we as a team will make the final decision. I promise you that."

Gee's promise was good as gold. I knew that. I wondered about Freck. So much had changed since we was first flown ta the Kingdom. It was weird enough that we were treated like celebrities, but now that she was a genuine Initiator, havin' a rare ability would it change her? Would my best friend disappear into this new role and leave me far b'hind?