forbidden mountain
by Henry Maximick

Excerpt

Introduction

...This is a story of a mountain... a forbidden mountain... knowing only the mysteries to the eerie truth, it alone has witnessed and withholds; and of an extinct, lost people that dwelled on the mountain so long ago. They were a prosperous, thriving mountain tribe with a spiritual closeness to the god of all living, and to the heavens above. The time in history of their existence is unknown.

This is an account of one lone survivor of the lost, mountain tribe. He lived on to tell the tale of all he had witnessed. Whereas, sadly he had became part of the mystifying legend... the legend of the forbidden mountain.

Returning home after a long absence, this hunting party was met with an unforeseen and horrifying welcome; a haunting mystery of speculation that still lives on.... unexplained to this day...

one
the beginning of the end

The Last Winter

... “within the years, many times.... Have I called for my dear wife, but... no one there is... to answer. Only an echo... returned to call... back to me.

Sometimes...sometimes the howl of a lone wolf...would answer from the mountains beyond.

But, was the wolf...calling to me?

Or, was he...as I.... calling for his lost loved ones... who did not answer... never answered.

The yesterdays from so long ago, another time... a different world... it would seem, happier memories... I can recall. Joyful memories... of our home on the mountain... Morning Star’s warm softness. The joys of my children... the long and warm summer days...

two
life on the mountain

The Strange Star

The gentle breeze brings the fragrance of a new and wonderful day. From our home on the mountain, we can look across the hills and valleys below, to the great ocean in the distance, far beyond. Morning Star, my loving wife… my three children, are here with me this day. To the great god of the heavens above, how dearly thankful I am. He has blessed me with such a wonderful gift.

The birds of the sky sing with a joyful sound. The forest is alive with the beauty of their songs. In the distance, there I see a doe and her carefree, newborn fawn, grazing in the lush meadow below. On the abundance of the mountain berries, a mother bear with her two little ones, are joyfully feeding. Echoing from tall trees on the mountain, I can faintly hear the call of the raven.

The faint howl of the wolf, drifts across the valleys below. The shrill of a loon, its solitary sound stirs the quietness of this warm summer night. As the day, night also is a joy to see and to hear.

Many years have my people lived on this mountain. Our ancestors from the beginning, and for numerous generations; they have seen all the breathtaking beauty, that I see in this beautiful and glorious day

“How many stars fill the sky?” asks Morning Star. “Do you think the god of all knows?”

“All things does our god know,” I whispered quietly. “He is the creator of the living, and all there is.”

”Look Morning Star!” I said with excitement. “Do you see that strange star in the sky?”

“Yes, I can see it!” hastily she said. “It is so different from the other stars.”

Excitedly she says, “Let's quickly call the others so they too can see it before it disappears.”

As we ran through the village, we shouted aloud, “come and see this strange star in the sky!”

The whole village had soon gathered, and all stood gazing into the night sky. Several minutes later, the bright star stopped and remained motionless amidst the stars.

The strange star then lowered down towards the mountain, stopping just above our village. A shrilling sound that it made became louder and louder, and echoed across the mountains.

Little Bear, my wife’s brother, became overwhelmed by its strangeness and shouted aloud, “I will shoot an arrow into it,” and quickly drew back his bow to shoot.

“No!” I frantically yelled. “No! We do not know what it is or what it may want.... Wait and see what it is going to do.”

The strange star continued to hover above the village as night drew on, and soon, many of the people began to become afraid. “What is it?” they asked one another.

Someone said, “It must be the great god of the heavens that has come to visit his people.”

In past times it has been said, our ancestors also came to view the strange star. But, never had it come to visit their village. Now, this one has come down to us... this is the first time.

I looked to my wife and children, as they were embraced one to another. Suddenly a chill as cold death engulfed me. My heart became heavy in sadness; tears clouded my eyes as I gazed upon them. The deep hurting grief that I felt this night, I could not explain, nor understand.

“Morning Star!” I shouted as I ran to them.

I pulled my wife and children tightly to me, looked up to the hovering strange star shouting, “What are you? What do you want?”

“Go, leave us alone,” I yelled repeatedly.

Then, suddenly as the star appeared, it disappeared into the heavens, leaving the night in grave silence.

“Why?” I asked myself. “Why did this strange sad emptiness grip my heart?” Why did this deathly cold engulf me as I looked toward my family?”

In my mind, I can’t help but wonder. “The strange star, what was it? Why did it come to us?”