Crows and Angels

Crows and Angels

Leisa Ebere


GBP 14,10

Format: 13.5 x 21.5 cm
Number of Pages: 234
ISBN: 978-3-99048-502-6
Release Date: 18.10.2016
Based on true events, Crows and Angels, is a real story of good versus evil. Follow Hannah Nelson, a fifteen year old girl from Norway with a special gift for healing and second sight, as she and her family travel from Norway to America, where they hope to begin a new life; and experience many adventures and struggles along the way. As they start their new life in America, Hannah's Papa hopes to keep her giftings a secret and help his daughter lead a normal life; but it quickly becomes clear, Hannah has come to the Dakota Territory for a reason, when her giftings are called upon by the Great Indian Chief, Little Crow to save the life of his son and from that moment onwards a special bond is formed between Hannah and the Lakota Sioux Indians. Sadly, this is only the beginning of the troubles for the Indians, as they are targeted by evil army forces, led by a corrupt Union General named, John Pope, who is determined to exterminate their very existence. But, Hannah decides no matter what the obstacles, she is going to save them, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness in the process. Will she be able to overcome the prejudice of the white settlers and the army soldiers? Or will the evil forces win in the end?
Chapter 1

Hannah sat on the hill overlooking the meadow and her family’s farm and contemplated the turn of events that had happened in the last few days. She breathed in the fresh spring air, taking in the lush green grass, yellow daisies, and blue sky of her beloved home and wondered how she could ever bear to leave such a place. At the tender age of 14, she understood her father had dreams he wished to fulfil; yet she was frightened, as she had heard stories of bloodthirsty savages and dangerous sea journeys from her papa and brother that had thoroughly put her off of any idea of adventuring.
The birds sang merrily overhead and the sun still shone brightly in the Norwegian sky; but nevertheless, Hannah’s life had changed forever; when her papa had arrived home from town a few days ago, and announced to his family, in no uncertain terms “I have decided we are moving to the Americas.” He then proceeded to show a newspaper clipping to his wife, which read “Farmer adventurers required for the Dakota Territory, 100 acre land tracts allocated to settlers.”
Hannah’s family had just sat down to their evening meal around the kitchen table, when the news had broken. The kitchen was normally a cheerful place, the floors tidy and swept and bright curtains on the windows. Her mama always made sure the broom was placed behind the kitchen door, as she said: “It was bad luck to keep it anywhere else.” Yet Hannah always thought the practice was a silly one, because everyone always knocked it over, coming through the door anyway. But today, the usually cheerful family kitchen was filled with tension, as the Nelson family members tried to digest the news of immigration, in their own way.
Anya, Hannah’s mama, who was a small frail woman with silver blonde hair and refined features, appeared the most shocked at the news, and said nothing at first; but then tears welled up in her eyes, and she lowered her head in her hands in dismay, weeping quietly. After a few moments, she lifted her head saying, “No Eric, you can’t do this to us, this is our home.” Peter, Hannah’s brother, a big brawny 16 year old youth, with a shock of yellow hair and the beginnings of a beard showing on his face, in contrast, leapt to his feet, smiling broadly, and shook his father’s hand saying: “Papa that is grand, I can’t believe we are going to the Americas” and whooped in glee, clapping his hands in excitement. Hannah’s two younger brothers, Otto and Lars, ages 3 and 5, both appeared baff led, at the sight of their mama crying and brother whooping; and started crying themselves; sensing unrest and tension in the family. Hannah, an auburn haired, petite girl with a razor sharp wit and intelligent green eyes, took in the scene, in dismay. She could not be called a beauty, yet she had a distinctive look that made her stand out from a crowd, and was a natural born leader. She quickly assessed the situation and went across to try to calm Anya and placed her small hand in the hand of her mama’s; and looked with condemning eyes at her papa, for in her mind, he had caused this mess.
Anya looked at her daughter with her lip trembling, and shook her head helplessly, not daring to challenge her husband directly; because she knew he would not tolerate disobedience from his wife. In fact, in the past, Eric had manhandled her to prove his point; and Anya did not want to spark his temper off, in front of the children. Hannah had never seen the physical abuse her papa had rained down on her mama, yet she had heard it happening whilst lying in the farmhouse loft as a small child. During these times she had stayed in her bed, terrified. She remembered being curled up in a ball, under the blankets, with her hands over her ears, trying to block out her mama’s screams. Hannah had also seen bruises on her mama’s back and legs, from time to time, when they had bathed, as the only females in the house. But, oddly there were never any bruises on her mama’s beautiful face. Hannah guessed, as she got older, her papa didn’t want the outside world to know what he had done. Hannah’s brother, Peter seemed oblivious to what had been transpiring between their parents though, as he slept heavily through the night and had never mentioned it, which seemed very strange to Hannah indeed.
Gathering her thoughts, Hannah stood up from her perch on the hillside and dusted the grass off her skirt and headed off down the narrow path to the thatched cottage she had grown up in. She had promised herself that she would be brave for her mama’s sake; but almost lost her resolve when she approached the farmhouse door and heard loud weeping coming from inside. She squared her shoulders and turned the knob, finding her mama weeping with her head resting on her folded arms at the kitchen table. Her two younger brothers were sitting at her feet, also crying and looked very tired and hungry. Hannah rushed to pick up the youngest child, Otto; holding him close, to comfort him. She then spoke softly to her mama and stroked her arm, treating her like a small child, which seemed to appease her. Hannah had seen her mama in depressed moods before, but it seemed she had been on the edge for days, and she knew this would never do. Determined to encourage her mama, she said matter of factly: “Mama you can fuss and cry all you want to; but you know Papa always gets his way, so we must somehow reconcile ourselves that we are going to the Americas, do you understand? Whether we like it or not, we are going to that place; do you hear me Mama? But don’t worry, I promise I will help you every step of the way, and we will come through alright, I just know it in my heart.” Several minutes passed and nothing further was said. Then Anya shook herself, as if a light switched on in her head, and sat up straight in her chair, looking blankly at Hannah and said: “Och, I must make your papa’s supper, you know he does not take kindly to having to wait for his meal; Hannah I need you to go quickly and get coal from the shed outside please?” And then, as if nothing was wrong, she wiped her nose with a handkerchief, from her apron and rose to start cooking, without giving her two sons, or even Hannah, a second glance.
Hannah was well used to her mama’s changing moods, and continued to sit at the table, while the two young boys sidled up to her, seeking comfort. She sighed; admitting to herself her mama had never been strong; and grimly thought to herself, that once again, she would have to act as surrogate mother to her brothers. But not just yet, for she was determined to tell Anya of what she had been shown whilst sitting on the hilltop, just a few moments earlier, and shook her head sharply, saying: “Mama, listen, Papa can wait a minute. I need to tell you about the vision I had on the hilltop today… please, hear me out.” Anya stopped and turned, supporting herself with her arms on the table, and tiredly sat back down. As Hannah’s mama, she was in great awe of her daughter’s gifting, because she knew that everything that Hannah had ever seen in these visions; generally had significance or had indeed come to pass, in times past. Anya waited patiently; not speaking a word, and Hannah seized on her opportunity and began, saying: “I saw Papa standing like a giant in a flowing
yellow field and all around him for miles and miles, all you could see were people that were dressed in leather looking clothes and feathers. I guess they were Indians,” she added, “but they were friendly and smiling and we were there too, and all of us were so happy, Mama. I think my gifting is trying to show us in this vision, that we will be fine,” she explained, “and that even though everything will be very different, we will be happy, can’t you see?” Finally, out of breath, Hannah waited for her mama’s response and hoped that somehow her vision had comforted her.
A look of resignation passed across her mama’s lovely face, and she closed her eyes tightly for a moment, sitting quietly, and at last, said: “Och, then let God’s will be done, my daughter, and may he have mercy on us all; and now my child, will you please go and get the coal?” Hannah half smiled and hurriedly put on her apron and scurried out to the shed for coal. Hannah didn’t find much though, because she had noticed, that although her papa didn’t like to admit it, the farm she loved so much, had been failing for some time. This decline of the farm had come about due to several years of poor and diseased potato crops, which had wreaked havoc upon the potato farmers, across Norway during the last few lean years. As a result, Hannah remembered that her own family, like many others, had barely etched out a living with the few farm animals and the vegetable garden they cared for. She found what coal she could, however; and returned to help her mama prepare the family meal, because there was scarcely an hour before the men returned from the fields.


Chapter 2

Even though his family had fallen on hard times, Eric Nelson was an ambitious man and determined to be rich, despite the fact it would be especially hard on his fragile wife. The rest of his brood were strong however, and he knew they would prosper in the new life he had planned for them. He also rationalised that, although Anya relied greatly on her own mother, who lived in a nearby village, she would have Hannah to help her. So, in his eyes, like it or not; his wife would have to adapt.
Anya had been plagued with dark moods throughout their marriage, and he grew weary of continually comforting and reassuring her, like she was a small child. He had sought the comfort of a strong drink and other women for solace, in the past, which he felt guilty about; but he felt most guilty about the drunken beatings he had given his wife, when the children were younger. He could scarcely remember them, because the drink had firmly taken hold on those occasions. In those days, he had returned home many a night, drunk from the town inn; and found Anya there with her sad face and he had just lost it with her; because he felt less of a man for failing to make her happy. Through the years, Eric had experienced f lashbacks of the violence he had meted out to his wife; and had seen the evidence of the bruising he had inflicted on her body, and was repulsed by it. Yet, callously, he considered himself to be a good provider and father and he would push these thoughts to the back of his mind, feeling there was very little he could do, to change his wife’s temperament or indeed the past.
Eric was aware his wife was frightened of him, and in his mind, he thought that maybe this was not such a bad thing. He loved her in his own way, but he admitted that he would never understand her. When Eric had first laid eyes on Anya, working as a seamstress’s assistant in the nearby village over 17 years ago, her beauty had dazzled him, with her porcelain skin and pale blonde hair. He knew then and there that he had to possess her, as his wife. At the time, Anya’s mother had warned him, when he announced his intentions to her; that her daughter was not strong. She had explained that Anya had lost her father in a terrible accident, saying: “He fell off a cliff and Anya witnessed the tragedy as a child, and she’s never been right since.”
Yet, Eric had arrogantly declared at the time: “I will make her happy and things will change once she is my wife.” But things had not changed and Anya seemed even more mentally impaired since birthing Eric’s two youngest sons. But believing in making the best of things, Eric had gritted his teeth when he told his family of his intention to move them to the Americas; and refused to be swayed by the emotional upheaval it caused in his household or indeed the mental state of his wife.
Eric was determined to make his mark in the world and wanted desperately to make a better life for his offspring. He stood in the rocky field of his farm, surveying his current property and decided he had struck a good deal with his cousin, Albert, for the sale of his farm. He finished feeding the donkey and sheep in the barn and mentally started preparing a list of the supplies he would need for the long journey on the ship to the Americas. In fact, he decided he would leave in two days’ time to book passage on the next available ship to the new world, for Eric planned to have his family travelling within the month. He had done his homework and knew he needed to leave whilst the weather was still favourable or the seas could be more treacherous the longer they waited to make the journey; and so haste was needed to get to their destination safely and he was aching to begin a new life.
Eric had also decided that he must remove his daughter from the area, as soon as possible; because her gifting of second sight and healing was becoming a burden, for the entire family. More and more people showed up every day at the farmhouse; for her prayers of healing and visions of the future and he felt he could not protect his daughter anymore. Sometimes these people brought food or a piece of cloth to trade for her words or deeds; but Eric was very worried and felt it was getting out of hand and that he had to intervene or they would never have a normal life. He knew his daughter had a great gifting and was destined to help many, because she had proven herself again and again; but Hannah was only 14 years old and in his mind needed a chance for a normal life.
When Eric first read the advertisement about the fertile 160 acre land tracts available to settlers in the Dakota Territory, he thought perhaps he’d misunderstood the ad. Yet, when he had written to the shipping agent assigned to locate potential settlers for the offer, he was delighted to find it was a genuine offer. The agent had written back saying that the only stipulations were: “that the settlers had to reach Fort Webster at their own expense and that they would be required to build a cabin and make improvements to the land, for a minimum of ten years; and that once those conditions were met, then the land would be deeded over to that settler.” Eric knew instinctively that this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and that he could not afford to miss out on it, no matter what the cost.
He walked through the door of his farmhouse one evening, and inhaled the succulent cooking smells of fresh Lefse, the soft potato flatbread he loved so much, and vegetable stew. Eric wondered if any meat had been found to put into the stew that night, for he was sick to the back teeth with the lack of meat in their meagre diets, due to their impoverished circumstances. Eric was a broad-shouldered, fair haired man, who had aged well, aside from his thinning hair and protruding belly acquired from his previous drinking binges in years past. But his usual expression was always solemn, which made it hard to read his thoughts at the best of times; and made him appear older, than his 35 years. He looked across to see his wife stirring the stew, over the hearth, in the big cast iron pot and asked brusquely, “Is supper ready wife?” She looked at him with a meek expression and responded, “Yes, husband, sit down and I will serve you.” From her pained expression, Eric knew she was still very unhappy about his decision to immigrate; but he hardened his heart and stuck to his resolve, ignoring her. She placed the meal before him and he waited for her to sit down. In the Nelson household, the rest of the family did not start eating until their father took his first bite. Normally, they would have all bowed their heads to bless the food prior to eating it, but lately even that formality had gone by the wayside.
As Anya sat down with her family across from her husband, Hannah looked at her mama, and willed her not to say anything. She took in her mama’s pouting lips and childlike expression, (and was) worried that Anya was on the brink of a nervous collapse. Yet, Hannah kept quiet, not wishing to make matters worse.
Eric broke the silence, looking directly at his wife, almost daring her to challenge him and said: “I leave the day after tomorrow to go to Oslo to book our passage to the Americas, have you anything to say for yourself?” Anya lifted her chin, and straightened her shoulders, as if to rally her strength, and all of the Nelson children held their breath, when she spoke and said, “As you know, I am not happy with this decision; but since you are the head of the household, I have very little choice husband, but to go along with this scheme. Och, let God’s will be done,” she added dejectedly. In a sigh of relief, all of the Nelson clan exhaled almost simultaneously and started eating their meals. Even the youngest child, Otto, usually a chatty child, remained quiet as he ate, sensing the thick atmosphere in the room. But, five year old Lars, who was surprisingly unaffected by the happenings of late and generally was always full of ridiculous questions, piped up and asked: “So Papa will there be any mean fish to swallow us up, when we ride in the big ship to the Americas? ”Cos’ Peter said there might be and that scares me.” Eric looked sternly at his eldest son and said: “Have you been scaring your brothers again with your wild stories?” I will not have more upset in this house, do you hear me, Son?” Peter, looked across at Lars with a vengeful expression on his face, then changed his expression to an innocent one, when he met his father’s gaze and responded, “No Pa, the little twerp has twisted what I said, why would I do that?”
Eric shook his finger at Peter saying: “Boy, I know you tease your little brothers to no good end, and this will have to stop; because I will need a man not a boy in the days ahead, do you understand?” Not meek by nature, Peter reluctantly held his tongue and nodded his head dutifully, letting the matter drop, whilst the family finished their supper. After the family had eaten their meal, they each started their bedtime activities for the night, without further comment on the uncertain events that were about to unfold. But the new life that lay at their doorstep weighed heavily on all of their minds. Shouting bouts from their papa and crying episodes from their mama was actually all the Nelson offspring had ever known, so in that sense, nothing much had changed; but each of the children feared for their mama greatly, and wondered if she would be strong enough to make the trip.

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