More in this series: Prologue, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch.22, Ch. 23
Klasina cared for caribou
Leading the herd across the land.
The land provides food
When and where it can.
She knew the trees like friends.
The lakes and planes give sustenance
In the watch of the distant mountains
While the shifting ice is fickle,
Indecisive to the end.
Klasina rode a fearsome polar bear
Who carried her everywhere
Watching after the reindeer,
Cubs and fawns so dear.
They used to stop at igloos and ice towns
Built by elves as a friendly way to house
The polar nomads wandering around,
But the goblins knocked most of them down
Preferring to charge for inns where wealth compounds.
So herds people find snow caves
As warm, safe places to stay.
But yetis claimed most of these,
And perceived the herds people as thieves.
So Klasina prefered to shelter in the trees
At the edges of the plains to out run yetis.
She and the yetis didn’t get along.
But she knew they weren't the real problem.
“The goblins, the goblins
They make all the problems.
“They wreck our homes
And tear up the land.
Rip forests to bone
With all consuming demands.
Force us out on our own.
Take our deer for pittance in hand.
“The goblins, the goblins
They make all the problems.
“Take five pelts for a place at an inn . . .
Where would our herds of deer be then?
Let the deer go and become one of them . . .
But they’re our livelihood. How would we live?
There’s no way to win
In this goblin system.
“The goblins, the goblins
They cause all the problems.”
When Klasina heard the herdsman speak
To a crowd of elves and deer and herders
She heard the elves demand to be free
And noted the crowds ardent fervor.
She took the speaker’s words to heart
When he called for all to take part,
“But it takes us all together,
Every elf, herds person, deer, and bear.
“No one left out.
No one backs down.”
“The goblins will retaliate
To maintain their current state.”
“They’ll send the trolls after us
To beat us and batter us.”
“But we will out last and take control.
We will be the masters of our North Pole.”
Yet, she noticed who was missing.
There were no yetis to be seen.
They can be scary.
They can be mean.
But the goblins affected everything.
Even the secluded caves of yetis
Far away from goblin hoard cities.
Klasina thought
It was a long shot.
“But it takes us all together.
No time for yeti fear.”
She entrusted her reindeer
To a good friend near.
Then she and her bear made for yeti caves
To rouse them from their solitary ways,
To draw them in for solidarity’s sake.
Most did not receive her kindly at first. They’d run her out, cut her down, or worse. Then she met Shurshkenmöch A giant yeti, shaggy and grim. Magic happened when he spoke. All other yetis would listen. Shurshkenmöch heard Klasina out. He had nothing to lose from her words. She hadn’t come thieving with herds. He listened and liked what she was about. But he pushed back. He said the goblins had promised yetis wealth. Klasina asked if they’d come through on that. Shurshkenmöch said they’d get it from the elves But knew there was only pain to be had. Klasina pushed Shurshkenmöch to spread the news of resistance. But he knew the yetis would be hesitant because of their independence. Still, they went together from cave to cave Conversing with yetis for days and days, Sharing the struggle and paving the way For support when they’d have to stand in the face Of goblins, trolls, elves, bears, deer and friends To take their place In the polar conflict with the goblins. But most yetis stand alone, So the end result wouldn’t be known Until the time when all would show Their side, their heart--when no one stands alone.