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Senior Council
White Council

Joseph Listens-to-Wind, often called Injun Joe, is a Native American human wizard and a member of the Senior Council. He first appears in Summer Knight.

Description[]

There are two wolves within every man. One represents our greatest capacities - compassion, courage, reason. The other embodies our base emotions - pride, anger, hatred. At every moment of every day, they battle for the control of us. But it is we who determine which one wins.— Joseph Listens-to-Wind[2]

Joseph Listens-to-Wind is introduced to Harry Dresden as a "genuine Illinois medicine man" by Ebenezar McCoy at the White Council conclave held in Chicago. Joseph was accompanied by a small, young raccoon he had named Little Brother. Joseph seems to be able to understand what the raccoon says to him.[1]

His long hair is grey-white, with a few threads of black in it. His leathery skin is the ruddy bronze of a Native American complexion exposed to plenty of sunshine, and his eyes are dark and glittering beneath white brows. In one appearance, he wears faded blue jeans, moccasin boots, and an old Aerosmith T-shirt. He carries a fringed leather bag hung from a belt that runs slantwise across his body, and a smaller, similar bag from a thong around his neck.[3]

Most of Listens-to-Wind's history is unknown. At one point, he was a leader of his people and, because of his principles that the Council should not interfere with the politics of mortals, he watched his tribe and his people be destroyed.[3]

He is a highly accomplished shapeshifter, able to instantaneously and effortlessly shift into multiple animal forms, among them a falcon and an owl.[2] He is strong and skilled enough to drive off a naagloshii, wounding it severely in mere moments of combat.[4] In place of a shield of the nature that Dresden uses, Listens-to-Wind performs a kind of Native American dance and the attacks of the Naagloshii simply miss, fall short or disappear before striking and reappear behind him.[4]

He is the White Council's premier healer, and also has multiple degrees in modern medicine. He returns to medical school every decade or two to stay current with modern practice.[3]

In the series[]

Summer Knight[]

In Summer Knight, Ebenezar McCoy calls a small group of his friends on the Senior Council to meet Harry Dresden and assess him for themselves. They include: Martha Liberty, Joseph Listens-to-Wind, and Simon Pietrovich, who did not show up. Listens-to-Wind seems to like Dresden and agrees to side with McCoy and Liberty on Dresden's behalf at the White Council conclave that is about to convene.[1]

Dead Beat[]

In Dead Beat, Listens-to-Wind travels to Chicago with six "stay at home" wizards who know something about medicine and healing. Together, they heal the wounded Carlos Ramirez and Anastasia Luccio and move them to a more secure location.[5]

Proven Guilty[]

In Proven Guilty, Listens-to-Wind joins Ebenezar McCoy and Martha Liberty in leading a force from the battle of Oregon to relieve Anastasia Luccio's Boot Camp when it is attacked.[6] As a part of this relief effort, Listens-to-Wind is the one who creates the Way for the fleeing wizards through to Chicago.[7]

When McCoy and Harry Dresden discuss the presence of the Black Council, Listens-to-Wind is listed as one of the Senior Council members who knew the whereabouts of the boot camp. McCoy vouches for him, however.[8]

White Night[]

In White Night, Harry Dresden calls Listens-to-Wind to come and help Carlos Ramirez following the battle in the Raith Deeps. Listens-to-Wind and his team of medics arrive and take Ramirez to be healed.[9]

Small Favor[]

In Small Favor, Anastasia Luccio tells Molly Carpenter that the Ley line map she possesses was given to her by Listens-to-Wind. Apparently, he has spent several centuries living in the general region.[10]

"Dog Men"[]

In "Dog Men", he asks Harry Dresden for help in a disappearance case in Taylor, MS, acting all the while as a calming presence for Dresden's quick-to-anger character. He also acts as a scout in the wild, when needed.

Upon reaching Taylor and showing him the crime scene, he charges Dresden with combing the town, while he scouts the wild, witnessing a squad of soldiers preparing to attack a group of wild creatures which they plan to destroy, before getting back to town and calling Dresden for backup, leading him at the heart of the wolf people territory for a parley. The Wolf people, however, attack Mouse, which prompts Dresden to retaliate; an attempt by Listens-to-Wind to deescalate the situation gets him injured. A fire spell by Dresden gets the Wolf people fleeing, and the two wizards find themselves surrounded by Agents Biggs and Lytle's men.

After a dream sequence involving Donald Morgan and Ebenezar McCoy, Dresden finds himself in a hospital room, where Listen-to-Wind is recovering from his injuries. Agent Lytle and Dresden are almost fighting, but Listen-to-Wind breaks it up, acting as the voice of reason for Dresden.[2]

Turn Coat[]

In Turn Coat, Listens-to-Wind is preparing to conduct an investigative divination in Aleron LaFortier's chambers when Ebenezar McCoy suggests that Harry Dresden speak to him.[11] He explains to Dresden that although the evidence against Donald Morgan is conclusive, Arthur Langtry thinks he is innocent and Listens-to-Wind is assisting the investigation in order to prevent Langtry from faking anything. He explains that he is doing so, regardless of who is guilty or not, in order to prevent a civil war within the White Council.[3]

Listens-to-Wind attends the apprehension of Morgan on Demonreach with McCoy, Ancient Mai and a number of Wardens and on arrival, agrees with Mai that Dresden should be arrested for harboring the fugitive.[12] He notices the presence of the attackers when they appear, and together with Mai, they enter the battle attempting to hold off the second group of attackers.[13] He eventually makes his way to the hill summit on the island during Dresden's battle with the Naagloshii and following an intense, shape-shifting battle, he sends the creature running. After confirming that Dresden made a Sanctum invocation with the island, Listens-to-Wind instructs on how to use that connection to strike against their attackers.[4] He later prevents Mai from arresting Dresden and Molly Carpenter in addition to Morgan, claiming that 'one death is necessary, adding two more...would be callous, pointless and evil'. He informs Dresden that Toot is ok, having suffered only minor wounds from his fight with the Naagloshi.[14] Listens-to-Wind offers to teach Molly about healing magic while he tends to Morgan's wounds, and then assists Dresden with his.[14]

During Morgan's trial, after Dresden stands up, Listens-to-Wind counters Mai's point of order, allowing him to present his evidence.[15] Following the traitor's use of Mordite, Listens-to-Wind works with McCoy and the other Senior Council members to contain the creature.[16] He again tends to Dresden's wounds following the fight.[17]

Peace Talks[]

In Peace Talks,

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Battle Ground[]

In Battle Ground,

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Word of Jim[]

He is from a Great Lakes nation.[18]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Summer Knight, ch. 4
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Dog Men"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Turn Coat, ch. 15
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Turn Coat, ch. 45
  5. Dead Beat, ch. 43
  6. Proven Guilty, ch. 44
  7. Proven Guilty, ch. 46
  8. Proven Guilty, ch. 47
  9. White Night, ch. 43
  10. Small Favor, ch. 39
  11. Turn Coat, ch. 14
  12. Turn Coat, ch. 40
  13. Turn Coat, ch. 41
  14. 14.0 14.1 Turn Coat, ch. 46
  15. Turn Coat, ch. 47
  16. Turn Coat, ch. 48
  17. Turn Coat, ch. 49
  18. Word of Jim
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