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    BRAVE-WILLOW-BIRD-8                         "Brave Willow Bird"
    (Part #8 of 9)                              Copyright 1997 by Vince Water
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       We turn around and back against Big Horn to touch all our butts. It's a
    nice sensation of warmth and softness when I hump against the two men. Our
    hands reach out to one another and bind our triad.

       "We have come together for this completion of the Mahyee-na ritual for
    a new brother," announces Big Horn. "We are filled with love for our
    hearts, with visions to guide our spirits and we've gifted seed from our
    male loins to each other. It makes us one."

       "I am Mahyee-na!" announces Sings-to-the-birds with pride.

       'So is Night's Star,' I think to myself with some guilt. That boy has
    joined into our male ritual without Big Horn's knowledge. A youth's seed
    is mingling with the men's in my body and it fights for their attention
    and respect. I wonder if Sings-to-the-birds suspects what I've done with
    the boy.

       "You are empowered to test and bring in new brothers to our society,"
    announces Big Horn. "It begins with the touch of your butt with theirs.
    Mind what you have been shown of our secret ways and pass it onto those
    males who share in our Mahyee-na spirit."

       "I will," answers Sings-to-the-birds. (The brave's thoughts turn to that
    cute boy, Night's Star. It'll bring him much joy to guide that youth along
    the Mahyee-na path, and if their heart become one, to join as lovers.)

       My hand is squeezed by Sings-to-the-birds. His happy moment is shared
    by me and Big Horn though my lover is unaware of the new boy in his life.
    One of my visions is fulfilled; the joyous one. I have yet to face the
    darker things yet to pass.

       Big Horn lets go of my hand. I turn around to face him and the young
    brave. Our chests come together with our hands reaching around each other
    in a great big hug. I smell the musky odor of our sex-stained bodies. It
    excites me! My dick grows long against the two men. I find Big Horn's lips
    with my own and kiss him. He responds to my passion in a man's way.

       Sings-to-the-birds also grows a long dick between us. We begin rubbing
    them together. I'm surprised when Big Horn breaks from our kissing. He
    turns to the young man and kisses him. A long one. When their faces part,
    I find myself being kissed by the brave.

       I look into the brave's face and can easily imagine him as a boy from
    his lack of long hair. My body reacts strongly to the young man's show of
    love for me. I lower my right hand to his butt and grip it. My tongue
    sticks into his mouth; does he understand my gesture for wanting sex with
    him? I feel my butt squeezed in his hand. Our bodies are responding to
    each other.

       My need for breaths has me breaking from our kissing. Big Horn rushes
    his mouth over mine. We kiss passionately. His tongue sticks into my mouth
    and I suck over it in my acceptance to make love. We grip each other's
    butt motion. Three hard cocks thrust together in the enjoyment of our love
    for one another.

       I gasp for breath. Big Horn resumes kissing Sings-to-the-birds. I watch
    their passion with much happiness. My turn comes to kiss the young brave.
    He has become less shy by sticking his tongue in me. It makes me giggle.

       Big Horn presses his face against ours. Our mouths turn to include the
    needing warrior. Like our bodies, we kiss in a triad of love making! It
    becomes a very wet kiss with our tongues swirling and darting to each
    other. My cock tingles in warning... I cry out to the men when squirting
    on them!

       Sings-to-the-birds joins me with his outcry. I feel his liquid release
    on my belly followed by the heated blowing out of his breath. Big Horn
    rushes his cock. We continue to grip each other's flexing butts and our
    fleshy spears strike together in shared male victory.

       The continuing effort tires me. It's difficult for a male to keep up
    his sex dance after cuming. Our sweaty bodies cling tightly to each
    other; hot breaths rush through my mouth but without much relief to my
    aching lungs. Sings-to-the-birds also struggles at my side. Our dicks
    have spit, and having done so, they've lost their hardness and turn into
    limp fleshy sticks. Only Big Horn's cock remains oaken hard with its need
    to strike against our heaving bellies. When will his wet blow come?

       I begin to worry for my lover. He's showing signs of pain on his face
    from the sexual struggle to get his loins to spill with ours. Will the
    effort make him faint? Big Horn must not reveal his weakness before the
    young brave!

       My body turns towards Big Horn to help coax his release. His wild cock
    finds a tight place to thrust against; my balls and semi-hard dick. I
    kiss my man deeply and our eyes stare into one another's. He sees my
    concern for him. His mantle of leadership to our Mahyee-na society
    demands this proof of male virility.

       A low growl forms in Big Horn's throat. The warrior bucks his body
    within our tight embrace and he finally showers us with his cum. I
    welcome it to my wet body. It's followed by the man's groan which turns
    to loud gasps for air. Our sweaty and heated bodies slow against each
    other. We have seeded. It runs down our bellies and catches into our
    groin hair.

       Big Horn kisses Sings-to-the-birds. I'm next given that warrior's
    loving kiss and his eyes are filled with much relief. The young brave
    completes our sex rite with his kiss on my lips. Our hands loosen from one
    another. I look down at our sweaty bodies, wet with lots of cum. Its sharp
    odor fills my nose.

       Big Horn drops to his knees. My hands reach down to my lover with
    concern until seeing that the man hasn't fainted. He's hungrily mouthing
    over the brave's wet belly to drink up the sperm that he finds there. My
    belly is next kissed by the warrior. It's a very tickly sensation when he
    tongues over me and sucks in our thick cum.

       I join into my lover's ritual by dropping to my knees. My mouth goes to
    his belly to suck up the running sperm. My lips hunt through the man's
    coarse hairs for more globs. I sniff in the attractive scent; his sweat
    from sexual laboring mixed with male musky oozing and seed. It fills my
    mouth. When turning to Sings-to-the-birds, I suck on his swollen cock for
    cum since that young man's belly has already been licked dry by Big Horn.

       With a full mouth, I stand up to face my lover with a big grin. His
    lips come to mine and he steals some cum under the guise of a love kiss. I
    quickly swallow to fill my belly with what remains in my mouth.

       Sings-to-the-birds laughs. He completes the drinking rite by dropping
    to his knees and mouthing over my cock. It's only a small sip. The brave
    turns to Big Horn's body and he sucks on the warrior's curved male length.
    His widening eyes prove that he's much impressed by the size of my lover's
    'horn.'

       When Sings-to-the-birds stands with us, I rush to press my lips over
    his. My tongue swirls what he's been holding in his mouth and I fill my
    mouth, quickly swallowing our cum. It's sticky at the back of my throat.
    The taste is salty but most exciting to be drinking from the mens' loins.

       "The initiation rite is completed," announces Big Horn, wiping his
    mouth. "We are now brothers. Let's go clean our bodies in Spirit Lake."

       We follow the warrior into the water. Its cold spirit is stunning; I'm
    quick to clean my body with the young brave's help. Our hands splash water
    at each other and we rub over naked skin. Big Horn has lowered himself
    into the lake so that its waters are up to his shoulders. Bubbles rise
    along his back.

       "I'm pushing out all your seed," explains Big Horn. "Join me in this
    exocist to empty our butts in the sacred lake."

       I squat low in the cold water behind Big Horn to perform as he's asked.
    Sings-to-the-birds joins us. Our slippery bodies whisper against each other.
    It's a very sensual feeling. Cold though! I push out what my butt has been
    filled with from the two men and that boy. Bubbles rise along my back.

       Our cleaning rite reminds me of what my lover and I had done after
    being seeded from Shakes-like-the-ground. Yet I'd prefer being pissed in
    my butt than having to endure this lake's chilly waters!

       Big Horn stands up and rushes to the bank. Sings-to-the-birds and I are
    quick to follow him back to our lodge. We crowd around the warmth of the
    fire, our naked bodies dripping to the ground. My eyes peer deeply into
    the whispering flames. I'm mesmerized by its glowing dance; memories
    return to me. I ask, 'why have I been chosen to wield Your Power?' while
    my hands are reaching out to grasp it. My spirit burns to be freed...

       My fleshy shell falls away. I become one of three glowing spirit/balls.
    Sings-to-the-birds has a nice brilliance with a delicate tendril
    connecting him to me but Big Horn's has a dark spot on his. A corruption
    from some evil that's trying to swallow him up. I must act!

       A strong hand pulls on my arm. Big Horn's shout awakens me from
    Dreaming to the burning pain from my left hand. I'm shocked to find myself
    angry at the warrior. The three suns from my vision fade from inner Sight.

       "What were you doing?" asks Big Horn. He stare's at Willow Bird's
    burned hand in disbelief.

       I turn to my lover in confusion. My mouth tries forming words to
    explain but I find that I'm at a loss. Anger has been replaced in my heart
    by fear for the warrior. My hand hurts. Why did I put it in the flames?

       "A Fire Speaker!" gasps Sings-to-the-birds.

       "What are you talking about?" Big Horn asks.

       "There's a shaman in my tribe who can draw visions from a sacred fire,"
    explains Sings-to-the-birds. "The old man reaches into the burning flames
    and Speaks of what he Sees. Afterwards, he can't remember very much except
    for the pain. Like what Willow Bird has done."

       "Did you See anything?" asks Big Horn to his lover in concern.

       I slowly nod my head while staring at the flames. They seem to be
    teasing me by their dancing. What has been revealed to me? I try to put
    into words the fading images that remain in my head.

       "Father Sun's face was Seen in three directions," I explain. "A growing
    brilliance in morning, His height above me in the afternoon and His waning
    at sunset. It makes me feel great sadness."

       "That's a common description of a man's life," says Sings-to-the-birds.
    "He begins to grow when a boy, his height of power is at manhood and his
    waning years come as an old man. Death brings sadness."

       I shake my head at the brave's interpretation. "It doesn't feel like
    that. They were three different suns. Two connected and the sunset in
    danger. I don't know how to explain what I Saw since I'm only left with
    feelings; the images have escaped me."

       Big Horn shakes his head. "Enough shaman talk."

       My lover's strong hand on my shoulder gets me to sit down with him over
    the woven mat. The brave joins us at my side. Our wet bodies press
    together for a sharing of warmth. I hold my left hand in pain. It's red
    from being burned by the flames.

      Someone's hand comes to my dick and begins pulling over it. I'm surprised
    when it responds since my loins should be empty of seed from all that
    we've done in our sex rites. My erection comes to stand against my belly.
    It's a pleasant rubbing feeling to get my mind off my hurting hand.

       I reach for Big Horn's cock. My right hand lovingly wraps around its
    limp size to coax a growth. Sings-to-the-birds has a hold of mine. He also
    grasps his manhood to pleasure himself.

       My butt slowly flexes over the woven mat with my forward stabs. The
    brave's fingers tighten around my oozing dick. Big Horn's cock in my hand
    grows very hard. Its curved length moves through my tightening fingers for
    his thrills. He begins moaning. I turn to my lover with a knowing grin.

       "I announce a contest," says Big Horn. "Which of us can prevent their
    loins from spilling? The first to come out must perform a sexual favor to
    this game's winner. The second man to cum can task the first to do
    something of his choosing; a secret to reveal or some task to perform for
    him. Are you both up to my challenge?"

       "Yes!" I shout. Sings-to-the-birds is also quick to accept. Big Horn
    reaches for the young man's dick to pull over it with expert fingers while
    the brave tries coaxing my release in his hand. I play over my lover's
    cock.

       I put an end to my butt humping and I break up the rhythm to my
    breaths. The brave's fingers do their best to pleasure me. My excitement
    oozing makes for a very slippery rubbing over my dick's thick skin. The
    thrills are building up inspite of my attempts to thwart them.

       I keep my hand tight around Big Horn's curved dick. It also oozes. I
    carry its male wetness down his shaft while keeping my fingers tightly
    wrapped around the thick skin. I think that my lover will easily win this
    contest. He's a strong warrior with much sexual experience and he's
    usually the last to get his cock to explode when in my arms.

       I glance down into Sings-to-the-birds' lap. His long dick is oozing in
    my lover's tight hand. An expert playing over the young man's loins; Big
    Horn's thumb rubs over its sensitive glans. This gets the young brave to
    moan.

       I'm also feeling my need to moan. It's becoming difficult to break up
    my breaths when my body urges me to keep a rhythm of thrills from my
    cock. As the youngest male here, it's expected that I'll be the first to
    explode. I'm trying to prove myself as a sexually experienced man!

       Sings-to-the-birds flexes his butt at my side. Loud moans come from his
    mouth... He has given in to the sweet thrills that Big Horn offers him. An
    outcry! A smile fills my face when seeing his cum flying in the air.

       My dick tingles in warning. I've joined into the brave's ending
    excitement and I squirt strongly from my cock. My cries announce that I'm
    the second to lose this male sex game. Big Horn's hand rushes over mine to
    put an end to my pleasuring. Was his dick that close to coming out?

       "The game is done," announces Big Horn between breaths. "I remain the
    only man not to come out. Sings-to-the-birds owes me a sexual favor and he
    must do something of Willow Bird's choosing."

       The young brave nods his head in an acceptance of defeat. Yet his eyes
    shine from sexual relief. I know how well Big Horn's hand can perform male
    pleasuring!

      Sings-to-the-birds asks, "what would you ask of me to perform, Big Horn?"

       The warrior grins. "I'll ponder on that, young brave. We've joined our
    bodies with fucking and a belly rub. My loins may seek another path of
    pleasuring to your sweet male body. I'll decide on sometime later this day."

       I nudge Big Horn. He turns to me with a wicked grin on his face. I share
    his enthusiasm for embracing sex with the young brave; newly brothered to
    our society of Mahyee-na. I wonder if any of the warriors of this tribe
    will be taking the brave for their pleasure before my lover's use?

       Sings-to-the-birds faces Willow Bird. "What would you have me do?"

       I turn towards the fire and think of what my prize will be. It can't be
    anything sexual since that favor was granted to Big Horn as the winner of
    our game. I could ask the brave to dismantle our half-lodge and haul down
    its heavy skins for their return to Many Animals... Yes. That would be a
    worthy thing to have done.

       When I voice my task unto the brave, Big Horn slowly shakes his head in
    disagreement. He looks at the half-lodge that we sit in with much pride.

       "The wise chief has asked that we keep this lodge up through the
    summer," explains Big Horn. "He expects that a few newly wedded couples
    will be making use of it in the honey moons ahead to fulfill their
    tribe's first joining rite on the bank of Spirit Lake."

       "Will Many Animals agree to keep his skins here?" I ask.

       "I do not know. Go to Many Animals and explain to him what I've been
    told by his chief."

       I nod my head at Big Horn's words. I'm sure that Many Animals will be
    asking another favor upon me when learning what I will tell him.

       "It's time to break our fast," says Big Horn. "My stomach is rumbling
    from not eating for a day." (He finds his lengthy breechclout and wraps it
    around his waist, dropping one end over his front. The rear end is tucked
    in so that his butt will show.)

       A smile erupts on my face for the warrior. His rear naked display will
    be like a signal fire to attract this tribe's needing men into his
    asshole. I too will show off my body in a similar fashion. My thong belt
    is tied around my waist and I check that my knife and sacred bundle are
    secured to it. The one cloth to my breechclout is folded over the belt to
    cover my loins. Only from behind do I offer men a sexual joining to my
    body. My penis is kept for my lover.

       Sings-to-the-birds puts on his breechclout. It's more like a boy's; a
    thong belt around his waist with two flaps folded over it to cover his
    body. A warrior's covering is like Big Horn's; one length of deerskin
    that's passed under his balls to fold over his belt in the front and back
    of him.

       The young brave is too well covered when compared to us. He's been
    initiated Mahyee-na and should have his ass bared... An idea comes to me.
    My hand reaches for the man's rear cloth and I pull it free from his belt.

       "This is my favor upon you to be endured," I explain. "Leave your butt
    uncovered as Big Horn and I have done. We of the Mahyee-na are obligated
    to the lusty needs of men. What better way to announce our acceptance than
    to bare our rear openings for them?"

       Sings-to-the-birds gives me a sour expression. He doesn't seem
    thrilled to be missing his rear flap and I giggle at his discomfort. A
    fond memory drops into my head to share with him. "I remember when Big
    Horn had taken my rear flap to be sewn into my sacred bundle. It left my
    butt vulnerable to the naughty hand strikes of the young boys of my tribe
    and my having to endure the curious stares by girls. Yet I endured. You
    too will get used to your half-nakedness in time."

       "That's not a great concern," says Sings-to-the-birds. "I welcome a
    boy's lusty attention to my butt. It's already attracted more than a
    youth's hand strike to it. What bothers me is the loss of respect my
    nakedness could bring me before the men of this tribe. They are not yet my
    People. I hope to gain the warrior's honored status with brave deeds and
    the proving of my manhood before all mens' eyes. A difficult thing if my
    appearance is like a boy's..."

       Big Horn nods his head in agreement. "I will be speaking with the chief.
    Perhaps he can convince the elders to allow you to remain with the Moss-
    bowl Tribe as one of them. Banishment is a difficult thing to bear. It
    makes a hard life for you to be without your own People. I will also talk
    with my uncle, the Kalinlepi Chief to allow your staying with us if this
    tribe should reject you. My tipi is always welcome to you for a visit."

       Sings-to-the-birds releases his held breath. I can see that the brave
    is much relieved by Big Horn's words of assurance. He turns sideways to us
    and shows off his butt, slapping over both his cheeks with a grin. They
    stick out nicely from his body and between them is a tight hole that we
    have stuck into! The men of this tribe (and a boy when thinking of Night's
    Star!) are going to enjoy him for sexual use. The only Mahyee-na man they
    can turn to for fucking when Big Horn and I depart tomorrow morning.

       A thought strikes me. "Sings-to-the-birds; will you come to visit with
    us and witness my passage into manhood?"

       "I will gladly," he answers. "I've heard that your initiation begins on
    the second full moon from now. Is this so?"

       "Yes. Big Horn will stand at my side as my monedo. I would welcome your
    presence as a Mahyee-na brother, to lend me strength." Sings-to-the-birds
    grips my right biceps and squeezes it.

       "A need for strength?" the brave asks. "You had won our wrestling
    match. Your body is nearly that of a young man's but I know what you're
    asking of me and I'd be honored to attend your initiation."

       "Will you be traveling back with us to our tribe?" I ask.

       Sings-to-the-birds glances at Big Horn with a troubled expression. My
    lover shakes his head in reply and I realize that there's something going
    on here that I'm unaware of. Some kind of trouble that the young brave is
    facing.

       "I have an important matter to attend to first," he explains. "It will
    be resolved before your naming rite."

       I nod my head in respectful silence. If the brave wanted me to know
    about his important matter he would have spoken of it. I think that Big
    Horn is aware of what's going on.

       I've not traveled so far into the valleys before," the brave admits.
    "Where can your tribe be found?"

       Big Horn answers, "come down your mountain and walk in the direction of
    the rising sun for two days. Find the wide muddy river in the forest.
    You'll be traveling against its flow and keep to the left handed bank to
    find our tribe. It will be guarded by warriors so prepare to offer signs
    of peace."

       Sings-to-the-birds lays his right hand over the boy's shoulder and
    smiles. "It will be an honor for me to witness your rite into manhood,
    Willow Bird! Has a man's name been chosen for you?"

       I turn to Big Horn in answer the young brave's question. As my monedo,
    it's his responsibility to name me when I'm declared a brave by the chief.
    My first name of many that my People will call me, shaped by my future
    deeds.

       "Willow Bird will have to wait until the second moon," answers Big Horn.
    "The truth is that I've not yet decided upon which name to give him."

       "I would gladly accept 'Willow's Strength' or in honor of my father's
    name, take 'Singing Sweetly.'" Big Horn's face turns dark when hearing me
    utter a similar naming of the dead warrior, my father who's been with the
    stars for these past five summers. He was so named because of his 'bright'
    singing that had woed my mother to him.

       The uneasy silence passes. Big Horn nods his head as if a man's name
    for me has just been decided by him! He sees my bright eyes. Will his lips
    open to speak of my new name?

       "You are too eager and impatient as a busy bee for the important things
    that have their own proper places and time to fulfill," says Big Horn.
    "Come. Let's visit with the chief. It's time to feed our rumbling stomachs!"

       We follow the warrior to the stony stairs. They lead us down from the
    lake to the many lodges that are stirring with a morning's activity. I
    notice the figure of a boy running ahead of us in the distance; Night's
    Star? He sure is a curious boy to be spying on us!

       I glance at Sings-to-the-birds with my bright eyes. He seemed not to
    notice the fleeing youth. My eyes fall on the brave's nakedness and I slap
    over its softness with a grin. He shakes his butt for me. I clutch it with
    a deep fondness for all the things that I've shared with this young man.

       Big Horn stops before the chief's lodge. It's a large one. A voice from
    within bids the warrior to enter while we're prevented from following by
    his sharp hand gesture. I wait with Sings-to-the-birds outside.

       I glance at the brave with amusement. His expression is dark and
    troubled. Is he worried by what Big Horn will be asking of this tribe's
    chief? Our wait becomes a long one. People pass by with curious glances. I
    feel the tension building in my companion so I reach down to hold his
    waist. I'm glad when the young man reaches down for mine. His hand brushed
    against my butt.

       "We must look like two boys awaiting the chief's permission to enter,"
    I whisper to break the tension.

       Sings-to-the-birds looks down at himself. "We do like like boys. You
    are one until the naming rite in two moons times yet I've already been
    initiated as a brave. I shouldn't be wearing this meager flap over my
    body. Big Horn's lengthy cloth is a more appropriate covering for a man,
    don't you think?"

       I slowly nod my head. Why this change in Sings-to-the-birds? He's been
    acting serious and troubled after our initiation of him; so concerned by
    what others will now think of him.

       The young man's question is still upon me. I answer him, "yes. Perhaps
    you too should wear a long cloth for your body. It's very cold on this
    mountain!" Sings-to-the-birds gives me a sour look. When I break into a
    grin, the man joins me with a bright smile and a laugh.

       "You are a good heart, boy named Willow Bird! I will take your advice
    to find a proper breechclout to wear around my body."

       "Remember to keep your butt uncovered."

       Sings-to-the-birds nods in agreement. "I will. How else could the
    needing men know that my rear squaw entrance is for them?"

       Big Horn's voice booms out to us. We eagerly enter the chief's lodge at
    his bidding and sit around the fire at his side. An old man faces us. I
    had seen him at the sweat lodge and recall his slap to my butt.

       A bowl of fresh meat is offered to us by the chief's wife. The brave is
    eager to break his fast from the previous day. I also eat in earnest.

       "I will be in council with the elders," the chief says while looking at
    Sings-to-the-birds. "Yours is a serious consideration upon us, young
    brave. Is it your intent to join our tribe when your own People, the Snow
    Drinkers have banished you?"

    (Sings-to-the-birds looks to Big Horn for guidance before speaking. He sees
    the warrior's nod of assurance.) "It is. I wish to join your People."

      "Hmm. We will discuss the matter in the days ahead. Until then, you are a
    guest of our tribe and I suspect that there won't be a lack of invitations
    from the unmarried men for you to spend the cold nights with them."

       Big Horn laughs. "Willow Bird and I have enjoyed such hospitality. But
    I must tell you of our intent to be leaving; tomorrow morning."

       I notice Sings-to-the-birds' sharp glance at Big Horn. He's disturbed
    by my lover's announcement. I find the young man's hand and grip it in
    assurance. His expression turns plain before the chief. Only the tightening
    of the brave's fingers around mine tells me what he's enduring inside
    himself.

       Big Horn and the chief continue to talk about things while I finish the
    meat in my bowl. Sings-to-the-birds remains silent in his deep thoughts.
    He's obviously troubled that we'll be leaving before he faces the tribal
    elders with his plea to join the Moss-bowl Tribe. Yet he's a man. This is
    his test of endurance that can be faced alone.

       The morning progresses. Big Horn gives me hidden signal to ask me to
    leave so I excuse myself from the chief's lodge. It seems that they will
    be deep in council with things that don't concern me.

       I'm reminded of words from Deep-roots-that-whisper. He had told me to
    go to the mens' big lodge this afternoon if I want to witness a boy's
    'growing up' rite. I'm curious to see the five eagle-feathered warrior, a
    lover of boys who will be conducting the ritual so I head for the mens'
    sacred lodge.

       My body stretches in the foggy morning light. The mountain's coolness is
    chilly against my skin. I miss the strong heated hand of Father Sun, and
    with this thought, I think of Song Bird. Is the boy well or is he..?

       A hard lump forms in my throat. I swallow past it and feel my heart
    beating faster inside my chest at my troubling thought. No. My friend is
    young and strong and in the care of our shaman who has driven Wa-sa-ba's
    spirit from him. The boy's claw wounds will heal... He has two mothers to
    care for him!

       I think of my own mother. So alone. She's probably wondering about me,
    and of Big Horn though in a way that troubles her. Yes. I will be leaving
    her when coming to live with Big Horn in his tipi as that man's lover. Yet
    I've given my mother my promise to care for her as is my duty since she's
    without a husband.

       My feet pause before an open lodge. A finely dressed warrior is in an
    embrace with his pretty squaw before it. I take in the happiness of their
    love for one another. At their feet is an elk carcass. A deep pang fills my
    heart for my mother. As her son, I can provide her with meat and hides but
    no man's love for her heart. Does her body miss the pleasures of a husband?

       I look at the pretty squaw. Her hands have reached around the warrior as
    far as they can go. There's a deep longing on her face and much happiness.
    The woman's obvious love for her husband in return from his hunting. Yes.
    My mother must be missing the company of my father.

       I turn from the couple to let them be. They've given me something to
    think about and I'll be in serious discussion with my mother upon my
    return. No longer am I her young son but a man who realizes her needs
    enough to voice a concern for her continued loneliness; she should seek a
    husband!

       When I near the lodge's entrance, a man that I've not seen before stands
    guard over it. I'm reminded of the rite-of-passage I had to endure from a
    certain warrior's sharp spear before being permitted to enter. Will a
    similar test have to be endured from this man?

       I approach the warrior with much intrepidation. He looks me in the face
    and smiles when noticing my uncovered butt. I shake it for him.

       "No. I'm not in need," the warrior answers with humor. "I have heard of
    you and the warrior named Big Horn who is your lover. Enter our tribe's
    sacred lodge if you must but you'll not find a joining to your body within!"

       I nod my head in thanks and pass through the covered entrance. The
    thick smoke of burning herbs fills my nostrils. I pass many men in my slow
    approach to the central fire. Some are naked. I'm looking for the five
    feathered warrior and his boy initiate. Are they yet to come here?

       It's difficult to tell since the big lodge is crowded. Men of all ages
    and rank are laying in here. It seems that the afternoons are favored for
    leisure time. I forget my shyness by taking a closer look at them.

       Some of the men tend small fires and seem to be in meditation. They
    ignore my approach so I take in the sight of their scantily clad bodies
    with my lusting eyes: pale bodies; I'm in awe of their strong legs and
    muscled asses, flat chests though broad of shoulder. A few of the feathered
    warriors have tied up their long hair like squaws!

       I keep my giggles inside me. An old man grips a long clay pipe in his
    hand and puffs. I breathe in the pleasant smelling tobacco. Another man
    takes sips from a small clay cup. His mellow eyes appear not to see my
    passing. I wonder what he's drinking?

       When I near a corner of the lodge, I come upon an unexpected sight. An
    old warrior rests on his side with his hand stroking over his erecting
    penis. It's a slow pleasuring that sends a lightning bolt through my body.
    I stand over him with a big grin. When I slap my butt in offering, the
    man only shakes his head. He points to something in the distance.

       I turn my head to look. There's a boy standing before a tall man.
    They're both naked. The youth appears to be eleven or twelve years of age.
    The man is a warrior from seeing his eagle feathers. Five in his hair!

       This is what I've come here for. I search for an empty mat that will
    allow me to watch the warrior's growing up rite but find none. The old
    warrior below me pulls on my leg for attention. He gestures for me to sit
    with him. I eagerly drop my butt over the mat close at his side.

       The old warrior's eyes shine. He continues to pleasure his loins while
    staring at the tall man with his boy. I watch it also. The five-feathered
    warrior grips the youth's shoulders while whispering some instructions.
    There's much excitement in the boy's eyes. He reaches for his long pole
    and begins pulling over it. I notice the youth's lack of groin hair.

       Sexual power fills the air. Men turn their heads at the sound of the
    boy's quick rubbing; a few of them join into it with a hand around their
    cocks. We all watch the youth's performance to see what he'll achieve.

       I study the tall warrior. His body shows much strength especially in
    his lower body. My eyes are glued to the man's butt. It's nicely rounded
    and humps in slow timing to the boy's handling. From where I'm sitting, I
    can't see his cock. I'm sure that it's hard though... like mine!

       The warrior is young. In his very early twenties which is amazing since
    his hair sprouts the number of eagle feathers that only older men achieve.
    There's a dark color to his body. This man must often be in the sun with
    his pursuits of hunting and the warpath.

       A low moan comes from my companion. I turn to the old warrior with a
    grin. His hand doesn't slow around his cock... He's not come out yet. I
    look down at my front flap to see it pushed up like a tipi. The old man
    gives me a lusty grunt and points knowingly at my covered groin.

       I reach into my front breechclout to handle myself. A slow pulling for
    pleasure than to cause my loin's release. The man's arm reaches around my
    body to rest on my hip. He gives me a fond squeeze. I give him a grin in
    return and continue my viewing of the boy's sexual rite.

       The tall warrior grips his young charge and offers him soft words. A
    man's encouragement for the boy or does he tell him that nothing will come
    out because of his lack of growth? I don't expect a wet ending. This youth
    is here because his loins are empty.

       There's no lack of trying! I watch the boy's efforts with interest. He
    labors hard to get himself to come out. His fingers have a tight hold of
    his pole and slide with a pulsating rhythm. This gets his small balls to
    shake. Pain soon fills his eyes. He shuts them while his mouth opens with
    a pink tongue darting out with his breaths. His lack of excitement
    dripping makes for a dry handling.

       I shake my head in disappointment. The boy won't cum. Everyone knows
    that he can't so why does the tall warrior ask for his futile attempt? It
    brings the boy pain. Not even spit is offered to aid the youth's pulling.
    The skin of his pole must be an angry color by now.

       A cry comes out of the boy. Not a lust-filled breath from pleasure but
    one of pain. His hand doesn't rest. A heavy tension fills the lodge. It
    becomes a clumsy handling of a boy trying to make the impossible happen.

       The warrior's right hand drops down to the boy's. He ends the painful
    rite. I notice my held breath and release in with much relief. The youth
    looks down at his pole with a frown.

       More low words are spoken from the tall warrior. The boy responds by
    gripping the man's hips and standing closer to him. I wait in expectation
    of what will happen next.

       A skin-rubbing sound fills the lodge. Not from the boy's pole; the
    warrior's left hand has reached down to his hairy groin in performance of
    the boy's rite. I'm only given brief glimpses of the man's length stabbing
    through his tight fingers. He has a long dick. It's kept from view by his
    cupped hand around it. The boy's eyes shine from his advantageous viewing.

       My attention wanders to the tall warrior's backside. I study its quick
    flexing to gage the hidden motion of what's happening in the front of him.
    The muscular cheeks of his ass humps in and out. It becomes an exciting
    drum beat that has me wishing I were standing back-to-back with him in the
    first rite of the Mahyee-na: butt to butt!

       I look around at the other men in the lodge. Many are watching the
    warrior's performance and joining into it themselves. The sexual power of
    this place builds in intensity. My companion moans and his fiery eyes
    touch mine whenever I turn to face him with my peeking.

       My companion reveals the deepening thrills from his male handling. His
    hand grips my left hip and often squeezes it. I feel his legs pressing
    against my butt. I could offer myself to the old warrior for a more
    involving act of sex but I sense his lack of interest in me. This man
    probably has a squaw back at his lodge. He's simply sharing with me a
    common male rite.

       I give the old man a smile before turning away from his burning eyes.
    The young boy captures my attention. He has a cute expression on his face;
    one of great interest and excitement at watching the full grown man in
    front of him in performance of the growing up rite. The youthful emotions
    on the boy's face reminds me of myself. Broken Bow had stood before me to
    perform a similar male rite in my youth.

       At some hidden signal, the boy stands very close to the warrior. Their
    sweaty bodies touch in a loose embrace. I can see more of the man's brown
    erection as it slides through tight fingers. His flexing butt is wildly
    paced. Loud breaths blow through the man's nose. A great expectations fills
    the air... then it happens!

       It's not the warrior who cries out but the boy when male loins explode.
    The youth's eyes widen when heavy spurts of cum fly to his small body. He
    accepts the man's flow with a happy glee. At its ending, the man releases a
    grunt of satisfaction. His mouth opens to take in urgent breaths.

       All around me, I hear similar grunts of pleasure. I watch a brave
    emptying his loins to his heaving belly. The thick cum runs down his body
    while he looks to the other men with pride. The old man at my side pinches
    my hip in warning. I turn to watch his hand releasing thick seed. It falls
    in globs to our mat.

       My loins tingle with sharp thrills so I pull away my front flap and cum.
    The old warrior watches me direct its flow to the mat where his seed is
    pooled. I cry out my accomplishment! I'm given a few powerful squirts and
    the brief male pleasure explodes in my head. A greyness fills my eyes...

       I find myself fallen on my belly. There are strong hands turning me
    around in the darkness and someone's breath hits my face. Big Horn? I
    blink away the tears from my eyes. An old warrior's face fills my sight.
    He is frowning with concern.

       "Are you not well?" the old man whispers.

       I shake my head to his question. "I must have become light headed."

       "More than that," the old warrior softly explains. "You've been asleep
    on my mat for a while. I let you be in thinking that you were performing
    a boy's rite with my seed against your groin."

       I ponder over the man's words. Something trickles down my balls so I
    reach my hand down to explore my lower body. My penis has become limp.
    A wetness flows over it which I know is sperm. A lot of it! A strong hand
    comes to my shoulder.

       "In my younger days, I too was sharing with boys my male power." The
    man's other hand lowers to Willow Bird's loins and clutches them. "When you
    dropped to our mat on your belly, I thought you were in need of my power
    for your balls. Like what Bow Strike has done for his boy."

       I turn my head to look for the tall warrior. He is gone. And the boy
    with him... I've missed witnessing their growing up rite! I look to the
    old warrior with hope.

       "I accept your male power in me," my words being crafted so that I'll
    achieve a greater thing. "I had come out also. That made me light headed
    so I took a long rest. You were good to watch over me... Did you manage to
    see what the tall warrior, Bow Strike? had done at his rite's closure?"

       The old warrior grunts. "Yes. After wetting the boy with his seed, he
    spread apart the boy's glans in his fingers so that he could insert his
    sperm into the youth's pole. This is Bow Strike's rite to endow a boy with
    his maleness. In time, that youth will fill with seed in his own balls."

       I'm awe-struck by the old man's telling. The warrior had put his cum
    into the boy's pole through its piss hole?! That's a sexual rite I've not
    considered before. The man's seed would flow down within the boy's pole to
    enter its small balls and fill them with male seed. A clever thing!

       The old warrior nods his head at something he's thinking. I feel his
    sticky fingers swirling over my balls. They tighten around my dick and
    pull on it suggestingly.

       "You aren't a young boy to be in need of my growing up rite," says the
    old warrior. "Yet I'm honored to pass my male strength onto you."

       I reach for the man's broad shoulder and grip it. "What is your name?"

       The old warrior grunts. "The People here call me Stomps-his-foot. But
    my own name is Tsi-komo."

       "You're not of the Moss-bowl Tribe?" I ask.

       "I'm a warrior of these People now," explains Stomps-his-foot. "But in
    my younger days when I was yet a brave, Tsi-komo was my name. In your
    tongue it means 'Mountain He-looks-to.' A good name to call me by."

       I close my eyes when the man's hand around my penis gets it to lengthen.
    I've already come out but the thrills are nice. He has an experienced hand.
    I reach for the warrior's arms and grip them for support. I'm feeling light
    headed again.

       Something explodes out of me. Am I cumming? The brief thrills in my head
    turn into a powerful storm. A wave of dizziness strikes me like lightning.
    Thunder roars in my head. I lean heavily over the old man to keep from
    succumbing to darkness. It's a long battle. The warrior's strong hands come
    around my lower body and lift me from the mat. I embrace his bodily warmth.

       When I recover, I find myself in Stomps-his-foot's lap and facing him.
    His hands are tight around me to keep us close. The heat of his loins are
    against mine. A softness of his body to comfort mine though not sexual.

       "Your body seems empty of power," the old man asks in a serious tone.
    "Beyond enduring the brief weariness from your male release, what has
    drained you?"

       My eyes widen. "How can you know such a thing?" I ask sharply. My loud
    voice has attracted the attention of the men laying near us. A young
    warrior looks at our embrace with a sour expression.

       "I was once a healer of my People," explains Stomps-his-foot.

       I wait for the old warrior to say more but his lips remain tightly shut.
    There's a pained expression on his face and his eyes look away from mine.
    I know better than to press the matter. Perhaps an admission on my part...

       "I've been given troubling visions of late," I whisper. "The shaman of
    these People is wise but he advises me to return to my own tribe and shaman
    for an interpretation."

       "Deep-roots-that-whisper speaks wisely."

       I nod my head at the man's words and continue. "Something else has
    happened to me. This morning, I... Fire Spoke."

       Stomps-his-foot stares at the boy in his arms. "That explains your loss
    of power. That rite is a dangerous undertaking by someone as young and
    untrained as yourself. Rest, Willow Bird. I will give you some of my
    life's power."

       I give the old warrior a questioning look but he closes his eyes as if
    in meditation. His hands around me tighten. After a few heartbeats, I feel
    his hands shake over my back. The tiny hairs at the back of my neck prickle
    up. I sense something beyond the five senses around me - a swirling like
    fog. Something enters me!

       A rush goes through my body. It gives me a quick erection against the
    man's loins. I tighten my legs around his butt. Something powerful from
    the warrior is passing into my body like sex. Much more intense!

    (Willow Bird's empty cup is filled.)

       I awaken alone on my mat. Yet I don't mourn the old warrior's absence
    since he is inside me... What a strange thought! My weary body begs me for
    rest. I close my eyes and dream a warrior's path.

       A drum's low beat startles me from sleep. I open my eyes to darkness
    and the sounds of men passing me while tying on their breechclouts. A brave
    speaks softly with another man about his plans for the evening. My eyes
    look up at the smoke holes in alarm. It's night time already? My limbs are
    weak and a fog fills my head. Why doesn't my body feel rested?

       "You've awakened," says Big Horn. "Take a drink of this."

       My lips press against a pot in the darkness. I drink from its mouth a
    cool water that's flavored with something sweet and tangy. My limbs slowly
    fill with strength from it.

       "This is the shaman's sun water," explains Big Horn. "You've been asleep
    for the whole day! Deep-roots-that-whisper was consulted and he asked that
    you be left alone until awakening on your own."

       My body feels stronger from the shaman's drink but I still have sleepy
    eyes. My lover brings me against his chest for a fond hug. I welcome his
    warmth against me and sigh contentedly.

       "I've heard that you were in good hands with Stomps-his-foot this
    morning."

       I turn sharply at Big Horn. Yes. He would have learned about that
    warrior's embrace with me from the other men in this lodge who saw us. Why
    does my lover ask me about it?

       Big Horn continues. "It's said that the warrior has no lust for men. He
    keeps no squaw in his lodge so perhaps he likes boys..."

       "No. That is wrong to think of Stomps-his-foot!" I reply loudly. "He
    saw that my spirit was weak from my having Fire Spoke. The man held me
    when I fainted and he... gave some of his life's power to fill me.

       "The other men saw our close embrace and a wrong thing may have been
    thought about it. Stomps-his-foot's penis remained limp. His ritual was
    done to help me though I admit my loins were hard against him."

      I feel Big Horn's hand over my shoulder. His acceptance? In the darkness,
    it's difficult to read his face so I don't know how he took my words. A
    yawn escapes from my mouth. I'm still feeling my need for more sleep.

      "I will tell you something about Stomps-his-foot," says Big Horn. "He
    was once a healer of his People, the Mud Skins. Yet he was banished like
    Sings-to-the-birds."

       "Why?" I ask. Big Horn's words are suggesting but I want him to tell me
    the full account.

       "It may have been for a similar reason. No one here will speak of it to
    me or my first lover when we visited last summer. Yet I've had a personal
    experience with the warrior. Something revealing about his spirit."

       "I hope that it's not something bad," I whisper. "That man saw my
    weakness and he cared for me until it passed. He has a good heart!"

       "That may be so," says Big Horn, "but it is a troubled one."

       "What do you know?" I ask.

       Big Horn grins. "When I first visited with the Moss-bowl Tribe with my
    first lover, I wandered down the stone paths alone and became lost one day.
    The trees grew thicker and forboding so I knew that my direction was
    getting me further from the lodges. A river came before me.

       When I looked down the river bank, I saw a curious thing. A naked boy
    was standing next to a fallen pine. There was someone laying over the tree
    and he was also naked. I didn't notice him at first because the man had
    covered his body with mud."

       Big Horn notices the puzzling expression on his lover's face. "That's
    the way of Stomps-his-foot's People, the Mud Skins. They cover their
    bodies with mud to protect themselves from the sun. It's also done in
    their rituals. I had come upon the warrior in participation of a secret
    rite that involved the young boy of eight.

       "I quietly approached the two. When the youth saw me, his hand dropped
    away from his hard pole and he cast his eyes to the ground in shame. The
    man didn't sense my presence. He had wrapped his breechclout around his
    face for some reason so his eyes didn't see me. Mud covered his body
    except for his loins. They were hard and being pleasured in hand."

       "Perhaps Stomps-his-foot wanted the boy to watch his male act but
    without making the youth shy," I suggest. "You said that the boy felt
    shamed when you caught him pulling on his erection."

       "Yes. That may be so," says Big Horn. "Yet I saw that a muddy hand
    print was on the boy's chest: man-sized. Stomps-his-foot had brought this
    youth with him in the deep woods for a ritual. A sexual one.

       "I joined into it. My breechclout was cast to the ground and when the
    youth saw my excitement, he resumed to handle his long pole. I took my cock
    in hand. The boy didn't interest me but the straining male hardness of the
    warrior's body. I stepped between his legs and reached down to his groin.

       "My fingers felt over the warrior's dark bush. When he didn't startle
    from my touch, I cupped his stiff cock. It was moist and warm in my fingers.
    Both of our hands played over its length. That made the boy giggle.

       "I bent over to kiss the man's oozing glans. He moaned when my mouth
    went down on him and sucked his hard cock. His hands fell away from it. I
    was able to get his entire length into my mouth and my pleasuring of it
    made the warrior squirm in ecstasy."

       "Did you get him to come out?" I ask.

       Big Horn smiles. "The warrior began to thrust and that made me gag bad
    when his cock speared into my tonsils. It allowed me the opportunity to
    end my mouth's pleasuring and offer the man something more from my body. I
    turned to the boy with a sly grin. He had rubbed an angry color to his pole
    but continued to pull over it. I spit to my fingers and wet my hole. The
    boy was surprised when he saw me lower my butt to the man's groin and slip
    his cock into my rear squaw opening.

       "The warrior groaned in lusty satisfaction when our bodies joined. The
    boy stepped closer to us with very wide eyes. He studied our touching
    bodies and saw me riding the man's long cock through my hole. When the
    youth gestured questioningly to me with his finger poking through his two
    other rounded fingers, I nodded my head and grinned. He understood that
    the man was fucking through my ass.

       "I humped my butt to get the warrior to begin his stabs. They came
    through my tight hole with much pleasure for us both. I moaned through my
    nose. The feel of the man's penetrations were very thrilling! His strong
    hands gripped my cheeks and surged. Our bodies rubbed together in a lusty
    male dance to fulfill our sexuality. The boy watched it all with awe.

       "The manly filling of my butt and its hard motion sent pangs of sweet
    pain mixed with pleasure through me. My dick surged with each of the
    warrior's thrusts. They came quicker through my hole and I could feel the
    hardening of the man's cock. He would soon be spilling in me.

       "I gestured for the boy to approach me. Together, we pulled over our
    long dicks while staring at each other. He was too young to come out but
    felt the shared male pleasure of our act. The fuck in my butt was getting
    me close to climax. When my balls tingled in warning, I aimed my cock at
    the boy and squirted to him. He cried out in surprise.

       "Stomps-his-foot also cried out but in a man's low voice. His seed was
    filling my butthole while mine fell over the boy's chest and belly. At its
    ending, our bodies came to a rest. The youth danced around us in happy
    glee. My cum ran down his body to his bouncing pole.

       "The warrior pushed on my butt to separate our bodies. When I turned to
    him, I saw my butt stain over his cock. Cum leaked from it so I knew that
    he had truly spermed me. My aching butthole felt that it was holding a lot
    of it! The boy came to my side. He looked at the warrior's shrinking cock
    and then looked at my butt. I slapped over my cheeks with a wicked grin.
    Thats made the boy giggle.

       "To complete our sex rite, I led the boy's filled hands down to his
    smooth loins and open over them. My hand swirled my thick seed over the
    youth's small balls and red chafed pole. He understood what I was
    performing for him.

       "From behind us, the warrior rested over the fallen pine. He kept his
    breechclout around his face and when he asked me to leave, I realized that
    this man didn't want to know who it was that he had fucked. It made a small
    pain in my heart. The boy remained with him. Perhaps there was an ending to
    their rite yet to be performed together."

       "How did you learn that it was Stomps-his-foot?" I ask.

       "When I returned to Coyote... my first lover, I told him all about what
    had happened in the deep woods. He made careful inquiries about it in the
    days that followed. That's when we learned of Stomps-his-foot; his
    banishment from the Mud Skin Tribe and that no squaw was kept in his
    lodge. My lover felt that the warrior wasn't Mahyee-na. He suspected that
    this man was a lover of boys."

       I swallow nervously in my throat. The same thing could be said of
    myself and Big Horn knows this! I embrace boys for wonderful love making
    but my spirit also accepts the lusty needs of men. I love Big Horn as my
    warrior but when in the arms of a sweet boy, my satisfaction seems the
    more so. That is what troubles me.

       Another yawn springs out of me. I lay down over the mat to rest my tired
    eyes. The pops and hissing of the fire is a welcoming sound. Big Horn's
    warmth lays against my side so I turn to him with my seeking arms. We
    embrace. Our lips find each other in the darkness and we kiss. My man seems
    to be in need of love making. He signals this to me with his tongue
    swirling in my mouth. I answer his need by sucking over it. His cock
    hardens against me while my erection is shy to grow.

       I tighten my arms around my lover's body. Our chests rub in warmth. We
    kiss passionately and the man's breaths become loud and moan-filled. Only
    his breechclout prevents our loin's touch. I reach between our bellies to
    unwrap it. The warrior enbattles me with his hard male thickness. My weapon
    is limp.

       "Something is wrong," I whisper in embarrassment. My arms loosen from
    the man's body and our kissing ends.

       "What is it?" Big Horn asks.

       "I'm not... growing long," I explain. A strong hand comes around my
    dick. Big Horn tries coaxing its growth but after many heartbeats he lets
    it go and holds me very close.

       "Do not concern yourself," asks Big Horn softly. "The shaman said that
    Fire Speaking takes much energy from your body. Rest. I will be with you
    this night and we'll greet the morning together."

       Guilt squeezes my heart. I recall having come out twice earlier this
    morning with the old warrior. That may explain my lack of male strength. My
    body may be weary but I feel my spirit is intense and brightly glowing.
    Some connection has been made between Stomps-his-foot and I.

       Our bodies adjust over the sleeping mat. In the warm arms of my lover, I
    find it easy to return to sleep. Bright flashes dance at the edge of my
    sight. I ignore them. My eyes close tightly to hide in darkness...

       Two fire pits are glowing red in the mens' sacred lodge. Like angry
    eyes, they stare at me in mocking contempt. I can't ignore their warning.
    There are no dancing flames to speak wisdom to me; only the hiss of
    charcoal and dying embers. I beg my lover to still their voices by
    spilling water over them.

       Big Horn is struck! He falls before the red eyes of a nameless shape
    that's entering him. Its madness possess the warrior! I must flee for my
    life or stand in battle with my lover unto death.

       "Wake up, Willow Bird!" a voice shouts.

       My eyes open in a snap. Big Horn holds me close to his chest and behind
    him stands Sings-to-the-birds. There's much concern on both their faces
    for me. My dream. I remember all of it and the dire warning that must be
    headed! Words rush out of my mouth.

       "The Trickster, Big Horn. He will come to possess you!"

       "Who?" asks Sings-to-the-birds. (The brave turns to Big Horn for an
    explanation. Only silence. He finds the warrior wide-eyed and angry.)

       "It was only a dream," says Big Horn hoarsely. "You must forget him!"

       I feel pain from the warrior's sharp nails digging into my arms while he
    holds me. Such anger in him. I turn away and mutter, "you're right, my
    love. I will try to."

       Sings-to-the-birds kneels at our side. When I turn to face him, I see
    his questioning look but the brave knows better than to ask about it. A
    long moment passes in silence. I find strength and stand up with Big Horn's
    help.

       "I'm hungry."

       Big Horn grins. "You should be for having slept from morning to morning.
    Let's go and bid all our friends a farewell."

       My stomach feels the heaviness of a stone in it. "We're leaving?"

       "Yes," answers Big Horn. "Do you not long to return to our own tribe?"

       I finally turn to face the warrior's eyes. The angry red in them has
    been replaced with dark softness. But in the pit of my stomach, the stone's
    weight remains. I feign a smile before 'the enemy.' What strange thought is
    this?!

       Big Horn leads me to the lodge's entrance. Sings-to-the-birds walks
    quietly at my side with something being held in his hands. It's a bundle
    made from deerskin. I notice the new breechclout wrapping the brave's
    waist; a length of soft deerskin to cover his body like a man. His butt
    remains uncovered.

       "This is for you," says Sings-to-the-birds.

       I open my hands to accept his gift. It's a sewn pouch made from deerskin
    that's a little larger than my sacred bundle. A double thong closes the
    mouth of it. When I shake the pouch, something light within tumbles around.

       "I've sewn the rear flap to my old breechclout to make this pouch,"
    explains Sings-to-the-birds. "Within it are the few remaining coals to the
    sacred fire in our half-lodge where you Fire Spoke. Deep-roots-that-whisper
    says that you'll be in need of them."

       I nod my head in thanks to the brave's gift. Big Horn remains silent
    though. He still seems angry and in deep thought about my loud warning to
    him about the Trickster or is he concerned about something else?

       We visit with Deep-roots-that-whisper to break our fast and to give our
    farewells. Sah-omb watches me with bright eyes. I'm disappointed that ours
    can't be a private moment alone to give the youth my fond good-bye. The
    shaman also seems reluctant to speak with me in the presence of the two
    men.

       I am given, however, the old man's instructions on the use of the
    charcoal within my gifted pouch from Sings-to-the-birds. The shaman says
    that when I'm in need to Fire Speak that the coals are to be burned in a
    new fire to make it sacred and filled with Power. Afterwards, the new coals
    are to be collected and placed back in my pouch. He warns me that no water
    must drown the flames least I angry the fire spirits and receive their aid
    no longer.

       We give the old man and his boy our farewells. Brief visits are made
    throughout the morning with several warriors of the tribe: Left-hand Bow,
    Shakes-like-the-ground (who eyes the young brave with much lust), Many
    Animals, a man that I've not met with before who's called Rock-in-his-hand
    and lastly we meet with the chief and his youngest son, Frozen Finger.

       Sings-to-the-birds sits before the powerful old warrior with new
    confidence. It's a good thing to see in the brave and I know that it comes
    from more than his wearing a new breechclout! The chief asks Big Horn to
    give our chief his greeting in renewed friendship. His words remind me of
    what I'm carrying in my sacred bundle; a sort of greeting from this tribe's
    shaman to my own.

       Gifts are presented to us. A fine clay pot is given me from the chief.
    To Big Horn, similar pots and a decorated clay pipe with a long wooden
    breathing tube along with a small pouch of smoking tobacco is given.

       Our farewells are finally spoken and Big Horn takes me to where they've
    been keeping his horse. Pai-alucia nickers at our handling. His back is
    covered with an elk-skin blanket and our packs are secured. Two water
    skins bulge with water that I've been told has come from Spirit Lake.

       When I ask Big Horn about our smoked venison, for trading purposes, he
    tells me that much of it has already been given away as gifts. A few
    pouches remain for us to return with to our tribe. The tanned doe skin is
    mine to keep since it was the first deer that I've brought down.

       When the horse is packed, Big Horn heads for the rocky path that will
    take us down to the valleys. Sings-to-the-birds remains silent during our
    walk. We pass the lodges of the Moss-bowl Tribe and they're soon left
    behind us. We've come to the point of our farewell.

       "May your journey home be a safe one," says Sings-to-the-birds softly.

       Big Horn raises his right hand in acceptance. "You will find a home
    with these People," the warrior assures the young brave. "Be Mahyee-na.
    Carry on the pride of our loving male society with all needing men."

       Sings-to-the-birds nods. "I will. And you, young man..." he says while
    taking Willow Bird's hand into his own, "come the second moon, I'll be at
    your side along with Big Horn to see you initiated a brave!"

       I grip the man's shoulder in happy acceptance. The soaring feelings in
    my heart causes my sudden embrace with the young man. It's a long hug with
    my butt being taken into his hands. I cup the brave's soft behind in
    response and we end up kissing.

       "You two will soon see each other again," says Big Horn. "Come. It is
    time for our long climb down. I'm eager to return to our own People."

       I nod my head and turn from Sings-to-the-birds. Something troubles me...
    Why didn't the two of them embrace? When I glance back at the young brave,
    his eyes fall on the warrior with concern. Does he wonder this same thing?
    I give my final farewell to the brave and he waves back.

       Big Horn leads the way down while I hold the reins to Pai-alucia. His
    back is laden with the gifts of decorated clay pots from these People
    which will be much valued by ours. Our water skins bulge and the few
    remaining pouches of smoked venison from our two deer are securely tied.
    A rolled up hide from the doe I had speared brings a smile to my face.
    This I will proudly present to my mother to prove my hunting ability.

       I cast my eyes at the great spread of landscape below us. There are
    many rolling hills to the south and the east. I spy the sunlit glinting
    of a river snaking its way into the distant forests. If I were a bird, I'd
    have only to follow its silvery path back to my tribe. With speeding
    wings, I could be home by the short time Father Sun rises in His sky
    instead of the nearly three days that it will take us by foot.

       I listen to the clippity-clop rhythm of Pai-alucia's hooves against the
    stones. He's anxious for the journey but remains quiet. No nervous
    whinnies or the loud blowing out of his breath to show impatience. His
    eyes remain forward and down at the path. No signs of panic in him like
    when we had first climbed up.

       Our downward walk is enjoyable. It doesn't put much strain on my legs
    and the cool air takes the excess heat from my body. I continue to study
    all the downward views to be had. We are like eagles high up in the sky.
    Everything looks so tiny!

       Our journey is measured by the climbing of Father Sun in His sky. By
    His high point, we've nearly made half the distance down the mountain
    side. Moy's stony walls surround us and our path often winds back on
    itself. We take short breaks to only drink water.

       We slowly descend to the valleys. My body notices the changes in the
    air by its rising heat and the sweet fragrances blowing in the wind.
    Strangely, Father Sun seems brighter as we climb downwards. It feels good
    to have my body grasped within His heated hand again.

       Big Horn's body shows signs of heating. The dark color of his skin
    glistens with shiny rain drops from his sweat. Beads form over his back
    and run down to his breechclout and soak in. I gaze at his rear end for
    glimpses of its uncovering when his cloth flaps. My warrior has covered
    his body as any man does during a journey. I prefer to see my lover naked
    in male beauty though.

       Our weary walk continues. The long shadows stretch over the land when
    Father Sun drops behind the mountains. Our sweaty bodies become chilled. I
    reach for Big Horn's waist and together we share warmth.

       Evening falls gently upon us. Our path makes a sharp turn and leads us
    into the small canyon. The rock drawings are hidden in the darkness much
    to my disappointment. I had wanted a second viewing to study the naked
    hunters and their huge shaggy prey.

       Our walking comes to an even level footing when we final reach the
    valley. We're no longer Mountain People! I feel the strong tugging of my
    heart for home yet two days away. My body may be weary but I could travel
    the night.

       Big Horn finds a hidden place between some bushes and gestures that
    this will be where we sleep. He's acting cautious; no speaking or the
    making of unnecessary noises. The horse blanket is spread over the ground.
    Big Horn is quick to drop to it like a stone which has fallen from the
    mountain to a final rest. I lay over the blanket and snuggle against the
    man's warmth.

       Sleep alludes me though. My ears fill with suspicious sounds and my past
    encounters with the Trickster comes to mind. He is dead. Yet I keep sensing
    his menacing presence; if not in flesh form than in a flowing spirit that
    could easily slip into an animal to acost us... or even into a man.

       Pai-alucia stands quietly. I take comfort in his guarding stance and I
    recall how he had awakened me when the Trickster returned a second time to
    rape me in the night. My eyes close in trust of his vigilance above us.

       Morning arrives with the faint glow of Father Sun in the east. Big Horn
    remains asleep. I feel my need to piss but my arms are around the man's
    body so to move would disturb him. Pai-alucia nods his head at me. I grin
    and look around at all the green of this valley. Soft grasses are at my
    feet with the leafy bushes climbing in brambly tangles; the trees are
    scarse. With daylight coming, our hiding place won't serve us but we'll be
    moving on by then.

       I turn slightly to face my lover. His eyes are closed. A soft breath
    flows through his nostrils like a gentle breeze through the grass. The
    eagle feather proves his warrior's strength and I'm glad to be the boy in
    his sleeping arms.

       My love for Big Horn bursts in my heart! I've made my choice for him
    over a boy and I think that it was the right one. My head says that it is
    so. My heart will take a while longer to accept Song Bird's loss though.

       I press my face to the man's and gently kiss him. He doesn't stir
    until my third one with his eyes opening and the sharp inwards draw of
    his breath. I grin slyly. My lover stares at me with much wonder showing
    on his face.

       "A beautiful boy in my arms!" Big Horn whispers. He pauses a moment
    from deep thought. "I was drawn to you all them years ago when your father
    died. I wanted to take you into my care and dry away your tears but I
    wasn't yet a brave. The tribe came together to provide for you and your
    mother but no man would come forward to become a father and a husband.

       "When I was initiated, the responsibility to train you had been put on
    me by my uncle, our chief. It was a joyous burden for me to bear. I needed
    not fear the trappings of marriage or taboo to approach you with my help.
    No one giggled behind my back for visiting your mother's tipi to see you."

       "Why did your uncle ask this of you?"

       Big Horn pauses a moment to consider the boy's good question. "I think
    it's because your father had served him well, as his trusted advisor and
    something more that I never fully understood. But when he died, the chief
    felt a responsibility to your family. He asked me to act as your monedo
    when I was named a brave. Our chief is wise and he may have seen things in
    you and me that only now have come to fruitation."

       "That we would become lovers?" I ask.

       "No. That far of Seeing is a shaman's gift," answers Big Horn. "But I
    too had been raised without a father when the chief's brother was killed
    by the Spear-bearing warrior's sneak attack on our tribe. The chief knew
    that I understood such a loss and that together, we could come to terms."

       "I remember that dark year, Big Horn. My mother lost her status in the
    tribe so she's had to work for others for our meat and hides. We had felt
    so alone. Everyone seemed to care for us but no one would really get close
    to us. My mother was too much in love with my father to think of marrying
    again."

       "A husbandless woman can make for a formidable barrier by taboo,"
    explains Big Horn. "Any man's approach to either of you would be
    perceived as his desire to take your mother for a wife."

       I nod my head in understanding. "Then you came a year later to our tipi
    under the lawful command of our chief. Not to court my mother but to act
    as my monedo to provide me with a man's direction. I had taken to you like
    a baby duck takes to water. A second father for me, Big Horn."

       "Yes. You had sometimes called me father when you were ten," says Big
    Horn. "Your understanding grew and monedo became my proper calling from
    your lips."

       "My lover sounds even better!" I feel Big Horn's lips press against
    mine in a gentle kiss. No naughty tongue sticking in my mouth so I know
    that he's not in need of sex. It's good to feel his arms tightening around
    me and our kissing is unhurried.

       The man's arms loosen. He gives me a mischievous look before
    descending on my body with his mouth. Kisses come to my neck and down to
    my chest which the man sucks on to harden my nipples. His tongue swirls
    over them. I moan out from the nice sensation. The man's feathered head
    moves lower down my body.

       Big Horn's hot kisses on my skin causes my cock to rise within my front
    breechclout. I close my eyes to enjoy his pleasuring. The man's kisses go
    lower. My belly is sucked on, making me giggle from his tongue tickling. I
    yelp out when the man sticks into my navel!

       The warrior glances up to smile at me. His hands pull away my front
    flap and he stares at my hard dick. For him, and swollen in need to come
    out. The man grips my hips and his lips coax my glans to ooze for him.
    It's a very tickly sensation that turns to a violent surge when his mouth
    fully engulfs my length in one stroke. A rhythmic pressure begins over my
    tingling penis.

       My full bladder spills out of me at this moment. Big Horn grunts with
    surprise but he continues sucking on my dick. My pissing reminds me of our
    rite of exocist in the mountain forest when we had drunk of each other's
    yellow flow. I have much in me to be rid of. The man drinks it all in!

       When I finish, Big Horn continues to mouth my hard dick with his
    pursuit of the white nectar that my loins can give him. His hands have
    wrapped around my butt to prevent my escape. I close my eyes to
    concentrate.

       My butt rises from our sleeping hide to drive myself deep through the
    man's hot mouth. All his earlier kisses to my body and his sucking have
    brought me to a rushed and sudden climax. I cry out! Big Horn drinks my
    every squirt flowing from my loins. My brief thrills come from the
    fulfillment of male ecstasy by seeding. Done, my body falls back to the
    ground as if broken.

       I gasp for air. Big Horn moves over my body to position himself on top
    of me. The man presses his face to mine and we kiss. Wetly. I taste the
    remains of my cum in his mouth and realize that he's in need to be coming
    out.

       A pulling of cloth from Big Horn's body is followed by the naked touch
    of his loin's warmth over mine. Our kissing continues with the man's
    tongue swirling in my mouth. He grinds his hard cock over me, hands
    scooping me from the sleeping hide to lift me into his arms. Longer
    thrusts against me. I wrap my arms around his back and my legs hug his
    butt to tighten our loving embrace.

       I'm drowning in Big Horn's kisses. When needing breaths, I turn my head
    sideways and gasp. The man's lips find mine again and frantically suck
    them. He's in great need to come out from the way his violent body
    thrashes over my own. My dick is no match for the man's hardness for
    battle. Yet I cling to my man and endure his wild use of me. We kiss
    strongly, take breaths when we can and our bodies pound, pound, pound!
    like fleshy drums.

       My wet belly feels the hard slipping of Big Horn's cock. Its curved
    length strikes against me like an angry snake. Our entwined groin hairs
    hiss... or is that the man's breath? I keep a tight grip of his body
    against my body. It pleases me to bring this warrior his manly pleasure,
    both from animalistic lust and human loving. He is my man.

       A low growl forms in the warrior's mouth. He continues to kiss me when
    my belly is splashed with the release from his cock. I open my eyes to
    look upon the man's fierceness. His narrowing eyes show me the sweet male
    thrills that he's experiencing. A tense face. Our lips part so that the
    man can gasp for air as if he were a fish caught out of water. I grin at
    his lusty efforts.

       Big Horn's body falls over me after seeding. I accept the crush of his
    weight while he rests after sexual battle. My kisses come to his long hair
    in my show of love and acceptance of him. His cum runs down my belly.

       "You make for a wild lover, Big Horn." The man gasps for breath and
    laughs at my words.

       "Forgive my violent use of your body," the warrior asks. "When I tasted
    your hot cum, my cock forced me to strike against you in sexual anger. It
    made for a sweet release from my loins. Much pleasure!"

       I pat my lover's back in assurance. His body continues to fill with
    deep breaths and when I peek at his face, there's a trace of pain on it.
    Big Horn notices my eyes and gives me a feigned grin. I decide not to
    press the matter.

       Big Horn rises to his knees. He looks down at my belly, wet with his
    thick white cum. His hand scoops it up to annoint my loins with its
    power. I spread my legs to accept his handling over my tight-skinned
    balls and oozing penis. This is a boy's growing up rite that I'm glad to
    finally receive from my man.

       "May you grow in a man's way with male power from my loins to yours,"
    says Big Horn to complete the rite. "It makes us one."

       I smile in acceptance of his gifted seed. "This is the first time that
    you've given me the rite, Big Horn. Why wasn't it done when I was a boy?"

       "That rite is given a youth from his father or an uncle," Big Horn
    answers. "Didn't a warrior or brave stand with you in the woods to perform
    it?"

       "No man," I answer. "Yet an older boy who was visiting with us from the
    Moss-bowl Tribe had performed it for me when I was nine."

       "You see... His seed took root in your loins and they've grown to a
    man's," says Big Horn while pressing his palm against the boy's swollen
    balls.

       I giggle to join my lover's laughter. He falls back onto me with our
    arms taking each other in a great bear hug. I hold his sweaty warmth to
    me as if never wanting to let go. In the back of my head, I feel a warning
    whisper. A dark memory of something falling which I fling away by my joy
    of this moment.

       Pai-alucia whinnies. It sends Big Horn out of my arms and up in a
    warrior's ready stance. I get to my feet and take a careful look around.
    No men. I spy some dark shadows in the distance moving over a hill; a herd
    of buffalo. Is this what our horse has warned us of?

       I stare at my lover's dark body. The man's legs and arms show much
    strength in their poise for action. His long straight hair flows down his
    shoulders and along his back. A hard chest. I giggle at the nervous
    tightness to his butt. In the front of him, his curved dick oozes cum.

       I kneel down before my man in worship of his proven manhood. My lips
    cover the brown knob to his penis and lick its oozing; a male's sweetness
    fills my mouth! I suck on his cock for more cum.

       My mouth fills with a strong squirt. It becomes a continuing flow
    which I eagerly drink as this man had done earlier from me. The taste of
    his urine is like a strong herb tea. My hands reach around the man's ass
    as if he were a water skin I'm pulling on to quench my thirst.

       My lover pats my shoulder when he finishes pissing. I continue to suck
    on his shrinking cock and playfully bite over it as if in need for more
    water. This gets the man to laugh. I slowly rise before him with a final
    gulp of his urine to empty my mouth. He nods to me in secret understanding.

       Big Horn's body relaxes. He gestures for me to encircle our position
    while he fetches his breechclout. I grip the knife on my thong belt and
    sprint away. In the growing daylight, our hiding place is revealed.
    Pai-alucia makes for an easy target by any seeking eyes. My feet fly over
    the ground in silent strides when I check out the area. There are no
    enemies to be found. I come around again to be sure of this before
    rejoining Big Horn.

       'We go now,' gestures Big Horn silently.

       I nod my understanding and take Pai-alucia's reins. The warrior goes
    over the ground where I had checked in my wide circle search. Perhaps
    we're being too cautious but I'd rather be sure of our safety than be
    dead. Big Horn returns to my side and gestures that there's no sign of
    danger here.

       I get along side of my lover and reach out to his waist with my arm.
    The man welcomes the touch of my body against his. I smile from the simple
    joy of it. There are some questions to be asked of Big Horn so I voice my
    first one.

       "Did Sings-to-the-birds perform his sexual favor that he owed you?" I
    ask.

       Big Horn laughs. "Ah, yes. That young brave seemed more eager to
    fulfill his debt to me than I was to collect it!"

       We walk in silence for a long moment. I'm surprised that nothing more
    is said; didn't my lover promise that we'd share with each other our
    sexual experiences and conquests? I force Big Horn to stop and my eyes beg
    for the man to continue his account.

       "We made a visit with a warrior named Rock-in-his-hand," says Big Horn.
    "Sings-to-the-birds was given the opportunity to make love to a very
    sexual man that my first lover and I had found joy in; together, and at
    the same time!"

       I grin from what I suspect Big Horn is going to tell me. Within my
    front breechclout, I feel the warm stirrings of my manhood. Big Horn
    continues.

       "After our introductions, Rock-in-his-hand tied up the door to his
    lodge and threw down his breechclout. The man's lengthy cock was standing
    tall against his belly and dripping with anticipation. Sings-to-the-birds
    kneeled before the warrior and sucked on his sexual oozing. I also went to
    my knees but in worship of the young brave's ass. My mouth licked its way
    to his hole.

       I heard Sings-to-the-birds gag when trying to go down on that warrior's
    spear-length! Rock-in-his-hand only wanted his cock wet and slippery; he
    doesn't enjoy being sucked. I had the brave's hole prepared with much spit
    so I stuck into him with my cock. Even before I had made a handful of
    thrusts, the warrior was kneeling behind my ass to fuck me."

       I interrupt Big Horn's story. "The three of you had your bodies stuck
    into each other?" I ask.

       Big Horn nods. "I held the young brave close to me with the warrior's
    strong arms over mine and surging. My body was caught between the two
    horny men. I had only to sway between them to fuck Sings-to-the-birds' ass
    while getting mine fucked by Rock-in-his-hand."

       "Who came out first?" I ask.

       "Our triad wasn't a contest to get a man to his clumsy climax,"
    explains Big Horn. "We paced our bodies so that much sexual pleasure
    could be enjoyed before its wet ending. When Rock-in-his-hand signalled
    his approaching explosion, I slowed my body so that the warrior could
    rest. The same was done when my cock came too close to it.

       "After taking as much pleasure as we dared before cumming, we switched
    positions. I kneeled before Sings-to-the-birds for him to stick into me.
    Rock-in-his-hand was behind the young brave and fucking him. It was a
    first experience for the brave. He moved his slim body between ours in a
    way that gave both sides of him much pleasure!"

       "When did you come out?" I ask.

       "Ah... our sweet release!" says Big Horn with awe. "Our bodies grew
    tired of being tricked with so much pleasuring without seeding. Rock-in-
    his-hand was the first to beg for a release from it. He was stuck in Sings-
    to-the-birds so he drove himself fiercely until giving the young brave his
    hard-won sperm. You should have heard that warrior's loud groans! Like the
    buffalo bull, who after chasing down his cow, gives to her his all.

       "Sings-to-the-birds was so enflamed by the warrior's brutal fuck in his
    ass that when he heard the man's ending groans, he exploded his loins in
    mine. My cock demanded its release. I pulled my butt from Sings-to-the-
    birds' dripping dick and after pushing Rock-in-his-hand's oozing spear
    from the brave's ass, I kneeled down in his place to fuck the young brave.

       "Much to my surprise, my butt was stuck into by the Rock-in-his-hand. I
    drove myself to a quick and brutal cumming in Sings-to-the-birds. My low
    groans in the lodge announced my accomplishment. When our bodies rested,
    the warrior behind me was still in battle with my ass. His second coming
    out was a long one. Yet it brought him much pleasure and empty loins."

       I nod my head at Big Horn's exciting story. "The seed from two men were
    inside of the young brave and yourself," I ask, "so did you go perform your
    first lover's rite of exocist to empty out your butts?"

       "Yes. We did," answers Big Horn. "We stood butt to butt in the woods
    and pushed out the seed that we had captured. Then our pissing cleaned
    between our sticky cheeks!"

       I give Big Horn a sour face. "Now I know why we had made our farewells
    to Rock-in-his-hand. Do you think he lusted for what my ass could have
    offered him?"

       "Oh, I'm sure that he did. When next we visit with the Moss-bowl Tribe,
    you can be the first to kneel before that mighty warrior with your butt!"

       I pound my fist against Big Horn's chest. He continues to laugh at me.
    I break out in a giggle and together we hold each other to prevent falling
    to the ground. Pai-alucia whinnies behind us.

       When we've recovered, Big Horn turns to me with a questioning look. My
    body fills with cold bumps over my skin when I consider telling my lover
    about my sexual encounters with the boys. Will he be angry with me?

       I decide to admit something. But first, I ask Big Horn a question. "If
    a boy who was only a few years away from being named a brave had come to
    you with his interest to be Mahyee-na, would you send him away?"

    (Big Horn's smiling face turns plain. He considers the matter while
    realizing what Willow Bird may be telling him after his reply.) "If the
    boy made his approach to me first, I would consider offering him the first
    rite in Mahyee-na to test him. It's important that nothing is forced upon
    him."

       I nod my head in agreement and ask my next question. "If that boy
    responded favorably to your initiation would you embrace him with all the
    sexual acts that can be enjoyed between the two of you?"

       "Were you approached by such a boy?" asks Big Horn.

       I've noticed that we've stopped. My eyes are drawn to the warrior's
    and I swallow nervously in my throat before speaking. "Yes. I was
    approached by a boy who was interested in being Mahyee-na as I've said."

       Big Horn slowly nods his head. "What is his name?"

       "Night's Star. I first met him outside the mens' big lodge where he was
    waiting for me in the night. I couldn't tell his age in the dark when our
    bodies joined in love making."

       "How was that done?" asks Big Horn in an even voice.

       "I allowed the boy to stick in me. It was his first experience at
    fucking and he was very surprised that I allowed him to cum inside me."

       "Why was that?"

       "Another boy had often been sucking on Night's Star, but when coming
    out, the boy pushed him away since he didn't want to drink it. Night's
    Star thought it would be the same with me."

       "Did the two of you meet often?" asks Big Horn.

       "No. Only a few times," I admit. "I've talked with Night's Star about
    what it means to be Mahyee-na and since my heart was already taken with
    you, I placed him in the hands of another man to love."

       "Sings-to-the-birds has told me," says Big Horn. "I was angry with the
    young brave since to involve under-aged boys in our society can bring fear
    and hatred down upon us! It's fortunate that Night's Star is very mature
    for his age. He's promised to keep his involvement with Sings-to-the-birds
    a secret."

       "You knew?" I ask in growing disbelief.

       "Yes. You should know by now, Willow Bird, that very little escapes me
    when it concerns the Mahyee-na."

       I lower my eyes to the ground in shame. Does Big Horn know about the
    other boys that I've made love to? I decide to remain silent about them.
    Both were younger than Night's Star and it would bring my lover's wrath
    down upon me if I were to make an admission. I don't regret what I've
    done. It's just that Big Horn doesn't share my spirit of loving boys; how
    can he understand?

       We continue our walk in silence. I notice that we're standing close but
    without our arms reaching out to each other. It's not good to be divided!
    I gain my resolve and hold my lover's waist with this matter put behind
    us. I'm relieved when Big Horn's arm brings me closer to him.

       I feel tears threatening to fall. My sudden anger at myself prevents
    them since I am now a man who must be in control of his emotions! I turn
    my face away to focus on the landscape around us. The edge of a large
    forest is seen in the distance. This is where Big Horn is taking us.

       We travel a ways before stopping to eat and drink. The horse is given
    his fill of water from my cupped hands. Big Horn remains silent. I've
    noticed the trace of pain on his face but in keeping with his earlier
    warning gesture, I keep silent about it.

       I follow at a distance behind Big Horn so that he can spot danger
    before our approach. The weary miles pass. Pai-alucia gives no complaint.
    His eyes are down and forward; ears low. That's a good sign in a horse.

       Father Sun rises in His sky and falls before we reach the safety of the
    forests. It's comforting to walk under the cover of trees again. I know
    that by morning, we'll find the muddy river and follow it up to our camp.

       Big Horn's strides become slower paced. I slow my walk to keep our
    distance behind him. Is the warrior sensing danger? After a long while, I
    sense that his smaller steps come from weariness than from caution. Is the
    man in pain?

       Big Horn leans heavily against a redwood to rest. When I reach him, the
    man reveals much pain on his face so I offer him a drink from a water
    skin. He lifts it high above his head and recklessly pours it out. The
    water runs down his body. I touch my lover's forehead to check for fever
    but find none. A strange expression fills the warrior's face which haunts
    me real bad. He is staring at something. The tiny hairs at the back of my
    neck prickle up.

       I spin around at the intruder. Nothing but rolling hills. A gasp comes
    from behind me and in the next moment I'm grabbed and thrown hard to the
    ground. My body is struck! Not from a tomahawk or flint blade but from a
    man's foot. I manage to turn myself over the ground to face my attacker.
    It's Big Horn?!

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   {End of file: BRAVE-WILLOW-BIRD-8  Story continues in: BRAVE-WILLOW-BIRD-9}