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 SHAMAN-WILLOW-BIRD-6                           "Shaman Willow Bird" series
 Shaman Willow Bird (part 6)                    Copyright 2001 by Vince Water
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*                            "Shaman Willow Bird"                       7/01 *
*                                  (part 6)                                  *

     It becomes a fierce struggle between us. I try pushing the man away, my
left hand gripping his weapon hand to keep it from striking down. Desperation
fills me. "I'm Kalinlepi!" I shout. "Are you... er! From Wandering Bands? Why
broken the peace!"

     "Kalinlepi?" asks the four-feathered warrior. "Stop, Breaking Stones! Let
us see who we caught before take their scalps."

     To my relief, the warrior attacking me backs off. His grim face is filled
with rage but I notice that there's no war paint on his face. This wasn't a
planned raid. A single feather is worn in his long hair.

     I pull Smiles A Lot into the protection of my arms. His eyes are wide
with fear, body trembling. He looks at the five men to see if we could escape.
I also look. The four-feathered war leader has hold of my horse. Two of his
bowmen have arrows aimed at us. Another stands at our feet with his stone club
at the ready. The warrior I was struggling with holds his flint blade towards
us menacingly. No. We'd be struck down even before we could run three steps.
'Remain calm, Smiles A Lot. I think that these men come from a tribe who have
always been friendly to my People. They won't kill us.'

     'That one wants to kill me, Willow Bird! He knows that I'm from the
Spear-bearing Tribe.'

     "Get to your feet," commands the war leader.

     I glare at each of the warriors while slowly standing up to see if they'll
strike. My lover is kept close in my left arm. I raise my right hand to them.
The war leader pulls Pai-alucia around so that he can face me. He sees my
peace gesture.

     "We are Tagalou. If you from the Kalinlepi, why far traveled in this
land? I see no food or water pouch on horse. You not from the Split Muddy
River Tribe?"

     This man has a strong accent but I can understand his words. I face him.
"I am Willow Bird of the Kalinlepi. My tribe has only recently settled across
the river from our Split Tribe. We were taking a ride to explore the new
trails."

     "Your companion isn't of your People. Can you explain him, Willow Bird of
the Kalinlepi?"

     I see the war leader's suspicion. "You are right. He is not Kalinlepi.
His name is Smiles A Lot. My... ah, companion." I notice the warrior eyeing
our matching white armbands.

     My thoughts race. I must convince these men that I am Kalinlepi so they
won't kill us. We have a long standing peace treaty between our Peoples that
has never been broken. We trade with each other. Men from our tribes sometimes
visit the other to look for wives. "My chief is He-who-walks-beyond-all-others
and our war leader is Oaken Strength. Your tribe traded with ours a few
summers ago. A year before that, one of your warriors had visited us seeking a
wife but he returned to your People empty handed."

     "That is so." The war leader signals his men to lower their weapons.

     I release a sigh of relief. Everything that's been spoken has been passed
to Smiles A Lot through our connection. He suggests that I offer my pipe to be
smoked amongst them and for more talk. That sounds like a good plan.

     "My tribe has only recently struck their tipis on this part of the river,"
I explain. "You have crossed into our lands without realizing this. Let us
smoke together and you can tell me what brings you here."

     "I accept your offer, Willow Bird. My men are cold from the crossing and
we need to talk."

     My head nods in agreement. I retrieve my smoking pouch that had fallen to
the ground during battle. To my relief, I find that the clay pipe is unbroken
and its long wooden stem is intact. My hands shake when I fill the bowl with
tobacco. The four warriors slowly drop to their knees in a large circle around
us while their war leader ties Pai-alucia's reins to a bush. I notice his
interest in my horse. He joins me on my left side. Smiles A Lot sits close on
my right. He keeps his eyes averted from these men.

     "I am Smoke That Doesn't Lie, war Leader of the Second Band Tagalou. The
one you fought is Breaking Stones."

     My eyes glance at the one-feathered warrior. He gives me a grim smile.
The other warriors reveal their names to me in turn. The bowmen are named
Scratched Slate Stone and Finds Water, obviously brothers who both wear two
feathers in their hair. The stone club wielder is simply called 'Thump'. He
has gestured his name so I don't think that he can speak in a language we'd
understand. The features to his face are similar to his companions. He wears
no feathers in his long hair but I think he's a warrior. His arms bulge with
muscles down to his strong chest. He's around Big Horn's age.

     When my pipe is ready, I realize with a sinking feeling that I have no
means to light it! These men are wet from the river. They won't have anything
dry to offer me even if one has brought tinder and a sparking stone. I'm going
to look very foolish by not being able to offer them the promised smoke.

     'Willow Bird. Remember how I lit your pipe after having lunch with your
mother?'

     'Yes. But I don't know how!'

     'You do. The power is within you, my love. You are a Fire Speaker.
Greater than I since you can hear their whisperings. Ask those spirits to aid
you now. I'll show you.'

     I swallow nervously in my throat. The warriors kneeling around me give me
puzzled looks, wondering how I'm going to light the tobacco. I think back to
Smiles A Lot's ritual. How he lit my pipe. With the raising of my hands, I ask
our Father for His blessings on our council. All the men lift their heads to
make silent pleas of their own. My hands are lowered.

     'Point your fingers into the pipe, Willow Bird. Coax the fire spirits to
awaken by giving them this Word.'

     I do as my lover has asked. My right two fingers wiggle over the bowl of
my pipe and I utter the power Word he's given me. There's a puff of smoke! I
hear astonished gasps from the warriors. My trembling hands lift the long stem
to my lips and I draw smoke. A small cough escapes me. I offer my pipe to
Smoke That Doesn't Lie. He seems reluctant to take it from my hand but with
his men watching, the war leader doesn't want to reveal his fear in front of
them.

     After a few puffs, my pipe is handed to Finds Water to smoke from. His
brother Scratched Slate Stone is next. Breaking Stones draws only a puff
before he passes my pipe to Thump. Smiles A Lot is last to smoke.

     I study these men around me some more. Like my People, they don't cover
their feet with moccasins. Most wear lengthy breechclouts. Painted designs
cover the brother's flaps and their war leader's in yellow lines and brown. I
don't understand their significants. Breaking Stones' breechclout is adorned
with white rounded shapes that remind me of rocks. Ah. His namesake. When I
glance at Thump's meager flaps, I note their faded color from age. Old and
worn with a few holes that indicates he hasn't a wife to take care of him.

     When my lover hands me back my pipe, I hear his praise in my head. It's
also very sweet to see these warriors staring at me with wonder in their eyes!
Perhaps now, they won't be so quick to harm us.

     I draw the remaining smoke from my pipe. It's pleasant buzz fills me. I
tap out the ash against my knee, returning it to my pouch along with the
dwindling amount of tobacco.

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie breaks the silence. "I thank you to sharing your
pipe with us. You just ridden from the Kalinlepi?"

     I nod my head. There's still suspicion in this warrior for my claim that I
come from that tribe. His eyes notice my hair. "My lengths were burned away by
a plains fire," I explain. "Our men wear their hair long just as yours does."

     "I unaware that your tribe has settled in this wood. Not a good place.
But, ah. Who am I to challenge the wisdom of your chief? We keep to our side
of the river but this day, I'm looking for a lost boy. My son, Squirrel Tail."

     I feel recognition coming from my lover. He quickly Sends me what he
knows about finding that naked youth in the plains with Rain Dancer. They had
been swept down river. He found them and helped Squirrel Tail empty his lungs
of water that he'd swallowed. The youths took him to the Split Tribe where he
was taken captive and tortured. I turn to Smoke That Doesn't Lie and speak.

     "Smiles A Lot has met your son. Wasn't he returned to your tribe?" I ask.

     The war leader nods his head. "That was more than a handful of days ago.
He was helped across the river by Split Tribe warriors. What was the name of
the girl who was with him?"

     More testing from this warrior! "She is called Rain Dancer."

     "This girl from your tribe? Hmm. My son not told me but that may explain
a few things. Did Rain Dancer tell you about meeting with my son?"

     "No. But Smiles A Lot might know." I regret having spoken those words!
Now, Smoke That Doesn't Lie will expect a telling from my lover. He doesn't
know enough words to speak.

     'Rain Dancer likes your son,' gestures Smiles A Lot.

     I see the war leader's eyes widen when he's gestured by Smiles A Lot but
he may be reacting to what was revealed to him.

     "Yes. I suspected this and may be the reason he ran away. Ah. Do you not
know how to speak, Smiles A Lot?"

     "A little." Smiles A Lot returns to using his hands. 'I am from the
Plains Tribes so gesturing is easier between us.'

     "Which tribe?" The war leader glares at Smiles A Lot to tell him what he
already suspects.

     "The Spear-bearing Warriors."

     I hear angry grunts coming from the men. They beat their chests. Why did
Smiles A Lot admit that?! When it seems that Breaking Stones is going to break
the peace of our council, I hold my right hand out to him in warning. "Smiles
A Lot is under my protection! Stay your anger until you know what's going on."

     "Strong words, Willow Bird. I would like to hear how this came about."

     I swallow nervously in my throat. "He and his shaman came to my tribe in
peace to speak words from their Spear-bearing Chiefs. My chief's second wife
is that shaman's sister. Their mother was also brought for a visit." Smoke That
Doesn't Lie reads my face intently. I'm trying not to flinch under his gaze.

     "You speak truth, Willow Bird but I was told from the Split Tribe that
the brave accompanying my son was an enemy scout."

     "He has not even been named a brave of his People let alone be a scout!"
When I turn to my lover, the war leader studies the features to his face.
Doesn't he see how young he looks? I continue with my explanation.

     "Smiles A Lot was trying to find the Kalinlepi where his shaman was
visiting but our tipis had moved from their usual place on the river. He found
Rain Dancer and your son wandering the plains and took them to the Split Tribe.
He was not welcomed there. His pleas for peace were ignored. They tortured him
for three days before handed him over to my tribe where he has been tending to
our ailing shaman."

     "I don't understand. Why would your Split tribesmen torture Smiles A Lot
then give him to your tribe where he welcomed. Is he a shaman? Are your two
Peoples coming to peaceful terms after all these years?"

     I slowly nod my head. "He is tending to our shaman's head wound because
there is no one else who can heal. The Split Tribe still holds claim over his
life. My chief is in peace negotiations with the Split Tribe with the hope of
them rejoining their Kalinlepi brothers."

     "I think that you're speaking the truth, Willow Bird but your words are
difficult to accept. Smiles A Lot is from the Spear-bearing Tribe, our bitter
enemies and yours! I can understand the Split Tribe's actions against him but
not what you claim for your People. Why would they accept his help? Why would
he even want to heal your shaman?"

     "For me." My mouth shuts and I will not explain anything more to them.
The war leader grunts with disappointment. I feel rising tension in his men.
Fear grips my heart. I can see where this is leading to.

     Smiles A Lot gives me a worried grin. I peer into his face with love and
I don't care if the others see this. I'm afraid of what they may do to him. I
will not let them take him away from me!

     "You said that Squirrel Tail has run away," I ask to change the subject.
"Why do you think he's crossed the river to our side?"

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie takes a deep breath and speaks. "He hasn't been the
same after he return to us. Often, he talk to his mother about Rain Dancer. Ask
her adult questions. I think my son is in love with this girl even though he's
too young. Our lookout saw him cross the river yesterday but he couldn't pursue
the boy because he didn't have a body raft my son had wisely constructed. It
is perilous to enter this river."

     I gesture at his soaked warriors. "You managed the crossing."

     "We fashion body rafts this morning. Breaking Stones lost his and was
nearly drowned."

     I glance at the single feathered warrior. His eyes drop in embarrassment.
I'm surprise to hear this war leader shaming one of his men in front of
strangers. Oaken Strength wouldn't have done that.

     I notice a measure of shame in all the men. They follow their war leader
but it is not from respect. My thoughts return to the reason they're here.
"We've just come from our tribe and there was no talk about finding a boy. I
offer to help you search for him."

     "Hmm. Are you familiar with these woods, Willow Bird?"

     I lower my eyes and shake my head. "We want to join your search party.
The more eyes looking for your son, the better. Yes?" I won't look at the war
leader in the hope that he'll consider the matter. He'd be quick to agree if
it weren't for Smiles A Lot at my side.

     "You should return to your tribe and ask them to help. Perhaps my son is
already there. I'll send one of my men with you."

     I release a sigh of relief. Smoke That Doesn't Lie is wise. He grants me
an honorable withdrawal from his party that will also serve him. I nod my head
in agreement.

     Our council ends when all the men get to their feet. Thump gestures
something to his war leader. I've caught some of it; his offer to join me back
to the Kalinlepi. Whispers are given him in return.

     I stand next to my horse, not yet ready to take his reins into my hands.
It is a fragile peace between us. Breaking Stones glares at my lover with much
hatred in his eyes. I offer the frightened boy my arm and he eagerly steps
into my half embrace. Finds Water laughs at us behind his hand.

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie comes to a decision. "Thump go with you. Tell your
chief that if he help find my son that he be rewarded. Go now, in peace."

     I raise my right hand in farewell to him and his men but I'm struck by
his words. They had sounded too much like trading and not the friendly tone I
was expecting from an ally.

     The four warriors head for the woods. Thump comes to my side with his
eyes looking over Smiles A Lot like a prized horse he wants to steal. He makes
me feel uncomfortable but I don't see hatred in his eyes that Breaking Stones
had for my lover. It's a different emotion that's hard for me to glean.

     I free Pai-alucia's reins from the bush. I'm considering riding him but
there are three of us so our pace would have to be kept to a walk. And who
would ride my horse? Thump grins. He stands close to Smiles A Lot and they
gesture words between them. My horse blocks their conversation from me.

     With a strong tug, I get Pai-alucia to a walk. We take to the river trail
that will soon bend into the woods. Thump is content to walk behind my horse
and Smiles A Lot continues to hand gesture with him. As much as I want to peek
back at their conversation, I'm forced ahead.

     The river is left behind when I take to the forest path. It grows darker.
Dry leaves crunch underfoot and I note the many branches hanging down. Almost
as if they're reaching out to grab us.

     I glance back at Thump and Smiles A Lot. They're no longer gesturing. I
reach my right hand back in their direction and with a sweeping motion, ask
that they join me.

     Smiles A Lot comes to my side. He avoids my hand trying to grab hold of
his. I glance at Thump. He seems not to have noticed.

     'The Tagalou are afraid of these woods,' gestures Smiles A Lot. 'Thump
said that it's haunted.'

     I glance at all the trees crowding both sides of our trail but I'm not
afraid. I have Spoken with these sleepy spirits. They don't mean any ill will
towards me and stand ready to defend my tribe from attack. Thump keeps his
eyes ahead. I sense his fear.

     "Our tribe is not far away," I assure the man. He grunts in response.

     'I not like these trees,' admits Thump. 'There are stories of our men
daring into these woods and they seen strange things.'

     "Like what?"

     'Trees moving about. Branches reach down to strike them! These trees hate
men and two of our hunters never return from these wood. If Squirrel Tail to
lost, I don't think we find him again.'

     I muse over the man's gestured words and I realize something. "Thump. You
can understand my spoken words but you only gesture in response."

     'I lost my voice.' Thump lifts his chin to show an old battle scar across
his neck. The sign of a blade cut that should have ended his life.

     I sadly nod my head. "We will find Squirrel Tail. These trees aren't
angry at me. Perhaps I should ask for their help." Thump gives me a startled
glance. He tries to read my face to see if I'm teasing him.

     'That is a good idea,' gestures Smiles A Lot. 'Ask them about the boy.'

     I hand Pai-alucia's reins to my lover and step off the trail. A large oak
is found to my left. I gaze up its long trunk with awe. He wears a magnificent
mantle of green so I choose him to Speak with. My hands press against his bark
with reverence. I close my eyes and Send thoughts into him.

     'Oh, great Oak Tree! I am Willow Bird. I've come in peace to ask a favor
of you and your brothers. Do you know if a boy is wandering amongst you?'

     My breathing slows. I concentrate on the steady beat of my heart to help
center myself so that my thoughts will join with this tree's. My plea is given
again. I wait patiently for him to stir, knowing that these sleepy spirits are
slow to respond.

     I hear singing at my side. Smiles A Lot has joined me before this oak and
I recognize his song. My eyes remain closed. I Send my plea again with the
hope that it will be answered.

     I hear the wind. There's a startled gasp behind me that I ignore so deep
is my concentration on hearing this tree's thoughts. Something warm fills my
being. It's like standing under Father Sun with His Hand over my head. Images
are given me. I see men walking through the woods. Suspicion and great hatred
surrounds them, watching to see what they will do. If they mean to cut limbs.

     'Those men don't mean to disturb your sleep, oh tree spirits. They are
only looking for a boy.' I sense puzzlement. My hand reaches out blindly for
my lover so that I can touch him. I find his arm. 'Show me what Squirrel Tail
looks like, my love.'

     Smiles A Lot reveals his memory to me of that boy. How tall he stood and
the naked features to his body. My lover blushes. I pass it on to the oak. No
more images are Sent me so I step away and open my eyes. My lover gives me a
soft grin.

     'I think he's asking the other trees about the boy. We must wait.'

     I look up at the branches and see them swaying as if from the wind but
there's no movement to the air. Thump is holding Pai-alucia's reins. He
watches us with wide eyes, standing in the very middle of the trail. Fearful
of what I've awakened.

     I pull on Smiles A Lot's arm so that we can join Thump. The man stares at
me with a haunted look in his eyes. I'll try to explain what we were doing.
"I have asked the trees to look for Squirrel Tail. We will have to wait here."

     'We should return to your tribe.'

     I shake my head. "We shall if they can't find the boy." Thump looks at me
as if I'm a strange beast he's deciding if he should flee from.

     "Your eyes hurt me, Thump. I am only trying to help find Squirrel Tail
and these trees have heard my plea. Don't be afraid."

     'What are you?'

     I have to lower my eyes from his. "I am Willow Bird."

     'Are you a shaman? You look too young though I see our Father's mark in
your hair.'

     "I am training to be one with Smiles A Lot's help. Please. Don't be
frightened of me, Thump!" The man glances at my lover. His hands lift to him
with gesturing.

     'Are you also a shaman?' the man asks.

     Smiles A Lot nods his head. 'I came to the Muddy River Tribe to train
Willow Bird in his special gifts. And, I am his lover.'

     I breathe in sharply to see his bold admission. Thump glances at our
white arm bands. Instead of showing disgust or anger as I was expecting, the
man reveals a familiar pleading in his eyes. Shy, but obvious to someone who
has seen this before.

     I'm feeling a need to touch this man, to hear his thoughts. His dark eyes
are filled with a longing that I recognize so I want to know if he's like us.
My right hand slowly lifts to Thump's left arm. He sees my approach and stares
into my eyes to read my intent.

     "Don't be afraid. I see something kindred in you, Thump and I want to
hold your arm to see if that's so."

     'Kindred to you?' the man gestures. 'To how you are with him?'

     I hold my palm close to the man's arm but I don't touch him. My eyes fill
with pleading for him to allow my approach. Emotions fill his face. Fear,
curiosity and then that same tender emotion a man shows when he's attracted to
another in Mahyee-na.

     Thump nods. I gently clasp the man's muscled arm and Send my thoughts
into him. 'We are man/lovers and I think that you are, too. Don't be afraid.
Open yourself to me and I'll Show you the path that can lead to happiness and
male fulfillment. Please, Thump!'

     'In my head!' Thump staggers back, turning to retrieve the horse's fallen
reins from the ground.

     I turn to my lover with a sigh. He comes to my side, bringing his left
arm around my waist so that we can connect to each other with more than our
bodies. 'I think this man is like us but he's afraid.'

     'Yes. When he was gesturing earlier, I read the small signs on his face
that revealed his attraction for me. Your gift of Mind Speaking is special,
Willow Bird but it is frightening to those unaccustomed to its power.'

     Thump stands on the other side of Pai-alucia. He stares down at his feet.
I sense his discomfort from having his spirit revealed. He is wanting but very
afraid. "We will continue our journey to my tribe if you want." The man shakes
his head. He lifts his eyes to me for a moment but quickly lowers them again.

     I'm feeling much anguish for this man. I have rushed things when I should
have realized that we are strangers, no trust between us yet. I've revealed a
truth in him that he may have only suspected, denied or is shamed by.

     I turn to Smiles A Lot and give him a fierce hug. 'Am I wrong about him?'

     'No, my love. I see your need to free kindred spirits but he is a man
that has hidden that part of his spirit from others for too long. Perhaps from
himself as well.'

     Tears fill my eyes. I'm remembering how my monedo had freed my heart. The
shame that had strangled my spirit was cut away by his love for me. Thump is
in pain. I've opened an old wound in him that has never been acknowledged.

     Wind rustles the branches above us. When I look up, my eyes only fill
with a green blur. 'Are the trees wanting to Speak with us?'

     'I think so.'

     Smiles A Lot releases me from his arms. I rush from the trail and grasp
the oak tree with both hands. My eyes close in concentration. I am given
images of a boy sleeping against a fallen tree. Darkness all around him except
for moonlight filtering down through the leaves.

     'Do you know where the boy is now?' I plead. Images are Shown me of empty
deer paths, a clearing with tall grass that has been trampled and a line of
small footprints in the mud along a stream. No boy though.

     Smiles A Lot embraces me from behind. I Show him what the trees have seen
and he is as disappointed as I am. More images come through our connection.
Not sun-filled but dark like suppressed rage. Are these trees angry with me? I
pull my hands back in fear.

     I turn to my lover. He is as surprised as I am by what we felt. Why were
they willing to help and then directing hatred at us?

     'I don't know, Willow Bird. Perhaps trees are like People after all. Some
are friendly and wanting to help while others are angry and hateful.'

     'What do you think has happened to the boy?' I ask.

     'Squirrel Tail was in these woods last night. After waking up, he must
be trying to find his way out of them but there are bad trees who could be
hindering his escape. I fear for this boy! We should continue to wait.'

     'You are right, my love but will Thump remain patient to stay here?' I'm
offered a grin to soothe my troubled thoughts. When my boy brings his face to
mine, we kiss. My arms fly around his slim waist to hold him closer to me.

     My cock stirs with life. I'm rubbing it against Smiles A Lot's male bulge
that our breechclout prevent from fully embracing. My lover pants excitedly
between kisses. I lift my hand to his short hair, pulling out a tangle. He
peers deep into my eyes. There's concern in them.

     'We are forgetting about Thump. He is standing alone on the trail,
probably watching us and feeling even more badly about himself.'

     I look past Smiles A Lot for the man. He turns his face away, examining
my horse's foreleg. I slowly release my arms from my lover. My right hand
falls and finds his hand to clasp. I lead him back to the trail. Thump turns
to us with bright eyes.

     'You have a good horse, Willow Bird.'

     "Thank you. His name is Pai-alucia."

     'That a Plains Tribe's name,' answers the man. 'I know that they breed
swift mounts to hunt buffalo. Much desired by my People.'

     I gently nod my head. "Why aren't the Tagalou allied with the Thundering
Horsemen or the Spear-bearing Tribe?"

     'They steal our horses and we take theirs.' A rumbling belly laugh. 'Your
People don't pursue the buffalo so we don't see you as rivals in hunting.'

     "Yes. We prefer the forests for its deer and the elk. Fire scorched
rabbit is also very delicious. My mother can make a good stew with rabbit."

     'Perhaps your mother will invite me for lunch sometime.'

     My painful memory from this afternoon brings a frown to my face. I don't
think my mother would like having another guest who is Mahyee-na.

     'I didn't mean to offend you by asking for that favor, Willow Bird.'

     "No. I'm not angry with you, Thump. I had brought my lover to my mother's
tipi for lunch this afternoon but it didn't go the way I had hoped."

     Thump glances at Smiles A Lot. 'Your mother... She doesn't accept him?'

     "Something like that. She knows where my spirit directs me to love men
and Smiles A Lot is not my first lover. My mother needs time to get used to
this. She loves me so I know that I'll always have a home to return to."

     Thump drops his eyes. 'Such a thing is not accepted by my tribe.'

     Smiles A Lot enters the conversation by raising his hands for gesturing.
'Amongst the Spear-bearing People, my shaman was leader of those who man/love.
He initiated boys to test them for this. I was one of those special youths.
My father was also a lover of men and he came to the Muddy River Tribe to be
with Willow Bird's monedo. He passed on the sacred rites of our society to
that brave before he went Above.'

     I see Thump facing me with seeking eyes. I continue in voice what my
lover has been trying to explain to him with gesturing. "My monedo turned to
me after losing his lover. I learned what it means to be Mahyee-na and it has
set my heart on the path to love those of my sex. He freed my spirit!" I pause
when sadness fills my heart. "But he also went Above. I've taken Smiles A Lot
as my lover. With his help, I am to be the next leader of our society of
loving men. I saw that you could be one of us. Please forgive my assumption if
this is not so. I didn't mean to shame or hurt you!"

     Thump nods. He walks around Pai-alucia to stand before me. I see longing
on his face. His right hand is slowly lifted and offered to me. I grasp it.

     'You can be in my head?' thinks Thump.

     'I am able to connect my thoughts to others by touching.'

     'A wonderful gift. Your first touch had... startled me.'

     'Thump. Will you open your heart to me so that I can know you better?'

     'Yes. I want that, Willow Bird.'

     I feel Smiles A Lot against my back. He wants to join into our mind bond.
Thump wipes a tear from his face but he continues to peer deep in my eyes,
seeking something from me. I patiently wait for him to think some more.

     'You were right about me, Willow Bird. For so long I have hidden my
secret from the others. My injury makes me undesirable to a potential wife so
I've been able to avoid taking on that responsibility expected of a man. I
have been shamed by my desires for those of my sex. To reveal myself risked
banishment. The few young boys I've... embraced weren't satisfying. I need
more than to relieve my aching loins. My heart is very lonely.'

     I'm glad to hear this man's admission. He's like a bulging water skin
that has burst after falling to the ground. I sense his relief and there's so
much he wants to tell me. He also wants to learn about us of the Mahyee-na.

     'I envy your free spirit, Willow Bird.'

     'Being shown my path into the Mahyee-na has done this.'

     'Do those of the Kalinlepi accept what you are?' asks Thump.

     I can't lie when Mind Speaking. 'No. The first man that I loved was our
chief's nephew but we kept our relationship secret. Some knew. My mother, the
shaman and a boy that I also loved. Our time together was short lived. My
warrior went to the Above and left me with an empty hand.' I feel Thump's
compassion for me. It helps ease the pain in my heart.

     'I also lost someone that I loved,' admits Thump. 'He was only a boy but
he accepted how we felt for each other. I didn't get the chance to be with him
for very long because he was...'

     Terrible anguish passes through our connection. Guilt, fear and the man's
aching heart over a lost love. It is almost too much to bear! My lover reveals
his presence to Thump and offers comfort for the man's pain. My hand is tightly
squeezed as if only my grip prevents Thump from falling down a cliff.

     I peer deeply into Thump's mind. His memories are bared before me during
his weakness and although I'm feeling some guilt for Looking into him, I probe
his relationship with his lost one. This is what I uncover.

     Thump knew that his spirit was drawn to other males in his youth but he
dared not reveal his heart. It would have shamed his father, even risk him
getting banished by the Tagalou. He suffered alone. Only relieving his lust
in hand or with boyhood friends when they'd swam together and played naked
games in the ponds: pulling over each other's erections and belly rubbing.
Simple acts like that.

     When Thump was named a brave, he acted as monedo for a fatherless boy in
his tribe who was eleven. The man taught his charge skills he'll need when he
became a man. Their closeness had led them to love each other in a way that
was not accepted by their People. But it was short lived.

     I'm startled when strong arms come around my back. Thump presses his
chest against me, upsetting Smiles A Lot's rear embrace. My lover slips his
hands low around my waist. His wet face presses into my neck.

     I sense that Thump knows I've been looking at his memories. He opens
himself more so that I can easily read all his thoughts. Instead of having to
search for that lost boy in his head, the man freely Shows me what I want to
know about what had happened to them.

     'Grass Bender was his name. A joy to be with!' thinks Thump. 'He hungered
for my attention and quickly learned all my lessons, showing me how much I was
missing in my life by not having a son of my own. When he turned twelve, his
loins ached him as mine had been for not having a mate. My hints about his
growing body went unanswered so I didn't know if the boy knew how to relieve
himself in hand or would be willing to embrace our needs together.

     'I loved my charge dearly. My lust grew for him but it was denied since I
didn't want to hurt Grass Bender. He looked up to me as a man. I didn't want
to shame myself in front of the boy by revealing that I don't desire women.
Our meetings together became difficult because I was always struggling to
control my lust. He showed small signs of wanting me. I couldn't be sure that
it wasn't wishful thinking on my part so I decided to take the boy on a trip
to the plains, far from our tribe where we could be alone to test him.

     'On our first night out, Grass Bender revealed his heart to me and mine
was uncovered by his love. Oh, how we loved! The youth denied me nothing and I
took much. We delayed our return to camp because we wanted to be with each
other in a way our People wouldn't accept. Our joy-filled days passed quickly.
I took my young lover farther from the Tagalou, deciding to run away with him.'

     Anguish comes from Thump. Much guilt, too. I feel Smiles A Lot's soothing
touch to the man's heart through our connection that is like a mother's warm
embrace for her crying son. I hold back my questions. Only my emotions are
passed on, compassion and understanding for a spirit in pain.

     Thump shakes his head. He continues with his sad story. 'A chance
encounter with a party of Thunder Horsemen ended my life with that boy. They
took us by force. Raped my boy while I had to watch. I could do nothing to
prevent it! He was killed. My body was also used like a squaw by those five
men and I was left on the plains with my throat slit.'

     My left shoulder feels this man's tears. I hold him close to me while my
lover soothes his fragile spirit. No more thoughts are passed to us. Only
Thump's anguish, his terrible loneliness and guilt come from him. I feel tears
running down my face.

     'My only love was taken from me!' thinks Thump with growing anger mostly
directed at himself.

     Pai-alucia shoves his big nose into Thump. The startled man pushes me
away, his eyes wide with fear when realizing what he's dared to reveal.

     'You can't tell the others about me!' Thump gestures with flying hands.
'My boy is long gone and I should have died with him. I'm a man without honor.
No eagle feathers in my hair because I'm unworthy in the eyes of our Father. I
avoid going to battle. When I die, my spirit will not enter the Above because
of what I am. A wretched person! I think I'm being punished here on our Mother
by not being able to speak and when my end comes, I'll be cast below to suffer
even more.'

     'No! It wasn't your fault that the boy died.'

     'I am! My lust for him had taken us far from where our People ranged. I
knew that we risked to be captured by our enemies.'

     Thump turns from me with a grave face. He walks down the trail alone, not
even glancing back to see if we'll follow him. Smiles A Lot shakes his head to
me in warning when he senses that I'll try stopping the man. I glance at the
sleeping oak tree. None of his branches are shaking but I'm reluctant to leave
because he may have something to Show me about Squirrel Tail.

     'All the trees are his brothers,' gestures Smiles A Lot. 'If that lost boy
is sighted, I'm sure that a tree will Speak to us.'

     'It is better to remain here,' I answer, 'in the middle of these woods so
if they find Squirrel Tail, the less we will have to travel in reaching him.'
My lover signs his understanding.

     Pai-alucia's reins are taken and I follow after Thump. My lover walks
besides me in silence. His hand in mine. There is nothing more we can do for
that suffering man.

     It's going to be a long walk. On horseback, we had flown through these
woods. Father Sun will be low in His sky by the time we reach camp on foot.
Too dark to search for the boy until morning.

     An idea comes to me. I think to my lover about my plan. 'We need to stay
in these woods if we're to find Squirrel Tail before nightfall. Can you go
ahead and talk with Thump, convince him to wait for the trees to give us word
about that youth?'

     'He is in much pain, Willow Bird. I don't think he'll listen to me. He's
following his war leader's instructions to speak with our chief even if it
means losing our best opportunity to find Squirrel Tail.'

     'You could ride back to camp with him.'

     'Leave you here? No, my love! I feel danger in this forest. Great evil.
What happened to that boy could befall anyone left alone.'

     My eyes peer for the man walking far ahead. How to slow him down? Smiles
A Lot pulls his hand from mine. He gives me a mischievous grin when he gestures
at me.

     'Let me walk alone with Thump and try to keep him in the woods, love. I've
cracked harder nuts before.' He rubs over his rear end with a sly grin.

     I nod my head. Smiles A Lot chases after the man, leaving me feeling a
little disturbed. He's not as innocent as I had thought him but if he can stop
that man's return to camp, it will be worth it. I don't think Squirrel Tail
can wait until morning to be found.

     I turn to Pai-alucia. His big nose presses into my ribs and he snorts
with frustration. "Yes. We are far from camp and the grass that would fill
your belly. I'm sorry that we didn't find an apple tree. I had wanted to lay
with my lover under one with only your loud munching to disturb our embrace."

     The stallion's big eye watches me, almost I think that he understood my
softly spoken words. A heaviness fills my stomach. My regret that our carefree
day has turned serious and oh, I'm having to share Smiles A Lot with another!
I angrily tug on my horse's reins. My eyes fall to the ground. My heart is
feeling troubled for what this day has brought us.

     I don't sulk for long. My feelings of jealousy are cast aside when I
think about Squirrel Tail. He is lost somewhere in these woods. The trees can
help us find him so Thump needs to be slowed down. I wonder if Smiles A Lot
can lift that man from his depression? We've uncovered his shameful secret but
it has not freed his spirit. My eagerness had rushed things. I'm so stupid!

     My eyes peer ahead even though I hadn't wanted to look. Smiles A Lot is
walking beside Thump. Their hands are gesturing. I lower my eyes to my feet,
watching my steps one after the other. This is a well-beaten trail. No exposed
roots. Are Split Tribe hunters often riding here? It leads to the river and
there was that left turn along the bank. I wonder how far it meanders on? All
the way to the mountain brothers?

     Big Horn had taken me to the Moss-bowl Tribe over similar trails. It is
understood that travelers following the river can pass through tribal lands
without being attacked so long as they don't hunt in the woods or wander from
the path. Why did Smoke That Doesn't Lies attack us?

     Oh. Probably because of Smiles A Lot. His short hair, style of breechclout
and the features to his face proves that he is from an enemy tribe. We weren't
attacked out of hand but surrounded for questioning. Breaking Stones saw my
lover and realized that he was not from a tribe of these lands. That's why he
was attacked. Smoke That Doesn't Lie had stayed his weapon from striking me.

     I'm very worried for Smiles A Lot. Even if my tribe comes to accept him
and the Split Tribe withdraws their demand to have him back, he will always be
in danger by all the other tribes friendly to the Kalinlepi. We could never
travel beyond our hunting grounds. Oh, how I'd wish I could take him for a
visit to the Moss-bowl Tribe! See its wonders. And I know that their lusting
men would enjoy my lover and show him the different ways his butt can be taken.

     Smiles A Lot has sacrificed much to be with me. Am I worthy of his love?

     I kick a fallen branch out of my way. My lungs fill with air and it is
slowly released, calming me. I wonder if my lover has managed to appease
Thump's troubled heart?

     When my eyes lift from the dirt, I'm startled to see them gone. Worry
squeezes my heart for what has happened. I don't think evil trees had grabbed
them but that they've wandered off the path into the woods. Out of my sight.

     Am I feeling jealous? Smiles A Lot has told me about what he's done with
the needing braves and warriors of his tribe. He has a nice butt. Ah, no. I
should not be worrying so. I know that his heart is mine so what he does with
his body with other men is expected of someone who is Mahyee-na.

     Pai-alucia follows behind me while I cast my eyes to both sides of the
trail for signs of them. Nothing. There's a faint sound in the woods. I look
in that direction and notice a wet spot over the ground. Two urine pools. I'm
feeling my own need so I slip my cock out from the side of my breechclout and
let go. My yellow stream strikes the ground, joining both pools to make a
larger one. Steam rises from it.

     When I'm done, another urge fills my cock. A few pulls are made over my
foreskin to get myself hard. My rosy knob pops out wetly. Lust follows. I hear
a sound and that makes my breaths tremble. Pai-alucia nickers softly. Should I
leave him tied to the trail and go look for them? No. I don't want to risk
leaving him behind. To take him into the woods would forewarn our noisy
approach and scare them from whatever they're doing together. I should wait.

     I look for birds in the trees. To my surprise, I don't find any. These
woods are too quiet for my comfort. No buzzing insects either. A lack of
animal sounds means danger. I think back to our walk and don't recall seeing
any birds, the startled huff of deer, crickets or any of the normal sounds one
expects in a forest. Thump was right. These woods are haunted.

     My eyes return to where I've pissed. Only a faint circle marks where our
urine has soaked into the thirsty ground. My hard cock aches me. I don't want
to pull over it for relief when I have a lover for that. He's off alone with
another man. I really need to know what they're doing together!

     With a strong tug, I get Pai-alucia to follow me into the trees. My ears
strain for sound. It is still. Slim pines stand in all directions but not
crowding me. Creeping vines run along the debris-choked ground and twist
around their smooth trunks. Sunlight flashes in my eyes when I peer up.

     I question the wisdom of what I'm doing. Smiles A Lot wouldn't mind my
peeking but I think that Thump would be embarrassed, plagued with guilt if I
were to catch him fucking my lover. He's seen our matching arm bands. They
signify our pledge of love for each other from our hearts that seek a bonding
but we are still free to give our willing bodies to other men. Only our cocks
must be kept for each other. He probably doesn't know this.

     I spot a fallen hickory. Its trunk is being eaten by a pack of brown
mushrooms, slowly returning its ruptured body to the earth. My horse's reins
are tied in its roots. I stroke over Pai-alucia's nose, softly asking him to
be quiet when I leave him behind.

     My feet step carefully so as to not make a sound. Guilt fills me for my
stealth; I'm not trying to catch my lover with Thump to scold him but to spy
on what they're doing together. Perhaps join them in sex. My cock aches me!

     When passing a few trees, I glance back at Pai-alucia. He's found some
tender shoots to nibble on but his head lifts at me. My hands gesture for him
to be still and the horse returns to eating.

     My eyes study the ground. Their bared footprints are easy to follow. They
head deeper into the woods with Thump's bigger feet stepping over my lover's.
He proves to be an experienced warrior by doing this. Oh. No eagle feathers in
his hair from battle but I know that he's more seasoned than a brave.

     I hear breathing in the distance. My body turns sideways behind a tree
from which I can peek around without being seen. Only a stand of empty pines
though. I step past my tree with slow easy steps. My ears are straining. More
deep breaths are heard! I should be crawling over the ground to lessen my risk
of being seen but my pride won't let me. I'm the one acting badly. I should
have stayed with Pai-alucia on the trail and left them alone.

     But I want to see what they're doing! My feet move forward of their own
accord until I glimpse something. It's a deerskin flap over the dirt. Thump's
or Smiles A Lot's but I can't tell. Both wear only meager flaps like the boys
of my tribe while I'm wearing the lengthy cloth of a man.

     Their breathing is rhythmic in pace. Loud in my ears and lust filled. I
turn my body to hide behind a young oak tree. When I get the nerve, I peer
around for them. This is what I see.

     Thump is kneeling over the ground. His chest covers Smiles A Lot's back
who is also kneeling, his smaller body under the man's. I'm spying on their
act from behind. The soles of the man's feet are darkened with mud. His bent
legs are surging in a familiar way, sending nice tingles into my loins. I look
at his butt. He's kept himself covered there but his cloth rubs against his
humping. The man's arms are around my lover's body in a tight bear hug. Below
him, pressed against his calves are a pair of small feet with its toes digging
into the dirt.

     Both of them are deep into their act. Thump breathes heavily through his
nose that sounds like an elk bull enjoying his cow. Smiles A Lot makes soft
crying noises. I can hear each of the man's stabs through his ass by it.

     A stone club lies over the ground near Thump's right side. Would he use
it against me in anger (or fear!) if I were to reveal my presence? No. He
would likely use it on himself as punishment for stealing my lover. Ha! I had
asked Smiles A Lot to be with this man, to keep him in these woods for
Squirrel Tail's sake. I'm not jealous to see them fucking. We are Mahyee-na
and it's our obligation to give of ourselves to needing men. Thump is in need!

     Smiles A Lot is really getting his ass plowed. I hear his sharp cries
each time Thump stabs him. The boy's arms are spread, his palms digging into
the soft ground. The man has his face pressed into my lover's back, hungrily
kissing him. His muscled arms surround the boy's thin frame. Big hands locked
beneath to prevent escape. It almost seems like he's raping the boy.

     I step from the cover of my oak tree to watch their act from the side.
Thump has his eyes closed in concentration. His large body slams into the
smaller body below him, an unmatched contest between man and boy. It is very
thrilling to watch. Smiles A Lot sticks his ass up to fill with Thump's cock.
He takes many savage stabs. I hear the pleasure of it in his soft cries. The
man breathes heavily through his nose. He kisses over the boy's sweaty back
and even bites him. I can see how much he's enjoying my lover's body.

     My hand slips in through the side of my breechclout so that I can handle
my aching cock. Watching them fuck is very exciting. Thump's powerful body
overcomes the boy's with ease, his strong arms pulling the smaller body to him
so that he can stab in Smiles A Lot's butt deeply with his cock. I feel my
asshole itching to feel this man's size. Is his big and thick, very long or
only a boy's size? My lover doesn't seem disappointed.

     Thump holds his breath. He clutches Smiles A Lot with his straining arms,
thrusts that remain very deep in the boy's asshole. I realize that he's about
to explode. My lover reveals his pain when he cries out again and again. The
man's cock must be getting very stiff in his butt. It's hurting him.

     A lusty breath is blown against Smiles A Lot's back. Thump turns his head
towards me and I see his eyes fluttering. Such a savage expression on his face!
His tense legs buck like a stallion when releasing his seed. The boy's ass is
slammed into by the man's hairy groin, a wet slapping sound. My lover whimpers
in defeat.

     It is done. Thump slows his heated body and rests over Smiles A Lot's
back. He breathes heavily. I gaze over the man's covered butt. There's still
some humping to it as I imagine him pumping what remains in his balls into the
boy's asshole. I'm hoping that Thump will have some sperm left to fill my butt!

     I slowly step behind the couple. It would startle Thump bad if he were to
open his eyes and catch me watching him. Thoughts of returning to Pai-alucia
come to me but I want to remain and see this man's cock.

     My hand pulls from my breechclout and drops at my side. I feel my cock
aching me to finish my lusty act but if I'm patient, a more fulfilling thing
may be gained by waiting. Thump is a long time recovering from what he's done.
Smiles A Lot pulls his outstretched arms back to his knees. He straightens up.
His left hand reaches back to slip under the man's rear flap, feeling over his
butt and patting it for a job well done.

     A giggle almost escapes from my mouth. Thump loosens his arms from around
Smiles A Lot's waist, his head lifting from the boy's sweaty back that I can
see is marked by small bites. The man grabs my lover's butt cheeks and pushes
over them to get his cock out. I'm eager to check out his size.

     Thump backs out slowly. His wet cock is coming out and still it comes out,
my eyes widening to see how long he is! The man's butt drops to his folded
legs. His rosy knob pops out of Smiles A Lot's ass and I see its dog-like knot,
swollen with lots of oozing. The boy's hole is leaking down to his balls. This
man must have really filled him with much cum.

     Smiles A Lot releases a weary sigh. I know that feeling. After enduring a
brutal fuck and winning seed in me, I'm glad that it's over with. Happy that
my body has satisfied my companion's lust.

     I realize that I'm about to be discovered. Quick are my next actions. I
pull on the knot to my thong belt, releasing my breechclout from my waist. My
hand catches it. Thump gets to his feet and turns to me with a startled look.
I drop my long cloth to the ground. My arms open to him and I grin knowingly.

     Thump's face turns plain. Gone is his expression of surprise and had I
seen some guilt? My feet step up to him. I'm smiling to put the man at ease.
"That was an exciting manly performance!"

     Thump looks down at his dripping cock. His knob has withdrawn into its
foreskin, covered with Smiles A Lot's butt stain. It seems that he's about to
lift his hands for gesturing but they drop back down to his side. The man's
dark eyes peer into mine.

     I lift my right hand to Thump's sweaty chest. My palm presses over his
bulging muscles, gently rubbing over his heated skin. I sense his uneasiness.
Guilt. He's confused by how I'm acting.

     'You are not mad?' thinks Thump.

     'No. Smiles A Lot saw your need and asked me if he could be with you.'

     'He had said so but I wasn't sure,' answers Thump with growing suspicion.
'Why would you allow another man to have him?'

     Smiles A Lot steps to us with peering eyes. I give him a smile so that
he'll know that my conversation with Thump is going well. My thoughts return
to this man. 'We are man/lovers,' I explain. 'It is our obligation to give of
ourselves to needing men, to show our understanding and love for what we are.
No baby can come from such joining. That frees us from traditional monogamy.'

     'But what of your arm bands? What does that signify?'

     I glance at the white cloth tied to Smiles A Lot's right arm. 'We are
pledged to each other as lovers. After we perform the hair love/embrace, our
cocks will only release to each other but we can still give our butt's
pleasure to other men. Didn't you enjoy his?'

     Thump lowers his eyes in embarrassment. I reach down for his cock, a long
stallion's size and gently pull his foreskin back to free his knob. Cum oozes
from its piss hole that I quickly gather into my fingers. I bring them back to
my butt and push his seed in my hole. Thump's eyes widen with surprise. I
release a trembling breath filled with longing, turn from the man and step
back onto his heated body.

     'Hold me Thump!' There's reluctance in the man so I reach back for both
his hands and bring them around my waist. My left hand finds his long cock,
slipping it down between my cheeks and on tip toes, I stick his oozing knob in
my asshole. Oh, he is a tight fit! The pain is ignored when I slowly drop my
heels to the ground, feeling the man's deeper penetration through my butt.

     'I don't think that I can do it again.'

     'Just hold me, Thump. I want to feel this joining of our male bodies! To
have you as my lover had.' The man's big hands pull over my hips. His long
cock sticks further in me to depths I've never imagined! When his groin hair
presses against my cheeks, I release a lusty sigh. We have fit our bodies
together in mating even though Thump won't give me a wet butt.

     Smiles A Lot steps in front of us. His shy eyes peer up at me. I offer
him my arms, accepting my lover's need for an embrace. Our hard cocks touch. I
feel the heated exertion of his body against me. My arms wrap around his back.
His hands reach behind for my shoulder blades. We stare at each other. Smile.

     'I will always love you, Smiles A Lot.'

     'Yes. Love me, Willow Bird!'

     There's such longing in this boy's eyes so I press my face against his,
giving him kisses to his wet eyes, nose, cheeks and his trembling lips. He
urgently kisses me back as if needing to prove his love for me.

     'You did nothing wrong, my love.'

     'I know... But my heart aches me, Willow Bird! You aren't mad to catch
Thump fucking me in his arms?'

     'No. He needed you. I had asked you to keep Thump in these woods and it
seems that our plan has worked.' Smiles A Lot stops kissing me. He studies my
face, blinking away his tears so that he can try reading me.

     'Ah. I was almost hoping that you'd come to my rescue like you did when
falling over Breaking Stones' back to save me from death.'

     A laugh comes out of my mouth. 'You didn't want to be saved from Thump!'

     'Then don't expect me to save you from getting brutally raped.' Smiles A
Lot rushes his hands around Thump, pulling over his covered butt with all of
his strength.

     I cry out when feeling a painful stab in my ass. Thump grunts with lust,
his cock thrilled to be moving in me. I open myself to this man with my
thoughts and bodily sensations, also allowing Smiles A Lot to Share with him
too. I return to kissing my boy. His hands pull over the man's humping ass to
drive his long dick in me. I reach low for his butt, reaching inside for his
wet hole with my fingers and gather some of Thump's cum.

     Smiles A Lot senses my intent. He pulls his belly from mine so that I can
cover our touching cocks with sperm. I look down at them with awe. My oozing
knob is bright red while my lover's is brown. About the same size to do battle.
Our bellies come together and we rub them together feeling their slipperiness.
I breathe in the sharp smell of Thump's cum. My hand returns to the boy's
wiggly ass, pulling over him there to mash the tingling front of our bodies.

     Thump pulls over my hips. He sticks me good, his heated breaths blowing
down my neck while he fucks me. I'm happy to be in my lover's arms too. We
kiss and seek a release of our male bodies while mine is being enjoyed by the
man as if I were his willing squaw.

     'Yes, Thump. Thrust me harder! I know that you can fill my butt with all
of your love.'

     'Is that what we're doing?' asks Thump.

     I sense something odd in the man. 'You're right. Our bodies are joined to
make love and I know that you'll perform well in my ass, pleasuring both of us
but are we doing it from love? I'd want to say that was so. I know that you
are very lonely and envy my feelings for Smiles A Lot. I do love him so! You
and I have only just met. I know that you have a good heart and your spirit
is like ours to man/love. Please! Don't feel sad that we are standing together
to mate with only our bodies. I could grow to love you.'

     'You worry too much, Willow Bird. I've endured long with an empty heart
after losing Grass Bender. My earlier weakness has passed. Smiles A Lot helped
me overcome my bitterness and feelings of unworthiness. And your gift of Mind
Speaking lets us get to know each other without the clumsy use of words. I
also see your good heart. Wanting, so compassionate for others in need. You
are young and inexperienced with life, Willow Bird. I know that you don't
realize this but it is so.'

     Anger fills me. Thump doesn't know all the things I've seen and done this
summer that has made me a man. I could gain the status of warrior if I were to
count coup before my chief, Second Bird acting as my witness.

     'Don't be mad at me. I'm speaking towards your innocence, Willow Bird.
How you strive to correct many wrongs and see things as sunlight or shadow.
Ah. It's hard to explain what I mean.'

     Thump gives my butt a hard stab. I sense his manly lust and his spirit is
like a warrior's rage during battle. His child self is submerged, hidden deep
within while his strong manliness seeks a second relief in my body. I grasp
Smiles A Lot in fear.

     'He is right, Willow Bird. You are still mostly a boy by how you look at
things. Thump is a man. He's learned life's hard lessons so that has given him
wisdom that you lack. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, love! It's a good
thing to help others but sometimes, you may not be able to help them or in the
way they'll accept.'

     My eyes close in my attempt to shut them out. I'm feeling like a little
boy who longs he were already grown up to be a man. Their thoughts are making
some sense. I am young. Only fifteen, not even named a brave of my People.

     'Where are you, Willow Bird?'

     I realize that I've broken our connection. Only my body was touching
theirs while I was hiding my spirit. I slowly draw the petals of my being open.
Thump's urgent need to fuck me is easily sensed and I welcome his expression
of lust for my body. Smiles A Lot holds me closer to him. His cock is tingling
with nice thrills. Lust him in also for me. My cock rubs against my lover's
and it feels very good. I'm standing between two needing males. I just don't
like feeling that I'm younger than them.

     I feel kisses to my eyelids. Smiles A Lot is trying to draw me out so I
open my eyes, seeing his sly grin. He wets his lips and we kiss. Sweetly. A
trembling breath is taken into my lungs. My lover presses his face into my neck
and I bury mine in his. We cling to each other. Rubbing the front parts of our
bodies while the rear of me is brutally used.

     There's a stiffening felt in my butt. Thump's cock is making him feel real
good so I know that he's going to explode soon. Smiles A Lot's stabs also grow
fierce. He's already endured this man's fuck and needs to explode.

     I'm feeling increasing pain. My butt feels the uncomfortable full
sensation of taking a big cock up my hole. Yet with each of the man's stabs,
he touches upon something intense in me. It gets my cock surging as if I were
cumming. I can't decide what to make of it. Pain? or pleasure so intense that
my body is unable to endure it.

     'Yes, love. I also felt that sensation deep in my butt from Thump's cock.
Snarling Bear told me that a man can feel what a woman does when getting
fucked. It is very intense! Oh, I'm going to shoot!!

     The boy in my arms releases a sharp gasp. I feel a liquid warmth against
my belly from him cumming. Strongly! His pleasure becomes mine and this has me
exploding. I cry out with much passion, adding my love's seed to his. A few
intense thrills are given me that is Shared with my companion. Thump feels my
asshole tightening around his frantic stabs. He huffs his breath against my
neck and sticks his cock all the way in me. Painful! The man is feeling an
opposite thing that I'm able to Share in: his pleasure from seeding and his
feelings of pride for having conquered two butts, one after the other.

     I cling to my lover until the intense sensations subside. Male thrills
are too brief to really enjoy and Thump's cock really hurts me! Our huddling
bodies slow. The man's strong hands relax over my hips. Smiles A Lot's hands
drop from behind Thump's ass and find mine, rubbing over my cheeks as if to
soothe its aching. I notice the slipperiness to our gently rubbing cocks. That
makes me grin. Thump's cum had aided in our love making and ours came out,
giving us wet bellies. Our sperm flows down to our loins. A tickly sensation.

     'Ah. I didn't think my cock could do that again,' thinks Thump. 'Were you
much hurt by it, Willow Bird?'

     'Some. Yet it's a joy to feel your stallion's size in my butt and know
that I have satisfied your lust.'

     'Yes, Thump. I'm glad to have a wet butt, too!'

     I sense the man's embarrassment and am not surprised that he tries hiding
his thoughts from us. Smiles A Lot slowly pulls from my arms. He stands at our
side to watch Thump pull from my butt. His eyes widen when it comes out, a
lengthy withdrawal of manhood.

     Oh, my butt hole hurts! I'm feeling very full. I quickly turn around to
look down at Thump's cock that stands along his hairy groin, the dripping knob
almost reaching to his navel. What a proud display!

     My lover giggles at me knowingly. He turns around to show off his wet
butt and an idea strikes me. I turn, pressing mine against his. Our hands find
each other and clasp. We rub our butts in the first rite of the Mahyee-na.

     Thump watches our rite with a curious stare. "This is performed between
two men who are Mahyee-na," I explain. "We show our willingness to be taken."
Smiles A Lot steps away. I point down at his cheeks and ask, "Will you rub
butts with him?" Thump stares at my lover's cute rear end, considering.

     To my disappointment, I see the man shake his head. He turns sideways to
show that his is still covered by a deerskin flap. There's a frown on his
face. Understanding fills me. Thump had seen his boy lover raped and murdered
by a handful of enemy warriors. His butt was also taken like a squaw by them.
To get himself fucked isn't a pleasurable act, I realize. His spirit is like
ours to love men but not with his butt.

     Thump drops to his knees. I sense great weariness from him and I'm not
surprised when he lays over the ground to rest. Smiles A Lot playfully springs
to his left side, laying with him with his head resting over the man's chest.
I eagerly join them. My body lays against Thump's right side. My head lays
over his muscled breast. I see my lover's happy grin.

     My eyes roam down Thump's sweaty body to his belly, rising and falling
with his breaths. I look lower. The man's cock is not soft yet. His foreskin
is covered with our butt stain and that makes me shudder with excitement.

     'I am proud to wear your brown paint over my manhood,' thinks Thump.

     'You performed like a stallion! Twice releasing yourself and giving my
lover and I filled butts." Smiles A Lot laughs.

     Thump reveals his pride. I turn towards my lover to peer into his shining
eyes. An understanding comes between us. We've shared this strong man, enjoyed
him very much! Smiles A Lot has his ear pressed against Thump's left breast.
He's listening to the man's heart beat. My right hand slides down Thump's
heated body until finding his cock. I clasp it. He's still hard though his rosy
knob has withdrawn into its foreskin. My lover also reaches down to join his
hand with mine around its stiffness. We're playing tug of war with it.

    There's a strong hand grabbing my ass. Smiles A Lot also feels the man
clasping his butt and we both like it. Thump releases a lusty breath. I know
what he's feeling. 'Two sticky butts!'

     Thump's chest bellows in laughter though no sound comes from his mouth.
Smiles A Lot giggles and my laughter joins theirs. This is a wonderful moment!
Our hearts are at ease with each other and we're enjoying the afterglow of
male relief. I'm glad to have found another Mahyee-na brother. If he's willing,
I will initiate him in the moons ahead after constructing my willow bark lodge.

     'Kiss me, love!'

     My left ear rubs over Thump's breast when I face Smiles A Lot. He wets
his lips and mine rush to kiss him. There's such joy to be found in this
simple act! A wonderful way to express love. The man's hands pull over both
our butts as he too Shares in our love. I sense his thoughts turning to that
boy he lost in the plains but instead of feeling sad, he thinks towards the
future. When he will have a lover of his own to kiss. We have freed his
trapped spirit.

     'Yours is truly a gift from our Father,' answers Thump.

     I realize that the man knows what I'm thinking from our connection. 'Yes.
Everyone that I've Touched has become closer to me. A good thing!'

     'I haven't had this ease of conversation since losing my voice.'

     My kisses end so that I can turn my head to look up at Thump. The long
scar across his neck is seen. Somehow, he managed not to die from blood loss
but that blade stroke had severed the line from his heart to his mouth. I
wonder if...

     'That kind of wound cannot be healed, love.'

     'It does the man no harm if I were to See what is wrong.'

     'Yes. You can practice that skill,' answers Smiles A Lot 'I'll guide you.'

     My right hand releases Thump's limp cock and roams up his body to his
neck. I rub over his scar with my fingers. Smiles A Lot listens to the man's
heart beat, Sharing its steady thumping with me so that I can center myself.
My eyes close in concentration.

     I slow my breaths. The sensations of my body fade when I Look into
Thump's body, at his old injury. Power rises within me. Directed at his neck.
My inner eyes See the severing of his voice thong. Only a small break. Yet it
prevents the man from speaking so I focus my energy there, attempting to
stretch his fleshy thong and knot it. Smiles A Lot guides my Healing.

     Thump rushes to get up. My lover and I fall away when the man rises to
his feet. There's fear in his eyes.

     'What you do to me?' gestures Thump. He rubs over his neck as if feeling
burned there.

     Smiles A Lot helps me get up. I'm feeling a wave of dizziness that always
follows a Healing. I face Thump and explain, "Our Father has also given me the
ability to Heal. I wanted to restore your voice."

     The man massages his throat. He peers down at me with wide eyes, revealing
disbelief mixed with suppressed rage. Does he think that I'm teasing him?

     'It is true,' gestures Smiles A Lot. 'My lover can Heal wounds that you
would think are beyond anyone's ability. Try to talk, Thump.'

     Thump studies both our faces. His anger cools though I still see disbelief
in his eyes. He takes a breath. Holds it, then moves his lips in speech that
comes out silently. I lower my head in disappointment.

     Smiles A Lot grips my arm.

     'You tried, love. Perhaps when you are more experienced, Thump's loss
can be restored. I am glad that you were willing to try.'

     My lover's grip over my arm tightens when I feel my legs weakening. He
keeps me from falling. I'm losing my sight! A thought strikes me. I grab hold
of the little pouch hanging down from my neck and beg the sleeping seed within
to help me. Power flows. I take several breaths and can stand without the aid
of Smiles A Lot's hand.

     'What is wrong with Willow Bird?'

     Smiles A Lot lifts his hands for gesturing. 'It takes energy to Heal. My
lover is recovering from trying to help you.'

     Thump frowns. I saw guilt on the man's face but he quickly tries to hide
it. He releases a nervous sigh, almost sounding like a grunt. I stare at him
with wide, hopeful eyes.

     'You hear?!' gestures Thump. He tries making a sound come from his mouth.

     After many released breaths, the man is unable to grunt again. It hurts
to see his disappointment.

     'I think that some Healing has taken place,' gestures Smiles A Lot. 'For
many moons, you have not spoken so you are out of practice, Thump. Be patient.'

     'You really think that I'll speak again?'

     Smiles A Lot faces the man with strong eyes. 'I do.'

     I'm surprised to see such confidence from my lover. Thump slowly nods his
head and faces me with gratitude, lifting me from the ground by his sudden
embrace. My feet dangle in the air. I feel his happiness and great hope that
he will speak again.

     Another voiced grunt is heard! Thump drops me to the ground and massages
his throat. He takes a breath and releases it, moving his lips to speak but
again, there's no sound out of him.

     Smiles A Lot gestures, 'Be patient! Don't force your voice but let it
come back on its own.'

     Thump nods with understanding. He faces me with a big grin and his eyes
are hopeful. I return his grin. My eyes look the big man over, at the beads of
perspirations over his muscled breast, his two brown circles with erected tits.
He has strong arms. A powerful display of manhood. I wouldn't have suspected
that he's Mahyee-na. I glance down at his cock. It has grown soft, only our
butt stain proving what he's done with it inside two males. My butt still
aches me. I reach back to try rubbing its pain away. Smiles A Lot also grasps
his cheeks. His eyes reveal awe and a glimmer of mischief.

     'I think you have given me a baby!' gestures Smiles A Lot.

     Thump's breath explodes from him in laughter. He shakes his head in
denial.

     "Yes. Both of us!" I tease. When my lover bends over with his legs
spread, I peek between his brown cheeks. Cum oozes from his hole. I gather
some into my fingers and bring them to the man's sleeping cock. Sperm is
pushed through the wrinkled end of the man's foreskin in a gesture of
returning it to him.

     I turn around and bend over to open my wet butt. Smiles A Lot rubs over
my hole with his fingers. He giggles. I spin over my feet to see him pushing
sticky fingers through Thump's foreskin. The man crosses his arms over his
chest, looking down at himself with a plain face.

     Thump is frowning. I spring to him with my arms going around his huge
frame. 'We didn't mean to humiliate you by our joke,' I Send. The man's
crossed arms drop from his chest to hold me in a light embrace. I give him a
fond kiss to his left cheek. When I step away, Smiles A Lot also embraces him.
The man holds my lover. He is given a kiss.

     I watch Thump's big hands lower to my lover's cheeks. He squeezes them.
"When you are in need, we'll gladly let you drain your balls in us again!"

     'Maybe I'll have a lover by then,' Thump gestures.

     "I would be very happy for you."

     'Ah. The hair love/embrace you spoke of... How is that rite done?'

     I face the man with a grin. "My monedo performed that with me to bind our
hearts," I explain. "It is one of many Mahyee-na rituals that you should learn.
I will be constructing a willow bark lodge in the moons ahead where our rites
can be practiced. Come then and I'll initiate you into our society."

     'Will I have to get my butt... dicked?' asks Thump.

     I consider the man's words before lifting my eyes to him. "You've only
known pain from such an act, Thump. The Mahyee-na initiation will show you the
joy of giving yourself to needing brothers who share your spirit. It is done
lovingly. You've seen how much Smiles A Lot and I liked feeling your cock in
us and we're happy to have filled butts. That is our sacred obligation. To
give of ourselves to needing men whether they have a squaw in their tipis or
not. Nothing is ever forced! You can choose who you'll have sex with."

     Thump lowers his eyes. 'I will consider your words, Willow Bird.'

     I gasp the man's arm. 'Our ways are kept secret so hide what we've done
together in your heart. If you find a lover, come to me and I'll instruct you
both on our ways. It's meant to protect us from being feared by our People.'

     'I understand.'

     'Thump. There is more to our society than satisfying male lust,' I warn.
'I have been given powers from our Father to act as shaman for my People but
my responsibilities also including protecting all life. The Darkness-that-comes
wants an end to that. I need good men at my side to help foil His dark plans.
Already, our tribes have been touched by the evil workings of a Trickster.' I
Send images of the terrible things Tash-o-gwa has done.

     'A Trickster?' thinks Thump. 'I have heard the stories of such a one in
my youth. You are saying that he is real?'

     'Yes. The Trickster is but a finger on the Darkness-that-comes' evil hand.
Warn your tribe's shaman that he is on the loose to serve his dark master!'

     'I have no abilities as a shaman.'

     'You have a strong weapon's arm,' I explain. 'As a Mahyee-na brother, you
will be part of my war party to combat evil. I will soon need your strength!'
I sense Thump's fear. He wonders how he can fight against enemies who are more
spirit than flesh.'

     'Everything will be explained during your initiation.' Thump Sends me his
approval though I feel his discomfort with the sexual aspects of what he'd
have to endure in my lodge.

     There's a piercing whistle heard in the direction of the trail. A horse's
shrill warning. Thump turns to look. I fear that Pai-alucia is in danger!

     I take off like a frightened bird through the woods. Trees rush by. My
thighs feel very slippery and I remember my nakedness. But that doesn't matter.
I need to rescue my horse!

     I'm soon rejoined with Pai-alucia. He is still tied to the fallen hickory
and there's no one around. What has frightened my horse? Thump and Smiles A Lot
run to me, a stone club in the man's hand and our breechclouts in my lover's
hands. I look around again. Nothing. My mouth rushes with breaths.

     "I don't see anything!" Thump searches the surrounding area and returns.
He shakes his head. I'm put at ease by the man's assurance that he's found no
danger. I glance down at his cock flopping over his balls. He turns to look
towards the trail and I peek through the side of his rear deerskin flap for
his butt. This man's cheeks are well muscled. I feel pain from my butt,
reminding me of his brutal fuck.

     Smiles A Lot hands us our breechclouts with a sly grin. Thump folds his
cloth over his thong belt in front. My lover covers both sides of his body and
I put on my breechclout.

     A sniff of my body reveals sexual odors that will eventually escape into
the air. Smiles A Lot giggles. He rubs over his covered cheeks with longing
on his face, spying at Thump's male bulge. He makes the gesture of a woman's
swollen belly for himself.

     'You'll get no baby from me,' gestures Thump.

     'I know. But enduring your attempt to give me one makes me feel like a
swooning girl for her warrior.'

     We share in a hearty laugh caused by my lover's joke. A hoarse grunt is
heard from Thump. He rubs his neck. His lips move in speech but no sound comes
out of him. The hope that I saw in his eyes fade.

     Leaves are rustling above us. My arm lifts but I feel no wind. Ah! My
lover's eyes widen when he too realizes what is happening. Perhaps that was
what had frightened my horse. I turn to the largest pine tree I can find and
press my palms against his smooth bark. My eyes close in concentration.

     I'm Shown a dark part of the forest. There are old gnarled trees with
mean glares over a boy huddling in a clearing. I sense their hatred for the
two-legged. A desire to hurt him more and to kill him!

     Smiles A Lot hears my startled gasp and he comes to me. Joins into our
connection. 'Why do you harm Squirrel Tail?' I think. 'He means you no harm!'
The pine tree trembles against my palms. I'm Shown that this youth has become
trapped in a bad place in the forest. The trees there know only hate.

     'Show us where,' pleads Smiles A Lot.

     Through our connection, this tree responds to him. He gives us a
direction to take by the feel of Father Sun over their high branches. We're
warned about the Dark Ones. If our child is to be saved, we must hurry our
legs to him.

     I pull away in a rush, turning to my lover so that I can get his
impressions of what was Shown us. His right hand holding mine is trembling.

     'Squirrel Tail is in danger!' thinks Smiles A Lot. 'He has wandered into
a dark part of these woods where the trees hate us more than the others. Oh!
Pai-alucia will need to be left behind and perhaps Thump as well. We must
hurry to find that lost boy before it's too late!'

     I nod in agreement and turn to Thump. "Your war leader's son is in danger.
He is trapped in an evil part of this forest where the trees hate human beings.
I must leave Pai-alucia behind and hurry to save him. Smiles A Lot will go with
me but you should stay here with my horse.

     Thump glares with hurt pride. 'If there be danger, I should go with you
to join the struggle. Leave your horse and us three to go!'

     I grasp Thump's left shoulder to show him my gratitude. He waves his
stone club with a fierce grin. I peer at the trees around us and wonder how
we could stand against so many if it comes to a battle. I'm heartened that the
man will join us. His weapon lends him the needed strength to accompany us.

     My eyes rise to the sky. I find where Father Sun is and lead the others
in a direction where we can find Squirrel Tail. We run. Smiles A Lot is close
behind me with Thump grasping his stone club in the rear. We stop only when
needing to catch our breath and I press my hands against trees to Show me the
way to the boy.

     The woods grow darker. Our way is choked with thick undergrowth and dead
trees that have long since fallen. I sense menacing eyes all around us. Black
hickory trees and old gnarled oaks often stand in our way. The slender pines
are gone.

     When catching our breath, I press my hands against a young oak. Pain
fills my being as if I've been burned! Smiles A Lot sees my distress. I show
him my hands but he can find no injury to them.

     'We have entered the dark woods,' he explains. 'None of these trees will
help us.'

     I nod my head, glancing around me for spying eyes upon us. Thump is often
turning around with his stone club at the ready. He too senses the evil here.
We continue our run in a direction that I hope will lead us to Squirrel Tail.
Leaves begin to rain down on us. Smiles A Lot cries out in warning when a
branch whips against my chest. I tumble to avoid the full force of it.

     After getting to my feet, we rush onwards. Leaves are falling like rain.
We know to look out for swinging branches. What a terrible place this is!

     A strange creaking sound fills my ears. Thump slaps his chest to draw our
attention to him and he points at something terribly frightening. An old
hickory tree is moving towards us. Walking?! His roots boil over the ground,
branches straining forward and down as if to grab us. I turn to Smiles A Lot.

     'Take Thump away from here and wait for me!' I gesture.

     'You can't go on alone!'

     The hickory is nearly upon us. 'I will Fly to the boy.' My lover's eyes
widen when I Will the change to come over me. My arms and legs pull into my
body. My mouth sticks out in a beak. With feathered hands, I take flight from
the ground to soar unnoticed through the tree tops. I have become a sparrow!

     My small body darts through the spaces between tree limbs. I frantically
beat my wings, tire, and fall towards the ground until a little strength
returns to me. My flight takes me quickly through the dark woods.

     I look down for the boy. All I see our black trees, gnarled from age but
unmoving. My ears strain for sound. I hear the rush of wind, the fluttering of
leaves at my passage. It's a joy to be flying but my need is to find him!

     There's a high-pitched cry somewhere below me. I slow my wings and feel
my body falling, gliding past thick branches and down until I'm near the
ground. I see a small clearing. Squirrel Tail crouches there with much fear in
his eyes. He cries out again.

     With the beating of my wings, I fly to the youth and land at his feet. He
peers at me. I Will my body to return and my arms and legs shoot out. My beak
pulls back into my mouth.

     "Help me!" the boy cries.

     I get to my feet and grab the frightened youth. He wipes tears from his
eyes, staring at me in disbelief. I take a quick look around. A thick stand of
trees crowd all around the clearing. Black barked, gnarled from age and short
of height. I feel their great hatred pressing down on us.

     "My ankle is twisted," explains Squirrel Tail.

     I look down at the boy's leg and see the swelling above his right foot.
His whole body is covered with lined cuts. The youth's hands are blackened as
if he's been clawing at the dirt. I can imagine what he's been through.

     "These trees attacked me!"

     "I know. I've come from your father to help you out of these woods."

     "Who are you?"

     "Willow Bird." I gasp for breath when feeling a spell of dizziness coming
over me. My limbs are feeling so weak! Oh. Changing has drained my life's
energy. I struggle to my feet with the boy clinging to me. My weight presses
down on him when I'm about to fall.

     A terrible creaking fills my ears. Leaves begin to rain down on us along
with small branches, striking our bodies like arrows. A slim hickory tree
steps from his brothers into the clearing. Squirrel Tail points at him and
cries with fear.

     How can we escape? As a bird, I could fly above their highest branches to
safety but this boy cannot Change his shape. He has to be carried. If I were
to become a horse, he could ride over my back but the trees would prevent my
galloping. I don't even think I have the energy to try.

     The hickory tree's roots churn the dirt as he moves forward. His branches
bend towards us like many arms. Squirrel Tail helps me stagger to the far edge
of the clearing where our escape is blocked by trees. We can't get away!

     I lift my right hand in desperate plea unto Him. "Oh, Wah-Conda! We beg
for our lives from these angry trees. Show me the way past them!"

     Squirrel Tail whimpers against my chest. He's fallen to his knees, hiding
his face from what is coming for us. I plant my feet in the ground. Face the
hickory tree with as much bravery as I can muster. Is this to be the place of
my ending?

     There's warmth felt against my chest. I look down at myself, seeing the
small deerskin pouch hanging from my neck. Hope fills me. I grasp the acorn
held within it and feel power filling me to replace some of what I've lost.
Not enough for me to Change though. Even if I could, there's no shape that I
could wear that would allow me to carry this boy to safety.

     Something is whispered in my ear. The means to escape! I point my finger
at the approaching tree and strike it with the sunbeam of my being. The hickory
groans in pain. He stops.

     "Get up, Squirrel Tail! We are going to be leaving." The boy ends his
crying to peer up at me. My left hand pulls his small body along mine until
he's standing. I point my finger at the trees behind us. Their angry branches
become still, allowing a small space for us to escape. We slip through the
wall of trees and make a run for it. I point my finger at any tree that
threatens to block our path.

     Squirrel Tail falls. I pick the boy up and continue to run. Low groans
are heard from behind but I don't dare glance back. I'm running with my burden
towards safety. My face lifts with much relief unto Him, giving our Father
thanks for having saved our lives.

     I run and run until my need for a rest forces me to stop. My exhausted
body collapses to the dirt. The boy under me. His eyes are full of wonder that
has replaced his fear. I notice that he is a cute youth.

     "Are we safe from those trees?" asks Squirrel Tail.

     Breaths rush through my mouth so I can only answer him with a few words.
"Almost. Need rest. Take you to... Thump waiting!"

     "Is he with my father?" the boy asks.

     I shake my head. Squirrel Tail squirms out of my arms to stand over me.
He's looking around. I stare at the trees and relief fills me to see that they
are mostly slim pines. Not black trees with their hearts filled with hate.

     When I've recovered my breath, I struggle to my feet. Squirrel Tail helps
me up with his slim arm around my waist. We spin over our feet, looking for a
safe way through the forest. A thought strikes me. I press my left palm against
a pine tree and Send my plea within.

     'Where are the two men I left behind? A horse is with them.' My question
is repeated when I don't feel this tree responding. I concentrate again. My
eyes close. There's sunlight warming my head and an image is given me. I offer
this pine my thanks.

     With Squirrel Tail in hand, I head in a direction that will take us back
to my waiting companions. We walk. The trees here aren't as dark or menacing.
I find a stream and following its course through the woods. This boy's prints
from last night are discovered in the mud.

     I begin calling out for the men. Squirrel Tail eagerly looks around for
my companions, limping along at my side. It's good to see his smile. Hope
shines in his face that soon he'll be rejoined with his tribesmen.

     Squirrel Tail stumbles. He grasps his twisted ankle, pain showing in his
face. I offer him my hand. The boy takes it and with my arm around his waist,
we continue our walk.

     I notice Squirrel Tail peeking up at me. When I return his gaze, the boy
turns away for some reason. Not fear. The expression on his face was shy
curiosity about something.

     A shout goes through the forest. "Willow Bird!"

     We race to where I've heard my name called. Thump is seen in the distance
and the boy staggers towards him. He ignores Smiles A Lot's hand raised to him
in greeting. I watch the youth jump onto his tribesman with a happy glee.

     Squirrel Tail hangs from Thump's shoulders, his thin legs wrapping around
the man's waist while his bottom is clutched by a strong left hand. The youth's
deerskin flaps have lifted from his body, exposing his butt to my curious eyes.
The man's right arm goes around the boy's back while still clutching his stone
club. I see happiness on both their faces.

     Smiles A Lot stands at my side. His right hand grips my arm to connect us.

     'Show me what happened!'

     I open my thoughts to my lover and he Sees my rescue of Squirrel Tail.
It is sweet to hear his praise for my accomplishment. I was able to use my
powers effectively. The joy of flying returns to me and wonder fills me for
how it felt to be a little bird.

     'The youth saw you Change back?' asks Smiles A Lot.

     'I think so. His eyes were filled with tears when I returned to my body
so if nothing is said, he may dismiss it as a failing of his eyes. Did Thump
see me Change?'

     'No. He was busy watching that moving tree and ran with me to safety.'

     We turn to watch Thump and the boy in his arms. I grin when seeing the
man's left hand clutching Squirrel Tail's bared cheeks, his small rear flap is
crumpled against the man's broad arm. He notices our eyes on them. Thump lowers
the youth to the ground with a plain face.

     Thump shouldn't feel ashamed. That's a natural place to hold a child in
one's arm but the man thinks we are reading more into it by where his hand had
been under the boy. That he enjoyed touching his bottom.

     Squirrel Tail yelps in pain. He reaches down for his hurting foot and
would have fallen if not for Thump's helping hand. The boy turns to him.

     "Can you carry me?"

     I point at Pai-alucia. "You can ride, Squirrel Tail." The youth glances
at my horse but shakes his head, eyes pleading up at Thump.

     "You are big and strong. Please carry me, Thump!"

     The man nods. He offers his left arm and the boy jumps on him, legs
folding around his waist with a happy face. Thump makes sure that the youth's
rear flap is covering his butt when grasping him there.

     I turn to a slim pine. My eyes close when I Send my thoughts into him,
asking where the four Tagalou warriors can be found. This sleepy spirit is
slow to respond. I wait for an answer. Smiles A Lot presses against the side
of my body, his voice lifting in song.

     I'm given images of men searching the woods. They haven't split into two
groups as I was expecting but remain together. I'm given a direction to follow.
After offering my thanks, I open my eyes and look upwards for Father Sun. He's
lower in the sky than I realized. That makes it harder for me to find them.

     "Where's my father?" asks Squirrel Tail.

     "Ah. Let's return to the trail to find him." I untangle Pai-alucia's
reins from the fallen tree's roots. Smiles A Lot comes to my side. Thump
follows after us with the boy held close in his arms.

     I pull my horse onto the trail. We follow it towards the river but I'm
unsure of how far to backtrack. Smoke That Doesn't Lie was leading his men
into the woods when we left them but I don't know where they are in relation
to us now.

     Smiles A Lot grasps my shoulder.

     'You don't know where they are?'

     'No. Father Sun is too low in His sky to be given a clear direction to
follow from what that pine Showed me. I'm going to have to guess. We'll walk
down this trail a ways before entering the woods to search for them.'

     Squirrel Tail clings to the man. He's peering at the trees on either side
of the trail with fear showing in his eyes. I offer the youth my assurance.
"They are good trees. I had asked where you could be found and they told me so
you should not be afraid of them."

     "My father has told me this is a haunted forest. Now, I believe him!"

     I see Squirrel Tail tightening his embrace around Thump. Smiles A Lot
steps closer to the held youth. His hands lift for gesturing.

     'Do you remember me?'

     Squirrel Tail drops his eyes. He doesn't acknowledge the enemy scout.

     I'm often having to tug on Pai-alucia's reins. He knows that we're heading
away from camp. If we don't find the Tagalou men soon, I'll turn around and
return to my tribe. It's dangerous to be in these woods at night.

     "How much farther?" asks Squirrel Tail.

     I glance back at the boy. "I don't know. Your father was leading three of
his men to look for you in the woods near the river. On this side (pointing to
our left) but I don't know how far they've traveled since then."

     "Maybe they met... bad trees!"

     "No. That pine tree had Showed me that they were safe."

     "You can talk with trees?"

     I nod my head. "That's how I knew where to find you." Thump shifts the
youth to his other arm. I can see that it's wearing on him to be carrying the
boy's weight. Squirrel Tail appears to be the same age as Rain Dancer, eleven
years of age. He is a cute boy. That girl is lucky to have him for a lover.

     I stare at the boy's covered butt. My thoughts of lust are put down and I
become angry with myself. He is not for me. Perhaps when he's older, he'll
visit our tribe and take Rain Dancer for his wife.

     Our two Peoples have intermarried. They would make a good match as a
couple even though the features to this boy's face prove that he's Tagalou. He
wears his long hair in two braids. I'm reminded of how our women also wearing
their hair tied. Girls of our tribe don't bind theirs until they're at that
age to marry while boys and men let it fall freely down their shoulders.

     Thump stops. He lowers Squirrel Tail to the ground and lifts his hands
for gesturing. 'Willow Bird, I think we should start calling out for my war
leader. It not good to enter woods to search. The boy will ride your horse.'

     "Yes. That's a good plan." Squirrel Tail doesn't seem happy about that
but he climbs over Pai-alucia's back with Thump's help. Smiles A Lot takes his
turn leading my horse. I walk at the man's side.

     There's pleading in Thump's eyes so I slowly bring my right arm against
his to make a connection between us. The man accepts my touch.

     'I want to thank you for finding Squirrel Tail.'

     'I'm glad that he'll be return to his father.' I sense something in Thump
that needs to be revealed to me but I remain patient.

     'You'll keep my secret?' thinks Thump. 'About what we are and have done
together in the woods?'

     'Yes. And I'll not reveal my feelings for Smiles A Lot in front of them.'

     'I think they already suspect your love for that enemy brave.'

     'They won't try to harm him!'

     'No. My war leader won't risk the peace between our two Peoples but I
will tell you that it was a near thing when we met. Both of you could have
been scalped and your horse taken.'

     'Because Smiles A Lot is from the Spear-bearing Tribe?'

     'Yes. With your short hair, you also appeared to be from an enemy tribe.
Only your claim for being Kalinlepi had saved you.'

     I look ahead for my lover. He's leading Pai-alucia while gesturing to the
boy. Squirrel Tail doesn't often respond. He is at that age of having learned
to speak with his hands but I sense something shy in him. Either embarrassment
or guilt for Smiles A Lot.

     'We have walked far enough, Willow Bird. I think my tribesmen could be
near so start calling out to them.'

     I turn to my left and shout. "Hello! We are here, Smoke That Doesn't Lie.
Hello... Hello!" Smiles A Lot turns around to look at me. I give him a quick
gesture and call out to the Tagalou Tribesmen again. "Hellooooo!"

     Squirrel Tail adds his voice to mine. A high-pitched cry that will carry
further through the woods than my low man's voice. Smiles A Lot also joins us.
Our trio of 'hellos' pierce the trees. I hope the forest won't be angry at us
for disturbing their sleep.

     We pause every so often to listen for a reply. Nothing. I continue to
shout. Squirrel Tail cries out next and Smiles A Lot shouts out his 'hello'.

     I'm beginning to wonder where the Tagalou are. Our shouting would also
attract other warriors hunting in these woods who could easily ambush us but
I cast that thought away. This forest has a bad reputation. Only foolish men
or the desperate would dare venture here.

     Thump often looks back. He fingers the handle to his stone club, casting
his eyes to the trees on both side of our trail. I'm glad to have him along.
He may not be a feathered warrior but his experience and strength as a man
will help protect us from danger.

     A sixth sense warns me of eyes upon us. I bring my left arm against
Thump's so that I can warn him.

     'Yes. I also feel that we're being watched! Continue to walk, Willow Bird
so they won't know we realize this.'

     Smiles A Lot tugs on Pai-alucia's reins. He peers at the woods with
renewed vigilance. Only the boy appears oblivious to the danger. He's clinging
to my horse's neck, almost looking like he's sleeping.

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie steps out of the forest in front of us. I look
back to see Breaking Stones on the trail behind us. No bowmen. Where are those
two brothers?

     "Ah! You have found my son," shouts the war leader. He rushes to him.

     Squirrel Tail straightens up. Instead of seeing a happy expression on
this boy's face as I was expecting, he reveals fear. His father pulls him from
off the horse's back, dropping the youth to his feet. He yelps in pain.

     "You have injured yourself."

     The boy nods. "I twisted my ankle when the trees chased me."

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie turns to Thump with wide eyes. "What happened?"

     'Evil trees tried to kill your son,' gestures Thump. 'The stories about
this haunted wood are true! If not for Willow Bird...'

     I face the war leader. He's expecting me to add words to what was signed
to him but I remain silent. Smiles A Lot hides behind Pai-alucia.

    Scratched Stone Slate and Finds Water step out of the woods. Their bows
are returned to their cases. They go to their war leader's side with grins.
Breaking Stones keeps his place behind us. I ignore his fierce expression.

     "You have my thanks, Willow Bird. What would you ask of me in return for
rescuing my son?"

     I lift my right hand to ward off his offer. "No. You don't have to give
me anything."

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie appears to be offended. He looks down at his son
for a moment before turning his eyes back on me.

     "Hmm. Tell your chief to expect our visit in the days ahead. To trade and
exchange talk between our Peoples."

     "I will. It has been too long since that has happened. I know that you'll
be welcomed by our tribe."

     "I want to come too!" asks Squirrel Tail.

     "No. You'll stay with your mother."

     "I'm not a little boy anymore! I need to see Rain Dancer."

     Smoke That Doesn't Lie glares at his son with anger in his eyes. "You
haven't proven so. You've run away to lost in these woods because of your
foolishness."

     Squirrel Tail lowers his eyes in embarrassment. I see his pain for being
kept from Rain Dancer. Ah. This boy reveals his love for that girl. An idea
comes to me.

     I turn to the war leader with my plea. "Let your son come for a visit. He
was the reason for bringing us together and I'm sure that Rain Dancer would
like to see him too."

     I see Smoke That Doesn't Lie considering my words. Hope is in the boy's
eyes that his father will relent.

     "Hmm. We'll see."

     Pai-alucia snorts. I notice Breaking Stones walking along him, passing
Smiles A Lot with a wicked grin. My lover casts his eyes down to the ground.

     "We will return to our side of the river," announces the war leader. His
men surround him.

     I raise my right hand to them in farewell. "Go, in peace."

     Smiles A Lot clings to my right arm. We watch the warriors walking away
with Squirrel Tail being held in his father's arms. I lift my hands to the
sky, offering my thanks unto Him for having the boy safely returned to them.

     The men are soon out of sight. Smiles A Lot turns my horse around and
joins me with a guarded face. I offer my lover an assuring grin.

     I mount Pai-alucia. My hand is offered down to Smiles A Lot so that he
can climb over my horse's back to sit in front of me. I'm feeling very tired
and want my lover to guide us back to camp.

     'It is good that Squirrel Tail has been returned to his father.'

     'Yes. I'm going to have to warn my chief about the dangers of this forest.
Most of these trees will guard my People from attack but there is also evil
here. I don't want anyone from my tribe to be harmed as Squirrel Tail had
been.'

     I give a swift kick to my horse's side. Pai-alucia surges forward, eager
to be returning to camp. My arms go around Smiles A Lot's waist. I'm having to
pull on the reins to prevent my horse from galloping.

     My lover's back presses against my chest, warming me. I'm enjoying our
embrace. Our bodies bounce as one over the stallion's back. The familiar
rhythm is putting me to sleep. I'm struggling to keep my eyes open so that I
can lead Pai-alucia home.

     The forest becomes noticeably darker. I'm having to rely on my horse's
good eyes and his sense of direction to keep us on the trail. We should reach
camp soon. I'm feeling very weary. Smiles A Lot's hands gently take the reins
from me, his plea in my head asking me to rest. I bury my face into his neck.
My eyes close to find sleep.


     I come awake when Pai-alucia stops. It is nearly dark. Smiles A Lot drops
down from my horse and I lower myself to stand at his side. We're outside the
corral. My lover pulls the gate open and leads the stallion within. He is
lovingly groomed while I lean against the fence and watch.

     My nose fills with the pleasant odor of burning wood. It is a familiar
smell of home. Smiles A Lot finishes with the stallion, returns outside the
corral and he shuts the gate behind him. I take my lover in hand back to the
shaman's lodge. I'm expecting to be scolded for having left Iron Bow alone for
so long.

     Smiles A Lot tugs on my hand. He's turning to me, arms flinging around my
back and he kisses me. I'm pleasantly startled. I hear his thoughts in my head.

     'This was a wonderful day, love! I look forward to many more with you
until my day of reckoning comes.'

     Sadness fills my heart. 'You will not go back to the Split Tribe.'

     'I hope that you're right. If not, anything that may happen to me is
worth my having known you, Willow Bird. To win your love!'

     We continue to kiss until a man behind us is heard clearing his throat.
My lover's arms drop from me in a rush. I turn to see Oaken Strength giving
me a harsh glare but I don't flinch. I'm not ashamed of what I am!

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