[Vince: If you want feedback from readers, you need to free up space in your Hotmail account. Hotmail has a space limit which you have exceeded. -- Nifty] Author's Plea: Is anyone out there reading (and enjoying) this new series?! I'm not seeking self-gratification from anyone but want to know if my efforts at writing of late has been well-received. I write mainly for myself: a self- created world of gay Indians that could have been. No one has complained that I've not begun the 'Shaman Willow Bird' series after writing that introduction story: "Willow Bird's Returning Spirit". I plan to soon... Am getting caught up with Big Horn's story very much but I can write both series at the same time. Please let me know what you think. Okay? Vince_Water@Hotmail.Com ****************************************************************************** BIGHORN3.TXT "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" A pre-Willow Bird story! (part 3) Copyright 2000 by Vince Water ****************************************************************************** * 8/2000 * * "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" * - part 3 - The icy chill to Big Horn's legs came as an expected shock when entering the river. He welcomed its distraction from the pain coming from his butt. His heart ached him too. A mere boy had conquered him. The brave felt less of a man because of it though he had performed as one in Crying Loon's butt. Many conflicting emotions tugged at his heart: pride from fucking, anguish that it had been with a youth he didn't really love and the shame of having been mounted like a squaw in return. It'd been a bad trade, Big Horn decided. He violently shook his head to try casting away these troubling thoughts. The safety of the brave's tribe was left behind when he fought against the river's current in his stride towards a lone tipi standing on the far bank. He needed to be with Coyote Thief, to embrace that man's understanding and wisdom. The anger he'd felt earlier towards that Spear-bearing warrior had been cast away when speaking with his uncle about him. Coyote Thief had taught him much. Big Horn realized the love in those teachings so he sought out his mentor to help soothe the pain he'd just suffered at the hands of a boy. Big Horn's water-soaked breechclout tugged at its thong belt. He paused over a sand bar to bare himself, clutching the long cloth in his right hand. He squatted in the river. Pushed out what his butt held. When he stood up, the brave felt a sense of relief that came more from having emptied his bowels. He stared at the muddy flow passing his body, mesmerized by it likened to the healing dance of fire flames. The man felt purified. He continued towards the bank that would bring him back home. Their home? Unexpected tears came to Big Horn's eyes. He felt a strong feeling in his heart for the man he shared the tipi with - he needed to find Coyote Thief and embrace him. The brave knew there was love in his heart for that enemy warrior. It was time to discover if there was love in Coyote Thief's heart for him. Disappointment came to Big Horn when he saw that Pai-alucia was gone. He slipped into the empty tipi and became alarmed to see that the warrior's traveling pouches, shield and his hunting spears were gone. Had Coyote Thief left him for good, the brave feared? He ran back outside to study the ground. Fresh horse tracks led away to the south, in the direction of the Spear-bearing Tribe. The mocassined imprints left in the dirt came from two persons. Big Horn recognized the warrior's ragged steps. They were joined by a smaller pair of prints that could have been a boy's... The brave recalled what he'd seen that morning in the sacred clearing of their dead. Jealousy crept into Big Horn's heart. He felt that Coyote Thief had secretly been with a boy while he'd embraced Crying Loon with his manly needs. His hands tightened with anger. That was an unreasonable assumption, he realized coming from his own guilt. There had to be another explanation. The brave turned back for the tipi's covered door and entered. He felt very alone. More troubling thoughts dropped into Big Horn's head. He wondered if Coyote Thief had been summoned back to his tribe to report what he'd learned about the Kalinlepi: their strengths and weaknesses. The warrior could have been acting as a spy! But no... The brave had witnessed Coyote Thief's oath unto his chief. It would deny his spirit's journey into the Above if he were to break it. The man had also taught him warrior skills that strengthened his weapon's hand and secrets had been revealed that filled his head with wise things. An enemy scout wouldn't have done that. Big Horn's eyes wandered around the empty walls of their tipi. He tried not thinking about bad things but some crept back into his head. He was too tense for sleep. He didn't feel hungry. His noticed the soggy breechclout being clutched in his hand so he lifted it over one of the supporting branches to dry. He continued to stalk around the tipi naked. A fire was started. Big Horn wasn't really cold but the activity kept his hands busy and that helped clear his head of troubling thoughts. A pot of deer meat soup was found beside the fire pit. There was one portion remaining so the brave set it over the fire to warm. He wondered if this had been made for that boy visiting with Coyote Thief. Did he come from the Spear-bearing Tribe? Had the warrior gone back with him to their People? Big Horn angrily reached out to the dancing flames with his hand and was burned. He welcomed the pain that drove away his dark thoughts when a sunbeam pierced his inner storm with a vision: Coyote Thief happily embracing his son/ the boy smiling back/ sadness when they departed in the plains and Pai-alucia racing him towards the muddy river. The pot bubbled and hissed over the fire. Big Horn was stunned from what he'd just Seen. He noticed the steaming soup but felt reluctant to chance the flames again. His left hand took careful hold of the clay handle and he snatched the pot out. He smelled the deer meat soup and became hungry. After eating, Big Horn laid over his ground mat to rest. His feet were warmed by the fire and that made him sleepy. He enjoyed being naked. When in his uncle's tipi, he couldn't go about uncovered with two women, a boy and the old man around. The brave smiled. He had a tipi of his own now. Would it become a home where he could share the love of another man? Exciting thoughts filled Big Horn's head. He imagined the varied sex acts that two men could embrace in their tipi: handling each other's cocks, belly rubbing, sucking sperm from each other to drink and the brutal act of raping each other's butt. Those acts would pleasure their male bodies while their hearts filled more strongly with the love of companionship. Big Horn felt his cock stiffening along his belly. He took hold of it and made slow pleasurable pulls over its thick skin. His rosy knob popped in and out. He closed his eyes and thought about Coyote Thief, pretending that the warrior was laying beside him and watching him beat off... The brave became very thrilled. He hoped that Coyote Thief would return and catch him in the act, drawing that man onto him for a naked embracing of their needs: cock on cock, their faces pressed together to share one lusty breath while their arms slipped around each other's tense body for love making. A first mating between them. It was a happy day dream. Big Horn needed that warrior's love, more than a body's pleasuring and release but also for his aching heart. He felt how right their embrace would be even though they were both men. The tipi would truly become their home. When Big Horn felt his cock stiffening from intense thrills, he opened his eyes to watch it. Strong squirts flew to his belly. Pleasure exploded in his head. The brave felt a sense of relief from his necessary act but pain came to his heart for having done it alone. Coyote Thief wasn't with him. Sadness replaced Big Horn's brief sexual joy. He closed his eyes again and surrendered to the weariness overcoming him. He slept. Willow Bird ventured to the other side of the river with the news. Yellow Deerskin had finished smoking the meat from a deer buck the men had taken in the forest a few days ago. It wasn't much of an excuse to be visiting the lone tipi but the boy wanted to see Big Horn. He noticed that Pai-alucia was gone. Smoke came from the tipi's smoke hole so that meant someone was home, most likely Big Horn whom he came to visit. That enemy warrior was obviously away riding his horse. That pleased the youth. He stood before the covered door and shouted out his name. Yet no one answered him. That concerned Willow Bird. Everyone knew that you don't leave a fire burning unattended in a tipi! The boy slipped inside. He was relieved to find that only glowing embers filled the central pit; no chance that it could burn down the tipi. When the boy's eyes adjusted to the dark, he saw a man's sleeping form. Fear gripped his heart. He knew it was wrong to enter a tipi unwelcomed so he prepared to slip back out. That's when the boy saw that it was Big Horn. He was naked! Willow Bird's feet were glued to the ground. He noticed the brave's wet breechclout hanging over a branch. That explained why the man went naked but why didn't he respond to his calls at the door? That concerned the youth. He feared that something could be wrong with his monedo so the boy knelt down at the man's side, wide eyes seeking. Big Horn was deep asleep. His chest filled with easy breaths and snoring came from his nose. Long black hair was spilled over the dirt. The boy drank in the brave's uncovered body: hard muscled arms, attractive brown nipples from a man's flat breast (unlike a woman's swollen pair - ugh!) and darkly tanned skin. He was lighter around the waist from wearing a breechclout. That part of the man drew Willow Bird's eyes. He smiled at seeing the man's hairy groin where his left hand rested over it. Within reach was the brave's cock. It wasn't limp; yet not fully erect since its knob could be seen bulging within the tip of the man's thick foreskin. Willow Bird was in awe of it. A sharp odor filled the boy's nose. His eyes widened with surprise when he noticed a revealing pool covering the brave's belly. He had spermed! That made Willow Bird very excited. His dick stiffened within his breechclout and he was tempted to remove it, lay over his mentor to achieve his own male release with a belly rub. Ah... but no. The youth feared Big Horn's wrath if he tried that. He knew that the man would be shamed for getting caught having performed an act that one did privately. Willow Bird's breaths trembled. He felt tremendous lust that kept him at Big Horn's side while he considered what to do. His love for this man burst inside his heart but did that permit him to embrace it? Song Bird came to mind. He had taken that little boy's nakedness into his arms when they had stood in the river, their erections pressing together and feeling really good. The girl's laughter had scared his friend away... If he were to try embracing Big Horn, the brave would awaken and get mad at him for his daring. With much reluctance, Willow Bird rose from Big Horn's side. He glanced down at the brave's wet body one last time before slipping out of the tipi. Father Sun was falling in His sky when Big Horn awakened with a start. He was surprised that he'd slept for so long. A quick look around the tipi... Coyote Thief wasn't anywhere to be seen. The brave wondered who that boy was that had gone away with him. Would his warrior ever return? The brave remembered his own problems concerning a boy. There seemed to be no escaping what he risked by being with Crying Loon. That youth had power over him that would be difficult to break free from. So long as his loins pained him for relief, he'd be tempted to seek out that boy for sex. It was wrong... Without love, their brief acts of pleasure left him feeling empty; used. It kept him from being an honorable man and worse, could get him banished from his tribe if anyone learned of what he'd been doing with the young boy. Big Horn slowly rose from his ground mat. He was surprised that his body felt so weak. When he stood up, his legs trembled as if they'd been in a long run. He grabbed his breechclout hanging from the branch and put it on. That's when he discovered the pool of dried cum over his belly. He rubbed it away. His burnt right hand ached him. Big Horn glanced at the dead embers with a sense of foreboding. Where was Coyote Thief?! That's when he recalled his vision about him: the embrace with his son and the warrior's dash back to the muddy river. The brave knew that his warrior would be returning to him. It was a comforting thought. He laid down over his ground mat and went back to sleep. The next morning, Big Horn was awakened by a horse's whinnying. He rose from his ground mat to discover Coyote Thief at his side, fast asleep. A sense of relief filled the brave. He looked the man over for signs of where he'd been. Horse hair covered both of his leggings. His body was dusty and sweated from riding through the plains. His eyes were closed in deep sleep. Big Horn watched the man's chest rise and fall with his breaths. His eyes roamed down to the warrior's covered manhood. He saw it bulging within the folded flaps of deerskin. A familiar tightening was felt in Big Horn's loins. How he lusted for this enemy warrior! Love too was in his heart to embrace Coyote Thief, to hold him as his chosen companion. The brave was tempted to rouse the warrior so that he could reveal what was in his heart. Coyote Thief began to snore. Loudly. Big Horn realized that he must have just come back from his journey and needed sleep. The brave sighed with disappointment. He'd have to wait before daring to open his heart to this warrior. The brave quietly left the tipi to attend to Pai-alucia. He found the stallion tied to his post, straining to nibble at some grass. His shaggy body felt heated in the brave's hands. There was no sign that Coyote Thief had been hunting. Big Horn thought the warrior could have been out on the plains in the pursuit of buffalo as was his People's custom. Unattended, the enemy warrior would have been unable to enter the forests of his People to hunt deer or the elk. No. Coyote Thief had just come back alone from a day's journey somewhere. That mysterious boy had been with him. Big Horn fetched water for the stallion. He moved the horse's post to where he could reach grass to eat. Pai-alucia nickered with contentment. The brave wished that he could ask the horse where they'd been. Instead, he'd have to wait until Coyote Thief awakened to learn that. The brave busied himself with his morning chores. After seeing to the horse's needs, he checked on their tipi. Its lengths of sewn hides were retightened over the tripod of sticks. Big Horn went inside to complete the task. He made adjustments to any loose sections of wall, pulling on thongs and tying them around the anchored branches. That was woman's work. The brave performed it since there was no squaw being kept in their tipi. For that, he was glad. Coyote Thief continued to sleep throughout the morning. Big Horn remained quiet while completing his morning chores. He noticed that their store of meat was running low. They had taken down a deer buck three days ago so Yellow Deerskin should have its hide tanned and flesh smoked by now. The brave walked towards the river. He noticed how cloudy the sky was. Father Sun's Face wouldn't likely be seen during any part of the day and the air felt very cool. Big Horn kept the ends to his breechclout lifted when crossing over the river. The current was swift because of a recent rain storm and that had reshaped the sandbars he'd usually walk upon. His legs felt cold. In the deeper parts, he endured the chill to his butt and loins. The tipis of his tribe soon came into sight. He was greeted by his People along the bank: an old woman named Hands Weaving carrying a filled water bladder, two giggling girls who averted their eyes at the man's approach and warrior Iron Bow who seemed curt to the brave's morning greeting. Big Horn made his way to the chief's tipi. He found his two wives outside in their labor of beating dust out of several ground mats. The younger woman gave him a startled glance. She quickly looked around for Coyote Thief and was calmed when Big Horn gestured that he'd come alone. Everyone in the tribe knew that she had been stolen from the Spear-bearing People and given in trade to Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others by the friendly Moss-bowl Tribe. She wasn't permitted to be named. No one feared that she'd try running away after all these years because of her love for the Kalinlepi Chief but that the enemy tribe might learn of her whereabouts and try to steal her back. "Ah... Big Horn," rasped Yellow Deerskin. "Good to see you this morning. Come for your deer meat?" The first wife stiffly handed over her mat for the younger woman to beat dust from. Big Horn nodded. He noticed the woman's pain that came from old age. Yet her cracked face blossomed into a grin for him. That made him glad to see it. Their strained relationship from the past had eased after moving out of her husband's tipi two moons ago. And she benefited from stripping their kill. Yellow Deerskin slipped into her tipi and returned with a heavy pouch along with a rolled deerskin. Big Horn gladly accepted these things from her hands. "I thank you for working our deer," he announced as was expected of him. He knew that a portion of the smoked meat had been kept by the old woman in trade for her labor. The unnamed younger woman kept her eyes averted from Big Horn. She longed to hear news from Coyote Thief but feared for that warrior to see her. He might recognize who she was and give both tribes yet another reason to go to war. Big Horn turned away from the two women. He didn't feel up to speaking with his uncle but sought out someone else. A boy. The brave hurried towards the river and walked along its bank. He made for the stand of green grass that Willow Bird was known to fetch each morning for the tribe's horses. He soon found the boy. Big Horn stood at a distance behind his young charge to study him for a moment. Willow Bird was a handsome youth. His body was slim, not yet developed into the hard shape of a man. The length of his black hair spilling down from his shoulders indicated his age: fourteen. His back was much darkened by the summer sun. Yellow flaps of deerskin hung down from his waist, hiding from the brave's eyes what he longed to see of the boy. He caught brief flashes of the youth's butt when Willow Bird bent over to grasp the stalks in his slim hands. His arm muscles strained until they were pulled from the ground with a tearing sound. The youth wearily dropped the long grass in a pile. He paused a moment to rest before taking hold of another clump of grass. Song Bird wasn't with him, the brave noticed. That pleased Big Horn. He wanted a moment alone to speak with his charge and he knew that the boy would have many questions to ask of him. Willow Bird was often like a kettle of boiling water demanding attention. Guilt tugged at the brave's heart when he realized that he hadn't met with the youth for a handful of days. Willow Bird was tying up a bundle of grass when Big Horn was spotted. A smile came to the youth's lips at his approach that unexpectedly turned to shyness. The brave raised his right hand in greeting. "Good to see you, Big Horn." The boy dropped his eyes with embarrassment. Big Horn noticed. "Where is Song Bird?" he asked. The brave regretted those words out of his mouth and saw the boy flinch. He didn't want his charge to suspect that he'd spied on their naked river embrace. "Oh. He's busy somewhere..." Willow Bird was flustered by the man's question, wondering how he knew that the two of them have begun performing chores together. "I'm glad that you've found a friend to be with." Willow Bird lifted his eyes to the brave's and spoke. "You are never around anymore." The boy was surprised by the anger filling him. Those unbidden words coming from his mouth had explained his hurt feelings. Big Horn felt stung. He dropped his pouch of smoked meat and the deerskin to the ground. He helped Willow Bird with his task in silence. The boy pulled on the long grass while the brave held them in his arms until they were tied. Little eye contact was made between them. Soon, they had enough to carry back to the corral. The tribe's horses greeted the two with hungry snorting. Willow Bird pulled out the long branches that formed the gate while Big Horn prevented any from escaping. They both entered with their arms filled with bundles. The long grass was untied and spread over the ground of the corral. Happy munching followed. "We'll need to fetch them water," asked Willow Bird. Big Horn nodded. After securing the gate, they went to the river with several large bladders. They filled them with water from the bank. Star Light and Leaping Rabbit were washing clothes nearby. The girls whispered to each other and often giggled in their direction. Willow Bird didn't try to hide his dismay. Big Horn understood the boy's anger but he couldn't speak about it without revealing what he knew. The brave turned to the youth with whispered advice: "A man doesn't trouble himself with gossiping girls. Even when he knows they are talking ill of him, he keeps his face plain and may even offer them a grin." "I don't like them!" "Even if that is so, don't let them see it." Big Horn noted the high- pitched sharpness in Willow Bird's voice. He was still considered a boy until his body grew harder and his voice dropped. Probably by next summer. Willow Bird nodded with understanding. His monedo was always giving him good advice that sometimes went against what he thought should be done. They left the river with their hands burdened with the heavy bladders. At the corral, they emptied out the water into a wooden trough. Silence came between them again. Big Horn was troubled by the change in Willow Bird. The youth was usually happy to see him, not solemn and quiet as he was now. He glared at the boy to capture his attention. "You've come from Yellow Deerskin with that smoked meat?" Willow Bird asked. He felt nervous and had asked that silly question for not having anything better to say. Big Horn only nodded. He continued to stare at his young charge to glean why he was acting strangely. The boy dropped his eyes as if embarrassed. "Tell me what is bothering you," whispered the brave. He reached out to the youth's right shoulder and clasped it. Willow Bird lifted his eyes, soothed by the man's warm touch. His mouth opened but nothing came out for him to say. "Hmm. When a man doesn't have anything proper to utter, keeping his mouth shut is best." Big Horn's advice made the boy smile. Willow Bird didn't keep his grin. He soon returned to the gloomy mood that had caught this morning. Big Horn looked away. His eyes went to a horse in the corral that had grabbed his attention. The boy turned around to see which one. A red gelding named Running Fire was standing along the wooden fence, rubbing his big rump against it to satisfy an itch. That's when the youth noticed something else. Running Fire was excited; his long brown dong thrust against the post as if he were fucking a mare. Big Horn had a sly grin on his face. He gave Willow Bird the 'hard male' sign with his middle finger sticking out from his fist. "He's often doing that," explained Willow Bird with a giggle. "I can't figure out why since his balls were cut out a few summers ago." "The act must still pleasure him," answered Big Horn. "A young boy likes handling his still pole for thrills even if he can't sperm yet. I'm sure that your loins are often aching you to be released in hand." Willow Bird wouldn't admit that he did. He became daring when he cleverly countered by saying: "And a brave who doesn't have a squaw in his tipi..." Big Horn turned sharply to his charge and answered. "Yes. Even a man will handle himself when he suffers from loneliness." The boy's eyes shined. He remembered sneaking into this brave's tipi and finding him laying naked, a pool of sperm drying over his belly while he slept. Willow Bird didn't want to shame his monedo by telling him what he'd spied on. "Where is Song Bird?" the brave asked again to change the subject. "Why isn't he helping you gather grass for the horses today?" Big Horn felt that the boy's absence was the cause of Willow Bird's gloomy mood. Willow Bird dropped his eyes in shame. He found the brave's question difficult because he didn't want to explain that his friend had been avoiding him after they were caught being naked together in the river by those laughing girls. He also didn't want to lie to his monedo. Something had to be said. "I think Song Bird is angry with me." "That explains your sadness," said Big Horn. "I'm sure that your friend will return to your side in a few days." Anger filled Willow Bird for some reason. He blurted out: "You haven't come to see me either! I need you sometimes, Big Horn. There are questions filling my head that only my monedo can answer." "Like what? I'm here now... Ask away!" Big Horn tried countering the boy's anger with a show of amusement. Willow Bird became shy. He didn't have anything to ask at the moment. That only made him more angry so he answered, "I can't remember any! Questions come to me when I'm laying down to sleep in my mother's tipi or when I've seen something strange happening in camp and at lots of other times but you're never around anymore to help me understand them..." Big Horn frowned. He peered into the boy's burning eyes for a moment before speaking. "I have questions of my own that need answering," the brave explained. "Coyote Thief is a five-feathered warrior who's been teaching me skills that I need to learn." "I don't trust him." The surprise in Big Horn's eyes forced Willow Bird to explain his strong words. "There are a lot of men in the tribe who don't. I expect to find you lying dead across the river with your scalp hanging from Coyote Thief's belt as he laughs all the way back to his Spear-bearing Tribe." "Is that what you think?" asked Big Horn, "or are you only repeating what others have said?" It saddened him to see the boy's jealousy. Willow Bird shrugged his shoulders. He jumped down from the corral fence and turned to his monedo one last time. "Be careful, Big Horn. Remember that he's an enemy warrior that you've only been staying with for two moons. Do you know his heart?" With that said, the boy ran off with tears in his eyes. Big Horn watched him go. He lowered his eyes to the ground where the boy's prints could be seen. Sadness filled him. It felt like the end to something he'd held dear in his heart. With a weary sigh, the brave gathered up his pouch of smoked meat and the rolled deerskin. He walked to the muddy river and made his way across it. The rest of the day was spent in idle pursuits: grooming Pai-alucia, making repairs to his weapons, fletching more arrows and tidying up the place. Big Horn was waiting for the warrior to awaken so that he could ask where he'd been. Yet Coyote Thief continued to sleep all day long. Father Sun never managed to poke His Face from the thick clouds. There was a threat of more rain but it never came. Big Horn relaxed in the tipi. His eyes often went to Coyote Thief, looking for a sign that he'd awaken. Yet the warrior never stirred. Weariness finally came to the brave. He surrendered himself to his ground mat and closed his eyes in sleep. Late in the night, Big Horn was awakened by the sound of pissing coming from outside their tipi. He felt his own need and joined Coyote Thief outside. The two men stood side by side in silence. Grandfather Moon could be seen smiling down on them from a patch of sky that was clear of clouds. The brave peeked on what Coyote Thief held in his left hand. He could just make out the man's cock; it was hard as he pissed to the ground. Big Horn's stream joined his until they finished. The warrior stood closer to their tipi. Big Horn thought that the man had become shy until seeing him making quick pulls over his long cock. Big Horn's eyes widened with surprise. Even though it was dark, he knew that a man wouldn't seek that kind of relief where it could be witnessed. The warrior began breathing heavily through his nose; no eye contact between them. The brave was tempted to reach down for his own cock. His shyness kept him from it. He stood as if rooted to the ground behind Coyote Thief, watching him perform. The warrior's body strained from the act, rear cloth flapping over his butt and his left hand bobbing in front. His lusty grunt announced that he was seeding. Coyote Thief shook his left hand at the tipi wall. He turned his head back at the brave in secret understanding. Big Horn had grown very excited from watching the warrior's male rite so he pulled over the thick skin of his cock. It was dark enough to keep the brave from feeling too embarrassed. He enjoyed the growing thrills from his loins that were heightened by Coyote Thief watching him. It was only a boy's game... Big Horn wished that they could have sought out male relief together. A strong hand came down to the brave's left hip. Coyote Thief pulled him closer to their tipi; a sharp odor filled Big Horn's nose that he knew came from the warrior's cum. He continued to beat off, eyes closing as if he feared something from his companion. A gasp escaped from him when Coyote Thief's hand roamed under the rear folding of his breechclout. His butt was held. That sent Big Horn over the edge. He stabbed through his clenched fingers and shot. Strongly! After his loins were spilt, he released a grunt of satisfaction. Coyote Thief pulled his hand from the brave's warm cheeks. He turned around, lifting the rear of his breechclout before rubbing his butt against their wet spot on the tipi wall in ritual significance. The warrior raised his hand to the nearly full moon in prayer. That filled the brave with awe. A gesture was made for Big Horn to join his rite. Big Horn turned around. He lifted the end of his breechclout and humped his butt against the wall of their tipi. His cheeks felt the stickiness of their mingling sperm. With a lifting of his eyes, Big Horn made his own silent plea unto Grandfather Moon: 'Please allow this man to love me as completely as I want him!' Big Horn lowered his eyes after his prayer was given. His sight was ruined by the moonlight so he hadn't noticed Coyote Thief's return to their tipi. It startled the brave to find himself alone. He trembled from the cold of the night, entered the tipi to lay over his warm ground mat. Snoring came from Coyote Thief. That filled Big Horn with disappointment. He'd wanted to talk with the warrior about many things. That would have to wait until morning. It was difficult to sleep because he felt excited and in wonder of what they had done outside. He stared into the darkness. Sometime later that night, Big Horn managed to fall back asleep. He dreamed of sweet things. The next morning, Big Horn woke up to the smell of soup being prepared over the fire pit. Coyote Thief often broke his fasting with the boiling of deer meat that he seasoned with wild onions and grass grains for thickening. The Kalinlepi usually chewed down on sticks of jerky for breakfast. 'You hungry?' gestured Coyote Thief. When he saw Big Horn nod, he filled a wooden bowl with soup and handed it to him. He filled his own bowl and blew over it until the liquid was cool enough to sip from. Big Horn drank from his bowl though his eyes were often on the warrior. He had so many questions to ask! Meals were eaten in silence. The brave remained patient until their breakfast was finished. 'It a warm day,' remarked Coyote Thief. 'Come walk with me, my friend. I know that your heart is burning to ask many things.' Big Horn smiled. He knew that the old warrior could read his face and that made the brave love him the more so. They set down their empty bowls. Almost, Big Horn dared to take his companion's hand into his own when they walked to the river. Coyote Thief entered it with a splash. He'd left his leggings behind; no weapons for the hunt were being carried. The cold water assaulted Big Horn's legs. He lifted up his breechclout and followed behind Coyote Thief as he sought out sand bars for them to walk over. The tall tipis stood near the bank. The brave came to his companion's side to 'guard him' when they walked freely amongst the Kalinlepi. Two boys running past them hooted at the enemy warrior; Big horn was ignored. A young woman named Twinkling Star averted her eyes when she passed by though a smile crossed her lips for the brave. She was at that age to marry so it wasn't surprising that she showed an interest in Big Horn. 'I miss the familiar faces of my People,' commented Coyote Thief. 'It be a long time before yours will accept me and offer me a morning greeting.' Big Horn saw the sadness filling the warrior's eyes. He remained silent since there was no reply that he could give the man. They followed the bank, going with the flow of the muddy river. The stands of tall grass was passed by without finding Willow Bird at his task of gathering them for the horses. That surprised the brave. Coyote Thief made a fast pace. It was almost as if they were going somewhere in a hurry or that he was trying to prevent Big Horn from asking his questions. There was no hurry in Big Horn. He was enjoying their walk together. It was turning out to be a nice day. Father Sun shown down on them from His sky that was mostly clear of clouds. The brave had time to ponder over last night's strange rite and he prepared in his mind the many questions that he'll ask of Coyote Thief. Cat tails began to crowd the river bank. Big Horn felt the mud sucking at his feet and he kept his eyes out for boys. He knew this to be their secret place to play that kept the girls from spying on them. A giggling was heard. The brave saw a young boy streak towards the woods like a frightened rabbit. He thought it could have been Wolf Pawing; a breechclout was being carried in his left hand. Coyote Thief was amused. They walked deeper through the weeds and chanced upon another naked boy. Big Horn recognized the youth, much to his woe. Crying Loon didn't seem embarrassed or try to hide the act he'd been performing on his knees. He even gestured for the brave to invite his warrior friend to drop breechclouts and enjoy a male relieving threesome. Coyote Thief's couldn't understand the words passing between the brave and his little friend. Yet his old eyes gleaned much. Big Horn revealed regret and much embarrassment. The boy showed longing on his bright face. The warrior realized that there was something going on between the two that his presence had upset. 'I can go search for tracks in the woods nearby,' gestured Coyote Thief. He thought that Big Horn wanted to be alone with the youth to talk... and embrace their 'needs' without him watching it. Crying Loon understood most of what the warrior's hands had said. He gave Big Horn a sly grin, expecting him to accept Coyote Thief's withdrawal. The boy's left hand dropped around his erection and he resumed pleasuring it. Big Horn was caught. He didn't want to stay with Crying Loon but felt that rejecting Coyote Thief's suggestion would anger the boy who might reveal bad things about him. If he stayed, the warrior would know of his desire for this boy and close his heart to the possibilities of love for themselves. Before Big Horn could decide what he should do, the warrior gave him a warning gesture with his eyes lifting to the tree tops. As-a-crow was perched there. The boy also noticed the spying guard. He grabbed his two flaps from the mud and ran towards the river without a word. 'I have to accompany you when in the hunting grounds of my People,' reminded Big Horn. He didn't let on that he knew As-a-crow was watching. 'Yes. That is your chief's commandment,' answered Coyote Thief. He headed towards the forest with Big Horn at his side. They passed under the very tree As-a-crow was in. Only when they were deeper into the woods would the warrior hand-speak again. 'That boy... Who is he to you?' asked Coyote Thief. Big Horn turned to his companion with a heavy heart. He knew better than to lie but his face was kept plain when he tried explaining it. 'Crying Loon is a boy who sought my male strength. I conducted the 'growing up' rites to help his body mature but he wants more from me...' Coyote Thief noticed the brave's uneasiness. He didn't press Big Horn for a further explanation, pointing down at some fresh deer prints that they should investigate. The two men remained silent when they walked the tracks down. They stalked deeper into the woods. The deer tracks were crossed over by the obvious footprints left by a man. It seemed that they weren't the first to find the deer. Later, when returning to camp, they'll learn if that hunter had been successful. "Eiiii!' gasped Coyote Thief. He reached out for a tree when lifting his pained right foot. A stick had found its way through a small hole in his moccasin and was stuck between his toes. Big Horn was amused. He gestured down at his thickly soled feet that could withstand the perils of such things because he went without moccasins. The old warrior pulled out the offending stick and tossed it at him. Coyote Thief looked around for a moment before sitting down to rest with his back against a tree. He gestured for the brave to join him. Big Horn eased himself closer to the warrior; their shoulders touched. When he felt an arm coming around his waist, he lowered his head to the warrior's neck. It was a tender moment that was revealing much to both men. Big Horn resisted the temptation to ask his questions. That could shatter their tender embrace. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of his male companion, hoping that it would last forever. Coyote Thief slowly relaxed the tense muscles in his back. He allowed himself to enjoy the brave in his arm left. Big Horn's eyes were closed. His breaths felt warm against the warrior's neck that cradled his soft head, almost as if he were holding a swooning girl. But it was a man he held. That pleased Coyote Thief and his loins stirred with lust. Love also filled his heart. Big Horn meant more to him than an enemy brave he'd like to conquer. The warrior began to sing. Big Horn listened to the strange-sounding words without understanding them. The melody was sweet, like a love song. He felt his heart stir with strong emotions. His mouth brushed against the man's neck as if in a kiss. He heard the song falter. A crow's warning cry broke their fragile embrace. Big Horn straightened his back and opened his eyes to look for an intruder. Coyote Thief also searched. When nothing was found, the warrior wearily rose to his feet. He walked back to the river with the brave close at his side. The two men stalked through the tall weeds until reaching the river's edge. Big Horn was relieved that Crying Loon was nowhere in sight. As-a-crow had remained on guard from the tree top but the two men ignored him. The afternoon had turned hot. When Coyote Thief suggested that they go for a swim, Big Horn eagerly agreed. They dropped their breechclouts amongst the cat tails and dove into the cold water. The current was strong at this bend in the river so the two men kept close to the bank. Big Horn brought up sand to clean the sweat from his body. Coyote Thief did the same. Yet he shivered against the cold and asked how the Muddy River People endured it. Big Horn splashed at the warrior in reply. Coyote Thief wouldn't let that pass unavenged so he dropped onto his back in the river and kicked his feet at the brave. That left the young man gasping for air. Coyote Thief stopped kicking up water when he saw that Big Horn was in distress. He rushed to the brave and grasped his shoulders. Coughs erupted from the young man. The warrior pounded over Big Horn's back to help get the water out of his lungs. 'I need to sit,' gestured Big Horn. The warrior helped him onto the bank and they sat side by side in the cat tails. He saw sorrow in Coyote Thief's eyes so he grasped the man's right hand in a gesture of forgiveness. Coyote Thief closed his eyes. He was feeling very intense emotions for this young brave. Not for splashing him but the love that he was keeping in his heart that shouted to be let out! The old warrior was wise. He knew that it was not yet time to reveal his love for Big Horn until the moon was full. Big Horn wasn't sure but he thought he saw tears in the warrior's eyes. More likely it was water running down from his hair. The brave was struck again by the shortness of it that made Coyote Thief appear as a boy. His weathered faced revealed his true age. He wasn't ancient like the shaman or Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others. A man in his thirties or a little older, he guessed. Yet his body remained strong and well defined. The warrior may have an old face but his shoulders were youthful leading down to his arms bulging with muscles. He had agile hands that could fletch arrows. His breast stuck out with pride; attractive brown nipples. His legs were as hard as oak. Once, in a running contest the warrior had easily beaten him. What drew Big Horn's attention was the man's cock. He'd glanced at it a few times through the side of the warrior's breechclout whenever it'd loosened from the thong belt. This was the first time he went without it. The brave was able to stare at the man's nakedness with ease. Especially when Coyote Thief continued to keep his eyes closed. Coyote Thief seemed endowed with a good sized cock. He wasn't erected; the thick foreskin hid the man's knob within. Big Horn noticed the reddish balls. That proved how this warrior was not of his People. His own balls matched the brown color of his cock; a larger sacful than what hung between this warrior's legs. Was this man's loins still producing sperm and aching him with the need to release it? Ah, yes. He remembered their shared male rite from last night. Big Horn felt a pleasant stirring in his loins. Looking at Coyote Thief's body made his grow excited. He was tempted to reach out for the warrior's cock to erect it in hand. He was startled when his fingers were gripped. The old man opened his eyes and smiled at him. That made Big Horn conscious of his revealing nakedness. He felt his swelling knob pushing out from its foreskin. 'This a favored place of the boys?' asked Coyote Thief. 'To be naked without any girls around to embarrass them?' The warrior's eyes gestured at the tall cat tails around them. Big Horn nodded with a sly grin. He suspected what the warrior was asking, remembering how they'd caught Crying Loon beating off on his knees. Coyote Thief's cock was stiffening. His knob popped out from its foreskin to reveal that it was brown, not blood colored like the men of Big Horn's tribe. Coyote Thief lowered his eyes to stare at the brave's manly display. He was impressed with Big Horn's cock. It was thickly skinned and stood against his tuft of groin hair, oozing with male excitement. His own cock was of a good size. And in need! Perhaps it was the right moment for them to embrace love, the old warrior decided. He pulled on the brave's hand he'd been grasping and gestured with his other hand for Big Horn to come sit in his lap. Big Horn's eyes widened from the offer. His heart burst with love for Coyote Thief so he eagerly jumped into the warrior's lap. Their hard cocks touched. He peered deeply into the old man's eyes for an acceptance of what they were about to embrace: male love. He found its answer shining in the warrior's fiery eyes. Coyote Thief smiled. He reached up for Big Horn's unadorned hair and gently pulled over its length. The brave was like a male squaw he'd like to fuck but from behind. He wondered if this young man would accept his need. Big Horn continued to peer into Coyote Thief's eyes. They looked very wise, filled with caring and the love he had sought for in another man. Their faces came close together. Eyes drank in the building love that had been freed from their hearts for each other. The warrior seemed to be reaching his lips out to his for a kiss. A cough exploded from Big Horn's mouth at that moment. It was followed by another uncontrollable cough that kept him from accepting the warrior's first kiss. Coyote Thief pounded over the young man's back. He felt Big Horn's arms reaching around his shoulders and tighten. Cough followed painful cough. It had broken what should have been a tender moment for them both. Big Horn managed to get himself under control. How his lungs pained him! Yet there came an aching from his loins as well. His heart pined for love from this warrior so he folded his legs around Coyote Thief's butt to tighten their embrace. He felt the man's legs folding under his butt. Their chests came together, nipples rubbing and hardening against each other. The brave clung to his man in the sweet expectation for what was yet to come. Coyote Thief made his cock throb. Big Horn answered it by tightening the muscles in his butt to throb back. The warrior's hand dropped down his back to clutch his cheeks. He gently pulled over them to begin their belly rubbing. Wonderful sensations darted through the brave's cock. He thrust against the warrior in beat to the hand playing his butt. Their male bodies danced as one. Unlike his similar embrace with Crying Loon, this man in his arms could meet the challenges of his adult body. Their cocks were very hard and matched for sexual battle. The boy's dick had been too easily subdued. Big Horn regretted all the things he'd done with the youth since it was in the arms of a strong warrior that his lusty spirit could find a proper match. Big Horn felt light kisses over his neck. They tickled him, threatening another round of coughing so he buried his face into the warrior's neck and he held his breath. Coyote Thief was glad that the brave accepted his naked embrace. But was it done from love and a kindred of spirits or simply to satisfy lust? He'd heard of unmarried men seeking relief in the arms of a companion. It helped satisfy their male aching until a squaw could be found. He hoped that the man in his arms sought more than that. The warrior would test him. He slowly reached fingers through the crack of Big Horn's flexing butt until he found its entrance. He rubbed against the moist hole with a longing to fuck it. Big Horn gasped. He felt the warrior's deep fingering in his butt and one penetrated his hole as he had done to Crying Loon's. A wild thought dropped into his head: he'd lift his butt over Coyote Thief's groin and drop onto his cock to let him fuck him! Before he could try it, a cough escaped from his mouth. It was followed by a stronger eruption, and another... At that moment, As-a-crow burst in on them. He had his bow clutched tightly in his hands with an arrow ready for flight. His face was tense. "Ah, Big Horn. I wanted to see if you were all right..." "What?" stammered the brave. He was flustered by the guard's untimely arrival. Big Horn realized that his naked embrace with Coyote Thief would be very revealing. "I heard your painful coughing," explained As-a-Crow. "Thought you were being drowned in the river by this warrior!" Big Horn coughed again. It came mostly from the fear of having his spirit for loving men discovered by a member of his tribe. Coyote Thief pounded over his back. They slowly separated their bodies and stood up to face the guard. "No. Coyote Thief helped me back to the bank after our splashing contest. He'd won it." Big Horn quickly gestured all that had been said to his anxious companion. He didn't want Coyote Thief to act rashly towards As-a-crow who still had his bow aimed on him. 'Return to your tree perch,' scolded Coyote Thief. 'You have seen enough to know that I wasn't attacking your tribesmen!' Big Horn lowered his head with shame. He saw the shock on As-a-crow's face and how he eyed their hard cocks with a realization. Something had to be said. "I'm not harmed, As-a-crow... We were resting on the bank. Please go." The guard slowly nodded his head. He lowered his bow and turned away from the two naked men to return to his position in the tree tops. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Big Horn pleasuring his body with another male. A shameful thing! Yet he decided to keep what he'd seen to himself, just as he's kept silent about Crying Loon sucking on the brave's cock. Big Horn sighed nervously. He searched for their breechclouts lying in the mud since their tender moment of love had been disrupted. Coyote Thief covered his body with sad eyes. He followed the brave back to camp in silence. The tall tipis came into sight. Big Horn was greeted by his People though their eyes often lowered from the enemy warrior walking at his side. He didn't want his tribesmen to scorn him the same way but feared that would happen after As-a-crow revealed to everyone what he'd seen at the river bank. A girl ran up to them. She dared to lift her eyes to Big Horn's but her words explained the urgency of her unexpected act. "Come quick to the shaman's lodge!" begged Star Light. "Willow Bird is very sick!" Big Horn's eyes flashed with fear and he flew through camp. Coyote Thief didn't understand what was happening but he kept up with the brave. They came to a elk-hide covered lodge that stood out from the rest of the tipis. The brave didn't wait to call out his name before entering it. An old man greeted Big Horn; he ignored the enemy warrior. Willow Bird was lying naked over a ground mat with his face painted up with medicine colors. His sweaty body trembled with pain. Fear squeezed Big Horn's heart for what ailed his young charge. "Willow Bird is with fever," explained the shaman. He was kneeled at the boy's side, attending him with the shaking of his buffalo scrotum rattle. Big Horn dropped to the ground near Willow Bird. He took the boy's hand into his own, feeling the heat from it. An overwhelming sense of guilt filled the brave's heart. He felt that neglecting his charge had let some evil spirit come to harm him. Willow Bird stirred from his uneasy sleep. His eyes opened but they were unfocused. He saw that his monedo had come. "Big Horn..." he murmured. "I need you to be with me. Don't go!" Big Horn had to close his eyes from anguish. He tried keeping his tears from falling. A strong hand coming to his shoulder from Coyote Thief lent him the strength that he needed at this moment. "I'm trying to conduct a healing rite," snapped the shaman. "The Spear- bearing warrior must leave but you can stay with Willow Bird to comfort him." Big Horn turned to Coyote Thief with teary eyes. His hands gestured what the shaman had said. The warrior nodded his head with understanding, turning for the door but only after lifting his eyes upwards in silent prayer unto the Great Father Spirit, his plea for the boy's recovery. The shaman calmed himself for a moment before taking up his rattle again. He chanted over Willow Bird, calling upon the healing spirits of water to drown the fire raging in the boy's body, the spirits of air to continue filling the boy's lungs with breath and for the earth spirits to strengthen his body from evil attack. Big Horn held the boy's hand throughout. All afternoon, the shaman attended Willow Bird. Big Horn was tasked to help the old man. Water skins were filled; he kept the boy's body cooled with wet medicine cloths dabbed over his forehead and chest. Soup of rabbit meat was prepared but the youth refused to eat it. His slim body was wracked with pain, often trembling as if he were cold one moment and too hot the next. The night was worse. Willow Bird cried out against the evil attacking him; he called out for his father to help him. A thick bear skin was laid over the boy for warmth but his violent thrashings often cast it away. The hide was singed when it fell too close to the fire. Its foul odor filled the lodge. Big Horn laid next to Willow Bird and held him close. The youth's sweaty body smelled of turtles. The brave often prayed unto Wah Conda, the Great Father Spirit to rid his young charge of the evil that was eating his life. He didn't want the boy to die! Moonlight poured down from the lodge's smoke hole. Big Horn was unable to sleep but he was glad that Willow Bird did. His thoughts returned to what had happened between himself and Coyote Thief: their near consummation of love. He desired that enemy warrior and would have been with him this evening if it hadn't been for Willow Bird. Big Horn scolded himself. He didn't regret having to stay with his young charge. Willow Bird needed him and the brave was glad that he could help. He loved this boy. It was similar to how he felt towards Coyote Thief but it was with the warrior that he could find male fulfillment. The boy was still a year from being named a man himself. Loud snoring came from the shaman. Big Horn rolled his eyes with distain when remembering how the chief's snores had kept him awake at night. He held the boy close and tried to sleep. The next day was spent in the shaman's lodge. Big Horn prepared the meals and when Willow Bird was lucid, they talked. The boy was glad that his monedo was spending time with him. Another healing rite was conducted by the shaman. He assured the troubled brave that the boy would recover. Warm Hands came to visit with her son. The woman had brought food and showed her gratitude to both the shaman and Big Horn. Song Bird also came. He claimed that his father, the tribal chief wanted to know of Willow Bird's condition and that he wished him well. He didn't fool anyone. The shaman allowed the youth's visit when he saw how it lifted his friend's spirit. After the brief visits, Willow Bird managed to sleep again. Big Horn kept himself busy with the fashioning of a gift for Coyote Thief. He had to consult with the shaman on a few points: how to ensure a tight seam along the inner soles and which designs would lend a masculine feature to what only the women of their tribe wore. "You are much taken by Coyote Thief," commented the shaman. He crossed his arms over his chest in a familiar pose. "Yes. I'm glad to be learning warrior skills from him." "Hmm. You're often across the river, away from your charge. Willow Bird still needs you even if he has already learned the skills to become a brave." Big Horn stared at the old man. He knew that what had been said was true but there was also something left unspoken. The brave kept silent. He didn't want to volunteer anything that would make the shaman think badly of him. Willow Bird managed to eat some soup later that afternoon. His body was still fevered but the shaman felt that the worst had passed. He hinted that Big Horn could leave if he wanted but the brave decided that he'll spend another night with the boy to see him past the sickness. Big Horn was sleeping when he felt a hand grasp him. A moan came from Willow Bird's lips that sounded like the word 'water'. The brave felt along the ground for the wooden mug but he couldn't find it in the dark. A water skin came into his grasp. When he lifted Willow Bird to a sitting position so that he could drink from it, the boy cried out in agony. Big Horn returned the youth to the ground. He wondered how he could satisfy the boy's thirst. The brave felt his own need for water. A quick drink was taken from the bulging skin and that gave him an idea. With a mouthful of water, he turned to the boy and pressed his lips down over his. Willow Bird greedily accepted the water. The man felt the boy's tongue dart into his mouth that turned into a kiss. That startled Big Horn. Yet he eagerly kissed the youth back. Big Horn heard the shaman snoring. That assured him that what they did went unnoticed. He positioned himself on top of Willow Bird, drawing the bear skin blanket over them before returning to kiss his sweet boy in the dark. He slipped his hands under the boy's slim shoulders, laying over him with a hard cock. He felt an answering erection under Willow Bird's breechclout. Their bellies began rubbing. Without any feelings of guilt, the brave reached down to his waist to pull away his thong belt. Their bodies were bared so they could embrace love. It was a wonderful sensation to feel the boy's hard dick against his own. Big Horn kept from crushing the youth by anchoring his knees in the dirt around him. They bellies rubbed towards climax. Willow Bird gasped for breath. He moaned often, as if in pain. Big Horn knew better. His heart soared to be making love to his young charge at last! Willow Bird's sweaty body burned against the brave's. He was still with fever. When the boy moaned, Big Horn silenced him with a deep kiss. He didn't hear the shaman's snoring. That worried him. He relaxed his savage body though his mouth still connected to the boy's. They laid still under the blanket for many heart beats. Willow Bird held his young friend's body close to his own in the river. Strangely, the water felt hot and sticky against his skin. There was also a heaviness pressing against his chest that made it hard for him to breathe. It felt like he was drowning. He ignored that discomfort to belly rub with the little boy. Their tag-and-catch-me game had led them to this sweet moment. He stabbed against the boy's pole with a soaring heart. "Oh, Song Bird!" gasped Willow Bird with much joy. Big Horn was taken back from what he'd heard. He gave the boy a tender kiss to his forehead before rolling away to rest over his back. Did he hear correctly... Song Bird? The brave realized that Willow Bird wasn't fully awake when they tried making love. Soft snoring came from the boy, proving that he'd fallen back to sleep. Sadness filled the man's heart. He felt tears and allowed them to fall in the dark. The next morning, Big Horn was awakened by heat against his left arm that came from the central fire pit. His right arm was around Willow Bird. With relief, the boy's skin felt cool against his. He was about to sit up when discovering that he was naked. Their love making from last night came to mind. The shaman peered at him over the rim of his wooden mug he was drinking from. There was no way that the brave could cover himself up without the old man noticing. After wrapping his body with a breechclout, Big Horn slipped from the heavy bear skin to allow Willow Bird to sleep. He accepted the wood mug of tea that the shaman offered him. There was something odd in the old man's eyes. "It was good that you spent the night?" asked the shaman. Big Horn could only nod his head. "Willow Bird's fever has gone." "Yes. The evil spirit has flown from him," the shaman whispered. "Will you be flying back to your warrior across the river?" Big Horn gave the old man a sharp glance. When he didn't see any malice in the shaman's eyes, he lowered his eyes to hide his anger. "Allow Willow Bird his last summer as a boy," the shaman asked. "Embrace your warrior in need and when he's gone, you'll be ready to lead that young brave (pointing at Willow Bird) down your path." The old man had a dreamy look in his eyes. That's when Big Horn realized that he'd spoken from a vision. "I can take care of Willow Bird now. Return to Coyote Thief's tipi. I've told you what our Father has Shown me so go in peace." Big Horn dropped his half drunken mug of tea at the shaman's feet. He stood up, and without a word of farewell, gathered up his few belongings and fled the old man's lodge. His sweaty body was assaulted by the cool morning air. He scurried towards the river, almost as if he were running away from something scary. His gift for Coyote Thief was clutched tightly in his hands. Later that afternoon, Big Horn sat beside Coyote Thief over mats outside their tipi. He told him of Willow Bird's recovery. The relief seen on the brave's face turned into a bright grin when he presented his gift of moccasins to the warrior. "I thank," answered Coyote Thief. He cast away his old pair to put on the new moccasins of thick deer skin. It was his People's custom for the wife to present such a gift. He kept from telling Big Horn so. 'I remember when first meeting you on the plains how worn yours looked,' gestured Big Horn with a grin. 'Those were gifted me from a boy named Smiles A Lot,' explained the old warrior. 'He was a son from my loins I had sired in secret to give the woman's husband a child to raise.' Big Horn was struck by the man's admission. It brought to mind what he'd Seen in a vision. 'Smiles A Lot visited with you a few days ago.' Coyote Thief gave the brave a hard stare. He trusted Big Horn with the truth so his hands lifted to explain it. 'Yes. My son came to see me. I given the news that many warriors of my tribe hate me for coming here. Enough so that they may make a raid to end my life.' That startled Big Horn. 'Did Smiles A Lot say that will happen soon?' 'He did not think it would. My shaman did not See it happening and I also don't think they will come.' Big Horn nodded his head with relief. Another thought struck him. 'When I was visiting with my mother in the sacred clearing, I glimpsed a boy watching me. He vanished like a spirit in the wind!' Coyote Thief barely nodded his head. 'Smiles A Lot told me that he saw a young brave crying beneath the canopy of a woman. I suspected that it was you.' 'Why was he there?' asked Big Horn with his hands flying. "How did he disappear from my eyes!" Coyote Thief couldn't drop his eyes from Big Horn's as much as he wanted to. There were a few secrets that he had to keep in spite of what this brave meant to him and the trust that they shared. The old warrior slowly shook his head. He covered his mouth with his right hand to indicate that he was under oath not to speak about it. Big Horn nodded but his heart still troubled him. 'I must report any threats to our tribe.' 'My son will not bring trouble to your People,' gestured Coyote Thief. He saw that Big Horn was still concerned so he dared to venture more. "Powerful medicine is with Smiles A Lot.' Big Horn felt that he understood. It explained how the boy had disappeared from his eyes. He felt no malice from the youth, only awed him. 'I spent the day with my son while you were away,' continued Coyote Thief. 'That evening, I took him across the plains on my horse to lessen his journey back to our People. Almost, I considered going back myself to explain my decision to be with the Muddy River Tribe. The talk of hatred for me coming from the warriors of my tribe troubled me. I didn't want to be the cause for a war.' 'Why did you come back?' asked Big Horn. His hands were shaking. Coyote Thief looked deep into the brave's eyes. 'You are the reason.' Big Horn lowered his eyes. He knew then of Coyote Thief's love for him and that left him speechless. The warrior told him more about his happy visit with his son and how he missed not being with his People. Big Horn heard the growing sadness in the warrior's voice. He didn't press him to speak about them but the old man went on and on. He was finally opening up to the brave about his past life. Big Horn had been holding back questions since staying with Coyote Thief. Now he felt that it was the proper time for their asking. He stared at the old warrior to read his face when he gestured: 'Of all the tribes you could have gone to, why did you come to mine for sanctuary?' Without pause, the warrior answered him: 'I believe that you are the One.' Big Horn was taken by surprise. He raised his opening hands in a gesture that he needed a more complete answer to be given him. Coyote Thief nodded. He went into deep thought for a while before speaking again. 'I had been told in my youth from my shaman that I'd meet an enemy brave in battle. Yet we wouldn't fight because the cycle of hatred had to be broken between our two People. I would love him instead. He in turn would pass on my teachings to another fatherless boy that he was raising into manhood.' Big Horn was struck by the warrior's admission. He quickly gestured back, 'How did you know I was the One your shaman described? You didn't know that I was acting as monedo for a fatherless boy.' 'It true that you could simply have been a brave seeking death,' agreed Coyote Thief, 'yet I saw how your heart was troubled. Death wasn't ready to claim you on that day, my friend. My hidden feelings were aroused. I desired a handsome young man to live my final days with. To test your heart, I opened my sacred bundle to see what you'd take. The clear stone you chose made me sure of it.' 'You had said that stone was valued since it'd been gifted you from your shaman.' 'That is so,' answered Coyote Thief. "Snarling Bear had ritually gifted it to me along with his seed.' Big Horn wasn't shocked to hear that. In spite of being told about him siring a son with a married woman, he felt that Coyote Thief's spirit was like his in their love of men. He could love him like that. Only his inexperience and fear of being rejected had stayed his lusty advances. Until now. 'That boy you were seeking on the plains,' asked Coyote Thief. 'The one you were willing to trade your life for amongst my braves. Who is he to you?' Big Horn knew that his next words would be carefully weighed by the old warrior. He had learned that little escaped his attention. 'I have been acting as monedo for Willow Bird who'd lost his father to a surprise night raid by your warriors four summers ago. I've been training the boy to become a brave. He's the sick youth I'd been attending in the shaman's lodge.' Coyote Thief hid his surprise. He knew of that Muddy River warrior his People had taken captive, questioned and tortured. His secret son had tended to him until his death. It would do little good to tell Big Horn about that. Big Horn suspected that Coyote Thief knew something about the fate of Willow Bird's father. The warrior was good with hiding his feelings but he knew him enough already to read the discomfort in him. 'Do you love Willow Bird?' gestured Snarling Bear. Big Horn swallowed nervously in his throat. He noticed how the man's hands had shaped the word for 'love' with a sexual meaning. His eyes lowered from the warrior's to hide his shame. 'It a fine summer day,' announced Coyote Thief in his attempt to change the subject. 'Ride with me, Big Horn. I would welcome your hands around me and to feel the wind blowing through our hair!' Big Horn was harkened by the man's offer. Something stirred in his loins from what Coyote Thief had gestured. In the warrior's dark eyes he saw a hint of what this day would bring them. The appaloosa nickered to Big Horn when he was untied from his post. "Pai-alucia... Tawd ag-wa!" uttered the brave. He saw praise in Coyote Thief's eyes for greeting the stallion with words he'd recognize of the Spear-bearing People. The old warrior wasn't the only one learning how to speak. Coyote Thief mounted his stallion bareback. His hand reached down for the brave and pulled him up to sit behind. Big Horn felt the sensual touch of his skin against the sweaty horse. He reached around the old warrior's waist and was tempted to feel inside the man's breechclout for his cock. Before he could, Pai-alucia was launched into galloping by a swift kick. Pai-alucia easily bore the weight of the two men. Coyote Thief handled his horse with ease while Big Horn sat behind, embracing the warrior within his tight arms. They galloped wildly along the river bank. The brave shouted to the empty land of his happiness for being with Coyote Thief and his sense of freedom and of living. The warrior smiled at his companion's excitement. Within his breechclout, he felt his manly stirring that would soon be revealed to Big Horn. When Night Moon became winded from their long gallop, Coyote Thief walked his horse. He headed them back to their tipi. The hard lust trapped within his breechclout was needing to be released. Big Horn revealed his own male excitement. It was pressed against his rear end when the brave held him close. He wanted to feel the might of his young companion in his body. An enemy brave that could rape him with love instead of hatred as was often committed on the battlefields of war. Night Moon came to a sudden stop near the river bank. Coyote Thief heard the horse piss strongly to his front hooves. He jumped down from off its back in the expectation that his stallion would bear a long hard dong. He wasn't disappointed. The appaloosa's black cock was sticking out from its sheath like a tree branch that reached nearly to his front legs. The warrior threw down his breechclout and lovingly took hold of his stallion. Big Horn dismounted to kneel at the man's side, wide eyed. 'To love my horse with me, Big Horn!' the warrior gestured. He pointed at the brave's breechclout - that it should be removed. Big Horn gladly dropped his lengthy cloth to the ground in an expectation of making love with the old warrior. Yet he wondered why Coyote Thief included the stallion. The man pulled over the horse's long black dong with both hands. Big Horn peeked through the warrior's legs and saw his hard cock, dripping with excitement. The brave's cock was also standing tall against his belly. Pai-alucia snorted. The stallion swished his tail that caught Big Horn in the eyes. The brave stood up to give the horse an answering slap over its rump. He was drawn to its sexual flexing; the stallion had powerful brown cheeks with splashes of white paint over them. His eyes peered within for its entrance. Unlike a man's butt hole, the horse's protruded out like a muscled ring. It opened! Out dropped handfuls of soggy digested grass to the ground. Big Horn wondered if the stallion had ever felt a man's lusty penetration. The brave returned to Coyote Thief, squatting at the man's side to watch his version of a 'growing up' rite for a stallion. Big Horn could smell their male excitement mixed with the strong musk of horse. He'd always been curious to touch a horse's long cock. He felt along its soft warmth with his fingers. Hard and throbbing with power! The warrior's hands were experienced with pleasuring his horse and knew what the end result would be. Little did they know that a boy was watching them from behind a bush. He'd seen the men's approach when he was gathering berries. The spying youth was Song Bird, only son of the Kalinlepi Chief. He knew that Coyote Thief of the Spear-bearing People had been allowed to set up his tipi on this side of the river. Big Horn had been staying with him to learn his warrior ways. And because he loved him. Song Bird grinned to himself. He was watching a beastly rite the naked warrior was conducting with his stallion. Coyote Thief handled the horse's long dong, even daring to kiss its knob. The stallion bucked. It was an exciting display of power to see the horse's huge body surging with sex as if he were mounting a mare. The warrior seemed experienced with coaxing its male release. When the stallion became overly excited, Big Horn took hold of his neck to steady the beast. It wasn't long before there came a piercing whistle. The horse flexed his body in a violent male display, his tailed butt humping when releasing many squirts of seed into the old warrior's hands. Coyote Thief rose up to face Big Horn with what they held. The brave watched as his naked body was covered with Night Moon's sticky cum. Coyote Thief especially offered his loins the stallion's powerful seed. With what remained in his hands, the warrior smeared his own nakedness. His dark eyes were aflame. 'I offer your body the sacred gift of a powerful stallion," gestured Coyote Thief. 'May it give you the strength to become a warrior.' Big Horn nodded with acceptance. He eyed the warrior's hard cock and was proud of his own male display. The moment he'd been waiting for all his life had come; he loved this old man dearly and would show it with his body. Song Bird needed to get closer to the pair. He crawled on all fours towards another bush, leaving behind his gathering basket of berries. The boy managed to hide only a stone's throw away from the men. He stared at their hard wet dicks with awe. Coyote Thief was ready to initiate Big Horn in his People's ways of male love. He turned around, slapping over his butt in a gesture that they should backwards embrace. After only a slight hesitation, Big Horn turned from the warrior and stepped back. He felt the exciting touch of his sweaty ass on the man's. Their hands found each other and clasped. The brave trembled. "Big Horn, I wait ah moon to do this rite you," explained Coyote Thief. He spoke with words the young brave had been teaching him since being together. "A Mahyee-na rite!" Big Horn pondered over what the warrior had said. Not all the words were correctly spoken but he gathered their meaning except for 'Mahyee-na'. Coyote Thief rubbed his butt against his as if to emphasize that what they were doing was significant. "I have waited a long moon for us to embrace in love," answered Big Horn. "What is a 'Mahyee-na' rite?" Coyote Thief released the brave's hands and turned to him. He gestured with his lusting eyes at Big Horn's hard cock what he meant. He glanced down at his own erection with a fierce grin. Its display of male power closely matched that of the brave's. Big Horn thought he understood. When Coyote Thief opened his arms to him, the brave eagerly accepted the warrior's offer to embrace. Naked! Their hard bodies came together. Muscled arms went around each other in a bear hug, cock on cock. Before Big Horn could believe what was happening, he found his male body responding to the man's need for love making. It was both natural and a little strange; his body performed the mating ritual while his head was still grasping the notion that they could actually love... were bonding as men! Coyote Thief sighed with longing. He'd not embraced a male of his species for many moons beyond counting. Night Moon had served as his loving companion to relieve his lust but it wasn't the same as having a man's full love. He placed his heart in the hands of this enemy brave without any fear. Song Bird grew wide in the eyes. When he thought the warrior's beastly act with the stallion was the most fantastic thing he'd ever witnessed, the men's naked embrace went beyond his wild imaginings. Boys had talked about how a newly married man seeded his wife but to actually watch sex a kin to love making between two men... The boy felt his pole stiffening against his front flap. He realized his excitement came from an act that should be disgusting. He'd heard the battlefield horrors of fallen warriors getting raped. What these two men were doing wasn't anything like that. Big Horn was thinking this same thing. An enemy warrior was doing sexual battle with him. Their cocks beat against each other like short spears. It was a matched contest. Coyote Thief grunted from their struggle, his strong arms pulling over his back as if to dominate him. The brave cast down his fears to relish what they did. His arms held the enemy warrior, one hand reaching low to feel over the man's humping ass. He felt his own being taken in hand. Thrills built up in his loins. But unlike his embrace with Crying Loon, Coyote Thief was his equal. Big Horn needn't be afraid to unleash his full fury as a man to satisfy his lust with him. A boy was too small for that. He saw power in this warrior's gleaming eyes - a sexual longing for him. There was also love in their hearts for one another. A much stronger feeling than what he could experience with a boy. He understood why Coyote Thief had waited for the passing of a few moons before offering him this embrace. They loved instead of only lusting for each other for their loin's sake. "Oh, Coyote Thief!" murmured Big Horn. He felt something soft pressing onto his lips. When the swooning brave opened his eyes, he saw that the old warrior was kissing him. It didn't seem strange. He kissed the man back with all the love that he felt coming from his heart. It was very sweet. Coyote Thief was glad that Big Horn didn't reject his kisses. Ever since he'd seen husbands kissing their wives before departing on a long hunt or the warpath, he wanted to experience that same tenderness for himself. What was so different for him to be kissing a man? His heart had love inside it that could be expressed for another human being. He'd chosen Big Horn as his lover, that 'enemy brave' Snarling Bear had foretold from his vision when he was a boy. So many summers of loneliness had to pass before it came true. The old warrior realized that he wouldn't be lonely any longer. Song Bird watched the men's love making with a silly grin. He couldn't know what their hearts were feeling and that they were being bound together by their act: adult bodies joining as close as two males could get. The boy could only see with imperfect eyes. Big Horn understood at last what he was inside. Coyote Thief had freed him of the fear that his path had been twisted; wrong. His heart could love another completely! Not for only lust. The brave accepted what this warrior was offering him with a happy shout. He kissed him from love; held the man's heated body close to his own and stabbed him for love. In return, he was given love by a strong man who was wise and a proven warrior. They could become lovers while remaining proud men. Coyote Thief felt the brave's full acceptance of what they did. Not from their bodily expression that could have been from lust but when Big Horn's eyes revealed to the warrior what was inside his heart. His shy spirit had finally been set free so that he could be a man. He was truly Mahyee-na. The warrior's cock surged when he came to Big Horn's belly. He joyfully added his seed to that of Night Moon's on their bodies. Pleasure exploded in the warrior's head unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. It was a strong sensation, binding him to this brave as his mate. Big Horn heard the man's groan of satisfaction. He didn't want to break from their sweet kissing to look down at Coyote Thief's male release; he felt them against his heaving belly. There was no reluctance from his loins to give up what he'd been saving to give this warrior. His cock stiffened and spat. The many squirts given to his new lover were thrilling and a long time coming. He groaned with male relief when it was finished. Their kissing turned into a frantic sharing of breaths. Big Horn took in Coyote Thief's heated air to fill his lungs, making them one. The warrior saw what the brave was doing so he drew in his breath. Kisses came between gasps. There was a sparkle in Big Horn's eyes that touched the warrior's heart. He saw the love being awakened in the young brave. Love showed in his own eyes. "I love you," said Coyote Thief. "Ah moon wait to say love you!" Big Horn almost cried from hearing the warrior's words. He didn't care that they were clumsily said but that the man tried speaking them in his own language. They couldn't hand gesture because of their tight embrace. Words weren't really needed. They had expressed their love with flowing cocks, kisses and wide open eyes that had shown what was deep inside their hearts. "I love you, Coyote Thief!" Big Horn wanted the man to hear him say that. "Hmm. Ahn teh-la Mahyee-na, jeh-eb Big Horn!" The brave smiled. Coyote Thief sometimes reverted to the language of his Spear-bearing People when he forgot to whom he was speaking. The strange sounding words only reminded Big Horn that this was an enemy warrior with different ways and customs. An exciting thing. "Mahyee-na?" asked Big Horn. He'd heard that strange word before from Coyote Thief but he hadn't been given a complete explanation for it. "Ah. Love to do... Na-mayee!" When Coyote Thief saw that the brave didn't understand because he lacked the proper words to speak, he was forced to pull from their embrace. His hands flew with the freedom to gesture. 'A man accepts love from another man,' the warrior explained. 'A secret society of my People whom Snarling Bear is leader." Big Horn nodded thoughtfully. "Was Snarling Bear your first lover?" A understanding gleam came from Coyote Thief's eyes. 'No. My shaman took me into his lodge when I was without parents. Raised me through boyhood. At age of eleven, he initiated me like all the other boys in our tribe.' 'How initiated?' asked Big Horn. He suspected what the warrior was trying to tell him. Coyote Thief grinned. 'What any man offers from his loins to help a boy's weak releases turn strong.' The warrior didn't want to admit that he'd been given that rite in his butt. 'A growing up rite,' gestured Big Horn. 'In our tribe, the father or uncle of a young teen boy is sometimes given this rite to help his loins mature.' He had performed that for Crying Loon but felt reluctant to admit it. 'Ah, yes. A few of these boys grow up into men who seek other men. They become Mahyee-na. You are proven Mahyee-na, Big Horn. I will initiate you in our tipi tomorrow night.' Before Big Horn could ask what that rite involved, he saw Coyote Thief run from him towards some bushes. He pulled out a kicking boy from them. Both of the warrior's strong hands kept hold of the youth's armpits when he was carried aloft. It was Song Bird. The struggling youth was unable to get away when he was carried back to Big Horn. "A rabbit!" said Coyote Thief. He saw the alarm in Big Horn's eyes but ignored it for the anger filling him since their love rite had been observed. The boy didn't cry out. He continued to kick his legs in the air and his arms swung out to strike the warrior holding him. 'He is the chief's son,' gestured Big Horn in warning. Coyote Thief felt his anger cooling. He wasn't worried so much by who this boy was but that he'd tell others of what he'd seen. The warrior noticed an interesting bulge under the youth's front flap. It gave him the idea of how to bind him in silence. Within the man's left arm, he cradled Song Bird's struggling body against his side. That effectively pinned the youth's arms. The boy's thong belt was pulled from his waist. When his two deerskin cloths fell to the ground, a healthy erection was revealed. Coyote Thief pointed that out to the brave with a hearty laugh. The warrior began fingering the boy's foreskin. That caused Song Bird to struggle more fiercely in his left arm; legs violently kicking. Big Horn was concerned that Coyote Thief could be hurting the youth. "Be careful that you don't break it off," warned Big Horn with amusement. The warrior enjoyed his struggling captive. Song Bird's butt felt nice against his upper leg and tempted him to try something more. Yet Big Horn's eyes flared at him in warning. Coyote Thief continued to pull over the boy's foreskin until hearing him cry out. The youth became limp in his arm like a girl's grass doll. Big Horn saw the youth's eyes fluttering. He knew that Song Bird had felt his ending thrills as a young boy, not surprised that his loins didn't have anything to squirt out from his little dick. Only a few moons had passed since he'd secretly given him a 'growing up' rite that early morning in his father's tipi. Another summer would have to pass before Song Bird could cum. Coyote Thief shifted his heavy burden to his other arm with the youth being held against his chest. That brought the boy's little butt onto his hard cock to enjoy. His oozing knob slipped between Song Bird's cheeks. A careful stab could join their male bodies. If it weren't for Big Horn's flaring eyes and this being a chief's son, he'd risk initiating the boy as Snarling Bear had done him in his youth. Song Bird panted in the warrior's strong arm. His struggling had tired him, especially after getting his dick thrilled. He felt his body being pulled onto the front of the man's nakedness, the hard cock pressing into his butt! He saw Big Horn flare his eyes to the warrior in warning. Song Bird didn't think Coyote Thief would dare to rape him. He resumed his struggling. The warrior wasn't ready to let this youth go. He knew that the boy could enjoy another climax from his hand that would ensure his silence. He cupped Song Bird's pole with fingers reaching around the boy's small balls. His groin felt smooth against Coyote Thief's wrist. From the boy's lack of hair there and the small size of his body, the warrior wasn't surprised that he couldn't cum yet. That didn't prevent the youth from being pleasured as a male. He continued to gently palm the youth's erection. His fingers tickled the boy's soft sac of balls. A revealing gasp came from Song Bird for his efforts. Coyote Thief felt the boy relaxing in his left arm, eyes closed in concentration. He was glad that Song Bird was feeling a measure of thrills from his hard pole. Big Horn gave the warrior an assuring head nod. After a lengthy pleasuring that brought an angry color to the boy's foreskin, the warrior lowered him to the ground. His right arm ached. Big Horn fetched the boy's breechclout flaps and thong belt from the ground, handing them over to Song Bird with a sly grin. The youth stood between them unmoving. His thin arms were slow to reach out for his clothes. 'The boy's loins are not yet ripe,' gestured Coyote Thief with a grin. Song Bird had caught what the warrior's hands had gestured about him. He glanced at the man's proud display, dripping with male excitement. He remembered how his butt had almost been stuck on it. A near escape! Big Horn revealed a hard cock as well. The boy hoped that his small pole would grow to be just as big when he became a man. 'Go now, spying rabbit!' gestured Coyote Thief. 'Don't tell anyone what you have seen or I will stick you sharply.' He slapped over the boy's little butt to send him on his way. Song Bird sprinted towards the river with his breechclout in hand. He left the two naked men behind, silently promising them that what he'd seen would remain a secret. Coyote Thief chuckled to himself. Big Horn smiled with relief that the incident was behind them. He gave the warrior a fond shoulder slap. 'I saw your desire to stick into that little boy,' Big Horn gestured. He was relieved that Coyote Thief hadn't. 'The effort would have been too costly for me," the warrior answered with a frown on his face. He looked down at his proud manly display, gesturing something further. 'There is a handsome brave that I'd like to rape.' Big Horn felt a tremendous sexual thrill go through him. The sensation centered in his butt. He noticed the warrior's lusting eyes over it and knew that they would be seeking a connection that would bind them as lovers more intimately than a simple belly rub. The warrior's cock was still erected. He turned around with legs spread to offer himself to the man's need. The brave gasped when he felt a finger slipping through the crack of his butt. It rubbed suggestingly over his hole. The sensation was both thrilling and scary. Big Horn knew there would be pain to take in the warrior's all yet he wanted to give that part of himself to Coyote Thief. It would further bind them as male lovers. "Ahhhh... Big Horn. Jey-eb Mahyee-na!" Coyote Thief withdrew his seeking finger after much reluctance. His throbbing cock ached him to stick in but that could wait until tomorrow night for a proper initiation of the brave. Big Horn stood up. He turned to the warrior with shy eyes and wondered why his butt hadn't been taken. Coyote Thief reached down to the ground for their breechclouts. He covered himself with the wrong length of cloth. That concerned Big Horn until he saw that it was intentional. The warrior had donned his own thong belt that had a knife and his sacred bundle attached. 'Remove that clear stone I'd lent you,' Coyote Thief gestured while pointing down at the brave's sacred bundle laying over the grass. Big Horn swallowed nervously in his throat before doing as he was bid. The small stone was removed from his bundle. He handed it over to the warrior. Coyote Thief untied his knife from the belt and cut a slim thong from the edge of his breechclout. The stone was strung. With a gesture, he had the brave turn away from him. The warrior's eyes fell lustfully to Big Horn's ass. His hands pulled the brave's sweaty cheeks apart to place the thonged stone over his hole. One end of the thong was pulled up Big Horn's butt crack and tied to his waist belt. Big Horn watched the warrior's left hand reach around the front of his body to grasp the stone's loose thong, lifting that end up and tied to his waist belt. There came a thrilling sensation from his butt hole clasping the stone. He knew that Coyote Thief's rite was significant. The warrior's long frilled cloth was brought up from the ground. Big Horn stood silently as it was wrapped around his waist with only one end of it dropping down to cover his loins; his butt remained bared. Coyote Thief smiled. 'Wear my breechclout with pride,' he gestured. 'Yours feels nice around my body so I can always have a part of you with me. My stone keeps your squaw entrance from the other men to ensure you be virgin. Tomorrow night, I will remove it with a fitting of my cock in there. Your cock will also seed my butt in the Mahyee-na rite.' 'Will that rite bind us as lovers?' asked Big Horn. The old warrior's eyes gleamed with hope. 'Our braided hair love/embrace rite will accomplish that Big Horn, if you're willing. No. The Mahyee-na rite joins you into our secret brotherhood of loving men.' Big Horn didn't know what the 'braided hair love/embrace' rite involved but if it would bind his heart to this warrior's, he would gladly perform it. The Mahyee-na rite seemed important to Coyote Thief. He wondered what his responsibilities would be when becoming a member of that society. 'Go now,' commanded Coyote Thief with a harsh hand gesture. 'Leave me to the preparations of your rite. Restrict yourself from eating, sex and don't return to my tipi until night has fallen on the morrow.' Big Horn's eyes pleaded for a further explanation about what was going to be happening tomorrow night. Coyote Thief turned from him to gather the reins to his stallion. Without another word, the old warrior led his horse along the river bank. The brave watched them disappear into the distance. With an anxious sigh, Big Horn crossed the river to return to the tipis of his tribe. He'd be sleeping in his uncle's tipi this night. A coolness was felt from his backside. The brave realized that he'd have to endure the curious stares of his tribesmen for having his butt bared. Coyote Thief's stone bobbed against his hole with each of his strides. Almost, Big Horn felt that his butt would suck it inside him. The warrior had said that the stone guarded his squaw entrance from being taken by other men. His butt was left uncovered... The brave drew in a trembling breath. He couldn't wait for the warrior to stick into him during their ritual. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of file: BIGHORN3.TXT The story continues in: BIGHORN4.TXT