Author's Note: There are still some FREE "Artwork & Stories" CD-ROMs to be given away! Been thinking about requesting a copy for yourself? If so, please see my author's note in the story: "Crying Loon's Seduction" for details about my free give away or send your e-mail request to me at: Vince_Water@Yahoo.com You can view the artwork and illustrated zerox plates used in the printing of my booklets on the Internet! Join egroups at www.EGroups.Com as a general member before subscribing to my egroup: VinceWater Access to my egroup website is found at: www.egroups.com/group/vincewater I'll also be posting nude images of Indian men and boys (legal to view by adults in these United States). These are the same jpeg images found on my "Artwork & Stories" cd-rom. ****************************************************************************** BIGHORN5.TXT "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" A pre-Willow Bird story! (part 5) Copyright 2000 by Vince Water ****************************************************************************** * 10/2000 * * "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" * - part 5 - Big Horn awakened from his troubled dream. It left him trembling. He tried remembering where he was but his head was in a fog. The senses of his body were slow to return; he felt heat against his feet and the familiar crackling of fire filled his ears but his eyes saw only darkness. He blinked. Glowing images danced against the rounded tipi wall that he was facing. It was mesmerizing. The brave was distracted by a heavy weight shifting over his legs. Someone pulled on his butt cheeks and opened them. He felt hot breath on him there. It was followed by a tickly wetness pushing against his hole. He feared being raped by the Trickster and was without Coyote Thief's sacred stone fetish that protected him! The brave cried out. "Ah, teh-la go seh mi-hab!" A familiar voice was heard from behind, calming Big Horn. He remembered being initiated Mahyee-na. The man eating out his butt was Coyote Thief so the brave relaxed, enjoying the tickly sensation. He realized that the moment he'd been waiting for was at hand. His cock pressed into the soft elk skin under him that formed their love bed. He was ready. Coyote Thief took a breath before sticking his nose back into the young man's butt. He tongued its unguarded entrance, putting more spit in that would ease his cock's passage. Big Horn moaned. He spread his legs with the obvious pleasure of having his hole licked. The warrior knew that would change to pain when their male bodies were joined like husband to wife. A joyous embrace! He hoped that the mushrooms the brave ate would ease some of his discomfort. Big Horn felt the shifting of weight over him. Coyote Thief's knees pressed around his butt, the strong calloused hands spreading his cheeks to aim his cock in. The brave trembled with excitement. He gasped when a hardness pushed against his hole and went in. Not a sharp pain as expected but there was a sense of fullness and discomfort when their bodies came together. The warrior's full weight came down over his back. A crunch of groin hair was felt against his butt. The brave's shoulders were gripped as if to prevent escape. Their bodies were joined as close as two males could become. Coyote Thief wanted the brave to get used to his intrusion before beginning it. Big Horn held his breath to keep himself from crying out. Coyote Thief's thrusts began. The brave's head exploded like a dropped water skin. He barely endured the in and out beat of the warrior's fleshy stick inside his war drum butt. It really hurt! He clutched the ends to the elk skin and gritted his teeth. Another sensation was felt deep in his hole. Not pain; it made his cock stiffen with his discomfort combining with pleasure into one lusty thrill. He began to moan. "Ah, love you Big Horn. Love!" breathed Coyote Thief into the brave's left ear. Big Horn hissed, "Yessss!" in answer to the warrior. His surrender was total. The old man's hands rocked over his shoulders while his full weight pinned the younger man to the ground. The brave couldn't escape his rape. Nor did he want to. Lips were felt over Big Horn's neck. The kisses enflamed the brave, turning into bites that marked the young man as proof of having his butt fucked. He felt fully conquered, both in flesh, heart and in spirit. The lusty beat from Coyote Thief's manhood increased its tempo inside the brave's drum. Increasing pain came from it. His asshole felt the warrior's cock stiffening. Against the elk skin, the brave's manhood surged as if he were doing the fucking. There was something deep in his butt responding to the man's thrusts. A strange kind of pleasure that a woman probably felt when being mounted, he realized. More words were lovingly breathed into Big Horn's ear. "Jeh-eb, Big Horn! Ahn teh-la jeh-eb to bate en teh-la grut mah jeh..." He heard Coyote Thief's excitement in those words though he couldn't understand them. The stiffness in his butt was becoming an intense pain. Frantic stabbing followed. The warrior wielded his fleshy spear and struck him with all his love. If it wasn't for that love, Big Horn would have rolled their bodies over so that he could escape this torture. Crying Loon's stabs didn't hurt like this! Of course, that boy's dick was smaller than this man's and he hadn't fucked him out of love but to spend lust. The brave wanted to give himself completely to this man. Even if that meant enduring great pain. Coyote Thief was enjoying intense thrills from his cock. He never realized that fucking another man would feel so good; a completion for his body that his stallion could never offer him. Big Horn's asshole was also tighter... Without warning, the warrior felt his cock shooting. Tremendous pleasure! When it was done, he groaned out with a man's lust - satisfied. Big Horn felt a throbbing deep in his hole, making him realize that his lover was cumming in him. The frantic drumming song of their mating ended. Coyote Thief's sweaty body rested heavily over the brave's. His breaths blew hot against the young man's neck. It was done. Their racing heart beats replaced what had been the lusty rhythm of their struggling bodies. All done now. The warrior tenderly kissed his young brave. Big Horn relished this ending moment, his body below filled from the male body above. Done. The brave couldn't believe that it happened so quickly... Glad so! He was able to breathe again. The warrior's body laid over his - inside his, still joined in mating completion. He smiled to himself and shared in Coyote Thief's accomplishment that became his own. The fire crackled in the aftermath; soft hissing came from burning wood. Big Horn saw their combined shadows dancing against the tipi wall. He dropped his head with a weary sigh. A smile was on his lips because of what they had done together. He knew that more nights like this would be forthcoming because a man's loins were always paining him for relief. His was. The warrior's heart beat felt against the brave's back slowed to normal. Coyote Thief seemed to be going to sleep after his earlier exertion. Big Horn didn't feel the need for rest. He knew that the warrior's loins were satisfied but he needed to relieve his lust as well. Big Horn couldn't use his hands for gesturing. When he tried to speak, a bitter-tasting dryness in his throat kept him from uttering a single word. The brave resorted to brutal actions. He rolled their bodies over the elk skin. A gasp of pain came from his mouth when the warrior's cock pulled wetly from his butt hole - proof that the old man's loins had truly spilt in him. He felt his erection throbbing against his belly. It ached him to be released! Coyote Thief was laying over his belly with his butt vulnerable to lusty attack. The young man slowly crawled over him. The brave's head felt strange; heavy. He almost fainted when positioning his body over the warrior's. His head fell to Coyote Thief's back for a moment so that he could gather enough energy to fuck him. The old man seemed oblivious beneath him. Big Horn knew that sperming was a tiring accomplishment so sleep was probably a good thing to do afterwards. Big Horn slowly kissed his way down the man's back. His nose was drawn to the sharp musk that came from Coyote Thief's butt. The soft ass cheeks were parted. His hungry lips descended over the rolling hills with his kisses and he tongued between them to eat the warrior up. He couldn't believe what his lust was making him perform in the man! The young brave drank in the warrior's salty skin and he stuck his nose deeper through the crack of his ass, his tongue tasting the musky man scent. It crazed him to greater heights of lust. So daring! He pulled Coyote Thief's cheeks apart so that he could stick his tongue into the man's hole. A wave of dizziness threatened him. He paused to catch his breath. From the light of the fire, Big Horn peered at what his hands had opened. Deep within the warrior's cheeks was his brown asshole. It seemed too small to take in the size of his hard cock but he knew that his own butt had been entered and seeded. Big Horn gathered his strength and continued his lusty exploration. His mouth lowered to the warrior's ass to bite over it. Their soft curves drew the brave's tongue inwards. The smelly hole was found again. An urgent throbbing came from his erection. It enflamed the brave to hurry his wet preparations so when enough spit was put in, he rushed to get his cock in there. Coyote Thief continued to sleep over his belly when the brave prepared to slip inside to fuck him. It began clumsily. Big Horn pointed his way in but the small hole resisted penetration. He tried another angle into the warrior's butt. The light from the fire was blocked by his chest so he couldn't see where the man's entrance was. Coyote Thief's cheeks were pulled open and another stab was made. A thrilling sensation came from the tip of Big Horn's cock. It was slipping through a warm, slimy tightness. A firm push inside fit his all. The sweet sensation from being in a butt was unbelievable. All of his curved length was stuck through the warrior's hole! Exciting tingles of lust raced through him. He began his thrusts. The tightness around his cock reminded him of having it sucked. Putting spit into the warrior made for a very slippery sensation that added to his intense sensation. Big Horn laid over the warrior's back to rest for a moment. He'd felt too close to cumming. Coyote Thief opened his eyes and yawned. He turned his head around to give Big Horn a weak grin. The brave smiled back before stabbing into his ass to fully awaken him. The old man gasped in pain. Seeing weakness from a five- feathered warrior put Big Horn into a frenzy. He moved his cock in and out of the man's butt as if he were striking him with a flint blade. Feathers pressed against the brave's face, proving that he was mounting a stronger man beneath him who could have resisted being raped if he wanted to. The warrior buried his face in the elk skin to hide his pain. He felt the brave's joy at taking him as if he were a squaw but it wasn't shameful. He'd not willingly submitted himself to another man since he was a boy of eleven in Snarling Bear's lodge. Rape at the hands of that Split Tribe warrior had hurt his pride but it had also felt good in a strange way. Like what Big Horn was doing to him now. He knew that he was truly Mahyee-na for feeling pleasure by getting dicked in his butt and what that accomplished: to be filled with seed from another man. Being male kept him from having a baby but he needed sperm! That was Coyote Thief's most shameful secret that no one had ever learned. Not even his new lover. He felt most completed when his body had cum put in it. Big Horn surrendered to his lust. He gripped the warrior's shoulders and stabbed him again and again with sexual fury. Coyote Thief endured it all. The brave's face was tickled by the man's eagle feathers, proving that it was a warrior he was attacking. Not only with lust but love from his heart as well. It joined their spirits. They were alike in their love of men! He was free to love those of his sex! The brave felt his cock tingling. He quickly released his held breath and gulped in another before blowing it out to trick his body into prolonging their mating. Too late... Big Horn felt his sperm's rising and he shot it true and sure into the warrior. Manly thrills rewarded his fleshy bow shot. He'd taken a willing man for his pleasure! Filled his butt up. A grayness filled Big Horn's eyes. He saw stars at the edge of his sight that warned him that he was fainting. The brave fought against it. The darkness didn't claim him as he panted over Coyote Thief's back. He stared at the dancing shadows in their tipi and smiled. This was now truly their home. Coyote Thief coughed below him. Big Horn summoned enough energy to pull out; he sat over the warrior's rear end while he recovered. It was a nice warm sensation - butt on butt. He felt a small trickle from his hole. The brave spread his knees to open his cheeks wide. He pushed a little... There came a thrilling head rush from knowing that their wet holes were touching, passing the seed put in him into the man below. A great weariness returned to Big Horn. He slid off the warrior's body and dropped to the elk skin onto his right side. He clutched his lover with much tenderness. They were now part of each other. The warrior's skin felt hot and clammy against him. Firelight danced over the man's dark back. The brave's eyes roamed lower to the sensual curving of the man and that made him grin in remembrance. He reached for Coyote Thief's ass. Patted its conquered softness - such pleasure had come from its tight entrance! The act had made a man out of him. Big Horn felt his lover's breaths against his right shoulder. He listened to the fire's crackling that was soothing, laying his head over the warrior's left shoulder to rest. The brave studied Coyote Thief's strong body that had been subdued from love. His own body had submitted to a man's need to love. It ached him. They were filled with each other and that brought a smile to the brave's lips. His eyes finally closed when sleep claimed him at last. Crying Loon stood at the edge of the wide muddy river. Behind him was loud drumming; men and women danced under the torch light. He smiled with excitement. No sleep for anyone this night! As an older boy, his mother gave him leave to join the celebration. A strange rite, the youth thought. Why did the People act happy if their efforts were to scare away an evil Trickster? He'd just come from the shaman's lodge where he'd drunk a bitter potion that offered him relief from his pained bladder. He didn't feel much like dancing. What drew the boy's eyes was a tipi far across the dark water. He knew that Big Horn was undergoing some kind of initiation from that enemy warrior. He could just make out the faint glow from their fire pit that lit their tipi up. What were those men doing together?! The boy didn't think Coyote Thief had a wife. Big Horn was also without the comforts of a squaw and it was known that men sometimes embraced their needs when on the warpath or out on a long hunt. They were always spending their days together. The nights, too! It didn't take much imagination to realize that something was going on between those two men. An erection sprang within Crying Loon's breechclout. He thought of crossing over to spy on their rite but feared that water spirits would take him under. Coyote Thief was a five-feathered warrior from an enemy tribe. Their People practiced strange rites and Big Horn was partaking of one this night. Was it something sexual? The boy thought so. He'd heard the shaman talking with Big Horn about it when they thought he was sleeping. And when the brave stood naked with him beneath the smoke hole, he revealed manly excitement that could have been for him. The boy's heart raced with excitement. He felt something for Big Horn as well. His head filled with quick images of them being together in the cat tails - sitting naked with each other in the mud, having stiff dicks and the brave's eyes filled with longing for him. Crying Loon gasped for breath. What he'd envisioned seemed more than imagination but something like a half- forgotten memory. The youth tried to remember... Nothing. He shrugged his shoulders in disappointment. Coyote Thief had likely taken away his chance to try for the brave's love anyway. Crying Loon felt very tense. He glanced over his shoulder at the rising bank to see if anyone was watching. He saw that the dancing went on while he stood in shadows. Good. The boy eagerly reached down to clutch his aching dick. He slowly beat over its foreskin, the front flap to his breechclout brushing against his knuckles. His eyes closed to dream... They stood together in the shaman's lodge undergoing a purification rite. Big Horn was close behind with his cock lifting against his butt. Crying Loon smiled when he felt its oozing between his cheeks. The man sprang to full erection. His strong hands kept hold of his shoulders. Surged. He felt the brave's cock rub against his butt for thrills while he handled his stiff pole. It was a kind of naked dance they performed together. The boy set his hand's pace to match the drum's rhythm: a quick beating towards climax. Crying Loon relished his imagining. He ignored the river's noisy churning at his feet and concentrated on the drumming that reminded him of the shaman's rattling. He and Big Horn stood naked and touching. He stuck his butt out more so the brave could rub against it for his pleasure, maybe even dare to stick in it! The boy was surprised by his strange thought. He recognized a secret desire in him that was tucked back into his heart. Thrills tingled along his stiff pole. His hand was bringing him close to squirting. Breaths were held, eyes kept tightly shut and he thought of Big Horn's hard body riding up against his backside... He heard the man's bearish grunt from release! It was actually Crying Loon's high-pitched cry of joy. With his free right hand, the boy lifted his front flap when his left hand made his dick shoot. He enjoyed the intense thrills from sperming. The pleasure felt good but it was short-lived, like sucking nectar from flowering Squaw Bells. Too brief a taste before the sweetness ended. The boy slowly opened his eyes. He dropped both hands to his side and breathed heavily, feeling relieved. There was a slight pain coming from his penis. He pressed over his bladder and felt dull aching coming from it. That old man's potion must not have taken effect yet, he realized. Crying Loon sighed. He adjusted his flaps to make sure that his body was properly covered before rejoining the others. His balls felt leaking from his shrinking pole. That made the boy grin. He walked into the torch light filled with dancing and the loud drums assaulted his ears. It made the ground shake! Some of the men gestured for him to join them. The youth stretched his arms and yawned in reply when making his way back to his parent's tipi. He felt sleepy but doubted that he would with all the noise. Willow Bird sat at the edge of his People's celebration. He didn't want to dance and he wasn't feeling sleepy. Crying Loon passed by him, yawning. He didn't even say hello. There were few kids to be seen anymore. The adults were singing and how happily they danced! Almost as if they'd won a great victory over their enemies and wanted to announce it. Song Bird danced at his father's side in a place of honor. He was even loaned an eagle's feather to wear in his hair. That made Willow Bird grin - so small a boy to display a warrior's proud head dress! He could make out the youth's high-pitched voice amongst the adult's singing. The drums were very loud. Their beat could be felt through his legs and it made his butt vibrate; a nice sensation. An erection sprang within his breechclout. He hid it with his left arm. The boy thought about Big Horn. Why wasn't his monedo celebrating with the others? As always, he was spending the nights with that enemy warrior in his tipi across the river. The days, too. That angered Willow Bird. He didn't want to admit that he was jealous. He simply missed the brave's company. Willow Bird shook his head when Holds Reins gestured for him to get up and dance with the other men. Disappointed, he returned to the warrior's circle. There were no feathers in that man's long hair yet he was much respected for his hunting abilities, especially for elk. The young brave was also a good dancer, the boy noticed. His frantic steps made his breechclout flap. Often, his brown butt was exposed that the youth found exciting to look upon. The front cloth was too firmly held by his thong belt to release his cock though. The drums continued to beat. Singing and chanting kept in rhythm to it. Willow Bird couldn't endure being excited any longer so he stood up, walking around the joyous throng in his way towards the river. He stepped down the sloping bank into darkness. His dick ached him. The boy looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching before he slipped a hand around his hard dick. Slow pulls were made of its foreskin. Willow Bird closed his eyes and dreamed. The churning river reminded him of what he'd done with Song Bird - how they'd stood together in a close embrace, erection pressed against erection with their hands reaching around for each other's slippery butts. The young boy's longing on his face had revealed love for him. Willow Bird knew that he loved Song Bird more than he was suppose to. They were boyhood friends who shared in many things but doing THAT was wrong. It had felt good though... The youth revealed his own male excitement that matched his, though being of smaller proportion because of his age. It had been a proving moment for them both. Their hard dicks touched and the boy had held his butt. Would they have consummated their love had those girls not laughed at them, breaking their tender moment together? He'd never know. An intense thrill warned Willow Bird that he was squirting. He didn't lift his front flap quickly enough. Pleasure exploded in his head for a brief, wonderful moment. The boy released a sigh of relief that might have been too loud. When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw someone standing on the bank. It took a moment before the boy he could make out that it was a young man: Tree Snake? The brave closed the distance between them. He stood only a little taller than Willow Bird though he was three years older than the boy. A greeting was given and shyly returned. The man smiled. He suspected what this youth had been doing with himself in the dark. Willow Bird felt caught. Though the darkness hid his body from view, he felt naked before the man. He startled some when Tree Snake gripped his right shoulder. "The drumming and dancing was too much for you?" he asked in a loud voice. The brave's right hand reached down to the boy's breechclout. "It can be very exciting to watch the People celebrating. Is that why you sought out the dark?" Willow Bird caught the man's meaning. He sheepishly shrugged his shoulders in reply. Something warned him about Tree Snake; a kind of feeling that he was in danger or something. "Hmm. Your body is wet in front," mused Tree Snake. His fingers gathered the sticky essence that he found within the boy's front flap. It excited him. Willow Bird felt the man's intrusion and backed away. He stumbled into the river's shallows feeling its icy grip over his feet. The brave kept his place on the bank. Blocking escape. It became an awkward moment for them both. "I didn't mean to startle you," said Tree Snake. "Though I've been named a man, there's no squaw to attend to my needs. I resort to relieving my lust in hand like the boys. There's no shame in that." Willow Bird slowly released his breath. He stepped out of the water and faced the brave, thinking that he should pass him and join into the dancing. He felt his right shoulder being gripped again. "You'll be named a brave next summer. Big Horn has taught you well. You may even attain the status of warrior before me! That would be a fine thing. War with the Spear-bearing Tribe will test all of us." "Do you think their warriors will attack?" asked Willow Bird. "Yes. They will come but when is the question no one can answer." Willow Bird felt the man's suppressed excitement from the way his hand gripped him. It made the tiny hairs lift on the back of the boy's neck in warning. His desire to return to the others became stronger. "It's difficult to remain only a brave many summers after being named a man," said Tree Snake softly. "Big Horn must feel the same. I think that we are alike in many ways... Tell me, Willow Bird. Has your monedo sought relief in your arms?" The boy was shocked by what Tree Snake had said. Yet his thoughts flew back to something exciting that he'd shared with Big Horn. It was when he'd returned from his five day survival test and stood naked with his monedo on the far bank after their swim. He dared to press the front of his body against the brave's. They'd grown excited together. He remembered seeing desire in the man's eyes for him that was being held back. Had Big Horn wanted to embrace him for male relief? Tree Snake grinned. He noticed the boy's silence and read that for what it meant. "There's no shame for it," he whispered. The man saw torch light reflecting in Willow Bird's eyes that had gone wide and unblinking. Quick were his next actions. The brave grasped their front flaps and lifted them before giving the boy a fierce hug. His arms locked around Willow Bird's shoulder blades to prevent escape. No struggle came from the youth. He obviously accepted what a man was offering him. Tree Snake urgently needed this boy's embrace! Willow Bird was stunned. He felt the man's arms gripping his upper back while below, their dicks met. The boy felt heat coming from Tree Snake's cock against his that didn't feel separated by breechclout flaps. It was exciting! He forgot his fear and allowed the brave's lusty embrace. Tree Snake buried his face into the boy's soft neck. He felt thin arms come around him with the reluctance of a girl's shy embrace. Below, his cock mashed against the boy's wet pole and surged. He rushed his left hand down the youth's sweaty back and slipped it under his rear flap to hold his butt. It felt soft. He pulled over the boy's rear end to stab the front of him. The man grunted with surprise when he came unexpectedly. Willow Bird felt the brave's cock throbbing against him. Their fragile moment was shattered when he realized what the man wanted from him. He managed to escape Tree Snake's arms. Anger consumed him because of the man's boldness. "Big Horn has never done that with me!" he blurted out. "Hmm. That surprises me," Tree Snake answered with a weary release of his breath. "A monedo is expected to teach his young charge things he'll need to know when becoming a man." The boy was lying to him, the brave surmised... Probably out of embarrassment. Willow Bird continued to glare at him. He feared that the youth was upset with him and would tell his monedo about it. "I have to go. As-a-crow is expecting to be relieved from guarding the upper river crossing." With that said, Tree Snake turned for the bank. Willow Bird watched the brave's hasty departure. Torch light revealed his body that was covered with the meager flaps a boy wore. Not a proper breechclout for a man, he realized. Did he still think of himself as a boy? Yet the bow case and quiver of arrows that covered his back proved he bore the responsibilities of a man. A thought struck him. He reached down to his front cloth and lifted it, fingering his pole that felt wet with a lot of sperm. More than what he'd squirted out. The boy gasped from a realization. Had Tree Snake exploded from his cock?! Willow Bird had to find out. He dropped to his back over the muddy bank, lifting his front flap to his belly. His left hand examined his sticky pole. Sperm was oozing down his belly that the boy knew hadn't come from his loins! He eagerly gathered some up. Lifting his hand to the torch light, he saw the man's thick seed covering his fingers which he brought down to his balls, empowering them with the man's strength. More cum was found pooled within the inner fold of his front cloth. It was greedily taken up by his fingers. The boy swirled manly essence over his immature loins. He felt strength returning to his pole when it lifted from his groin. Slippery pulls were made over its foreskin. Intense thrills! Willow Bird relished the male rite that would help his body grow. He forgot his anger towards Tree Snake. Willow Bird marveled that the man could shoot so quickly. He must have been in need or very experienced with performing with his cock. It had been done out of lust, the boy assured himself. There was no love between them from the act. The youth decided to keep the matter to himself. Big Horn would become upset if he'd learned that a man had taken advantage of him. A faint drumming beat was felt against Willow Bird's butt. It felt good. A trickle of sperm flowed down through his cheeks. He fingered his sticky balls a moment before daring to reach lower to his hole. It felt wet. An intense surge went through the boy's body. He pushed cum into his butt's entrance with a lusty gasp. 'He's inside me!' Willow Bird realized. He pushed his finger in some more until pain was felt. His dick throbbed. The boy rushed his left hand back to his erection and he beat it to death. No pretending was needed to send Willow Bird over the edge. He directed his strong gushing to his belly and sighed with contentment when it was done. The loud drumming filled his ears. He closed his eyes to rest. A boy's high-pitched voice awakened him. Willow Bird rushed to his feet, adjusting his front flap before greeting Song Bird. "Fallen asleep?" the boy asked with a giggle. "Come join into the dancing." Without even waiting for a reply, Song Bird grabbed his friend's right hand and led him back into the torch light. Far from the celebrating Kalinlepi, a naked man hugged the ground. He tried keeping warm in a pile of dead forest growth: dried leaves, sticks and clumps of dirt. He was permitted no clothes to protect his body from the cold. The fire ash that covered his skin helped but what completed his guise as a Trickster (when in human form) were the two red stripes over his butt. The young man of fifteen peered into the shadows to await His return. Sleep wouldn't come to him. The Dark Master was displeased and very angry at his discovery by the tribe he was to prey on. Their People even knew how to defend themselves! He would likely be punished. A trembling sigh escaped from his mouth. He felt very alone, wretched. Without a People to call out his name in friendship and no warm fire to sit beside in a tipi sheltering him from the cold. He could barely remember that he even had a mother and father. Becoming a Trickster put all that behind him. No hope even for love... An angry hiss came from the man. 'What need for that!' he scolded himself. Hatred and anger ruled his heart. By serving the Dark Master, he was given power over the weak and unsuspecting. How he hungered for sweet boys! Their butts were tight, so wiggly their soft bodies felt in his arms when innocence was taken from them before death. The Trickster rolled deeper into his forest bedding for warmth. He knew that sleep wouldn't come. His cock ached him. Lust was often wielded by him as a weapon to do evil but when there was no prey, he went without that kind of male pleasuring and the relief that followed. Where had his master gone? The man felt cold and very lost without His presence to guide him. Oh, yes. He was pursuing a loosened spirit that had spied on them here in the woods. He went in pursuit of that foolish brave. The same man of the Kalinlepi he was tasked to kill! The Dark Master had pulled out of his body in His haste so that He could severe Big Horn's life cord. Until His return, he was alone. Only a man without the guidance of Darkness. Doubt began filling the man's head. Not for the evil deeds he's committed against his tribe and the Kalinlepi... Those were pleasurable acts that proved his manhood against weaker men and boys. No. What he questioned was aligning himself with a formless spirit that merely used him as a tool. He was granted powers in return but always in service of the Dark Master. Even his thoughts were being bent towards His until there was no more of himself to remember. He tried recalling his name... He was a Trickster! But before that initiation into darkness, he was a boy of the Split Tribe who enjoyed walking in the sunlight. His only friend was a youth named... named? He couldn't remember! Yet that little boy cared for him. It had led to a sexual tryst that the whole tribe soon learned about. Great shame for him and his parents. His lust forced him to act against the elders' warnings and he... raped his little friend. They banished him from the tribe because of it. He wandered a long time, hoping death would find him. The Darkness found him instead. He was offered powers that allowed him to avenge the wrong done him by his tribe. The old men had subsumed to his hatred. Boys fed his great lust. He was a Trickster! A Darkness came into the man's head, driving away his fears and doubts to be replaced by a strong determination of will. The Trickster felt His power. It became a part of him in flesh and spirit. They were one. Rapid thoughts filled his mind. The Trickster accepted his master's wishes and was relieved that he wouldn't be punished. Within a heart beat, the Darkness was gone. The man breathed a sigh of relief. He would always remain in connection with Him (thus bestowing him powerful abilities) but now, his thoughts were his own again. The Trickster reviewed what he was expected to do for his Dark Master. Sadly, the Kalinlepi had discovered him so the Spear-bearing Tribe was his next target. They were led by a powerful and wise warrior/shaman named Snarling Bear. Caution was urged. The Trickster was to enflame their existing anger towards the Kalinlepi so they would go to war. No boys could be taken but a youth named Little Fox Eyes showed signs that he could be subverted. Likely through sex. If the boy proved worthy, he'd be initiated a Trickster. The Dark Master would grant that youth power few mortals could refuse. A harsh erection stood against the Trickster's groin. He reached down for it and thought of Little Fox Eyes, imagining how their male bodies would join in the venting of lust. He's gladly initiate the boy with sex rites. A taste of power would be given him so that he'd want to become like him - a Trickster that People feared! A warm gush flowed along the man's belly. So intense were his thoughts about power, of bringing fear to others and planning Little Fox Eye's subversion that he was barely aware that he came. His male body felt relief. That allowed the Trickster who was both twisted spirits and flesh to seek sleep. Morning would find him flying towards the Spear-bearing People as a large black crow. His mission: one of great evil. Coyote Thief awakened. He felt aching from his body but it was a sweet pain. Clutching his side as if never letting him go was his young brave. Ah, Big Horn! What a suggestive name, he thought. He'd felt this man's horn inside his butt and its sting would never leave him. That was a good thing. It made the warrior feel completion in a way nothing else ever could. The warrior's eyes adjusted to the darkness of their tipi. He saw that their fire had burned down to embers. More wood should be fetched to bring its warming spirit back to life but not yet. Coyote Thief didn't want to disturb his lover's sleep. He turned his eyes upon the handsome brave. Such a young, peaceful face he wore during slumber. Gone were its lines of tension and shy awkward eyes. His student had been set on the path of the Mahyee-na from his teachings and the old man knew that he would become a warrior one day. Coyote Thief smiled. He was glad to have saved this lost wandering spirit from the plains. Instead of collecting his scalp, something greater had been taken: Big Horn's heart. This young man had found the right path that was joined with his life's path. A good thing. Without his guidance, the brave would have preyed on his tribe's boys, been murdered or banished because of it. Even a worse fate could have been his... He'd been warned about that from his shaman, Snarling Bear. The Darkness-that-comes used uninitiated Mahyee-na males for His evil purpose. Big Horn stirred at his side, yawning, eyes opening with his lips forming a nice grin. He reluctantly pulled from his arms. Coyote Thief felt chilled. The brave left him and walked past the dying fire towards the door. What a firm butt he had! The brave slipped outside their tipi like a shadow. Big Horn felt a familiar aching from his cock. He walked a few steps from their tipi before pissing to the ground. Pai-alucia stood asleep, unaware of the brave's presence. Faint drummer was heard coming from across the river. There were People still dancing under the torch light. Not as many as before and no singing could be heard. Big Horn looked up at the stars. They told him how late it was in the night. A new morning was not that far away. He lowered his face to the ground with a grin, looking down at his cock with new eyes. It had performed as a man! His hand shook out the remaining drops from his cock before he turned back for the door. A few logs were carried in with him. Big Horn returned to the warmth of their tipi. A warrior looked at him from where he laid over his ground mat, smiling up at him, watching his every move that reminded the brave that he was naked. He enjoyed Coyote Thief's lusty attention. The logs were placed over the glowing embers. Eager strides brought him back into his lover's arms. "Ah, love you Big Horn!" "Jeh-eb, Contha-gwa!" answered the brave with words his warrior would understand. He laid over the old man and felt his back being firmly held. Their faces came together. A kiss. Big Horn hungered for more so their lips drank of each other's sweetness, becoming frantic with tongues sticking into each other's mouths. It ended when urgent breaths had to be taken. Big Horn's butt ached him. The warrior's left hand was clutching him there, stroking his cheeks like a man admiring a newly fashioned weapon. It enflamed his loins with male strength. He felt Coyote Thief respond to him. They returned to frantic kissing and felt over each other's bodies with hungry hands. A violent crunch of groin hair. He began stabbing his cock over the warrior's for more love making. "No, Big Horn!" warned Coyote Thief. When he saw the brave's startled expression, he tried forming words to explain it. "Ah, make rite. Pa-he-wat-che rite to make one love!" Big Horn didn't understand what a 'pa-he-wat-che' rite was until he remembered something Coyote Thief had said after they'd touched butts in the first rite of the Mahyee-na. He'd been told that they would bind their hearts to each other with a 'braided hair love/embrace'. Coyote Thief gestured that they were to get up. He did so reluctantly, his eyes falling to the man's body that revealed male excitement. Such a big cock! How did that manage to fit in his asshole, he wondered? The brave glanced down at himself. His curved length stood up proud against his belly. The warrior eyed it, his left hand rubbing over his butt as if remembering having it stuck in him. Coyote Thief's face turned serious. He picked up something from the ground and draped it over his right arm. Big Horn saw that it was a length of braided hair. He faintly recalled having a length of his hair cut by the warrior's shiny knife earlier that evening. 'You have been initiated Mahyee-na,' the warrior gestured. 'That part of your body (pointing at Big Horn's ass) may be given to other men but keep your cock for your lover!' With much reverence, Coyote Thief held up the braided hair to Big Horn. "Ah pa-he-wat-che to make us one love!" He stood closer to the brave, their hard cocks touching. The pa-he-wat-che was wrapped around them a few times. The old man tied his knot with much ceremony. His eyes shined in the building firelight when he brought up his hands for gesturing. 'I love thee and wish to take thee as my lover,' explained Coyote Thief. 'I will mate only with thee until we are parted by death. If you love me in like kind, take up the ends of our hair love/embrace and tie your knot over mine.' His eyes flared at Big Horn to complete their binding rite. Big Horn nodded. He felt tears of joy coming to his eyes when he reached down to their cocks. Coyote Thief put the braided ends to their pa-he-wat-che into his hands and waited. The brave tied his knot over the warrior's. He lifted his eyes with much pride filling them when he spoke his answering oath. "I love thee and accept thee as my lover until death parts us. Our knots of binding have been tied!" Coyote Thief could only understand some of Big Horn's words but he knew from the brave's shining eyes that he accepted the pa-he-wat-che rite that bound them to one another. He gripped the brave's upper arms and grinned. The brave held his arms. They stared into each other's eyes with love. Big Horn was struck by the similarity of Coyote Thief's rite to how a man in his tribe was bound to his squaw. The shaman attending them would tie the couple's hands together with a white thong after hearing their marriage oaths. It made sense that Mahyee-na men tied their cocks together instead. He felt the warrior's male throbbing against him. He tightened the muscles in his butt to get his cock to throb back. Their arms flew around each other's backs in preparation of consummating their new bond. Coyote Thief brought his young lover close to his chest. He felt their nipples hardening when their breasts rubbed. Big Horn's face pressed against his for a kiss. It was a sweet joining of their bodies from above and below. Big Horn was surprised to find himself thinking of a boy at that moment. He buried his feelings of love for Willow Bird deep in his heart, replacing what could have been in exchange for Coyote Thief's proven love. His spirit was freed because of it. He was following his own path and the boy could follow his own wherever it might lead him. Because of Coyote Thief, the brave could act as an honorable man without fear of reprisals from his tribe if he were to pursue boys. Something else was being achieved here. The shaman had said that binding this enemy warrior to him would ensure his loyalty to the Kalinlepi and make him forget that he was an enemy. The men swayed like two bound trees in the firelight. Their hands lowered to his companion's flexing butt and surged, directing their thrusting cocks towards explosion. Coyote Thief kissed Big Horn with the love that he had for the man's body, his tender heart and his unleashed spirit. They had become one. The growing flames licked at the logs and consumed them. Its light cast shadows onto the tipi walls that showed two men embracing. Loving. Moans of pleasure filled the lone tipi. Between breaths, they kissed each other often during their mating dance. At its climax, manly loins flowed to the other. Coyote Thief held his young brave and felt himself being held back as if never letting him go. Their rite of the pa-he-wat-che was completed. For nearly a handful of days, no one from the Kalinlepi saw Big Horn or Coyote Thief on their side of the river. Only the shaman, an old chief and his young son knew why. Crying Loon suspected what those men had done and he felt that his chance to win Big Horn for himself had been lost. Willow Bird ignored the new rumors being whispered about his monedo. He kept to his naive views that hid his feeling of love even from himself. On a warm sunny day, Big Horn took his warrior in hand across the river to his tribe. He wanted to shout out to everyone that they had become lovers! But the brave knew that few would accept that. He would have to guard his emotions when facing his People. Some might suspect what he'd been doing with Coyote Thief those handful of days when they'd kept to their tipi so he didn't want to strengthen any rumors. The brave stepped onto the bank with a plain face. Big Horn noticed a trodden circle around the tipis, reminding him of his People's celebration that was to scare off the Trickster. Their own tipi had been protected in a similar fashion. Had that evil spirit been driven away, he wondered? A group of boys ran up to them with cheerful grins. They hooted at Coyote Thief. One boy would only stare at the warrior. Was that envy he saw on Crying Loon's face? Big Horn didn't know but he realized that by bonding himself with this man, it denied any chance for the boy to win his heart. No longer would he be tempted to embrace him out of lust. He gestured for his companion to head for the chief's tipi. People waved in greeting when they made their way through camp. Many smiled, leading Big Horn to believe that they knew what had transpired between them. It left the brave with mixed emotions. Joy, yes. But it was an awkward sensation that any newly married man probably felt. A trio of women noisily exited the chief's tipi upon their arrival. It was the chief's wives with a young woman. Their voices turned to shy whispers. Big Horn let them pass by before announcing his name at the doorway. He heard a gruff voice inside bid him to enter. The brave pushed on the door flap with Coyote Thief following close behind him. It took a moment for Big Horn's eyes to adjust to the dark. There was no fire going; it was a warm day. Light streaming down from the tipi's smoke hole revealed two men sitting together: the chief and Light-in-his-steps. The young woman who had just left was that warrior's wife. "Come join us," asked the chief. He took another long draw from his pipe before offering it to Coyote Thief as was expected for a guest. After the old warrior took a puff, he handed it to Big Horn to smoke from. The brave managed not to cough. When Big Horn reached out to Light-in-his-steps with the pipe, he noticed a stack of folded animal skins at the warrior's side. Many shell necklaces were piled on top. It appeared that they were gifts having come from the chief. Light-in-his-steps accepted the pipe but his eyes were on Coyote Thief. They didn't reveal hatred for the man but displayed an emotion Big Horn couldn't fathom. The warrior smoked. He handed the pipe back to his chief with a nod of thanks. "Ah, Big Horn. You've finally stuck your head out of your tipi in time to bid Light-in-his-steps a safe journey back to the Moss-bowl Tribe." Big Horn turned from his uncle to face Light-in-his-steps with surprise. "You're returning to your wife's tribe so soon?" he asked. "I thought that wasn't until the Fall Moon." Light-in-his-steps sighed. "That is usually so, Big Horn but my wife is restless to rejoin her family. Every day she asks when we will make the trip so I have decided to give my ears a rest." Big Horn nodded with a grin. "I wish you and your family a safe journey." Light-in-his-steps smiled. His eyes glanced at the chief a moment before he looked deep into Big Horn's eyes when uttering his request. "Ah. I would ask if you would accompany me on this journey. Your uncle feels that an escort might be necessary in these troubled times. I know that my wife would feel safer. All the other warriors and brave are busy guarding our camp or have families to attend to. The Moss-bowl People are friendly and you could trade for their fine clay pots." Big Horn remembered that his father had gifted mother with a decorated clay pot after his trip to the Moss-bowl Tribe. It had been a fine gift. He'd never traveled to their mountain home but often thought about doing so. "The shaman thought it would be a good thing to do," added the chief. "If you go, he has something for you to carry from him to their tribe's shaman named Deep-roots-that-whisper. He is too old to make the trip himself." Big Horn knew that his uncle wanted him to go. He turned to Coyote Thief and quickly gestured what had been asked of him. His lover slowly nodded with approval. Yet the longing he saw in the man's eyes pained the brave's heart. They would be separated for nearly a moon! He turned to Light-in-his-steps with a plan forming in his head. "I will be happy go with you," announced Big Horn, "and in keeping with my obligation unto Coyote Thief and my tribe, he must come with us." The brave gave Light-in-his-steps a stern look that told him it was a condition he'd have to accept. The warrior didn't expect to hear such a thing from Big Horn. He turned to Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others in the hope that he could get him out of this awkward situation. The old man only grinned. He handed his pipe to the startled warrior and Big Horn gestured to Coyote Thief what he'd said. 'It would be good to visit with the Moss-bowl People again,' gestured Coyote Thief. Light-in-his-steps caught what the warrior had told Big Horn. 'You have been to their mountain?' he asked with quick hands. 'Yes. In my youth, our People's shaman took me there and I saw the wonders of their cloud-touching village with its huge wooden lodge, of skilled pot craftsmen and how they tamed flocks of short white animals they use for food and in the spinning of their hair to make warm garments.' The warrior's description of his wife's tribe was accurate but it surprised Light-in-his-steps. 'I didn't know that your People traveled so far.' Coyote Thief gave him a toothy grin. 'There was a time when my People met with all the other tribes in peace. Only in this generation of our children has war come down on us all. A war that has brought little honor to anyone but caused much suffering. You know why I came to live with the Kalinlepi!' Light-in-his-steps knew. Everyone remembered Big Horn's account of meeting with Spear-bearing warriors on the plains and how he was allowed to leave in peace. A moon later, Coyote Thief came to their camp and asked the chief for sanctuary since his heart had tired of war. Big Horn watched the play of emotion on his tribesman's face. Light-in- his-steps revealed doubt and much suspicion for Coyote Thief. The old chief seemed to ignore it all. He smoked from his pipe and sat with his head resting over his chest, almost as if he were going to sleep. "I am undergoing training from Coyote Thief," Big Horn explained to help sway Light-in-his-steps' decision. "To travel with you to their mountain, make a proper visit and return home would take nearly a moon. Bringing Coyote Thief along would add to our party's strength and I can continue learning from him the skills I'll need to become a warrior." Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others stirred from his rest. He saw that Light-in-his-steps was still in doubt. Not by his nephew's sincerity but in the enemy warrior's motives. Would he uphold his vows of peace unto the Kalinlepi? Light-in-his-steps had a pretty wife to guard from harm and two young sons. The chief knew that all this was being weighed by him. A wristlet worn by Coyote Thief caught the chief's eye. He recognized it. His brother had given it to his son with the hope that it would be gifted to his wife on their wedding night. What Big Horn had told him was proving true. He really loved that enemy warrior. Light-in-his-steps gave the chief a troubled glance. He was in need of his council. The old man smiled. He kept his voice to a whisper when pointing at Coyote Thief's right hand. "Is that not your father's wristlet, Big Horn? The one you were to give your bride?" Big Horn felt stunned. His hands paused from gesturing their conversation to Coyote Thief so that he could glean his uncle's intent. An insult towards him? No. He saw Light-in-his-step nod his head with mused understanding. His eyes lit up. "Yes. It was my fathers..." Big Horn answered in a whisper. Anger filled him because of his embarrassment. He turned to his uncle with strength returning to his voice. "Coyote Thief is worthy to be given it!" Light-in-his-steps nearly gasped. He turned to his chief and read the truth of what he'd heard in the old man's eyes. Big Horn took Coyote Thief's right hand into his own. No gesturing was needed to explain to him what the Muddy River men had been discussing. Light-in-his-steps made his decision. "I would welcome having the two of you guarding my family," he announced in an even voice. "That is a good decision," said Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others. "Keep what you have learned about my nephew to yourself." Light-in-his-steps nodded. He took the folded animals skins and necklaces in hand before getting to his feet. "I'll strike my tipi tomorrow morning." With eyes that wouldn't look at Big Horn, he turned from the sitting men and left the tipi. The chief tried drawing smoke from his pipe but discovered that all its tobacco had been burned. He took that as an omen. "You likely have things to do in preparation of your trip, Big Horn and needn't waste your time talking with an old man." Big Horn smiled. "Your age has only given you wisdom, uncle. I don't consider it an ill use of my time to sit at your side and try gleaning some from you." "Ha! I think there's another man you'd rather be spending your time with. Go, Big Horn. It has been a long morning and I miss being fussed over by my two wives." Big Horn took his warrior in hand and led him to the doorway. From behind, he heard the chief calling out to him. "End that silliness here, my nephew! And remember to visit with the shaman since he has something for you to do for him." Big Horn let go of his lover's hand. He gave his uncle a shy glance before stepping outside the tipi. Coyote Thief was amused. He had caught some of their conversation. What he read from the brave's face more than made up for what he lacked by not understanding all their words. Coyote Thief almost had to run to keep up with his brave when they rushed through camp. The shaman's lodge came in sight. He heard Big Horn call out his name at the door. Big Horn answered the shaman's greeting and entered. He went to sit with the old man. Coyote Thief stood within the doorway, feeling unwelcome. "You are going to the Moss-bowl Tribe with Light-in-his-steps?" "Yes. And Coyote Thief will also be traveling with us," Big Horn answered. That brought a sharp glance from the shaman. He hadn't expected that. "Hmm. Light-in-his-steps would have that enemy warrior come along?" he asked. Big Horn nodded. "My uncle agreed. He said that you need me to carry something from you to Deep-roots-that-whisper." "Yes. That is so." The shaman reached for a tied bundle and handed it to Big Horn with much reverence. "Give this to the Moss-bowl's shaman personally and tell him these words: 'The fatherless boy will come of age next summer. I believe him to be the One who will protect us from darkness. This bundle contains the things he'll need for his initiation into manhood so bless it with the Light from our Father.' Can you remember all that, Big Horn?" "I will give him your words," answered Big Horn. "Tell me, shaman. Do you speak of Willow Bird?" The shaman looked deep into Big Horn's eyes before answering. "He may be. Keep my words only for Deep-roots-that-whisper!" "I swear that I will keep it so," Big Horn vowed. His hands tightened around the bundle as if it contained the fate of their entire tribe. The shaman sighed to himself. He felt that a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He noticed that Coyote Thief had been keeping his eyes away from where they sat to lend them a measure of privacy. It made the old man feel badly about his treatment of the Spear-bearing warrior. A fine wristlet that Coyote Thief wore caught the shaman's attention. His eyes widened, causing Big Horn to turn his head at the standing warrior to find its cause. "That's all I needed from you, Big Horn. See that Light-in-his-steps and his family reach the Moss-bowl Tribe. Enjoy your visit with them and I expect your return in a moon or so." Big Horn nodded. He stood up and gave the shaman his farewell before pushing Coyote Thief out the door. The tied bundle was kept safe in the crook of his right arm. He was glad that his lover didn't ask him about it. 'Let us return to our tipi,' gestured Big Horn. 'We leave for the Moss- bowl Tribe in the morning.' Coyote Thief nodded. He walked at the brave's side when they made their way back to the river. People waved to Big Horn and much to his surprise, a few smiles were even offered to him. A boy rushed up to them. He faced Big Horn and spoke many words that Coyote Thief didn't understand. The youth was Willow Bird, he realized. A fatherless boy that his lover was training to become a brave. The boy acted like he'd already learned that his monedo was soon to be off on a trip and his blazing eyes revealed anger mixed with longing. Big Horn spoke softly in return. Coyote Thief could hear his pleading and there was something interesting coming from the brave's eyes for the boy. It was a kinder emotion than what he'd revealed for that naked youth they had come across in the cat tails. It surprised the old warrior that his heart felt jealous. He had bound himself to Big Horn and knew that the brave would remain true to him. The boy would have his chance after he was gone. Willow Bird was like an unripened fruit that the brave could wait another day before plucking from the branch. Big Horn continued walking towards the river. Willow Bird followed, his words were slower now so Coyote Thief could make a few out. It seemed that the boy wanted to come along. Something about needing more training and that a trip to the Moss-bowl Tribe would be an exciting adventure for him. The brave said something about his mother, having to take care of her. That caused the boy's pleading to end. They walked down the sloping bank and entered the river. Big Horn turned a moment to return Willow Bird's farewell. Coyote Thief wasn't surprised when he saw the boy embrace his monedo. Fiercely. At its ending, the youth had sad eyes. Big Horn's face revealed a longing that he tried to hide. It was like watching two torn pieces of honeycomb hoping to be stuck back together again. Coyote Thief lifted the ends to his breechclout when they crossed the shallows. Big Horn kept his front end lifted while holding the tied bundle high from the water in his right hand. The warrior eyed his lover's nakedness, amused that he was seeing the brave's 'horn' in its diminished state instead of being filled with male power he'd enjoyed during their honeymoon. His butt looked tense. The cheeks flexed with each of Big Horn's strides and goose bumps covered his legs because of the cold water. They reached the middle of the river when Big Horn paused to rest. He stood over a sandbar. Coyote Thief noticed the brave glancing back at a boy who stood on the bank. Longing crept back onto his face. When he noticed the warrior's eyes on him, he tried masking it with a frown. "My legs are cold," Big Horn complained. Coyote Thief laughed. He stepped closer to the brave with his hands reaching down to rub over his wet legs. It was a long massage. The warrior's hands lifted and he playfully pulled on the man's cock. Big Horn glanced at the far bank to see if that boy was still watching them. Willow Bird had gone, Coyote Thief noticed with relief. He saw that Big Horn was guarding his face from revealing anything further. It pained the warrior that his lover thought that was necessary. 'My legs are better now,' gestured Big Horn. 'When we return to our tipi, you will get your turn being massaged!' Coyote Thief only nodded his head. His heart was aching him. So much so that he felt the need to get this troubling matter out in the open. The warrior took Big Horn's hands into his own. He stared into the brave's eyes to show his love for him before saying the thing he knew that his brave was trying to hide from him. "You love Willow Bird." Big Horn's eyes widened with fear. He turned his face towards the far bank and shook his head. His mouth opened but no words came out. Coyote Thief let go of the brave's hands. Not in anger but to gesture what he needed to tell his troubled lover. 'I know what is in your heart, Big Horn. You can't deny what it tells you even when its conflicting direction gives your head trouble. There is no harm to feel love for Willow Bird unless you permit its expression before the proper moon has come...' "I've never been with him that way!" shouted Big Horn. He turned from Coyote Thief and streaked through the water to get away from him. The warrior sighed. He chased after the young brave across the shallows and found him stalking around their tipi. When he gripped the man's shoulder, Big Horn flung out his left arm. His hand struck Coyote Thief in the face. Pai-alucia lifted his head from the grass he'd been munching and released a nervous whinny. Coyote Thief forced his anger to cool. He knew that Big Horn's strike had been an accident. His right hand reached down to the brave's trembling hand and he brought it up to kiss it. He felt the brave gently stroke the place on his face that had been struck. 'Let us put this matter behind us,' asked Coyote Thief. Big Horn sighed. 'No. What you have said was true and before you won my love, I thought of revealing my heart to Willow Bird. How I longed to love him as we have! But the boy isn't ready.' Coyote Thief nodded his head. 'That is true. I know you love me, Big Horn and that has allowed me to pass Snarling Bear's Grandfather side of Mah Nayee from him into you that will culminate in Willow Bird. My son will pass the Grandmother side of Mah Nayee to the boy next summer.' Big Horn stared at the warrior. 'What is Mah Nayee? I don't understand that gesture.' Coyote Thief's face turned serious. 'Mah Nayee is love from our Father that empowers His shamans with the Light.' Big Horn remembered the tied bundle being held in his right hand. The shaman had spoken something similar about Willow Bird. What was the boy expected to do for his People. Become their next shaman? 'The Darkness-that-comes uses uninitiated Mahyee-na males as His evil tools; they become Tricksters who strike out from the shadows.' 'I have been initiated Mahyee-na,' gestured Big Horn. 'What am I expected to do?' Coyote Thief took the troubled brave into his arms. "Love me," he whispered into Big Horn's left ear. The warrior realized that he'd spoken too soon about what their secret society was all about. It was more than a brotherhood of loving men. Initiation into the Mahyee-na prevented such men from being subverted to evil. Pai-alucia returned to munching grass. He didn't notice when the two men slipped into their tipi and he ignored the lusty moans that came from within. The next morning, Coyote Thief arose early to pack his horse. He tied two filled water skins, his weapons and some ground mats to the stallion's back. A heavy fog obscured his sight of the sleeping tipis across the river. He returned inside. Deer meat soup was heated over the fire pit. Big Horn was awakened by its attractive aroma and the two men ate in silence. The brave didn't need to prepare much for the journey. He only had Coyote Thief's tomahawk that had been dropped to the plains and his father's spear for weapons. That concerned the warrior. He knew they were useful for the hunt but a knife would be needed if Big Horn faced an enemy warrior in combat. He looked for an old flint blade that was in one of the bundles he'd brought from his tribe but as he was about to hand it to his lover, an idea struck him. The shiny metal blade was untied from his thong belt. 'For me?!' asked Big Horn when the warrior gave him his Wa-ha knife. Coyote Thief nodded. 'Accept this token of my love.' 'It too fine a thing for me,' answered Big Horn. 'I would take your flint blade instead.' 'No. I want you to have this!' The warrior watched Big Horn slowly close his hand around the metal knife and tie it to his thong belt. 'You have given me your father's wristlet so this is my gift for you.' Coyote Thief left their tipi with the few remaining things he needed to pack on his horse. Big Horn looked down at himself with awe. Tied to his waist was his sacred bundle on the right side and a real weapon on his left. It made him look like a warrior! He stepped outside, tying the thongs to their tipi's door flap before joining his lover. They crossed the river with Pai-alucia being led in hand. At its middle, they stood a moment over a sandbar. Fog swirled around their shivering forms. Coyote Thief smiled. He drew Big Horn into his arms so they could kiss one last time. They both knew that their journey would afford them little opportunity to be together as lovers. The stallion grunted nervously. He kicked up water with his right foreleg and muzzled Coyote Thief. The warrior ignored his pleas. Pai-alucia wanted to get across the river so he strained against his reins to reach the other man. Big Horn felt the horse's cold nose against his butt. It startled him from his lover's arms. 'It will be a very long moon,' Big Horn complained after they had parted. Coyote Thief shook his head. 'There are men at the Moss-bowl Tribe who will welcome having us as guests. Only relieve their lust in hand, your mouth or in your butt. Spend your cock's expression of love only in my arms!' Big Horn was confused. 'We can give ourselves to other men?' 'Yes. When Snarling Bear took me to the Mountain People, we slept in a different lodge every night! I watched him embrace young men who didn't have squaws to attend their needs. And although I was only a boy, a few braves took me into their arms to teach me about love. That is what we of the Mahyee-na brotherhood are expected to provide unto lonely men.' The idea of having sex with other men excited Big Horn, especially since they were not from his tribe to cause him any embarrassment. Yet a pang of jealousy gripped the brave's heart. He didn't want to think of his lover spending the nights in someone else's arms or submitting himself to getting fucked by other men. That was his joyous task. Coyote Thief noticed his lover's distress. 'We will have many nights to be together,' he assured Big Horn. 'I will only love you! My heart is yours and I know that you'll keep your heart only for me. But we are Mahyee-na. We give sexual pleasure to needing men and how exciting it will be to get our bodies filled with their seed!' Big Horn's tense face broke into a grin. He saw his lover's excitement and shared in it. Coyote Thief tugged on his stallion's reins and they stepped back into the cold water from where they'd been standing. They reached the far bank shivering. It was too early in the morning for anyone to be about. Big Horn led his lover to Light-in-his-steps' tipi. The warrior was already outside packing his horse. He greeted the two men. At his side, a young woman scolded her two sons to behave. Pony Tail was tickling his brother's butt with a hawk's feather and that had Pony Ear running around the horses. Coyote Thief saw that the boys were twin brothers of around ten years of age. Very cute youths. When Pony Tail came near Big Horn with his feather 'weapon', the brave scooped him up from the ground. The youth tried kicking free. He enjoyed feeling the boy's warmth in his arms that reminded him of Willow Bird at that age - so full of energy! Morning-star nodded her thanks. Her expression turned hard when Coyote Thief came to stand with the young brave. She obviously didn't relish having the enemy warrior accompanying them on their journey. Morning-star tied closed the thongs to her husband's tipi. The squaw clutched the elk skins of her Kalinlepi home a moment before turning away. She knew that they'd be spending the winter in a lodge of tree bark that would keep her family warm. How she longed to be with her kin again! Mt. Moy had been her childhood home until a handsome young warrior came from the Kalinlepi to take her hand in marriage. Their happy union had given them two sons. Light-in-his-steps lifted Pony Tail onto a brown mare. Big Horn put Pony Ear behind his brother. Morning-star took up the horse's reins and followed behind her husband. Big Horn led Pai-alucia. The mare snorted. She didn't like having an unfamiliar stallion behind her and threatened to kick. Coyote Thief gestured to the brave that he should bring his horse up to walk alongside of the gelding Light-in-his-steps was leading. "I would keep the stallion away from my mare," asked Light-in-his-steps. "She's showing signs of being in heat." Big Horn nodded his understanding. He noticed Pai-alucia's bright eyes and how his nose sniffed the air. The gelding nickered a friendly greeting to his companion. Their backs were heavily packed but that didn't in any way subdue the burst of energy both horses demonstrated when they surged past the tipis with quick strides. The men had to keep a tight hold of their reins. Coyote Thief took up a guarding position in back. He didn't need Big Horn's gesturing to know what troubled the mare. Her tail lifted, often swishing over her rump with sexual excitement. Pai-alucia let go an answering shrill of frustrated male tension. That was sure to awaken some of the Muddy River People from their slumber, the warrior realized. The brothers clung to each other. It was a cool morning but the mare was providing for a bumpy ride. It took all of Morning-star's strength to keep her horse in check. The woman decided to put some distance between the pack horses and herself. She felt the enemy warrior's presence behind but kept herself from glancing back at him. Light-in-his-steps took to the river path that ran along the bank. They went with the current's direction, passing the stand of grass Willow Bird was known to fetch for the tribe's horses and the thick cat tails came and went. Fog swirled over the churning water. Its ghostly fingers reached across their path that brought a morning's chill to the travelers. Behind them, Father Sun could be dimly seen rising in His sky. Everyone hoped that His Heated Hand would soon dispel the fog and provide a warm day for walking. No advance scouting was needing on their first day out. It was known that friendly tribes would allow their passage along the river path. Everyone kept an eye out though. Light-in-his-steps paused from time to time looking for fresh tracks of horses or men. He found none. They decided not to stop for lunch. Father Sun was at the height of His sky and the day had indeed turned pleasant. The three horses burst with energy so the travels walked on, eager to reach the foot of the mountain brothers that would come by the third day. Coyote Thief traded places with Big Horn. He led Pai-alucia behind Light-in-his-steps and talked to his stallion with words of the Spear-bearing People. Morning-star hid her distain. Big Horn grew tired of looking at the mare's brown butt so he walked at the squaw's side. Morning-star welcomed the brave's company. She filled him in on occurrences with the Kalinlepi that Big Horn had missed by spending so much time across the river with Coyote Thief; small things that women spent their days gossiping about. The man tried hiding his embarrassing smile. He was glad that the woman didn't ask how he'd spent his days (and nights) with the enemy warrior. The two boys became restless. Morning-star often had to scold them to remain on the horse but after enduring a lengthy complaining, she relented by taking Pony Ear into her arms. Big Horn carried Pony Tail. The brave hid his feelings of attraction towards the youth with his soft butt wiggling in the crook of his right arm, both from his mother and himself. It was a difficult struggle. He longed to trade places again with Coyote Thief. "Are you going to earn your warrior's feather soon?" asked Pony Tail. Big Horn smiled. "That's a thing all braves strive to achieve." "I heard that Coyote Thief is helping him with that," said Pony Tail with a sly grin. "And in return, Big Horn sleeps in his arms!" Morning-star gasped with surprise. She yelled at her sons to behave but knew that the unspoken thing was out in the open. Her eyes wouldn't look at Big Horn, much to his relief. The boy in his arms had become a heavy burden. Morning-star continued walking at the brave's side in awkward silence. But that didn't last long. Her conversation turned to Coyote Thief much to the brave's woe with him answering questions about the enemy warrior. She knew why the man had left his tribe to seek peace with the Kalinlepi. What she wanted to know was why Big Horn had convinced his uncle to accept him. She feigned ignorance about their true relationship. Perhaps to draw the brave into admitting their male love that would be used by the woman for gossiping. She showed genuine curiosity. That didn't lower Big Horn's guard though. He would only say that he'd sought out Coyote Thief to learn his warrior's ways, to hear about a different People that wasn't unlike Morning-star's experience by living with her husband's tribe. Light-in-his-steps overheard their conversation. He rescued Big Horn by offering the brave to lead his pack horse so that he could spend time with his wife and two sons. Coyote Thief came to his lover's side. He noticed the troubled look on the brave's face that pained the old man's heart. 'I be glad when we reach the Moss-bowl Tribe,' gestured Big Horn. Coyote Thief nodded with understanding. 'It will be a good thing. You can strengthen your true self there so that you'll return to your own People with a proud manly stance.' Big Horn smiled. He knew that Coyote Thief was able to read him well from his face's display and what he was feeling deep inside himself. Without any shame, the brave reached out for his lover's waist to hold him close. They walked ahead in silence. Towards what the future would bring them. Father Sun was half-way down the height of His sky when they reached a fork in the river. It was an expected point in their travel that would allow them safely across because of the water's diminished flow. Big Horn was in front leading the gelding with Coyote Thief following with Pai-alucia. Light- -in-his-steps led the brown mare carrying his two sons and his wife. They reached the far bank without incident. The three men wrung out water from their breechclouts while the squaw and her sons smiled down at them from their dry position over the mare. Morning-star dropped from the horse and fetched food and water for everyone. The boys were eager to stretch their legs. "We'll camp here," announced Light-in-his-steps. "Tomorrow, we follow the western branch of the river that we've crossed until it bends to the north." Big Horn gestured this to Coyote Thief. He faced Light-in-his-steps with concern and asked, "Where is the Split Tribe?" "Their camp is a quarter day's journey away if we were to follow the river southwest to the second branch. They keep to their side of the river and rarely venture to these woods." Big Horn didn't feel assured. He didn't want to encounter their split tribesmen and test the uneasy truce. And how would he explain Coyote Thief? Morning-star offered food to Big Horn and his companion. The men hungrily chewed down their dried sticks of venison and drank water from a filled bladder that had been dropped at their feet. The squaw saw to her husband's needs and the boys ate last with their mother. Light-in-his-steps asked Coyote Thief to help him scout out the area. Big Horn remained with Morning-star to help her with setting up their night camp. It was late summer. Only ground mats would be needed when they slept because of the warm days that only turned into cool nights requiring no shelter to be constructed over their heads. Blankets might be necessary. They had plenty of deer and elk hides that the chief had provided as trade goods for when they reached the Moss-bowl Tribe. The two boys scouted out the area as if they were warriors but remained within sight of their mother. Fresh raccoon tracks were discovered. Pony Tail followed them down into the woods until Morning-star chased after him. Pony Ear giggled at his twin when he was forcibly brought back to camp by his mother's grip of his arm. That started a fierce wrestling match. Big Horn was surprised by the twin's unusual display of hostility towards each other. "We could use your help!" the brave asked to break up the fight. His plea wasn't enough so he had to drag the boys apart. Pony Ear was eager to help but Pony Tail stood glaring at Big Horn because of his interference. The brave ignored his anger. He had the twins water the horses while he secured their reins to two posts that he stuck into the dirt on opposite sides of their camp; Pai-alucia was kept from the mare. The heavy packs they'd been carrying were piled over the ground. Weapons were kept within easy reach. The two warriors returned. No signs of men were found in the woods but fresh deer tracks had been seen; they were ignored since they had enough meat. A tribe might also claim these forests as their hunting grounds. They only needed to spend the night here before continuing their journey in the morning. No fire was made. It wasn't needed for cooking or to keep them warm; they didn't want to risk having anyone smelling its smoke that would have given their presence away. Light-in-his-steps set up ground mats for himself and his wife in the middle of camp. The boys would sleep close to the horses. Coyote Thief positioned his ground mat on the far side of camp and Big Horn would sleep at a point opposite from him, just within the woods to act as look-out. Night fell. Only Light-in-his-steps used a blanket to cover himself with his wife. The boys held each other for warmth while Coyote Thief and Big Horn laid over their mats. Weapons were kept close at hand. Everyone knew that the horses would be keen to anyone trying to approach but Big Horn tasked himself with keeping watch for half the night. He was relieved by his lover when the moon had risen above the stars. The lovers embraced in the dark. They even dared to kiss with their hands roaming low to feel over his companion's butt longing to be taken in love making. Coyote Thief had to gently push his brave away. Big Horn went to sleep over his lover's mat while the warrior took up his position in the woods. It proved a long and lonely night for Coyote Thief. He watched the moon's slow descent, thinking back to a People that he'd left behind in the plains. He missed their night fires that had filled the air with pleasant smoke. No more would the familiar hands of his friends be raised to him in greeting. He was an outcast. Not even his lover's People accepted him. Soft footsteps startled Coyote Thief from his sad musings. The warrior reached for his spear and he peered through the dark for intrusion that could be a war party's stealthy approach. He heard pissing. A soft giggle assured him that it was only the boys' need to relieve themselves. The moonlight revealed their small forms huddling around a tree. Pony Tail welcomed his brother's handling of his dick that would make it grow long under his front flap. He reached in for Pony Ear's erection and he rubbed over its stiff foreskin. It was a game they often played with each other late in the night. After feeling good from pissing, they carried that pleasure over to masturbation. Coyote Thief let go of his spear. He slowly rose from the ground and stood along a slim willow tree to see what delayed the youths from returning to their mats. He smiled. The front of two small breechclouts shook from the revealing action taking place under them. The man enjoyed watching the young boys playing a common game with each other. His cock stirred with lust. Like a shadow, Coyote Thief drew closer to the twins. He rounded a pine and came to their side unnoticed. Pony Tail had his tongue stuck out, eyes closed. His brother panted like a dog because of the thrills his pole was giving him. The warrior thought about reaching into his breechclout to handle his aching cock but feelings of guilt kept him from it. He only wanted to release when in Big Horn's arms. Pony Ear gasped with surprised. He let go of his brother's erection and faced the warrior's unexpected intrusion. Pony Tail quickly dropped his naughty hand at his side with a frown. Before Coyote Thief could do anything, the boys took off. He listened to their quick rabbit's feet running towards the horses. That spooked them. Light-in-his-steps flew from his wife's arms to see what was the matter. Harsh scolding followed. The boys were returned to their ground mats and Light-in-his-steps sat with them for a while until they had gone to sleep. Wearily, the warrior returned to his wife. Coyote Thief noticed that Big Horn had slept through it all. Morning's light slowly grew in intensity from the east. Coyote Thief staggered to where Big Horn laid over his ground mat and awakened him. He gestured his plea for more sleep. It would only be a short rest, the brave realized. He saw the warrior drop to his mat. Sleep came to him quickly. He softly stepped through their camp to take up a guarding position in the woods, yawning. Big Horn watched the colors of the trees turning bright green with the coming of morning. Birds sung their happy songs. All three horses lifted their heads and nickered to each other. The twins rose from the ground mats. Their high-pitched voices awakened their parents but Coyote Thief remained asleep. Morning-star pulled from her husband's arms and half-crawled towards the trees where she vomited. Light-in-his-steps didn't appear surprised. He fetched a water skin and helped his sick wife drink from it. Big Horn stood up with stiff legs. He rolled up his ground mat and took his father's spear in hand before walking into camp. When the squaw recovered, she busied herself with morning tasks. Big Horn accepted the stick of jerky handed to him. He hungrily chewed down its length with his eyes ever on Coyote Thief. The brave decided not to awaken him. He knew that his warrior would rather sleep for a while longer than to eat. Besides, he preferred soup in the morning to dried venison. Light-in-his-steps noticed. He packed the horses quietly and enlisted the help of his sons. Big Horn packed Pai-alucia. Only when they were ready to break camp was Coyote Thief awakened. He was surprised to see that everyone was in readiness to depart. Morning-star gave the yawning warrior a stick of jerky to eat. He gestured his thanks to the woman, joining Big Horn with sleepy eyes. His yawns kept coming. Light-in-his-steps took up the lead with his packed gelding and Big Horn led Pai-alucia, following behind. The squaw tugged at her horse's reins. She noticed that the mare was reluctant to follow the brave's stallion, especially with two energetic boys bouncing over her back. They continued following the river trail. Father Sun's golden Head rose above the trees towards noon. Light-in-his-steps asked Big Horn and Coyote Thief to scout on ahead. He tied Pai-alucia's reins to his gelding. His wife continued leading the mare carrying their two sons. With a spear in hand, Coyote Thief kept within the line of trees while Big Horn walked down the river path. They both examined the ground for tracks. Mimicking birds kept the two in communication with each other but it was sparingly used. An experienced warrior could usually tell the difference between a real bird and the echoish sound coming from a man's throat. At noon, the two scouts returned to Light-in-his-steps and his family. Smoked venison was eaten in silence. The boys had aching legs from riding a horse so they dropped their breechclouts and took a quick swim. Big Horn was tempted to join them. His body was sweated but with a woman looking on, he decided against it. Coyote Thief's eyes shined when he sat on the bank to watch over the naked youths. "Do you think the Spear-bearing warrior misses not having a family of his own?" asked Morning-star. She had come up from behind Big Horn and that had startled him. "Ah. He has a son named Smiles-a-lot," answered Big Horn. That drew a surprise from the woman. "Really? Why did he not bring his family with him to the Kalinlepi?" "He isn't married. The woman's husband couldn't put his child in her so she asked Coyote Thief to do it, in secret." "Ah. My People aren't sneaky about it. When a woman has been married for a few years and hasn't been with child, her husband turns to his brother or a strong warrior in our tribe to seed her." Big Horn only nodded his head. He knew that the Kalinlepi wouldn't accept that custom. "The path you've chosen will keep you from the joys of having a family," whispered Morning-star. Big Horn turned sharply at the squaw for her insult but saw her sincerity that wasn't meant to shame him. "I have been acting as monedo for Willow Bird. Even though he hadn't sprang from my loins, I love him as a son!" Morning-star smiled. She'd suspected that more was going on between that boy and Big Horn, a bond that was common amongst certain braves of her tribe that she knew the Kalinlepi wouldn't accept. The woman's thoughts were disturbed when her two boys streaked from the river towards her. Pony Ear held his butt in pain. "What's wrong?" she asked. Her son turned around and pointed down at his cheeks. The woman noticed their angry color. Pony Tail also turned around to show off his chaffed butt. Coyote Thief approached with the boys' breechclouts in hand. He saw what ailed the twins so after placing their flaps at Morning-star's feet, he went to Pai-alucia to fetch his healing pouch. Light-in-his-steps and Big Horn went to see what was the matter with the boys. "We can't ride anymore!" complained Pony Ear. His brother nodded his head in agreement. "It is a very long walk to the mountains," explained Light-in-his-steps. "All this day and even the next. If you think sore butts are bad, wait until your legs drop off from all the walking you'd have to do." Pony Ear looked down at his thin legs. He couldn't imagine them falling off as his father said just from a lot of walking. Coyote Thief approached the throng with a tied pouch in his hand. A water skin was held in his other. Big Horn realized what the warrior wanted to do for the boys so he asked permission from Morning-star. The woman nodded. The old warrior removed a small clay bowl, pestle and a folded deerskin wrapping some dried herbs from his medicine pouch. The dried leaves were ground into a paste after some water was added. Light-in-his-steps held Pony Ear with his butt stuck out to Coyote Thief. The paste was applied over the youth's rash. He'd enjoy handling the boy's bottom more if there weren't so many eyes watching him. Pony Tail's butt was offered next. The small brown cheeks were covered with the healing paste. Coyote Thief noticed a mud leach on the boy's right leg. Light-in-his- steps thought of starting a fire to remove it when he saw the warrior tap over the sucker with his finger while speaking low words. It fell into the old man's hands as if charmed. Pony Ear giggled. He looked over his brother's uncovered body that made his grow with excitement. A fleshy stick stood against his belly. Big Horn noticed it. He scooped up the boy's flaps and thong belt from the ground and covered his nakedness with a sly grin on his face. Pony Tail was given his breechclout to wear. Morning-star smiled. She had renewed respect for the Spear-bearing warrior and saw her husband gesture his thanks. The brown mare was untied from his post and the twins were lifted onto her back. Light-in-his-steps took up his gelding's reins with Pai-alucia tied to the pack horse. They continued their journey along the river path. Big Horn and Coyote Thief returned to scouting on ahead. Father Sun was high in the sky and His Heated Hand brought a sweat to their bodies. The warrior slipped into the shadows of the woods while the brave had to endure the hot dusty trail. The muddy river flowed on Big Horn's right. He noted several crossings and carefully examined the bank for the recent passage of men. There were none. He continued following the trail. Coyote Thief stuck his head out from the trees on occasion to check his progress against the brave's. It seemed strange that no fresh tracks were found; no animal's passage or that of man. Big Horn thought that the trail would be used by the local tribes and he'd find evidence of their passage. An inner sense warned the brave to keep his eyes out for danger. No birds sang. Everything had become quiet except for the river's churning. Big Horn was startled when he heard cries coming from the woods. It had sounded like a pack of men on the hunt. Coyote Thief's shouted with fear. That brought the brave running into the forest to aid his warrior. He readied his tomahawk. Before he made a handful of steps, men surrounded him. Big Horn saw that their faces were unpainted. From the style of their breechclouts and arrangement of head feathers, the two warriors he ran into could have been from his tribe expect that he didn't recognize them. They had to be from the Split Tribe! 'Who are you?' the taller man gestured with a frown. His companion had an arrow ready for flight. The brave lowered his tomahawk and raised his right hand in greeting. "I'm Big Horn from the Kalinlepi," he answered nervously. "The Kalinlepi?" he barked. "Were you chasing down that Spear-bearing warrior we found hiding in our woods?" A chill came to Big Horn's heart. He feared for his lover's safety. "Where is Coyote Thief?!" he begged. The man pointed his finger towards some rocks. Big Horn saw three more Split Tribe warriors standing behind trees with their bows drawn. Coyote Thief must have taken cover from their arrows. He only had a spear and his small shield to protect himself! "You know this enemy warrior?" the tall man asked. "Yes! He's come to stay with my People in peace," Big Horn gasped. Before the war leader could ask another question, the brave recklessly ran towards the rocks knowing that he put himself in the line of fire. He called out to Coyote Thief. Begged him to surrender himself since they were outnumbered. The Spear-bearing warrior stuck his head above the rocks. No arrows flew towards him but he kept his place. Big Horn turned to the four bowmen with both his hands raised out in front of him. Their war leader signaled for his men to lower their bows. Big Horn turned himself sideways, his head turning to the rocks and quickly coming back to the bowmen. He was in the middle of a deadly melee. The war leader admired the Kalinlepi brave's courage or perhaps he was only acting stupid. "I'm called Stands Tall," announced the war leader. He slowly walked up to Big Horn without any weapons in his hands. The brave's tomahawk had been dropped to the ground earlier; only a shiny knife was seen on his thong belt. It seemed a strange turn of events that had a Kalinlepi brave protecting a Spear-bearing warrior. Stands Tall needed to learn why this was so. An alarming thought struck the war leader. He quickly gestured for two of his bowmen to scout out the woods for more enemies. That left Elk Tail and Swift Scout to stand with him against these two intruders. Big Horn called out to Coyote Thief again, begging his lover to come out of hiding. The warrior stuck his head above the rocks. He saw his brave standing with a tall warrior; no weapons were in their hands. What worried him were the two bowmen. They could quickly put arrows to flight that would strike him dead. And where were the other two warriors hiding? They also had bows... Much to Coyote Thief's irritation, he watched Big Horn step around to where he hid and grab his spear arm. He was dragged from the protection of the rocks. Yet the bowmen didn't shoot on him. His spear was pulled from his hand and flung to the ground at Stands Tall's feet. Elk Tail and Swift Scout advanced onto their position. No warning gesture came from their war leader but they kept their bows ready. Stands Tall faced the enemy warrior. He didn't raise his hand to him in peace since he knew that the Spear-bearing man's life was his to take if he wanted it. He counted the warrior's five eagle feathers with respect. No long hair. Yet the man's scalp could be collected to earn for himself another feather. Stands Tall addressed the brave while keeping his eyes on Coyote Thief. "Why are you with him?" he asked with distain. "His People are enemies with my tribe and yours!" "He should be killed!" shouted Swift Scout. Coyote Thief was drawn by the man's anger towards him. He noticed the warrior's ugly scars covering his arms and back. Recognition filled his eyes - he'd seen this man before! Captured by his People, he was tortured nearly unto death but somehow, this Split Tribesman had managed to escape. Big Horn saw the situation getting out of hand. Swift Scout had his bow raised with an arrow notched for flight. Stands Tall stood unmoving. He wasn't going to stop his tribesmen from firing on his lover! Quick were his next actions. Instead of grabbing their war leader as he should have to force the bowman from shooting, he simply stepped in front of Coyote Thief to shield the warrior with his body when that arrow came. Swift Scout shouted with frustration. "Get out of the way or I'll take the both of you down!" "Not Big Horn," commanded Stands Tall. "You'll have to shoot me first!" the brave shouted. "I'm not moving!" Swift Scout took pause at the brave words. "Why do you protect him?!" Big Horn turned to Coyote Thief and saw defeat coming into the man's eyes. A quick gesture was given the brave that he should try saving himself. His heart burst with love for his warrior. With as much calm as he could put in his voice, he answered. "Coyote Thief is my wife." The brave hated to refer to this lover that way but he hoped it would ease the tension. Disbelief was seen in all the men's eyes. He proved his boast by taking Coyote Thief's right hand into his own and he leaned over to give the warrior a kiss. A startled gasp came from Elk Tail. Stands Tall laughed. Swift Scout lowered his bow, mostly from surprise than to relinquish his intent of killing the enemy warrior. Big Horn put on a feigned grin. For the moment, he had managed to keep his lover alive. Shouting came from the direction of the river. One of Stands Tall's scouts returned with word about another Kalinlepi warrior who was traveling with his wife and two sons. They endured an anxious moment before the second scout brought them into the woods. Stands Tall watched as the horses were tied to the trees. Two were burdened with heavy packing while the third bore the weight of two young boys and their mother. Her husband, a two-feathered warrior came to greet them. "I'm called Light-in-his-steps of the Kalinlepi. I'm traveling to the Moss-bowl Tribe with my wife, Morning-star and our two sons." Stands Tall returned the man's greeting. "I welcome you in peace. But explain why a Spear-bearing warrior accompanies you." Light-in-his-steps glanced at Coyote Thief and he saw that Big Horn was holding his hand, almost in a protective sort of way. An angry Split Tribesman had his bow notched in preparation to fire on the two lovers. "He was an enemy warrior until Big Horn befriended him; our chief allowed Coyote Thief to live with our tribe in peace. I asked that my chief's nephew accompany us to the Moss-bowl Tribe and I accepted that his... companion come with us since the two have become... inseparable." "Hmm. Is it true that they are lovers?" asked Stands Tall. Light-in-his-steps lowered his head and nodded. "That doesn't lessen their ability to protect my family. If you are asking me if I vouch for the Spear-bearing warrior, I must admit that responsibility falls to Big Horn but I have put my trust in that brave." "I have no trust in our enemies except that they will try to kill us, steal our horses and rape our women!" shouted Swift Scout. He raised his bow menacingly at Big Horn, trying for a shot at Coyote Thief. Morning-star had since dropped down from her horse. She warned her sons to remain mounted before she stepped forward to be at her husband's side. "My father is Chief of the Moss-bowl Tribe so I beg you to listen to what I have to say." The warriors were surprised to hear a squaw addressing their war council but Stands Tall raised his hand to quiet their objections. "You may speak." Morning-star held her husband's hand and smiled at him. She knew what he thought and weighed the needs of her family's safety to that of Big Horn's concern for his lover. As the matter stood now, they would probably be allowed to continue their journey except for Coyote Thief. She knew that Big Horn would likely die trying to protect his lover and her husband wouldn't be able to face his chief with word of his nephew's death when he could have tried to prevent it. A woman's reasoning was required in this delicate situation. "I thank you, Stands Tall and am grateful to all your warriors who had come to offer us protection from what they thought was an enemy warrior hiding in their woods. Big Horn and Coyote Thief were scouting the river trail ahead of us. We didn't think that the Split Tribe claimed these woods and for that I am sorry if we intruded. Our intent is only in passing through; we didn't hunt. I am keen to return to my tribe where my third child will be born." Big Horn's eyes widened. He recalled the squaw's morning sickness and her words explained the reason for it. "You are not our enemies so your family may go in peace," said Swift Scout addressing the squaw's husband. "But that Spear-bearing warrior is mine!" "I recognize your anger," whispered Morning-star with her head bowed. "We all have reasons to hate our enemies but Big Horn has found love. If you kill Coyote Thief, I think that the brave would also die trying to defend him. Your act would risk war between his tribe and yours." "The Kalinlepi were split because of the threat of war amongst us!" "Yes. That was so," answered Morning-star. "And if you kill Coyote Thief and Big Horn dies, I will tell my father about what you've done. Do you think my tribe will look kindly upon that? No! The Moss-bowl People will never allow yours to visit our mountain and trade with us." "A woman telling us what to do!" mocked Swift Scout. He turned to his war leader and saw that he was considering the matter. That angered him even more. He drew his arrow at Big Horn with his intent to shoot any part of the Spear- bearing warrior that he could target. Light-in-his-steps dropped his hand down to his thong belt where his flint knife was held. He kept his voice even when he spoke. "If your bowman shoots, I will be forced to act, Stands Tall, even though I know that I'll likely be taken from my wife and two sons..." The war leader stepped in front of Big Horn to shield him. "Swift Scout! Lower your bow." The angry man hissed with frustration but his arrow was slowly loosened from his bow. Elk Tail glanced nervously at Light-in-his-steps and Stands Tall while his other companions prepared to act. "You may all go from us!" announced the war leader. "Leave our woods in peace before I change my mind." No one moved for a long anxious moment. Big Horn gestured to his lover what had transpired. Coyote Thief stepped away from his brave. He took careful steps towards the horses thinking that it was a good day to die. When he reached the twins, he took up the mare's reins. The horse was led back towards the river trail. Big Horn followed with Light-in-his-steps giving Stands Tall a gesture of farewell before wrapping his arm around Morning-star and leading her out of the woods. On the ground were the brave's tomahawk and that enemy warrior's spear. Stands Tall let them be. He made strong gestures to his warriors that the war leader hoped would be obeyed. The party walked a ways down the trail before anyone dared to breathe a sigh of relief. Big Horn kept looking back for the Split Tribesmen. He didn't see any pursuit. The gelding's reins were taken from his hands by Light-in-his- steps. Morning-star gave the brave a nervous grin. "You saved our lives back there!" gasped Big Horn. "We are in your debt." "Yes. You are," the woman remarked. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of file: BIGHORN5.TXT The story continues in: BIGHORN6.TXT