****************************************************************************** BIGHORN8.TXT "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" A pre-Willow Bird story! (part 8) Copyright 2000-2002 by Vince Water ****************************************************************************** * 4/2002 * * "Big Horn's Path into the Mahyee-na" * - part 8 - Coyote Thief rushed through camp. The Moss-bowl warrior chased after him, coming to his side with hands flying. 'What's wrong?' gestured Shakes-like-the-ground. 'Where are you going?' Coyote Thief kept running. He raised his right hand and shaped the word for 'shaman'. Fear was in the old warrior's heart. He needed to warn this tribe about Owl's Hoot who was much more than a mere boy. Lodge after lodge were passed in the warrior's haste. A group of women turned their heads in alarm. Coyote Thief had to perform fancy footwork to not run them over. A young squaw squealed in fright. Shakes-like-the-ground didn't pause to explain what was happening. He continued chasing after Coyote Thief and hoped no one would think he was trying to do battle with the enemy warrior. A big lodge came into sight. Coyote Thief didn't pause at its door to announce his name before passing through it. He rushed to the old man sitting before his fire. Breaths raced through the warrior's mouth. He lifted his hands for gesturing. 'I come to warn that there is a Trickster here!' The shaman was startled by the enemy warrior's entrance but fear squeezed his heart from the frantic gesturing. A Trickster was loose amongst his People? Shakes-like-the-ground came to them. He fell to his knees with a shy look on his face that bespoke that man's embarrassment. "What is Coyote Thief talking about?" asked the shaman. Shakes-like-the-ground glanced at the enemy warrior. He saw determination and great fear in Coyote Thief. To see that in the usually stoic man shook him. The shaman's question was still upon him so he answered, "He thinks Owl's Hoot is a Trickster." "That boy is!" shouted Coyote Thief. The shaman raised both his hands in warning. 'Be still least you awaken Big Horn.' Coyote Thief was taken back by the shaman's scolding. He looked around the lodge for his lover, finding him asleep in a corner of the lodge. Big Horn's head was sticking out from a large buffalo hide covering him. Reluctance grew in him. He turned to the shaman. 'Forgive me for intruding. I came to warn you about Owl's Hoot who I believe is a Trickster. Your People are in danger.' The old man shook his head in disbelief. He glared hard at Coyote Thief for several heartbeats to read his face but the warrior held his gaze, proving that he believed it was so. The five eagle feathers worn in his hair caught the shaman's attention. They proved this man's worth. He was likely a war leader of his tribe, respected and not prone to rash actions as lesser men. His hair was cut short like a boy's but his age could be seen in the wind-worn cracks of his face. Coyote Thief was a seasoned warrior; wise from experience. The wrinkles around his eyes were tight with fear. Sweat ran down his forehead. Powerful muscles bulged in the man's arms and chest that showed how anxious he was. It troubled the shaman to see the enemy warrior thus. The shaman raised his hands again for gesturing. 'Explain to me why you think this.' Coyote Thief glanced at Shakes-like-the-ground kneeling at their side, pleading to have his support. That warrior wouldn't look at him. He also saw disbelief in the shaman's eyes mixed with another emotion; anger? It became an awkward situation. Coyote Thief knew what he felt but to convince these men was going to be difficult, he realized. The warrior took in a deep breath. What should he tell them? The more Coyote Thief thought about it (how the boy tried seducing him with sex) made him realize admitting that would make him look like the evil one. Owl's Hoot could even claim that he was raped. No one would believe the clumsy hand gestures of an enemy warrior. His visit with the Moss-bowl was already under suspicion. Coyote Thief felt the icy grip of fear around his heart. He wasn't afraid for himself but for the People of this tribe. Especially the boys. Owl's Hoot was an evil servant who needed to be driven away. The only proof he had was how he'd felt in that boy's arms and those probing thoughts of his in his head. 'I cannot explain what I know,' Coyote Thief gestured in growing defeat. 'What I believe comes from how I felt when I was with Owl's Hoot. He is more than he appears. Shakes-like-the-ground told me some disturbing things about that boy. He also lied to this warrior at the stream when telling him that his chief wanted to speak with him.' "Hmm. Is this so?" asked the shaman. Shakes-like-the-ground nodded. "Owl's Hoot had told me that someone wanted to speak with me in camp so I left him with Coyote Thief. I think the boy only wanted to be alone with him and was the reason for tricking me." Coyote Thief tried following what was said. From the men's faces, he gleaned that they weren't ready to believe him. The shaman turned to Coyote Thief and gestured, 'What happened when you were left alone with that boy?' Fear squeezed the warrior's heart. He would have to reveal what transpired between them. Coyote Thief cleared his throat but used his hands to speak. 'Owl's Hoot wanted to be alone with me so that he could seduce me into evil. He removed the front flap to his breechclout. I saw his excitement. There was a burning in his eyes for me. The boy had only a smooth groin so he asked me to perform a growing up rite for him. He claimed that his loins hadn't developed in spite of his age so I, ah...' The shaman trembled with fear. From the embarrassment showing on Coyote Thief's face, he suspected where their conversation was leading. 'Did you perform that rite for the boy?' 'It began. Yet I felt uncomfortable from the act. This was no innocent boy who sought a man's strength but a servant of evil. I felt this in him!' Coyote Thief dropped his hands. He realized how hard it was to gesture his feelings but that's all he had to convince these men. It became a tense moment. The shaman wanted to press Coyote Thief to tell him more but feared what he'd learn. He turned to Shakes-like-the-ground. "Find Owl's Hoot and bring him here." Coyote Thief started to object. "The boy bad!" Shakes-like-the-ground ignored the warning by leaping to his feet and he ran out the lodge. Coyote Thief turned to the old man with disappointment. He didn't think it was wise to confront the Trickster but he couldn't come up with a reason to plead before this tribe's shaman to prevent it. The shaman saw fear in Coyote Thief's face. A vein pulsed in his forehead and his breaths were nervous gasps. That had him wondering about this warrior's motives. Was his warning true or was he acting to hide his own acts with that youth? Had the warrior's growing up rite lead him to doing something bad? Deep-roots-that-whisper felt the need to calm this enemy warrior down. He was a wise man. A shaman who knew when it was the proper moment to call men to arms or to prevent a battle through peace talk. Coyote Thief was a stranger to him. Was his heart good? Talk would be needed to find that out. Deep-roots-that-whisper reached for his smoking pouch. He filled his pipe with tobacco with slow deliberate care. The enemy warrior rested his hands over his folded legs. He showed patience. His breaths were returning to normal. With a reed stuck in the fire, the shaman brought its glowing point to his bowl and drew breath through its long wooden stem. Smoke filled his lungs. Another puff was taken before the old man offered his pipe to his guest. Coyote Thief drew smoke. He welcomed the pleasant buzz it gave him and he admired the shaman's wise handling of this situation. He'd done the same thing when first meeting Big Horn in the plains. It had seemed that the brave was seeking his death but through smoking and talking calmly together, the truth had come out. The pipe was returned to Deep-roots-that-whisper. He finished the tobacco and set his pipe down over his thigh. 'I am grateful to you for bringing me this warning,' the shaman began. 'You believe this thing but I need to be convinced before calling my tribe to action. Tell me everything that happened between you and the boy so that I may understand.' Coyote Thief swallowed nervously. He slowly lifted his hands for gesturing. 'The boy had sent Shakes-like-the-ground away with a lie so that he could be alone with me. In itself, that is not cause to prove that Owl's Hoot is a Trickster but something happened when we embraced.' 'What?' Deep-roots-that-whisper gently asked. 'I felt his evil presence in my head.' Coyote Thief knew the shaman wanted him to explain that but feared his act with the boy would make what he had to say suspect. 'You should know that I am attracted to those of my sex.' 'Big Horn has told me so.' 'I am bound to that man,' explained Coyote Thief. 'The boy wanted me to have sex with him but I resisted because to do so would violate my pledge of love to my brave. I'm not ashamed of what I am.' The shaman made a slight head nod. Coyote Thief's breath trembled. 'That boy wanted something from me but it was more than a growing up rite. I felt his thoughts in my head during our belly rubbing so I pushed him away. He turned around and backed onto my cock.' 'Did you sperm him?' The warrior shook his head. 'He sought more than a joining of our bodies by trying to bind my spirit to his with an evil spell. He turned my thoughts to Big Horn. What I knew about that bundle he carried from his tribe.' Deep-roots-that-whisper gasped with surprise. He no longer pursued the path of thinking this warrior had raped the boy or that his claim of being a Trickster was trying to hide own evil deed. No. This matter about the bundle was a serious concern to the shaman. Coyote Thief saw that the old man had been shaken by what he'd revealed. 'Did you know that Owl's Hoot was banished from his tribe?' The shaman shook his head. He was still stunned by their unexpected turn of conversation. 'Shakes-like-the-ground also didn't know. He heard that Owl's Hoot had come to your mountain on a vision quest to find his animal helper. Instead, he's been in pursuit of your tribe's boys. Springing-rabbit had been given a rite that involved Owl's Hoot shaving off his groin hair for him. Sharp-rock had asked Shakes-like-the-ground to perform that same rite for him so that his body would mature.' The shaman's eyes grew wide. 'Shakes-like-the-ground told me something else,' continued Coyote Thief. 'Springing-rabbit said that Owl's Hoot kisses too much, not on the mouth and Sharp-rock knows that Owl's Hoot is older than he looks by shooting off his dick and showing him sex acts.' Deep-roots-that-whisper watched the warrior's hands flying with growing alarm. He had turned away from the expectation of Owl's Hoot being the victim of Coyote Thief's lust to the fear that this youth may be a Trickster who was preying on their young boys. Coyote Thief's hands grew frantic with the shaping of more words. 'Why would Owl's Hoot want me to conduct a growing up rite for him if he could already get his dick to perform? And he didn't lack for hair on his groin. It had been shaved off to make the boy appear younger than he was.' The shaman raised his right hand to stop Coyote Thief's gesturing. 'You have convinced me that there's something troubling about Owl's Hoot but how can he be a Trickster? I would have sensed his evil in the tribe! He doesn't bear the markings of such of one.' Coyote Thief remembered something. 'His hair smelled of fire ash and his body was very dark, more than from a sun tan. I'd seen parts of his back that were blackened by dirt.' The shaman nodded. 'That could be explained. Perhaps the boy had recently tended to a fire. The dirt covering his back could have come from sleeping over the ground.' 'Yes. But I can see in your eyes that you are believing that he could be the Trickster that I know he is.' Deep-roots-that-whisper peered deep into the warrior's eyes. It was true that he was being convinced. Something Sah-omb had told him came to mind so he shared that with Coyote Thief. 'I have a boy servant who comes from an Ocean Tribe. His spirit is like yours; an interest in the same sex that he's often revealing to certain men of my tribe. Owl's Hoot had met with him a few days ago. Sah-omb was asked if he was training to be my apprentice.' Coyote Thief only nodded his head. He was unsure of what the old man was trying to tell him. 'I had an apprentice but he was killed two summers ago. His broken body was found on the cliffs where he was fasting before his initiation as a shaman. This mountain's rumblings revealed to me that he'd been killed by a Trickster.' Coyote Thief grew wide in the eyes. 'Evil has come to your tribe before.' Deep-roots-that-whisper sadly nodded his head. 'I was unable to prevent his death nor did I sense the Trickster's presence amongst my People.' 'Your mountain did.' 'Yes. But His rumblings were slow to reach my ears,' explained the shaman. 'Perhaps I should descend into this mountain and see if He has a sour belly.' There was a disturbance at the door. Coyote Thief turned and saw a boy of eleven entering with his arms filled with sticks. He dropped them beside the smoldering fire pit. The old man called out to him. "Toa Sah-omb. Krost de-ah bee-tee, Big Horn et me-ah so tre ant." Coyote Thief didn't understand the shaman's words. He only knew that they weren't spoken in the language shared by the Muddy River People or this tribe. The youth turned to him with shining eyes. He approached and made a curious gesture with his opening right hand. The man lifted his hand and the boy took hold of it. He gave a shy grin. 'Sah-omb has a sense about People,' the shaman explained. 'I told him that you were Big Horn's lover and asked him to greet you. He likes you.' Coyote Thief stared at the old man to see if he was joking. He wasn't. 'Sah-omb told me that he didn't like the way Owl's Hoot smelled.' A chill went down Coyote Thief's spine. He had felt the same thing when in Owl's Hoot's arms. 'Why did he want to know about that bundle Big Horn gave you from his shaman?' Deep-roots-that-whisper bowed his head and wouldn't answer the warrior. Sah-omb noticed his master's distress and kneeled at the old man's side, his little hands wrapping around the shaman's left arm to comfort him. "I to not talk of that?" asked Coyote Thief. The shaman shook his head. He feared what the Darkness-that-comes had learned concerning their secret plans to initiate the One who would protect the People from evil. Knowledge of that could not be shared with anyone outside the circle of shamans. "My shaman to ahn-tah-eng Willow Bird." That was daring of Coyote Thief to reveal his shaman's plan for that fatherless youth. Deep-roots-that-whisper peered at the enemy warrior with new eyes. Did their own People's shaman share this same hope for Willow Bird? The old man stared at Coyote Thief's hands yet nothing more was forthcoming. He couldn't reveal what he knew about that boy. Not if he were to protect him from evil so the shaman decided to pursue a more rounded approach to glean more from this warrior. 'Has Big Horn told you about that boy he's acting as monedo for?' Chills went through Coyote Thief. He nodded, but reluctance kept him from revealing anything more about that Muddy River Tribe youth who was important to Snarling Bear, his People's shaman. Both men stared at each other in silence. It had become an impasse with neither willing to reveal what they knew to the other. Deep-roots-that-whisper was first to break eye contact. 'We should not talk about it so that the boy will be kept from being known by the Dark One,' he gestured. He felt in his bones that this man had an interest in Willow Bird. It could be something as simple as jealousy. He'd gleaned Big Horn's love for that boy that went beyond his role as an advisor. Coyote Thief nodded in understanding. 'That boy is safe but I fear for Big Horn. He was the target of a Trickster's spell two handfuls of days ago and a Muddy River Tribe boy had been raped. Their shaman conducted a rite of exorcism to ward the Trickster off.' That startled the shaman. 'The Muddy River Tribe danced a circle of protection?' Coyote Thief nodded. 'It must have worked. Their scouts found no further signs of his presence in the tribe or in their hunting grounds.' Deep-roots-that-whisper stared at the fire. He went into deep thought. A Trickster had come to the Kalinlepi and from what this warrior has told him, Big Horn had been the target. Was the brave tainted with his evil? 'Tell me. Did their shaman conduct a cleansing rite for Big Horn?' 'Yes. And for that boy, too. The Muddy River shaman called his People into action and they danced the circle of protection that night.' Deep-roots-that-whisper considered the matter. He will be needing to conduct that rite for Springing-rabbit and Sharp-rock. A circle of protection dance would also have to be performed if the Trickster was to be exorcised from them. A man calling his name at the door took the shaman from his thoughts. He granted his permission for Shakes-like-the-ground to enter. He was alone. "Where is Owl's Hoot?" Shakes-like-the-ground had a haunted look in his eyes. He swallowed past the hard lump in his throat before speaking. "No one has seen him. I've asked the guards to be on the lookout and to send the boy to you." He glanced at Coyote Thief before continuing. "Ah. I went back to the stream to find the boy's tracks. They went off into the woods. He was running but from what, I could not tell. The mocassined prints of Coyote Thief had led in the opposite direction, back to camp." The shaman saw fear in Shakes-like-the-ground's eyes. He had yet something more to tell him. "I followed the boy's prints until they became confused." "Confused?" the shaman asked. "How?" Shakes-like-the-ground whispered, "The boy's tracks turned into a wolf's." Deep-roots-that-whisper sucked in a breath. He saw pleading in Coyote Thief's eyes to be told what was said. The shaman hand gestured what Shakes- like-the-ground had discovered and an uneasy silence filled the lodge. Only Sah-omb seemed unaffected. The boy smiled up at him, unaware of the evil stalking their tribe. "I must consult with our chief. I'll need you to bring the parents of Springing-rabbit and Sharp-rock there but don't tell them anything! I don't want this tribe in an uproar until Climbs-over-the-mountain decides what should be done. I will advise him that those boys should be cleansed of evil and our People dance the circle of protection to scare the Trickster away." Shakes-like-the-ground nodded his head. He glanced at Coyote Thief for a moment before springing away. The shaman raised his hands for gesturing. 'While I see my chief, stay here and watch over Big Horn.' Coyote Thief nodded his understanding. He knew that he couldn't wander through camp without an escort. Sah-omb helped the old man don his elk robe. With a softly spoken word, the boy was told to remain behind though it was obvious that he had wanted to follow his master. Deep-roots-that-whisper left the lodge. Sah-omb tossed some of the sticks he had gathered into the fire. They were quickly consumed, crackling in a flurry of sparks that rose towards the smoke hole. Warmth spread throughout the lodge. Coyote Thief went to his brave, gently stroking his forehead in the hope that he'd awaken. Big Horn remained asleep. A very deep one. That had him wondering what rite the shaman had conducted for him that required such rest. Love surged in the old warrior's heart. He stared at the brave's peaceful face, remembering all their wonderful moments together and the few remaining them until winter. His face turned grim when remembering the words of his son. Smiles A Lot had relayed a vision from their shaman that foretold his death. Coyote Thief was startled when Sah-omb stuck a meat stick near his face. He gestured thanks and chewed down the jerky without really tasting it. He remained at Big Horn's side. Just looking at him. He ignored the boy's grin and dark peering eyes that bespoke much. Sah-omb noticed the warrior's uneasiness by his presence so he went about performing tasks in the lodge. That was his responsibility to keep it in order for the shaman. All the ground mats were shaken outside. He transferred water from a large bladder to several jugs. Often, his eyes wandered back to the couple and he felt the strength of the warrior's love for his brave. The boy hoped that a man would try winning his heart instead of only taking his body. Coyote Thief wondered what was happening in the chief's lodge. The shaman was taking a long time with his meeting. He hoped that its result would be for these People to dance the protection circle around their lodges to scare the Trickster away. Those two boys would likely undergo a purification rite to rid them of evil. Would he also have to partake of that ritual? A drum was toppled over. Coyote Thief turned at the sound and saw Sah-omb pulling on a thong-strung wall with all his might. The boy managed to tie the buffalo hides together. That was squaw's work. The shaman didn't have a wife (a practice observed by many tribes) so it fell on the old man's servant to keep his lodge in order. The boy was young and nice to look upon. Coyote Thief studied the youth through guarded glances. Sah-omb had strange facial features but his body was like a fawn's, slim and delicate when performing his tasks that bespoke a girl's elegance and beauty. Coyote Thief's eyes followed the boy's progress around the lodge where he checked on all four corners to tighten wall thongs. Every opportunity was taken by the youth to show off the slim curves of his body. The warrior was reminded about how a young woman acted when she was being observed by a man. Sah-omb tried hiding his smile but they both knew what was happening here, the game being played. Coyote Thief felt his building excitement for the boy. When there was nothing left for Sah-omb to do, he tended to his guest. A wooden mug was filled with water and offered to Coyote Thief who drank it down. Their eyes met. His left hand groped over the front of the man's breechclout for the bulge he suspected was there. The boy wasn't disappointed. An exciting tremor filled the youth. With a sly grin on his face, the boy turned away from the warrior and lifted his rear flap. He slowly sank to his knees. Legs spread. Coyote Thief gasped with surprise. He glanced at Big Horn to be assured that he was still sleeping before reaching out to fondle Sah-omb. How soft the boy's cheeks felt under his palm: a pair of wanting pale half moons. He slipped a finger inside, finding the boy's entrance that felt wet. A moan came from the youth. The man's lightning bolt urged him to strike yet he resisted that temptation. With a trembling sigh, the warrior dropped his hand from the boy's little butt. Sah-omb stood up. His rear flap fell to cover himself and he stepped to the fallen drum, straddling it while facing the warrior. He reached under his front flap to pull over his erection. Pleasure from that act shown from his eyes. He kept them lowered to the ground but knew that the man was watching him. Breaths raced through the boy's mouth as high-pitched sighs. Coyote Thief smiled. His eyes were glued to the youth to look for signs that would forewarn him reaching climax. The boy didn't seem old enough to get his pole to come out yet the act of trying was a ritual all boys performed. They practiced for that time when laying over their squaws as men. Sah-omb's left hand grew frantic. His belly trembled from holding breaths. The boy's legs surged around the drum, toes digging into the soft dirt. Though the youth's pole was hidden from sight, his front flap strained at its thong from the storm raging under it like a tipi in a strong wind. Coyote Thief could imagine the boy's tight fingers pulling over his foreskin. The urgent rhythm. Sah-omb was experienced with playing himself and the man felt tempted to join into the boy's sensual music. Coyote Thief pressed his thighs together. His balls enjoyed their tight constriction and thrills raced through the man's cock each time his knees banged together. He didn't need a hand to perform that male rite. The boy peeked at him and grinned. He lifted his front flap to show off his action. The man stared at his erection with a nod of approval. Sah-omb hoped that the warrior would come to him. A satisfying joining of their bodies than to simply play with himself. The boy pleaded with his eyes. Yet Coyote Thief remained at the brave's side and only stared at him though from the rhythmic movement of his legs, the man was acting very excited. Coyote Thief pulled the front of his breechclout away to reveal his cock. The boy's shining eyes were glued to it, watching the man finger his foreskin with slow pulls. His thighs pressed together. Knees banging like a drum's lusty beat. That became too much for Sah-omb. The boy released a high-pitched cry. His eyes fluttered when feeling the the sharp thrills from his pole that throbbed against his sweaty palm. He looked down to see if his knob was wet. Disappointment filled the youth. Not yet. Another summer of growth would be needed before he could squirt from his dick and fulfill the wishes of his needing master. Sah-omb took in a deep breath and pulled his hand out from his front flap. His eyes shined with male relief. Coyote Thief covered himself and turned away to peer down at his sleeping brave. Love was clearly seen on that warrior's face that struck the youth's heart like an arrow. The boy wanted a man to feel that way for him. Coyote Thief pulled aside the buffalo hide covering Big Horn so that he could check on his belly wound. There was a painted medicine cloth there. Guilt filled the warrior for having injured his lover but he was glad that this tribe's shaman had tended to the brave. He knew that sleep would renew him. Coyote Thief yawned. He didn't know when the shaman would be returning so he decided to take a nap. The warrior joined his lover under the warm buffalo hide. His eyes closed in sleep. Two naked boys sprang from the cold waters of Spirit Lake. They rushed to join Shakes-like-the-ground on shore, prancing around the warrior to warm their bodies. The man watched them in silence. He turned for the stairs with the boys' dripping breechclouts carried in his hands. He kept his eyes forward. Guilt filled him for lusting over the youths when they had taken their ritual bath. He had enjoyed watching their butts sticking out of the water with each dive, their shriven poles over small ball sacs and how innocent their smiles were for him when he'd stood over the bank. A wolf guarding over two sheep, the warrior realized with anger. The image of Coyote Thief's gesturing in his eyes hadn't faded from this morning. That's when he'd learned about Spear-bearing tribesmen who sought relief with willing boys. That strengthened his dark urge to take Sharp-rock in his arms and... Shakes-like-the-ground violently shook his head. His attempt to drive away such lustful thoughts. They were wrong! An enemy tribe could indulged in boy sex rites but they would never be allowed by his own People. It was barely tolerated that he sought out men. The memory of Sharp-rock's smiling face returned to him. That boy was dear to him, almost as if he were his son. The boy's father was often away from the tribe to trade with the Valley People. Sharp-rock would come to him when he was troubled, to ask questions any boy has about things or to be together. He was a cute ten-year-old boy. It was becoming difficult to hide his feelings of love for that youth that were tempting the man to have sex with him. Was Sharp-rock willing, the warrior wondered? He wouldn't use the boy for brutal sex like fucking; there were men from the valley who gave themselves to him for that. He simply wanted to hold the boy in his arms and love him fully; gently. Yet he feared that revealing his heart would frighten the youth and lose the special friendship that they had. The troubled warrior stumbled over the stone steps. A giggle was heard behind him. He wouldn't turn to see which youth it had come from. At the bottom, a group of white clad boys rushed to climb the stairs with their empty bladders. They were on their way to Spirit Lake. Shakes-like-the-ground knew that the shaman had need for sacred water this night. Their People would be walking the circle of protection to drive the Trickster away. Shakes-like-the-ground stalked past the many lodges of his tribe. It was abuzz with activity. Women were sitting over their mats outside, preparing food, sewing and gossiping with each other. Children played. Few men were seen. A young brave raised his hand in greeting to him but his eyes darted behind him. That made the warrior turn. He noticed the youths' embarrassment from being naked. Did anyone suspect that they were to undergo a purification rite in the shaman's lodge? The warrior urged his young charges to walk faster. Sah-omb sprang from his mat to greet the shaman entering their lodge. He'd come alone. Wearily, the old man sat down before his fire. The boy clutched his arm but the man was barely aware of it so deep was he in thought. The boy's voice awakened Coyote Thief who pulled the buffalo hide down to his chest to see what was happening. He saw that the shaman had returned. A deep yawn escaped from his lips yet he felt renewed from his nap. He turned to Big Horn. The brave remained still as if in death. That concerned the warrior so he checked on his lover's breaths. They were felt against his ear. Coyote Thief glanced at the shaman and his boy. Both were staring into the dying fire. He turned back to Big Horn and gave his lover a deep mouth kiss in the hope of awakening him. Yet when he pulled away, the brave didn't stir. He was startled by a bitter flavor on his tongue. Coyote Thief's eyes widened from recognizing it. That had him wondering why the shaman's ritual for Big Horn had required the use of eating a dangerous herb. The buffalo hide was pulled up to Big Horn's chin. Coyote Thief peered down at his lover for a long moment before joining the shaman. Only Sah-omb noticed his presence around the fire. "Tay-hah to sleep more," whispered Coyote Thief. The old man lifted his eyes from the fire and thought a moment before he spoke. "Big Horn is still asleep?" asked the shaman. He glanced at the corner of his lodge where the brave laid. Coyote Thief nodded. He lifted his hands for gesturing. 'I am grateful that you tended to his belly wound but tell me. Why did you give him a red capped mushroom to eat?' The old man was startled by that discovery. 'You know of medicinal herbs?' Coyote Thief nodded. 'I was unaware that the red cap was used for healing.' The shaman endured Coyote Thief's hard eyes on him. 'It is not. Big Horn was given a ritual that required its use.' His eyes flared in warning that he would not be pressed into revealing anything further about it. Coyote Thief lowered his eyes. The dancing flames were soothing to watch but his heart was troubled. He knew how that mushroom was used in sex rites to strengthen a man's lust and staying power. If too much was given, it brought a terrible death. Big Horn's deep sleep was the result. What concerned Coyote Thief was what his brave had done under its influence. A man called out his name at the door. The shaman turned and watched Shakes-like-the-ground enter his lodge with two boys following behind him. Their bodies were wet from the lake and they trembled. Sharp-rock rushed to the fire, reaching out to draw its warmth. Springing-rabbit joined him there. Sah-omb grew wide in the eyes. He looked over their nude bodies and felt a pleasant rush in his loins. Coyote Thief also stared at the two boys. He suspected who they were and why they had come to the shaman's lodge. But naked? The shaman tasked Sah-omb to construct a tripod over the fire. The boys' wet breechclouts were hung over it so that they could dry. A mat was brought. At the shaman's gesture, the youths planted their butts over it. They peered at the old man with fear in their eyes. Deep-roots-that-whisper studied the naked boys. They were young like his servant but already practicing male rites that prepared them for when becoming men. It was bad that their training had come from Owl's Hoot. The shaman would have to cleanse them of the Trickster's evil taint while not shaming them for trying things that were normal for growing youths. The shaman noticed how Shakes-like-the-ground was peering at one boy with longing on his face. He knew of that warrior's close friendship with Sharp-rock that substituted for the attention the boy's father should be giving him. Hands-over-rock was often away on trading expeditions. Springing-rabbit lowered his eyes from the shaman's to stare at his feet. He wondered what they were waiting for. Shakes-like-the-ground had said that a ritual was going to be performed after their bath in Spirit Lake. Something about protecting them from evil. Sharp-rock had also been told this. After his mother's visit with the chief, Shakes-like-the-ground had taken him and Springing-rabbit to bathe in Spirit Lake. He knew something was going on because the warrior acted so grim. Not happy as his usual wont when they were together. Did he do something wrong? The awkward silence was broken by the shaman's voice. "Our tribe will be conducting an important ritual this night. We will walk a circle of protection around our lodges, dance and make a joyful noise. Do you know why?" Springing-rabbit turned to Sharp-rock to see if he would say something. The older boy kept his mouth shut. "We are going to scare away a Trickster," said the shaman. He noticed the smile on Sharp-rock's lips and that angered him. The youth didn't believe in such a one, probably thinking the stories his parents had told him were only to scare him into behaving. "The Trickster is not a bedtime story! My apprentice was murdered by a Trickster and he has returned to our tribe to cast his evil spell over us." Sharp-rock swallowed nervously in his throat. To hear that from his shaman had to mean that the Trickster was real after all. "Coyote Thief has seen him here," the shaman whispered. His voice had lowered since he didn't want to frighten these boys into silence. He needed to learn what Owl's Hoot had done with them. An idea came to him. "This warrior knows the danger from such a one. He told me about the Trickster who came to the Kalinlepi and how their People scared him away." The shaman turned to Coyote Thief and gestured for him to give his account. Coyote Thief stared at the two boys while trying to come up with words they would understand. Shakes-like-the-ground came to his side. He offered to translate for him because the boys were too young to follow hand gesturing. 'I am from the Spear-bearing People,' began Coyote Thief. He heard the words spoken by Shakes-like-the-ground that followed his gesturing. 'We know that the Trickster is an evil spirit that preys on children. He is like the shadow who hides during the day and waits for the unsuspecting. What I didn't know was that the Trickster can change his shape into an animal who can stalk you in daylight. That is what happened at the Muddy River Tribe. 'Not long ago, a Muddy River boy went missing for a whole night. He escaped the Trickster's clutches and returned to camp, naked and hurt.' "How did he escape?" asked Sharp-rock. "I thought that the Trickster always eats his prey." Shakes-like-the-ground translated the boy's words. 'No one knows why,' answered Coyote Thief. 'It could be that the Trickster only wanted to use the boy. Killing him would have revealed his presence. He was hunting bigger game.' Springing-rabbit asked, 'What did he do to that boy?' Coyote Thief turned to the shaman and saw his grim nod to answer the boy's question. 'Ah. The Trickster... stuck into his butt. The boy was tainted by that evil act so his shaman had to cleanse him.' "You said that the Trickster was hunting another. Who?" asked Sharp-rock. Coyote Thief turned his head to where his lover was sleeping. 'Big Horn. He saw the Trickster turn into an elk bull in the woods. Muddy River huntsmen had followed the tracks of that bull and saw them become a man's. If not for a medicine fetish I'd given the brave, he'd have succumbed to the Trickster.' "Did he follow Big Horn to our tribe?" asked Sharp-rock. Coyote Thief nodded his head. That was a likely reason as any. "The Trickster has come to see if I had another apprentice," added the shaman. "He asked Sah-omb if he was being trained and would have killed the boy if that were so." "Why didn't Sah-omb warn you?" asked Sharp-rock. "A Trickster is easy to spot from the ash covering his body and red painted stripes over his butt." The shaman crossed his arms over his chest. "This Trickster is clever. He wore the guise of a boy." Springing-rabbit grew wide in the eyes. He turned to Sharp-rock and saw that he too realized who that boy was. "Yes. It was Owl's Hoot. He tried... tricking Coyote Thief into doing something with him but the warrior felt his evil. The boy ran into the woods after being discovered. Shakes-like-the-ground followed his tracks and they had turned into a wolf's." Silence filled the lodge. Coyote Thief was able to follow enough of what had been spoken and he saw that the two boys understood why they were here. He turned to the shaman and spoke. "I to be clean of Trickster evil. You to do rite for me?" The shaman nodded his head. He slowly turned his eyes to the two boys and saw Sharp-rock opening his mouth. "Me and Springing-rabbit will also need to be cleansed, shaman." "Hmm. I will do this ritual but first, I need to know what Owl's Hoot had done with the both of you." Springing-rabbit stared at his feet. Sharp-rock peered into the fire but it was hard to ignore the shaman's sharp eyes on him. "I know that Owl's Hoot performed a groin hair rite for Springing-rabbit." The shaman hoped to draw the boys into talking by revealing that he knew that. Springing-rabbit looked down at himself, at his smooth groin. His next words were a mere whisper. "I wanted to grow up faster. Owl's Hoot said that he knew of a way to get my pole to shoot like the older boys. He trimmed his groin with a flint blade and stuck his hair on my groin with tree sap. He kissed my pole. Nothing came out though." The shaman turned to Sharp-rock. "What did Owl's Hoot do to you?" The boy glanced up at his shaman but quickly lowered his eyes in shame. "I didn't know he was a Trickster," he muttered. "Neither did Coyote Thief and he's a five-feathered warrior. Only when they had embraced did the man realize he was evil." The shaman continued to stare at the youth. "Tell me how he tricked you." Sharp-rock whispered, "We got naked in the woods. Owl's Hoot showed me how his dick could shoot and he sucked on mine but nothing came out. He said that if I sucked on his that my balls would fill up. He told me Springing-rabbit was doing that so I did it too." Springing-rabbit felt betrayed by his friend and glared at him. "He let Owl's Hoot stick in his butt!" "No I didn't!" shouted Sharp-rock. He felt the eyes of all three men on him so he admitted, "He liked kissing me there but I wouldn't let him do that." "Did the Trickster do anything else with you?" The shaman saw both boys shake their heads. "Hmm. It is good that I know what has happened so I'll be able to purify you." "Are you going to tell our parents?" asked Sharp-rock. "No. I know that boys play naked games with each other so that they'll know how to perform with their squaws when becoming men." Relief was clearly seen on the boys' faces. A high-pitched voice called out at the door. "Shaman. We've brought water from Spirit Lake." "Bring it in," the shaman answered. Four white clad boys entered his lodge with filled bladders hanging down from their shoulders. The old man directed them to drop their burden on the ground near his door. Sharp-rock felt curious eyes on him coming from his friends. His nakedness felt very blatant. Springing-rabbit kept staring at his feet. He had both arms wrapped around himself and endured this embarrassing moment. The shaman thanked the youths and asked them to leave. He turned to Shakes-like-the-ground. "Tie up the door and guard it from within." When the old man tried getting to his feet, Sah-omb helped him up. He heard his master's bones crack with age. Deep-roots-that-whisper searched his lodge for the things he'll need for the ritual. Coyote Thief remained seated before the fire with the two boys. He eyed their limp poles over their balls, the slimness to their arms and legs and the flatness to their chests that bore dark nipples. Water dripped from their hair. Springing-rabbit glanced at him curiously but dropped his eyes back to his feet. The warrior looked at Sharp-rock. The boy shyly returned his gaze. Shakes-like-the-ground finished tying up the door thongs and dropped to his knees before it. Sah-omb tossed all the wood into the fire. Crackling sparks rose to the lodge's smoke hole. Deep-roots-that-whisper returned to the central fire pit. He positioned four medicine bundles on the ground, each in their proper place to represent the rising and falling sun, the summer and winter moons. Power Words were uttered to awaken the spirits within. The shaman Saw a silvery circle form. Coyote Thief and the two boys were asked to stand admits this boundary. At the shaman's urging, Coyote Thief removed his breechclout. Sah-omb took it from him. Curious eyes fell over the man's nakedness from the youths who marveled at his proud display. "I will perform the ritual that will cleanse you of the Trickster's evil," the shaman announced. His hands also gestured his words so that the enemy warrior would understand. Coyote Thief stood close behind the two boys while Deep-roots-that-whisper traced a circle around them with his feet. It under laid the bundles' glowing circle that only he could See. Sah-omb handed the shaman a jug of sun water. It was raised towards the smoke hole to be blessed by His Light. A prayer was spoken by the old man. He then faced Springing-rabbit and poured water over the boy's head, his hands working down the youth's body with special attention given to his pole. It erected in only a few heartbeats. Sharp-rock was next. He endured the old man's hands over him but flinched when fingers slipped through his butt and touched his hole. That made his face burn with embarrassment. Coyote Thief closed his eyes when the shaman poured water over his head. It had a flowery scent. He felt the old man's hands over his body, a sensual rubbing to his skin that dropped to his cock and pulled over its foreskin. He felt himself growing hard. A thick odor of sage filled the lodge. Coyote Thief opened his eyes and saw Sah-omb tossing more tied sprigs into the fire. He was startled by loud shouting. The shaman was shaking his rattle at them with an angry beat. The boys reacted by pressing their backs against him so he held them close. The old man circled around them four times. All the while chanting and violently shaking his rattle. Springing-rabbit grew afraid. He wanted to leave the circle but a strong hand came around his chest. He felt the man's cock sticking against his hip. Sharp-rock was an older boy who was able to control his fear. He reached down for his friend's hand. They stood together while the warrior embraced them from behind. It was exciting. Sharp-rock felt his butt being tickled by groin hair. He peeked down and saw the man's hard cock. Coyote Thief felt the two boys snuggling against him for protection. He knew that the shaman's anger was being directed at evil spirits; not them. His body enjoyed their warmth. He tried ignoring his lust but his cock pained him. Holding naked boys was difficult to ignore. Shakes-like-the-ground kept guard by the door but his attention was on the circle and those who stood within it. Coyote Thief held the boys close to him. They endured their purification ritual that almost had the man wishing that he were a part of it. His eyes often went to Sharp-rock. The shaman's chanting stopped. Silence filled the lodge and the two boys glanced at each other with relief on their faces. Coyote Thief relaxed his arms around them. He looked to the shaman to see if their ritual was completed. "You are cleansed," announced Deep-roots-that-whisper. Springing-rabbit turned to face the enemy warrior. He wanted to thank the man for holding him during the scary ritual. Otherwise, he would have ran away. Coyote Thief seemed to understand. He gripped the youth's shoulders and smiled. A heaviness was felt in the boy's stomach. He looked down at himself and noticed his erection. It was but a small twig compared to the man's fleshy branch and what a handful of balls he had! Sharp-rock also turned around. He saw where his friend's eyes had gone on the man. Envy filled the youth to see his thick groin hair. The five eagle feathers worn in the warrior's hair proved his worth. The boy hoped that he would grow up big and strong as this man. Deep-roots-that-whisper noticed the boys' attention on Coyote Thief. It gave him an idea. "You endured the cleansing ritual well. With help from our Father, the Trickster's evil has been cast out so if you're willing, another rite can be performed that would bring strength to your growing bodies." Springing-rabbit turned his head to the old man. "What rite?" He didn't relish the idea of having to endure more shouting and angry rattling. "Coyote Thief is a proven warrior of his People," the shaman explained. "He could perform a growing up rite for you." Springing-rabbit smiled. He felt a surge go through his pole and his eyes returned to the man's big cock. Sharp-rock was also excited. Yet his eyes went to Shakes-like-the-ground by the door. The shaman lifted his hands for gesturing. He asked Coyote Thief if he could perform that rite for these two boys. The warrior was tempted but he glanced to where his lover was sleeping with guilt squeezing his heart. Deep-roots-that-whisper saw what troubled Coyote Thief. He shook his head, pointing at Springing-rabbit and made the 'stiff male' sign with his fingers that he rubbed together. He gestured that they were only boys needing his strength and would not harm the love that he had for his brave. Coyote Thief slowly nodded. He peered down at Springing-rabbit with a strong emotion in his heart. It would be good to do this thing for the boy but what about his friend? An idea came to him. He faced the shaman with his hands gesturing. 'I will perform that rite for this youth and Shakes-like-the-ground can stand before Sharp-rock." Deep-roots-that-whisper smiled. He gestured at the warrior guarding the door who leapt to his feet and entered the circle. No urging was necessary to get the man to remove his breechclout. Sah-omb took it from him. Shakes-like-the-ground held Sharp-rock's shoulders. Something unspoken passed between them that brought smiles to their faces. Yes. He would do this thing for the boy. When Sharp-rock had asked him to conduct the groin hair rite that Owl's Hoot had performed for Springing-rabbit, he'd been tempted but feared that it could have led them to having sex. The shaman of their People was permitting the growing up rite. He wanted to help his little friend. "These are strong men," explained Deep-roots-that-whisper. "By embracing their male strength, your bodies will grow. That is a good thing." Springing-rabbit peered up at the enemy warrior. He wanted to be just like him: tall, strong and a proven man with eagle feathers in his hair. The boy also wanted his pole to get big and squirt like a man. Sharp-rock wanted these things too but there was a strong feeling in his heart for Shakes-like-the-ground. He wanted this man to love him. That's why he had asked him to perform Owl's Hoot's groin hair rite for him and been greatly disappointed when the man had refused. The shaman entered the circle. He gripped Coyote Thief's shoulder and the boy's. "The growing up rite will pass this man's seed to you, Springing-rabbit so that your balls will become full. Hair will also grow over your groin." Springing-rabbit grew very excited by the shaman's words. He wanted this! The boy reached out to touch Coyote Thief's groin hair. When the warrior didn't object, his fingers dropped down to hold the man's big cock. It felt stiff and warm against his palm. Coyote Thief allowed the boy's exploration. He stood up proud. In his youth, he remembered being envious of older boys and men who were stronger than him, wishing that his small body would grow up fast. Springing-rabbit held the man's big sac of balls. He knew that's where sperm came from. This warrior was going to give it to him in the ritual. Sharp-rock turned from watching his friend to the warrior standing before him. Shakes-like-the-ground was looking down at himself. That drew the boy's eyes to his groin. He pulled on the dark hair with envy. Standing along it was this man's big cock. The knob was oozing and it smelled sweet. The youth had an urge to suck on it but felt that would be wrong. Owl's Hoot had tricked him into doing that. "Feel my strength," pleaded Shakes-like-the-ground. He watched Sharp-rock close his fingers around his cock. A sharp thrill went through him. The boy's hero worshipping made the man feel very proud but more so, love surged in his heart to be able to express his longing for this boy. The shaman pulled Coyote Thief and Springing-rabbit together. Because of their differing height, the man lifted the boy up his body so that their loins could touch. Thin legs closed around the man's butt. Their arms wrapped around to hold each other very close. Shakes-like-the-ground needed no urging. He pulled Sharp-rock to him and lifted. The boy reached up for his shoulders, thin legs tightening around his butt while he held the youth's wiggly butt to complete their embrace. Sharp-rock gasped with excitement. He felt his pole against the warrior's hard cock and warmth came from their touching bellies and chests. He peered up. Love shown from the man's eyes for him. Deep-roots-that-whisper stepped from the circle. He felt Sah-omb grasping his hand and turned to the boy with a fond grin. They watched the growing up rite with awe. Little boys were being given love from the men so that one day, they would become just like them. The shaman raised his rattle and began shaking it. Not the fast angry beat he used during the cleansing rite. His hand set a slow lusty rhythm that matched what he saw. The men held their boys close and made sweet love to them. Their butts flexed with strength, driving their cocks against poles. Lusty grunts came from the warriors. Both boys panted. Their faces were buried in the men's chests as the ritual carried them to greater heights of pleasure. Shakes-like-the-ground noticed that his boy was planting kisses on him. It was a very tickly sensation, especially when Sharp-rock found his left nipple. The man pressed his nose into the boy's hair and smelled him. Love surged in his heart. He kept the lusty rhythm of their bodies by playing over the youth's butt with his hands. He wanted their embrace to last forever. Sharp-rock felt this same thing. His heart flew like an eagle because of this man. He realized that they were performing more than a growing up rite. Kinda scary. It didn't seem right for a warrior to give all his love to a boy but he really wanted it; needed it! The youth hoped that Shakes-like-the-ground would be giving him more embraces in the moons ahead. Coyote Thief clutched the boy in his arms to fulfill the growing up rite. He was doing this because the shaman had asked it. Unlike his companion, there was little love in him for Springing-rabbit because he didn't know the boy. His heart had already been taken by Big Horn. Springing-rabbit held onto the man's sweaty body as best he could. His legs often slipped from Coyote Thief's butt. He had his hands locked behind the warrior's neck. Powerful stabs were given to his pole that ached for more of them. The boy felt his nearing climax. He knew that it would be strong. Sah-omb watched the ritual with wide eyes. Beneath his front flap, he handled his erection for thrills. The boy watched Coyote Thief's performance and compared it to the other warrior's. They were similar bodily acts but he could feel something special from Shakes-like-the-ground. That man was loving the boy in his arms. Sharp-rock responded to him with kisses and that made Sah-omb jealous. He wanted a man to love him like that. The men's growing up rite for their boys was a powerful display. Sah-omb wanted to join in it so he pulled the deerskin flaps from his waist and danced around them. All the while hooting and pulling over his erection. Deep-roots-that-whisper smiled. He was glad that the bad thing Owl's Hoot had done was being replaced by something good. Evil had been defeated by love. He sensed the strength of Sharp-rock's feelings for Shakes-like-the-ground while the other couple were only going through the motions of love. Coyote Thief's act would still bring maturity to the boy in his arms. Springing-rabbit enjoyed the man's embrace. The thrills from his pole were building up and holding breaths deepened that pleasure. He tightened his legs. The warrior's butt flexed under them when driving his big cock against his pole and he eagerly waited for that moment when the seeding part came. Coyote Thief no longer felt the boy's breaths against his chest. The small hands around his neck became very tense. He peered down at Springing-rabbit and saw his eyes pop open like a sleeping dog startled awake. The boy cried out. The man needed to fulfill himself too so with a strong grip over the youth's butt, he stabbed harder. His cock clashed with the boy's erection in unmatched battle until the man won. He grunted when his loins flowed. Pleasure exploded in his head. Springing-rabbit felt a liquid warmth against his belly. The man was seeding! When he heard Coyote Thief's grunts, the boy knew for sure. That made his pole surge with another sharp climax. It felt really good. Sharp-rock peered up at Shakes-like-the-ground. There was fire in the warrior's eyes but that didn't frighten him. He was burning for this man, too. The boy pulled himself up so that he could kiss his warrior on the lips. When their mouths touched, he knew then that they would be together as man and boy forever. A sharp thrill came from his pole. The boy exhaled sharply. Shakes-like-the-ground saw that Sharp-rock wanted to kiss him. He cast away any remaining doubts about what they were doing and surrendered himself utterly to this boy. They kissed. Sweetly. In the next moment, he heard the youth's outcry and joined him in an explosive climax that consummated their love. It was very satisfying. Sah-omb heard their lusty outcries that made his erection surge. His eyes watched the powerful bodies of the men mated to small boys. Their butts flexed, hands clutching each other while their fronts rubbed. An exciting male display. Handling his erection had brought him several intense thrills. Sah-omb was satisfied so he dancing steps slowed around the two couples. Coyote Thief breathed in deeply. He relaxed his arms and allowed the boy to slip down his body. Springing-rabbit bore the result of what they'd done on his belly. He glanced at Shakes-like-the-ground. His body was slowing after climax but still he clung to Sharp-rock. What he saw on their tense faces made his heart ache. Coyote Thief turned his head to search for his lover. The shaman's rattling had stopped. He approached Springing-rabbit and pointed at the man's cum over his belly. It was gathered into his hand. The boy watched the old man cover his balls and pole with the warrior's seed. Low ritual words were spoken to complete the rite. The boy looked down at himself. His groin was still smooth and he didn't see any change in size to his erection. Disappointment filled him. "This man's strength has been given you," the shaman explained. "What has taken root this day will bloom into manhood for you in a few summers." Coyote Thief gave Springing-rabbit a fond pat on his butt. The boy smiled up at him. Sah-omb stepped before the warrior and pointed at his dripping cock. The man knew what he wanted. He pulled over his foreskin, gathering cum into his fingers. He offered it to the needing youth. Sah-omb welcomed the man's tending to his balls and when his hard dick was covered with sperm, a sharp thrill came from it that made him pant for breath. Coyote Thief felt the boy's strong throb in his fingers. He realized that Sah-omb had climaxed. When his hand fell away, he found himself in an embrace so he put his arms around the youth and squeezed him hard. Deep-roots-that-whisper gripped his servant's shoulder and spoke to him. "Ta de-ah op-bee-tee krost Sah-omb am ah-ye-ha." The boy's head turned to the old man with a grin. The shaman went to the other couple. Sharp-rock was clutching his warrior as if never him letting go. The boy's face was filled with a strong emotion. That's when the shaman realized that much more than a growing up rite had been performed. He saw this same thing in Shakes-like-the-ground's face. "The man has released," whispered the shaman. "You can let him go now." In reply, Sharp-rock slowly relaxed his arms. The boy slipped down from Shakes- like-the-ground and stood apart from that warrior though their eyes still connected them. Their obvious love for one another touched the old man's heart. Deep-roots-that-whisper looked the boy over. He saw a pool of thick white cum over Sharp-rock's belly with clear streaks running down his groin. The man's gift to this youth that would be used to complete his growing up rite. Sah-omb pulled on the shaman's hand. He knew what his master was about to do and prevented him from acting. "Mee ah, Abee! Toa de shan de-ah op-bee-tee ant. So tre ghe-may abo ant. Eh ah?" Deep-roots-that-whisper slowly nodded his head. The boy was right. This rite should be completed by Shakes-like-the-ground for his boy. The old man pointed at Sharp-rock's wet groin. The warrior knew what was expected of him. With much longing on his face, Shakes-like-the-ground gathered his seed from Sharp-rock. The boy peered at it with awe. He watched the warrior lower his wet hand down to his balls and finger them with sperm. It tickled. His hard pole was grasped and the man fingered cum into his piss hole. A few pulls were made over its foreskin that popped his wet knob in and out. The boy trembled with excitement. He caught the man's eyes and they stared at each other. This was a special moment in their lives. "Speak the ending words," the shaman gently asked. Shakes-like-the-ground grasped Sharp-rock's slim shoulders. He peered down at his boy with love when he spoke. "From my loins is given you the strength from my manhood. May you grow up big and strong, a proud warrior of our People. It makes us one." The man mouthed a few silent words for the boy alone. Deep-roots-that-whisper clapped his hands. "It is done. Get back into your breechclouts. Ah, Shakes-like-the-ground. Please return these youths to their parents' lodges. I need to prepare for tonight's ritual." Sah-omb handed Shakes-like-the-ground his breechclout and turned for the fire pit to fetch two pairs of dried deerskin flaps for the boys. He watched their naked bodies being covered. The shaman turned to the two boys. "Keep hidden in your hearts what you've done in my lodge this day. Rituals are a personal matter." Sharp-rock nodded his head. When old man glared at him, the boy answered, "I will, shaman." Springing-rabbit also spoke his pledge. "Me too. I swear it, shaman." Shakes-like-the-ground led the boys out. The shaman gathered his medicine bundles from the ground and went to put them away. Coyote Thief saw where his breechclout lay but he decided not to wear it yet. His body was much sweated from the sex rite. He kneeled over a ground mat before the fire. Coyote Thief closed his eyes for a moment of rest. He breathed in deeply, slowly exhaling to calm himself. His hands still shook. When the warrior opened his eyes, he saw Sah-omb standing before him. The fire cast a red glow over his body. He noticed that the boy was still naked. Sah-omb made a curious gesture with his fingers swirling over his belly. Ah, thought Coyote Thief. That's where Springing-rabbit bore the wet result of his growing up rite. Sah-omb lowered his fingers to his little sac of balls. The warrior nodded with understanding. Yes. He'd given this youth sperm from what remained in his cock so that he'd mature. There was much longing on Sah-omb's face. He reached up for his pole and began pulling over its foreskin. The boy became erect in only a few heartbeats. Coyote Thief watched his performance. Sah-omb turned around to face the fire. The man's eyes went to the boy's sweaty butt and almost, he reached out to fondle it. A pleasant surge went though his cock. He silently scolded himself, willing his cock to remain soft. "Kroo ah teh la-men-da-ee," Sah-omb explained. Coyote Thief didn't understand the boy's words. Sah-omb reached back to tap over a curious marking above his right shoulder blade. Sah-omb wanted this warrior to understand! He slowly stepped back, feeling the man's knees against his lower legs. The boy bent them when he kneeled down. Strong hands came to his hips to prevent his fall. Coyote Thief took the boy down to sit over his folded legs. He was able to see the curious marking: a tattoo the youth bore of a swirling line. It held no meaning for him. Sah-omb steadied himself over the warrior's legs, lifting himself slowly until his butt pressed against the man's cock. It wasn't hard yet. The boy wondered why he was trying to coax this warrior's response. He'd been rebuffed earlier. Wasn't it enough that he underwent the growing up rite? Coyote Thief tried ignoring the boy's offer by staring into the flames. Its dance was mesmerizing. Coyote Thief could feel their music in his head that were like whispered words he could barely hear. He felt a strange connection to Sah-omb. Something in this boy that bound their spirits so the man embraced him to make a physical connection as well. Deep-roots-that-whisper cast off his elk skin robe. It was reverently hung over a wall peg. When he turned towards the fire, he glimpsed a faint glamour that disappeared when he blinked his eyes. Was he seeing things? The old man saw Coyote Thief before the fire with Sah-omb sitting over his folded legs. He went over to investigate what he'd Seen. Coyote Thief looked up curiously at the shaman. He was bare chested, only a breechclout worn that made Deep-roots-that-whisper appear as only an old man. It embarrassed the warrior to see him thus. Sah-omb snuggled closer to the man, feeling his limp cock tickling his butt. The warrior's long arms were around him. Big hands locked over his chest. Their closeness made the boy hopeful and very excited. Deep-roots-that-whisper sat down over his mat. He closed his eyes when a weariness took him. The soothing sounds of wood being burned, its crackling and long sighs filled his ears. It was making him sleepy. His head dropped to his chest. Coyote Thief pressed his chin into the boy's right shoulder. He smelled Sah-omb's sweat. Their slippery bodies pressing together felt sensual, warm. That made the man's cock stir with life. He felt its swift rise from his balls, lengthening along the crack of the boy's cheeks until his swollen knob struck deep inside the little butt like a flown arrow. Sah-omb gasped. He felt the man's cock against his hole and slip in. Groin hair crunched against his cheeks. A tickle was felt above the boy's right shoulder blade that reminded him of the tattoo he bore there. The warrior's chin scratched it. The powerful spell wove itself between the man and boy. It had put the shaman to sleep and crumbled any resistance Coyote Thief had. Strong hands pulled over Sah-omb's chest. His small body was lifted up the warrior's legs and his butt was stabbed. A very intense sensation. The man's hands relaxed to let him slip back down, the cock pulling from his tight hole. That lusty rhythm repeated again and again. The boy planted both hands into the dirt to help Coyote Thief fuck him. His butt was filled with Big Horn's seed and thirst to have this warrior's too. Coyote Thief didn't know what was possessing him. He felt tremendous lust to do the boy but a nagging half-forgotten memory made it seem wrong. This was only a youth of eleven that he fucked. A willing boy though. There were no cries of pain nor did he struggle to get away. The warrior cast away his doubts so that he could enjoy Sah-omb. His cock plowed the boy's sweaty little butt to make a place for his gift of man seed. Sah-omb saw stars at the edge of his sight. This was a mighty warrior who speared him. Stabs went deep through his butt that made it feel very intense by riding this man. He was fulfilling his responsibility for being la-men-da-ee. The boy closed his eyes and cast back his thoughts to when he was initiated by his tribe's shaman. He'd been told that he was special. Even as early as six, Sah-omb knew that he was interested in men. What he could do to satisfy their needs. Older boys were easier to approach and they taught him how fucking was done. He learned how to endure the stabs from their erections but few could squirt in him. A man did when Sah-omb was eight. He was a young brave named Sand-in-his-hand who often met with the boy far down the beach from their camp. They'd swim together. Playing a chasing game in the ocean excited them and when the man caught him on shore, he'd lay over his back. Sah-omb often satisfied the brave's lust but theirs was only a friendship. Not even love. Other needing men in the tribe learned what he could do for them so the boy was sexually used. Word of this reached the shaman. Instead of being punished, the youth received a tattoo above his right shoulder blade. That set his path in life as la-men-da-ee. The shaman explained to him what that meant. "You are special, Sand Flower. Satisfy the men of your tribe and they will fill you with their strength. There is much joy in this." "Why wasn't I born a girl?" Sah-omb asked. "Your task is not to bring a baby into the world but to bear a Wind Spirit that has strayed from the Above. It falls into certain men. Trapped there without Power or even a voice to plead to be let go." "How will I know if a Wind Spirit enters me?" the boy asked. "You will know. A man will pass this trapped spirit to you and it will Speak. Though their ways are mysterious, They act for the good of our People. You'll give it a Voice." "Can I see which man is holding a Wind Spirit?" "No. But I've marked you thus to attract men to you." Sah-omb found this to be true. He was often taken by the men of his tribe but no Wind Spirit came to him. When he turned ten years old, his shaman traded him to a Mountain People and that's how he came to Deep-roots-that-whisper's lodge. He'd been sad at first; lonely. This tribe's shaman was kind to him and quickly learned to speak his tongue. His tattoo worked its medicine and a few men have given him their seed. No love though. And no sign of a Wind Spirit. A sad realization had come to Sah-omb. If a man were to give his heart, the boy would be bound to him and unable to perform his search. How long would he have to wait before a Wind Spirit was passed to him? Was he destined to only be given men's seed and not love? Coyote Thief's cock grew very stiff. Sah-omb's butt ached yet he endured the man's wild stabbing in the hope that his search would come to an end. He heard the warrior's low grunt against his shoulder. It was similar to a lion seal's mating call. A throbbing was felt deep in his hole, filling with sperm. The boy's erection surged. He releases a high-pitched cry. Their struggling bodies slowed and both man and boy stared into the flames. Sah-omb listened for a Wind Spirit. All he heard was the fire's crackling that seemed to be teasing him. The man's hands loosened from around his chest. His little butt was pushed on. The boy went to his feet, feeling the man's cock pulling wetly from him. He turned around to face Coyote Thief. No signs of love were on this man's face for him, only male relief. The boy held his aching butt. That's all he managed to win from him. Coyote Thief couldn't believe what he'd done. He... seeded this boy! Guilt squeezed the man's heart for betraying his pledge unto Big Horn. He dropped his eyes in shame. That's when he saw his oozing cock. The boy's butt stain was over his foreskin. The warrior shook his head and tears came into his eyes. Sah-omb noticed the warrior's distress. The happy grin on his face faded and for the first time in his life, he regretted what he'd done. The boy went to the shaman and gently shook him awake. Deep-roots-that-whisper opened his eyes that were blinded by flames. He didn't see that Coyote Thief was crying. Sah-omb was crouched at his side. A sad look on the boy's face that had the man wondering. The shaman lifted his hands for gesturing. 'Ah, Coyote Thief. Fill a mug with sun water and get Big Horn to drink it. That may help him to awaken.' The warrior quickly wiped his face. He found the nearly empty jug and poured it into a wooden mug. Coyote Thief brought it to his lover with the hope of awakening him. He knew that it would offer the brave strength. Big Horn's head was lifted and the mug was put to his lips. The brave opened his eyes and accepted the drink, much to Coyote Thief's relief. The brave felt very groggy. If not for his lover's hand under him, he'd fallen back to the ground mat. The liquid was flavored. He drank it all down and felt his limbs tingling. Coyote Thief helped him to a sitting position. Sah-omb saw that the warrior's face had brightened. He didn't look so grim and old. All the emotions he was feeling were there on his face to read. The boy knew that love did that. Big Horn tried shaking his head of sleep. The bitter taste in his mouth was washed away by what he drank. He peered up at the warrior and gave him a weak grin. "Jeh-eb, Tay-hah." Coyote Thief needed to affirm his bond unto this man. Big Horn smiled. Coyote Thief had spoken his name in the Spear-bearing tongue. He returned his word for love in a hoarse voice, "Jeh-eb!" That's when the brave noticed that they weren't alone. Sah-omb took the empty mug from Coyote Thief and was staring at them. The memory of being with that boy crashed in Big Horn's head. That pained his heart for having betrayed his love for Coyote Thief. He closed his eyes. A strong hand lifted him from the mat until he stood on his legs. He could barely feel them and needed the warrior's help of support. Deep-roots-that-whisper noticed. He lifted his hands for gesturing. 'Take the brave outside and let him breathe fresh air.' Coyote Thief nodded his head in understanding. He held the brave's waist and slowly led him to the door, past the bulging water bladders that reminded him of tonight's ritual the Moss-bowl People were going to perform. They stepped out into bright sunlight. The day had turned warm. Big Horn continued needing his support when they walked past the lodges. People raised their hands to them in greeting. A few even smiled. That made Coyote Thief feel glad. They weren't hostile as the Muddy River Tribe had been towards him. Coyote Thief didn't know where they were going. He simply walked, his lover close at his side within his right arm. That was enough for him. Strength returned but slowly for Big Horn. His brave clung to his arm even though he no longer needed support. They walked and walked. In silence. That's when the warrior noticed that his lover was troubled by the way he wouldn't look at him. It reminded him of his own shame. The lodges thinned out when the ground became rocky. Coyote Thief could see the cliffs ahead of them. That's where he took his lover so that they could be alone. The wind blew. A warm breeze because of the time of day. Father Sun was still high in His sky. Coyote Thief brought his brave to the edge of the cliffs. They looked down at the valleys that seemed to stretch on and on. It was a magnificent sight! If they had wings, the vast distances could be overcome and return them to their tipi on the muddy river. All their troubles would be left behind. Big Horn felt that his legs were steady enough to allow him to stand on his own. He pulled away from his lover but when a hand reached for his, he grasped it. The brave felt eyes on him but he couldn't look back. "You to bad?" asked Coyote Thief. Big Horn could only nod his head. He tried holding back tears because of what he had done with that boy. Coyote Thief looked away. He no longer took in the sights but went into deep thought. What was troubling his lover? He recalled that the shaman had given Big Horn the red-capped mushroom. A thing used in sexual rites. What had the brave been made to perform under its influence? He needed to share with Big Horn what was troubling his own heart. The shaman's growing up rite for the boys, how Owl's Hoot tried seducing him and what he'd done with Sah-omb. Admitting these things to the brave might get him to open up his heart. Coyote Thief freed his hand and lifted it for gesturing. 'I need to tell you something, my love.' Big Horn turned to the warrior and saw the troubled look in his face. He dropped his eyes to stare at the man's chest. 'When you were sleeping, the shaman conducted a purification rite for myself and two boys. That is because a Trickster has come to the Moss-bowl. He wore the guise of a teen boy who seduced them into sex... and me.' When Big Horn only stared at him, the warrior continued. 'The Trickster called himself Owl's Hoot. A boy who was banished from the Split Tribe last summer. Do you know of him?' Big Horn shook his head. He stared at the warrior's moving hands. 'That dark-skinned man you had seen in the hunting grounds of your People, was he young or old?' Big Horn raised his hand. 'I do not know. I'd only seen a brief glimpse of him as a man after taking the form of that elk bull. Crying Loon may be able to tell you.' Coyote Thief thought a moment. 'It is possible that the Trickster your shaman had driven away followed us to this mountain or he could have already been here. I don't know. Deep-roots-that-whisper had an apprentice who was killed by a Trickster a few summers ago. Owl's Hoot had asked Sah-omb if he were being trained as a shaman. That boy would have been killed if that were so.' Big Horn shook his head. 'I don't understand. How do you know about this?' Coyote Thief's hands flew. He told Big Horn about meeting Owl's Hoot at the river, how he was nearly seduced by sex to reveal things about that sacred bundle the brave carried. Mentioning that troubled the brave. 'You didn't tell him!' 'No. But that evil boy's thoughts in my head Saw what I knew, that you were carrying it from your shaman to this tribe's shaman.' 'He doesn't know about Willow Bird?' gestured the brave. Coyote Thief shook his head. 'I only suspected that the bundle concerned him after speaking with Deep-roots-that-whisper, when I warned him about the Trickster. He is preparing his People to dance the protection circle tonight.' Big Horn looked down the steep cliff. Coyote Thief wondered what his lover was thinking. "I to say..." He paused a moment for the brave to look back at his hands. 'After the purification ritual, the shaman had me stand before one boy and Shakes-like-the-ground stood before the other. We conducted a growing up rite for them.' Big Horn realized what his lover had done. Yet it didn't upset him. His act with Sah-omb was not as innocent though. By fucking the boy, he had betrayed the oath he'd spoken at their bonding rite. Coyote Thief noticed the fear on his lover's face. Something had happened in the shaman's lodge when he was made to eat the red-capped mushroom. An act of sex that was making the brave feel bad. The warrior was also feeling ashamed of what he'd done with Sah-omb and suspected that his lover had also been seduced by that boy. He was preparing to admit that to Big Horn. The warrior started to raise his hands for gesturing but didn't. Instead, he took hold of his lover's hand and gripped it tightly. "Jeh-eb, Tay-hah! I to love you, no you to do any." Big Horn pondered over what had been said. He knew of Coyote Thief's love for him but what did he mean by those last words? The brave finally had the courage to look into his lover's face. There was no anger. He saw understanding there. Tears filled his eyes and he found himself in Coyote Thief's arms. "Shhh. You to do no bad, Tay-hah. Krip ah nee-ah pin eh oh tem-pee ah!" Big Horn cried hard. All the guilt he was feeling was coming out in his lover's arms. Not only for fucking Sah-omb but for being with Crying Loon in the cat tails and the love he tried hiding in his heart for Willow Bird. Coyote Thief also lost himself. He cried in the brave's arms. All the shame they were feeling fell away like rain. It brought healing to their troubled spirits. The wind blew past the couple for a long while. Tears dried from their faces. They kissed and made up. Coyote Thief pulled from his lover's arms. 'I forgive you for anything you have done and ask if... you can forgive me.' Big Horn nodded his head with relief but wondered what his warrior meant by his last gestured words. Before he could ask, Coyote Thief turned towards the cliffs. He stepped to the edge and it appeared like the warrior was going to jump! The brave rushed to Coyote Thief's side and took hold of his hand. That brought the warrior's eyes to him. The intense fear in them was fading. "Jeh-eb, Contha-gwa!" Big Horn squeezed his lover's hand and pulled him back from the cliff. They faced each other. 'I love you and will always love you no matter what happens.' Relief was seen in the warrior's eyes. The men turned towards the cliffs while holding hands. Father Sun shown down on them, warming their bodies and filling their spirits with His Light. That night, the Moss-bowl People danced the circle of protection around their lodges. The mountain echoed with their joyous noise to scare the Trickster away. It was a similar ritual the Kalinlepi had danced with the shaman pouring sun water over each family, the beating of drums and many torches lighting up the night. It lasted to the morning. It was made known that the warrior from the Spear-bearing People had warned their shaman of this threat. The Moss-bowl accepted him as a friend. He could walk freely amongst them and many offered smiles and happy greetings to Coyote Thief. Only those warriors with hardened hearts from battles with the Valley Tribes turned away. When morning's glow filled the sky to the east, the People returned to their lodges to sleep. Coyote Thief and Big Horn were invited to the lodge of Shakes-like-the-ground. They rested until the afternoon. Coyote Thief was tending the fire in his preparations to make soup. He was joined by their host who found the herbs he needed to thicken and flavor it. As with the Kalinlepi, soup in the morning was not customary amongst the Moss-bowl yet Shakes-in-the-ground filled his bowl. Big Horn was still sleeping. Coyote Thief knew that his brave suffered from the thin mountain air and his belly wound still ached him. It had crusted. He was glad since that meant they wouldn't have to visit with the shaman for a medicine cloth. Seeing Sah-omb there would have reminded them both of their guilt and undo the fragile healing from yesterday. Shakes-like-the-ground finished his soup. He even asked for more. Coyote Thief was pleased, noticing a strange glow in the man's eyes that he recognized as love. It was obvious that he was bursting to share something with him. 'Very good soup,' gestured Shakes-like-the-ground. He gulped down what remained in his bowl. Coyote Thief smiled. 'I remembered what you told me yesterday morning about the rites your men practice with boys.' Coyote Thief only nodded. He stared at the man's hands. 'It was good that we performed the growing up rite for those boys,' admitted Shakes-like-the-ground. 'I feel something special for Sharp-rock. When he accepted my embrace, I realized that the boy felt the same way for me.' 'I saw his love for you,' Coyote Thief gestured. Shakes-like-the-ground lowered his eyes in embarrassment yet his hands flew to shape more words. 'I love him in the way a father loves his son. I've been acting as monedo for Sharp-rock. His father is often away to trade with the Valley People.' Coyote Thief nodded. 'Your friendship has become closer.' 'Yes. In a way that the boy's father could not give him.' Coyote Thief touched the warrior's knee. He caught the man's eyes and they stared at each other with an understanding coming between them. 'Ah. Perhaps Big Horn would like to have some soup.' Coyote Thief filled his empty bowl and took it to his sleeping brave. He shook Big Horn. It heartened the warrior to see the man's smile for him. Big Horn drank down the soup. After handing over his empty bowl, he slipped from the buffalo hide and went with Coyote Thief to the fire. Their host greeted them. "You are feeling better?" asked Shakes-like-the-ground. Big Horn nodded sheepishly. His belly wound still ached him but he didn't want to mention it. "Hmm. Do you know how long you'll be visiting with our tribe?" A small stick was picked up and cast into the fire by Shakes-like-the-ground. Their host's question bothered Big Horn for some reason. He glanced at Coyote Thief before answering. "I don't know. Our arrival had been unexpected so I hope that we didn't put you out." "You didn't. The both of you are always welcomed to my lodge." "I thank you," Big Horn answered. He noticed the tension in Shakes-like- the-ground about something. What was their host not telling him? "Would you like me to introduce you to other men in the tribe who share your spirit?" asked Shakes-like-the-ground. Big Horn made a slight head nod. "There's a warrior named Left-hand Bow. As a boy, he came to live with our People from the Snow Drinkers Tribe when his mother remarried here." Big Horn wondered why he was told this. "Is he Mahyee-na?" Shakes-like-the-ground shook his head. "Not like you and Coyote Thief. He'll gladly stick into a butt but not give his, if that's what you mean." Coyote Thief pleaded to be told what was going on. Shakes-like-the-ground lowered his hands, forcing Big Horn to answer him. 'Our host is telling me about another man in the tribe who may want to invite us to his lodge for the night.' 'That is good,' answered Coyote Thief with a grin. Big Horn suspected that his lover knew the reason for their host's uneasiness with keeping them as guests. He couldn't ask him about it now. Coyote Thief raised his hands for gesturing at Shakes-like-the-ground. 'It has been a good visit with you. I wish the best for you and Sharp-rock.' Big Horn knew that something was going on. Coyote Thief went to his feet. He offered his hand and the brave took it, coming to stand at the warrior's side. Shakes-like-the-ground saw them out with fond slaps over their backs. Coyote Thief walked away with a wave of farewell and Big Horn followed him. Only when they had passed a handful of lodges did he turn to his lover. 'Who is Sharp-rock?" 'He is that boy Shakes-like-the-ground initiated with a growing up rite.' Coyote Thief looked around to see if his hands were being watched before gesturing again. 'I suspect that they'll be spending more time together.' Big Horn had his answer. Yet it left him filled with distain, their host had wanted them gone so he could be with that boy in his lodge. Coyote Thief kept walking. 'Where are we going?' Big Horn asked. 'To the men's big lodge.' Nothing more was forthcoming from his lover. Big Horn turned his attention to the People they passed. Many raised their hands in greeting to them and smiled. It seemed that Coyote Thief had been accepted by this tribe as a friend. He felt glad about that. The lodges eventually gave way to a clearing. Big Horn saw an enormous wooden structure that took his breath away. It was three times the height of his chief's tipi and would take two handfuls of fingers in tipis to span its length. The sides were formed from entire trees stacked on their sides. Clay filled the spaces between them. Coyote Thief headed for its entrance. A single feathered warrior stood guard. He was dressed in a finely painted war shirt and held a long spear. With only a hand greeting, they were allowed inside. Big Horn slipped past the heavy door flap after his lover. It was dark inside. The strong odor of burning sage filled his nose. Coyote Thief waited a moment for his eyes to adjust. He saw the central fire pit and walked towards it. Big Horn meekly followed him. They passed men resting over their mats in this huge space. No one greeted them. A pile of mats were found near the fire pit. Coyote Thief grabbed one. He unrolled it over the ground and removed his breechclout. Big Horn did the same. They sat down naked, shoulder to shoulder. Coyote Thief's eyes were drawn to the huge fire centering this lodge while the brave's eyes wandered around them. Big Horn noticed that most of the men went naked. They ranged in age from young braves to seasoned warriors. No boys here. His eyes fell upon a three feathered warrior sitting near them. The old man wore his hair in two braids. There was a curious tattoo over his right cheek and he had a big nose. The old warrior nodded his head at Big Horn in silent greeting. He lifted his pipe and drew smoke from its long clay stem. The brave breathed in its pleasant smell. Big Horn was startled when the old man erupted in song. His words were strange and that's when the brave realized that, like themselves, he was a visitor to this tribe. No one else joined the warrior in singing. An arm came around Big Horn and held him close. He held his lover back, dropping his head to rest over his shoulder. They listened to the strange song. Its words held no meaning for them but the old man sang it well. When it ended, the other men briefly slapped their chests. The silence returned. Big Horn dared to look around again. His eyes had adjusted to the dim light and he saw many men here, some sleeping over their mats while others sat and smoked. He realized that this central lodge was a sanctuary from the busy activities of their tribe. In war time, its huge space would serve as a council place for all the warriors. Coyote Thief began shifting uneasily over their mat. When Big Horn turned to him for an explanation, the warrior gestured his need to relieve himself. He stood up and started walking away. Big Horn didn't want to be left behind so he followed his lover towards the far end of the lodge. They took care with their steps so as to not disturb anyone. A man stared at Coyote Thief. His eyes were all over his nakedness. Big Horn noticed. He was surprised when his lover made a suggestive slap over his butt. When they reached a corner of the lodge, Coyote Thief stepped through a covered doorway. The small room that they entered was an addition to the main structure. It smelled strongly of urine. Big Horn's lover stood over a hole in the ground. A pissing sound followed. Then he turned and squatted. Big Horn was surprised that this lodge provided this indoor facility. He waited anxiously for Coyote Thief to finish. The warrior stood up. Something crunched in his hands that sounded like dried leaves. It was dark here so the brave couldn't be sure. Coyote Thief cleaned himself then moved away to allow him to piss into the ground hole. A movement of air was felt in the small room. Big Horn turned to see a man entering. He gave his place to him. Pissing followed. Coyote Thief didn't leave and that had Big Horn wondering why. A skin rubbing sound was heard. A sharp pang went through Big Horn when he realized that the man was handling himself. Coyote Thief had left his side. It was difficult finding him in the dark. Yet when the brave heard a trembling breath, sucking! he knew what his lover was doing to the man. Big Horn stepped closer to them. He could just make out the two men in the dark. One man stood while the other was on his knees in front of him, head bobbing. He dared to reach out and touch them. An arm was felt coming around the standing man's waist. Big Horn ran his hand down his lover's arm until finding where his hand clutched a humping butt. The sucking grew louder. There was a lusty moan. Big Horn felt his cock throb for attention so he began handling himself. He wondered how he could join them in having sex. Coyote Thief heard his lover beating off. That pleased him. He thought that Big Horn might not approve of what he was doing with this stranger but he was relieved that his fears were unfounded. Hungry hands were all over his butt. Coyote Thief pulled his mouth away and stood up. He turned while reaching back for the man's slippery cock that he directed into his butt. Its knob pushed against his hole. A savage thrust! He felt his hips being gripped when the stranger began fucking him good and hard. Big Horn couldn't believe his eyes. Not that he could see much in the dark but his hands were all over them, feeling the stranger's wildly flexing ass when he drove himself into his lover's butt hole. He heard the squishing sound. That really excited him! He found Coyote Thief's hard cock with his hand. An idea came to Big Horn of how he could join them. The brave squatted down in front of his lover and took his cock into his mouth. He sucked it without needing to bob his head. The stranger's forward thrusts did that. It sometimes made him gag. He heard Coyote Thief's moans and the man behind him also moaned. Big Horn reached his hands back to clutch the stranger's sweaty ass. He felt when the man stabbed forward. That drove Coyote Thief's cock through his mouth and kept him from gagging. He wanted to drink his seed. Strong hands were felt under Big Horn's armpits. Coyote Thief was urging him to stand up. Big Horn found himself in his lover's tight embrace, their cocks doing battle below while their mouths entered the fray above. It was savagely sweet. The brave made love to his warrior while the stranger fucked him from behind. Big Horn's left foot slipped into the ground hole. Coyote Thief caught him. He was turned around and felt his lover's cock trying to fit in his butt. It excited the brave that their sex act was going to be a threesome. He bent over slightly. A savage thrust connected their bodies. He reached his hands back to feel over Coyote Thief's ass, humping with each stab into his butt. His hands reached back further until finding the stranger's flexing cheeks. The squishy sounds from three men fucking filled the small room. Big Horn kept one hand over Coyote Thief's humping cheeks while his other hand enjoyed feeling over the stranger's cheeks. His own cock ached for attention. The brave endured, knowing that he'd be getting his turn soon at fucking. Coyote Thief was going to end up with a very full butt! The men's hungry hands wandered to each other. Flexing butts were found in the dark and enjoyed. Big Horn felt his cock being held by the two men. It was intensely thrilling but he kept himself from exploding. Coyote Thief stood between two horny men. He took savage stabs into his butt while giving the same to his lover. His chest slammed into Big Horn's back. The stranger's chest slammed into his back. He tried recalling what that man looked like, the one who'd stared up at him from his mat. Big Horn felt his lover's cock getting very stiff. It pained his butt. He knew the meaning to that so he made his hole tighter by squeezing his thighs together. He was rewarded by Coyote Thief's low satisfying moan. The stranger's cock was squeezed and he also moaned. Two butts felt their seeding by the throbbing cocks deep inside them. Only one man was denied climax. Urgent breaths filled the small dark room. Three sets of hands kept a tight hold around each other while they recovered from having wonderful sex. When a hand grasped Big Horn's knob, he almost exploded! Was that his lover trying to find out if he'd cum or the stranger? Coyote Thief straightened his back. Big Horn also stood up fully and he felt the stranger's hand giving him a fond arm slap. His warrior's arm was also slapped in a gesture of gratitude. Big Horn quickly reached his hand back and felt the stranger pulling from his lover's ass. Footsteps were heard going away. They both turned their heads to catch sight of him. The door flap let in some light when the man slipped out of the room. They couldn't see his face; only his sweaty back and a nice pair of cheeks were seen when he stepped back inside the main lodge. Almost immediately, another man came inside. Coyote Thief pushed on his lover's back to get his cock out of him. Big Horn groaned with pain. They rushed to hide in a corner of the room and waited. They heard pissing. When it ended, Big Horn stepped towards the new man but was held back by Coyote Thief. The brave realized his folly. This stranger may only have come to relieve himself. That proved to be so. The man slipped past the door flap but not before glancing back at them. Big Horn felt very embarrassed. They stood in the corner for a long while to see if anyone else would come. Coyote Thief kept the brave in his arms, kissing over his neck and making a few teasing pulls over his cock. That became too much for Big Horn to endure. He turned around and gave his warrior a tight hug. They kissed. Their cocks rubbed together between their bellies but it wasn't the brave's intent to release himself in this way. He wanted to feel the slimy tight insides of his lover's asshole. Coyote Thief's chest was pushed on. He turned around since he knew what Big Horn needed to do to him. He stuck his butt out. The brave's cock slipped between his sweaty cheeks and found his hole. He was savagely stabbed. Big Horn felt the slippery warmth of his lover's asshole around his cock. That made him moan with anticipation. He gripped Coyote Thief's hips and began his lusty stabs. Soon, he'd spill his loins into the warrior to mingle with that stranger's cum deep inside. Coyote Thief enjoyed having his butt pounded again. He couldn't remember what that stranger's face looked like but he knew who took him now. A sweet man. His needing brave who was plowing through his ass to quickly satisfy himself before someone else entered the room. The couple didn't know that it was already too late. A man had entered unnoticed to relieve himself. When he heard their rutting, he turned from the ground hole and approached them. It was too dark to see much. But from the squishy sound, grunting and knowing that two men hadn't left the room since they entered (he'd been laying over his mat near the door), he was catching them having sex. Big Horn clutched his warrior and stabbed. He was already holding his breaths to deepen the thrills in his cock. Coyote Thief was doing things with his butt. Each of the brave's forward thrusts were met by the warrior's cheeks backing into him. His cock felt the tightness of the man's hole. It became too much for him. He felt his sperm's rising and shot it deep into his lover's asshole. A loud groan escaped his lips. Coyote Thief was afraid that someone might hear Big Horn's ending joy. He turned his head and saw a shadowy figure behind them. A hand was felt on him. The brave must have also sensed their intruder because his body became tense. He pushed on his back to separate their bodies. It became an anxious moment. The stranger didn't say anything but held his ground. Big Horn tried swallowing his urgent breaths so they wouldn't be heard. Coyote Thief knew that they'd been caught so he became bold, stepping to the man with his hand reaching low to find his cock. He was relieved to find that it was hard. A few suggestive pulls were made over its foreskin. When the stranger didn't back away, Coyote Thief dropped to his knees. He sucked him. Big Horn heard. His heart was racing with fear but now excitement replaced that. He stepped to the stranger's side, feeling over his slim body with his hands. He had a small butt that reminded him of a boy's shape. Groin hair was felt so that proved he was a grown man. Coyote Thief's nose brushed against the back of his hand so he opened his fingers to feel this man's size. Coyote Thief felt his lover's exploration of the stranger's cock so he only mouthed his knob. Big Horn's fingers slid along the slippery shaft until touching his nose. That tickled him. He fully swallowed the man's cock so that he could scratch his nose against groin hair. The brave's fingers pulled away. Big Horn had felt the man's size. His cock wasn't long but it was very thick. He wanted to feel it in his butt so he reached down to Coyote Thief's right shoulder and pulled on it. A space was made for him. Quick were his next moves. He stepped in front of the stranger, backing himself against him. The man slipped his fat cock through his cheeks and found his hole. When the stranger stabbed inside him, Big Horn groaned with pain. His hole was plenty slippery from Coyote Thief's cum in him but he wasn't prepared for this man's size. Strong hands gripped his hips. He felt the beginning thrusts and couldn't escape his rape if he wanted to. Coyote Thief stood up. He heard his lover's pain but there was no sympathy in him for Big Horn. His mouth had discovered that this stranger's cock was big. He reached his hands down to them, one spreading over the brave's groin hair and his other hand held the stranger's flexing ass. A sly smile filled the warrior's lips. He pulled their bodies together with all of his strength. Big Horn felt his lover's hand over him. When the man's cock in his butt was forced deeper inside him, he groaned with renewed pain. Coyote Thief's hands relaxed. That was but a short reprieve when their bodies were pulled together again. He tried spreading his legs, hoping that his hole would stretch wider and not feel so hurt. The stranger fucked harder. He relished having the other man's hand over his butt, feeling the strength of his savage mating that helped drive his cock deeper through that tight asshole. He suspected that the other warrior who'd left the room earlier had already left his sperm inside it. Big Horn couldn't believe the pain he was enduring! This stranger had a really big cock and no matter what he did, spreading his legs and trying to relax the inner muscles in his butt, the pain from getting fucked wouldn't lessen. Coyote Thief's trick with his hands made it worse. The brave kicked his lover. In the next moment, he felt the warrior's hand falling from his groin. Coyote Thief rose to his feet. He stood in front of Big Horn and took him into his arms. He was embraced. Tightly. Against his ear, he heard the brave's pained breaths and that concerned him. Big Horn leaned against his lover with all of his weight dropping on him. Coyote Thief staggered back, catching him while the stranger stepped forward to prevent the man's butt from getting away from him. He was close to release. A few more lusty stabs and... Ah! His cock exploded with much pleasure for him. Coyote Thief heard the stranger's grunts of satisfaction. Big Horn also cried out but in pain. The warrior's arms were trembling from bearing all of his lover's weight but he wouldn't let his brave fall. Big Horn felt the powerful throbs in his butt. He was more relieved that it was finally over than being pleased to have caught more sperm in him. A kiss was felt in his hair. He blew out a breath against Coyote Thief's chest. The man behind him slowly pulled out. "I didn't know that this room could be used to relieve a man's lust as well," the stranger whispered. "I'll have to come more often to trade with your People." He chuckled. Big Horn turned around to face the stranger. His butt still pained him. "We're not from the Moss-bowl," he angrily explained. "I doubt you'll find another man willing to get fucked by your big cock. You hurt me real bad." "I am sorry," the stranger muttered. He quickly turned for the door and went through it. Coyote Thief had heard his lover's angry words. It wouldn't do any good to scold him about it now. He learned something though. Having sex in this dark room had been exciting in a way but it revealed the darker side to being Mahyee-na. Without having friendship with your partner or even knowing his name, the act was an empty one. It was a bad trade. Big Horn groaned again. He limped towards the door and went through it. Coyote Thief followed close behind. To their relief, no one looked up at them. It was if nothing had happened. They slowly made their way back to their mat. Coyote Thief found the man that had stared at him earlier, the first to enter the dark room for sex. He was laying over his belly, sleeping. No chance to see his face. The warrior ran his eyes down his body to check out his butt. A nice pair of cheeks. They were as he remembered them when the stranger had stepped past the door flap. Too bad that he'd not been willing to offer himself to get fucked. Big Horn reached their ground mat and carefully sat over it. Pain could be seen in his eyes. Coyote Thief joined him. A quick look around proved that no one was watching them in any particular way. Coyote Thief took his lover's hand into his own. They sat shoulder to shoulder, the blazing fire drawing their eyes. Its popping wood and the flame's roar was soothing. Big Horn began to squirm though. His eyes looked down at himself, filling with pain and the warrior understood what troubled him. Their breechclouts were put on and almost in a rush, Big Horn led his warrior out of the men's lodge. He urgently searched for a place to squat. *** AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm still offering FREE copies of my 'Artwork & Stories' on Windows compatible CD-ROMs. If you've already taken advantage of my offer or are considering it, PLEASE take note of the following. It has come to my attention that a few of my CDs sent to readers per this offer had media read errors (prior to 3/2002). I've since corrected this problem by purchasing a new (and faster) CD Burner and I test each CD copy to ensure that it works. I've video captured MORE mpeg movie files from Indian films that have expanded from the second cd-rom to a third disc. The first cd-rom contains ALL my story texts on Indian boy/love and related stories from other authors, the scanned artwork and eBook versions of my printed booklets (long out-of-print), jpeg images of nude Indian men and boys, favored children's books on Indians, historical photos, artifacts, etc. The second cd contains the Adobe Acrobat Reader install file (to view my eBooklets), MS-Word 2000 files that reproduce the deck of 129 Art Cards and jpeg images of young Asian men. A LOT of erotic material for your viewing pleasure! The process of sending me your U.S. mailing address, receiving my postcard verification number to be returned to me via email will have to be repeated for everyone because I discard readers' addresses after mailing the CDs. Only requests from adults who live here in the U.S. will be honored. ADL Bookstore has verified that this material is legal here but countries like Canada, Japan and Australia forbid the nude frontal depiction of the human form. Even if your country has laws in accord to the U.S. there is a cost consideration that prevents me from paying for foreign shipping. Thank you for your understanding. To get your free copy of "Artwork & Stories of Vince Water" that includes three Windows compatible cd-roms and instructional booklet, send me an email with a postal mailing address and the statement: 'I am over twenty-one years of age' to: ArtworkAndStories@HotMail.com After receiving your email request, I'll first send out a postcard with a verification number that you'll send back to me via e-mail. This helps prevent me from getting into trouble if I were to send out this explicit material to someone who didn't actually request it... There are Tricksters out there! Upon receiving your verification number, I'll mail you the cd-roms. Be assured that I won't be using your mailing address for any other purpose except to send you the computer discs; all info. provided me will be discarded. This offer is limited to adults over twenty-one who reside in the United States. I don't have Mac versions of these cd-roms so please don't ask! If you can, please make a donation to the Nifty Archive. My thanks to David for posting my stories as well as all the other fine authors that you have enjoyed reading from on this free-service Internet web site: www.Nifty.Org/ Questions, comments or suggestions about my stories should be addressed to: VinceWater@HotMail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of file: BIGHORN8.TXT The story continues in: BIGHORN9.TXT