Twisting Creek - Forest:
     The forest thickens as you move deeper into it. The path is not quite clear and you have to push your way through the dense foliage. In the warmer months, dogwood trees with their white blossoms fill the air with a sweet scent, mixed with the smell of pine and the decaying leaves underfoot.
     You come upon a crooked creek that twists its way through the forest. The mountain snow melts and this cold water runs southward to the sea and warmer climates. Those that dwell in the forest find food and drink here. The clear water runs over smooth stones and a small pool has formed in a wider, flat area of rock.

Spirit-Walker and Saul come into view from the southeast, traveling along a faint, narrow trail.

The long walk doesn't seem to have tired the older woman at all. Spirit-Walker strides into the clearing near the creek. "Chookma, One-Paw." She calls out when she spots the portly Sylvan.

An aroma of delicious cooking fish permeates this area, cut under by the rich smell of green pine needles and the gurgling of the creek just visible through the trees. In a small clearing, next to a fire-pit and a large flat rock, sits One-Paw, an aged graisha, and three cooking fish, sizzling appetizingly.

Saul treads into the area, looking around as he walks. Though there's a definite bit of tension in his frame, he studies the terrain about him with a vested interest, like someone coming home after a long absence. He peers over at One-Paw, then back at Spirit-Walker, dubious.

One-Paw glances up at the two newcomers. On a closer look, it can be seen that the Sylvan is squatting, not sitting, and appears perfectly comfortable in doing so. "Come, come," he calls. "Chookma, Spirit-Walker. Life has grown somewhat dull without your company." The wrinkly man throws a toothy grin at the lady, complete with elongated canines. "Who is your friend?"

Spirit-Walker nears the fire and chooses a spot near One-Paw and sits down, laying her staff down beside her. "My timing is good, is it not?" The woman faintly smiles and mirth sparkles in her eyes. "This is One-Who-Has-Seen-It-All, and she motions toward Saul, then looks up at him. "Please, sit with us. This is One-Paw." And she glances at the fish frying, inhaling deeply the aroma. "Mmmm."

Red-Tail emerges from out of the bushes.

Saul, still not all sure what's going on here, peers at the others before plopping to a spot opposite them. He shifts on the ground, looking quite a bit uncertain.

Red-Tail climbs out of a small hole in a small hill. She notices the group and stops there, watching.

Crouched behind his fire-pit cooking fish (as usual), One-Paw looks over Saul and gives him an approving wink. "Don't ye be afraid of me, son," he assures the boy. "I'm just the cook."

Saul lets some more frown appear on his dubious expression, green eyes wandering back to Spirit-Walker, apparently waiting for some kind of explanation. Cautiously, he looks back at One-Paw, and nods, lips tightly sealed against speaking. When he notices a third arrival, he peers over at Red-Tail.

Red-Tail smiles toothily at Saul and gives a little wave.

Saul shifts a little more, still uncertain. To him, this is going from bad to worse.

Spirit-Walker chuckles. "With One-Paw around, I have found my hunter. So not all have to hunt." She smiles and glances from Saul to One-Paw. "I was looking for Red-Tail and met this fine youth." She then notices the very one she mentioned. "Ahh, there you are, Red-Tail."

Red-Tail growls low at the two ancient Sylvans.

Saul just fidgets, and nods a little at Spirit-Walker.

One-Paw chuckles at Spirit-Walker's praise, then calls out to Red-Tail, "Come join us, Red-Tail. The fish is already cooking, unfortunately, but you can meet our young friend here." He seems to be oblivious to Saul's discomfort.

Red-Tail laughs a little, "Red-Tail know Saul. Scare Saul."

Saul glances sidelong at Red-Tail, and only nods to confirm her words. He still doesn't say anything, though.

Spirit-Walker doesn't seem phased by Red-Tail's growl. Perhaps she is getting used to it. She focuses her attention on Saul again. "I wanted to show you One-Paw and I want you to look at this forest. For it is a part of you." She smiles and then looks over to Red Tail. "So this is what chases you." She grins slyly. "I see I was right. Red-Tail, come sit with us? And Saul is not his name. He will tell us his name when he remembers." She looks at Saul with a bit of disapproval. "Until such time, you will call him One-who-has-seen-all."

Red-Tail joins and sits where directed, "No see all."

Saul ducks his head, yet still manages to find chances to study all of the other three in turn. He fidgets with a bit of soil as he listens, then nods. "Like trees," he admits in a really small voice, finally breaking his silence.

A grin of amusement crosses One-Paw's face. "As you can see, One-who-has-seen-all, I grow so old that many have come to treat me as naught but a natural wonder to gaze upon," he snickers, winking at Spirit-Walker. "But I am still moving around, I am thinking, and more than that."

Saul blinks at One-Paw, regarding him for a moment. He nods solemnly, but doesn't say anything. Maybe he's not sure if his tone was mirthful, or not.

Spirit-Walker arches that brow again, suppressing a grin. "You are thinking, and what more?" She draws up a hand to silence a reply. "I do not wish to know what you are thinking. Or what more than that it is you do." She says to One-Paw. "It is time to help our youth understand Earth Mother, life, and the Spirits." She is now very serious. "It is time for them to learn, time to teach."

A faint scowl threatens to decorate Saul's forehead when Spirit-Walker talks like that, but he manages to control most of it. Still feeling quite the guest, he doesn't blurt out any contradictions or excuses.

One-Paw glances over at Red-Tail suddenly, with widened eyes, but it turns soon into another of the old man's sly winks and a mischievous grin. "Ye are wanting me to be teaching, woman?" he says to Spirit-Walker. "I am wondering if Strongbow has been trying to tell you I am a worthy role-model for the younglings again."

Red-Tail stares back at One-Paw's gaze.

The light of the fire is mirrored in Spirit-Walker. She glances between One-Paw and Red-Tail. Then her hand is around her staff and she whaps One-Paw. "Mind what you teach or you'll find this staff will teach you some wisdom." She says. "I want you to listen." she says, looking to Red-Tail and One-that-has-seen-all. "You are of the finest the Gods created. You are Sylvan. And it is pride in your heritage that I want to see glowing in your eyes."

One-Paw is nearly knocked onto his haunches by Spirit-Walker's reproach, but he just mutters a few choice phrases to himself and suddenly is back to his normal cheerful self. "I am thinking a certain someone at this campfire neglects to remember we wouldn't have heritage if it weren't for the important lesson Red-Tail has been learning recently," he chuckles, smiling toothily at Spirit-Walker.

Saul just frowns, instead of managing to look immediately proud, as if this isn't making much sense to him. He doesn't look like this is new information, though, which hints he's not totally ignorant. Just mostly. He half opens his mouth, but cuts off anything he might have said when One-Paw falls over.

Red-Tail looks at One-Paw, "What lesson?"

Spirit-Walker sniffs the air "You will burn the fish." she says "What has she been learning?" She demands more than asks. "One-that-has-seen-all, You want to get some water from the creek? I feel a thirst." And again, this is not really a request.

"Graisha things," One-Paw answers cryptically as he deftly flips the fish with a couple of still-green sticks. "Though she knows it not, she has learned much. How to calm the call, how to sate the Fox." Clearing his throat and chortling once more, he non sequiturs, "But, I am thinking I will be telling a story during dinner. Yes?"

At the prospect of a story, Red-Tail noticeably brightens and waits eagerly.

Saul takes a moment to pick up on what exactly the 'request' was, peering a little dubiously at Spirit-Walker before he moves. Gingerly, he scrapes himself to standing and pokes around for something to hold the water in before he pads off towards the creek. Still silent, he manages to look thoughtful.

Spirit-Walker looks at One-Paw warily. "How to sate the fox?" She grumbles something and looks back toward Saul--almost like a mother watching over a brood of children. "It is a good thing to learn to control the self within the self. I am not afflicted with such." She murmurs and looks from Saul back to One-Paw, and then to Red-Tail. "I have something for you." And she reaches into her pouch and pulls out a small packet. "This will heal a wound quickly. I want you to keep it with you." And she holds out the packet of herbs to the young fox girl.

Red-Tail shakes her head, "Red-Tail no get hurt."

There's a few splashes as Saul finds a way to fill the container with water, then a moment as he stabilizes himself before trundling back. Feet wet, as well as the hem of the pants he's wearing, he pauses near Spirit-Walker and offers her the bucket, as if hoping she knows what to do with it from there.

"Mayhaps young One-who-has-seen-all could use it," One-Paw speaks up. "If he does not learn soon to be lifting his feet more when he walks, he will be bumping many noses with the Grandmother." The ancient Sylvan snickers gleefully at his own joke.

Red-Tail giggles a little at the thought of Saul bumping into Spirit-Walker.

Spirit-Walker nods and holds out the herbs. "Then take it for one that is not as swift and unharmable as yourself." She looks at the bucket of water and up at Saul. "Set it down." She sighs and reaches for the bucket. "Don't listen to this old dog." She mutters and gives One-Paw a disapproving glance. "If you would spend as much time with One-who-has-seen-all, perhaps he will be as untouchable as Red-Tail."

Moonchaser approaches from the southeastern trail, a big clay vessel slung over her shoulder on a rope by its handle. She steps off the path toward the west, moving toward the pool of cold water.

Everyone is sitting around a fire, and Saul is handing a bucket to Spirit-Walker.

Red-Tail frowns a bit, sure that in insult has taken place, "Untouchable?"

Saul settles the bucket down, as ordered, frowning over at One-Paw. "I can walk just fine," he defends quietly. "Don't like shoes." He seems ready to continue, but cuts off when Spirit-Walker's words impress on him. He blinks at her, and blurts, "Huh?"

"All good graisha mellow with age," comments One-Paw. "Red-Tail is still young at heart; give her a few years and she will be growing into a marvelous lady." Once again, he scoots around the fish he's cooking, letting off another wave of delicious aromatics. "So, my story that I shall be telling, hmmm."

Red-Tail nods quickly.

Spirit-Walker looks up at Saul and motions for him to sit. She looks at One-Paw for a moment but says nothing. She dips her hand into the bucket and sips some water from her cupped hand.

Saul peers over at Moonchaser, briefly, before resuming his 'seat,' which turns out to just be a fairly flat patch of ground near the fire. Except now, he extends his feet to let the warmth dry them off. He eyes Red-Tail on occasion, as if nowhere in his mind had he assumed she'd be a student of any kind.

Moonchaser wades into the creek about ankle-deep, filling up her vessel with water and settling it against her back by its ropes. She turns about and pads back the way she came, taking the water with her.

One-Paw begins his tale with a standard disclaimer, "Now, I am hoping ye all will be excusing my storytelling, for I am not even mediocre in the art. But I shall tell a story of the time I spent with the Sommshae tribe. They live beyond Underwood and Griffonvale, in the flat treeless land they call the Small Plain."

Red-Tail interrupts, "Why want live place with no tree?"

"Ah," explains One-Paw, "in the ancient days, when the world was populated with the People and the other races had not come to the land, the People lived everywhere, not just in the forests. Today, some tribes still choose to live as their ancestors, in open spaces or dry lands, and some even in mountains. Where Grandmother is, her children are. We are. The Sommshae live on the Small Plain, and they live with the Small Plain."

Saul just sits there and listens. Either captivated, or still too nervous to say anything.

Red-Tail nods, makes sense.

Spirit-Walker sits back and listens to One-Paw. The older woman stares into the fire, a content look on her face.

Moonchaser makes her way along the faint, winding path heading southeast.

One-Paw continues: "The Sommshae are a strong people. Their Sachem is usually graisha, usually Bear. As you know, Bear is known for his great strength, which is tempered by his great wisdom. To be Sachem, a candidate must wrestle the White Bull, which comes down from the mountains once every generation for just this event. The White Bull is a ferocious, fearsome warrior. He is as large as three horses and stronger than a dozen men." The old man gestures dramatically as he spins his tale.

Saul's brow furrows some, as he listens. Whether or not it means anything to him, at least he lends a dedicated ear.

Red-Tail grins, enjoying this, "Red-Tail want see that."

One-Paw chuckles and winks at Red-Tail as he continues. "The summer I was with the Sommshae, their Sachem was growing old. I think he was maybe as old then as I am now. He was still strong, for while a graisha mellows with age, he does not grow weak with age-sickness until the Graiae have decided his time is almost upon him. This old Sachem was called Yellowclaw, and he was a wise chief and a peerless host."

Saul peers a little, trying to get all the parts of the story down on the first pass through. His feet dry, he folds them back under his body, fingers toying idly with the dirt.

"When harvest time was only two moons away," tells One-Paw," and it was becoming time for me to be moving out once more, Yellowclaw held a great feast. All of the Sommshae came, and we all sat around a giant bonfire and feasted on excellent meat, fresh hot flatbread, and the nuts and berries unique to the Small Plain. It was delicious food, and all were joyous throughout the night."

As the old Sylvan continues his tale, the fluttering of wings and distant cacophony of a few ravens can be heard in the trees high above. It seems that the graisha is attracting a diverse audience. Or maybe they're just after the fish.

Spirit-Walker gently takes the sticks from One-Paw and removes the fish from the pan, as if the mention of food was the final straw. She lets the old Sylvan tell his story. She breaks her fish in half and pushes it with the stick to Saul. She never says a word as she moves about. She puts some of the water from the bucket in a pot and places it on the fire to heat.

Saul blinks his attention away from One-Paw to Spirit-Walker, then cranes his head to spy some of those fluttering wings. He looks back to the storyteller, dubiousness fading, though he still looks mostly uncomfortable. As a result, it takes him a long moment before he deigns to try some of the fish.

One-Paw is standing now as he tells his story. "The next morning, however, it was sadly found that Yellowclaw's spirit had passed from him in the night. The shaman came to the tribe to tell them that Yellowclaw had been taken by an evil sorcerer, that the healer of a nearby tribe had cast a spell which had caused Yellowclaw to die in the night. However, not all of the people were believing him, and quickly dissension arose amongst the Sommshae as they had no sachem to give them wisdom."

Saul seems to decide the fish is at least edible, because his second bite is a little more bold. His expression even softens into a grudging admission of pleasure.

Spirit-Walker pulls few pieces of flat bread out of her pouch. They are wrapped in a clean cloth. She hands a piece to One-Paw, Red-Tail, and to Saul. Something in One-Paws words touches her. It's strange. There is no sad expression, yet a single tear rolls down her cheek.

Red-Tail shakes her head and refuses the bread but keeps her eyes on One-Paw.

Saul takes the bread, but more automatically than anything. He looks at it for a moment, then chews off a bite, still giving One-Paw the chief hunk of his attention.

One-Paw's continuity refuses to be broken. He accepts the flat bread with a small nod and shoves it in his satchel for later. "Now, I was greatly saddened by Yellowclaw's passing, for he was both a good friend and a wise teacher to me. But even sadder in my eyes was the fact that the strongest of the graisha left after Yellowclaw's demise was not Bear, but Cougar. A great, ferocious man called Black-Night, he was an unsurpassable hunter, but known more for his pride than his wisdom. It was well known to us all that if Black-Night became Sachem there would be war between the tribes, and much honor and tradition would be lost to one man's pride."

Saul decides he likes the bread, too, and eats more of it. Then, he alternates that with a bite of fish, head tilted to listen.

One-Paw continues: "As you may guess, though, there were many young and proud graisha in the tribe, and all of them were wanting the honor of wrestling the White Bull. They would strut around all day before the young girls and show off their muscles. The would talk about how many deer they could down in one day, or who could leg-wrestle better than whom. In the tradition of the Sommshae, they had a contest amongst all of the young Graisha. This test serves two purposes. First, it honors the spirit of the old Sachem and shows that a weak man will not be chosen to fill his place. Second, it makes sure that only the strongest will fight the White Bull."

This sounding very much like something she'd like to see, Red-Tail listens even more intently, though it may not have seemed possible.

Saul's interest doesn't seem to grow or wane, as if it were all one and the same to him. Given the young man's frame, he's probably not all that interested in contests of strength. The fish, though, he is interested in. Steadily, he picks it apart, downing it.

Spirit-Walker listens to the story and glances up into the trees. Yet again the flutter of wings can be heard but it's hard to see in the darkness. It could be the trees. She returns her attention to One-Paw, having finished her fish already.

One-Paw continues, gesturing dramatically as he goes. "Tradition demanded that the contest be broken up into three trials, the first being the Trial of the Hunter. To show that the candidate has good eyesight and could provide for the tribe should it come to be his duty, the shaman places an acorn on a stump before a tree, and the graisha show their aptitude by trying to slice it with an arrow at three-hundred paces."

Saul peers over at One-Paw, frowning mid-bite. To him, that sounds a mite unlikely.

One-Paw continues: "So one by one, the young graisha stepped up to the mark, strung their bows, and fired at the acorn. One by one, the young graisha missed. They would fall short, or strike the stump, or strike the tree behind the acorn. Only once did anybody come close, and that was when Earthstripe sheared a flake of shell from the topmost part of the acorn on a well-aimed shot. Then, Black-Night came to the mark. His bow was a head taller than I stand, and as thick around as my wrist! He strung his bow like it was little more than a green sapling, knocked an arrow, drew a bead, and let fly!" He pantomimes the entire sequence as he repeats it, the fire throwing mocking shadows up behind him in the trees.

Saul just kind of blinks, forgetting to chew for a moment.

Red-Tail scoots closer as if she can get more of the tension that way.

One-Paw slaps a fist loudly into his palm. "KATHUNK!" he emphasizes. "Black-Night's arrow sliced cleanly through the acorn like a shaper through a stone block and struck the tree behind it so hard that to this day, not a squirrel lives in the treetops for fifty paces from that spot, for the shuddering in the earth it made!"

The loud noise startles Saul into swallowing, and he coughs for a moment to clear out the partially chewed bite. He ducks his head, obviously a wee bit embarrassed at interrupting.

One-Paw grins on the effect his storytelling has, but continues, sans pause. "Now, there was much cheering and revelry amongst the young graisha, and amongst the brash fighters, for they knew that if Black-Night became sachem, there would be war with their neighbors, and they thought this would bring them much honor. But at the same time, the women and elders were sad, for only they were wise enough to see that Black-Night's pride would bring great death and sadness to their tribe in the end. I sat amongst them, and heard many praying to Sky-Father for aid and guidance, and I found myself whispering with them hoping for their prayers to be answered."

Saul frowns, eating fish that suddenly seems a little dry.

Spirit-Walker listens quietly and looks down at her hands, which are clasped together tightly.

One-Paw continues: "And as we finished our prayers, and the praise and revelry seemed to die down amongst the hot-headed ones, it seemed that our prayers were indeed answered. From out of the woods came a mysterious man, and he bore with him a bow two heads taller than I stand, and as big around as my elbow. He stepped like the most silent of wolves, and seemed to see more keener than the keenest of hawks. He came up to the mark, and strung his bow like it was little more effort than drawing a breath. He knocked an arrow, and drew a bead, and let fly!"

Saul waits, momentarily still.

Red-Tail is still enraptured.

"KAPOW!" shouts One-Paw as he smacks a fist into his palm again. He continues in an excited voice, "At first, none of us knew what had happened, for surely the acorn was already in twain. But we saw at three hundred paces distant that the stranger's arrow had cleaved the entire tree in twain! It is said that today and for hundreds of generations, all of that tree's saplings shall have two trunks to honor the stranger's archery. Upon closer examination, we also found both halves of the acorn had been neatly cloven in half, so the thing itself was split evenly into four!"

Red-Tail mutters a soft, "Wow."

Saul blinks, some more, but manages to avoid looking as startled, this time. He manages to look relieved, too, as it becomes clear the 'bad guy' isn't the only winner.

One-Paw's voice becomes calmer and quieter as he continues. "Now, we all were sitting totally shocked at this amazing spectacle. Before we were able to admire the stranger's prowess or to ask him his name, he had faded back into the woods as quickly and silently as he had come. Black-Night himself was aghast and felt deeply shamed, so he demanded that the second trial take place. The shaman, not knowing the winner's name, could do naught but comply. So, the next day, the Trial of Strength took place."

Saul finally finishes his piece of the fish, idly cleaning off his fingers with mostly subtle licks.

One-Paw's tone becomes more boisterous now. "The Trial of Strength was the most important of the three Trials, and it was here that all of the contestants pitted brute power against one another in fierce leg wrestles. On vast painted woven-reed mats, they would line up in four rows and leg wrestle down the line until only one remained the victor."

Red-Tail grumbles a little, "Should do thing like that here."

Saul nods a little as he listens to the 'setting-up,' peering a little questioningly over at Red-Tail.

Getting a little glassy-eyed, Red-Tail says softly, "Then know who make good mate." Then, realizing what she just said, she quiets down.

Saul manages to look a little more red than he did a moment ago when Red-Tail says that, and briefly, he turns to look through the trees back in the direction Spirit-Walker brought him from. Interested in the story, though, he looks back attentively.

One-Paw continues, the tone of his voice changing to match the tone of his story. "So all of the contestants save the very worst of the archers lined up on the mats, and one by one they wrestled their opponents, and one by one, Black-Night beat them all. His legs were so powerful that he would flip his opponent entirely into the air before claiming victory, and they would strike the ground with such force that they often needed an entire day of rest before standing again."

One-Paw continues excitedly, "And finally, it came that only four were left on the mats. Then two. Black-Night came to face the last of his challengers, a wandering hunter who had been with the tribe for only a little while. They lay on the mats and hooked their legs together, and the fiercest of all leg wrestling commenced!"

Saul shifts as he sits, electing to chew a little more on his bread as he listens.

"Back and forth they strove," continues One-Paw dramatically. "They plowed deep furrows in the earth as they braced themselves, and tore the mats into shreds as they clawed into them. Back and forth, back and forth! None could tell who would be victorious as they wrestled long into the night, and long after the halfmoon had risen."

Saul blinks, peering down at his legs. He'd probably have been simply squashed flat after the first two heartbeats. These guys were going at it all night...?

Red-Tail sighs a little, dreamily.

One-Paw chuckles here as he interjects into his own story. "Now, while it may sound amazing as I tell it here, let me tell you that after watching three mealtimes worth of leg wrestling, it gets very old. All of the elders had gone to sleep when the moon came high, and even the younglings were in bed by dawn. And then, as the first rays of the sun touched the Small Plain, all of the Sommshae were awakened by a magnificent thunderclap!" He slaps his hands together in a sudden climax to emphasize this. Above, the ravens flap and caw wildly for a moment before settling.

Saul blinks his eyes, yet again, up to One-Paw at the loud noise. He looks a little dubious, as if suspicious that the other Sylvan is doing that on purpose.

Spirit-Walker jumps out of her trance-like state. "One-Paw..." she whispers and reaches for the water. She looks upset or bothered by something.

One-Paw motions grandly. "In the span of a hare's blink, all of the tribespeople were on their feet and awake. What they saw struck them absolutely speechless. It was such that even some of the most powerful warriors in the tribe grew faint in the head. There in the middle of the camp was a great fissure rent in the ground, and across it lay Black-Night, stunned and delirious. Above him stood his challenger, the wandering warrior. But that was not all, for as they all gawked and gaped, the warrior stood up straight and threw off his disguise. He was tall and well-muscled, and had a way of standing that made one think immediately of the sturdiest of trees. To our surprise, we recognized him as the stranger! He stepped forward to the shaman and demanded by tradition the right to fight the White Bull."

Saul squints over at Spirit-Walker, as if he doesn't quite approve of the interruption. He, at least, was enjoying the story.

Red-Tail bites her lower lip a little then asks, "Stranger still live?"

"Oh, yes, Red-Tail," One-Paw assures the young graisha. "Not only had the stranger lived, but he had proven himself to be a greater warrior than any of the Sommshae. Greater even than the ferocious Black-Night, about whom I have other stories to share over the fire on another night. He was tall and strong and handsome, and looked to be so practiced in his woodlore as to have been taught by Ferrin Firefox himself (and, I must add, some say that actually was)!"

Saul goes back to listening, enraptured, whether or not he's got views on 'contests' and the like, or not.

One-Paw continues, "So, the stranger demanded the right to fight the White Bull, but the shaman stepped forth and said, 'I am Twofeather, son of Rightoak and betrothed of Tirawa Sky-Father. None may take the Test of the White Bull unless they be of Sommshae blood. That is tradition!'"

Red-Tail says, "Stupid rule..."

Saul blinks again over at Red-Tail, frowning dubiously at her. He seems to think it's a very good rule, only because she thinks it's a bad one.

One-Paw continues with a wink at Red-Tail, "But the stranger stepped forward, and stood tall and regal. All could see even without the light that he had the blood of Tirawa Sky-Father strong in him. He spoke to us and said, 'I am Strongbow, son of Farseer and great-grandson of Tirawa Sky-Father, he who is in all tribes. By right of blood I claim the Sommshae as my own and hence the right to the Trial of the White Bull.' To this, all gasped, for all had heard of Farseer, but his son had not been seen for a half-dozen summers, yet here he stood amongst us."

Red-Tail's face just falls--not HIM!

Saul squints over at One-Paw, now. That name is important? If it is, it's easy to see how the significance is lost on the 'semi-'Sylvan.

If One-Paw notices Red-Tail's distress or Saul's confusion, he makes no note of it--he simply continues, "So the shaman knew now that the stranger, that Strongbow, had the right to the Trial of the White Bull, so the next morning at dawn, all gathered at the edge of the Small Plain, where Michabo's Hills separate the flatland from the sea. All of the Sommshae hid in a great half-circle around Strongbow and lay in waiting as the candidate performed the dance to call the White Bull."

Her interest has obviously waned, and Red-Tail seems to find making shapes in the dirt with a stick far more interesting.

Saul nibbles on his bread, though it's definitely second place on his list of items to be interested in.

Spirit-Walker listens, but surely has heard the tale told many a time. The woman sits listening to One-Paw. She watches both Red-Tail and Saul and smiles softly.

One-Paw's voice becomes very quiet as he comes to this part of the tale. "As the sun began to rise, Strongbow began the dance and song. From our hiding places, the whole plain was silent. Not one tribesman made a sound, and all that could be heard in the morning stillness was the distant chant of the lone Strongbow as he danced before the hills."

Saul swallows, throat a teeny bit dry.

One-Paw continues, his voice growing in volume bit by bit, almost imperceptibly, as he continues. "Then, as the song continued and the sun came further in the sky, the red morning clouds turned golden along with the tall summer grasses. Very, very faint at first, like the distant tremblings of a far-off tremor, came the sound of hooves."

Saul looks off to one side, as if checking to make sure he doesn't really hear those hooves and it's only in his head. Then, his green eyes land back on One-Paw, awaiting the completion of the story.

Red-Tail continues drawing shapes in the dirt.

One-Paw's voice is maybe twice as loud as a whisper, and continuing to grow in volume. "Then the sound of hooves came to feel like the rumblings of Grandmother's belly when she is hungry. It was still not as loud as the chant, but it was there, and we could hear it in our bones. Then it became louder, so that the earth seemed to almost jump beneath our feet and we would topple against one another. Still, Strongbow continued the song and dance, and still the rumble of the hooves became louder and louder."

Red-Tail rolls her eyes, the story now unbelievable to her.

Saul fidgets, now. One, in anticipation of the story, and two, maybe a little nervous against another loud noise from One-Paw.

"Finally," One-Paw continues, "the rumble of hooves seemed to make the ground jiggle like a bucket of deer fat, and even the clouds in the sky rippled and shook with the rhythm of the hooves. Strongbow's song became drowned out in the thunder as the White Bull came galloping over Michabo's Hills! He was as large as three horses, like I said before, and as strong as a dozen men! Where his hooves struck rock, the rocks turned to sand. The White Bull's eyes shone like twin suns as he bore down on Strongbow!" Now his storytelling becomes more and more agitated, as it is obviously reaching a climax.

Spirit-Walker digs through her pouch and pulls out a pipe carved out of a piece of wood. It is black from much use. She stuffs some dried leaf of some kind into it and pulls a stick from the fire, lighting it. The smoke drifts up as she puffs on it. She glances over at Red-Tail and Saul briefly before returning her attention to One-Paw.

And Saul's eyes go a little wide, totally ignorant of Red-Tail's disbelief.

One-Paw continues at a frantic pace, "Closer and closer the White Bull galloped, churning up clouds of sod in his passing. And the closer he got, the stronger Strongbow looked. He stood ready. The White Bull came closer, and closer. We could all feel them staring into each other's eyes, preparing to meet in a thunderous clash!"

Red-Tail glances up and mutters softly, "Red-Tail think really just rabbit..."

Saul waits, shoulders slumping at Red-Tail breaks some of the mood. He frowns over at her disapprovingly.

One-Paw plows on through, almost talking over Red-Tail's scorn, "The White Bull came charging, horns lowered, until the cloud of his passing obscured even Strongbow from sight!" Suddenly, his voice drops again. "But there was no sound of thunder. No incredible collision, no momentous eruption."

Spirit-Walker looks at Red-Tail with a bit of surprise. She pulls the pipe from her mouth and she looks back to One-Paw, listening still.

Saul blinks his eyes back to One-Paw.

After a dramatic pause, One-Paw begins speaking again. "Slowly, slowly, the dust began to settle. A gentle breeze came across the plain to blow away the cloud." His voice has become very calm and soothing now. "And there, in the center of the plain, we saw the White Bull. It stood silent and confused, as large as three horses and as strong as a dozen men, with hooves that turned rock to sand and a gallop that could be heard for leagues. And wrapped around the White Bull's head was Strongbow's shirt, such that his eyes could not see and his nose could not smell."

Red-Tail grimaces, "Strongbow stink so bad bull no could smell other?"

Saul keeps looking back and forth between One-Paw and Red-Tail, his interest in one obvious, and his frustration at the other just as obvious.

One-Paw winks at Red-Tail. "Any warrior worth his bow begins to stink when things get dangerous, child," he says to her. "And that is why Strongbow won. He used not his muscle, but his brain. He knew that the White Bull, while great and ferocious, was little more than a bull, after all, and a bull without sight and smell is no bull at all, but just a large, brainless obstacle."

Red-Tail scoffs a little, "Should have killed rabbit."

Saul works his jaw a little bit at Red-Tail. "It was a bull," he challenges. "Not a rabbit."

Red-Tail rounds on Saul and laughs, "Red-Tail meet Strongbow. No could stop bull."

"Aye, it was a bull," One-Paw asserts. "And ye should ask Strongbow one of these days to show the scars it left when it gored him, for he was fantastically bloodied blinding the thing."

Spirit-Walker chuckles and shakes her head. She looks over at Red-Tail and then her gaze drifts to Saul. She grins and again, her attention goes to One-Paw. She offers him her pipe. "It has been a long time since I have sat by the fire and listened to the tales of bravery," she murmurs.

Saul sniffs at Red-Tail. "Are just jealous," he replies sullenly.

Red-Tail shrugs, "Mayyybe deer." And to Saul, "Red-Tail never be jealous Strongbow."

"Shush, you two," One-Paw says jovially, "and let me finish."

Saul seems ready to continue arguing with Red-Tail, but One-Paw's admonition silences him. At least, for now.

Spirit-Walker frowns a bit and looks off to the southeast. She closes her eyes for a moment, her hand going to her temple. That only lasts a moment then she looks back to One-Paw.

One-Paw moves toward the conclusion. "So now that the White Bull was rendered helpless, and Strongbow had defeated it, he stepped forward to address the Sommshae. He explained to them that Tirawa Sky-Father was a great chief, but like all great chiefs he ruled with both wisdom and strength. In the name of Sky-Father, he handed the title of Sachem of the Sommshae to Earthstripe, who had strove valiantly to match his strength against the greater warriors."

Saul tilts his head some at that conclusion. Apparently, that ending appeases him. That is, provided anyone was asking his opinion.

Spirit-Walker looks distracted, looking to the southeast repeatedly.

Red-Tail twists her mouth a little and laughs, "Good tale, old man. Even if Red-Tail no believe."

Red-Tail glances up at Spirit-walker, "Why keep look that way?"

One-Paw chuckles as he squats back on his heels, finally accepting the pipe from Spirit-Walker and puffing happily on it. "I am thinking if Strongbow was here to tell it himself, it would be much more modest and believable," he says with a wink. "But I am not used to telling stories of a legend to those who have met the legend."

Saul just kind of sits there, looking thoughtful, if anything.

Spirit-Walker's gaze rests on Red-Tail then, "You believe or not believe. It is the truth." She says sternly in her raspy voice. She glances at One-Paw and grins. "That is how I heard it. It doesn't grow much." And she chuckles. "Again, you give this one food and good food. I thank you, One-Paw." She puts her hands on her knees and pushes against them as she rises, signaling an end to the visit and the storytelling.

FIN  

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