Ch 12
The rain fell for two days and two nights before it stopped. Buck's head was healed up enough so they set out on their way passing mountain after mountain. The next few days go by fairly fast. Early the next morning, they find a nice rolling valley to spend a few hours off the horses. They get the cooking supplies out and the girls start cooking some meat from a deer Buck had killed.
Buck looked over at the girls and told them that he and Jimmy were going for a long walk to the top of the mountain. They should plan on staying for the night and to go ahead and set up camp.
"Jimmy let's go for a walk. It's time." Buck says.
"Time for what?"
"Let's go!"
They set out walking to the mountain top. As they walked, they talked about their life, the things they wanted to do, and the places they wanted to walked a long time.
"We got to be getting close." Jimmy says.
"What we doing Buck? We could of talked down there man." Jimmy says almost out of breath.
"Come on, don't stop now. We are almost to the top."
They walked as the clouds came closer.
"Jimmy, you ever been above the clouds?" asked Buck.
Jimmy looks at Buck laughing.
"No I haven't." He says.
They arrive at their destination which was a large rock ledge looking out past the mountain range.
"Wow." Jimmy says. "We're almost done with the mountains. I can see the foothills in the distance. We got to be getting close to Virginia. Buck, why did we come up here?"
"Brave Bear it's time to have a vision."
Jimmy knew shit was getting real as Buck sets out gathering small rocks. He made a six foot circle. He makes a smaller circle. Buck gathers twigs and small branches for fire. Jimmy and Buck talk and enjoy the view as the fire burns down to a smolder. Buck gathers some ash and fashioned a black paste from it. He paints the right side of Jimmy's face solid black. He does his face the same way leaving their foreheads clean.
"We're not going to get naked and do a rain dance are we?" Jimmy says laughing making light of the situation.
Buck looks at Jimmy. "Get serious brother, this ain't no joke."
" I know. I'm sorry I just couldn't help it."
Buck takes Jimmy's hat and off he starts at Jimmy's forehead on the right side. He drags his hand down across the left side of his face. He does his face the same way. Buck removes a small pinch of what looks like moss or some type of grass from his necklace pouch. He places it in the center of the stones where the fire is now smoldered out. It's still hot from the heat.
"Lean in. Take some deep breaths. Breathe in the smoke. Lean in close. Pull your hair back so it doesn't get singed."
Jimmy and Buck take turns breathing in the aroma of the sage type grass. A few breaths later and Jimmy is in another world..A deep thundering voice calls to Jimmy
"Brave Bear. Come to me. Sit with us." Jimmy looks around he sees nothing.
"Come to me, Brave Bear!"
Jimmy follows the voice. The darkness is all around him. He feels lost.
"Buck?" Jimmy called. "Is that you? Are you there Buck? Where am I?"
"My name is Two Wolves. This is Red Bear."
It's as if Jimmy opened his eyes, like they had been shut. He looks around. He was wearing moccasins and a pair of buckskin pants. He had on no shirt. He had markings painted on his body. There were Indians sitting all around him in a circle. They were smoking a long pipe and playing the drums.
"Sit down Brave Bear!" The voice echoes.
"Where am I? How did I get here?"
"Running Buck has freed your mind sending you on a journey. Sending you to the spirit world. A journey no white man has ever taken. One like you've never known. Running Buck sent you here for guidance, I will show you your way."
"Where is Buck at?" Jimmy asked.
"Running Buck is on a journey of his own. He seeks guidance from the spirit warriors. Your journey is much different than Running Buck's."
"Sit by me brother! I am Red Bear, son of Two Wolves. Running Buck is my brother."
Jimmy takes a seat by Red Bear.
"You will always be known as Brave Bear, son of Two Wolves among the warriors. Smoke with me! Free yourself."
Jimmy takes a long deep drag. He chokes on the thick smoke puffing from a long pipe. All the Indians laugh at him. Two Wolfe's stands up an speaks.
"Brave Bear. You honor us with your faithfulness and brotherhood with Running Buck. We see your bravery. You have a bears soul inside. You are a fine warrior. Worthy to become part of this circle. You have crossed many lands with Running Buck and you have many more to cross on your journey in life. The land is poisoned and raped by the pale-face. Many pale-face lack the courage to watch out for his brother. Running Buck has chosen wisely. He has my blessing to teach you our ways. You will be sealed in the circle with the pact of blood that cannot be broken by no force on Earth. You will become Kiowa. The Flying Eagle will follow you. He will watch over you. Brave Bear he will guide you. Follow him. Flying Eagle knows your path Brave Bear. When you come down from the land that smokes, look to the east. He will be there. Brave bear a wise warrior does not let foolishness arouse his anger. Bravery and stupidity does not go hand-in-hand my son. Learn to calm yourself. Call on me and I will come to you."
Jimmy takes two more puffs from the pipe as it's passed back around the circle. He chokes hard. All the indians laugh.
"I am Raining Bird. Brother of Two Wolves. Son of Running Horse. Many times Running Buck and Red Bear have came to me seeking smoking pipe has opened their eyes to see beyond what they could see looking across the plains. The way for a warrior must be sought out day by day. Stay with Running Buck. Your courage will empower him. Mark your face as it is now Red Bear. Strength will be inside you. Two Wolves will have eyes on you seeing through Flying Eagle. We will come to you when you need it the most. Trust in Running Buck. He trust in you. Continue to seek what's hidden from you. The warrior inside you will find his strength when the time comes."
"I am Red Bear. Son of Two Wolves. Make the seal with Running Buck . Give him your blood and take his. Running Buck will open your eyes to see what the pale-face can not. May your journey be safe brother. We are with you."
"I am Running Horse. Son of Still Water. Father of Two Wolves. Father of Raining Bird. Many wise words have been spoken here today. Brave Bear honor your name. Never back down. Die before you run away. You will never be alone from now on until you return to Mother Earth. Little one look to the sun to guide you during the day and the moon will light your way at night. Never take from the land more than you need. She will always provide for you. We walk on her for many days before we return to her at the end of our journey. Stay with Running Buck. Together you will have a unbreakable bond."
"Jimmy, can you hear me?" Buck asked as he lightly nudged him.
"I hear Running Buck."
"Jimmy, did you find them?"
As Jimmy comes to his senses, he looks at Buck as if he had never seen him before. Jimmy placed both his hands on Buck shoulders.
"I found them. They spoke with me. I smoked from the long pipe. It was like nothing I've ever felt before. I spoke with Running Horse an Raining bird. Two Wolves spoke some wise words. I sat with Red Bear."
Buck placed his hands on Jimmy shoulders . Buck braids three eagle feathers into Jimmy's hair.
"Brave Bear, I will show you the Kiowa way."
Buck takes his knife from its sheath. He holds Jimmy's hand out any slices it open. He makes a slice in his hand. They make the seal of brotherhood on top of the mountain.
"Buck, this is a day I will never forget."
They walk down the mountain in silence. Walking tall with no fear. The whole day has passed. It's getting close to sundown when they arrive back to camp.
"Where y'all been the girls ask?"
Buck points at Jimmy.
"Brave Bear has been dream walking. We had a journey! We talked with the spirit warriors far away from this place."
"Wow!" The girls said. "That's amazing."
Jimmy looks at Buck.
"That was one hell of a ride."