Nathaniel Smiley
By Chris James
Chapter Eleven
Evan and Denny were comfortably ensconced in a camper the size of a battleship, definitely the largest one sitting at Smiley's Rest this summer. Evan had been shocked when she first arrived, but then remembered that her family never did anything halfway. All or nothing seemed to be their motto, this just proved it.
But Nate and Ted just laughed the morning they returned, they were glad to be back. The trip to Winston-Salem had introduced his parents to what Ted had accomplished when they finally sat down to watch the DVD. Viewed through their eyes both boys now understood that their vision was coming together, the scenes were moving even without any narrative.
They had returned for the schoolwork and a bit of fun, it began when Denny stepped out the door of the camper.
"Goodness, Denny... couldn't you get a bigger camper?" Ted teased.
"Yeah, bet the two of you are crowded in there," Nate added with a laugh.
"My father and his toys," Denny said, shaking her head. "Hell, it was free."
Evan joined them to plan out the rest of the week. Tomorrow they would go tubing on the New River, something that had been planned for weeks. But they soon fell back into a discussion about the film and what needed doing.
Evan and Denny were going to take the camper out to Oklahoma and stay a few days while Nate and Ted began coaxing Marshall into providing some of that narrative for the opening part of the film. This time they would take a small digital recorder along and hide a microphone on Marshall as he spoke. Nate wanted to film the session and use some of the images; they all agreed it would be too important to miss.
Nate and Ma packed a cooler with lunch and bottled water for their tubing excursion, and they left the house right after breakfast. Evan had packed a waterproof camera in his bag, the same one he had used in the ocean when filming the Pilgrim movie. He thought some footage of nature as they moved along the river would add to the collection, and it might even get used.
The drive out to the river excursions site took only forty minutes, most of that on tiny asphalt and dirt roads through the hillside farms north of Boone. Here the river twisted and turned through the valleys surrounded by trees and cow pastures. But after a few wrong turns they finally found the sign for the tubing site, and the van was there waiting.
The long van could hold a dozen people, and had a rack on the roof stacked with truck sized inner tubes. Nate showed the guy their cooler and he gave up a few bungee cords to hold it in place on the tube, and then they were off. The Jeep would sit and await their return, holding their dry clothes and towels. They were going to get wet and have fun doing it.
The van drove for miles and at first they were right beside the river, but then they had to detour around several hills until they came to a small bridge that didn't look like it would hold the weight of a bicycle.
The driver turned towards the bridge and yelled, "Hold on." And then he stopped the van right there. "Did I scare you? Aw, that never works anymore. OK, we have arrived."
He climbed on the back bumper of the van and started tossing off tubes, one for each of them and one for the cooler. "It'll take you about four, maybe five hours to get back to the site. Don't fall asleep and drift on past, the rapids start about a half mile past our place, a little uncomfortable in a tube. But come back when you have the time and I'll take you down river in a raft."
There were two places they would have to get out and ford, carrying the tubes around obstacles, but otherwise it was smooth sailing. The van turned around and left them, they were on their own now. Ted and Nate stood back with smiles as Denny and Evan carried their tubes to the bank of the wide slow waters. Evan left his tube on the bank and jumped in so Denny could hand them down.
"Oh My God... .it's freezing," Evan yelled. He looked up at the boys who started laughing. "You brats... why didn't you warn me?"
Denny laughed. "They didn't want to miss the fun."
She tossed down the tubes and then jumped in too. Nate and Ted soon followed, and yes, it was just as cold as Ted remembered. But the sun was hot and the contrast felt wonderful. Ted strapped the cooler into its tube and held the rope as he mounted his tube, and promptly fell off into the cold water.
Nate laughed, and promptly did the same thing. OK, now they were wet and looked up to see Evan and Denny slowly drifting away. Scrambling up on the tubes carefully they were soon adrift. It had been a dry summer and the water was only a foot or so deep, enough to keep the current moving along at a good pace.
Tubing required little skill; just some casual observation of the river as they moved in and out of eddies and watched for the ripples that indicated rocks in the path ahead. Nate flipped over and stared down through the clear water at the bottom of the river. Green stones covered in slime were sprinkled with quartz and mica laden rocks that sparkled in the sunlight.
Evan and Denny were hundreds of feet ahead when Ted bumped Nate's tube and then held on.
"You sleeping over there?" Ted asked.
"Nope, just looking at the bottom... you having fun?"
"Oh... so this is what fun is supposed to feel like? I'm here with you, and that's all the fun I need," Ted replied.
"Let's remember these feelings when we're with Marshall next week trying to get him to say what we want for the soundtrack."
"We are not supposed to talk about work," Ted laughed.
"That's what's in my head... it won't go away."
Ted reached over and groped Nate's crotch, the reaction was pretty instantaneous. "Does that help?" Ted asked.
Nate grinned. "You're such a pervert." But he looked up and down river, no sign of the other two. Ted slid his hand under the waistband of Nate's swim shorts and grasped the hardness there.
"I want it," Ted said.
"Here?"
Nate got his answer when Ted steered them into an eddy under the trees and rolled off his tube. He unsnapped the shorts, pulled down the zipper, and then buried his face in Nate's crotch. It had been a long time since they had shared such an impromptu sex act, and never under the sky in the middle of a river.
Nate groaned as the contrast between a warm mouth on his cock and cold water rushing across his butt provided just the right stimulus and in moments Nate groaned out a most pleasant orgasm.
Ted stood up and grinned, licking his lips. "That was sweet... " And then he yelped, his tube was floating away. He chased after it, slipping and sliding on the river bottom as Nate laughed. A diving save and Ted snagged the tube, pulling himself up onto it. And so the day went... and the month as well.
Denny stayed at the campsite until the end of the month, August being one of the most pleasant times of the year. But then she and Evan could take his car into town when necessary, and they visited the shops of Blowing Rock, the local tourist mecca, which was only a half hour away. It was the time they needed to grow closer.
When they finally packed up the camper for their trek to Oklahoma both Nate and Ted expected an announcement to be made, but it didn't happen. Marriage was a big step, it would happen eventually. Evan's trip to the Cherokee Nation would give them more footage to work with; it also signaled a return to Marshall's where they had plans to make.
Evan made Nate swear to keep after his school work, and assigned Ted to make sure he did. It would take three days to drive out to Jay, Oklahoma, their eventual destination, but that was at a leisurely pace. Nate and Ted would be gone at least a week so Evan was in no hurry to run back.
Once the boys had captured Marshall's narrative it would be time to begin the middle part of the film, things they had recorded this summer about families, dancing and music. The ancient would give way to the modern in this section, the developing image of the Cherokee people. Evan wasn't sure how they would end the film, but he was hoping Marshall would become their finale.
The behemoth pulled out of the campsite and slowly accelerated up the road. Nate laughed and shook his head. "I bet they get five miles to the gallon in that tank."
"That much, you think?" Ted said. "My dad gets about twelve and all he does is bitch about it."
They were going to take along a copy of the film's progress to date, although the plan was to record Marshall and then adjust the images to fit. Nate wanted the sound to be natural and recorded outdoors beside a crackling fire. He had the vision, now all he had to do was get Marshall to cooperate.
It was a six or seven hour drive to where they were going, so they packed the cooler. Nate smiled as he placed the five pound containers of barbecue and cole slaw in the ice, and then he laid the quart sized bottle of hot barbecue sauce on top. They had shopped for Marshall, remembering his desires for things unobtainable out where he lived. Ma had packed a gift box of jelly and jam, home baked bread and cookies. It was enough to spoil the man completely.
Bill saw them off and wished them a safe drive. Nate knew they wouldn't be back until after Labor Day, just about the time school was supposed to start... but not for them. Ted was in no hurry for his own work, he was determined to help Nate get through the biology book and pass that exam.
"I think when this whole film is done we ought to go off somewhere... some place we've never seen," Nate said.
"That takes in a whole lot of places, what did you have in mind?" Ted asked.
"I don't mean like China, maybe just a trip out west. I've never been on a plane."
"We flew to New York; it felt like we were traveling in a tin can. No leg room, babies crying and the food was lousy. How about a long cruise on a ship?"
"I've seen those commercials on television, it might be fun to visit Hawaii," Nate said.
"Oh yeah, that I could handle," Ted replied. "If we're not sucked into the spirit world and living with the ghosts."
There was silence after that statement. Nate had known Ted was concerned, he knew there were several times then the boy was about to say something, and now he had.
"It won't be like that, Marshall knows what he's doing," Nate said.
"But you do have to admit it's dangerous, and more than a little weird. All this stuff about ghosts and spirits, and Little Wolf, what he did just freaked me out... I never saw anything like that in my life."
"Ted, should we just stay away? I mean, well... maybe you ought to stay away. I want to do this, for Marshall and Usti Waya. They deserve my respect, I have to help."
Ted sighed. "I'll be there. You know I have to be there if you're concerned. I just feel helpless to stop this and I don't know what I'm doing. If something goes wrong I'll never forgive myself if anything happens to you."
"And I love you too. Let's not be blind to the need Usti Waya has, he must return to that spirit world. I think what we'll witness will be one of the most amazing things we'll ever see. And if there's a chance to capture it on film I figure you'll be the one to do it. Don't give up before we even try, this will happen if we're there or not."
Ted nodded. "I know you're doing this to learn something about yourself, that's why I agreed to this in the first place. But if Marshall is playing with fire I don't want either of us to get burned."
Marshall was overjoyed at the food supplies and welcomed them back to his home. During their absence he admitted he'd been thinking about what he would say in the film and Nate smiled.
"I have a few suggestions too and a lot more questions about this... this ritual you're going to perform. If we film it how the hell are we going to explain it?"
"Ahh," Marshall said. "I knew you would come to that, so I wrote my own narrative for it."
"You did?" Ted asked. "Wow, so we'll know what's going to happen in advance."
Marshall laughed. "We'll know what's supposed to happen in advance, doesn't mean everything will go the way we want."
Nate shook his head. "Don't say that, we're both concerned about it and that doesn't help."
"A brave man is concerned, a fearful man worries," Marshall said. "It will happen in stages, and that's to our benefit. Let me show you something."
Marshall led them down the wooded path towards the lakeside prayer hut. The spirit circle was larger and the stones more numerous. But it was the addition of seven small fire pits and three spirit poles that stood out most.
"A fire for each Cherokee clan and our main offering fire. I have charms being made for the poles, strong medicine to represent our magic." Marshall looked around the clearing, and then nodded to Ted. "I imagine you'd like to film the proceedings, and you shall. I'm not sure what the camera will see... but I hope they run without an operator because I don't think you should be anywhere around here when this all happens."
Ted looked back up the path towards the house which was barely visible in the trees. Marshall nodded. "You would be safe up there."
"But Nate will be down here... " Ted began.
"Yes, he will be protected and you will not... I understand your concern, but it's you we have to protect not Nathaniel."
They ate barbeque for dinner and talked about Nate's ideas for holding the Atohuna ceremony. Marshall was glad to hear that Joseph had agreed to do it.
"Joseph will get Timothy to perform the rituals, he's a good man," Marshall said.
"Are you sure they don't know what you're doing?" Nate asked.
"Not a chance, but the shamans who met with me at the Pow Wow think I'm a fool for believing in ghosts. I don't object to you filming this event. They probably won't believe their eyes once they see it."
"Where is Little Wolf?" Ted asked.
Marshall smiled. "Waya and Gihli have been off somewhere since early this morning. They hunt and frolic, I imagine the man in him enjoys being the wolf a lot more than he lets on."
"And when the man is gone will the wolf remain here?" Ted asked.
"I think so, he's bonded with Gihli. I've heard other red wolves that have come down from the mountains, but I don't think he'll run off with them. It will be interesting to see what human attributes remain in Waya's mind after the man departs."
"Too bad Gihli can't talk, she'd know best," Nate said.
"She probably would," Marshall agreed. "The wolf has only a small place in Cherokee lore, but an important one. The bond between man and animals didn't extend to the wolf because it was seen as a predator, one that was in competition with man and his goals. So over the years they were hunted and nearly wiped out. But here is that most important of stories:
"An old man sat down to speak with his grandson and told him of two wolves that had begun a terrible fight. One of them was pure evil and represented anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
"But the other wolf was filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. 'The same fight goes on within you, and every other person,' the old man said.
"His grandson nodded and then asked the pertinent question. 'Which wolf will win, Grandfather?' The old man smiled, and then gave his answer. 'Which ever one you feed, my son.'"
Marshall smiled. "I find it interesting that the Cherokee had such a bad relationship with this creature and yet the wolf is used in such an important story. Our kinship with the wolf must go back centuries. We often find alliances made with the competition to serve the needs of both sides. It was inevitable that we would share companionship, we have such common goals."
"Can you really talk to animals?" Ted asked.
Marshall chuckled. "How many times are you going to ask me that? We share a common language, but it's not English. Because animals lack the ability to speak they communicate in other ways. I think of that woman who went to Africa to learn of the great apes and succeeded so well. She learned to read their body language and communicated by sign. They accepted her, and I think that's what I share with the creatures around us... acceptance."
There was hardly a break in the warm weather those first few weeks of September, summer still dominated. Ten days with Marshall accomplished everything they needed for the film, except for the way it would all end. The slow steady rhythm of Marshall's voice as he spoke the words of the narrative were just what they needed, Nate felt like they had accomplished something grand.
They finally said good bye to Marshall and Little Wolf. Waya and Gihli had wandered in and out during much of their stay, but only once did the wolf return to his human form and sit down to dinner with them. But they would be back in a few weeks right after Nate's birthday. It was always sad to leave the peace of Marshall's home, but the next time they returned it would be for different reasons.
Nate decided they should stop off in the Qualla and see Joseph. The matter of his nation membership and the Atohuna ceremony being foremost in his mind. But Joseph was sad to see them, and so was the news he bore.
"Granny Huhu has returned to the Creator," He said. "Her spirit rose to the sky in sleep four days ago, the family has given her a place in the ground where she can rest."
The immensity of that news hit Nate like a ton of bricks and tears formed in his eyes. "She knew... the last time we spoke she knew it would be our last conversation."
Joseph placed his arms around the boy and allowed the emotions time to flow. He looked up at Ted and smiled. "She was ninety-six years of age, a long life filled with the joy of her family." He stood Nate at arms length and looked at the sorrow in his eyes. "Ethan says you should stop by when you get the chance, Granny left something for you."
"Is it too soon? Should we go up there?" Nate asked.
"It should be fine, you can pay your respects," Joseph said. "My friend Timothy Newhome is up there, he holds the vigil over her grave. He will stay until the seven days are over, but I'm sure the Ross family will be glad to see you."
"Timothy, the shaman?" Nate asked.
"Yes, do you know him?" Joseph asked.
"No, Marshall mentioned his name, said you would probably get him to perform the rituals for the Atohuna."
"We're old friends," Joseph said. "He's already agreed to do just that. Besides, I promised him a front row seat at the film if he did. He's not a big fan of Marshall's thinking, but he's unique among our people in that he's a shaman and a Christian."
"Wow, that must be difficult," Ted said.
"There are things in common between the ancient and the new, he works with that in mind," Joseph said. "Go talk to him if you like."
"We will," Nate said.
The ride up Blue Fox Glen took them no time at all, it was just sad that the old woman wouldn't be there to smile and greet them.
"They have seven days of mourning, is that what Joseph said?" Ted asked.
"I don't really know what they will be doing; the family has some pretty modern ideas. As I remember there are rituals for each day, but so much of that is ancient history. When my mother died we buried her the following day, and then had the memorial service a week later. But I agree with the Cherokee traditions, her spirit will linger at the site of death for a long time."
Ted observed several things when they arrived at the house. The kids were playing in the yard, the men could be seen working in the remains of the corn field and there was a small pile of wood that looked like broken furniture at the end of the driveway. Nate got out first and the kids all ran to him.
"My Gran died, did you know?" Lenny asked.
"Yes, we heard," Nate said. "I share your sorrow."
"That's OK, she had a long life. Mom says it was the best kind and now she lives with the Creator." Lenny pointed at the pile of wood. "We broke her chair so she would go seek comfort in her grave and not with us."
The family appeared somber rather than sad, and it was Ethan who put it all in words.
"She knew the time had come and that she was going away. Gran asked that we only celebrate her life," Ethan said. "She outlived my mother and father and always told me it was because of her beliefs in the old ways. Would you like to see her grave?"
"Yes, please," Nate said.
Ethan and Joe led them up the hill away from the house to the edge of the forest. Here a small field still held late summer flowers and the grave. It appeared to be little more than a pile of rocks, each carried by hand from the river by her family, a marker that would outlive them all. But the most interesting thing Nate saw was the old man who sat on a large stone under the trees.
Nate and Ted walked to the foot of the grave as the man slowly stood and approached, Ethan made the introduction.
"Timothy, this is Nate and that's Ted," He said.
Like Marshall, Timothy was dressed in traditional Cherokee garb and looked like a shaman. He nodded after the introduction and gave them each a little smile.
"Nathaniel... it has been a long time since I saw you last," He said. "And you must be Seyodowa; Ulisi Huhu has spoken of you both."
"I only know you as Timothy Newhome," Nate said.
"That is my name, it serves all who speak with me," Timothy said.
Many of the Cherokee Christians did not use their traditional names, but they spoke the language. Timothy looked down at the grave.
"To die in her sleep at such a ripe old age, it's what I want for myself. But she was a traditional lady; I keep the rituals for her sake."
"She was a special person," Nate said. "I felt a kinship to her."
"Maybe this is why," Timothy said, holding out a small deerskin bag and placing it in Nate's hand.
"She insisted that Timothy be the one to give it to you," Ethan said. "Said that the power was yours to keep and use and only he could hold it until you came. We haven't opened it, we were waiting for you."
Nate held the bag with reverence and untied the drawstring. The necklace inside was quite old, but well preserved. The beads were hand carved from bone, but the centerpiece was a tooth, a bear's tooth of immense proportion.
"U du du A li so qua lv di," Timothy said slowly. "Joseph has been looking for years to find that."
"Grandfather Bear... what does that mean?" Ethan asked. "I've never seen that before."
"Ulisi Huhu must have been given that by her husband," Timothy said. "She had to know its significance."
Nate stared down at the tooth in his hand; it was at least four inches long. "Will you tell me what it means?"
"The Grandfather necklace may be all of two centuries old," Timothy said. "In the legend it was worn by a great chief of the Bear Clan who claimed he had killed the beast and that the bear stood twenty feet tall. It took seven hunters to bring the animal down after they chased it for seven days, but numbers like that are always in our myths.
"Joseph has known of it for years, there are descriptions of it written in some of the old texts. By right it should go to a chief of the Bear Clan, it's said to contain great power. Did Ulisi Huhu say anything to you about this?" Timothy asked.
"No, we never talked about it," Nate replied.
"But you should not have it, I don't know why she would give it to you," Timothy said. "I've known her a long time; she rarely made mistakes like this."
"I'm going to give it to Joseph on my way through town, at least until we understand why Granny left it to me," Nate said.
Timothy smiled. "A good idea, one that will please him greatly. So how has this film of yours been developing?"
"Just fine," Nate said, and then he looked down at the grave. "I just wish she could have been here to see it."
They paid their respects to Mrs. Ross and then drove back to Cherokee. Nate held the bag in his hands with reverence.
"You know why she gave that to you, why didn't you tell him?" Ted asked.
"He wouldn't believe me, no one would. I know that when I claim the right to be chief that there will be months of study and talk, the council won't believe me either. But that has no bearing on what we'll do with Usti Waya, the spirits will believe me, and if I'm wearing this they'll have to."
Nate shook his head. "But how did she know, I never said anything to Granny about this. If the necklace came from her husband then he must have been in the clan, her oldest son would have taken the father's place, but he died right after the father. Could she have known way back then that I was going to come along?"
"That sounds pretty spooky," Ted said. "This is way over my head."
"We can't tell Joseph the truth either, not until the last minute. I'll get him to hang this in the glass case with my buckskin shirt. Did you feel how heavy this is?" Nate asked.
"I would just as soon not touch it, if you don't mind. Both Granny and Timothy say it holds great power... I don't know what that means and I'm not sure I want to find out."
Joseph was astounded by the necklace, and he too was afraid to touch it. But he unlocked the case and allowed Nate to hang it on the breast of the shirt.
"Look at that," Ted said. "It fits right into the beadwork pattern as if it was meant to be there."
"I have never seen such a thing, are you sure Abner owned this shirt?" Joseph asked.
"Yes, but Betty was... " And Nate paused.
"Was what?" Ted asked.
"I don't know, they seem to go together but that doesn't make sense, does it?"
"I'm just grateful for its presence; it's a huge piece of our history," Joseph said. "I find the legend hard to believe, but White Bear was a great chief in his day... who knows."
They were silent until they got back in the Jeep, and then Ted couldn't hold back his thoughts. "White Bear... you don't suppose that's the same one Marshall told us about."
"I'm sure it is," Nate replied. "Don't you see, all these things are happening at once, like pieces of a puzzle falling together. Marshall says I will be ready to face the spirit world, and now I know why. That's my armor back there in the museum, my defense against the spirits should they attack.
"And what Granny said the last time we spoke, she said to call on her if I need help. Damn, the answer's been there the whole time. She said her clan is very powerful in the spirit world, and now I have the answer to that riddle."
"And that would be?" Ted asked.
"I believe she's a descendant of White Bear and that's why she had the necklace. I also remember something else; Usti Waya's necklace looks much like this one except for the tooth. This is all related somehow."
"I guess we'll find out in a few weeks," Ted said. "OK, this all helps, now I'm not so worried... just cautious."
Nate laughed. "Cautious works for me. I'm glad we're going back to Boone, we have a whole lot of stuff to arrange."
"I'm curious to see what Evan came up with," Ted replied.
Evan had done a lot while in Oklahoma, he had several hours of film time. With Denny's help they had focused on a small settlement of three Cherokee families outside of Jay, and the images were timeless. The men had resisted his request to take photographs until he pulled out an album of stills they had compiled of the Ross family.
These were poor dirt farmers and no different than the white ones who lived up the road. Their houses were simple, the farm equipment old and worn, but they too were proud of their past. The men all gazed at the corn in Ethan Ross' field and sighed; maybe it was the mountains in the background.
Nate looked at them and remembered the lines they had written for the narrative. "Gone were the hills and valleys of their birth, lost in the shadow of memories never forgotten."
"I like these very much," Nate said quite honestly. They would be added to the first part of the film, and now they could work on the second part.
There were hours of film on the Ross family, the Travers men dancing and playing ball, and finally the Pow Wow. The point they were making here was that the modern Cherokee approached such traditional activities as dancing and the ball games with respect for the old ways. The images presented a good blend of new and old, the Cherokee cowboys and the shaman prayer rituals.
Evan and Denny worked hard to bring about the flow and continuity of the production, but they all knew where it was going. They sat around the campfire in front of the huge camper and talked about it. There could be no secrets with these two people, Nate and Ted laid it all out, all except the actual date of the event.
"We'll need some way to conceal two cameras out in the middle of the woods," Ted finally said. "They'll be fixed, we can't have an operator."
"Why is that?" Denny asked.
"I'd like to live a while longer," Ted said, and then he told them about Ben.
Evan looked shocked and shook his head. "This all sounds crazy, do you believe it?"
"I do," Ted said. "The minute I saw a wolf turn into a man right in front of me."
"This can't be real," Denny said.
"I expect you to be a non-believer," Nate said. "That's why I'm going to be in the middle of this ritual to convince you it's real. Once we get this on film we'll have to address that disbelief otherwise people will laugh at our efforts."
Denny smiled. "I really hope it's convincing because I know special effects when I see them."
"If you want to be there to run a camera then go right ahead," Ted said.
"You must be joking, after what you've told us no one should be there, I don't think you should," Evan said.
"I have to be... I'm the reason it's going to work," Nate said.
But even as the month dwindled down to its final days Nate kept his focus on the plans they had made. Marshall had given him the Bear Clan book to use in his declaration for the chief's position. They had laid out the genealogy back generations before Gran Betty and in doing so discovered a name, a name only Marshall might recognize.
The figure of White Bear was of historical significance and little else. But if he had worn that necklace and had actually been the one who took that massive tooth in a hunt then the spirit would respond to the name. Nate memorized it and tucked it away in his mind.
It was Ted that reminded him that Timothy seemed to object to Nate having that necklace. "Is it just your age or do you think he has some idea of what's going to happen?" Ted asked.
"I think he sees it as a significant symbol of an ancient Cherokee past, one he and his Christian brothers would like to see forgotten. Why a boy like me would be given such a powerful clan symbol by Granny is a lot more than an intellectual question in his mind. He understood Granny's ways and the strength of her mind, he knows what she did was no accident.
"But he won't refuse to perform the Atohuna, which would shame him in Joseph's eyes. The success of our efforts is in the timing. By the time he performs the Atohuna I will be sixteen, my petition in adopting Usti Waya will have been accepted and the council will have received my declaration for chief of the Bear Clan."
"But if Timothy refuses?" Ted asked.
"Then I will call him up in front of the council and demand his name," Nate said.
"His name... his Cherokee name?" Ted asked. "Why does that matter?"
Nate smiled. "I have a sneaking suspicion that Timothy Newhouse is harboring a secret his Cherokee name would reveal. Maybe his mother was of the Bear Clan, and being the man he is I think Timothy would love to be chief himself... except for one thing. I imagine his Christian beliefs won't allow it."
Ted grinned. "You don't know this for sure... how could you know?"
"Granny left the clues. Only Timothy could hold onto the necklace for me, if he was of the Bear Clan the powers in it wouldn't affect him. He also knew what it was on sight, how is that possible if no one has seen it in two hundred years? He's hiding more than a name behind that shaman role, but I think his Christian beliefs have bred contempt for his native roots."
"So Timothy will have to be watched, what does that say about Joseph?"
"They're friends, Ted. Let's not read anything else into it, Joseph is on our side."
And so October dawned on a bright, cool morning. This was the first break from the heat of summer. The trees had begun to show some yellow leaves, the wooly caterpillars had grown fat and the squirrels were in furious activity gathering supplies for the winter ahead.
The campsite was closing down and most of the regulars had already left. Denny had driven her dad's camper back to Raleigh with Evan's car in tow. He would return in about ten days with the first edit of the film to show at the museum gathering for Atohuna.
Six days to his birthday, thirteen to Ted's... but those things seemed insignificant compared to what would happen when they returned to Marshall's. The tribal council was due to meet on the ninth, Nate would be there. Joseph would stand to introduce him and speak about his status; then Nate would stand and define his genealogy.
These were all formalities; they would know in advance who he was and why he was there. Although it was a public meeting there would be few in attendance, there were no big issues at the moment. Nate only hoped Timothy would not attend.
The council would grant his status in the nation, and approve of his adoption for Usti Waya. That was a family matter and one they rarely found objectionable. But then they would be given the document declaring his status as chief of the Bear Clan and all the background information in support of that claim.
Marshall had said at that point the council would reply by saying they would like time to study the issue and Nate was to graciously tell them to take all the time they needed. Just by submitting the documents Nate had laid claim to the clan and the only serious challenge could come from within. If Timothy was there he would object and Nate would give the required response... he would challenge Timothy for the title.
Nothing like this had happened in a century or more. Marshall had said that Timothy would back down, and then he had laughed.
"If he doesn't concede then you'll have to defeat him in a test of some kind. The easy way would be combat. You don't have to kill him but a slight wound would suffice."
Nate had no intention of fighting the man, but he wasn't afraid of the challenge process. Timothy was in his sixties, he'd be a fool to entertain combat with a sixteen year old boy. But since the challenge was to him, Nate would be free to pick the nature of their contest. He imagined a ten mile footrace would do the trick if necessary.
Bill and Ma were being secretive and Nate knew they had something planned for his birthday. Ted wasn't like that at all, he admitted he had bought a gift and Nate could have it on the seventh. And then a package arrived in the mail with Marshall's return address on it.
Nate stared at it sitting on the counter as they ate dinner, Ted couldn't help but laugh.
"You're going to lose sleep unless you open that now. You know it's a present."
"Yeah... but from him, who knows what's inside?" Nate said.
Ma laughed and patted Nate's hand. "From all you've said it might be something magical, I'd open it if I were you."
Nate grinned. "That's good enough for me." And he grabbed the box to a chorus of laughter which only grew louder when he read the card inside.
"It's probably not even your birthday and you're reading this... go ahead, tear off the wrapping and know this is a gift from the heart," Marshall had written.
The paper came away to reveal a pair of handcrafted moccasins. They were wrought in the Cherokee fashion with beaded stripes and leather ties. But beneath it was a beautiful blanket coat, a quilted fabric that would assure warmth for the wearer.
Bill and Ma studied the pieces and nodded their approval. "If he made these then he has a great sense of tradition and a fine hand," Bill said.
"I'm sure he made them, look at the fine stitching in that beadwork," Nate said. He smiled over at Ted. "Now my outfit is complete."
They spent the week closing down the site for the winter as best they could. A few die hard campers would straggle in the next few weeks, mostly hunters. But this was a quiet time for them all. Bill normally caught up on his reading; Ma would produce several quilts throughout the winter which were always sold by spring. Nate and Ted studied and talked about what lay ahead.
On the seventh Nate awoke at dawn with a smile, he was sixteen and the warm body beside him was the source of great love. As he always did on his birthday Nate remembered his mother and said a prayer of thanks for the life she had given him. It had been six years since she died, but her memory was still a source of strength.
Nate wondered what she would think of her little boy and what he was about to do. He knew she would forbid it and like a boneheaded kid he would still go ahead with his plans. She had forbidden him to climb that tree in the back yard; at least he didn't break anything when he fell out of it. But rather than punishing him for his transgression she had been a comfort when the tears came.
That's how he always wanted to remember her; she had been his source of strength and comfort. But she had also given him a name, one that he now had to live up to. Smiling Sky referred to the sun that shown down upon them and the way he must always approach life with a smile. Bill had told him that was the way his mother had led her life and Nate believed it.
And what a great time of change in his life. Nate felt like all the years before now had just been waiting for this one. Ted had walked into his life and given it meaning. But together they had opened doors to his past, his native roots. This creature beside him was precious, someone to cherish... and someone to protect.
Nate had watched Ted come to his defense all those months ago, now it was his turn. Something awaited them out at Marshall's place, and this time Nate would stand up as the defender. This time when the doorway opened to the spirit world the ghosts would see the two of them, a shaman and a chief.
Nate went down to the kitchen and began his day as usual with the coffee pot, nothing out of the norm until he saw the large manila envelope on the table. 'To Nate with love, Bill and Ma' it said, and then the post script, 'Don't open this until we get out of bed.' Oh, that was so not fair.
Nate managed to make a little more racket than normal as he fried up the bacon and that brought Ted down the stairs, Bill and Ma followed shortly after that.
"Happy Birthday, sweetie," Ma said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Bill gave him a hug and then sat back down. He nodded towards the envelope. "Go on... open it."
Nate tore off the flap and slid out a certificate for the driving school in Boone. Bill nodded. "Kinda figured you wouldn't be in that driving course at the school so you better learn it this way. That ain't all, Nate... you better look a little deeper in that envelope."
Nate pulled it open and slid out a card with some numbers on it. "What's this?" He asked.
"That's the registration card of your new vehicle, it's sitting down at Tom's Chevy in town," Bill said.
"Wow, you bought me a car?" Nate yelped.
"Nope, a Blazer... that way you can keep up with Ted," Bill laughed.
So breakfast was all downhill from there, Nate was so excited he was hardly able to eat. Bill promised to take him into the motor vehicle office for his learner's permit, and then they could go get the Blazer and drive it home.
Birthday or not they still helped Bill winterized the wash house and laundry room. They put up the storm shutters and checked the heat tape and insulation on the pipes in the outer walls of the laundry. They could continue to use the showers all winter if they didn't mind a walk through the cold to get there and back.
By four o'clock Bill admonished them to go clean up and get dressed; they were going out for dinner. And there in the solitude of the washroom Ted gave Nate his present. The ring was solid gold and bore no outward design, just a smooth even finish. But on the inside there was a small row of engraved Teddy Bears and hearts, there was no mistaking the meaning.
It took them a lot longer to shower than they planned, fortunately Bill didn't come looking for them. But the outpouring of emotion was stronger now, in just a few days they would face the greatest trial of their lives. The ring was Ted's symbol of the power in their relationship and Nate slipped it on his finger as a sign of acceptance.
The drive to the Dan'l Boone Inn didn't take long; it was just down the road in town. The old restaurant had been one of Nate's favorite places to eat ever since he was little. It was more than the name that attracted him; the place had a homey touch his mother used to enjoy.
But Nate knew something was up when they were given their own table instead of being seated at the long communal tables in the middle of the room. Ma seemed pleased with the food, especially since she didn't have to cook it. And then they brought out the cake and the whole restaurant sang for Nate. It was all just emotional enough to make him blush, or maybe it was Ted's hand on his thigh under the table.
To any teenager sixteen was a milestone; it was no different for Nate. That age was special in the history of the Cherokee going back hundreds of years. By then many young men were married, worked the fields and fought in the constant struggle with whites and natives alike. Like other boys of the modern age to Nate it meant a driver's license which brought about a certain amount of freedom.
Nate had never been bound by any strict set of rules, not by Bill at any rate. But the boy was smart enough to realize that limitations had to be set, and he had discovered his own. Now he felt guilty because neither Bill nor Ma knew what he was about to do, it was the first time he'd kept a big secret from them... well maybe the second. Ted would always come first.
Evan was back two days later and he brought a present. Nate was curious what a man like this would give him until he ripped the lid off the box. Inside was a royal blue jacket made of a smooth satin material, but on the back it had 'Smiling Sky Productions' embroidered in red, and Nate's name on the front.
"I thought you would like that, it was Denny's suggestion actually," Evan said. "She sends her birthday wishes and this," He said, handing over a disk. "It took us twelve hours to weed through that soundtrack, but I think you'll like what we have."
And they did, Nate and Ted smiled as they watched the first edit of the work. This was good enough to show an audience, and Evan would use it at the Atohuna. It was wonderful to feel a sense of accomplishment, but it didn't distract them from what Nate had planned for the council session the following day.
With Ted behind the wheel, they left for Cherokee after lunch. Ma would remain at home but wished him well as Nate and Bill climbed in the Jeep. The council meeting was scheduled to begin at three o'clock and Joseph would meet them at the council hall.
It had been a while since Bill had attended one of these meetings and told them in his younger days he had thought of running for the council. But he had lived away from the Qualla for so much of his life it didn't seem right. As a member of the nation and the boy's guardian he would second Joseph's motion for Nate's adult citizenship.
That would be Bill's part in the events of the day; he had no idea of the adoption proposal or the declaration that would make Nate a chief. By right, Bill was also in his mother's clan but being a modern Cherokee he'd never thought much of the affiliation. Lineage was through the females in the family, but even though that made Bill and Nate both members of the Bear Clan only Nate seemed to care.
The council hall only had a few people seated in the audience and of the twelve council members only ten were in attendance. Joseph greeted them at the entrance and gave Bill a big hug. They were cousins and yet didn't get to see one another very often. He then showed them to a seat near the front.
"I spoke with the chairman a few minutes ago; he put us second on the agenda since you have such a long drive home," Joseph said. "John is one of those who is excited every time someone stands up to become a citizen, and when I told him you were the young man making the film he's really looking forward to meeting you."
Nate watched as the council members moved around the room, several of them already in their seats reading paperwork. His petition must be up there, Nate knew, but he had brought along extra copies if they were needed. Finally the meeting came to order and the secretary read out the minutes of the last meeting for final approval. Only then could they move on to new business.
The first new thing was the death notice and disposition of Richard Winder's estate. The secretary read off the notice and the council chairman gave a brief statement of sympathy to the widow and children of the deceased, none of the family was present. But since the Winder's had a parcel of land in the Qualla the transfer of deed to the widow was noted and the appropriate documents signed and passed down the table for inclusion in the record.
That business was just about concluded when the door at the back opened and Timothy walked quietly into the hall and took a seat at the back. Joseph had looked back at the noise and smiled, Nate looked to see who had just entered.
"That's Timothy... oh, you've met him already," Joseph said. "He came by to see the necklace yesterday and I invited him to attend the meeting today."
"Thanks," Nate replied, but he didn't mean it. He turned his head towards Ted and rolled his eyes. "Timothy," He mouthed with a look towards the back of the room. Their day had just become more difficult.
"Now to the matter of Nathaniel Smiling Sky," The chairman said. "Would the petitioner come forward?"
Nate stood and walked to the front of the room before the council table. The chairman was smiling and so were the others; at least they were happy for the moment.
"Do you prefer the documents to read Nathaniel Smiling Sky or Nathaniel Smiley?" John asked.
"Smiling Sky was my mother's name, I'd like to use that if you please," Nate said.
"Very good, have you read the constitution of our nation?" John asked.
"Yes, I have."
"Do you speak the language of The People?"
Nate smiled. "I have some knowledge, a list of words most schoolboys learn. I don't speak it as well as I should, but I understand a great deal."
"The same can't be said for many of our youth, I'm glad you're trying," John said. He looked up and down the table at the faces of his council and everyone seemed to be looking on with anticipation. But rather than go on and deal with the business at hand John began to talk about Nate's film efforts.
The filming at the Pow Wow had been noticed by more than a few of the council members, it seems they were curious as to the results. Nate told them all of the showing at the museum and invited them to attend. John nodded and said they would all be there, and then he smiled.
"So... I'd love to throw a parade every time someone joins the nation. But although the Tsalagi have a ceremony for almost everything, there is little we can do here today. I want to welcome you to the Qualla as a member of the Eastern Band."
There was applause at the table and Nate grinned as he shook John's hand. John looked down at his desk and signed the paper, and then he pulled out the adoption request.
"Usti Waya... I don't know him, he must be from Oklahoma."
"He's from Tennessee," Nate said.
"Well this is just a formality, we don't have jurisdiction over family matters. This will just add his name to your family list." And John signed that paper as well, passing it down the table to the secretary. Nate withdrew the declaration from his pocket and unfolded the paper.
"I need to give you this as well," Nate said. "It's also a family matter... a clan matter, but I think the council will have to get involved in it."
John glanced at the paper, and then stopped to read both pages. "This will take some consideration before we can honor your request," He said. "I've never done anything like this before, but you seem to have all the information here. I will have to consult our records; I don't know anything about the Bear Clan."
"I do," A voice said at the back of the room, and Timothy stood up. He walked forward and stood next to Nate. "What is the boy asking?"
"Nothing that concerns you," Nate said. "My business before the council is not your affair."
"It is if it concerns my clan," Timothy said.
"And how are you a member of the Bear Clan, Mr. Newhome?" Nate asked.
"I am, my great grandfather was a chief in the clan."
"And that would be the great great grandson of White Bear I suppose?"
Timothy looked shocked. "Yes... you know about him?"
"I know the chain was broken, your mother was in the Wolf Clan," Nate said.
Timothy turned bright red and Nate could see his anger. "That's a lie, she was not."
"We'll let the council decide, and if they find in my favor you will regret calling me a liar... that's all I have to say for now," Nate said.
"We'll see about this," Timothy yelled, and then he turned and strode out of the council hall. Nate looked back at John and nodded.
"I'm sorry for that disruption. Unfortunately it will end up becoming an issue between us, but he's wrong, I have the proof. But please, take all the time you need to research my claim; I have other things to occupy my time. I thought with the film coming out this would be a unifying move for the Qualla and the members of the clan that are scattered all over the place, maybe I was wrong."
John shook his head. "I understand your motives; give us the time to make a careful decision. I don't want to see bad blood between you and Timothy."
"Neither do I," Nate said. "Thank you, thank all of you."
Nate turned back to the audience seating and looked at Joseph, Bill and Ted. He nodded and then strode up the aisle and out through the doors at the rear. Ted was the first one to reach him outside the hall.
"That was just about what you expected, wasn't it?" Ted asked.
"Yes, Timothy is going to be an ass about this, but he can't stop it. And now I have to face Joseph after that little scene."
Joseph and Bill walked out the door and Nate could see the tension on their faces.
"Will you explain to me what just happened?" Joseph asked.
"Timothy didn't say anything when he saw that necklace in the museum?" Nate asked.
"I didn't understand him; he said it ought to be his."
"I thought so. He's going to challenge my right to become chief of the Bear Clan."
"Chief?" Bill gasped. "Nathaniel... what are you doing?"
"It's my right; I'm going to claim it. The council will eventually decide in my favor."
"Then what is Timothy claiming? I'm confused," Joseph said.
Nate put a hand on Joseph's arm. "Timothy is suffering from a guilty conscience; he covets that necklace because he can't have it. I noticed when we were out at the Ross home he didn't even touch it; it was still in the bag when I got there.
"Marshall says the necklace is a charm; it has the power of the spirits in it. Only a member of the Bear Clan may hold it without serious consequences. Timothy knows all I have to do is prove that and his claim is gone."
"How can you prove such a thing?" Joseph asked.
"I could hand it to Bill, he can hold it because he's of the Bear Clan," Nate said. "In fact I'd like to do just that so you... " Nate stopped talking as the sound of an alarm began ringing close by.
"The Museum, that's our alarm system," Joseph said.
The building was just up the street and they all took off at a brisk trot towards the sound of the bell. Just as they approached the front of the building a tribal police car pulled up.
"Is that a false alarm?" The officer asked Joseph.
"I don't think so; we need to check the doors and windows." Joseph began to walk around the side of the building as the officer called in for help and followed them. They found the broken window towards the back, the remnants of the board used to shatter the glass was lying on the ground.
"Someone's in there," Joseph said. "I have a key."
"Wait until we have more help," The officer said just as another police car arrived, and he told them to cover the front. Joseph produced a set of keys and opened the back door, punching in the code to shut off the alarm. The officer drew his weapon and entered the building.
"Police," They heard him yell, followed by silence. Nate felt like they stood there for an eternity, it was all of three minutes when the officer returned to the door. "You'd better come inside," He said.
They followed him into the antiquities hall and there was a body lying on the floor in the darkness. Joseph walked over and switched on the overheads lights. It was Timothy... and he was quite dead.
Joseph looked at the shattered glass of the display case and down at the necklace that lay across Timothy's lifeless hand. "He should have known better," Joseph said. The officer went to let his partners in at the front door and Nate swooped down and snatched up the necklace, sliding it into his pocket.
"We can't say anything about it, you know that," Nate said.
"No, it doesn't need to be mentioned. I want that necklace out of here tonight," Joseph said. "It's too dangerous... to most of us. Poor stupid Timothy."
"I'm going to take the shirt too, they belong together," Nate said.
Joseph waved his hand. "Take it, they're both yours."
They all went and sat in Joseph's office as the police took photos and the coroner came and left. The officer took their statement which was that they had just left the council meeting when they heard the alarm, the officer knew the rest.
"Did the coroner say anything about the cause of death?" Joseph asked.
The officer nodded. "He said it looked like a heart attack, but they'll do an autopsy for the final reports."
"Thank you for your assistance," Joseph said as he showed the officer out.
"OK, what happened?" Bill asked.
"He touched the necklace, it killed him," Nate said.
"What killed him?" Joseph said from the doorway.
Nate pulled the necklace from his pocket and held it up. "This is the Di-gv-tli-lo-s-do-di of the Bear Clan... it belonged to White Bear two hundred years ago. None but the clan may touch it." And with that he held it out to Bill.
"I don't want anything to do with it," Bill said.
"If I'm to prove my ability to lead the clan you must hold it or Joseph will think I'm the liar and not Timothy," Nate said. "It won't hurt you, I promise."
Bill's hands shook as he reached out and Nate laid the necklace in his palms. Bill looked down in awe at the tooth and the carved beads surrounding it, and then he looked up with a smile. "It feels warm to the touch," He said. "How do you know so much about this thing?"
"I have a book... " Nate began, and he explained the clan book Marshall had loaned him. In it was the genealogy of the clan and all the mysteries surrounding the various chiefs and shamans over the past three centuries since the book was written.
"And now the power is in your hands... what will you do with it?" Joseph asked.
Nate sighed. "I can't tell you everything that will happen when I wear the necklace, but the power will be used for good... and then I'm going to give it back."
Ted sat there nodding; the final piece of the puzzle had just fallen in place... now he understood.
Authors deserve your feedback. It's the only payment they get. If you go to the top of the page you will find the author's name. Click that and you can email the author easily.* Please take a few moments, if you liked the story, to say so.
[For those who use webmail, or whose regular email client opens when they want to use webmail instead: Please right click the author's name. A menu will open in which you can copy the email address (it goes directly to your clipboard without having the courtesy of mentioning that to you) to paste into your webmail system (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc). Each browser is subtly different, each Webmail system is different, or we'd give fuller instructions here. We trust you to know how to use your own system. Note: If the email address pastes or arrives with %40 in the middle, replace that weird set of characters with an @ sign.]
* Some browsers may require a right click instead
