Nathaniel Smiley

By Chris James

Chapter 3

Ted awoke, feeling the warmth beside him. It was still early, but he couldn't move to view the clock on the nightstand. Nate had him pinned with an arm across his chest, a gentle hold but one that Ted didn't want to break. He remembered last night and felt guilty about being so tired.

But he also remembered those gentle touches that lulled him to sleep, Nate was such a dear. Something wonderful was happening between them, love was pulling them together. He would tell his dad that he had to stay in Boone until September; it wouldn't take much of an excuse to make that happen.

After that... he already knew he would spend as much of his free time as he could with Nate. There was so much he could learn from these people. His life at home had felt sheltered by his father's money... his mother's social status. All that had conspired to keep him from knowing real people.

Martial arts had been his way out into the world. On his own and without their help, Ted had flourished. The hours of pain, the brutal lessons, all had built an incredible sense of self accomplishment. His parents had no way to identify with his goals in the dojo, something Ted enjoyed and used. Then he had met Barry.

The struggle with his parents was nothing compared to his internal self denial, Barry had wiped that away with the first kiss. Twelve years old and gay, Ted would just as soon forget those early days. But now it was five years later, it was time to move beyond those feelings. He felt himself both capable and confident... and smart enough to realize what he was walking into.

Once given the heart doesn't take well to being shoved around, pushed and pulled in different directions, suffering at the smallest slight. Ted would give of himself in every way he could, but Nate would have to stand strong and have patience when the world came between them.

Right now the only thing between them was skin and Ted grinned as he leaned over and gently blew in Nate's ear. He turned his head a little more and looked down at a single sleepy eye staring back at him.

"If that's all a blow job means to you it's not very satisfying," Nate mumbled, and then he giggled, grabbing Ted in an embrace. "Good morning, Teddy Bear."

Ted threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, you did not."

"No, I didn't... you fell asleep," Nate said.

"Touché... I like sex in the morning too. Let me up, I'll be right back," Ted said.

He scooted out of bed and went in the bathroom without shutting the door and Nate heard his stream hitting the toilet. Not a bad idea, Nate rolled out of bed and waited his turn.

"OK, while we're up I want a shower," Ted said.

"Are we going back to bed, it's only five?" Nate replied.

"Yeah, we have another bed to mess up, remember?"

The shower could have been sexy, all the exciting parts were exposed and yet... they both hesitated. They scrubbed down, the cleansing taking on a new meaning, a ritual before... before what? Nate wasn't sure what Ted wanted, but he was more than willing to try anything. He just hoped he would be good at it.

They dried off then moved the stuffed bear to the chair by the window. "Maybe he'll learn something if he gets to watch," Ted joked.

Nate frowned. "Maybe I'll learn something, I don't know what I'm doing... you understand that?"

Ted pulled him into an embrace. "I'm not worried; you'll be wonderful. Some things don't need an explanation, just go with the feelings."

There were kisses... and then kisses. Ted began by kissing his way across Nate's jaw line and working his way south. Nipples required special attention, but the lure of better things kept him moving. Finally Ted could stand it no longer; he grasped Nate's cock, kissed the flared head and then slid the whole thing down his throat.

"Oh... Oh," Nate groaned, gasping at the wealth of feelings assaulting his body. It had never felt like this, nothing had prepared him for... and then Ted began to bob up and down. Nate felt like screaming, the waves of pleasure were so intense, but his balls were suffused with warmth and that meant only one thing.

A minute later it took on urgency. "Ted... I'm there," Nate yelped in warning, but Ted grasped the base and held on as it started to pulse in his mouth. He swallowed several times and came up gasping for air.

"Wow, boy did you need that," Ted laughed.

Nate groaned as Ted released his cock. "Damn, that happened too fast."

Ted leaned down and they kissed, but Nate quickly pulled away. "I haven't done anything for you."

Ted grinned. "Oh yes you did, I just got a taste of your love."

Nate smiled. "So, can I taste you now?"

"If you want... you don't have to swallow you know. It all happens pretty fast so don't be surprised."

Nate pushed him back and Ted lay watching. He had known that inexperience would bring the boy off fast, he had guessed that right. Now he had to give Nate the chance to prove himself so he had better focus on getting it done quickly.

Ted was amazed at the feelings Nate was producing, damn the boy was thrilling. He groaned to encourage the action, and felt the desired effect. Yeah, they were in tune with one another, his body was going to deliver right on schedule. A few minutes later he gasped.

"Oh... Yes, I'm going to ... yeah... ahh."

Ted felt the surge start and Nate slowed down swallowing quickly again and again. Once he felt the pulses subside he sat back with a grin.

"I did it... that was cool," Nate said.

"God, you did that just great," Ted replied, and then he pulled Nate down for a kiss.

It was still too early for anything else so they lay there in wonder. "When do you suppose the cops will need to hear our side of the story?" Ted finally asked.

"Later, I don't think there's any hurry. But this will give us a chance to investigate what we were talking about yesterday," Nate said.

"What was that? Yesterday is just a blur to me."

"A project, something to keep us together for the rest of the summer... I have some ideas," Nate said.

"Jeez, I forgot... when did you find time to think about it?"

"I had a dream about us last night," Nate said. "We were high in the mountains looking for the Old Ones, those Cherokee that still remember the past. There's no one alive from those early times, maybe just their children, but there have to be stories, songs, and even writing that shows the history of The People.

"It's not a new idea, but I think we may be among the last ones to do this research, maybe even record the stories and the dances. I know Joseph will help us locate some of these people living in the hills. I know enough to speak to them of the old ways, encourage them to share these things with us. We need to think about it, it won't be easy going; we'll have to carry a lot of stuff with us. I just... "

"I'll do it," Ted said.

Nate smiled. "I knew you would."

"I'm learning so much from you... from these people. I want to stay here for as long as I can... and beyond. This is the first place that I've felt alive, Nate... something here has captured my imagination and I don't want it to end."

"Let's go talk to Joseph today. Can you call your dad, could we stay a few more days and set this up?"

"Yes, he has a cell phone... but it's six-fifteen in the morning, I'd better wait a while," Ted chuckled. "Wow, this would be awesome."

"Yup, and I'd get to sleep with you every night, that's a bonus."

"No showers though, just cool rivers for bathing," Ted said.

"Um, they aren't cool... they're damn freezing even in August, I'll take you over to Island Park today, you'll see. But now we can shower," Nate said.

They were in the restaurant by seven-thirty, and the waitress who seated them seemed to know who they were.

"Orange juice and coffee?" The woman asked, handing out menus.

"Um... yeah, why not," Nate said.

Ted grinned. "I'll have the same."

She left and Ted raised an eyebrow. "You drinking coffee now?"

"I do... cream and sugar."

"Lord, you aren't just showing off... "

"No, I used to drink half a cup with my mother, it reminds me of those days," Nate said.

"I'm sorry; we don't have to discuss that... "

"No, it's OK. She's still here," Nate said, touching his chest. "I think she would approve of you. I never got to tell her good-bye so I feel like she's still with me."

"I'm happy, you still have the memory."

"That's like the project we've been talking about, it's all about memories. We really ought to give it a name you know, something grand," Nate said.

"Oh, you'll have to come up with that... "

"'The Cherokee Legacy Project,' how's that?" Nate asked.

"Right to the point, my dad will love it," Ted said.

Denise walked in just as they were being served; she sat with them and drank her herbal tea. "Did you get to the carnival last night?" She asked.

"Sure did, it wore us out," Nate said.

Denise patted his hand and looked at Ted. "A detective will be over after lunch, I suggest we three sit with him in here, I'll reserve us a quiet corner. Don't worry yourself, it's just a formality, they already know what happened."

"That's fine," Ted said.

"Denise, who's the oldest person living in the Qualla Boundary?" Nate asked.

"Oh my, um, I imagine Granny Huhu is, she has to be in her late nineties. Didn't come down for the gathering last summer. She lives up beyond Blue Fox Glen, just a small place her sons keep, a few acres of corn and the like. Why, you want to meet her?"

"Ted and I were talking about doing a little project on the Old Ones, just to see what they remember of the past," Nate said.

"Goodness, there are probably only a few who still have that memory. My father used to mourn the loss of the knowledge. I think Joseph was influenced by those feelings, he'd be your best guide to those who remember," Denise said.

"We thought so too, we'll ask him," Nate said.

Denise smiled at Ted. "I see Little Bear has brought you here for a purpose, it's a wonderful thing you want to do."

"Yes, but I'm such an outsider," Ted replied.

"Many of The People were born of outsiders; it gave us strength as a nation. Don't disparage your ancestors; we're here because of the many whites who stood by us in our time of trial. I think this will be a learning experience you will not soon forget. So I have a hotel to run, see you back here around twelve-thirty... OK?" Denise said.

"Thank you, Denise," Nate said before she left, and then he turned to Ted.

"Yes, she supports us, that will be a big help," He said.

"What's huhu mean?" Ted asked.

"I really need to teach you some of the basics, it means mockingbird," Nate replied, then he smiled. "She must have been a loud and boisterous baby to get a name like that."

"But you were five when they named you Little Bear," Ted said.

"True, but I didn't go through the normal naming ceremony; I was raised as a white person, Nathaniel Smiling Sky Withers until my father crapped out on us. Mom dropped his last name like a hot potato and went back to her English name of Smiley. Little Bear came from Chief Crowe but my mom embraced it too."

"I gather Denise has some authority in her clan," Ted said.

"Yeah, nobody argues with her. But her mother is the real head of the clan, they think alike so there's little conflict. This matriarchal thing is often difficult to understand. Just remember I am my father's seed but in my mother's clan. When a man marries a woman he becomes part of her world not the other way round."

"Whoa, that gives a whole new meaning to the term powerful mother-in-law."

Nate laughed. "You aren't kidding."

After breakfast they went back to the room so Ted could call his father. The conversation took a while as Ted first had to explain the incident at the pool and then go on to talk about the project. This was Saturday and Ted's father gave him three days to get things started, Ted promised their return on Tuesday.

Bill was easier to accommodate, Denise had paved the way. Nate could take as much time as he needed, but he said they would be back on Tuesday. He also asked Bill to assure Mr. Lawson that things were fine; the relatives were taking care of them.

Joseph was thrilled by the concept of their project and invited them to his home later that evening for dinner. "I want you to see some of my father's records; they'll be very helpful with what you have planned."

"I don't know how to reach these people, is there some form of introduction we need to make all this possible?" Nate asked.

"I have something you may take with you, but it's old and very valuable so you must take care of it," Joseph said. "I'll show you this evening."

They sat for a while and discussed details of how something like this might be accomplished. Sending two boys off into the mountains wasn't the dangerous proposition it would have been a hundred years before, but there were perils.

Since they had been walking around town Nate decided they ought to leave before noon for their conversation with the detective, Joseph said he would give them a ride. And so it was that they met with a young and somber Detective Morris of the Cherokee Tribal Police.

His attitude of deference was due to the presence of Denise, the Crowe clan powerhouse, and Joseph Crowe, son of the past chief and a potential future Chief, who would then be his boss. Morris was all business, took his statements from each boy and admitted they balanced with what John had to say. Nelson and Larry had refused to talk about the incident, but Morris said they probably would after they got out of the hospital.

"You did considerable damage, Mr. Lawson... probably less than I would have." He said.

"You study martial arts?" Ted asked.

"Going on five years now, I began when I was in the Army. The sign of a true warrior is restraint, you did very well. If someone pulls a knife on me I only hope he's ready to die."

"And what will happen to John?" Ted asked.

Morris looked at Denise. "His mother wishes him to remain in jail until later next week, after you leave I believe. The bail for simple assault will be set aside and we'll turn him over to his mother's custody."

Nate almost laughed aloud, but didn't. Poor John, a lesson learned... one that Denise would make sure he kept on learning.

"So that's all, thank you," Morris said, and he left.

Joseph stayed for lunch, and they talked about family issues during the meal. Ted was queried about his family and he spoke honestly about his feelings towards them.

Denise shook her head. "You've done well to abide by their wishes, but it's time to choose your own path. Parents don't always have the answers; you may need to develop some of your own."

Joseph bid them good-bye and returned to work; Nate and Ted decided to tour the parklands. They drove north out of town following the road towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. The highway followed the watercourse of the Oconaluftee River and when they got to the first turnoff they took it, heading towards the bridge.

Further north there was Class Three whitewater rafting, but here the rapids ran smoothly over slick stones in the quick running water. Ted pulled into a small parking lot filled with the cars and trucks of fishermen where they got out.

"These are sacred waters," Nate said as they made their way towards the bank of the river. "A man might fish these waters at any time, but if he caught a fish he would have to say a prayer of thanks. Hunting or fishing, a man needed to be humble and explain to the Creator that it was only to feed his family.

"As time passed and the white man brought his greater influence the prayers stopped, and many claim that's when the game started to disappear from our lands. Now the Qualla is a preserve, the game returns and the cycle continues."

Ted smiled, he loved these little insights. And then Nate led them to the water's edge and they took off their shoes and socks. Ted expected cold water, but this was numbing.

"Jeez, I get it, mountain water and all that, but I didn't know it would be this cold."

"The river comes from springs deep in the mountain valleys, underground water is cold year round, and with so much shade it stays that way. Refreshing, huh?" Nate laughed.

"If we bathe in this it will be a quick bath, that's for sure," Ted replied.

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park lay across the state lines between Tennessee and North Carolina. The Qualla Boundary lands were tucked in underneath the giant park and in many places the word boundary meant little to the people who had lived here for generations.

They finally got out of the river and headed back to town. Nate pointed out dozens of turnoffs that lead towards the mountain range. A few had signs, others no markings at all.

"Here's where we'll get confused if we're not careful. Up these roads are homesteads, little farms and even a village or two. Everyone values privacy; some are damn protective of it. So I hope whatever Joseph has for us is a magic key that opens all doors."

"But how will we find these people we're looking for?" Ted asked.

"There are maps and lists, the Tribal Council knows who lives where, and it's just a matter of being accurate. A lot of these roads look the same. I imagine we might drive up some of them, but we'll have to hike at some point."

"We have some good camping equipment in the storage bins of the camper," Ted said.

Nate grinned. "Oh you want camping gear? Bill has a storeroom full of it, some top notch stuff too. For twenty years people have been going off and leaving their gear behind, never came back for it, and Bill saves everything. We could outfit an army in that shed, but we'll have to bring our own clothes."

"Cool, I have clothes and boots... so when do we begin, what should I tell Dad?"

"Once we talk to Joseph we'll have a better idea. Now we ought to clean up and rest before our evening at the Crowe village. Things have a tendency to go late when that bunch starts talking."

"I don't mind, will they tell stories?" Ted asked.

"You can count on it, they have to entertain you... fresh meat," Nate laughed.

"Goody."

It was only four o'clock; they had an hour and a half to kill. Not hard for two boys in love now that they had some familiar ground. Ted knew what he wanted; it was only a matter if Nate wanted it too.

"Hmm, feeling sexy?" Ted asked.

"With you here? Hell yeah."

"I want... I want you to do something special," Ted asked.

"You mean... if that's what you want."

Ted excused himself to the bathroom and stayed a while. Nate undressed and slid in bed, waiting and hoping he would perform this task well. And then Ted joined him.

"Ready?" Ted asked.

"Um hmm, what do I have to do?"

Ted opened the condom packet and rolled it down Nate's cock. Ted lay on his back and raised his legs.

"Oh, I thought we did things from behind... "

"This is better, I get to see your eyes... those beautiful brown eyes," Ted said. "Just get up on your knees between my legs, the rest is easy."

Nate knelt and took hold of Ted's ankles. He scooted closer until they touched and then Ted reached a hand down to guide him.

"Just push in slow, it's been a while for me and you have a big damn cock."

Nate did as he was told, pressing slowly, feeling the contact and then the results. Ted's bottom seemed to welcome the intrusion, and Nate groaned as he slid inside... deep inside.

It took mere moments before Nate began the dance between Ted's thighs. He moved slowly, slow enough to drive Ted mad and he reached out, clutching Nate's waist and pulling him in harder.

"Yes, go on, let it rip," Ted gasped.

The look on Ted's face said it all. His eyes were filled with love and Nate couldn't hold back, he leaned down for a kiss and they grasped one another. He never stopped moving, he was the source of Ted's pleasure.

The kiss was hard, passionate and Ted clenched his strong legs around Nate's body, hands pulling and clenching. Nate felt so excited and with those feelings came that familiar tickle in his groin. Oh damn, he was there already and this would all end.

"I'm... I'm... " Nate gasped.

"Go baby, let it all out," Ted groaned.

Nate increased his speed, pushing the intensity of the feeling deep inside Ted... and then he let go. They were both panting, hearts pounding, and Nate couldn't lose that silly grin on his face.

"Like that?" Ted asked.

"Oh yeah it was... oh shit," Nate squealed as he slid out and Ted laughed. Nate smiled and shook his head.

"I was so worried that I would do that wrong, it wasn't difficult at all."

"Instinct prevailed, you seem well equipped to handle the experience," Ted said.

"What does that mean? In English this time."

"You're a good fuck... how's that?" Ted said.

"Hmm... and when do I get to have the pleasure?" Nate asked.

"We'll work on it; I can't rush into this and hurt you."

Ted handed Nate some tissues and watched the condom be removed. "What a waste of good sperms," Ted said. "But there's no mess this way. Come on, let's shower."

It was at some point as they stood under the spray that Nate realized they had made a commitment to one another; it had been more than casual sex. He had affirmed his love for Ted, and sacrificed his virginity to their needs. Somehow he had thought the virginity thing would be a big deal, all his friends at school seemed to think so.

But the commitment meant he now had two bodies to care for, Ted was his to cherish and love, and that was a responsibility. In a physical sense the boy was more than capable of taking care of himself, Nate decided he would take care of Ted's spirit.

The Cherokee believed in one Supreme Being, the Creator of All, it made spirituality more accessible for many of The People. The argument with the Christians came when discussing her, for the Cherokee believed God to be a woman. It shouldn't come as a surprise, theirs was a matriarchal society.

Ted had no preconceived notions of prejudice, he was open to all knowledge, and that made him dear. There was every reason to believe their spirits would become joined, they would walk together. The People had little to do with Cherokee who espoused gay feelings, there were the usual jokes and jibes, but over all the thoughts of such things were ignored.

Nate had no plan to publicly expose his feelings for Ted, but in time some would notice. Those thoughts would keep; he was naked in a shower with Ted.

"Are you sore afterwards... you know... "

"In the beginning, yes. Once your body has embraced the experience it remembers only the pleasure," Ted said.

Nate smiled. "That's good because I want the experience real soon."

They dressed for the evening and then drove west out of Cherokee towards Birdtown. Owl's Foot Road was a long winding combination of asphalt and gravel road that led north into the trees. Finally they drove over the last hill and arrived at the Crowe village.

"For decades this was one of the few remaining sites that belonged to the Cherokee," Nate explained. "The government took almost all the land when they settled the clans on the western reservation, but they did not get this. The buildings are all new, some built on old foundations. Their townhouse is a modern version of the old traditional building."

"The meeting place, I saw those photos in the museum," Ted said.

"Yeah, they were pretty uncomfortable too. The fire they lit smoked up the whole place; it was hard to breathe. Joseph has a barbeque in this one; he cooks a lot for gatherings."

There were eight homes situated on a large circular drive, the Crowe clan's choices of living arrangements varied from a traditional log and mud dwelling to a huge stone and glass edifice. But as Ted pulled up Joseph came forth to greet them.

"O'siyo, Ted... Nathaniel," Joseph said. "Welcome to my home."

He led them behind the modern house to a long open building where Ted could smell something good cooking on the grill. There were a dozen people gathered on the chairs and benches under the shelter, Denise was there. Surprisingly so was JT, Nate should have known he was a Crowe.

Ted was introduced around and Nate got hugs from all the women. Joseph seemed a gracious host, offering them both a tall glass of lemonade before they sat down. It seems their project had been under discussion and everyone had an opinion on who they should visit.

JT smiled and congratulated them on developing such a worthy idea. "For my two cents I'd start with Gran Huhu, she probably knows a great deal."

Ted was not used to the way a consensus was built amongst these people, it took hours. Some were concerned that an audio recording would not be enough; others thought the elder ones might dislike any attempt to capture them on video.

But at one point Joseph brought out a long box and there was silence as he presented it to Nate.

"What's this?" Nate asked.

"This is your passport to The People, open it," Joseph said.

Nate sat the box on the table and opened the lid. There were smiles from those around him who crowded in for a look. Inside the box lay a pipe, a long carved wooden stem and a separate red clay bowl.

"You will become the pipe bearer, the seeker of truth," Joseph said. "For Uktena gave The People a pipe and tobacco for us to raise our hopes and prayers to the heavens. The man who carries this pipe can only be truthful, all will believe this."

"This is old," Nate said. "Didn't this belong to Chief John?"

"Yes, it was the Chief's pipe and you will honor us by carrying it."

Nate stared down at the pipe. This was a sacred object, he'd only seen it once before. "I will guard it with my life," Nate said, closing the box. Now he knew how serious this quest would become, Joseph and his family were behind them, and that would assure success.

They spent one more night under Denise's roof and then left for home a day early, arriving Monday for lunch. Nate held the box on his lap the whole ride back. He felt honored and a little afraid to be in possession of something so valuable.

Bill was greatly impressed when he saw the pipe and it seemed as if he was just beginning to understand the scope of this project. Mr. Lawson stared down into the box with a look of awe.

"This looks to be hundreds of years old," He said.

"It is, Dad... a real Cherokee relic," Ted said.

Then they had to explain the scope of the project. Ted was going to ask his dad if they could borrow a digital camera but Bill jumped right in.

"Oh yes, I would love to see some great video of the old stories, I have just the thing." Bill led them all into the house and to a closet in his study. There arranged on the shelves were all kind of cameras, recorders and two-way radios.

"Goodness, Bill... you didn't tell me you had all this stuff," Nate laughed.

"People leave things; I'm certainly not going to throw it away. So when do you plan to begin?"

"That's why we came back early, we want your advice," Ted said.

"JT is going to take us up to Gran Huhu's farm, that's where we'll start," Nate said. "He wants to leave on Friday."

"How long will you be gone?" Mr. Lawson asked.

Ted looked him in the eye. "A month... maybe more."

"I see." His father replied. "I suppose this is considered an academic endeavor, what do you need?"

"We'll stock the Jeep with some supplies, but Nate thinks we ought to live off the land," Ted said.

Bill nodded. "Just as long as the land doesn't live off of you, that's bear country." With that statement he reached into the back of the closet and pulled out a rifle. "This is a .30-.30, lever action and it's got a little kick to it."

"I've fired one of those before," Ted said, and Nate looked at him. "We have a rifle team at school," Ted explained.

"OK, that's yours," Nate grinned, and then he looked at Bill. "I should take my .22 unless you have something smaller."

Bill nodded and handed him a .22 over and under. "This is for all that game you're planning to eat... if you can find it."

"Do they really need guns?" Mr. Lawson asked.

"They do, better we keep them safe and Nate knows how to hunt. You just ask Joseph to get you a permit for the reservation lands and don't carry these into the park. I imagine you'll be able to drive into most places, but if you hike take them along."

Bill gave Nate a knowing glance, they'd talked about the dangers in the woods before but there was no sense in spooking Mr. Lawson. "OK, what else do you need?"

They went through the camping gear and chose pack frames, sleeping bags and shelter. They would each carry a cooking kit, water bottles and first aid supplies. Overall it was going to be about fifty pounds of gear apiece when they added food.

"It just looks like so much stuff," Mr. Lawson said.

"It is, but they can pare it down over time," Bill said. "Our ancestors went for weeks on hunting trips with only a blanket and a knife. This ought to be quite an adventure, wish I was going."

They spent three days gathering items they thought they might need. Nate was serious about eating game they would find, but they took freeze dried soups and meat anyway. It was early Friday morning when Ted said goodbye to his parents. He had his cell phone which may or may not work in the mountains, but it gave his dad a sense of security. His mother was another matter.

"You be careful and watch out with that damn gun," She said.

"It's a rifle, Mom... and I know how to use it," Ted replied.

"If you get eaten by a bear I'll never forgive myself," She said.

Ted laughed. "Well think about how I'll feel. We'll be fine."

Nate's Aunt and Uncle hugged him good-bye and Bill handed him an envelope. "Hide that someplace, it's just a little security in case the car breaks down or something. Call us once a week if you can, otherwise I'm sure Joseph will stay in touch. "

"Thank you," Nate said.

Bill smiled. "Good-luck, boys."

The trip back to the Qualla Boundary was filled with excitement, and doubt.

"Did you remember the extra battery packs for the camera?" Ted asked.

"Yes, did you pick up that box of shells for your rifle?"

"Yes... I think we remembered everything."

Nate nodded. "We won't be on the moon, if we forgot anything we can buy it... which reminds me, is there someplace safe to stash something?"

"How big?' Ted asked.

"Just this envelope, Bill gave me some extra cash for emergencies."

"Yeah, I was going to hide my wallet in the battery compartment, that's under the back seat which ought to be safe. You know my dad gave me his credit card, American Express."

Nate laughed and fanned out the money Bill gave him. "Cherokee Express, never leave the reservation without it."

"Jeez, that's a lot of money... yeah; we better hide it real well."

They stopped in Asheville for a late breakfast and drove on to the Qualla.

"I notice you don't really call this a reservation," Ted said.

"It really isn't, despite what people might think. This is Cherokee land, has been since before the white man came. That was back when we were spread out across five or six states from Florida to Virginia. The Qualla is a nation, a trust held as a separate entity from the US of A. Each Cherokee who lives here can be a citizen."

"That's what you want isn't it, I mean when you come of age?"

"Yes, it's in my blood," Nate said.

JT was supposed to meet them at two. He was handing the garage over to Samuel, his part time helper and full time friend. Having the man along for a few days to get them started was an ideal situation, everyone knew Johnny. Tonight they would camp out and test their equipment. Nate just thought JT wanted to see if they could cook worth a damn.

Things were quiet at the Crowe village when they arrived so they carried their gear out to the townhouse and set it down. There was an envelope on the table with 'Little Bear' written on it and Nate opened it up. Their hunting license was inside.

"Maybe we ought to go fire off a few rounds over the hill, but I better tell Louise first so she doesn't call the cops," Nate said.

"Good idea," Ted agreed.

Louise was in the crafts room working on a quilt when Nate knocked and told her what they were about to do.

"You shoot any bear just let me know," She laughed, knowing full well they wouldn't. "I need some nice bear skin for the new dance costume I'm making for my cousin."

The Cherokee had a dance for everything; most were designed to please the spirits. All gatherings were good times to display the talent of the dancers in each clan. Both women and men danced, sometimes together and sometimes not. Men danced to display their prowess for the hunt and to tell stories, women to signify the planting and gathering seasons. Everyone danced at weddings.

Nate and Ted carried the rifles up the hill behind the house and into the trees.

"Is this where you got your name?" Ted asked.

"Yes, I'll show you," Nate said.

They followed a path deeper into the woods and over another hill until they came to a wide stream. Nate approached slowly and looked around with a smile.

"Here we are, I sat there and the chief was up there," Nate said, pointing at the hill behind them. "That was a long time ago; bears haven't been seen around here in quite a while."

"I don't think I could shoot a bear," Ted said.

"It all depends on the situation. Shooting a mother bear defending her cubs would be pretty mean because killing her might also mean the death of her cubs. Now a lone male bear won't bother us unless he's hungry, and then my first choice would be to run."

"We can't outrun a bear," Ted laughed.

"They're territorial; if we cross water they might stop chasing us. I imagine the sound of a rifle will scare them off, not sure I want to find out."

Ted held up his rifle. "I know this would stop a charging bear at a hundred yards."

Nate held up his rifle. "This makes a lot of noise and I'm keeping birdshot in the .410 barrel. We might get a nice turkey or a rabbit if I'm lucky."

"Honestly, I only shot at targets, I've never hunted," Ted said.

"Deer is out of season so we don't want to shoot them. I'll let you try this on some small game if you want."

"I'm not sure I could even hit a moving target," Ted said.

Nate smiled. "One way to find out."

They stood back to back and loaded their rifles, Ted only sliding three cartridges in the magazine. Nate broke the rifle open and placed a shell in each barrel, the .22 cartridge on top, the .410 shotgun shell below.

"Loaded," Ted said.

"Me too," Nate said, snapping the breech closed.

Ted jacked the lever forward and back, chambering a round. "OK... what are we shooting at?"

"There's nothing between us and the park land about six miles from here, but I would shoot low so we don't get any ricochets off a rock."

Ted aimed at a tree stump about fifty yards away and pulled the trigger. The rifle gave him a good pop in the shoulder and a loud report echoed off the hills around them, Nate watched as wood from the stump flew off in all directions.

"Good shot, a marksman," He said.

"Naw, I'm not all that," Ted said.

Nate threw the selector lever with his thumb and aimed his rifle at the same target. He squeezed the trigger and there was a small pop as the .22 discharged. Ted could see wood fly off the same stump.

"OK, so we both know how to aim and shoot. What kind of pattern does that shotgun have?" Ted asked.

"Good concentration for about thirty yards and then it breaks open. I could take a turkey down within seventy-five yards or so."

"And then you get to clean it, what a mess," Ted said.

"We'll make you a headdress of the feathers, or we could make arrows."

"I've never shot a bow and arrow before."

"Neither have I, maybe we can get someone to show us how to make one," Nate said.

"OK, that would be something cool to film."

They fired off several rounds apiece and then decided they had disturbed the creatures of the forest enough for one day. Nate broke his rifle open and slid it over his shoulder, Ted jacked the lever a few times to make sure the rifle was empty and then loosened the sling so it would rest on his shoulder.

"You know these things are going to get heavy if we have to carry them far," Ted said.

"I don't know if we'll need to carry that much in our packs, we only need one sleeping bag," Nate said with a smile.

Ted laughed. "Just don't let anyone find out."

JT pulled up a short time after they arrived back at the townhouse and he looked through their kit.

"Too much stuff," He said.

"Yeah, well you know Bill," Nate said.

"Yup, but he doesn't have to carry it. I'd say you can leave about half of this in the Jeep. We can drive right up to Gran Huhu's place; just don't run over her corn."

It was some hours later when JT took them out in the huge fields down the road and away from the houses. The boys had Nate's rifle and JT just his knife. They walked the perimeter of the tall grass and JT showed them traces where he expected small animals moved in and out of the woods.

"There's a small stream back in there, you can always find game trails and prints in the soft ground around streams," He said. "Then you just backtrack towards the grass to find your game." He pointed to the ground near a clump of bushes. "See, rabbit tracks."

He proceeded to strip the bark off a small sapling, using the material to plaint a thin flexible string. Bending the sapling over the beginnings of the field grass he set two forked sticks in the ground on either side of a break in the grass and stretched a loop made from the string between them.

"Rabbit comes out of the field to get some water and runs through our little trap here. String pulls out of the forks and trips the sapling, pulling the noose tight. It probably won't kill the little creature but he won't be able to get away until we come back for him." JT grinned. "We Cherokee have a name for that," He said.

Ted bit on the hook. "What's the word?"

"Supper," JT said, and then he roared with laughter at his joke.

They skirted the field and came back to the road. "There have to be a dozen rabbits out there in the grass," Nate said.

"So go on and get you one," JT said. "Your little disturbance might flush a rabbit into my noose."

Nate walked forward a dozen yards and loaded the rifle. He held it across his chest and started walking.

"A rabbit can feel the vibration of your feet and hear the sound of the grass rubbing against your legs," JT said quietly as they followed. "Then it has a choice to make, run or hide. They can sit so still in the grass that you might step on one before it spooks."

Nate's head swept back and forth, watching and waiting for a rabbit to flush, instead he spooked a covey of quail. The four birds exploded from the grass about twenty feet in front of him. Nate brought the rifle to his shoulder and tracked them. Boom... and two of them fell in mid-flight.

Nate broke open the rifle and reloaded his shotgun, pocketing the spent casing. He slowly strode forward and flushed his rabbit. The creature scurried away and then paused to see if he was being pursued. Nate shot him in the head with the .22.

"OK, we feast tonight," JT laughed.

"Did you see that?" Nate asked.

"Yes, I saw the skill of a hunter with the virtue of patience," JT said. Turning to Ted he explained. "The birds took flight but they were too close to shoot right away, Nate waited and tracked them. The pellets need distance to disperse and that's why he got two of them with one shot. The rabbit was a foregone conclusion, the first shot spooked him."

"But why did he stop running?" Ted asked.

"Nature of the creature. He sensed danger and ran. But once he felt the pressure ease he stopped to see if he was being chased, curiosity killed him," Nate said.

"That and a good shot," JT agreed.

They picked up the quail and found the rabbit, a clean head shot. "Good aim," Ted said.

"I could have used the shotgun but then we'd be picking pellets out of our teeth as we ate him," Nate said. "You want to try your luck?"

"OK, we'll see if I can hit anything," Ted said.

He followed Nate's example and moved slowly through the grass, this time it took a lot longer to flush out a rabbit. Ted saw the rabbit bolt from his hiding place and brought the rifle up to his shoulder. The little creature kept on running until he was about two hundred feet away and then he stopped and sat up to look. Ted dropped him with a single shot.

"Wow, that's a long shot," Nate said.

"Target practice, I got lucky," Ted said.

"Once you learn the habits of the creatures then your skill as a hunter will take over," JT said. "Let's go see if I caught mine."

All the noise and activity on the field had spooked a rabbit into the trap. JT knelt beside the frightened little creature and pulled out his knife. Ted watched him raise his head to the sky and mumble something under his breath, and then JT quickly dispatched the rabbit.

"He always prays for forgiveness, the killing was for his supper and he does not mean for the creature to suffer," Nate explained.

"We give thanks at the dinner table," Ted said.

"Pretty much the same thing," Nate agreed.

Three rabbits and two quail, a lot to clean but they could invite Joseph and his wife to dinner. It was a profitable beginning to their little adventure and JT saw it as a good omen. He showed Ted how to clean the animals, burying the guts deep in the ground to ward off predators. They started a fire in the ring behind the townhouse and soon had their game roasting on spits above the fire.

Louise brought them ears of corn to roast in the coals; Joseph showed them how to make pan bread on the bottom of an iron skillet. Ted noticed a change come over these people as they sat down to eat. The adults began talking in the Cherokee language and he knew Nate would understand them.

What they had done today was cross the centuries into the past and use the skills of a hunter. The Cherokee had learned to live off the land and enjoy its bounty. Ted felt like he had gained some insight from JT this afternoon. Finally Joseph and Louise excused themselves and thanked the boys for the fine dinner. JT walked over to the fire pit and added another log, Nate and Ted joined him beside the fire.

"Tomorrow begins your adventure," JT said. "We will be invited to eat a meal with these people as is our way with guests. If we find the chance to hunt and bring something to the table it will be a sign of our good will. Just remember, what you plan to do in recording them will not always be favored.

"The ways of the modern world are strange and different, it will not serve you well to stick a camera in their faces and ask for stories. Be subtle, in time they will tell you what you want to hear. Most of it will be in our language, you'll have to accept that and translate it later on if you wish."

JT smiled at Ted. "Having you along will be a good thing. One of the things The People stress is education in learning the old ways. They will have a desire to tell Nathaniel so that he will carry on the traditions, they will tell you things because it will change your heart."

"Louise told me Gran Huhu has two sons and eight grandchildren, will they be there?" Nate asked.

"Yes, the family lives on a small farm, their name is Ross," JT said. "The little ones walk two miles down to the road to catch the school bus every morning, rain or shine. Gran insists they get educated while her sons work the farm. The boys are all dancers and perform at gatherings, one of the reasons I wanted to start you here. The other is that the name Little Bear is well known to them."

"Me? How do they know about me?" Nate asked.

"Chief John was well known for telling that story since he had seen it with his own eyes. Gran's youngest boys made up a dance to tell the tale. I thought that would surprise you."

"Wow, a legend in his own time," Ted said.

"The bear holds a very important part in our culture, and what you did is the stuff of legends so don't be shy about it, use it. I think you'll be the closest thing to a celebrity these people have ever met."

"Now you're exaggerating, JT... it was just a little kid thing," Nate said.

"Was it? Some of us see the interaction of man and nature as a lesson to be learned. John said you knew the dangers a full grown momma bear might possess and yet you showed no fear. The cubs of two worlds met that day and formed a bond; you are a brother to the bear because of it."

Nate shook his head. "And if I were to meet that cub all grown up do you think he'd recognize me... or eat me?"

JT smiled. "He would know your scent, but I don't think he'd remember why. Bears would rather eat the bounty of nature than us. Roots, nuts and berries taste better than we do, but a good sautéed Nathaniel might be tempting."

Ted laughed at the joke, but realized it was true. JT nodded and stared into the fire.

"In times past a young boy would be tested to see if he was worthy of manhood, these days will be your test... the both of you. It's good to be famous but that hardly defines the man as Nathaniel well knows. There will be things you must decide alone and jointly, I wish you well.

"Always think beyond the moment to the future, for the decisions you make alone will affect you both. Life is like a great hunt, you have a goal and you track it off into the unknown. You always want to be the hunter; it's no fun being the game.

"I cannot say what will come of this experience, but there will be rewards I'm sure. You have a friendship that binds you now; this adventure will test those limits. But I envy what you are about to do, I only wish I was young enough to do my own journeys all over again."

JT smiled and stirred the fire with a stick. "I plan to bed down in the house, you get the tent." He stood up and stretched. "Have a good night, guys."

They watched him head for the house. "We are so lucky to have him along this week," Ted said.

"Yes, he's been so good to me since I moved to Boone. So shall we occupy the tent?"

"Sure, nothing like a cool night on hard ground."