Shinbone produced a beautiful stone pipe carved in the shape of a loon, the bowl in the bird’s back and the mouthpiece in the tip of the tail feathers.
Otter offered tobacco, which Shinbone gracefully accepted.
The Elder packed his pipe, used an ember to light it with, and.
puffed, blowing the smoke to the four sacred directions, to the sky, and to the earth.
“Let it be known that Shinbone and his village open their hearts and their homes to these Traders from far away. Let us act in peace, in harmony, and in honor. Great Father Sun, bless us with health and wisdom. Mother Earth, may the deer continue to offer his flesh and soul that we may grow strong. May the fish continue to fill our nets that we may live long. May the nuts fall thick in the fall that we may stay fat through the winter.
May the ducks and geese give themselves that-our souls may fly. For all these things, we thank the Spirit World and First Man. We ask now that these new friends share our hearts and our fire, and that we all honor the Spirits of the land.”
The old woman took the pipe from his hands, inhaling and then stating: “I am Tall Fisher, wife to the great Shinbone. I call out to my people to make food and warm tea that my guests may eat and refresh themselves. To you, honored guests, I bid welcome to my home and fire.”
Otter took the pipe and drew before exhaling the sweet tobacco smoke to the sacred directions. “We echo the hopes and prayers of our brave and wise host, Shinbone. And thank the venerable Tall Fisher for her welcome. We are strangers to this land, and unfamiliar with its Spirits and ways, but in our land, we always ask the blessing of Many Colored Crow and First Man. So do we now. We ask them to bless Shinbone’s village with health and prosperity, that their hunts be successful, their nets always full, and that the nut harvest fill all of their baskets.”
He handed the pipe to Pearl, who lifted it to her lips and inhaled.
“What about asking the blessings of the ghosts?” Black Skull asked softly in their own tongue.
“Don’t mention ghosts until you know what the people believe,” Otter muttered back. “Some peoples are scared to death of ghosts.”
“How anyone could be frightened of their ancestors mystifies me.” Black Skull took the pipe and smoked before handing it to Green Spider.
“We have heard of Many Colored Crow, and we—” Shinbone stopped suddenly when Green Spider . into the pipe instead of inhaling. Glowing embers and dottle flew everywhere, drifting down over Green Spider’s thin, smiling face. “He is a Contrary!”
“You have no idea.” Black Skull batted at a glowing ember that had landed on his shirt and burned a hole in the fabric.
Shinbone cleared his throat, nervous eyes on Green Spider.
“As I was saying, we have heard of Many Colored Crow, and respect his message and the peoples who live as he taught them.
We are bounded upon the west by such people, and upon the south and east as well. We Spotted Loon people, however, have our own ways. The Sky Mother gave us this rich land full of fish, turtles, shellfish, birds, nuts, berries, and game. I think each people must listen to the Spirits of the land and the teachings of the heart.”
“We agree with your words of wisdom, great Shinbone,” Otter said warmly. “As strangers to your customs, please inform us if we should happen to offend your ways.”
Shinbone’s eyes twinkled as he looked at the Contrary. “We will make special exception for you, Water Fox.”
Evening had settled; the birds of day grew silent as the crickets and creatures of the night began to stir. The fire popped and shot sparks to twirl into the cool air. Otter relaxed and took Pearl’s hand. The aroma of food in preparation caused his stomach to gurgle in anticipation.
“And what of your journey?” Shinbone asked. “Please tell us.”
Otter stood then, so that all of the people could see him in the firelight. Drawing on his talents, he related the story of Green Spider’s Vision of the Mask, the long moons on the river, the race with the Khota, and the storm on the lake. He told of meeting Trout, and of the passage above the peninsula where the wild people chased them, of Pearl’s wind trap, and of the long voyage south.
“And now we are here, willing to Trade with Shinbone and his people, and curious about the way that lies before us.”
Old Tall Fisher nodded, glancing at her husband and then speaking. ‘ ‘ have heard of this Mask. Several Traders have passed during the last moon. They talk of trouble among the Serpent Clans. It is said that one Star Shell, a woman of the Starsky Clan, and a High Head dwarf, a magician known as Tall Man, have taken the Mask and vanished. The Blue Duck Clan covets the Mask and will do anything for it–even start wars.”