Somewhere in the Darkness....

[afternooner]

John

" I want you"

He had said the words not even knowing exactly why he had. Now, though not regretting the words, he thought about their meaning, thought about the shooting star and maybe it was an unconsious wish. His body ached for her and it had been a long time since he had had a woman so he felt the need, but he realized that wishes and wants and needs had a right time, and Clems words brought that to his attention, causing him no pain, nof sense of rejection, only the feeling of resolution that he had expressed this to her, told her right out so that there were no misunderstandings about how he felt.

Now as he saw the cloud crossing the moon he went to his saddlebag and pulled a taned deer skin from it. Taking four straight sticks from their pile of firewood he stuck them into the ground in a square around the fire making a cover for the meat That 'il keep the fire from going out he said if'n it does rain we'll just have to huddle together under two more I have until it passes, wont be the first time I got wet, no doubt you too. Its too dark to try to put any kind of shelter up, better to wait till tomorrow. in the mean time we have to keep this fire burning slowly and maybe we can take turns getting some sleep.

Fortunately the rain missed them and by morning the first batch of meat was ready to be packed in the saddle bags. During the night John had started to work the fresh deer hide taking a legbone to scrape the flesh from it and remove the hair. He took some ashes from the fire and rubbed them in along with the deers brains he had saved. He fastened it to the sticks that had held up the allready cured hide and started it to drying. He found a large flat rock next to the creek when he went for the trout and brought it back with him to the fire. He put the stone in the fire after spreading the ashes to the side and after it was red hot he put the fish now cleaned and split in half on top of it. He added water as it cooked so as to keep it from burning and when it was done slid the stone from the fire to cool until they were ready to eat it. He looked up to see Clem bringing some watercress she had found in the stream and took a small bowl from his rucksack.

 

[Lacewing]

When morning came dawning clear and crisp Clem still thought about shelter and rain. She went down tot he stream while John prepared the fish and got ready to tan the hide. When she found the water cress it was with alot of joy since it was a favorite treat for her. She hunted among the rocks and when she returned it was with a few other treats hidden among the cress. Cat tail shoots, mussels and crawdads. The cress would be good to stuff in the fish adn she thought she might still has a little spice in her saddlebag to add to the minor feast. Too bad it was the wrong time of year for berries.

She dropped her prizes and while John got them ready she went looking around their camp site, coming up with a very likely area they could turn into a shelter easy. She felt patch bump her in the back reminding her that hte horses wanted a little attention too since they had pretty much been ignored all evening. She patted them and then rigged a harnes for Patch to help her pull a log out of the way reveiling hte shallow hollow. Not deep enough to be a cave, but add a lean too and it was a cozy enough little place for two. The horses would be fine under the shelter of the trees as to staying dry. She wasn't sure of Sugar but Patch was no barn papmered horse but one that was use to the elements and the outdoors and rather prefered it over being cooped up in a small stall.

"Found us shelter" she tossed her head in the direction of the hollow and the start of the lean to she made. Since breakfast smelled nearly done she wanted to eat while they set the next pile of meat to jerking.

 

[afternooner]

John

The smell of food and Clems cheerfull company put John in a playfull mood he held up a tasty morsal of fish waving it in front of her face. Pulling it way from her just as she reached her mouth forward to take it, he grinned. "

"Not until you give this old codger a kiss, missy he chortled she complied and they were soon trading places with the game until they were doing more kissin than eatin. In between bites of fish and greens and quick sloppy kisses they managed to giggle a bit too.

John hesitated a moment looking Clem in the eyes Nice aint it... I mean out here, with no one around purty close to paradise I'd say"

His hand went to her hair touseling it a bit below her hat.Purty dern nice I'd say.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem laughed and enjoyed hte back and forth play between them till he commented on how nice it was.

"yes" she agreed then elbowed him playfully when he tosseled her hair knocking back her hat, her eyes twinkling merrily as she tackled him determanded to wrestle him to the ground.

When she had him down she crowed victory straddling his chest and arms thrown back viocing a loud yell and laughing.

 

[afternooner]

John

John is surprised when he finds Clem straddly his chest and even more surpirsed when she claims victory. He pauses in his struggle enjoying the warmth of her body on his and causing her to be off guard. Raising up throwing her clear of him before she can reagin her balance he is now on top of her. his body posied above her, his hands holding her arms. She looks at him surprised at this reversal.

John watcheds her closely trying to anticipate her next move but seeing only glee in her dark eyes. Knowing that she is wiry enough to escape his grasp but hoping she will wait long enough for him to enjoy at least this temporary victory, he waits.

 

[Lacewing]

She watched him her eyes glittering and then suddenly she moved insted of flipping them around she leaned up against his hold and kissed him. Throwing him off guard before she flipped him over and laid on his chest her nose inches from his a grin about wide enough to tear her face in two she says nothing only giggles at his expression.

 

[afternooner]

John

Just as he had expected she had thrown him again, but this time insead of straddling him and claiming victory, her whole body was pressed against him in a playfully embrace. She was grinning like a cat after lapping up sweet cream, John thought. He was purring, in his own way too his body responding to her closeness different than last night when they cuddled for warmth and security. He could feel his passion rising,urging his body closer to hers, Wanting to be closer still.

Another part of him wanted to go back to the playing mood to let his passion fade and his playfull feeling take over again. He knew somehow that she would follow his lead her grin told him that she enjoyed the fun and excitement of the playfull contact yet her body was responding to his touch soft and willing.

A neighing in the background interupted whatever was going to happen however. They bolted up concerned for their horses and saw Patch looking up the canyon beyond the river at a huge white Stalion standing on the ridge. Alonside him a roan mare and her clot stood. In the background, hard to make out were a couple of other horses John gazed in awe. He knew there were wild horses in this area but he never expected to see them They were skittish and ellusive.

He thought imediately about taming them and taking them with them to Montana, but he had little experience. Maybe if they could manage to trap the colt, would the mare stay with it and what about the stallion did they even want him. Patch would make a fine stud for her offspring and maybe she was bred already. John looked at the white stallion again. it would be a shame to take his mare from him. He stood so proud and protective of her, John knew he'd fight to the death to keep her with him.

John turned to Clem shrugging his shoulders, hoping she had some ideas.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem though sat up and smiled satting on the ground seeing John's awe she laughed "Them ain't wild, well not compltely anyway. That white one's MedicineCloud. He belongs to a friend of mine which means if that horse is here..."

She didn't have to explain more as an elderly medicine man of one of the local tribes came over the bend, spotted them and called a greating which Clem returned with enthusism then stood and shouted a few more words John likely didn't know and the Indian nodded coming down slowly to their camp.

"'White bear'" Clem greated the indian formaly and gave his name to John, as well as the translation.
"'So a man has finally tamed our Spiritsdaughter?'" Clem blushed beat red as the old medicine man laughed and eyed up the sitchuation between her and john.
"'We are going north old friend. I wish to settle and raises horses"' she told him then gave a brief translation to John so he wouldn't feel left out, though the joke about Spirit's Daughter she left out and only said it was a personal greating.

And she hoped to hell he didn't speak Shawnee

"'North is nice, I traveled there once long ago. So Spirit'sDaughter has found her mate and will travel to find her home?"'
"'yes it's what I hope"'
"'Then walk with the tribe's blessings. Though we travel to new summer logdings, perhaps you and your friend would care to join us on our journy? We could use your good insite with the horses. Since you speak with them so well"'
Clem blushed again with a small bit if pride then turned to John and translated his offer of them joining the tribe for a short ways, "They can help us with our provisions and I can show you Patch's Parents"

 

[afternooner]

John

John mouth gaped open in surprise when he saw the medicine man come towards them. he knew he was a Shawnee by the beads and feathers that he wore and didn't completely understand him or Clem as they began their converstation. He could feel the warmth of their spirit between them and knew they were as brother and sister. Before she began to transulate he heard a word or two that sounded familiar.

of course! he knew Ojibway some, from an old indian friend, a fur trader wo had traveled from the Great Lakes one spring along the Mississippi and very often the different tribes while trading learned each others language and incorporated it into their own.

He held his tougue in respect to them, trying not to smile when medicine cloud kidded her about being mated. That word was familiar and he could tell by the way the old man looked from her to him, and her embarassment, he understood the gist of it. He realized that they were in a way "mated" as he felt committed to her and felt a tenderness in his heart and soul for her.And obviously the medicine man could see this too as he treated them as one.

When White Beard turned to him waiting for his answer, John cast his eyes down to the ground in resect for the great mans spirit and then slowly looking up smiled and riaing his arm pointing to their camp and and to their horses brought his arm slowly to the north smiling.

I will be honored to travel with a friend of SpiritsDaughter. I say the name in Ojbiway. it rolls smoothly off my tongue as if I had said it many times before, but it in fact is new to me.

I look to Clem for her translation.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem smiled and translated the old medicine man smiled and since words weren't really needed he just indicated for them to follow and went up the hill.

"I know where the camp's likely to be. So lets gather everything and head out. They're nice folk"

Calling Patch back to her side she started loading their provitions onto his back and lead him, since the old man had been walking she figured the camp was close.

Over the rigde and down into a wooded glade was the small camp of indians. All glad to see a friendly set of faces and warmly greeting them and their added provisoins. Several woman took the hide and meat adding it to the camps central store. Clem wasn't worried. She and John weren't being cheeted of their provisons but when teh camp moved everyone needed to share what they had. They all knew her and knew how the 'spirits' seemed to talk to her and tell her were the game was.

She was a welcome site for people on a long walk.

She was greated to the women's camp with glee finding patch and sugar among the herd in no time and herself smothered in hugs and greatings of old friends. John was carried off somewhere and she shouted for them to go easy on the poor white man.

After all she wanted him in one peice!

 

[afternooner]

John

John was pulled along through the vilage by White bears friends, past children and young and old women who giggled at him pointing to his cowboy hat. and fancy boots. He noticed their fine beadworked bucksin dresses and braided hair with bright ribbons asttached to the ends.

They led him to their coral where they pointed proudly at their fine stock At one end of the village a sweat tent stood steam billowing out from the openings. John had heard about these, a place to go to find ypour spirit. He'd always wanted to do this, but of course he needed to fast for three days first. Maybe another time he thought right now they were breaking camp and he looked forward to sharing his rode with them.

It took no time at all for them to be ready for the trail again and John had make a map on the ground of his expected route. He thought he'd head into the fooot hills and work his way North untill he reached higher ground and then follow the Eastern edge of the rockies untill they hit the northern pass. He held up two fingers and pointed at the sky making a cresent with his other hand

White bear shook his head and redrew the map taking them west first through the rockies and then north as he erased Johns rout he held his arms around his chest and shivered. Too early in the season, cold up north. John understood, the southern route would be a better choice as by the time two months had passsed summer would have come to Montana. He got excited just thinking about it. When Clem joined them smiling her approval of White bears plan, she gave John a bear hug from behind. He turned and in spite of half the tribe watching them he gave her a kiss, long and hard, and then he whispered.

After all we are mated, right?

Amidst the gigling of the woman and the astonished looks from the men, they mounted and headed west Like White Bear had advised.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem blushed with the kiss but once everyone was ready to go they were ready to go.

They moved a little slower, since wile the men road scouting making sure of the trail the women walked chattering merrily away leading a few horses carring provisions while children led dogs loaded also with packs. Everyone worked in the tribe. Clem joined the women easily enough having old friends to talk to several small children rode on her horse along with the packs she took from sugar so John could ride up better with the men. Whitebear was doing well enough looked like the old man was going to teach John the langrage, since they were going to be riding together for awhile.

Clem talked with one old woman who's grandchildren it was she had on Patch.

"'A good man this white man?'" old frost fire asked Clem she smiled at the woman and nodded
'"he does his part. We plan on raising horses in the northern country'" Frost fire nodded and sighed
'"We move to new grounds because of the metal roads they laid acrossed our lands. No place to hunt or for horses to feed. Whites coming in and biulding on our holy grounds."' the woman shook her head "'like two birds on a tree branch we are. But one bird is bigger and pushes harder. After we move, were do we go when the white man come there?'"

Clem fell to silence after that and thought hard. After all, it was true, were do they go when there is no more free land?

 

[afternooner]

John

John felts more comfortable than he had in years. He always knew that he felt the same about the land and the nature that abounded there in the same way that the indians did.

He always had wanted to be free like them, to be able to just share the bounty that was there and to live in harmony with the land, but he had taken on obligations that he thought at the time were important, marriage, children, community All that that didn't matter any more now that his wife had a new love and that his children went their own way too. The town now peacefull and quiet no longer needing him either and he was glad to be gone. Now that he found someone who shared the same dreams with him he could start a new life.

And now that he had new friends to share the trail and their knowledge with him he was content to just let the miles pass under his horses hooves as they headed into the sunset. Night was falling but he knew they would not be stopping soon as it was cool at night and easier on the horses. Indian horses were comfortable moving with the night as were their riders, The moon had rose behind them and the sounds of the night accompanied them He heard a horse come alongside him and smelled the familiar smell of Patch he had hoped that Clem would join him to share the mooonlight. He had watched her visiting with the other wonmen and children and gave her the time she wanted with them but he had gotten lonesome for her company

"Hey"

he called to her and as she came closer he could see her smiling at him. A shiver went through his body when he thught about how on that first night they had held each other to keep each other warm and how it had been so good for him. The steady gait of sugar underneath him added to his arousal as he watched Clem tall in the saddle proud and content, just as he was.He wanted to reach out and touch her then... pull him close into his arms and share this feeling. Later, he thought and as they looked at each other again he thought he saw her nod her head in agreement.

Later.

 

[Lacewing]

Clem Saw that John wanted her over and handing a small child back to her mother road over on patch. It was getting late and many of the women road tired after a long day's travel, mostly children and old but Clem more use to the saddle than on foot had gotten up on patch and road along easily enough. They would be stopping soon, even with the evening twilight and the bright full moon there was only so much walking a person could do in a day.

She reached out and touched John's arm lightly then settled into a companionble silence as they road along side by side.

A nice spot was spotted up ahead by one of the out riders and everyone hasten to reach it eager to stop for the night, refill water skins and make something hot to eat before settling in to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow would not be as long a ride as today had been.

One of the women came over with a large bundle and with several of hte older children helped Clem set up a tent for The medicine man, as guests they would share the tent with his family. Since the 'Spirit's Daughter" as she was called was adopted by whitebear a long time ago.

 

[afternooner]

John

John brought his bedroll into the tent the women had set up for White Eagle and Clem and him and joined the rest around the fire eating silently. He marveld at the way that they could prepare a delicious meal from next to nothing, knowing of course the secret was the herbs and spices that they found and gathered as they moved from place to place. After they ate he found Clem. Feeling that he'd like to spend some time alone with her he asked her if she wanted to take a walk and work the days kinks out of her bones.

The moon was high in the sky another sliver gone but still giving light along with a million stars or so surounding it. The milky way stretched across the northern sky.

"Looks like the moon is rounding up wild horses".

He remarked as it seemed to crowd the milkyway. A star fell quickly and silently leaving the herd and John laughed heartily.

"looks like one just got clean away."

 

[Lacewing]

Clem wandered the dark and watched the stars with John she chuckled at his anology of the stars eing like horses and leaned her head on his shoulder reaching over and taking his hand eyes half closed as they wandered under the night sky, "Looks like it" she murmered

The air was cool and puffs od fog rose from under her hat her form soft through the layers of clothing as she held his hand n her gloved one. It was nice being together like this, she liked it liked how they were and how comfortable it felt. Like they had been this way a long time. SOunds of hte night, the camp and the herd filled her ears and she closed her eyes.

She could stay like this forever.

 

[afternooner]

John

Wanting to feel the warmth of her hands in his John stopped and taking one of her hands slid her glove off and then the other feeling the warmth and softness that he wanted. They stood a while as their hands gently moving, caressing each other without even realizing they were doing it untill the caressing feelings started climbing up Johns arms and spreading like widfire through his body. he looked in her eyes to see if what was happening to him was happening to her also and saw softness and contentment there.

He felt she was content to have only this and perhaps he was too it was only his arousal that lingered down deep in his loin waiting for him to urge it forward that interfered

Taking a deep breath he pulled her to him, his mouth next to her ear, his arms around her shoulders ,his feet stepping forward so that his legs rested against hers.

"Just hold me Clem for a little while..... its been so long...." His voice trailed off.

 

[Lacewing]

She felt him hold her. Wispering in her ears about just holding him which she was content to do though his body so close she felt his arousal and snuggled a little closer, running her leg up between his a little and adding some pressure her head resting on his shoulder feeling his warm breath on her neck. She was never one much for talk, for much for words when actions spoke valumes. Right now the feel of his body next to hers felt right and she wanted it all. oped he did as well. her arms around him she took a breath and tilting back her hat a little kissed him lightly on the lips just feeling the soft sentual contact between them.

 

[afternooner]

John

The soft openness of her mouth and her leg rubbing agianst him brough back feelingss he never thought he'd have again. Fireflies in his groin flutering... sparking.. lighting up and sending electric messages to his hands, his mouth, his heart. He returned her soft kiss and then his hands cupped her face as if to hold it there forever, not wanting to let this moment end... and then as he felt her return his deeper kiss he found he wanted more.

His tongue entered her mouth exploring teasing wanting to find her tongue...pulling it into his mouth... his hands pushed through her hair and coming up pushedd her hat from her head.

Still fastend by the drawstring it fell to her shoulders. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes and then to her hat, wanting her to make the move that would allow him to continue.

 

[Lacewing]

She looked into his eyes and quietly she took the strings of her hat in hand and pulled them slowly loose, dropping it behind herself with little care of where it landed and pulled the single pin holding her hair ontop her head out letting the curls drop and drape her shoulders and face. A brown sea which she looked out at him with shining eyes.

Slowly she reached up and touched his face tracing her fingers down the lines of his jaw and smiled softly leaning forward and kissing him with renewed and wanting passion.

 

[afternooner]

John

He watched the hat fall soundlesly to the ground and as she kissed him again returning his passion, he pulled her even closer joining her in unihibited desire to continue the jouney their bodyies were demanding.

his hands went to her hair as it billowed down around her shoulders, his fingers threading their way upwards to her neck her ears stroking the lobes slowly, gently stroking.

 

[Lacewing]

With a sigh of pleasure Clem returned the kisses and ran her hands lightly down his sides pulling the shirt from his pants and touching the warmed flesh benieth. Her cool fingers causing chills. She pressed her body to his after a moment unbuttoning and removing her coat dropping that with her hat and pressing herself only her shirt and undervest between them as she pulled his coat off as well with a almost needy type of fearceness.

 

[afternooner]

John

Her feathery touches on his skin make John want to return the feeling as his hands find their way beneath her shirt and undervest as well, gently kneading the soft flesh of her back and shoulders.

Breaking the kiss he looks into her dark eyes for just a moment and seeing them smoldering with desire, his head goes to her neck suckling at the soft flesh above her shirt wanting to plunge even deeper into the heat he feels there.

 

[Lacewing]

She pulled away and slowly began to remove her clothing as he watched. Staring into his gaze unfaltering her dark eyes deep as bits of her flesh were revield to him in the light of the moon.

Soon she stood completely naked the cool night air chilling her aroused flesh and causing goosebumps to form. Still she watched him not hiding herself from him and not afraid of his gaze a soft smile playing on her lips as she waited for however he would choose to respond

 

[afternooner]

He gazed in awe seeing her again naked as she had been when they swam together which seemed like an eternity ago. Now inflamed as his body was for her he saw her different somewhat or maybe more of her as he disired her so. Her breasts full and inviting no longer hidden beneath layers of cloth and leather. Her waist trim and firm. Her legs long and muscled. Her mound a soft nest of curley brown hair. His hand trembled wanting to feel its texture.

Unfastening his belt, all the time watching her eyes. he pulled it loose and droped it to the ground. He followed with his trousers and his shorts. He watched them fall and then realized he still had his boots on. He grinned sheepshly and shrugging left them on easing his clothes over them.Hhe blushed realizing he was doing it all backwards and huridly removed his shirt. He blushed again and then removing his hat flung it in the air surpressing the urge to yell yahoo.

Instead he looked down at his boots and then grinned as he noticed her boots were still on too
He stepped forward more at ease now, knowing he had a purpose... a direction to go in... and he kneeled before her, his hands going to her boot waiting for her to raise her leg and let him remove it.