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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3110045" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 178, “Into Apache Lands”, Sunday, March 26th, 1882, 2:45 PM Nanuet and Minerva ride hard until they are quite far from town. The farther they get from Promise City the more Minerva feels like herself.  They slow to a walk and she rides beside Nanuet but is unable to meet his gaze." ummm, Nanuet, I am sorry for my behavior today. I assure you that I am usually, shall we say, more in control of my actions. I don't usually treat my friends that way. and then the way that I crawled all over you, well... I am sorry. I hope that you are not too angry with me."Nanuet listens intently, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he breathes hard from the ride. He wipes the sweat from his brow and a smile creeps on his face as Minerva mentions her busy hands. "I didn't mind having you crawl all over me" he says with a wink. "Just maybe not the best time for it. I know you weren't yourself back there. Something is happening and it does seem like it is focused on the town, like people are being brainwashed or something. We can rest here if you need to, but I'd like to spend the least amount of time that we can stopped and more time on the move if you get what I mean."Minerva smiles but does not respond to the comment. "No I do not need to rest. But we shouldn't ride the horses to hard and we should probably find them some water."  Nanuet leads Minerva and the horses to the nearest source of water. He takes a minute to fill the water skin and splash the cooling water on his face. He watches the horses drink deeply before he speaks. "You don't think all this emotional craziness back in town had anything to do with bringing us together do you? I don't think it did, but the thought keeps creeping into my mind."Minerva stops and considers the question. She examines her feelings now that she has distanced herself from the town. "No, I do not. I know that my emotions although exaggerated were my own. Just because I was unable to prevent myself from acting on my frustration toward others and my physical feelings towards you, does not make those emotions any less real. Look at me, I am no longer under the influence of whatever forces are controlling Promise City and yet my stomach still flutters and my heart still fills with tender emotions whenever I look at you. No, Nanuet," she says kneeling before him and taking his hands "I do not think that a bond such as ours is forged or broken just because a god wishes it. They cannot entice us to tried upon a path which does not already exist. "Nanuet kneels also so that he can be level with Minerva. "Then my fears are assuaged. I too feel that although our emotions may be enhanced by the goings on in town, they are still our own. I am glad you came with me, that we could make this trip together. Come now, we must be going." The two struggle to their feet and in a few moments are back on the trail heading towards Apache lands.Minerva and Nanuet ride in quiet companionship, while Luna flies above ready to warn them of any thing unusual. Minerva sighs, breaking the silence. " It is a beautiful land. When you took me to the desert to show me the flowers I knew that I loved you, even then. I recall thinking how beautiful you are, like the Arizona Landscape so rugged and alive like the ever changing angles and shadows of the land. I am not familiar with this land. Do you know it well? Will we arrive at our destination today? Tell me about Kajika." Minerva says while scanning their surroundings for trouble.Nanuet remains quiet for some time mulling over Minerva's words. A multitude of thoughts fly through his mind, none of them lingering long enough to take hold. Did she just say she loved me? How does she know what love is? Has she ever been in love before? She is too young to understand love! Do I love her? "I do not know this particular land as well as I should, but I am familiar with the general type of landscape. Barring anything unusual, we should arrive in Apache land shortly. Kajika is a wise man, a shaman of the Apache. His wisdom runs deep, but he is a man of few words preferring for his students to learn on their own. He bestowed the gift of the necklace on me, and changed me from a simple woodsman, to someone with divine powers."The horses rested, Nanuet and Minerva continue on their trek eastward into the Chiricahua Mountains as he answers her questions.  She asks Nanuet, "Have you known Kajika long? How did you come to be his student?"    He replies, "It is an interesting story, happened shortly after we came to town and it was basically an accident."  Nanuet tells the story of how they met and helped Flint, met the Apache and Kajika and how he got the necklace.Nanuet guides Minerva and her mount down a tricky ravine. The sun beat down on them without mercy and both were now beginning to feel the power of the sun. Nanuet looked to the sky. "My people, the Yavapai, that means 'People of the Sun'. My people worship it as well as our ancestors. I have always used the Sun to guide me in my travels and still to this day I thank he for her warmth and her light, for her unwavering devotion in watching us day after day. The Sun truly blesses this territory." As he continues to look to the Sun he sees a shadow swoop through his vision. Ah yes, the Suns companion, Luna!" Nanuet chuckles. "You must miss your friend noble bird, let me call to Maska." Nanuet concentrates on the wolf's location and mentally calls to her to join him.   "Here, have a drink" Nanuet says handing Minerva the water skin. "We still have some ways to go.""The sun is a powerful god." Minerva says wiping the sweat from her brow. " But like all god's he can be both warm and loving or harsh and unforgiving. Your people are wise to worship him. I was wondering where Maska was. I do not know what I would do without my Luna. She has been my only companion for such a long time. It was only when I rescued you and Senor Chester that, the goddess Minerva had granted us the gift of communication with one another. I have told you how I found her injured in the forest. Tell me of you and Maska. How is it that you came together? Were you always able to communicate? " Minerva says as she drinks the water that Nanuet has offered."Maska is another gift from Kajika. When he taught me the ways of the shaman he brought Maska and I together. From the moment I first met her I was able to communicate with her over some distance, it has long been a gift of mine to communicate with animals. It sounds like you have known Luna longer than I Maska. When I was younger and before I was forced to leave my people I had many animal companions. All of my friends were animal kind for most of my life" he says as his eyes get a far away look and he starts getting lost in the past. A look of sadness comes over Minerva's eyes. "You were forced to leave your people? You haven't told me your past yet, please tell me now."  He states, "I promised I would tell you about my past. It is only fair since you shared yours with me. Ruby and Kate know a bit about it, I don't think anyone else really does." Nanuet takes a deep breath, closes his eyes for a moment then reopens them and begins speaking in a measured and even tone. "From an early age I have spent much of my time alone. I was trained to be a scout for my people, the Yavapai. Scout is a noble and necessary position, but one that requires solitude. I spent the majority of my days away from my community, in the surrounding mountains and woodlands tracking game and keeping an eye open for any trouble." "I will not say that I did not have any relationships in my life, but those that I did have were superficial and unfulfilling. As the years went by even my family and I became more distant, and I became more of a loner. I always cared about my tribe and in truth the entire tribe was my family and I was their guardian from the outside world." Nanuet pauses, swallows hard and continues, his voice now wavering ever so slightly. "As the humans began to settle in the surrounding lands a new age for my people began. We no longer moved in search of game or shelter, but also to avoid the white man and their lust for controlling the land and it's resources. I was away from my home and my people more and more, always on the lookout for danger."   Again Nanuet stops and for a few moments gathers his composure before continuing. "As the white men came we eventually lost our lands to them and were forced to move to an Apache reservation. Life there was difficult, my people were mistreated, and eventually were starving." "Then, much like you, in one day my life changed completely. I left the reservation to find food, to see what I could do to help my tribe. I had not been gone long when the horrible sounds of battle drew me back home. I returned to find my people… my family… my tribe…slaughtered. Men, women, children; all gone. If any of my immediate family were spared I did not find them. The Army said that they had revolted and they had to quell an uprising. I found out from the few survivors the truth. A drunken soldier made advances on one of the elven women, when she refused him he became violent and some of my people stopped him. He fired at them and started the slaughter." Nanuet stops for a moment, holding back tears. He breathes and then continues, a passion showing in his eyes.  "I took my revenge over time, hunting down the man who started the killings that day. He had since left the army, but I followed him here and here is where revenge was realized. Storm Golden-eye was also lost to the mortal realms that day, the price she paid for my revenge. That day is when I met Ruby and Kate, and then soon after Jake and Chester and many others, including you of course. You are my family now."Minerva sighs sadly; her eyes filled with unshed tears as she quietly shares in his pain. " Papa was right, Nanuet.” she says hoarsely, holding back her own need. “A man IS never so lonely as when he is surrounded by his past." She gathers him in her arms and holds him close. They sit in silence for a long time taking comfort in one another. “Let us vow to leave our painful pasts behind us and look to the future from this moment on. We have had too much sorrow to hold in our hearts. It is time to be free of it. The gods have smiled upon us, Nanuet. We have a chance for a new beginning together, and wonderful new friends. You are most fortunate to have found a new family. It is apparent that they care for you a great deal... as do I." she says softly and continues "and I am honored that you include me as one that you care about. I can only hope that it is the will of the gods that the others will come to know me and accept me without reservation, as you have. I thought that, after our night in the desert together that, Ruby and Katherine and myself had grown closer but.. Right now I not even sure if they are speaking to me." "Come,” Minerva says rising, "the sooner we get to Kajika the sooner we can fix things." Minerva helps him up and wraps her arms around him one final time before they continue their journey.  Nanuet takes comfort in Minerva's words as well as in her arms. He breathes deeply taking in the scent of her hair and feeling the warmth of her body as it presses against him. "Thank you for letting me tell my story Minerva, it has been kept inside for too long. It is true that Promise City is a chance for a new beginning and with you I have that opportunity for a new life as well." He pauses, for a moment gazing into Minerva's eyes before Maska gets restless. "Let us not linger here any longer, I am eager to see what Kajika has to say." The two continue their journey for some time before Nanuet comments again. "Something is strange here, we are several miles into Apache territory and yet there is no one here. Under normal circumstances we would have many eyes upon us by now, but yet I do not feel their presence. He hops off his horse and looks at the ground. These tracks are not recent and I do not see any newer ones. No one has been here for some time." Nanuet leads Minerva on at an accelerated pace now nervously looking about for any sign of the Apache.   Nanuet and Minerva have traveled deep into the mountains, far further than Nanuet has ever known the Apache to be. He also does not sense that they are being watched. When the sun has reached the point that indicates that it is approximately 5:15 PM both Luna and Maska alert their companions that someone or something is approaching."Luna, what is it that you see? How far is it." Nanuet asks Maska the same questions as they draw their weapons and look around them in search of a place of concealment.  Maska indicates to Maska that she detects a smell that is neither horse or elf but has elements of both. Luna sees a lone horse-shaped creature moving through the heavy brush but has no clear view of it yet."Minerva, you can put your weapon away, and there is no need to hide. I believe it is a centaur and they are friends of the Apache."   Nanuet calls out "Greetings, it is Nanuet and Maska, we seek Kajika, shaman of the Apache. I have brought a companion with me" in both common and Apache.A tall male centaur comes forward. He has on a headdress with a few feathers, indicating that he is a high ranking member of his tribe although less than a chief. More distinct is the blanket draped over his back, his only clothing, which is not Apache but have the same markings as that which had been worn my Storm Golden Eye. Although she has heard tell of Storm Golden-eye, Minerva has never encountered such a magnificent creature before. She is reassured by Nanuet’s words and puts her weapon away, to stand in silent awe as the two warriors greet one another.The centaur says in Common "I presume that you are the one known as Nanuet."  Nanuet bows to the noble creature. "Yes, I am Nanuet of the Yavapai. This is my companion Minerva. I seek counsel with the shaman Kajika. Where have the Apache gone to? Is this land no longer their home?'The centaur replies, "It is but they have temporarily moved deeper into the mountains to escape from dangerous magic caused by the humans.  I am Qualtaqa, I was the Apache Ambassador prior to you. I was away but have returned to resume my duties. I am thankful for all that you have done for the people in my absence. If you will follow me I will bring you to Shaman Kajika."  He replies, "Thank you Qualtaqa, I am grateful for your assistance." Nanuet and Minerva let Qualtaqa lead the way.Minerva, Nanuet and Kajika travel for another mile-and-a-half, ending in a valley filled with teepees and other makeshift structures. They see somewhere between 500 and 600 Apaches, mostly women, children and elders. They circumnavigate around the camp and continue onward for to the next hill where they climb. At the top of the hill is a ten-foot diameter stone circle of rocks. Wood has been set out in the center of the circle for a fire although it has not been lit yet. There are three Apache near the circle, all attired in Shaman garb. Kajika stands in the center of them.Nanuet asks, "Qualtaqa, do you know what ceremony they are preparing for? I don't want to interrupt anything that would be ruined by my presence. Again I thank you for your guidance." Nanuet says, bowing in respect again.    Maska however is not as reserved as Nanuet and immediately runs towards Kajika, tail wagging with excitement.   Qualtaqa replies, "We have been waiting for you. Now you are here. You and the woman should step forward."  Luna sits on Minerva 's Shoulder as she discreetly takes in her surroundings she is unafraid as she silently follows Nanuet.</blockquote>

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