Ma'iitsoh

Chapter 8

Time came for Aponii's Baby's First Laugh ceremony. The Navajo has many ceremonies. Some to heal illness, weakness or restore or give strength.

Aponii would have another ceremony, the Kinaaldà- female puberty ceremony.

Lone Wolf took part in the Nidàà, after battle or war upon re-entry there is an Enemy Way ceremony performed to get rid of the evil things in their bodies. To restore balance in their lives the Enemy Way ceremony helped heal damaged minds.

The Navajo had at least sixty sacred ceremonies, most lasted four days or more. From the point of birth to the moment of death, Navajos relied on nurturing, education, exercise, a good diet and sweat baths to rid the body of illness or to make contact with the supernatural.

Kathryn partook in her first sweat bath with Lone Wolf. He explained the process to her. The sweat lodge or purification ceremony was held in a hut made of natural materials. Stones were heated and water poured over it to create steam. One person remained outside the door to protect the ceremony.

It was extremely hot. By the time Kat and Lone Wolf left they were both dehydrated and filled their bellies with cool water. Lone Wolf took her hand and led her deep into the surrounding forest until they came upon a small waterfall.

They undressed and cool water soon refreshed them and the magnetism between them took its usual course. It took only a few minutes for them to embrace each other, breathe in each other's scents until their souls felt satiated. Their coupling was slow, little ripples formed around their merged bodies.

Kat and Lone Wolf never broke eye contact. It was the most intimate part of their love making, having to witness each other's desire grow until it would spill over. Kat was impatient, Lone Wolf held her in her place.

"Faster." She said. He still held his rhyme and her in place. Then she bit his lip and all control was forgotten. They kissed, drew apart only to gaze at each other as they reached their peak of no return.

They lay in the sun and dried their bodies. It was time to go back. Once at the village there was much talk and the tribe seemed very out of sorts.

Kat went to her Hogan to dress and Lone Wolf to his grandfather. When he entered the Hogan he was met by Chief Manuelito and the elders.

"Cheii, what happened?"

Charles had informed them that a vicar would soon establish a place of worship to teach the Navajo Christianity. Lone Wolf sat back and cursed, then apologised to his chief.

They spoke for hours and came to a conclusion that their young nor they will attend this church. The vicar was in for a big surprise.

Lone Wolf went to Charles and would intercede and pose as an interpreter so the pale faces would not know the tribe understood English.

Within two days the vicar arrived. A stern faced, obese man with the thought in mind that he, as a chosen member of the clergy would whip these heathens into devoted christians in no time. Charles and Harry met him at the entrance to the village. His wagon laden with wood needed to build his church.

Behind Charles and Harry stood Chief Manuelito, the old men and the warriors. Charles greeted the vicar, who introduced himself as vicar John and what his objective was and why he found himself in the heart of a land filled with heathens. Harry spoke then,

"Heathens?" He looked at the men behind him, "Vicar John, I see no heathens. As a matter of fact, your expertise is not needed."