***
Michio focused inwardly,harmonizing himself with the inner Sound Current, rising above thegroup energy that had formed. He rose above Kumaroo’s anger,Toemeka’s terror and the excitement of the warriors until the heavydrumbeat, the chanting and turbulent emotions no longer affected him.
From a high state of awareness,he watched while his physical body fought Kumaroo. Totally in tune,he knew Kumaroo’s every move. He delivered several blows, then wasgone before Kumaroo could retaliate. He saw sweat dampening Kumaroo’sbrow and noticed the larger man moved slower and breathed heavily. Healso saw what Erling said was true; Kumaroo favored his left leg.
Michio slammed his foot intoKumaroo’s thigh, then ducked beneath the swing of Kumaroo’s fistand moved in again. This time he leapt into the air, slamming intoKumaroo’s side with both feet. Kumaroo staggered off-balance, andMichio slammed the side of his hand into Kumaroo’s neck.
Kumaroo roared and sprangforward. He repeatedly slugged Michio in the face and gut until hislegs gave out and Michio landed hard on his back. Through a spinningfog, he heard the chanting and drums, and saw Kumaroo’s foot comingtoward him. He tried to roll away, but wasn’t fast enough. Painripped through his body as Kumaroo’s foot hit his already soreribs.
Michio grabbed Kumaroo’s foot,twisting it to the side, and Kumaroo fell backwards to the ground. Hehit with a heavy thud. Michio staggered to his feet, gasping forbreath, his eyes searching the crowd for Toemeka. Their eyes met andhe felt her love and strength flowing out to him.
“Watch out!” she yelled.
Michio jerked away as Kumaroo’sfist barely grazed his head. Michio delivered a series of blows andKumaroo collapsed.
The chanting stopped.
In the silence that followed, itssound continued to echo in Michio’s ears.
Kumaroo moaned, rolling on hisside.
“Do you yield?” Michio asked.
The chief relayed the message.Kumaroo barked a short reply, making sharp hand signs as he rose tohis feet.
“He doesn’t yield,” thechief said.
Kumaroo sprang at Michio and thetwo men fell to the ground, wrestling. Kumaroo slammed his fist intoMichio’s ribs. Michio gasped in pain and his hands automaticallywent to his injured side. Kumaroo slugged him in the jaw and the backof Michio’s head slammed against the ground. Knowing he hadn’tthe strength to overpower Kumaroo physically, Michio punched him inthe solar plexus, putting psychic energy behind the blow. Kumaroofell back.
Recovering quickly, Kumaroo swunghis fist toward Michio’s side again. Michio threw up an energyshield and Kumaroo slammed into it. Michio slugged Kumaroo in theface. Kumaroo retaliated, but again his fist smashed into the forcefield.
Michio drew upon psychic energyas he smashed his fist into the side of Kumaroo’s neck. Kumaroo’seyes rolled back in his head and he passed out.
Michio staggered to his feet, hisbody screaming in pain at the movement. A warrior came over andpoured water from a leather pouch onto Kumaroo’s face. Kumaroogroaned and opened his eyes, then rose unsteadily to his feet. Hespoke angrily to the chief and pointed at Michio.
The chief looked at Michio thoughnarrowed eyes. “He says you used magic.”
The medicine man stepped forward.“Michio listens to the thunder, moves like lightning, flows likethe river, and walks with the wind. The Master who walks with us allis with him and it is his will that Michio win the battle. There isno magic. He is our brother.”
The chief and the holy man—thetwo most powerful men in the village—locked eyes.
The chief’s face hardened andMichio realized he knew magic was used. His heart sank. He looked atToemeka and saw her body was rigid with tension. What would happen toher if the chief ordered his death?
Finally, the chief spoke.“Michio’s the winner. The woman belongs to him. He is one of usnow and will join our tribe. Let the ceremony begin.”
The medicine man walked forwardwith a knife. “Hold out your left thumb.”
With a quick slash the medicineman sliced the pad of Michio’s thumb and then Kumaroo’s. The twomen placed their thumbs together.
Michio looked into Kumaroo’seyes and saw the man held no resentment. He accepted the decision ofthe chief. Kumaroo smiled and genuine warmth radiated from him.Michio smiled back and a feeling of goodwill filled him. A bondformed between the two men. Michio knew he was accepted into thetribe and he felt a certain brotherhood with all the members.
“You are now blood brothers,”the chief said. He turned and looked at the other warriors. “Michiois now one of us. Let peace return to the tribe.”
“It is an honor to be a memberof your tribe,” Michio said.
“We are equally honored to havea man who walks with the wind become our brother.”
Michio joined Toemeka and drewher into his arms. “Thank God, it’s over and you’re all right,”she said.
“Let’s go back to theteepee,” he replied, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.Erling and Jake followed them inside and Jake lay down on his fur..Michio winced in pain as he sat by the fire.
Toemeka knelt beside him. “Yourface looks terrible. You’re going to have some wicked bruises.”
“You took quite a pounding,”Erling said. “How did you manage to knock Kumaroo out? Did you usepsychic energy?”
Michio nodded. “The medicineman knew I used what they call magic, but he defended me. I suspectthe chief knew the medicine man was lying, but he didn’t want tocause disharmony among his warriors, so he didn’t challenge him.”
Toemeka poured water from a waterskin onto a piece of leather and began cleaning the blood offMichio’s face. He winced in pain even though she was gentle. Hiswhole body ached.
As soon as she finished, he wentto their furs and lay down. Toemeka curled up beside him. He held herclosely, grateful he’d been able to keep her safe from Kumaroo.
***
A few hours later, Toemeka awoke.Michio and Jake were still asleep but Erling sat by the fire.
“Erling, do you think it’ssafe for me to go down to the stream for some water?”
“It should be now that thetrouble with Kumaroo has passed. I’m sure you’re tired of beingin the teepee. I’ll accompany you.” He picked up the large rifleand rose.
Toemeka pulled on her jacket withthe hood raised and followed him out of the teepee. She lookeddiscreetly around. Kumaroo
