I packed my sack angrily preparing for the long journey to Spirit Ridge.

It was only a week ago that Panchu and I bound as one spirit, and already the tribe folk treated the two of us like we had a plague. When I'd go to the trading market they'd clear out, when I went to hunt they'd leave me behind, and when I went to attend meals they'd clear the area. Even when Panchu was not around, off hunting for food, I'd hear their whispers. Everybody in town was afraid. They remembered Panchu and Kawah. But what truly happened all those years ago? What truly made them fear him?

"This has become a nightmare," I told Onwae as I stuffed the last of my dried meat in my sack. "I'm not here to make enemies …"

"Well, you do know Panchu's reputation. He's as feared as a grim ..."

I lowered my head, "I think they fear him even more ..."

Mowak crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "You should count your blessings that you've been bound. You would've lost your chance otherwise."

Tuma replied, "I don't understand why you were overlooked. You're the best out of everybody in the village."

"Maybe the great spirit thought that I'd be too much trouble. That if I gained enough power I'd use it for evil ..." I shrugged. "Panchu believes it's because I've got too much fear in my heart."

"You?" Tuma chuckled, and the others joined him. "You're not afraid of anything ..."

Onwae nodded. "Remember that time you hunted that three tailed ox?"

"Or when you saved us from those spirit vultures?"

My lips curled, "Those were good times."

Tuma squeezed his fist, "You even saved us from Vhiva the day before the ceremony. There was probably some kind of mistake."

"The Great Spirit doesn't make mistakes ..."

The three of us sat in silence for a long moment, each of us reflecting on the spirit ceremony, and the horror and honor that was placed upon our shoulders.

Mowak said hollowly, "The tribes folk may be concerned about you ... but the elders are more concerned about the missing triblings."

I raised an eyebrow. "How many this year? Three? Five?"

"Twenty five." Mowak replied. "The grims and beasts were waiting for them, and all of them gave into the beasts, too ashamed that they weren't chosen."

"That's terrible." Onwae wrapped her arms around herself, rocking side-to-side. "To know all those triblings will be headed towards the shadow territory, never to return."

"That's peculiar," I said, rubbing my chin. "It's almost as if they were possessed ... or forced to join the darkness. There's never been that many."

Tuma stuttered, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder. "I was so angry when they said that you had joined the grim too."

"What?" I pulled away, my eyes growing. "Who said that I joined the grim?"

Onwae's vioce lowered to a faint whispered. "Everybody."

Mowak chuckled and said hollowly. "I wouldn't have blamed you. " Tuma and Onwae glared at her and her grin hammered into a straight line.

I grabbed the totem around my neck, slowly rubbing it. "They should know I would never join the Dark Shaman ... Never!"

"We know you wouldn't," Onwae said, giving me one of her warm smiles. The ones just reserved for me. It revived my spirit

"I have to tell you something, Kai." Tuma scratched his head and for a moment I throught he wouldn't speak. "My folks don't want me hanging around you any more ... they want me to focus on my training at Spirit Ridge."

Onwae lowered her eyes and twiddled her thumbs. "Mine neither."

I felt my spirit ache within me. I clenched my teeth and looked upon Mowak.

She shrugged, "My folks told me to stay close to you ... that Panchu will teach you allot, so I should stay to listen."

Tuma corked his head, "you mean, your folks are not afraid of Panchu?"

She pushed off the wall and stood erect. "Why should they be? Many of my family members have gone to the shadow territory. In fact, they were hoping I'd be next to join the grims. So you can see their disappointment when I was bound to my guardian."

We all gasped.

Onwae trembled, "You never told us this ..."

"I didn't need you all judging me and my family like the rest of the tribes folk do."

I said, "I'm glad you told us. The Great Spirit has deemed you worthy—"

"Save your worthies for somebody who cares," Mowak replied, holding out her hand. "Truth is, my folks have a reason for why they've kept this secret from me for so long."

Tuma, Onwae, and I exchanged bitter looks. "And what might that be?"

"Your families cursed, aren't you?" Tuma asked then mumbled. "I hope I don't get cursed ..."

Onwae placed a hand on Tuma's head She patted him. "Relax."

"No. We are not cursed." Mowak said dryly. "Our family tree just has many roots ..."

Tuma raised an eyebrow, "roots?"

Mowak nodded. "It seems Kawah is ... my great, grand uncle."

"Your grand uncle!" Onwae placed a hand over her lips. "But he ... I mean ... Kawah ... he is the leader of the Dark Shaman."

Mowak lifted her chin and chuckled. "See why my folks were disappointmented when I was chosen by a guardian.."

Onwae prodded her chest, "it just means you have a good heart—"

"This is great!" I said, giving a joyous expression. "Maybe you can help me with Panchu?"

The three of them turned towards me and suddenly I regretted speaking.

Mowak narrowed her eyes. "Help with what?"

Onwae was quick to respond, "Why didn't Panch hibernate?"

I grabbed my bag and threw it over my back. Now I was in for it. "He doesn't respect me ..."

Each of the tribling shifted their eyes at one another, then raised their lips, letting out a soft giggle. I clenched my teeth, and adjusted my bag until it sat comfortably on my back.

Tuma snorted and chuckled, "what'd you expect? He's not a true guardian ... he's a beast if anything."

My brows furrowed, "don't say that! He's just misunderstood ..."

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"It's true," Mowak shrugged, "he is only bound to you for his own purpose. And when that purpose is filled he'll leave you like he did my great uncle."

"No." I shook my head and rubbed the totem. "I can feel it. There's something pure about the old bear."

A shadow cast over Mowak's face and her eyes fell black. "He abandoned Kawah ... and if you're not careful he'll abandon you too."

Onwae looked at me tenderly, "use him until you can find a stronger, pureer guardian to bond to. I've heard Shaman do that all the time."

"You mean abandon him?"

"Why not," Mowak flicked her thumb, staring at me boredly. "It's just what he deserves."

My skin grew hot. "I would never do that to him. He saved my life ... I owe him a chance."

Mowak replied, "never, say, never."

I shivered, reminded by the raspy hiss of the grim.

Tuma chimed in, "we know he is your guardian, Kai. We're just looking out for you. We hope that he can be true to you." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "We just want you to be prepared if Panchu acts ..."

"Acts?"

"Acts. Suspicious ..."

Mowak grabbed her own bag and placed it on her back, "you know, like he seems distant or he is trying to give you away to a grim. It's better you are on alert, and abandon him before he abandons you."

I picked up my spear. "He would never do that." I said the words confidently, but they still felt strange off my tongue. "I trust him."

"And so did Kawah," Mowak said. "Before Panchu convinced him to give his spirit to a grim."

Onwae looked out the window at the sun. "It is almost high noon ... we best get ready for the long walk to Spirit Ridge. The other Shaman are likely already there."

I noddedm "I'll catch up with you all later. I want to go find Panchu before we set off."

Tuma grabbed the rooster-head totem, "just blow into your totem and they'll be summoned."

"No. I've tried that already. Panchu doesn't listen to the call." I ignored their puzzled looks. We headed outside where we exchanged waves of goodbyes. "I'll see you all soon."

I went behind the teepee following the buzz of a snoring beast. It didn't take me long to locate the oversized bear, laying in the shade of an enormous tree. On his back. Paws pointed to the sky. I halted a few feet away then pressed the bear-head totem to my lips and blew. The bear's right ear twitched. He continued snoring.

"Wake up. We've got to get going!"

Panchu snored louder

I used every trick I had to wake him: yell, kick, push the spear in his snout, and throw stones. Nothing seemed to work. Aggravated, I grabbed a bucket of water and drenched his face. The old bear turned his head, slapping his tongue against the roof of his mouth, then fell back into snoring.

I whispered, "still no such luck ..."

The soft buzz of thousands of wings drew my eyes upward. Hanging on limb, was a tan cone-shaped nest surrounded by thousands of black and yellow striped insects. Flying patrols. Waiting and watching. And resting inside or returning with larva or nectar stolen from a flower.

Even from the ground I saw the long, pointed stiner prodding from their heads. "Unicorn wasps," I whispered. I recalled the words of the wise woman. If you see unicorn wasps in a nest, it means they've taken it from the honey bees.

I knelt down, picked up a rock, tossed it up, then caught it in my hand, grinning. "Let's find out if the tales are true."

I reeled my arm back behind my head, lifted my leg, then slung my hand forward. The stone flew and zipped by the nest, ricocheting off a tree. I frowned. The wasps unphased. I then gathered a handful more stones and threw each one in session. Two flew off into the leaves, while four hit the target, the fifth bringing down the nest. It crashed and split on Panchu's head.

I darted behind a stump to keep from being stung.

The old bear's eyes shot open. Hundreds of black and gold bodies flew around him, trying their best to penetrate flesh, though his hide was thick. A few wasps buzzed my way. I swatted them, getting bit three times and stung twice. My right arm, left leg, and neck burning and tingling. A pain I'd grown used to from heaving rocks at nests as a boy.

Panchu turned his snout and looked upon the honey comb. He scooped it into his paws and sniffed. "Yuck!" He said, tossing the comb behind him.

I raised an eyebrow and chuckled. Unafraid, I came out from behind the trunk. "You don't like honey?"

He rolled up on to his four paws and rubbed a group of wasps off his snout. "Hate it," he growled. "It's too sweet and sticky." He shook his quill. "I much prefer a jar of jam." I rolled my eyes. He yawned. "Couldn't you see I was sleeping?"

I grabbed the totem. "You could've gone into hibernation had you just listened to me. Now come on, the other shaman have gathered for the long walk to Spirit Ridge."

He smacked his lips. "What's the big hurry? It's not going anywhere. And I know a quicker way then your man's trail."

I turned and waved a hand. "Just come on. We're already the talk of the village. Arriving late is only going to make it worse."

"I thought you wanted to become a shaman." The bear guffawed. "I didn't know we were out to make friends."

"We are … and were not." I sighed. "I'm just not trying to make enemies."

The bear waddled over. "What's the fun in that? If you have no enemies, you have nobody to challenge you ... and without challenge, is without growth."

"You sound wise. And maybe I'll start listening, when you start being a good pet." I chuckled. Panchu growled. "Are you coming, or do you want another honey bath?"

Panchu grumbled, "I'm coming ... I need to teach you triblings some manners."

We walked through the village. Tuma, Onwae, and Mowak were gathered with the others at the stage, saying their goodbyes to the folks that raised them. Mowak's parents looked upon us and smiled. Onwae and Tuma, along with the other triblimgs parents looked upon us and scowled.

"Just ignore them."

"Always do." Panchu glared at each one of them. Their eyes grew and mouths hung, and they turned away. He chuckled. "Hey, Kai. Where are your folks?"

My blood boiled. "Let's make a deal ... I won't ask about Kawah if you don't ask about my folks."

"Sounds good to me." The old bear said in a lighter tone. One I didn't know he had. "It's going to be a long walk, where can we get some grub?"

I pointed to the tables stacked with dishes full of charred meats, fresh vegetables, and juicy fruits. Many of the shaman were already in attendance. Their plate's full. Stomach's filling. And mouths chomping away. Ignoring the flies and bees that circled and landed trying to get a taste.

"There. Let's go find a seat."

The crowd parted to allow us to pass. I knew it wasn't a kind gesture by the eyes narrowed and lips sunk, nose wrinkled. It didn't bother me none. Made it easier for us to get to the front of the line. I grabbed to clay dishes and found a seat at the end of the table. Panchu sat at the edge, mouth dripping.

A young shaman with a pair of wooden glasses raised his hand. "No pets at the table."

I raised an eyebrow and looked over my shoulder, searching. I turned back to the boy. "If I see a pet, I'll let you know."

"Ehem," the boy blinked rapidly, looking upon Panchu.

I grinned. "You can't mean my guardian, do you?" Then brought a hand to my lips. "Best you not mistaken him for a pet. Last tribling who had lost a hand. You've heard the tale, right?"

The boy's eyes grew as Panchu revealed his enormous fangs.

The boy gulped, "of course I'd never make that mistake ..."

I patted him on the shoulder. "Didn't think so. Come Panchu. Let's fill our plates."

I stacked my plate with two fish, a loaf of bread, grapes, and a few corncobs. Panchu sniffed. "That's not yours!" I scolded. Then grabbed two more plates and filled them with large slabs of pork and fish. I set them in front of the beast. He ate it before I had time to naw into my own. I sighed and refilled his plates. Every time I thought he'd finish, he was ready for another serving, until the table of food was nearly empty.

Panchu belched and grinned. "I forgot how much I preferred not having to do the hunting."

I laughed looking upon the furrowed faces. "Don't get too used to it ..."

"Young Shaman!" Came a voice that was soft yet strong. I turned and found a girl with a scarred lip, braided brown hair that hung to her hips, and forest green eyes that glared at me. My eyes widened. It was the girl I knew since I was a tribling. The one who was part of our group only a year ago. The chief's daughter ...

"Meeka?"

She turned her head and looked at me like she'd never seen me in her life. Her right hand pointed to Panchu, left pointed to the fox-head totem. "Why is your guardian not hibernating?"

I bit into a fish, feeling warm juices fill my mouth. Then whipped my head towards Panchu. "You try telling him to do that ..."

“You’re his tamer, therefore you must tame him!”

Panchu flipped a fish around with his tongue, chomped, then swallowed. He gathered three more with his snout then devoured them without a sense of decency. She and the other shaman grimaced.

He whispered, “What’s her problem?

“She’s the chief daughter …”

Panchu smacked his lips and looked upon the girl like she was his next meal. “I can see the resemblance. “

Meeka snapped, “Are you going to tame him or not?”

The other young shaman laughed.

The old bear brought his snout close to my ear, “And she has his attitude.” We chuckled silently. “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.” I turned towards her. “Little Cheifling, this is called training. I’m showing Panchu how to eat at the table like the rest of us. Isn’t that right, old bear?” Panchu raised his lips, displaying his bloodied, meat riddled fangs. “You see?”

Meeka turned her head and raised her chin. “Disgusting.”

From the stage, stood the high elder in his valiant, long hide robe, holding his feathered staff. Next to him, perched on a massive pole was a golden feathered eagle, three times larger than a common eagle, with two black eyes and third in his forehead. The feather's on his head were white as snow, while his beak was long and sharp, and bright as gold.

“Young Shaman’s of Tocagee village.” He raised his hands and silenced the stirring crowd. “We will now take our leave to Spirit Ridge!”

The crowd roared as they lifted their totems staffs!

Mokahdu leaped from the post and mounted three eye eagle. And with one loud swoop of his wings, they were off, soaring in the sky. Dust kicked from the ground. And a gust of wind yanked the hairs and robes of the young shaman.

I smirked at Meeka and said, “We’ll see you at the ridge. Come on, Panchu. It's time to go. ”

The old bear belched, leaving meat particles on the table. He stood and grunted, bopping the table. It wobbled, knocking off platters and plates of food to the ground.

My lips sunk and I said, "He can sit and eat, but he's still learning to stand.

Panchu chuckled behind me.

Meeka crossed her arms and I felt her glare burn through me.

I turned away and started after the herd of shaman making their way towards the trail that led us up to Spirit Ridge.

Panchu walked next to me, still grinning. He whispered, “Looks like you’ve made your first enemy …”