"The world is god"
Foreward: The Chumash occupied the Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties for at least 13,000 years before Euro-peens came over. The sea life is diverse and are many, as well as wildlife making variety for saving dried goods manageable. Foot and sea travel is made well worn by known paths, and basic amenities being great, making the towns live peacefully, which help thrive the trade, society, belief structure, and ceremonies. "The cosmos" are made of 3 worlds: Sky world, which includes the Land of the Dead, Earth world, including Undersea world, and Lower world, where monsters reside, shown above on the back cover.
There is reminiscence of the 1st People, which are talking animals who coexisted and spoke with each other, stories told of how they lived, and their power slowly fading. Some people are born leaders, whom would give advice for seeming credible. If crops are low, to avoid raiding, religious ceremonies are had in the towns so everyone could feast, and control food supply. The religious elite would gather and use datura root to visit their dream helpers. The Chumash had a lovely, idyllic environment, with thriving, enlightened social etiquette.
The Intro: Whilst characters are fictional, the actual pop. of the once real village was 300 people in southern Santa Barbara, the time of the story being before 1492, Euro-peens not applicable for the time. It starts during winter solstice, the start of the Chumash year. Whilst not wishing to be favoring the elite group written about, they tended to live more intriguing lives. The author, Katy was born and is native to the Carpinteria Valley, it does not mention her being Indigenous, and as for the people of the time living in this area, they had so much food, they were living a heavenly existence, with no jail or law.
The other side of this, is if they broke a bone, it usually meant death, and getting cut meant tetanus, and they had dangerous animals to be wary of, as well as supernatural beings. The specific town in Carpinteria is known as Concha Loma, the true area where the Mishopshno lived, and they having hunted in the area of the Carpinteria Bluffs. Katy describes how after she became a mom in '80, she imagined what life was like way back before interlopers arrived. Katy researches and decides to bring her own take on an imagined ethnology largely based on the body of work from John P. Harrington.
She also takes notes and practices recipes of ways of life over a handful of years, she next gaining more info and resources from the SB museum of Natural History, writing her book between '82-'85, and remained a manuscript til 2012 when the piece gained more interest. The only change made to the original was how the Chumash were female empowered, the men joining their mate's village rather than vice versa. For ease of reading, glottal stops are removed, and some words written in the Mishopshno language, BarbareƱo is subbed with words which couldn't be found for VentureƱo words, like the month names titling the chapters. Richard Applegate did the painting on the back cover. Also, it mentions cities and villages which line up to Google maps perfectly, so here's the map pic in case you're a nerd.
START OF STORY
The first month (Chapter) shows villagers leaving town for the bigger 1, Syuhtun to celebrate Sun's return, a dozen families traveling along the edge of the lagoon. Aleqwel watches birds fly and how good everything was, despite having been eating sparingly til learning if the new crop is strong, so is looking forward to the feast. The crops would either go to the people of Earth team, led by Thunder, Fog, and Sky Coyote or the Sun team, led by Sky Eagle. Grandfather Sun is Kakunupmawa, and Hutash, which is Earth personified; Shup being the ceremonial name.
The chiefs which have the wot, the head of a clan or wealthy person, the paqwot, the leader of a group of villages, and the powerful achanas, or shamans. Whilst the year had been good to the Mishopshno, Aleqwel dealt with his storehouse not being well-stocked, but he helping his fam, which consisted of g/ma, ma, Anihwoy, her sister, Aunt Kanit, his sis, Ponoya, and his bro, Anakawin, survive on assorted birds. They also have an expensive funeral, despite his ma being a doc, they not having much money to spend. He worries of keeping the fam from being poor, considering Ponoya is enhweq: a single lady, he hoping to find a well-off suitor for her.
This ofc, not quite the time to think of marriage due to their pop's death being just so long ago. He also hasn't a clue of whether she'd even be the right age, he a few years older, and not thinking about ladies much, unlike his buddy, Alow, whom is all over them. Thinking of his pop in past tense still proved difficult, but it also not good to name the recently departed as ghosts too soon. He also thought how if his pop had been killed a few months later, the fam would have mourned most of the year til the ceremony.
On the other side, if it had been later, the bears would be hibernating, making pop's survival guaranteed. Aleqwel's fam make it to empty land, not much rain having hit, yet. Aleqwel knew travel is easier when green sprouts grew. The other side to the late rain, though is more seeds, as his g/ma advised.
People doubted this though, which is why spiritual docs, shamans are necessary to handle these issues. They reach a medium village where the weak waited as the others had also left for Syuhtun for the ceremony. Aleqwel is calmed by the similar village as his, some power-mad docs being driven to the woods where they experimented with were-creatures, but also the normal danger of grizzly, and rattlesnake to worry over, nunashish, a supernatural evil beast, a yowoyow who takes kids and throw them in tar baskets, as well as haphap, a giant who eats everything in its way, and the holhol, a condor witch bird which eats peoples innards can also be found in the forest. Aleqwel feels his talisman from his dream helper, Lizard, atishwin, he helping him.
Aleqwel's fam rests and eat what they'd brought with them, their chat infrequent. Whilst Ponoya chats lacklusterly to Aleqwel, her tone angers him for the cause having been their pop's death and the bear whom caused it, she having been energetic before. Ponoya's next statement makes him reconsider of she maybe only being worn out, what with bringing up the shrine pole he is helping to paint for Syuhtun. Aleqwel modestly admits his noob status, but she reminds he'd done his year of learning, and is now a guildsman, he feeling boosted.
Then, Anakawin runs up with his cousin, Aunt Kanit insulting his sensibilities by assuming he was staying out of trouble when he never got into trouble. Ponoya offers acorn mush as snack, which he takes whilst confessing eating with cousin too, but getting tired of acorns. Aleqwel distracts from his little bro's thoughtless statement, and asks what they'd been up to, Anakawin declaring of being scouts, and clearing a rocky path. Aleqwel knows the path they took is already well worn, but suggesting they go ahead, and show them the way, Kanit adding to be careful for animals, the boys listening, then leaving to follow or ignore as they pleased.
The 3 adults prepare to move on with their baskets. Past the village of Qoloq, they see fields blackened, oaks, and soon they are going up a large hill, where an oak forest hadn't seen deliberate fire. They walk through dense oaks covering the sky, and when reaching the top, Aleqwel gets grabbed about the legs by Anakawin, yelling of a bear up ahead. Aleqwel considers the time of year, attempting to make sure Anakawin is certain, the boy still nervey for having discovered their pop's body, entrails strewn atop sage and sumac.
The behavior of this bear definitely odd, so he has Anakawin show him where he was when he saw it. Upon having a look, and seeing no prints, he doesn't think it is a bear, Ponoya allowing it could've been a nunashish. Anakawin won't be calmed though, but what perks him up is recognizing how close they were to Syuhtun now, so thinking they should find ma. The 12 villages would gather and clean the air of any holding disputes or debts, each village also paying a festival tax for the organizer to prepare in the hills.
By the time Mishopshno villagers arrived, the elite spiritual leaders had left, whilst the lesser worked on the ceremonial area. Members of the antap, of which there are a dozen shaman, and they each building walls or the work on the largest structure, yet in town for the paqwot, leader of Syuhtun. Aleqwel watches his strong ma, Anihwoy as she makes baskets with other ladies. He sees Anihwoy work as hard as anyone despite still mourning.
Anihwoy is 1 of the Coyote fam, her uncle a soul healer, or shaman, alchuklash. His pop's clan is the Owl fam. Aleqwel listens to the old sounds of the antap language, shaman's insulting each other as they worked, amusing him. Aleqwel feels his sis should've been initiated in his place, but their ma could only afford 1 fee, and he was older, but his grammar is weak, Ponoya having talent as a doc.
Aleqwel thought how the achanas would go to Sky world and determine the winner, then fix whatever they could to save lives and crops, the way it's done still beyond him. He imagines how the docs would recreate the 1st people in the caves, he considering the ability to create life, and what if he could do the same with his atishwin, Lizard. Then someone new comes running at them shouting non-friendly insults at the members. Aleqwel doesn't get why he's intimidated, since the man didn't carry a weapon, but when the crazy man catches his eye, and approaches him, he knows the secret names of his fam, and starts after the shrine pole, when the dance manny escorts the man out.
To offset the man's bad vibes, everyone takes a mo to clear the air praying and sprinkling water, than continuing their duties. Aleqwel speaks with the dance manny, whom relates the man is antap, but from a different country, and isn't liked there, either but not to worry, and stay pepped up. Aleqwel finds this difficult, since fool had called his pop's name. Anihwoy is frozen clutching a basket, she running to Aleqwel when he calls her, the 2 knowing the crazy man's village, Shuku sometimes being their enemy, and now he'd called a ghost, which always brought death with it.
Alow is a fisherman and currently enjoying the festival, and not knowing of the outburst for being on the hockey field playing against his cousin's Qoloc village team, and when reaching the crest of the hill, is ready for the sweathouse. As people pass him, he yearns to "pick flowers". He passes the ceremony grounds with barely a glance, since he wouldn't be entering til the canoe guild got together, so he continues to the sweathouse, has a quick bath in the stream, and waits for the meeting this evening. The tomol guild meets at a wealthy Syuhtun canoe owner's home, his outfit reminding Alow of his g/pa, head of the Pelican fam, with his bearskin vest, and how much he'd have liked to see him, but is too arthritic, and had to care for his wife.
Alow's pop, unc, and cousins were there, tho and later in the night after business chat dies down, he listens to the men's stories and news about the coast. Alow is fairly financially set, and could definitely settle if he so chose, but he had ambitions in trade, so is waiting for his g/pa's plank canoe to be completed, so he could take part in ocean travel. The tomol guild change to more serious topics, like of when humans and animals were 1 people, Pelican, Cormorant, and Duck Hawk all fishermen. Alow makes valuable contacts which'd jumpstart him in the trade business of tar adhesive.
Alow then calls it a night, seeing his pop had already left. Alow sees Ponoya gently calling her little bro, whom she didn't wish to embarrass by yelling, she startled when Alow is beside her. She asks if he'd seen her bro, and he reminds her of how he used to be when Anakawin's age. They are then out of nowhere are harrassed by the same man in the ceremony grounds, Alow standing in front of the emotionally wounded Ponoya, the crazy man again screaming her pop's names, including the most private. Alow is joined by Halashu, the wot, head of fam's nephew, whom is acting as peacemaker between townsfolk.
Halashu and Alow carry the man away, Aleqwel seeing Ponoya lying on the ground as he walks up with Anakawin, she recovering enough to hug the lad, and ask where he'd been. Anakawin lay awake later in the night, his earlier night being a mystifying one. Whilst he'd been prepping a bear trap, he thought he'd seen a black flying thing cross the sun, but then wonders if it is like when he saw the bear earlier. Anakawin has an odd vision of being in a dark room with a large star crystal shining a light rhythmically which pierces the back of his eyes, his sis next calling him, Little Coyote, to come home, where had he gone?
When he fully wakes, Aleqwel is already gone to the ceremony grounds, and Anakawin would wait indoors til it was the right hour, not wanting Sun to eat him up. He is so hungry and he knew this is the time of contemplation of death, the exactness of life, the meditation on the rd to the Land of the Dead, and the happiness there, but all he wants is g/ma to arrive in her canoe already, so they could play cat's cradle. When Aleqwel gets back, he updates Ponoya of their ma coming in a little bit, she breaking down, and whilst they hadn't eaten, they'd have the feast to look forward to next day. They'd also discover whether Sun and Sky Eagle, whom is head of Sky world, or Sky Coyote, the North Star, Fog, and Thunder would win.
Nene arrives with the other elders later in the evening, she going with Anihwoy to the campground. She'd start the tales with the 1st people, and the fam'd be closer to Sky world than they'd ever been, they having more control over their destiny. The 1st story is about a hubby whom is accidentally responsible for his wife's death, it involving an ear stick cleaner and knocking into her. Aleqwel wonders if his pop is still happily in Shimilaqsha instead of possibly torn away by the crazy man's oaths.
Another story is of Coyote, the granddaughter of the Moon giving birth to twin boys, calling them Thunder and Fog, each having a different pop. They lived with g/ma Moon, also called g/mother Momoy. When the 2 decide to explore the world, Thunder takes his magic flute for protection and company. They create a toy canoe which becomes a real tomol, they 1st stopping at Syuhtun, then on.
At 1 point Fog made fun of a witch, and she rolled a fiery basket at them, Thunder using his flute to vault over a hill to Aunt Yucca to recover. After, they meet g/pa Coyote, whom is precog., he offering to guide them, so the trio continues. He gives them a downy cord, as protection and after, helps Fog escape a witch, but what cuts travel short is Coyote looing in an achana's cave, getting closed in, and killed. Achana doc chucks out the body for smell, Thunder reviving Coyote by flute, whom claims to have been napping, so they move on.
Another day they come across a haphap, the giant nunashish, he carrying the twins to his home to eat them, but the 2 using their atishwin and downy cord to escape. After, a yowoyow tries to stick them in his basket of tar, but Coyote'd taught them how to trick the creature again making escape. Next was holhol, the condor impersonator, 1 look or touch consuming people, and this time the boys killed, but Coyote able to bring them back. Thunder plays his flute as entertainment as they walk closer to the Land of the Dead.
Aleqwel feels he'd remember the right path, esp with his flute and lizard foot, but he'd still have to be careful of the other danger, as well as how to return. Meanwhile, the trio make it to Shimilaqsha, a bigger town than Syuhtun, and the people there are happy and playing game, dancing, eating, and the food is aggravating Coyote, since he is famished, and the food here being unsatisfying. Due to this, they leave and go to Sun's crystal house, within it the 1st People. Sun is out collecting human bodies from Earth world, the surface of Shup, Mother Earth the goddess.
Fog gets thirsty, but the animals tell of no water being in the house, so the twins wishing to leave. Coyote decides, once Sun crashed in and gets a glimpse of his torch, thinks it'd be a gas to carry it around the world for a day, so swipes it in the night. Early next morning he starts and is terrible at it, holding it too low and burning everything and everyone; Coyote is anger flambe persona non grata. The twins and Coyote are thrown from the sky, killing them, but a wot, head of fam revives him, he again stating he'd been asleep.
Coyote brings the twins back, and they all return to their own homes, Nene ending the story the same way, hanging up their carrying nets. Aleqwel yearns for his pop, the mourning time too quick, and he not feeling like he had another fella in the fam he could turn to and vent. Aleqwel decides he must only rely on himself and should speak with his ma's bro on how to become stronger in order to defend against the crazy man. His hope has been to carry on his pop's trade peacefully, his g/ma spotting the look on his face, and assuring tmw brought new light.
They sleep late, even though it brings danger for Sun to find them in their sleeping mats. Hundreds have come, the crowd impressive as they all head for the arena where the paqwot would host. Halashu attempts to count the crowd, but loses track, knowing there is more than a few hundred. When master of ceremonies the paqwot enters, he chats to the people of the histories of Sun and Sky world, and Land of the Dead, and the path to Earth world.
The paqwot invokes the Beginning, the End, and New Beginning in the West, after talking of Coyote and Sky Coyote, as well as Grandmother Momoy, the teams of Sky Eagle and Two Thunders playing their evening hand game. This topic brings deathly silence, since people wanted a hint of their fate, Halashu getting a great view of the carrying box of the Sunstick, he thinking it'd be wasted on commoners looking for not knowing about the technique involved. Halashu remembers to look for the women and women who had been born men, they and the other wots keeping G/ma Shup and G/pa Sun balanced, knowing the Downy Path well, chatting with ghosts, and experts with the Land of the Dead. He looks for a buddy of his Konoyo, a man-woman, seeing her standing with another lady, they watching the paqwot perform the ceremony.
The more detailed advice from the paqwot is to continue storing seeds, but they'd pretty much won this game. Bad time's had to be considered, though in case they had a drought which then could bring upheaval with Shuku. The paqwot finishes his speech with how there will be growth from the kids of G/ma Shup and G/pa Sun, then everyone dances for each season, and when it gets dark, the path to the Sky world opens over the sea in the West, and the way to Timeless Time is shared with all. When night is fully on, the villagers offerings to the paqwot and his rays are done, they dancing again, then the fasting began.
The Coyote fam sits together, Anakawin making use of both hands to eat, Aleqwel about to remind him the right way, but also knowing he is hungry, then noticing Halashu going into the forest with a plain looking girl. Aleqwel's sis gets chosen by Alow which surprises Aleqwel, but not protesting in time before they already leave. He walks to the creek, a popular spot for couples to do their fooling around, he thinking how he is wasting his chances of finding a girl, when he sees not a young lady, but not old, beckoning him, he having to agree. By morning, he makes his way back to his fam's tent and sees Halashu and Konoyo chatting slightly jealous they had each other whilst he returned to a solitary sleep mat.
By mid noon he's woken by Anakawin, the dancing soon to be starting, Aleqwel sleepy, and wondering how Anakawin knew of the woman when he mentions he finding her again at the dance to coax his interest. What helps is the sweathouse and a dive in the sea, the dances when he walks over being lively, but he not seeing the lady again. Later on, the mourners dance for their loved ones is held, everyone crying and releasing their pain, Aleqwel not feeling the intrusive feeling, and everyone washing their faces in the ocean to purify themselves. By morning, the paqwot announces to the people of Sun returning, rain coming, and they all able to go home, as he and the dozen assistants start the blue-green Sunstick ceremony.
Everyone returns to camps and gathers belonging to start their treks back. Alow had gotten his pop, Mushi to carry the fam back by canoe, so as they wait at the short, Anakawin teases Ponoya with the idea of Alow tipping the canoe and drowning her if they were married. Ponoya advises he not let his imagination run too far, since Alow knew plenty of girls. Anihwoy, helps Aleqwel with breaking down the camp, Halashu's unc'd carry the shrine pole to the village, and Aleqwel'd remove the old and replace it with the new pole.
Aleqwel is looking forward to this, and feels rejuvenated from the widow's dance. Before everyone leaves town, the antap, 20 shamanic priestly initiates meet at the top of the hill, where each village's paqwot speaks a blessing, then they each lead their own procession back to their distant homes. Aleqwel feels better, neither crazy man nor older lady bothering him, he resolving to request his great-unc to prepare momoy tea in the near future for him. The line out of the village is slow going at first, but gets better as people went their own ways, the weather perfect for travel.
The enforced silence is peaceful as he considers how the shrine pole is a bridge, like the pole bridge on the Downy Path to Shimilaqsha in the Land of the Dead. Aleqwel also has motivation at 1st to be taught the naming of gods better, but then realizes his true passion lay in paint and living rock. He understood the people have powers but wonders how much, paranoid of it having actually lessened. He thinks of the 3 worlds, trees and boulders having knowledge and will, like other smaller shrubs had smaller power.
The Sky People live in crystal houses and strongly influence all phases of life, Sky Eagle their wot. As Aleqwel walks, he attempts to observe fully the life around him. After exchanging the old pole with the new, Aleqwel sees his g-aunt and unc, he waiting til later to bring up the tea, but asking his aunt of whether his pop had hunted for any rare feathers, in reference to the crazy man's accusations of his pop being a poacher. Her answer reinforces his knowing his pop was good.
Meanwhile, Ponoya starts thinking of she'd have to learn to wait a lot, since Alow is a fisherman, she deciding to sleep on the shore, and dreams of the Undersea World wot, Swordfish, chatting at her, but she not knowing what he was saying. Back with Alow, and Mushu, they head out early, after hearing from the weather achanas, Anakawin bailing a canoe as they swiftly travel. Nene succumbs to the seagulls cries and throws acorn mush to them. Ponoya isn't certain whether pursuing Alow is the best for her, despite noting a couple of his good traits, and knowing hi so closely.
As they travel, during the latter half of their ride, the women toss seeds and shell money into the water for the Swordfish wot. Ponoya feels guilty for not having been with someone she didn't know on Solstice Night, and is ready to believe the dark weather and her sacrilege for not finding her atishwin'd drown them. They make it back on a wave which scares the women, and into the arms of the community, Mushu carrying Nene to shore despite unheard protests from her. Anhiwoy builds a fire and the fam settles back to eat what is available.
Anakawin falls asleep in Anihwoy's lap, and Alow, Aleqwel, and Mushu share a tobacco mix which makes them puke, but light-headed and goofy, so continue sharing it around. Alow chats on whether Aleqwel thought Halashu actually would settle with a woman when he's only seeing Konoyo, Aleqwel putting it off to him still being young. They all simmer down, the year starting off well.
2nd month, Grandmother Moon is dead, the women on menses in the pit house. Nene makes food for Anakawin, Aleqwel, and Alow, the first asking why is isn't raining, yet and both Aleqwel and Nene trying to calm him with the nature of the weather. Aleqwel also must remind his lil bro how to refer to their deceased pop, and it being safer if he forgot those who aren't here anymore. Anakawin ponders this as Nene provides him 2nds without him asking.
Anakawin then asks if his cousin is right about Grandmother Moon dying and returning, Nene confirming this, her bro knowing the power, and how to restore the balance. Alchuklash have sway with the Sky People, but what convinces Anakawin is Alow stating the alchuklash is strong and G/moth. always coming back, they in turn getting rain. After Nene prepares the crushed manzanita berry drink for Anakawin, she checks on the women with menses in the sunken hut, which is a bit of a trek. Nene travels slowly with paranoid thoughts of what could happen should she trip and fall, the scenario taking it to her being unable to even make it to the Sky World.
Nene makes it though, the women inside asking her for gossip and stories whilst she gave them water. Back with the menfolk, Alow offers catching fish and sharing with the fam, since Aleqwel can't due to having "unclean" women in his household. Alow is aiming to turn chat to Aleqwel's singlehood, so Aleqwel requests Anakawin to go make sure Nene got to her destination safely by fire brand light. Anakawin puts up a good argument on why he can't go, and Aleqwel advises he be healed by alchuklash tmw if he's serious, and perhaps the acknowledgement is enough, since he does as bid, and walks out.
Alow attempts to reassure Aleqwel of the boy most likely being fine, the 2 exchanging chewing tobacco. The fellas chat of Solstice Night, then on Ponoya taking momoy tea to offset the crazy man's curse, it not normally necessary for enhweq to participate. Aleqwel reminds of the power on his ma's side being alatishwinich with multiple spirit helpers and their line close to the 1st People. After building the fire up, Aleqwel offers Alow stay over when he mentions having to leave and not going, but Alow declines for needing to be home for his pop, and invites Aleqwel for duck hunting when new Grandmother Moon returns.
Aleqwel reminds he'd be fasting for momoy tea by then, the plan remaining open as Anakawin comes in with Nene. Aleqwel and Anakawin bid him cya later: kiwanan. Next morning, Aleqwel goes to the sweathouse, chats with a fella and regrets sharing Anakawin's appt to be cleansed for maybe seeing a nunashish. After exiting the sweathouse, he sings the song his atishwin taught him, grateful Lizard had chosen to help him.
Back home, Aleqwel dresses, and helps Anakawin get up from sleep, not wishing he take his chances before being cured. Aleqwel finds himself unusually irritated when hearing the women's happy chatter as they worked, urging Anakawin to do a useful chore which he claims to have none to do. The 2nd suggestion Anakawin agrees with, and goes hunting for squirrels, and after Aleqwel has a bathroom break, he overhears Anihwoy giving advice to a shy woman, then follows her to help with the ill. Alow comes up greeting the now resting young women, then invites Aleqwel to join him, the 2 agreeing to visit the woodworker, as well for Aleqwel having business to handle.
Alow confides how he'd gotten permission from his Grandfather allowing he use the tomol for traveling to the islands, he excited by the potential of profit. Alow visits the Grandfather woodworker as he's working, the old man sharing of working slowly, but being extra careful to make the best tomol, which'd be ready for Alow's g/fath. in reasonable time. The 2 wander to where they could collect mussels, Alow bringing up setting a day to duck hunt. Aleqwel reminds of having to fast and Alow is impatient to use his luck, the subj turning to accidentally gathering mussels on Shuku land.
Alow soothes of where the Shuku were currently gathering, and tells of where they truly come from, being traders, but still having to respect them as people, even if they did make trouble with their community. Aleqwel is annoyed by how arrogant they are for being a larger, richer community, and Alow adds the Shuku'll have to learn to respect their power, as well, but the Mishopshno would also have to learn to live with them or they'd be crushed. Alow is glad he isn't a wot, leader of village, knowing it'd be much work. The 2 return to Alow's, and his pop isn't impressed with the mussels, by no means being a delicacy.
The 2 go as suggested to cousin Chaki's house to cook them, Alow not taking Aleqwel's qs well when inquiring if the "only" problem with Alow's pop was he wishing to die so he could be with his wife again. The young women sitting and working agree to cook the mussels, as well, and Ponoya offers to bring a bowl to Alow's pop if he thought he'd like, Alow knowing he'd like. Meanwhile, Aleqwel is summoned to his g-unc's house, the man requesting to hear about the crazy doc's man's curse, and to request Aleqwel to accompany him to ask G/moth. Momoy for some of her tea. Aleqwel insists he isn't good with, or interested in aiding souls to cross, but would do as bid, and join him.
The 2 travel slowly and silently, searching as Aleqwel wonders if he should confess his dreams which consisted of he going to Syuhtun seeing the crazy man with an unrecognizable animal's face. He watches the crazy man come after him, and so he runs into Konoyo's arms some of the time, since he saw ghosts. Aleqwel then wakes appreciatively soon after, and having suffered this 3x so far. He wondersĀ if his g-unc could strengthen his power from the red streaked woman whom chases him and seems to get closer each time.
Aleqwel looks up to see they'd traveled to the shrine pole, so prays whilst his g-unc discovers the correct momoy bush, also praying. No one other than alchuklash is allowed to touch the momoy plants all over the coast, since he is the only 2 whom knew how to brew it properly. This reminds Aleqwel of the ancient days when anyone could visit Sky World without requiring momoy, some achanas still claiming they could also travel without using the momoy, but who knew if it was gossip. Upon getting back to his g-unc's home, he receives his advice where to drink it outdoors, then Aleqwel discovers his mo to confess his concerns and dreams.
By afternoon, the momoy tea is being prepped for 6 drinkers, Ponoya not having woken for several days after taking it the 1st time, and another boy has no reaction at all. The datura is watching these 2 esp close as he speaks the same warnings as before. Drinking momoy and discovering the nature of everything is the main reason for using the tea, atishwin and self power coming 2nd. They are all next sent home til the datura visits.
Ponoya prepares for when the alchuklash arrives to give her the dose. Aleqwel walks the shore as she's leaving her body, and the alchuklash stays with her in the now empty home. Aleqwel goes in search of clams and abalone, of which he's able to locate a few of the latter, and a net full of the former (Per another few reviewers describing bad grammar, so far I'm only seeing a word left out like, "the biggest island [of] the 4" or "Alow would certainly [go] to the islands" which is small potates compared to some texts with better editors, I'm looking at you, Wodehouse editors, this lady did it HERSELF).
As Aleqwel takes a break, he imagines being able to travel like the 1st people had, quickly and with general ease. He wishes to someday make a trip for more supplies for paint in the mtns, and when he returns home, is told Ponoya is resting and talking unconsciously. So, he also rests for the night, and the following day after taking a sweat, Aleqwel helps Alow's pop with a chore of organizing nets til he feels unnerved by the idea of Mushu not caring about his waning power after losing his wife, so ditches. Halashu greets Aleqwel not long after, he urging Mushu to go hunt for fish while the weather is mild, then asks Aleqwel to join him, and his fam for a meal.
Aleqwel is glad to oblige per etiquette. So, he joins him as he goes door to door to encourage everyone to work harder for when the rain came, people consenting for his sincere betterment of the community, but doubt the rain, still coming. Aleqwel admires his ability for words, since he doesn't have it, and asks how 1 person from any financial standing could have more power than another. Halashu answers of people being like birds, and so if they couldn't meet their atishwin to aid them, Aleqwel completes the thought of they then being unable to acquire their power which in turn keeping them from traveling to the Land of the Dead.
Halashu agrees and tells of how natural it is to have less Eagles flying, but some being able to change, reminding him of Piyokol the storyteller, whom has a humble beginning in life. Aleqwel is simply marveling how easily it is to fall than fly, but Piyokol somehow discovered his atishwin and Halashu's unc becomes his patron. At sunset Aleqwel goes home and the datura is aiding Ponoya to resurface, she partially awake and talking. So, Aleqwel and he guide her to the beach, and Aleqwel holds her hand as Ponoya is sung awake describing where she is and to wake, which she does, starting to share a portion of her vision.
Ponoya relates of walking far, but not lost, being surprised by a nunashish bear, Hummingbird claiming to be her atishwin, Aleqwel celebrates, the alchuklash dismisses him to go update the fam as he gets the rest of her journey. She sings her atishwin's song, and is led back home, she discovering her lucky charm on a cord in her hand. By noon, Anihwoy and her sis are shelling and mashing acorns whilst singing, Aleqwel enjoying it to the point of being inspired to play his flute later. Alow brings back the fam a basketful of rockfish, and when chatting with Anihwoy, is glad to learn Ponoya was successful, and empathizes with how rough it must've been for Aleqwel all these mos since his pop was killed.
So, Alow invites Aleqwel to be carrier of the hunted birds they caught, he accepting. In evening Ponoya is sitting with the fam and is ready for a big meal, Aleqwel happy they had fish for her tonight, and when Alow drops by, he says affectionate things to her before leaving. Nene tells stories after their meal, Aleqwel falling asleep as she speaks of G/moth. Momoy. Later in the night, Aleqwel wakes and readies to meet his buddies at the creek, they gathering, and heading for the lagoon, chatting of their worry of the rain still not coming.
Halashu reassures them of the weather achanas knowing their stuff, and if a crazy achana attempted to put them in a draught, they'd bring it to themselves, as well. So, unless he is on Sun's Team and had Sky Eagle protecting him, it wasn't plausible. They reach near Qoloc's territory, then set up duck traps. Whilst waiting, the others shoot birds, Aleqwel collecting and everyone trading in the end for luck strengthening, and by noon, they head back.
A few days pass, and the 4 go back to check their duck traps. Aleqwel is tempted to hunt for his fam after he'd seen their joy the night before from all the birds he hadn't caught getting roasted, but resists like before to maintain the integrity and strength for his momoy vision. The group hunder down, and Halashu, being the best accurate hunter, big game of the sea, but also expert of the land, goes first. Aleqwel succumbs to his desire to shoot and bags a fat goose, feeling guilty, and praying he hadn't messed up his luck.
Then, Aleqwel's hit in the leg with an arrow, 2 of his buddies carrying him back to town whilst Halashu discovers who had shot. Aleqwel's wound is light, but the hope is, it hadn't been poisoned. The alchuklash determines he would drink momoy before the month was done, to take advantage of the strength, currently. By the week's end he could limp around, and suspicious of the circumstances of his accident, his healing still celebrated with a party.
This is the 1st time Aleqwel has been recognized by the community, so the support he experiences is a surprise to him. Dancers do their best amusing dances, 1 of Coyote which has most women fleeing for crudeness, but had Aleqwel laughing his ass off. When Aleqwel asks, his ma shares what the weather was like whilst he'd been ill. She also confides their enjoyment of the birds they'd scored, she assuring he'd been in the right, and he should remain confident.
As more rain comes, Aleqwel meets the datura to confess his worries, and being advised he should meet his pop in the Timeless Time for a chat. Aleqwel agrees, setting out sometime later with the achana leading. Aleqwel is happy his limp is better, as they marvel at the beauty of what the rains had helped revitalize and grow. Aleqwel next makes his bed near the shrine pole, he readying to drink the alchuklash's prepared momoy tea.
Soon Aleqwel is exhibiting the effects of the tea, and the datura helps him lay down. Aleqwel envisions himself traveling beyond Syuhtun and his pop's hometown, Heliyik, and on to the Land of the Dead. He meets his pop and learns he's fine, but has heard the faint whisper, this leading to Aleqwel confessing what is happening, and his pop revealing what had occurred before his death (Buy the book if you want to know his true death, it's worth it). When the datura sings the song to wake, he confirms the culprit, and shooter of arrow being the crazy man.
So, the datura advises they include the wot in the decision. By afternoon, the 2 travel back to town, his ma happy to see him, and he sleeping more. By late afternoon, Aleqwel goes with escort to the wot's house for a chat, other leaders also present.
The wot explains how they must wait to act upon the threat of the crazy man, and Aleqwel must strengthen his power and discover a 2nd atishwin if he can, despite being a layman. Aleqwel worries of having to kill to protect his fam, and this decision being made by more powerful men than himself. Aleqwel accepts the decision with a bit of frustration, but also understands the reason, returning home.
The mo. of Growth,Alow decides to invite Aleqwel and his sis to play a game which Pichiquich, Chaka's wife would be playing, as well. Chaka and Aleqwel win 1st game, and by the 3rd would know the top team, but Pichiquich ends the game before finishing, due to the lateness, and getting up for the baby soon. So Alow takes the opportunity to offer help to the scorekeeper whom also is the tomol builder, he able to come aid with building boards with the warning to not rush him or it'd take longer.
When Alow arrives in the morning, Saqtele instructs his 1st task and shows which strong board would be Alow's tomol's base, the young man satisfied. After working with Saqtele and his 2 assistants for the day, he feels much more at ease and even accepts a game of handball from 1 of the fella assts. After leaving for the sweathouse, he chats with his pop of how good the 1st tuna of the season had been today, and Alow prays if the sea should ever take his life, he could return to shore and go to Shimilaqsha. He also vows to now allow ghosts to affect him like his pop.
Next morning, the 2 prepare to take the tomol out, leaving the sweathouse, and going to sea. They aim straight for the sleeping sea otters, getting 1 and moving to a different area where Alow has a shot. After returning to shore and butchering their kills, Alow chats with Saqtele of how his pop would be busy during the time he'd asked for he, Alow, and his gramps to be present to advise during the shaping, Alow agreeing he'd run it by his gramps. As he walks back, he sees Anihwoy's door is open, so drops off the meat despite the late hr.
Outside, he learns from Aleqwel of Anakawin getting into more trouble as they prepare yucca they collected. Aleqwel confides some of what he'd learned from his shrine pole momoy exp. After most had retired to sleep, Aleqwel shares of Anakawin stepping into yucca spikes, hurting himself and not being able to do much during their trip. They also chat of Alow's business plans before he leaves, Ponoya asking him to come around again.
Fortunately the roasted yucca is done, so the fam and extended fam come to partake. Meanwhile, Alow chats to Anihwoy of Halashu's obsession with Konoyo and how it could be problematic for his ma. Nene makes clear of what Halashu should do after Aleqwel assures them with what he'd been told by Halashu. Next Anakawin is panicked at first by his 1st exp with hail, but is soon playing in it, Alow and his pop leaving when it stops.
They still get rain for a couple more days, and when it stops, Anakawin wants to go to the fluffy snow covered peaks, but is talked out of it for it being the nunashish's home. Later, a hunting party goes after some sea lions. Aleqwel and Alow receive a portion for helping beat one of the animals to submission, Mushu losing his knife. So, he doesn't stop looking, and goes to the beach and retraces steps, til he's met by an odd woman offering his knife to him, and speaking the island tongue, when he shows unspoken interest in her she doesn't resist.
By afternoon, Alow is alone with Saqtele trying to advise him well enough on his own. When it seems the rainy season has finished, people are happy for spring, but then some surprise rain irritates people back into their sedentary habits of gambling, until finally Sun comes back. Tilinawit, the wot sends for his ksen, whom is an odd, quiet man whom is quite gifted at overhearing people, so most fear him for how little is known of him. When he enters, the wot offers him delicacies as he interrogates whether he'd heard from Piyokol whom had gone to stay in Syuhtun by invitation.
After getting ksen to agree to look into an update, he also asks after a girl whom has come of age and to get a rundown of her character. Also, he'd be taking care of a closer town first, but they wouldn't be welcoming. So, whilst ksen'd be missing their mussel abalone celebration, he usually was able to take advantage of larger towns having parties and being fed as well, if not better. Ksen goes to Shuku to the wot's house as the town begins their feast.
Groups back off and sit at their own campfire, the wot giving a speech to his nephew, Halashu, Ponoya, and Alow, which gives them confidence. Alow then offers he and Ponoya look for more mussels, she ofc accepting. They fill the nets pretty quick despite goofing off. Mushu is hunting in knee-deep water, and soon goes to a spot few people are in.
Soon, Mushu's alone and rests, but then sees the married woman he calls Wenla, he trying to get her to leave since it is so trafficky on the beach. He promises to come back later before she's willing to run off, and right before a group wanders to where he stood. Meanwhile, Ponoya and Alow are on their way back when they stop for a break, they getting close, and wasting most the daylight before returning to make some food. Alow sees Ponoya in a new, unique light.
The month where things start growing. Lyamlawinat, the wot's sis' hubby and assistant wot, is at the crest of the village hill watching kids watching a hockey game played by adults. When Lyam looks to the other side, he sees his son, Halashu aiming his bow at something, he going over to give him advice. Not ofc needing it much, since he'd won prize for best archer at Syuhtun. He and his younger cousins practice shooting with straw bundle targets.
As Halashu is going to demo on his new bow, it cracks, he walking off to cleanse in a spring. When he returns to fetch the bow, and cleanse it, the alchuklash invites him over later to be healed. Halashu goes to the sweathouse to wait out the day to be healed in the evening. Halashu is near the graveyard, glad to have Konoyo as a buddy, since she'd be able to speak to his soul from his grave, when the time came.
Halashu meets up with Konoyo, and she senses his being off, he confiding the bad luck of his new bow, the 2 going to the shrine tree. They go through the prayer ritual, Halashu then confessing most of what they'd learned of the crazy man doc, the 2 discussing how they'd update the ksen when he returned from his mission. Before parting, Halashu makes clear how he'd have done something to show his feels for Konoyo if not for the restrictions for now. Aleqwel is in the sweathouse with various pastimes going on around him.
Aleqwel has spent his nights where the men sleep, underground, having worse dreams of the lady chasing him, and having a better chance of being caught, due to his usual safety zones missing. He ends up running into the arms of his sis, and he knew it didn't bode well, turning back toward the woman, and waking with dread. So, he attempts to catch some z's during the day, when Alow plops down next to him, and asks after him. Aleqwel gives the typical throw off answer, since only the alchuklash knew about his dreams.
Alow asks a few more personal q's before the both doze off. When the 2 wake later in the day, Aleqwel invites Alow to come with him to purchase paint at Matilha. Alow accepts since there is other activities and pursuits, Aleqwel mentioning interest in the cave painters, painting docs. Alow is more assured to come, since being near the caves was dangerous, the to parting after more heart-to-heart regarding Ponoya, and Alow being genuine about his feelings.
Days go by, and the hungrier fams start moving to their Spring camps, 1 of the 1st fams being Aquyahut of the Rabbit fam. He'd broken some bones running from a bear, which hadn't been following, he falling into a gully and not fully recovering. The fam now feasts on roasted yucca spines whilst those with boats fished for the new tuna returning for the season. The artisan workers start working their trades, Alow flitting around doing different tasks and eating with the Coyote fam or his cousins.
Another night, Alow and Aleqwel hunt the last of the ducks before they migrated. Aleqwel spent little time with Alow, he usually looking to hang with Ponoya, and whilst Aleqwel knew he'd claimed to be serious, Aleqwel didn't know what to think of the budding courtship, despite being his best buddy. 1 day, the weather is kilamu: stupid, hot this sort from a nunashish, changing people into going crazy, some of the wiser going to the beach to cool off rather than snapping at people around them.
Alow is swimming when he sees a man or woman dancing in the surf, turning him on, but he ignoring the feeling from the Sky People. Mushu leaves Alow's view as he walks down the beach to a shrine pole where he used to hunt for abalone and other mussels. He soon spots Wenla "on the cliffs of Shuku". He ignores her so she comes to him, pressing on him and yelling her answer of wanting to be with him, since she learns he doesn't hear well, and her hubby is old, and has the same issue.
Instead, Mushu suggests they go into the ocean, the 2 going to the deep. She shares her single fear in regard to the sea, and her origin, being married off to a rich merchant. He always spends time in the sweathouse, and she is homesick, he making her stay, and she having no way to escape. She then pleads he take her to the big island in his tomol, he then getting why she'd been close, he confessing he didn't cross the channel, anymore, and she should have her hubby arrange it for her, instead.
When they return to shore, Mushu allows he'd look into someone else taking her over, this making her very grateful, he pushing her away, and saying she should truly only see him at night, and not walk on the shore for being seen. After parting with her, he recognizes he still likes her, running into Anihwoy, whom is glad Mushu looks better, he thanking her for helping him. A few days later, a man roams all over, he from the Rattlesnake fam, and when he gets to town, the people know a ceremony is forthcoming, and the rattlesnakes are done hibernating. Telling stories and remembrance of the past is done for the season, and now it was time to cool one's blood.
The Rattlesnake doc would protect his town from their saved up venom. Only the poorest of the community miss the ceremony for leaving early. Grandmother Moon only allows Rattlesnake inside for the ceremony, the doc praying first, the music ancient, nearly as old as their people, it reminding people of when animals were more like people, and people more like animals. The doc knew the snakes from evil achanas impersonating them, and his fam having sworn to protect them, so the snakes wouldn't harm him.
The doc doesn't take the rattlesnake out til after dark, and does so fluidly, the animal remains asleep. The snake only beings to wake as the doc gently dances with it, allowing some others to have the snake climb on their arms before returning it to the basket. The people watching are exhausted from watching the tense show, not much time passing. A woman is bit, and the snake doc achana saves her, she safe for the coming yr, and those who attended also, for having watched.
So, the poorest folk left 1st, then the Common People, when their seed stores got low. Most of the higher class remain except for Lyam, being sent to oversee the village from the hills. Halashu is doing his job as asst wot, and being anxious about his broken bow, so distracts himself with fishing. Meanwhile, the Blackbird fam is poor, and whilst Aquyahut sits with the other infirm, they travel through the creek trail, Aquy's bro showing his kids the islands offshore, and their useful facts, even if they never could hunt off them.
It takes a day to reach camp, and Shunu, Aquy's eldest boy shows his favorite cousin the rope swing he made. Soon, all the kids are given a chance, but when Shunu drops back at the top of the rope, he lands near a rattler, not commonly in this area, and is bit on the ankle. He's helped to get back with his cousins, the adults worrying for how swollen his leg had become. His ma is losing hope as search for the snake starts, as well as a fast boy running for the rattlesnake doc.
The doc agrees to come despite knowing he most likely wouldn't be paid, and the fam seems careless, but he doesn't want a child to die, so does all he can. It doesn't work, and the boy is gone, his unc saying to the doc of a bad doc, and a bear imposter, to which the doc dismisses, believing the rattler was probably real. Konoyo comes to carry the boy's body back to town, being a caretaker for the dead. She keeps an air of strength, despite feeling sorrow a child had died, and wouldn't get to Shimilaqsha.
Shunu had been a good boy, so Konoyo imagines he already came to terms with being dead. Konoyo returns to the antap, whom joins her by clearing a spot for Shunu's body in the commoner ancient grave place. Konoyo reminds herself of the comfort of everyone eventually becoming a ghost. The community has a funeral in the ceremonial ground, the Blackbird fam giving all they had left to send Shunu safely on his trek.
Aquy and his wife mourn at the boy's grave, and then attempt to forget. Konoya is back working some days later, and Halashu visits to show his new bow made, asking Konoyo to join him for a walk. She gets permission from her teacher, and they go sit at the creek, Halashu confiding of the ksen's return, and what info he'd brought. He'd been so popular at Syuhtun, he'd been invited to the biggest town, Mikiw, so hoped the ksen would return to them, soon.
When Konoyo asks about the ksen's other town visit, Halashu admits the girl he'd met was a slob, so felt a bit less pressure to get married. Konoyo knows he still had plenty to deal with coming up, though. On top of this, Halashu confesses his concern at trying to chat with the other town to agree the crazy achana needs to be stopped for the safety of both communities.
The month when flowers bloom, follows a foreign woman running through trees, a man following her, and not knowing why she interested him. Then, Aleqwel catches up, and she's foul, repulsive, this being the closest she'd come, since he'd seen her on Solstice Night. He remembers to call his atishwin, and he's brought to his home. She's scratched him, Aleqwel seeing the marks on his shoulder when he wakes.
Ponoya aids Aleqwel, and by early morning, he walks to the sweathouse, then attempts to walk off his bad vibes. He sings his dream song as a comfort til dawn, then visits his unc alchucklash, updating him of his dream. The final showdown seems to be coming soon, from the way it sounded to the alchuklash. He advises Aleqwel pay attention to his atishwin's instructions on how to overcome his enemies in a forthcoming dream. Aleqwel's G unc hasn't completely eased his mind, since the woman is merely leading him to the crazy doc, and he hoping his strength is powerful enough to counteract the crazy achana's poison.
When Halashu goes on the short walk to speak with the other town, his pop Lyam, the ksen, and some archers acting as security due to his role as future wot and was from Eagle Fam. They see a good sign of a duck hawk finding prey and flying off nearby them. They then reach the town and are hospitably welcomed at the wot's home. The townspeople look at them with interest, 1 lady most intent, but looking the same type as 1 of Halashu's ma's friends.
The next morning Halashu makes sure to maintain a respectful exterior. The coming days are marked with great meals and entertainment, no chat of business occuring or even possible due to the wot not being available for a serious exchange. By the 3rd night, Halashu wonders if the wot, Shuluwish knew he knew his true name, and whether he knew Halashu's, as well. In the morning, the 2 finally chat, Shulu starting, and the 2 on the same page.
Shulu agrees to look into the crazy achana, trying to end the session, but Halashu makes clear, more would be required, since 1 from Mishopshno had reason for revenge on the crazy achana, and is ready to take him out. So, he expects Shulu to agree when he completes his investigation of the crazy achana. Later, when Grandmother Moon waxes, the Coyote Fam, along with Anihwoy's ma and pop, whom is the old alchuklash, only gets mild rheumatism and tooth aches. He'd taught his girls like boys, 1 having gone to Shimilaqsha, and is happy.
Everyone is occupied with packing only the essentials, Aleqwel also careful to pack the item his atishwin has sent to him in his latest dream. Aleqwel soon is advised to check in on Halashu since he'd returned, he excited to do so. The 2 go out to chat, since Halashu's home is also busy. When Aleqwel busts out with his q, Halashu states he'd have to wait to act til the wot places a spy on the crazy achana to confirm their claims, so also urges Aleqwel to keep his plan to journey to Matilha, since it'd be best during the meantime.
Aleqwel is also happy by the prospect of Chaki and Pichiquich's fam, Silkiset also camping with them, and looking forward to eating more with Alow unlike his lacking Winter diet of fasting. Aquy is 2 of the last in Mishopshno to stay, he missing the caretakers who left for the season. Meanwhile, Tilinawit, a wot stands above the village, his fam already moved, he enjoying seeing the fog come in to make their town feel alone, but plentiful with fish and flowers. Tilin did his job daily of providing to the poor, and whilst feeling alone, usually chats with Saqtele, whom is a comfort to him.
Tilinawit listens to Saqtele's recounting of how their people had been killed by a war before, they too small to need it. He can sympathize, and yet can't raid them, since the same crazed achana fam member is now being protected by the 1's who've attacked Mishopshno before. The wot then says he'd consult Eagle, like Saqtele mentions. When the wot learns of Mushu being seen with a foreigner, and is planning an escape, he has the ksen fetch him quickly which he does.
Meanwhile, the Coyote Fam with a handful of other fams, get to camp, and are put at ease by the paqwot being right about the plentiful harvest. Soon the women are resting from carrying their baskets of pots and bowls, taking a long break with the noon of Grandfather Sun. They start back up joking of leaving g/ma's pot at home next time, everyone reaching camp. Anakawin is 1stĀ to see grizzly tracks, it triggering a PTSD reaction, since he found his pop with his guts hanging everywhere.
Other than becoming a bit more clumsy, no one blames Anakawin for his reaction. Evening's dinner is quite satisfying using old season acorn with fresh season fish. Later in the night, the alchuklash keeps watch on the heavens and what the Sky People are up to. Days later, people are hunting and storing for the winter, so aren't bothered when hearing of Mushu being summoned by the ksen.
Meanwhile, Ponoya and Alow are able to get closer, and do. 1 night before they get with each other, Ponoya confides of Kanit seeing a man watching her at the creek, and worried it was a bear, but not knowing how to help, Alow and she get down, she feeling heavy with power next noon. The weeks to come, people hunt further out, and take care for rattlers, as well as bears, since they're expected to be seen at the creek. Ponoya and Alow speak seriously of their future together, and what it could mean for Anakawin and Alow's pop.Ā
1 night as Ponoya and Kanit chat, Nene instructs Kanit not to speak with the possible bear, rather having she wait for a village match than die at the hands of an imposter or bear. Ponoya understands Nene's reason stemming also from how Kanit's older sis had vanished at a bathing pool. The day after this chat, more bear tracks are found, so the women only gather in groups, and are guarded by hunters. The following nights Grandmother Moon wanes, Aleqwel with Chaki and Alow, happy the 2 are joining him on his way to Matilha.
The route they decide on would have them stopping back at Mishopshno to take their work gear, then travel the road to the Center of the Earth World, the 3 excited by the prospect of adventure. Aleqwel wakes early, and goes to the creek, seeing a grizzly, and making loud noises before it got on all fours. Instead of reacting by leaving, it takes another go for Aleqwel, he singing Lizard's song before the bear reacts, and what makes the bear leave is using his atishwin's flute for the 1st time. When the trio make it back home, the people hear of Aleqwel's bravery, and luck, he knowing the people would see him differently no matter what now, and more was coming, since the crazy achana is next.
The month where carrizo is plentiful is when the trio set off 1 foggy morning with their flat baskets, overpacking, but needing it all. Alow learns his tomol'd be closer to being complete by the time they are back, and Aleqwel is told to get more red paint, since he'd be making back for it, not a common occurrence. They're farewell'd by a happy town, still fresh off last night's feast. As they start, they're glad for the cool shade, but it's afternoon, and it's not long before they reach an incline which casts Sun on them.
Alow becomes a little wary when Aleqwel admits he hadn't asked the alchuklash about their short trip, but it doesn't seem necessary to worry over, so they continue to the next camp, where they're given more provisions, people acting reverently around Aleqwel due to his powerful bear encounter. As they climb up a trail, Alow nearly makes a bad idea side trip involving going off trail to see and offer at the shrine pole, but the 2 convince him to stay on track, since Shuku kept their personal store of food nearby, and they didn't need a misunderstanding, convincing Alow they'd rather get to their next camp before night fell. Awhile after though, Aleqwel needs a break, so they give him some tobacco. They reach the top of the peak with effort, finally seeing the valley where the town of Koyo lay.
Aleqwel yearns for the ancient days when people and animals were joined and power made it possible to skip and jump down long distances. Each person and creature speak their own languages, but everyone understood the other. Chaki notes the other upside to walking slowly is not missing the smaller villages on the way, this idea making sense to the 1. The trio is welcomed and the wot puts them up for the night in her simple, commoner level home, in comparison to Mishopshno standards.
The next morning, they leave the wot with gifts, planning to return 1 day, the trio continuing on the sunny, but more even path, loudly chatting to scare any bears away. After a bit more travel following a river, they reach Matilha. They are welcomed by the alchuklash, Chnaway. The trio spend their 1st night with Aleqwel's trading partner he referred to as Uncle, who's fam mourned over the news of Aleqwel's late pop.
The next day, Trade Unc organizes the traders, Aleqwel particularly curious of the long distance traveling Mohave. All the traders are satisfied with their sales and purchases, the trio invited to stay, and they ready to accept. They filled the day with hockey and sweathouse, then eat, during the night, betting on hand games. Alow plays hockey the most, Chaki goes hiking, and hunting more whilst, Aleqwel walks with Chnaway, confessing what he'd been going through with his late pop, the wot not surprised and filling in true details.
Chnaway soon invites Aleqwel to make pigments for his journey he'd be making to the caves, this being his dream request. He also realizes this has been his hidden purpose for having come, the wot stating the caves are dangerous for the uninitiated, unlike him, whom was doing it for his duty as antap. Back at camp with Nene, Kanit, Anihwoy, and Ponoya, they are roasting sihon bulbs. Ponoya is still working despite it being time of the month, she eating more, but energy not high, Nene again warning if bears.
Ponoya feels odd being late, so walk to a hilltop and makes a garland impulsively. After this she sings and dances to her atishwin, hummingbirds coming to her, and drinking from the flowers about her head. When she asks, Hummingbird says she's fine, and wouldn't desert her, and also vaguely alluding to whatever making Ponoya feel off may be a part of her strength or an enemy. Later that night, when Ponoya is back with Pichiquich, and her baby, Pichi wonders why Pono is baby crazy all of a sudden, wanting to spend more time with Kelele.
After this, they hope the trio in Matilha are being sensible. Back in Matilha, early the next morning, Chnaway calls on Aleqwel, Alow is still snoozing, and Chaki out on the mtn with his bow. The 2 are joined by the wot, and they go to a trail upstream. The wot shares of the cave they are going to is an entrance to Shup, and whilst she nurtures the nunashish, it is also where death rules, in the Lower World.
Those with the atishwins with the most strength, survive the caves, the wot soon leading them up another alternate narrower path, speaking in the language of the antap initiates. These caves are used to easily access Lower and Sky World, and since Aleqwel is apprentice of achanas, he'd be safe, as long as he's accompanied. When they reach the cave, Aleqwel is quite agitated with excitement, so he's given tobacco to calm him, he then becoming absorbed in the work, and learning to paint upon the stone. So the next few days pass, he soon being offered to help them mix colors for the foreseeable future.
Aleqwel had romanticized this experience in his head, but now felt an obligation to stay, as well, so accepts, and would come back. Alow, back in town, is soon the most interesting fella when the girls come back from their hot hut of the month. Whilst Alow enjoys their company, he's not particularly drawn to go into the bushes with any of them despite some of their obv hints, they soon giving up, and chatting about him. Next with Chaki, he's hunting deer daily, but today gives up in favor of tracking bobcat tracks, but it leading him into a small cave where he knew he was in trouble, it leading to the Lower World, and filled with nunashish.
Chaki jumps out quickly, and purifies back at the spring below. After, he lays on the ground to regain some of his senses, he gets up, and starts running, then is seen by Aleqwel and the wot, whom catches the haunted man, and assures he'd heal him by Winter Solstice, needing to fast, and giving him tobacco. Their last night in Matilha, Chaki drinks momoy, and feels better, everyone having a feast with the wot. Before leaving Aleqwel makes the proper thankful mentions to everyone who had been hospitable in the wot's household, and in return the wot tells the same advice to which they all respectfully listen, of being polite on their path, not to leave it, and mind themselves.
Before leaving the next morning, Aleqwel visits the wot once more to share a dream which makes him think something bad is coming for her, and Aleqwel must hurry home in case she's pregnant. As they're leaving, the town is already chatting of how obliviously rude the trio were, on top of now being known as ignorant of sex, this getting a big laugh. (If ever were there a chance for a 2nd edition, pg. 211 "that usual". Minor, I know.) They stop once more at the wot's place in Koyo to be told of all the trio'd learned in Matilha before they continue on, she again resisting inviting them to stay, since they seem ready to return home. Alow has an emergency poo in Shuku territory, his cuz, Chaki going after him when too much time passes.
Chaki sees Alow just in time to run at him as 2 Shuku hunters start drawing arrows. Chaki prays to his mtn lion atishwin, and a mtn lion jumps out, Chaki petting the cat as it sits in front of him. Without saying anything to Alow, whom follows, he runs back to where their original path is, they lays in on how careless and close to being killed Alow had been, to which, he is properly feeling guilty, and everyone readies to finish their hike. They get back to town late, so sleep, and by morning, Aleqwel learns Ponoya is missing.
The month where everything is halved. Aleqwel is woken by Anakawin pulling his beard and telling of not letting his blood get warm from Sun's rising, since the rattlers will find him. Aleqwel untangles his bro from him as he comes out from his dream of bears, his bro telling of Ponoya being gone. When Anakawin doesn't reveal more than saying to ask Nene, since they wouldn't tell him more, Aleqwel goes and is greeted by the women.
Nene shares Ponoya was in the roasting pit, having gotten scared by a bear and her cubs, like his dream, and now they don't know if she is still pregnant, since blood had come from her being scared. Alow next arrives talking of fish, til Aleqwel leads him away so they could bathe, and fill him in. His 1st reaction is to visit Ponoya, but Aleqwel convinces him otherwise, so he comforts himself with the thought of at least being able to fish.
Alow goes to check on his pop whilst AleqwelĀ continues to the beach. He greets Saqtele and looks at his carved paddles, complimenting them, and confirming he'd see the Bang-Wearers on the bluffs. Saqtele thought they are dimwitted inlanders, being too afraid to catch the big fish beyond the kelp. On the other hand, they do give them their good sense in bringing aphid sugar, and had lots of energy.
The 2 then return to Saqtele's place for a meal. Alow and his pop are sharing their meal, and Mushu is happy for Alow's business success. Alow decides not to share Ponoya's troubles, since his pop'd hear from gossip. As they eat, Mushu confides in Alow about Wenla, and tries to help her despite the wot's not agreeing.
Alow thinks his pop should be careful, but Mushu knows Wenla will act dumbly if they didn't intervene, so Alow is willing to help. Mushu tells him his new idea, and after he'd gone to bed, Alow sits for a long think as he chews tobacco, and pukes, in good spirits. Everyday for several days, Saqtele and Aleqwel paint the tomol, til all it needs are the ears with shells to be hung on it. Alow's g/pop sees the finished boat, and is quite pleased with the expert work.
Alow is excited by his g/pop expecting him to make use of the tomol soon. Early summer, still dark in the morning, the fishermen help Alow push out to test his new tomol. Alow's quite happy, few leaks needed sealing, and he senses it'd be a quick mode of transport, it feeling light and sturdy. Upon returning it to shore, Saqtele notes and plans to work on the small issues, Alow next thinking of Ponoya and knowing he wanted to marry her, even if the baby is lost.
The day after, the tomol is tested, and is perfect, so Alow sets up a trip with his cousin's to make arrangements with his other cousin on the other island. When they get to his home, his ma state's he's out with his pop, but would be back soon, so he eats whilst waiting. When they return with yellowtail, Kulaa greets Alow warmly, the 2 very alike in temperament, so is always happy to see the other for infrequency. Alow has used his moment alone with Kulaa to request passage for the Michumash woman, Wenla, the 2 planning to hire out a fam member far enough away to be inconspicuous and not be known as a connection to either of them.
They're able to change the subj easily when cousins and Kulaa's ma come back in. Chaki and Pichi return during Alow's test of his craft, Chaki looking much better from most likely following his dietary restrictions. As Aleqwel is playing stick dice, Ponoya returns with their ma, Anihwoy whom is sharing how Ponoya being much better, and the baby is alive. Then, Chaka is summoned by the wot to share of their trade trip.
The next day, Aleqwel is summoned, and is asked about his sis, and whether the bear she saw is something more, which leads Aleqwel to share his dream, but not knowing if the crazy doc is the sender. Aleqwel also shares Alow's close call with Chaki saving his ass, halfway feeling guilty for ratting out his buddy, but doing it for the good of everyone and so the wot could do his job properly. The wot is silent for a moment before sharing a detailed acct of what trading they'd done in their absence, as well as what was paid. After Aleqwel leaves, he sees the Bang-Wearers in a new light, since he felt he should learn their language to conduct eventual business.
Aleqwel also flirts with the idea of furthering his study as an alchuklash, but feels the pull of his paint trade, more. A few days later, Alow confirms with Kulaa of their plan occurring soon, the 3 leaving, and upon getting back, Alow learns from Aleqwel of Ponoya's return, and currently being out with the women. Kanit and Ponoya are gathering seeds together, since Ponoya is still weak, and this suits Kanit, due to her growing paranoia of working in the field alone after declining her admirer at camp. By evening, Anakawin fetches Alow, so he could see Ponoya back home, the 2 taking a walk and catching up, Alow happy, confirming this to Ponoya when she asks, as well as her pregnancy.
Mushu is glad to hear of Alow's update regarding Kulaa's involvement, allowing him peace enough to sleep after many nights of not being able. Some days later, Alow decides to set off with the tomol and his mates, and do some trading, the wot saying he must chat with him right there on the beach. Alow doesn't expect, but is gladdened by the wot urging him to marry Ponoya, esp for the baby's sake. Alow states of doing so when he returns from Michumash, the wot replying, the sooner the better.
The day Alow decides to go, it's Anakawin acting as bailer, to his insistence, and when passing Shalawa, Alow wonders if his cousin's cousins had been asked, yet. They keep going to Syuhtun, though Anakawin is tired, but happy they'd made it. Alow is met by tomol guild members, and help them place their tomol on the beach. He then walks himself to his tomol trading partner's home.
They're given food, then meet the less "grand" wot, as the paqwot in Syuhtun, the wot still valued. The wot begins by complimenting Piyokol, to the trios amazement, Alow asking after him, and learns he's impressing the people, and bards in Mikiw. Afterward, Alow and his partner trade a few items, they staying a few days, and showing Anakawin the shrine hill. They leave new hutash seeds, ilepesh seeds, and money.
Alow thinks of whether the "abduction" of Wenla had happened, yet and then returns to hear a story of attempting to dock a boat in the black night. Mushu is staying away from the sea cave per the wot's banishment. Mushu steps outside for air, seeing the fog and enjoying it, but also haunted by those who are gone to Sky World. Mushu can't stop himself from checking to see if Wenla is waiting at the cave, confiding she not be found out, due to the plan in action for her escape.
Wenla imparts how when she again asks her hubby if she could visit her buddy in Syuhtun, he agrees so Mushu leaves the spiriting away open. Alow hears the day before he's supposed to depart Syuhtun a recent sad accident where 2 wealthy men and a younger woman are traveling, and she drowns after they capsize. When he returns, he saves this rumor last, and his pop takes it badly, becoming ill, Anihwoy getting called to heal him. When he returns to coherency later on with Alow, he accepts responsibility for getting Wenla killed.
Soon, Alow visits Kulaa for news, and is happy to the point of giddiness about a Seal Woman washing ashore the same day as the drowning. Alow returns by sunset, but he can't tell him the news for interrupting his healing ceremony outside. Alow waits til morning to explain everything to Mushu whom is minimally responsive til after, making remarkable recovery and appetite.
The month of shedding leaves and wind blowing them. A Yawelmani ksen come to the Shuku ceremonial enclosure, Ponoya and her fam also going, since they can't pass up the opportunity to secure themselves against the month where bears return to feast on the same items as humans, and didn't like sharing. Ponoya and the rest of the fam and viewers sit quietly, as instructed, so as not to attract Bear as the Yawelmani Bear doc dances near certain people, Ponoya one, and overcome by the stench of Bear. Kanit helps her, whilst Aleqwel had learned some words from the helpful Yawelmani.
The crazy doc doesn't show, but Aleqwel senses he'd be going to the night ceremony, if he did. After, Alow, Ponoya, and Anakawin, walk on the beach after feasting very little, for how unsettled the wonderfully authentic dance was, what with their experiences with all sorts, lately. Aleqwel swims in the surf, as well then sees Halashu with a girl, after which Aleqwel decides to nap til the later ceremony, since he'd again have to wait to chat with Halashu. Tilinawit, wot of Mishopshno heads for the house of his adversary, and host, Shuluwish in Shuku.
Mushu sees him head up the hill, and seethingly wonders which rich wot had tried to kill Wenla, whom is already being brought home. Shuluwish and Tilinawit both walk out to have a personal chat, and Tilinawit learns the bear doc'd be attending and prove why he is important to the village, and potentially for their village, as well. The 2 continue on with a heated discussion regarding Alow's trespass, but women harvesting on their land. Despite this, they part in peace and compromise.
Next, all contributors attend the Bear Ceremony, Shuluwish hosting as music plays, Anakawin gripping a quartzite he'd found like an atishwin. As Bear lunges at people, Aleqwel protects Ponoya as well as calming his own nerves to steady, until being able to kill the enemy legally. Anakawin's reaction brings the wrath of Bear doc, the boy throwing his stone at the face, and Bear doc retaliating by biting him on the shoulder, Anihwoy incensed. Most of the time, the Bear'd puke the flesh back up, but as people throw money at Anakawin, Bear doesn't return the flesh, and the Ceremony ends, which happens only rarely.
When Anihwoy returns with the fam, she aids Anakawin, whom is acting like he'd taken momoy. Aleqwel decides to keep his late appt for trading with a local whom he'd become close with after his desire to learn the Yawelmani language. He even meets their achana and speaks of their people being the 1st to cave paint. As Aleqwel leaves the camp, he walks up on a man and young enhweq, most likely naked under her cloak.
Moving onward, he returns to the trade partner's home, not quite ready to call him a buddy, but currently calling him, "kinsman". The men walk away from the sleepers, building a fire, and conducting a trade which is starting to remind Aleqwel of his struggling bro, as he buys quality paint bricks to eventually sell off island with the help of Alow and buddies. Aleqwel next attempts to casually request to buy ayip, poison and the uncle-figure is quite at ease discussing it, but Aleqwel doesn't realize there'd be so many kinds to choose from, and the killing sort is quite expensive, each ayip made a particular way to have different effects. Aleqwel knows he won't be allowed to use it til the wot agrees, anyways, but he still wishes to be prepared.
Aleqwel is too self conscious, though and buys an unrelated kind of ayip, gushing his thanks with ayip for returning a man's affection. Halashu and Konoyo are chatting of missing seeing each other in the field for harvest earlier, but Halashu also being busy with his duties with his uncle. Halashu next confides not feeling like he had anonymity in Shuku, then shares the wot's decision of Bear doc being within his rights inside the ceremonial grounds of biting Anakawin. Konoyo is fuming for the insult by the Bear doc not giving up the flesh like always, it insulting to their great grandfathers, as well as destroying the fam with the poison, which could spread to the rest of them, if the fam doesn't survive after all their relentless hardships, lately.
Halashu understands this, trusting Aleqwel would wait to act against the crazy doc. Then, Konoyo instructs Halashu on why it was better to choose his own prospective wife than letting his ma, he having confessed how his parents aren't letting him get off the hook any longer. This eases his mind a bit, and he offers they go for a swim. Kulaa meets up with his cousins in Mishopshno to start their trip to the island.
Chaki admits having wanted to see how their shell money is made, Kulaa adamant they'd see. They then spend time with Pichi and Kelele before Alow, his cousins, and Chaki starting to gather their gear for their tomols. As they pack, whether they go will depend on the weather doc's okay. Anakawin is disappointed he can't join this time, Alow sympathetic, and Ponoya gifting a new, woven kneeling pad for his journey.
After Silkiset and his wife inspect the packed tomols, he advises the group to pay attention to the sea, and each other, and they'd bring back wealth for everyone. Silkiset hosts his extended fam til next morning when they'd leave, Pichi not knowing her hubby and she had gotten busy whilst she was half asleep, but only cared to know he'd be back in a month. When they start their journey, Chaki had to rely on each tomol group to remain silent, and close as they pass enemy Shuku territory. By dawn they reach Shisholop, and after resting, continue to Wenemu village, which is right before the channel crossing.
The group stays for 4 days, when the talented weather achanas agree it's perfect time to cross. Chaki is a bit sad to have to lead so soon, wanting a week or more to rev up to the responsibility, but the next morning, he waits patiently as they all prepare to cross. After the achanas advise them, and pray, the men pray, and then bein excitedly. By dawn, they are traveling along Wenemu's coast.
Chaki makes a speech of encouragement to his group after awhile, they buoyed by his words, as well as praying, leaving seeds, and remembering the drowned at sea. They pray again later, and then reach Michumash, celebrating with relief. When they're close to shore, they are met by some tomol guild bros, and welcome them as well as being prepared to trade, when Chaki mentions it. They're hosted warmly before being advised they'd need to travel farther along the coast before reaching where they wanted, so the group move on by their tomols to Kahas village, where Chaki hires "porters" for their luggage, before the group walked on to Minitlala.
A young woman in a tree sees them coming, calls down to the man woman cousin below. Leqte begins dancing the atishwin dance in the tree, prepared for the mainlanders. Qupe, on the ground being joined by Leqte, declares she would be going to the mainland soon to be married, then runs to tell her unc of the group coming. Chaki and group are greeted by the wot and his fam, with Leqte, his daughter, and Qupe's fam, Leqte's uncle.
Leqte chooses between 2 of who she believes may be cousins or bros, Alow and Kulaa, as her mate, then looks at their baskets from where she stood with her fam. Leqte believes they'd be able to get her an exotic gift: a man from the mainland. After the wot's speech, Alow is happy to eat, but so on realizes they haven't much variety. Despite this, the wot welcomes them as long as they wish, the plan being to stay about a month.
Chaki and Alow refrain from power contests like gambling, but no one pressures them, anyways. During the celebratory dancing at night, Alow is lulled to sleep by the seaweed dress dance Leqte and other girls were performing. Alow is given a place to sleep at the asst wot's. Each member of the group is hosted separately for space.
A week goes by pleasantly, and Alow is happy with his purchases, and whilst accepting to see the sights with the wot's daughter and niece, he isn't looking for a wife. Kulaa invites Alow for a quick hike, chatting about the paqwot's duties, due to Chaki staying with him and seeing firsthand. Kulaa then shares how Leqte had given him great directions to get them to a pool connected to the channel. Soon, Kulaa's confessing how Leqte had at 1st annoyed him, but now he is attracted to her.
Alow warns to be careful, since Leqte is also on Earth team, fortunately nothing happening from Kulaa's encounters. Upon reaching the pond, Leqte and Qupe are about ready to jump from a rock near the trickling waterfall nekkid, Alow taken with the scene before praying and jumping into the water. After goofing off in the water for awhile, the 4 trek to an overlook of the valley, and can see the isle of Wima where Alow is from, and wishes to see the money made. Alow gains perspective with his new vantage point of where they'd traveled from and had renewed motivation to stay impartial to Limuw Island.
Month of Festival has Aleqwel and his fam returning to their gathering camps, Ponoya looking much better, as well. They reach home and as Ponoya unpacks, Aleqwel plans to stay near the women rather than hunt just yet, in case of nearby danger. As the women gather seeds, Aleqwel checks the creek for bear tracks, none found. He's momentarily distracted by thoughts of being able to finally dispatch the crazy doc, when Anihwoy asks for reassurance regarding Alow's reliability, Aleqwel able to calm her, despite his own doubts, Ponoya keeping her strength.
Aleqwel does go to search for a willing deer to sacrifice itself for his fam, but none are near the meadow, so he follows the creek cyn trail he'd gone on with the alchuklash. Finally, he catches the buck he'd been tracking, but follows a stank smell nearby as he'd been packing it up to carry back. He discovers a dead deer corpse killed by a bear, so quickly gets his as he resolves to kill the bear doc with or without the wot's permission, pissed off by the bear attacks. Aleqwel amends his decision once getting back to the village to let his great unc know of his plan, since he knew his secret plan could affect his village as much as his fam.
Before leaving for the village, the women would control burn the ilepesh seed fields, so the next harvest'd grow, the women knowing better on how to read the wind to keep it safe from going beyond their desired amount. Aleqwel is mixing much paint for the people participating in the Hutash Festival. When Ponoya, Kanit, and Anihwoy return from helping the burn, Aleqwel makes use of the practice of capturing the running rabbits from the burning fields for what he'd soon be doing to the crazy bear achana. After the controlled burning is complete, everyone fishes, whilst playing sport and music.
Aleqwel interrupts his great unc as he works in the sacred grounds, trying to ask his advice without revealing everything, his g'unc nearly concluding to take it to the wot for advice. In the end, he's told to hold out for permission, then requests to have him help with his paints, he rushing to collect them. The day after, Tilinawit invites Aleqwel over and offers many treats, making him confused. Fortunately, Aleqwel is given permission to go after the bear doc, but must wait til after the festival, to honor Shup.
Shuluwish finally consented, but Alewel should only execute his desire after the new year if Shuluwish doesn't confirm by then. Aleqwel accepts this as time for collecting more atishwins til the new year and protect his fam and village. After leaving, Aleqwel notes how he doesn't care to take momoy again for the last time effecting him longer, but perhaps his great unc's dose would be gentler than the mtn doc. When Alow visits his g/parents, they don't know him, but host him generously like anyone, his uncle ID'ing him for his parents, since Alow couldn't speak Wiman.
Alow gifts them woqo = hard tar used as adhesive, as well as paint, and seeds. Tata, Alow's unc gets along well with him, but his g/pop can't seem to get comfy with Alow's tomolmate around, oddly, since he'd stay'd quiet. After staying a bit though, Alow'd become attached to his newly reunited fam and to the place's charm. Alow is soon joined by Kulaa, and Chaki, they learning of how money is made, and the whole village specializing in creating it, like all villages tended, Mishopshno made of fishermen and tomol builders.
After, Chaki reminds they should be heading home soon, staying longer than planned. During the night, Alow's g/pa stands over him, then relates what Alow thought is of Alow's ma being kidnapped and poisoned by some names mentioned, Mushu and his fam some. Alow attempts to show his denial, his g/pop relating Tata is whom thinks this, mourning greatly over his sis' death. Alow understands, silently getting up to waken his buddies gently, and by sunrise they are paddling across the channel between Limuw and Wima.
By this time, Chaki realizes sickened, he'd lost his atishwin charm around his neck, so he'd have to return. Alow and Kulaa return to a busy wot in Nimitlala as they prepare for the Hutash Festival, the 2 not telling him why Chaki is missing for it being personally sensitive, and is as good as dead without it. The 2 hope to see Chaki walk from Kahas Harbor, soon. Alow also worries of Leqte making a move on him, and is too aware of their relation.
When the wot invites Alow stay for the festival, he accepts since Chaki hadn't returned. During the festivities, Alow worries Kulaa'd go off with Qupe, leaving him open for Leqte to try and ask him. He wants to avoid this, also not gambling, he then noticing the full harmony of the smaller village, right then not ever hoping to return home. Kulaa has overseen an experience between Alow and an unknown older woman early on in their stay, she praising Alow's pop for saving her.
Kulaa thought it was odd, so silently goes into the sweathouse. 1 time, Kulaa'd been gambling on Leqte's fam's team, and won against Qupe and her fam, later in the night Qupe admitting she knew as well as most, Leqte cheats, and had done this time. The 2 get over it due to the commonality for action purposes, then chat of why Alow isn't making moves on Leqte or gambling. Leqte confesses before sleeping of how she's getting the help of their cousin whom wants to marry her himself, to charm Alow to fall for her, believing nothing bad could come from it, and also sharing of Chaki losing something personal, but admits it could be only rumor, before she drops off.
The Hutash Festival lasts almost the week, and Chaki finally makes it back. He hasn't found his power, the others now hoping to return soon, which'd also be better in facing the loss, as well. In the evening, the wot gives a speech on always honoring Hutash properly. People are moved with the speech, throwing freshly collected seeds.
The women dance this dance for doing the wharvest and cooking the seeds. This known ritual eases the visitors' minds, due to the sameness of everyone celebrating the sacred. After, different dances are performed, Qupe's pop dancing the Fox Dance alone, people adding lude lyrics to the crude song. More dances and song continues, the visitors dazzled as they'd hoped.
Alow is having an awakening experience unlike his 1st night of being lulled to sleep. Then he follows the sound of his tomol mate's flute playing. When the festival ends, most visitors have left, but Chaki's group can't bring it up for how forlorn Chaki is in still searching. Alow is finally acting completely crazy over Leqte, the suspect of his being charmed as an excuse.
Next morning, Qupe confides of Kulaa wanting to marry her, Leqte admitting she still doesn't know with Alow. Meanwhile, Tilinawit shares speech of thanksgiving, then everyone proceeds to stuff themselves of the wonderful food. Anihwoy does a dance, and Anakawin asks a difficult question about a lyric in a song, both Aleqwel and Ponoya explaining. Later on, Ponoya voices her concern with Alow's tardiness, Aleqwel reassuring her, Pichi also not showing or admitting worry to Ponoya.
Then, a fight with sweatsticks breaks out between 2 fellas from different tribes. The wot calms them, Aleqwel relieved, but Ponoya worried after the 2 fighters consequences. The 2 walk on the beach to the shrine pole Aleqwel had painted, Ponoya praying for their tardy friends. When an old woman surprises them, she offers to tell Ponoya where "he" is, Aleqwel warning the old woman off.
Ponoya goes for a late night wee in the woods, and the old woman returns to her, allowing she pay her later, and talks of Alow's whereabouts. When the old woman proves her words, Ponoya is pissed about Alow's weakness, wondering how Chaki could stay, storming off. Ponoya's attitude turns to indifference as she works, not being noticed by anyone, since it'd gotten hot. So, 1 day as Aleqwel's grinding paint, she comes clean about the old woman, he annoyed, but agreeing to hire a real diviner to help them get their friends home.
Aleqwel hires a Yawelmani woman diviner, and she sings for Alow's return, using an item which he'd touched, Ponoya acquiring it, and when asked for a certain type of ayip, Aleqwel supplies the correct type he'd bought from his trade kinsman. The woman performs a singing ritual 3 days in a row, and doesn't want to be paid til Alow is back. Meanwhile, Alow's up at dawn, and thinks of going home, Kulaa agreeing, to his surprise. They bring the plan to leave to Chaki, and it doesn't take much to have him agree to leave by nightfall.
The eldest tomol guild bro can't say they wouldn't meet bad weather, due to time of yr, but off they went, all well. They do hit a squall in the middle of the channel, Alow deciding they should still aim for Wenemu. They are lost, but locate a shore, then get hit with sparks from a lightning flash, Kulaa losing sight of Chaki's boat in the back. They are thrown off course to Ihsha, searching for bodies with help from the villagers before continuing home.
Mo. when those who're dry come down. At night, the 2 tomols make it back home, Alow not looking forward to breaking the news of Chaki, but finding courage in knowing at least 1 person would be happy he's back. When he sees Chaki's fam looking to sea for the last boat, so does Alow, since still feeling dazed by the lightning. The wot comes up and congratsing his successful trip.
In the end, a bailer boy confesses the fates of the 3rd boat. Alow feels so terribly as the news spreads, Tilinawit asking what'd happened with the group, when alone. Kulaa explains what had occurred with the liquid crystal. Alow also is struck with how the 3 in the boat couldn't get proper burial or go to Shimilaqsha. Alow is further crushed by how Ponoya won't speak to him, and Kulaa leaves for home in Qoloc.
Alow focuses on helping Saqtele with repairs to his g/pop's tomol. Alow has dark thoughts concerning Chaki's violently grief stricken sis had reacted, having broken her ribs from punching herself with a shell, hoping she doesn't find reason to poison him for the blame he felt. After longer than a week, Alow only chats with his pop, Saqtele, and his tomolmate, no 1 looking for him, but work continuing, so it not affecting him. Alow soon is unable to bear a toothache though, so visits Anihwoy, she having to pull it.
Anihwoy instructs him of his food and sex abstaining for 3 months with neither warmth nor chill, he falling asleep. It's a couple days before Alow regains stable consciousness, Aleqwel confiding his news of the last month. Then he opens up about what he thought of Alow marrying his sis, but advised Alow wait to apologize to her til he's better. After, Aleqwel walks to where the Yawelmani dry fish, and hunted before returning to their landlocked home.
Aleqwel's come to make some purchases, since he also feels guilt for not having thought to q the weather achana's before going with the diviner's help. 1 of the items bought from his trade partner is the black ayip, deciding after where'd be safest to store it til needing it. In the meantime, Ponoya and Alow's reunion has been successful, so Aleqwel hopes Alow can remain loyal o her from now on. When Alow's tooth heals, he returns to a type of normal by fishing for Ponoya and her fam, the issue now being the ghosts in the ocean haunting and diverting him.
Even on land, Alow is mad at Chaki, considering his bad luck had stemmed from entering the cave at Matilha. When he's on the beach, he's so desperate, he sings for his atishwin, no 1 coming til he releases his pent up sadness, Pelican finally turning up, and reminding him how to honor him, and be responsible. Alow is so relieved, he promises and weeps to always check in with his atishwin daily and follow his instructions. On a full moon, Aleqwel drinks momoy for the 3rd time this yr.
After laying down and feeling the effects which, he difficultly allows himself to be consumed by, he's on an ocean cliff. Upon traveling to an almost deserted village, 2 women invite him in to eat as they cook. Whilst he eats, he recognizes Hummingbird woman, and the holhol Condor impersonator. After he sleeps and wakes, they feed him once more then share their fear of Bear, Aleqwel agreeing to help them with grinding face paint.
After some time living and working with the women, he feels desire for Hummingbird woman, but he not able to have her unless he also had Holhol, so he does, and he absorbs the best of them. Aleqwel leaves before either sisters hubbys return. On 1 noon day, he is kicking back on an ocean cliff when he answers a flute call, meeting Lizard and a companion. When whom Aleqwel believes is Coyote, requests food, he obliges with all he had.
Coyote knows Aleqwel has slept with Holhol, his wife, but befriends Aleqwel, and many other incidents occur, with a number of nunashish, but the main story he remembers to tell the alchuklash. Alow regains more sense of self after Ponoya's fam forgives him, he also being less haunted. Alow's renewed intent to marry Ponoya is only paused with whatever Aleqwel plans to do to protect his fam, then Alow and Ponoya's hopefully marry, and for now Alow'd regain more power. He also still avoids Pichi and Kelele, as well as Chaki's pop and fam, since their mourning is deeper, and he feels apart from them.
Alow also is starting to sell everything with the exception of a couple robes saved for himself, and his future hubby, to whoever asks, Halashu one of the 1st. He buys a couple items, then asks Alow to join him at Pichi's. She becomes upset when she spots Alow, but explains why she can't bear him not having to do with him directly. Halashu starts their reunion, which then allows Alow to finally see his niece, Kelele.
Soon, Alow and Ponoya's fam'd be temporarily separated due to the fall season, they moving and Alow fishing. Later, he asks Mushu of when he'd been caught in a storm and landed on Wima Island, and not Michumash, first meeting his mother. Alow admits he also feels Wima is like the Timeless Time, and Mushu confesses having known Chaki and the other's die, and hadn't said anything, he seeing Chaki the night Ponoya'd come for the charm from Alow to bring him back with the diviner's help. His pop ends by advising he not underestimate the Coyote fam when they are weak, since they bounce back, in regards to how weak he'd been acting lately.
Month of Sulupiauset, the 1st Canoe maker. To honor Sulupiauset, fishermen don't go on the sea, Alow having made out well with the mount of fish caught, and his sales, as well as his tomor surviving. He goes to help Ponoya's fam with work, but before chatting with Aleqwel, whom returned with a load of acorns optimistic with dealing with what he believes is a single bear problem, Alow warns of the bear prints around the shrine pole. The wot's, Shuluwish's birthday celebration lasts a day and night, Alow and Ponoya the happiest they've been.
When a fight is taken outside the sacred party grounds, Tilinawit joins the group, and the 2 wot's chatting before leaving together. When Tilinawit returns alone, he chats with Aleqwel alone, the 2 leaving the party without catching anyone's attn. Aleqwel learns the time for him to kill the bear achana is near. He and Tilinawit run to Mishopshno and discover more bad charms of death in their homes.
Aleqwel begins his hunt with the backing of 2 wot's. He tracks the bear achana's home deep in the woods, next setting up his tools and ayip. Mid-prep, the bear achana comes out with his costume half on, and walks off, Aleqwel setting his poison arrow. When bear achana returns with his wood gathering, Aleqwel takes his shot with the poisoned arrowhead without shaft, hitting the bear achana when he'd turned to look at a screeching owl, falling quickly from his shoulder wound.
Aleqwel approaches after regaining composure, not looking forward to releasing the atishwins inside the former man's hut. He takes care of the birds in the house, as well, and is able to cut loose some of the atishwins around the bear achana's neck. Til thunder and amphibians fall from the sky, unable to cut the bear atishwin off in time, Aleqwel runs back home quickly, with relief since life could calm down a bit, finally. A feast is coordinated for Aleqwel's success in protecting the community.
Alow decides to ask Anihwoy a q, which he 1st confides in Mushu before going to Anihwoy in the evening, where she kindly hears him out, since he doesn't have a ma to talk with her about Ponoya. After his successful chat, he returns with the gifts and waits a few days excitedly for word. Then, the 3rd day Ponoya walks to the beach in the robe he gifted her, and when he joins her, she asks for him to return home, and they're married, Anihwoy makes Ponoya's sleeping place larger to include him. Eventually Alow builds a house next door, and Aleqwel feels the change, since he no longer had the same access to Ponoya despite spending many meals and time with the 2.
Despite this, Aleqwel is quite content with his fam's success, now, at least for some days. Soon he's plagued himself with restlessness, for no longer living off his righteous anger. Aleqwel's new standing had people treating him differently, and he misses when people felt more comfortable around him to be familiar with nicknames rather than awe and intimidation by his power. So, Alewel attempts to be patient, but when Alow comes into the sweathouse, he annoys Aleqwel, so he leaves and meets Tilinawit on a hill, near the cemetery.
The 2 return to the alchuklash's home, where they reveal a new rumor being popular of Aleqwel not truly killing the bear achana, since he'd left the bear atishwin. The wot isn't bringing this up to insult Aleqwel, but to also note of a new name for him he must accept, due to the people regarding him differently. So, Aleqwel the Artisan no longer, but Ahiwalich, the Seer, which is a great honor, but Aleqwel'd rather have gone back to "normal". Aleqwel has a dream later, which isn't common, due to the lack of sleep lately, but he's given an offer from Eagle, Coyote, and Owl to become an achana, he thinking about it.
When Aleqwel pleads for advice from his g-unc alchuklash, he's told to go into the hills to chat with the One. He considers his g-unc must mean Chnaway, in Matilha, so once he sees the same dream, he readies to leave the village. On his journey, he's happy to not be constantly judged, but when he thinks to camp past Koyo, and skirts past nut gatherers from the mtns following a stream, he gets lost and soon is coaxing a pelele bird to get him in a small hole in a sandstone wall. He sees the 1st People inside, laying down and sleeping whilst Lizard got the aid of Coyote to cure Aleqwel.
Aleqwel then shares his prophetic dream with Coyote before they feast in his honor. After, his guide back is a Holhol, and when Ahiwalich next wakes, he's alone and in a hot spring. He luxuriates for some time, contemplating the help of his Holhol Condor atishwin before continuing to Matilha. This time he completes his mission without failure, the wot greeting him, and the enhweqs seeing him differently, attractive.
Aleqwel receives permission to visit their alchuklash in the mtn caves, the man accepting him to help detail his dream, then would return the favor to Ahi (Aleqwel). He spends the season with his tutor and then returns home near winter solstice. Before leaving, his teacher advises him further and hopes he returns soon, so they could continue his training. Ahi had a new understanding of the former bear achana no longer flavoring the strong atishwins with bad character, but could rely upon them, as well.
The month when rain keeps people inside. Anakawin is off to locate Alow in the sweathouse, the rains too constant for fishing. Anakawin discovers him, lays next to him, and listens to Piyokol tell stories. Qupe finally gets permission to travel to the mainland to reunite with Kulaa, so her ma'd help with Winter solstice ceremony, and Leqte is there, since she'd also been yearning for this moment, and her parents always tended to agree with her desires.
So, the fam's gently inquiring after the 2 men from Qoloc and Mishopshno. Leqte enjoys the athletic activities at the festival, not worried her wayward love would locate her. What happens, is through Leqte playing hockey, Kulaa recognizers her, and finally spots Qupe on the sidelines, the 2 in agreement about she meeting Kulaa's ma. Leqte is hopeful to discover her lover too now, so travels to Mishopshno where she 1st sees Halashu.
Halashu directs her to where she locates Alow with his fam, and not realizing before Ponoya of who everyone is, the girl almost confused, and thinking she'd come in to the wrong home. Halashu visits and an exit is made for the shamed Leqte, despite no foul words being said, he now helping her deal with her upset. Halashu walks with her on the beach to calm her anger and sadness, then listens to her confession without judgement. When he escorts her back to her parents, no 1 can tell she'd been upset.
Later, Halashu visits Konoyo, and the 2 chat outside of he finding a suitable enhweq for their purpose. Saqtele chats with the ksen of Ahi's change of career and status, he hearing of Ahi painting in a cave with the wot. The Solstice Ceremony and Festival of Kakunupmawa leaves people depleted and content, Ahi going to meet his g-unc in the evening. When he sees his g-unc meet him outside, he realizes the man didn't have much longer, doubting he'd see next winter.
Ahi is asked to share more details regarding what he'd decided to do with the 1st People's offer. It isn't revealed whether he accepts his new role, but his g-unc accepts his decision, asking Ahi's opinion of the paqwot's "prognosis" before leaving, and Ahi returning to the temporary shelter with his ma, sis and aunt before hanging up his net.
The only vague bit is what the paqwot, presumably the mtn teacher's words had been, I don't think it was even mentioned specifically, other than discussing the meaning of Aleqwel's Coyote doctor dream when he got lost. The story is fascinating though, everything clean's up with the exception of 1's fate being 1's own. A pleasant slice-of-life story regarding the extended fam and Mishopshno village, and their place in coastal society. It reminds me of 100 Years of Solitude, but in a year!