Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit

Pamela and Kimberly drove to Caroga Lake on the designated delivery day, and Kimberly called her mate Danny using Pam’s communication device.

“Yello,” answered Danny.

“Danny, it’s me, Kim.”

“Oh hi Kim. There’s a package here for you.”

“That’s why I’m calling. OK, we’re on our way. We’ll be there shortly,” said Kim.

“Wait, I’ll bring it to you,” said Danny.

“What? Why?” asked Kim.

“Well, it was going to be a surprise... I want to come and spend a couple of weeks with you,” said Danny.

“What about the horses?” asked Kim.

“I have a buddy visiting up here for a couple of weeks and he was looking for a place to stay,” said Danny. “I told him that he could stay here for nuthin’ if he looked after the horses and our other critters.”

“That’s great!” said Kimberly. “But why are you interested in coming to the Five Brothers?”

“Look, Kim, I know I’ve been kind of hard on you about this Sasquatch thing, but you have to understand that I thought it was nonsense,” said Danny apologetically. “Now I realize just how wrong I’ve been. I’d like to meet your big friends and make amends.”

Kimberly smiled gently. Pamela thought she saw a tear in the corner of one of her eyes. “That’s wonderful, Danny. When will you be here?”

“I’m already packed and I’m leaving now,” said Danny.

“Meet us at the end of Pinnacle Road,” said Kimberly. “We’ll wait for you there.”

“OK Kim, see you in a bit!”

Kimberly disconnected her device and didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Kim, what is it?” asked Pamela.

“Danny. He has someone to watch the horses and he’s coming to the Five Brothers for a couple of weeks,” she answered softly.

“What? Danny? Why?”

“He said to make amends for being such a jerk about our Sasquatch,” said Kimberly. “I told you he has a good side once you cut through the crustiness.”

“I know,” smiled Pamela. “I know buddy. This is wonderful.

“Oh, and David, your package came,” said Kimberly. “Danny is bringing it.”

“Great!” said David. “I can’t wait.”

Their conveyance summoned them, and soon whisked them away to the end of the black trail called Pinnacle Road where they waited for Danny’s arrival. Waiting for them was Puyallup and I.

“Hi Madu! Hi Puyallup!” said the Little People more or less in unison.

“Hello,” I grinned. “Shall we get going?”

“No, not yet,” said Kimberly. “We’re waiting for Danny. He’s coming to visit.”

“Danny? Isn’t that your mate?” I asked. “He always acted strange around us.”

Pamela and Kimberly giggled.

“He didn’t believe you Forest People were real,” said Kimberly. “Most humans don’t. But he wants to make up for it by visiting for a time.”

“How will that make up for it?” asked Puyallup.

“Well, we’ll just have to ask him when he gets here,” answered Kimberly.

David was busy rummaging through his RV’s compartments. He soon dragged out a rectangular shaped, black, flat thing.

“Here’s the solar array,” said David. “Do you suppose one of you big guys could carry this truck battery? It must weigh 40 pounds.”

Puyallup walked over, picked it up in his massive left hand, and held it up to look at it.

“Don’t tip it, Puyallup. Try to keep it level,” projected David.

“OK,” answered Puyallup.

David kept going through the compartments.

“Got ’em! Here are the charge controller and the inverter. We’re all set,” he said.

It wasn’t too long before the gray conveyance that Puyallup and I rode in to harvest Bitter Nightshade approached down the black trail. It came to a stop and Danny emerged carrying something.

“Hi Kim, here’s your package,” said Danny.

“Hi! Just give it to Dave,” said Kim.

Puyallup and I stood motionless and watched.

“Danny, you remember Puyallup and Madukarahat?” said Kim pointing.

“C’mon Kim! How could I forget,” said Danny. “How are you guys doing?” he said as he extended his hand to Puyallup, who responded by sticking his tongue out.

“What’s he doing?” asked Danny.

“It is a Sasquatch greeting,” said Kimberly. “Just do it.”

“Really? Are you shittin’ me? Well, OK.”

And Danny slowly stuck out his tongue. I did likewise in greeting.

“OK, it’s getting late, we’d better get going,” said Pamela.

“Hang on, I gotta grab my knapsack,” said Danny, who ran to his conveyance and returned with a container strapped onto his back.

“How far is it?” asked Danny.

“About a three hour hike for us,” said Kimberly. “We travel at a snail’s pace compared to the ground these guys could cover alone.”

“Well, let’s get goin’ then!” said Danny, and off he went down the trail.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at Chase Lake. Danny, unused to exercise like this, was a bit winded.

“Let’s stop and admire the scenery,” said Danny as he sat on the edge of the lean-to floor.

“Admire the scenery, eh?” laughed Kimberly.

Danny knew he wasn’t fooling anyone, especially Kimberly.

“OK, and take a break,” laughed Danny.

“That’s OK Danny,” said Kimberly. “I’m just real happy that you’re here.”

“Me too, Kim. It feels good to get a break from the horses too,” he said. “Let’s go!”

Danny jumped up and started walking. To where, he didn’t know, so he didn’t get too far before stopping. Kimberly and Pamela giggled as they passed him, and Danny followed. Puyallup and I followed last.

We got within sight of the Five Brothers and Kimberly and Pamela stopped, as it was now a tradition. Danny came huffing up behind them.

“Are we here?” he asked.

“No. Shhhhhh.” said Kimberly.

“What’s up?” whispered Danny.

“Look,” said Kimberly pointing. “Those are the Five Brothers.”

Danny squinted off into the distance. He could see sunlight shimmering on the small lakes.

“It is beautiful,” said Danny. “That’s where we’re headed?”

“Yes,” said Kimberly. “That is the home of the Panther, Lower Wolfjaw, and now Falling Water Tribes.”

We all stood in silence for a time, and then Kimberly and Pamela walked off down the trail at a pace quick for Little People. They didn’t get far before being stopped by Alachua, who was standing guard duty.

“Halt!” commanded Alachua. “State your business!”

“Hello Alachua,” I said. “Puyallup and I are returning with Pamela and Kimberly, our Little People friends, and their mates David and Danny.”

“Welcome home,” said Alachua. “Please wait while I make sure you weren’t followed.”

“We will. Thank you,” I replied.

We moved off the trail and seated ourselves on a moss covered area.

“Having sentries is a smart idea,” said Danny. “You never know.”

“We were followed before,” said Kimberly, “and that didn’t end well for those that dared to follow.”

“I imagine it wouldn’t,” said Danny.

After a short time, Alachua told us we could proceed. We were stopped two more times by sentries.

“Security is pretty tight,” said Danny. “I’m impressed.”

“It is necessary for the protection of the tribes,” said Kimberly.

“Protection from who?” asked Danny.

“Mainly people,” said Kimberly, “but now possibly Skunk Apes.”

Danny scrunched up his face.

“Skunk Apes could be a threat to people too then,” he pondered.

“They’re very mean tempered,” said Kimberly. “So yeah, I supposed they could be.”

They chatted as they approached the camp, and were soon greeted by throngs of Forest People.

“Wow, look at ’em all!” said Danny.

“Kimberly! Pamela!” screamed Ady from the crowd as she rushed to meet them. “I’m so glad you came back!”

“Um... Ady... we were only gone for a few hours,” said Kimberly with a smile.

They heard barking, as Chevy, Ruby, Olivia, and Penelope the Baddogs came running to greet them too. Their tails were wagging and they were grinning as only Baddogs do.

“It’s nice to be missed, eh Kim?” said Pamela with a laugh.

“Yeah I guess!” said Kimberly.

Then it was Zena and Caesar who came toddling up to them. Zena walked to me and I scooped her up, and Caesar to Pamela who did the same.

“How come that one is white?” asked Danny as he pointed to Zena.

“Danny!” scolded Kimberly. “Don’t be impolite. That’s Madu’s and Kamela’s child. Sasquatch babies are born in the winter and are white. Most change to brown or black as they get older.”

“Smart,” said Danny.

Danny walked to Zena and smiled. Zena smiled back.

“Beautiful baby,” said Danny to me.

“Thanks,” I mind replied.

Danny’s face froze and his eyes flew open wide. Pamela and Kimberly giggled.

“Whut?” said Danny.

“Thanks,” I projected again.

Danny stared at me with a stupefied look. I smiled.

“Thank you, I think so,” I said.

“Uh... OK,” said Danny.

“No Danny, you can’t say it. You have to think it. It is Mindspeak,” explained Kimberly.

Danny struggled for a moment, but then squeaked out “Zena is a beautiful baby.”

“Thank you, I think so,” I smiled.

Zena reached her arms towards Danny, so I held her out to him. Danny picked her up with a big grin on his face, and Zena grinned back at him.

“How old is she?” asked Danny.

“She was born this past winter,” I answered.

“So... only six months old or so? But look at how big she is already!” projected Danny.

“She’s about the same size as Caesar,” said Pamela, “and he’s about a year older. By next year, Zena will be much larger, I’ll bet.”

“No doubt,” said Danny.

David was going through the container that Danny brought him. Puyallup handed him the thing he called the truck battery. David brought it inside the long house, and then set up the black rectangular solar panels things outside facing the sun. He hooked some other devices up to it. He then took something out of the container and looked up at a nearby tree.

“I need someone to climb this tree and put this antenna up at the top,” said David.

“Mulino!” shouted Ady.

“What?” came a voice from far away.

“Mulino, David needs you to climb this tree!” yelled Ady.

“Mulino is the best tree climber here,” she added.

“Why?” shouted Mulino.

“Because! That’s why!” yelled Ady.

“I don’t want to,” shouted Mulino.

“Mulino Brogan!” shouted Keizer. “You get over here and climb this tree!”

“Aw mom!” protested Mulino. “OK.”

“Hang on,” said David. “I need to attach the coaxial cable to it... wait... there.”

Mulino was there in short order, and David handed the antenna to him.

“Go up as high as you can, until you run out of cable, and then just place it there,” he said.

Mulino took the antenna and scampered up the tree. He got near the top when I yelled at him.

“That’s far enough, Mulino! The branches are too small that high up!”

I no more got the words out when I heard a loud crack. Mulino started to fall, but expertly caught himself. Puyallup and I positioned ourselves at the base of the tree just in case, but Mulino climbed down without any more trouble.

David was connecting his various things together and then ran inside the long house. In a short time he emerged.

“I’m online!” he said with a grin. “I’ve only got three bars, but it’s enough! Once the laptop is fully charged, I can go online for a few hours before needing to charge it again.”

“That’s awesome, lover,” said Pamela with a smile. “You should tell the Elders.”

“You mean the other Elders,” said David with a smile.

“Yes, the other Elders,” said Pamela while rolling her eyes.

“I need to introduce Danny,” said Kimberly. “Let’s head over.”

Pamela, Kimberly, Danny, and David walked to the Circle of Elders.

“Danny, just stand here with the audience. When called upon, approach the Circle slowly with your head bowed. When you leave, bow your head and back away to the audience,” instructed Kimberly.

“Gotcha,” said Danny.

Pamela, Kimberly, and David seated themselves at the foot of the Circle. Kimberly looked around and they all seemed to be asleep.

“I guess I’ll have to wait until they wake up,” whispered Kimberly to Pamela.

The sun started to set when Aurora looked up. Pamela noticed that Aurora nudged the Elder on either side of her with her elbows, and each Elder in turn nudged the Elder next to him. Soon all were awake.

“May I address the Elders?” asked Kimberly.

“You may,” said Aurora.

“Danny?” called Kimberly.

Danny approached the Circle as instructed.

“Elders, this is my mate. His name is Danny,” said Kimberly. “He would like permission to visit here for two weeks. That’s fourteen cycles of the sun.”

“Permission is granted,” said Aurora. “Welcome Danny. Is that a nickname for Daniel?”

“Um... yes,” said Danny in a soft voice.

“I knew an explorer named Daniel a long, long time ago,” said Aurora. “A group of us were exploring lands to the south of here. We encountered a small band of Little People, one of whom was named Daniel. They too were exploring and seeking a way through the mountains to the west according to Daniel’s hand signals, which he learned from the copper skinned ones. We had just passed through these mountains from the west to the east and directed Daniel to its location.”

“Boone,” whispered Pamela to Kimberly.

“Pardon?” asked Aurora.

“Daniel Boone? The pass was the Cumberland Gap?” she stated.

“I do not know the name of this gap, but yes, Daniel’s last name was Boone. How did you know? Did you know him too?” asked Aurora.

“No!” laughed Pamela. “Again, he was alive two hundred and fifty years ago... winters ago.”

“Oh, right,” smiled Aurora. “Welcome, Daniel. As Kimberly’s mate, you are a member of our Tribes and shall enjoy the hospitality and protection of us all.”

“Thank you,” said Danny. “I will do my best to earn your trust and learn of your ways while I am here.”

“David has news,” said Pamela.

“Right. I’m online,” said David.

“On what line?” asked Windago.

“I’m online. I’m on the internet. I was able to connect using the equipment I bought. Mulino was kind enough to put the antenna high in a tree for me and it all works,” he said. “I can research for you now.”

“Ah, our Nerdy Researcher,” said Nakani. “Excellent.”

“What would you like me to research?” asked David.

“Everything,” said Windago.

“Uh... could you narrow that down a bit? Everything is a lot.”

“Everything we don’t know,” said Windago.

“Um... still too much. How about if I research Skunk Apes, see what information is out there?” asked David.

“Out where?” asked Windago.

“Out there. Out on the internet,” said David.

“That would be a good start,” said Windago. “Perhaps Ocklawaha and the Falling Waters Tribe can assist too.”

Ocklawaha stepped forward.

“I’m afraid that we don’t know much. We know that they are very war-like and territorial. We know they kill not just to eat, but they kill just to kill,” said Okie.

The audience gasped, and Windago held up his hand for silence.

“We now know that they have Wizards and can summon Sprites,” said Aurora. “They are in many ways like us, but unlike us as well.”

“I shall research what I can,” said David. “May I be excused?”

“Does anyone have any questions for David?” asked Aurora.

No one spoke.

“No? David, you may be excused.”

David rose and hastened himself to the long house, which was soon illuminated by his flickering light emitting device, which he seemed to enjoy tapping upon.