True Heart: The Sacred Valleys, the Place You Would Love to Live

By Ruby Nari Mayo

The legend began long ago, when the Earth was young. Even before the coming of men, advanced spirits were asked by Mother Earth to serve as guardians for the planet. Many answered, but four agreed to combine their powers to protect the northwest lands called Sacred Valleys. Throughout the millennia, many spirits left the earth, but few remained to protect all who dwelled beneath the splendor of Thunder Mountain. And so the legend of the Thunder Gods continues.

In the sequel to The Catalysts, the Gods are summoned to protect once more. Through a tragic accident, three children are left orphaned. As Mike and Joe Kelly, with baby sister Carli in tow, trudge along a road to their grandfathers ranch, they soon learn from his neighborsthe Strongbowsthat their grandfather has died. After the Strongbows become their guardians, the children strive to regain a sense of security, heal their grief, and adjust to living in a strange house. Even so, although the Kelly children dont yet know it, the Thunder Gods have selected them to serve as catalysts for change.

But when tragedy strikes again, it is up to the Thunder Gods to save a young boybefore it is too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781426957413

Ruby Nari Mayo

Ruby Nari Mayo is an artist, writer, poet, and am Advanced Reiki Master. She channels for the Light Master Adonis. Ruby has published “Echo of a Dream.” She has white hair, brown eyes, and a slender figure with a great sense of humor. Ruby Nari lives in Blaine, Washington.

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© Copyright 2011 Ruby Nari Mayo.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America.

isbn: 978-1-4269-5740-6 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4269-5741-3 (e)

Trafford rev. 02/14/2011

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North America & international

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Contents

Preface

Legend~

Prologue

~Joe Takes a Ride~

~Mountain Man Hoggins~

~The Journal~

~Mary~

~Moving On~

~The County Fair~

~Fair Days~

~Party Time~

~Final Fair Days~

~Lightfoot and Waggoner~

~Mari Beth ~

~Town Meeting~

~Seely Farm~

~Joe and Miracle~

~Beau Comes Home~

~A Man Comes Calling~

~Hello Mary~

~Demolition Time~

~Kidnapped~

~Lost~

~Waiting Agony~

~The Twelfth Hour~

~The Cave~

~Twenty-Fourth Hour~

~The Thunder Gods~

~The Twenty-Eighth Hour~

~Recovery~

~The Legend of Lightening Boy~

~Holiday Parties~

~Christmas Day~

~Christmas Dinner~

~The Goddess Appears~

~The Frosting on the Cake~

~The House That Love Built~

~Mike and Joe~

~The Thunder Gods~

Epilogue

Preview of Book 3

~The Beginning Quest~

Lighthouse Mission Ministries

P.O. Box 548

Bellingham, WA 98227

360-733-5120

Located at:

910 Holly Street

Bellingham, WA 98227

Mission Statement

"For the Glory of God, Lighthouse Mission Ministries desires to minister to needy men, women, and children through provision of compassionate service in the name of Jesus Christ.

*****

A percentage of the Sacred Valleys book sales will be given to this fine charity with its caring heart, in appreciation for their dedicated work.

Be blessed.

Ruby Nari Mayo

Also by the Author

The Catalysts

True Heart

Echo of a Dream

Coming Soon

The Quest

Blue Feather

The Search

Skye-Child

Son of None

Red Wing

For my daughter, Edra L. Bonsall,

Who has a true heart

Preface

And the Guardians came to me, four in number, one female and three male spirits. They spoke to me and I saw, heard, and observed closely the vision of a magnificent mountain towering over the beautiful lush valleys that surrounding it. The serene aura of the lands filled me with such longing that I wanted to live there.

Vivid scenes flashed by behind my closed eyes, as if I were watching a movie. I saw people that lived in these Valleys who were distinct in personality, rich in character, and richer still in generosity as they helped those who had been ‘called’ to come to these blessed lands, that were protected by the Guardians. I saw people who were desperately seeking succor, I heard their stories, felt their grief, their pain and their loneliness. I rejoiced in their healing, and triumphed with them as they overcame their challenges within the peace of the Valleys.

How could I not write these fascinating stories gifted to me in such a way? How could I not listen and write what the guardians wanted people to know? That it was possible to live without violence; to live with goodwill toward others regardless of color, religion, status or sex. And to help protect and succor the ones who came into these Valleys wounded in heart, mind and body.

I feel blessed to transcribe what I received. I am blessed to give you the people of the Valleys through their activities, sudden romances, dangers, struggles, and the humor that lightened their hearts. I celebrated the victories when people overcome their challenges. Above all to experience the sheer joy of their living in such a unique land.

I sincerely hope you are touched with this magic that you can freely take into your own lives, and perhaps create your own special valley of peace and goodwill.

Again, I must give credit for the help, advice, editing and the support of many people, without whom I would not have accomplished so much; Dorothy Ra Ma Seddon, Maggie Enns, Donna Anderson Bode, Maureen Reney Kelly, George Lloyd, Lisa Lockwood, and the supportive people of Trafford Publishing. Last but not least, my wonderful children and grandchildren. Thank you for your faith in me and in the Sacred Valleys Series. I am indeed blessed.

Ruby Nari Mayo

www.dream-catcher.us

[e-mail]

Sacred Valleys Main and Supporting Characters

The Guardians, called The Thunder Gods: Guardian Spirits that live on Thunder Mountain and overshadow the Sacred Valleys with protection.

Chief Issaquah Blackhawk: Hereditary Guardian of the Sacred Valleys in a long, very long, line of guardians appointed to that position by the Guardians/Thunder Gods. He’s a Shaman with power and wisdom.

Tom Drummer Blackhawk: Son of Chief Blackhawk and heir to the guardianship. A young man who’s heart has been wounded and finds it hard to move on into another relationship.

Michael Mitey: A giant of a man who cooks for Chief Blackhawk and is also a good friend.

Joseph Michael Devereaux: Owner of the Lost Wagon Ranch and grandfather to the Kelly children. He dies suddenly, depriving the Kelly children of family. He leaves his ranch to his grandchildren.

Michael Devereaux Kelly: A young man of fifteen; half Caucasian and Native American. He’s quiet, intelligent and a musical genius of sorts, as well as a guitarist and composer.

Joseph Devereaux Kelly: A boy of seven years, possessing a shining spirit and a golden voice that foretells a brilliant future.

Carli Jean Kelly: Two years old and sister to the Kelly boys and is a true beauty. Her future is unknown, being so young, but there are expectations as she is an intelligent and precocious little girl.

Elroy Devereaux: A distant cousin and a nemesis to the Kelly children who seek gain money through blackmail and threats.

Benjamin Truelove Strongbow: A strong, earthy man connected to the land. He and his wife, Mari Beth, become the Kellys guardians. They own a ranch called Thunder Ranch next door to the Lost Wagon Ranch.

Mari Beth Strongbow: She willingly takes on the care of the Kelly children. She is a fierce advocate of the down-trodden.

Luther Truelove Strongbow: Runs a ranch below Ben’s and becomes an older brother to the Kellys.

Hannah Truelove Strongbow: The unmarried daughter and resembles her Native American grandmother. Hannah is a pretty woman and a wonderful cook. She becomes Joe Kelly’s surrogate mother.

Jack Olsen (Jacko): A cowboy working for Ben Strongbow and plays a significant role as time goes on.

Amber Golight: A certified chef arrives to become a cook/ housekeeper for Luther Strongbow. She and her niece and nephew leave Georgia to find healing from a great tragedy.

Melanie Golight: A true southern beauty of eighteen. She has a gift for painting and carries a heavy load of grief. She’s also been subject to abuse by her mother.

Jack Golight: Is another child of abuse, withdrawn and distrustful until Joe Kelly takes him out of himself.

Jean Hardwell: A sudden storm blows her into the arms of Tom Blackwell. Tom sees a lovely, compassionate, and caring young woman with a young niece. He’s very interested. Ah, romance?

Dan Lightfoot: Was a badly wounded soldier that retuned home for a period of intense healing, before he can take over managing his ranch.

Martha Longfellow: Dan’s housekeeper and surrogate mother, as well as CEO of the ranch, while he was healing from his war wounds.

Jim Waggoner: An ageing rancher with all the concerns and needs of the senior citizen. He and Dan Lightfoot go into partnership.

Nino: A lost boy that was found in Huntington during the county fair by Dan Lightfoot and Jim Waggoner. He’s hurt and has amnesia. The men take him home to the Sacred Valleys while a search is being made for the boy’s parents.

Mary Ellen Van Cliveland: An abused woman with two daughters caught in domestic violence. She inherits a farm in the Sacred Valleys. She’s a teacher and has the courage to start life over in the west.

Raven Chalk: A strong, attractive, single man who buys a ranch in the Valleys. He’s trying to court Hannah Strongbow and finds it a challenge.

Mr. Rockland Hoggins: A mountain man, hermit, and wise man, lives up on Thunder Mountain next to the Guardians.

Dusty Evans: A fine, older man who caters to round-ups, barbecues, and parties with his chuck wagon and large portable grill. He’s also a man of mystery.

James Kilpatrick/Jimmy the Jumper: A newly hired young cowboy on the Kellys’ Lost Wagon Ranch. Jimmy is a humorous man and talented with horses, ropes and girls, who also saves young Joe’s life.

Bob and Carla Zeggler: An admirable older couple and well thought of by people.

Dr. Delia White Bear: Medicine woman and doctor of homeopathy lives on a farm tucked in a canyon north of Blackhawk’s ranch. A very interesting woman.

Peter Little Bear Cameron: A young Native American man who has been called to come home to the Sacred Valleys ever since he was nine years old. He’s seventeen when he leaves the Virginia orphanage and begins his journey west. He arrives at last and finds the home he’s been searching for. Complications and miracles happen.

George Chambers Roosevelt Downey: Is a character with a capitol C; a man of many parts and talents. Blackhawk sends him to Peter Cameron to be his cook. Of course the man is also a famous sculptor and possesses CEO abilities and ends up becoming Pete’s adoptive father.

Tony Cassel: A good man hired by Pete Cameron for his ranch and becomes his friend. More is in store for Tony in the following books.

Know what is within your heart

For therein lies truth and wisdom.

Nari

Legend~

Long, long ago the legend began when the Earth was young and before the coming of men. Advanced Spirits or Light Beings were asked by Mother Earth to come and serve as guardians for various areas of the planet. Many answered.

Four of these Advanced Beings were the female Spirit of Sun and Beauty, the male Spirit of Wind and Storm, the male Spirit of Rain and Snow, and the male Spirit of Thunder and Lightening. They agreed to combine their powers to protect the northwest lands called by Them the Sacred Valleys.

When Native Americans discovered these abundant hunting grounds, the Guardians laid down three simple laws to them. First: no human blood was to be spilled on their sacred ground in violence by another human unless it was in self protection or in the protection of another person or persons. Second: the land was to be cherished and not harmed. The third law: honor and respect all animal life and only take as many animals as to sustain life. To fail these simple laws was to be driven out of the valleys.

Through the millennium many Advanced Spirits had gradually left Earth. Few remained, among these were the Sacred Valleys Guardians, because the people honored them and Their laws and gave daily thanks for the bounty of the lands. And so the Guardians presence remained powerful and protective of all who dwelled beneath the awesome splendor of Thunder Mountain. The Native Americans called the Guardians the Thunder Gods.

The legend of the Thunder Gods continued.

Prologue

The Catalysts,

Book 1

Through a tragic accident in Texas, Mike, Joe and baby Carli Kelly are left orphans. Social Services put them in a Home while searching for relatives. The children are grief-stricken and traumatized by their parents’ sudden death. Social Services found their mother’s father, Joseph Devereaux, living in the Pacific Northwest so the children are sent to him.

The Strongbow’s picked the Kellys up on the road when they tried to walk to their grandfather’s ranch. They are told he had just recently died. No one knew the children were coming. It’s another blow to the already emotionally fragile young people.

The Strongbow’s take them home to their ranch that is next door to their grandfather’s ranch. Later the Strongbows become their guardians. The children strive to regain a sense of security, heal their grief and adjust to living in a strange house that soon becomes the loving home they need.

Life becomes good again. Mike, a quiet young man of fifteen, is a brilliant guitarist/composer, while Joe, Mike’s seven year old brother, has a shining spirit with an outgoing nature, and possesses a golden voice. While the brothers have different coloring, Mike with his dark hair and dark eyes and contrasts with Joe’s blond curls and green eyes, they are very close and their relationship is fun to watch. Young Carli is the beauty of the family with her father’s black hair and her mother’s curls and green eyes; a real heartbreaker in the making.

Unknown to the Kelly children, the Guardians, called the Thunder Gods, have selected them to act as catalysts for change in the Valleys residents, and soon the people of the Valleys begin to attract changes, challenges, and unexpected romances into their lives. With the Kellys arrival, there is constant action and all sorts of interesting developments.

The romance of Luther Strongbow and Amber Golight is fraught with the menace that follows her. Raven Chalk is trying to court Hannah Strongbow and he’s finding it an uphill battle to convince her he’s sincere. Tom Blackhawk meets Jean Hardwell and if he is to find love again, he must give up his wounded heart or ego.

A child is found at the Huntington County Fair, lost, beaten and with amnesia. Dan Lightfoot and Jim Waggoner take the child they call Nino, home to the Sacred Valleys while a search is made for the boy’s parents.

Mike and Joe Kelly are gradually healing their grief under the guardianship of the Strongbows. Their peace of mind is disrupted when an evil man, Elroy Devereaux, a second cousin to the Kellys, begins to harass their ranch in a blackmail scheme, and soon escalates into threatening their lives.

On Ben Strongbow’s roundup Elroy stalks the Kelly boys and sets a dangerous old bull into charging Joe and almost succeeds in getting him kill, and causes a cattle stampede that endangers the lives of the other men.

Elroy escapes jail by a fluke in paperwork and leaves town, but later he sends a letter to the Strongbows threatening the lives of the Kellys. Ben takes the letter to Blackhawk and it’s found to contain a bad virus. Ben meets the God of Wind and Storm. As time passed the Strongbows relax their guard and that’s when Elroy returns.

Strongbow’s

Thunder Ranch

Sacred Valleys

Late September, 1995

 ~Joe Takes a Ride~

Joe sat on the kitchen porch steps and gloomily watched the busy men working around the barnyard. He cast a side glance at Julip Washington, who was leaning against the far porch post holding a rifle. The sight of the rifle depressed Joe. He liked the quiet, young, black man, but this constant companionship was beginning to wear on Joe’s nerves. He never got to go anywhere alone without this guardian haunting his footsteps.

Joe sighed; he wasn’t dumb; he knew how important it was to be protected from Elroy Devereaux. But after weeks of someone shadowing him constantly wherever he went, made Joe want to run wildly around the barnyard screaming like a crazy person. Yeah, Joe snorted, screaming would really impress the guys. But, geeze peeze, having a bodyguard all the time had become smothering, making him feel like his clothes were too tight.

It wasn’t like him to want to be alone, as he was a social kind of guy, still all this hovering had suddenly became too much. Something inside him was yelling run, escape! He knew that riding off alone would be really stupid, and all because Elroy Devereaux had written that nasty letter a few weeks ago, threatening to do really bad things to Mike and himself. No one knew where Elroy had disappeared to either, which was really bad. Ben said he didn’t think anything would happen this soon, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. So now Joe had a bodyguard called Julip, and Mike had Whitey Cranefoot as well. Joe sighed again, and put his head down on his drawn up knees, feeling very sorry for him self. The family was off doing stuff and wouldn’t be back until late afternoon. He had nothing to do, except sit here and go quietly crazy. He sighed deeply again.

Hey, Joe, are you all right? Anything I can do? asked Julip earnestly.

No, Julip, I guess I’m just not feeling very happy.

Yeah, this is a drag, isn’t it? Maybe I should get one of the other guys to take my place for awhile. You must be tired of looking at my face. His white teeth flashed in his handsome face.

That got a short laugh out of Joe. It’s not you, Julip, I like you just fine. It’s the constant hovering that’s driving me nuts.

Ah, yeah, I can see where it would bug a guy. Hard to get his girl alone with me following along behind, said Julip in a serious way.

That caused Joe to burst out laughing. I’m a little young for a girlfriend, don’t you think? But, it’s almost the same thing, isn’t it? A guy needs alone time once in awhile, just to breath free air.

Say, why don’t you call your friend Jimmy, and ask if he can go riding with you? Or one of us guys could go with you? You need to shake the fidgets out of your hide with a gallop on a fast horse.

Joe jerked his head up. Hey, that’s a great idea, thanks Julip. I’m going to call Jimmy right now. He leaped up the steps, banged into the kitchen, and grabbed the kitchen phone.

Lost Wagon Ranch, Dusty speaking.

Hi, Dusty, this is Joe. How are you doing?

Hello, Joe, right now I’m up to my elbows cooking this crew’s dinner. Man, they eat like horses, laughed Dusty.

Well, I can understand why, since you’re such a great cook, Joe said and heard Dusty laugh. Say, Dusty, have you seen Jimmy around? I want to go for a ride and the men here are really busy. I could ask Julip, but he needs a break from babysitting me. Mari Beth and Hannah have gone to town with Carli, Mike’s over there, and Ben went to Claremont, Joe sighed heavily, I just wanted to get away from a lot of people, before I go nuts. Then Joe said angrily, Darn that Elroy, he’s just messing up our lives something fierce.

Yeah, he is Joe. Well, you hang tight there and I’ll find Jimmy and have him ride over.

No, that’s okay, Dusty, just have him meet me up at the north pasture gate between our ranches. I want to go up to Idle Meadow for awhile.

There was a short silence then Dusty said quietly, Joe, it’s not safe to ride that far, alone. I’ll have Jimmy ride over and meet you at the ranch. Give him a half hour, and knowing Jimmy and that horse of his, he’ll be there before you can throw a saddle on Jigger. Darn, he’s going to miss cleaning the barn, Joe laughed at the false regret in Dusty’s voice. You’re a smart boy not to take off by yourself, ‘because that would sure scare everyone. Jimmy will meet you within sight of Ben’s place, alright?

Sure, thanks Dusty, see you.

Joe dutifully left a note for Hannah on the kitchen’s butcher block saying he and Jimmy had gone for a ride and they’d be back by five o’clock.

When Joe came out the kitchen door Julip asked, What did Jimmy say, Joe?

Dusty said Jimmy would meet me up the back road a short ways. This was a great idea of yours, Julip, Joe said cheerfully, You’ll have a break from babysitting, and I’ll get the fidgets shaken out of my hide, all at the same time.

Okay pard, I’ll walk you to the barn. Julip stepped off the porch and walked with Joe across the yard, It sure has been a tough job following you around all day. I’m all worn out, because I can hardly ever get you to sit down and take it easy, complained the long, lean man, Then, when you do, I worry that you’re worried, which tires my brain. I seriously think I need a nap.

Joe snickered. Yeah, you can pull my other leg now. I’ve never seen you tired, Julip.

Well, normally that’s so, but you’re always up to something, running here and running there, never walking. It’s been mighty fatiguing keeping up with you. Joe poked Julip in the ribs and they both grinned.

Joe got Jigger out of the pasture, led the horse into the barn and saddled up. It took the half-hour Dusty had given him before Joe led his horse out of the barn and mounted up.

Where are you off too, Joe, need some company? Jacko asked as he leaned against the barn doorway.

I’m meeting Jimmy and we’re going for a ride. I left a note for Hannah that we’d be back before five o’clock. Holding Jigger in, Joe was anxious that he might be stopped from leaving. Ah, Julip is going to watch me until he sees Jimmy.

Okay, Joe, have a great ride. See you later. Jacko went back into the barn.

Joe sent Jigger into a fast canter out of the ranch yard before anyone could ask him any more questions. He hadn’t gone a hundred yards when he saw Jimmy.

Hi, Joe, what’s the plan? Jimmy grinned, as he leaned an arm on his saddle horn. Joe pulled Jigger to a halt, turned around, waving his hat at Julip then grinned at Jimmy. Up on the mesa, during roundup, Jimmy had saved Joe’s life by shooting an old bull that was chasing him. Now Jimmy was his best friend. They liked each other and the age difference didn’t seem to matter at all.

I just had to get away from all the hovering, you know? It really got to me. Geeze peeze, a guy needs to breathe free air once in awhile, He complained.

Yeah, I can see where too much of a good thing is over the top. It doesn’t seem to matter that you and I know it’s necessary, but I can see it could drive a guy stir-crazy. I’m glad you called me instead of taking off by yourself, Then Jimmy grinned, Besides, you liberated me from having to clean the barn, so I owe you a big favor. Where are we heading, not that it matters? asked Jimmy as they rode side by side toward the north gate connecting the ranches.

I want to go to Idle Meadow, after that it doesn’t matter. Just riding and being free for awhile.

Sure now, that sounds just fine to me. A day of just meandering without a plan in our heads, Laughed Jimmy, and kicked his horse into a gallop.

There were only a few days left in September, yet the weather remained fair with days of bright sunshine that contrasted with colder nights. Today was a perfect day for a ride. They arrived at the base of Idle Meadow and walked their horses up the short hill to the top. There in the center of the meadow was the rock, around which he and Mike had scattered their parents and their grandfather’s ashes.

Joe turned and said quietly, I need to talk to my parents for a bit, Jimmy, Hoping he’d understand.

Sure, Joe, I’ll just mosey over there and wait until you’re finished. Jimmy walked his horse over the side of the meadow, dismounted and sat down.

Joe watched Jimmy making him self comfortable. For the first time he noticed Jimmy had taken a rifle from a scabbard attached to his saddle. A chill ran down Joe’s spine. Even on a fine day like this and just going for a simple ride, the reason for the rifle couldn’t be forgotten.

Joe dismounted and let Jigger wander and chomp on the grass. He walked over to the big rock, sat down, took off his hat and laid it on the ground beside him. The silence of the land was all around him, interrupted occasionally by bird song, the sound of the wind rustling through the grass with a soft whoosh and sigh, almost as if Mother Nature was talking to him in hushed tones.

Well, I guess I should fill you in on what’s been happening down at the ranch since I last talked to you. He told his folks about Elroy’s letter threatening them. We’re really worried because we don’t know where Elroy is hiding, but we believe Elroy will return. So Mike and I aren’t allowed to go anywhere alone. Ben and the others tell us not to worry because we’re protected. I mean, geeze peeze, Elroy is threatening our lives! How can we relax with that hanging over our heads? It just isn’t possible.

Joe heaved a deep sigh and pulled up a little grass with nervous fingers. Well, I’m really scared. I can’t figure out why anyone would want to do what Elroy’s doing. Mike and I think he’s sick in the head. He looked around for a bit then said, Mike’s working on our ranch today, learning all about managing it. He really likes it. We’re getting ready to go to the Huntington County Fair in another week and that’s going to be fun. Of course, it’s only smart not to run around by ourselves there, even if Elroy wasn’t being snake-mean. Mike and I have been surrounded with people ever since we got Elroy’s awful letter. That’s real tough on both of us, being we’re independent guys, and all. Today I choked up so badly I could hardly breathe. Geeze, I just had to get away for awhile, so I thought I’d come visit you for a bit. Oh, I’m not alone! I’ve got my friend Jimmy with me. Remember how he saved my life on roundup? Yep, that’s Jimmy Sure-Shooter Kilpatrick, Joe grinned for a minute then began to brood again.

I guess I could ask the Thunder Gods for protection, but I don’t think They’re allowed to do much, unless you break one of their laws, like having human blood spilled on Their sacred lands, Joe shuddered, and swallowed hard. I sure hope that doesn’t happen to us, the blood I mean, or anyone else’s blood either. Maybe if you’re around, you could sort of intercede for us?

More time passed until Joe shook his head. I guess not, ‘because you’ve gone on just like we wanted. Well, talking it out sure helps me a little, so thanks for listening. At least, I’d like to think you’re listening, in some way. I hope you’re doing well, and God appreciates your presence up there. We still miss you both like crazy, Joe swallowed hard. "I guess we always will, but it’s getting a little easier. Ben and Mari Beth and Hannah are really great guardians. It’s just not as wonderful as it would be if you and Dad here. I wished you both were here, Joe cried for a bit, patting the grass where their ashes had long since disappeared into the soil. Yeah, I sure wished you were here with us, and not somewhere else."

Jimmy kept scanning the surroundings while listening to Joe murmuring as he talked to his folks. When next he glanced over at his small friend, he saw him crying. Jimmy turned his head, gritting his teeth, and looked down the long valley. There wasn’t a thing he could do for Joe, except wait until he collected himself. Jimmy fiercely thought how fine it would be if Elroy showed up now. He’d shoot the man without compunction, just like he did that old bull, then he’d let the Thunder Gods judge his act. After all, he would have been protecting the kid from that man, wouldn’t he? Man? No, Elroy wasn’t a man; he was a monster posing as a man.

After a time Joe took his handkerchief, wiped his eyes and cheeks then gave his nose a good blowing. At least he had his own handkerchief this time. He picked up his hat and got to his feet. Goodbye for now. Thanks for listening. I guess I feel a little better.

Slapping on his hat, he whistled Jigger, mounted and walked his horse over to Jimmy. While waiting for Jimmy to mount his horse, Joe looked around and noticed a faint trail leading in through a stand of dense trees that ringed the meadow.

Hey, Jimmy, there’s a trail there, see it? I wonder where it goes.

Yeah, I see it. I haven’t been up here before. So, mister, do you want to go and explore it?

Joe checked his watch and grinned, We’ve got most of the afternoon left, so yeah, let’s go exploring.

Walking Jigger toward the path, Joe looked down for tracks. It looks like deer and horse tracks and the path looks to be well used. What the heck, maybe we’ll find a hidden treasure, or something really interesting. Jimmy laughed and followed Joe into the trees.

Same afternoon

On Thunder Mesa

 ~Mountain Man Hoggins~

Rockland Hoggins had lived on Thunder Mountain for the past forty years and figured to die right here. He didn’t fear death, for after all it was a natural event in the cycle of life. It was simply going back into the universal womb, to be nurtured and born again in the proper time, hopefully a little smarter, and a tad bit wiser than before. Of course, that was his belief, and he didn’t need people to agree with him or to argue the point either.

People called him a hermit, a wise man, an odd one, and maybe just a bit on the crazy side. They all agreed, more or less, that he definitely didn’t think, or believe, the way the general public did, which made him different. Oh, yeah, they also said he was definitely anti-social. Chuckling, Rockland guessed he was all of those things, yet in a truer sense, he was none of them. They were simply labels that didn’t touch the reality of his soul.

People did a lot of guessing about other people and they weren’t comfortable unless they could, put them in a box and slap a label it. He would say, however, that the people of the Valleys were a lot more tolerant of those who were different and left them alone, as long as they followed the Guardian’s Laws.

The old man sat on his favorite bench beneath a large ancient oak tree at the edge of a small cliff. From this vantage point he could see the lands to the south and to the east but the view to the west was limited by Flat Top Mesa and the long ridge of western hills. Of course he couldn’t see to the north either, because the big mountain was right in his back yard. He had built the sturdy log cabin against its mountainside, like a baby snuggled up to its mother’s breast. Of course, he’d built the cabin when he had been a strong, young man. Rockland chuckled, remembering the magnitude of shock when one day the Guardians had paid him a visit. Now that had been a red-letter day to say the least. It was a wonder that he hadn’t fainted.

Over the years he became easy with Their presence and enjoyed the rare occasions when one or another of Them came calling. Rockland chuckled, if the people knew about those conversations, it would really disturb them. While the residents of the Valleys paid homage to the Guardians for the protection and the bounty of the land, they’d never met the Thunder Gods and probably many questioned Their existence.

Rockland found in nature’s isolation, a life of balance, study, meditation and physical survival. It had taken him his youth to figure out that everyone had a place in which to live, learn and have their being. This was his place, and he didn’t regret his choice in coming here to live. There weren’t many things he needed from the world down in town; nothing much that he couldn’t make or grow, except for a few essentials like staples, books and clothes. Other than that, he was fairly self-sufficient.

Fortunately, he was rarely ill. In fact, the last time he’d had a cold was years ago. So maybe his good health was the result of living a quiet life, exercise, meditation and a good diet. He had constructed a fenced garden down below on Thunder Mesa, which provided him with fresh vegetables that he canned for the winter. He was primarily a vegetarian however he liked to eat fish once in awhile. For his other needs he’d pan a little gold here and there then make a trip to town once a year to stock up on supplies for the winter. He’d buy grain and hay from the ranches for his mules and have it hauled up to his stable. He made rocking chairs that seemed to sell very well. Building them gave his hands something creative to do during the long winters. Lately he’d been thinking about making small tables to go with them. A change would be nice.

His dogs and the two mules were his constant companions, his friends. The puppies, when there was a litter, were carefully given to good people, for they were like his children. Since his adult dogs, Kit and Duke, were getting on in age, Rockland thought he’d keep a male and a female out of the next litter, so he’d always have a reminder of