The morning paper was a total sellout on the reservation since Blake's picture was at the bottom of the front page. The story was fair and accurate which was a good thing, CJ thought, he could only hope the reporter hadn't gotten wind of the little ceremony that was supposed to happen on Saturday night. Matt and Blake sat at the kitchen table rereading the story for the um-teenth time.

They were waiting for Edgar to fix the carburetor on the truck and then they would be off to the canyon. CJ kept fidgeting with his breakfast. He wasn't really hungry, he was too nervous to eat. The only thing he cared about today would be Edgar's decision regarding Blake. I feel like a kid on his first date, CJ thought, I have to face the father who knows me too damn well by now. At least he knew what the man would see up there on the rim of that canyon and it would surely steal his heart away.

A knock on the side of the bus and CJ went to open the door.

"Good morning, CJ," Edgar said, "Are we all ready for the journey?"

"A pleasant morning to you as well," CJ replied, "Blake, are you ready?" he called.

"You guys have a safe trip; I'll see you this afternoon. Are the dinner plans still on?" Matt asked

"Sure, see you back here later," CJ said.

Edgar drove at a much more reasonable pace then his son and CJ was thankful. They rode in silence, the three of them squeezed into the cab, until Edgar had something to say.

"I want you to know, CJ. John was very impressed with you yesterday. He can be a difficult man at times but he spoke highly of the plans you have for the future. Above all else he sees you as a truthful man who seeks to understand the ways of the Dineh.

"And Blake, I know you wanted to work your charms on me at the canyon today, maybe hoping to influence my decisions, but I've already made up my mind. I want you to get him into a good school that will prepare him for college, CJ. I must be sure that he will not be distracted by the fast life as too many of our young men have fallen into these days. His spirit is sensitive to the forces around him and I think the wisdom to lead is in you so my son will follow. So my son, you have found Hozjho with this man. I would be a poor father if I denied my son his destiny.

"It will be hard for him but you are correct, CJ, he needs more than he can learn here, I must let him go. He cannot become the man who soars like an eagle in the summer sky unless he can spread his wings and see the world through his own eyes. It is his faith in you that gives me the courage to allow him to leave. I have watched you together and see the way you share your spirits, that is why I want to bring your strength into my clan. The Tó'áhaní have been leaders in the ways of the Dineh medicine men. My son will teach you the Blessingway and you will make us proud CJ. I have done my speech now and I can feel how anxious my son is to make some reply, so talk."

"I am ashamed that my manipulations have been so transparent to you, Father," Blake said, "I'm sorry. At first I was embarrassed to talk about my feelings towards CJ but you are right, the Hozjho is there with us in all ways. I'm so glad you'll let me go with him and I promise to seek his council in all things." Turning to CJ as they bounced along the gravel road, Blake smiled.

"CJ, you can't know what the ceremony you will undergo means to me. The truly spiritual things of the Dineh are not always written, many traditions of the clan are not on paper anywhere for other eyes to see. The names, places, knowledge and spiritual balance of the whole Nation are passed down by grandfathers to sons to grandsons so you are at a disadvantage. I promise that I will teach you everything that I can so that your strengths will add to the power of our clans."

Blake had certainly said all of this for his father's benefit. It was a declaration, a solemn promise to help the man know that his son was not abandoning the way of his people. The harmony, balance and peace, the Hozjho of the clan would be preserved. To Edgar and the Dineh this was most important. CJ was now to get his first lesson.

"I am of the Tó'áhaní, the clan of my mother. We are the Near the Water Clan, one of the Four original clans brought forth by Changing Woman in the Fifth world. I know the Creation Myth is confusing to you but it guides the Dineh in all things so you need to understand it. My father is of the Yoo o dine e clan, the Bead People. Although I am of my mother's clan, I am born for my father's. You will be adopted into my father's clan as is his right since you were not born to the Dineh. This is important since a person cannot have relations or marry within his own clan."

CJ had been paying careful attention and was stunned at the conclusion he now drew. Whatever Edgar was thinking it never showed on his face, not during the drive to the canyon or when they turned off the highway and drove along the dirt track towards Blake's secret spot. As before they pulled over at a place Blake suggested and continued on foot. The young man was lugging a backpack this time and it looked quite heavy, CJ wasn't quite sure how he planned to get it down to the ledge.

Blake led them down the path to the face of the rock wall and CJ's stomach had that familiar swarm of butterflies all over again, he wasn't looking forward to the next ten minutes of the trip. They stopped short of the narrow path along which they must traverse downwards to reach the ledge below. Blake climbed upwards to the base of a scraggly bush and pulled out a rope stashed there and began lowering the backpack down the side of the cliff so he wouldn't have to carry it across that dangerous span.

He climbed back down and led the way around the face of the cliff. Again there was the terrifying moment CJ had to face but he didn't look down this time. Edgar took it all in stride, following behind. Soon all three stood staring across the miles of canyon at the rim of hills on the far side. CJ stood to the side as Blake proudly showed his father the eagle carved in the overhead roof.

Edgar spoke a whole string of words in the Dineh language and Blake replied in kind. They spoke for some time before Blake went to fetch the backpack.

"It's like a message from the past," Edgar finally said in English. "As a people, we are so fortunate that our ancestors left such strong messages for us to find. This is a sacred place where hunters came to offer gifts to the gods. Many clans worship the eagle, CJ. As a Holy One it symbolizes the power and the balance in nature. To me this is a place of the Holy Ones, and although I have known that such places existed from stories and legends I am now standing here and my spirit soars like this bird."

"I understand," CJ replied. "It has that effect on me too. The shape and style of this artist is what I first saw on the pottery shard down in Mexico and I was stunned."

"I imagine so," Edgar said. "Within the boundaries of the Four Sacred Mountains there is no creature quite like this great bird. Blake has always been fascinated by the eagle since he was a very young child and they are brothers under the sun. You must understand, I think your bird in Mexico and this one here given to Blake were meant to be joined." Edgar turned his face to the ceiling and stared, his voice was choked with emotion as he spoke. "Just being here under its wings confirms what I said to you earlier, your two spirits were destined to become one. I would be an old fool to stand in the way."

Blake heard that last part as he returned and dropped the pack to the ground. In a gesture that CJ had never seen between them before the young man threw his arms around his father and hugged him tight. The man and his son both had tears on theirs faces now and CJ turned away to look for the eagle he was sure would be there in the sky. His eyes caught the movement of the birds floating in the upper currents, soaring majestically out over the cliffs and canyons that stretched into the distance.

Blake gathered some firewood and although the temperature was easily in the nineties he lit a small fire. He and Edgar had a definite purpose as they went about unpacking the bag, laying out items on a blanket. CJ knew they were about to perform a ceremony of some kind and it was going to involve him. Blake hadn't given him any warning about what might be happening here but if Edgar was involved then it was bound to be serious. They finally seemed set to begin whatever was going to happen and Blake pulled CJ aside to explain.

"I haven't been telling you the whole truth, CJ," he began, "We brought you here for the adoption ceremony."

"I thought that was tomorrow night?" CJ replied. "What's changed?"

"Uncle John felt it would be better done in private. There has been some opposition about this whole thing I'm afraid and he thought it would be best if it was said and done before tomorrow."

"You mean there are members of the clan that don't want a white man adopted?"

"No, it's not that simple and it's probably all my fault. See, I wanted us joined both spiritually and legally. That meant that my father's clan would adopt you to make the legal part but then my mother's clan would have to give me to join us spiritually. Oh I know we are already together in spirit, CJ but I wanted the clan to make it official."

"It's what you said earlier, isn't it? The part about not being in the same clan and being joined. Is what you're proposing...a marriage?"

"I…," Blake stammered, "I was sure that's what you wanted and it was going to be my surprise. I didn't know that some of the council would object and they pressured my father not to adopt you. They like you CJ, but once you are adopted then my mother's clan would be free to join us spiritually and in the Nation it would be legal."

What a clever young man, CJ thought, he planned this whole thing behind my back.

"I'm speechless, dear boy," CJ said, "It's just so unexpected. Are you asking me to get married?"

"Yes, CJ," Blake said. "Nothing would make me happier." Nervously he dug in his pocket and produced a small box. It contained two rings, handcrafted in silver and studded with the finest turquoise stones that CJ had ever seen. "If you had accepted then we would have been able to wear these. I bought them right after you left to go south."

"What makes you think I won't accept? In fact nothing would make me happier than to be joined with you."

Breathlessly Blake stared into his face and asked, "So you'll marry me?"

"Until death pulls us apart," CJ replied. "There could never be another spirit like you in this universe and we should be joined forever."

They hugged long and hard until CJ became uncomfortable. Edgar was standing quietly only a few paces away staring out across at the canyon. CJ heard the cry of the great bird flying above them and knew that this union would be blessed. Blake said they had best get on with the adoption.

They sat close around the tiny fire. Edgar smiled and admitted that even though the Dineh had many ceremonies he had never been to the adoption of a white man before.

"Blake will tell you that our relationship with the gods is guided by many rules, but none of them so strict that we can't improvise as needed," Edgar began. "The intent of the man who makes his pledge to the clan and the Nation is honored more by the acts he chooses then his spoken word. I have to tell you this true story, it will explain much.

"Many years ago, before Blake was even born, I met a young white man who was traveling by foot across our lands. He walked down the road to my store and asked for directions. I asked him if his car had broken down and he said no that he was walking. He had been on the road for many months, always walking, and that he had come from Pennsylvania. He was about the age Blake is now and his clothes were simple. And since he wore a wide black hat, I figured he was Amish.

"I asked him where he was going and he told me he was headed west to see the Pacific Ocean, he'd never been there before. Admittedly I was stunned and asked him if he had walked the whole way from Pennsylvania and was he planning to walk all the way to the West Coast? Yes, he answered, I promised my father.

"Well I just couldn't let that rest so I asked just what kind of promise he had made. This young man smiled and said that he had told his father he wanted to see the whole country instead of the fields he plowed and sweated over every year. He wanted to meet the people of this nation and see what they were like, and he wanted to place his bare feet in the Pacific Ocean.

"His father thought about it for a while, the young man said, and finally gave his consent. He had only one stipulation, the strict rules under which they lived must be kept. He could not ride in a car and could only travel on horseback or in a buggy. The father knew the young man had neither and didn't want to lose his prime farm hand for the planting season.

"What the father didn't count on was his son's determination, and so the young man set off on foot. Now here was this young man standing in front of me and I said to myself this is one honest fellow. He obeyed his father and still is after the one thing he wants most and that is to walk in the ocean barefoot.

"The Dineh prize truth in all things, CJ. This young man had kept his promise to his father and I felt he deserved a hand to reach his goal so I gave him one of my horses. We sat and talked about how he should travel across the desert, knowing that it was likely that he and the horse might perish. He rode off one morning and I never expected to hear from him or see my horse again.

"I finally got a postcard from San Diego. The young man had completed his journey but the horse had perished. Three months after that I got a letter from the young man and in it he sent me two hundred dollars for the horse. He was planning to stay in California, he said, and thanked me for helping him. He also said I might see him walking up the road some day if he ever decided to go home, and he was still planning to keep the promise to his father."

"That's a wonderful story," CJ said. "I think we all seek honesty and are so often disappointed. But when we do find that one person who lives his life for truth it inspires us to be better in our own life."

"Yes, there is wisdom in what you say," Edgar replied. "It is my faith in your spirit and the need for your strength of character amidst my people that brings us here today." He stood and walked to the four corners of the ledge, sprinkling corn pollen in each direction and chanting.

Blake reached into the pack and brought out a small bundle. Inside was a small red pouch that held several feathers, much like the one CJ had been given.

"The symbolism is important," Blake said. "Any kind of adoption has to be a sharing, a binding together of mind and body. Here I have three feathers representing the three of us. I will hold them while you bind them together with the cord and put them in the pouch."

CJ did as requested and handed the pouch to Edgar who then picked up another bundle and unwrapping it revealed a string of shell beads that looked very old.

"These are sacred to my clan and no other than my clansman may touch them," Edgar said, "That includes Blake." Carefully the string was placed around CJ's neck and he felt their weight, the moment passed, he was now in the Yoo o dine e clan, the Bead People.

Now there were other things revealed to him, things that recalled the history and nature of the Dineh. Some objects were so sacred to the clan that Blake was allowed to see but not touch, CJ handled them all carefully and returned them to Edgar who told him things he never would have understood before today. Then came warnings about the hozjhooji and hochxjo, good and evil, the currents of the gods that pushed and pulled their lives in many directions. Edgar explained that this was not unique to the Fifth World. He said that Christianity also identified these things in the eternal struggle of mankind. But to the Dineh they were a much more personal force that came into play at all points of life. Here on earth the gods were always interacting with one another.

The morning gave way to the heat of the day and as the tiny fire died so their ceremony came to an end. Now CJ and Edgar packed away the objects as Blake watched.

"I will speak to John when we return," Edgar said. "He will advise you about the best way to approach my wife. It is to her that you must speak about the plans you and Blake have made for the future."

"I will gladly seek his council," CJ said. And that is all he thought about the whole trip back to Cameron. Damn, this was going to be the hard part. How did one ask a mother for her son's hand in marriage?

They pulled up in front of the trading post just as four large trailers were arriving from the other direction. They were puzzled until CJ remembered what he had asked Miguel to accomplish. My Lord, he thought, what has he gone and done.

A half-dozen Mexican cowboys got down off the trucks and one CJ quickly recognized as Carlos Alvarez's driver.

"Hello, Mr. James, so we meet again," the man said. "Mr. Alvarez sends his best regards, where shall we unload the gifts?"

CJ turned to Edgar with a smile, "As the prospective groom, I must present the dowry to the maternal uncle I think, can you find John? I hope you will be pleased with my present."

Edgar went to find John who was sure to be somewhere about the house this time of day. Within minutes the two men returned.

"What have you got here, CJ?" John asked.

"My dowry for the boy, John. Did you expect I was just going to steal him away?"

"No," John laughed, "I would have expected you to do something like this."

And so the unloading began. As soon as the ramps were laid down, the cowboys began to lead the horses off the trailers. Not the six CJ had asked for but twice that many of the finest stallions and mares that probably had ever graced the reservation. Word spread fast and soon there was a crowd of people gawking at the fine animals that were led into the corrals behind the barn. Edgar was stunned and John couldn't stop laughing. Blake's mother was astonished by the sheer number of fine creatures that passed before her eyes and yet she seemed reserved and quiet this afternoon. CJ began to get nervous and looked to Blake for help in understanding just what he was up against. As the family gathered around the rails of the corral, CJ stole the young man aside.

"Please tell me," CJ groaned. "What do you think she'll do about us, does she already know about the marriage?"

"Relax," Blake said, "She always knows everything before it happens, there's no sense in hiding from her. I know for a fact that she started making me a wedding outfit the day we arrived back here, my sister gave the secret away."

"She's not making you a wedding gown, is she?"

"No silly, I wouldn't wear a dress for anyone, not my style. I think it will be a vest to wear over my shirt, with beads and feathers woven into the seams. Hey, you aren't supposed to see the bride before the wedding anyway, remember."

"I slept with the bride in my arms last night, my young warrior, and we certainly saw everything there was to see about each other."

"The dowry was a big hit, CJ. I think you went too far though."

"Thank Miguel for that, that boy never could follow directions in a small way. Do you think we'll actually be able to pull this off quietly? "

"Are you having second thoughts?" Blake asked.

"No never, why should I?" CJ said. "I count my blessings every day and thank the Mother of us all that you are the best thing life has ever given me. I just worry that this may bring unreasonable pressure on your family and especially you."

"Oh CJ, maybe you'll never understand why I want to spend my life with you, I've tried to explain it in a hundred different ways. I see the outside of you as a beautiful creature whose physical strength adds so much to our love. But I look deep within you as well, sharing your thoughts and your inner self in a way that I cannot describe. You understand me better than any creature alive. It is through you that I will become the man I must become. You make that all possible so we will be married, in body and mind. I love you, white man who is now one of us."

"You are the most unique creature on the face of the planet, Blake. I only hope I am worthy of the trust you place on me."

"We will hold a small ceremony tonight, out on the boulder. A blessing rite called hozoniji, which is usually given at the birth of a new child. I feel that you have just been born to us and we need to celebrate the gift of your life for the People. Don't worry; it will be just the two of us. Now maybe we better get back before we're missed.

"And CJ, let John handle the wedding issue with his sister, she'll give him anything he asks for and he's our best friend right now. You'll be there but let him do all the talking. He could charm the socks off a snake."

"Good, I'm so nervous I could scream. Damn, I do feel like the groom at my own wedding, fancy that."

"Ain't life grand," Blake said. They hugged and with a short kiss were off to face the music.

Blake disappeared into the crowd surrounding the corral and CJ decided to duck into the bus and regain his composure. He found Matt there reading his way through a stack of letters.

"We had some mail sent up to us from San Carlos. Miguel sends his love, by the way and he apologizes for the large number of horses, seems that things just got carried away down there. Carlos had no idea why you wanted horses and he sent along so many in case the gift giving required an extra or two he says. The boy is all keyed up for his trip to Baltimore next week and wants to know if we'll be back by then."

"Yeah, I think so," CJ replied, "right after the wedding."

"Whose getting married?" Matt asked.

"I am, wanna be the best man.?"

Matt dropped the pile of mail all over the floor and as they were both crawling around picking it up the reality of what had been said really hit home.

"You're marrying Blake. My God, are the Navajo ready for that?"

"The little warrior set the whole thing up, I couldn't be happier…I think."

"Wow, will it be legal?" Matt asked.

"Far as I know it will, the Dineh Nation is its own government. It remains to be seen what will happen after that. I don't imagine the US or the State of Delaware will accept it though. But who cares, I'll accept it and that's all she wrote."

"Well congratulations, old chum. Let me be the first to wish you long life and happiness with your new…is it bride?"

"Hardly, call him that and he's likely to scalp your long beautiful hair. Oh God, I'm scared. Never been married before and to a guy half my age yet," CJ said.

"Why is it I just know you'll pull this one off," Matt said.

"I've got John to help me out, that should count for something. I don't even know what the wedding will be like or when," CJ said. "I'll find out this evening though, I have to face his mother then."

"Wow, don't envy you that. Want to hear the latest from home?"

"Sure, did you hear from Danny?"

"Hold on to your hat, Bobby got busted by the cops for drinking on the beach," Matt said. "Danny had to bail him out of jail and it seems the magistrate let him off with a stern warning."

"I still give them a chance, Danny won't want to lose him now," CJ said.

"Justin and the boyfriend are both back in college this fall, I'll enjoy paying that bill when it comes," Matt smiled. "I finally told Miguel the details of our relationship, he thinks I'm a really kind person for helping out, go figure, I thought he'd be jealous."

"Naw, you do have a kind heart. Speaking of telling, how do I tell Thomas I just married his little brother?"

"Oh no, don't get me into that one, Thomas is going to be a sad puppy when he finds out. Hey, why did you agree to this wedding thing anyway?"

"Blake did the asking and I accepted. I'm ready to be married to one man anyway. My life has just been too chaotic. I quit the job, meet you on the beach, drove all over hell and back… I want to settle down. "

"You're right," Matt replied, "besides just think of the work this foundation of yours is going to cause."

"I have, but see there's another reason and frankly it's a selfish motive too…I just want to watch him grow up. You can't imagine the joy I felt last night when I realized the boy had become a man and I had seen it happen with my own eyes. He's going places we haven't even dreamed of my friend, and now I am gonna be there every step of the way and lovin' every minute."

Mrs. Watahomigie was sitting on the side porch carding wool when John and CJ arrived for the wedding negotiations. Her nimble fingers spread the raw wool as she ran the wire studded carding brush over the strands. She smiled as John gave his greeting and as arranged CJ remained silent for the moment.

"Greetings, my sister," John said formally. "I come on a matter you already understand and since there is no one to represent the other family I have chosen to stand for this man."

Mrs. Watahomigie looked up at CJ and smiled for the first time. "Be seated, I am almost finished here." She packed the wool back in the cloth bag beside her chair and put down the brush.

"You do my family honor by the size of your gift, Mr. James. Although some might say you went too far it was explained to me that others chose to enlarge the size of the herd." She gave a short barking laugh. "We are always at the mercy of our friends and it seems you have chosen yours wisely.

"Now that my husband has adopted you, Mr. James, the People will believe what we are about to do is sacred. My brother knows there will be opposition to a marriage. It is not because of our tradition but the white man's ways that intrude here. Perhaps John can explain it better," she said, looking at her brother.

"It is the Christian community that mutters behind our backs, CJ. When this marriage is announced to the People there will be a backlash. The Old Ways have always been attacked by the new faith amongst the People. They have no say in this matter but they will stand against it."

"It is for us to decide," Mrs. Watahomigie said. "My son has chosen his path as I have always known he would. As his mother I will abide by his decision and give my blessing to the joining."

CJ smiled at her and their eyes met. John cleared his throat and CJ remembered what he was now supposed to say. "The Tó'áhaní and the Yoo o dine e clans will gain strength from this union," he said. "I will promise to protect the Ways of the People and see that Blake brings pride to his family. He is yours to give and mine to cherish for all time."

"Well said," Mrs. Watahomigie replied. "I accept your gifts on behalf of my son and my clan. Tomorrow we shall begin to build the hogan for the ceremony. There is little time to gather all who might wish but many will come. Tell me, Mr. James..."

"Please, will you call me Chris or CJ?"

"Yes, Chris and you may call me Ruth if you like."

"Thank you," CJ said," but Blake suggests I call you Mother, if that is all right with you?"

She laughed and nodded her head. CJ was relieved that this meeting had gone so smoothly. John suggested they start making phone calls this evening and set the ceremony for two days hence. Better to get the marriage over and let things settle where they would.

Edgar was called in and the three men went out to choose a site for the hogan. John explained that this would become Blake's home after the ceremony and that Edgar would maintain it while they were away.

"The role of wife falls on him and it will become his property for you both to use whenever you are here with us again. Edgar will choose the site for you and in essence he is giving you the land to use. It will tie you to the People."

The desert was lit with a blanket of stars when CJ made his way towards the boulder to meet Blake. He was surprised when the first person he met on the path was John. Blake sat beside the boulder on the ground tending a small fire.

"Welcome, CJ," John said. "I am here to consecrate Blake's ceremony and then I will leave you. Come, sit beside the fire and be warmed."

He was wearing his full medicine man regalia tonight. The apron and scarf, along with a necklace of beautiful turquoise. Blake wore a simple headband, this one decorated with colorful beadwork.

"Sit beside me, my brother," Blake said. It was the first time he had ever called CJ his brother. He seemed to understand CJ's confusion. "You are of my family through my father's clan, this makes us brothers, although not by blood. Of course we'll forget about that when we get married."

"It is time," John said. "The hozoniji celebrates the birth of a child for the Dineh. The medicine man would be called upon to speak a name for the child. The name might only be temporary depending upon circumstances but at any rate it would change when the boy grew to become a man of warrior's age.

"You are not the first white man to have been given a place in the Dineh Nation either through adoption or marriage. To my recollection none of them survive today so you will be the first one in a long time. I have pondered over what name to give you and even Blake has had an influence over me. But since the name will be known to only us three I thought it should have special significance to honor you." Turning to Blake he said, "We may begin."

CJ was blessed with corn pollen applied to various parts of his body. He was given water to drink and taught the Navajo words to a chant which the three of them performed. The words called upon the gods to bless this child, extolling his innocence and future value to the People. The three of them sprinkled pollen on the fire and bowed to the four corners of the world.

Blake presented CJ with a headband that matched his own. John handed the boy a small jar of white paste and they asked CJ to remove his shirt. With a trembling finger and a tight smile, Blake painted a five pointed star on CJ's chest.

"Our name for you is White Star Maker," John explained. "The stars guide us through the heavens, much as you have guided Blake in his journey to discover himself. Stars figure in the creation legends, we navigate by the stars. There is a wealth of reasons to put a star in your name. But Blake also says that you are the maker of his new life and that is reason enough to bring the two words together."

"I am honored," CJ said, taking John's hand. "For your friendship, for your love and for guiding me through all of this, I would have been lost without you."

He gave John a hug and then turned back to gaze at Blake. "To you, my little eagle, I plan to dedicate my life. My spirit was but a shadow without you beside me. I hope the gods smile upon us for the rest of our days."

"Good," John said, slapping his thighs. "This has been quite a day and the best is yet to come. You are a lucky man, CJ, I wish you all the best and with that I will say good night. I'll leave you in good hands while I go help myself to one of Edgar's beers."

Blake and CJ watched John walk away from the fire and disappear into the shadows towards the trading post. Blake threw another bunch of twigs on the fire and moved over to sit next to CJ. He sat for a moment fingering the star on his chest and then looked up into Blake's eyes. "So I am the star in your life," he said.

"We shared love for the first time under these stars," Blake said. "I will miss them when we are gone from here."

"Yes, the western sky offers a real great view of the heavens," CJ sighed. "Oh we have stars in the east but nothing to compare to these. Still there is a lot to be said for the starlight shining down across the Bay where I grew up. I would love to show you my stars."

Blake leaned against his shoulder and gazed upwards. "There will always be stars in the sky wherever we go, but I would give up every one of them to be with you."

The fire died into a pile of glowing embers as they sat gazing at the sky and watching the universe revolve around them.

Blake's hogan was completed in record time. The site was chosen, blessed by John and construction began immediately. Poles and thatch, rope and hides were all assembled into a modest structure. The Dineh had used this type of shelter since the first of the People had set foot in these lands.

Edgar and CJ walked out into the valley and selected stones for the fire pit, the central heating element and focus of many ceremonies within the family. Each stone was carefully chosen for size and shape and hand carried back to the new hogan. John explained that most of the cooking was done out of doors but during bad weather the fire pit was a necessity for heat and food.

Ruth Watahomigie finally came to inspect her son's new home. Edgar spoke at length of CJ's contribution to the construction of a home for her son. Ruth accepted the new hogan and began a ceremonial sweeping of the packed dirt floor. Edgar presented CJ with a large bed frame made of wood and hides, while John presented cooking pots. The hogan was declared finished except for the Blessingway ceremony.

John had decided that the necessary ceremony could be included in the marriage, the Blessingway being such an all inclusive kind of rite. CJ gathered sticks and larger pieces of wood for the fire he would light tomorrow. No fire would be allowed to burn in the pit until the ceremony was complete and he was joined with Blake.

John went over the ceremony with them. They had to well versed in the moves before the assembly of people who were invited. John explained the knot tying ceremony, the corn pollen blessings to the gods at the four sacred corners and how the doorposts were to be decorated to signify the marriage. The gifts and the rings were put aside, the words they must speak were rehearsed and then John led them to the campfire site where Edgar had built a small fire to warm them.

"So all we need now is an audience," John said.

"Many will come to see, others will stay away," Edgar said.

"I'm sure there will be objections to the marriage," CJ said. "I would just like to get through this in peace for all our sakes."

"Some people will have their say, I'm sure," John said. "To that end I am glad Blake will travel east with you. He would experience the fear and ignorance of these people if he stays here in school. Maybe in time they will come to understand that two hearts must be allowed to join if that is what they choose."


On to Chapter Eighteen

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