The PriZin of Zin by Loretta Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page B

back on the trail leading through the dangling charms. “Friends know.”
     

     
    Up and over the top of the rise, Hunter began to see pointy-shaped, triangular structures. Even from their great distance, he recognized them as teepees . Indians , he thought. No, not just Indians - warriors.
    ‘Seek the warrior’ Alistair had said. Mikey had called them friends. He sighed with relief. They would help him rescue his father.
    Hunter ran ahead. “Come on!” He beckoned Mikey to catch up. The two picked up their pace, Mikey taking longer strides with his great height, and Hunter running alongside to keep up.
    After what seemed like forever, they were within meters of the tribe.
    People , Hunter thought, human contact again . He was so excited to meet and greet others of his own kind, he recklessly turned off the main path to take a shortcut through some brush, down a hill, and out into the meadow where the teepees were. Running downhill he began to barrel forward, unable to control his speed. Once on a fast-paced rate down the hill, he could not stop, bursting forth into the clearing at the bottom. Out in the open again, he ran for the first being that he saw, but stopped dead in his tracks.
    Between Hunter and the Indians stood a tribe of Bigfeet.
    Friends , he thought. Of course .
     

Chapter 7: Training
    train·ing noun \ noun \ˈtrā-niŋ\
    the skill, knowledge, or experience acquired by one that trains
     

     
    Hunter and Mikey stood in the middle of several dozen Bigfeet. The moment the two appeared, the large creatures stopped their games, and huddled around the two newcomers, inching close, sniffing at them like a dog would sniff at its food. Mikey’s face broke into a huge smile. “Hey, brother.”
    A resounding slap on the back from several of his cousins was Mikey’s welcome back to the group. He looked down into Hunter’s widened eyes.
    “Ok. Friends.” Mikey gestured to the group.
    “What are they going to do for us?”
    “More helpers,” Mikey said. “Friends there.” He pointed to the small Indian village on the other side of the meadow. Teepees grouped in a small cluster along the side of a creek were surrounded by a number of dark, tanned inhabitants looking toward them.
    Before he could ask any more questions, Hunter was hoisted onto the shoulders of one of the other Bigfeet and paraded around the open meadow. He looked back at Mikey, still on the edge of the forest. Mikey could see the look of uncertainty on Hunter’s face. He gave the universal ‘thumbs up’ sign to his young friend, and settled back against a tall tree. Scanning the meadow, he counted six other Bigfeet standing guard at the edge of the tree line, all alert and watching the area as Mikey now was. Behind him, Mikey still heard scuffling and rustling in the bushes. Electricity snapped and buzzed in his ears. His hair stood on end down his spine. Standing guard, he stayed at his post while the other Bigfeet carried Hunter forward to meet his new friends in the village.
    Seven large Bigfeet stood on alert at their posts.
     

     
    Hunter stood in the middle of the tribe. Fingers poked at him and pulled both his hair and his clothes from every direction. They seemed especially interested in the belt loops on his blue jeans. He was nervous, but not so frightened that he had to run. They seemed to be fascinated more than anything by his blue eyes and his short blond hair. His colorful t-shirt with a wolf’s image imprinted on it also intrigued them. Tanned brown fingers tugged at the longer strands of his hair at the top, while they pointed to their own long dark brown locks. Their clothing resembled loincloths or very rough woven tweeds. Their hair was adorned with leather thongs tied and beaded, some with beautiful feathers tied to the ends.
    All of the Indians and Bigfeet had darkened brown skin, brown eyes, and dark brown hair. Hunter looked around. The teepees were animal hides, hand-sewn together and stretched over long