Blood Brothers

Cuwignaka’s knife moved on his own forearm, and then on mine, and then on Hci’s. “You cannot be a member of the Sleen Soldiers of the All Comrades,” had said Hci, “for you are not Kaiila, and you do not know our dances and mysteries, the contents of our medicine bundles.” “There is another thing,” had said Cuwignaka, “which can be done.” “Do it,” had said Hci. Cuwignaka held his arm to mine, and then I held my arm to that of Hci, and then Hci, in turn, held his arm to that of Cuwignaka. Thus was the circle of blood closed. “It is done,” said Cuwignaka. “Brothers,” I said. “Brothers,” said Hci. “Brothers,” said Cuwignaka. Blood Brothers