Negotiations with the Chieftain

Morning Wood arrived at Titepoos on the very next day, bringing good news with him - the Chieftain agreed to meet the sheriff. The time was somewhat surprising, because it was late afternoon already and it would take an hour-long ride to reach the Indians’ camp. But if that meant making a deal, then Mary could risk missing the evening dance at her brothel. On their way to the Indian’s camp the sheriff had a chance to talk to Morning Wood. He was the one in their tribe who had the greatest talent for languages and would serve as the translator between Mary and the Chieftain.

Mary had expected that a chieftain of a tribe would be an older man, with long grey hair and wrinkled face. It turned out that Hung Like a Bear, because that was his name, was merely a few years older than Morning Wood. He was short, like most of the Indians, about the same height as the sheriff. He had broad strong shoulders and lean athletic posture. His hair was long and dark, but had a few silver streaks here and there. The introduction was short and simple. She then told him her proposal with more details this time. The settlers would be allowed to bring their animals to the river. It was yet to be determined how often they could do that. They would use only a set path and not venture anywhere else. Last but not least - they would pay for the water. Mary would be responsible for maintaining the order. Morning Wood translated everything faithfully, the Chieftain listened patiently. Next the sheriff answered a few questions; she was being completely straightforward and so was Hung Like a Bear. The Chieftain then pondered in silence for a longer moment. Mary knew better than to interrupt him, so she waited patiently. Finally he spoke and Morning Wood translated.

“The deal is fair, but the white man cannot be trusted. We’ll ask our spirits if we can trust you. Come with us.”

Mary did not believe in Indian spirits, but was diplomatic enough not to state her doubts. She had no intentions of cheating the tribe and she hoped that, whatever ritual they had, the Indians would come to the same conclusion. The sheriff was led into a tipi where a fire was lit. She entered it along with Hung Like a Bear, Morning Wood and three other men. Mary was not a botanist, but she was certain that more than just mere firewood was inserted into the pit. She also assumed that pipes which all participants were given were filled with something more than just tobacco.

“Don’t worry,” Morning Wood told her, “just sit and do what everyone do. We all have good intentions. I’m sure the spirits will soon show us that you have too.”

Mary hoped that this would indeed be the case, so she simply followed the instructions.

The smoke coming from the fire was not as obtrusive as the sheriff had feared. The smell was pleasant and she could breathe surprisingly freely. Whatever was in the pipe was much smoother than any tobacco she had ever tried, and she was not a regular smoker. Mary did not understand what the Indians were saying and Morning Wood did not translate it for her. She either sat idly or smoked her pipe when the others did so as well. The whole experience was surprisingly relaxing. The interior of the tipi was hot and a bit crowded, but not uncomfortably so. The sheriff’s sight was slowly becoming hazy. At the same time the feeling of congestion was disappearing. When she first sat her shoulders were barely touching those of the men at her sides; now she no longer felt that touch. Instead she sensed… presence. Of the people surrounding her, yes, but also of someone (something?) else. The feeling was not threatening, quite the opposite it brought Mary inner peace. The tipi overhead seemed to be gone as well. The sheriff could not see the stars, but she felt as if she could sense their light on her skin.

Mary could not see The Indians, but heard them talk. They spoke from time to time, still in their own language, but the sheriff felt that if she focused just a bit harder she could understand them. The other ‘person’ was talking as well, in the same language, and she was close to understanding it as well. Mary was almost certain that the voice was friendly though; she considered that a good sign.

The entire experience seemed to last for hours and was surprisingly soothing. But at one point Mary also felt tension. It was a pleasant kind of tension though, she got… aroused. She looked around to check whether the men next to her had noticed anything, but she could still not see anyone through the thick smoke. She vaguely felt their presence, but nothing more. Her clothes, the practical and comfortable ones, began to feel tight and constrictive. Mary started to breathe faster, she did not understand what was happening, but for some reason she enjoyed it. Then she felt someone touch her breast; it was gentle, merely a caress. There was no hand to slap away, but the sheriff would not want to do that anyway. She still had her clothes on, but the touch felt as if it came on her bare skin. The ‘presence’ was quickly becoming more invasive. An invisible hand grabbed her whole breast. The palm was large, strong and undeniably masculine, but at the same time tender and well tuned to her needs. Soon a second hand joined in and grabbed the other breast.

“Mhm,” Mary let out an involuntary moan and pushed her chest forward. Her clothes had been tight and restrictive only a moment ago, now she felt as if they had completely disappeared and the invisible hands were touching her, now bare and hot, skin. The palms were groping her breasts more possessively now, but it was just as pleasant.

“Mhm,” another moan escaped from her mouth. The sheriff still could not see the surrounding men through the smoke, but she did not want them to think that she was crazy. It was becoming more difficult to control her body. The hands playing with her large breasts, and now also nipples, felt just too good.

“Mhm!” Mary moaned louder when invisible fingers softly squeezed her nipples.

Two hands remained on the sheriff’s breasts when a third one slowly slipped between her legs.

“Mhmm!” another groan escaped from Mary’s lips when a finger touched her clitoris. She could also feel her vagina becoming moist. She feared that the Indians could consider her a lunatic, but she was unable to contain her arousal.

Then the smoke suddenly began to dissipate. Along with it the invisible hands were gone. Mary could again see the men in the tipi. The two at her sides were touching her clothed shoulders. Everything seemed normal, but the sheriff’s arousal had not disappeared and she feared that her face might have been as red as those of the Indians. No-one seemed to notice her state though.

“The spirit spoke to us,” the Chieftain announced and Morning Wood translated, “it told us that we can trust you.”

Mary only smiled in response, for a moment she could not think of a sensible response. Fortunately Hung Like a Bear continued.

“Join us for the friendship ritual.”

The sheriff’s mind was still a bit hazy after the first ritual, but obviously she eagerly agreed. Things seemed to be going really well and she wanted to bring the matter to its completion. Some invisible hands groping her body and turning her on would not stop her.