Free Blind Faith by CJ Lyons

Sarah was ten, hunters had found the remains of what researchers from the Smithsonian eventually decided were two Native Americans dating from the twelfth century.
    A man and a woman. Suicide pact? the researchers had argued. Native Romeo and Juliet? Or the real life inspiration for the Iroquiois myth of Ahweyoh and the Thundergod she had sacrificed her life for?
    Sarah had told Sam about the ancient bones the first night they had spent up here. A crisp fall night, it was just cold enough to require a fire and someone's arms around you to keep warm.
    Even Sam had to admit that this wind-scoured ledge with its canopy of trees and front row seat to the heavens was one of the most romantic places on earth. As long as you didn't look down.
    The sound of the water had been bright and cheerful, splashing in the gorge below, a playful accompaniment to their mutual exploration. They were in love already—even though they had only known each other a few weeks—but neither was quite ready to admit it. Yet.
    "So tell me about this Indian princess," Sam had asked after he put his guitar aside.
    Sarah leaned back into his arms, enjoying it as his fingers strummed the skin inside her wrist as if coaxing a melody from his guitar.
    "You sure you want to hear? Most versions don't have a happy ending."
    "Maybe I'll write a song about her. Make up a happy ending."
    "She wasn't a princess. Just a young girl who lived among the river people. But she refused to marry, despite her family's commands. Instead Ahweyoh took a lover. He was a stranger, frightening to Ahweyoh's people with his broad shoulders and booming voice that stirred ancient memories of the wars between the gods and the evil ones. They wanted no part of those ancient legends, even though the stories were their legacy, ran in their blood. No, all they wanted was peace and quiet, to live beside their river, catch the fish it provided, grow their crops."
    "Hah," Sam had said with a chuckle. "I'll bet that didn't stop two horny kids in love."
    Sarah nudged him with her elbow and continued, "Shunned by the river people for her affair, Ahweyoh was exiled. She packed her canoe and traveled farther than any of her people had ever journeyed before. A great fog enveloped her, storm winds buffeted her, but she followed the current and remained true to her course. When the clouds lifted, He-noh, her lover was waiting. He revealed his true form to her—he was a Thundergod. He invited her to marry him and join him in his house in the clouds."
    "And they lived happily ever after," Sam put in, nuzzling her neck as his hands began to roam beneath her shirt.
    "Not so fast, Music Man. He-noh told Ahweyoh of an ancient prophecy. An evil serpent demon would attack and kill the river people. She renounced immortality to journey back to her homeland and warn them.
    "They scoffed and laughed, assuming the god had cast her aside once he was finished with her. Then the water demon attacked. Ahweyoh called upon her Thundergod's help and together they battled the serpent. She paddled her canoe on the river, serving as a diversion, while He-noh lanced a thunderbolt through the demon's eye."
    Sam squirmed, tightening his arms around her, and Sarah knew that he was now fully engaged in her story. Typical guy—didn't care until there was blood and guts and gore.
    "The writhing serpent's body carved out the gorge, re-routing the once peaceful river into a treacherous length of rapids and waterfalls. As the serpent coiled his body, ready to spring on Ahweyoh, the Thundergod emerged from the mist and severed its head from its body, flinging it to one side. Thus Snakehead mountain was born. The snake's body formed the other mountains to the east and south."
    Sarah had spread her arms wide, indicating the sinuous curves of the mountains hidden in the darkness. Sam ducked beneath her arm, rolling her onto her back as he kissed her thoroughly. "See, a happy ending," he said when he came up for air.
    Sarah had let it