Free Grey Eyes by Frank Christopher Busch

in pain, cradling the injured hand.
    â€œNo!” shouted Painted Turtle Man, still pinned by the great bear. “Splash the medicine. Don’t pour it.”
    Brown Shield Man took the ladle with his left hand and began splashing the water onto the rocks. The steam heated the lodge beyond tolerance and the people suffered. Some of the drummers stopped singing and drumming, unable to continue against the heat and steam. The lead drummer soldiered on, drumming and singing in spite of the searing heat.
    The elder bear released Painted Turtle Man and looked at Brown Shield Man. It took one step towards him and bit his burned hand. Brown Shield Man screamed but continued to splash water onto the rocks with his free hand. When the elder bear released the hand from his powerful jaws, the hand was healed. The bear sauntered around the lodge, ensuring that all those in need of healing received it. When the elder bear was satisfied, it walked into the smoky red disk as though into a burrow or cave. The song ended.
    Still lying on the floor of the sweat lodge, a gasping Painted Turtle Man called for the door to be opened. The flaps burst open as he spoke. The helpers outside knew the participants would not want any delay in ending the warrior round. Steam billowed out of the lodge in a torrent, as though a volcano had erupted from inside the lodge. One of the helpers was seared in the face. He spun around quickly, gritting his teeth.
    â€œOpen the back door,” instructed Painted Turtle Man as he slowly returned to a seated position.
    The helpers ran around to the other side of the lodge and lifted the hides opposite the main entrance. Steam now poured out of both sides of the sweat lodge.
    â€œBring us some medicine,” requested Painted Turtle Man as he placed the empty water vessel in the doorway.
    The helpers brought forth the water skins and filled the vessel. Painted Turtle Man scooped water with the ladle and handed it to Brown Shield Man.
    â€œPass it to Walking Moon Woman to speak for the water,” he instructed. The ladle of precious water was passed from person to person. They eyed it hungrily but did not drink. Prayers and thanksgiving to Kitchi Manitou always come first.
    Walking Moon Woman took the ladle and held it up high, offering prayers under her breath. She lowered it to the floor and continued to pray. She then poured a dribble on the earth next to the grandfather rocks. She whispered her thanks to the water, then took a long sip from the ladle. She handed it over to Soaring Star Woman, who repeated the process, then drank the remaining half of the water. When the ladle was empty it was passed to Painted Turtle Man, who refilled it and drank.
    Each participant was given the ladle to drink and refresh themselves. Those who had endured the ravages of the third round were quiet and calm. They had earned the right to pray for themselves in the last and final round, which promised to be milder. When everyone had been refreshed and the steam had subsided, Painted Turtle Man instructed the helpers to close the back door and bring in the remaining grandfathers.
    The fourth and final round was ready to begin.
    â€œLove us, Loving Spirit,” prayed Painted Turtle Man. He sprinkled new medicine herbs over the red-hot rocks and shards. The glowing rocks sparkled in answer to the new medicine.
    Painted Turtle Man invited Standing Sun Woman of the northern doorway to speak. As she began, a yellow sun rose out of the smoky white disk and hovered solidly above. A large crane emerged and walked around the lodge slowly, choosing carefully where to step with its long legs.
    â€œI give thanks and praise to Creator for the teachings of the northern doorway,” Standing Sun Woman said. The yellow sun wavered and became a heap of mud and sticks that a beaver crawled over, while scratching and cleaning his face. The crane flew up and away and was replaced by a bull buffalo grazing upon the smoky white