The Journey Begins

I'm sitting cross-legged at the entrance to the cave, waiting. I have packed what I am allowed to take into my rucksack. There is not a whole lot of room with the mask I carved from a downed branch and painted with earthen dyes. It was a labor of love and I'm not about to leave it behind. I scouted the area for feathers, leaves, and other adornments and found plenty to authenticate the finished product. I worked the eyes to look like those of an eagle and to make me look fierce indeed when I take my turn dancing beside a campfire.

Ah, I hear the horses in the distance; the jangling of the tack and the creaking of well-worn leather saddles. They will soon be here and the journey will really begin.

Vi