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//The Sequel to Boy of the Painted Cave// by Amaris Bellord

Tao awakes, he will journey to the Mountain People today. He has to prove himself to them. he gathers his things: the shaman's bag, the shining stone, and wakes up Ram. He will start across the river early after he eats breakfast at the village. He eats part of a left over deer leg, remembering the times when Graybeard came to the caves to teach him to paint and brought along meals. He thought of the feast they had in honor of the new shaman. He was very sad even though there was much ganduer. He would always think of the wise man.

Tao starts off to the river after saying farewelll. Ram is accepted in his tribe. He can paint freely. now all he has to do is become respected.

Tao crosses the river and he sees the Mountain people staring at him holding spears and arrows. "Hello, I am Tao of //all// tribes for I am the new shaman", Tao introduces himself. They lower their spears and bow their heads."We are sorry for our hostility towards you and I would like to aplogize," says the tribe leader, "I am Taleg, leader of the Mountain People." "We are happy you came! the hunt is only a few days away and we were hoping you would come and give us luck," said Taleg, "But what has happened to Graybeard?" Tao was sad for now he knew he would have to relate the story to all the tribes," He told me to paint longhorns in the secret cavern and then he died. I was forced to face Saxon because everyone thought I was a liar when I said he wanted me to be his heir of magic and arts." "You fought Saxon? No one has ever survived Saxon!," exclaimed the Mountain People. "Enough talk, we must show him the sick ones," said Taleg. "Here is Keisha, she is one of the best gatherers we have and she was attacked by a snake. she is dying and we want you to stop her from dying painfully. That will be a good way to prove you are the shaman. we will be back at dusk to bring you your meal." Taleg left and Tao was alone with Keisha.

"Hi Keisha. Where were you bitten? Maybe I could put oils or something else on it." Tao looked at the sick woman and thought," If she screams in pain or dies soon they will kill me saying I was a liar. What can I do?" "Hello, Tao," Keisha said weakly __to be continued__