"It's a cemetery?" I wasn't certain about what I was seeing.

"Mummified bodies, but I'm not exactly sure they are human. I have a feeling this might be a pet cemetery. Proof of domesticated animals who were respected and loved enough to be honored on their death," Chayton said.

"Interesting theory. There's nothing about them in the painting in the other cave. Makes me wonder if that was painted long after these were placed here." I was stumped as to the connection between the two discoveries.

"You know, with the heat and dryness of this climate, could they be as recent as the painting? Are they someone's tribute to their pets over the years?" He poked at one of the white fabric-wrapped objects.

They were placed on pedestals carved out of the sandstone. Ten of them, varying in size from an equivalent of a human infant to the size of a small pony or perhaps a Great Dane.

"Plausible. I think our next step is to contact Parks Services and get the ball rolling on figuring it out. I think we got our wish of an archeological site. Do you think the University of Arizona would be interested?" I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket. Snapping pictures, I got the oversight and then close ups of all the mummies. As per our agreement, I turned it off. There was no service out here in any case.

"We know most of it now. I wonder if Chidi found these before he ended things?" Chayton sounded wistful.

"I'd like to think so." The thought brought me some comfort. "I don't see any objects placed with them, so the pet theory makes sense."

"Let's see if there's anything further up. We've checked three of the four caves. There's one more up a little higher."

"Speaking of which, where did the dogs go?"

"Probably up the last three steps," I said and headed out to pull myself up the next ledge.

Chayton followed me and went up the next two ahead of me. These were more terraces than steps. There were a couple of stones set against the cliff which looked like they could have been benches. Hollowed spots in the top of them made me think of carved wooden chairs. I would use them as a spot to stop and meditate, taking in the magnificent view.

"You know I had a bit of a bet with myself as to what we would find in that last cave,"

"I did too, and it wasn't what I was thinking." Chayton whistled the leave off, and the dogs came out of the cave. Each carried what looked to be a piece of freshly split wood.

Snow was actively chewing on hers, and I removed it from her mouth. Branches with their bark still in place were one thing, this could leave splinters in her gums. "What are you thinking dog? You're going to hurt yourself."

She gave me a soft growl but let go of her prize. I took it with me as I stepped into the cave.

"This is someone's workspace," I said as Chayton and Patch came in. I noticed he had Patch's wood in his hand as well. I dropped my piece on the stack beside the firepit and then went over to a wooden rack covered in various bunches of plants.

"I think there's someone who comes here frequently. I feel like an intruder in a private spot. I'm glad you didn't call Parks yet." Chayton pulled a canteen off a ledge and checked the contents. "Water. And it smells quite fresh."

"I had this pegged as an abandoned pueblo of some sort. It's much more. What was your guess?"

"Just indiscriminate caves. A place to shelter if needed, but nothing much more," Chayton responded. "We have a lot of conflicting things here. Lot's to explain. He pulled a pad of notepaper out of his pocket. "I'm leaving a note here apologizing for our intrusion and leaving a phone number. I think there's a story here, but not one I'm comfortable pulling in any sort of extraneous help for."

"Agreed." I decided photographing this cave wasn't a good idea. "Let's get out of here."

"Do you want to go up to the top?" Chayton pointed to a narrow path leading up the last fifty feet of the cliff.

"No. For some reason, I feel like we need to get down to the horses. This place is making me nervous, like I've been caught with my hand in the cookie jar."

"Me too." Chayton agreed as he peered over the edge of the cliff. "They're fine from what I can see, but let's get out of here."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The sunset was glorious, but the clouds gathering in the west indicated a possible thunderstorm. Silver edges around the clouds reminded me of my grandfather's words. He always taught us to appreciated the beauty around us, even in the things which could produce trouble.

I watched earlier as Chayton unwrapped a leather bundle. Inside, Chidi's tools were grouped together. A fountain pen, several different grades of drawing pencils, a protractor, a metal ruler which also served as a straight edge and a larger eraser.

"Was he a designer?" I asked. It was that or a draftsman.

"He loved color and form. He was the one who suggested the colors when my mother said I could redecorate my room. But his profession was drafting. Precision drawing fascinated him, and even though most of it is done by computer now, he was often asked to do floor plans for several architects working in Vegas and Reno. His drawings of the expected views of the finished buildings were exceptional." Chayton picked up the fountain pen. "He used this to sign is work with this."

He placed them back in one corner of the soft buckskin swatch of leather, and began rolling it up, tucking in the corners as he went. Tying it with leather strips, he patted the completed bundle.

I spent the the rest of the afternoon after we got back from the caves gathering rocks for a cairn at the bottom of the arch. Chayton said we would be better off contacting the University of Nevada. There was a professor there who had a good reputation in Navajo studies and history. I used the satellite phone to call Parks, and they approved of his choice. They also agreed to take it easy on whoever else it was using the caves. A discrete team would come together to investigate our discovery.

Chayton wondered if the herbs drying on the rack were recent, ancient, or somewhere in between. The canteen might have been a red herring. I told him we needed to leave it with the team Parks and U of N put together. In the end he agreed.

Now, with torches we lit from our fire, we headed down to lay Chidi to rest properly. I couldn't help wondering if his spirit was still here. There was a half moon winking in and out as clouds streamed across it. Chayton strode along with sure steps.

"I wish my grandfather was here," I said. "He always knew exactly what to say to make me understand how to accept the hard things in life."

"He would have been welcome," Chayton replied. "But I think this is something I have to do for myself and for Chidi. I have come to realize hanging on to the anger has only given me pain, and that was never his way. I want to let it go. No, more than that, I need to let it go so my life can move forward again. I've been in limbo for far too long."

It was a surprisingly short walk, and as we arrived, I said, "Let me hold the torches. Or if you like we can prop them with a few rocks. I left quite a pile of them over there." I pointed to the heap of red shale.

"Let's build the cairn first, and then I want to say a few words. Let's pile it up against the side of this." Chayton leaned against the west leg of the arch, where we saw Chidi's pitons wedged into fissures leading to the top.

"I wish we had a pipe," I whispered half to myself.

"I heard from the elders; they want to have Malia train with them as a medicine woman. We are slowly building our community back to the traditions which served us so well."

I put my fists on my hips and hissed out a long breath. "And when were you going to tell me?"

"After Malia heals a bit, and after the elders hold the ceremony to announce their choice." Chayton backed away from me, with a half bow and I laughed at his precautionary actions.

"I don't want to miss the rite."

"Of course, not. Why do you think I made a call to Mauro too? After getting in touch with U of N, and connecting them with your contact in Parks, I called him. He's meeting us day after tomorrow in Kannarville." He added three shale slabs to the top of cairn and turned toward me.

I shook my head. Chayton was three steps ahead of me as usual. I had to admit I didn't mind it either. Me, the control freak at work, and I had to really work to not let it get away from me, was more than willing to let him run the show.

He picked up the torches, handing me mine. Grabbing my hand, we turned to face the cairn, and he asked, "Do you want to go first?"

I nodded. "Trust your feet to take you to where you need to go, Chidi. May you have the peace you deserve. Find Haloke and join her, forever together. Your life as mates and lovers was always meant to be. I will remember your story and keep you in my heart. May joy be yours."

Chayton squeezed my hand as he began to speak. "From the moment we met as young children, you were my best friend. Through all the challenges, almost loosing you to injury, and the work you did to recover and become the man who is still my brother, you remained the rock I have depended on. I will do as you have. Let go of my anger and take a deep breath. And with the next I acknowledge you will always be there. Your life and your memory together in my heart. With each opportunity, kindness is my guide and I know you are free at last. Free of the burden your life settled on your shoulders. Goodbye Chidi, until we meet again."

I slipped my hand out of his and snaked my arm around Chayton's waist. Leaning my head against his shoulder, I stood with him in silence. I noticed our torches were starting to go out, and eased away, scuffing the charred end off mine on the ground.

I watched as he shuddered, like he was coming out of a deep trance, and dealt with his torch. Still silent, he began the walk back to our camp.