Totoma marched through the swamp, his head down, his eyes focused ahead. Behind him marched Elders, buck and doe alike, of he and his father. His father, Striking Stone, also marched with the elders.
Striking was anxiouse. His son had yet to do anything that earned him a name. And yet Totoma seemed not at all worried or concerned. Even in this march, even with the drive to a part of the swamp where the water was deep.
Where Totoma was going to die.
"An honorable death.." the elders declared, "He has enough time to prove himself."
Now at the appointed place, Totoma stood at the lake's edge. It was just deep enough that if he walked into the middle of it, he could drown. The elders surronded the edge of the lake, shoulder to shoulder. Should Totoma try to escape his fate, the others would hold him in, beat him back if nessicary. If he would not die honorably, he would be killed and remain nameless forever, the greatest shame not only on him, but his kin.
"Totoma, are you ready to meet a honorable fate? With your sacrifice you will be named Standing Stone Who-Died-Honorably. May your name and your fate give comfort and honor to you and yours."
Totoma turned, squared his shoulders and said in a deep voice; "I am Ready To Die".
His voice bounced off trees and the air was still for a long time. The elders finally nodded. Striking relaxed his body and released the breath he didn't know he was holding. His son's declaration was as much about his intent as it was about his name.
No longer nameless, no longer Totoma.
Ready To Die.