chapter 12

Fighting Dog clapped his brother on the shoulder as they drew closer to the village. “This sun was easy one, yes?”

Black Wolf raised an eyebrow at his younger brother’s words before he exchanged silent laughter with Laughing Antelope who was walking on the other side of Fighting Dog. Mountain Lion Guides and Hawk Soars, who both were walking ahead of the small group, glanced back to give Black Wolf nearly identical smirks before turning back to watch where they were going.

Fighting Dog frowned at all of them, then looked to his older brother. “I spoke wrong?”

Black Wolf shrugged. “Not really, but the way the pale faces say it is, this was an easy day, wasn’t it?”

“Ah, I see,” replied Fighting Dog as they all continued to walk back to the village.

The group had spent most of the day at Jasper’s home, finishing up the last of the repairs, helping him to reclaim his home after what the Gineduli had done to it. At first Jasper had still been recuperating from his injuries, but towards the end of a couple of weeks, he had healed enough to return to his home to help put the finishing touches on the newly rebuilt cabin.

This day was the last day Jasper had needed help in finishing it up, so Black Wolf and Fighting Dog had been the first to volunteer to help out since Jasper was their close friend. Mountain Lion Guides, Laughing Antelope and Hawk Soars had also volunteered as it meant they could spend the day with their friends too.

Since all of them knew English fairly well, except Fighting Dog who was still getting the hang of it, the day had passed with relative ease as they joked and laughed while working together. Jasper’s constant friendly chatter and funny jokes helped the day go by faster and gave Fighting Dog a chance to learn and speak English some more. Fighting Dog always jumped at the chance to learn the language since he wanted to court Porcupine Smiles, yet the language seemed to be more complex than he had thought it would be. Unlike the other four, he continued to struggle to word his sentences the right way.

However, he was still determined to learn it and the others were always a big help, even if they liked to tease him from time to time. He knew it was all in good fun and didn’t take offense to their teasing since it never lasted long. The current moment was a case in point as Laughing Antelope answered his original question.

“It was an easy day since it was the last day Jasper needed help with the cabin.”

“Yes,” agreed Hawk Soars, “especially since we got to spend it together as friends. It made the day go by faster.”

Mountain Lion Guides nodded, “Yes, it did indeed.”

As they approached the area where the horses were kept, Black Wolf glanced at his brother. “Are you going to have dinner with us tonight?”

Fighting Dog smiled as he led his horse into the pasture. “Yes, but I need to go to my home first, to clean up.”

Laughing Antelope set his horse free with a snicker. “Of course you do. Can’t go see your woman smelling like sweat and horse, can you?”

Once all of them had set their horses free in the pasture, then resumed their walk to the village, Fighting Dog scowled at Laughing Antelope. “She is not my woman.”

Hawk Soars grinned. “So, when are you going to make her your woman? You know she’s waiting for it.”

As the others voiced their agreement, Fighting Dog sighed. “I was waiting for the right time.”

Mountain Lion Guides bumped shoulders with his friend as he said, “Take her for a walk after dinner, that is as good a time as any.”

Black Wolf chuckled, “He’s got a point.”

Fighting Dog threw up his hands. “What is this? Do I get a choice?”

Before anyone had a chance to answer, Black Wolf groaned. “Oh no!”

As one, the others looked at him then followed his tortured gaze towards the village. They all saw the group of girls approaching them, especially the one in the lead whom they knew was the reason for their friend’s groan.

Brown Skunk slithered up to Black Wolf’s side, batted her eyelashes and gave him what she thought was a sweet smile. Black Wolf resisted the urge to shudder when she brushed her hand down his arm.

"I heard you spent the day helping the pale face trader with his cabin. You must be very tired and hungry now. If you would like, I can offer you some nourishment for your hard work."

Black Wolf could see the way his friends were trying to hide their smiles behind their hands. They were obviously enjoying his torture. He tried not to sound short with Brown Skunk, but the girl was seriously trying his patience. Lately, it seemed everywhere he turned, she was there lurking and waiting to pounce on him.

"My thanks Brown Skunk, but I have already been informed that my parents have dinner waiting for me at their home."

She tsked as she ran her finger back up his arm. "Hm, well then maybe some other time then. I'm sure my father will be in touch with your father soon. He seems eager to spend more time getting to know both you and your family."

Laughing Antelope leaned close to Hawk Soars and muttered, “More like she is the one eager to be with him while she’s on her back.”

As Hawk Soars covered his mouth to stop his laughter, Brown Skunk looked over her shoulder at them. A clear look of disdain on her face.

"Did you say something?" she muttered.

As Hawk Soars shook his head, Laughing Antelope shrugged. "I didn't hear anything, maybe it was the wind."

Before she could make a retort, Mountain Lion Guides spoke up. "If you will excuse me, I need to get home to get my own dinner started before the sun leaves us."

The others nodded and said their goodbyes to Mountain Lion Guides. Once he was on his way, Hummingbird Flutters moved to Hawk Soars side and smiled at him while Spotted Bat did the same to Laughing Antelope and Rainbow Butterfly to Fighting Dog.

Like Black Wolf, Fighting Dog was now resisting the urge to shudder as Rainbow Butterfly began to flirt with him. "How about you Fighting Dog? I know you live alone, don't you need someone to cook your meals and help you relax?"


"Um, not tonight. My parents have invited me to eat with them too."

She pouted prettily. "Well, that's a shame. You would have enjoyed my cooking, I'm sure. I've been told it is very good."

He grimaced. "I'm sure it is, but I have already told my parents that I would be there tonight."

Rainbow Butterfly sighed as she moved to Hummingbird Flutters side, the latter having been clearly rejected by Hawk Soars as the former had been by Fighting Dog. Only Spotted Bat seemed to have some success in her flirting with Laughing Antelope as even Brown Skunk’s advances were being repelled by Black Wolf.

Finally giving up for the day, but leaving a clear message that she was enlisting her father in her quest to acquire Black Wolf, Brown Skunk motioned to her cronies to follow her as she walked away from Black Wolf. She looked coyly over her shoulder at him, giving him one last flirty wave before turning and swaying her hips seductively while she walked away.

Once the girls were out of sight, Black Wolf let out a huge sigh of relief, prompting Fighting Dog to grimace at him as he said, “Mountain Lion Guides is right, I will take Porcupine Smiles for a walk tonight!”

Laughing Antelope let out a guffaw, “What’s the matter, Fighting Dog? Are you scared of those girls?”

Fighting Dog shuddered. “Did you see look on her face? It says she wants to eat me!”

Black Wolf nodded. “Yeah, that is the look I see on Brown Skunk’s face every time she looks at me.”

When Hawk Soars remained quiet, Laughing Antelope nudged him. “What about you? Did Hummingbird Flutters scare you too?”

Hawk Soars shrugged. “Not really, I just told her that I wasn’t interested.”

Laughing Antelope’s jaw dropped. “Just like that? You just told her like that?”

He nodded. “Yes, I saw no reason to lead her on.”

Black Wolf groaned. “Well, at least you can do that. You’re not the son of the chief.”

Fighting Dog nodded. “Yes, that is true. Luck is you.”

Laughing Antelope chuckled as he corrected his friend, “It’s lucky…lucky you.”

Fighting Dog growled at him. “Yes, lucky him!”

****************************************************

White Swan was doing her best not to slap the leering grin off of Badger Snaps’ face. He had cornered her once again and was flirting with her unsuccessfully. After the incident which she had reported to his father, Badger Snaps had seemed to back off of his taunting of White Swan. That had only lasted a few weeks since now he was once more bothering her again, although his taunts had turned to flirting which still bothered her.

He wasn’t being mean to her anymore, but his flirting left a lot to be desired. He was also constantly invading her space, clearly not familiar with the proper way to flirt with a female. White Swan knew it was flirting, she knew he wasn’t being mean to her and that the words now coming out of his mouth were meant to be flirtatious and not lewd as they sounded to her.

Of course, she couldn’t just come right out and tell him that he was horrible at charming a girl since she was sure not only would he not listen to her, but he’d be insulted and probably would turn mean at that point. So instead, she did her best not to react to his flirting and tried to politely send him on his way without angering him.

Today however, he wasn’t getting the hint so that every time she tried to step around him, he simply stepped with her, blocking her path again. She was now at the point where she wanted to slap him silly so that he would get the hint, but luckily Leah approached them having noticed that White Swan appeared to be agitated by Badger Snaps.

"Is he bothering you?" she asked as she folded her arms over her chest while giving a warning look to the slightly shorter Badger Snaps.

White Swan shook her head. "No, he was just leaving, weren't you?”

Seeing that his time alone with White Swan was over, Badger Snaps shrugged. "Guess I am. It was nice talking to you, baby."

White Swan resisted the urge to snap at him to tell him not to call her baby, instead she waited until he left before she let out an exasperated breath.

“Thanks for the rescue, Leah.”

She shrugged as she gave her a teasing smile, “You looked like you needed a hand.”

White Swan nodded, “Yes I did, he was getting on my nerves.”

“I could see that,” she paused for a moment before adding, “Um, forgive me if I’m being rude, but isn’t he one of your owners.”

“Yes, he is the son of the one who purchased me.”

“Ah,” replied Leah.

White Swan smiled at Leah as she began walking once more, inviting Leah to walk with her. “How are things going for you here?”

Leah returned her smile as she joined her. “Great so far! I’m just happy to be with my little sister again. Plus this tribe is a lot nicer than the last tribe I was with.”

White Swan nodded. “Yes, Rosalie told me a bit about your experience with the other tribe. I’m glad that things are better for you now.”

“Thanks,” answered Leah before she came to a stop to face White Swan with a serious look. “But Bella, I also want to offer you my thanks for what you’ve done for my little sister. She’s told me what a great friend you’ve been for her and how you’ve cared for her in my absence. For that, I’ll always be grateful to you.”

White Swan took Leah’s hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re welcome Leah. But it was nothing really…and I’m sure if the tables were turned, you would have done the same for my little sister.”

Leah gave her a huge smile as she returned the gentle squeeze. “Of course.”

Just as they were about to start walking again, Porcupine Smiles came upon them. She grinned as she saw White Swan. “Hello Bella! Just the woman I was looking for!”

White Swan chuckled. “Oh really? And what is it you need me to do this time? Help you put syrup into Embry’s moccasins?”

Porcupine Smiles flicked her braid over her shoulder with a grin. “Hm, good idea but no. I’m actually here to ask if you are going to join us for dinner? I’ve been informed that Embry has been invited to dine with us, so I thought I’d ask you if you would be there too.”

White Swan shook her head. “I cannot go this time. Swift Arrow is out hunting with some other braves and since he is Elk Brother’s only slave, Squirrel Gathers is helping to care for Elk Brother’s sick wife. With her gone, I am the only one left to prepare dinner for the family.”

“Ah, well just thought I’d ask,” replied Porcupine Smiles before she gave Leah a warm smile. “How are you fitting in Leah?”

Leah returned her smile. “I’m fitting in fine. I know I still have a lot to learn about this tribe’s ways…and I’m still far from understanding the language.”

She turned to White Swan and grinned, “I’ve been told you are the best teacher and translator here.”

White Swan laughed. “Really? Well, I don’t think I’m the best at it, but it’s not a hard task that’s for sure. Black Wolf is also very good at teaching and translating too.”

Porcupine Smiles giggled. “I think she may be a bit biased, Leah.”

As Leah laughed with her, White Swan tsked at them before making Leah an offer. “Leah, if you need any help with learning the language and ways of the tribe, I’m here for you. I can also translate if you need me to. Just know that I’m here to help you fit in if you need it, okay?”

Porcupine Smiles nodded, “Yeah, I’m here to help too…don’t know exactly what I can do since Bella is still helping me out, but hey, I can be a friend if ya need it.”

Leah smiled at both of them. “Thanks girls, I think I’ll be taking you both up on your offers soon!”

**************************************************

“I go to my home to get ready now,” said Fighting Dog before he turned to Black Wolf and added, “I will walk with Porcupine Smiles tonight.”

As Black Wolf smiled and clapped him on the back, the others began making wolf calls and other noises to give him the courage he needed for the night. Fighting Dog walked away with a grin at his friends’ antics, glad that they all seemed to be on his side when it came to the little spitfire he was coming to care for.

He couldn’t wait until after the meal to finally make things official between them. As he entered his home, he wondered if he would even be able to focus on eating or chatting with his family until he would be able to be alone with Porcupine Smiles. He only hoped that their difficulties with each others language wouldn’t hinder him, especially since he didn’t want anyone else to have to be there when he asked her if he could court her.

As he began to prepare for dinner, he practiced what he would say to her in English when he finally got her alone.

************************************************

It was a few minutes after Porcupine Smiles left when White Swan and Leah came upon Black Wolf.

He greeted them both with a smile before addressing Leah. “Hello Leah, I hope everything is good with you?”

She nodded. “Everything is fine. I’ve had lots of help and everyone has been friendly so far.”

“That’s good to hear,” replied Black Wolf. “If you need any more help, just let me know.”

“Thanks,” she said as she glanced over at White Swan with a knowing look. “Um, if you’ll excuse me, I should be getting back soon. Lark Song is supposed to show me how to make one of her special meals tonight.”

She waved goodbye to the both of them as she walked away, leaving them alone as she knew they would want. She may be new to the ways of the Quedeyona, but she wasn’t naïve nor ignorant of the glances Black Wolf and White Swan shared with each other. She had a feeling those two didn’t get much time to be alone, so she high-tailed it out of there to give them what she could.

When Leah was gone, Black Wolf fell into step with White Swan and asked, “Will you be helping Angela and Iris to prepare dinner tonight?”

White Swan shook her head. “I am needed to prepare dinner for my family.”

He frowned. “Something wrong with Jessica?”

“No, Elk Brother just needed her to take care of his sick wife for him today.”

He grinned. “Ah, I take it Swift Arrow doesn’t know how to care for the sick then?”

White Swan laughed. “I’m sure he does, but he’s out hunting with some braves today.”

“Oh, well that makes sense. May I ask, do you know what Swift Arrow’s birth name is since you seem to know the names of most of the other slaves here?”

White Swan laughed at his teasing grin. “Yes, his name is Connor.”

“Connor,” repeated Black Wolf. “Hm, he is from the land that is not friends with the English, yes?”

White Swan nodded with a smile. “Yes, he is Irish.”

“Irish, right.” He smiled as he reached out to hold her hand.

They walked in silence for a while until they got close to White Swan’s home. At that point, Black Wolf gently tugged on White Swan’s hand to lead her to a shadowed corner of the house, away from curious eyes.

She smiled up at him as she leaned back against the wall and playfully asked, “Need something, Jake?”

He returned her smile as he lowered his lips to hers and breathed, “Yes.”

The kiss was gentle and slow, but over much too soon for either of them.

With a sigh, Black Wolf whispered against her lips. “I wish you were joining us for dinner, Bells.”

She whispered back, just as longingly. “Me too.”

She could feel his smile against her lips as he brushed over them once…twice, before he said, “Until next time, ko'nali.”

White Swan simply nodded since she was rendered speechless over his use of the Quedeyona word for the English endearment of honey. She simply stood there watching as he slowly backed away from her, then returned his wave when he finally turned to leave her. All the while, she internally wished she could stay by his side just a little longer.

**********************************************

Leah was thinking about her new life as the slave of the elderly Quedeyona couple whom she now lived with. Things were certainly looking up ever since she was taken away from the Gineduli tribe because not only was she reunited with her little sister, but she was making friends with other people her own age too. Plus, the tribe itself was much more friendly and treated her like a person instead of a piece of property.

She truly enjoyed the time she spent with the elderly couple she now lived with. Although Lark Song couldn’t speak English, she made do with a lot of hand signals and facial expressions when she was talking to Leah. Even though the woman smiled often, Leah was sure that she missed her daughter who had married a man in a neighboring village. At least the couple still had their son living in the Quedeyona village. He was married with children of his own now and both Lark Song and her husband, Snapping Turtle, loved spending time with the grandchildren.

Since their daughter had moved away, the old couple needed someone to help them with day to day chores, so Leah had come along in the nick of time. It was actually their son who had asked the council for Leah to be their slave, which of course the council was more than willing to agree to.

Leah didn’t mind being their slave at all as she quickly saw how well off most slaves within the tribe were. Of course, her little sister seemed to be one exception…and as she began to ponder over her sister’s owners, the flap to the home next door opened and out stepped Mountain Lion Guides.

Her eyes went wide as she took in the sight of his tall, imposing figure. She was a tall girl, taller than most her age and even taller than most men. Yet here was a man who was clearly much taller than her with broad shoulders and a deep voice to boot!

She remembered the day she had met him. He had clearly left an impression, but it wasn’t simply because he had been the first Indian to speak English to her. No, his height and broad shoulders made her feel petite for once in her life and that deep voice had sent delicious reverberations down her spine.

She had never met nor seen another man like him in all of her life.

She was knocked out of her staring as she realized he had gone still and seemed to be appraising her with his eyes the way she had just been doing to him. That made her smile as she realized he was just as drawn to her as she was to him.

Mountain Lion Guides saw her smile and answered with one of his own, although was not as wide nor as cheeky as hers was. Still, he made his way over to her and nodded in greeting.

“Hello, Leah, are you well this day?”

As the sound of his voice traveled down her spine, she managed to answer him with a grin. “Yes, I’m doing even better now, Mountain Lion Guides. How about you?”

When her little cue registered, his smile turned into a full grin. “Hm, I think I may just be feeling the same way.”

His grin and the way he had easily returned her flirtatious words back actually shocked her. She hadn’t thought the stoic looking warrior had it in him to let loose like that.

When she didn’t say anything else, he spoke up again. “Are you visiting Snapping Turtle or…”

She shook her head. “No, I live with them. Their son purchased me from the council.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Really? Well, imagine that! The Great Spirit must be favoring me lately.”

She tilted her head in question. “Why do you say that?”

He gave her a smile not unlike the one she had given him when she had answered his greeting. “Because you have been placed in the home that is right next to mine.”

As he indicated the building he had just come out of with a wave of his hand, her eyes sparkled at him. “Hm, well I think I’m going to have to agree with you on that one.”

Their smiles matched as they both thought how lucky they were to be so close to each other. Mountain Lion Guides was sure she would accept his offer to help her learn the language and the ways of his people just as Leah was sure she would use any excuse she could to visit her handsome new neighbor.

******************************************************

Porcupine Smiles glanced out of the corner of her eyes at the profile of the quiet brave who walked besides her. After dinner, Fighting Dog had asked his parents if he could take her for a walk which they had allowed. Gentle Otter had told them that she would help Whispering Deer with the chores so that Porcupine Smiles could go with him.

He had led her away from the village, to a secluded area near the corralled horses. The entire way he had been rather quiet, which to her seemed unusual because they were usually engaged in some sort of taunting of each other. She had actually started to say some things to him, but it wasn’t as fun when he didn’t have a comeback for her.

All he had done was give her a shy smile while continuing to walk at her side. Now, she was actually beginning to get annoyed with his silence and the awkwardness that seemed to be growing between them.

With a huff, she stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. Narrowing her eyes at him, she snapped, “Embry, if you don’t stop acting so strange right now, I’m going back home!”

Fighting Dog slowly came to a stop, but didn’t look at her. She watched as he appeared to be fiddling with one of the feathers he wore in his hair. Once he had gotten it free, he simply stood there looking down at it as he twirled it around in his hands.

She gritted her teeth. “Okay, fine. Don’t believe me. Goodbye.”

"Porcupine Smiles, wait..." came his soft voice.

As she went still, she was amazed at the fact that she had understood what he was saying even though he wasn’t speaking in English. When she slowly turned to look at him, he shuffled from one foot to the other before taking a deep breath.

"I have been practicing this all day today...the words are there, but I don't know how to say..."

Porcupine Smiles held up her hand to stop him. “Wait Embry! You’re talking too fast and I don’t understand that much of your language yet.”

He gave her a jerky nod before he swallowed nervously. Once more he looked down at the feather in his hands before finally looking her square in the eyes. When he spoke his voice was still soft, but clear enough for her to understand.

“I practiced this today. It is still hard for me to say…I will just say, okay?”

She nodded.

He continued. “I…like you. You are…” He shook his head as if he didn’t like the words he was saying. “I want to ask you to be my woman…”

Again he shook his head with a frown. “That is not right…”

Porcupine Smiles stepped closer to him and held out her hand. “Embry, are you asking to court me?”

Immediately the frown left his face, replaced by a shy smile. “Yes,” he whispered. “That is right.”

At first Porcupine Smiles didn’t answer him. Instead, she stood there staring at him, clearly looking stunned. Then, a smile blossomed over her features as she stepped even closer to him.

As a blush stained her cheeks, she answered with an excited squeak. “Yes!”