chapter 13

A/N: WARNING!!! There is a scene near the beginning of a near rape/beating, so if you cannot stomach that please be advised.


Also, I'd like to continue to give props to leelator for providing me with information on the Pacific Northwest tribes so that I could include some things in these chapters.


Lastly, remember that all italics is the characters speaking in Quedeyona PLUS if you need to remember who is who, go to the Cast of Characters page. Leah is no longer known as Leah starting in this chapter. ;-)

*One month later*

Owl Sees Truth finished putting the last of her laundry into her basket before shrugging further into the otter skin cape that was draped over her shoulders. Fall had begun, thus making the air a bit cooler than normal. While she loved the way the leaves had begun to change color, she wasn’t too thrilled about the way the cooler air would nip at unprotected skin.

Straightening up, she grinned at White Swan and asked, “You almost finished?”

White Swan nodded in reply. However, when the two of them looked at Mouse Daydreams, they knew she was far from finished.

Shaking her head in disgust, Owl Sees Truth moved closer to Mouse Daydreams’ side to help her. “Rosie, you’re going to be the last one here if you don’t hurry up!”

Mouse Daydreams shrugged. “What’s the rush? It’s not like we have anything interesting to do once we go back to our owner’s homes.”

Owl Sees Truth and White Swan shared a look before returning to what they were doing. It had been a little over a month since Owl Sees Truth had become a slave of the Quedeyona tribe. Mountain Lion Guides and Black Wolf had both made sure the council knew that she was Mouse Daydreams’ older sister in order for her to stay within the tribe.

Once that was established she had become the slave of an older couple whose son had put in a bid for Owl Sees Truth since neither he nor his sister lived with them. She became the slave for the couple almost a day after her arrival in the village. Not long after that, she had met White Swan and some of the other slaves who had helped to soothe Owl Sees Truth’s wariness as well as helped to ease her transition into the tribe.

A couple of days after the raid, the remaining slaves who were not claimed by the Quedeyona were taken to other tribes who would have use for them. Hawk Soars, one of the braves who had learned English with Black Wolf, went with Bright Wolf and the other Quedeyona delegation to help with translating for the slaves.

Owl Sees Truth began learning the ways of the Quedeyona with the help of White Swan mostly. Of course, there was also the fact that she was getting help from a source no one else knew about. A source whom she was more than happy to receive help from. If she was ever asked, she’d use the excuse that he was often the closest one she could run to if she needed a translation, but deep down she knew that wasn’t true.

Even Mountain Lion Guides knew that the reason Owl Sees Truth often came to him for help was because she was as attracted to him as he was to her. The moment Mountain Lion Guides had found out that the girl with the hair like a raven’s wing was his new neighbor, he had readily volunteered his services to help her fit in.

Owl Sees Truth had admitted to him that once she’d gotten over the shock of hearing him speak English, that she had thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. And as the days turned into weeks, they had spent more and more time together because of their proximity to each other.

It was during that time that they both began to see that there was more than just a physical attraction between them. Owl Sees Truth liked the way he was very direct and to the point with everyone, including her. Mountain Lion Guides always seemed to be quick to answer truthfully and he was also good at keeping the peace. In other words, he could look at a situation and get it fixed within moments.

Not only did he have a quick mind, but he also had a very dry sense of humor which most of the others didn’t always understand. However, Owl Sees Truth got it and loved that he always went out of his way to make her smile. At first, he had kept a respectable distance, but when she had told him she liked him, he had relaxed enough to get closer to her.

For Mountain Lion Guides, he had immediately been attracted to her strength once he’d gotten past her radiant beauty. He loved the way she was very nurturing towards others. She was always looking out for everyone around her, but most especially the couple she now belonged to and her little sister.

He also loved the inquisitive nature she had. Owl Sees Truth was always asking questions and trying to find answers as to why things were the way they were. She was the kind of woman who could keep a man like him on his toes and he’d begun to realize that when he needed someone to bounce ideas off of or to help figure out a solution, she was the best one to go to.

So, their meetings had quickly gone from Mountain Lion Guides teaching Owl Sees Truth about the Quedeyona to the two of them just getting to know each other. Mountain Lion Guides had told her about his life as a Quedeyona and going away to learn English among the whites. She also knew who his closest friends were and some other personal things about him.

She had told him about her own life as a child and how the Gineduli had treated her. Then she had confided in him how she felt to be reunited with her sister and the way she felt about Mouse Daydreams’ reluctance to do anything about her situation.

The moment she’d found out about Mouse Daydreams, Owl Sees Truth had done what everyone else had. She’d tried to talk sense into her sister. When that hadn’t worked, she’d gone to White Swan and asked if she knew what was going on. Eventually she had discovered that not only had White Swan tried to talk to Mouse Daydreams, but so had Black Wolf, most of the slaves, Mountain Lion Guides and a few others.

However, she had quickly realized how all of their hands were tied unless Mouse Daydreams spoke up first. So, dealing with her little sister’s strange behavior was yet another thing she confided in Mountain Lion Guides about. For his part, he always lent her a shoulder to lean on and gave advice if she asked for it.

It was for all of those reasons that she had finally been given the name of Owl Sees Truth. For like an owl, she was watchful, inquisitive and always seemed determined to get to the truth of everything.

Once the other slaves were done with their washing, they began to split up into groups to head back to their homes where they would finish up their chores. White Swan, Mouse Daydreams, and Owl Sees Truth were among one group that went one way while Porcupine Smiles went with another group. As their group made their way down the trail, some of them would veer off onto an adjoining trail which would lead them to their homes until only White Swan, Mouse Daydreams, Owl Sees Truth and one brave were left on the main trail.

The three slaves talked among themselves as they walked down the trail that was strewn with colorful fall leaves while the lone brave took up the rear. They reached another fork in the road just as Mouse Daydreams had finished telling White Swan once again how happy she was that Owl Sees Truth had been chosen to stay within the Quedeyona tribe because it gave them the chance to be a family again.

White Swan waved good-bye to Owl Sees Truth and Mouse Daydreams as they walked down the main trail before she and the brave went down the other trail. When the trail branched off once more, the brave went one way and White Swan the other.

White Swan had taken only a few steps when she suddenly heard shouts coming from the direction she knew Owl Sees Truth and Mouse Daydreams had gone. She stopped to listen with a frown until the high pitched scream rang out. Dropping her basket, she took off at a run towards the scream and burst into a chaotic scene only moments later.

Mouse Daydreams’ screams continued to echo around the area as she lay on her back on the ground desperately fighting two men off of her. One held her arms down as the other worked on ripping her clothes off from the waist down.

Owl Sees Truth was lying on her side a few feet away, curled up on her side with her arms around her middle. There was blood and dirt splattered on her face and arms while the yellow and red leaves of the fall season clung to her unkempt hair. A man and a woman holding a thick stick, stood over the softly moaning Owl Sees Truth as the other two men continued to work on Mouse Daydreams.

Without a second thought, White Swan jumped into the fray, launching herself at the man who’d been tearing Mouse Daydreams’ clothes off. Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, she yanked as hard as she could which made him stumble back and scream in agony.

The man righted himself and turned to glare at White Swan’s hands which held bits of his hair before he advanced on her. Cursing in Quedeyona, he lifted his hand to strike her.

“You bitch! How dare…”

Before his hand could make contact, Black Wolf was there to grab his wrist, twisting his arm behind him to hold him prisoner even as he hissed a warning. White Swan stared wide-eyed at Black Wolf’s timely rescue as Fighting Dog dragged the other man off of Mouse Daydreams and pinned him to the ground.

Mountain Lion Guides was in the process of dragging the third man off of Owl Sees Truth since he and the woman had resumed beating her moments ago. The woman now sat on the ground nursing a bloody nose while the third man began swinging at Mountain Lion Guides. Mountain Lion Guides ducked, then landed a perfect punch to the man’s jaw effectively knocking him out.

Once the man was out cold, Mountain Lion Guides immediately went to check on Mouse Daydreams while Fighting Dog and Black Wolf held their prisoners at bay. Glad that she only had a few scrapes and bruises aside from the slightly torn clothes, Mountain Lion Guides took the blanket Fighting Dog tossed to him and wrapped it around her body before going to Owl Sees Truth’s side.

Kneeling next to her, he took in her much worse injuries. She had a black eye and blood ran from the corner of her mouth. He could tell from the way she lay on her side, breathing heavily and clutching her middle that she had to have a broken rib or two. Her bad condition plus the soft sobs that escaped between her labored breathing tore at Mountain Lion Guides’ heart.

Suddenly seeing red, he rose to his feet and grabbed the woman by her arms. Yanking her to her feet, he shook her as he roared at her.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The woman spat blood on the ground before glaring at him. “It is none of your business what we do here. That girl is our slave and we will do what we wish with her!”

She indicated Mouse Daydreams with an incline of her head.

Mountain Lion Guides grabbed her by the front of her shirt and dragged her over to Owl Sees Truth. “She is not your slave, yet you beat her!”

The woman shrugged. “She’s still a slave who should be taught her place. She should know better than to interfere in our business.”

Mountain Lion Guides gritted his teeth as he shoved the woman to the ground. “How would you like to know what it feels like to be beaten and abused the way you were helping these men do to helpless women?”

Fighting Dog, Black Wolf and White Swan could see the way Mountain Lion Guides’ hands were curling into fists. They had a feeling he was capable of giving the woman a taste of what she’d helped to start, but before he could take a step towards the woman, Black Wolf spoke up.

“Mountain Lion Guides, we should take these people to the council and see to the injuries of the two young women!”

Mountain Lion Guides slowly nodded before glaring at the insolent woman. “You go first. I’ll be just behind you.”

She lifted her chin in defiance, but did as he ordered. As she led the way, Mountain Lion Guides knelt next to Owl Sees Truth and whispered to her.

“I will lift you up and carry you to the village healer, yes?”

Owl Sees Truth nodded as she gritted her teeth against the pain while Mountain Lion Guides helped her sit up, then put a blanket around her shoulders. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder while she kept the other one around her middle. Mountain Lion Guides positioned her in his arms so that he would inflict the least amount of pain possible to her ribs before he rose to his feet and followed the woman out of the clearing.

Fighting Dog hauled his prisoner to his feet and shoved him in front of him even as Black Wolf motioned for his own prisoner to fall in beside Fighting Dog’s prisoner. As that group set off, Black Wolf went to kneel at Mouse Daydreams’ side while White Swan was on her other side.

“Rose, can you walk?” he asked.

She nodded numbly in reply.

Black Wolf glanced at White Swan with a soft smile. “Will you help her get to the village healer? I have to get him.”

White Swan nodded as Black Wolf indicated the unconscious man still lying where Mountain Lion Guides had left him. While Black Wolf went to the man and managed to drape him over his shoulder, White Swan helped a dazed Mouse Daydreams to her feet. Wrapping her arm around Mouse Daydreams’ shoulders, White Swan began to lead her back to the village with Black Wolf taking up the rear.

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

The sun had begun its descent when the four accused Quedeyona finally stood before the council awaiting the outcome. Three of them were the family that owned Mouse Daydreams. The husband, who had originally owned Mouse Daydreams stood between his second wife and his son as they faced the council. Next to the son was his best friend who was the fourth person involved in the assault on Owl Sees Truth and Mouse Daydreams.

Off to the side standing between the council and the accused, were the three rescuers and White Swan. As soon as he had gotten Owl Sees Truth settled at the healer’s building, Mountain Lion Guides had immediately summoned the council to accuse the four perpetrators of assault and attempted rape as was the law.

Once Mountain Lion Guides had made his accusation, two of the council members had gone to the healer’s building to see if they could get statements from Owl Sees Truth and Mouse Daydreams. While they were away, the rest of the people left in the council building remained where they were and silently waited for their return.

When the two council members finally returned, both Owl Sees Truth and Mouse Daydreams were with them. It was clear that Owl Sees Truth wanted to be there to make her statement in person, so they had placed her on a travois that could be brought into the building. As soon as Owl Sees Truth was comfortable and Mouse Daydreams had sat down next to White Swan for support, the hearing began.

“Mouse Daydreams, are you aware that Mountain Lion Guides is accusing your family of assault and attempted rape?” asked one of the council members.

Mouse Daydreams nodded without looking up at them.

“You must respond vocally, my dear.”


“Yes,” came her soft reply.

“Very well. Can you tell me what happened?”


“My sister and I were walking back from the river…we were…walking…”

When Mouse Daydreams faltered, Owl Sees Truth spoke up for her. “We had just come from doing laundry at the river. The two of us were on the path that led to our homes when the four of them came up to Mouse Daydreams. Her owner yelled at her and accused her of being late, but when she didn’t reply, his wife slapped her.


When she still didn’t say anything, he told his son to teach her a lesson. As soon as he and his friend grabbed Mouse Daydreams, I knew what they were going to do so I tried to stop them. Before I could pull her away from them, her owner and his wife came at me with a stick and began to beat me. I yelled at them and tried to fight them off even as the two others pushed my sister to the ground.”


“Mouse Daydreams, do you agree with Owl Sees Truth’s account?”


“Yes,” replied Mouse Daydreams.

“Very well, continue Owl Sees Truth.”


“I couldn’t fight my two attackers off, but I could hear Mouse Daydreams screaming as the two of them who had her pinned to the ground tried to force themselves on her. That’s when White Swan showed up.”

The council members turned to White Swan and indicated that she move closer to the center.

“How did you know what was going on?” One of them asked.

“I had been down at the river with them too and was a part of their group walking back to the village, but I left them when I reached the other path that would take me home. I had only been walking on that path for a few minutes when I heard someone shouting. When I stopped to listen, I heard the first scream. That was when I ran towards the sounds and soon came upon them.”


“What did you see?”


“Mouse Daydreams’ owner and his wife were standing over Owl Sees Truth and the wife had a stick in her hand. Their son was tearing Mouse Daydreams’ clothes off while his friend held her down. I saw how badly they had beaten Owl Sees Truth and figured out what they were going to do to Mouse Daydreams. So I ran at the son and grabbed him by his hair to pull him off of her. When he tried to hit me for interfering, Black Wolf stopped him.”

The council members nodded as they motioned for Black Wolf, Fighting Dog and Mountain Lion Guides to take the floor. “How did you three come upon them?”

It was Black Wolf who answered. “We were returning from visiting Weasel Tracks when we heard the screams. Mountain Lion Guides was the first to reach the scene.”

Mountain Lion Guides continued, “I saw two of them beating Owl Sees Truth, so I went to them first since they were closer. The woman swung the stick at me, so I grabbed it out of her hand and back-handed her when she went to attack me. When she backed off, I had to struggle with her husband to get him off of Owl Sees Truth.”


“I was right behind Mountain Lion Guides and since he was taking care of those two, I went to stop their son from hitting White Swan,” added Black Wolf.

Fighting Dog finished it off. “I grabbed his friend and pulled him off of Mouse Daydreams before he could pick up where his friend had left off.”


“He wouldn’t stop swinging at me, so I had no choice but to knock him out,” added Mountain Lion Guides as he pointed at Mouse Daydreams’ owner.

The council members continued to listen as Mountain Lion Guides explained the rest of the incident with Black Wolf and Fighting Dog filling in from time to time. When they were done, the council asked White Swan if what the three braves said was true to which she answered that their story was indeed correct. In the end, even Mouse Daydreams and Owl Sees Truth backed up their story.

Once the council had the full account from the others, they told the four accused that they could tell their side of the story if they felt they were being wronged. However, when the wife began to rant at how it was still their business to reprimand a slave who refused to obey orders, the council asked her where it said in their laws that it was permissible to beat a slave that wasn’t theirs until the slave was bloody.

The four of them couldn’t deny that they had not used violence on the slaves since the evidence was right in front of them. They also couldn’t deny that they had taken the laws of the tribe into their own hands and misused it according to their benefit.

The council could clearly see that Mouse Daydreams’ owners and their son were not at all sorry for how they had been treating her. The only one who seemed remorseful was the son’s best friend who remained mostly silent through it all with his head hanging in shame.

Since the young man’s family was also in attendance, the council handed down the ruling to him that he was to be stripped of his warrior status and sent to a neighboring tribe where he would become a slave to one of their families for five years. Only after that time would he be allowed to come back to his own family where he would be given the chance to regain his warrior status through hard work within the village.

To the family that had owned Mouse Daydreams, a much harsher punishment was handed down. The entire family was to be stripped of all their possessions, including their home. Everything they owned would either be given to the new owner of Mouse Daydreams or divided among the rest of the tribe.

Then their names would be erased from the tribal records and the three of them would be cast out into the wilderness to fend for themselves. The council told them that if they wished to act like animals, then they would live like animals. They were warned not to try to go to another tribe for help since their names would be listed as enemies to all the allied tribes.

As soon as the punishments were handed out, the braves who were on guard duty for the council took the four accused into custody and walked them out to begin their exiles. As soon as the room was cleared of all except the council members, the three assaulted women, and their three rescuers, Mountain Lion Guides stepped into the center again.

“If I may, I’d like to put my request to the council for the ownership rights of Mouse Daydreams.”

As one, his friends, Owl Sees Truth and White Swan turned to look at him. Owl Sees Truth wore a smile on her face as she realized what Mountain Lion Guides was doing for her. No one spoke as the council members murmured among themselves once more.

Then a few moments later, they turned to look at Mountain Lion Guides. “We accept your request and agree that it will be in her best interest to be taken in by you. As soon as the healer gives her leave, you may take her into your home. In the meantime, you should go to her previous owner’s home to claim anything you believe you can use.”

Mountain Lion Guides gave the council a respectful bow as they dismissed him and the others from the room. Before he could make his way through the village, Owl Sees Truth asked him to accompany her back to the healer’s building for a few moments.

It was there, while they had a few moments alone, that Mountain Lion Guides told Owl Sees Truth the reason why he had asked for Mouse Daydreams to be his slave.

He was falling in love with Owl Sees Truth and as such, he wanted to do anything to make her happy. He knew she would love having her sister close by and since Mouse Daydreams was the sister of the woman he loved, he would do anything to protect them both.

Owl Sees Truth told him how grateful she was that he had done that for her and then confessed that she too was falling in love with him. She made sure that he knew her feelings for him had been growing since the day she had met him. Then, when she accepted his formal request of courting her, he left the healer’s building after telling her that he would stop by her owners’ home to formally ask for the right to court her openly.

Once he was gone, Owl Sees Truth reclined on the bed in the healer’s building with a dreamy smile on her face while she stroked the feather that was now entwined in her long raven tresses.