chapter 16

It was now near the end of the Month of the Falling Leaves when White Swan glanced up at the sound of hooves, frowning as she saw it was just a few braves returning from their hunt for food. As much as she liked Hawk Soars, who was one of the braves, she simply sighed and went back to work on the rabbit fur coat in her lap.

It had been nearly a month since most of the warriors had left to war with the southeastern tribes yet there still was no sign of them returning. Of course, there was always news from the war camp, but it was mostly on the fact that they were still in the midst of fighting.

No one would know for certain just how bad the results were until it was over. Only when the warriors returned home would anyone know if there would be rejoicing or tears.

Still, White Swan thought that the war had to be bad if the warriors had been gone for almost a month. She kept coming up with all kinds of thoughts about the war and none of them were good. She knew they had to be tired of fighting already which also made her wonder just where the fighting was taking place.

Depending on which side was winning, they could be closer to home or farther away. If it was the former then the chances were good that there were heavy losses and extremely fatigued warriors.

Then there was the effect this war was having on those who remained at home. Those who had loved ones away constantly worried about them and prayed to the Great Spirit for their safe return. For most families they not only lost loved ones, but also the sole provider of food and the like.

Because of these absences, things were now getting harder for those in the village. While the gathering of vegetables and fruits were still plentiful, hunting the meats as well as the care of the livestock and fashioning of the weaponry was sorely lacking. Everyone already knew that they could only survive so long without those things because it was their normal way of life. Plus with most of the warriors gone, the village itself wasn’t as well protected as it could be.

That wasn’t to say that those left behind weren’t good for anything, it was just that when everyone was in the village it functioned much better. It was like a well-oiled machine, where every piece was vital to the outcome as a whole.

Deciding it was time to set the rabbit coat aside and start getting things together for the evening meal, White Swan folded her work up and neatly packed it into the basket at her feet. After she finished putting away everything, she stood up, dusted off her dress then picked up the basket to head towards her home.

She waved to Hawk Soars who had waved to her on his way to his home, but as she continued on, she heard her name called a few moments after that.

“White Swan, is that you?”

White Swan turned to find Gentle Otter walking up to her with her arms full of fruit.

She smiled at Black Wolf’s mother. “Hello Gentle Otter how have you been?”

Gentle Otter gave White Swan a warm smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh I am doing as well as I can be without my boys here.”

White Swan nodded, knowing that Gentle Otter and Bright Wolf were very capable of caring for themselves. Plus they had the help of two slaves, but that didn’t mean their hearts weren’t heavy with worry over their two sons who were at war. For now, the couple had to divide chores between themselves and the two slaves in order to take care of their own home and the home of their son, Fighting Dog since he lived alone.

“How are Crow Flies and Dragonfly Takes Flight doing?”


“They’re doing as well as they can do for now, but they do have Turtle Dove to look after still, so that has helped them a little.”

Gentle Otter nodded. “That is good then.”

White Swan smiled at the elder woman’s arms full of fruit. “Looks like there was good picking today!”

She chuckled. “Actually, this and the other two loads the girls are bringing will be divided between us and the three other families we are helping. Bright Wolf and Weasel Tracks will hopefully catch enough game today for us to distribute also.”

White Swan grinned at the thought of Jasper Whitlock and his generosity. She knew Jasper thought nothing of it to be helping out the Quedeyona tribe while most of the warriors were away. While it was mostly due to the fact that the tribe had gotten justice for the decimation of his home, then later helped him to rebuild it, to Jasper it was really just neighbors helping out neighbors.

Gentle Otter leaned in a little closer and gave White Swan a serious look. “How are you doing White Swan?”

White Swan gave her a grateful smile. She knew what Gentle Otter was getting at. After all, Black Wolf had made sure everyone knew that he was officially courting White Swan since Crow Flies had given him permission to do so.

“I’m doing just fine Gentle Otter.”


“Are you sure?”

Gentle Otter’s persistence made White Swan hesitate for a moment. She didn’t have the heart to tell the kind older woman about the looks and whispered words she was beginning to get from those who were not happy with the eldest son of their Chief courting a measly slave. Although no one had done anything outright to her face, White Swan still heard the words, especially from people like Brown Skunk and her cronies who made sure their whispers were loud enough for her to hear.

Still, she replied with a simple, “Of course.”

Gentle Otter reached out to give her arm a gentle squeeze. “Okay, but you know you are welcome to come by whenever you want no matter who is at our home.”

White Swan placed her own hand over Gentle Otter’s, returning the squeeze. “Thank you Gentle Otter, I will keep that in mind.”

Gentle Otter gave her a wink before she walked off towards her home. White Swan continued on her own way, waving to Owl Sees Truth who was returning from washing a small basket of laundry.

Ever since Owl Sees Truth and Mountain Lion Guides had finally made the announcement of their own courtship, it had seemed that White Swan and Porcupine Smiles had become closer to her. White Swan suspected the three of them were now close because each of them were attached to a brave of the tribe which gave them something similar to talk about.

While Owl Sees Truth wasn’t quite as vocal about her new relationship, that wasn’t true about Porcupine Smiles and Fighting Dog. Most people knew they were just as close as the other couples since Porcupine Smiles made it clear that Fighting Dog meant a lot to her. He was almost all she talked about when she was with White Swan and Owl Sees Truth.

Even though White Swan felt she was closer to Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth now, she knew that she and Mouse Daydreams were growing further apart. At first she thought it was because Owl Sees Truth was now there, which meant Mouse Daydreams didn’t need her to step in and pretend to be her big sister anymore. However, Owl Sees Truth had informed White Swan that it wasn’t just her that Mouse Daydreams was distancing herself from.

When Owl Sees Truth had finally broken the news to her little sister, Mouse Daydreams had been far from thrilled about it. Although Mouse Daydreams hadn’t said much more than an “I’m happy for you”, Owl Sees Truth knew there was so much more she wasn’t saying. It was through the conversations Owl Sees Truth had with White Swan that she found out just how much Mouse Daydreams hated the life she was currently living and the people she had to live with.

Owl Sees Truth knew that it didn’t all have to do with her new, very hospitable owner, Mountain Lion Guides, even if he was a Quedeyona just like her previous owners. In fact, she was certain it had to do mostly with what Mouse Daydreams had suffered through while she had been with those horrible owners.

Owl Sees Truth believed those unfortunate circumstances had to be what made Mouse Daydreams wish she wasn’t living in that village. Plus, deep down inside, Owl Sees Truth realized both she and her parents had spoiled Mouse Daydreams when she had been a child and now Mouse Daydreams’ behavior was the result of that.

As White Swan began to prepare for the evening meal at her home, Owl Sees Truth had finished with the laundry and walked next door to see if her sister needed any help. Scratching on the door flap, she waited until Mouse Daydreams pushed it aside a few moments later. She smiled at her little sister, grateful that she had managed to catch her working in Mountain Lion Guides’ home at the moment.

“Hi Rose, I came to see if you wanted some help. I’ve got some time to spare before I have to start preparing the evening meal.”

Mouse Daydreams shrugged as she turned around and walked back into the home with Owl Sees Truth following her. “There’s not much to do and since I’m staying with his family who already have their own slaves, I’m just hanging out here until evening meal.”

“Oh,” replied Owl Sees Truth as Mouse Daydreams plopped down on a pile of furs meant for lounging on. “Well, in that case we could just chat for a while before we both have to return to our duties.”

Again Mouse Daydreams shrugged as Owl Sees Truth sat down opposite her on another pile of furs. Once she made herself comfortable without so much as a twinge from her almost fully healed bruised rib, Owl Sees Truth looked up at her little sister with a smile.

“I know you haven’t really been with Mountain Lion Guides long, but how are things going for you now that you’re in his home?”

“Okay, I guess. When he was here my routine was pretty much set and he left me alone unless there was something specific he needed me to do.”

Owl Sees Truth nodded. “Yes, he is a man of few words, isn’t he? I suppose that is a good thing since it means he doesn’t bother you unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yeah,” replied Mouse Daydreams.

Owl Sees Truth chuckled. “Well, Snapping Turtle is like that too. He doesn’t say much and seems to leave the running of the house to his wife, Lark Song. But I like Lark Song when she’s there with me because she has all these interesting stories she tells me about when she was growing up and when she was raising her children.”

Mouse Daydreams rolled her eyes. “Eh, I’m glad I don’t have anyone here to talk my ears off. Who wants to hear mindless prattle about an Injun’s past or that of her offspring?”

Owl Sees Truth’s smiled faded at the hint of disgust in her sister’s voice. “I like listening to those stories, it makes the time go by faster. Especially when I’m doing a chore that is so repetitive and boring. Plus, having her to talk to also helps me learn the language better.”

“I suppose that’s true, if you’re interested in that sort of thing. However, since Mountain Lion Guides knows English and the only others I want to talk to are English speakers, I don’t see why I have to learn another language at all.”

This time it was Owl Sees Truth who lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I guess it’s just interesting to learn something new and I talk to plenty of Quedeyona who don’t speak English, so it helps.”

“Hm, lucky you,” was Mouse Daydreams’ bitter reply.

Owl Sees Truth decided she’d had enough. She had hoped she could sit down and have a pleasant conversation with her little sister. They once had great conversations when she first arrived to the Quedeyona village after being taken away from the Gineduli, but obviously things had changed.

Ever since she had told Mouse Daydreams about her relationship with Mountain Lion Guides, Owl Sees Truth could feel the gap widening between the two of them. It was as if Mouse Daydreams looked down on any slaves who seemed happy to fully become a member of the tribe which she clearly did not want to become a part of despite having lived there for years.

In other words, Mouse Daydreams was what would one day become known as a racist. She even went so far as to be prejudiced against those who were white like her, but chose to become friendly with those of other races. Judging those races to be so far beneath her, Mouse Daydreams even looked down on her own family members who associated with those races.

Glancing towards the door with a sigh, Owl Sees Truth gingerly stood up. “Well, I should get going. It’s about time to start preparing the evening meal.”

Mouse Daydreams nodded, but didn’t move from her spot.

Owl Sees Truth asked, “You should be returning to the others soon, right?”

“They’ll send one of their slaves to get me when it’s time,” replied Mouse Daydreams as she picked at the furs she was leaning against.

Not wanting to get into it with Mouse Daydreams, Owl Sees Truth simply nodded before making her way to the door.

“Okay, I guess I’ll see you later then, little sis.”

“Later,” answered Mouse Daydreams as Owl Sees Truth stepped out of the home and let the flap fall back into place.

Mouse Daydreams frowned at the empty room as she thought about her sister’s relationship with the one called Mountain Lion Guides. When Owl Sees Truth had taken her aside and told her that she was being courted by him, Mouse Daydreams had been shocked while feeling sick to her stomach. Never in a hundred years would she have ever imagined her older sister wanting anything to do with the heathens of the village.

When Owl Sees Truth had told Mouse Daydreams about how she and the other slaves had been mistreated by the Gineduli tribe, Mouse Daydreams had taken that to mean that Owl Sees Truth felt the same way she did about the uncouth savages. So, she’d been speechless when Owl Sees Truth confessed that she truly had feelings for the brave named Mountain Lion Guides.

Granted, Mountain Lion Guides had always been kind to Mouse Daydreams and now that she was living with him, she saw the difference between him and the family she had previously belonged to. However, that hadn’t changed her opinion that all Injuns were savage heathens who were not to be trusted or befriended.

So, to hear directly from her beloved big sister’s mouth that she had not only befriended Mountain Lion Guides, but was trusting him enough to become intimate with him, it had made her shudder in disgust. Even seeing the two together, holding hands or whispering to each other, was such a disturbance to her that she had to turn away as quickly as possible.

Mouse Daydreams knew he was simply courting her sister and that the most they’d exchanged were kisses, but the thought of having a man like that touching her made her skin crawl. Since she was repulsed by the idea, she couldn’t fathom how it was that Owl Sees Truth tolerated it at all.

Shaking her head, she silently wondered if there was a chance her sister’s new beau wouldn’t return from the war. As much as she didn’t want to see her sister hurt, she still prayed that her wish would be granted. After all, Owl Sees Truth was a much stronger person than she was, so Mouse Daydreams believed her older sister would get over the loss quickly.

At least that’s what she kept telling herself as she made her way back to Mountain Lion Guides’ parent’s home.

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Mountain Lion Guides had just launched another tomahawk at an enemy who was still astride a horse. He timed the throw so that the weapon embedded itself with a wet squelch into the back of the rider. The force was such that it propelled the rider forward, making him topple over the horse’s neck, plunging to the ground.

The horse continued to gallop away as the rider writhed on the ground, trying to contort his limbs to reach the tomahawk in his back. Mountain Lion Guides began to make his way through the others fighting around him, blocking others who came at him by using his other weapons to bring down the enemies. He could see the rider’s movements slowing down, which meant he was slowly dying as the strength bled out of the wound on his back.

Before he could reach the man, Mountain Lion Guides felt something slice open his skin over his ribs on his left side. He twisted around just in time to see a spear aimed for his chest. As the spear stabbed him, he reached up and grasped the shaft, preventing it from going any deeper to cause even worse damage.

His attacker refused to give up, leaning into the spear, trying to force the tip further in past Mountain Lion Guides’ strength. Mountain Lion Guides let out a groan through gritted teeth as he felt the tip slide a little further into his skin.

However, he was saved from any further struggling when his adversary suddenly stiffened, then stumbled sideways. As the man fell to his knees, Mountain Lion Guides could see Black Wolf on his horse firing yet a third arrow at the man. That arrow lodged itself in the man’s throat, effectively sending him to the ground where he lay drowning in his own blood.

Mountain Lion Guides nodded his thanks to Black Wolf before breaking off the spear, then yanking out the tip of it with a low growl. Tossing the useless pieces to the ground, he continued on his way to the first man who was now lying facedown on the ground. Staggering a bit from his own wound, Mountain Lion Guides saw that the man was now dead, so he retrieved his tomahawk from the man’s back.

Black Wolf reined his horse in, maneuvering him so that he could keep his eye on Mountain Lion Guides. He saw him stagger slightly, making him curse under his breath. He could tell he had been a little late in helping Mountain Lion Guides. However, the warrior still managed to get his tomahawk before making his way through the fighting bodies around him. Black Wolf could tell Mountain Lion Guides was trying to get out of the midst of it all so he could make it to the healers tents.

Knowing Mountain Lion Guides would need some help, Black Wolf spurred his horse in his friend’s direction even as he kept his bow and arrows handy. Alert to his surroundings, Black Wolf instantly noticed a brave who was fighting not too far away. Even though he could only see him in profile, Black Wolf thought there was something familiar about the brave.

He was currently engaged with one of the southeastern tribe’s warriors which told Black Wolf he was one of the allied tribe’s own. As Black Wolf continued to guide his horse through the area towards Mountain Lion Guides, he glanced back for one final look at the brave.

In that moment, Black Wolf took in the way the brave moved with quick grace as he thrust and blocked with the long knives he held. His shoulder-length hair was pulled back from a tanned face, held back with a leather strip. Wearing nothing more than leather leggings and moccasin boots, the brave downed one enemy before moving to the next. Even then, Black Wolf was aware of the tan line around the brave’s waist and the lighter shade of skin beneath that line.

Reaching Mountain Lion Guides, he leaned over and pulled the injured brave up in front of him. Allowing Mountain Lion Guides to slump over the saddle, Black Wolf whistled to his friend’s horse before concentrating on keeping them both on his own horse. Mountain Lion Guides’ horse followed them as Black Wolf kept their enemies at bay, trying to get them out of the fighting as quickly as possible. His curiosity of the mystery brave slipped from the forefront of his mind as he got them to safety.

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Black Wolf stepped out of the tent into the bright sunlight and took in a deep breath of fresh air. He had been in the tent for the passing of almost a full day as the healers worked on patching Mountain Lion Guides up. When he first brought Mountain Lion Guides in a little after the sun was high in the sky, the healers had been worried because he had lost so much blood, plus there was also the possibility of infection.

So Black Wolf had remained in the tent with Mountain Lion Guides since word had come that the southwestern tribes were actually beginning to disband. By the time the sun rose on a new day, a messenger had been sent to the allied war council from the Southeastern tribes.

He had told them that the southeastern tribes had finally admitted defeat and would agree to the terms of surrender set by the allied war council. In the end, the southeastern tribes agreed not to encroach on allied territory again or they would be killed on sight. Plus all goods, weapons and captives that the southeasterners had left behind were now the property of the allied tribes.

Although all of that wasn’t enough payment for the various villages, property and lives the southeasterners had taken, at least they were no longer taking them at all. It was enough to know that the southeastern tribes would be gone from allied lands where they wouldn’t set foot there again if they valued their own lives.

With the end of the war, Black Wolf didn’t need to return to the fighting and allowed the healers to patch up the few minor injuries he’d sustained while he waited for word on Mountain Lion Guides. Fighting Dog had stopped in briefly to see them both before he went out to help with the cleanup.

Now another day had begun in which Mountain Lion Guides was resting peacefully, allowing Black Wolf to go help the others in the field. Once his eyes adjusted to the sunlight and he’d stretched his limbs somewhat, he began to make his way to where the remains of the battle were.

Just as Black Wolf spotted his brother, the familiar brave he had seen during his last time fighting, walked past him with a group of braves from the Taganila tribe. One of the braves noticed Black Wolf looking at them and stopped to trade pleasantries with him using the typical way the allied tribes communicated with one another. It was a mixture of words common to most of the tribes and sign language.

“Hello my brother, it is good that the Great Spirit has blessed you with life today.”

Black Wolf nodded as he clasped arms with the brave in greeting. “My thanks and I extend that sentiment to you and your fellow warriors.”

Black Wolf said the last with a nod towards the others. They nodded their thanks, all except the one brave Black Wolf had been curious about.

“I am Black Wolf of the Quedeyona tribe, am I correct in thinking you are from the Taganila tribe?”

The one who had originally spoken grinned. “That is right, Black Wolf. I am Booming Thunder and these are my fellow warriors.”

Each warrior began to introduce themselves to Black Wolf, but the one Black Wolf had noticed before had turned away and began walking off before he had a chance to learn his name. As he stared curiously at the brave’s retreating form, Booming Thunder waved his hand in dismissal.

“Don’t mind him. White Coyote is quite the loner. It is rare that he speaks to any of us.”

Black Wolf nodded as he looked back at Booming Thunder. “That is an interesting name he has.”

Booming Thunder chuckled. “It fits, but better when he first came to the tribe.”

Black Wolf arched a brow. “Then he is not originally of the Taganila?”


“Oh no, my uncle purchased him from the Danasga almost twenty-eight seasons ago.”

At the mention of nearly seven years of passing, recognition flooded through Black Wolf’s body. Suddenly very interested in the brave called White Coyote, Black Wolf asked Booming Thunder if his uncle was there since he wanted a word with him. And as the warriors led Black Wolf to the man, he sincerely hoped his negotiation skills were up to par for what he was going to do.