chapter 25

Porcupine Smiles sat on the blanket next to Owl Sees Truth enjoying the way the sun warmed them despite the fact that it was now the Moon of Hunger, when the mornings found the ground covered in a blanket of snow and their breathing could be seen as white puffs coming from their mouths. However, on the days when the sun rose high into the sky, it warmed the earth enough to keep the cold at bay.

As the women sat outside of Owl Sees Truth’s home that she now shared with Mountain Lion Guides, they both knew it wouldn’t be long before the sun lost its battle with the deep winter, which would bring more snow to cover the ground. Still, they were as prepared for the harsh winter weather as they could be, dressed in thicker leather dresses and tall leather moccasin boots with furs worn as coats or draped on the blanket around them. There was even a fire going in the pit they sat beside.

Porcupine Smiles sighed as she turned to look at Owl Sees Truth who was leaning back on her hands with her eyes closed, face turned up to the sun. Porcupine Smiles thought Owl Sees Truth looked radiant, seeming to be glowing despite the slight chill in the air. The two of them were lucky enough to have time to sit and relax for a bit before Porcupine Smiles would return to spend time with Gentle Otter.

They were much more fortunate than White Swan and Mouse Daydreams who still had chores to do as life went on in the village. The two of them were currently at the river washing clothes with some of the other slaves which was why it was only Porcupine Smiles and Owl Sees Truth soaking up the sun’s rays.

“How much longer do you think they will be gone?” asked Porcupine Smiles, still intent on mastering the Quedeyona language.

Owl Sees Truth answered without even opening her eyes or moving from her position. She knew exactly who Porcupine Smiles was asking about. “Not much longer I suppose. It should be a surprise to the Danasga, they don’t know they are going to be raided.”

Porcupine Smiles frowned. “Unless someone managed to forewarn them.”

Owl Sees Truth opened her eyes to look at her friend. “True, but that seems too impossible.”


“Maybe, but what if the fighting goes badly? I mean, even if the Danasga are taken by surprise, what if they manage to fight well enough to make our warriors struggle?”

Owl Sees Truth shifted so that she was facing Porcupine Smiles. “Even if the Danasga put up a good fight, they can’t be that prepared. I have faith in our warriors Porcupine Smiles. I believe they would have planned it so that they would have the best sneak attack possible. They wouldn’t have just gone blundering in.”

Porcupine Smiles looked at Owl Sees Truth for a moment before turning her eyes in the direction of the last place the raiding party had left the village. Owl Sees Truth saw the worried look her friend still wore and reached out to give her hands a comforting squeeze.

“They will be okay Porcupine Smiles. Have faith that they will be okay and will return to us soon. You’ll see.”

Porcupine Smiles turned to look into Owl Sees Truth’s eyes where she seemed to finally see something that gave her hope. Finally, she returned Owl Sees Truth’s smile with one of her own. “You’re right. I just have to have faith in them.”

Just as Owl Sees Truth was about to reply, a shout came from the far side of the village. “The raiding party is returning! The warriors have come home!”

As others took up the joyous cry, Owl Sees Truth grinned at Porcupine Smiles. “See? A little faith goes a long way!”

Porcupine Smiles laughed as the two of them got up and hurried towards the center of the village where they knew the rest of the people would be gathering to welcome their warriors home.

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“The raiding party has returned!”

White Swan looked up as a young boy ran into the clearing besides the river to finish making his announcement. As soon as he was done, many of the slaves began gathering up their possessions before making their way back to the village. White Swan was among those eager to get back to the village to greet the returning warriors.

As she hurried to gather up her belongings, she glanced at Mouse Daydreams who had been working not too far from her side. Unlike most of the others, Mouse Daydreams was in no hurry to return to the village despite the fact that she knew White Coyote would be returning too. She wasn’t in any hurry because she knew what was going to happen if White Coyote knew about White Swan and Black Wolf’s plans for the future making her a little unsure about being a witness to that.

However, she could only delay the inevitable for so long because even the men who had been the ones to watch over the slaves as they worked were now trying to hurry everyone back to the village. She wasn’t very far behind White Swan as they rushed into the village where they joined the rest of the men, women and children who were already waiting for the raiding party’s appearance.

Owl Sees Truth and Porcupine Smiles were among those already there, along with Mountain Lion Guides’ family and Crow Flies’ family whom White Swan still worked for. Just as White Swan made it to the group, Gentle Otter arrived to join them too. Mouse Daydreams didn’t see the family she worked for anywhere, but then she wasn’t really looking for them. Instead, she moved to join her older sister and their friends to wait as patiently as they could.

Within moments, the sound of horses could be heard over the excited chatter. People began to crane their necks or rose to the tips of their toes in hopes of catching sight of the returning warriors. As the excited chatter changed into cries of joy and welcoming cheers, Porcupine Smiles caught sight of Fighting Dog riding his horse next to Black Wolf with Mountain Lion Guides and White Coyote not too far behind.

“Fighting Dog!” she cried as she began to make her way through the crowd towards her husband.

Fighting Dog grinned as he caught sight of her and swung off his horse, to the ground. Keeping one hand on his horse’s reins, he swept Porcupine Smiles up with the other arm, pulling her in for a deep kiss. Behind them, Mountain Lion Guides was hugging Owl Sees Truth close to him as Mouse Daydreams made her way towards them. Further in the crowd Black Wolf had spied White Swan, prompting him to make a beeline towards her as she ran towards him with a smile on her face.

Holding his wife in one arm, Mountain Lion Guides ruffled Mouse Daydreams’ hair affectionately and smiled at her. “Hello, Mouse Daydreams. You have been well I hope?”

Mouse Daydreams nodded. “I have.”

“Good, then why don’t you go say hello to White Coyote. I’m sure he would like to have someone welcome him home.”

Mouse Daydreams nodded before making her way to White Coyote’s side as Mountain Lion Guides watched. White Coyote had been watching Black Wolf approach White Swan with eyes narrowed, but when Mouse Daydreams approached him to say hello, he turned his attention away from them. Inwardly Mountain Lion Guides smiled since Mouse Daydreams had just managed to grab White Coyote’s attention away from the loving homecoming Black Wolf was currently receiving from White Swan.

Black Wolf held White Swan wrapped in his embrace as he drowned in her sweet mouth, the two of them were oblivious to the stares and covert looks around them. They didn’t see the frowns or scowls on the faces of those who believed a slave had no business being so familiar with the new chief of their tribe.

They weren’t aware that some of those, like the council members believed Black Wolf already belonged to another. In fact, even Brown Skunk and her father wore matching scowls as they took in the unwelcome sight before them. The couple were not even aware of the anger of White Coyote or of the fact that Mountain Lion Guides had just brought them some time to enjoy a good hello without the interference of her brother.

They were still kissing when Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles walked past them as they made their way towards Gentle Otter. When Fighting Dog uttered a “hello White Swan” as Porcupine Smiles chuckled a “hi Black Wolf” all the couple did was wave a hand at them without breaking the kiss. But that didn’t offend Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles who continued arm in arm on their way to Gentle Otter without breaking their stride.

Brown Skunk tried to go towards the couple, but her father stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Not now daughter.”


“But father!”


“It would not be wise to cause a scene with all of these witnesses. Trust me, my dear, the council will soon deal with this infraction. Have patience and Black Wolf will soon be yours.”

Brown Skunk huffed her indignation, but did as her father suggested while standing there scowling in the direction of the slave who had her hands on the man she coveted.

Mountain Lion Guides chuckled at the sight of Black Wolf and White Swan, making Owl Sees Truth glance in the direction he was looking. She laughed in turn as she caught sight of the two lovebirds who were so lost in each other that not even Fighting Dog and Porcupine Smiles had managed to interrupt.

Mountain Lion Guides looked down at his wife with a smile, suddenly noticing that she seemed even more radiant than ever. It was as if every time he saw her, she seemed to shine brighter and brighter than the sun itself. Hugging her closer to him, he nuzzled her hair.

“It is good to be home. I have missed you, my raven.”

Owl Sees Truth returned his hug before looking up at him with a smile. “I’ve missed you too, my lion.” Then her smile turned mischievous. “Or rather we have missed you.”

Mountain Lion Guides gave her a puzzled look. “We?”

Owl Sees Truth nodded as her smile turned even more radiant. Taking the hand that he held her with, she led it to her stomach and pressed it gently against her skin.

“We,” she repeated.

Mountain Lion Guides’ eyes widened in realization. “Truth?” he asked in a mixture of hope and awe.

Owl Sees Truth laughed at the look on his face. “Yes, I missed my last phase. The healers say it must have happened on our hand-fasting day.”

Mountain Lion Guides silently gave thanks to the Great Spirit for that miracle and the fact that they found out so soon. He had no idea that when he had taken Owl Sees Truth into his life that they would be blessed with a family so quickly. But he was glad that they would get to share that together and hoped she felt the same.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked, worried that she wasn’t ready.

Owl Sees Truth knew what he was asking. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she looked up into his eyes with a reassuring smile. “Yes. I’m so happy that I am going to have a family with you, my husband. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”

Mountain Lion Guides relaxed as he saw the truth of it in her eyes. She was beyond thrilled and more than ready to have a family with him. He was still thanking the Great Spirit for all the gifts he had been receiving lately.

He leaned down to brush a soft kiss over her lips before leaning back to look at her glowing face. With a sigh of contentment, he brushed strands of hair from her face.

“My raven-haired beauty,” he breathed, lost in his newfound happiness.

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Even as Mountain Lion Guides and Owl Sees Truth basked in their new family, Black Wolf and White Swan had finally come up for air. Grinning at each other, they only parted enough to rest their foreheads against each other’s. While they continued to breathe air into their lungs again, Black Wolf cupped White Swan’s face in his hands.

When he could finally speak again he said, “Oh how I missed you!”

White Swan chuckled softly. “Um hm. I missed you too.” She glanced down at him before looking back into his eyes. “I’m glad you are not hurt.”

Black Wolf didn’t miss the worry she tried to hide. “I’m fine. It was not a long fight.”

“Were you able to resolve things?”

Black Wolf shrugged as he moved away to take her hand in his. “Yes, as much as we could for what has happened to us. Come, let us walk to my home and I’ll fill you in before I have to go to council.”

White Swan nodded as she fell into step with Black Wolf. She listened as he started to tell her about the raid until something caught her attention from out of the corner of her eye. Turning to look with curiosity, she spotted a slender girl who looked to be in her mid-teens struggling with one of the Quedeyona warriors.

It wasn’t that the warrior was being rough with the girl or mistreating her in any way, it was that something seemed familiar about the girl. As White Swan took in her slender appearance and dark brown hair that seemed to have lighter brown highlights in it, she suddenly realized who she was looking at. Even at that young age, the girl was the spitting image of Isabella Swan’s mother.

The moment that thought came to her, she stopped dead in her tracks causing Black Wolf to look at her in puzzlement.

“Bells? What is it?”

“Jake! Oh my God, Jake! It’s her!”

Black Wolf looked in the direction White Swan was staring, but had no clue what she meant. “Her?”

White Swan’s answer was a scream as she let go of Black Wolf to run towards the girl and warrior. “Alice! Alice!”

The girl was still struggling with the warrior even as she turned towards White Swan’s voice. The moment she saw White Swan running towards her, her eyes went wide in recognition.

“Bella?” she whispered brokenly.

White Swan could only see the movement of the girl’s mouth, since she was still too far away to hear her voice. “It’s me, Alice! It’s Isabella, your sister!”

At that confirmation, Alice began to thrash more wildly against the warrior until Black Wolf motioned to the warrior to let her go. As soon as she was free, she rushed towards White Swan with tears blossoming in her eyes.

Others had heard White Swan’s scream, prompting them to turn to see what all the commotion was about. White Coyote was one of them and when he looked up to see White Swan running towards a younger girl, he knew exactly who it was. Leaving Mouse Daydreams’ side, he ran towards his two sisters who were now embracing each other tightly.

White Swan looked up to see him running towards them. She wore a smile despite the tears in her eyes. “Emmett! Look! Look! We’ve found Alice! We’ve found our little sister!”

White Coyote wrapped his arms around both of them, hugging them fiercely. “Oh thank God you’re okay, little sis! You’re okay!”

Alice couldn’t speak past the sobs that were growing more and more hysterical by the moment. All she could do as the tears ran down her face was cling to the brother and sister she’d never thought to see ever again.

As the three siblings continued their reunion, Black Wolf moved to talk with the warrior who had been with Alice. “She is yours?”

The warrior shook his head. “She is one from the Danasga. I caught her as she tried to escape into the trees without thinking about facing the dangers of the wilderness alone. I tried to warn her of that and to reassure her that she would not be harmed but I fear she does not understand our language. She struggled with me at first, but I think she calmed when she realized I did not raise my voice or treat her roughly.”


“Why was she struggling with you now?”


“I do not know. She was calm for most of the journey back. It wasn’t until I took her off the horse, trying to lead her to the council building that she seemed to panic.”

Black Wolf nodded. “Do you intend to claim her as yours?”

The warrior glanced at the three huddled figures before turning to look at Black Wolf. “I think it is best if I leave the girl with someone who can talk to her and keep her calm.”

Black Wolf inclined his head in gratitude. “My thanks.”

The warrior returned his nod before walking off to help with the rest of the slaves as Black Wolf made his way towards the three siblings. Leaning in slightly, he touched White Swan’s arm without startling her. When she looked up at him, he gave her a warm smile.

“Why don’t you and Emmett take Alice to my home while I go to the council building. The three of you can spend some time together there.”

As White Coyote looked up at them White Swan asked, “What is to become of her?”

Black Wolf gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “I will inform the council that she will be my slave so that she will be with her family again. They will not argue against that once they hear what I have to say as well as the words from the warrior who brought her here.”

“Are you sure they would agree?” asked White Coyote with some skepticism.

Black Wolf nodded. “Yes, our tribe likes to keep families close together. We believe it makes it easier for them to accept their new life and surroundings.”

White Swan nodded as she realized what Black Wolf said was true. “Okay, we’ll go wait for you at your home then.”

Black Wolf watched as White Swan and White Coyote coaxed a still hysterical Alice to her feet before they began to make their way towards his home. He waited until they were out of sight before he turned towards the council building. He knew it would be some time before he would be able to return to his home which meant they would have plenty of time to catch up with one another.

He only hoped that once the raiding party had reported the results of the raid, plus sorted through all of the slaves, ex-Danasga villagers and the rest of the items they had brought back with them that there would still be time for him to consult with the council on one more thing that had nothing to do with the raid itself.

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“Listen to me, Bella! You can’t be serious about this!” snapped Emmett.

Bella sighed from where she sat next to Alice, holding her younger sister’s hand. Emmett had been yelling at her for some time now to no avail.

Once the three of them had reached Black Wolf’s home where Bella had managed to get Alice inside and seated, they had first tried to get Alice to tell them where she had been. Unfortunately, Alice was still a little hysterical, unable to be very clear about what had happened to her since they had last seen each other.

However, Emmett and Bella had been able to discern that no serious harm had come to their little sister while she had been with the Danasga. Somehow, she had managed to avoid being abused or violated in any way. It seemed a miracle that no one had laid a hand on her in any bad way, but they hoped it was because of her skittishness or her general hysteria that had kept others away.

Once they realized that Alice was physically fine, Bella had tried to get Alice to eat something as well as placing blankets around her shoulders to still her shaking. She was focused on trying to coax Alice into a comfortable, relaxed demeanor while Emmett had begun to pace in front of them.

When Bella had given up trying to get Alice to eat something, she simply sat next to her younger sister with a comforting arm around her while Emmett had finally gotten it off his chest. Without any warning, he’d blurted out that he didn’t believe for one moment that his sister would agree to marry a savage so easily and wanted to know what they had threatened her with for her to give in to them.

When Bella told him that she had willingly agreed to marry Black Wolf because she wanted to, Emmett had lost it. He kept insisting that there was no way any sister of his would willingly marry any of the savages around them and went on to point out all of the reasons why any civilized human being would stay as far away from the savages as much as possible.

However, all of his ranting was falling on deaf ears. Bella wasn’t swayed by anything Emmett had said so far, so he was now tired of her ignoring him. Still she, held her ground.

“I am serious about it, Emmett.”

Emmett gritted his teeth in frustration as he glared at Bella. Curling his hands into fists then releasing them, he tried another argument.

“Look, you know that I am able to keep earning the bounty that I started with the Taganila. I planned to buy my freedom with it, as well as yours and Rose’s. I thought we would then go look for Alice, but since she’s here I’ll just buy her freedom too.”

Bella frowned. “Buy our freedom?”

“Yes. I planned to earn enough to get us all free so that we could go back to our world again. The Quedeyona will honor the same rules the Taganila had for slaves like me. They told me so.”

Bella sighed again. “Well if that’s what you want to do, then you should do it. I’m sure Rose and Alice will be pleased to go home.”

She glanced at Alice, speaking in what she hoped was a comforting tone. “Is that what you want, Alice? To go home again?”

Alice simply nodded her head, but her unfocused gaze remained on the floor. Bella got the feeling that Alice wasn’t really putting any effort into the conversation, she was simply contented to be safe for the moment.

Emmett sighed as he glanced at his fragile baby sister before looking back at the ever stubborn Bella. It seemed nothing had changed at all over the years. Alice was still the delicate little lady while Bella remained the headstrong and wild girl she had always been.

He knew she would never give in without a fight. “Bella, we are all going home. You, me, Alice and Rose.”

Bella quirked an eyebrow. “What about Leah? I don’t think Rosalie would want to leave her sister.”

“We talked about it already. It’s too late to save Leah. She’s already in too deep.”

Bella gaped at him. “You did not just say that! Save her!?! You talk as if you were one of those crazy people our parents were trying to escape persecution from!”

“That’s different.”

“How is it different Emmett? You want to save us from the evil of these savages just like those fanatics wanted to save everyone from the evils that they came up with! There’s nothing evil about these people Emmett! They’re people, just like we are! They just live their lives differently than we were used to, that’s all!”

“They are not people Bella! They’re savage! Uncivilized!”

“You’re wrong! You haven’t even tried to understand them! You condemn them just because they are different! But they are like us in many ways! They have feelings! They have families! God Emmett! They bleed just like us!”

“Then let them bleed! But you cannot become like them! You don’t belong here anymore than I do!”

Bella threw up her hands in exasperation. “This is getting us nowhere.” Looking steadily at her brother, she spoke in a clear and firm voice. “I’ve already made up my mind Emmett. I told Black Wolf yes. He is going to ask the council for my rights.”

Whatever Emmett was going to retort died on his lips as Black Wolf entered the house looking exhausted. Bella was instantly on her feet and at his side.

“Are you okay, Black Wolf?”

He nodded wearily. “Yes, it has been a long day.” He glanced at Alice. “How is she?”

Bella sighed. “She’s calmed down a little, but she doesn’t talk much.” She turned to give her sister a sad look. “She’s always been this way really, a little on the fragile side.”

Black Wolf nodded in understanding. “Why don’t you try to get her to sleep before I walk you to Crow Flies’ home?”

“Okay, come on Alice let’s go to bed.” As Bella helped Alice into the next room where she got her to lay down on one of the pallets, she could hear Black Wolf telling Emmett about the council meeting.

“The council now has the report of the raid from everyone. Tomorrow they will continue to sort through everyone and everything we brought back from the Danasga. But I did manage to get the council to agree to give me Alice’s rights. She is now my slave and will remain here with you so that she can be cared for. It may help her if she is surrounded by family.”

“My thanks,” replied Emmett.

Bella leaned over and placed a kiss on her sister’s forehead before whispering to her. “Did you hear that Alice? You get to stay here with Emmett and Black Wolf. And I’ll be over here often too. You’ll like Black Wolf. You’ll see just what a great person he is. He’s always been nice to me and I know he’ll treat you just as wonderful as he’s always treated me. You’ll see.”

Alice simply stared at her for a few moments before closing her eyes with a soft sigh. Bella brushed the hair from her sister’s forehead. She hadn’t really expected a reply from Alice at all.

“Good night, little sister. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With that, she got up and returned to the front room where Black Wolf was waiting for her. When she looked around for Emmett, Black Wolf answered her.

“Emmett went to get some wood for our fire. Alice should be okay for a few moments. Come, let me walk you home.”

She took Black Wolf’s hand and walked out of the house with him. As they made their way between the homes, she asked him about the meeting.

“I guess the meeting was too long for you to ask about my rights.”

Black Wolf sighed as he brought their entwined hands to his chest. “Yes, we did not even get to finish everything about the raid. Council will call all of us to meet again in the morning. When they do, I will stay until I have an answer from them.”

He stopped walking and turned to look into her eyes. “I don’t want to wait any longer than I have to, Bells. As soon as they allow it, I want to do the hand-fasting. That way you can come home to not only me, but your sister and brother too.”

White Swan smiled up at him. “I want that too, Jake. I don’t want to wait too long to start my life with you.”

He smiled in return before leaning down to give her a kiss. As deep as the kiss was, White Swan could tell just how tired Black Wolf was. Reluctantly pulling away from him, she led him towards Crow Flies home.

“Come on Jake, the sooner we get to our beds tonight, the sooner we can be together again.”

Black Wolf chuckled at the impatience he could hear in her voice. She was feeling the frustration just as much as he was. Still, he was certain that it would only be a matter of a few hours before they were both happy again. For as soon as the council finished talking about the raid, he was going to ask for White Swan’s rights.

Then as soon as they granted that to him, he was marching right over to Crow Flies home to collect White Swan for the hand-fasting. By the time night fell again, she would be spending the first night of the rest of their lives in his arms as his wife.